Chapter Seven
Bad news in the Daily Prophet
The next week at Privet Drive continued as any normal week there normally would; with Harry and the Dursley's going out of their way to avoid each other. The Dursley's however seemed particularly furtive. Perhaps because they believed that they were harbouring a convicted mass murderer under their roof; but they were too afraid of a magical reprisal from Sirius to do anything about having him removed. Dudley was just plain terrified of both Sirius and Harry and upon sight of either of them he would turn suddenly pale with fear before slowly backing away.
Sirius rarely ventured out of Harry's room, and if he did it was in his dog form, he wasn't sure how the Dursley's would react to his presence in their living room or sitting at their dining table. He preferred to spend his time in his human form sitting with Harry talking about nothing in particular
Harry was glad that Sirius didn't ask too many questions about Voldemort. Harry didn't quite feel like discussing it just yet. He was only just getting over the events of the third task when he was forced to relive over again in blinding accuracy at Cedric's memorial. However there was something that he wanted to ask Sirius, it had crossed his mind since the memorial, when he was sitting next to Ron. Harry took advantage of his time with Sirius to air what had been playing on his mind.
Sirius had just padded through Harry's slightly ajar bedroom door, a ham sandwich dangling from his mouth. He had just snuck down to the kitchen for a bite to eat, he was finding the experience of having food freely available again as a bit of a novelty. Once safely inside the confines of Harry's room Sirius transformed back into a man
"However horrible your relatives are, they sure have good food," said Sirius appreciatively after having demolished the sandwich. Harry laughed dryly, "Yeah I suppose they do..."
"Sirius..." began Harry
"Yes..." he replied, turning the chair by the desk around to face Harry and placing himself in it.
"You know that graveyard we were in?" He nodded
"Well Ron said it was an all wizarding graveyard so......" (Harry wasn't sure how to finish so he looked down at his nervously twisting hands)
"Is that where you're mum and dad are buried" It was Harry's turn to nod.
"Yes it is. I wasn't at the funeral. I had already been put in my cell in Azkaban. But when I escaped I went straight to that graveyard. I searched through hundreds of headstones, but in the end I found your mum and dad's. They're under a giant willow tree. It's nice."
The only other time Voldemort was mentioned was the day after the memorial service. When Harry's copy of the Daily Prophet was delivered. The black headline taking up half the page spelled out " RETURN OF THE DARK LORD!" At the sight of it Harry's stomach felt as though it had vanished in a swoop of fire. The entire newspaper was given over to the story. There were many photographs of Harry blinking up from the pages under captions such as "The boy who lived - again," and "Our hero defeats Dark Lord a second time!" There was even a picture of him sprawled unconscious on the ground at Cedric's funeral. The story of what had happened on the 24th was recounted blow by blow; Harry's scream; Voldemort's appearance; Harry speaking parseltounge; the duel; they way the wands connected. However there were no pictures of Voldemort, that would have been to shocking, and to Harry's immense relief there was no mention of what Rita Skeeter had witnessed on the night of the third task, he didn't need everyone knowing that his blood brought Voldemort back.
"There was no way Fudge could keep it quiet anymore," said Sirius rationally, reading over Harry's shoulder. Harry didn't read the rest of the paper, he didn't want to know what it said, besides, it wouldn't tell him anything he didn't already know.
How would everyone react? How would things be different when he got back home to the wizarding world? The answer was simple. It would be bad. As bad as it could go. Worse. Worse than worse
However much Harry tried to ignore these thoughts; ( it was no use speculating he reminded himself) they couldn't help but pop into his head every so often, especially just before falling asleep; resulting in Harry having a few nightmares, occasionally waking up Sirius when he called out. During the day he would keep himself occupied with the large amount of summer homework he had been set. Harry supposed this was in preparation for his O.W.L.s which he would be sitting this year
Today he was working on a particularly nasty essay set by Professor McGongall for transfiguration: "Thoroughly research the topic of human transfiguration and write an essay of at least two and a half rolls of parchment entitled, 'The dangers of human transfiguration and how to protect yourself from them' "
Sirius was a great help with this essay, himself being an animagus. He gave countless pieces of valuable information, resulting in an essay three rolls of parchment long that even Hermione would be proud of.
