Disclaimer: Hmm...As of yesterday, I now own some gum, which of course I am chewing right now. Oh yeah, i also own the Arizona Iced Tea I'm drinking, which of course is crazy good! Unfortunateley, I DO NOT own any of the Harry Potter books or the ideas in them. That is owned by none other than JKR herself. Of course she probably owns way more than that...probably including a couple million pound house, 100 mercedes, and a crapload of other things. Pizza Hut is amazing...so is Costco's Pizza. I think the disclaimer explains enough now...

A/N-As much as I am content with only writing the stories, I can't say that I'm a bit dissapointed in the amount of reviews. Of course, it must be my fault for writing a story that just plainly doesn't catch anyone...I will do my best to make it better. Of course, if you are reading this, REVIEW DAMMIT! Thanks. Replies to reviews are at bottom...thanks. Oh and I re-edited this chapter, sorry for the mistakes before! Enjoy!


Chapter 5: To Tell, or Not To Tell; That Is the Question

Ron woke up to find Harry examining a large piece of leather carefully, as if he were looking for a switch or something.

"Harry, did Fred and George make a new Map of the School or something?" he said, yawning hugely throughout his question.

Harry quickly shoved the large thing out of sight. "No. It's nothing. Just a bit of homework for next term."

"Oh, alright. Hey Neville! Get up. Breakfast time!" said Ron, a bit more rejuvenated now that food was in the picture.

"Harry are you okay? You look a bit peaky." said Ron, seeing the pale face of Harry through the early morning rays.

"Yeah I am fine. Just go to breakfast. I'll be there in a bit."

Ron followed Harry's order, now sensing a bit of Harry's antisocial habits from last year. Neville got up and followed Ron to the door, but he stopped a few feet before the door. He slowly turned around, and asked Harry, "Harry, is there anything you want to say? I can keep secrets Harry. I can tell you are. It isn't good to. They only become worse and heavier. If you can't tell me, I think you should tell someone. Sorry for butting in. But I thought you should know."

"I'm not keeping secrets Neville," said Harry, who found himself dumbstruck at what Neville had just said. Was he that obvious?

Neville exited, and soon thereafter Harry took out the peculiar note he had received the day before.

'I wonder where Hedwig got this. This is all so weird! Should I tell someone about this?' he asked himself. 'Hermione is bound to know something about all of this. I reckon I should tell her. But she will tell everyone around. If only she could keep a secret. Dammit. I don't know!' he finished by shouting the last 3 words.

"You are quite right you don't know," said Phineas Nigellus, the one who had first told Harry of the possibility of bringing Sirius back.

"Oh shut up, you," said Harry, quite flustered with his present predicament.

It had seemed that everything that had happened didn't matter anymore. Harry was back to being antisocial and denied everything that was brought up to him. He hated this. He knew he had to tell somebody. Resolving to tell somebody about it before the day was over, Harry finally walked downstairs to the greeting of everyone.

"Happy Belated Birthday, Harry!" chorused most of the room, which included Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Ron, Hermione, Neville, Ginny, Lupin, Prince Ivy, Mad-Eye-Moody, and Tonks.

"Thanks everyone," muttered Harry.

"The full party will be tonight Harry. Everyone will be there. What would you like for breakfast?" she asked

"Just some toast, thanks," he replied.

"Oh Molly, there is no need. I am all on it!" said Prince Ivy, taking his place in front of the stove before Mrs. Weasley could.

"That is so sweet of you, Ivy. Thanks." said Mrs. Weasley. Harry couldn't help but see the small tone of anger in her voice as she spoke to him.

The rather large group, instead of sitting in the small table right in the kitchen area ate in the place where the Order of the Phoenix had their meetings. Harry remembered one year ago that his Godfather had told him of Voldemort's plans in this room.

"Wotcher, Harry! It's been a while!" said Tonks, in her usual jovial fashion. She now sported a pink Mohawk, and Harry thought she looked quite good with it.

"Yeah, it has. I like the hair today!" Harry said, trying to brighten his own mood some.

Moody, who had a seat next to Harry, then whispered into Harry's ear, "apparently so does Lupin. Look at the bloke!"

Harry took a second to look at Lupin's face. He was in fact looking straight at Tonks, who in turn turned towards Lupin, who broke his gaze in embarrassment.

