In the End, it Doesn't Even Matter
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Chapter 1: The Birthday Surprise
Back at the Dursley's, Harry lay on his bed, thinking of one person, and one person only.
Sirius; and the big gaping hole he had left in Harry's heart. The hole was so big, he didn't think anything could ever fill it. So what if life had improved for him a little bit at #4? And things had improved. There was now an unspoken respect between him and his aunt, but only when Uncle Vernon and Dudley were turned the other way. Sometimes she would slip an extra sausage onto his plate, or distract Vernon if Hedwig was becoming fidgety and noisy. But so what? He'd either have to be killed, or be the killer at the end, and nothing could bring Sirius back to life.
Nothing.
So, so what if his aunt might actually respect him? And so what if today happened to be his seventeenth birthday? He was still cursed; cursed in the worst possible way. Hedwig flew in through his window, and perched herself on top of her cage. Finally. He had sent her to Ron to ask if he could spend the summer. It wouldn't solve all of his problems, but at least it would let him forget them for a little while. Harry petted Hedwig, and tore open Ron's reply. Two birthday cards (one from Hermione), two presents, and a note fell into his hands. Harry unfolded the note:
Harry-
We got your letter, and I was ready to fire up the old Anglia (it finally came home), but we were contacted by Dumbledore, and he said you need to stay where you are. We don't know what's going on. Really. Hermione put a jinx on this, so don't worry about other people reading it. Remember Cho's friend last year? Well, think ten times worse. And oh yeah, this letter will self destruct in five minutes, so be sure to give it to your cousin… kidding. See you soon, and happy birthday.
-Ron
There was another paragraph under Ron's.
Dear Harry,
Happy Birthday! You must feel awful about Sirius, I know how much he meant to you. He's still with you in spirit, remember that. Enjoy your day, and we'll see you soon.
Love,
Hermione
PS- I bought Crookshanks a red and gold collar, in support of Gryffindor. He'll look so handsome at the Quidditch matches. Ron keeps laughing at me.
Harry found a smile on his face, which was quickly replaced with a frown. What was Dumbledore keeping from him now? After all that, he still didn't trust him? It was like adding insult to injury. He turned instead to his two presents. A Chudley Cannons penant from Ron, and a simple frame from Hermione. In it was a picture of him and Sirius taken at 12 Grimmauld Place, and behind that was a picture of the three of them.
Harry ran a finger over Sirius's smiling face. Hermione always knew what to do. No wonder she was the brains of the bunch.
Harry didn't know how long he had been gazing at the picture of Sirius, but his uncle's booming voice carried up the hall.
"Harry! Harry, get down here boy, you have a visitor!"
Wondering who on earth it could be, and hoping it was the order, Harry jogged down the steps, and stopped when he saw who waited for him.
Mrs. Arabella Figg, an elderly old witch, and member of the Order stood at the bottom of the stairs, greeting him with a cake.
"Mrs. Figg," Harry said.
"Happy Birthday," She croaked.
"Thank you," Harry replied. "What's all this?"
"It's your birthday, isn't it?" She asked with a smile.
"Mrs. Figg has decided to take you the remainder of the holidays, until you go back to St. Brutus's." Uncle Vernon said. "We're going on vacation, and you better be on your best behavior with her, boy, or I'll knock you into next week when I return."
Harry wanted to say, "I'd like to see you try," but came out with a curt nod.
"You sure you can handle this, Arabella?" Uncle Vernon asked. "The boy can be a nusence."
"I think he's delightful!" Mrs. Figg gushed, "And he gets along so well with my cats. Muffin and Twinkles have missed you, Harry." But she gave Harry a wink.
"Oh… yeah…" Harry said, catching on, "I miss them too."
"Well, go get your things," Mrs. Figg said.
Harry dashed up the stairs, hoping he'd finally know what was going on by the end of the day.