Chapter 3 - Harry's Birthday
Harry though that there was so much that Hermione was able to do yet both of them had the same education. The only subject that he was able to surpass her skill was DADA. He thought that it was because each year there was something that had kept him from his studies. If he need to fight the dark lord then he will need to pull up his socks. Harry had launched into his studies. He had taken over 3 of the rooms of the Basement. Remus swore that 3 or 4 times there were explosions. They were when he was doing potion. Harry had done a complete re-education from scratch. He had started with his first year books Mainly DADA, Transfigation, Charms and Potions and completed all of them. Then he took on 2nd year and so on.
Harry spent most of his time studying or reading. When he got his pensive, he spent 2 days with it. Harry still received lessons from Dumbledore on Occlumency when ever Dumbledore could spare time but Harry had gotten hang of building his walls really well and even Dumbledore had no fear of Harry being mislead. He would have to come face to face with Voldemort to be able to affect him. That also was getting difficult. Harry was also being small lessons in Legilimens.
He attended all the meetings, He even made a few suggestions. Nobody had disapproved of them. Molly was still furious that he was able to attend. The 2 days before his birthday Harry had finished with all the DADA, Transfigation and Charms studies till the fifth year. He still was stuck in fourth year potions. He refused any help from any of the members of Order with it. Harry enjoyed it also. He sometimes would toss in some other ingredients than were actually required and enjoy the effects. He also used to have good food from Dobby and Winky had sent Harry's body into overdrive. He had put on a lot of weight and height.
Finally the day before his birthday, The Weasleys and Hermione, Neville and his Grandmom, Luna and Her Father arrived at 12 Grimmauld Place. All of them were seated at the Dining room. Ron said "Hey where is Harry? is he here?"
Remus looked up "Ho yes. He is in the basement."
Hermione looked shocked "Does he lock himself in there?" think that he was in so much depression that he had locked himself in the basement
"Ho Yes." replied Remus looking very grim.
Hermione and Ginny seemed to be on the verge of crying just then there was this sonic BOOOOOM the rocked the house. All the new arrivals were ready to run in various directions. Some were saying "Deatheater Attack." It took Remus some time to convince then that it was just Harry. Just as they were all settling down, a soot covered Harry came into the room. He seemed to deep in thought. He sat at the table. Dobby kept a plate in front of him. Harry did not even seem to realize that he was eating lunch. Just then Severus and Dumbledore walked in. Harry saw the potion master and said, "Just the person I was lookin for. What is the difference between adding a hippogriffs hair and adding a Griffin hair in a dazzling potion?"
Snape who was used to the fact that Harry was putting a real effort to study potions answered all his question quietly. "Difference in magical property. Griffins are more magical. Golden Griffins are the most magical. There is some powerful potion that can be brewed with the Golden griffins Hair. Don't add a griffin hair in a Dazzling potion from third year. You don't want to know what happens. Then again looks like you do."
"Ho yes." This was when Harry realized that his plate was empty and he took out his wand and magicked his plate clean. Hermione and Ginny screamed. Ron started shouting.
Harry looked up and said, "Hey when did you guys come here?"
"You did magic. You want to be expelled."
"Ho Yes can't wait to be expelled." Harry returned, He had a mischievous gleam in his eye. But that seem to evade the rest of them. Hermione was starting to lecture Harry when Tonks came in, whispered something in Albus's ear. Albus went tense. Harry knew this was not good. "An emergency meeting called in one hour" was all the old man said before he exited the room. Harry and Remus started to call all the members of the Order in for the meeting. Soon the room was filled. Molly hounded all the younger people and the Non members out of the room. Ron came over to Harry and said "Hey lets go up. I have a couple of extendable ears." Harry turned to Ron and said "Sorry Ron. They won't work. The room is warded. You go up. I will be up as soon as I can." Ron said "Ok"
Ron, Ginny, Hermione, Luna & Neville waited in Harry's Room for him. He never came. When they heard the meeting ended they came out and the looked down the stair. Most of the members were leaving. When they returned to the kitchen. Dumbledore was having a discussion with Harry and Snape. Neither Harry nor Severus seemed to have a problem with each other. When Hermione and the rest tried to ask what the discussion was about. Harry simply said "Order Business." and returned to the discussion leaving them standing in the cold. A couple of hours later they found Harry sitting in front of his desk in his room. He seemed to be looking deep in thought. There was this stone basin in front of him with silver liquid was swirling. Harry looked up and smiled at them as the came into his room. Harry asked them "How are you guys?"
