The next day, he awoke to an empty house and a note on the refrigerator telling him that the Dursleys had went away for the next two days and that he had better not have any freaky friends over, 'or else'. He jumped into the shower and had breakfast, all the while staying silent. By now, he was sure that even if he did speak, it would crack, due to the fact that he hadn't used it at all since the train ride home. Throwing himself down on the couch, he had intended to watch television, so when he awoke several hours later, he was surprised he had fallen asleep.
'Must be losing more sleep than I thought…' He thought to himself, heading upstairs to his room. It was exactly twelve, and as if on cue, a small pack of owls were hovering in front of his window. Opening the window to let them in, they all dropped what they were carrying and flew out, minus one which was his snowy owl Hedwig.
Picking up the first parcel off his bed, he noticed his name scrawled in Hermione's tidy female writing.
Dear Harry,
I hope this letter finds you well, and that the Muggles are treating you well. Nothing much has been going on here at HQ, and if there was we would tell you… I promise! Inside the box is a Dillusement Ring, much like an invisibility cloak, but far more compact and it will not make you invisible, more like camouflaged, so that you blend in with your surroundings. I thought that with the upcoming war, you could use such a thing against Voldemort. Use it wisely!
Love from,
Hermione
Harry opened up the small velvet bock and took out the ring, which was just a plain golden band. Another note was folded inside.
To activate this ring, one must simply state the incantation aloud or in one's head. The incantation is 'Creo Unus Clarus', which is Latin for 'Make One Clear'. To become normal again, the incantation is 'Reverto Tui Formo', which is Latin for 'Return Your Form'.
Harry slipped on the ring and muttered the incantation, and instantly he couldn't tell the difference between his bed and his leg. Muttering the reverse incantation, he twisted the ring on his middle finger and set the letter aside. He then pulled out Ron's.
Harry,
How's it going, mate? Are the Muggles treating you alright? It's awfully boring here; all we ever do is clean and read… Anyway, this is a gift from all of the Weasleys here, minus Percy… He's still being a git. It's a robe that can be turned into Muggle clothes if you say the password. It's got notice-me-not charms on it, and an Everlasting Shadow charm on it, and both of them will activate when you pull up the hood. Mum and Dad reckon you'll need it when you go to Hogsmead and Diagon Alley this year.
Ron
P.s. the password is 'unknown'… weird, huh? It doesn't affect blood relations, though, so the Dursleys won't be bothered… Too bad, if you ask me!
Harry pulled out the thin robe and changed into it. He muttered 'unknown' and it turned into a sleeveless black Hoodie and dark black jeans. He really liked the style. Next was the messy writing of Hagrid.
Hello Harry,
Happi Berthdae! It's not every day that a young man turns 16! Thought this mite come in handy!
Hagrid
Inside was a large, leather-bound book entitled '1001 Defensive and Offensive Spells'. He flipped through a few pages and spotted a handy one called 'Quiesco' which would put the victim into an eight-hour sleep unless administered the counter-jinx. He laid the book aside and took the last letter, which was surprisingly long. The writing was familiar, he just couldn't place who it was.
Dear Harry,
You may be surprised to be receiving a letter from me, after what happened in the Department of Mysteries.
By now, Harry discovered this was Sirius's writing, and anger rose up in him. Was this some kind of sick joke? Who would be cruel enough to send this to him?
By now I am sure you don't believe this really is me, Sirius. I had guessed as much, so here's how I can prove it. James Potter, A.K.A. Prongs, with the Animagus form of a Stag, Remus Lupin, A.K.A Moony, who is a werewolf, Sirius Black A.K.A. Padfoot, A.K.A me with the Animagus form of a big black mutt, and Peter Pettigrew, A.K.A. slimy death eater for Voldemort with the Animagus form of a rat, which fit's his persona wrote the Marauder's Map, which has he password 'I solemnly swear I am up to no good' and the clearing password 'Mischief Managed'.
I know that any slimy death eater could know that thanks to Wormtail, but I doubt they would call Voldemort by his name…
Harry stared at the letter wondering whether he dared believe it was, in fact, his godfather that wrote this letter… Who else would it be!
Now, I don't want to startle you, so I might as well tell you I wrote this before I went after you to the Ministry of Magic. How did I know I was going to fall behind the veil? I will answer that in due time. Now, the main purpose for this letter is for me to tell you three Very important things.