Mad-eye and Harry giggled loudly, and Harry felt much better. He pondered why 30 minutes ago he hated being Harry Potter. He couldn't wish for anything more.

Everyone ate breakfast in good spirits, and after they went to the living room to relax for a bit before more people arrived.

"Bill is coming Harry! He's bringing Fleur!" said Ginny happily. Harry couldn't help but sense that nervous feeling he had gotten a few times in the last couple days.

"Really? Fleur? Are they together?" asked Harry, oblivious to Bill's love life.

"Yes. Ever since the end of the Triwizard Tournement year, they have," said Ginny.

Harry patted her on the shoulder, quite randomly, and turned to Mrs. Weasley.

"Are Fred and George coming?"

"Of course, Harry dear. They will be here around tea time," she answered.

"Great news, real great," said Harry.

Harry looked at Lupin, now talking animatedly to Tonks. It was obvious he fancied her. But perhaps Moody's eye could see more than actual sights. Perhaps it could see feelings? At this thought, Harry moved across the room to escape Moody's apprehensive gaze.

At Harry's new position, he took a closer look at Lupin. If possible, he looked more tired, shabby, and depressed than ever. It looked as if the full weight of Sirius's death, the last true friend that Remus had ever had, was residing a half inch under his eyelid. Lupin had obviously not been sleeping well; although it was presumable by his usual appearance that he didn't sleep much, it was much, much more prominent than it ever had been. It then shook Harry. 'How could I be so selfish? If anyone should know about Sirius it should be Lupin! He was his true friend,' thought Harry.

Harry decided to wait when Lupin was open to talk to him. He could sense that Lupin wanted to talk to Harry about Sirius's death. Harry loomed around the room, picking up some different conversations with people, until finally he got the opportunity to converse with Lupin.

"Ah…Harry. How are you doing?" he asked, obviously thinking Harry was still very shaken.

"I'm fine. Listen Professor, I have to talk to you," Harry looked around at everyone around him, "alone."

"You may call me Remus. And alright Harry, where shall we go?" he said, getting up.

"I know a room," said Harry, all the while leading Remus to the room with the throne chair.

As Harry closed the door behind them, he started, "Listen, Remus, my first day back here, that Phineas Nigellus guy told me the whole story about the veil."

"Harry what he suggests is impossible. Dumbledore told me of what you were thinking."

"I know, I know. But I had these dreams…"

"Haven't you been practicing Occlumency?" he asked, cutting Harry off.

"Yes, I have. But I have had these dreams where Sirius has appeared, telling me all this stuff. He showed me this weird room with carvings and stuff, and he said that Grindlewald found this room…"

"Harry messing with the Powers of Foluscizar is very risky…" said Lupin, again stopping Harry in mid-sentence.

"What did you call it?"

"Foluscizar. It is the ancient magic practiced by a certain tribe of Merlin. It is very, very powerful magic. In fact, the only modern age wizard who knows it is Dumbledore."

"What? That doesn't make sense. Sirius showed me this map thingy," he felt around his pockets, realizing it was upstairs. "Here just a minute"

Harry raced upstairs, grabbed the odd leathery note and brought it down to Lupin.

"I wrote a letter to Sirius a few days ago. And Hedwig brought this back to me instead of an answer. I think Sirius is trying to give me clues on how-to bring him back! In my dream last night, he dug this thing out of Tom Riddle Sr.'s grave, and he tapped the side without writing on it with his wand while he said," Harry screwed up his face in concentration, " ah…I knew it. Just a minute."

Harry stayed in a state of concentration for a few more seconds until he lit up and said, "He said Foluscizar! That's right! He tapped it and said Foluscizar and it turned into a map. Here you try it!"

Shaking his head, Lupin took out his wand and muttered "Foluscizar". The map sprung to life just as it had in his dream.

"See! I told you! It has got to be a map to the room he was talking about!" said Harry, getting more excited by the minute.

"Harry," Lupin said hoarsely, " You may have just won us the war."

"What? What are you on about?" asked Harry, totally lost at what Lupin had just said.

"Look at the map! Look at it!" said Lupin, still breathless at the map.

Harry stood up, and positioned himself properly over Lupin's shoulder. On the top of the map, there were some weird words Harry did not know. It read: Illac debello malum cumvirga Gryffindor.

