Chapter 3: Changes

Somehow, Harry had found his way back to the master bedroom in Crestwood. He could vaguely remember the happenings of his time there, but everything was so fuzzy that he could hardly remember what the people looked like. Flopping down on the large king bed, Harry immediately fell asleep. Too tired to encounter any dreams- regular or from Voldemort- he had a pleasant sleep. When he awoke in the morning, he had completely forgotten about the room, people and things that were done. The only things to remind him were the five scars running up his forearm, the large phoenix tattoo and of course the ring.
Harry could tell that the ring was special, and held some sort of amazing powers, but what they were, he could not even perceive. Whenever Harry tried to do magic (underage sorcery could not be detected) the ring would warm up and tun bright red with little gold threads weaving around it. The more Harry used the ring and magic, the bolder the golden lines grew.
Another unusual occurrence was that sometimes his scars on his arms would burn slightly, however there was no physical change when they did this. Each scar looked a little different. One was red, another green, another blue, another yellow (I think that is Hufflepuff's color), and one gold. They all tingled nonstop, and Harry was starting to get quite annoyed with these scars.
The tattoo on his back, however, was one of the most interesting new additions. It was not only black, but also red and gold, just like Fawkes. Whenever magic was going on around him, the tattoo would start to itch. Because of the itching, Harry would start to scratch. Well, it was just one thing Harry would need to ask Dumbledore about when he came again.
Just as he was thinking this, an owl flew over to him and dropped a letter in his outstretched hand. It read:

Harry,
I hope that you are having a good time there at your new home, Crestwood. I am afraid I won't be able to see you until September 1st. I also regret to tell you that I don't think it would be the best idea for Ron and Hermione to come for the remainder of the summer. I have shipped your school supplies to you, along with some extra books I thought might come in useful. If you need new robes, I will send Madam Malkin to come a measure you. Voldemort is getting stronger and is starting to attack muggles. Watch out for any odd behavior you see. I need to know if there is anything strange occurring, but it will need to wait until September. Because of your delay in the hospital, I have also enclosed all of your presents. Just tap the note three times and say "Presantose Aporeins." Have a good summer. See you in two weeks. Dumbledore

Doing as Dumbledore said, Harry tapped the letter and said Presantose Aporeins. Around him, presents started to appear. There seemed to be more than he had every seen before, so he decided to get working. First he opened the present from Hagrid, which was a large golden egg. The note attached to it read:

Harry,
Dumbldore mentioned that you would want one of these. They are really rare and came to me only because I called one for you. Hagrid

The only problem with this present was that he had no idea what it was or how to raise and keep it. Just like answering his question, he saw Hermione's present. Of course, it was a large book. Opening it, he saw that is was entirely focused on one animal- the phoenix. He was so happy. Harry couldn't believe that he had just received a phoenix. Deciding to start reading the book later, he opened Ron's present. A perch was wrapped in some paper, and Harry could tell that all of his friends were definitely in on this plan. Next he opened Ginny's present. It was a beautiful wand holster for his wand with phoenixes in solid gold around it. How did the Weasley's pay for this? Opening the next present from Molly, he wasn't surprised to see his usual assortment of treats and cakes, although he wasn't sure that he would need them here with all of the amazing house elves. The last present was from Dumbledore. Wondering what he could have sent him, he opened the letter first.

Harry,
I think that you should find this very interesting. Your mother and father left it to me and gave me instructions to give it to you on your 16th birthday. Use it well.

Dumbledore

It was a trunk just like the one Moody had, only this one, instead of compartments, had rooms inside the last 6 keyholes. Harry could seriously live, eat, and train in here. It was his walking house. Cool, he thought.
Just as he thought he was done opening letters, another unfamiliar owl flew in. Great! He thought as he was opening it. My OWL results. What he saw when he opened it, however, wasn't what he thought they would be?

