Author's Notes - This was chapters three and four, but then I put chapters
one and two together so now they're chapter two!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
-Chapter Two-
O.W.Ls
Harry's feet hit solid ground, his knees buckled but he was still on his feet. He looked around at the kitchen were he was standing, he was back in Grimmauld Place. It looked very empty without Sirius. Tears filled his eyes; it had only been six mouths since he was with Sirius, enjoying Christmas together. It felt much longer. He wiped them away angrily as he heard footsteps approaching the door. It swung open to admit Lupin, Tonks and Moody, who all looked surprised to see Harry.
"Hello Harry." Lupin said, "what are you doing here?"
"I'm not sure" began Harry. "Someone apparated in the middle of the street and then Dudley did magic..."
"What?" Moody looking shocked.
"Who apparated?" Tonks asked
"Dudley?" Lupin said in bewilderment.
Two loud pops greeted the arrival of Mr. Weasley and Dumbledore. They both looked grim,
"They took that better than one could have hoped" Said Dumbledore looking around the room.
"Who took what?" Tonks said as they all sat down.
Dumbledore started explaining. When he had finally finished Harry asked one of the questions he was burning to ask, "but why did that wizard apparate there in the street in the first place?"
"The reason Christopher Cuthbert was in Privet Drive was we needed to check on you quickly and that was the fastest way."
"But why did..." began Harry, but Dumbledore answered before he had finished the question. Tonks sat up straight listening intently.
"We needed him to check on you because of something we found out not long ago," since Harry still looked puzzled Dumbledore continued. "We received information this afternoon that an attempt would be made, sometime today, to kidnap you. It was decided that Christopher, who happened to be wearing muggles clothes, would be the least conspicuous of rest," suddenly Dumbledore smiled. "Although it would appear that he was in to great a hurry to check on you that he failed to check his apparation site first."
"Yes, that sounds like Christopher. He was always one for doing silly things when he was rushed." Growled Moody "I once remember him grabbing a spoon instead of his wand and trying, for half a duel, to use it without realizing."
"Is he a member of the Order?" Asked Harry tentatively, he was not sure if he was permitted to ask.
"Yes and no." Lupin said.
"The Order is not as simple as that Harry," added Mr Weasley
"He might be called an unofficial member." Lupin said.
Harry was pervented asking further by the door swung open, and Weasleys spilled into the room. (A/N I was just going to have Mrs Weasley, Ron and Ginny came in here but then I realized that each time someone new came into the room they needed to be told about Dudley and I was getting bored of it... So they all come in together.)
"Harry! What are you doing here? I thought you were only coming later." Ron said looking at him curiously.
Harry opened his mouth to explain,
"Well um..."
Dumbledore launched into the story yet again. At last Dumbledore had finished, he got to his feet. "I really must be getting back." He said looking around the room.
"Why don't you stay for dinner Albus?" Mrs Weasley asked, she was now bustling around.
"No, no Molly. I must be going. There are urgent matters I must attend to." Said he pushing his chair in. "Harry, I'm sorry but you simply must go back, you know why."
"But I have already been there." Harry said knowing that it would not do any good.
"But you must spend at least a month there. You will be coming back, soon but for now you must go back." Dumbledore said smilingly. Harry nodded and Dumbledore vanished.
"What did he mean?" Ron said looking at Harry oddly "Why do you have to go back?"
"Ron go and help your mother. Harry has had a long day." Mr Weasley said before Harry could answer.
Harry had a very enjoyable meal with the Weasleys'. He was sitting between the twins, who were telling him all about their shop, customers and latest inventions. They had just finished telling him about Insulting Pear Drops, which looked like ordinary sweets but when you ate them, everyone around you would appear to be insulting you but of course they were n't really.
"They're really fun," George told him gleefully. "This old biddy ate one, without knowing what they do; she was hitting Fred with her handbag for about half an hour before we could get her to stop."
Fred groaned loudly, "it's alright for you; I'm still covered in bruises."
At the other end of the table Mr Weasley and Lupin were having a heated discuss about goblins, closely watched by Tonks.
"How can you be so sure that they won't join him?" Lupin said forcefully, "yes, I'm sure there are some who won't, but what about the rest?"
"They have suffered almost as much as we have," Mr Weasley said. "Do you really think they would join You-Know-Who after what he has done to them?"
