Chapter 4:
Harry and the Weaslys landed in the dark entrance hall of Headquarters of Order of Phoenix. Harry got up from the ground.
"Filthy mudbloods and half-breeds, mugglelovers, disgrace of our kind, you dare to step into the noble house of Black..."Apparently, the members of Order still hadn't found a way to dispose of shrieking portrait of Mrs. Black, Sirius´s mother.
Torches and candles all around the hall lit up as Remus Lupin emerged form the kitchen door.
"Not again," he muttered to himself, as he marched to the portrait and closed the curtains before it. The shrieking stopped abruptly. He sighed and the turned to Harry.
"Hello Harry, nice to see you again," he said, smiling rather gloomily. Harry surveyed him through his glasses. The robes Lupin wore looked more shabbier than Harry remembered. Apparently Lupin had not found a job yet. He looked very pale and his hair turned greyer. But the thing Harry was most concerned was that the sparkle in Lupin´s eyes, which was there during times Sirius was alive, was gone.
"Err... nice to see you to..." he stuttered.
"I'm sorry Harry but there is an Order meeting right now, and I need to be there. I'll see you later in the evening. Arthur, Fred, George, you better come along too," he motioned to them.
"Ron, help Harry with his luggage, you know where your room is. Stay there, I'll call you when everything is ready," Mr. Weasly said. Then he, the twins and Lupin went inside the kitchen.
Ron and Harry dragged Harry's huge suitcase up to room, which they were sharing, followed by Hermione and Ginny. The house looked as if was new, everything was clean and shining. When they entered the room,. something suddenly hit Harry in his stomach, knocking the wind out of him, and he collapsed on the ground.
"Harry Potter, sir!" came the squeaky voice Harry recognised.
"Hi Dobby," he said, gasping for breath. He stood up and looked him. Dobby´s clothes were tidy and neat as usual, and his tennis-ball eyes were shining with excitement. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at Hogwarts?"
"Yes indeed sir, but Dumbledore came to see Dobby and ask him whether he would not do him a favour. He said that Harry Potter is coming to Grimwald place in the end of July and he wanted to house to be cleaned properly. He insisted on giving Dobby a pay rise, but Dobby refused. He owes this to Harry Potter, because Harry Potter set him free."
"I already told you hundred times Dobby, you don't owe me anything." Harry said.
"Oh, Harry Potter is so modest and generous." Dobby squealed, making Harry turn red.
"Dobby, how is Winky?" Hermione asked suddenly.
Dobby turned his head to her curiously, as if realizing just now that they were other people in the room with him.
"Winky is a lot better nowadays, young lady. She finally starts to understands that she is free and has no master anymore. But she still neglects her clothes and her appearance," Dobby said.
"Well, err.. say hello to her from me." Hermione said, taken aback by sudden bitterness in Dobby´s voice.
"Harry Potter, sir, Dobby has to go now, prepare everything for Harry Potter's birthday party."
"I told you, you don't have to do this, Dobby." Harry said, but too late, Dobby was already gone.
Harry looked at Ron and they both grinned.
"So, had a good summer, mate?" Ron asked Harry. Harry's mind shifted to Sirius instantly. Hermione must have recognised it.
"Ron, how could you say something like that?" she said, rolling her eyes.
"What do you mean, Hermione? Why would a person be offended by this question?" Ron said, looking daggers at her.
"You'll never change, Ronald Weasly," she said, fuming.
"Now what was that supposed to mean, Hermione Granger?" Ron yelled at her.
"Come on, Ron, calm down." Ginny pleaded.
"Oh, don't you say me to calm down..."
Harry couldn't stand this anymore. He left the room, closing the door behind him silently, so no one recognised that he was gone. He walked over to a study, which he remembered from last year. He entered and closed the door behind himself, regretting that there was no lock. He wanted to be alone now.
He looked around the room curiously. He recognised instantly that this room missed Dobby´s cleaning raid. It was small, but cosy. The walls were lined up with bookcases. Harry let his finger run across dusty books, when he stopped abruptly.
Memories, which should never be forgotten. It appeared that this book was taken out and returned many times recently.
He took it out sat on an old sofa, clearing the dust from it beforehand.
