-1A/N: Hey everyone. Sorry about the low amount of updates over the last week and a half. And sorry for not mentioning my reviewers last chapter. I was posting it right before class and didn't have time to get all of your names down. So I'll mention all the names for both chapters here.
I'm planning on doing a bit of a montage for the next chapter. In less than three chapters, Harry will be at Hogwarts. In less than five, we'll be in the present. I'll try and make the chapters really long though.
Oh, and now that finals are over I'll be able to update more often. YAY! Also, I'm sort of looking for a beta reader. Schnoogle has rejected my stories… says they need editing. So anybody who's around with a strong power over the English language.. Email me. Or review. Something.
Thanks to: Wraith, ThunderGod, LoneIceDragon, Heather, Sarah R Potter, Pandas Rule The World, jbfritz, bandgsecurtiyaw, jbcna, CrimsonReality, goddessa39, Shadow00, Marin, Arwen-evanstar-elf, superstitiousmonkey89, Japanese-jew, circe-Visigoth, Yenom, CorvidaeTigiris, …………., darkenedprongs, Jessa L'Rynn, Kcmprincess, ferret bouncer, ERMonkey Burner Of Cookies, blackbeard, I Wuv My Kenshy Poo, Dragonero, Fancy Free, Greyhound Master, Shadowed Rains, Kyrissean angelis, and everybody else who planned on reviewing but hasn't done so yet.
All It Takes
Chapter Five (or six)
Harry came down the stairs like he did every morning, not realizing that today was any different. He knew that Christmas time had been coming since Moody had taken him out to get a tree a few days ago. He didn't see why a tree had to die just for people to decorate it and put gifts under it though. Someday, when he had a house he would have a pine tree that grew inside the house. Then it would be just fine…
"Yer' up late. I thought all kids woke up early on Christmas." Moody said.
"Oh, is it Christmas already? I'll go start on breakfast…" Harry said gloomily.
Moody choked on his eggnog. "Start on breakfast?" Moody repeated dumbly.
"Well that's what I do on Christmas right? I cook breakfast, Dudley opens his gifts." Harry replied.
"Harry, you won't be cooking anything today." Moody commanded.
"I won't?"
"No. You will go over to the tree and open all of YOUR presents." Moody ordered
"I…have presents?"
"No… I thought the mountain of gifts over there was for me. Yes, you have presents, now go open them!"
"I have presents?" He repeated to himself, as if convincing himself it was true.
'What a kid…' Moody thought. 'If those damn Dursleys were still around I'd kill them myself.'
Moody followed Harry into the other room, just in time to hear Harry exclaim "An owl! Dad! Someone got me an owl!"
"Did they now?" Moody asked, feeling some semblance of a smile come to his face. "Well, read the card and tell me who got it for you."
"'Kay." Harry responded, searching for a card. "It says H-hag…Hagrid." Harry read. "Hagrid got me an owl!"
"Yes, he did, Harry. So what are you going to name your owl?" Moody asked.
Harry turned his attention back to the brown owl before him. It had black spots all over it and a white feather goatee where it's chin would be. All in all very dignified. "He should be named Fred!" Harry exclaimed suddenly.
"Fred the owl?" Moody Mumbled. He felt the edge of a smirk coming on.
'Owl Fred… Alfred. Surely that wasn't intentional…' Moody thought. 'Cute… And those young Weasley twins should get a kick out of it too.'
Harry read the card from his next gift. Anyone with half a brain could tell what it was. It was about four feet long, narrow, and widened out with a brushy texture at one end. Moody tensed when he noticed it. 'Some idiot got him a broom? Dear god…' Moody thought. It felt like the world was coming to an end very shortly. He could see clearly through the wrapping paper and saw the words "cleansweep five" on the handle.
"It says 'To: Harry, from: R…R…Remus." Harry said.
'A certain werewolf will be paying dearly for this…' Moody thought.
Harry squealed with delight upon opening the broom. "Wow! A broom! Thanks Remus!" Harry called.
Harry next discovered a small box with no label. "There's no tag… Who's it from?" Harry asked.
"I don't know, why don't you open it and see?"
"But what if it's not for me? What if it was your present?" Harry asked.
"Harry… I can see through boxes. I can assure you that this is yours." Moody said.
Harry opened the box. "It's a cloak. Looks a bit big." Harry announced. He proceeded to try it on.
Harry let out a startled squeak as he turned invisible.
"I can't see me!" he exclaimed. "It's an inv… invisamility cloak!"
Harry grinned and folded the cloak neatly and set it next to the broom.
In the end, Harry made out like a bandit. From the Weasleys, he received a sweater, a bag of homemade ginger snaps (still warm) and a few old Zonko's products. He also ended up getting a helmet and a home made (but charmed) parachute from Kingsley Shacklebolt. Presumably, they were for the broom. Harry also received some new clothes that fit, a pair of shoes, two sets of robes, a pointy wizard's hat, A couple books (some fiction, some non-fiction. All of which were magical, except for the copy of treasure island.) He also received a notebook, a pretty quill, a few bottles of colored ink, an assortment of Honeydukes candy, all the owl food, treats and other maintenance stuff one could want .
Moody got a few presents as well. Foe glass, dark detectors, a subscription to "Magical Justice" magazine, a few new books on self defense and a special kit to help wash his magical eye.
Then, Harry noticed a tiny box at the back of the tree. It was roughly the size of a deck of playing cards. Harry pulled it out, and wondered what might be in such a small box.
The tiny box said 'for: Harry' on it. Harry shrugged and opened it. There was a folded up piece of parchment inside. He opened it, and gasped. It was a map. In the corner there was a bit of writing.
I give to you
Young man of measure
A chance for more
Christmas treasure
Your pop will guide you
Just take his hand
For soon you'll be
In Pirate's land
Just use the map
And use your thoughts
Just remember
"X" marks the spot
Harry's eyes widened as he read.
"You ready for a little adventure, lad?" Moody asked.
Harry could only nod. He might get to see some pirates. He was stunned.
Moody tapped his wand on the box, and Harry felt a hook behind his navel. Harry clamped his eyes shut. When he opened them, he found himself on a sandy beach, his back to the ocean.
"ARR!" said a voice from behind him. "Yeh'll be after the treasure, won't ye?" said a voice.
