Disclaimer: I do not own any of this. This all belongs to J.K. Rowling. She is a genius and I hope that she doesn't sue me for writing this little fan fic. Harry Potter belongs to her, the movie company, her book company and any other. I am just their mere servant and to write this is for fun. No money is being made from this
A/N: First off. I said I was getting a laptop last Saturday. Well….It didn't work out like that. I do not know when I am getting it. Since I told my brother that I was getting a laptop, he wasn't really letting me use the computer. I try to write on the little time I have on the computer. That is why I haven't updated the story. I should hope that this coming up week I should get my computer, but I do not know for sure.
Shdurrani: Thanx, I shall.
Syntron and ER: GREAT POINT. I was going to update the story to explain this, but didn't have a computer. This will be explained in this chapter.
Death Wind: There is more to come =]~
CactusAlbusCor: Thanx
Marika: I want to do at least one chapter everyday or every other day. 'IF' I ever get my laptop this will be easy.
Thank you for all the reviews. On with chapter six.
HARRY POTTER AND THE STAFF OF POWER
Chapter Six: A Unexpected Suprise
The three men and Harry walked toward the castle. It was a little after noon, so the summer heat was coming down on all four of them causing them all to sweat profusely threw their robes.
"Harry, I have to go back to Snuffles. We are in public now and I can not risk it." Said Sirius looking down to Harry.
"I know. Go ahead."
"I will be with you though." Harry nodded and with a pop, the giant black dog emerged and walked along side Harry.
Harry was about to bend down to pet Snuffles when Dumbledore asked him a question.
"I have a grand idea. Seeing it being as hot as it is, why don't we go down and have ourselves something to drink?
Sirius and Remus both nodded their heads.
"You have no objection from me sir." Replied Harry.
The three men and Harry made their way to the Three Broomsticks.
"Harry, may I ask you a question about your pet there?"
"Yes sir, go ahead."
"I know that the creature in the Chamber of Secrets was a basilisk and that a basilisk has the sight of death." Dumbledore looked as if he was trying to read something in mid-air. "Then why does your pet not do the same you or I look when we look at it?"
Harry was dumbfounded by the question. He had totally forgot that the basilisk and the power to kill at just the mere sight from its eyes.
Harry was now looking very stupid. He was looking at the ground as if mad with himself. "I should have been more careful while opening it. It could have been a basilisk from Voldemort. It could have killed me, how could I have been so stupid?"
Sirius looked up at Harry and barked which to Harry could only mean not to blame himself. Sirius was usually saying that to Harry.
"Now, Now Harry. You shouldn't blame yourself. Neither Tom, nor any of his supporters knew where you were this summer. Because of that, they could not send you anything." Dumbledore put a hand on Harry's shoulder. "So you see, there is no point in being cautious at the gift that was sent to you at your relatives."
"I guess you are right sir."
"Of course I am. I am Headmaster." Dumbledore gave Harry a wink.
"Getting back to your question sir, let me ask James. Do you think that we should get somewhere a little quieter? I am sure that the people of Hogsmead aren't used to hearing a Parseltongue."
"Yes of course, shall we go over toward that tree?" Dumbledore pointed toward a large tree to the North. "I shall put a silencing charm around us to make sure nobody hears us."
With a flick of his wand the charm was set up. The two men and the giant dog all watched Harry as he opened his robes and hissed at James.
"James, are you awake?"
"Yes Harry."
"Um…The basilisk in The Chamber of Secrets had the power to kill just from its look. If you are indeed a basilisk, then why aren't I dead?"
"As I said before, you are indeed cleverer than Tom."
Harry hated being compared to Voldemort. He just looked up and said the first words that came out of his mouth.
"Stop comparing me to Tom Riddle."
Dumbledore took note of the name and looked toward Harry.
"Who is comparing you to Tom Riddle?"
"Uh…nobody sir, I am just about to get the answer to your question."
Harry looked toward his robes hoping that Professor Dumbledore would just let the subject rest. As Harry looked down at his robes, Dumbledore turned his attention toward the castle. Harry was relieved.