He flickered through the pages of the book. They were full of photos. One shown Sirius as a cute baby. There was another one, showing Sirius on a broom, beaming, as he zoomed in and out around the picture. He turned to another page and his stomach gave an unpleasant jolt.
In the picture, there were three boys, eleven or twelve years old, in Hogwarts uniforms, wearing gold-red scarfs. They were beaming at Harry. Harry recognised them instantly as Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and James Potter, his father. He turned few more pages and another picture alerted his presence. His father was carried on the shoulders of older looking boys, his eyes full of triumph, raising the Quiditch cup over his head in one hand and the Golden Snitch in his second. He turned a page again and there was another picture his father, carrying the Quiditch cup, only this time there was a girl, standing next to him, kissing him on the cheek. He recognised her by her eyes-his eyes. It was Lilly Evans, Harry's mother.
Tears were now trickling on his face, he simply couldn't help it. He turned to another page. The next picture was probably taken just after N.E.W.T.´s test. James, Sirius, and Remus were standing in front, each of them wearing looks of triumph and happiness, each of them embracing a girl, which were beaming too. But there was one person who didn't look happy at all. Harry felt a sudden surge of anger all over his body. Peter Pettigrew, the one, who betrayed his parents was standing next to Remus and his girlfriend, his expression showed gloominess and perhaps envy.
Harry longed for a revenge. I will make you pay for what you have done, Wormtail, he though for himself.
There was a knock on the door and it opened.
"Harry, are you here?" Ginny asked.
"Go away, I want to be alone," he said, drying his face with a sleeve of his shirt.
"Harry, you can't keep avoiding everyone for the rest of your live. There are people who care about you, you know," she said, coming over to the sofa and taking a seat.
"But that's the only thing I can do. See everyone, who gets involved with me is in great danger. It was my fault Cedric died, it was my fault Sirius died, it was my fault you and the others got hurt that night. The world would be so much better without me..." Harry started.
"Now stop self-pitying yourself, it´s no good. If it weren't for you, the whole wizard world would be probably destroyed now. It was you who stopped You-Know-W..., well, Voldemort eleven years ago. It was you who ruined his plans, not once, but five times already. It was you who saved my life in the second year, when Voldemort possessed me..." she interrupted him.
"Ginny, I don't know how much more I can bear..." Harry said, his voice trembling.
"Well, that's what you've got friends for. To help you carry your burden." Ginny said, pulling, him into a tight hug.
"Harry, mate, are you here?" came the voice of Ron.
"I'm here, Ron." Harry said, letting go of Ginny
Ron entered with Hermione. "I just want to tell you, that me and Hermione stopped arguing. We came here to apologize."
"No need. Listen, I know that you want to help and I appreciate it, really..." Harry started, but was interrupted by Fred, who came upstairs.
"Where are you everybody? The meeting is over, Harry's party is about to... What are you all doing here?" he asked as he entered the room.
"Nothing, just talking." Harry smiled at all of them. "Shall we get prepared, then?"
**********
Harry and Ron went to their room to prepare themselves for the party. Harry dressed up in his best muggle clothes and tried to comb his hair, but it wouldn't stay flat, no matter how hard he tried. Sighing, he gave up. When the boys were ready, they went downstairs.
Harry just entered the kitchen, when he was embraced in tight hug by Mrs. Weasly.
"Oh, Harry, how are you? Is there anything I can do for you? Are you hungry, thirsty? Oh, just look at how skinny you are," she fussed, leading him to the dining room, where everything was prepared for the party. She lead him to the table, which would almost collapse under the amount of food and drinks. "Take whatever you like, all is for you," she said, beaming.
Harry didn't need telling twice. He pilled his plate wit all his favourites and took a bottle of Butterbeer. Looking around the room, he noticed there were only him and Ron. Mrs. Weasly returned to the kitchen, not telling why.
"Where is everybody else?" he asked Ron.
Ron, who had his mouth full of food, just shook his head, meaning that he did not know.
The door opened and Hermione, accompanied by Ginny and Crookshanks entered, Hermione´s cat entered. Hermione was dressed in what appeared as her best muggle clothes, Ginny as well. Both were wearing some make-up. They walked over to a free table, where they put their presents for Harry. Ron, realising that he forgot his own in his room, left and returned a moment later.
