Chapter 4 Letters and OWLS
The sun seeped into the open window in Remus's kitchen. The kitchen basked in the rays of early morning. That was how I saw it as when I entered it 20 minutes later. I had always been an early riser, never needing that much sleep. I put on some hot water for tea and started taking out bowls and other kitchenware for breakfast. I wanted Harry's first conscious morning at this house to be very memorable, and that, of course, meant that a large breakfast was to be prepared. I didn't really know what Harry liked, so I figured I'd just go ahead and make everything. I had just started peeling the potatoes for hashbrowns when I began thinking about the previous night. I was really glad that Harry had decided to give me his trust; as long as I handled this trust very carefully I was sure that it would benefit me in the future. Now that Harry had lost Sirius, it was very important that he have a positive male figure in his life. I was prepared to be this figure. Just as I was starting to think of everything that that might include he heard footsteps on the stairs. I turned my head towards the door and saw Harry, still in his pajamas, walking through to the kitchen.
"I just followed my nose" Harry explained as he sat down at the kitchen table. He looked quite pleased at the effort I was putting out on breakfast. "This is all really too much" he added as he looked at the eggs, hash-browns and bacon already on the plate and the blueberry pancakes on the skillet, being flipped.
"Nah, it was my pleasure," I said. "Besides, nothing is too good for your welcoming breakfast". Harry looked at me and smiled. The happiness he was expressing in my company made me as happy as he. Just then 3 owls swooped into the kitchen. One swooped over to Harry, one to me and one just sat on the table and held out it's foot. Harry looked down at his letter and opened it. It was from Hogwarts, I could see that much from the seal on it. When he broke the seal 3 letters toppled out. He picked up the first one, and I could tell by the look on his face that these were his OWL results. I looked at his reaction as he read them, a frown had set upon his face.
"How'd you do Harry?" I asked bravely.
"Well, why don't you take a look for yourself" Harry said as he handed me the paper. It read:
Transfiguration: Outstanding
Herbology: Outstanding
Defense Against The Dark Arts: Outstanding
Care of Magical Creatures: Outstanding
Charms: Outstanding
Potions: Exceeds Expectations
Divination: Pass
Astronomy: Exceeds Expectations (events of that night were taken into account and you were graded on a curve).
"Harry, those results are fantastic, why are you so down about them?" I asked, with a curiosity in my voice.
"I didn't get an Outstanding in Potions. I needed to get an outstanding in Potions, or I can't become an Auror. Professor Snape doesn't allow people into his Newts class that didn't get an Outstanding on their Potions Owl." Harry said, with disappointment evident in his voice. I looked down at the table, thinking if there was anything I could do to get him into that class. I saw another letter lying on the table, that had- in addition to a finely typed letter- a little note scrawled onto the bottom in McGonagall's handwriting.
"Harry, why don't you read the note from McGonagall?" I asked, hoping it would bear good news. Harry started reading it allowed:
Dear Mr.Potter,
We were very pleased with your OWL results. There are many professions that you could consider at this point. We know that you were considering Auror, and since we are of the belief that you could handle the harder Potions class.we are going to let you enter it, despite your OWL result. Other classes that would prepare you for a profession as an auror are:
Newts Level Charms
Newts Level Transfiguration
Newts Level Defense Against the Dark Arts
Newts Level Herbology
Magical Healing
Dueling for Experts
That is a very full schedule, and so, unless you have any complaints, you are going to have to drop Astronomy, Divination and Care of Magical Creatures. However, if you wish for a change in careers to lighten your load, you may contact us via owl before the date of August 20th. If you would just like to confirm your classes and head on the road to becoming an Auror, let us know in reply by simply stating your name and the words "Keep Classes The Same" via owl before the date of August 20th. We thank you for your time and will see you on September 1st at Platform 9 ¾.
Sincerely,
The Owls/Newts Review Board
Harry was smiling broadly by the time he had finished the letter. Than he went on to read the message in chicken scratch at the bottom.
Harry-
In addition to the required courses, you will also be taking Occlumency lessons with Professor Dumbledore. Also, please note that your lifetime ban on Quidditch has been lifted and I have appointed you captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. I hope that with all your other responsibilities you will still be able to lead us to victory Potter.if it ever becomes too much, let me know and we can appoint another individual.
Warmest Regards,
M. McGonagall
Now Harry was smiling more largely than ever.