"You have much to learn about magical creatures Harry. A basilisk only kills when it wants to or is ordered to by a Parseltongue. Since that I refuse to do that, my glare will not cause death or petrifaction."
"Oh, okay. I'll tell Professor Dumbledore that."
The three men were still looking at the young man who was hissing back and forth to a basilisk.
"Professor Dumbledore sir, I have the answer to your question."
"Very well, out with it then."
"Okay. James said that a basilisk only kills when it wants to or is ordered to do so by a Parseltongue. That is why I did not die or you, Sirius or Remus. James does not want to kill. His old master used to kill and James does not want any more death."
NOOOO Harry thought. He said that James' old master was a killer. Why did he have to say that? Now Dumbledore would ask to whom was James' old master.
Before Harry finished the thought of Dumbledore asking the question, Sirius transformed back into human form.
"WHAT do you mean his old master used to kill? Who in the bloody hell was his old master?"
"Sirius, what are you doing, you have to change back! NOW!" Yelled Harry at his Godfather.
Remus also tried to hold back his old friend, but to no avail.
"Easy Padfoot, calm down. I think you have some major anger management problems. I could get you into a class. I think it would help you out a lot."
Remus and Dumbledore both laughed at this. But Sirius wasn't laughing. All his concentration was on Harry and his pet.
"Shut up Moony. Well? Who was his old master?" asked Sirius again. This time looking more like the killer the public knew him as.
Harry turned away from the three men and looked towards the ground. "I don't want to tell you. You will get mad and try to take James away from me."
Dumbledore noticed Harry getting upset and stepped in. Harry looked toward the old man who put his hand on Harry's shoulder once again.
"Harry, what would give you the idea that we would take your pet away from you?"
Harry turned around and looked up from the ground and met Dumbledore's gaze.
"Well sir, James told me that his formed master was Tom Riddle."
The three men had matching shocked expressions on their faces. Sirius made a motion toward Harry, but Remus stopped him.
"What in the bloody hell are you doing Padfoot?" Sirius was fast and it was hard for Remus to hold him.
"I am going…to get rid of that….snake….before it does…any damage." Sirius had a hard time getting these words out. Remus was trying to cover his mouth as well as hold him back.
"NOOOO!" Was all that Harry could get out trying to escape the grasps of Sirius.
Sirius finally relaxed and Remus let him go. The three men were asking each other questions with their expressions. Sirius was calm now and spoke rationally.
"How do we know that Hagrid wasn't compromised and sent Harry this basilisk to kill Harry?" Asked Sirius to nobody in particular.
"Now, now Sirius. I would not go that far. Hagrid messaged me earlier this week to tell me that he was going to give Harry a present for his birthday. Hagrid doesn't know if he will be available to send Harry a present on his birthday. So he wanted to do it early rather than late. But we all know Hagrid; only deadliest creatures to him would make a great pet." Dumbledore laughed out loud to his own joke.
"But then why would he give Harry a snake that once belonged to Voldemort?" Sirius asked to Dumbledore.
"Nobody knows that James used to belong to Voldemort. Only Voldemort, James and we know. That is why James was in a shop to be bought. James said that he has never spoken about his former master because he is ashamed about it. James said that he was Tom's pet when he went to Hogwarts. James taught Tom Parseltongue magic as well as other forms of magic. James didn't know that Tom was going to turn into what he is today. Otherwise, he would have escaped him earlier. When Tom started to turn evil and hurt people, James escaped. If you are wondering why I would get this basilisk as a pet, I suggest you ask Hagrid."
Sirius looked like a five year old boy who was caught red handed stealing a cookie from the cookie jar.
"I'm sorry. I just got a little overprotective. I almost forgot how smart you are."
"It's quite understandable. Considering the circumstances you have been threw." Dumbledore whipped his face with his beard. "Shall we go and get a refresher?"
The four of them nodded and made there way to The Three Broomsticks. Once the charm was gone, Sirius turned back into Snuffles and followed the two men and the boy.