By then, more people started coming. Fred and George came first, carrying an enormous present, Lupin, dressed in his new robes, which he bought for this opportunity, Tonks, her hair acid green, Moody, his magic eye spinning excitedly, Mr. And Mrs. Weasly with their eldest sons Bill and Charlie and even Professor McGonagall dropped by. Harry greeted everyone happily.
Harry started opening his presents. There was his own Golden Snitch, given by Ron. Harry couldn't help but grin as he rembered seeing his father in the Dumbledore´s Pensieve, showing of with the Golden Snitch, which he nicked. What could he expect from Hermione than a book- Advance spells for gifted students. Next came the present form Lupin-another set of Defence against the Dark Arts books.
"Just thought they might come in handy," he said.
When he opened the present from the twins, he couldn't belive his eyes. They got him a model of Quiditch pitch, with a figures of Quiditch player, that were actually moving. It was similar to the model Oliver Wood, former Quiditch captain, had, only this was much bigger.
"Ah, that might come in handy, when you would sometimes plan your strategies as the Captain. Did you consider my proposal already?" asked him Professor McGonagall.
"Actually, I have and I accept. It will be an honuor," he replied.
"Excellent, I´m sure you would make an excellent Captain," she assured him, then she left to talk to Tonks about some recent science breakthrough on Animagi and Mathamorphagi.
Tonks gave him a book about the history of the Aurors, Moody gave him a flask. When Harry eyed him curiously he just said: "You'll never now, when someone might slip something into your goblet. Mark my words, you're going to find that useful one day."
Mr. Weasly gave a set of muggle clothes, which he enchanted himself. Underpants and socks, that were producing heat, shirt that changed colour, when touched by a wand and trousers, which would grow with him. Mrs. Weasly knitted him on of her usual sweaters and gave him an enormous box of various sweets. Ginny bought him a Rememberall, just in case he needed it sometimes. Bill gave him a book about the history of Egyptian Pyramids and Charlie gave him some special food for Hedwig.
"Thank you Charlie, Bill, these might come useful." He thanked for the presents.
"Not at all," they replied in union.
"What about Percy, has he already contacted you?" Harry asked.
"Yes, he has, actually, we are going to see him tomorrow morning, dad, Bill and me. He now lives on the outskirts of the town, he has been given a small house as a treat for his "exceptional and spotless work record"." Charlie said sarcastically, rolling his eyes. "He lives there with his girlfriend, Penelope Cleanwater. I´m sure you remember her from Hogwarts."
Harry was just about to ask how could a normal person live with Percy form more than one day, when another person entered the room- Dumbledore. Harry ran over to him.
"Professor Dumbledore, I´m so glad you could come," Harry ran over to him, beaming.
"Yes, I´m glad too, although I can't stay too long. Important Order business to attend and I´m afraid I'll have to take most of your guests along. I just came here to give you my presents. Firstly, I was able to find a teacher for your Occlumency lessons. After considering the possibilities, I think that I would be the most suitable person," Dumbledore said.
"Err... yes, wonderful," Harry wasn't really sure if he appreciated this gift.
"Harry, I understand that you are suspicious toward Occlumency, given your experiences with it. But it´s very vital for you to master it. My second gift isn't from me, rather from someone else. By Sirius last will, this house and all the possession in is yours, when you become mature. Also, Remus Lupin was announced as your Guardian, till you reach your maturity."
Harry didn't know what to say. He looked over to Lupin, who was in deep conversation with Moody.
"I´m sorry, but you will have to wait to talk to Lupin tomorrow. I´m afraid he has to leave with me. Goodbye Harry, see you soon" he left. Lupin, Tonks, Mr. Weasly, Bill and Charlie went with him. Fred and George left as well, they were saying something about some paperwork for their joke shop.
Mrs. Weasly started cleaning. When Harry and his friends told her that they would help her she refused, sending them to bed, instead. Harry glanced at his watch, He couldn't belive it. It was past midnight. Time was really going fast amongst his kind.
Perhaps he had too much Butterbeer, but as he was falling asleep, listening to Ron's snores, he thought that this was his best birthday ever.