"That's great Harry, so much good news" I exclaimed.
"Yeah, I know. I wonder what healing has to do with becoming an Auror?" Harry asked me.
"Well, Aurors are in battle a lot and in order to be able to help your friend if he or she is ever injured, you need to know some basic healing. Professional Healers like Madam Pomphrey or the people working it St.Mungos have to take many more healing classes than that one though. You'll have a lot of potential nurses and doctors in your class.but that's not all. You'd be surprised some of the professions that require you to take a basic healing class," I told him. Harry just nodded. He picked up the other note two notes that lie on the table. One of them was his yearly list of supplies and books to be bought from Diagon Alley and one of them was a letter from the headmaster. He read this one aloud:
Dear Harry,
I fear that after the events of last year you may not hold me in the highest esteems. I only hope you can forgive me for not telling you about the prophesy. It was your right to know, and I should have told you. However, never doubt that I do care for you. If I didn't, I would have told you the prophecy years ago. I just hope that, despite what has happened, you still feel as though I am one you can confide in. I would never want to lose your trust Harry, it is something that I find of the utmost importance. Whatever your personal opinion of me may be right now, I am one of the only people that can help you. I am ready to prepare you for the battle that lies ahead. However, I can only help you if you're ready to trust me. That is why I must ask you to put your confidence in me. You must tell me about things regarding your scar and your dreams. Anything else that you choose to share with me, will probably only help us in the long run. We're in this together Harry and I just hope that you will welcome me back into your life, for I would so readily embrace that invitation.
Warmest Regards,
Albus Dumbledore
I looked at Harry waiting for his reaction.
"So, Harry, are you welling to forgive Professor Dumbledore?" I asked.
"Yes, yes, I think so. It's going to take a while, and it will all be very gradual but I'm ready to start the process," Harry said.
I smiled. I looked at the letter that had come to me. I felt foolish for neglecting it. I opened it up, it was from the Weasleys. He had almost forgotten that 2 days ago he had written them telling them that Harry was in critical condition. This letter was sent to make sure that Harry was recovering well. I felt bad that I hadn't informed them of Harry's recovery sooner. They loved Harry and they had the right to know he was okay. The letter also said that if Harry was okay, both of them were invited to dinner that following night.
"Are you up to going to the Weasleys' for dinner tomorrow night?" I asked Harry, as he stood looking over his supplies list.
"Yeah, sure, I'd love to see Ron and Ginny again. Do you think they'll be mad at me?" Harry asked worriedly.
"Why would they be mad at you?" I asked.
"I dragged them to the department of mysteries and almost lost them their lives" Harry responded.
"Harry, you didn't drag them anywhere. They came on their own free will. They loved you and so they followed you. All 5 of them love you, and that's why they followed you. It's important that you understand that," I assured him. He gave me a genuine smile and returned to his letter. I wrote back to the Weasleys' telling them that we'd see them at 6:30 that evening. Finally I turned to the third owl who was still sitting on the table. This owl hadn't seemed to care who took the letter off so I walked up to it and removed the letter. My face went pale as I read the name at the bottom of the letter. I didn't want to let Harry see this letter, but it was too late, Harry was already looking at me curiously.
"What is it Remus? Who's that letter from?" Harry asked, walking towards me. I knew I couldn't hide it from him.
"Harry, this letter is from Sirius, and the other sheet of paper is his will" I said hesitantly.I didn't know how Harry would take it. Harry's face went a little pale and his eyes shone with unshed tears. He looked away from me as tears started to role down his cheeks.
"I just miss him so much," Harry explained. I looked at him with a look of sympathy.
"I know, so do I," I assured him. "I know that we've never really talked about his death, but you know that that discussion isn't off limits, right?" I asked him.
"Yeah, I know" Harry said. "Let's take a look at those papers now, shall we?" Harry said, with a bit of smile lighting up his tear stricken face. I smiled back at him and we opened the papers together.
Ha! I am so sorry to leave you here, but my wrists are getting tired and I've decided this thing is long enough. Next chapter will have what's in Sirius's letter and will, as well as a trip to the Weasleys and some unexpected news for Ron. Why don't you just REVIEW!!! So I can get the next chapter up sooner. I love you all and again thanks to my beta Kangaroo, for all her support and for editing my rough drafts. She re- writes my awkward sentences, humors me with her british-ness and is just a really big help all around. She's awesome!!! Until next time..REVIEW!!!
