Hi everyone!!! I would like to personally thank QuEeN oF tHe UnIvErSe and
Nightcrawler for their reviews!!! I'll keep writing just for ya'll!!!!
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Chapter 3
Harry appeared in his new surroundings....his new home. He looked it over intently. Sirius had to have been joking when he said this was a little house....it was more like a mansion. Sirius was standing on the other side of the front room and couldn't take the suspense any longer.
"So.....what do you think?"
Harry was at a loss for words. The main room was basic, but very elegant. He said the only thing that came to his mind.
"Wow."
Sirius seemed very pleased by this answer. He walked over and grabbed Harry's shoulder. "Fancy seeing your room? After you've settled in, maybe you can do some exploring." Harry nodded and he followed him towards a staircase.
It seemed as if they had been climbing forever. Harry was almost at the point of asking if there was an elevator somewhere he could use instead, but knew better and bit his tongue. At the end of the stairs, was a hallway with several doors. In the center of all of them was a door adorned with the letters "H-A-R-R-Y" spelled out in different color cutouts with Quidditch players zooming through each letter. Harry could tell that even though it was very childish, Sirius had gone to a lot of trouble to make him try to feel at home.
"I hope you don't mind....I unpacked most of your things already. I was so anxious for you to live here....I hadn't even asked yet....but I couldn't wait." Sirius was slightly stumbling on his words.
Harry looked up into his godfather's face. "There is no where that I would rather live."
They both smiled at each other. Sirius ruffed up Harry's hair.
"Hey! It looks bad enough on its own. It doesn't need your help."
When the door was opened, Harry gasped. It was more like a small flat than a room. As he looked around, he saw that there was a large four poster canopy bed, a large walk-in closet, a bathroom with a tub and a shower and a large case in the corner marked "Quidditch supplies" that his beloved Firebolt was already sitting in. The room also had a large fireplace, which was already lit and warming the room. But as soon as he realized what was hanging over the fireplace, nothing else mattered. It was the picture....all in once piece. Harry walked up to the picture and ran his finger gently over the surface of his mom and dad, waving at him.
"I hope you don't mind. I took the liberty of getting the picture restored and enlarged a little. You can take it down if you want. I'll understand."
Harry turned around, his eyes glistening. "It's brilliant. Thank you."
Sirius nodded. He walked over to a table covered with a cloth and motioned Harry to come over next to him. Harry complied.
"There is one more thing I thing you should have. Call it your first birthday present for today."
Sirius lifted off the cloth and revealed a trunk that looked amazingly similar to Harry's Gryffindor trunk, only that this one had considerable aging. He handed Harry the key.
"This was your father's old trunk. After he got out of Hogwarts, he kept his most valuable possessions in it. I think you should have it."
Harry fell to his knees and carefully placed the key in the lock and turned it. He then opened up the trunk and immediately saw the blue crocheted blanket on top with "Harry James Potter" stitched in the corner. Harry carefully picked it up and rubbed it against his cheek.
"I remember when you came home from the hospital wrapped in that. Lilly would barley let James or anyone else for that matter touch you....was afraid that you would break, I think. Your grandmother made it. They were so proud to have you, Harry. And I know they are still proud of you. As am I."
That did it. A single tear fell down Harry's cheek. He turned his face away so that Sirius would not see. "Thank you....this means more to me than you could imagine."
Sirius smiled. "Good. I will leave you alone for a bit now to get settled in and rest. How about we plan for your birthday dinner around 6:30?"
Harry nodded, his attention still focused on the trunk. As soon as he heard the door click shut, he set down the blanket and wiped his face with his sleeve. All of this at once was almost too much to take but he felt like the happiest person on the face of the earth. He wanted to tear into the trunk and find out the total of its contents, but he was still weak. Harry walked over to his new bed just to lay down for a bit. It was amazingly soft and comfortable. Within a matter of moments, he was asleep.
