Chapter 1*~~ So it Begins*~~
Harry rubbed his eyes as he sat up. Then he grabbed his glasses off of the bed-side table. With his eyes now in focus he glanced around the room. His eyes brushed over things you wouldn't normally find in a teenage boy's room. There was a trunk filled with spell books, a wand, black robes, letters, and a cauldron at the foot of his bed. Next to it lay a sleek broom that read Firebolt and a broom servicing kit.
Then his eyes drifted to his desk which was covered with parchment, ink bottles, and quills where there was not a big cage for his owl Hedwig. There was also a book that read 'Unfogging the Future' on his chair. But what had caught his eye was a large tawny owl.
Harry Potter had gotten out of school two weeks ago and had scanned his room every morning since. He hopped up and grabbed the letter it had tied to its ankle. Harry tipped his head looking at the hand writing which read Harry Potter Second window on the top. He didn't recognize the hand writing. It seemed familiar but whose? He remembered dimly an assignment in his third year when Nice Harry had bee written at the top but he couldn't remember what subject it was for. Wondering wildly why a teacher would send him a letter- more homework perhaps? - he tore it open.
Dear Harry, I'm just letting you know that Padfoot arrived here perfectly fin. I haven't told any of our friends that he's here yet but I'm trying to explain that he's innocent. It isn't going to well. I could use your help.
Your faithful godfather is reading over my shoulder-nock it off- and he saw me write that. I'm not in the mood to start over so just don't get it into your head that you should come out here, okay? Maybe you could write me a letter tat would possibly help? Everything is fine. Nothing has happened since he got out but. be careful Harry.
Look I'm dead tired so I have to go to bed. Tomorrow will be devoted to trying to convince Hernando of Padfoot's innocence the stubborn fool! Landau, my tawny, has just come back from hunting. I'll send it with him. Sirius' letter attached.
Remeus Lupin, Moony
Harry flipped to the next piece of paper in the letter. This is what Sirius had wrote. Dear Harry, I'm here at Moony's and I'm fine. Now remember whatever is going on outside of the Dursley's is not your business. You need to stay put and don't run off and do something stupid. And don't roll your eyes Harry!
Harry stared. That's exactly what he had done. A smile crept up his face as he thought about how well his godfather had gotten to know him in such a short time.
I know that you think you can take care of yourself but I'm your godfather and have all of the rights in the world to worry my wits out about you! Now that James and Lily aren't around you're my responsibility!
Keep low and keep your eyes open. Stay at the Dursleys, Harry. That's very important! Don't ask why, because if Dumbledore doesn't tell you I certainly won't. Maybe you'll be getting a visit this summer from a friend. Just wait!
Padfoot~~* P.S. You'll be receiving a birthday gift from both of us later this year!
Harry stared at the P.S. Why did Sirius write that? It didn't make any sense. 'Oh well!' he thought. With this letter, a bright ray of hope in his life Harry dressed and walked down the stairs to the kitchen.
Right when he walked in Harry knew something was up. His aunt was flittering nervously around the room and Dudley was no where insight. His uncle Vernon was shifting ion his seat and reading the newspaper. But what really got Harry was when the two Dursleys looked up when he walked in. Caught off guard Harry froze.
"Sit," barked Vernon. Harry sat. Even with the threat of a dangerous wizard murderer on them if they treated Harry too badly, they were still cruel.
"What's up?" asked Harry timidly. He really hoped that neither Sirius nor any other wizard had contacted the Dursleys. The last time that had happened their living room had been full of filth and Dudley had grown a ton tongue. Vernon's hand shook as he accepted the grapefruit from Petunia. Harry's cousin was still on a diet and Harry was still sneaking food.
"We're having a guest this summer," Vernon began rigidly. Harry froze.
"Aunt Marge?" he asked curtly. His aunt and uncle looked daggers into him. Harry shifted. He had had enough trouble before his third year controlling his magic and that was before he had added Sirius, Lupin, and Voldemort's return to body to his lit of worries. Harry disliked aunt Marge- even though she isn't related to Harry he still has to cal her that- almost as much as Pansy Parkinson, a Slytherine girl in his year whom Hermione was enemies with. She was female version of Malfoy.
"No," Petunia said. Harry sighed with relief and she glared at him.
