{Disclaimer: I don't own any Harry Potter characters or places, which is owned by J.K. Rowling, AOL Time Warner, etc etc, though I do own my mind, which isn't that much, but that's all I have!}
{A/N: Yes, finally Chapter 3!! I'll also try not to put a disclaimer each chapter! I would've posted sooner, but school and the fact that this is the longest chapter I have ever written, so yeah! Hope you like and reviews are welcomed!}
Chapter 3
O.W.L.s, Dreams and Happenings
The next few days, Harry kept revisiting the dream he had of Bellatrix and Voldemort. Well, it wasn't exactly a dream; it was more on the lines of reality formatted like a dream. See, Harry had had these similar "happenings" last year, which had helped save a life and had also cost a life.
There it was again, the familiar pang of anger, hurt and guilt that plagued Harry's conscious, and apparently unconscious, mind. All because of Sirius' death. In the past few weeks, Harry had finally come to terms, and a sort of acceptance, to the fact that he'd never see his godfather, Sirius Black, again. Sirius had been the closest thing to a father that Harry had ever known. True, Harry hadn't even known about Sirius till his third year at Hogwarts, where he found out that everyone in the wizarding world thought that Sirius was an estranged, murderous wizard. But, in fact, he had been wrongly accused and framed for wizard and muggle murders committed by Peter Pettigrew, or better known as Wormtail. Peter had betrayed Harry's parents to their untimely deaths and had framed Sirius all under Voldemort's regime.
Harry felt sick and angry, he always felt this way when he realized that practically everything bad in his life came from Voldemort's ruthless havoc on the world. Harry sighed and returned to his "summer" homework. Lately he was having difficulty doing anything that connected to the wizarding world, even Quidditch, Harry's favorite sport, seemed dull and boring.
Harry had been feeling like this ever since that night at the Ministry of Magic, even more so when he went back to the Dursley's. It was like he had slumped into a depression state and nothing, not even Ron and Hermione's feeble attempts at cheering him up could bring Harry out of this.
He finally realized that he wouldn't be able to get his homework done, so he closed, The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 5, by Miranda Goshawk and instead laid back on his bed and stared up at the ceiling.
Harry thought back to the "dream" and had the itching feeling that there had been something different about it. It had felt different to him, as if he hadn't been the only one visiting the little encounter of Lestrange and Voldemort. In the past "dreams" he was in the same body as Voldemort, but last night, Harry had thought that he'd felt another presence inside of Voldemort with him.
He shrugged the feeling away when he realized that it was almost dinnertime and that he was starving. Well, he thought, no purpose in starving yourself.
There was one good thing about this summer, though. He was finally allowed to eat whatever he liked and it seemed that the little chit-chat between the Dursley's and the members of the Order had scared the Dursley's so much, they were actually quite decent to him, well, as decent as to be expected from threatened Dursley's.
In the past, his uncle and aunt wouldn't care how Harry looked, even if his shoes had the soles practically run through or if his clothes were about five times bigger than he was. But, now it seemed like they had a change of heart. At least, Aunt Petunia had been a little nicer this summer and had pestered him with questions about the dementors and Voldemort, as soon as they'd reached Number 4 Privet Drive. She had even bought Harry some nice new tennis shoes that had Dudley mad with jealousy.
Though Aunt Petunia was semi-decent to Harry, they still had a long way to go. He was allowed more freedom now and if he did anything wrong, they feared too much for their lives to punish him. Even Dudley was nice to Harry; it seemed that the dementor experience helped open Dudley's pigeon eyes to the fact that wizards have hard lives, also. Though Dudley would never admit that he acted differently around Harry, Dudley wouldn't talk about that summer day, not even to Harry, which made Harry wonder what he had heard/saw when the dementors came.
Just like Harry and Aunt Petunia now had this 'understanding', it seemed like so did Harry and Dudley. Uncle Vernon, on the other hand, was still having trouble when it came to Harry.
As Harry entered the kitchen, he noticed that no one was in the house, so he went and got himself some potato chips and a soda. Uncle Vernon was at his drill company and Aunt Petunia was outside weeding her precious garden and eavesdropping on the neighbors. Harry imagined Dudley was out with his cronies, picking on little defenseless kids or smoking fags down under the old abandoned bridge.
So, yet again, Harry was alone and he decided to go and check and see if Hedwig had returned from that night's prowling. When he reached his room, he noticed four thick letters sprawled out on his bed.
He picked the first one up and saw it was from Ron, the second one was from Hermione (obviously they weren't together, not like last summer), the third from Hagrid and the fourth from Hogwarts.
He quickly ripped open Ron's letter and was shocked to see a big picture of Arthur Weasley on a newspaper-clipping fall out along with a letter.
Hello Harry,
I have fantastic news for you! Dad was made MINISTER OF MAGIC! Can you believe it? Mum practically died of shock when dad came home and announced that Fudge had resigned (we think he was forced to go, after all, he did lie to the wizarding community) and that the Ministry of magic had nominated dad for running position of Minister. Of course, at first, you know dad; he didn't want to stay in the running. Cause he loved his job in the 'Misuse of Muggle Artifacts' office, but the more mum and fellow co-workers told him he'd be great at it and what he could do for the wizarding world with his muggle knowledge, he finally relented. Its been wonderful, I got new robes and we're all getting new sets of books for the new school year! It's so nice having money.
Anyways enough about me, how are you doing?
At this point in the letter, Harry paused and realized that Ron was really worried about how Harry was coping, since in the past few letters Harry had sent Ron, Harry hadn't talked too much about himself. Harry sighed, he had been excited in seeing the new letters, but now he was going back to where he didn't want to be around anybody or, in this case, hear about anything from anyone.