"Look what he has done to wizards, and there are still people who are going over to him." Lupin said, sounding anger then Harry had ever heard him. "Look at all the people he has killed and turtched
Then Mrs Weasley told him, Ron and Ginny to go to bed. They went up stairs very full of food and too tried to talk much. Harry and Ron were sharing the same room they had last year. It was only when Harry and Ron climbed into bed that Harry realized something that had been bugging him, ever since he had entered the house.
"Where has Kreacher got to? I have not seen him." He said as he pulled of his jumper.
"I don't know, all I know is that he is not here. I asked Lupin about when we got here and all he said was that they had not seen him since... since... you know" Ron finished lamely.
"Well maybe he has gone to the Malfoys' " Harry said thoughtfully "I mean they have to serve one family for their whole lives, unless they are released. And Sirius didn't, before and the Malfoys are part of the same family."
"Yeah maybe." Said Ron sleepily.
Harry woke up the next morning in very high spirits. Only after he had finished dressing did he remember that he was probably going back to the Dursleys' later that day. His spirits sunk right down into his shoes. He would have like to stay here so much. Even in the house, with all its memories of Sirius.
"What's up?" Ron asked quizzically as he pulled on his jumper.
"Nothing." Harry lied quickly.
What did Ron think was up? Ron could stay here until they left for Hogwarts. While he, Harry, had just got away from the Dursleys', would be going back there for another two weeks. Oh yes! Life had improved at Privet Drive since Moody's little chat with Uncle Vernon; there was nothing major that Harry could complain about, it was just little things. Like the fact that no one spoke to Harry as if he where a human, but rather as if he where a troublesome smelly dog. What would they be like now that Dudley could do magic? Harry could still not believe it! Would they continue to blame it on Harry? Would they disown their son now that he was a wizard? How would he cope with his cousin at Hogworts? These questions and many others chased each other around Harry's head as he and Ron made their way down stairs for breakfast.
"BLOOD TRAITORS! FILTHY HALF-BLOOD!"
"She still there then." Harry said with a jab over his shoulder at Mrs Black.
"Yeah," Said Ron glumly. "but mum's going to ask Dumbledore if he can do anything about her."
"Harry dear, come and sit down." Said Mrs Weasley beaming at him.
Harry sat down in an empty seat by Mr Weasley, who had just finished reading a copy of the Daily Profit.
"Well Harry they fond out about your cousin." Said Mr Weasley smilingly and passed him the paper. Harry took the paper, unsure whether he wanted to see what it said or not. He was still feeling resentful at what it had said about him last year.
THE MUGGLE COUSIN OF THE BOY WHO LIVED
Very little is known about the only remaining family of Harry Potter, who he has lived with since his parents' death. What is generally known is that Mrs Petunia Dursley was the sister of muggle-born Lily Potter, and that Harry's life there has not been easy. But it seems that
The first paragraph just told about Harry's horrible child hood. So he skipped it, he had already lived it once in real life and once in Snape's Occlumency lessons, and he did not need to go though it all again. The second paragraph was more interesting, at least to Harry. Not so the rest of the magical community who lapped up the account eagerly! It went on to give an account of what had happened from an eyewitness, one of the ministry wizards. It finished by saying that Dudley would be starting at Hogwarts that year.
"So, it's official then? Dudley starting at Hogwarts." Harry asked dully, the thought of having his cousin in the same school with him again did not fill him with enthusiasm.
"Yes, yes that's right." Mr Weasley said, picking up the paper.
"And of course he'll have to go in to the first year." He added thoughtfully, opening the paper and starting to read again. "There is no way that he could go into sixth year with all of you."
Harry smiled at the idea of huge Dudley with all the tiny first years. He was still thinking about it, when two barn owls swooped into the room, one dropping its letter in Harry's hands the other in Ron's. Ron stared open mouthed at it, as if it might explode. Totally forgetting about the piece of toast that was on it way to his mouth. Mr and Mrs Weasley looked around interestedly.
"What you reckon?" He said, finding his voice at last.
"It must be. If they were just Hogwarts' letters Ginny'd have one too." Said Harry fighting hard to keep his voice steady, and failing miserably.
"Well! Are you going to open them," Said Ginny impatiently "or just stare at them for three weeks first?"
