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Best Birthday ever
Number four, Privet Drive. A young fifteen years old teenager was sleeping. For once in a few years, on the night before his birthday, his lightning shaped scar on his forehead was not aching and he had no nightmares about the terrible wizard who gave him that scare when he killed his parents, losing his body and powers by the same way. Last year, Voldemort, he-who-must-not-be-named, got a new body and killed another Hogwarts student. Suddenly, Harry whispered something.
-Oh, I love you too. I don't want to loose you, I love you ...
He was woken up by a hooting. Like he usually did, poor Harry forgot most of his dream.
-Who was that girl? he asked himself.
He tried very hard to think of her, but all he could remember was a blurry shape. Ignoring another hooting, he tried to figure out who it was. Perhaps younger Virginia Weasley?
-No, it can't be Ginny! She's my best friend little sister!
Ignoring more hooting, he kept thinking. Perhaps Cho Chang?
-No, it can't be Cho! That girl had long hair...
Ignoring lots of angry hooting and scratching on the windows he kept thinking.
Perhaps Hermione?
-No! Not Hermione! Please, not her! She's my second best friend! he said.
"But her kiss is sooo warm and soft!" he though, remembering what happened last year. The five owls on the other side of his window brought him back to realty before they could wake his uncle up.
-I guess there is one from Ron, said Harry looking at a very small flying-tennis-ball looking owl, one from Hermione, he added looking at a brown owl, one from the school, one from Sirius and I have no idea where you are from, he added finally looking at a toucan, another brown owl and a black owl.
He took Pig's parcel.
"Happy birthday Harry! I have a good news, but I can't tell it right now, so stop reading right now and open your school letter ASAP!"
Harry obeyed and took a small parcel with Hogwarts seal on it. In it, there was his school supply list, the usual letter from Professor McGonagall telling him that the Hogwarts Express is leaving on September first at King's Cross, a letter from Haggrid, a small wrapped box and a neat and tidy written letter. Intrigued, Harry took it.
"Harry, I am pleased to know that you have hold your words and came straight back to your uncle and aunt's house. The point was that the ministry of magic is carefully monitoring your very single moves. That's how they saw the levitating cake and when you left, a few years ago. I now believe you are old enough, at fifteen, to know it and deal with it. Also, I wrote to Arthur Weasley and he ensured me that you would be very safe there, so if you want to visit him, you may do so. By the way, since I was writing you at your birthday, I thought I had to give you a present, so with Haggrid, we bought you this. Happy birthday.
Albus Dumbledore"
He opened the wrapped box. It was holding a small piece of wood with a blue dot on one side, so Harry pressed it. With a small "pop", it changed into a broomstick with "Pocketbroom, to use only in case emergency" written in blue where was the dot. Taking a guess, Harry pressed it again, but nothing happen. Trying again, Harry understood that pressing once deployed it and pressing it twice when it was opened closed it. Although he hadn't flown it, Harry was happy receiving it. He then took back Ron's letter.
"Okay, now that you know that, here's the bad news: mum and dad are to busy right now to pick you up, so try to find a way to come, but if you can't, send Pig ASAP and we'll find a way. By the way, Ginny says hello and wanted to make you a gift. I was sure you would hate it, but she insisted."
Harry looked and saw that there was indeed two wrapped boxes in the parcel. He opened the first one and found... a small vial with a red potion in it with a note on it.
"I though you might need that. It is a Love Potion that Fred and George sell and it works, so if you ever need to ask a girl for another stupid ball, you'll know what to do. And it works, but DON'T ASK WHY I KNOW IT! Let's just say that I found out that Pig is a female... But, thanks Merlin, the effect wears off!
Ron"
Harry laughed and opened the other small box. It was holding... a book! Harry took it carefully, in case that book would scream, bite, suck him in the past or telling him that he was going to die. But no such things happened. On the back side of the book it was only written: Harry Potter with a lightning like his scare between the two words. Surprised, Harry opened it and a few words wrote themselves on the first page.
"Dear Harry,
I know I should not tell you that, but I love you. I loved you long before you saved me from that diary two years ago and I'll love you forever, should anything happens. But I know you love another one, so at least I give you this, your first magical diary. Besides this note, there is nothing more written in it, so, one day, another silly girl will have it and befriend with what you will have left in it; but it won't be that Riddle monster, it will be the boy who lived as he was at Hogwarts, as he saved me and as I loved him.
Ginny"
Harry almost shed a tear when he finished reading that note. He then took Haggrid's letter. It was only written "Happee Bithdee Harry. A greate man that Dumbledore..." He then took his godfather's letter.
"Happy birthday Harry,
Right now, I'm at Remus'. I got an owl from Dumbledore and learned that you might go to the Weasley's. You must be happy about it! I can't send you your gift by owl (Although I know that this bird I brought back from the Caribbean isn't exactly an owl!), so I'll give it to you next time we'll meet! By the way, should your scar hurt, owl me at once!
Snuffle"
Harry smiled when he read the part about the bird and put the letter aside. He took the letter from Hermione.
"Cher Harry,
Comment vas-tu? Moi et Gabrielle allons bien et je te suis encore reconnaissante de l'avoir sauvée à la deuxième épreuve! J'ai une bonne nouvelle! J'ai eu l'emploi que je t'avais parlé avant de partir. Je travaille pour l'été dans une boutique à Hogsmead. Alors nous allons sûrement nous revoir au début de ton année scolaire prochaine puisque nous, à Beaux Bâtons, nous commençons à la mi-septembre. Alors joyeux anniversaire et à la prochaine!
