Disclaimer- Still not my characters, still don't sue.
A/N: More to come!! I'm hoping to make this as much like a book as possible!!
Chapter 2- Back to the Order
Harry sighed deeply and replaced himself in the dirt around the bushes. As good as Tonks' intentions were, he could hardly help but feel like, if he stepped foot inside the Dursley's door again, they would do something to him he would never forget. For the time being he decided to lay back in the soil and let the cool of the shade run through his body. What he needed now, more than ever, was some dreamless sleep. There hadn't been one night that he could remember since the incident that he hadn't been disturbed buy the ruthless images in his dreams.
He thought on everything now, while the sun shone all around him, but did not meet his skin. Why had Snape agreed to continue with Occlumency lessons? What was the Order doing? Where was Voldemort now? He tried to think on the things that were most important but his thoughts kept drifting back to that one night. The one night that would be in his head forever, the one night—
He was back in the room. Ron was giggling on about the brain fusing to his arm, and Hermione lay flat on the ground, unmoving. Once again, he saw Sirius fall through the veil. Harry stood up and walked slowly toward it. Each step he took seemed like it took an eternity to take, but he pressed on toward the black rippling material through which his godfather had just fallen. He was so near now he could reach out and feel the black material. Suddenly, as he was about to pull the veil from its place, something hit him on his head and he was falling. Falling through the veil into blissful nothingness; hearing soft whispers in the dark. He could feel himself burning like a smoldering building, when something made contact with his side.
Harry sat upright in the now dark of night, his scar searing with the pain that was so familiar to him. He gripped it tightly, digging into his head with his fingernails leaving red indentations all around it. He peered to his right and was hit in the side again.
"Get up you bloody bastard. Mum will have a fit if those—if your people come back," Dudley kicked him once more causing Harry to slam into the wall of the house. "I've been looking for you for an hour! You made me miss my TV show, and now I'm going to have to hurt you," Dudley swung his foot back once more but when he thrust it forward, Harry simply rolled over. Dudley's foot made hard contact with the wall causing him to fall backwards and howl with pain. He rolled from side to side whimpering and clinging to his injured foot. If his cousin hadn't have been hurt, Harry would have thought this rather amusing as he looked like an overweight cow that had been knocked on its back and couldn't get up.
Harry decided to make the best of this situation. He walked and stood over Dudley's rolling body, being careful not to get in the way of his spare stomach matter that was jiggling about.
"You know Tonks' warning. I believe that includes you. Shame, looks like I'm going to have to send her an owl telling her that you caused me serious pain and need to be dealt with." Dudley let out and indistinct cry that sounded like "No," but Harry couldn't be sure. "What was that?" Dudley wailed his answer this time.
"NO!" He continued to grasp his foot.
"Careful now, no need to wake the neighbors. Fine I'll tell you what. You and all your fat, good for nothing, fight seeking, egotistic friends are to leave me alone." He smirked as Dudley replied quickly.
"Okay!" Tears were streaming down his plump, red cheeks.
"And you will let me watch an hour of TV a day." Harry found this most satisfying.
"OKAY!"
"Any show I want!"
"OKAY!" Dudley's shrieks of pain grew louder.
"Would you like me to fetch your parents?" Harry used a sarcastic baby-type voice to say this.
"Mm hm," Dudley shook his head eagerly revealing his many chins in the process.
"Okay. Fine. Just say 'Harry is so much better than my fat tub of lard ass will ever be'" Dudley let out more cries. For once, Harry thought his pain might actually be legitimate.
"But—I" Dudley tried to speak through his crying but couldn't.
"Say it, or no help" said Harry coolly becoming suddenly interested in the front of his shirt.
"H-H-Harry is s-so much m-m-more than my f-fat tub of l-l-lard ass will ever b-b-be." Harry's grin had spread from ear to ear now as he looked from the shirt back to his cousin.
"There's a good chap." Not one to back down on his word, he left Dudley crying there and went to fetch Aunt Petunia.
He took his precious time getting to the front door. "This will teach him," Harry thought. "This will let him know what I've been feeling like the last sixteen years of my life." He dare not say these things aloud, as he never knew who was watching over him. When he finally reached the door, Dudley's cries had become more distant but still dreadfully loud. The door of the house seemed to be thrust open by the sound, and at once Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon appeared at the bottom of the steps.
