Note to all readers
I do not own ANY part of Harry Potter . . . how I wish I did, but alas I do not. This is strictly for your enjoyment. In other word… not lawsuits please! This is my first baby given to please leave comments whether they be good comments or bad.
Warning WIP
Harry Potter and the Last Black Return to Number Twelve
A young boy lay on his side staring into the darkness before him. The only light was from a digital clock on the bed stand next to him. Its bright blue letters flashed 11:59. The boy's heart gave a jolt. One minute and he, Harry Potter, would be sixteen years old.
Harry wasn't a normal boy, despite the fact that he was a teenage boy. He had other abnormalities as the Dursleys, his only living relatives and his care takers put it. For example, Harry couldn't wait for school to start.
Harry hated the summer holidays. Not only did he hate living with the Dursleys, he hated the broken connection with his kind. That was another reason Harry was different. He was a wizard.
When Harry was only a baby, his parents were killed by an evil wizard named Lord Voldemort. But because of Harry's mother's sacrifice, Harry was able to survive Voldemort's attack, and reflect it back at Voldemort himself, therefore halting Voldemort's plans.
But like all good things, the short lived peace came to an end. Just two years ago Harry had witnessed the return of Lord Voldemort and the previous year, convinced the wizarding world that the Dark Lord had returned.
The clock was now flashing 12:00. Harry had turned sixteen. He looked at the clock and started to think about the events that took place a little over a month ago.
Suddenly the numbers on the clock formed into an arching body, and a cold laugh filled the air. He knew he shouldn't think about Sirius, about how his godfather was dead, about how he'd never see him again. Harry couldn't hold back the tears though, and they began to trickle down his cheeks. He missed Sirius so much. Harry reached across the nightstand and grabbed a picture that was sitting beside the clock. He turned on a light and looked at it.
It was a picture of Sirius that Remus Lupin, a friend of Sirius and his father, had given him. Sirius looked up at Harry and smiled. Then he reached up as if to wipe away Harry's tears, but drew his hand back quickly. Harry knew he couldn't touch Sirius, and Sirius couldn't touch him, but it still made him a little happier knowing he could still see his godfather's image.
Harry began to think about the first time he had ever met his godfather. He saw a giant black dog walk up to him. He could hear the dog's claws scrapping against the floor.
Harry jolted. He could hear the scrapping sound getting louder and louder. It was a while before he looked out his window and saw five owls perched outside of it.
There was a white snowy owl, his, named Hedwig, a small owl, he noticed to be his friend Ron's owl, Pig, and three strange owls he'd never seen before.
Harry crawled out of bed and opened the window. All five owls flew in. First Harry relieved Hedwig and pig from their delivery. Hedwig and Pig flew over to Hedwig's cage and each took a gulp of water. Pig then squeaked a tiny hoot, and zoomed out the window into the night. Harry watched Pig fly out of sight, and then relieved the other three owls of their deliveries. One of the three strange owls had light gray-blue eyes, and a silver-like color to its feathers. It and one other of the owls took off into the night as soon as they were relieved, but one stayed behind.
Harry automatically knew that this owl must be carrying a message from wither Lupin or one of the others from the order. Their owls always stayed and waited for Harry to reply. They also made sure never to use the same owl twice.
Harry looked down at the first package, the one Hedwig had brought. He opened it. Inside were a small bottle and a note. He read the note.
Dear Harry,
I'm sorry that I can't give you your full birthday present, but it's too large to send through owl post. You will just have to wait until we see you to get your present.
Hermione
P.S. Maybe this will give you a hint towards your present.
Harry looked down at the bottle in his hand. It was filled with what seemed to be ashes. Harry wondered why Hermione would give him ashes, but was to excited to give it mush thought. Harry moved on to the second package.
It was small, but he didn't care. It was from his friend Ron. Ron was the youngest boy in a family of seven children. His only younger sibling was his sister Ginny.
The Weasly's were poor, but very caring. The lack of money made them even kinder.
Harry untied the parcel and out fell another note.
Harry!
Okay, I can't give you your present over Owl Post. Can't wait to see you!
Ron
P.S. Use Hermione's gift and my gift to help you figure out your present!
Harry looked at the bottom of the letter. Taped to the letter with spell-o-tape was a scarlet gold feather.