"Is it the map to Gryffindor's house or something?"

"No Harry. It is too bad they don't teach Latin in Hogwarts anymore… My God! I have to show Dumbledore!"

"But what about Sirius?"

"Harry, it is as hard for me as it is for you. But Harry you have to accept it. He's gone."

Harry refused to listen. "You're just like Dumbledore! Sirius would want me to bring him back! Every time I don't clear my mind I have a dream with Sirius in it and he talks to me! He wants to come back Remus!" Harry had tears of fury in his eyes.

"Harry, it could be Voldemort just trying to trick you into falling into his grip again. Harry you must always clear your mind. It should be your top priority, after what happened."

"YOU SHUT UP! YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW I FEEL! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT I KNOW! YOU HAVEN'T SEEN SIRIUS SAY HE WANTS TO BE ALIVE AGAIN AND HELP YOU IN YOUR DREAMS, HAVE YOU? NO! YOU DON'T KNOW!" Harry sank into a corner of the room, crying harder then he had in his life.

Harry looked up for a second, totally flabbergasted at what he saw. There was Remus sitting in the chair, his head in his hands, tears of his own now flowing down his palm and forearm, then dropping to the floor.

Mrs. Weasley opened the door and asked, "Is everything allrig….Oh my! What is wrong?"

She went over to Harry and helped him out of the corner. With a wave of her hand the door closed behind her. She pulled him into a hug, and walked with him over to Remus. She sat him in the chair across from Remus, and handed both of them handkerchiefs. She then exited the room, closing the door behind her.

Lupin wiped his face with the handkerchief and placed in on the table next to him. "Listen, Harry. I miss him just as much as you do. You have just got to understand. There is no way to bring someone who is dead back. He wouldn't want us to bring him back. He would have wanted to have died a hero's death. He would have wanted to die, saving you."

Tears still streamed down Harry's face. He sobbed as he talked, "But Voldemort…hic…died and was reborn…hic…so I thought…hic…that I could bring him back."

Harry started to calm himself down. Lupin put both his hands on Harry's shoulders, and pulled him face to face with him. "Harry, just let him go. We both shall see him, soon enough, I'm sure. You have great friends around you. You have loving people around you. Sirius wouldn't want you to give all that up to have him back. He would patiently wait. In fact, he is probably watching over you right now, smiling at the loyalty you show him."

These words soothed Harry in a way that only a parental figure could. A new bond had been created between Harry and Lupin. At that time, Harry didn't have more respect for anyone except Remus Lupin.

"Thank you Remus. I reckon you are right."

Harry wiped his face with a handkerchief and stood up. Remus stood up, and hugged him.

"You have to do everything you can in your defense to learn how to repel evil Harry! It is the only way to avenge Sirius's death. I have a feeling that Bellatrix will be getting her comeuppance soon enough. And that is a promise. One other thing, this 'map' you have found. I need you to show it to Dumbledore tonight. This is incredible," Lupin's eyes switched from reddish and puffy to excited and they shined with a bit of the rebel within.

"Now let's go back in there," said Lupin, motioning for Harry to go back in. "Wait, just a minute. "Sicco"!

Harry felt a warming sensation around his eyeballs. Lupin then repeated the spell to himself. Harry saw the redness and puffiness around his eyes disappear. "Thanks, Remus!"

"No problem. Happy belated birthday, by the way!"

Harry went up and hugged perhaps the one person James Potter would have named as his godfather in the current predicament. Harry had a feeling him and Remus were going to spend a lot more time together after they had that talk. The both of them proceeded into the next room, where Harry was met with the greetings from Fred and George. It hadn't occurred to Harry how long he was in the room with Lupin. Harry said his greetings, and then ran upstairs to put away the 'map' that he had shown Lupin.

Once the map was safely stowed away, Harry started to return. It was at this time that he realized the once very annoying painting of Sirius's mum was gone. Harry had no idea where it was. Also, it occurred to Harry that Buckbeak must have been forgotten about. He sprinted up the stairs, towards the master bedroom. Harry opened the door, but was shocked to see there was no hippogriff. All he saw was a bunch of chewed up chicken bones.

