Harry Potter has finally reached his sixteenth birthday on a gloomy night... During the last two months, he grew up to be a fine, tall, handsome, good looking boy. He's no longer that short skinny boy. Still, his scar didn't change, nor did his untidy jet black hair, nor did his glasses.

He spent most of his days alone in his room, thinking of last year. Why did he have to lose his Godfather? He was the only thing closer to a father after his parents. For hours, Harry lay on his bed, mourning his awful luck. Simultaneously, he felt sharp stinging spasms in his scar. Voldemort, presumably, was very happy or angry at something. But Harry didn't care anymore…he wanted this war to end.

Also, obediently, Harry kept on writing letters to the Order, informing them about his stable fair life with the Dursleys. He missed Ron and Hermione too, but knew that he couldn't visit them. Throughout their letters to him, he learned that the Burrow was being destroyed. Mr. Weasley had recently won a prize of three hundred thousand galleons, and planned on spending that entire amount on building a new cozy home. Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place was under more construction and maintenance. Hermione, on the other hand, was on a vacation with her family and relatives in Italy.

Harry was desperately writing his essay that was assigned to him by Professor Snape at the end of his fifth year. Professor Snape wanted this as a fair retribution for Harry's actions at the end of last year. He has secretively pulled him into a corner during the Leaving Feast, and asked him to write the essay about The Bloody Cloud Potion and its characteristics. It had to be no less than six rolls of parchment long. Harry's fingers were getting numb. Until...

Three small owls came bursting into his bedroom through the opened window. Harry jumped up and almost hit the ceiling with his head. Of course, Harry recognized those owls. One was Pigwidgeon, Ron's owl. The other was Sweetums, Hermione's owl. She had the owl as a gift from her mother. Mrs. Granger thought of rewarding her daughter in summer for her previous excellence in helping out her muggle friends in exhausting exam reviews. The last was a brown school owl that Harry was sure he saw sometime in the Owlery.

Pigwidgeon carried two presents for Harry that were sent by the Weasleys. One was a Weasley Jumper Mrs. Weasley knitted for Harry. It had the shape of a green lightning bolt on it with the letter H. The other was an old chessboard from Ron.

Sweetums carried two presents also from Hermione. The first was a heavy book about famous witches and wizards that were fantastic in Defence Against the Dark Arts. The second was a photo album that contained lots and lots of pictures of Harry, Ron, and Hermione in their adventures for the past five years at Hogwarts. That photo album was so perfectly designed.

The school owl had two letters tied to its left leg, and a long wrapped present tied to its right leg. Harry took the first letter and read it. As always, it was from Professor McGonagall explaining that the school years will begin on September first, and it had the list of books needed for sixth year.
The other letter had even better news. It was from Dumbledore, explaining that it was time to change the rule about the Decree for Restriction of Underage Wizardry. Now, thirteen year olds and above are allowed to use magic outside of Hogwarts. Even younger people are allowed to do magic only in life threatening situations. Cool---Harry thought.

The present that Harry received was also sent by Dumbledore. It was even more exciting. When Harry unwrapped it, he saw a precious, gold, orange, and shining broomstick lying on his bed. It was the new Firebolt X6! It came out in the shops of Diagon Alley just two months ago. But, why would Dumbledore send Harry another broomstick when he knew he had a decent international broom? Dumbledore always had his reasons. Well, now that he was allowed to use magic, he took out his wand, pointed it at his closet, and muttered Alohomora. The doors were opened at once. After that, he said Wingardium Leviosa, and levitated the presents so that they would be placed safely in the closet. Suddenly...

"Harry Potter!" roared a voice from downstairs. "Come now, supper is ready, and you know Dudley, he'll eat everything before you even know it." That was the unmistaken sound of Uncle Vernon. Yes, the Dursleys have improved their behavior and started to treat Harry nicely ever since Mad Eye and Lupin threatened his uncle to turn his life into hell if they ever hear that Harry is having a bad time with the Dursleys.

"Coming!" shouted back Harry. He grabbed his wand, stuck it in his jeans, and went downstairs to eat. Aunt Petunia was putting the roast beef on the dining table. Dudley was chewing on his chicken tenders. Uncle Vernon was pouring juice into his glass.

Everything went quite ok during supper, except for maybe one thing. Dudley choked on his chicken tender, and fainted. Harry then was proud to use magic. He used his wand to say Enervate so that Dudley could regain consciousness. Uncle Vernon and his wife thanked Harry for saving their son's life, but still, they wondered why Harry wasn't afraid of being expelled. He, of course, explained to them how the rules have changed, and how he now was allowed to do magic.

After supper, Harry dashed upstairs to sleep. He was completely exhausted and drowsy. Not one second passed after Harry pushed the door open, and...
He saw a short man, dressed in a torn grey cloak, standing by the closet. It was Professor Lupin!
"Professor, sir---I---don't understand----how did---how did you --- what are you doing?---Professor, I----I---Oh, it's so great to see you!" Harry rushed towards Lupin and hugged him.
"There there Harry, I expected you to ask these questions. I'm here on Dumbledore's orders, Harry. He recommended that Mad Eye or I should visit you every now and then to check on you and your condition with the muggles. Speaking of the muggles, I see they've improved a lot, ever since Mad Eye and I gave your uncle a fright at Kings Cross Station last June!"
"Dumbledore sent you here? He said this?" asked Harry, bewildered.