Luv,
Twigs
The sun seeped into the open window in Remus's kitchen. The kitchen basked in the rays of early morning. That was how I saw it as when I entered it 20 minutes later. I had always been an early riser, never needing that much sleep. I put on some hot water for tea and started taking out bowls and other kitchenware for breakfast. I wanted Harry's first conscious morning at this house to be very memorable, and that, of course, meant that a large breakfast was to be prepared. I didn't really know what Harry liked, so I figured I'd just go ahead and make everything. I had just started peeling the potatoes for hashbrowns when I began thinking about the previous night. I was really glad that Harry had decided to give me his trust; as long as I handled this trust very carefully I was sure that it would benefit me in the future. Now that Harry had lost Sirius, it was very important that he have a positive male figure in his life. I was prepared to be this figure. Just as I was starting to think of everything that that might include he heard footsteps on the stairs. I turned my head towards the door and saw Harry, still in his pajamas, walking through to the kitchen.
"I just followed my nose" Harry explained as he sat down at the kitchen table. He looked quite pleased at the effort I was putting out on breakfast. "This is all really too much" he added as he looked at the eggs, hash-browns and bacon already on the plate and the blueberry pancakes on the skillet, being flipped.
"Nah, it was my pleasure," I said. "Besides, nothing is too good for your welcoming breakfast". Harry looked at me and smiled. The happiness he was expressing in my company made me as happy as he. Just then 3 owls swooped into the kitchen. One swooped over to Harry, one to me and one just sat on the table and held out it's foot. Harry looked down at his letter and opened it. It was from Hogwarts, I could see that much from the seal on it. When he broke the seal 3 letters toppled out. He picked up the first one, and I could tell by the look on his face that these were his OWL results. I looked at his reaction as he read them, a frown had set upon his face.
"How'd you do Harry?" I asked bravely.
"Well, why don't you take a look for yourself" Harry said as he handed me the paper. It read:
Transfiguration: Outstanding
Herbology: Outstanding
Defense Against The Dark Arts: Outstanding
Care of Magical Creatures: Outstanding
Charms: Outstanding
Potions: Exceeds Expectations
Divination: Pass
Astronomy: Exceeds Expectations (events of that night were taken into account and you were graded on a curve).
"Harry, those results are fantastic, why are you so down about them?" I asked, with a curiosity in my voice.
"I didn't get an Outstanding in Potions. I needed to get an outstanding in Potions, or I can't become an Auror. Professor Snape doesn't allow people into his Newts class that didn't get an Outstanding on their Potions Owl." Harry said, with disappointment evident in his voice. I looked down at the table, thinking if there was anything I could do to get him into that class. I saw another letter lying on the table, that had- in addition to a finely typed letter- a little note scrawled onto the bottom in McGonagall's handwriting.
"Harry, why don't you read the note from McGonagall?" I asked, hoping it would bear good news. Harry started reading it allowed:
Dear Mr.Potter,
We were very pleased with your OWL results. There are many professions that you could consider at this point. We know that you were considering Auror, and since we are of the belief that you could handle the harder Potions class.we are going to let you enter it, despite your OWL result. Other classes that would prepare you for a profession as an auror are:
Newts Level Charms
Newts Level Transfiguration
Newts Level Defense Against the Dark Arts
Newts Level Herbology
Magical Healing
Dueling for Experts
That is a very full schedule, and so, unless you have any complaints, you are going to have to drop Astronomy, Divination and Care of Magical Creatures. However, if you wish for a change in careers to lighten your load, you may contact us via owl before the date of August 20th. If you would just like to confirm your classes and head on the road to becoming an Auror, let us know in reply by simply stating your name and the words "Keep Classes The Same" via owl before the date of August 20th. We thank you for your time and will see you on September 1st at Platform 9 ¾.
Sincerely,
The Owls/Newts Review Board
Harry was smiling broadly by the time he had finished the letter. Than he went on to read the message in chicken scratch at the bottom.
Harry-
In addition to the required courses, you will also be taking Occlumency lessons with Professor Dumbledore. Also, please note that your lifetime ban on Quidditch has been lifted and I have appointed you captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. I hope that with all your other responsibilities you will still be able to lead us to victory Potter.if it ever becomes too much, let me know and we can appoint another individual.
Warmest Regards,
M. McGonagall
Now Harry was smiling more largely than ever.
"That's great Harry, so much good news" I exclaimed.