'I reckon Hagrid took him back to the forest,' Harry thought with a grin on his face. Harry walked across the room to the window, and saw that it was night-time. Surely many guests must be waiting for him downstairs. Perhaps he could speak with Hagrid? At the thought, he retreated back downstairs, all the way to the 1st landing.

Sure enough, Hagrid's cheer of, "Harry! Happy Belated Berthday, mate! How are yeh?"

As soon as Harry was properly at talking level with everyone he went over and shook Hagrid's hand heartily. "I'm good Hagrid. In fact. I'm great. It's good to see you!"

Soon after Harry had greeted his new guests, all of which included Dumbledore, McGonagall, Shacklebolt, Bill Weasley & Fleur Delacour, Hagrid, Neville's grandmother, 5 people who Harry recognized as Order members, a very depressed looking Mundungus Fletcher, Mrs. Figg, and lastly Snape.

'What is he doing here?' Harry wondered, seeing Snape among the guests.

Bill and Fleur walked over to Harry. Fleur looked as stunning as ever, and the two were holding hands.

"'Arry! 'Arry Potter! Eet haz been a long time. Theez place…Eet is interesting," said Fleur in her heavy French accent. Harry noticed Bill looking at him, intently.

"Hey Harry! Long time, eh?" he shook Harry's hand heartily. "Listen, I know it has been tough lately."

'Wow how did you figure that?' Harry thought sarcastically. He wasn't in the mood for much talk about Sirius at the moment.

"So, that is why I wanted to give you this, before the dinner." He handed Harry a small box with what looked like a bracelet made out of very blondish material.

"Eet is made out of Veela hairs, 'Arry. From my grandmuzzer. Eet brings much happy feeling to zee wearer."

Bill hugged her after she said this. "She's generous, isn't she? Well, on to the party, then!" he said, giving Harry another handshake and leading Fleur back to the torrents of guests.

"Come on everyone, it is dinnertime!" rang Mrs. Weasley's voice over everyone else's, as Harry had advanced to talk to Hagrid, pocketing the Veela-bracelet.

Slowly, the rather large number of guests filed into the cavernous dining room. As Harry entered, he saw many dishes and plates full of delicious food he could only assume were from Mrs. Weasley and Prince Ivy.

Mimicking the way he started the start-of-term feasts very well, Dumbledore first obtained calm before he started. Once everyone saw Dumbledore trying to talk, they quieted down. Dumbledore then started, "We are gathered here today for two reasons, both very important in their respects. Our first is to congratulate Harry on reaching the ripe age of 16. The second is to commemorate the life and achievements of Sirius Black. May we have a silent toast to him," as Dumbledore said this, he raised his cup.

Everyone followed his lead. Everyone bowed their heads with their cups in the air. Harry even saw Snape with his cup in the air. Perhaps he had misjudged the man? He would leave that for another time. Harry knew somewhere in the heavens, Sirius was smiling, happy that he was being remembered as an innocent man. Not the man who supposedly killed 13 people with one curse, including Peter Pettigrew. No, he was remembered as noble Sirius Black, the one who readily came to Harry Potter's aide in the Ministry of Magic, even though he could face getting caught by the Ministry themselves. Harry smiled as he thought of all of that. Life was much better now.

"Thank you, Sirius," said Dumbledore, his eyes towards the heavens. "Now if you please, dig in!"

And of course they all did. The room bustled with the clang of forks and knives and plates. Food passed everywhere; rumors were being created or passed every few minutes between all of the guests. Harry focuses more on his conversation he was planning to have with Dumbledore. This had been the most he had ever talked to the man before. He couldn't help but admit it was helpful. The man was brilliant.

For the next hour, Harry ate and chatted with almost everyone at the table, exchanging either friendly words or the newest jokes. When he came around to talking to Mundungus Fletcher, though, it took Harry 3 tries to get his attention.

"Hey Mundungus. Mundungus, hello? HEY DUNG!" shouted Harry trying to get Mundungus's attention.

He looked up at Harry, shook his head, and looked down again. "I'm sorry Harry. I had no idea. I'm so stupi'. Shouldn'ta told 'im anytin'. So dumb…" he trailed off, shaking his head and drinking up what Harry suspected was Firewhisky very quickly.

"Don't worry 'bout him, Harry. He's weird tonight," said Fred, looking at Harry expectantly.