"My baby! Where is my baby!" She rushed over to Harry and peered down at him through her thick, green facemask. Uncle Vernon seized his arm, but released it again very quickly as if he had remembered something urgent.
"What have you done to him boy?" said Vernon in a violent but cool tone. Aunt Petunia was scrambling about looking through every window on the floor. She gave a horrible, earsplitting shriek when she pulled back the curtains and glanced through the side window.
"Vernon, quick. My baby. He's hurt." Aunt Petunia proceeded to storm out of the house, nightclothes, facemask, and all.
"You stay where you are boy. No funny business." He jabbed a chubby finger into Harry's shoulder as he followed his wife outside.
Harry plopped down in a lounging chair beside the window to watch the happenings outside. Aunt Petunia was holding Dudley's head in her arms, as the rest of his body would have crushed her like as aluminum can. Uncle Vernon had apprehended one of the neighbors to help. They could think of nothing to do at first. After a while of sheer, overdramatic panic, they examined the foot that Dudley had tried to assault Harry with. They loosened the shoe and tried to haul it off of Dudley's foot, but with every attempt, Dudley would release the loudest scream Harry had ever heard in his life. A few more minutes of tugging and pulling at the shoe, followed by a few more minutes of unnecessary panic, took place before the neighbor disappeared. About ten minutes passed before the neighbor returned with a pair of garden sheers and continued to cut the shoe off of Dudley's foot. Harry couldn't believe his eyes. When the shoe came off, it revealed an unimaginable sight. Dudley's foot was actually twice its normal size and was purpler than Uncle Vernon's face had been when Tonks appeared inside his house. Harry couldn't control himself; he let go into an incessant wail of laughter. He knew that something like this should never have occurred to him to be humorous, but he couldn't help it. It served them right for all they had put Harry through.
At that moment, Harry's laughter died down into occasional chuckles he had to cover up with bogus coughs. Uncle Vernon had appeared at the door. He reached for his coat and hat. Before he turned to walk away, he faced Harry.
"We are taking Dudley to the hospital. He's broken his foot because of you. We will deal with you when we get home! Don't touch any of my belongings you little…" He cleared his throat, "Well yes, you—little---you!" He had obviously been thinking of Tonks' threat and decided against calling Harry something to the effect of "bad behaving, food stealing, foot breaking, blemish on the backside of the world."
"No sir, I mean, Yes sir, or…" Uncle Vernon had slammed the door behind him, rattling the pictures of Dudley on the bookshelf.
He watched the shiny, spotless, Dursley family car pull out of the driveway with what looked to be a still wailing Dudley in the back seat. He sunk back in the seat and closed his eyes. "They are gone," he thought. It was the best feeling. He felt warm inside, like he could accomplish anything he tried at this very moment. Slowly, he tiptoed, out of habit to the refrigerator and pulled open the door. It was so full of everything that Harry could hardly begin to choose what he wanted. He finally settled on a piece of cold pizza, and went back to the chair by the window. Carelessly, he picked up the remote control to the television and began to flip through channels. He stopped at the news and listened intently.
"Welcome back to the evening news. Our top story tonight deals with the two missing people we've been covering all this week. Frank," Harry watched the pictures on the screen with utmost interest as another newscaster named Frank began to speak.
"Thank you Tom. Yes well the two sisters who went missing last Thursday disappeared from their home. We are disappointed to inform our viewers tonight that one of the two sisters, have been found, but in the worst of scenarios. A motorist spotted her figure lying on the side of the road this evening at around five-thirty." Harry gasped. Five-thirty! He had looked at the clock when he stepped inside his Aunt and Uncle's house with Tonks. It had read five-forty. Harry threw the crust of his pizza across the room. Tonks had not stopped by originally to give his relatives a warning. She had stoppe by to see if he was ok. She only wanted an excuse to get him back inside the house.
