Chapter 4 – Week of Emotions
He dreamed of Ginny until he woke up. He hadn't had a dream for a long time. It was nice for a change.
He woke up quite happy. The sun was just between two hills. Harry guessed it was about dawn. Just to make sure, he checked his watch, to see that it was six o'clock. He had slept for just three hours. That was not much but he felt much better then before and wasn't tired at all.
Harry got up, walked a bit, and then started stretching his muscles. He kneeled on the ground and took his running position. After taking a big breath he started to run. Everything seemed to be a blur to him. His speed and senses must have increased. He dodged every tree, every rock with excellent moves. His training was paying off after all, and he was glad.
Harry ran for thirty minutes. By the time he was done he was extremely thirsty and hungry. He sat down on the grass and took a few big gulps of water and started to eat bread. The way he was eating, his breakfast soon finished.
It was a great sunny day. He observed his surroundings, there were trees and rocks almost everywhere. Harry had a sudden thought. This was a perfect place to train. He was glad he brought a couple of, "Imago-balls," with him.
He took out five of them out and threw them each in a direction. He hid behind a tree, and whispered an incantation that increased the balls power. He gave more power to one of them, then he did to the others. The balls would stop when any of them were hit with a spell. This would be a great fight. Harry could feel the adrenaline increasing at the thought.
He pointed in to the trees and yelled, "Imago Nitorum." Black figured appeared between the trees.
Harry wanted them to make the first move. He waited, leaning his back to a tree. He lifted his wand up to his face and closed his eyes. Magic senses were one thing that he was learning. If he sensed right he would be attacked right about NOW!
Harry snapped his eyes open and jumped away from the tree. A second later there was a crack. The tree which he stood seconds ago had a hole in the middle. He gulped.
"I'm in deep shit."
Harry ran into the trees taking advantage of his surroundings. He dodged spells either blocking with a shield or jumping to the sides. If he was going to keep this up, he needed to stop and take his breath. He hid behind a tree and started to breathe as much as he could.
Then, there was a red light that hit him. Harry's wand flew out of his hand and fell five meters away from where he stood. He needed his wand. If he wanted to get his wand he would probably suffer horribly.
The black figure stood in front of him. He needed to do something. Any second he'd be in pain. A voice in his head told him to lift his hand and cast a spell. He didn't think twice. Harry lifted his hand and sent a disarming spell. The ball was knocked out.
The thought confused him but the thing that it had worked confused him even more. He would search in to this wandless magic later. Right now he needed his wand.
"Accio Wand"
The wand flew and landed in his palm. One by one he knocked out the balls until one had been left. This ball was the one, which he gave the most power. The figure would deflect every spell that hit it.
The figure was hovering in front of him. Harry ran towards it. He lifted his right arm which he had his wand and his left arm which he would do wandless magic. He sent a disarming spell with each of his hands. The figure deflected the first one but got knocked out with the other one.
Harry was soaked with sweat by the time he was finished. He lifted his hand up to the air.
"Accio Imago-Balls."
The balls flew in to his hand. He turned around to head back and was surprised to see three shocked faces. Hermione, Ron, Ginny were standing in a bush. They had their mouth open and were staring at Harry with complete disbelief.
"Erm...Hi guys."
He couldn't think of something else to say.
"Where did you learn how to wandless magic?"
"Well, Ron, I didn't it just happened."
Harry turned to Hermione.
"Only powerful Wizards or Witches can do wandless magic Harry. And even the best ones could only do simple spells. You did a disarming spell!"
Harry tried to keep a straight face. But inside he was having a party. Doing wandless magic was definitely an advantage in a battle.
"How long have you been watching?"
This time Ginny answered.
"Ron and Hermione caught me last night and I had to tell them but they swore that they wouldn't tell anyone. We woke up early so we could sneak you some food for breakfast before the others woke up. We headed towards the clearing when we saw you throw some balls in to the trees. Hermione told us that those were Auror training balls. So we hid in the bushes and we've been watching since then."
She ran up and hugged him. This caused a raising eyebrow from Hermione and Ron. Harry looked up at them. They were grinning at him.
"So what's with you two. I've been hearing things." Now it was time for him to grin.
They both flushed.
"Well Ron finally admitted his feelings. I was wondering if the git would ever admit it."
