It was fifteen minutes past twelve, and Harry Potter had been seventeen years old for a quarter of an hour. He was wide-awake, pondering about the unexpected twists that were happening all around him. Crack! His bedroom window splintered slightly, giving him a shock. A white shadow was pecking at his window from outside, its wings flapping madly.
"Hedwig!" Harry whispered, darting to the window and opening it. The snowy owl swooped in, followed by a Scops owl, an Eagle owl, two tawny owls and an eager little bird, fluttering its tiny wings about, and flitting around Harry's bedroom.
"Pigwidgeon," he smiled, and sat on the bed expectantly.
Each bird in turn came forward and planted a parcel on his lap.
The owls all took their place on Harry's pillow and bickered quietly, whilst he opened the presents and envelopes in turn.
First he took the envelope that one of the tawny owls had brought. The envelope was plain and brown, with a small motif in the corner, reading: W-D. He ripped the seal, and picked out a blue piece of paper, which said:
Dear Mr H. Potter,
You are invited to the joyous wedding of Mr William Broderick Weasley and Ms Fleur Beatrice Delacour. The celebration will take place at St Anthony's church of the Seven Sacraments, and will take place on Sunday the seventh of August. As we wish you to come and stay prior to this event, no further instructions shall be made.
Yours excitedly,
Fleur x x x
Harry folded the wedding invite and stuffed it into his jeans pocket. He then proceeded in choosing the next parcel to open. He picked the other tawny's mail. It was in a white envelope, and written in an untidy scrawl.
Harry,
Happy birthday. I hope you are okay. We hope to see you returning to Hogwarts next year–- we have heard you are thinking of otherwise. Don't bother replying; we'll see you at the wedding.
Tonks & Lupin x
Harry frowned. How had Tonks found out about his plans for the year? He knew Ron and Hermione wouldn't have told anyone – they had decided to come too. They were the only living beings that knew their plans. He chose to think about it later, and to open the other parcels first. He picked the Scops's delivery – a blue envelope with his name on, written in a tidy cursive script. He picked out a card.
Dear Harry,
Happy Birthday,
Love Hermione xxxxxx
P.S. I hope you like the pressie!
P.P.S My parents aren't agreeing with letting me go. They don't know what I'm going for of course, but they don't like the idea. I have told them not to tell anybody. I'll work on them letting me.
P.P.P.S See you at the wedding!
Harry looked down at the present, disgruntled. He wasn't pleased with the way his escapade ideas were working out. With Hermione probably not coming, he'd have to look after Ron on his own – a task not even worthy of Draco Malfoy.
He ripped the purple wrapping paper off the parcel and saw a thick book. It was entitled 'Quidditch: A History'. He smiled. Although Harry wasn't fond of reading, he enjoyed learning about the wizarding sport that he loved so much. He moved the book to his side, and reached for the next card; Ron's. It was on top of a huge parcel – Harry was surprised that Hedwig could carry such a large parcel. He opened the card first:
Harry,
Happy birthday,
Ron
P.S. see you at the wedding.
Harry dear,
Have a very happy birthday, and make sure you attend school next year,
Molly xxxxxx
Fred George Arthur Ginny x Bill Charlie
Harry frowned again. Word had certainly got out! He let it go, and opened the present. It was a gigantic box of sweets that could last him a whole year! He grinned, as if Ron was there in front of him. He put the sweets aside for later, and picked up the last letter and parcel, delivered by the elegant Eagle owl.
He decided to open the parcel first this time, and was surprised to find that it had holes! There was a label attached, that was written in Hagrid's untidy writing, and Harry suddenly realised what the holes were for. He dreaded to think what kind of animal lay in store for him, and plucked up the courage to open it. It was a circular box, so when Harry picked it up, his hands slipped, and the box fell through. He suddenly looked down and gasped, horrified. A lengthy snake hissed at him and slithered under the bed. Harry's heart was racing when he finally opened the last card. It was emblazoned with the Hogwarts coat of arms. Two pieces of paper fell out. The first one he picked up was a list of what Harry needed for his last year at school. He ripped it up and looked at the second letter. It was hand-written. It read:
Potter,
You will be returning to Hogwarts this year, no matter what you and you friends might think. Whilst you read this letter, a guard of powerful witches and wizards are circling Privet Drive. You cannot escape. I am worried for you Potter, your welfare means a lot to me. Until the wedding,
Yours sincerely,
Professor Minerva McGonagall
P.S. Happy birthday
Harry cursed under his breath. That old hag had somehow discovered his plans. He had to get away, right away.