George tapped Harry's shoulder, hushing him closer, as if to tell him a secret, "Hey Harry, we've got an idea on how-to show of our new line of Harry and Ron-head sweets. We've got a few with us. Here come with us in the next room."

Fred, George, and Harry each excused themselves to go to the bathroom. Once outside, Fred briefed Harry.

"First we're gonna scare ickle Ronnie. Here take this."

He gave Harry a little green sweet, which he opened, chewed, and looked at two other Ron Weasley's, now giggling to each other.

"This is going to be brilliant. Now let's walk behind him and scare him!" said one of the Ron's. Harry couldn't tell if it was Fred or George.

The three Rons walked back into the dining room, went behind Ron, and tapped him on the shoulder. What was heard next didn't sound like a teenager scream. It sounded more like a 3 year old girl's wail.

"My God Ronniekins, you have got some lungs!" said one of the Rons.

"What the bloody hell? Are you…Am I dreaming?" said the real Ron, in huge denial and disbelief.

Harry was on the floor laughing. He couldn't control himself.

"Just showing of the new line of sweets, brother!" said a Ron, who Harry suspected was George, because of the voice.

A few of the people around the quadruple Rons gasped; two of the Rons now sported Harry Potter's face. Everyone laughed, and 2 of the Order members Harry did not know the name of beckoned the two over for ordering.

Harry walked back to his seat, and on his way Prince Ivy walked over to Harry, pointed his wand at his face, and said, "Finite!" Harry looked like himself again.

"Thanks P…Ivy." Harry corrected himself quickly.

Everyone finished their dinner, and the dessert was brought out. Harry was impressed. Mrs. Weasley and Prince Ivy made quite a pair of cooks. The pies and cakes were superb, and the murmur of approval from every customer was enough to give both the cooks huge smiles the rest of the night.

As soon as the meal was over, much to Harry's surprise, a tray of packages was brought to him by Prince Ivy. As he handed the tray, he said, "from your friends with love."

Harry looked sideways at Prince Ivy for a second. The man had such a knack for surprising Harry, Harry wasn't even getting surprised every time it happened. Harry took the tray and started to open his packages. He mostly got clothes and candy from his friends.

But interestingly enough, from Mad-Eye, he got a small book with no title. He opened it, and found it was a diary. Mad-Eye's diary. It had everything! Spells, charms, stories! Harry gave Mad-Eye a hearty look, and then moved on to more packages. From Fred and George he got a boatload of the trick sweets, with a good quarter of them being the Harry/Ron sweets. From Dumbledore and McGonagall, he got a book entitled: Wandless Magic: the Basics to the Advanced; from Prince Ivy, he got a weird necklace with odd shaped gems all around the necklace, interlaced with runes he could not read. 'Perhaps Hermione could help me with this one,' he thought, laughing to himself. Harry received from Lupin a mirror. Harry quickly put it away, once he realized what it really was.

He eyed Lupin questionably over everyone else, as if to see where he had gotten the mirror. But he thought better of it, 'Another time, perhaps.' From the rest of the guests he received miscellaneous items of clothes, food, or books.

After he realized Harry was done opening presents, Dumbledore beckoned Harry over.

"Harry, go get your interesting 'map', and meet me in the throne room."

"Alright."

Harry walked out of the room casually, to greetings of drunken, "Goodnight you fox, you!" and "Just because your 16 doesn't mean you don't….BURP!"

In good spirits, Harry sped upstairs to the cabinet, opened it, and grabbed the funny map. As he turned to leave, he saw the note that was titled: Backgrounds and How-To Get Sirius Back, float to the ground. He picked it up and pocketed it, shrugging, 'It can't hurt to show Dumbledore. He's bound to know something on the subject.'

He walked down the stairs, only to meet Prince Ivy, looking a bit sad, walking upstairs past him.

"What's up, Ivy?" asked Harry.

He saw the Prince look around, and then say, "Father. I'll tell you tomorrow. I need to sleep," he stared upstairs and then talked to himself, saying, "teacher! Who am I to need a job? Didn't even ask me…"

A little confused, Harry replied, "Er…Okay. G'night, then!"

And he continued on his way back down to the throne room. Once he entered, he found Dumbledore already in there, enjoying himself on one of the comfortable chairs.

