Chapter 2: Bad news and good news
The sun was about to rise and bath houses of Privet Drive, Surrey in its light and warm. It promised to be another day with high temperature without any drop of water from the cloudless sky. Swimming pool would once again become the most precious treasure, people would be sunbathing or eating meals outside, because it was unbearable to be in house during the day, even with air condition, everybody would be enjoying perfect summer. Everybody except for Harry Potter
Harry was lying on his bed, still in unease sleep. Streams of sweat were trickling down his forehead, as he was twitching, his mind still in his naightmares.
"I shall fulfil your wish. Farewell. Avada Kedavra!" he muttered.
He awoke with a start, looked around him. Realizing where he was, he let out a sigh of relief. Knowing that it would be impossible to fall asleep again, he got up and went to bathroom. He washed his face and looked at his reflection in the mirror. His face was swollen, skin was as white as walls and his eyes were puffy. He barely slept lately and when he managed to drift to sleep, he was haunted by nightmares.
It was always the same. Cedric lying dead on the ground of graveyard, duel with Voldemort, Sirius falling through the Veil, the feeling when he was possessed by Voldemort. Sometimes another images appeared- ruins of Hogwarts, Hermione and all Weaslys lying crumpled on the floor, dead and Sirius, his face sullen, saying "It's your fault I´m dead Harry, it´s entirely your fault." He would awake wet from sweat, his scar would throb uncomfortably. Mercifully, he would almost forget the dreams instantly.
"Oh, Sirius, if I hadn't played hero, you would be alive. You are right. It IS only my fault you are dead. If I only listened to Dumbledore and learned to master Occlumency." he said to himself. He missed his Godfather very much. His parents had been murdered when he was one year old and Sirius was the closest thing to parent Harry ever had. And no he was gone too.
He dressed himself in his shabby muggle clothes and went downstairs to have something for breakfast. The Dursleys, the only relatives he had left, used to be mean to him and hadn't fed him properly, until last summer, when his former Professor Remus Lupin and other members of the Order of Phoenix threatened them. From that time he could eat how many he wanted, but on the other hand the Dursleys were ignoring him completely. He appreciated that at first, but after four weeks, when he had no one to talk he would be happy to hear uncle Vernon yelling at him, just to assure himself, that he still existed. Deeply in thoughts, he walked down stairs, but suddenly stopped. He could hear quiet voices.
"Petunia, dear, I can't manage another night like this. That Potter boy was muttering and screaming in his sleep again. I still don't understand why they are not police officers at our door, aiming at us with guns and demanding immediate relase of our hostage." Uncle Vernon growled. "Why can't we just send him to an orphanage?"
"I told you hundred times that he has to stay. And don't ask me why, I am not telling you." came Aunt Petunia's respond.
"Petunia, be reasonable..." Vernon started, but at that moment Harry entered the room.
"Morning..." he said gloomily.
No response.
Harry went to a fridge, opened it and grabbed some food. He sat down at the table, ignoring hateful glances from his fosters. He was just about to bite from his sandwich when headline on morning newspaper caught his attention. He managed to read A mysterious deaths in Prague, when uncle Vernon turned to another page. Latest newspaper were full of such headlines and Harry knew why. It was now useless for Voldemort to stay low and he again started his reign of terror. Not hungry anymore, he abandoned his sandwich and left for his room again.
When he entered his room, an owl was waiting for him with Daily Prophet tied to its leg. He untied the knot, took the newspaper and deposited a silver Sickle to leather pouch tied to owls leg. He unrolled the Daily Prophet and gasped in horror. On the first page was picture of bodies lying on the street. He began to read an article.
Karkaroffs body found in Prague
Today, in early hours, muggle policemen in Prague, Czech Republic,
were called to a scene of crime by many frightened muggles. They
found a horrific sight. Twenty one dead bodies were sprawled across
the small compound in Old town. Apparently these persons just died
for no reason, although according to witnesses, they were murdered
by a group of robed people, wearing masks, killing with green flashes
of light, erupting from what it seemed to be wooden sticks.