Fleur Delacour"
Harry had no idea what it meant, but when he saw Fleur's name, he remembered the French half-Vela girl that he met last year at the Triwizard Tournament. But it was not the letter from Hermione he expected. Somehow, he wanted that letter very bad. So Harry took the last letter from the black owl, perhaps that one was from Hermione?
"Dear Mr Harry Potter,
We have not ever met, but thou art the one who protected the Philosopher Stone of mine against that evil foe Voldemort is. That stone was indeed destroyed, but accept that gift as a token of the gratitude of mine. The first vial holds some of the Elixir of Life and the other vial holds some powdered Philosopher Stone. Read carefully about how to use them and use then wisely. Do not let it fall into wrong hands. Apocalypse would come, shalt it happen!
Yours,
Nicolas Flamell"
Harry couldn't believe what he was holding. The first test-tube had some watery liquid in it and the second had a bright red powder in it.
-I'll put it in Gringott's as soon as I can!!! he said putting carefully these vials in is trunk.
But still, nothing from Hermione. Harry was missing her... The gathered owls reminded him that he had some reply to write...
-Okay then..., he said taking some parchment.
"Dear Fleur,
Sorry I have no idea what you wrote me, but I'll have it translated as soon as I find someone who can. Hope to meet you soon!
Harry"
He gave his letter back to Fleur's brown owl who took off at once. Then he took another parchment.
"Dear Snuffle,
No my scar isn't hurting, but guess what! I will indeed soon leave the Dursley and go to Ron's! Hope to see you soon too!
Harry"
He gave that letter to the tropical bird who left too, fallowed by the school owl.
-I'll write to Ron tomorrow, he said to Pig. Hedwidge, would you mind searching Hermione for me?
His snow owl looked honored.
-Good!
"Dear Hermione,
I haven't heard of you since the Hogwarts Express, are you okay? What have you done this summer? Owl me quickly please...
Harry"
He hesitated. It was short, but making it longer would look too much like if he would be missing her too much...
-Take it and find her, he said, attaching his letter to Hedwidge's talon.
She left and Harry looked his watch. It was only 1 am, so he went back to sleep, hopping to find out who was that girl...
He was in a field, it was sunset. He was hugging someone. He was feeling her. But, his half conscious brain was still unaware who was in his arms. Soon, they where both looking and he smelled her long and bushy hair. He now knew it; it was Hermione.
She had a strange smile and there was a tear on her cheek.
-I don't want to loose you!
-Harry, things are never going to be the same; you know it!
Suddenly, everything vanished, as if someone would have zapped to another tv channel. He was in some kind of underground basement. There were no windows of any kind and there were only a few torches. A few people where gathered around a table. As he got closer, Harry saw that there was a small and chubby man named Peter Pettigrow, an half serpent half human monster, no other that Voldemort, and there was also three tall hooded monsters that Harry feared the most, the Dementors.
-If you help us take back what's ours, you will get plenty victims for yourself, said Voldemort.
The Dementors looked each others, as if they were interested.
-As a proof, here are two prisoners we first wanted to kill, but I thought you would like better to do the job all by yourself...
Several hooded men, Voldemort follower calling themselves the Deatheaters, brought two tied up tight men, that Harry recognized at once; they were Ludo Bagman and Igor Karakov.
-They are yours, as long as you make them die a most awful way, said Pettigrow.
The three Dementors lift up their hoods and looked pleased. Then the first one kissed Bagman on his lips. That kiss lasted about a minute or so and then, Bagman had an empty look. Then, while another Dementor was kissing Bagman, the first one was doing the same thing to Karakov. And it went on until the three monsters kissed the two men, who were now apparently dead bodies lying on the floor. Harry scar was hurting him such as if it would have been hit by a red hot metal rod and he had an headache like if his brain would like to go elsewhere.
-Good, I think we have a deal! said Voldemort as Harry was waking up...
He was sweating bad and had both hands on his forehead.
-Guess I spoke too soon...
It was a quarter to seven so he stood up. Like if he would have been hit by a punch, he remembered sparse glimpses of his dreams, but that time he remembered who the girl was. He tried the best he could that it was only a meaningless dream, but he could not take her out of his thoughts.
-HARRY POTTER! Come down here. NOW!!! yelled his uncle and hour latter.
-I'm coming, I'm coming! For Merlin's sake...
As he entered the kitchen, he saw his definitely oversized cousin and his big and fat uncle.
-Yes, uncle Vernon?
-Now, aunt Marge is coming here in three days. She may have forgotten what you did her last time, but we did not. So, I want you to be away from here! For the remaining of the summer too, if possible!
It was obviously his birthday! Harry only had to play carefully and he would have everything he wanted...
-How am I supposed to go? And WHERE I am supposed to go?
-None of my concerns... I want you away from HERE! For as long as you can!
-I believe I could go to Ron's...
-Fine then!
-But I still need a way to get there! He leaves a few hours away from here...
-Have them pick you up!
-They are working very hard at the Ministry of Ma..., for his own sake he avoided saying Ministry of Magic.
-So what? Take the train!
Even if it wasn't his intent, Uncle Vernon gave Harry an idea; instead of the train, he could use the bus; the Knight Bus!
-If we put it that way, I believe I could use the bus...
-Excellent!
-But I don't have much money with me...