"Sit, Harry," requested Dumbledore, pointing to the chair across from him.

"Remus had informed me you have found a very important artifact? May I see?"

Harry handed the leather sheaf over to Dumbledore. He surveyed it for a minute through his half-moon spectacles. He then spoke, "Where did you find such an artifact Harry?"

"Hedwig brought it to me. I had written a letter to Sirius, and in return Hedwig brought me this."

Dumbledore surveyed Harry, and then nodded with approval. "Ah, clearly. Harry, do you know how-to activate this artifact?"

"Yes, you tap it with your wand while saying Foluscizar and it turns into a map!" said Harry, a bit giddy now that he may finally find out what the map was really for.

Sure enough, Dumbledore tapped the sheaf and said, "Foluscizar!", and it sprang to life.

"Oh my!" Dumbledore's face lit up with surprise as he saw the title to the map appear.

"Harry, you have found it! Well done!" said Dumbledore, grinning widely at Harry through his heavily lidded eyes.

"Found what? What did I do? Professor?"

Harry hadn't a remote idea of what he had found.

"Harry do you know Latin?" asked Dumbledore.

"No. Lupin told me I ought to have learned it. Why?" Harry was getting very curious about the map indeed.

"Look at the title Harry. Illac debello malum cumvirga Gryffindor," Dumbledore said.

"What does that mean, Professor?"

"You are more than welcome to call me Albus, Harry. Literally translated, it means 'The path to conquer evil is with the wand of Gryffindor'. This is the map to find Gryffindor's artifacts. Harry, do you know the legend of Godric Gryffindor's burial? No? I figured so. There was a legend that buried with Godric Gryffindor is his wand, and his books on the ancient powers of Foluscizar. Harry this is incredible news! This is what the Welzjairs tribe had tried to teach me. Unfortunately, they only partially taught me. It was enough to defeat Grindlewald, however."

"Professor, what exactly is so special about this Foluscizar stuff?" asked Harry, getting annoyed with Dumbledore talking about stuff Harry had no clue about.

"It is the most powerful branch of magic known to man. One artifact was discovered a few years ago, and it was placed under deep security in the Department of Mysteries. The only one's known to have mastered it are those who have been prophesized to use it. That includes Merlin, Godric Gryffindor, me, and yourself."

"Me? Who said I'm going to use it?"

"Professor Trelawney, Harry. If we can find this…it will be incredible. This is what we need to defeat Voldemort, Harry. Thank you, again, Harry, for setting us right again. Now, is there anything else you would like to ask me? I'm afraid this will be the last time we will converse for a while."

"Did Prof…I mean did Remus tell you about my dreams?"

"Yes he did. I must inform you Harry, that this is a very peculiar case. Never have I heard of the dead contacting the living through dreams. I must give my opinion and say it is one of Voldemort's plots to fool you into going somewhere. I'm sorry, Harry."

"A few more things, professor," Harry's stomach depressed quite a bit, "How come I didn't get in trouble for trying to conjure a Patronus earlier this summer?"

"Because at that particular time, actually, Terry Boshawk, the magical watcher over your area, had to go to the bathroom, and asked me to fill in. It was quite useful, actually. And quite lucky, might I add. I naturally wrote it off as self-defense and did nothing to report you of course. I soon heard the story from dear Ivory, also."

Harry didn't quite believe Dumbledore, but he continued, "Right…Well also, Prince Ivy said we are moving to Scotland. What happened with this whole mole business? Is that why?"

"It severely displeases me to abandon such a place, but yes we must find new headquarters. Mundungus Fletcher unwillingly told a shady dealer the address of this place to deliver some stolen cauldrons. I'm afraid to say that the particular shady dealer Mundungus had dealt with happened to be a Death Eater. The Death Eater of course informed his superiors, and it's quite obvious that this area isn't secure anymore. Yes, I decided you would like Scotland the best. It has the most space for Ivory to teach you. Would you mind him as your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher? No? Good, then. He will be your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at the school, then. Anything more, Harry?"

Harry was a bit shocked at this last piece of information. 'Prince Ivy? Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher? This will be a weird year, no doubt,' Harry thought.

"No Professor, that is it." said Harry, not able to think of anything more to say to Harry.

