Miles away at the muggle address of 4 Privet Drive, Harry Potter, who
happened to be sixteen this very day lie awake on his bed reading the Daily
Prophet.
"What on earth has gotten into you lately, Hedwig," Harry said referring to the snowy owl that sat perched in it's cage, squawking and rattling the metal cage. Harry's bird had been acting rather odd lately and even pecked at his face angrily whenever Harry let her out. Harry had finally put the bird under strict order and made Hedwig sit in her cage. It only made her more furious.
"I think you need a check-up. Something has gone seriously wrong with you. Speaking of things being the matter, I think there is a traffic jam at my window. I know those owls will be angry at me too."
Harry opened his window and two tiny barn owls, tropical bird and an owl by the name of Pig flew in immediately and fed on the available bird feed Harry had available. Harry untied the parcels from each bird and placed them on his bed. He knew where each owl had come from, one from Hagrid, the Wesley's and no doubt, the school and Sirius Black, his godfather. But one parcel was missing, one he usually got every year.
"Hermione didn't send me a letter. She must be reading up on something very intriguing or probably lost interest of me since her travels to America."
Harry was referring to Hermione's voyage to America to visit her mother's relatives for the holidays. As Harry remembered, she had described them as dull, ignorant Yankees who had funny accents. Harry laughed at her vivid portrayals.
Harry untied the first parcel he expected to be from the Weasley's. Harry opened it in anticipation of an invitation to stay at the Weasley's for the remainder of the summer months as he always had done. Harry read the letter slowly.
Harry, Mum said that you aren't allowed to visit us this summer, you know, with all the ministry raids and commotion about You-Know-Who. Dad said he got special orders about you not being able to visit form the ministry and Dumbledore himself. I honestly wanted you to visit us, It's not the same without you, pal. But don't worry, Hermione isn't coming either this summer, I've heard she's still in America (even though she's supposed to be hating it, I bet she's covered the majority of American history by now)
Harry smiled. Hermione was a bit of a book nerd, head always in a book, engrossed with every minor detail. She'd been this way since her first year, but had loosened up quite a bit from her original state. Harry returned to the letter.
-and meeting with some of the American wizards there for an exchange program after her seventh year of Hogwarts. Have you heard form Padfoot? I figure we could use that verses Scruffy because I can see-er-him strangling my neck if I called him Scruffy like we did in our fourth year. Peter hasn't been captured and the ministry is holding raids in various countries. I don't know what they plan to do if they find You-Know-Who, but I have an idea it'll have to do with running and hiding far away. George and Fred have a shop in Honeydukes that's done really well over the summer. Mom's proud, though she won't show it and Percy now has Mr. Crouch's job at the ministry. Imagine! Remember all of that sucking up? Ha! He's feeling like an ass! I have to go, Ginny's been waiting to play exploding snaps for an hour now and she won't be delayed.
Bye,
Ron
Harry smiled and untied the next parcel from Sirius.
Harry, What's going on my boy? Life is better when I'm in rural areas like Mexico and some locations in Brazil have no idea who I am, but I fear my Spanish is not muy bien. I've recently befriended a fellow convict who escaped form a local wizarding jail. His name is Carlos Vengotti and helps me around the area and teaches me how to blend in an area where everyone else is muggle. It is no easy task, Harry, and I wonder how you've managed for so long. While we're on the subject, how are your relatives treating you? I'm supposing they still see me as a threat so take the moment and grasp it. I know already that you won't be allowed to visit the Weasley's, but it is in your best interest. I'm sure you'll find Honeydukes to still be available to you. Your permission slip is signed below. You will find a great surprise at Hogwarts this year. Look forward to your Defense Against the Dark Arts Teachers is all I will say. Hope you find it useful. Dumbledore and I have found a few of my Marauder's things and he has decided to hold to them until you can handle them properly. Don't get into any mischief, although my breath will be wasted as you're the son of my best friend. And Harry, I know you very well, so I am demanding to you that you stay upon Hogwarts soil and under supervision. You-Know-Who is on the rampage and I don't want your parents' deaths to be in vain. To put it bluntly: Don't die.
With much love,
Sirius
Harry frowned at the fact that he wouldn't be able to have his father's Marauders' things but was glad that Sirius had at least remembered Honeydukes. Defense against the Dark arts Teachers? Harry wondered with suspicion. Never had there been two teachers, and Sirius had mentioned to look forward to them. Was Lupin coming back?
Harry opened his next parcel from Hagrid.