Astronomy: O (graded out of completed work due to environment) Care of Magical Creatures: O Charms: O Defense Against the Dark Arts: O Divination: O Herbology: O History of Magic: O Potions: O Transfiguration: O

Mr. Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you received 9 OWL's. You will need to drop most of the subjects, however. Maximum number of courses for next year is five.

Sincerely, OWL Department Representative

Right after Harry read this, another owl came and dropped a letter into his hands. This was from Dumbledore.

Harry,
Your OWL results are amazing. You will definitely be able to handle the courses myself and Mrs. McGonagall assigned you. They will be: Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Potions, Transfigurations, Potions, and History of Magic. Yes, Harry History of Magic. It is very important for you in this stage of your life. In addition to these courses, you will be taking Occulemcy, Advanced DADA, Advanced Transfigurations, Legilemcy, and Advanced Potions with me. Also, you will be teaching the DA this year. I was thinking of letting a larger student body into it though. I will see you soon. Think about my propositions.

Dumbledore

Harry stared. He didn't think that in any way he could have gotten all of those OWL's. How was he supposed to handle the extra courses? Well, Dumbledore would know what was right. Being tired, he fell asleep just as he hit the bed in his room.

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Finally the day had arrived. It was September 1st, and Harry was going back to Hogwarts. Before he left, Harry checked that he had all of his belongings in his little briefcase, including his presents. The night before he had decided that he would always carry the phoenix egg around with him until it had hatched. Harry didn't want anything to happen to it. After reading all about them in the book Hermione had presented him with, the young boy knew that immediately after the phoenix had hatched, it would give itself a name, find his master, and most important of all, would be able to look after itself. This information really got Harry all of the way to King's Cross-Station in a trail of colors and random thoughts of the year to come.

Just as he had stepped through the barrier between platforms nine and ten, everyone just stopped everything and stared. What is wrong with me now? Everyone is staring at me. He turned around just to make sure that everyone wasn't staring at something else. There was not question about it. They were staring at him. Well, they will just have to get over it. Stepping into the train, he quickly edged his way through the aisle to find an empty compartment. Finally, near the end of the train, Harry found a vacant place and decided to take a space in here. Ron and Hermione will find me like they always do. Then, we can all catch up and go on adventures once again. After about five minutes, the door opened to reveal a surprised Hermione and aghast Ron.
"What happened to you?" Ron said.
"Ron, I am the same. I look no more different than when you saw me in the beginning of the summer. Oh, and thanks you two for the wonderful presents. I can't believe that I am going to have my own phoenix. This is so cool."
"Harry," Hermione began, "you are not the same person we saw at the end of last year. You are completely different. Have you looked in the mirror lately?"

Harry conjured a mirror and gazed into it. Staring back at him was a tall, muscular man with tan skin; a thin yet defined face, sparkling emerald green eyes, jet-black messy hair, and a pair of old repaired glasses. He also just realized that his robes were far too short, and that Madam Malkin never showed up to fit him.
"Well, Hermione, I think that I definitely need new robes."
"Harry," Ron began, but an old lady carrying tape measures and bags soon cut him off.
"Well, Mr. Potter. I received an urgent call by Molly Weasley about ten minutes ago. I think you need some new robes." With that statement, she ripped out her tape measure and started commanding it to do things.
"Excuse me, but how long is this going to take?"
"Well, I need to make you special robes, because you are such and unusual size. I think that they should have a little tint of green for your non-school robes. Don't you? Well, I also need to make them so that they will grow with you. Harry, I do believe that you just shot up and filled out in two weeks. Well, never mind. I should have these done in about five minutes. Then, if you would like, I could give your old robes to a second hand store for the less fortunate people."
"Thank you. I really appreciate this."
"Oh, it is no problem dear. Well, I'll see you in a couple of minutes." With that she left, leaving Harry with thoughts seeping through his mind until a sharp scream erupted from outside the compartment. Quickly, he got up with his wand and opened the door. What he saw he would surely never forget.