What were his friends getting at? Ashes and a feather? Were they having a dinner or something? Maybe Hermione and Ron were practicing how to cook a turkey, and ended up burning the bird to ashes. Oh well, Harry thought, I'll just wait to find out.
Harry set down his present, and picked up the next letter.
It was sealed tightly shut, with the Olivharra spell. Harry got out his wand and held its tip to the letter, and said "Opentresnat!" the letter unfolded itself. Normally underage students weren't allowed to do magic out of school, but the Ministry had granted Harry special permission to use the Opentresnat and Sealantaro spells, to open the letters he received from the Order, and to seal his replies. Dumbledore had told the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge that incase these letters fell into Muggle hands, they needed to be sealed. Harry had been taught how to open them by many letters from Hermione.
Harry looked down at the letter, and noticed the bright blue Phoenix stamp on it.
Harry,
Hope you had a good summer. I will come at midnight of the first. Be ready.
Lupin
Harry's heart leapt into the air. He was leaving Number Four Private Drive at last. Harry quickly scribbled okay on a piece of parchment, and placed his wand tip to the letter and said, "Sealantaro!" The letter magically folded itself, and Harry bound it to the owl's leg. It spread its large wings and flew off into the night.
After Harry watched the owl fly out of sight, he turned to the last two letters. The first one was from Hagrid, the Care of Magical Creatures teacher. The package contained a large cake and a box of hard, purplish knut-sized treats. Harry decided not to eat them, but to pack them away. Harry then read them Hagrid's letter.
Harry,
These might come in handy. See you soon!
Hagrid
For the third time that night Harry had read a letter that made no sense. Harry yawned and looked at the clock. It now read 12:53.
Harry rubbed his eyes, and looked at the last letter. He wondered who it could be from. Slowly Harry opened the letter and read:
Dear Harry,
Do not worry, I am protecting you. If you feel afraid, write a letter and place it at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, near Hagrid's hut. I will get it.
Star
Harry stared at the letter. He re-read it over. Who was this person? Why did they not reveal their name from him? Was there something he didn't know?
Then it hit him. The letter was from Sirius. It had to be. Dumbledore didn't want Harry to know about Sirius just wanted to keep Harry safe. That was it; it had to be Harry looked once more at his strange gifts, then back to his last letter. Harry fell sound asleep, dreaming with false hope.
Harry awoke the next day around one in the afternoon; he hadn't realized how tired he had been. He climbed out of bed, rubbed his eyes, ruffled his hair, put his glasses on, and headed down stairs.
"So, you're finally leaving?" Uncle Vernon growled at him.
"Yeah. How did you…?" Harry asked.
"Your way." Uncle Vernon whispered
All Harry did after that was turn around and walk right back up the stairs. If they already knew about him leaving, he could pack his things, then go back to sleep.
Harry walked down the hall, and into his room. He quickly crammed his trunk full of his spell books, parchment, robes and other things he might need at Hogwarts, his school.
He looked around at his bare room. The only things that were left unpacked were Hedwig, her cage, his broom, the Firebolt, and his wand.
Harry looked at his watch, it was 1:45. Harry fell against his bed and fell asleep.
He awoke to Hedwig's hooting. As Harry opened his eyes he saw Lupin leaning over him.
"'Lo Harry, nice sleep?" Lupin said in a raspy voice.
"Er, yeah," Harry rubbed his eyes. How could he have slept for so long? Oh well he thought to himself. Harry stood up, looked at Lupin and asked, "So do we, er, go by brooms? Harry reached for his broom, but Lupin stopped him.
"No, Dumbledore managed to fix us up a portkey." Lupin held out a dirty sock.
"Oh," Harry said.
"Grab your things, it's about to activate." Lupin said quickly.
'Kay," Harry grabbed his broom, his wand, Hedwig, and her cage. Then he grabbed the sock.
"Harry, now think about how to get into Number Twelve." Lupin ordered.
Harry closed his eyes and began to repeat in his head, 'The head quarters for the Order of the Phoenix can be found at Number Twelve Grimmauld Place.' Suddenly Harry felt his body being pulled forward, and his feet left the floor.
Harry hit solid ground again, and when he opened his eyes, he was no longer in his room at Private Drive, but in the kitchen of Number Twelve.
