Chapter 6

Harry woke to a wheezing screech and a soft hoot. He put on his glasses and looked at the calendar. July 30th. A screech was repeated and Harry climbed out of bed to check on Hedwig. He was startled to see that Hedwig was no longer alone in her hollow log nest. Two wet rumpled owlets were flailing about and voicing their protest if their living arrangements. Hedwig was no longer sitting on her nest and watched her family with obvious satisfaction.

Harry stared in wonder at the grey and white down on the nest mates. They seemed comical; necks stretched up and wobbling back and forth, often tipping into the other. Hedwig leaned forward towards the closest owlet and opened her beak wide and a moment later the baby was feeding happily. The process was repeated with the second and Harry was amazed that his owl knew how to do that without any assistance.

"Hedwig, could I pet your babies?" Harry asked softly, so not to startle the owlets. Hedwig nipped Harry's finger in understanding, but put a wing up to block her nest from him. Harry understood. "It's too soon girl?" Hedwig hooted in agreement.

Harry sat back down and Hedwig allowed him to watch her with her babies again. She seemed to be looking at the last egg and Harry wasn't sure what she was waiting for at first. A few moments later he heard a cracking noise, the last egg was hatching.

It was hours before Harry called through the mirror and saw the beaming face of Molly Weasley. Using the mirror he let everyone at headquarters get a good look at his brood. Ron joked that he should start his own owl post office. Four snowy owls would be mighty impressive. Harry smiled and laughed with his friends and Remus was pleased to report later, the smile reached his eyes.

On his birthday the Dursleys were especially obnoxious. They complained about all the birds and noise. Dudley mocked another friendless birthday and casually mentioned the blow out his parents threw for him on his birthday. Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon talked back and forth to one another about the unlikely ness of anyone from that freak's school even bothering to pick up this bit of rubbish that was their nephew. When Harry couldn't take it another moment the most wonderful thing happened. Someone rang the bell.

Uncle Vernon saw the hopeful look on his nephew's face and sneered. "Don't get any ideas boy, it's probably a solicitor. Your kind doesn't seem to bother with the bell."

Harry followed his uncle into the hall as the beefy man answered the door. "What do you …" His uncle's voice died away and Harry rushed to the window to discover what caused his uncle's silence.

Harry stood in disbelief, completely rooted to the spot. Outside #4 Privet Drive was the longest limo anyone on the street had ever seen. Neighbors stood in their yards and stared openmouthed. It was the kind of limos celebrities and the very wealthy used.

The chauffer stood next to the open door of the limo as a curvy blonde supermodel climbed out of the rear seat and walked up to the front door. A footman stood at the door and had been the one to ring the bell. He then escorted the gorgeous woman to the front door.

Her large expertly made up eyes glanced with obviously distaste at the company car in the drive. She then barely swept a look over uncle Vernon before asking the footman in a loud whisper, "You're sure this is the place?" At his nod she turned to uncle Vernon and in a haughty voice asked for Harry Potter.

Dudley fainted and aunt Petunia stared in horror at the famous woman. Uncle Vernon sputtered till he found his voice and shakily asked. "What do you want with him for?"

She frowned. "Mr. Darvey, please be so kind as to call Harry. I wish to speak with him before we leave."

Vernon grew purple with rage. "The name is Dursley and my nephew isn't going anywhere with the likes of you."

Harry squirmed past his aunt and ran out the back door. It took only a second to reach the front stoop. "I'm Harry, what can I do for you?"

The model smiled. "How nice to see you. Please collect all your school things, as well as your little charges. I have a plane to catch and I promised a friend of my cousin that I would come pick you up."

Harry smiled brightly. "Yes ma'am. I'll be right back." Harry took a few steps before stopping suddenly. "Who's your cousin?"

The young woman clapped her hand over Harry shoulder. "Why Sirius Black."

Harry laughed all the way up the stairs, leaving Tonks to continue to annoy his relatives.