Do not trust Dumbledore! He is loosing sight and is just as bad as Voldemort. He is willing to do anything to win this war, including killing! He has broken up families and tortured innocent souls, all for 'the common good'. He has had me, Remus, James, Lilly, and Severus Snape under the Imperious since our schooldays. Shocking, I know. He is the reason Severus is malicious. Sev used to be a good kid, one that hated Voldemort and the stupid war between Gryffindor and Slytherin. He was smart, funny, and all around a good guy. He is under the effects of the Imperious. James and Lilly were forced to marry, when in reality they were more like brother and sister. James was never an arrogant, pig-headed git and Lilly was an amazing person. They were under the Imperious. Remus loved you like a son, you two were inseparable. Until Dumbledore decided he didn't like it. The way you see Remus now isn't the way he's supposed to be. He cared for you beyond anyone in the world, with the exception of the marauders (minus Peter). Dumbledore forced you two apart, and tried to keep it 'professional'. He also forced me to go to Azkaban. It was his entire fault. He threw me in there and told me that 'it was for the common good'. When I escaped, however, it spoiled his little plan. So he put me back under imperious. He had planned on you going to the Department of Mysteries. You see, it was not Voldemort that put the vision in your head, but him. He then tipped the Death Eaters off, knowing you would go there. You may be wondering how I was able to write this letter… You see, when he ran off to 'save you' he forgot to re-cast the Imperious. This left me just enough time to write the truth. Also, he has Remus, me, you, and Severus under several memory charms. The veil, I believe, will remove all such charms from me.
There is a way to get me out of this veil. If you are willing, I know a way you can get me out of here. The guard tonight switches at exactly four a.m. The next guard won't be there for another twenty minutes later. That leaves you twenty minutes to get as far away from Privet Drive undetected. I you go four blacks down and summon the Knight Bus. Go to downtown London to the Visitor's entrance. You know how to get in. The difficult part will be to the circular room undetected. I'm sure you'll think of something. Once you get in there, go to the locked room you couldn't get into last time. There will be a small hole in the center of the door, just enough to stick your wand half-way in there. Do so and the door will open. The room will be black and hard to see in, but it leads to the back of the veil. You must find a way to remove the veil from the Archway. Once it is off, I will be able to come back through. Simple, yes? No. You see, you have to pass a test in order to be able to find the veil through the darkness. I have no idea what the test will be, as it is different for everyone. Please, Harry, if you chose to do this be careful. If Dumbledore shouldfind out, his wrath will be terrible.
This part is the hardest for me to write. It will be even harder for you to hear (read). I may as well be blunt. Harry, James was not your father. You may or may not believe me, but it is the truth. Dumbledore prevented me to tell you, or even think about it myself, thanks to the imperious curse. Your real father, Harry, is me. You were charmed at birth to look like James. Dumbledore placed a memory charm on myself, your mother, James, and Remus. Lilly and I had bee going out since seventh year, we were very much in love and married. It was two days before Halloween when he did this; you were just over a year old. Never doubt for one minute that I loved and love you. You were our son, our pride and joy, and he tore our family apart. The marauders, while being the most popular in school, only came together because they were a group of misfits. I because I was the only Black to be sorted into Gryffindor, and I hated my parents. Remus because he is a werewolf, Peter because he was nearly a squib, and James because he was Gay. Remus, Lilly and I were the only ones to know. He was very embarrassed about it. After assuring him we were not homophobic (and I hope you are not), he seemed to be more assured of himself. Back on topic, I understand if you aren't ready for this, or if you want our relationship to remain as it is. I just want you to know that no matter what you decide, I will always love you.
I charmed this letter to arrive at exactly midnight, meaning you have about two hours to get ready and leave (assuming you indeed read this letter, and it took you as long as I estimated to cope and things) if you indeed chose to come. I will leave you now, as I hear Dumbledore coming (got to love extendable ears) and I must charm this letter before he realizes what I am doing.
Also, this letter can be turned into a box, in which I placed a few items you may need along your journey. Just tap your wand to it and say 'to find a family'.
All my love,
Sirius, A.K.A. Padfoot, A.K.A. Snuffles.
Harry whipped away the silent tears that were falling freely from his eyes. He didn't doubt the authenticity of this letter or anything in it. He let it fall to the floor, and slid to his knees, putting his head in his hands. After a few minutes, he lifted his head and his eyes fell on the parchment once again. Too many emotions to count filled him. Love, hope, yearning, and happiness were accompanied by sadness, anger, sympathy, and confusion. The only thing he was certain of was that he was going to get his father.
