Chapter 3 Presents from Everyone
After he had finished for the day, it was already dark. He went into the house got cleaned up, and took his small supper upstairs. After 11:30, he finally thought that the Dursleys were asleep. He took out the parchments and looked at them again. Doubtful that it would be of any help, he did as he was instructed. As soon as he placed the blank parchment on the bars, it stuck there. To his surprise, a handle appeared on one side of the parchment with a sign that said, "Open Me". He pulled on it, and it swung open as if it was on hinges, taking the bars with it as if they were cut and glued to the parchment. He closed the 'door' and the handle disappeared and the parchment unstuck itself from the bars back in one piece. Shocked and hoping that the parchment worked more than once, he tried to put the parchment back on the bars like before. To his relief the parchment stuck to the bars again, and the handle reappeared.
"Wow," he said, "this is the best." He opened the 'door' and left it open this time. At midnight the owls started arriving with packages full of letters and presents from his friends. There were barn owls, grey owls, small ones and snowy owls including Hedwig. He counted them and there were 10 all together.
He went to Hedwig first and opened the rather large package that she carried. Inside was a bag of owl treats and a box. The note on the bag said "For all the deliveries and more for Hedwig. Madame Pomfrey". "Madame Pomfrey?" he wondered. Then Harry opened the box and inside there were several small vials and a note. "Take half a vial before bed." He uncorked one and looked inside, seeing a familiar looking potion, he took one smell and realized "Dreamless Sleep Potions" he exclaimed. "That will help out a great deal, now I can get a good nights' sleep." He gave Hedwig one of the treats and went to the next owl.
He recognized the next owl immediately as Ron's owl, Pig. The little owl raced around the room hooting around making quite a racket. If it wasn't for his quidditch training, he couldn't have caught the overactive little bird. He removed the package from Pig that was almost as big as he was. Then gave him a treat and tossed him out the window so as to not wake the Dursleys. There was a letter attached to the box, so he read it first.
Harry, Happy Birthday, mate. Sorry to hear that Dumbledore won't let you come to visit us this summer. Hermione has kept us informed of your letters, so we know how bad you have it. I hope that Mum's present will help you in that department. This present will also help I think. It is powered by magic and is water-proof, so it won't get ruined like your last one.
Fred and George took me shopping last week to buy me some new dress robes. No more frills for me! They also got an Owl for their business.
See you at school, Ron
"Water-proof, ruined like my last one?" Harry asked. He opened the box and all questions were answered.
Inside was a wrist watch. "Just what I needed." he said aloud.
The next Owl was the Weasleys old owl Erol. It had passed out on his bed from the long flight, and looking at the size of the package it carried, Harry realized it was too much for the old bird. "They should retire Erol, he is getting too old for this," he thought. He opened the letter attached to the box.
Harry, Dear, Inside this box are some things to keep up your strength. Enjoy them and keep us informed on how things are going. Happy Birthday, Molly Weasley
He opened the box and out popped more pies, breads and cakes than what the box should have held. Under the lid was a small button that said, "Press me." He pressed the button and everything went back into the box and the lid closed. "More of Fred and George's tricks," he thought to himself laughing.
He went to the next owl. This one was a barn owl that looked like it was one of the school owls. Attached was a letter from Dumbledore. Harry put that aside to read later.
The next owl was a grey Great Horned owl with a package that reminded Harry of a small book. "That must be from Hermione," he thought. He opened the attached note.
Harry, With the rise of Voldemort this book should come in handy. Happy Birthday, Moony
A present from Remus? He opened the package and inside was indeed a book. It was "The Defense Handbook on Dueling" by Migule Paloma. He would definitely look this one over in his 'spare' time. He put down the book on his bed next to the growing pile of presents and went to the next owl. It was a snowy like Hedwig but with fewer spots. He untied the box from the beautiful bird and gave it a treat. The owl then flew out the open 'door' in the window. The note attached said.
