(A/N- This story was revised on 11/29/03. You probably won't find too many differences, just spelling and grammatical changes. Mystic)

Well I see that you are back again. *thinks- Wow! I have Fans ^_^! This is the third chap. of God bless the child. If this is what I had originally planned it would be half over! I think this is going to be the longest chapter yet! (I hope that it doesn't become a trend, start small get bigger (he he I think I made a joke)) I'm trying to keep these posted in a timely manner. and every time you read one chapter I can promise you I probably wrote up to a half hour ago! Wow! I have done 3 chapters In 3 days! I don't even know what this going to end like! It's going to be a surprise for all of us! I think I've been talking to long! NOW go and read the chapter!

DISCLAIMER- Um, Isn't it obvious that I am no J. K. Rowling??? Well last time I looked in the mirror I wasn't *runs off to look in mirror* Nope I'm not!

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God Bless the Child

Chapter 3: Dumbledore's Reply

            It had been three weeks since Harry's birthday. He had received several presents. Ron sent him a Wizarding Wireless radio. From Hermione he had received a book on dark curses and what happens when they are cast (There is something about you in there). Hagrid had sent Harry a case of butterbeer and a chocolate birthday cake. But the best present had come from Sirius. It had come in a brown package roughly the size of a snuff box. When Harry had opened it he had been amazed. It was an emerald green stone locket. Inside it contained two pictures. One was a picture of his mother and father. The other was of a year old Harry. He assumed that it had been his mothers before he had read Sirius's note, which proved him to be right.

            Currently Harry was deweeding the garden before he stopped to finger the locket and opening it to look at his mother and father. Just then an owl's shadow fell over him and he looked up. It was a school owl ("about time"), which flew down and landed on Harry's arm. if his aunt would have seen this she would have come screeching out of the kitchen ranting and raving about what the neighbors' would think. Harry quickly untied the letter from the owl's leg (so his aunt wouldn't come out), patted the owl on the head and sent it on its way. Harry noted that the start of term letter seemed thicker than usual and then pocketed it before going back to work.

            At lunch Harry came in, washed his hands, and then sat down at the table to wait for Uncle Vernon and Dudley to sit down so that they could eat their healthy lunch (Dudley was still on his diet and had lost quite some weight). While waiting Harry took out the letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and read what he needed to purchase from Diagon Alley. As he read Harry noticed a second letter, this time from Dumbledore. It read:

Dear Harry,

            How are you? My summer holidays have been fantastic (Harry thought of his professor tanning on some beach with swim trunks on and holding a mirror). I hope your holidays have been enjoyable.
            Now on to what you saw. Apparently Voldermort has not moved on. The order that he talks about is not important to you, yet. I also know that since you have not been able to go to Diagon Alley, I have asked Miss Figg to take care of you. Yes, she is that same Miss Figg that used to watch you. You will stay with her till September 1st when you get on the Hogwarts Express. I have sent a letter to your Aunt and Uncle explaining to them that they will not have to worry about you. It has a charm on it to ensure that they let you go. I hope to see you at Hogwarts.

Sincerely,
Professor Dumbledore

            Just as Harry had finished reading Dumbledore's letter when his uncle walked in with the mail (it had arrived late). Harry watched his uncle as he flipped through the mail and then stopping at a letter with green ink on it and large loopy lettering. Apparently this seemed odd to his uncle. When Vernon turned over the letter Harry saw what appeared to be a wax seal with a large letter h in the middle.

            "That must be Dumbledore's letter", thought Harry, "I bet that charm will start working any time now." Sure enough it did. As soon as Uncle Vernon had read the letter he passed it to his wife. Harry just looked at his aunt and uncle in amazement; this was the first time that they had not over reacted to something about Harry's school.

            "Your going to be staying With Miss Figg for the next week." said Harry's uncle with a dazed look in his eyes. Dudley had just walked in to the kitchen and he looked confused.

            "Yes," replied his aunt, "I'm going to do a through cleaning of this house and I don't need you in the house. She will take you to King's Cross so you can get on your train." All this was said in a monotone voice, which made his aunt sound oddly like a man. Dudley looked afraid. He had seen his mother and father being so civil to Harry about his freak school. Dudley then turned to look at Harry, wondering if he had something to do with this. Harry just played dumb and shrugged his shoulders.

            "Go... Pack... Now..." Uncle Vernon looked as if something was going on in the back of his mind. Harry, not wanting to do any that could break the charm, got up and went to pack.

            With his trunk packed Harry brought it down stairs, and announced that he was ready to go. His aunt only nodded, she still had a glazed look in her eye and was straightening small objects. Uncle Vernon got up and walked stiffly to the door. Harry assumed that the charm was having a harder time working on his uncle than his aunt. With this Harry was on his way to Aberalla Figg's house.

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            Wow! I hope you like it! Please review on what you think and if you want me to keep doing this daily! Thanks!

Mystic Grim