Chapter 2: Happy Birthday???
This...was heaven. No one knew or cared who he was. No one knew that he just turned 11, and more frankly, he could have cared less himself.
He never had a birthday party before. No cakes. No presents...ever. So why would this year be any different? The only present he ever got was from Aunt Petunia. It was a 'Christmas present', if one would call it so. Underneath a very small, silver bow, folded neatly in her hands, was a dishrag.
He always hated Aunt Petunia. She was a horse-faced woman with large teeth. She had always been self-centered and snotty, and the others, Uncle Vernon and Dudley, weren't any better.
Harry pulled out one of his t-shirts from his trunk, a large hand-me-down from Dudley and threw it on the bed. Since most of his clothes were also hand-me-downs, they were around three to four sizes too big. Dudley may have been the same age as Harry, but the boy was thrice Harry's weight and just as round.
Dudley was strong...bulky and fat. Uncle Vernon's definition of 'strong' was pretty much throwing fat around. Every time Dudley did so, he'd be praised on how 'strong' he was. Harry snorted. Yeah, the boy could hit, but when it came to running, one would have a hard time determining jogging from walking since both were at the same pace.
The Dudley's were wretched people. There were so many bad memories...and Harry had tied his best to forget them, but unfortunately, some things can't be forgotten nor EVER forgiven.
Harry though about how his life had changed just since yesterday as he dug through his trunk some more. He pulled out a pair of pants and socks...and what was that? Something shiny at the bottom of his trunk caught his eye. He pulled it out and found that it was a fairly large box wrapped in silver and violet wrapping paper with a small red bow on top.
Harry eyed it for a moment before noticing the small card under the bow. He unfolded it and read it silently.
Your father wanted you to have this as soon as you
entered your first year of Hogwarts.
Happy Birthday
-Albus Dumbledore
Harry read it several more times before setting in down carefully and placing his attention once more on the very neatly wrapped box. His father? Wait...Albus Dumbledore...Dumbledore? He's heard of the name before...of course. He's the Headmaster at Hogwarts that Professor Snape told him about.
Harry tore off the wrapping and opened the top. Inside was a photo album and on top was an envelope. Hesitantly, the green-eyed boy picked up the parchment with his full name neatly written on it and opened it. Inside was a letter.
My dearest Harry,
If you have received this, it means that I will
never be there to watch you take your first step, say
your first word, teach you how to fly or play
Quidditch...and most importantly, tell you how much
you mean to me.
I sit here now, watching you play with your
mother on the floor, I think to myself and laugh.
You're not even a year old yet and Lily is trying to
teach you how to walk. Persistent woman, she is.
Your mother and I are both Aurors, and I know,
with a very strong feeling, that we will not be apart
of your life any longer. Dumbledore had the same
feeling as I do, I am putting you in his care until
it is confirmed that your mother and I will not be
returning. However, I have made arrangements that on
the first day that you attend Hogwart's School of
Witchcraft and Wizardry, and from then on, you will
rightfully own Godric's Hollow, our home. From
there, Professor Dumbledore will explain everything.
Remember, Harry, no matter what House you end
up in, who you decide to spend your life with, or any
other choices you make throughout your life, we, your
mother and I, would always support and love you...so,
make smart ones! Ha ha! We love you, Harry, and I
hope that you can find a special place in your heart
just for us.
We love you
-Dad
PS. I hope you like the
Album your dad and
I arranged for you. -Mom
Harry read it over several times before slowly folding it back up, and as soon as he set it down, questions swarmed in his head.
He couldn't bring himself to open the book, much less look at it. Harry curled his fist in anger.
'How.how could they love me.when they don't even exist? How could they leave me with.with THEM?' The boy whispered to himself. He hated the Dursleys more than anything in the world. He hated how they walked, talked and lived. He even hated the very fact that they breathed.it was disgusting, and now, his parents were second on his list.right behind the Dursleys.
It had now been two weeks and the days passed slower now that he got his school supplies and had now seen every nook and cranny in Diagon Alley, and now the evening hours found him in Flourish and Blotts reading.