"Harry!" Hermione said, obviously wanting to talk about Sirius.
Harry merely said "hey, I am fine. Really. I have been getting better all the time. Now I have accepted everything."
Ron felt the need to change the subject and said, "So is that a pensive?"
"Ya. Mine."
"Wow. They are really expensive."
"Yes I know. I paid for it. But it was worth it."
"So what is in there? Can we see some of your memories."
"No. I have put a personalized charm on it. Only I have access to it. You will have to break the charm. But it will make the pensive throw all the memory out. So it will not work."
"Hey you can show us what is in there. Right"
"Some of it. Yes. But most of them. No. Sorry they are private."
Hermione then suddenly asked "Harry. Did you attend the Meeting?"
"Yes" was all Harry said
Ron was elated "Great. So tell us, what was it about."
"Sorry I cant."
Hermione added, "Harry but you have to. Something really bad happened."
"Yes. Very bad."
Ron said, "So tell us."
"I cant."
"And why not" Ginny added
"Because I have been told not to."
"So Harry when have you been one to follow the rules" Neville commented.
Hermione added "And we are also your best friends. You can tell us. You trust us." realizing that Harry would not give in that easily. He needed to be pushed into a corner. Just as she had made him accept to teach DA. Harry was prepared for this. Hermione decided she needed a small low blow "Harry before you go do something rash you need to get your thoughts organized. We are your friends. We will help you there."
Harry merely pointed to the pensive and said "That is what I use the pensive for. It is of great help."
Ginny caught onto what Hermione had said and added "Yes but that cannot replace True Best Friends."
Harry had got them exactly where he wanted. He decided that it was time to really lay the trap "Ho!! That is true. Best friends do not hid thing from each other. They always tell each other the truth. I can rely on you all. Mostly Ron, Hermione and Ginny." All of them were eagerly nodding their heads. "Well, like friends who will not tell me where they were last year. friends who know at least something's were going on and did not tell me. Because they were sworn to secrecy. Now what happened to all that. No. This is not like that I suppose. The rules of Friendship are different for different people. Maybe. But sorry guys. Gave Dumbledore my word. Cant say a thing."
Hermione, Ron and Ginny looked like they had just been struck in the face. Luna and Neville were just staring at each other and the other.
Harry looked at the 3 of them in the eye and said "Please could all of you be a true friend and leave now. I really need to get some thoughts organized."
The shocked group made their way to the dining table. Molly asked them "Where is Harry? Dinner is almost ready."
Just then Dumbledore joined the group.
Neville said, "He is using his Pensive."
Dobby suddenly appeared and said, "I gave Master Harry his Dinner. He said that he would eat and is go to sleep after that. He asked me to tell Dumbledore that they were stupid." Hermione noted that Dobby had added 'Master before Harry's Name.'
Dumbledore nodded, seemed relived. Hermione, Ginny took it in the wrong way and started crying. Ron just sat there looking heart broken. Lupin looked at them and said "I don't think he meant you. It is about someone that we spoke of in the meeting." At this the rest of them quieted down. Neville sat down and told Dumbledore and Remus of what Harry had said.
Next day breakfast was a tense affair. None of the group was able to lookup and meet Harry's eyes. Harry was doing magic left right and center. He then went and sat and read some of the books that he had bought during his trip to Diagon Alley. He noticed that the group went up to the girls bed room and were having a discussion. After an hour they all came down and stood before him. Hermione said, "To start. We want you to know that we are very sorry. What we did was not right and you were right in saying what you did. But you should tell your friends. You will only receive good advice from them. We were all there when you went into the Mysteries Department so you know that you can trust us with anything."