Ginny lay asleep in her room. She wondered if Harry had gotten her letter that she sent him. It really was stupid to send him a letter. They really hadn't seen much of each other. Besides Harry saving her from Tom Riddle in the Chamber of Secrets. Hermione was the only one that had been in contact with Ginny since summer's break. Ginny confessed her feelings for Harry in the letters that she sent Hermione.
Hermione wrote back saying that it was fairly obvious that Ginny had feelings for Harry. She bloused and stammered every time she was near him. Reading the words that Hermione wrote, Ginny almost wanted to write the same thing back to her. That it was her that was blind and didn't notice that she liked her brother Ron. Not knowing how this was possible. Ginny decided against it and just kept her letters to Hermione about her.
Ginny was brought out of her gaze by a knock at the door.
"You awake dear?" Asked Mrs. Weasley.
"Yes mum."
"Then get down for breakfast, it is almost done."
"Okay, I'll be down in a couple of minutes." Ginny heard her mother's footsteps going down the stairs. She got up and put on some clothes to make herself presentable to her family at breakfast. She walked down the stairs and saw Ron, Fred, George and her mother in the kitchen. Her father and Percy were never home. They were always at the Ministry. She sat down and started eating her bacon and eggs.
Ginny's stomach gave a very large gurgling sound.
"Wow did you hear that George?" asked Fred with a sarcastic smile on his face.
"I did indeed Fred."
"Yes, it does sound like we do have a dragon in the family. I have been questioning it for months now. But at last we have our proof. Nothing but a dragon could have made that noise." Finished George with a smile matching identically to his brothers.
"Shove it you two." Remarked Ginny giving her twin brothers an evil eye.
"Virginia Weasley, we do not talk to family like that. Now apologize." Demanded her mother.
"Sorry." Spat Ginny under her breath.
"That's better, now eat up."
Ginny looked over to Ron who was just mixing his bacon and eggs together staring into space. He had just got an owl the other day from Hermione saying that she was going to Bulgaria to visit Victor Krum. He was far from happy at the news. It was well evident to everyone but Ron and Hermione that they had feelings for each other. Nobody seems to tell them, seemed it better for them to figure it out.
"Hey Ron, do you think that Hermione is having a good time in Bulgaria?" Asked George in a play full tone.
Ron's face went red. Ginny couldn't tell if he was blousing or ready to rip George's throat out.
"Oh, I bet she is having a great time. After all, she is with Victor Krum."
"Of course, I am sure that he is taking great care of her."
Ron's face was getting as red as his hair.
"You don't think that he would try anything do you Gin?"
It was finally Ginny's turn to get at her brother. She loved getting at her brother. It was a strange satisfaction that she got from it.
"I don't know. Did you see the way he was looking at her last year? He did, after all, take her to the Yule Ball as his date."
Ron was about to lose his cool.
"Bloody hell, don't you people have anything else to talk about this morning?" Yelled Ron toward his two older brother and younger sister. All who of which were laughing so hard they were trying to hold their breakfast down.
"Ronald Weasley, I just got finished telling you sister that we do not speak to family like that and you go and do this. Now apologize or spend the rest of the day in your room." Said Molly Weasley resembling a vicious tiger.
"But mum, you don't know that they said to me." Said Ron trying his best to give his mother puppy dog eyes.
"I do not care what they said to you. Now apologize."
Ron stared at his siblings with the glare they wanted to see. The 'I hate you' glare that made them want to torment him even more.
"Sorry." Said Ron and adding 'stupid bloody gits for a family.'
"What was that dear?"
"Nothing mum."
"Oh Ron, that reminds me. Fred and I picked up something for you at Diagon Alley yesterday." George handed Ron what looked like a photograph in a frame.
"Why in the bloody hell would I want this?"
Ginny took the photograph from Ron and saw what appeared to Victor Krum catching a snitch over and over again. Ginny couldn't hold back a snicker and it came out.
"I know he's your favorite player and we wanted to give it to you."
Ron looked as if he had had enough.