At this Ron ripped open his envelope, pulled the contains out and started to read. Harry turned his over slowly, not sure if he really wanted to know what was inside. The seal on the back was not the normal Hogwarts one, but a blue one. With a wand and quill crossed in the center. He pulled out the letter, took a deep breath and started to read,
Magic Educational Examination Board of
Ordinary Wizarding Level & Nastily Exhausting Wizard Tests
Dear Mr Potter,
Here are the results of the Ordinary Wizarding Level examinations you took in June. An Outstanding Ordinary Wizarding Level is counted as two for your final score, Exceeds Expectations is counted as one and a half towards your score, Acceptable is counted as one, Poor and Dreadful do not add anything to your final score.
(A/N I have read through everything I could find on O.W.Ls and as far as I can see if you get 12 then you have done quite well, but you can get more. Ron says in Chamber of Secrets that maybe Tom Riddle got 30 O.W.Ls. Harry and Ron take 9 subjects, Hermione has 10 in their 3rd year she had 12, but I am sorry if Hermione cannot cope with that many them no one can. So I came up with this as a compromise.)
Astronomy - Acceptable
Care of Magical Creatures - Outstanding
Charms - Exceeds Expectations
Defence Against the Dark Arts - Outstanding
Divination - Poor
Herbology - Exceeds Expectations
History of Magic - Dreadful
Potions - Outstanding
Transfiguration - Exceeds Expectations
We would like to be the first to congratulate you on receiving eleven and a half Ordinary Wizarding Levels. The subjects that you are permitted to take are as follows, please notify Hogwarts of your selection, they await your owl no later than the 31 July.
Astronomy, Care of Magical Creatures, Charms, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, Potions and Transfiguration.
Enjoy your holidays Yours sincerely Griselda Marchbanks Magic Educational Examination Board of Ordinary Wizarding Level & Nastily Exhausting Wizard Tests
Harry looked up from the letter, with a broad smile. Mr and Mrs Weasley smiled when they saw his face, and then turned to look at their youngest son. Ron punched the air as he finished reading.
"Eleven!" He said, triumphantly. "Two Os, two Es, four As and only one P!"
"Oh Ron," gasped Mrs Weasley, as she hugged her son. "That's brilliant."
"Well done mate." Said Harry thumping him on the back, as Mrs Weasley released him.
"Cheers Harry." Ron said happily. Then added, as an after thought. "How did you do?"
"Eleven and a half." Harry said grinning "Three Os, three Es, one A, one P and only one D."
"Hang on. Three Outstandings," Ron said with an odd expression on his face. "One for Defence Against the Dark Arts right?" Harry nodded "And the other two?"
"Well, one for Care of Magical Creatures." Harry answered slowly, knowing the bomb drop he was about to make. "And the other one is for-"
"Yes the other was for?" Ron prompted
"The other one is for Potions!" Harry smiled as he said with, he had not ruined his chance of becoming an Auror.
Ron stared at him in disbelief "What? How did you manage that?"
"I dunno." Harry said hesitated. How had he got an O in Potions? "Maybe 'cause Snape wasn't there." He said brightly.
"Well done Harry." Said Ginny, giving Ron a how-can-you-ask-that-kind-of- question look.
'Thanks." He said.
He jumped as the twins appeared in the middle of the room with a loud crack, they where both dressed in green leather.
"Hello all." Said Fred crossing the room.
"Can't stay long, important business to attend to." Said George picking up a piece of toast.
"What's up Ron?" Asked Fred quizzically looking at his younger brother, who was still gazing at his letter in awe.
"Don't tell me you have been made Head Boy?" Said George with a disgusted look on his face. "It's bad enough that you're a prefect. I don't think the family could stand the shame."
"Nah, can't be that, his only in sixth year." Said Fred not even looking up from the piece of piece toast he was buttering. "Wait, I got it. He just had his O.W.Ls results. So how many did you get? Two?"
"No, eleven." Ron said smugly.
*
Harry spent a very enjoyable day with Ron and Ginny. Mr Weasley had gone into work and Mrs Weasley said that she was needed elsewhere. But she did not sat where or what she would be doing. They had not seen Bill, Lupin, Moody or Tonks since the pervious night. Harry and Ron had sent their subject choices with Hedwig; Pig was of on another delivery. The three of them played wizard chess and exploding snap. Harry let the others do most of the talking, when he did speak he only spoke about school, homework or Quidditch. One he saw Ron and Ginny exchange a look as he changed the subject for the fifth time.