"I DONN'T NEED BLOODY PROTECTING!" He stormed off to his room leaving the television on and his pizza crust on the floor. His climbing the stairs was most like him descending them that very same day, loud and over dramatized, in hopes to relieve some of his anger. He reached his room and threw open the door causing it to slam against, and leave a minor dent in the wall. Climbing over various objects that were strewn about his floor, he threw himself down on the bed and buried his face, glasses and all, in the pillow. The pillow, pressed tightly against his red face, diluted roars of angry screams. After a few minutes of this carrying on he decided to do something constructive to release his anger.
He began throwing things, sloppily into his trunk. First his robes, that hadn't been washed. Next his books, followed by his quills and parchment, then… He bent down beside his bed and picked up the letter from his friends, and the unopened envelope beside it. The envelope was unsealed. Instead, the flap was tucked neatly inside the envelope itself. Carefully, Harry pulled it out and took out the letter.
Dear Mr. And Mrs. Dursley,
I am quite aware that today something will happen that will cause you to leave the house, at the time you return, the one left in your house will be gone. Please do not be concerned as to his whereabouts. Only know that he is safe.
The Weasleys
P.S. Harry dear, at the time of my last letter I had mentioned using muggle post but I forgot where to buy stomps, or stamps, or stumps. Oh I don't remember. Please tear this bottom half off and leave the note to your relatives somewhere where they will find it. Be ready.
Love,
Mrs. Weasley
At once Harry felt his anger melt into happiness. He would be leaving this dump and going back where he belonged, with his friends. Hurriedly he shoved all the rest of his necessities for school into his trunk and sat on it so that it would close properly. He scribbled something on a piece of parchment:
Dear Ron, Hermione, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, and Remus,
I just had to send off Hedwig before you arrived. See you soon.
-Harry
"Take this to the Order on the same, safe route you took to bring me a letter from there. Understand?" Hedwig had just woken up and gave Harry a sort of reluctant nip, but an understanding one nonetheless. She took off through the window that Harry had opened once more. He started to pace in anticipation, when he remembered that he had to put out the note. He would put it on the TV. No doubt they would find it there. He opened his door, but shut it again when he heard the deep voice of a man.
"Where is he!?" It sounded like Uncle Vernon from where Harry was standing and he knew his chances to be gone tonight were shot. He would have given anything for them to be out of the house again, anything, so he decided he would resort to begging if he had to. Opening the door slowly, he clutched the note in his hands and started descending the stairs while talking at the same time.
"Please, you have to leave again! I was going leave. They were coming to pick me up. I know I watched the TV, but I'm sure Dudley would tell you about our agree…" He reached the last stair and looked up, "Oh!" crowded around the television were five people.
"Well now Harry. It is about time. Would you care to tell me how this works?" A tall red-haired man pointed at the television screen, which was running a commercial for a soft drink. He smiled then patted Harry on the back.
"Er, it's rather hard to explain, really." Harry didn't know what to tell him about how it worked exactly. All he knew was that you pressed a little red button on the remote and then you get it stolen by Dudley and are forced to watch pointless shows.
"Well, I suppose there is no time for that now," Mr. Weasley grinned as Harry looked curiously around the room.
"Too right you are, we don't have time for that," The voice that had sounded like Uncle Vernon's was more distinct now. It was that of Mad-Eye Moody, who was standing in a corner surveying them all with his good-eye and looking behind him with his magical one.
Just then, a photograph fell off the top of the TV and smashed rather loudly on the floor causing all but Mad-Eye and Mr. Weasley to jump.
"Oops. Er—I was just wondering why they didn't move and…" standing over the glass was a woman with now bright blonde hair. Harry recognized her to be the one that had come to him earlier that day.
"That's quite alright Tonks," Remus Lupin had now stepped forth from the shadows and was standing beside the broken photo. "Reparo" At once, the glass had been seemingly sucked back into the frame and the frame had ascended back into place.
"We should be off then," This time, a mad with a golden hoop in his ear spoke. Harry recognized him to be the one that they called Kingsley. He worked at the Ministry of Magic, and was the head of the 'Search for Sirius' Harry shook his head quickly to rid his mind of any thought of Sirius. Nothing could ruin his happiness now.
"Okay then, Harry. You remember how this works?" Harry nodded. "Right then, you will be following Mad-Eye, and I will be following you. The other three will be circling." Arthur Weasley looked about the muggle home once more and the started up the stairs. He appeared a minute later with Harry's belongings hovering behind him.