"Well then I must be on my way then. Harry. Two last things. First, practice your Occlumency! And second, only conceal the information you know to those you trust. This is important. Only those you trust. Yes Mr. Potter, I am talking about Professor Trelawney's prophecy. I will see you at the start of term, I expect. Goodbye, Harry. And happy belated birthday" he added with a wink.

And before Harry could say a word, Dumbledore was gone with a crack. Harry exited the room, only to find that most of the guests had already left. Harry fancied a quick chat with Hagrid. He soon spotted him in the kitchen, still talking and drinking with Lupin.

"Well if I can say one thing it's ter kill the damn load of them," he dropped of as he noticed Harry next to him, "Oy 'arry! How yeh doin'?"

"I'm fine thanks. How is…how is he doing?" said Harry, careful not to make it obvious as to the existence of Hagrid's half-brother, Grawp the giant, living in the Forbidden Forest.

"It's a'right. Lupin here knows 'bout Grawpy. Nice fellow, idn't he, Lupin?" he said, obviously still a bit tipsy.

"He's getting along quite well, actually," Lupin said, and Harry surprising saw that Lupin wasn't the least bit drunk.

"Is he still violent?" asked Harry truthfully.

"He never was vi'lent, now was 'e 'arry? But nah, he's doin' much betta' now. Look a' me!" he said, pointing to his face, which Harry now saw properly for the first time since before summer. His face had no bruises or scars; Grawp had to be civil now.

"That's great news, Hagrid! So he knows English now?" asked Harry eagerly.

"Sure does! He's quite good a' it, too!" he added, now drinking a bit more.

"Where is Buckbeak, Hagrid?" Harry asked, remembering the bare room at the top of the stairs.

"E's back in th' fores', o'course! He was starvin' 'ere, so I took 'im and fed 'im meself. Still as good as he ever was. Great hippogriff, Buckbeak. I wa……" Hagrid fell over with a large thud as he had passed out on the large dining bench.

After wiping Hagrid's spilled drink off his robes, Harry realized he didn't have much more to say to the two occupants of the dining room. He got up, said his goodnights, and exited the room, heading upstairs, perhaps to talk to his friends a bit.

When he reached the top of the 1st landing, he reflected on the day. 'What great people I have surrounding me. Today was a great day. Sirius would be happy.' With the last thought, he wiped away a tear of joy. Life was looking way up for Harry Potter.

As he walked through the door to his room, he beamed hugely at its occupants.

"Happy birthday, Harry!" said both Neville and Ron, who appeared to be in as high a spirits as Harry.

"Thanks you two. Who wants to play some exploding snap?"

And for the next few hours, they played, talked, and were eventually joined by Ginny and Hermione, who livened the room a little bit. Harry couldn't help but notice Neville and Ron's tendency to stare at Hermione. Were boys that easy to figure out? 'I'm sure I'm not like that,' he thought to himself, shaking his head.

After a few more hours, the girls left and Harry became puzzled with himself. He felt that he liked both Hermione and Ginny more than a friend, but he didn't know how to convey it to them quite yet. 'I'll save it for another time. Now I've got to clear my mind,' he thought, remembering Dumbledore's words.

After Harry decided his mind was thoroughly clear, he sank into his bed. 'What a day,' he thought, 'what a day…' He was asleep in 5 minutes time…


A/N-I finally found out what the rulers were for! Ha im dumb. Anyway, hope you like the chapter! The 6th is very long so far, I'm at about 9k words. Im in the addition/editing process for that chap. Harry will be at Hogwarts in a couple of chapters. Thanks! Update: the 6th chapter, the huge one so far, will be out in the next few days. watch out for it! It's ginormic and amazing! It was quite hard to get through though, I admit!

ubercool-Thanks for your praise! I hope you like this chapter...It was fun to write! I hope you continue to read and review...as they are great to read! Thank you for the kind words!

Mrs.ChristinaFelton-Thank you for the kind review. I hope you like the chapters that you hadn't read at the time of your review...i always return the favor...well most of the times lol. Please keep on reviewing!

Sanyal- I am concentrating, haha. Yes i hope they keep coming. A few more would always be nice though, haha.

MirageUne-Thanks for all the praise! I'm very glad you love the story! Yes the chapter titles do take a minute or two of hard thinking, but they work out, right?