Harry, Thank you for the sack of galleons. This owl was one of our purchases when we took our ickle Ronniekins to get his new dress robes. His name is Weezes, figured as this was a purchase for our business we would name him after the business. We hope that you liked our little invention to solve your window problem. Inside this box are some of our new inventions. There are notes attached letting you know what each one is called and what it does. If you have the chance let us know how they work out. Fred & George
Harry had to laugh a little at this note but would not be handing out any of their treats to anyone. He had enough problems with the Dursleys as it was. The next owl was another barn owl with another book attached. Looking at the note he realized that this one was from Hermione.
Happy Birthday Harry, Here is something to help you through your tough times ahead. Love, Hermione
The book was titled "The Power of Positive Thinking". A muggle book? The title said it all, something to help keep his spirits up. Love? Hermione was sure signing her letters like that a lot lately, and that kiss after they got off the train? He definitely had some questions for Hermione now and nothing that involved studying. The rest of the owls were all barn owls and only one had a package, the rest had letters only. Harry untied the deliveries from each one and gave each a treat. Now all the owls had left except for Hedwig.
"You had better leave too, so I can close the 'door' girl, I don't want to forget it and have the Dursleys find it."
He gave her another treat, and she flew out the window. He closed the 'door' and put it away. Harry now turned to the last of the unopened packages. It was small and wrapped in plan paper and no note. Inside was a small red box that opened on a hinge in the middle. Inside was a ring. The ring was red gold and in the shape of a Phoenix with red stones for the eyes. The gold work was so precise that it looked alive in the dim light. He looked again for a note on the box, in the box and the wrapping but nothing. He wasn't sure about putting it on, so he left it in the box and put it next to the rest. Harry ate a piece of meat pie before he put away his presents under the loose floorboard.
All that remained was three letters. One of the letters was from Dumbledore, one from Hagrid and the last one didn't have a name on the envelope.
Harry, Happy birthday, I hope that Hermione is keeping your head full of knowledge during the holidays. I am sorry, but I have not been able to find a safe location for you to stay for the rest of the summer holidays. I will be at your house tomorrow to speak with your relatives and to speak with you. We have much to discuss before school starts again on September 1st. Take a half dose of the potion that Poppy sent you so you can wake up in the morning as I know that it is quite late already. I will see you in the morning. Your relatives do not know that I am coming so keep to your normal schedule. Albus
"Doesn't miss a trick that man," Harry found himself saying again. Smiling he set it aside and reached for the next letter.
Harry, I hope that this letter finds you well. Olympe and I are still traveling doing business for Professor Dumbledore, so I cannot say much, nor was I able to bake you a cake this year. I know that Molly had sent you some food to tide you over though so nothing to worry about. Have a Happy Birthday Harry and I will see you at school. Hagrid
"So Hagrid is still looking for the giants, and he has Madame Maxine with him as well. I hope that he is successful in his mission," Harry thought. "Now who is this last letter from?"
Harry I know that you didn't expect a letter from me after what happened at the end of last year. But I didn't want you blaming yourself for what happened to Cedric anymore. Dumbledore talked with me and told me of your re- occurring nightmares about what happened that night. Cedric's parents don't blame you, Dumbledore doesn't blame you, and I don't blame you. The only person that is to blame for Cedric's death is Voldemort.
Last year when you asked me to go to the Yule ball, I would have been honored to be your date, but I had already promised Cedric to go with him, and we started to see each other after the ball. There was nothing really serious between us, he was a very good friend, nothing more. Love between Cedric and I, was not meant to be more than friendship, there was no real chemistry. If there is a ball this year, don't wait until the last minute to ask me, I might say yes, but I will not wait forever. Have a Happy Birthday Harry, and sleep well.
Yours truly, Cho Chang
Harry thought hard about this last letter. Cho was right he didn't expect a letter form her let alone what she had to say. She didn't blame him for Cedric's death and if anyone would blame him he thought it would be her. If she couldn't blame him then maybe he shouldn't blame himself either. Here was another girl that seemed to have her eyes on him. This would be an interesting year, if he was able to attend Hogwarts. He had a long night and he was getting rather tired so he took the amount of the potion that Albus had suggested and was asleep shortly there after.