"Have you any idea what that prophecy thing was about, Harry?" Ginny had asked, as one of her knights took Harry's queen.
"No." He said too quickly. "Do you know if Dumbledore has got a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher yet?"
"I dunno," She said looking at him oddly. "I guess, I mean we haven't heard that he hasn't"
"I did hear something a couple of days ago," Said Ron over the top of Flying With the Cannons, "Mum said that she hoped he was suitable, Dumbledore just laughed and said, was Umbridge?"
"Well who ever it is would have to be really terrible to top what we've alright had, Quirrell, Lockhart and Umbridge." Said Harry as he sent a rook to its doom, at the hands of one of Ginny's pawns.
"Don't forget the imposter Moody." Ron said as he closed his book,
"Oh yes, how could I ever forget about him." Harry said dryly.
"Do you remember that class on the Unforgivables?" Ron sat down next to Harry the better to see the game.
"Yeah I do, I'm not very likely to forget am I," mumbled Harry, "have you heard from Hermione recently?"
"She wrote to me the day before yesterday." Said Ron, his ears going slightly red.
"The last I heard from her, she was in Bulgaria with her family, that was about a week ago." Harry said as he sent his last bishop across the board.
"She's getting back in a few days, or that's what she said." Ron said, going slightly red. What did Ron have against Bulgaria?
Mrs Weasley appeared in the doorway, "Harry dear can you get your stuff and come down stairs, Dumbledore is here to take you back."
Harry got glumly to his feet gathered up his stuff, which seemed to have spread itself all over the room and headed down stairs followed by Ron and Ginny.
When they reached the kitchen it was to find Dumbledore, Mrs Weasley and Lupin there.
"Ready Harry?" Dumbledore asked holding out an old sock.
"Yes, I guess." Harry said miserably. "Bye."
"Bye" They said back looking just as miserably as he felt. Harry laid his hand on the portkey.
"Three, two, one."
The familiar sensation of a hook being jerked backwards and the gloomy kitchen disappeared from site. He was standing in his bedroom at four Privet Drive. The room looked just like it had when he had left it the night before. Deciding that he should make his return know he left the room.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
-Chapter Two-
O.W.Ls
Harry's feet hit solid ground, his knees buckled but he was still on his feet. He looked around at the kitchen were he was standing, he was back in Grimmauld Place. It looked very empty without Sirius. Tears filled his eyes; it had only been six mouths since he was with Sirius, enjoying Christmas together. It felt much longer. He wiped them away angrily as he heard footsteps approaching the door. It swung open to admit Lupin, Tonks and Moody, who all looked surprised to see Harry.
"Hello Harry." Lupin said, "what are you doing here?"
"I'm not sure" began Harry. "Someone apparated in the middle of the street and then Dudley did magic..."
"What?" Moody looking shocked.
"Who apparated?" Tonks asked
"Dudley?" Lupin said in bewilderment.
Two loud pops greeted the arrival of Mr. Weasley and Dumbledore. They both looked grim,
"They took that better than one could have hoped" Said Dumbledore looking around the room.
"Who took what?" Tonks said as they all sat down.
Dumbledore started explaining. When he had finally finished Harry asked one of the questions he was burning to ask, "but why did that wizard apparate there in the street in the first place?"
"The reason Christopher Cuthbert was in Privet Drive was we needed to check on you quickly and that was the fastest way."
"But why did..." began Harry, but Dumbledore answered before he had finished the question. Tonks sat up straight listening intently.
"We needed him to check on you because of something we found out not long ago," since Harry still looked puzzled Dumbledore continued. "We received information this afternoon that an attempt would be made, sometime today, to kidnap you. It was decided that Christopher, who happened to be wearing muggles clothes, would be the least conspicuous of rest," suddenly Dumbledore smiled. "Although it would appear that he was in to great a hurry to check on you that he failed to check his apparation site first."
"Yes, that sounds like Christopher. He was always one for doing silly things when he was rushed." Growled Moody "I once remember him grabbing a spoon instead of his wand and trying, for half a duel, to use it without realizing."
"Is he a member of the Order?" Asked Harry tentatively, he was not sure if he was permitted to ask.
"Yes and no." Lupin said.
