Disclaimer: I don't own any characters, things, or places you recognize from the Potter-verse.
Harry Potter was in his room finishing an essay on "Sleeping Drafts and Their Antidotes" for his potions class, when he heard a tapping at his window. He set down the eagle feather quill he had been writing with and went to open the window. Harry was not in the least surprised when two owls flew in. In fact, the snowy female owl belonged to him. He had never seen the other owl.
"Hello, Hedwig."
As he said this, the owl nipped his finger gently. To most people this would seem quite a bizarre scene: the desk was littered with ink bottles, parchment, and quills; atop his wardrobe stood Hedwig's empty cage; a trunk at the end of his bed revealed robes, cloaks, a cauldron, a broomstick, and a bag of strange coins; and the fifteen year old boy was petting an owl. Not to mention that both owls had envelopes tied to their legs and Hedwig had a package with hers. But Harry Potter wasn't most people. He wasn't average or in the least bit normal. Harry Potter was a wizard.
Harry would be starting his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on September 1. Hogwarts felt more like home than Privet Drive ever felt. And that was where he was stuck for the next three weeks. The Dursleys were Harry's only living relatives. Harry spent his summer vacations with them. His parents had died when he was only a year old, but they hadn't just died, they'd been murdered. Harry never had friends until he went to Hogwarts. His extremely fat and mean cousin had prevented it. Harry loved Hogwarts, but his favorite part about being there was having his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger by his side. Now, Harry had a knack for attracting trouble, deadly trouble; but no matter what they always stuck by him through thick and thin.
The main person who wanted him dead was Lord Voldemort, the wizard who murderer is parents. Most wizards are terrified to even say his name. Voldemort had been the most powerful dark wizard anyone could remember. Voldemort was the reason Harry's parents were dead. The reason Harry had spent his first eleven years not knowing he was a wizard; not knowing that everyone in the wizarding world knew his name; not knowing how his parents died, he'd been led to believe they died in a car crash. The Dursleys had never told Harry he was a wizard, they were terrified of all magic and wanted to keep Harry from learning who he really was; a messenger from Hogwarts named Hagrid, had told him the truth on his eleventh birthday. The Dursleys had been the ones to lie and say they died in a car crash. They hadn't. Voldemort killed them. One of the Potters' friends had betrayed their whereabouts to Voldemort. Everyone thought it was Sirius Black; and that Sirius had killed a wizard named Peter Pettigrew. Peter betrayed Harry's parents, then, faked his death and framed Sirius for the whole thing. Sirius had been sent to Azkaban, the wizard jail guarded by the hideous Dementors, for life. He escaped in Harry's third year and had been on the run ever since. Sirius was Harry's godfather. But because of Peter, Harry was with the Dursleys instead of him.
Right now Voldemort was the farthest person from Harry's mind; it was a bright August 2. Harry rubbed Hedwig's head and untied the letter and the parcel on her leg before she went to drink in her cage. The letter was from Hermione, she had written:
Harry, Sorry that it has been a while since I've written, but I'm visiting Bulgaria right now with my parents and this letter might be a few days late because I don't know how long it will take Hedwig to get to you. Bulgaria has such a fascinating magical history. I'll be back August 3. Happy Birthday! Have you heard from Sirius this summer? I thought about writing to him but I don't have an owl to send it and I wasn't sure what to say. I really hope you're done with you're homework. Here's my telephone number for when I get back home: (184) 249-9476. I was wondering if you and Ron want to meet me in Diagon Alley to buy our new school things. Would you mind writing to Ron and then calling me with the day?
As Always with Love,
Hermione Granger
Harry couldn't help laughing inside; Hermione had gone to visit Viktor Krum. Krum was an internationally famous Quidditch player for Bulgaria. Quidditch was a wizard sport played on broomsticks and in Harry's opinion it was the best sport in existence. Krum had come to Hogwarts for the Tri-Wizard Tournament last year and he had fancied Hermione. He had even invited her to visit him in Bulgaria that summer. She had never mentioned her answer to Harry and Ron though. She had gone!
Harry was almost done with his homework, and he still had almost half his summer left. Hermione had top marks in their year and was always nagging Ron and him about studying. The letter wasn't really late; he had only turned fifteen on July 31, just three days ago.
He opened the package. "Wow!" It was a copy of the latest (June) issue of Quidditch Today there was a note with it: You now have a year's subscription to this magazine. Harry placed the bag over on the nightstand where the card Ron had sent, as well as a few of fake wands that Ron's twin brothers had invented.
A nudge in the shoulder from the owl he didn't know interrupted his thoughts. He looked up and removed the envelope. There were two letters in it.
Dear Harry,
Congratulations on winning the Tri-Wizard Tournament last year. Your father would have been proud of how you handled everything and what happened afterwards. I am proud of you and I know your father would have been, too. Ron, Hermione, and you are likely targets for the Death Eaters. They haven't announced their return yet but they are gathering and regaining their old allies and numbers. Voldemort has already tried killing you more than once. Ron has plenty of reason to be a target for any Death Eater passing by. Hermione is a Muggle-born; they'll be after her. The three of you are already on bad terms with Death Eaters and their families. Being around you could be deadly this year! Stay alert and please be careful, Harry! I hope to see you soon.
