A bit short this chapter but nothing much is really going on: just a trip to Diagon Alley, O.W.Ls results and another note from the mysterious sender. Enjoy!
Chapter 6: The End of the Summer
As the days went by Harry continued to have strange dreams but none of them made any sense. However he began to wonder why they always started off where Sirius had died yet even when he ran through the dreams in his head none of them connected in a way that made Harry feel entirely sure of the truth. In fact he felt as if something was lurking out of sight, something that if he just outstretched his arm he would reach…and he'd see Sirius again. He had no idea where the feeling came from but it was there…
As the village, were they stayed was deserted, Harry and his friends were able to practice Quidditch whenever they wanted. The nearest village was five miles away and hardly any Muggles wished to go near the abandoned Village anyway.
So it was on a sunny Tuesday morning that Harry, Ron, Bill, Charlie, Ginny, Fred and George were practicing while Hermione and Neville watched from below, awed by the skill of each player. The way they played was simple: Harry was Seeker and scoured the sky from above searching for the Snitch, while Ginny, Bill and Charlie practiced scoring goals against Ron, and Fred and George just hit Bludgers back and forth.
Upon his Firebolt Harry watched the game while keeping an eye out. As he rounded the makeshift pitch again, he caught the glint of the Snitch glittering in the distant. Grinning broadly, he dived forward reaching out and grasping the small ball.
He felt great pleasure in doing this: not because it was thrilling, but because it was exciting.
He landed on the ground holding the Snitch high for everyone to see. The game play ceased.
"That was fast Harry!" Charlie exclaimed. "You're better then me! I was Captain and Seeker in my time at Hogwarts!"
Harry smiled. He was glad of praise. They did two more practices with Harry grabbing the Snitch within five minutes.
As they trudged back into the house, Mrs. Weasley came to meet them. In her hands she held five letters. "Hogwarts letters." She said thrusting one each to Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny.
Hermione's face lit up with excitement. "These are our O.W.L results!" she eagerly took the piece of parchment out and after a few seconds leapt for joy: "I passed all of them! I got into everything for Sixth year."
Harry and Ron looked doubtful at each other. Grudgingly Ron opened his. "Six O.W.Ls. Blimey, I passed Potions!"
Neville also had opened his letter and like Ron had Six O.W.Ls. He rushed off to write a letter to his Gran and inform her of the good news.
This left Harry who still had the envelope. Hoping that he had done well, he slit open the letter and read what it said:
Dear Mr. Potter
It is with great pleasure to announce you passed eight of your O.W.Ls. Your results and subjects for N.E.W.T level are printed below. Term begins on 1st September.
OWLs
Defense Against the Dark Arts = Outstanding
Charms = Exceeds Expectations
Potions = Exceeds Expectations
Transfiguration = Exceeds Expectations
Herbology = Exceeds Expectations
Care of Magical Creatures = Exceeds Expectations
Divination = Acceptable
Astrology = Acceptable
History of Magic = Poor
I am delighted to inform you of the subjects that you are taking next year are:
Defense Against the Dark Arts
Charms – Professor Flitwick
Potions – Professor Snape
Transfiguration – Professor McGonagall
Herbology – Professor Sprout
Care of Magical Creatures – Professor Hagrid
The books that you require for the following year are as follows:
Advanced Theory and Practical Defense Against the Dark Arts by Gildo Hafflo
Advanced Charms for the Gifted by Florence Windleberg
Of Brews and Potions for the Extreme by Phyllida Spore
Transfiguration: A Guide to N.E.W.T level by Emeric Switch
Plants: Poisonous and Harmless by Elisa Gardner
The Monster Book of Monsters 2 (the harmless version) by Newt Schamander Junior
The Standard Book of Spells Grade 6 by Miranda Goshawk
We hope to see you in the new term and have a good summer.
Sincerely
Professor Minerva McGonagall
"Well?" Hermione asked, seeing Harry's stunned face.
"I failed History of Magic but I passed everything else." Harry explained.
