Chapter One: Birthday

"Harry..." The eloquent word interrupted his dreams. "Harry..." It said again. "Harry!" This time, the voice was sterner. "Wake up!"

Harry opened his emerald eyes and found himself looking into the same emerald eyes that his mother had. "Mum!" Harry said. "Why'd you have to wake me up so early..." Harry looked at the clock. It read 10:45 am.

"Oh, Harry," Lily said, shaking her head. "It's your birthday! You don't want to sleep through your own birthday, now do you?" Her red hair was tied back in the same way it had been eleven years ago. She had on a short- sleeved, emerald shirt that matched her eyes and blue-jean capris on. "Now wake up, and get up!" Lily said as she pulled up the curtains to reveal a cloudless morning. "You're breakfast is getting cold!" She called as she walked down the stairs.

"I don't care," Harry replied in a mocking way.

"But it's your favorite!" The reply was a mutter from Harry.

"Alright!"

Throwing on a T-shirt and a pair of blue-jeans, Harry headed downstairs into the kitchen, which was decorated with streamers for the festivity of the day. Sitting at the table was his father, whom he looked just like (except for the eyes), his mother, who was setting down a large plateful of pancakes, and his eight-year-old sister, Brooke, who had the same curly red hair, but she had light-green eyes. To Harry, she seemed rather bored with the breakfast.

"Happy Birthday Harry!" Brooke and his parents said.

"Thanks." Harry said in reply. He was about to say something more, but a brown owl flew through the window and landed right next to the pancakes, which was normal for this family. Attached to his leg was a letter. Lily quickly grabbed the letter and shooed the owl over to the counter, in fear that it might begin to eat the pancakes. Smiling, she handed it over to Harry.

"Here you are!" Lily said.

"Is it a birthday card or something?" Harry asked, turning it over in his hands.

"Open it!" James said. Harry ripped the seal that had a 'H' imprinted on it.

Inside of the relatively small envelope, several papers were neatly folded. Unfolding the first paper, Harry found that it wasn't a birthday card. It was a letter. The top of the first letter stated:

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Reading out loud:

"Dear Mr. Potter,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on September the First. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,

Minevera McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress."

"I guess it arrived a bit late," James said.

"No matter! We'll just send our response anyway," Lily replied cheerfully taking the letter. She scribbled a few words on it and tied it to the owl's leg. "Go fast!" Lily muttered to the owl. It hooted in response as it flew swiftly out of the window.

Harry set down the letter and unfolded the second piece of paper. It was a larger and much longer piece of paper than the . "It's a list," Harry said, "of books and clothing I need for Hogwarts!"

"Well then, eat your breakfast, and we will go to Diagon Alley!" Lily said.

Harry greedily devoured the pancakes Lily set in front of him. Washing his dishes, he dried his hands and waited by the fireplace to leave.

"We are traveling by Floo, right?" Brooke asked as she entered the family room.

"Of course," replied Harry. "Why wouldn't we? It's the easiest and quickest way to get to Diagon Alley." Finally, after minutes of bickering with Brooke, Lily and James finally came in.

"All right, calm down both of you!" Lily said, her voice stern. Harry and Brooke both stopped talking and looked intently at their mother. "Harry, would you like to go first?" Lily asked, the pot of Floo powder outreached in her hand.

"Sure," Harry replied, taking a handful of the gritty powder. Stepping into the fireplace, he said loudly, "Diagon Alley," and threw down the powder. Green fire enveloped his entire body as he left his house and made his way, by the travels of Floo Powder, to Diagon Alley.