After he had finished for the day, it was already dark. He went into the house got cleaned up, and took his small supper upstairs. After 11:30, he finally thought that the Dursleys were asleep. He took out the parchments and looked at them again. Doubtful that it would be of any help, he did as he was instructed. As soon as he placed the blank parchment on the bars, it stuck there. To his surprise, a handle appeared on one side of the parchment with a sign that said, "Open Me". He pulled on it, and it swung open as if it was on hinges, taking the bars with it as if they were cut and glued to the parchment. He closed the 'door' and the handle disappeared and the parchment unstuck itself from the bars back in one piece. Shocked and hoping that the parchment worked more than once, he tried to put the parchment back on the bars like before. To his relief the parchment stuck to the bars again, and the handle reappeared.
"Wow," he said, "this is the best." He opened the 'door' and left it open this time. At midnight the owls started arriving with packages full of letters and presents from his friends. There were barn owls, grey owls, small ones and snowy owls including Hedwig. He counted them and there were 10 all together.
He went to Hedwig first and opened the rather large package that she carried. Inside was a bag of owl treats and a box. The note on the bag said "For all the deliveries and more for Hedwig. Madame Pomfrey". "Madame Pomfrey?" he wondered. Then Harry opened the box and inside there were several small vials and a note. "Take half a vial before bed." He uncorked one and looked inside, seeing a familiar looking potion, he took one smell and realized "Dreamless Sleep Potions" he exclaimed. "That will help out a great deal, now I can get a good nights' sleep." He gave Hedwig one of the treats and went to the next owl.
He recognized the next owl immediately as Ron's owl, Pig. The little owl raced around the room hooting around making quite a racket. If it wasn't for his quidditch training, he couldn't have caught the overactive little bird. He removed the package from Pig that was almost as big as he was. Then gave him a treat and tossed him out the window so as to not wake the Dursleys. There was a letter attached to the box, so he read it first.
Harry, Happy Birthday, mate. Sorry to hear that Dumbledore won't let you come to visit us this summer. Hermione has kept us informed of your letters, so we know how bad you have it. I hope that Mum's present will help you in that department. This present will also help I think. It is powered by magic and is water-proof, so it won't get ruined like your last one.
Fred and George took me shopping last week to buy me some new dress robes. No more frills for me! They also got an Owl for their business.
See you at school, Ron
"Water-proof, ruined like my last one?" Harry asked. He opened the box and all questions were answered.
Inside was a wrist watch. "Just what I needed." he said aloud.
The next Owl was the Weasleys old owl Erol. It had passed out on his bed from the long flight, and looking at the size of the package it carried, Harry realized it was too much for the old bird. "They should retire Erol, he is getting too old for this," he thought. He opened the letter attached to the box.
Harry, Dear, Inside this box are some things to keep up your strength. Enjoy them and keep us informed on how things are going. Happy Birthday, Molly Weasley
He opened the box and out popped more pies, breads and cakes than what the box should have held. Under the lid was a small button that said, "Press me." He pressed the button and everything went back into the box and the lid closed. "More of Fred and George's tricks," he thought to himself laughing.
He went to the next owl. This one was a barn owl that looked like it was one of the school owls. Attached was a letter from Dumbledore. Harry put that aside to read later.
The next owl was a grey Great Horned owl with a package that reminded Harry of a small book. "That must be from Hermione," he thought. He opened the attached note.
Harry, With the rise of Voldemort this book should come in handy. Happy Birthday, Moony
A present from Remus? He opened the package and inside was indeed a book. It was "The Defense Handbook on Dueling" by Migule Paloma. He would definitely look this one over in his 'spare' time. He put down the book on his bed next to the growing pile of presents and went to the next owl. It was a snowy like Hedwig but with fewer spots. He untied the box from the beautiful bird and gave it a treat. The owl then flew out the open 'door' in the window. The note attached said.