Remus Lupin was the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacherin Harry's third year. Lupin had been James Potter's best friend, apart from Sirius that is. When Voldemort came back, Sirius went to go stay with Lupin and keep out of sight of everyone who thought he was a murderer (which was just about everyone). He traveled in the form of a black dog. Sirius was an Animagus. He could change into an animal at will. His animal shape was a big black dog. Harry knew this letter would be from Sirius.
Harry, I've been staying with Remus don't worry about me. We gathered a few of our old friends and they know the whole story about me, and about what happened to you at the Third Task. Just because the Minister of Magic isn't taking action it doesn't mean Dumbledore isn't. You are on the top of Voldemort's hit list and you know it! I may not be able to stay with you and take care of you as a godfather should, but at least I can help keep you safe. If I hear you've been roaming around the grounds at Hogwarts during the night I'll write to Dumbledore and keep you from going to Hogsmeadee. I know my responsibilities. Watch your back! Tell Ron and Hermione to be careful, too. I know the three of you can take care of yourselves but be careful, all of you! I'll send you any wizard news and I want you to tell me of anything strange.
Sirius and Lupin knew as well as anyone that Ron and Hermione and he could take care of themselves. And everyone always made it sound like he went looking for trouble. I'm not that stupid. Why would I go looking for someone who wanted to kill me? I don't go looking for trouble. I can take care of myself, he thought. He needed to write to Ron. He went back to his desk, took out some clean parchment and dipped his quill in ink. After some quick thought he wrote:
Ron,
I just got letters from Sirius, Lupin, and Hermione. Lupin and Sirius are certain that you, Hermione, and me are likely to be attacked by the Death Eaters. Lupin and Sirius reckon we should lie low this year. Might not help since its not like we go looking for trouble, but all the same…Sirius already said if I end up in the Forbidden Forest again or anything like that he'll write to Dumbledore and keep me from visiting Hogsmeadee. Hermione wants to know when you're gonna go get your school things at Diagon Alley. We can all meet at the Leaky Cauldron. Write back soon, I'm supposed call Hermione with the day we'll be there.
Harry tied the letter to Hedwig's leg. "Will you take this to Ron for me?" Hedwig flew out the open window. Harry sat down once more to write to Sirius and Lupin.
Sirius and Professor Lupin,
I promise I'll try to keep out of trouble. I'm warning Hermione and Ron to do the same, but with me out of trouble I don't think anyone's likely to hurt them. Sirius, whatever you do, don't be seen and get thrown back in Azkaban. I hope to see you both soon. Keep in touch.
Harry folded the letter and tied it to the owl's leg. "Take this to Remus Lupin." and with that the owl flew out the window. Harry lay down on his bed and started rereading Flying with the Cannons, a book about the Chuddley Cannons, Ron's favorite Quidditch team.
"Dinner!" Aunt Petunia screeched form downstairs. Harry looked at his clock. It was 6:30. Harry hadn't realized until then how long he'd been reading. It had been nearly two hours. Reluctantly he shut Flying with the Cannons and went downstairs where his aunt, uncle, and cousin were already eating their dinner: watermelon and fruit salad. Dudley was still on a strict diet.
"Petunia, did you call Mrs. Figg, yet? There is no way that boy is coming with us to visit my sister. After what happened last time..." Uncle Vernon's huge purple face was glaring as Harry entered and sat down.
"Yeah," said Harry "Well, she deserved it. I never want to see her again."
"No, Vernon. I haven't called yet," Aunt Petunia said. Everyone acted as if they hadn't heard Harry. They usually acted this way.
"Uncle Vernon?" Harry asked. He didn't want to stay at Mrs. Figgs' house. It smelled like cabbages and cats, and she made him look at pictures of her old cats. Nobody, Harry least of all, wanted him to visit Aunt Marge. He had to go get his new school things...He could put two and two and two together as well as anyone else. "London is on the way to Aunt Marge's house and if you drop me off there I know someone would take me the rest of the summer." It wasn't exactly true but he could stay at the Leaky Cauldron again. And it would that he would be around to buy his schoolbooks with Ron and Hermione.
"Are you sure, boy?" Uncle Vernon growled, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"Of course, I mean, if I don't meet my friend like I said I would, he might call my godfather and then they'd come looking for me." That had done it. Harry sat back to watch the reaction he knew would come: the paling of the purple face, the widening of the eyes… Harry had told the Dursleys that his godfather was a convicted murderer and powerful wizard who escaped from wizard prison; all of this was true but he hadn't gotten around to telling them Sirius was innocent. He doubted he would ever get around to mentioning that. Harry could tell this was a hard choice for Uncle Vernon. The Dursleys hated and feared anything to do with magic.
"Harry, go take the plates to the kitchen. Er, Dudley, just go," answered Uncle Vernon trying to buy himself some time.
