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Chapter 1: Letters, letters, letters

Summer was soon coming to a close at 4, Privet Drive. Lying on the bed of the smallest bedroom, away from the scorching sun was a messy- haired, skinny boy by the name of Harry Potter. Harry looked like a normal boy to many of us but heaven knows that he was actually a wizard. A wizard fresh from his fifth year at Hogwarts, school of witchcraft and wizardry, a fact that his uncle and aunt had always been trying to hide. Having a wizard in their household was simply unbearable, which was part of the reason why Harry had always been so skinny.

He was lying in bed, counting down the days to which he had to return to Hogwarts. It still seemed a long way to go. As he was busily counting, a loud pecking sound on the window disrupted him.

"Control that ruddy owl of yours or it'll have to go!" yelled uncle Vernon at the top of his voice.

Harry knew perfectly well that Uncle Vernon didn't mean what he said as there would be people from the Order running down to that nice soft lawn of theirs if he didn't write to them every 3 days.

He opened the window wide enough for Hedwig, and to his surprise, another large barn owl flew in with it and landed on his bed. Hedwig had what looked like ten letters clipped neatly in its beak. And the barn owl had one which was clearly from Hogwarts as it bore the all-too-familiar seal. Harry fed it with some water and it flew off, delightedly. He tore open the cover carefully and took out the letter. It read:

"Dear Mr Potter,

Enclosed below are your results for your OWLs. You will also find, along with your results, the NEWT courses that you are advised to take. Please send your reply on whether you would like to have a change of courses or simply acknowledge that you have received the letter. School term still starts at usual but I'm afraid that you'll have to go back a little earlier as Professor Dumbledore might like to have a word with you, Mr Weasley and Ms Granger. You are reminded again that magic is not allowed outside Hogwarts during the holidays, but you are allowed to use it under certain special.

Your booklist for next year is also enclosed.

Yours sincerely, Professor M. MsGonagall Deputy Headmistress

"O.W.L. results for Mr. Harry James Potter,

Potions: Outstanding

Defense Against the Dark Arts: Outstanding

Care of Magical Creatures: Outstanding

Charms: Outstanding

Transfiguration: Outstanding

Herbology: Exceeds Expectations

Astronomy: Poor

History of Magic: Poor

Divination: Dreadful

Total amount of OWLs: Six"

NEWT courses that you are advised to take:

NEWT charms

NEWT transfiguration

NEWT potions

NEWT herbology

NEWT defense against dark arts

NEWT care of magical creatures

End of letter"

Harry gasped at his results. Never had he ever expected these. Not even in his wildest dreams. 6 OWLS! His eyes widened with excitement as he read on. He's got all the subjects needed to become an auror. He punched his fist into the air with a tiny yelp of happiness, determined to keep it as soft as possible so as not to let Uncle Vernon find another excuse to punish him for. With the last pleasing look at it, he put it away delightfully and went on to the heap of letters that was brought to him my Hedwig. And right on top was a letter from Ron. Harry tore open the untidily written envelope and poured out its contents. Out flew a two feet long piece of parchment, which was quite a surprise to Harry, as he knew that Ron would rather scrub a toilet bowl with his bare hands that write lines. Curious as to why Ron had got so much to write, he proceeded on to read it.

"Dear Harry,

How's your holidays? Are the Dursleys still being mean to you mate? You can always complain to us if they dare to bully you. Just to let you know, Hermione and me are back at you know where. Just received our OWL results. Well my results and NEWT courses are attached below."

"That explains the thickness," Harry concluded, continuing to read the rest.

"Then you know, I've gotten outstanding for charms, herbology and defense against dark arts. You can see the rest for yourself. How about you?"

Harry sighed. He didn't exactly feel like writing. "I'll just attach my results." He thought, eyes reading the next line.

"A lot has been going on here. The daily prophet is quite an interesting thing to read nowadays although we don't trust it hundred per cent anymore. Not after what they had reported about you. I can't say much, but you'll know when we meet.