Harry could smell fresh baked bread, and hear the sound of a cheerful fire crackling. Harry felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned around, and there was Mrs. Weasly standing in her night gown and hair rollers.
"Hello Harry." She said, "I would like to talk to you, but I think Ron and Hermione have something they would like to give you." She stepped aside and pointed to Ron and Hermione who were standing side-by-side with a large box next to them.
"Happy sweet sixteen Harry!" Ron and Hermione shouted together.
Harry walked over to them. "Wow!" he said, "What's in there?" Harry reached out and touched the box. It moved a little. Harry withdrew his hand.
"Go on dear, open it." Mrs. Weasly encouraged.
Harry slowly lifted the box up, and his heart almost stopped. There underneath the box, was a large phoenix resting on a perch.
"Bloody hell!" Harry exclaimed, "She's beautiful!"
"She's yours Harry." Lupin said, stepping next to him.
"Mine? But where'd you get her? I bet she was really expensive!" Harry asked.
"She's Fawks' sister. Dumbledore sold her to us for a fair price." Lupin answered.
"Fawks? But I thought that Dumbledore only had one phoenix, and why would he sell his pet?" Harry questioned Lupin again.
"Well, when a phoenix dies on a night that there is a full moon, two phoenixes will be born in the old ones ashes. But since its best to only have one phoenix, Dumbledore sold her to us at a fair price, suggesting she will make a highly handy pet for you Harry." Lupin smiled, "what will you name her?"
Harry thought about it for a moment, and then said, "Spica" The bird gave a soft coo, and blinked at Harry.
"You like the name?" Harry asked her. He reached out his hand to stroke Spica's head, but was stopped buy a white flash of feathers. It was Hedwig. She landed on Harry's hand, and dug her claws into his flesh. She turned her large eyes to Spica and clicked her beak loudly.
"Harry," Hermione said, "I think she's jealous."
"It's okay Hedwig," Harry said calmly, "Nothing can replace you!" Hedwig clicked her beak and looked at Harry, their eyes met, and she seemed to nod in agreement.
"Hedwig, you're tired, go and rest." Harry told her.
Hedwig gave a final look at Spica, and then flew out the kitchen door, and up the stairs. Harry suddenly felt a cold, wet liquid run onto his head. He turned around, and saw Spica's head leaning over his hand, and tears were running down her face and dripping onto his wounds left by Hedwig's claws. The wounds healed quickly, and Harry rubbed his hand along Spica's head and neck. "Thank you," He said, and then he turned to face Ron, Hermione, Mrs. Weasly, and Lupin. "Thank you all so much!"
"Harry, did you get your phoenix treats from Hagrid?" Lupin asked.
"Treats?" Harry asked.
"Yes, they are purplish." Lupin answered, "You didn't eat them did you?"
"Oh, those are phoenix treats. I thought that they were some sort of Hagrid's cooking!" Harry replied. "No, I didn't eat them, luckily."
Everyone laughed. They all talked into the night, over many bottles of warm butterbeer, but finally Mrs. Weasly forced everyone to bed.
"But Mum!" Ron objected, "I haven't seen Harry all summer, I still want to talk to him!"
"No! You can talk tomorrow! Right now its time for bed."
"Come on Molly," Lupin started to say, "I want to talk to Harry too."
"Remus! You're an adult!" Mrs. Weasly fussed, "Can't you wait."
"Molly," Lupin said firmly, "No it can not. It's very important."
"I said Harry is going to bed, and that's final, you can wait another few hours to talk to him."
"Mrs. Weasly, I'm really not tired. I slept all day." Harry said.
"No! I want no more of this! Go to bed." Mrs. Weasly said. "NOW!" she added when everyone, even Hermione, their mouths to object.
Slowly everyone made their ways to their beds. Harry lay awake in his bed for awhile, thinking about everything that had happened; the mysterious letter and his new pet. Then he remembered something. What Lupin was trying to tell him. Could it be that Lupin knew that Sirius was alive? Could he have wanted to tell Harry? Should Harry go to Lupin right now, and tell him about the mysterious letter he received? Harry fell asleep before the answers to his questions came.
The next morning Harry awoke, climbed out of bed, got dressed and went downstairs for breakfast.