"Okay. All set Harry?" Lupin looked him up and down then clapped him on the back.
"One second." He walked over to the kitchen and picked up some masking tape from one of the drawers. He tore a piece off, then taped the note to the television that still hadn't been turned off. After that, he made his way to the old cupboard in which he used to sleep and retrieved his firebolt. Normally, the cupboard would have been locked, but they had apparently unlocked it after the threats they had received. "Alright then," said Harry anxiously. He walked over to the chair and clicked off the TV, then stepped outside the door and awaited the others.
One by one, they mounted their brooms as they had done nearly a year ago, and ascended into the darkness that had been blanketed by gleaming and twinkling stars. Harry acknowledged some of the constellations he had learned about in astronomy to pass the time as he followed Moody closely. He traced Orion with his finger and found the north star by using the Ursa Major for a guide all the while Kingsley, Lupin, and Tonks circled around him. Clouds now hid the town beneath them. Harry could only see the occasional dim light through a clearing of the haze. The clouds were starting to take affect on him, much like they did last year. He was soaked through and the mist felt like strong, icy blasts upon his cheeks. The joints in his fingers were cramping because of his firm grip on his broom, and he was growing weary from the flight.
He knew they must be getting very close, as he felt like they had been flying for hours. "This is it," called Moody in a bitter tone. Even he was starting to feel the wrath of the clouds and the mist. At once they started their descent. Moody had now pulled out the instrument that resembled a cigarette lighter and was taking the light from the street below them. Harry knew it must be early in the morning hours. He guessed around three.
He pulled out of his dive and was the first to put his feet firmly on the ground. He had not flown since Umbridge had banned him from playing Quidditch. He was glad that he had gotten a chance to get back into the swing of things. Moody led them over to where Harry remembered to be the entrance of the Order.
"Well come on boy we haven't got all day," Moody held out his wand and began tapping it against the bricks of the nearest wall.
"Oh!" said Harry remembering what he had to do. He thought hard "The headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix may be found at number twelve Grimmauld Place, London." And as soon as he was done reciting those lines in his head, the door appeared. Moody disappeared inside first followed by Kingsley then Tonks. Lupin and Mr. Weasley stayed outside with Harry for a few more minutes.
"You alright Harry?" Lupin knelt down and held Harry's shoulder with what seemed to be tears in his eyes. He knew that Remus was referring to Sirius. Harry kept silent. He knew it would haunt his dreams tonight as it did every night. He longed to tell Remus that he wasn't okay, that he needed someone to help him through it, but he wasn't going to show anyone the weakness he had at the moment. Lupin seemed to read his silence. "No, I don't suppose any of us are okay, either." He paused, stood up, then brushed off the front of his robes. "Well, come on then. Let's get you warmed up and fed." He prodded Harry toward the door as Moody was coming out once more to replace the light in the street from the Put-Outer.
Harry walked through the door and his senses were bombarded with utter happiness. Mrs. Weasley popped her head into the living room from in the kitchen and smiled a 'welcome home' smile. She ran to meet Harry with a loving embrace. The oven mitts she was wearing felt warm on Harry's chilled, moist back. She released Harry and gave her husband a hug and kiss on the cheek.
"Did you have an okay trip? Did all your belongings arrive okay? Hedwig arrived just an hour ago. Were there signs of anyone following you? How were your relatives treating you?" She seemed to go on and on with questions until Harry lost track.
"Dear. Dear, I think that is quite enough for one night. Harry has had quite a journey and would most likely appreciate a meal and a change of clothes." Mr. Weasley smiled at Harry who repaid the gesture.
"Yes, of course. Well, Tonks has put your trunk in Ron's room already. I suppose he is already sleeping, but you could get changed I suppose. Then come right back down, I have dinner waiting." She walked back into the kitchen after embracing Harry one last time.
"Dinner?" Harry looked at Lupin who laughed and clapped him on the sholder and proceeded to a room down the hall.