"I am not going to listen to this racket anymore. After he said he words, he ran out of the kitchen, up the stairs, and into his room. When he got into his room, there were noises coming from it that could be heard downstairs.
"Do you think we went too far?" Asked George.
The twins had identical grins on their faces as they both said in unison. "Nah."
Mrs. Weasley stopped from her cleaning and looked toward the ceiling where the noises were coming from. "What is all that noise?"
"Don't worry mum. It's probably just Ron burning everything that had to do with the Cannons."
The three children finished eating their breakfast when they heard someone come down the stairs and again sit at the same spot he just ran from to go upstairs.
"Back again are we?" Asked Fred.
"Shove it, I'm hungry." Replied Ron.
"That's our Ron, always thinking with his stomach." Said George.
They were about to leave the table when they heard a hoot from outside of the window.
Fred looked out the window and noticed that it was Errol. "It's Errol mum."
"Thank you Fred."
"I'm George."
"Sorry dear. Thank you George." Said Mrs. Weasley as she went back to cleaning.
The twins both laughed. They must have pulled there scam many times before. Errol flew threw the window and crash landed on George's plate.
"Funny. I didn't order bird for breakfast." Molly picked up the owl and took the letter off of its leg. She read it and then turned her attention toward the children.
"It appears that your two oldest brothers are coming home. Charlie is coming tomorrow from Romania and Bills is coming to the Diagon Alley Gringotts next week. Oh how wonderful it will be to have the whole family back under one roof."
They children all looked at one another before Ron spoke.
"Mum, you don't think that them coming home has to do with You-Know-Who coming back do you?"
The five Weasleys sat in silence for around a minute.
"I'm sorry mum; I didn't mean to bring it up."
"No Ron, it is good to speak these things. Dumbledore said that if you know the truth you will be better prepared. So I am not going to lie to you. Yes You-Know-Who coming back is the reason why Charlie and Bill are coming back home. Even though the Minister of Magic doesn't believe, Dumbledore does. I would surely believe that man over the Minister any day of the week. Nothing gets by him. From what he tells me, Harry saw him return. After he touched that cup at the end of last year."
None of them had talked about what happened at the end of the Tri-Wizard Tournament. They were all waiting until Harry was ready to talk about it. Molly broke the silence.
"Okay you two." Pointing to Fred and George. "Don't you have something to do?"
The twins gave each other a look and both said "Sure…" As the twins were leaving the table a snowy white owl came souring in threw the open window and landed gracefully on the table.
She looked up to Ron. "Hey Hedwig. Let me grab that letter that is on your leg." Ron advanced toward grabbing the letter off of the owl's leg.
"OUCH! Why did you do that?" Ron yelped after Hedwig had snapped at him. After she closed her beak, she hopped down the table and extended her leg to Ginny.
"Well smart guy, it appears that the letter Hedwig has is not for you." Smirked George.
Ron looked toward his sister. "Why would Harry want to send a letter to you?" Giving her a glare.
"Well maybe he wants to talk to someone how doesn't talk about Hermione and Victor Krum every four seconds. Now if you would excuse me I am going to read my letter in my room. Hedwig meet me up at my room for a reply."
Hedwig soared off threw the window at the same time Ginny went upstairs to her room. As she was going up the stairs she heard what sounded like the twins mocking Ron some more. She closed her door and jumped on her bed getting ready to read the letter that Harry sent her. She opened the letter and read it. She finished and read it again. She did this for ten minutes. Every time she read the letter, her face turned another darker shade of red. She got up from her bed and picked up a quill and parchment.
Dear Hermione,
You were right. He did right back. Even though you said he would, I still had some doubts. But you were right. He said that he wanted to get to know me better. I can't believe this. Anyway, I have to go and write a reply. Talk to you later.
Ginny
Right before Ginny was about to write a respond to Harry's letter she had a knock on her door.
"Ginny dear, are you in here?" Asked her mother.
"Yes mum."
"Good, don't you think that it is a good idea if you start to work on your summer homework?"