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Harry heard a door slam downstairs and woke up with a start. Then sounds of people shushing each other. Then silence. Harry rubbed the sleep out of his eyes as he heard muffled footsteps coming up the stairs. As he looked over and registered the 6:29 p.m. on his clock, he heard a rapping at the door as it was opened.
"Harry....you still asleep?" Sirius's voice said.
"Just waking up." Harry stood up and looked in a mirror. He tried to tame his hair, but no matter what he tried, it always seemed to make it look worse. He heard a laugh from behind him.
"Your father couldn't manage his hair either. Even Lilly finally gave it up."
Harry saw the image of his godfather come into view of the mirror and step up behind him.
"Ready to go eat?"
"Ready as I'll ever be....I'm starved."
Harry made his way back down the long staircase. The sounds of quiet shushing were making Harry very suspicious. He looked up into Sirius's face, which had the definite aura of trying to hide something.
"So....what's on the menu for din...." Harry asked as he came to the bottom of the staircase. But he was not able to finish the question because of the extremely loud "Happy Birthday" that was yelled at him as he rounded the corner. He was then attacked by a swarm of people giving him pats on the back.
"Happy Birthday, Harry," said Ron as he pulled him into the group of people.
"Happy 15th, Harry!" said an excited Hermione as she gave him a warm hug.
As Harry surveyed the crowd, he recognized most of the Gryffindor students, a few students from other houses, the Weasley's (with Fred and George having particularly mischievous looks on their faces), Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall and Remus Lupin.
It was all overwhelming as he tilted his head back over his shoulder and grinned at Sirius, who was standing with his arms crossed in front of him leaning back against the wall with the same smile that Harry had seen in his parent's wedding photo.
After the long task of greeting everyone in attendance, Sirius announced that dinner was ready and everyone was escorted into the large dining room. The food was piled so high on the table, there was barley enough room for plates and silverware. Sirius sat at one end of the table and Harry was directed to sit at the other. Everyone ate until they were hardly able to sit anymore.
After dinner, several very excited students suggested to Harry that he should open his presents. The large crowd was ushered into the main living room where mountains of presents were sitting on a table next to a tall- backed chair. Harry sat down in the chair carefully so that the presents would not avalanche down on him. Hermione was the first to hand Harry her present. Harry carefully opened one end of the package and then the other....then ran his hand along the center seam to pop the tape off.
"We are going to be here all day if you take this much time to open each package," said Ron.
"This is my first Birthday party ever and I am going to enjoy every second."
A few of the people attending the party, including Ron and Hermione were taken aback by this being his first party. But the notion was quickly forgotten in the happiness of the moment.
Harry pulled out Hermione's present. It was a circle wrapped in rawhide that was intricately woven in the center with twine and beads.
"It's a Dreamcatcher," Hermione offered. "Legend has it that if you hang it at the head of your bed, it will only let the good dreams pass through." She leaned in close to him. "I thought you might be able to get some good use out of it if it works." Harry smiled and gave her a hug. "Thank you....I'll try it out right away."
Then the rest of the presents started piling on his lap. He finally gave up trying to open each package carefully and was tearing off the wrapping on each of them. From Ron came a wrist watch (which when someone was not on time for something, shouted "Your Late" until the wearer said "Tempest Fugit"), from Fred and George came a box full of new tricks they had recently invented (Mrs. Weasley was very interested in seeing what these were so that she knew to look out for them in the future) and the list went on and on.
As soon as everything was opened and the "Thank yous" were said, a table was wheeled out with a very large cake shaped like a broom with the word "Firebolt" written in icing on the handle. Harry noticed on the other end of the broom, were 15 lit candles. After a rousing chorus of "Happy Birthday," he squeezed his eyes tight and made a wish only known to him. He then blew out all his candles with one large breath. The crowd cheered and pieces of cake were passed around to all. As everyone was eating the cake, Sirius opened up a large cabinet and turned on some music....the likes of which Harry had never heard. But, he figured, it must be some popular wizard music because everyone became very excited and started dancing.