Representatives of Czech Ministry of Magic were summoned to the
scene of crime immediately and discovered, that You-Know-Who, and
his supporters, known as the Death Eaters were behind this attack.
A team was dispatched to clear the scene and modify memory of all
witnesses and policemen.
This is by far the highest death toll since You-Know-Who return,
that he is responsible for. It is also believed that Karkaroff, former
Headmaster of Durmstrang, wizard school in Romania, is amongst
the dead.
Harry flickered through the rest of the Daily Prophet. Entire wizard world was in panic. Many people disappeared, many muggle-born witches and wizards have handed out their wands and broke any relation to wizard world. As he was reading his newspaper he suddenly remembered his latest dream. He actually saw the death of Karkaroff.
This can mean only one thing. There is still connection between my and Voldemort´s mind, he thought.
He immediately took some parchment and ink from his closet, dipped his quill and wrote a letter to Dumbledore.
Dear Sir
I'm sure you are aware of recent incident in Prague of death of
Mr. Karkaroff. The reason I am writing you is that I saw it all,
in my dreams. The connection between my and Voldemort´s mind
is still active. I'm afraid something like last year can happen.
Please advice me.
Hope you are well.
Harry Potter
He opened cage, which stood on his table and a beautiful snow-white owl flew out. It was Hedwig, his pet and the only company he had.
"Hedwig, I need you to take this to Dumbledore, quickly." He told her, tying the letter to Hedwigs leg.
She hooted reassuringly and took of immediately.
Harry was just about to close the window, when he spotted two owls closing in fast.
The first one, a big brown one landed on his table neatly, dropping a letter with a Hogwarts sign and taking of immediately. The second one was tiny and it zoomed around his room excitedly. Harry snatched it and the owl hooted happily. Pig, he thought for himself. He took the letter, recognising the untidy writing as Ron's. He released Pig, who drank a little water from Hedwigs cage and took of immidietly too.
He opened the Ron's letter first.
Dear Harry,
Haven't heard from you for quite a long time from you, mate.
We are really worried about you, Hermione, Ginny and me. I can't
wait to see you again, but Dumbledore insists on you staying there
He says that you will know why.
Anyway, we are going to Grimwald place tomorrow and we are going
to stay there for the rest of our holiday, so we will meet you here.
Harry, I just want to let you know that we are here for you.
Ron
Harry reread the short letter thrice. Tears were trickling down his face. He moped them moped with sleeve of his shirt. Oh, how he missed them. But he was not talking to them for no reason. It was all because of that stupid prophecy. He was destined either a victim or a murderer. Anyone who was with him was in danger, he thought, remembering the fateful night at the Department of Mysteries, when Sirius was killed and his friends were injured.
He grabbed the second letters only to cone across another thoughts. He ripped it open, took out the letter and started to read.
Dear Mr. Potter,
Enclosed in this letter are your O.W.L.´s results and the list of
your N.E.W.T.´s classes you will attend to in this year. You will find
your list of needed books other supplies at the end of this letter.
P.S. Due to "resignation" of Ms. Umbridge you have been given back
the position of Seeker in Gryffindor Quiditch team. I would also like
to offer you a position of Captain. Please, let me know as soon possible
wheter you accept.
O.W.L.´s results
Defence Against the Dark Arts: Outstanding
Charms: Outstanding
Transfiguration: Exceeds Expectations
Herbology: Exceeds Expectations
Potions: Exceeds Expectations
History of Magic: Poor
Astronomy: Acceptable
Divination: Dreadful
Care of Magical Creatures: Outstanding
N.E.W.T.´s classes
Defence Against the Dark Arts
Charms
Transfiguration
Potions
Care of Magical Creatures
Herbology
P.S. It was very hard to get you into Potions without O
mark. I told Professor Snape that you will get good marks.
So do me a favour and study hard this year, will you?
Hope you are well,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy of Headmaster
Harry groaned. This looked like a hardest year ever.