"Okay mum. I will start it today." Bloody hell Ginny thought. She had tons of work to do this summer. Way more than she had to do last summer. Her least favorite assignment, besides anything to do with potions, was a History of Magic essay from Professor Binns. The class had all picked a name out of a hat to do a report on over the summer. Ginny had picked Merlin. He was one of the greatest wizards to have ever lived, but there was not a lot about the man in any books. There are a lot of legends and myths about him, but not a lot of actual facts about his life. This is why Ginny was a little upset who she picked. She went back to writing her reply to Harry.
Dear Harry,
I am glad that you got my letter. I must say, I am a little angry at you muggle relative for locking you in a closet. It would be worth getting a letter from the ministry for hexing them. Anyway, Mum says that I have to start on my summer homework. I have this stupid Merlin report to do for Professor Binns. The problem is that there are hardly any books that have actual facts about the man. I guess I'll just ask Dad to look for some at the ministry. I hope that you will continue to write to me. With Ron going on and on about Victor Krum, the twins being in their room making stuff and Percy and Dad never home, I kind of get bored. Talk to you soon.
Much Love,
Ginny
Ginny did some of her homework until diner time. She went down to dinner and was surprised that she saw Percy and her Dad at the table. They were usually at the Ministry until well after dinner.
"The Minister just won't believe that he had come back. Nobody can change his attitude toward the subject. I guess the only way he will believe it is if he just comes to him and says he's back."
Ginny overheard her father tell her mother. Just as dinner was about to get started, everyone's attention was turned toward the open window where beautiful singing was coming from. The Weasleys looked out the window to see a beautiful gold and red bird fly in and land on the table.
"What in the bloody hell is that?" Asked Fred and George together.
"It's Dumbledore's phoenix. I wonder why he's here." Replied Ron.
As if understanding his words, Fawkes hopped over to Ron and dropped a letter on his plate. Ron opened it and read it to his family.
The Weasley Family,
Due to some certain circumstances, Harry will no longer be staying at his relative's home for the rest of the summer. I will be picking him up today to bring him to Hogwarts. I know that Harry and you both want him to come and stay at The Burrow, but it would just be too dangerous. I have not told Harry this yet, but you are welcome to come to the castle whenever you like.
Ron interrupted. "Should Dumbledore be saying this in a letter? What happens if Fawkes is caught?" Fawkes again hearing his name sung towards the letter as if telling Ron to continue.
Do not worry, Fawkes will not be caught. Phoenixes are amazing creatures. They will avoid detection. I also hope that Fawkes did not scare you; he seems to have a mind of his own. Other than this, there is no more news. Mrs. Weasley, can you please send back some of your wonderful pies with Fawkes when he comes back. They are just delicious.
P.S. I sent your Hogwarts letters to you a little in advance. I hope all is well.
Albus Dumbledore
"Boy Fred, Professor Dumbledore thinks with his stomach almost as much as Ron does." The twins and Ginny both laughed at George's remark.
"Shut up you." Replied Ron.
"Wow, great comeback Ron."
"Well, it seems that Dumbledore wishes us to visit Harry up at Hogwarts. I do not believe that Percy or I shall have time off to visit. But you five should be able to go." Said Mr. Weasley.
"Yes, that would be wonderful. When shall we go?" Asked Ginny towards her mother.
"A little anxious are we Gin?" asked Ron.
"YES! I want to talk to someone who doesn't babble about Victor Krum every five seconds or spend the whole day in their rooms blowing something up." Replied Ginny with a forceful tone.
The twins and Ron didn't have a response to Ginny. Instead Ron just looked down and opened up his Hogwarts letter.
"WOW!"
Harry, Snuffles, Remus and Dumbledore were sitting at the Three Broomsticks. Madame Rosmerta walked over to their table and brought over their drinks.
"Here you go Headmaster." She said and gave him four goblets of butterbeer.
"Thank you Madame Rosmerta and might I add that you are wearing an amazing set of robes this fine afternoon." She went as red as Weasley hair and went back to her bar.
Remus looked towards the old man and said "You old smoothie."