"Well done," Hermione and Ron said together.
Mrs. Weasley hugged Harry and then took his letter to look at what books he had to get for the following year. "We'll going to have to go to Diagon Alley." She looked towards Fred and George, "And you two, if you are serious about this joke shop then you'd better go and open the damn thing! You want get any money hanging around here!"
Fred winked at George. "Don't worry mum, George and I know exactly what time our shop opens. Besides its not like anything can happen when we are away…" he let the words hang in the air.
Mrs. Weasley just waved her hand dismissing it and started to push Harry, Ron and Hermione into the house. "Come on, we can go now."
Within minutes they were all ready. Handing him the jar of Floo Powder, Harry stepped into the fire, swung the fire over the wood and shouted: 'Diagon Alley!" A burst of green flame engulfed him and he disappeared from Godric's Hollow, spinning round and round, keeping his arms tucked in and then he landed coming out into the Leaky Cauldron.
Dusting himself off he waited patiently for the others to arrive. Once they had, Fred and George went off to their shop; Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville went off on their own while Mrs. Weasley and Ginny went their own way.
Harry was looking round smiling at the various shops, joy coursing through him. Every now and again people smiled at him and one even came up to him saying sorry for calling him a liar. Harry graciously accepted his apology and continued on his way. Once they had been to Gringotts, retrieved some money from their vaults, and got their books, Harry weaned his way towards Quality Quidditch Supplies.
"Look at the new broom?" Neville said as they saw a gleaming broomstick being advertised in the shop window.
Harry went to look at it: the broomstick reminded him of the Nimbus Two Thousand and One, yet it was sleeker, longer and far more thinner. Harry doubted anyone would be able to ride it.
"What make is it?" Ron asked, gazing at it.
"Nimbus Three Thousand," Harry said, pointing to the description of the broom.
Faster, more comfier, and longer the Nimbus Three Thousand has all the things the Nimbus Two Thousand and Ones didn't have. Not as fast as the Firebolt, the Nimbus Three Thousand is nevertheless the best broom to have for the family. For sale in every local Quality Quidditch Supplies. Ask in store for Price.
"Not as fast, eh?" Harry asked. "Looks like Malfoy won't be able to beat me at Quidditch if he bought this!"
"What are you talking about Potter?" came a sly voice from behind them, a voice full of hatred.
Harry and the others turned round, pulling out their wands as they did so. Draco Malfoy was sneering at them, though Harry could see a look of contempt loathing being thrown in his direction.
"Oh, I was just wondering if you managed to sit on that broom, Malfoy, if you'd be able to actually win a Quidditch match?" Harry said. The others laughed.
Malfoy reddened. He said: "If you sat on it would you be able to remember to hold on when the Dementor's get near you?"
Harry laughed. "Not up to your usual scratch today are you?"
"You'll pay for that Potter! You'll pay for putting my father in Azkaban!" Malfoy hissed and then turning, left walking through the crowd and disappeared from his sight.
"You know he really is losing his touch." Harry murmured.
The others just laughed out load and continued on their way through the street and to Fred and George's shop where they spent a hilarious hour with Fred and George in their shop, picking and choosing things to buy.
As the end of summer drew nigh Harry began to worry about going back to school. Though he was excited, the thought of facing the pupils was something he didn't want. At the end of last term he had avoided them for the reason as he wanted to be alone.
It came as a surprise when Lupin announced that he was taking up the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher once again by the urgency of Dumbledore. He explained that the headmaster had written to parents at Hogwarts and they had agreed because their children had told them what a great teacher he had been before. Also Lupin could be teacher as their had been major developments with the Wolfsbane Potion. This meant that Lupin would no longer change into a werewolf during that time but would still look weak and ill but that was all what would happen to him.
In fact this was good news for Harry, mainly as he would be able to keep an eye out on Lupin. He didn't want anything bad to happen to the last true Marauder. Lupin was the only link to the past he had, if he discounted that book.