Everyone started pairing off. Even Ron went over and asked Lavender Brown, another Gryffindor 5th year, to dance. The only ones left not dancing were Harry and Hermione. Harry walked over next to her.
"Care to dance?" Harry said nervously with a gnawing in the pit of his stomach. He had never done the asking before. "Love to," said Hermione and they made their way out to dance.
"So....how was your first Birthday party?" Hermione asked, trying to make light conversation.
"It's great! I had no idea birthdays could be so fun. Thank you for coming and thank you for my present."
"I hope you like it....I remembered all the bad dreams you used to have. I can help you hang it up later if you'd like. Sirius said that Ron and I could stay for a few days if it was ok with you."
Harry's day just kept getting better and better. He wrapped both of his arms around the bushy-headed girl and gave her a big hug. "I'd love for both of you to. You should see my new room. It's unbelievable! Three times the size of my old one."
Hermione smiled at the news. She leaned back to give Ron a thumbs up, but Ron was to intent with flirting with Lavender to notice. Both Harry and Hermione got the same evil look at the same time and casually danced their way over to where the other couple was.
"Awh....how sweet. Look at you two....so cute!"
Both Ron's and Lavender's cheeks turned two shades of red darker. Before too much more was said, though, a large owl came swooping through an open window and very close over the heads of some of the attendees as it circled the room. The bird landed right in the middle of Dumbledore's plate just as he was about to scoop up another bite. Pieces of cake went flying not only all over his clothes and hair, but everyone else's in the general vicinity. No body could keep a strait face. Dumbledore took the letter from the owl, set down the plate and opened it, laughing at the site of it all. Across his face came a sudden look of sternness. Everything came to a complete stop. Remus immediately came across the room and looked over his shoulder at the letter to read it. He gasped.
"Oh Merlin......He has the ring."
Dumbledore shot him a definite look of "Shut Up" as he folded the letter over so no one else could see.
"If the adults would come with me, please. Sirius....if there a place we could all talk a moment it would be appreciated." Sirius nodded and led the group to an adjacent room.
Dumbledore announced to the crowd of children. "Everything is going to be alright. We just need to have a discussion about a few things. Please go back to dancing." Then he said again, seemingly almost more for himself than for the group before him. "Everything is going to be alright." He then disappeared into the room and closed the door.
Fred and George Weasley's ears were against the door as soon as it had clicked shut but they announced after a few minutes that nothing could be heard through the thick wood.
There was too much excitement in the room for dancing now. Statements such as, "What ring?" and "I've never seen Professor Dumbledore like that!" where echoing through the large room.
Harry knew he had to do something fast with the crowd becoming more and more agitated....a sense of fear increasing through the room. He stood up on one of the chairs so he would be visible to everyone.
"You heard Professor Dumbledore. Everything is going to be alright. If there was something to worry about, he would let us know. He has in the past." The room finally quieted down enough so that everyone could hear the music again. The song that was playing was slow and mournful. "This is my party and no news is going to ruin it. Now...." He stepped off the chair and held a hand out to Hermione. "May I have this dance?"
The mass of people parted as Harry and Hermione walked to the center. Harry rapped an arm around the small of her back, she placed one on his shoulder and they both put their free hands together and started to dance. He leaned down and whispered in her ear.
"I'm so sorry for putting you on the spot like that....I wasn't sure what else to do....please don't hate me."
Hermione, who had turned very pink smiled a very shy smile. "Anytime."
Everyone started filing in around them dancing. Harry then felt a tap on his shoulder and he knew who it had to be.
"Hehe.....Awh.....both of you are so precious together."
"Very funny, Ron. You can shush now."
Then the sound of Ron and Lavender laughing. Everything seemed to get back to a festive atmosphere, but in the back of everyone's mind they were still wondering what the adults were talking about. The dancing and festivities went on for another 45 minutes before the other meeting was adjourned. As the adults filed from the room, they all had a look of great distress on their faces, but they were trying to hide it with fake smiles.
