Sorry it took so long to update but I'm not at my computer everyday, so be patient with me please. Anyway, I hope you like this new chapter!
Chapter Two:
Owl-Phobia
Harry sat thinking about his Potions O.W.L. McGonagall wouldn't alter Harry's O.W.L., Harry was sure of that. Harry was brought out of his reverie by the first signs of life from upstairs.
Turning around in his seat at the sounds of feet coming down the stairs, Harry made it in time to catch a glimpse of his Uncle Vernon's face, scanning the room for Harry. This was Uncle Vernon's favorite tactic nowadays and Harry was sure he did it because he wanted to be in a room without Harry so he could talk freely about him. Uncle Vernon's eyes popped when he spotted Harry and he quickly withdrew his head.
Harry chuckled softly to himself, stood and began walking to around the corner where Uncle Vernon's head had been seconds before when an three owls zoomed out of the open window. One of them, flying extremely frantically, nearly knocked Harry off his feet as it collided with him.
Harry recognized the kamikaze owl immediately. It was Ron's owl, Pigwideon. The other owls calmly landed on the table. Harry picked up the dazed Pigwideon and took his letter first. It was indeed Ron:
Dear Harry,
Did you get your O.W.L. results? I did... I passed Divination! I have to spend two more years with that bat, isn't that horrible! Some better news is I got a D in Potions so we don't have to be subjected to the hell that are Snape's classes. I got an A in everything else though. Mum wasn't too happy. Anyway, Percy came back to live with us again and Dad accepted his apology, plus ever since Percy became Junior Assistant to the Minister he's had his fair share of Galleons! Mum says I can have all new robes this year! I hope you can come stay with us soon!
Your Friend,
Ron
When Harry looked up he discovered that Pigwideon had left and the remaining owls were getting impatient, so Harry hastily took a letter from a bluish-white owl and found that the envelope was sealed with the Hogwarts crest.
Harry tore it open eagerly expecting the Supplies List but it was not. It was something much better:
Dear Mr. Potter:
Sixth Years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are allowed two privileges. One during the summer and one during the school year. During the summer sixth years are allowed to cast minor spells in the presence of their parents or guardians. During the school year sixth years may use the, Outernet. The Outernet, a magical network of communication between wizards, can only be used with the permission of your parents or guardians. Included with this letter is a permission form for your parents or guardian to sign. Use of the Outernet is prohibited to all who come to Hogwarts without one.
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Once Harry had finished the letter he found the permission form. Harry remembered the last time he needed a permission form to do something at Hogwarts and it hadn't gone very well. However, this didn't stop him. Fred and George Weasley had given him one of their most prized possessions: The Marauder's Map. This map showed all of Hogwarts exits, even the secret one, and labeled dots that gave the position of everyone in the school. Harry had used the map to find a secret passage that went straight to Hogsmeade, the place where he wasn't allowed to go.
Harry was sure he wouldn't have trouble getting Uncle Vernon to sign a form this time tough. Harry was about to go ask when he felt a sharp pain on his hand. Harry looked down and spotted the owl he had forgotten. He was a very handsome owl, he had bright red feathers and gold eyes. Harry took the final letter, ripped it open and was pleasantly surprised to find Hermione's writing:
Dear Harry,
This is Gawaine. He's my owl. I finally convinced Mum and Dad to get me one because it was getting annoying to have to go to the Wizard Post Office every time I wanted to send something. The reason I wrote this letter is not because of O.W.L. results (I got all O's!) but because I wanted to ask you if you wanted to come to my house over the summer. I remember two years ago that Ron went to your house by Floo Powder. Maybe we can do the same? Reply quickly and tell me what we can do. I hope to see you soon!
Love,
Hermione
Harry remembered only too well what had happened when the Weasleys had come to pick him up. They had tried to travel by Floo Powder but the Dursleys had an electric fire so it was boarded up and Mr. Weasley had had to blow it across the room to get out. Harry quickly scribbled:
I don's think Floo Powder is such a good idea. I'm positively sure I can go though. You were there when Mr. Weasley, Moody, Lupin and Tonks gave my uncle that tirade. I hope to you soon too.
Sincerely,
Harry
P.S. I loved your present
Harry decided he'd better actually ask permission for these things before he sent his reply. While making his way towards the stairs, Gawaine fluttered onto Harry's shoulder. When Harry reached the top of the stairs he spotted all three Dursleys huddled together in deep conversation. The moment they realized that Harry had spotted them they burst apart as if this would negate the fact that Harry had seen them.
"What do you want boy?" said Uncle Vernon, failing to hide his anger.
Harry raised an eyebrow and replied, "I wanted to ask you if I could go to a friends house over the summer. She's a muggle like you."
The Dursleys frowned slightly at being called muggles and Aunt Petunia asked, "So they won't... come through the fire?"
"No," answered Harry caught between impatience and amusement.
"Fine!" roared Uncle Vernon and he added, "Go then!"
"Also can you sign this for me?" asked Harry handing the form to Uncle Vernon.
"No! I draw the line there! Last time you wanted me to sign something you blew up my sister!" exclaimed Uncle Vernon.
Harry had made up his mind. he wasn't going to stand for this when he could do something about it. Harry remembered his lettered from Hogwarts as he withdrew his wand. He wasn't sure what he was going to do until he saw a bird's nest outside the window of his bedroom. This gave Harry an idea...
Harry pointed his wand at Dudley's hair and shouted, "Fabrica!" With a small pop Dudley's hair vanished and in it's place stood a bird's nest fully attached to his head. Seeing the nest Gawaine flew over and neatly perched himself on Dudley's head. This escalated the volume of of the Dursleys' screaming.
"Get it off! Get it off!" wailed Dudley.
"Take that nest off him immediately!" roared Uncle Vernon.
For one wild moment Harry thought his aunt was a witch for it seemed that she had just conjured a broom and was now whacking Dudley's head with it. Between Aunt Petunia's screams, Dudley's wails, Gawaine's screeching and Uncle Vernon's roaring Harry laughed in spite of himself.
After Harry rectified the mayhem he had caused Uncle Vernon signed his form very eagerly. Also, to Harry's extreme pleasure Dudley had acquired a sort of owl-phobia. All Harry had to if Dudley did anything on the unpleasant side was hoot or brandish his wand threateningly and Dudley would dive under the nearest source of protection.
One night when Harry was getting ready for bed he heard a rap on his window. Harry turned around and opened the window eager to see Hermione's reply. Gawaine flew in with a loud hoot (there was a loud thump heard from Dudley's room) and landed on top of Hedwig's cage. Harry let Gawaine take a drink from Hedwig's water tray and to Harry's immense surprise Hedwig let Gawaine take a drink without trouble. Harry then tore his eyes to the letter:
Dear Harry,
Thank you for telling me about the Floo Powder. Your house isn't too far from ours so we'll drive over and pick you up. Ron's coming too and guess what! Viktor is having dinner with us one night! Anyway, we'll pick you up tomorrow at a two. I'll see you then!
Love,
Hermione
P.S. I'm so glad you liked your present!
Harry was glad that Hermione was driving here. He let Gawaine out and closed the window after him. Harry flopped onto his bed and drifted into a deep sleep filled with dreams about Dudley with a nest for hair.