Harry looked up from the book and said "Part of what you have said is right. Apology accepted. But I don't think it is the right time or the place to discuss Order Business. Also if you want to 'lets just say, Go to Hell maybe to do something like that' I will be happy to accompany you to pay you all back on the fact that you all have accompanied me on this stupidity of mine."
Hermione spluttered "Bu Bu. Hooooo!!!" and stormed off. The rest of the groups right on her tail.
"Harry!" said the Headmaster "Practicing manipulation skills?"
"No Sir. They are my best friends. But like you said 'There is only so much that a person must know'. Am I right or wrong in doing so?"
Dumbledore smiled and thought 'The boy was improving. Even the order has started acknowledging this. Soon he may even manipulate me. Good, He need to learn well.'
There was a party that evening. Harry's Birthday party. It was supposed to be a surprise but Harry knew about it. He cut a enormous Chocolate cake made by Dobby and Winky.
He had found a large pile of gifts on the table after cutting his cake. He then opened his presents. Remus had given him the book "Guide to Animagi."
Hermione gave him a new pair of specs. All the had to do was tap it once with his wand and the correct lenses would appear, Ron gave him a book on Quidditch moves, Luna of course give him a lifelong subscription to Quibber and a wrist wand holder, one flick and the wand would be in his hand. Neville gave him a Rememberall.
The Twins gave him a box with all their latest inventions. Mr. & Mrs. Weasley gave him some home made chocolate.
Moddy gave him a book on Invisibility, Tonks a book on Altering the way one looks, Kingley a book on dueling. The Teachers had gathered together and given him books that he would need for the coming year. Dumbledore gave him a book on Occlumency & Legilimens. Harry had never got so many presents. This was one of the most happy days in his life ever.
Then He suddenly felt a tear coming down his cheek. There was no gift from Sirius this year.
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Thanks gummie-bare, for you review. :)
Harry though that there was so much that Hermione was able to do yet both of them had the same education. The only subject that he was able to surpass her skill was DADA. He thought that it was because each year there was something that had kept him from his studies. If he need to fight the dark lord then he will need to pull up his socks. Harry had launched into his studies. He had taken over 3 of the rooms of the Basement. Remus swore that 3 or 4 times there were explosions. They were when he was doing potion. Harry had done a complete re-education from scratch. He had started with his first year books Mainly DADA, Transfigation, Charms and Potions and completed all of them. Then he took on 2nd year and so on.
Harry spent most of his time studying or reading. When he got his pensive, he spent 2 days with it. Harry still received lessons from Dumbledore on Occlumency when ever Dumbledore could spare time but Harry had gotten hang of building his walls really well and even Dumbledore had no fear of Harry being mislead. He would have to come face to face with Voldemort to be able to affect him. That also was getting difficult. Harry was also being small lessons in Legilimens.
He attended all the meetings, He even made a few suggestions. Nobody had disapproved of them. Molly was still furious that he was able to attend. The 2 days before his birthday Harry had finished with all the DADA, Transfigation and Charms studies till the fifth year. He still was stuck in fourth year potions. He refused any help from any of the members of Order with it. Harry enjoyed it also. He sometimes would toss in some other ingredients than were actually required and enjoy the effects. He also used to have good food from Dobby and Winky had sent Harry's body into overdrive. He had put on a lot of weight and height.
Finally the day before his birthday, The Weasleys and Hermione, Neville and his Grandmom, Luna and Her Father arrived at 12 Grimmauld Place. All of them were seated at the Dining room. Ron said "Hey where is Harry? is he here?"
Remus looked up "Ho yes. He is in the basement."
Hermione looked shocked "Does he lock himself in there?" think that he was in so much depression that he had locked himself in the basement
"Ho Yes." replied Remus looking very grim.
