Chapter 3. A Day of Surprises
Harry turned to see who was at the door. A tall, thin man entered and closed the door. He was dressed in ochre robes and had a dark gray beard. He removed his hat to reveal a balding head. He looked at Harry as if he were appraising an enemy.
"Ah, Meryl. I was hoping you would be able to make it. Were you successful?" queried Dumbledore.
"Aye, Albus. It took us the better part of two days. No one had ever successfully crossed and been returned before, so we weren't sure what to expect," replied the other man wearily.
Professor Dumbledore turned to Harry. "Harry, this is Meryl Bek. He is an Unspeakable for the Ministry of Magic. He is as good a friend and as clever a wizard as you can ask for. He has a certain knack for understanding things that no one else can, including ancient magic.
"Late last year, he was researching a potential counter spell for the Avada Kedavra curse when he came upon a book that described all manner of spells regarding death. Now this book is written in ancient runes, not easily decipherable. He uncovered a spell that no one had ever thought possible…and he comes here today with a gift for you, Harry."
"A gift? Wait a tick…an Unspeakable? As in someone who works in the Department of Mysteries?" asked an anxious Harry.
"Harry, my job at the Ministry is not usually discussed outside of my department. But I was directed 2 days ago to attempt something that I doubted possible. I have been an Unspeakable for 20 years and I have seen things that would shock you beyond anything most people ever imagine. But when I was told that this is for you, I knew that we had to make an attempt. You are one of the few people that have seen what we have seen and we feel a special bond for you, as does the Minister," Meryl grinned.
"The Minister? I thought they hadn't chosen a new Minister yet," said Harry.
Professor Dumbledore smiled. "The new Minister was elected two days ago at a special meeting. He will be in attendance later today. His identity has been kept a secret from everyone until today."
Meryl smiled as well and moved toward the door. He opened and said something that Harry could not make out. He closed the door and came back to Harry.
Harry looked at Meryl. "Sir, do you need a drink or a bite to eat? Maybe you would prefer to sit and rest?"
"I am a bit thirsty," said Meryl, smiling.
Harry looked at Dumbledore who nodded. He moved to the side of the room where the Headmaster kept his refreshments. Carefully he took two cups and poured a bit of Ogden's Old Fire Whiskey into them. He handed one each to the others and went to stroke Fawkes while the others chatted.
There was another knock at the door. Meryl went over and opened it. In walked a large man in black robes with dark black hair, slightly graying. Harry leapt out of the chair and into the man's arms.
"Welcome back, Sirius!" said a smiling Dumbledore.
After they finished their tea, Ginny, Hermione and Ron walked back towards the castle. The light blue of the sky and the lush green of the grass had Ron thinking.
"'Mione?" he asked hesitantly.
"Yes?" she replied.
"Do you remember the day we first kissed?"
"Of course, silly," she laughed. The rich sound of her laugh made Ron smile. "I probably remember it better than you do! It was our first Hogsmeade weekend last year. The weather was nice, and the four of us went together to the Three Broomsticks. Harry and Ginny went to look for a new quill while you and I went for a walk. Somehow, our hands found each others and before I knew it you kissed me."
Ron smiled. "As I remember…you kissed me back."
"And you two have been snogging since!" Ginny groaned, teasing.
Ginny looked up toward the doors. Two people in ochre robes walked in, followed by a man in a black hooded cape. The way he walked looked very familiar. "Come on, you two! I want to see who that is!"
"George! Fred! Would you please keep it down? I am trying to get ready…Graduations at 3 and we only have a couple more hours till we have to leave!" yelled Mrs. Weasley.
"No problem, Mum! We will get ready in 1 hour and 58 minutes!" laughed Fred.
Mrs. Weasley shook her head as she took the old photo album off the shelf. She sat down in the chair and leafed through the pages. Ron when he was born…Ginny on her first broomstick…Ron, Hermione and Harry their first year at school…the family portrait they had taken last Christmas…now that was an adventure!
All of the Weasley children plus Harry and Hermione were coming to the Burrow for Christmas, so Mr. and Mrs. Weasley decided to have a family portrait made. Christmas Day the entire clan got dressed up in their dress robes and waited for the photographer to arrive. While they were waiting, they were each given one present to open. Bill received his grandfather's pocket watch, Charlie got a pair of tickets to a Weird Sisters' concert and Percy got a new set of Chess men. Ron got 4 tickets to a Chudley Cannons (his favorite Quidditch team) game and Ginny got a gift subscription to "Witch Weekly" for a full year. Mr. Weasley got a new hat and Mrs. Weasley got a pair of earrings. The last two to get gifts were Ron and Hermione. Harry opened the long, slender box to reveal a black metal object with a hole in one end and his picture on the other. He held it up smiling as Hermione held up the same thing but with her picture on it.
"There you go, loves, now it's official. You are both Weasleys!" exclaimed Mrs. Weasley.
Harry looked up with tears in his eyes. "Thank you so much! No gift I have ever received or can ever receive will mean as much to me!"
"Same here," cried Hermione. "Thank you!"
All the family gathered around and there were many hugs as Mr. Weasley ceremoniously added the hands for Harry and Hermione to the family clock. As soon as they were attached they moved straight to "Home".
Just then the photographer arrived and the entire Weasley Family including Harry and Hermione had their picture taken.
Mrs. Weasley looked up and smiled at the clock. She saw one of the hands moving from "Work" to "School" while three others moved from "Work" to "Home". She wondered why Arthur went to Hogwart's already…
"Mum, we're home!" called Charlie as Mrs. Weasley entered the kitchen. "Dad wanted me to tell you that he had to take a note to Dumbledore so he will meet us there."
"Thank you, Charlie," smiled Mrs. Weasley. "Best pop upstairs and tidy up. We are leaving in 20 minutes. And get the Twins to hurry, please."
"No problem, Mum!" laughed Bill as he and Charlie took their wands out. Charlie put his finger to his lips and winked at Mrs. Weasley.
"Harry!" yelled Sirius as he ran to his godson and picked him up. "Harry. I never thought I would make it back."
"Me either!" joked Harry between sobs. "And Sirius…today is Graduation!"
Professor Dumbledore smiled. "That reminds me, Harry. Today is one of the most important days of your life. Cherish it, Harry. You above all must enjoy your last day at Hogwart's. Seven years goes by much too fast. You did not have a normal school life. Nor will you have a normal adult life. But remember you are just like everyone else…it's the events around you that make things appear otherwise.
"Sirius, I know you have many questions as well as Harry. Arthur has extended an invitation for you to come to their home for a few weeks to get reacquainted with Harry. You can get all your answers then. Harry, you should go prepare…you have less than an hour. I will keep Sirius entertained."
Harry didn't want to leave but he knew that Professor Dumbledore was right. He hugged Sirius and headed down to his room. As Head Boy, he had a private room on the fourth floor just below the Gryffindor common room. As he sat on his bed, he marveled at the day of surprises he was having.
He went to take a bath and get ready for the ceremony.