Harry had received a letter from Hermione two days before. A very tired owl flew in through Harry's open bedroom window and landed with a soft 'flump' on the bed. Harry took the letter and Sirius carried the exhausted owl to Hedwig's cage for some water. Harry knew straight away that the letter was from Hermione. The envelope was addressed in her neat handwriting, tough it looked slightly looser, as though it had been written in a hurry. The letter read:
Dear Harry, Are you all right? I heard what happened, Ron wrote and told me, then I saw it in the Daily Prophet. I am coming home from Bulgaria straight away. In fact I'm going to start packing once I've finished this letter. Ron told me that you are going to be at the Burrow for your birthday. I should turn up there at some point during the holidays too. I'm glad Sirius is with you, he'll be able to protect you.
I'm staying with Victor and he says to say hello and that he hopes you are OK. I'll bring your birthday present when I see you!
Write back to let me know you're safe!
Love Hermione
"That girl worries too much," chuckled Harry feeling better
"Hermione?"
"Yeah, I'd better write a reply "to let her know I'm safe" "
***
By the morning of his birthday (the day Dumbledore was due to take him to the Weasly's) Harry had all his things packed neatly away in his trunk. Including all his homework which he had finished with Sirius' help.
Harry woke up from being shaken half to death. He gave a startled jump and opened his eyes to see his godfather leaning over him, grinning broadly.
"Happy birthday!"
Harry's face broke into an equally wide grin
"Thanks!" he said sitting up, still a little drowsy and slow with sleep.
"I've got a card for you, but your present is at Remus' house." Sirius handed over a flimsy paper card. Harry looked at it. It was the almost the same as the good luck card he had sent him during the Triwizard Tournament with a paw print on the front. But this time it had "Happy Birthday Harry" emblazoned on the front. Inside was a short message saying
Happy 15th birthday Harry Hope you enjoy it from Sirius!
"Cheers Sirius!" said Harry smiling.
"No problem," replied Sirius, still grinning as though it was his birthday too
No sooner had Harry placed the card proudly on his uncluttered desk, then a wizened, rather worn out looking owl started tapping impatiently on the window. Harry saw that it was carrying a package. "I'll get it," said Sirius moving to unlatch the window. The owl soared in and started twittering around Harry's head.
"C'mere you mad bird!" said Harry desperately trying to relieve it of it's burden. After a slight struggle and a nasty nip Harry had his parcel and his letter and the owl was resting in Hedwigs cage as Hedwig was still away delivering his letter to Hermione.
"Who's it from?" asked Sirius
"Hagrid." He could tell from the untidy scrawl on the envelope. Inside was an ordinary muggle postcard of a mountainous landscape, but no mention of where it was. The message on the other side said:
Happy Birthday Harry! Have a good one! Sorry I can't be there - on business. Hope you like your present Hagrid PS I got an owl from Dumbledore. Hope you're OK, know you will be
Hagrid's present turned out to be a book, luckily this one didn't bite. It was made of deep red leather and emblazoned in gold was the title, "Quidditch tips for first class seekers" Accompanying it was a set of practise snitches, that wouldn't fly out of a certain area, and they glowed in the dark so you could play at night time and not lose them, "Wow! That'll come in handy when we play quidditch at Ron's"
***
Dumbledore was due to pick Harry up at noon. Harry had had his things packed since noon the day before. He was eager to see Ron and the Weaslys and leave the Dursleys behind.
In his fourteen years of living at number four Harry had never seen the Dursleys so nervous, and that was saying something. It was only a few minutes until midday and Harry had made his way downstairs, followed by Sirius in his human form, and his trunk and Hedwigs empty cage.
Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia were sitting very close to each other on the sofa. Dudley had deemed it safer to stay in his room. Both his Aunt and Uncle started when Harry came into the room and their eyes narrowed as Sirius followed up behind him. Uncle Vernon broke the tense silence.
"So what's going to happen this time? Flying carpet through the window? A broomstick on the roof?" he sneered.
The grandfather clock in the hall began to chime twelve and the doorbell rang. "Actually a ring of the doorbell," growled Sirius. Uncle Vernon went white. "He's - he's outside? In view of the neighbours?"