As soon as the room was emptied, Dumbledore looked at Sirius and said loudly so everyone would hear, "We do thank you Sirius and Harry for a lovely time, but I think if it were better if we were all getting home. The night is getting late and Harry still has some recovering to do."
Both Ron and Hermione shot Harry a "what did you not tell us and you better tell us later" look at Dumbledore's comment.
With many groans and rumblings from Harry's peers, it was obvious that the party could have kept going on for hours. Harry knew that the Gryffindors never did like to stop a good party. But after several minutes of pleasant good byes and a few more Happy Birthdays, a queue started at the fireplace as people quickly started to disappear. Soon all that was left was Dumbledore, Sirius, Remus Lupin and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Dumbledore called Harry, Ron and Hermione over to sit down on a couch in front of him while all rest of the adults gathered around behind him.
"We know that you three are getting to an age where you think that you know what is best for yourselves. And you are growing up....none of us here are denying that." The rest of the group behind him nodded their heads in agreement. Dumbledore continued.
"But every one of us here knows your history with trying to solve things on your own. There are things that are about to happen and you are going to read about things that you think you might be able to research and solve. In the future, it may get to a point where you can help. If it comes to that, and I pray that it does not, I give you my word to let you know. But as for now, we must all request that you promise that you will stay in this house until you are transported to the train station to go to Hogwarts.
The three replied in unison that they would agree to this. Then Dumbledore added, "This also means no practicing Quidditch outside, no flying your broom around in the yard, no going past any door of this house. Especially you, Harry. Hermione, your parents have been notified of the situation and they also feel that this is the safest thing for you."
"And that's for you too, Ron," Mr. Weasley chimed in. "If we know where the three of you are, we know that you won't be out doing Merlin know what."
All three of the friends looked dumbfounded. Both Harry and Ron were devastated about not being able practice Quidditch. Sure, they were known for getting into a little bit of trouble now and then, but what was so bad that they were taking this kind of action?
"One last thing. Harry. I know you will object to this but I would like to hold your father's old cloak for you. You know. The one you got for Christmas your first year."
"And the map, Harry....you know the one I'm talking about."
Harry looked at Dumbledore for his comment and then to Sirius for his. He understood about the map. But the cloak was a part of his father's legacy to him. It had been passed down by his father. But there was no place safer than in Dumbledore's care so he reluctantly agreed.
"So be it," the Professor nodded. "If you will go up and get those things now, we will be on our way so you can get the rest you need. It has been a quite eventful evening."
"But Professor, why can't I send them to you tomorrow morning? As you said, it is late."
"Now, Harry."
Harry finally conceded and went up to get the items. He came back down a few minutes later and handed over the objects to Dumbledore, who took them. Sirius stepped forward.
"I'm glad that you all have agreed to the terms and I will try to make your rest of the summer as fun as I possibly can. You all have free reign of the house. There's a huge library to do the rest of your summer homework in and a gym so you can brush up on your fencing techniques so you can be ready for the next school year. I'll try to get into Diagon Alley as soon as I can to get your new school supplies that you need." He turned to Harry. "If you want, you can take them up to the rooms that they will be staying in. They are the two doors next to yours. Ron's room is on the right of your door and Hermione's is on the left."
Harry gathered that this was not a request as it seemed on the surface, but more of an order so the older wizards could talk some more in private. So, the three friends headed up to their rooms, silent as they climbed the long stairway. As soon as they reached the three doors, Hermione broke the silence.
"I wonder what the ring was they were talking about. I can probably guess who has it by their reaction. But there are so many......"
Harry interrupted her. "I'm sorry for jumping in, but I am so tired. Maybe we should at least pretend to obey them for tonight." Both Ron and Hermione looked worried so he tried to put their fears to rest. "I'm alright....I promise. I will tell you all about it in the morning." But Harry knew that there were some parts of the story that he would conveniently leave out.