The sun was about to rise and bath houses of Privet Drive, Surrey in its light and warm. It promised to be another day with high temperature without any drop of water from the cloudless sky. Swimming pool would once again become the most precious treasure, people would be sunbathing or eating meals outside, because it was unbearable to be in house during the day, even with air condition, everybody would be enjoying perfect summer. Everybody except for Harry Potter
Harry was lying on his bed, still in unease sleep. Streams of sweat were trickling down his forehead, as he was twitching, his mind still in his naightmares.
"I shall fulfil your wish. Farewell. Avada Kedavra!" he muttered.
He awoke with a start, looked around him. Realizing where he was, he let out a sigh of relief. Knowing that it would be impossible to fall asleep again, he got up and went to bathroom. He washed his face and looked at his reflection in the mirror. His face was swollen, skin was as white as walls and his eyes were puffy. He barely slept lately and when he managed to drift to sleep, he was haunted by nightmares.
It was always the same. Cedric lying dead on the ground of graveyard, duel with Voldemort, Sirius falling through the Veil, the feeling when he was possessed by Voldemort. Sometimes another images appeared- ruins of Hogwarts, Hermione and all Weaslys lying crumpled on the floor, dead and Sirius, his face sullen, saying "It's your fault I´m dead Harry, it´s entirely your fault." He would awake wet from sweat, his scar would throb uncomfortably. Mercifully, he would almost forget the dreams instantly.
"Oh, Sirius, if I hadn't played hero, you would be alive. You are right. It IS only my fault you are dead. If I only listened to Dumbledore and learned to master Occlumency." he said to himself. He missed his Godfather very much. His parents had been murdered when he was one year old and Sirius was the closest thing to parent Harry ever had. And no he was gone too.
He dressed himself in his shabby muggle clothes and went downstairs to have something for breakfast. The Dursleys, the only relatives he had left, used to be mean to him and hadn't fed him properly, until last summer, when his former Professor Remus Lupin and other members of the Order of Phoenix threatened them. From that time he could eat how many he wanted, but on the other hand the Dursleys were ignoring him completely. He appreciated that at first, but after four weeks, when he had no one to talk he would be happy to hear uncle Vernon yelling at him, just to assure himself, that he still existed. Deeply in thoughts, he walked down stairs, but suddenly stopped. He could hear quiet voices.
"Petunia, dear, I can't manage another night like this. That Potter boy was muttering and screaming in his sleep again. I still don't understand why they are not police officers at our door, aiming at us with guns and demanding immediate relase of our hostage." Uncle Vernon growled. "Why can't we just send him to an orphanage?"
"I told you hundred times that he has to stay. And don't ask me why, I am not telling you." came Aunt Petunia's respond.
"Petunia, be reasonable..." Vernon started, but at that moment Harry entered the room.
"Morning..." he said gloomily.
No response.
Harry went to a fridge, opened it and grabbed some food. He sat down at the table, ignoring hateful glances from his fosters. He was just about to bite from his sandwich when headline on morning newspaper caught his attention. He managed to read A mysterious deaths in Prague, when uncle Vernon turned to another page. Latest newspaper were full of such headlines and Harry knew why. It was now useless for Voldemort to stay low and he again started his reign of terror. Not hungry anymore, he abandoned his sandwich and left for his room again.
When he entered his room, an owl was waiting for him with Daily Prophet tied to its leg. He untied the knot, took the newspaper and deposited a silver Sickle to leather pouch tied to owls leg. He unrolled the Daily Prophet and gasped in horror. On the first page was picture of bodies lying on the street. He began to read an article.
Karkaroffs body found in Prague
Today, in early hours, muggle policemen in Prague, Czech Republic,
were called to a scene of crime by many frightened muggles. They
found a horrific sight. Twenty one dead bodies were sprawled across
the small compound in Old town. Apparently these persons just died
for no reason, although according to witnesses, they were murdered
by a group of robed people, wearing masks, killing with green flashes
of light, erupting from what it seemed to be wooden sticks.