Harry,
How have you been getting along? The muggles treating you alright? Your godfather and Dumbledore have some big surprise for you and I'm sure you'll like it. I would write more, but -er-I'm on a date today.
Hagrid
Hagrid? A date? This was getting weirder by the moment! Harry read the final letter form the school that had his impending doom written down.
Dear Mr. Potter,
Please note that the school year will begin on September the first. The Hogwarts Express will leave from King's Cross station, platform nine and three quarters at eleven o' clock. Sixth year prefects have been selected and are as follows: Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy, Katie Dobson, Melissa Wandson, Kyle Khansi, Cho Chang, Angela Clearwater, Ronald Weasley and Harry Potter. Prefects should find that a common room is available for them as well as a private compartment and Prefect badges.
Harry? A prefect? He'd broken every rule there'd ever been at Hogwarts! Well, at least Harry and Ron were on the list together. He knew that Ron's mother would be pleased.
Enclosed are a list of textbooks you'll need for your courses this year. Have an enjoyable summer.
Professor McGonagall
Enclosed was a list of textbooks and one additional note. Harry read the tiny piece of parchment written by-Dumbledore!
Mr. Potter,
As I'm quite sure you've already assumed, you have been denied your annual request to visit the Weasley's this summer. Your Godfather and I have found it in your best interest for you to avoid all public scenes which is why we've taken liberty to purchase your books. You are permitted to leave your home one week before the annual trip to platform nine and three-quarters, however, not without the proper supervision of adults. We've also found it plausible for you to use your wand when in public for defense reasons only. You are to execute the following requests effective now. Oh, and congratulations on becoming a prefect. I'm sure you'll be the best one we've had yet, if not the most mischievous Hogwarts has seen since your father. Prepare to greet old friends as well as some new ones this year as this is a time of great security. Oh, and do visit Dobby. He's become rather good at exploding snaps and I'd like you to beat him once before the term is over.
Caution and Adieu,
Professor Albus Dumbledore
Harry put the letter away and again pondered what the great surprise should be this year at Hogwarts. Obviously someone unexpected, but well favored was to be attending this term as the Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher and this year there would be two!
Harry smiled. He hoped someone amazing would be teaching this year. Someone Harry never expected.
And as soon as he thought about it, Harry felt the eyes of an intruder in his bedroom
"What on earth has gotten into you lately, Hedwig," Harry said referring to the snowy owl that sat perched in it's cage, squawking and rattling the metal cage. Harry's bird had been acting rather odd lately and even pecked at his face angrily whenever Harry let her out. Harry had finally put the bird under strict order and made Hedwig sit in her cage. It only made her more furious.
"I think you need a check-up. Something has gone seriously wrong with you. Speaking of things being the matter, I think there is a traffic jam at my window. I know those owls will be angry at me too."
Harry opened his window and two tiny barn owls, tropical bird and an owl by the name of Pig flew in immediately and fed on the available bird feed Harry had available. Harry untied the parcels from each bird and placed them on his bed. He knew where each owl had come from, one from Hagrid, the Wesley's and no doubt, the school and Sirius Black, his godfather. But one parcel was missing, one he usually got every year.
"Hermione didn't send me a letter. She must be reading up on something very intriguing or probably lost interest of me since her travels to America."
Harry was referring to Hermione's voyage to America to visit her mother's relatives for the holidays. As Harry remembered, she had described them as dull, ignorant Yankees who had funny accents. Harry laughed at her vivid portrayals.
Harry untied the first parcel he expected to be from the Weasley's. Harry opened it in anticipation of an invitation to stay at the Weasley's for the remainder of the summer months as he always had done. Harry read the letter slowly.
Harry, Mum said that you aren't allowed to visit us this summer, you know, with all the ministry raids and commotion about You-Know-Who. Dad said he got special orders about you not being able to visit form the ministry and Dumbledore himself. I honestly wanted you to visit us, It's not the same without you, pal. But don't worry, Hermione isn't coming either this summer, I've heard she's still in America (even though she's supposed to be hating it, I bet she's covered the majority of American history by now)
Harry smiled. Hermione was a bit of a book nerd, head always in a book, engrossed with every minor detail. She'd been this way since her first year, but had loosened up quite a bit from her original state. Harry returned to the letter.