He still hadn't found anyone who could help him get to King's Cross Station, but that may have been due to his lack of social skills. He had a few more weeks, though. Not everyone was heartless.right?
"Curses and Counter-curses?" Harry looked up to find someone next to him as he read at the small table. He turned the book over to the cover; Curses and Counter-curses (Bewitch Your Friends and Befuddle Your Enemies with the Latest Revenges: Hair Loss, Jelly-Legs, Tongue-Tying and Much, Much More) by Professor Vindictus Viridian.
Harry looked up at the boy again, "Sorry, but when I saw that you wore the Hogwarts' school robes I couldn't help but to come by and say 'hello'. You're the first student I've met so far." Harry stood up and fully face the light haired blonde, "I'm Draco. Draco Malfoy." He held out a hand to the raven-haired boy and pulled across his face, what seemed to be a smile.
Harry took his hand and shook it lightly, "Harry Potter. Nice to meet you."
"A pleasure." Malfoy pulled back his hand, "Where are your parents? My father's around looking for my other supplies."
"I'm here alone. I don't have parents."
Malfoy's eyebrows pulled together in a sympathetic look, "Oh. I'm sorry.I didn't mean.to."
"Oh, no. It's all right.it's not like I really knew them anyway."
"Really? Where are you staying, then, until we leave for Hogwarts?" They sat down. Harry closing the book he was reading.
"I'm staying at The Leaky Cauldron for another two weeks. I got here at the end of July."
"At The Leaky Cauldron?" Malfoy made a face, "Who made you stay there? Or did you want to stay there?"
Harry snorted, "Want to? I never even knew of this place before my birthday, I'd say that it was a big change for me. So, whether or not that it's home.it's better than where I was at."
"You lived with a muggle family?"
"What's a muggle?" asked Harry. An eyebrow rose.
"Muggles are non-magic people. Filthy, if you ask me." Malfoy sneered.
"Draco! Boy, where are you?" There was a deep nasally voice booming from behind several bookshelves.
"Over here, Father!" Malfoy turned back to Harry and pulled at his arm, "C'mon. You can meet my father." They walked among the shelves as the Malfoy boy pulled Harry along. They nearly literally ran into the blonde and Malfoy started, "Hello, Father. Did you get everything?"
"Yes. Everything is in your cauldron. We'll run by later to get your wand, all right?" Draco nodded. The older Malfoy caught emerald-green eyes, "And whom, may I ask, is this?"
Harry stepped up nervously from behind Draco, "Harry Potter, sir. I.I'll be going to Hogwarts for the first time also."
Mr. Malfoy raised an eyebrow, "Really? Well then, I'm glad that my son could make your acquaintance, young Potter. Where are your parents? I'd like to."
Draco coughed loudly.
"Boy! Do not interrupt me!"
"I'm sorry, Father, but." He turned to Harry, and the raven-haired boy nodded, "he doesn't have parents. He came from a muggle family." Mr. Malfoy raised his eyebrow again, "He never knew anything about the Wizarding World until." he shrugged, "And he has to stay at The Leaky Cauldron."
"And oh, just let me guess.you were wondering if he could stay with us for the last two weeks?" Draco nodded and Harry's eyes widened, "That is, of course, if Mr. Potter wants to come. Have you even asked him?" He studied the look on his son's face for about two seconds and immediately answered his own question, "Of course not. Draco.when will you come up with manners?
"Harry, would you like to come home with us, rather than staying here?"
He stepped back a bit and shook his head, "I would, but I can't. I was ordered by Professor Dumbledore to stay here. Professor Snape came to get me from my aunt and uncle and brought me here, giving me strict orders not to leave."
Mr. Malfoy smiled a bit, "Ah, well, as part as the Ministry, I think that I can get permission from Professor Dumbledore and the Minister to allow me to take you into our home. That is, again, if you want to."
And suddenly, just as Harry was about to answer, "Reducto!"
BOOM!