"She was driving me berserk. I couldn't take it anymore."
Ron turned scarlet red. They all laughed. Hermione and Ron came up to him.
"Harry we are truly sorry for treating you as a baby. But that's what friends do. Care for each other."
"I understand guys, but sometimes its best to be left alone. I'm sorry too."
Harry's last day past in a blur. He woke up in the morning and did some training. Then Hermione, Ginny and Ron came. They had some breakfast and talked the rest of the day. It was great to be back with his friends.
It was night and time for his friends to head back to the Burrow. They bid each other goodnight. In the morning he would be going back to Privet Drive.
"Harry we've sent a letter to Dumbledore and told him about your problem. He said that we would be perfectly safe. We want you to come to the Burrow for your birthday. Please say you'll come."
"Hmm...Okay I'll come but you know that I need to go after it."
"I know Harry. Thanks you won't regret it."
She stood on her toes and kissed him. He grinned at her.
"Ohh I'm sure I won't regret it. It's goodbye till next week, see you all then." They waved back at him and headed toward the Burrow.
In the morning Harry woke up, did his training and ate breakfast. It was time to go. Harry got on his Firebolt. The trip to Surrey was uneventful... He passed the Order member easily.
At night the Dursley's came. To Uncle Vernon's surprise nothing was wrong with the house.
"This is going to be the best birthday I've ever had."
He turned off his lamp and went into bed.
Harry trained everyday. The time had passed quickly. Before he knew it, it was Saturday. Today, he would be leaving the Dursley's, and he was anxious about his first real birthday.
Harry had been sent a letter from Mr. Weasley. At the letter he wrote that he would come over to the Dursley's at noon to pick him up.
He had packed his stuff after his training. It didn't take long since most of his stuff was now in his new trunk.
Harry had informed his uncle that he would be leaving today.
"Don't expect me to give you a lift."
"No need. Someone will be coming to pick me up."
"When will they picking you up?"
"At twelve o'clock."
It was nearly twelve. He had worn black jeans and a dark green shirt that was a little tight. His hair was tied back. He looked at himself in the mirror and smiled at himself. He looked cool.
Someone knocked on the door. Then the doorbell rang non-stop.
"I'll get it. Coming..."
Harry opened the door to see Mr. Weasley playing with the doorbell. He looked like a kid who was given a new toy. Mr. Weasley looked up to see Harry looking at him. His eyebrows shot up in to his hair seeing Harry's appearance.
"How are you Harry? Smashing to see you again."
"I'm fine. Nice to see you again Mr. Weasley."
"You look erm...Great. Are you ready to go? I'm not sure your uncle would be pleased to see me." He was smiling while he said this.
"Okay. I'll get my stuff."
Harry went upstairs and carried his trunk downstairs with Hedwig on his shoulder.
Mr. Weasley stepped a side revealing a brand new Mercedes car. A guy in a black suit came and took his trunk.
"Hedwig I'm going to the Burrow. If you want you could fly."
"Harry actually you'll be staying at Grimauld Place. Dumbledore thinks it safer for you to stay there." The friendly face he always had was gone revealing a sad one while he said that.
"Okay, Hedwig, I'll see you at Grimauld Place."
Harry didn't even bother saying good-bye to the Dursley's. He knew their answer already. It was nothing!
They got in the car. It was luxurious.
"Mr. Weasley how did you get this car. Since when did Fudge start giving out cars like this?"
"Well you see Harry because the battle at the Ministry, Fudge is near resigning. He probably will resign in September if things don't improve. So he has started to take Dumbledore's advice. And he knows that Albus is my friend so he gave me the car when I asked him."
"I hate Fudge. He should resign now. He can't handle a thing."
"Actually he would but no one seems to take his job. These are hard times Harry. Everyone's afraid of being attacked."
"I understand... At least I know who would be a great Minister."
Harry eyes were twinkling when he looked at Mr. Weasley.
"You think so Harry?"
"I'm sure of it."
"I'll keep that in mind." He had a smile on his face.
He looked outside. Everything was in a blur. Finally the car started to slow down as he realized they were getting close to Grimauld Place. Memories of Sirius began flashing in his mind.
He looked straight ahead trying to calm himself and hold the tears that were going to fall any second.