"Dudley's grades are in a. range where you must board a student that goes to a different private school. We've selected a young girl whom has parents that arequite respectful," Vernon began. "So you'll need to mind yourself boy! No-blowing her up or having your. friends," he used extra nastiness with that word, "pick you up like. last summer."
"I'll write them to tell them," Harry said in a bored way.
"You'll be attending St.-" but Harry cut in.
"I know the story!"
"All right! Now you stick to it. She has a friend that we have given her permission to have at our house. You'll be nice to them both. Now remember- you're normal!" Harry rolled his eyes once his uncle had turned away. So thinking he better start making his room look more normal he hopped up and sprinted up the stair well.
He was set to go for his room when he heard Dudley moving noisily around in his room. Harry bit his lip and then turned around. He knocked sharply on the door. "Who is it?"
"Me!"
"W-what do you w-want?
"To come in!"
"A-all r-right," Dudley stammered as the door knob turned and Harry opened it. Dudley was at the back of his room digging through a big box of old toys. Harry leaned against the door frame. Now that he was a little older he was no longer that skinny. His hair was still untidy but his stomach and body was a bit buffer. His eyes were still a dazzling green. The lightning bolt scar on his forehead was still visible through his jet- black hair. He still needed glasses. The ones he had on were thin black oval ones. (like a short fat circle)
"What 'cha doing?" asked Harry curiously. Dudley looked up with a cross look on his pudgy face.
"I have to find a present for the girl that's ocmiong here. I learned at Smeltings that you should give gifts when someone comes to stay at your house!" Harry fought not to grin or break to laughing.
"Dudley it's the person coming that is supposed to give the gift!" Dudley's greedy face lit up and he thought about what he may get. "So where is she going to stay?"
"She'll use the room Aunt Marge usually does. Her arrival is tonight at five. Mom said that," Dudley imitated his mother's voice." 'dinner will be served promptly at five thirty!'"
Harry and Dudley laughed. Harry realized that Dudley had lost some weight. The diet he was on was starting to work. Then they stopped suddenly. Harry waved and walked out and to his room.
Harry flopped on the bed to think. He was thinking about Dudley. He had been born into a family that despised wizards and all related things. That was the way he had been taught- to fear and hate them. Dudley really didn't have a mind of his own. He had one that had been planted there by the Durlsley's.
Harry smiled at the prospect of having a new person in the house. Maybe someone that was a human would actually like him! That would be something new under the Dursley's household. Harry wondered what exactly her parents did. 'Maybe they know Hermione's parents! Their both in the dental business after all. I should ask her. Maybe she lives by them.'
There was a soft hoot from the window and Harry looked up to see Hedwig staring at a big brown owl. Harry untied the letter that was on its leg and watched it out of the window.
"Well what could this be Hedwig?" Harry asked stroking her. He saw Hermione's handwriting. He one again bit his lip. Then he set the letter on his desk and decided that un-wizardizing his room was more pressing. So ignoring the longing to read the letter Harry cleaned his room until it was spick and span. All of Dudley's old and broken toys were straightened.
"HARRY POTTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" his aunt yelled up the stairs. Harry jumped in surprise. The almost sixteen year old bounded down the stairs.
"Yes Aunt Petunia?" asked Harry walking into the kitchen.
"Help me clean this house!" she said snappily. Harry could tell she was stressing out.
"Of course. I'll take the living room, stairwell, and all of the upstairs rooms. I know exactly what to do," and Harry ran out of the room to start working. It was thirty minutes to five when he was finish. Harry checked his watch. The watch had been given to him by Sirius the year before on his birthday. Sirius had said in his letter that when Harry got a nickname it would be engraved on the back.
Deciding to take a shower and change Harry groaned realizing he'd have to wait even longer to read his letter. Harry turned on the water in the bathroom and found the clothes he had bought last year in Diagon Alley. There was a pair of blue jeans that were the right size, a pair of shoes, and a dark blue shirt.
It was five to five when he was ready. Harry walked down stairs to find a nervous family straightening already perfect things. Harry sighed and stood leaning on the door frame waiting for the doorbell.
"Diinnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggg!" The whole lot of them jumped at the bell. Petunia and Vernon went straight to the door with Harry and Dudley in toe. Harry carried a glass of water and so did Dudley and Vernon. Petunia's lay on the coffee table next to the one they would offer to their guest. Harry stood behind the Dursley's as they opened the door.
What he saw made the glass slip from his hand and shatter on the ground.