Take care alright? Fred and George are making heaps and we've managed to renovate the burrow a bit. Now it's much better and we're quite satisfied at the moment with our house. Mom didn't really scold them, but she did grumble a bit about having explosions in the house. All in all, I'd say she's quite pleased.

I'm sure you understand why you have to stay with the Dursleys. I bet they aren't mistreating you. At least not that much now, after what dad told them. Anyway, they're all trying to get you here as soon as possible, so don't worry!

Pig is sick. I wonder what happened to him. We certainly owe you the thousand galleons. You can bet another thousand galleons that you will get it back in no time at all.

Best regards,

Ron

P.S. Really wonder who Dumbledore's going to get for Defense against dark arts this year."

Harry put down the letter and tried to amuse himself by picturing Fred and George with big bellies and huge ears and couldn't help laughing. He really liked the Weasleys, although not really Percy, but they were the only family that cared about him like a son now. Especially after his death, Harry knew perfectly well that the only parental figures to him now were Mr and Mrs Weasley.

He picked up the next letter and recognized the familiar handwriting, Hermione's. He took out from the letter neatly written piece of paper and began to read:

"Dear Harry,

I'm currently at where Ron is at now. Which I don't think I need to mention just in case this owl gets intercepted. Nobody can be sure of owls these days. Well, I'm quite surprised with my OWL results. 10 OWLs. 9 Outstanding and 1 exceeding expectations. I'd say that mom and dad are quite glad with my results too. Professor McGonagall said that I was the best student in the whole year. But sad to say, we are only allowed to have 9 NEWT subjects, so I think I'll have to either drop a subject or resort to the time turner again.

I know that you must be really empty now that Sirius is dead. I must remind you that it's not your fault you know. After all, it was Voldermort who tricked you."

"Yeah right" thought Harry. "I was stupid enough to believe him."

"There's lots going on here, and we're quite busy at the moment. I'm looking forward to meeting you. In the earlier part of the holiday, my parents and I went to Italy! The food there is absolutely delicious! But I came back early, they'll understand.

The exchange rate is going down! I guess its cause our wizarding world isn't putting much effort in it. You know, the ministry is concentrating on the other stuff.

That's all for the moment, I think. I will inform you if anything important happens here.

Hermione"

Harry sighed. Thinking of Ron and Hermione together at Sirius's house having fun was making him jealous. He sighed again and picked up the next letter.

"Dear Harry,

By now I believe that you've accepted the fact that Sirius is dead. Do not be grieved by what the past holds but look forward to what the future creates. I hope that you could free yourself from the dark clutches of the past and pick yourself up. Let's not talk about the sad things anymore.

Firstly, I would like to congratulate you on you wonderful OWLs. I saw the results personally and found them very satisfying. You are the only person in the school, apart from Ms Granger of course, who qualifies for the auror training. I heard from Professor McGonagall that you want to be an auror. If you really wish to be one, you can feel free to come to me if you've got any inquiries regarding the work of an auror.

Secondly, I wish to organise a supplementary Defense Against Dark Arts class. I'm not sure if you know, but the members in the group which you, Miss Granger and Mr Weasly formed last year all got quite high marks for their Defense against dark arts. I also think that learning the appropriate spells to protect themselves is important, especially during this period of time. So I would like you, Mr Weasley and Ms Granger to help me organise another Defense against dark arts class. I've already told Ms. Granger that we would be going back to school three days before term starts to plan the lessons. I'll also pick you up from your Uncle's house two weeks before term starts to where the Weasleys are at now.

Thirdly, I think that I ought to let you know that when Sirius was nearly caught in the floo network by Umbridge, he wrote a will. The will, I believe is sent along with this letter. Take a look at it.

Lastly, I would like to wish you a happy birthday. As I'll be quite busy during the holidays for some restricted work, I'd like to give you an advanced birthday present. Hope you will like it. However, I am afraid that it may be too much responsibility. Therefore if you can prove yourself to be able to cope for a month, the position is permanently yours. Unless, of course, you break any school rules seriously.

Albus Dumbledore

P.S. You are to report to the prefects' headmistress on the first day of school."