-Look! I'll give you five pounds and Petunia will make you a sandwich to go if
you leave by this evening, said Vernon quickly and loudly.
-Then we have a deal.
His uncle looked suspicious, but seemed to agree.
-Have I to drop you somewhere to take that "bus" of yours?
-No, it's close enough...
-Fine then! Prepare yourself!
He sprinted back to his room. It was like Heaven and the five pounds will be his trophy for winning the negotiations against his uncle! Last time he won something, a good young man died and he still felt guilty about it... As he got in his room, he took some parchment and wrote to Ron.
"Ron,
I made it! I guess luck was with me! I leave tonight with the Knight Bus and I expect to be at your house a few hours latter. Hope it won't be too late! See ya!
Harry"
He gave his letter to Pig who started flying around full of pride. As soon as she left, Harry started gathering his belongings and putting them in his trunk. An hour latter, he was ready to go, but he still had several hours before leaving, so he decided to study Potions before lunch and wrote his essay of History of Magic (Why do you think muggles and wizards are so different over times? Explain.". In normal circumstances, his uncle and aunt wouldn't have allowed him to do this, but since he was leaving in a few hours, they tolerated him.
When the sun began setting, Harry changed into wizard robes (To feel his victory!) and brought his trunk, broom and his owl's cage to the living room. His aunt looked disgusted by his garments and his uncle was obviously enraged about it, but acting almost casually since he was about to leave. Duddley, on the other hand, seemed suddenly almost curious about him.
-Tell me, Harry, do you REALLY fly on that broom?
He almost laughed. He was an outstanding Quidditch player and ,a few year ago, he was the youngest player for a century and "that" broom was one of the finest broom in the world.
-Yes, Duddley, and I'm pretty good at it!
-I doubt you are good at anything! said his uncle.
As promised, his uncle and aunt gave him five pounds and a rather good looking ham sandwich. He grabbed his stuff and walked to the street.
-So where do your bus stops? asked his uncle smirking.
-Wherever I want, I only have to hail it...
-And how do you hail it?
-Like this...
He took his wand inside his robes and waved it towards the street.
-Now, one more thing. Since it was a last minute decision, some owls may not be aware of it, so if some come over here, tell it I'm at Ron's. Should be good enough...
His uncle was still smirking as if he expected him to have not hailed the bus correctly, but a big explosion threw him to the ground and scared Aunt Petunia, who ran back into the house. The Knight Bus had arrived and Harry was loading his stuff in it.
-Hey! It is Nevile again! said Stan, laughing.
The first time Harry used it, Harry had run away from home and was scared enough to use the name of someone he knew.
-Where d'you wanna go?
-The Burrow.
-Okay, but we will soon make a twenty minutes stop to Diagon Alley to relax and changed driver.
-It's fine, I had to go to Gringott's.
With another bang, the Knight Bus Disaparated and was speeding wildly towards London. As they arrived, Stan walked towards Harry.
-I completely forgot to tell you how much it would cost...
-No problems, Harry replied giving him a Galleon. Just bring me back a bottle of Butterbeer with it and keep the money.
Stan looked it he wasn't believing him and Harry was way to happy to wonder about some spare sickle and knuts... He went to Gringott's, the wizard bank, to put the vials he got from Mr Flamell, and to get some wizard money. He will, by the same time, put his "trophy" in his vault. The bank was about to close, so he was about the only human in it. He walked to a desk and the Goblin clerk asked him.
-What may I do for you?
-I'd like to access my vault.
-Do you have your key?
Harry gave it to the little creature. Goblins reminded him the boring History of Magic classes about the Goblins Rebellion and, of course, one of the only student who seemed to know it by heart, Hermione Granger. No mater how hard he tried to think otherwise, he missed her bad...
-Very well. We have recently set a network of Portkey, so would you prefer to go there by cart or with the Portkey?
-I'll take the Portkey.
-Very well then, Portkey thirteen is the closer to your vault, so fallow me please.
Harry and the Gobelin Golorsh went to a cactus in a flower pot. As soon as they touched the pot, they both began spinning wildly and were grabbed indeed very close to his vault. Once inside, he took a handful of gold Galleons and put his "trophy" alongside the vials near the left wall. As he left the vault, it began closing itself and Golorsh asked:
-May I do anything else to help you?
-I doubt so, unless you could tell me were Hermione is! said Harry without thinking.
He then realized what he just said out loud.
-Sorry sir, I am not allowed to tell where our other costumers' vaults are.
-No, I was talking about her. And I wasn't really asking, only thinking out loud.
-If you are referring to Hermione Granger, I do not know exactly where she is, but I know she is out of this country right now.
Harry was dumbstruck.
-How do you know her and how do you know that???
The small creature showed him a SPEW badge on his chest.
-She made a withdrawal at a foreign office. May I do anything else?
-No thanks...
A few minutes latter, Harry was leaving. As he looked his watch, he saw that he still had about ten minutes, so he stepped into an antiques magical shop. Since it was about to close too, he browsed pretty fast. He saw many interesting things, such as a Foe Glass, a very nice wizard chessboard, a Remeberall, some good looking trinkets and a Pensieve. Getting closer to it, Harry saw that it hadn't been used yet, the thing in it was still clear and watery. It was sixty five galleon, two sickle and ten knuts. "Expensive pensive!" Harry thought. Looking back to his watch, he sprinted back to the Knight Bus before it left.
-Good then! said Stan. And betterbeer was about a bottle for a sickle and with what you owed me for the trip, here are ten bottles and, believe me, there is still plenty money with it, so thank you very much Nevile, or Harry or whatever!