Harry rubbed his eyes as he sat up. Then he grabbed his glasses off of the bed-side table. With his eyes now in focus he glanced around the room. His eyes brushed over things you wouldn't normally find in a teenage boy's room. There was a trunk filled with spell books, a wand, black robes, letters, and a cauldron at the foot of his bed. Next to it lay a sleek broom that read Firebolt and a broom servicing kit.
Then his eyes drifted to his desk which was covered with parchment, ink bottles, and quills where there was not a big cage for his owl Hedwig. There was also a book that read 'Unfogging the Future' on his chair. But what had caught his eye was a large tawny owl.
Harry Potter had gotten out of school two weeks ago and had scanned his room every morning since. He hopped up and grabbed the letter it had tied to its ankle. Harry tipped his head looking at the hand writing which read Harry Potter Second window on the top. He didn't recognize the hand writing. It seemed familiar but whose? He remembered dimly an assignment in his third year when Nice Harry had bee written at the top but he couldn't remember what subject it was for. Wondering wildly why a teacher would send him a letter- more homework perhaps? - he tore it open.
Dear Harry, I'm just letting you know that Padfoot arrived here perfectly fin. I haven't told any of our friends that he's here yet but I'm trying to explain that he's innocent. It isn't going to well. I could use your help.
Your faithful godfather is reading over my shoulder-nock it off- and he saw me write that. I'm not in the mood to start over so just don't get it into your head that you should come out here, okay? Maybe you could write me a letter tat would possibly help? Everything is fine. Nothing has happened since he got out but. be careful Harry.
Look I'm dead tired so I have to go to bed. Tomorrow will be devoted to trying to convince Hernando of Padfoot's innocence the stubborn fool! Landau, my tawny, has just come back from hunting. I'll send it with him. Sirius' letter attached.
Remeus Lupin, Moony
Harry flipped to the next piece of paper in the letter. This is what Sirius had wrote. Dear Harry, I'm here at Moony's and I'm fine. Now remember whatever is going on outside of the Dursley's is not your business. You need to stay put and don't run off and do something stupid. And don't roll your eyes Harry!
Harry stared. That's exactly what he had done. A smile crept up his face as he thought about how well his godfather had gotten to know him in such a short time.
I know that you think you can take care of yourself but I'm your godfather and have all of the rights in the world to worry my wits out about you! Now that James and Lily aren't around you're my responsibility!
Keep low and keep your eyes open. Stay at the Dursleys, Harry. That's very important! Don't ask why, because if Dumbledore doesn't tell you I certainly won't. Maybe you'll be getting a visit this summer from a friend. Just wait!
Padfoot~~* P.S. You'll be receiving a birthday gift from both of us later this year!
Harry stared at the P.S. Why did Sirius write that? It didn't make any sense. 'Oh well!' he thought. With this letter, a bright ray of hope in his life Harry dressed and walked down the stairs to the kitchen.
Right when he walked in Harry knew something was up. His aunt was flittering nervously around the room and Dudley was no where insight. His uncle Vernon was shifting ion his seat and reading the newspaper. But what really got Harry was when the two Dursleys looked up when he walked in. Caught off guard Harry froze.
"Sit," barked Vernon. Harry sat. Even with the threat of a dangerous wizard murderer on them if they treated Harry too badly, they were still cruel.
"What's up?" asked Harry timidly. He really hoped that neither Sirius nor any other wizard had contacted the Dursleys. The last time that had happened their living room had been full of filth and Dudley had grown a ton tongue. Vernon's hand shook as he accepted the grapefruit from Petunia. Harry's cousin was still on a diet and Harry was still sneaking food.
"We're having a guest this summer," Vernon began rigidly. Harry froze.
"Aunt Marge?" he asked curtly. His aunt and uncle looked daggers into him. Harry shifted. He had had enough trouble before his third year controlling his magic and that was before he had added Sirius, Lupin, and Voldemort's return to body to his lit of worries. Harry disliked aunt Marge- even though she isn't related to Harry he still has to cal her that- almost as much as Pansy Parkinson, a Slytherine girl in his year whom Hermione was enemies with. She was female version of Malfoy.
"No," Petunia said. Harry sighed with relief and she glared at him.