Representatives of Czech Ministry of Magic were summoned to the
scene of crime immediately and discovered, that You-Know-Who, and
his supporters, known as the Death Eaters were behind this attack.
A team was dispatched to clear the scene and modify memory of all
witnesses and policemen.
This is by far the highest death toll since You-Know-Who return,
that he is responsible for. It is also believed that Karkaroff, former
Headmaster of Durmstrang, wizard school in Romania, is amongst
the dead.
Harry flickered through the rest of the Daily Prophet. Entire wizard world was in panic. Many people disappeared, many muggle-born witches and wizards have handed out their wands and broke any relation to wizard world. As he was reading his newspaper he suddenly remembered his latest dream. He actually saw the death of Karkaroff.
This can mean only one thing. There is still connection between my and Voldemort´s mind, he thought.
He immediately took some parchment and ink from his closet, dipped his quill and wrote a letter to Dumbledore.
Dear Sir
I'm sure you are aware of recent incident in Prague of death of
Mr. Karkaroff. The reason I am writing you is that I saw it all,
in my dreams. The connection between my and Voldemort´s mind
is still active. I'm afraid something like last year can happen.
Please advice me.
Hope you are well.
Harry Potter
He opened cage, which stood on his table and a beautiful snow-white owl flew out. It was Hedwig, his pet and the only company he had.
"Hedwig, I need you to take this to Dumbledore, quickly." He told her, tying the letter to Hedwigs leg.
She hooted reassuringly and took of immediately.
Harry was just about to close the window, when he spotted two owls closing in fast.
The first one, a big brown one landed on his table neatly, dropping a letter with a Hogwarts sign and taking of immediately. The second one was tiny and it zoomed around his room excitedly. Harry snatched it and the owl hooted happily. Pig, he thought for himself. He took the letter, recognising the untidy writing as Ron's. He released Pig, who drank a little water from Hedwigs cage and took of immidietly too.
He opened the Ron's letter first.
Dear Harry,
Haven't heard from you for quite a long time from you, mate.
We are really worried about you, Hermione, Ginny and me. I can't
wait to see you again, but Dumbledore insists on you staying there
He says that you will know why.
Anyway, we are going to Grimwald place tomorrow and we are going
to stay there for the rest of our holiday, so we will meet you here.
Harry, I just want to let you know that we are here for you.
Ron
Harry reread the short letter thrice. Tears were trickling down his face. He moped them moped with sleeve of his shirt. Oh, how he missed them. But he was not talking to them for no reason. It was all because of that stupid prophecy. He was destined either a victim or a murderer. Anyone who was with him was in danger, he thought, remembering the fateful night at the Department of Mysteries, when Sirius was killed and his friends were injured.
He grabbed the second letters only to cone across another thoughts. He ripped it open, took out the letter and started to read.
Dear Mr. Potter,
Enclosed in this letter are your O.W.L.´s results and the list of
your N.E.W.T.´s classes you will attend to in this year. You will find
your list of needed books other supplies at the end of this letter.
P.S. Due to "resignation" of Ms. Umbridge you have been given back
the position of Seeker in Gryffindor Quiditch team. I would also like
to offer you a position of Captain. Please, let me know as soon possible
wheter you accept.
O.W.L.´s results
Defence Against the Dark Arts: Outstanding
Charms: Outstanding
Transfiguration: Exceeds Expectations
Herbology: Exceeds Expectations
Potions: Exceeds Expectations
History of Magic: Poor
Astronomy: Acceptable
Divination: Dreadful
Care of Magical Creatures: Outstanding
N.E.W.T.´s classes
Defence Against the Dark Arts
Charms
Transfiguration
Potions
Care of Magical Creatures
Herbology
P.S. It was very hard to get you into Potions without O
mark. I told Professor Snape that you will get good marks.
So do me a favour and study hard this year, will you?
Hope you are well,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy of Headmaster
Harry groaned. This looked like a hardest year ever.
