A/n: Hey all! This is my new HP story! I hope you guys like it! Please read and review and let me know!

Summary: Harry's seventh year at Hogwarts is turning out to be a lot more than he bargained for when Harry finds a 'special' old journal of his fathers...

Matches: HP/LL, RW/HG, GW/NL

More Than Yellowed Pages Chapter One

Harry glared at his bedside clock as if he hated it. It was 12:01. He had been seventeen for a whole minute. A small but admirable stack of birthday presents from his friends at Hogwarts was piled next to his owl, Hedwig's cage. She hooted contently, and Harry returned to doing what he had been doing: writing a letter to Professor Remus Lupin.

'Dear Lupin,

School starts soon. As of two minutes ago, I was old enough to sit in on the meetings- you know the ones I'm talking about...I've been curious as to what's been going on all summer? The Muggle news doesn't say anything, of course. It is completely useless being stuck on Pivet Drive all summer. I have half a mind to set out for Diagon Alley myself...don't worry, though. As you know, I have promised Professor Dumbledore that I would be a good boy this summer...and despite how much I want to, I figured I had better stick to my word this time around.

The Dursley's are being nice to me this summer. At least now, I seem to exist. I think they are most happy about the prospect of getting to officially kick me out of their house at the end of the school year. I don't know who's happier, really, but I have never heard my uncle Vernon whistle so much in my life.

I wanted to ask you, if maybe you knew anything about something that Dumbledore sent me as a birthday present this year...it is some kind of book. There is a design on the front that looks like a horse, and the pages of it are very old. I tried to read it, but the writing isn't in English. I don't know what language it is. Dumbledore says the book is an old family heirloom, and since you are the closest thing to family (besides the Dursleys) that I have left, I thought you might know something about it?

Thanks! Hope to see you sometime soon!

-Harry'

He finished the letter, read it once over, and gave it to Hedwig. She promptly flew out his window. He yawned, placed his quill on the nightstand next to his bed, and drew the covers back over his head. Before he knew it, his Uncle Vernon was practically pounding down his bedroom door.

"Get up, boy! You're supposed to make breakfast this morning!" he yelled.

"I make breakfast every morning," Harry grumbled.

Harry emerged from his room, his naturally unruly hair strewn about his head. He yawned, passing his uncle in the hall without so much as an acknowledgement glare.

"Dudley is having some of his friends over this weekend, Harry. You are to stay in your room and leave them alone..." his aunt was saying.

Harry smiled. "Can I have a friend over?"

His uncle turned a dark shade of violet. "One of those people? From that freak place?" he roared.

"Why not? After September first, you'll never have to see me or my freak friends again, right?" he smirked at his uncle. He was only trying to make him angry, but was surprised when his uncle nodded his agreement.

"You are to stay up in your room. None of that funny business...and it will be at the end of the summer, that way I can make sure that you get on that stupid train on time, understood?"

Harry blinked several times, and nodded excessively. Happy birthday to me... he smiled.

That night, Harry was even more delighted to see that Lupin had already sent Hedwig back with a reply to his letter. He unfolded it and smiled at Hedwig, who affectionately nipped at his finger.

'Harry,

Thought that Dumbledore might have already explained the book to you. I know what it is. It was your father's dream journal (not that fluff that the Muggles sell-a real one). The reason you can't read the writing is because it isn't in any language...and technically, it isn't a journal about your father's dreams...how can I explain? Each page is a different entry...a different day in your dad's life...the journal is responsible for your dreams, Harry. It was kind of like one of your dad's little Home-Ec. Projects. I'll be able to explain to you how to use it when I see you at school.

Dumbledore and I have an even bigger surprise to tell you about once you get here...but I wouldn't want to get you all excited too soon. I guess I'll see you on the Hogwarts Express September first!

Best Wishes,

-Professor R J Lupin.'

Harry scratched his head. Was Lupin coming back to teach at Hogwarts? What had he meant when he said that they had an 'even bigger surprise' for him? Why wouldn't Lupin ever give him straight answers to his questions? He frowned, folded the letter back up, and stuffed it in his desk drawer with several others.

Once again, Harry found the day coming quickly to a close. The sun sat low on the horizon. He smiled and stared out the window. "Less than two months, and I'm home free..." he whispered to himself.

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A/n: How'd you like it? Please review and let me know!