"Julien," Maude called down the hall. Julien heard his name and poked his head out from one of the doorways. "Julien, he's turning in his bed again." Maude was about to burst into tears, and Julien could tell.

"Gods," he muttered under his breath, following her down the hall.

People were screaming again, and Harry could feel his own tears falling down to his chin. "Please stop screaming," he whispered softly. He was trembling, and he could hear a woman call out a name shrilly. This left Harry cold inside, and he could feel sobs choking to get out of his throat. "Please stop," he tried to call out, but he could only sob.

"Harry," a voice was calling out. Harry was trying desperately to see where the voice was coming from. Hands took hold of Harry's shoulders, gently shaking him out of sleep. Somebody in Harry's dream was laughing, but it was growing fainter as Harry woke up. His eyes opened to find Julien sitting over him. "Another bad dream?" Julien's voice was full of sadness and sympathy.

Harry nodded, his hand going up to his forehead. He thought he felt a wiggling pain under his scar, but as he kept rubbing it, the feeling went away. Julien noted this. "Are you feeling better," he asked the sniffling boy.

"Yeah," Harry replied meekly. It wasn't quite as hard to get over the nightmare now, after countless occasions of having the same sort of dream almost every night. Harry looked over Julien's shoulder and saw Maude. At the sight of the woman looking at him in concern, Harry hastily wiped away the tears that were running down his face.

"Oh Harry," Maude said exasperatedly. "It's alright to cry."

"No, it's not," Harry replied indignantly. "I'm nine years old, now, which is- which is practically grown up." He gave one more sniffle while Julien and Maude shook with silent laughter.

"Yes, practically grown up," Julien replied sarcastically, ruffling the boy's already messy hair. "We-ell, it's time for this practically grown up boy to get back to sleep. Will you be alright, Harry?" Julien gave the boy a concerned look.

Harry had already started falling asleep again. He merely nodded, letting his head fall back on to his pillow. Julien kissed him on the forehead, and stood to rise with Maude. They both exited and left Harry to dream once again. This time, though, instead of falling asleep to better dreams after the nightmare, Harry once again found himself amidst the cold laughter. He wasn't exactly scared this time, though- merely curious. He cautiously looked around, trying to find the source of the icy voice.

Once again there was a burst of shrill laughter, followed by small bouts of less sure laughter. Harry turned around to find a man- rather a teenage boy almost a man- sitting, surrounded by kneeling figures in black cloaks. "It's over," the sitting boy said. "I'm free of their horridly innocent grasp…" The boy once again laughed, louder and stronger than before, and Harry felt the wiggling pain in his scar once again.

Harry shot up in bed, his hand to his scar, but he didn't cry out for Julien or Maude. He merely sat there, his palm pressed against his mysterious scar. "I'm free," the young man had said. Harry swore he could still hear the laughter. Slowly, Harry started feeling sleepy again, and as he rested his head against the pillows, drowsy waves soon overtook him.

"So THEN, the bartender turns to the person and asks, 'Are you a man or a woman? Because either way, I'm'"-

"Daniel, if you finish that joke then I'll be forced to send you to spend the night with the bowtruckles," came Julien's stern voice from his spot at the dinner table.

"Alright, alright," Daniel replied, holding his hands up in mock surrender. "I'll finish it later," he whispered in Harry's ear. Harry smiled up at Daniel and went back to eating his meal. Julien was glaring at Daniel. "Come on," Daniel implored. "This is his birthday dinner, Julien! He's eleven- he can handle a little joke…"

Harry was nodding enthusiastically as Daniel talked, when his scar started throbbing. He clapped his hand to his forehead, getting the attention of everybody at the table. "Harry?" Harry only shook his head. Suddenly the pain was gone, but Harry still felt…different. "Harry are you alright?"

"Yes," he called out. "May I be excused, please?" Harry rose from the table and made for his room. However, on his way away from the table, his knee knocked into a chair painfully. He stifled an expletive but still heard gasps behind him, followed by thuds. He turned around, curious. Everybody was standing, looking at him strangely. Harry looked around, as if he'd find the answer somewhere in the dining room.

"Oh, Harry!" Harry expected to see a shocked or offended face, but instead saw that Maude's face was full of unsuppressed glee. "Congratulations, dear." Everybody was beaming at the confused boy, though looking slightly pained.

Julien moved to Harry's side, placing an arm around his shoulders and guiding him to his room. "Harry, you haven't really been taught much about magick, have you?"

Harry looked up at Julien as they walked. "Well, Daniel's mentioned it a few times, and you've talked about it once or twice before."

"Yes, well, we didn't want to mention it much, just in case you didn't have it in you. It seems that we were wrong to doubt you though, Harry." Julien was beaming again.

"You mean, I did magick?" When had this happened?

"Yes, Harry! Right now, when you hit your knee! I'm so proud- we must start your training as soon as morning comes." They'd arrived at the door to Harry's room. Julien stayed in the doorway while Harry walked in.

"Is there a certain place I go to learn more magick?"

Julien's face seemed to darken when he heard Harry's question. "No, Harry. Maude, Daniel and I are going to teach you. However, it'd be best if you didn't mention this to anybody else. Many of those living with us are muggles. Non-magical folk," he explained, seeing Harry's confused face.

Harry nodded, turning to his bed. He turned back, however, when he thought of one more question to ask. "Oh, father- What exactly did I do?"

Julien couldn't help but smile. "You caused all the chairs in the dining room to vanish. Good night, Harry. And happy birthday." With that he left a shocked but excited Harry to go to bed.

That night Harry had a dream of a big castle with all sorts of halls and stairways. Somehow he ended up in one of the hallways and witnessed a green-eyed girl pushing a boy with messy, black hair. She was yelling something, but it must have been good, for not one moment later she'd pulled the boy in for a kiss. "I think I love you, James," Harry heard the girl whisper.

When he woke up, Harry's cheeks were wet with tears.