"Yeah, I know. I wonder what healing has to do with becoming an Auror?" Harry asked me.
"Well, Aurors are in battle a lot and in order to be able to help your friend if he or she is ever injured, you need to know some basic healing. Professional Healers like Madam Pomphrey or the people working it St.Mungos have to take many more healing classes than that one though. You'll have a lot of potential nurses and doctors in your class.but that's not all. You'd be surprised some of the professions that require you to take a basic healing class," I told him. Harry just nodded. He picked up the other note two notes that lie on the table. One of them was his yearly list of supplies and books to be bought from Diagon Alley and one of them was a letter from the headmaster. He read this one aloud:
Dear Harry,
I fear that after the events of last year you may not hold me in the highest esteems. I only hope you can forgive me for not telling you about the prophesy. It was your right to know, and I should have told you. However, never doubt that I do care for you. If I didn't, I would have told you the prophecy years ago. I just hope that, despite what has happened, you still feel as though I am one you can confide in. I would never want to lose your trust Harry, it is something that I find of the utmost importance. Whatever your personal opinion of me may be right now, I am one of the only people that can help you. I am ready to prepare you for the battle that lies ahead. However, I can only help you if you're ready to trust me. That is why I must ask you to put your confidence in me. You must tell me about things regarding your scar and your dreams. Anything else that you choose to share with me, will probably only help us in the long run. We're in this together Harry and I just hope that you will welcome me back into your life, for I would so readily embrace that invitation.
Warmest Regards,
Albus Dumbledore
I looked at Harry waiting for his reaction.
"So, Harry, are you welling to forgive Professor Dumbledore?" I asked.
"Yes, yes, I think so. It's going to take a while, and it will all be very gradual but I'm ready to start the process," Harry said.
I smiled. I looked at the letter that had come to me. I felt foolish for neglecting it. I opened it up, it was from the Weasleys. He had almost forgotten that 2 days ago he had written them telling them that Harry was in critical condition. This letter was sent to make sure that Harry was recovering well. I felt bad that I hadn't informed them of Harry's recovery sooner. They loved Harry and they had the right to know he was okay. The letter also said that if Harry was okay, both of them were invited to dinner that following night.
"Are you up to going to the Weasleys' for dinner tomorrow night?" I asked Harry, as he stood looking over his supplies list.
"Yeah, sure, I'd love to see Ron and Ginny again. Do you think they'll be mad at me?" Harry asked worriedly.
"Why would they be mad at you?" I asked.
"I dragged them to the department of mysteries and almost lost them their lives" Harry responded.
"Harry, you didn't drag them anywhere. They came on their own free will. They loved you and so they followed you. All 5 of them love you, and that's why they followed you. It's important that you understand that," I assured him. He gave me a genuine smile and returned to his letter. I wrote back to the Weasleys' telling them that we'd see them at 6:30 that evening. Finally I turned to the third owl who was still sitting on the table. This owl hadn't seemed to care who took the letter off so I walked up to it and removed the letter. My face went pale as I read the name at the bottom of the letter. I didn't want to let Harry see this letter, but it was too late, Harry was already looking at me curiously.
"What is it Remus? Who's that letter from?" Harry asked, walking towards me. I knew I couldn't hide it from him.
"Harry, this letter is from Sirius, and the other sheet of paper is his will" I said hesitantly.I didn't know how Harry would take it. Harry's face went a little pale and his eyes shone with unshed tears. He looked away from me as tears started to role down his cheeks.
"I just miss him so much," Harry explained. I looked at him with a look of sympathy.
"I know, so do I," I assured him. "I know that we've never really talked about his death, but you know that that discussion isn't off limits, right?" I asked him.
"Yeah, I know" Harry said. "Let's take a look at those papers now, shall we?" Harry said, with a bit of smile lighting up his tear stricken face. I smiled back at him and we opened the papers together.
Ha! I am so sorry to leave you here, but my wrists are getting tired and I've decided this thing is long enough. Next chapter will have what's in Sirius's letter and will, as well as a trip to the Weasleys and some unexpected news for Ron. Why don't you just REVIEW!!! So I can get the next chapter up sooner. I love you all and again thanks to my beta Kangaroo, for all her support and for editing my rough drafts. She re- writes my awkward sentences, humors me with her british-ness and is just a really big help all around. She's awesome!!! Until next time..REVIEW!!!
Luv,
Twigs