The black residence looked extremely different from the last time Harry was here. It looked like the infestations had been eliminated, and the floors gleamed with cleanliness. He ran his finger across the wall as he climbed the stairs. No dirt came off onto his finger. In fact, even the stairs seemed less creaky as he climbed up further. He reached the hall where all the heads of past house elves were mounted and made his way down it until he stopped at his and Ron's room. In one bed, lay a snoring, red haired boy who was curled into a ball hugging the blankets. The other was neatly made and had a sack of Honeydukes sweets on the pillow. He found his trunk underneath the small bed and pulled it out noiselessly and changed into his night clothing. He thought for a moment about just lying down and not going back down to eat with the others, but he knew that Mrs. Weasley would come and fetch him if he didn't. He said a quiet goodnight to Ron and left knowing that the sleeping figure hadn't heard him.
He descended the stairs quietly, careful not to wake anyone who was sleeping, and found himself in the living room with a newly lit fire. Sitting on the sofa, drinking tea were Lupin, Tonks, Mr. Weasley, and Mrs. Weasley.
"Oh, Harry dear. Your dinner is on the table in the kitchen. Help yourself to more if you would like." She motioned towards the kitchen then fell back into conversation with the others.
Harry was thankful not to have to talk to any of them while he ate. He knew that the conversation, one way or another, would turn to Sirius and he did not need to be reminded of that while he was so happy. He dug his spoon into some hot beef stew that warmed him through as it slid down his throat. He stopped once through his meal to try and hear what the others were talking about, but he couldn't seem to make out the words. He continued eating his meal and drinking warm butterbeer until he thought he was going to burst then left his place at the table. As he entered the living room, Mrs. Weasley walked over to him and took him by the hand. She led him over to the sofa where he sat down. Taking her place beside him, she pulled out a package from the pocket of her robes.
"Here Harry dear." She handed him the package. "It is not much, but it is more than you could have asked for from Professor Snape. You will find it very helpful." She sighed wearily.
"S-Snape gave me a present?" said Harry not believing what he had just heard.
"More or less gave you a present that was for himself." Lupin looked spiteful as he said this. "He acted like he was embarrassed to give you something. Honestly. 'You will make sure Mr. Potter gets this. See to it that he doesn't think this is a gift.' But it was a gift Harry, as none of us asked him to give you anything." Once again he sneered.
Harry believed that it was really from Snape, but couldn't put together why. He continued to unravel the brown paper concealing this unknown item. When the last of the paper was off of the package, a note fell out.
Mr., Potter,
Because of your dismal attempts at potion making, I doubt very seriously that you know what this is. It is a potion used for dreamless sleep. I wish you to save some for the school year, as I also doubt that you will make much progress with Occlumency this term. You better be practicing what I told you to do last year Potter as I will start your lessons again as soon as possible in hopes that you may be able to remotely defend yourself against mind invaders. Take two drops of this potion before you wish to have a dreamless night's sleep, and use it sparingly, as it takes much effort to brew and I am not sure I will do it for you again.
-Professor Snape
"Well he gets a 'D' for optimism, but an 'O' for effort I suppose," Harry still loathed Snape, but he couldn't help but feel grateful. He may now be able to get a full night's rest because of this. He reached into the box in which the potion was encased in, and pulled out a small glass bottle. It contained a hazy, midnight blue, liquid.
"So that's what the git wanted! He wanted you to have the potion so he wouldn't have to teach as much! That greasy, dirty, bast…" Lupin was fuming.
"Easy Remus, we are in this fight together now. You can't forget what Severus did for you once," said Mr. Weasley referring to the potion Snape had brewed to keep him from transforming into a werewolf so often. Lupin replaced himself in his chair and muttered something into his teacup that Harry couldn't understand.
"Er—I think I will go to bed now." Harry was uncomfortable sitting with the rest of them now that he had received this gift. He was most anxious to have a full night's rest, even though it was already close to five in the morning. He would have plenty of time the next day to talk to Ron and Hermione, even if he did sleep in. Without further hesitation, he climbed the stairs, passed the heads of house elves and entered his and Ron's bedroom. Ron was still snoozing peacefully. Harry looked at the bottle of potion and took of the cork as he walked the length of the room over to his bed. He climbed onto the soft mattress and pulled the blankets up to his chest. He took off his glasses, laying them on the nightstand and let two drops of the liquid fall onto his outstretched tongue. Replacing the cork into the bottle, and laying the bottle on the nightstand, he lay his head back and drifted into the nothingness of dreamless sleep.