Harry and the Weaslys landed in the dark entrance hall of Headquarters of Order of Phoenix. Harry got up from the ground.
"Filthy mudbloods and half-breeds, mugglelovers, disgrace of our kind, you dare to step into the noble house of Black..."Apparently, the members of Order still hadn't found a way to dispose of shrieking portrait of Mrs. Black, Sirius´s mother.
Torches and candles all around the hall lit up as Remus Lupin emerged form the kitchen door.
"Not again," he muttered to himself, as he marched to the portrait and closed the curtains before it. The shrieking stopped abruptly. He sighed and the turned to Harry.
"Hello Harry, nice to see you again," he said, smiling rather gloomily. Harry surveyed him through his glasses. The robes Lupin wore looked more shabbier than Harry remembered. Apparently Lupin had not found a job yet. He looked very pale and his hair turned greyer. But the thing Harry was most concerned was that the sparkle in Lupin´s eyes, which was there during times Sirius was alive, was gone.
"Err... nice to see you to..." he stuttered.
"I'm sorry Harry but there is an Order meeting right now, and I need to be there. I'll see you later in the evening. Arthur, Fred, George, you better come along too," he motioned to them.
"Ron, help Harry with his luggage, you know where your room is. Stay there, I'll call you when everything is ready," Mr. Weasly said. Then he, the twins and Lupin went inside the kitchen.
Ron and Harry dragged Harry's huge suitcase up to room, which they were sharing, followed by Hermione and Ginny. The house looked as if was new, everything was clean and shining. When they entered the room,. something suddenly hit Harry in his stomach, knocking the wind out of him, and he collapsed on the ground.
"Harry Potter, sir!" came the squeaky voice Harry recognised.
"Hi Dobby," he said, gasping for breath. He stood up and looked him. Dobby´s clothes were tidy and neat as usual, and his tennis-ball eyes were shining with excitement. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at Hogwarts?"
"Yes indeed sir, but Dumbledore came to see Dobby and ask him whether he would not do him a favour. He said that Harry Potter is coming to Grimwald place in the end of July and he wanted to house to be cleaned properly. He insisted on giving Dobby a pay rise, but Dobby refused. He owes this to Harry Potter, because Harry Potter set him free."
"I already told you hundred times Dobby, you don't owe me anything." Harry said.
"Oh, Harry Potter is so modest and generous." Dobby squealed, making Harry turn red.
"Dobby, how is Winky?" Hermione asked suddenly.
Dobby turned his head to her curiously, as if realizing just now that they were other people in the room with him.
"Winky is a lot better nowadays, young lady. She finally starts to understands that she is free and has no master anymore. But she still neglects her clothes and her appearance," Dobby said.
"Well, err.. say hello to her from me." Hermione said, taken aback by sudden bitterness in Dobby´s voice.
"Harry Potter, sir, Dobby has to go now, prepare everything for Harry Potter's birthday party."
"I told you, you don't have to do this, Dobby." Harry said, but too late, Dobby was already gone.
Harry looked at Ron and they both grinned.
"So, had a good summer, mate?" Ron asked Harry. Harry's mind shifted to Sirius instantly. Hermione must have recognised it.
"Ron, how could you say something like that?" she said, rolling her eyes.
"What do you mean, Hermione? Why would a person be offended by this question?" Ron said, looking daggers at her.
"You'll never change, Ronald Weasly," she said, fuming.
"Now what was that supposed to mean, Hermione Granger?" Ron yelled at her.
"Come on, Ron, calm down." Ginny pleaded.
"Oh, don't you say me to calm down..."
Harry couldn't stand this anymore. He left the room, closing the door behind him silently, so no one recognised that he was gone. He walked over to a study, which he remembered from last year. He entered and closed the door behind himself, regretting that there was no lock. He wanted to be alone now.
He looked around the room curiously. He recognised instantly that this room missed Dobby´s cleaning raid. It was small, but cosy. The walls were lined up with bookcases. Harry let his finger run across dusty books, when he stopped abruptly.
Memories, which should never be forgotten. It appeared that this book was taken out and returned many times recently.
He took it out sat on an old sofa, clearing the dust from it beforehand.