The other two nodded, not completely satisfied with the answer, but because they were tired as well, did not argue the issue. They said their good nights and headed into their rooms, the sounds of doors shutting behind them.
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Chapter 3
Harry appeared in his new surroundings....his new home. He looked it over intently. Sirius had to have been joking when he said this was a little house....it was more like a mansion. Sirius was standing on the other side of the front room and couldn't take the suspense any longer.
"So.....what do you think?"
Harry was at a loss for words. The main room was basic, but very elegant. He said the only thing that came to his mind.
"Wow."
Sirius seemed very pleased by this answer. He walked over and grabbed Harry's shoulder. "Fancy seeing your room? After you've settled in, maybe you can do some exploring." Harry nodded and he followed him towards a staircase.
It seemed as if they had been climbing forever. Harry was almost at the point of asking if there was an elevator somewhere he could use instead, but knew better and bit his tongue. At the end of the stairs, was a hallway with several doors. In the center of all of them was a door adorned with the letters "H-A-R-R-Y" spelled out in different color cutouts with Quidditch players zooming through each letter. Harry could tell that even though it was very childish, Sirius had gone to a lot of trouble to make him try to feel at home.
"I hope you don't mind....I unpacked most of your things already. I was so anxious for you to live here....I hadn't even asked yet....but I couldn't wait." Sirius was slightly stumbling on his words.
Harry looked up into his godfather's face. "There is no where that I would rather live."
They both smiled at each other. Sirius ruffed up Harry's hair.
"Hey! It looks bad enough on its own. It doesn't need your help."
When the door was opened, Harry gasped. It was more like a small flat than a room. As he looked around, he saw that there was a large four poster canopy bed, a large walk-in closet, a bathroom with a tub and a shower and a large case in the corner marked "Quidditch supplies" that his beloved Firebolt was already sitting in. The room also had a large fireplace, which was already lit and warming the room. But as soon as he realized what was hanging over the fireplace, nothing else mattered. It was the picture....all in once piece. Harry walked up to the picture and ran his finger gently over the surface of his mom and dad, waving at him.
"I hope you don't mind. I took the liberty of getting the picture restored and enlarged a little. You can take it down if you want. I'll understand."
Harry turned around, his eyes glistening. "It's brilliant. Thank you."
Sirius nodded. He walked over to a table covered with a cloth and motioned Harry to come over next to him. Harry complied.
"There is one more thing I thing you should have. Call it your first birthday present for today."
Sirius lifted off the cloth and revealed a trunk that looked amazingly similar to Harry's Gryffindor trunk, only that this one had considerable aging. He handed Harry the key.
"This was your father's old trunk. After he got out of Hogwarts, he kept his most valuable possessions in it. I think you should have it."
Harry fell to his knees and carefully placed the key in the lock and turned it. He then opened up the trunk and immediately saw the blue crocheted blanket on top with "Harry James Potter" stitched in the corner. Harry carefully picked it up and rubbed it against his cheek.
"I remember when you came home from the hospital wrapped in that. Lilly would barley let James or anyone else for that matter touch you....was afraid that you would break, I think. Your grandmother made it. They were so proud to have you, Harry. And I know they are still proud of you. As am I."
That did it. A single tear fell down Harry's cheek. He turned his face away so that Sirius would not see. "Thank you....this means more to me than you could imagine."
Sirius smiled. "Good. I will leave you alone for a bit now to get settled in and rest. How about we plan for your birthday dinner around 6:30?"
Harry nodded, his attention still focused on the trunk. As soon as he heard the door click shut, he set down the blanket and wiped his face with his sleeve. All of this at once was almost too much to take but he felt like the happiest person on the face of the earth. He wanted to tear into the trunk and find out the total of its contents, but he was still weak. Harry walked over to his new bed just to lay down for a bit. It was amazingly soft and comfortable. Within a matter of moments, he was asleep.
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Harry heard a door slam downstairs and woke up with a start. Then sounds of people shushing each other. Then silence. Harry rubbed the sleep out of his eyes as he heard muffled footsteps coming up the stairs. As he looked over and registered the 6:29 p.m. on his clock, he heard a rapping at the door as it was opened.