Dumbledore gave a chuckle as they four of them drank their butterbeer. Three out of goblets and one out of a bowl the Headmaster conjured up.
"So Re.. I mean Profes.. I mean…" The werewolf laughed.
"You can call me Remus."
"Okay Remus. Can I ask you what the surprise Snuffles said is? Since he can't talk at the moment, I find it the perfect time to ask."
"Well. Harry, I don't want to ruin the surprise."
Dumbledore cut in. "It is quite alright Remus. Harry can be told part of the surprise." Dumbledore reached into his pocket and pulled out a letter and gave it to Harry.
"I know it is a little early, but I couldn't help myself. Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger should have already gotten their letters by now." Harry was just staring at the letter. "Go ahead Harry, it won't bite. At least I don't think it will bite."
Harry finally opened the letter and read it after he was done he had a surprised look on his face.
"PREFECT! But sir, I have probably almost every rule in the school."
"More than that Potter." Replied a voice that Harry recognized immediately.
"Excuse my tardiness Headmaster." Said the man as he sat down.
"It is quite alright Severus."
Snape, Remus, and Snuffles all had the same expression on their faces. The expressions that Harry interpreted as to want to take each other outside and rip each other's throats out. Dumbledore just laughed at the three expressions that he saw.
Harry looked toward the Headmaster. "But sir, Why a prefect? Like professor Snape said, I have probably broken every rule the school has."
Dumbledore seemed pleased about something. "Ah Harry. You broke those rules for a good reason, or I should hope so." Dumbledore said the last part with a scent of sarcasm. It looked as if Dumbledore knew more than he was saying.
"What I did may have been for a good reason, but why a prefect? I'm sure there are other students that deserve it more than me." Remus took offence to what Harry said and looked toward him.
"How could you say that? You have gone through more than most wizards go through their entire lives. If anyone deserves to get a little break at school, it is you." Harry saw the expression on Remus' face and just nodded in agreement. Snape spoke up next.
"I am not as enthusiastic as Remus here, but if anyone from Gryffindor deserves to be prefect it is you. And if you tell anyone that I said that, you not live to see another day." Snape said and glared down at Potter. Again Harry saw the expression on Snape's face and just nodded.
Dumbledore looked at the two men and the boy. "Since Tom has come back, one of his targets will be Hogwarts. Not only are you here, but Hogwarts is not merely a school. It is a symbol of what we fight for. Hogwarts represents the divinity and the soul of what magic should stand for. Something that Tom has long since forgotten and hates. If he should even attempt to attack the castle." Dumbledore said looking towards Harry." You have the most experience with fighting him. Everyone would look towards you. I know you do not think so, but trust me, they would."
Harry stared at the old man for a second before his reply. "Do you mean that you want me to be informed on whether or not he comes to kill me?"
Before Dumbledore could answer Snape spoke. "Look Potter, Tom will probably want you dead regardless of anything that transpires. You being made prefect will at least give you for warning if anything should happen."
Harry looked toward Snape. "Okay sir. I should hope that is not the only reason I am being made prefect. I should hope that my time so far at Hogwarts stands for something."
Dumbledore saw the sad expression on Harry's face. "Of course it counts for something. You are a very powerful wizard. You not only escaped the most powerful dark wizard in history four times, but you are also a wonderful person. You should be very proud of what you have become. Your parent would have been proud of you.
Remus turned his attention from Dumbledore to Harry. "I am proud of you, Lily and James would have been as well." Snuffles barked and jumped up to lick Harry's face.
"I know you are proud as well Snuffles." Harry pet Snuffles and turned his attention to Dumbledore who was getting up.
"I think it is time that we go back to the castle. Madame Rosmerta. Please put our drinks on my tab." She nodded. "Thank you. Shall we go?"
Everyone nodded and made there way back to the castle. Remus put his hand on Harry's shoulder. "I think that it is time for another part of the surprise…."
To Be Continued
A/N: Again I apologize for this being so late. I hope I get my laptop soon. I want to write more. I hope you all like this chapter. Don't worry; the action is coming up soon.