As he and Dudley left for the kitchen, Harry heard his aunt and uncle discussing what to do. All three Dursley's were terrified of magic. His aunt and uncle had even tried to prevent him from going to Hogwarts when he was eleven. As Dudley and Harry re-entered the dining room Uncle Vernon cleared his throat.
"Where am I supposed to drop you off, boy?"
Harry told him the address. "When do we leave?"
"The day after tomorrow. Are we dropping you off at his house?"
"No, Uncle Vernon." Harry saw relief spread in his uncle's big purple face. They knew going to a wizard's house meant they would be meeting an adult wizard who was allowed to do magic and could very well turn them all into dung beetles. "Its an inn called the Leaky Cauldron."
"I've never heard of it," Uncle Vernon replied.
There was silence until a small, but stiff voice spoke quietly. "I have. The freaks go through the wall into a stupid street to buy all their nonsense. I went with Lily once, my parents forced me." Aunt Petunia admitted this with extreme difficulty. Lily Potter was Aunt Petunia's sister and Harry's mother. The last time Aunt Petunia had mentioned Lily was when Hagrid (a half giant who was the Hogwarts gamekeeper), came to tell Harry about Hogwarts. Usually Aunt Petunia pretended she had never had a sister—it made things easier for her.
Dudley found this whole conversation so interesting that he had stopped eating. Dudley was huge. You would think he had never done anything except eat. Last year he went on a diet but it hadn't helped much though admittedly maybe a few pounds, certainly no more, were gone it didn't make the slightest difference in his appearance.
Uncle Vernon said, "I'll walk you to the door of this ruddy, stupid building, then we'll leave. We're going the day after tomorrow." The rest of the meal passed in silence.
Harry looked at his clock; it was 5 in the morning! What could have possibly woken him up? Hedwig was outside his window. Harry scrambled out of bed and opened the window. He whispered, "Thanks! I hadn't expected you back so soon. Just to let you know, tomorrow I'm going to the Leaky Cauldron. I'll be there the rest of the summer." And with a gentle nip on Harry's finger she flew out the window. Harry opened the letter. It was from Ron.
Harry,
You know the three of us never get hurt. Nothing serious, anyway. Sirius and Lupin know that, too. Or they should know that How about August 7th we meet at the Leaky Cauldron? How's Hermione? I only heard from her once this summer. Are sure you'll be able to talk the Muggles into getting you to the Leaky Cauldron? Write me quick if they won't. I can probably get Bill or Charlie to blast your wall open and fly you to my house.
Ron
After reading the letter from Ron, Harry put it away on top of his nightstand and lay back down for a few more hours of sleep.
After breakfast everyone started packing. Harry started to pack, but then snuck downstairs to call Hermione. He dialed the number and a man answered the phone.
"Hello. Who is this?"
"Hello, Mr. Granger. I'm Harry. Can I please speak to Hermione?"
"Of course." A moment later Hermione was on the line.
"Hi, Harry."
"Hey, how was Bulgaria?"
"Great! It's actually a fascinating place and it has a fascinating magical history. Did you know that's where the wizard who came up with the Polyjuice Potion was from? My parents enjoyed it too but now they have jet lag. I was allowed to watch Viktor's Quidditch team practice; it was fun. The whole team was very polite."
"How long were you there?"
"Two weeks. Have you heard from Ron, yet?"
"Hedwig got back early this morning. I think I like telephones better."
"When are we meeting at the Leaky Cauldron?"
"Well," answered Harry. "Ron will be there on the seventh, I'm going tomorrow and as far as I know I'll stay there until September 1. Then I'll have the Knight Bus pick me up and take me to the station."
"Why?"
"You've seen the Dursleys. If it were up to either them or me I'd stay at Hogwarts all summer. But Dumbledore says I have to go home, so I do. Besides, the Dursleys are going to visit Aunt Marge, she hates me, and we don't another accident. I told you about when I blew her up. Nobody wants a repeat."
"I guess you're right."
"I heard from Lupin and Sirius."
"Ooh, what did they say?"
"You, me, and Ron should lie low and stay out of trouble this year. We're likely targets for Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Sirius already said that if he hears I'm up to any mischief he'd write to Dumbledore and keep me from going to Hogsmeadee. I don't get in that much trouble do I?"
"Harry, I wouldn't be surprised if Sirius tells Dumbledore to put a spell on you that won't let you leave the grounds or maybe even the castle."
"Am I really that bad?"
"Yes! How many times have you nearly gotten killed?"
"Not too often, but I lost count."
"That's my point. Have the Death Eaters declared that they are back yet?" She sounded slightly worried.
"No, but they're possibly either waiting to get more allies or take revenge on Death Eaters who left."
"Or revenge on you. Harry, are you sure—"
"My aunt is coming and I'm not supposed to be on the phone. I've gotta go?"
"Call or write soon, Harry. Bye."
Harry hung up and raced back to his room. He went back to packing. He took down his chart counting down until September 1, and he put all his school things in his trunk. He also checked that the Invisibility Cloak he inherited from his father and the Marauder's Map Fred and George had given him were secure in his trunk. They were his biggest aides in rule breaking he owned. He secured his broom down near his broom polishing kit. He was soon ready to leave.