"Why do I need to report to the prefects' headmistress?" Harry asked himself.

But what fell of the envelope answered all his doubts. A prefects badge! He surveyed the badge at all angles and beamed proudly at it. Putting it away carefully, he opened the forth letter, which was apparently a nasty one:

"Attention Potter,

You are to report to me first Tuesday of the week for lessons on you know what. I have decided to forgive you for what you did. Report to my dungeon at 8p.m. sharp. I will not tolerate any more nonsense from you. If you fail to turn up, I will be glad to remove 50 points from Gryffindor. Practice before you come or of course, I would be delighted to deduct more points.

Professor S. Snape

Potions Master at Hogwarts,

School of witchcraft and wizardry

NEARLY Order of Merlin

Third Class."

Having Occumency lessons with Snape was certainly not something that Harry looked forward to very much. Driving the thought of stuffing Snape's mouth with blast ended skewts if he really took fifty points from Gryffindor out of his head, he went on to read the last letter of the stack. True to what Dumbledore had said in his letter, it was from Sirius.

"Dear Harry,

I believe that something bad has happened to me when you are reading this letter. I just want to say that you have been a wonderful godson to me. Your parents will be watching over you while I'm not around. You can bet that they are very proud of you. Here', I enclose your birthday presents for as long as I am not with you. Hope you'd like it."

Harry fought back his tears which were welling up in his eyes and continued to read.

"I, Sirius Black, is handing all my propeties to Mr Harry James Potter, including my house and my vault at Gringotts. I will hand them all to Mr Potter when he turns eighteen but in the meantime, they will be in the hands of Albus Dumbledore."

Harry put down Sirius's letter and sighed. That was it. Sirius's last letter to him. And what seemed like 10 letters were actually 5. At least he got some.

Harry yawned. It was getting late. He took off his glasses, put them by the bedside, and lay on the bed.

He was still afraid to sleep, because of certain events that happened before the holidays. However, there was not much he could do, after all, he was very, very tired.

He started thinking of Ron, Hermione and of course, the Order. The Order. Sirius. No....

Harry couldn't bear it anymore. He tried to think of something else. They were coming to pick him up. Yes, but when? Harry sincerely hoped it was soon. Although the Dursleys were treating him much better now, he kind of missed a bit more freedom. Harry thought of the things he could do at the Burrow. He thought of playing quidditch with Ron and the twins. Soon, his mind was drifting off, and he was outside the burrow playing quidditch with them. He felt the cool air whoosh past him and everyone was having lots of fun.

Suddenly, everything went dark. Before harry could respond, a dark glow illuminated the scene. He was sitting on a cold, hard couch, and a woman in dark robes was kneeling before him.

"I am very disappointed in you Lestrange," Harry said in a high cold voice, that was certainly not his

"Master, I crave your pardon. I didn't know."

"That's no excuse, you could have been more observant."

"Master, I." whimpered the woman, obviously frightened "It was a mistake, a mistake.I won't do it again."

"You should know what to expect when you fail my duties," said Harry, " you clearly were not doing your task well"

"No. master. Please.I." Harry's thoughts drowned her words. Where shall I aim? He pondered, taking delight in her fear, devouring it inside her like a source of food. Yet he was angry with her, for she had feared him. Finally, deciding on her chest, he raised his wand.

"No master.please."

"Crucio!"

Every second the curse lasted, Harry's anger seemed to be lessened. The woman continued screaming, writhing on the ground. Harry inspected his nails idly. He screamed. They were deathly white and seemed wrinkled and stretched at the same time.

He woke up with a start. Uncle Vernon was banging on the door furiously.

"Shut that ruddy mouth of yours or you'll never see daylight again!" He bellowed. Harry ignored the threat. He knew that the members of the order would come after him if he did. Harry panted, totally exhausted. He recalled his dream and realised something. He could even think as Voldermort. Instead of just feeling his mood, he could read Voldermort's mind this time. The Occumency lessons certainly were not working.

A/N: yeah. That's about it all for the first chapter. Hope you like it. Reviews please if you'd like. Thank you for reading.