"The Order is not as simple as that Harry," added Mr Weasley
"He might be called an unofficial member." Lupin said.
Harry was pervented asking further by the door swung open, and Weasleys spilled into the room. (A/N I was just going to have Mrs Weasley, Ron and Ginny came in here but then I realized that each time someone new came into the room they needed to be told about Dudley and I was getting bored of it... So they all come in together.)
"Harry! What are you doing here? I thought you were only coming later." Ron said looking at him curiously.
Harry opened his mouth to explain,
"Well um..."
Dumbledore launched into the story yet again. At last Dumbledore had finished, he got to his feet. "I really must be getting back." He said looking around the room.
"Why don't you stay for dinner Albus?" Mrs Weasley asked, she was now bustling around.
"No, no Molly. I must be going. There are urgent matters I must attend to." Said he pushing his chair in. "Harry, I'm sorry but you simply must go back, you know why."
"But I have already been there." Harry said knowing that it would not do any good.
"But you must spend at least a month there. You will be coming back, soon but for now you must go back." Dumbledore said smilingly. Harry nodded and Dumbledore vanished.
"What did he mean?" Ron said looking at Harry oddly "Why do you have to go back?"
"Ron go and help your mother. Harry has had a long day." Mr Weasley said before Harry could answer.
Harry had a very enjoyable meal with the Weasleys'. He was sitting between the twins, who were telling him all about their shop, customers and latest inventions. They had just finished telling him about Insulting Pear Drops, which looked like ordinary sweets but when you ate them, everyone around you would appear to be insulting you but of course they were n't really.
"They're really fun," George told him gleefully. "This old biddy ate one, without knowing what they do; she was hitting Fred with her handbag for about half an hour before we could get her to stop."
Fred groaned loudly, "it's alright for you; I'm still covered in bruises."
At the other end of the table Mr Weasley and Lupin were having a heated discuss about goblins, closely watched by Tonks.
"How can you be so sure that they won't join him?" Lupin said forcefully, "yes, I'm sure there are some who won't, but what about the rest?"
"They have suffered almost as much as we have," Mr Weasley said. "Do you really think they would join You-Know-Who after what he has done to them?"
"Look what he has done to wizards, and there are still people who are going over to him." Lupin said, sounding anger then Harry had ever heard him. "Look at all the people he has killed and turtched
Then Mrs Weasley told him, Ron and Ginny to go to bed. They went up stairs very full of food and too tried to talk much. Harry and Ron were sharing the same room they had last year. It was only when Harry and Ron climbed into bed that Harry realized something that had been bugging him, ever since he had entered the house.
"Where has Kreacher got to? I have not seen him." He said as he pulled of his jumper.
"I don't know, all I know is that he is not here. I asked Lupin about when we got here and all he said was that they had not seen him since... since... you know" Ron finished lamely.
"Well maybe he has gone to the Malfoys' " Harry said thoughtfully "I mean they have to serve one family for their whole lives, unless they are released. And Sirius didn't, before and the Malfoys are part of the same family."
"Yeah maybe." Said Ron sleepily.
Harry woke up the next morning in very high spirits. Only after he had finished dressing did he remember that he was probably going back to the Dursleys' later that day. His spirits sunk right down into his shoes. He would have like to stay here so much. Even in the house, with all its memories of Sirius.
"What's up?" Ron asked quizzically as he pulled on his jumper.
"Nothing." Harry lied quickly.
What did Ron think was up? Ron could stay here until they left for Hogwarts. While he, Harry, had just got away from the Dursleys', would be going back there for another two weeks. Oh yes! Life had improved at Privet Drive since Moody's little chat with Uncle Vernon; there was nothing major that Harry could complain about, it was just little things. Like the fact that no one spoke to Harry as if he where a human, but rather as if he where a troublesome smelly dog. What would they be like now that Dudley could do magic? Harry could still not believe it! Would they continue to blame it on Harry? Would they disown their son now that he was a wizard? How would he cope with his cousin at Hogworts? These questions and many others chased each other around Harry's head as he and Ron made their way down stairs for breakfast.
"BLOOD TRAITORS! FILTHY HALF-BLOOD!"
"She still there then." Harry said with a jab over his shoulder at Mrs Black.
"Yeah," Said Ron glumly. "but mum's going to ask Dumbledore if he can do anything about her."
"Harry dear, come and sit down." Said Mrs Weasley beaming at him.