Harry couldn't believe how much he would have wasted would have Stan be less honest. In a month, he already had lost the touch of wizard money! He put the bottles in his trunk and opened one, while eating his aunt sandwich. He felt warm from the inside and thought back about his birthday. It had been excellent and wasn't over yet!
-We'll be at the Burrow in about ten minutes, said the driver.
Harry looked his watch. He couldn't believe it! It was about a twenty to nine, so he would have plenty time to talk with the Weasleys!
-The Burrow! said the driver stopping.
Harry stepped down and Stan gave him his trunk and others items before Disaparating again. As he looked at it, The Burrow hadn't changed a bit. A bunch of garden gnomes where talking loudly and making fun of him, the ghoul was hitting the pipes and Erol came flying (falling) from the skies and landed (crash-landed) on the stairway. Harry saw Ginny looking at him by the window and running away. He then heard Ron yelling:
-Mum! Dad! Harry's here!
Soon, six red heads were bursting outside and scrambling around to welcome him. Before he knew it, he was grabbed to the kitchen, hugged, handshaked, kissed and asked if he wanted to eat something. He looked on his side and has he thought, it was Ginny who kissed him. Now, she was red up to her hears. She had grown up a bit and Harry told himself that even if she did was beautiful, she remained his best friend little sister.
-Harry dear! Do you want anything? asked Molly Weasley.
-No thanks!
-Hey Harry! said Ron. I couldn't believe it when Pig arrived.
-I couldn't believe it either when my uncle wanted me to leave before Aunt Marge arrives. It was pure luck!
Mrs and Mr Weasley looked each other, obviously agreeing that Harry shouldn't live with the Dursleys.
-Where is Percy? asked Harry.
-He left about a month ago. He now lives in an apartment in Diagon Alley, said Fred.
-Wasn't too soon, added George, laughing.
-How DARE you say that???
-Mum! Relax! Was a joke!
-Better be! Well, Harry, as soon as knew you would be coming, we all made you a surprise. So please, close your eyes and fallow us.
Harry removed his cloak and complied. They pulled and pushed him to where he thought was the garden table. Ginny kept giggling.
-Okay, now, you can open your eyes!
As he did so, there was a huge birthday cake on the garden table. But, better than that, around the table were Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, and an old witch Harry knew: Mrs Figg.
-HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY!
He was dumbstruck.
-Th... Thanks! Thanks to you all! You all came here for... me?
They looked embarrassed.
-Not exactly..., said Mr Weasley. At first we arranged a meeting about you know what, but when we found out that you would be coming, we decided to throw a party.
-Minerva, Arrabella, Ginny and I quickly cooked you a cake, said Mrs weasley.
-Thanks!
-Too bad we don't have Butterbeer! said George.
-I do have some, said Harry.
They all looked him.
-Well, we stopped on Diagon Alley I ordered one, but I finally got about ten..., he added quickly, taking his wand. Accio Trunk!
His trunk flew from the house and landed by his side. Fred, George and Ron had round eyes.
-But I don't have enough for everybody...
-No bother, said Mr Weasley taking one Harry had and taking his wand. Doublousates!
The bottle split in two halves and soon he had two bottles exactly like the one he took.
-Welcome back in the wizards' world, Harry, said Ron looking at his surprised look.
They all laughed. Soon, each one got a bottle, a piece of cake and were joking, telling stories, talking about Hogwarts and gossiping. It was the first time he saw Professor McGonagall having fun.
-Professor Dumbledore, how many...
-Harry, please! In the summer call me Albus!
Harry was impressed about the Headmaster asking him to be familiar.
-Okay then. Albus, how many are we, I mean, fighting against Voldemort.
Sirius looked him.
-Harry, I don't want you risking your life by joining us!
Albus looked him.
-Sirius, we are not talking about recruiting right now. And Harry, besides the ones here there are some Aurors and an some other people. Let say we are about twenty five.
-You kept in touch even when Voldemort was thought to be dead?
-We actually never thought him to be dead, added Professor McGonagal matter-of-factly. So yes, we kept in touch with each others.
-And this summer, we "recruited" some Aurors..., began Remus.
-The ones with their heads screwed on the right way, added Sirius.
-And Sirius and the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Sirius was a member, a long time ago, before being arrested, said Mrs Figg.
-I see then, said Harry.
-Are you some kind of sect of Brotherhood? asked Fred.
-No, we are the Order of Phoenix.
-So, will you Obliviate us? asked Ron, who listened to everything.
-No... Voldemort knew about us since Pettigrow, who was part of it, joined him and some wizards also know about us, so there is no point erasing your memories and turning you into Lockarts! Remus added.
-Now! Who wants to play bridge with an Exploding Snap deck? asked Mrs Figg.
They talked, played, drank, ate, joked and laughed until very late. At midnight, Professor McGonagall and Head Master Dumbledore left, setting a new meeting. Mrs Figg, who confirmed Harry having been his bodyguard when he was younger, left at one am, fallowed a little latter by Remus Lupin. Ginny and Mr Weasley had went bed before the Headmaster left, so now, only the twins, Mrs Weasley, Ron, Harry and Sirius were up.
-It's getting late, Harry, said his godfather.
Mrs Weasley agreed.
-So you mean you stay?
-Only for tonight. Tomorrow evening' I'll run to Madeye's.
They all went bed and Harry felt it indeed was his best birthday ever.