When he walked into the kitchen Hermione and Ron were already in there, dressed, and eating.
"Harry, good, you're awake now!" Mrs. Weasly said, as she shoved food at him. He sat down and began to eat.
"There's a sale today at Flourish and Boltts, and mum loves to save and you know how tight on money we are!" Ron said, he tried to act like it was no big deal, but his ears turned bright red, like they always did when he was embarrassed.
Harry didn't need to save any money, but to the Weaslys, any money that could be saved, would be save. Harry crammed down food, and said thank you to Mrs. Weasly.
"Okay, we've got to pick up Ginny's books as well." Mrs. Weasly said as she wrote a list of things she needed to get.
"Where is Ginny, by the way Mrs. Weasly?" Harry asked.
"Oh she was made a Prefect, and she's taking classes at Hogwarts over the summer holidays. Now, to Diagon Ally?" Mrs. Weasly replied.
"How are we going to travel?" Harry asked Mrs. Weasly.
"Floo powder, dear." She replied.
Harry had traveled by Floo powder before, and he had not liked the experience very much. The feeling of being pulled and swirled in a mix ash and dust, and then landing, on a hard, cold floor was not Harry's idea of a good way to travel, but he was getting used to it.
"Okay Harry, you first, Ron, Hermione and I will be after you shortly." Mrs. Weasly passes him the floor pot full of Floo Powder, and Harry took a handful.
"Thanks." Harry coughed as he stepped into the large fireplace.
Harry took a deep breath, and shouted "Diagon Ally!" and threw the green powder down at his feet. Suddenly he felt the fireplace swirl around him, and he closed his eyes tightly. He felt other fireplaces swirl pass him, as he slowed Harry placed out his hands to keep him from crashing into the floor, as he had done on his first trip using Floo Powder.
Harry stepped out of the fireplace and waited for Ron, Hermione and Mrs. Weasly to arrive. In no time at all, all three of them had appeared and were dusting themselves off.
"Right, to Grinngots then," Mrs. Weasly marched off, the teen trio following her down the street, and up the stairs at Grinngots, the wizarding bank.
All four of them huddled closely as they walked up towards a grumpy looking goblin.
"Er, hello, I would like to make a withdraw please, and Harry here," Mrs. Weasly shoved Harry forward, "would like to as well."
"Keys please." The goblin asked Mrs. Weasly.
"Ah yes- here is mine, and here is Harry's." She said handing two keys to the goblin.
"This way please." The goblin motioned for them to follow. As they walked down a narrow path, they were transferred to a different goblin, and all took a seat in an old mine cart. They sped down and around many paths and corners, then came to a sudden halt at the entrance of the Weasly's safe. Harry had been there once before, last year, with Mrs. Weasly, and had remembered how bare the inside had been. Harry wanted to give half of his gold to the Weaslys but he knew they would never take it.
The goblin opened the safe, and Mrs. Weasly took out everything that was in it. Then they sped down another path to Harry's safe. The goblin opened Harry's safe, and he could feel himself turn red, as Ron stared at all of Harry's gold. Quickly Harry grabbed a bag full of money and took a seat in the cart. The cart then sped away, back to the entrance, and everyone climbed out.
They stepped out into the bright sunlight, and started off in the direction of Flourish and Boltts. As they walked down the street, it hit Harry that he didn't have his school list.
"Er, Mrs. Weasly, I haven't got my list," Harry said to her.
"Oh dear! I forgot to give it to you." She said rummaging threw her purse, "Dumbledore sent it to me saying to give it to you as soon as I saw you! Ah, here we are." She handed him a piece of parchment.
Harry unfolded it, and began to read:
SIXTH YEAR STUDENTS WILL REQUIRE:
The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 6 by Miranda Goshawk
ADDITIONAL BOOKS MAY BE NEEDED, PLEASE READ YOUR ATTATCED LIST TO SEE WHICH N.E.W.T.s CLASSES YOUR HAVE BEEN ENROLLED IN
Harry looked at the second piece of parchment that was attached to his sort school book list. This one was quite a bit longer.