Harry sat down in an empty seat by Mr Weasley, who had just finished reading a copy of the Daily Profit.
"Well Harry they fond out about your cousin." Said Mr Weasley smilingly and passed him the paper. Harry took the paper, unsure whether he wanted to see what it said or not. He was still feeling resentful at what it had said about him last year.
THE MUGGLE COUSIN OF THE BOY WHO LIVED
Very little is known about the only remaining family of Harry Potter, who he has lived with since his parents' death. What is generally known is that Mrs Petunia Dursley was the sister of muggle-born Lily Potter, and that Harry's life there has not been easy. But it seems that
The first paragraph just told about Harry's horrible child hood. So he skipped it, he had already lived it once in real life and once in Snape's Occlumency lessons, and he did not need to go though it all again. The second paragraph was more interesting, at least to Harry. Not so the rest of the magical community who lapped up the account eagerly! It went on to give an account of what had happened from an eyewitness, one of the ministry wizards. It finished by saying that Dudley would be starting at Hogwarts that year.
"So, it's official then? Dudley starting at Hogwarts." Harry asked dully, the thought of having his cousin in the same school with him again did not fill him with enthusiasm.
"Yes, yes that's right." Mr Weasley said, picking up the paper.
"And of course he'll have to go in to the first year." He added thoughtfully, opening the paper and starting to read again. "There is no way that he could go into sixth year with all of you."
Harry smiled at the idea of huge Dudley with all the tiny first years. He was still thinking about it, when two barn owls swooped into the room, one dropping its letter in Harry's hands the other in Ron's. Ron stared open mouthed at it, as if it might explode. Totally forgetting about the piece of toast that was on it way to his mouth. Mr and Mrs Weasley looked around interestedly.
"What you reckon?" He said, finding his voice at last.
"It must be. If they were just Hogwarts' letters Ginny'd have one too." Said Harry fighting hard to keep his voice steady, and failing miserably.
"Well! Are you going to open them," Said Ginny impatiently "or just stare at them for three weeks first?"
At this Ron ripped open his envelope, pulled the contains out and started to read. Harry turned his over slowly, not sure if he really wanted to know what was inside. The seal on the back was not the normal Hogwarts one, but a blue one. With a wand and quill crossed in the center. He pulled out the letter, took a deep breath and started to read,
Magic Educational Examination Board of
Ordinary Wizarding Level & Nastily Exhausting Wizard Tests
Dear Mr Potter,
Here are the results of the Ordinary Wizarding Level examinations you took in June. An Outstanding Ordinary Wizarding Level is counted as two for your final score, Exceeds Expectations is counted as one and a half towards your score, Acceptable is counted as one, Poor and Dreadful do not add anything to your final score.
(A/N I have read through everything I could find on O.W.Ls and as far as I can see if you get 12 then you have done quite well, but you can get more. Ron says in Chamber of Secrets that maybe Tom Riddle got 30 O.W.Ls. Harry and Ron take 9 subjects, Hermione has 10 in their 3rd year she had 12, but I am sorry if Hermione cannot cope with that many them no one can. So I came up with this as a compromise.)
Astronomy - Acceptable
Care of Magical Creatures - Outstanding
Charms - Exceeds Expectations
Defence Against the Dark Arts - Outstanding
Divination - Poor
Herbology - Exceeds Expectations
History of Magic - Dreadful
Potions - Outstanding
Transfiguration - Exceeds Expectations
We would like to be the first to congratulate you on receiving eleven and a half Ordinary Wizarding Levels. The subjects that you are permitted to take are as follows, please notify Hogwarts of your selection, they await your owl no later than the 31 July.
Astronomy, Care of Magical Creatures, Charms, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, Potions and Transfiguration.
Enjoy your holidays Yours sincerely Griselda Marchbanks Magic Educational Examination Board of Ordinary Wizarding Level & Nastily Exhausting Wizard Tests
Harry looked up from the letter, with a broad smile. Mr and Mrs Weasley smiled when they saw his face, and then turned to look at their youngest son. Ron punched the air as he finished reading.
"Eleven!" He said, triumphantly. "Two Os, two Es, four As and only one P!"
"Oh Ron," gasped Mrs Weasley, as she hugged her son. "That's brilliant."
"Well done mate." Said Harry thumping him on the back, as Mrs Weasley released him.