Harry body tightened up as he entered the door. Everything seemed to be changed. It was cleaner and neater. The walls were painted, new furniture had been placed, and the floor was polished. The place had become almost liveable. But nothing here would be liveable without Sirius.
Mr. Weasley looked into Harry's face. He could see the hurt in his eyes, the sorrow...
"Harry...I know, it must be hard for you to be back here. Sirius was my friend too, and I miss him as much as you do. I know this place brings back memories of him. Memories that stops us from forgetting him. I'm sure he wouldn't want his death causing his Godson this much pain. He would want his Godson to live on."
Harry turned facing the wall. He didn't want Mr. Weasley seeing the tears in his eyes. He sighed.
"I know Mr. Weasley. It's hard for me, but I'll get over it."
Mr. Weasley put his hand on his shoulder.
"Well Harry you go put your stuff away. I'll be waiting in the kitchen."
"Thanks. I'll be back in a couple of minutes."
Mr. Weasley headed for the kitchen. He assumed he would be using the same room he used last year. He passed the place where the portrait of Sirius's Mother used to be. Finally, Dumbledore must have found a way to take her off the wall.
He opened the door. The room had a complete make over. There was a king size bed. In front of the bed the words, "Harry J. Potter," were elegantly carved into the wood. By the bed he had a closet, a desk and a gold cage for an owl. He was shocked. He had his own room. He would definitely check this out later. Harry set his trunk in front of his bed.
He walked into the kitchen, Mr. Weasley saw Harry's face and smiled.
"I take that you liked your room. It was a gift from Sirius. He was going to show it to you after school."
"It's great. Sirius was a great man. And he is still, even if he isn't here."
"You'll be staying here after your birthday. I wanted you to stay at our place but Dumbledore thinks it'll be safer to have you here."
"I understand Mr. Weasley. I wouldn't want to put your family in danger anyway." He had a grim expression on his face.
"Ohh, Harry don't take me wrong, it's for your safety not ours. We're already in danger not that we are with you but because we're Dumbledore's friend too. We would never leave you, even if it meant us being targets."
"Thanks Mr. Weasley, that means a lot to me."
They used the floo powder and the next second they were at the Burrow.
He dreamed of Ginny until he woke up. He hadn't had a dream for a long time. It was nice for a change.
He woke up quite happy. The sun was just between two hills. Harry guessed it was about dawn. Just to make sure, he checked his watch, to see that it was six o'clock. He had slept for just three hours. That was not much but he felt much better then before and wasn't tired at all.
Harry got up, walked a bit, and then started stretching his muscles. He kneeled on the ground and took his running position. After taking a big breath he started to run. Everything seemed to be a blur to him. His speed and senses must have increased. He dodged every tree, every rock with excellent moves. His training was paying off after all, and he was glad.
Harry ran for thirty minutes. By the time he was done he was extremely thirsty and hungry. He sat down on the grass and took a few big gulps of water and started to eat bread. The way he was eating, his breakfast soon finished.
It was a great sunny day. He observed his surroundings, there were trees and rocks almost everywhere. Harry had a sudden thought. This was a perfect place to train. He was glad he brought a couple of, "Imago-balls," with him.
He took out five of them out and threw them each in a direction. He hid behind a tree, and whispered an incantation that increased the balls power. He gave more power to one of them, then he did to the others. The balls would stop when any of them were hit with a spell. This would be a great fight. Harry could feel the adrenaline increasing at the thought.
He pointed in to the trees and yelled, "Imago Nitorum." Black figured appeared between the trees.
Harry wanted them to make the first move. He waited, leaning his back to a tree. He lifted his wand up to his face and closed his eyes. Magic senses were one thing that he was learning. If he sensed right he would be attacked right about NOW!
Harry snapped his eyes open and jumped away from the tree. A second later there was a crack. The tree which he stood seconds ago had a hole in the middle. He gulped.
"I'm in deep shit."
Harry ran into the trees taking advantage of his surroundings. He dodged spells either blocking with a shield or jumping to the sides. If he was going to keep this up, he needed to stop and take his breath. He hid behind a tree and started to breathe as much as he could.
Then, there was a red light that hit him. Harry's wand flew out of his hand and fell five meters away from where he stood. He needed his wand. If he wanted to get his wand he would probably suffer horribly.