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"Wake up mate, come on, wake up." Harry felt himself being shaken gently. He gave a sort of drowsy moan and opened his eyes just slightly to get them adjusted to the light that was spilling into all corners of the room. "Come on! It's nearly lunchtime Harry! You have to open your birthday presents!"
"Lunchtime?" Harry reached for his glasses and shoved them on his face. Standing over him with a beaming smile on his face, was the red haired, freckled, boy whom he knew as his best friend, Ron. Harry repaid the smile.
"All right Ron?" said a still half asleep Harry as he rolled out of bed and stumbled to get to his feet.
"Yeah. You?" Ron helped Harry stand up. Harry picked up the bottle on the nightstand and let it roll around in his hand before setting it down again. He had just had the best night's sleep he could ever remember. No haunting dreams, no Voldemort, and no Sirius.
"I'm great." Ron nodded and continued as Harry began to dress.
"I've got loads to tell you! Mum says that those awful people wouldn't even let you hear of what's happening," He paused.
"She was right," said Harry as he pulled on a tee shirt.
"Well, Dumbledore doesn't come around much. He's been working with the ministry. Tracking you-know-who's movements. We've been getting new members though. I hear them sometimes after the meetings. Snape has been coming around more often too, bloody git." Harry listened intently.
"Do you know if he as kil…" He was interrupted by the sound of the door opening. Hermione and Ginny filed into the room. Both took turns embracing Harry. Hermione gave him a peck on the cheek.
"Ooo. I can't believe you didn't wake us when you arrived. I knew you were coming close to your birthday. I didn't know you would arrive ON your birthday." She smirked and then sat down on Harry's bed.
Harry raised an eyebrow. "Hermione, I arrived at three in the morning. Technically it wasn't my birthday."
"Still, you could have at least said 'Hello, I've arrived, goodnight' or something of the sort." She glared at him.
"Hello, I arrived at three in the morning, nice to see you too," He said mockingly.
She said nothing but continued to glare. "Lets go, so Harry can open his presents!" said Ron urging them out of the room.
"Gladly," said Hermione and she and Ginny left the room first. Ron shook his head and rolled his eyes. Harry laughed and followed him out of the room. As they walked, he hardly noticed the heads of the house elves. All he could think about was that he was with his friends, and he was happy. They reached the bottom of the stairs and there was a pile of packages on the table. Tonks, Lupin, and Mr. Weasley were sitting on the sofa drinking tea as if they hadn't left last night.
"Look mate! All for you!" He held up his finger and began counting them. "Wait! There is one more than there was last night!" Ron looked amazed.
"We don't know where it came from, it just showed up," Tonks motioned to a rather large package on the table.
"Go on Harry. Open them." Ron looked eager.
"Hold it!" Mrs. Weasley emerged from the kitchen with a tray of cupcakes, one of which had a candle in it. "Harry has to make a wish," She held up her wand and muttered a charm that lit the candle. Harry smiled at her effort for him. It was like she was a second mother. For this he was grateful. He drew in a deep breath and made his wish as he blew out the candle.
"I wish that I will defeat Voldemort and I wish that I could talk to Sirius one more time," He thought to himself. He knew that asking for the dead to come back was a selfish thing to wish for when he could have wished that the members of the Order were kept safe. "It isn't like wishes come true anyway," He thought. He took a bight of his cupcake, which was absolutely delicious, then began to open his presents.
Ron's was an assortment of the finest Honeydukes sweets, which Harry appreciated very much, as he had not been able to eat sweets all summer. Hermione's was two books. One was Occlumency for beginners, and the other was Quidditch, Play by Play. The first Harry didn't care too much for but the second one was sure to come in handy this year.
"Here's one from Fred and George!" Ron shoved a big crate towards him. He tore off the paper and it revealed some of the finest fireworks Harry had ever seen. Enclosed was a message.
Heya Harry,
Business is booming. Thanks for what you did. These are some of the same fireworks you saw last year. Have fun mate!