"Cheers Harry." Ron said happily. Then added, as an after thought. "How did you do?"
"Eleven and a half." Harry said grinning "Three Os, three Es, one A, one P and only one D."
"Hang on. Three Outstandings," Ron said with an odd expression on his face. "One for Defence Against the Dark Arts right?" Harry nodded "And the other two?"
"Well, one for Care of Magical Creatures." Harry answered slowly, knowing the bomb drop he was about to make. "And the other one is for-"
"Yes the other was for?" Ron prompted
"The other one is for Potions!" Harry smiled as he said with, he had not ruined his chance of becoming an Auror.
Ron stared at him in disbelief "What? How did you manage that?"
"I dunno." Harry said hesitated. How had he got an O in Potions? "Maybe 'cause Snape wasn't there." He said brightly.
"Well done Harry." Said Ginny, giving Ron a how-can-you-ask-that-kind-of- question look.
'Thanks." He said.
He jumped as the twins appeared in the middle of the room with a loud crack, they where both dressed in green leather.
"Hello all." Said Fred crossing the room.
"Can't stay long, important business to attend to." Said George picking up a piece of toast.
"What's up Ron?" Asked Fred quizzically looking at his younger brother, who was still gazing at his letter in awe.
"Don't tell me you have been made Head Boy?" Said George with a disgusted look on his face. "It's bad enough that you're a prefect. I don't think the family could stand the shame."
"Nah, can't be that, his only in sixth year." Said Fred not even looking up from the piece of piece toast he was buttering. "Wait, I got it. He just had his O.W.Ls results. So how many did you get? Two?"
"No, eleven." Ron said smugly.
*
Harry spent a very enjoyable day with Ron and Ginny. Mr Weasley had gone into work and Mrs Weasley said that she was needed elsewhere. But she did not sat where or what she would be doing. They had not seen Bill, Lupin, Moody or Tonks since the pervious night. Harry and Ron had sent their subject choices with Hedwig; Pig was of on another delivery. The three of them played wizard chess and exploding snap. Harry let the others do most of the talking, when he did speak he only spoke about school, homework or Quidditch. One he saw Ron and Ginny exchange a look as he changed the subject for the fifth time.
"Have you any idea what that prophecy thing was about, Harry?" Ginny had asked, as one of her knights took Harry's queen.
"No." He said too quickly. "Do you know if Dumbledore has got a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher yet?"
"I dunno," She said looking at him oddly. "I guess, I mean we haven't heard that he hasn't"
"I did hear something a couple of days ago," Said Ron over the top of Flying With the Cannons, "Mum said that she hoped he was suitable, Dumbledore just laughed and said, was Umbridge?"
"Well who ever it is would have to be really terrible to top what we've alright had, Quirrell, Lockhart and Umbridge." Said Harry as he sent a rook to its doom, at the hands of one of Ginny's pawns.
"Don't forget the imposter Moody." Ron said as he closed his book,
"Oh yes, how could I ever forget about him." Harry said dryly.
"Do you remember that class on the Unforgivables?" Ron sat down next to Harry the better to see the game.
"Yeah I do, I'm not very likely to forget am I," mumbled Harry, "have you heard from Hermione recently?"
"She wrote to me the day before yesterday." Said Ron, his ears going slightly red.
"The last I heard from her, she was in Bulgaria with her family, that was about a week ago." Harry said as he sent his last bishop across the board.
"She's getting back in a few days, or that's what she said." Ron said, going slightly red. What did Ron have against Bulgaria?
Mrs Weasley appeared in the doorway, "Harry dear can you get your stuff and come down stairs, Dumbledore is here to take you back."
Harry got glumly to his feet gathered up his stuff, which seemed to have spread itself all over the room and headed down stairs followed by Ron and Ginny.
When they reached the kitchen it was to find Dumbledore, Mrs Weasley and Lupin there.
"Ready Harry?" Dumbledore asked holding out an old sock.
"Yes, I guess." Harry said miserably. "Bye."
"Bye" They said back looking just as miserably as he felt. Harry laid his hand on the portkey.
"Three, two, one."
The familiar sensation of a hook being jerked backwards and the gloomy kitchen disappeared from site. He was standing in his bedroom at four Privet Drive. The room looked just like it had when he had left it the night before. Deciding that he should make his return know he left the room.