Best Birthday ever
Number four, Privet Drive. A young fifteen years old teenager was sleeping. For once in a few years, on the night before his birthday, his lightning shaped scar on his forehead was not aching and he had no nightmares about the terrible wizard who gave him that scare when he killed his parents, losing his body and powers by the same way. Last year, Voldemort, he-who-must-not-be-named, got a new body and killed another Hogwarts student. Suddenly, Harry whispered something.
-Oh, I love you too. I don't want to loose you, I love you ...
He was woken up by a hooting. Like he usually did, poor Harry forgot most of his dream.
-Who was that girl? he asked himself.
He tried very hard to think of her, but all he could remember was a blurry shape. Ignoring another hooting, he tried to figure out who it was. Perhaps younger Virginia Weasley?
-No, it can't be Ginny! She's my best friend little sister!
Ignoring more hooting, he kept thinking. Perhaps Cho Chang?
-No, it can't be Cho! That girl had long hair...
Ignoring lots of angry hooting and scratching on the windows he kept thinking.
Perhaps Hermione?
-No! Not Hermione! Please, not her! She's my second best friend! he said.
"But her kiss is sooo warm and soft!" he though, remembering what happened last year. The five owls on the other side of his window brought him back to realty before they could wake his uncle up.
-I guess there is one from Ron, said Harry looking at a very small flying-tennis-ball looking owl, one from Hermione, he added looking at a brown owl, one from the school, one from Sirius and I have no idea where you are from, he added finally looking at a toucan, another brown owl and a black owl.
He took Pig's parcel.
"Happy birthday Harry! I have a good news, but I can't tell it right now, so stop reading right now and open your school letter ASAP!"
Harry obeyed and took a small parcel with Hogwarts seal on it. In it, there was his school supply list, the usual letter from Professor McGonagall telling him that the Hogwarts Express is leaving on September first at King's Cross, a letter from Haggrid, a small wrapped box and a neat and tidy written letter. Intrigued, Harry took it.
"Harry, I am pleased to know that you have hold your words and came straight back to your uncle and aunt's house. The point was that the ministry of magic is carefully monitoring your very single moves. That's how they saw the levitating cake and when you left, a few years ago. I now believe you are old enough, at fifteen, to know it and deal with it. Also, I wrote to Arthur Weasley and he ensured me that you would be very safe there, so if you want to visit him, you may do so. By the way, since I was writing you at your birthday, I thought I had to give you a present, so with Haggrid, we bought you this. Happy birthday.
Albus Dumbledore"
He opened the wrapped box. It was holding a small piece of wood with a blue dot on one side, so Harry pressed it. With a small "pop", it changed into a broomstick with "Pocketbroom, to use only in case emergency" written in blue where was the dot. Taking a guess, Harry pressed it again, but nothing happen. Trying again, Harry understood that pressing once deployed it and pressing it twice when it was opened closed it. Although he hadn't flown it, Harry was happy receiving it. He then took back Ron's letter.
"Okay, now that you know that, here's the bad news: mum and dad are to busy right now to pick you up, so try to find a way to come, but if you can't, send Pig ASAP and we'll find a way. By the way, Ginny says hello and wanted to make you a gift. I was sure you would hate it, but she insisted."
Harry looked and saw that there was indeed two wrapped boxes in the parcel. He opened the first one and found... a small vial with a red potion in it with a note on it.
"I though you might need that. It is a Love Potion that Fred and George sell and it works, so if you ever need to ask a girl for another stupid ball, you'll know what to do. And it works, but DON'T ASK WHY I KNOW IT! Let's just say that I found out that Pig is a female... But, thanks Merlin, the effect wears off!
Ron"
Harry laughed and opened the other small box. It was holding... a book! Harry took it carefully, in case that book would scream, bite, suck him in the past or telling him that he was going to die. But no such things happened. On the back side of the book it was only written: Harry Potter with a lightning like his scare between the two words. Surprised, Harry opened it and a few words wrote themselves on the first page.
"Dear Harry,
I know I should not tell you that, but I love you. I loved you long before you saved me from that diary two years ago and I'll love you forever, should anything happens. But I know you love another one, so at least I give you this, your first magical diary. Besides this note, there is nothing more written in it, so, one day, another silly girl will have it and befriend with what you will have left in it; but it won't be that Riddle monster, it will be the boy who lived as he was at Hogwarts, as he saved me and as I loved him.
Ginny"
Harry almost shed a tear when he finished reading that note. He then took Haggrid's letter. It was only written "Happee Bithdee Harry. A greate man that Dumbledore..." He then took his godfather's letter.
"Happy birthday Harry,
Right now, I'm at Remus'. I got an owl from Dumbledore and learned that you might go to the Weasley's. You must be happy about it! I can't send you your gift by owl (Although I know that this bird I brought back from the Caribbean isn't exactly an owl!), so I'll give it to you next time we'll meet! By the way, should your scar hurt, owl me at once!
Snuffle"
Harry smiled when he read the part about the bird and put the letter aside. He took the letter from Hermione.
"Cher Harry,
Comment vas-tu? Moi et Gabrielle allons bien et je te suis encore reconnaissante de l'avoir sauvée à la deuxième épreuve! J'ai une bonne nouvelle! J'ai eu l'emploi que je t'avais parlé avant de partir. Je travaille pour l'été dans une boutique à Hogsmead. Alors nous allons sûrement nous revoir au début de ton année scolaire prochaine puisque nous, à Beaux Bâtons, nous commençons à la mi-septembre. Alors joyeux anniversaire et à la prochaine!