"Harry....you still asleep?" Sirius's voice said.
"Just waking up." Harry stood up and looked in a mirror. He tried to tame his hair, but no matter what he tried, it always seemed to make it look worse. He heard a laugh from behind him.
"Your father couldn't manage his hair either. Even Lilly finally gave it up."
Harry saw the image of his godfather come into view of the mirror and step up behind him.
"Ready to go eat?"
"Ready as I'll ever be....I'm starved."
Harry made his way back down the long staircase. The sounds of quiet shushing were making Harry very suspicious. He looked up into Sirius's face, which had the definite aura of trying to hide something.
"So....what's on the menu for din...." Harry asked as he came to the bottom of the staircase. But he was not able to finish the question because of the extremely loud "Happy Birthday" that was yelled at him as he rounded the corner. He was then attacked by a swarm of people giving him pats on the back.
"Happy Birthday, Harry," said Ron as he pulled him into the group of people.
"Happy 15th, Harry!" said an excited Hermione as she gave him a warm hug.
As Harry surveyed the crowd, he recognized most of the Gryffindor students, a few students from other houses, the Weasley's (with Fred and George having particularly mischievous looks on their faces), Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall and Remus Lupin.
It was all overwhelming as he tilted his head back over his shoulder and grinned at Sirius, who was standing with his arms crossed in front of him leaning back against the wall with the same smile that Harry had seen in his parent's wedding photo.
After the long task of greeting everyone in attendance, Sirius announced that dinner was ready and everyone was escorted into the large dining room. The food was piled so high on the table, there was barley enough room for plates and silverware. Sirius sat at one end of the table and Harry was directed to sit at the other. Everyone ate until they were hardly able to sit anymore.
After dinner, several very excited students suggested to Harry that he should open his presents. The large crowd was ushered into the main living room where mountains of presents were sitting on a table next to a tall- backed chair. Harry sat down in the chair carefully so that the presents would not avalanche down on him. Hermione was the first to hand Harry her present. Harry carefully opened one end of the package and then the other....then ran his hand along the center seam to pop the tape off.
"We are going to be here all day if you take this much time to open each package," said Ron.
"This is my first Birthday party ever and I am going to enjoy every second."
A few of the people attending the party, including Ron and Hermione were taken aback by this being his first party. But the notion was quickly forgotten in the happiness of the moment.
Harry pulled out Hermione's present. It was a circle wrapped in rawhide that was intricately woven in the center with twine and beads.
"It's a Dreamcatcher," Hermione offered. "Legend has it that if you hang it at the head of your bed, it will only let the good dreams pass through." She leaned in close to him. "I thought you might be able to get some good use out of it if it works." Harry smiled and gave her a hug. "Thank you....I'll try it out right away."
Then the rest of the presents started piling on his lap. He finally gave up trying to open each package carefully and was tearing off the wrapping on each of them. From Ron came a wrist watch (which when someone was not on time for something, shouted "Your Late" until the wearer said "Tempest Fugit"), from Fred and George came a box full of new tricks they had recently invented (Mrs. Weasley was very interested in seeing what these were so that she knew to look out for them in the future) and the list went on and on.
As soon as everything was opened and the "Thank yous" were said, a table was wheeled out with a very large cake shaped like a broom with the word "Firebolt" written in icing on the handle. Harry noticed on the other end of the broom, were 15 lit candles. After a rousing chorus of "Happy Birthday," he squeezed his eyes tight and made a wish only known to him. He then blew out all his candles with one large breath. The crowd cheered and pieces of cake were passed around to all. As everyone was eating the cake, Sirius opened up a large cabinet and turned on some music....the likes of which Harry had never heard. But, he figured, it must be some popular wizard music because everyone became very excited and started dancing.
Everyone started pairing off. Even Ron went over and asked Lavender Brown, another Gryffindor 5th year, to dance. The only ones left not dancing were Harry and Hermione. Harry walked over next to her.
