A/N: Thank you Dragon-Phoenix2 for your review. You are my first reviewer! Here's the next chapter for you.
A/N 2: I have reposted this chapter because I forgot that Harry had History of Magic as well, so left that out of the O.W.L.s results.
'these' are thoughts
**this** is parseltongue
*~*~*~*~*~*~ is a new perspective or scene
Chapter Two: Changes
With a jolt, Harry realized that he'd been sixteen for an hour and seventeen minutes. Usually, his room would be full of owls from his friends and family, but not this year. Dumbledore had told his friends and him that they would be seeing him later in the summer, and they could give him his gifts then. But for now, only two owls made their way to him. His own snowy owl, and a barn owl from Hogwarts. He untied the letter from school, and sent off the school owl with his letter for Dumbledore. He opened his letter, which was thicker than normal, and opened the first page. It was the customary Hogwart's letter, with his list of books for the new year. The second page was the results of his O.W.L.s. Harry's eyes widened as he saw how he did.
O.W.L.s Results
Astronomy - P
Care of Magical Creatures - E
Charms - E
Defense Against the Dark Arts - O
Divination - P
Herbology - O
History of Magic - P
Potions - E
Transfiguration - O
Total O.W.L.s received - 6
Well done, Mr. Potter. It appears you have passed the O.W.L.s you needed!
Harry couldn't believe it! 'I passed all of them!!' But then
he groaned. 'Snape won't let me into his N.E.W.T. level class because
I didn't get an Outstanding. Greasy git! Now I'll never be an Auror!' He
buried his face in his pillow and succeeded in falling asleep again, this
time un-disturbed. Had he fully read his school letter, he would have seen
the added post-script by Professor McGonagall. Which read:
Mr. Potter,
I will keep my word and turn you into an auror. I will be speaking
with Professor Snape, now all you need do is make sure you
KNOW YOUR POTIONS!
M. McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Still, Harry was determined to know all he could and sent Hedwig back to Diagon Alley with a letter for Flourish and Blotts. In the letter, he requested all of his school books, plus two extra potions books.
Near lunchtime, Hedwig and two more owls made their way back into Harry's bedroom with the books he requested. After giving owl treats to all three, and a couple knuts to the hired owls, Harry settled down with the first of his potions books, Potions: What to expect on your N.E.W.T.s
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In Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, one Professor Albus Dumbledore, along with Professor Minerva McGonagall, Professor Severus Snape, and Professor Remus Lupin, was watching the progress of a barn owl through the Great Hall as they ate lunch. Professors McGonagall and Lupin were discussing the upcoming school year, and Professor Snape was scowling at Lupin. The owl dropped down in front of Dumbledore and held out her leg. After having a bit of toast from him, she flew off to the owlery for some rest. As Dumbledore read the letter, the usual twinkle left his eyes. Turning to Professor Snape, he looked grim.
"Severus. Was there an attack last night?" he queried, gathering the attention of all three professors.
"I don't know, Headmaster. I wasn't summoned, but then, the Dark Lord does not call us all for attacks." Snape replied.
"Why, Albus?" asked McGonagall, with Lupin nodding beside her, indicating that he was curious as well.
"I just received this from young Mr. Potter." He waved the letter at them before continuing. "He says he had a vision last night, but isn't sure if it's real or if it was another hoax by Voldemort. I am not sure what to think of it, as he stated, but attempted to cross out, that he could feel it. What he could feel, I do not know. Was it just the pain from his scar? Or was it more? Minerva, I want you and Severus to go visit him." McGonagall nodded her assent as Snape's scowl got darker. "Now now, Severus. I know you and Harry do not get along well-"
"That's an understatement." came Lupin's reply.
"-but if he, as I fear, is feeling the curses thrown by Voldemort, then he will need potions for those. I need you to assess him and take some with you, just in case. You, out of all of us, know best what the after effects of the Cruciatus are like. Now, off with you."
Both professors rose, Snape muttering something and heading down to the dungeons and his private office, while McGonagall waited for him.
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Appearing at the end of Privet Drive, two people swiftly walked down the street towards number Four. One muttering, the other nodding.
"I don't understand why Albus makes us wear these hideous things!" Snape muttered, gesturing to his and Minerva's Muggle clothes.