Fleur Delacour"
Harry had no idea what it meant, but when he saw Fleur's name, he remembered the French half-Vela girl that he met last year at the Triwizard Tournament. But it was not the letter from Hermione he expected. Somehow, he wanted that letter very bad. So Harry took the last letter from the black owl, perhaps that one was from Hermione?
"Dear Mr Harry Potter,
We have not ever met, but thou art the one who protected the Philosopher Stone of mine against that evil foe Voldemort is. That stone was indeed destroyed, but accept that gift as a token of the gratitude of mine. The first vial holds some of the Elixir of Life and the other vial holds some powdered Philosopher Stone. Read carefully about how to use them and use then wisely. Do not let it fall into wrong hands. Apocalypse would come, shalt it happen!
Yours,
Nicolas Flamell"
Harry couldn't believe what he was holding. The first test-tube had some watery liquid in it and the second had a bright red powder in it.
-I'll put it in Gringott's as soon as I can!!! he said putting carefully these vials in is trunk.
But still, nothing from Hermione. Harry was missing her... The gathered owls reminded him that he had some reply to write...
-Okay then..., he said taking some parchment.
"Dear Fleur,
Sorry I have no idea what you wrote me, but I'll have it translated as soon as I find someone who can. Hope to meet you soon!
Harry"
He gave his letter back to Fleur's brown owl who took off at once. Then he took another parchment.
"Dear Snuffle,
No my scar isn't hurting, but guess what! I will indeed soon leave the Dursley and go to Ron's! Hope to see you soon too!
Harry"
He gave that letter to the tropical bird who left too, fallowed by the school owl.
-I'll write to Ron tomorrow, he said to Pig. Hedwidge, would you mind searching Hermione for me?
His snow owl looked honored.
-Good!
"Dear Hermione,
I haven't heard of you since the Hogwarts Express, are you okay? What have you done this summer? Owl me quickly please...
Harry"
He hesitated. It was short, but making it longer would look too much like if he would be missing her too much...
-Take it and find her, he said, attaching his letter to Hedwidge's talon.
She left and Harry looked his watch. It was only 1 am, so he went back to sleep, hopping to find out who was that girl...
He was in a field, it was sunset. He was hugging someone. He was feeling her. But, his half conscious brain was still unaware who was in his arms. Soon, they where both looking and he smelled her long and bushy hair. He now knew it; it was Hermione.
She had a strange smile and there was a tear on her cheek.
-I don't want to loose you!
-Harry, things are never going to be the same; you know it!
Suddenly, everything vanished, as if someone would have zapped to another tv channel. He was in some kind of underground basement. There were no windows of any kind and there were only a few torches. A few people where gathered around a table. As he got closer, Harry saw that there was a small and chubby man named Peter Pettigrow, an half serpent half human monster, no other that Voldemort, and there was also three tall hooded monsters that Harry feared the most, the Dementors.
-If you help us take back what's ours, you will get plenty victims for yourself, said Voldemort.
The Dementors looked each others, as if they were interested.
-As a proof, here are two prisoners we first wanted to kill, but I thought you would like better to do the job all by yourself...
Several hooded men, Voldemort follower calling themselves the Deatheaters, brought two tied up tight men, that Harry recognized at once; they were Ludo Bagman and Igor Karakov.
-They are yours, as long as you make them die a most awful way, said Pettigrow.
The three Dementors lift up their hoods and looked pleased. Then the first one kissed Bagman on his lips. That kiss lasted about a minute or so and then, Bagman had an empty look. Then, while another Dementor was kissing Bagman, the first one was doing the same thing to Karakov. And it went on until the three monsters kissed the two men, who were now apparently dead bodies lying on the floor. Harry scar was hurting him such as if it would have been hit by a red hot metal rod and he had an headache like if his brain would like to go elsewhere.
-Good, I think we have a deal! said Voldemort as Harry was waking up...
He was sweating bad and had both hands on his forehead.
-Guess I spoke too soon...
It was a quarter to seven so he stood up. Like if he would have been hit by a punch, he remembered sparse glimpses of his dreams, but that time he remembered who the girl was. He tried the best he could that it was only a meaningless dream, but he could not take her out of his thoughts.
-HARRY POTTER! Come down here. NOW!!! yelled his uncle and hour latter.
-I'm coming, I'm coming! For Merlin's sake...
As he entered the kitchen, he saw his definitely oversized cousin and his big and fat uncle.
-Yes, uncle Vernon?
-Now, aunt Marge is coming here in three days. She may have forgotten what you did her last time, but we did not. So, I want you to be away from here! For the remaining of the summer too, if possible!
It was obviously his birthday! Harry only had to play carefully and he would have everything he wanted...
-How am I supposed to go? And WHERE I am supposed to go?
-None of my concerns... I want you away from HERE! For as long as you can!
-I believe I could go to Ron's...
-Fine then!
-But I still need a way to get there! He leaves a few hours away from here...
-Have them pick you up!
-They are working very hard at the Ministry of Ma..., for his own sake he avoided saying Ministry of Magic.
-So what? Take the train!
Even if it wasn't his intent, Uncle Vernon gave Harry an idea; instead of the train, he could use the bus; the Knight Bus!
-If we put it that way, I believe I could use the bus...
-Excellent!
-But I don't have much money with me...