"Care to dance?" Harry said nervously with a gnawing in the pit of his stomach. He had never done the asking before. "Love to," said Hermione and they made their way out to dance.
"So....how was your first Birthday party?" Hermione asked, trying to make light conversation.
"It's great! I had no idea birthdays could be so fun. Thank you for coming and thank you for my present."
"I hope you like it....I remembered all the bad dreams you used to have. I can help you hang it up later if you'd like. Sirius said that Ron and I could stay for a few days if it was ok with you."
Harry's day just kept getting better and better. He wrapped both of his arms around the bushy-headed girl and gave her a big hug. "I'd love for both of you to. You should see my new room. It's unbelievable! Three times the size of my old one."
Hermione smiled at the news. She leaned back to give Ron a thumbs up, but Ron was to intent with flirting with Lavender to notice. Both Harry and Hermione got the same evil look at the same time and casually danced their way over to where the other couple was.
"Awh....how sweet. Look at you two....so cute!"
Both Ron's and Lavender's cheeks turned two shades of red darker. Before too much more was said, though, a large owl came swooping through an open window and very close over the heads of some of the attendees as it circled the room. The bird landed right in the middle of Dumbledore's plate just as he was about to scoop up another bite. Pieces of cake went flying not only all over his clothes and hair, but everyone else's in the general vicinity. No body could keep a strait face. Dumbledore took the letter from the owl, set down the plate and opened it, laughing at the site of it all. Across his face came a sudden look of sternness. Everything came to a complete stop. Remus immediately came across the room and looked over his shoulder at the letter to read it. He gasped.
"Oh Merlin......He has the ring."
Dumbledore shot him a definite look of "Shut Up" as he folded the letter over so no one else could see.
"If the adults would come with me, please. Sirius....if there a place we could all talk a moment it would be appreciated." Sirius nodded and led the group to an adjacent room.
Dumbledore announced to the crowd of children. "Everything is going to be alright. We just need to have a discussion about a few things. Please go back to dancing." Then he said again, seemingly almost more for himself than for the group before him. "Everything is going to be alright." He then disappeared into the room and closed the door.
Fred and George Weasley's ears were against the door as soon as it had clicked shut but they announced after a few minutes that nothing could be heard through the thick wood.
There was too much excitement in the room for dancing now. Statements such as, "What ring?" and "I've never seen Professor Dumbledore like that!" where echoing through the large room.
Harry knew he had to do something fast with the crowd becoming more and more agitated....a sense of fear increasing through the room. He stood up on one of the chairs so he would be visible to everyone.
"You heard Professor Dumbledore. Everything is going to be alright. If there was something to worry about, he would let us know. He has in the past." The room finally quieted down enough so that everyone could hear the music again. The song that was playing was slow and mournful. "This is my party and no news is going to ruin it. Now...." He stepped off the chair and held a hand out to Hermione. "May I have this dance?"
The mass of people parted as Harry and Hermione walked to the center. Harry rapped an arm around the small of her back, she placed one on his shoulder and they both put their free hands together and started to dance. He leaned down and whispered in her ear.
"I'm so sorry for putting you on the spot like that....I wasn't sure what else to do....please don't hate me."
Hermione, who had turned very pink smiled a very shy smile. "Anytime."
Everyone started filing in around them dancing. Harry then felt a tap on his shoulder and he knew who it had to be.
"Hehe.....Awh.....both of you are so precious together."
"Very funny, Ron. You can shush now."
Then the sound of Ron and Lavender laughing. Everything seemed to get back to a festive atmosphere, but in the back of everyone's mind they were still wondering what the adults were talking about. The dancing and festivities went on for another 45 minutes before the other meeting was adjourned. As the adults filed from the room, they all had a look of great distress on their faces, but they were trying to hide it with fake smiles.