"Oh do stop, Severus! We're there." With that, McGonagall rapped on the door of Number Four and waited.
The door was pulled open by none other than Harry Potter himself.
"Professors! What are you...? Uhhmm... you can't be here! You have to-"
His words were cut off by a loud, booming voice and he flinched.
"Who is it, boy!" roared his uncle.
With a quick glance at his professors, he answered. "No-one Uncle Vernon!"
"Then shut the door, boy! We don't want the neighbors to see you!"
With a sigh, Harry replied, "Yes Uncle Vernon." Whispering now, he said, "Please go. I have to go in now."
McGonagall, who had stood there with her eyes wide and her mouth open, shut it with a snap and, her voice as low as his, said, "We will not! What does-"
"Please Professor! Just... just go around to the side. I'll come out in five minutes. I promise." and he shut the door, startling his Transfiguration and Potions professors.
They looked at each other for a long moment, surprise etched on both faces, before McGonagall turned and led the way to the side of the house, out of view of the neighbors and the windows. They conversed in low tones, each wondering about Harry's response, although Severus noticed something else, as well.
"Did you see anything different about the boy, Minerva?"
"What do you mean, Severus?"
"His looks. There's something not quite right about his looks."
"I didn't see anything. He looks like..." She cut herself off as she heard a door shut. Then Harry came into view from the back of the house, with a screeching voice carrying behind him.
"And don't forget to weed the garden when you come back, boy!"
With a distasteful glance at the weed free garden, he said, "Yes Aunt Petunia!" and made his way over to his professors.
"Come on. I have to go to the store. We can talk on the way." And he turned and led the two out onto the sidewalk, both matching thier paces to his and coming up on either side of him. Turning his face to he Head of House, he asked, "What are you doing here? It was pure luck I answered the door, and not my uncle or aunt." While it had been a quiet summer, due to the threats from some of the Order members last year, Harry knew his relatives didn't like his kind, and he wasn't sure his uncle wouldn't do something to him. He had to assure the Order that he was alright by writing to them often, but Vernon just might make him write that he was fine whether he was or not. The only thing that kept him out of trouble right now was that he stayed in his room when he could, and did his chores when he couldn't.
"What do you mean it was luck, Potter?" snarled Snape.
"Nothing, Professor. Just... nothing."
The adults shared a look over his head but said nothing to this. They would have to think on it.
"Mr. Potter, the Headmaster recieved a letter from you today. He asked us to check up on you." McGonagall replied. "It appears you were not successful in scratching out what you wrote."
"What did you feel, Potter? Was it your scar again? One would think that after all this time, you'd be used to that by now."
"Yes, Professor. One would think that, wouldn't one?" He stopped and turned to face his two professors, a scowl on his face to rival one of Snape's best. "But then, Professor Snape, one would think that I would be used to the Cruciatus Curse, too, wouldn't one?" With one last scowl, he turned and started walking, his hair flowing behind him. That was one of the things he noticed when he woke that morning. His hair was longer, down to his shoulders now. His cheekbones were sharper, giving him the look of not being fed. Which, technically he was, but only after everyone else ate, and only what was left. Which wasn't much, as his aunt didn't make much because of Dudley. His face was leaner, not rounded as it was, and he was taller. Only by about an inch or two, but still, he was taller. He was more graceful with his movements, as well, although he couldn't see it. McGonagall and Snape could. They could also see that his clothes were falling off him, and they looked to be old and well worn. As they passed down Wisteria Walk, Mrs. Figg stepped out onto her porch and hailed him.
"Harry! How are you today?"
"Fine Mrs. Figg. How are your cats?"
"Good good! Minerva! Severus! What are you doing here?"
"Hello Arabella. Albus asked us to check on young Mr. Potter here." McGonagall said.
"Well, why don't the three of you come inside?" Seeing Harry about to refuse, she quickly continued, "I'll just ring Petunia and tell her I've grabbed you for some help, shall I?"
With a wry smile, Harry nodded. So the unlikely trio turned and went into Mrs. Figg's house, settling down in the living room while she prepared tea.
A/N: I'm not sure how I feel about this one, but it kind of wrote
itself. Please review and let me know what you think. Thanks!