***************************** Ch. 2 *****************************

Harry felt as though the weight of the world had been lifted off of his shoulders. He wasn't really gone, Sirius was alive, and was coming to see Harry soon! This was one of the best days in his life, Harry thought happily to himself. His entire outlook changed. Instead of being dark and gloomy, he was happy, and readily anticipating the start of term. He would be able to look at Dumbledore, knowing in the back of his mind that he, Harry, knew something big that Dumbledore didn't. This was wonderful. Harry rushed about madly, humming a song gleefully, throwing huge bundles of school homework assignments and quills along with his robes into his trunk, then setting his wand carefull next to his Firebolt broom on top of the now closed trunk.

A few days later the letter from Hogwarts arrived, telling him he would need a whole new array of books this year. That same day Hedwig returned to Harry's window with a bunch of parcels and letters clutched in her claws. Slightly confused, Harry opened his window and took the mail from his owl's grasped claws. Looking through the lot, Harry noticed he'd received late birthday presents and letters from Ron, Hermione, Hagrid, and Lupin. He ripped open the first one his hands found, Hermione's letter and gift.

"Dear Harry, I hope all is well, sorry about the delay on the gift, I was detained here...and well, I'll see you very soon! I wish you the Happiest of Birthdays!!

Love, Hermione"

"See you soon?" Harry muttered, trying to figure out what she meant, then figured it didn't matter because everything was wonderful after Sirius' letter. Next he opened her gift, which made Harry even more puzzled yet. He peered down at a vial of orangey-red potion. What could this be, he thought. A small peice of paper read, "Don't open until midnight tonight, then drink it and fly north until you see." Would she ever tell him what she was up to? What did she mean, fly? Harry pondered for quite some time till a shrill cry from Hedwig brought him to open the next letter.

"Dear Harry, Things have gone crazy, but everything is great, I can explain more when I see you. Things don't make sense to you right now, but I know how you feel, mate. Lupin sent me the same letter he's probably sending you and I about went mad trying to figure out what the bloody hell it all meant. Hermione's sending you something you'll need tonight, it's disgusting, but it works. You'll figure it all out tonight, I promise. Ok, enjoy the sweets! See you soon, and Happy Birthday!

Love, Ron"

Ron's letter made Harry feel somewhat better, besides the part that said the potion was disgusting, that made him nervous. He opened the gift his best friend had sent him, chuckling at the great array of sweets in the small box. Ron had clearly wanted to cheer Harry up after seeing him so depressed at the end of the last school term. Harry had really blown off everyone he cared for after Sirius' "death". Harry set down the box of sweets and picked up Hagrid's letter, carefully scanning the messy writing.

"Dear Harry, Glad to think of seeing you soon, I hope things are going somewhat better for you. You really do get rough breaks, but everything will be fine now, I mean it. Best wishes and good luck on your journey to Hogwarts! Happy Birthday Harry."

He tore the ruddy brown paper off of the gift Hagrid sent and opened the box to reveal a bundle of treacle tarts and a letter that looked frayed around the edges of the old envelope. On the front in unfamiliar and beautiful writing was Harry's name. A second letter and a note from Hagrid were underneath it. The second letter had even more unfamiliar writing on it that was alot like Sirius', yet different. This also said his name on the front. The note from Hagrid was written, if possible even messier than his usual scrawl.

"Harry, these letters are from Lily and James. They entrusted me with them a month before they died, I think they knew something... Sorry that I never told you 'bout the letters before, but I promised I wouldn't let you know until your sixteenth birthday."