He flickered through the pages of the book. They were full of photos. One shown Sirius as a cute baby. There was another one, showing Sirius on a broom, beaming, as he zoomed in and out around the picture. He turned to another page and his stomach gave an unpleasant jolt.
In the picture, there were three boys, eleven or twelve years old, in Hogwarts uniforms, wearing gold-red scarfs. They were beaming at Harry. Harry recognised them instantly as Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and James Potter, his father. He turned few more pages and another picture alerted his presence. His father was carried on the shoulders of older looking boys, his eyes full of triumph, raising the Quiditch cup over his head in one hand and the Golden Snitch in his second. He turned a page again and there was another picture his father, carrying the Quiditch cup, only this time there was a girl, standing next to him, kissing him on the cheek. He recognised her by her eyes-his eyes. It was Lilly Evans, Harry's mother.
Tears were now trickling on his face, he simply couldn't help it. He turned to another page. The next picture was probably taken just after N.E.W.T.´s test. James, Sirius, and Remus were standing in front, each of them wearing looks of triumph and happiness, each of them embracing a girl, which were beaming too. But there was one person who didn't look happy at all. Harry felt a sudden surge of anger all over his body. Peter Pettigrew, the one, who betrayed his parents was standing next to Remus and his girlfriend, his expression showed gloominess and perhaps envy.
Harry longed for a revenge. I will make you pay for what you have done, Wormtail, he though for himself.
There was a knock on the door and it opened.
"Harry, are you here?" Ginny asked.
"Go away, I want to be alone," he said, drying his face with a sleeve of his shirt.
"Harry, you can't keep avoiding everyone for the rest of your live. There are people who care about you, you know," she said, coming over to the sofa and taking a seat.
"But that's the only thing I can do. See everyone, who gets involved with me is in great danger. It was my fault Cedric died, it was my fault Sirius died, it was my fault you and the others got hurt that night. The world would be so much better without me..." Harry started.
"Now stop self-pitying yourself, it´s no good. If it weren't for you, the whole wizard world would be probably destroyed now. It was you who stopped You-Know-W..., well, Voldemort eleven years ago. It was you who ruined his plans, not once, but five times already. It was you who saved my life in the second year, when Voldemort possessed me..." she interrupted him.
"Ginny, I don't know how much more I can bear..." Harry said, his voice trembling.
"Well, that's what you've got friends for. To help you carry your burden." Ginny said, pulling, him into a tight hug.
"Harry, mate, are you here?" came the voice of Ron.
"I'm here, Ron." Harry said, letting go of Ginny
Ron entered with Hermione. "I just want to tell you, that me and Hermione stopped arguing. We came here to apologize."
"No need. Listen, I know that you want to help and I appreciate it, really..." Harry started, but was interrupted by Fred, who came upstairs.
"Where are you everybody? The meeting is over, Harry's party is about to... What are you all doing here?" he asked as he entered the room.
"Nothing, just talking." Harry smiled at all of them. "Shall we get prepared, then?"
**********
Harry and Ron went to their room to prepare themselves for the party. Harry dressed up in his best muggle clothes and tried to comb his hair, but it wouldn't stay flat, no matter how hard he tried. Sighing, he gave up. When the boys were ready, they went downstairs.
Harry just entered the kitchen, when he was embraced in tight hug by Mrs. Weasly.
"Oh, Harry, how are you? Is there anything I can do for you? Are you hungry, thirsty? Oh, just look at how skinny you are," she fussed, leading him to the dining room, where everything was prepared for the party. She lead him to the table, which would almost collapse under the amount of food and drinks. "Take whatever you like, all is for you," she said, beaming.
Harry didn't need telling twice. He pilled his plate wit all his favourites and took a bottle of Butterbeer. Looking around the room, he noticed there were only him and Ron. Mrs. Weasly returned to the kitchen, not telling why.
"Where is everybody else?" he asked Ron.
Ron, who had his mouth full of food, just shook his head, meaning that he did not know.
The door opened and Hermione, accompanied by Ginny and Crookshanks entered, Hermione´s cat entered. Hermione was dressed in what appeared as her best muggle clothes, Ginny as well. Both were wearing some make-up. They walked over to a free table, where they put their presents for Harry. Ron, realising that he forgot his own in his room, left and returned a moment later.