But, he thought it would be rude to not finish the letter and he quickly scanned the remaining contents, which just talked about Ron being nervous about his O.W.L. results, when Harry was going to Diagon Alley, and if Harry could come to The Burrow before term started. Harry decided to reply later and fully intended to try to cheer up and accept Ron's invitation.
He chose Hermione's letter next.
Dear Harry,
How have you been? My summer's been great! I'm on holiday in Romania with my parents and I'm having an excellent time with all the ancient runes here. Ron wrote to me and told me that he's inviting you to The Burrow, I think I'll be back in time to spend some time there with you guys. Also, has Ron told you? Well, Arthur was made Minister of Magic! I'm sure Ron told you, but I'm just so happy that the wizarding world will have an intelligent, muggle-lover Minister! This will do wonders for the whole muggle-wizard world.
Don't tell Ron, but I was mostly here to spend some time with Viktor and he's taught me a lot of history of magic that even I had no idea there was. I mention not to tell Ron, because you know how he gets.
Well, I hope you've had a good summer! I hope your aunt and uncle haven't been too severe. See you soon!
Love from
Hermione
P.S.-Have you heard anything from The Order? I came across a letter from Professor Dumbledore to Viktor, apparently Viktor's a sort of trainee for the Order over here in Romania. Viktor won't tell me anything; all he'll say is that there's going to be a new and surprising Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher!
Blast, though Harry, why was I always the last to know these things? Well, at least Ron didn't know from what I can tell from his letter.
He picked up Hagrid's letter next.
Hullo Harry,
Can't talk too much. Just thought I should update you on the latest news.
At this Harry became excited. Maybe Hagrid would tell him the happenings at The Order!
Grawp is doing great! He can now speak a complete sentence! Plus, he's controlling his strength better.
Harry now realized that the 'latest news' had nothing whatsoever to do with the Order of the Phoenix.
Hope you're doing well and I'll see you soon enough.
All the best,
Hagrid
P.S.-Hope the muggles are leaving you alone!
Harry smiled; it would be nice to see Hagrid. He'd missed him this last year. Harry hoped Hagrid wouldn't be called away on any 'secret' missions for the Order anytime in the near future.
Next, Harry picked up the thick envelope from Hogwarts. He could tell that there was more than a school list enclosed. He quickly opened the letter and three pieces of parchment fell out. He picked up the first parchment.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Dear Mr. Potter,
Please note that the new school year will begin on September the first. The Hogwarts Express will leave from King's Cross station, platform nine and three-quarters, at eleven o'clock.
A list of schoolbooks is enclosed.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall,
Deputy Headmistress
Harry picked up the second letter that contained the list of course books Harry would need this upcoming year.
Sixth-year Students will require:
The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 6
by Miranda Goshawk
N.E.W.T.s Transfiguration
by Emeric Switch
Masterful Potions
by Arsenius Jigger
Magical Theory 2
by Adalbert Waffling
The Defensive Dark Forces
by Quentin Trimble
Harry was a little bit worried, what with the new books he would be required to have in his new N.E.W.T. classes, that's if-
Blimey, he thought, I can't believe I forgot! This last piece of parchment will most likely contain my O.W.L. results!
He slowly reached down for the final piece of parchment and with trembling hands turned it over to read its contents.
Dear Mr. Potter,
Here are your O.W.L. results from last year's tests. You participated in these following theory exams and practical examinations.
Theory of Charms
Transfiguration
Herbology
Defense Against the Dark Arts
Potions
Care of Magical Creatures
Astronomy
Divination
History of Magic
Your grades are here as follows:
Theory of Charms – 'Exceeds Expectations'
Transfiguration – 'Outstanding'
Herbology – 'Acceptable'
Defense Against the Dark Arts – 'Outstanding'
Potions – 'Exceeds Expectations'
Care of Magical Creatures – 'Exceeds Expectations'
Astronomy – 'Acceptable'
Divination – 'Poor'
History of Magic – 'Acceptable'
Harry let out a slow breath and hadn't even realized that he'd been holding his breath. He couldn't believe that he had gotten and 'E' in Potions, but at least there was still some hope for Harry becoming an Auror. Harry wondered what Ron and Hermione got in their O.W.L.s. Hermione most likely got eight 'Outstanding' O.W.L.s and Ron probably got about the same as Harry.
Harry thought back to Hermione's letter. What did the P.S. mean? Who was the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher? Was it Snape? No. Was it Lupin? Harry hoped so, but he doubted Lupin would want to come back and teach, though Harry wanted to see him. As he racked his brain trying to think who it could possibly be, something flashed through his mind. It was the dream he'd had a few nights back, the one with Lestrange and Voldemort. The presence... What did all these things have in common?
{YAY, that took forever to type up, but I'm just glad its over. I'm sorry I didn't post sooner, but I'm a busy wench, lol! I got a few more reviews, yay! Ok, and onto my thank-you's....
samwise-dragoneyes: Thanks, I plan on writing more of this! Also, post chapter 3 soon on your story!
D'ariel: Um...thanks for your awkward review, but hey, I can't be 'nitpicky' and a review is a review!
erin (fallen_seraph@msn.com): Your review was excellent, you're my first reviewer that actually took the time to explain to me on the site what you wanted more of or less of! I hope this chapter was descriptive enough, though description isn't my best writing skill, I'll try harder on that!
Thanks again to everyone who reviewed, I really appreciate people reading and taking the time to review! Tell your friends, tell random people, tell your imaginary friends (oh, wait, that's just me) about my story!!}