-Look! I'll give you five pounds and Petunia will make you a sandwich to go if
you leave by this evening, said Vernon quickly and loudly.
-Then we have a deal.
His uncle looked suspicious, but seemed to agree.
-Have I to drop you somewhere to take that "bus" of yours?
-No, it's close enough...
-Fine then! Prepare yourself!
He sprinted back to his room. It was like Heaven and the five pounds will be his trophy for winning the negotiations against his uncle! Last time he won something, a good young man died and he still felt guilty about it... As he got in his room, he took some parchment and wrote to Ron.
"Ron,
I made it! I guess luck was with me! I leave tonight with the Knight Bus and I expect to be at your house a few hours latter. Hope it won't be too late! See ya!
Harry"
He gave his letter to Pig who started flying around full of pride. As soon as she left, Harry started gathering his belongings and putting them in his trunk. An hour latter, he was ready to go, but he still had several hours before leaving, so he decided to study Potions before lunch and wrote his essay of History of Magic (Why do you think muggles and wizards are so different over times? Explain.". In normal circumstances, his uncle and aunt wouldn't have allowed him to do this, but since he was leaving in a few hours, they tolerated him.
When the sun began setting, Harry changed into wizard robes (To feel his victory!) and brought his trunk, broom and his owl's cage to the living room. His aunt looked disgusted by his garments and his uncle was obviously enraged about it, but acting almost casually since he was about to leave. Duddley, on the other hand, seemed suddenly almost curious about him.
-Tell me, Harry, do you REALLY fly on that broom?
He almost laughed. He was an outstanding Quidditch player and ,a few year ago, he was the youngest player for a century and "that" broom was one of the finest broom in the world.
-Yes, Duddley, and I'm pretty good at it!
-I doubt you are good at anything! said his uncle.
As promised, his uncle and aunt gave him five pounds and a rather good looking ham sandwich. He grabbed his stuff and walked to the street.
-So where do your bus stops? asked his uncle smirking.
-Wherever I want, I only have to hail it...
-And how do you hail it?
-Like this...
He took his wand inside his robes and waved it towards the street.
-Now, one more thing. Since it was a last minute decision, some owls may not be aware of it, so if some come over here, tell it I'm at Ron's. Should be good enough...
His uncle was still smirking as if he expected him to have not hailed the bus correctly, but a big explosion threw him to the ground and scared Aunt Petunia, who ran back into the house. The Knight Bus had arrived and Harry was loading his stuff in it.
-Hey! It is Nevile again! said Stan, laughing.
The first time Harry used it, Harry had run away from home and was scared enough to use the name of someone he knew.
-Where d'you wanna go?
-The Burrow.
-Okay, but we will soon make a twenty minutes stop to Diagon Alley to relax and changed driver.
-It's fine, I had to go to Gringott's.
With another bang, the Knight Bus Disaparated and was speeding wildly towards London. As they arrived, Stan walked towards Harry.
-I completely forgot to tell you how much it would cost...
-No problems, Harry replied giving him a Galleon. Just bring me back a bottle of Butterbeer with it and keep the money.
Stan looked it he wasn't believing him and Harry was way to happy to wonder about some spare sickle and knuts... He went to Gringott's, the wizard bank, to put the vials he got from Mr Flamell, and to get some wizard money. He will, by the same time, put his "trophy" in his vault. The bank was about to close, so he was about the only human in it. He walked to a desk and the Goblin clerk asked him.
-What may I do for you?
-I'd like to access my vault.
-Do you have your key?
Harry gave it to the little creature. Goblins reminded him the boring History of Magic classes about the Goblins Rebellion and, of course, one of the only student who seemed to know it by heart, Hermione Granger. No mater how hard he tried to think otherwise, he missed her bad...
-Very well. We have recently set a network of Portkey, so would you prefer to go there by cart or with the Portkey?
-I'll take the Portkey.
-Very well then, Portkey thirteen is the closer to your vault, so fallow me please.
Harry and the Gobelin Golorsh went to a cactus in a flower pot. As soon as they touched the pot, they both began spinning wildly and were grabbed indeed very close to his vault. Once inside, he took a handful of gold Galleons and put his "trophy" alongside the vials near the left wall. As he left the vault, it began closing itself and Golorsh asked:
-May I do anything else to help you?
-I doubt so, unless you could tell me were Hermione is! said Harry without thinking.
He then realized what he just said out loud.
-Sorry sir, I am not allowed to tell where our other costumers' vaults are.
-No, I was talking about her. And I wasn't really asking, only thinking out loud.
-If you are referring to Hermione Granger, I do not know exactly where she is, but I know she is out of this country right now.
Harry was dumbstruck.
-How do you know her and how do you know that???
The small creature showed him a SPEW badge on his chest.
-She made a withdrawal at a foreign office. May I do anything else?
-No thanks...
A few minutes latter, Harry was leaving. As he looked his watch, he saw that he still had about ten minutes, so he stepped into an antiques magical shop. Since it was about to close too, he browsed pretty fast. He saw many interesting things, such as a Foe Glass, a very nice wizard chessboard, a Remeberall, some good looking trinkets and a Pensieve. Getting closer to it, Harry saw that it hadn't been used yet, the thing in it was still clear and watery. It was sixty five galleon, two sickle and ten knuts. "Expensive pensive!" Harry thought. Looking back to his watch, he sprinted back to the Knight Bus before it left.
-Good then! said Stan. And betterbeer was about a bottle for a sickle and with what you owed me for the trip, here are ten bottles and, believe me, there is still plenty money with it, so thank you very much Nevile, or Harry or whatever!