Hermione and Ginny seemed to be on the verge of crying just then there was this sonic BOOOOOM the rocked the house. All the new arrivals were ready to run in various directions. Some were saying "Deatheater Attack." It took Remus some time to convince then that it was just Harry. Just as they were all settling down, a soot covered Harry came into the room. He seemed to deep in thought. He sat at the table. Dobby kept a plate in front of him. Harry did not even seem to realize that he was eating lunch. Just then Severus and Dumbledore walked in. Harry saw the potion master and said, "Just the person I was lookin for. What is the difference between adding a hippogriffs hair and adding a Griffin hair in a dazzling potion?"
Snape who was used to the fact that Harry was putting a real effort to study potions answered all his question quietly. "Difference in magical property. Griffins are more magical. Golden Griffins are the most magical. There is some powerful potion that can be brewed with the Golden griffins Hair. Don't add a griffin hair in a Dazzling potion from third year. You don't want to know what happens. Then again looks like you do."
"Ho yes." This was when Harry realized that his plate was empty and he took out his wand and magicked his plate clean. Hermione and Ginny screamed. Ron started shouting.
Harry looked up and said, "Hey when did you guys come here?"
"You did magic. You want to be expelled."
"Ho Yes can't wait to be expelled." Harry returned, He had a mischievous gleam in his eye. But that seem to evade the rest of them. Hermione was starting to lecture Harry when Tonks came in, whispered something in Albus's ear. Albus went tense. Harry knew this was not good. "An emergency meeting called in one hour" was all the old man said before he exited the room. Harry and Remus started to call all the members of the Order in for the meeting. Soon the room was filled. Molly hounded all the younger people and the Non members out of the room. Ron came over to Harry and said "Hey lets go up. I have a couple of extendable ears." Harry turned to Ron and said "Sorry Ron. They won't work. The room is warded. You go up. I will be up as soon as I can." Ron said "Ok"
Ron, Ginny, Hermione, Luna & Neville waited in Harry's Room for him. He never came. When they heard the meeting ended they came out and the looked down the stair. Most of the members were leaving. When they returned to the kitchen. Dumbledore was having a discussion with Harry and Snape. Neither Harry nor Severus seemed to have a problem with each other. When Hermione and the rest tried to ask what the discussion was about. Harry simply said "Order Business." and returned to the discussion leaving them standing in the cold. A couple of hours later they found Harry sitting in front of his desk in his room. He seemed to be looking deep in thought. There was this stone basin in front of him with silver liquid was swirling. Harry looked up and smiled at them as the came into his room. Harry asked them "How are you guys?"
"Harry!" Hermione said, obviously wanting to talk about Sirius.
Harry merely said "hey, I am fine. Really. I have been getting better all the time. Now I have accepted everything."
Ron felt the need to change the subject and said, "So is that a pensive?"
"Ya. Mine."
"Wow. They are really expensive."
"Yes I know. I paid for it. But it was worth it."
"So what is in there? Can we see some of your memories."
"No. I have put a personalized charm on it. Only I have access to it. You will have to break the charm. But it will make the pensive throw all the memory out. So it will not work."
"Hey you can show us what is in there. Right"
"Some of it. Yes. But most of them. No. Sorry they are private."
Hermione then suddenly asked "Harry. Did you attend the Meeting?"
"Yes" was all Harry said
Ron was elated "Great. So tell us, what was it about."
"Sorry I cant."
Hermione added, "Harry but you have to. Something really bad happened."
"Yes. Very bad."
Ron said, "So tell us."
"I cant."
"And why not" Ginny added
"Because I have been told not to."
"So Harry when have you been one to follow the rules" Neville commented.
Hermione added "And we are also your best friends. You can tell us. You trust us." realizing that Harry would not give in that easily. He needed to be pushed into a corner. Just as she had made him accept to teach DA. Harry was prepared for this. Hermione decided she needed a small low blow "Harry before you go do something rash you need to get your thoughts organized. We are your friends. We will help you there."
Harry merely pointed to the pensive and said "That is what I use the pensive for. It is of great help."