The black figure stood in front of him. He needed to do something. Any second he'd be in pain. A voice in his head told him to lift his hand and cast a spell. He didn't think twice. Harry lifted his hand and sent a disarming spell. The ball was knocked out.
The thought confused him but the thing that it had worked confused him even more. He would search in to this wandless magic later. Right now he needed his wand.
"Accio Wand"
The wand flew and landed in his palm. One by one he knocked out the balls until one had been left. This ball was the one, which he gave the most power. The figure would deflect every spell that hit it.
The figure was hovering in front of him. Harry ran towards it. He lifted his right arm which he had his wand and his left arm which he would do wandless magic. He sent a disarming spell with each of his hands. The figure deflected the first one but got knocked out with the other one.
Harry was soaked with sweat by the time he was finished. He lifted his hand up to the air.
"Accio Imago-Balls."
The balls flew in to his hand. He turned around to head back and was surprised to see three shocked faces. Hermione, Ron, Ginny were standing in a bush. They had their mouth open and were staring at Harry with complete disbelief.
"Erm...Hi guys."
He couldn't think of something else to say.
"Where did you learn how to wandless magic?"
"Well, Ron, I didn't it just happened."
Harry turned to Hermione.
"Only powerful Wizards or Witches can do wandless magic Harry. And even the best ones could only do simple spells. You did a disarming spell!"
Harry tried to keep a straight face. But inside he was having a party. Doing wandless magic was definitely an advantage in a battle.
"How long have you been watching?"
This time Ginny answered.
"Ron and Hermione caught me last night and I had to tell them but they swore that they wouldn't tell anyone. We woke up early so we could sneak you some food for breakfast before the others woke up. We headed towards the clearing when we saw you throw some balls in to the trees. Hermione told us that those were Auror training balls. So we hid in the bushes and we've been watching since then."
She ran up and hugged him. This caused a raising eyebrow from Hermione and Ron. Harry looked up at them. They were grinning at him.
"So what's with you two. I've been hearing things." Now it was time for him to grin.
They both flushed.
"Well Ron finally admitted his feelings. I was wondering if the git would ever admit it."
"She was driving me berserk. I couldn't take it anymore."
Ron turned scarlet red. They all laughed. Hermione and Ron came up to him.
"Harry we are truly sorry for treating you as a baby. But that's what friends do. Care for each other."
"I understand guys, but sometimes its best to be left alone. I'm sorry too."
Harry's last day past in a blur. He woke up in the morning and did some training. Then Hermione, Ginny and Ron came. They had some breakfast and talked the rest of the day. It was great to be back with his friends.
It was night and time for his friends to head back to the Burrow. They bid each other goodnight. In the morning he would be going back to Privet Drive.
"Harry we've sent a letter to Dumbledore and told him about your problem. He said that we would be perfectly safe. We want you to come to the Burrow for your birthday. Please say you'll come."
"Hmm...Okay I'll come but you know that I need to go after it."
"I know Harry. Thanks you won't regret it."
She stood on her toes and kissed him. He grinned at her.
"Ohh I'm sure I won't regret it. It's goodbye till next week, see you all then." They waved back at him and headed toward the Burrow.
In the morning Harry woke up, did his training and ate breakfast. It was time to go. Harry got on his Firebolt. The trip to Surrey was uneventful... He passed the Order member easily.
At night the Dursley's came. To Uncle Vernon's surprise nothing was wrong with the house.
"This is going to be the best birthday I've ever had."
He turned off his lamp and went into bed.
Harry trained everyday. The time had passed quickly. Before he knew it, it was Saturday. Today, he would be leaving the Dursley's, and he was anxious about his first real birthday.
Harry had been sent a letter from Mr. Weasley. At the letter he wrote that he would come over to the Dursley's at noon to pick him up.
He had packed his stuff after his training. It didn't take long since most of his stuff was now in his new trunk.
Harry had informed his uncle that he would be leaving today.
"Don't expect me to give you a lift."
"No need. Someone will be coming to pick me up."
"When will they picking you up?"
"At twelve o'clock."
It was nearly twelve. He had worn black jeans and a dark green shirt that was a little tight. His hair was tied back. He looked at himself in the mirror and smiled at himself. He looked cool.