"Oh, get him inside Vernon!" squealed Aunt Petunia. Harry and Sirius had to blink as Uncle Vernon bolted past them at lightning speed. Voices could be heard coming from the hall. A few short moments later Uncle Vernon stepped into the room, Dumbledore behind him in robes of resplendent purple and gold. Harry thought he looked so oddly out of place in the mundane surroundings of number four. Dumbledore had to bow his head slightly so that his pointed hat wouldn't hit the top of the door frame.
"Happy birthday Harry. I trust you're morning has been showered with presents?" he smiled as he finished "Yeah. Hagrid sent me some great quidditch things"
"What? No dragon eggs or biting books?" Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling. Harry chuckled, "No, not this time professor"
The Dursleys looked cautiously at each other, obviously hoping that Dumbledore wouldn't ask Harry what they had given him for his birthday.
"Very well, shall we go? I see you are ready," he indicated Harry's trunk and Hedwig's cage.
"Yes OK," said Harry
"I'll just light a fire." Aunt Petunia stepped forward to object. "Don't worry, I won't set you house on fire. I assure you I know what I'm doing."
Dumbledore pointed his wand at the empty grate, said the incantation and a fire appeared, roaring away, while gently lighting up the room. Dumbledore pulled out a small pouch made of some sort of gold material.
"Sirius, you go first, with Harry's things."
Sirius nodded, took some of the floo powder and threw it in the fire which instantly turned bright emerald green. Sirius stepped in, pulling Harry's trunk in after him. He gave his destination and disappeared in a gulp of flame. Harry was itching to go. A whole month with the Weasly's - he could hardly wait!
"You next Harry - I'll be right behind you."
Harry gave hurried goodbyes to the Dursleys, failing not to sound too excited at the prospect of a Dursley free four weeks. Harry leapt willingly into the green flames. Remembering to remove his glasses and pin his elbows firmly to his side, he proclaimed "The Burrow!" and watched number four's living room spin away, not to be seen until next summer
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------A/N: OK, firstly I want to apologise for doing a JK, and making you all wait for the next instalment, but I was given a kick start by a review of my last chapter (thanks! You know who you are) Secondly I know I said that you would see Diagon Alley in this chapter but I was getting a bit ahead of myself, maybe next chapter, but don't bet on it being up this side of easter the rate I've been going at lately. Finally thank you to my beta-reader "Zauberei"
The next week at Privet Drive continued as any normal week there normally would; with Harry and the Dursley's going out of their way to avoid each other. The Dursley's however seemed particularly furtive. Perhaps because they believed that they were harbouring a convicted mass murderer under their roof; but they were too afraid of a magical reprisal from Sirius to do anything about having him removed. Dudley was just plain terrified of both Sirius and Harry and upon sight of either of them he would turn suddenly pale with fear before slowly backing away.
Sirius rarely ventured out of Harry's room, and if he did it was in his dog form, he wasn't sure how the Dursley's would react to his presence in their living room or sitting at their dining table. He preferred to spend his time in his human form sitting with Harry talking about nothing in particular
Harry was glad that Sirius didn't ask too many questions about Voldemort. Harry didn't quite feel like discussing it just yet. He was only just getting over the events of the third task when he was forced to relive over again in blinding accuracy at Cedric's memorial. However there was something that he wanted to ask Sirius, it had crossed his mind since the memorial, when he was sitting next to Ron. Harry took advantage of his time with Sirius to air what had been playing on his mind.
Sirius had just padded through Harry's slightly ajar bedroom door, a ham sandwich dangling from his mouth. He had just snuck down to the kitchen for a bite to eat, he was finding the experience of having food freely available again as a bit of a novelty. Once safely inside the confines of Harry's room Sirius transformed back into a man
"However horrible your relatives are, they sure have good food," said Sirius appreciatively after having demolished the sandwich. Harry laughed dryly, "Yeah I suppose they do..."
"Sirius..." began Harry
"Yes..." he replied, turning the chair by the desk around to face Harry and placing himself in it.
"You know that graveyard we were in?" He nodded
"Well Ron said it was an all wizarding graveyard so......" (Harry wasn't sure how to finish so he looked down at his nervously twisting hands)
"Is that where you're mum and dad are buried" It was Harry's turn to nod.
"Yes it is. I wasn't at the funeral. I had already been put in my cell in Azkaban. But when I escaped I went straight to that graveyard. I searched through hundreds of headstones, but in the end I found your mum and dad's. They're under a giant willow tree. It's nice."