By then, more people started coming. Fred and George came first, carrying an enormous present, Lupin, dressed in his new robes, which he bought for this opportunity, Tonks, her hair acid green, Moody, his magic eye spinning excitedly, Mr. And Mrs. Weasly with their eldest sons Bill and Charlie and even Professor McGonagall dropped by. Harry greeted everyone happily.
Harry started opening his presents. There was his own Golden Snitch, given by Ron. Harry couldn't help but grin as he rembered seeing his father in the Dumbledore´s Pensieve, showing of with the Golden Snitch, which he nicked. What could he expect from Hermione than a book- Advance spells for gifted students. Next came the present form Lupin-another set of Defence against the Dark Arts books.
"Just thought they might come in handy," he said.
When he opened the present from the twins, he couldn't belive his eyes. They got him a model of Quiditch pitch, with a figures of Quiditch player, that were actually moving. It was similar to the model Oliver Wood, former Quiditch captain, had, only this was much bigger.
"Ah, that might come in handy, when you would sometimes plan your strategies as the Captain. Did you consider my proposal already?" asked him Professor McGonagall.
"Actually, I have and I accept. It will be an honuor," he replied.
"Excellent, I´m sure you would make an excellent Captain," she assured him, then she left to talk to Tonks about some recent science breakthrough on Animagi and Mathamorphagi.
Tonks gave him a book about the history of the Aurors, Moody gave him a flask. When Harry eyed him curiously he just said: "You'll never now, when someone might slip something into your goblet. Mark my words, you're going to find that useful one day."
Mr. Weasly gave a set of muggle clothes, which he enchanted himself. Underpants and socks, that were producing heat, shirt that changed colour, when touched by a wand and trousers, which would grow with him. Mrs. Weasly knitted him on of her usual sweaters and gave him an enormous box of various sweets. Ginny bought him a Rememberall, just in case he needed it sometimes. Bill gave him a book about the history of Egyptian Pyramids and Charlie gave him some special food for Hedwig.
"Thank you Charlie, Bill, these might come useful." He thanked for the presents.
"Not at all," they replied in union.
"What about Percy, has he already contacted you?" Harry asked.
"Yes, he has, actually, we are going to see him tomorrow morning, dad, Bill and me. He now lives on the outskirts of the town, he has been given a small house as a treat for his "exceptional and spotless work record"." Charlie said sarcastically, rolling his eyes. "He lives there with his girlfriend, Penelope Cleanwater. I´m sure you remember her from Hogwarts."
Harry was just about to ask how could a normal person live with Percy form more than one day, when another person entered the room- Dumbledore. Harry ran over to him.
"Professor Dumbledore, I´m so glad you could come," Harry ran over to him, beaming.
"Yes, I´m glad too, although I can't stay too long. Important Order business to attend and I´m afraid I'll have to take most of your guests along. I just came here to give you my presents. Firstly, I was able to find a teacher for your Occlumency lessons. After considering the possibilities, I think that I would be the most suitable person," Dumbledore said.
"Err... yes, wonderful," Harry wasn't really sure if he appreciated this gift.
"Harry, I understand that you are suspicious toward Occlumency, given your experiences with it. But it´s very vital for you to master it. My second gift isn't from me, rather from someone else. By Sirius last will, this house and all the possession in is yours, when you become mature. Also, Remus Lupin was announced as your Guardian, till you reach your maturity."
Harry didn't know what to say. He looked over to Lupin, who was in deep conversation with Moody.
"I´m sorry, but you will have to wait to talk to Lupin tomorrow. I´m afraid he has to leave with me. Goodbye Harry, see you soon" he left. Lupin, Tonks, Mr. Weasly, Bill and Charlie went with him. Fred and George left as well, they were saying something about some paperwork for their joke shop.
Mrs. Weasly started cleaning. When Harry and his friends told her that they would help her she refused, sending them to bed, instead. Harry glanced at his watch, He couldn't belive it. It was past midnight. Time was really going fast amongst his kind.
Perhaps he had too much Butterbeer, but as he was falling asleep, listening to Ron's snores, he thought that this was his best birthday ever.