As soon as the room was emptied, Dumbledore looked at Sirius and said loudly so everyone would hear, "We do thank you Sirius and Harry for a lovely time, but I think if it were better if we were all getting home. The night is getting late and Harry still has some recovering to do."
Both Ron and Hermione shot Harry a "what did you not tell us and you better tell us later" look at Dumbledore's comment.
With many groans and rumblings from Harry's peers, it was obvious that the party could have kept going on for hours. Harry knew that the Gryffindors never did like to stop a good party. But after several minutes of pleasant good byes and a few more Happy Birthdays, a queue started at the fireplace as people quickly started to disappear. Soon all that was left was Dumbledore, Sirius, Remus Lupin and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. Dumbledore called Harry, Ron and Hermione over to sit down on a couch in front of him while all rest of the adults gathered around behind him.
"We know that you three are getting to an age where you think that you know what is best for yourselves. And you are growing up....none of us here are denying that." The rest of the group behind him nodded their heads in agreement. Dumbledore continued.
"But every one of us here knows your history with trying to solve things on your own. There are things that are about to happen and you are going to read about things that you think you might be able to research and solve. In the future, it may get to a point where you can help. If it comes to that, and I pray that it does not, I give you my word to let you know. But as for now, we must all request that you promise that you will stay in this house until you are transported to the train station to go to Hogwarts.
The three replied in unison that they would agree to this. Then Dumbledore added, "This also means no practicing Quidditch outside, no flying your broom around in the yard, no going past any door of this house. Especially you, Harry. Hermione, your parents have been notified of the situation and they also feel that this is the safest thing for you."
"And that's for you too, Ron," Mr. Weasley chimed in. "If we know where the three of you are, we know that you won't be out doing Merlin know what."
All three of the friends looked dumbfounded. Both Harry and Ron were devastated about not being able practice Quidditch. Sure, they were known for getting into a little bit of trouble now and then, but what was so bad that they were taking this kind of action?
"One last thing. Harry. I know you will object to this but I would like to hold your father's old cloak for you. You know. The one you got for Christmas your first year."
"And the map, Harry....you know the one I'm talking about."
Harry looked at Dumbledore for his comment and then to Sirius for his. He understood about the map. But the cloak was a part of his father's legacy to him. It had been passed down by his father. But there was no place safer than in Dumbledore's care so he reluctantly agreed.
"So be it," the Professor nodded. "If you will go up and get those things now, we will be on our way so you can get the rest you need. It has been a quite eventful evening."
"But Professor, why can't I send them to you tomorrow morning? As you said, it is late."
"Now, Harry."
Harry finally conceded and went up to get the items. He came back down a few minutes later and handed over the objects to Dumbledore, who took them. Sirius stepped forward.
"I'm glad that you all have agreed to the terms and I will try to make your rest of the summer as fun as I possibly can. You all have free reign of the house. There's a huge library to do the rest of your summer homework in and a gym so you can brush up on your fencing techniques so you can be ready for the next school year. I'll try to get into Diagon Alley as soon as I can to get your new school supplies that you need." He turned to Harry. "If you want, you can take them up to the rooms that they will be staying in. They are the two doors next to yours. Ron's room is on the right of your door and Hermione's is on the left."
Harry gathered that this was not a request as it seemed on the surface, but more of an order so the older wizards could talk some more in private. So, the three friends headed up to their rooms, silent as they climbed the long stairway. As soon as they reached the three doors, Hermione broke the silence.
"I wonder what the ring was they were talking about. I can probably guess who has it by their reaction. But there are so many......"
Harry interrupted her. "I'm sorry for jumping in, but I am so tired. Maybe we should at least pretend to obey them for tonight." Both Ron and Hermione looked worried so he tried to put their fears to rest. "I'm alright....I promise. I will tell you all about it in the morning." But Harry knew that there were some parts of the story that he would conveniently leave out.
The other two nodded, not completely satisfied with the answer, but because they were tired as well, did not argue the issue. They said their good nights and headed into their rooms, the sounds of doors shutting behind them.