Someone knocked on the door. Then the doorbell rang non-stop.
"I'll get it. Coming..."
Harry opened the door to see Mr. Weasley playing with the doorbell. He looked like a kid who was given a new toy. Mr. Weasley looked up to see Harry looking at him. His eyebrows shot up in to his hair seeing Harry's appearance.
"How are you Harry? Smashing to see you again."
"I'm fine. Nice to see you again Mr. Weasley."
"You look erm...Great. Are you ready to go? I'm not sure your uncle would be pleased to see me." He was smiling while he said this.
"Okay. I'll get my stuff."
Harry went upstairs and carried his trunk downstairs with Hedwig on his shoulder.
Mr. Weasley stepped a side revealing a brand new Mercedes car. A guy in a black suit came and took his trunk.
"Hedwig I'm going to the Burrow. If you want you could fly."
"Harry actually you'll be staying at Grimauld Place. Dumbledore thinks it safer for you to stay there." The friendly face he always had was gone revealing a sad one while he said that.
"Okay, Hedwig, I'll see you at Grimauld Place."
Harry didn't even bother saying good-bye to the Dursley's. He knew their answer already. It was nothing!
They got in the car. It was luxurious.
"Mr. Weasley how did you get this car. Since when did Fudge start giving out cars like this?"
"Well you see Harry because the battle at the Ministry, Fudge is near resigning. He probably will resign in September if things don't improve. So he has started to take Dumbledore's advice. And he knows that Albus is my friend so he gave me the car when I asked him."
"I hate Fudge. He should resign now. He can't handle a thing."
"Actually he would but no one seems to take his job. These are hard times Harry. Everyone's afraid of being attacked."
"I understand... At least I know who would be a great Minister."
Harry eyes were twinkling when he looked at Mr. Weasley.
"You think so Harry?"
"I'm sure of it."
"I'll keep that in mind." He had a smile on his face.
He looked outside. Everything was in a blur. Finally the car started to slow down as he realized they were getting close to Grimauld Place. Memories of Sirius began flashing in his mind.
He looked straight ahead trying to calm himself and hold the tears that were going to fall any second.
Harry body tightened up as he entered the door. Everything seemed to be changed. It was cleaner and neater. The walls were painted, new furniture had been placed, and the floor was polished. The place had become almost liveable. But nothing here would be liveable without Sirius.
Mr. Weasley looked into Harry's face. He could see the hurt in his eyes, the sorrow...
"Harry...I know, it must be hard for you to be back here. Sirius was my friend too, and I miss him as much as you do. I know this place brings back memories of him. Memories that stops us from forgetting him. I'm sure he wouldn't want his death causing his Godson this much pain. He would want his Godson to live on."
Harry turned facing the wall. He didn't want Mr. Weasley seeing the tears in his eyes. He sighed.
"I know Mr. Weasley. It's hard for me, but I'll get over it."
Mr. Weasley put his hand on his shoulder.
"Well Harry you go put your stuff away. I'll be waiting in the kitchen."
"Thanks. I'll be back in a couple of minutes."
Mr. Weasley headed for the kitchen. He assumed he would be using the same room he used last year. He passed the place where the portrait of Sirius's Mother used to be. Finally, Dumbledore must have found a way to take her off the wall.
He opened the door. The room had a complete make over. There was a king size bed. In front of the bed the words, "Harry J. Potter," were elegantly carved into the wood. By the bed he had a closet, a desk and a gold cage for an owl. He was shocked. He had his own room. He would definitely check this out later. Harry set his trunk in front of his bed.
He walked into the kitchen, Mr. Weasley saw Harry's face and smiled.
"I take that you liked your room. It was a gift from Sirius. He was going to show it to you after school."
"It's great. Sirius was a great man. And he is still, even if he isn't here."
"You'll be staying here after your birthday. I wanted you to stay at our place but Dumbledore thinks it'll be safer to have you here."
"I understand Mr. Weasley. I wouldn't want to put your family in danger anyway." He had a grim expression on his face.
"Ohh, Harry don't take me wrong, it's for your safety not ours. We're already in danger not that we are with you but because we're Dumbledore's friend too. We would never leave you, even if it meant us being targets."
"Thanks Mr. Weasley, that means a lot to me."
They used the floo powder and the next second they were at the Burrow.