-and meeting with some of the American wizards there for an exchange program after her seventh year of Hogwarts. Have you heard form Padfoot? I figure we could use that verses Scruffy because I can see-er-him strangling my neck if I called him Scruffy like we did in our fourth year. Peter hasn't been captured and the ministry is holding raids in various countries. I don't know what they plan to do if they find You-Know-Who, but I have an idea it'll have to do with running and hiding far away. George and Fred have a shop in Honeydukes that's done really well over the summer. Mom's proud, though she won't show it and Percy now has Mr. Crouch's job at the ministry. Imagine! Remember all of that sucking up? Ha! He's feeling like an ass! I have to go, Ginny's been waiting to play exploding snaps for an hour now and she won't be delayed.
Bye,
Ron
Harry smiled and untied the next parcel from Sirius.
Harry, What's going on my boy? Life is better when I'm in rural areas like Mexico and some locations in Brazil have no idea who I am, but I fear my Spanish is not muy bien. I've recently befriended a fellow convict who escaped form a local wizarding jail. His name is Carlos Vengotti and helps me around the area and teaches me how to blend in an area where everyone else is muggle. It is no easy task, Harry, and I wonder how you've managed for so long. While we're on the subject, how are your relatives treating you? I'm supposing they still see me as a threat so take the moment and grasp it. I know already that you won't be allowed to visit the Weasley's, but it is in your best interest. I'm sure you'll find Honeydukes to still be available to you. Your permission slip is signed below. You will find a great surprise at Hogwarts this year. Look forward to your Defense Against the Dark Arts Teachers is all I will say. Hope you find it useful. Dumbledore and I have found a few of my Marauder's things and he has decided to hold to them until you can handle them properly. Don't get into any mischief, although my breath will be wasted as you're the son of my best friend. And Harry, I know you very well, so I am demanding to you that you stay upon Hogwarts soil and under supervision. You-Know-Who is on the rampage and I don't want your parents' deaths to be in vain. To put it bluntly: Don't die.
With much love,
Sirius
Harry frowned at the fact that he wouldn't be able to have his father's Marauders' things but was glad that Sirius had at least remembered Honeydukes. Defense against the Dark arts Teachers? Harry wondered with suspicion. Never had there been two teachers, and Sirius had mentioned to look forward to them. Was Lupin coming back?
Harry opened his next parcel from Hagrid.
Harry,
How have you been getting along? The muggles treating you alright? Your godfather and Dumbledore have some big surprise for you and I'm sure you'll like it. I would write more, but -er-I'm on a date today.
Hagrid
Hagrid? A date? This was getting weirder by the moment! Harry read the final letter form the school that had his impending doom written down.
Dear Mr. Potter,
Please note that the school year will begin on September the first. The Hogwarts Express will leave from King's Cross station, platform nine and three quarters at eleven o' clock. Sixth year prefects have been selected and are as follows: Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy, Katie Dobson, Melissa Wandson, Kyle Khansi, Cho Chang, Angela Clearwater, Ronald Weasley and Harry Potter. Prefects should find that a common room is available for them as well as a private compartment and Prefect badges.
Harry? A prefect? He'd broken every rule there'd ever been at Hogwarts! Well, at least Harry and Ron were on the list together. He knew that Ron's mother would be pleased.
Enclosed are a list of textbooks you'll need for your courses this year. Have an enjoyable summer.
Professor McGonagall
Enclosed was a list of textbooks and one additional note. Harry read the tiny piece of parchment written by-Dumbledore!
Mr. Potter,
As I'm quite sure you've already assumed, you have been denied your annual request to visit the Weasley's this summer. Your Godfather and I have found it in your best interest for you to avoid all public scenes which is why we've taken liberty to purchase your books. You are permitted to leave your home one week before the annual trip to platform nine and three-quarters, however, not without the proper supervision of adults. We've also found it plausible for you to use your wand when in public for defense reasons only. You are to execute the following requests effective now. Oh, and congratulations on becoming a prefect. I'm sure you'll be the best one we've had yet, if not the most mischievous Hogwarts has seen since your father. Prepare to greet old friends as well as some new ones this year as this is a time of great security. Oh, and do visit Dobby. He's become rather good at exploding snaps and I'd like you to beat him once before the term is over.
Caution and Adieu,
Professor Albus Dumbledore
Harry put the letter away and again pondered what the great surprise should be this year at Hogwarts. Obviously someone unexpected, but well favored was to be attending this term as the Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher and this year there would be two!
Harry smiled. He hoped someone amazing would be teaching this year. Someone Harry never expected.
And as soon as he thought about it, Harry felt the eyes of an intruder in his bedroom