The only other time Voldemort was mentioned was the day after the memorial service. When Harry's copy of the Daily Prophet was delivered. The black headline taking up half the page spelled out " RETURN OF THE DARK LORD!" At the sight of it Harry's stomach felt as though it had vanished in a swoop of fire. The entire newspaper was given over to the story. There were many photographs of Harry blinking up from the pages under captions such as "The boy who lived - again," and "Our hero defeats Dark Lord a second time!" There was even a picture of him sprawled unconscious on the ground at Cedric's funeral. The story of what had happened on the 24th was recounted blow by blow; Harry's scream; Voldemort's appearance; Harry speaking parseltounge; the duel; they way the wands connected. However there were no pictures of Voldemort, that would have been to shocking, and to Harry's immense relief there was no mention of what Rita Skeeter had witnessed on the night of the third task, he didn't need everyone knowing that his blood brought Voldemort back.
"There was no way Fudge could keep it quiet anymore," said Sirius rationally, reading over Harry's shoulder. Harry didn't read the rest of the paper, he didn't want to know what it said, besides, it wouldn't tell him anything he didn't already know.
How would everyone react? How would things be different when he got back home to the wizarding world? The answer was simple. It would be bad. As bad as it could go. Worse. Worse than worse
However much Harry tried to ignore these thoughts; ( it was no use speculating he reminded himself) they couldn't help but pop into his head every so often, especially just before falling asleep; resulting in Harry having a few nightmares, occasionally waking up Sirius when he called out. During the day he would keep himself occupied with the large amount of summer homework he had been set. Harry supposed this was in preparation for his O.W.L.s which he would be sitting this year
Today he was working on a particularly nasty essay set by Professor McGongall for transfiguration: "Thoroughly research the topic of human transfiguration and write an essay of at least two and a half rolls of parchment entitled, 'The dangers of human transfiguration and how to protect yourself from them' "
Sirius was a great help with this essay, himself being an animagus. He gave countless pieces of valuable information, resulting in an essay three rolls of parchment long that even Hermione would be proud of.
Harry had received a letter from Hermione two days before. A very tired owl flew in through Harry's open bedroom window and landed with a soft 'flump' on the bed. Harry took the letter and Sirius carried the exhausted owl to Hedwig's cage for some water. Harry knew straight away that the letter was from Hermione. The envelope was addressed in her neat handwriting, tough it looked slightly looser, as though it had been written in a hurry. The letter read:
Dear Harry, Are you all right? I heard what happened, Ron wrote and told me, then I saw it in the Daily Prophet. I am coming home from Bulgaria straight away. In fact I'm going to start packing once I've finished this letter. Ron told me that you are going to be at the Burrow for your birthday. I should turn up there at some point during the holidays too. I'm glad Sirius is with you, he'll be able to protect you.
I'm staying with Victor and he says to say hello and that he hopes you are OK. I'll bring your birthday present when I see you!
Write back to let me know you're safe!
Love Hermione
"That girl worries too much," chuckled Harry feeling better
"Hermione?"
"Yeah, I'd better write a reply "to let her know I'm safe" "
***
By the morning of his birthday (the day Dumbledore was due to take him to the Weasly's) Harry had all his things packed neatly away in his trunk. Including all his homework which he had finished with Sirius' help.
Harry woke up from being shaken half to death. He gave a startled jump and opened his eyes to see his godfather leaning over him, grinning broadly.
"Happy birthday!"
Harry's face broke into an equally wide grin
"Thanks!" he said sitting up, still a little drowsy and slow with sleep.
"I've got a card for you, but your present is at Remus' house." Sirius handed over a flimsy paper card. Harry looked at it. It was the almost the same as the good luck card he had sent him during the Triwizard Tournament with a paw print on the front. But this time it had "Happy Birthday Harry" emblazoned on the front. Inside was a short message saying
Happy 15th birthday Harry Hope you enjoy it from Sirius!
"Cheers Sirius!" said Harry smiling.
"No problem," replied Sirius, still grinning as though it was his birthday too
No sooner had Harry placed the card proudly on his uncluttered desk, then a wizened, rather worn out looking owl started tapping impatiently on the window. Harry saw that it was carrying a package. "I'll get it," said Sirius moving to unlatch the window. The owl soared in and started twittering around Harry's head.