Harry couldn't believe how much he would have wasted would have Stan be less honest. In a month, he already had lost the touch of wizard money! He put the bottles in his trunk and opened one, while eating his aunt sandwich. He felt warm from the inside and thought back about his birthday. It had been excellent and wasn't over yet!
-We'll be at the Burrow in about ten minutes, said the driver.
Harry looked his watch. He couldn't believe it! It was about a twenty to nine, so he would have plenty time to talk with the Weasleys!
-The Burrow! said the driver stopping.
Harry stepped down and Stan gave him his trunk and others items before Disaparating again. As he looked at it, The Burrow hadn't changed a bit. A bunch of garden gnomes where talking loudly and making fun of him, the ghoul was hitting the pipes and Erol came flying (falling) from the skies and landed (crash-landed) on the stairway. Harry saw Ginny looking at him by the window and running away. He then heard Ron yelling:
-Mum! Dad! Harry's here!
Soon, six red heads were bursting outside and scrambling around to welcome him. Before he knew it, he was grabbed to the kitchen, hugged, handshaked, kissed and asked if he wanted to eat something. He looked on his side and has he thought, it was Ginny who kissed him. Now, she was red up to her hears. She had grown up a bit and Harry told himself that even if she did was beautiful, she remained his best friend little sister.
-Harry dear! Do you want anything? asked Molly Weasley.
-No thanks!
-Hey Harry! said Ron. I couldn't believe it when Pig arrived.
-I couldn't believe it either when my uncle wanted me to leave before Aunt Marge arrives. It was pure luck!
Mrs and Mr Weasley looked each other, obviously agreeing that Harry shouldn't live with the Dursleys.
-Where is Percy? asked Harry.
-He left about a month ago. He now lives in an apartment in Diagon Alley, said Fred.
-Wasn't too soon, added George, laughing.
-How DARE you say that???
-Mum! Relax! Was a joke!
-Better be! Well, Harry, as soon as knew you would be coming, we all made you a surprise. So please, close your eyes and fallow us.
Harry removed his cloak and complied. They pulled and pushed him to where he thought was the garden table. Ginny kept giggling.
-Okay, now, you can open your eyes!
As he did so, there was a huge birthday cake on the garden table. But, better than that, around the table were Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, and an old witch Harry knew: Mrs Figg.
-HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY!
He was dumbstruck.
-Th... Thanks! Thanks to you all! You all came here for... me?
They looked embarrassed.
-Not exactly..., said Mr Weasley. At first we arranged a meeting about you know what, but when we found out that you would be coming, we decided to throw a party.
-Minerva, Arrabella, Ginny and I quickly cooked you a cake, said Mrs weasley.
-Thanks!
-Too bad we don't have Butterbeer! said George.
-I do have some, said Harry.
They all looked him.
-Well, we stopped on Diagon Alley I ordered one, but I finally got about ten..., he added quickly, taking his wand. Accio Trunk!
His trunk flew from the house and landed by his side. Fred, George and Ron had round eyes.
-But I don't have enough for everybody...
-No bother, said Mr Weasley taking one Harry had and taking his wand. Doublousates!
The bottle split in two halves and soon he had two bottles exactly like the one he took.
-Welcome back in the wizards' world, Harry, said Ron looking at his surprised look.
They all laughed. Soon, each one got a bottle, a piece of cake and were joking, telling stories, talking about Hogwarts and gossiping. It was the first time he saw Professor McGonagall having fun.
-Professor Dumbledore, how many...
-Harry, please! In the summer call me Albus!
Harry was impressed about the Headmaster asking him to be familiar.
-Okay then. Albus, how many are we, I mean, fighting against Voldemort.
Sirius looked him.
-Harry, I don't want you risking your life by joining us!
Albus looked him.
-Sirius, we are not talking about recruiting right now. And Harry, besides the ones here there are some Aurors and an some other people. Let say we are about twenty five.
-You kept in touch even when Voldemort was thought to be dead?
-We actually never thought him to be dead, added Professor McGonagal matter-of-factly. So yes, we kept in touch with each others.
-And this summer, we "recruited" some Aurors..., began Remus.
-The ones with their heads screwed on the right way, added Sirius.
-And Sirius and the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Sirius was a member, a long time ago, before being arrested, said Mrs Figg.
-I see then, said Harry.
-Are you some kind of sect of Brotherhood? asked Fred.
-No, we are the Order of Phoenix.
-So, will you Obliviate us? asked Ron, who listened to everything.
-No... Voldemort knew about us since Pettigrow, who was part of it, joined him and some wizards also know about us, so there is no point erasing your memories and turning you into Lockarts! Remus added.
-Now! Who wants to play bridge with an Exploding Snap deck? asked Mrs Figg.
They talked, played, drank, ate, joked and laughed until very late. At midnight, Professor McGonagall and Head Master Dumbledore left, setting a new meeting. Mrs Figg, who confirmed Harry having been his bodyguard when he was younger, left at one am, fallowed a little latter by Remus Lupin. Ginny and Mr Weasley had went bed before the Headmaster left, so now, only the twins, Mrs Weasley, Ron, Harry and Sirius were up.
-It's getting late, Harry, said his godfather.
Mrs Weasley agreed.
-So you mean you stay?
-Only for tonight. Tomorrow evening' I'll run to Madeye's.
They all went bed and Harry felt it indeed was his best birthday ever.