End of Chapter 2
This...was heaven. No one knew or cared who he was. No one knew that he just turned 11, and more frankly, he could have cared less himself.
He never had a birthday party before. No cakes. No presents...ever. So why would this year be any different? The only present he ever got was from Aunt Petunia. It was a 'Christmas present', if one would call it so. Underneath a very small, silver bow, folded neatly in her hands, was a dishrag.
He always hated Aunt Petunia. She was a horse-faced woman with large teeth. She had always been self-centered and snotty, and the others, Uncle Vernon and Dudley, weren't any better.
Harry pulled out one of his t-shirts from his trunk, a large hand-me-down from Dudley and threw it on the bed. Since most of his clothes were also hand-me-downs, they were around three to four sizes too big. Dudley may have been the same age as Harry, but the boy was thrice Harry's weight and just as round.
Dudley was strong...bulky and fat. Uncle Vernon's definition of 'strong' was pretty much throwing fat around. Every time Dudley did so, he'd be praised on how 'strong' he was. Harry snorted. Yeah, the boy could hit, but when it came to running, one would have a hard time determining jogging from walking since both were at the same pace.
The Dudley's were wretched people. There were so many bad memories...and Harry had tied his best to forget them, but unfortunately, some things can't be forgotten nor EVER forgiven.
Harry though about how his life had changed just since yesterday as he dug through his trunk some more. He pulled out a pair of pants and socks...and what was that? Something shiny at the bottom of his trunk caught his eye. He pulled it out and found that it was a fairly large box wrapped in silver and violet wrapping paper with a small red bow on top.
Harry eyed it for a moment before noticing the small card under the bow. He unfolded it and read it silently.
Your father wanted you to have this as soon as you
entered your first year of Hogwarts.
Happy Birthday
-Albus Dumbledore
Harry read it several more times before setting in down carefully and placing his attention once more on the very neatly wrapped box. His father? Wait...Albus Dumbledore...Dumbledore? He's heard of the name before...of course. He's the Headmaster at Hogwarts that Professor Snape told him about.
Harry tore off the wrapping and opened the top. Inside was a photo album and on top was an envelope. Hesitantly, the green-eyed boy picked up the parchment with his full name neatly written on it and opened it. Inside was a letter.
My dearest Harry,
If you have received this, it means that I will
never be there to watch you take your first step, say
your first word, teach you how to fly or play
Quidditch...and most importantly, tell you how much
you mean to me.
I sit here now, watching you play with your
mother on the floor, I think to myself and laugh.
You're not even a year old yet and Lily is trying to
teach you how to walk. Persistent woman, she is.
Your mother and I are both Aurors, and I know,
with a very strong feeling, that we will not be apart
of your life any longer. Dumbledore had the same
feeling as I do, I am putting you in his care until
it is confirmed that your mother and I will not be
returning. However, I have made arrangements that on
the first day that you attend Hogwart's School of
Witchcraft and Wizardry, and from then on, you will
rightfully own Godric's Hollow, our home. From
there, Professor Dumbledore will explain everything.
Remember, Harry, no matter what House you end
up in, who you decide to spend your life with, or any
other choices you make throughout your life, we, your
mother and I, would always support and love you...so,
make smart ones! Ha ha! We love you, Harry, and I
hope that you can find a special place in your heart
just for us.
We love you
-Dad
PS. I hope you like the
Album your dad and
I arranged for you. -Mom
Harry read it over several times before slowly folding it back up, and as soon as he set it down, questions swarmed in his head.
He couldn't bring himself to open the book, much less look at it. Harry curled his fist in anger.
'How.how could they love me.when they don't even exist? How could they leave me with.with THEM?' The boy whispered to himself. He hated the Dursleys more than anything in the world. He hated how they walked, talked and lived. He even hated the very fact that they breathed.it was disgusting, and now, his parents were second on his list.right behind the Dursleys.
It had now been two weeks and the days passed slower now that he got his school supplies and had now seen every nook and cranny in Diagon Alley, and now the evening hours found him in Flourish and Blotts reading.