"C'mere you mad bird!" said Harry desperately trying to relieve it of it's burden. After a slight struggle and a nasty nip Harry had his parcel and his letter and the owl was resting in Hedwigs cage as Hedwig was still away delivering his letter to Hermione.
"Who's it from?" asked Sirius
"Hagrid." He could tell from the untidy scrawl on the envelope. Inside was an ordinary muggle postcard of a mountainous landscape, but no mention of where it was. The message on the other side said:
Happy Birthday Harry! Have a good one! Sorry I can't be there - on business. Hope you like your present Hagrid PS I got an owl from Dumbledore. Hope you're OK, know you will be
Hagrid's present turned out to be a book, luckily this one didn't bite. It was made of deep red leather and emblazoned in gold was the title, "Quidditch tips for first class seekers" Accompanying it was a set of practise snitches, that wouldn't fly out of a certain area, and they glowed in the dark so you could play at night time and not lose them, "Wow! That'll come in handy when we play quidditch at Ron's"
***
Dumbledore was due to pick Harry up at noon. Harry had had his things packed since noon the day before. He was eager to see Ron and the Weaslys and leave the Dursleys behind.
In his fourteen years of living at number four Harry had never seen the Dursleys so nervous, and that was saying something. It was only a few minutes until midday and Harry had made his way downstairs, followed by Sirius in his human form, and his trunk and Hedwigs empty cage.
Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia were sitting very close to each other on the sofa. Dudley had deemed it safer to stay in his room. Both his Aunt and Uncle started when Harry came into the room and their eyes narrowed as Sirius followed up behind him. Uncle Vernon broke the tense silence.
"So what's going to happen this time? Flying carpet through the window? A broomstick on the roof?" he sneered.
The grandfather clock in the hall began to chime twelve and the doorbell rang. "Actually a ring of the doorbell," growled Sirius. Uncle Vernon went white. "He's - he's outside? In view of the neighbours?"
"Oh, get him inside Vernon!" squealed Aunt Petunia. Harry and Sirius had to blink as Uncle Vernon bolted past them at lightning speed. Voices could be heard coming from the hall. A few short moments later Uncle Vernon stepped into the room, Dumbledore behind him in robes of resplendent purple and gold. Harry thought he looked so oddly out of place in the mundane surroundings of number four. Dumbledore had to bow his head slightly so that his pointed hat wouldn't hit the top of the door frame.
"Happy birthday Harry. I trust you're morning has been showered with presents?" he smiled as he finished "Yeah. Hagrid sent me some great quidditch things"
"What? No dragon eggs or biting books?" Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling. Harry chuckled, "No, not this time professor"
The Dursleys looked cautiously at each other, obviously hoping that Dumbledore wouldn't ask Harry what they had given him for his birthday.
"Very well, shall we go? I see you are ready," he indicated Harry's trunk and Hedwig's cage.
"Yes OK," said Harry
"I'll just light a fire." Aunt Petunia stepped forward to object. "Don't worry, I won't set you house on fire. I assure you I know what I'm doing."
Dumbledore pointed his wand at the empty grate, said the incantation and a fire appeared, roaring away, while gently lighting up the room. Dumbledore pulled out a small pouch made of some sort of gold material.
"Sirius, you go first, with Harry's things."
Sirius nodded, took some of the floo powder and threw it in the fire which instantly turned bright emerald green. Sirius stepped in, pulling Harry's trunk in after him. He gave his destination and disappeared in a gulp of flame. Harry was itching to go. A whole month with the Weasly's - he could hardly wait!
"You next Harry - I'll be right behind you."
Harry gave hurried goodbyes to the Dursleys, failing not to sound too excited at the prospect of a Dursley free four weeks. Harry leapt willingly into the green flames. Remembering to remove his glasses and pin his elbows firmly to his side, he proclaimed "The Burrow!" and watched number four's living room spin away, not to be seen until next summer
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------A/N: OK, firstly I want to apologise for doing a JK, and making you all wait for the next instalment, but I was given a kick start by a review of my last chapter (thanks! You know who you are) Secondly I know I said that you would see Diagon Alley in this chapter but I was getting a bit ahead of myself, maybe next chapter, but don't bet on it being up this side of easter the rate I've been going at lately. Finally thank you to my beta-reader "Zauberei"