1 Protective Beans? Harry Potter lay awake one summer night afraid that if he fell asleep again, he would have another nightmare of the way Cedric Diggory had died. Cedric had been the real Hogwarts Champion in a tournament between the three wizarding schools of Britain: Durmstrang, Beuxbatons, and Hogwarts itself. This competition had been held in Harry's fourth year and at his age; he should not have been aloud to participate in it. But the Goblet of Fire had chosen his name and when it did, he knew some one had it in for him. Cedric's had happened so quickly in the final round of the tournament. One second both Cedric and Harry had grabbed the Triwizard Cup and the next, there was a flashing green light and Cedric's twisted body fell to the ground beside Harry. Harry didn't understand how he nearly killed Lord Voldemort -the most feared wizard of his time- and now he couldn't go back to sleep because of a memory. But Harry had not completely destroyed Voldemort; it was true that he had come back. Harry had been an ingredient for Voldemort's rebirth. He had seen the ugly creature rise from a cauldron and call it's servants to it. The Dark Lord had returned, even more powerful than before and ready to kill again. But no one, but Harry, a few wizards, and Harry's best friends knew. no one. * * * Hedwig, Harry's white owl, shuffled continuously in her barred cage. Harry stroked her through the open cage door. 'I'll let you out tonight, Hed. But no noise!' He told her firmly. 'Or Uncle Vernon will strangle me.' Hedwig hooted and when Harry flinched and tried to clamp her mouth shut, she flew out the window and into the distance until Harry couldn't see her anymore. Harry lent out the window and looked up at the full moon. It reminded him of Lupin, Professor Remus Lupin. He was Harry's Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher in Harry's third year at Hogwarts. The reason the moon reminded Harry of Lupin was because werewolves (actually humans who had a curse on them so that they would change to werewolves on the night of a full moon) would be howling at the moon or something right now. Lupin had left Hogwarts after he had tried to get Sirius, Harry's godfather, a life away from the Azkaban prison and its guards. Sirius had escaped the Dementors, but people were still looking for him. Harry missed him. Harry wondered where Sirius and, if he was with him, Remus could be now. Looking for trolls or fighting Voldemorts Death Eaters? Harry went to lie down in bed again. He checked his clock. It said 12:55. It was Dudley's birthday today; they were going to watch a soccer game. Harry was pretty excited to be going. Harry laid his head on his pillow and after the clock read 12:59, Harry's mind was drifting off to the morning of the final round of the Triwizard Tournament. * * * Harry woke up after a few hours of an awful sleep. His scar tinged a bit at first, but it went away as he got up. He went to the room across the corridor and took a nice refreshing shower. After brushing his teeth, he went down the stairs to make his breakfast. He made himself a peanut butter sandwich and went to get the post. There were three letters; one addressed to Dudley (obviously for his birthday since it had little presents on the front), and the other two -funnily enough- addressed to him. One, Harry soon recognised, was from Ron. It was small, dirty, and bulky. Harry inspected the other package and discovered that it was from Dumbledore. Harry, who knew better than to tell Uncle Vernon that he had letters from his friend, took them both upstairs quickly. He opened Ron's letter first and a small, green pouch fell out of it with a letter attached to it. The letter read: Hey Harry, Can you come over on the 15th? Good. I know it's early in the month, but Dumbledore says it's Ok. He says he has devised a protection service thing for you, but he only told mom and dad what it was. He probably knows that you'll tell me and Hermione anyway. Hermione says that she is going to a thing called a soccell game or something! Ha! That sounds like some sort of girly thing. Anyway, enclosed in this package is a little pouch of Floo Powder. You know how to use it. So, on the fifteenth, at 2:00 in the afternoon, shout 'the Burrow' as you throw your Floo Powder in the fire place. Remember to say it CLEARLY! 'Cause mom will have a fit if we have to retrieve you from France! Hermione's coming too. We are going to have fun celebrating your birthday! Fred and George are up to mischief again. Probably more of that Weasley Wizard Jokes or whatever it was. See ya! Ron Yahoo! So Harry was going to Ron's house on Saturday and Hermione was going to the soccer game today! Harry opened Dumbledore's letter with a brighter spirit: Dear Harry, For the last few weeks I have been organising a special protection device for you. The packet with the three multicoloured beans in it is very important so you must not loose it. The beans are called Pretectatus Beans. If you eat these beans, you will have a very good source of protection. Reflection: When you have eaten the beans and are facing an enemy -only an enemy- you will shout Protectatum, cross your arms in an X shape, and a light blue bubble will form around you. All spells, but the three Unforgivable Curses -you know what they are- will be bounced off you and hit back at your enemy provided you keep you arms crossed and pay attention. Defence: When you are duelling -with an enemy only- , you may shout Protectatum and a thin blue light will shoot through the end of your wand and hit your opponent who will be thrown backwards and become unconscious. Their wand will be hovering in front of you by the time that they are knocked out and you may put a few hexes on it. Under the circumstances, you and your year will be learning to apparate this year in your Transfiguration classes. Please swallow these beans as soon as possible. Swallow all three of the down with water and they will last three years. Sirius and Lupin have made friends with a few giants, but are still looking for Hagrids mother. Yours truly, Dumbledore The letter was ripped at the bottom. There was a P.S. sign, but Harry couldn't figure out what it said. It must have been unimportant because Dumbledore would have included it in his paragraphs. Harry was soon brought to his senses by Aunt Petunia's shouting, 'Boy! Get down here! Now!' Harry, wondering what he had done now, walked hurriedly down the stairs and into the neatly decorated living room where Aunt Petunia was standing with a letter in her hand. Hedwig was sitting on the other side of the room casting mean looks at Aunt Petunia. 'This retched owl dropped this letter in my hair!' Aunt Petunia said to Harry, spitting a bit. Hedwig shuffled and Harry heard a sniffle from her. An unmistakable snigger at her wonderful timing and aiming. Harry apologized for Hedwig's misbehaviour and Aunt Petunia gave him the letter that Hedwig had dropped in her hair. Hedwig followed Harry upstairs into his bedroom. Harry opened the letter and read Hermione's neat handwriting: Hey Harry, We are going to a soccer game today in the outskirts of London. Are you coming? 'Cause it's the only game that the Manchester United team has ever played so close to us. I imagined that you are coming because it is Dudley's birthday today and his parents are undoubtedly not going to miss this game. If you are going, meet me at the entrance at 10:30. See ya, Hermione Great! Today won't be so bad after all, Harry thought. * * * At 8:15 that morning, Harry, Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, and Dudley (who was eating an ice cream and eyeing the many presents in front of Aunt Petunia's feet) set off for London. Harry was really looking forward to seeing David Beckham play.