He still hadn't found anyone who could help him get to King's Cross Station, but that may have been due to his lack of social skills. He had a few more weeks, though. Not everyone was heartless.right?
"Curses and Counter-curses?" Harry looked up to find someone next to him as he read at the small table. He turned the book over to the cover; Curses and Counter-curses (Bewitch Your Friends and Befuddle Your Enemies with the Latest Revenges: Hair Loss, Jelly-Legs, Tongue-Tying and Much, Much More) by Professor Vindictus Viridian.
Harry looked up at the boy again, "Sorry, but when I saw that you wore the Hogwarts' school robes I couldn't help but to come by and say 'hello'. You're the first student I've met so far." Harry stood up and fully face the light haired blonde, "I'm Draco. Draco Malfoy." He held out a hand to the raven-haired boy and pulled across his face, what seemed to be a smile.
Harry took his hand and shook it lightly, "Harry Potter. Nice to meet you."
"A pleasure." Malfoy pulled back his hand, "Where are your parents? My father's around looking for my other supplies."
"I'm here alone. I don't have parents."
Malfoy's eyebrows pulled together in a sympathetic look, "Oh. I'm sorry.I didn't mean.to."
"Oh, no. It's all right.it's not like I really knew them anyway."
"Really? Where are you staying, then, until we leave for Hogwarts?" They sat down. Harry closing the book he was reading.
"I'm staying at The Leaky Cauldron for another two weeks. I got here at the end of July."
"At The Leaky Cauldron?" Malfoy made a face, "Who made you stay there? Or did you want to stay there?"
Harry snorted, "Want to? I never even knew of this place before my birthday, I'd say that it was a big change for me. So, whether or not that it's home.it's better than where I was at."
"You lived with a muggle family?"
"What's a muggle?" asked Harry. An eyebrow rose.
"Muggles are non-magic people. Filthy, if you ask me." Malfoy sneered.
"Draco! Boy, where are you?" There was a deep nasally voice booming from behind several bookshelves.
"Over here, Father!" Malfoy turned back to Harry and pulled at his arm, "C'mon. You can meet my father." They walked among the shelves as the Malfoy boy pulled Harry along. They nearly literally ran into the blonde and Malfoy started, "Hello, Father. Did you get everything?"
"Yes. Everything is in your cauldron. We'll run by later to get your wand, all right?" Draco nodded. The older Malfoy caught emerald-green eyes, "And whom, may I ask, is this?"
Harry stepped up nervously from behind Draco, "Harry Potter, sir. I.I'll be going to Hogwarts for the first time also."
Mr. Malfoy raised an eyebrow, "Really? Well then, I'm glad that my son could make your acquaintance, young Potter. Where are your parents? I'd like to."
Draco coughed loudly.
"Boy! Do not interrupt me!"
"I'm sorry, Father, but." He turned to Harry, and the raven-haired boy nodded, "he doesn't have parents. He came from a muggle family." Mr. Malfoy raised his eyebrow again, "He never knew anything about the Wizarding World until." he shrugged, "And he has to stay at The Leaky Cauldron."
"And oh, just let me guess.you were wondering if he could stay with us for the last two weeks?" Draco nodded and Harry's eyes widened, "That is, of course, if Mr. Potter wants to come. Have you even asked him?" He studied the look on his son's face for about two seconds and immediately answered his own question, "Of course not. Draco.when will you come up with manners?
"Harry, would you like to come home with us, rather than staying here?"
He stepped back a bit and shook his head, "I would, but I can't. I was ordered by Professor Dumbledore to stay here. Professor Snape came to get me from my aunt and uncle and brought me here, giving me strict orders not to leave."
Mr. Malfoy smiled a bit, "Ah, well, as part as the Ministry, I think that I can get permission from Professor Dumbledore and the Minister to allow me to take you into our home. That is, again, if you want to."
And suddenly, just as Harry was about to answer, "Reducto!"
BOOM!
End of Chapter 2