Cheers
Fred and George
"Amazing!" said Ron, "They wouldn't even let me have any of these without paying!" He kind of brushed it off and handed Harry another package. It was from Mrs. Weasley. It was all the required books and two new quills for the net school year.
"But Mrs. Weasley, you didn't…" Harry was flabbergasted.
"I know dear, you're welcome." She grinned. Harry shook his head in amazement. All the books she had gotten him were brand new, no second hand ones in the lot. He knew it must have been expensive.
"Thanks. A lot!" He set the books and quills carefully beside him and nodded his head in thanks once more.
The next package was from Lupin. His was rather small, but meaningful nonetheless. It was a moving photograph of Sirius holding baby Harry and the second in the pair of two-way mirrors. Harry could feel tears behind his eyes but he would not do it. Not here. Not anywhere.
"Thanks Remus. I really appreciate it." Harry looked at Lupin who had his head in his hands.
"No problem. H-he would have wanted you to have that." He motioned toward the mirror. "Maybe give it to one of these two in case you get into a tight spot." Harry could tell Lupin was trying to hold back tears as well. Hermione had already let a single tear escape from her eye, but quickly pulled herself together.
The last of the gifts was the one nobody could explain. They had told Harry it had just showed up after they had left the living room.
"Maybe you should let one of us open that Harry dear? What do you say." Mrs. Weasley sounded rather squeamish over the matter, as if there may be something harmful in the package.
"Well, okay, sure.' Harry handed the bulky object to Mrs. Weasley who opened it hesitantly. What she revealed was quite unbelievable. Harry recognized it immediately. He had seen it so many times before. Even gotten in a spot of trouble over it. It was a—
"Pensieve! My, my! Someone does fancy you dear! Really hard to come by." Mrs. Weasley examined it in awe.
"Who does it say it is from?" said Mr. Weasley dumbfounded.
"It didn't. All it says is how to use it. I do not recognize the writing. See here." She handed the note to Mr. Weasley and he to looked puzzled.
"No idea. Remus?" He handed the note to Lupin.
"Nothing. Tonks?" He handed it to the woman with pastel blue hair.
"No clue." She handed the note to Harry who looked it over.
Sort out your thought, or keep them hidden. Think hard on the thought or memory you wish to review. Place your wand to your temple and if done correctly it should appear in the Pensieve. When ready to replace a thought, tap the Pensieve three times with your wand.
"Odd isn't it?" said Hermione. "Why would someone spend that kind of money and not even tell us who they were." Hermione had grabbed the note and examined it. "I mean. Honestly, it's rude if you think about it."
"Rude?" said Ron. "Who cares who gave it to you, let's have a look at it." Ron reached for the ceramic looking bowl in his mothers arms but she pulled away.
"I do not want you toying with something unless we know where it came from." She glared at her son who was glaring right back at her.
"Now dear, I feel that it is perfectly safe to let Harry give it a try." Mr. Weasley stood and walked over to his wife and kissed her on the cheek while he took the Pensieve in his own arms. Mrs. Weasley took a seat looking uncertain as Arthur Weasley placed the glossy white bowl at Harry's feet. "Go on then give it a try."
Harry took out his wand. He knew the first thing he wanted to place in the Pensieve. He thought hard on the night that he had seen his godfather parish. It filled his mind until he could feel it about to spill over. Then he put his wand to his temple and felt the thought being sucked from his mind. He felt rejuvenated, at peace.
"So that's what it feels like." Harry placed a hand on his forehead where his scar was starting to burn from the memory. Still, he felt good inside, like a great burden had been lifted from his shoulders. He looked down into the Pensieve, which was now swirling with the liquid like gas that was his memory. He tapped it three times and the silvery substance came rushing back into his head. He once more felt heavy headed.
"See dear. Nothing to worry about." Mr. Weasley smiled at Harry then bent down and whispered in his ear, "If you ever find out who gave this to you, be sure to put in a good word for me," They both laughed and Harry stood up.
"Thank you all. You really didn't have to,"
"Well of course we did! No one deserves a birthday without gifts. Now you lot I've got lunch made in the kitchen." With that they all stood and made their way to the food on the table. This day was looking promising for Harry.