Dear Harry,
We are pleased to announce that you were given Top Marks in your Defense against the Dark Arts, Charms, and Potions classes, and have been enrolled in those N.E.W.T.s classes. You also received marks high enough to be enrolled in Transfiguration, and Herbology. You had also signed up for Care of Magical Creatures, and have been given that class. Below is a list of books you will need for those classes.
Magical Enchantments for Anything by James Hairsberg
Defense Magic for the Advanced by Nor Yharr
Curses by Khurt Cydeal Illatss
Upper Level Potions: for the Talented Only by Max Thatar
Because you had shown an interest in the job of an Arour, this book is recommended:
So, you want to be an Arour: Pros and Cons about Your Dream Job by Alastor Moody
Harry saw the author of the last book, and choked, he had no idea that Mad-eye was an author.
"Wow, Mad-eye wrote a book!" Harry exclaimed.
"Yes, he was quite willing to write it actually." Mrs. Weasly said glancing down at Harry's list. "Oh, I don't like Khurt's books though." She said in a low voice.
"Mum doesn't like him because he writes about gruesome curses! I think he's brilliant!" Ron whispered to Harry.
"Ron, why don't you take Harry to-," Hermione looked at Ron, "Me and your mum will get the books." She took Harry's list, and some gold, saying he might need the rest. Hermione and Mrs. Weasly parted them and left for the bookstore.
Ron began to pull Harry's arm, and dragged him across the street. "Harry, you've got to see Fred, and Georges place!" He said, but before they made it they ran into Draco Malfoy, Harry's arch enemy.
"Where are you two off too in such a hurry? They giving free handouts Weasly? Eh?" Malfoy said in a drawling voice.
Ron's face went red, "Move." He said.
"No, I don't think I will."
"Move!"
"I said no!"
Both boys made a move for their wands, but before either one could lay a finger on them, a hand pulled them back.
"Come now Draco, no fighting." Said a man that Harry recognized at once as the Death Eater, Macnair.
"Okay," Malfoy replied in a sinister voice.
"Hello, Potter," Macnair said coolly, "Keeping an eye out for your mutt friend?" He smiled coldly, turned sharply with his hand still on Draco's shoulder, almost ran into a girl dressed in a blue cloak, and then disappeared into the crowd with Malfoy.
"Mutt?" Ron asked, but before Harry could give a response, Mrs. Weasly and Hermione came running at them, arms full bags of books.
"Hurry, get to the nearest fireplace," Mrs. Weasly said. She was clutching a phoenix feather, and her eyes were wide with fear. They found the nearest fireplace, thought about Number Twelve, and then used Floo Powder to get there. When everyone was safe inside Number Twelve, Mrs. Weasly shooed them all upstairs, and told them she would call when dinner was ready.
When Harry, Ron, and Hermione were in Harry's room, Ron and Harry started to ask Hermione many questions.
"What happened?"
"Is everything okay?"
"I don't know! All I know is that while we were checking out the books, a red feather appeared, and your mum, Ron, gasped, and told me to follow her. I don't know anything!" Hermione said.
"Harry, do you think it could have anything to do with what Macnair said?" Ron asked Harry.
"What do you mean Ron?" Hermione asked quietly.
"Oh well, I just mean we ran into Malfoy, and that executioner Macnair, you know, the one that was going to kill Buckbeak, and well he said 'Are you looking out for your mutt friend?' I don't know what he meant though." Ron replied.
"Do you Harry? Because I don't" Hermione, who could usually figure everything out, was stumped as well.
"No, I don't, but I thought he might be talking about-" Harry stopped.
"About what Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Well, about you, you being a Muggle born and all." Harry said in a low voice.
"Don't be silly, I'm not half and half, that's what a mutt is, a mix of two or more things, maybe ha was talking about Hagrid." Hermione said.
"Maybe, but he's at Hogwarts, so I really don't think so." Harry replied.
"You know, Malfoy and Macnair are probably laughing about what they said right now," Ron said in a not quite so sure voice, "It probably meant nothing at all."
"Yeah," Harry and Hermione agreed. They sat silently until Mrs. Weasly called them down for dinner. They ate in silence, and then went to bed in silence. For the next month all they did was play wizards chest, and exploding snap. They hardly saw Mrs. Weasly, and never saw Lupin.
To be continued. . .
Okay, that is the first chapter. What do ya think of it? Please leave comments!