Chapter One
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all other characters and places belong to J K Rowling. I own only the storyline.
Privet Drive, early July.
Harry was sat in the garden of his Aunt and Uncle's house in Privet Drive, enjoying the summer sunshine. Thankfully, his Aunt, Uncle and Dudley were on a caravanning holiday in France, otherwise the arrival of the beautiful tawny owl in broad daylight would have been accompanied by indignant shouts from his Uncle. Harry took the envelope from the owl, and when he turned it over he recognised the Hogwarts seal.
A nervous shiver settled in Harry's stomach. It was far too early in the summer for the usual start-of-term Hogwarts letters, and he couldn't imagine that any good news would be coming from Dumbledore in these darkened times. Nevertheless, Harry was not in Gryffindor for nothing, and he summoned up some of his considerable store of courage and opened the envelope.
The letter started wit the Hogwarts crest, and Harry saw with relief that it began with a general address:
Dear Students,
Allow me to congratulate you on your outstanding OWL results (see attached sheet). You belong to a select group of students who have achieved the top marks in Hogwarts in one of your subjects:
Arithmancy: Hermione Granger Astronomy: Anthony Goldstein Ancient Runes: Hermione Granger Care of Magical Creatures: Padma Patil Charms: Hermione Granger Defence Against the Dark Arts: Harry Potter Divination: Lavender Brown Herbology: Draco Malfoy History of Magic: Anthony Goldstein Muggle Studies: Hannah Abbott Potions: Draco Malfoy Transfiguration: Hermione Granger
The teaching faculty would like to invite you and your family to a celebration to be held in the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley on the 25th July at 2pm. Dress: smart/casual. Please reply by return of owl as to your and your families' ability to attend.
Congratulations once again,
Professor McGonagall.
Harry's immediate reaction was one of pleasure. He was top of DADA - imagine Umbridge's pig-like face when she found out about that. But all his feelings of glee were quickly followed by pain as he realised that he had no family left now, not with Sirius gone. Harry tried to think of something else. He knew he was avoiding the fact that he had lost Sirius, but he knew if he fell into the despair he could feel encroaching on his mind he would never get back out. He suddenly remembered the second page of his letter, and looked with some apprehension towards his other OWL results.
Astronomy: Acceptable Care of Magical Creatures: Exceeds expectations Charms: Outstanding Defence Against the Dark Arts: Outstanding Divination: Poor Herbology: Acceptable History of Magic: Dreadful Potions: Outstanding Transfiguration: Exceeds expectations
He was relieved to see the other results as they weren't so bas as he was expecting, especially with everything else that had been going on. And an 'outstanding' in potions, at least Slimy Snape would have to let him into the NEWT potions class. At least his dreams of becoming an Auror were still alive. Added a the bottom of the page, Harry noticed a scribbled note:
Harry,
I have taken the liberty of inviting Molly and Arthur Weasley to be your guardians for the OWL results celebration, and they were delighted to accept. After the celebration they have invited you to stay with them for the rest of the summer. If this arrangement suits you, please reply by return of owl. I will arrange for transport of your school supplies from Privet Drive (and of yourself to Diagon Alley) if you pack your trunk before the celebration.
Yours,
Albus Dumbledore.
The postscript lifted the feeling of sadness a little from Harry. He knew Molly and Arthur would never refuse such a request from Dumbledore. He hoped Ron wouldn't mind him borrowing them for the day. He noticed that Dumbledore was asking if the arrangements suited. Too little too late, Harry thought, if Dumbledore was trying to make up for all his dictation of Harry's life so far. Nonetheless, Harry ran inside to find a quill and parchment to reply. He didn't really relish going to this 'celebration' but anything to get out of this house before as soon as possible.
Harry looked back again as the other people who would be at Diagon Alley. Hermione, of course. Harry smiled, he wondered how pleased she'd be only being top of three subjects. Harry scowled as he saw Draco top of potions. Of course he would be, he was Snape's favourite pet. Harry was quite surprised to see Draco top of Herbology though, but he supposed it went well with potions. Ron wasn't on the list - Harry hoped that his results were good enough to join the auror-required NEWT courses with him. He didn't look forward to being in potions without Ron.
Harry finished off his reply to Dumbledore and tied it to the leg of the owl that was now perched on his desk. It sat still and blinked at him rather than flying off. Harry hit his head and went into his trunk to pull out some of Hedwig's owl treats for the tawny owl. Once it had been fed, the owl soared out of the window and off to Hogwarts.
Only a minute or so later, there was a twittering and a small ball of feathers soared in through his window. 'Pig,' thought Harry, and he proceeded to try and catch the hyperactive little owl. His seeker skills helped him and it wasn't long before he held Pig in his hand. As he untied the letter from Pig's leg, Harry recognised Ron's scrawl on the front of the letter and he opened it eagerly. He read:
Harry,
Mum says you're coming over soon. That'll be great - it's really quiet here without Fred and George. Well done for your OWL results. Mine were OK - better than Fred and Georges at least. Can you believe it. I got an O in potions so I suppose we'll have the Greasy Git for another tow years. My other O was in DADA, I wonder how the other DA members did?
Anyway, I'll see you soon mate,
Ron.
PS Mum has invited Hermione to stay too, so we'll find out if she got all O's in her OWLs.
Harry smiled as he read Ron's letter. He would have his friend to keep him company in potions after all. And Ron didn't seem upset about not being at the teacher's celebration. In fact, since Ron had been made prefect ahead of Harry last year, and had joined the house Quiddich team, Ron didn't seem to be so bothered about Harry getting more attention than him.
The next few days passed very slowly for Harry. He had packed and unpacked so many times and his trunk was now finally ready to leave. When Harry had told Uncle Vernon about his plans to leave he spotted relief in his Uncle's eyes, who said "As long as those funny friends of yours don't come to the house in broad daylight, whatever would the neighbours think?" Harry rolled his eyes and stared at Hedwig who was cleaning her feathers unconcernedly. "Don't worry girl, we'll be out of here tomorrow" Harry whispered. He went over his packing in his mind, but really there was no need as Dudley's second bedroom was empty other than his school belongings. He changed into his pyjamas and got into bed, ready for another night of fitful sleep interspersed with bad dreams about the Department of Mysteries and the Riddle graveyard.
Chapter two: Is Draco looking forward to the teacher's celebration as much as Harry
