Hi Ok sorry it's taken me so long to get this up, I've been concentrating on my story 'Three's a destiny' which I think will be better than this but I'll try carry it on anyway.  Also the letter was a kind of after thought so I had to work out this chapter before I can post the next bits which are more interesting.  So enjoy. Please review!!!

Harry looked down at the parcel in his hands.  It was crudely wrapped in brown wrapping paper but hey, it was a birthday present.  A birthday present nonetheless from his godfather, a convicted murderer who had risked far more than incarceration to deliver it to him.  Sirius was being hunted at that very moment by Fudge's dementors who had been given license to suck Sirius' soul from him should they find him.  Harry shuddered at the memory of the clammy hands that had gripped him and the fear which had overcome him that night by the lake, the night he had first met Sirius.  Harry made his way up to his room, still jammed full of Dudley's discarded possessions but a lot more wizard friendly than the rest of the house.  Harry's trunk lay open at the foot of his bed and quills, parchment and books were spread around,  Hedwig's cage was open on Harry's desk but the snowy owl was out hunting.

            Once inside with the door shut in a futile attempt to drown out Dudley's snores harry sank onto his bed to open Sirius' present.  As the clock hit midnight harry tore into the paper to reveal something glinting inside.  It was a mirror, small, square and dirty.  Infact there seemed to be absolutely nothing special about it.  Surprised, harry lifted the mirror up to expose a short note in Sirius' handwriting.

This is a two-way mirror, I've got the other one of the pair.  If you need to speak to me, just say my name into it; you'll appear in my mirror and I'll be able to talk in yours.  James and I used to use them when we were in separate detentions.  Happy Birthday Harry, speak to you soon.

Sirius

            "Cool" Harry exclaimed placing the mirror by his bed and turning his attention to the envelope which was caught in the wrappings.  The handwriting on the front was that of a stranger yet it was somehow familiar.  With shaking fingers Harry opened the envelope and pulled out a single sheet of paper.  Harry carefully unfolded it and his eyes stared at the words on the page without reading them.  Gradually they began to focus and Harry's brain began to process what was in front of him.

Our darling Harry,

If we had our way you would never read this but since you are the terrible events we tried to prevent must have happened.  It is strange to think that you may be reading this many years in the future as now you are just a baby lying in your cot, not all that peacefully actually; it never was a Potter trait to be quiet.  We look forward so much to seeing the person you are to become and though we are evidently not there with you we will see far more than you might imagine.  We love you so much and we hope that you too can love to such an extent.  Never under estimate love Harry for it can prove more powerful than you might dream, stronger even than the grave.

            These may be difficult times for you, or marvellous ones, we do not know but we do know you will come through whatever you may face.  Sirius will no doubt be keen to guide you and there is no one better to do so.  Give him our love and thanks for everything, and to Dumbledore.  We do not doubt Dumbledore is still strong, he is the wisest, most valiant man you will ever meet.  If he has a hunch, go along with it and do not disobey him for he has your safety at heart, as do we.  We owe Dumbledore Harry, repay him for us.

            Our deepest desire, Harry, is for you to be happy and we hope you are.  Do not dwell on the past for we know it must be littered with sadness.  Live your life Harry, a life for good.  There is too much darkness in the world and you have the strength to fight it, not alone though.  Alone is no way to do things, believe us that help is a good thing and though you may not wish to accept it think carefully before rejecting it.

            There is so much more that we could say to you but we know you will work it out for yourself.  Remember Harry your destiny is in your hands, others may shape and mould it but you choose what you want to be.  Choose wisely.

            All our love

                        Mum and Dad

P.S. Since this should have been delivered this on your birthday you may be interested to know that your present is waiting for you.  It is at Hogwarts, hidden in the 'Room of Requirement'.  It will only appear when you are there to find it.  

Harry looked up from the letter as a tiny grey owl flew in through the window with yet another one.  He was unwilling to open this one, wishing to savour the feeling of correspondence with his parents, anticipation growing to find the present and a deep sadness that they were not there with him.  Unfortunately the owl did not appreciate Harry's delay and pecked at him until he took the letter from it.  Immediately he opened it Harry was glad he had for this is what it read.

Harry, Dad got the tickets-Ireland versus Bulgaria, at the end of the summer.  We'll come and get you soon though-so you don't have to stay too long with the muggles.  I think mum has to sort something out with Dumbledore first though.  Anyway I'll see you soon and Happy Birthday!!

Ron

Harry grinned broadly and turned to the card that accompanied Ron's letter, 'yes' he thought. 'The summer just gets better and better' and for once he was being sincere.

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