Lupin, now took great pleasure in teaching Harry defensive spells and informing of what he had planned next year. In fact as the Summer drew to a close Harry began to look forward to the new year and his bad mood (that often over took him) came less and less.
He still had the dreams of Sirius but they were becoming less and less frequent.
On August 31st, a day before his return to Hogwarts, Harry woke to a sun-filled morning, slight clouds circled the sky and birds croaked cheerfully in their nests. As he looked around to see the time his eyes saw a piece of white paper laying next to him. His heart skipping a beat, Harry picked up the note and carefully opened it. The note read this:
Both of us send good luck to you for the new year,
watch your back,
he plans something,
figure out the dreams,
it'll give you something you want,
Good Luck
S B
SB? Could it be Sirius sending me the notes? But he's dead? And if it is him, what does it mean? Harry asked. It doesn't mean anything threatening, so what do I do?
Harry, in the end, decided to show Ron and Hermione and when he did, Hermione was the only one who took it as a threat.
"It's very unlikely that Sirius sent this, Harry, as he's well dead! I think you should show Lupin!"
"No," Harry said, "All it means is that this person is wishing me good luck for this year! How can you see that as threatening?" his temper was rising.
"It's just that I think you should treat it as very suspicious, Harry! Obviously this person know what Voldemort is up to! They knew the Death Eaters were going to attack Grimmauld Place, and yes, though they warned you, I still think they may want to use you. They're trying to gain your trust!"
Ron was sniggering. "Really, Hermione, you delve too deeply into these things!"
"It's just a note." Harry said simply.
"Fine, don't blame me when you are led, once again, into a trap!" Hermione said.
Harry and Ron just glanced at each other.
"I think she's just upset that there is no Arithmancy N.E.W.T class." Ron said, shrugging as Hermione marched away from them. "She was so looking forward to the class."
"Why is it cancelled?"
"I think there was not enough people who wanted to take the subject. Also not many passed the exam efficiently enough to continue the course into the higher level. According to McGonagall only Hermione and Ernie passed the exam at the top grade. The rest got between Acceptable and Poor."
Harry could only grin.
"What are you going to do about the note? Ignore it?"
"There's bound to be more of them: it mentions my dreams. I think this writer knows something I don't. They're trying to help me without revealing themselves. The only thing that worries me is that it mentions that Voldemort is planning something." Harry said. And I still think its Sirius.
"Do you think it could be someone who's spying on Voldemort who is sending these messages to you?"
"No, they all hate me, except from, nah, I don't think so."
"Who?"
"Forget it Ron, I'm not saying." Harry said.
"Come on!"
"I'm going to pack, coming?"
Knowing that Harry would not give in, Ron obediently dropped the subject and followed Harry to their room to pack their trunks.
TBC
Okay who is S B? And its not who you think it is.
Review Responses:
LunaShadows: Sybil Trelawney, Susan Bones? Nope, none of those. Will Shaken-pear plays virtually no role in the story but his name will pop up occasionally. You'll find out about him later on. Is 'S' an initial or just a short for 'someone'? Well its just got a little more confusing. Harry thinks its Sirius but is it? Hmm, I don't think so.
Moon Lace: It's not Snape. If you want to share your thoughts on where you think the story is going, then I'll be glad to read what you think. I won't change the story just because you may guess what is going on is right anyway! You can e-mail me with what you think: I promise I won't change the story. My e-mail is on my bio page.
KelseyRadcliffe: Yay, new reviewer! Thank you for reviewing and telling me what you think Is Sirius alive – um I think I'll leave that question for now. Is Sybil Trelawney the sender? I will confess, its not her either. I will keep updating!
Padfootlover719: Did Lupin send it? Um, no, he didn't send the note. Don't worry all will be revealed in time. Hope you liked this chapter!
LizzyKoneko-Chan: Thanks for the review!
I've also got another HP fic that is being worked on and just added to the site. It's set in the time of the Marauders. It's called: Innocent: While Friendship Lasts.
If you're interested tell me what you think!