Ginny caught onto what Hermione had said and added "Yes but that cannot replace True Best Friends."
Harry had got them exactly where he wanted. He decided that it was time to really lay the trap "Ho!! That is true. Best friends do not hid thing from each other. They always tell each other the truth. I can rely on you all. Mostly Ron, Hermione and Ginny." All of them were eagerly nodding their heads. "Well, like friends who will not tell me where they were last year. friends who know at least something's were going on and did not tell me. Because they were sworn to secrecy. Now what happened to all that. No. This is not like that I suppose. The rules of Friendship are different for different people. Maybe. But sorry guys. Gave Dumbledore my word. Cant say a thing."
Hermione, Ron and Ginny looked like they had just been struck in the face. Luna and Neville were just staring at each other and the other.
Harry looked at the 3 of them in the eye and said "Please could all of you be a true friend and leave now. I really need to get some thoughts organized."
The shocked group made their way to the dining table. Molly asked them "Where is Harry? Dinner is almost ready."
Just then Dumbledore joined the group.
Neville said, "He is using his Pensive."
Dobby suddenly appeared and said, "I gave Master Harry his Dinner. He said that he would eat and is go to sleep after that. He asked me to tell Dumbledore that they were stupid." Hermione noted that Dobby had added 'Master before Harry's Name.'
Dumbledore nodded, seemed relived. Hermione, Ginny took it in the wrong way and started crying. Ron just sat there looking heart broken. Lupin looked at them and said "I don't think he meant you. It is about someone that we spoke of in the meeting." At this the rest of them quieted down. Neville sat down and told Dumbledore and Remus of what Harry had said.
Next day breakfast was a tense affair. None of the group was able to lookup and meet Harry's eyes. Harry was doing magic left right and center. He then went and sat and read some of the books that he had bought during his trip to Diagon Alley. He noticed that the group went up to the girls bed room and were having a discussion. After an hour they all came down and stood before him. Hermione said, "To start. We want you to know that we are very sorry. What we did was not right and you were right in saying what you did. But you should tell your friends. You will only receive good advice from them. We were all there when you went into the Mysteries Department so you know that you can trust us with anything."
Harry looked up from the book and said "Part of what you have said is right. Apology accepted. But I don't think it is the right time or the place to discuss Order Business. Also if you want to 'lets just say, Go to Hell maybe to do something like that' I will be happy to accompany you to pay you all back on the fact that you all have accompanied me on this stupidity of mine."
Hermione spluttered "Bu Bu. Hooooo!!!" and stormed off. The rest of the groups right on her tail.
"Harry!" said the Headmaster "Practicing manipulation skills?"
"No Sir. They are my best friends. But like you said 'There is only so much that a person must know'. Am I right or wrong in doing so?"
Dumbledore smiled and thought 'The boy was improving. Even the order has started acknowledging this. Soon he may even manipulate me. Good, He need to learn well.'
There was a party that evening. Harry's Birthday party. It was supposed to be a surprise but Harry knew about it. He cut a enormous Chocolate cake made by Dobby and Winky.
He had found a large pile of gifts on the table after cutting his cake. He then opened his presents. Remus had given him the book "Guide to Animagi."
Hermione gave him a new pair of specs. All the had to do was tap it once with his wand and the correct lenses would appear, Ron gave him a book on Quidditch moves, Luna of course give him a lifelong subscription to Quibber and a wrist wand holder, one flick and the wand would be in his hand. Neville gave him a Rememberall.
The Twins gave him a box with all their latest inventions. Mr. & Mrs. Weasley gave him some home made chocolate.
Moddy gave him a book on Invisibility, Tonks a book on Altering the way one looks, Kingley a book on dueling. The Teachers had gathered together and given him books that he would need for the coming year. Dumbledore gave him a book on Occlumency & Legilimens. Harry had never got so many presents. This was one of the most happy days in his life ever.
Then He suddenly felt a tear coming down his cheek. There was no gift from Sirius this year.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks gummie-bare, for you review. :)