Harry, Thank you for the sack of galleons. This owl was one of our purchases when we took our ickle Ronniekins to get his new dress robes. His name is Weezes, figured as this was a purchase for our business we would name him after the business. We hope that you liked our little invention to solve your window problem. Inside this box are some of our new inventions. There are notes attached letting you know what each one is called and what it does. If you have the chance let us know how they work out. Fred & George
Harry had to laugh a little at this note but would not be handing out any of their treats to anyone. He had enough problems with the Dursleys as it was. The next owl was another barn owl with another book attached. Looking at the note he realized that this one was from Hermione.
Happy Birthday Harry, Here is something to help you through your tough times ahead. Love, Hermione
The book was titled "The Power of Positive Thinking". A muggle book? The title said it all, something to help keep his spirits up. Love? Hermione was sure signing her letters like that a lot lately, and that kiss after they got off the train? He definitely had some questions for Hermione now and nothing that involved studying. The rest of the owls were all barn owls and only one had a package, the rest had letters only. Harry untied the deliveries from each one and gave each a treat. Now all the owls had left except for Hedwig.
"You had better leave too, so I can close the 'door' girl, I don't want to forget it and have the Dursleys find it."
He gave her another treat, and she flew out the window. He closed the 'door' and put it away. Harry now turned to the last of the unopened packages. It was small and wrapped in plan paper and no note. Inside was a small red box that opened on a hinge in the middle. Inside was a ring. The ring was red gold and in the shape of a Phoenix with red stones for the eyes. The gold work was so precise that it looked alive in the dim light. He looked again for a note on the box, in the box and the wrapping but nothing. He wasn't sure about putting it on, so he left it in the box and put it next to the rest. Harry ate a piece of meat pie before he put away his presents under the loose floorboard.
All that remained was three letters. One of the letters was from Dumbledore, one from Hagrid and the last one didn't have a name on the envelope.
Harry, Happy birthday, I hope that Hermione is keeping your head full of knowledge during the holidays. I am sorry, but I have not been able to find a safe location for you to stay for the rest of the summer holidays. I will be at your house tomorrow to speak with your relatives and to speak with you. We have much to discuss before school starts again on September 1st. Take a half dose of the potion that Poppy sent you so you can wake up in the morning as I know that it is quite late already. I will see you in the morning. Your relatives do not know that I am coming so keep to your normal schedule. Albus
"Doesn't miss a trick that man," Harry found himself saying again. Smiling he set it aside and reached for the next letter.
Harry, I hope that this letter finds you well. Olympe and I are still traveling doing business for Professor Dumbledore, so I cannot say much, nor was I able to bake you a cake this year. I know that Molly had sent you some food to tide you over though so nothing to worry about. Have a Happy Birthday Harry and I will see you at school. Hagrid
"So Hagrid is still looking for the giants, and he has Madame Maxine with him as well. I hope that he is successful in his mission," Harry thought. "Now who is this last letter from?"
Harry I know that you didn't expect a letter from me after what happened at the end of last year. But I didn't want you blaming yourself for what happened to Cedric anymore. Dumbledore talked with me and told me of your re- occurring nightmares about what happened that night. Cedric's parents don't blame you, Dumbledore doesn't blame you, and I don't blame you. The only person that is to blame for Cedric's death is Voldemort.
Last year when you asked me to go to the Yule ball, I would have been honored to be your date, but I had already promised Cedric to go with him, and we started to see each other after the ball. There was nothing really serious between us, he was a very good friend, nothing more. Love between Cedric and I, was not meant to be more than friendship, there was no real chemistry. If there is a ball this year, don't wait until the last minute to ask me, I might say yes, but I will not wait forever. Have a Happy Birthday Harry, and sleep well.
Yours truly, Cho Chang
Harry thought hard about this last letter. Cho was right he didn't expect a letter form her let alone what she had to say. She didn't blame him for Cedric's death and if anyone would blame him he thought it would be her. If she couldn't blame him then maybe he shouldn't blame himself either. Here was another girl that seemed to have her eyes on him. This would be an interesting year, if he was able to attend Hogwarts. He had a long night and he was getting rather tired so he took the amount of the potion that Albus had suggested and was asleep shortly there after.