"Dudley's grades are in a. range where you must board a student that goes to a different private school. We've selected a young girl whom has parents that arequite respectful," Vernon began. "So you'll need to mind yourself boy! No-blowing her up or having your. friends," he used extra nastiness with that word, "pick you up like. last summer."
"I'll write them to tell them," Harry said in a bored way.
"You'll be attending St.-" but Harry cut in.
"I know the story!"
"All right! Now you stick to it. She has a friend that we have given her permission to have at our house. You'll be nice to them both. Now remember- you're normal!" Harry rolled his eyes once his uncle had turned away. So thinking he better start making his room look more normal he hopped up and sprinted up the stair well.
He was set to go for his room when he heard Dudley moving noisily around in his room. Harry bit his lip and then turned around. He knocked sharply on the door. "Who is it?"
"Me!"
"W-what do you w-want?
"To come in!"
"A-all r-right," Dudley stammered as the door knob turned and Harry opened it. Dudley was at the back of his room digging through a big box of old toys. Harry leaned against the door frame. Now that he was a little older he was no longer that skinny. His hair was still untidy but his stomach and body was a bit buffer. His eyes were still a dazzling green. The lightning bolt scar on his forehead was still visible through his jet- black hair. He still needed glasses. The ones he had on were thin black oval ones. (like a short fat circle)
"What 'cha doing?" asked Harry curiously. Dudley looked up with a cross look on his pudgy face.
"I have to find a present for the girl that's ocmiong here. I learned at Smeltings that you should give gifts when someone comes to stay at your house!" Harry fought not to grin or break to laughing.
"Dudley it's the person coming that is supposed to give the gift!" Dudley's greedy face lit up and he thought about what he may get. "So where is she going to stay?"
"She'll use the room Aunt Marge usually does. Her arrival is tonight at five. Mom said that," Dudley imitated his mother's voice." 'dinner will be served promptly at five thirty!'"
Harry and Dudley laughed. Harry realized that Dudley had lost some weight. The diet he was on was starting to work. Then they stopped suddenly. Harry waved and walked out and to his room.
Harry flopped on the bed to think. He was thinking about Dudley. He had been born into a family that despised wizards and all related things. That was the way he had been taught- to fear and hate them. Dudley really didn't have a mind of his own. He had one that had been planted there by the Durlsley's.
Harry smiled at the prospect of having a new person in the house. Maybe someone that was a human would actually like him! That would be something new under the Dursley's household. Harry wondered what exactly her parents did. 'Maybe they know Hermione's parents! Their both in the dental business after all. I should ask her. Maybe she lives by them.'
There was a soft hoot from the window and Harry looked up to see Hedwig staring at a big brown owl. Harry untied the letter that was on its leg and watched it out of the window.
"Well what could this be Hedwig?" Harry asked stroking her. He saw Hermione's handwriting. He one again bit his lip. Then he set the letter on his desk and decided that un-wizardizing his room was more pressing. So ignoring the longing to read the letter Harry cleaned his room until it was spick and span. All of Dudley's old and broken toys were straightened.
"HARRY POTTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" his aunt yelled up the stairs. Harry jumped in surprise. The almost sixteen year old bounded down the stairs.
"Yes Aunt Petunia?" asked Harry walking into the kitchen.
"Help me clean this house!" she said snappily. Harry could tell she was stressing out.
"Of course. I'll take the living room, stairwell, and all of the upstairs rooms. I know exactly what to do," and Harry ran out of the room to start working. It was thirty minutes to five when he was finish. Harry checked his watch. The watch had been given to him by Sirius the year before on his birthday. Sirius had said in his letter that when Harry got a nickname it would be engraved on the back.
Deciding to take a shower and change Harry groaned realizing he'd have to wait even longer to read his letter. Harry turned on the water in the bathroom and found the clothes he had bought last year in Diagon Alley. There was a pair of blue jeans that were the right size, a pair of shoes, and a dark blue shirt.
It was five to five when he was ready. Harry walked down stairs to find a nervous family straightening already perfect things. Harry sighed and stood leaning on the door frame waiting for the doorbell.
"Diinnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggg!" The whole lot of them jumped at the bell. Petunia and Vernon went straight to the door with Harry and Dudley in toe. Harry carried a glass of water and so did Dudley and Vernon. Petunia's lay on the coffee table next to the one they would offer to their guest. Harry stood behind the Dursley's as they opened the door.
What he saw made the glass slip from his hand and shatter on the ground.