Chapter V
When Harry woke up once more there was no one in his room, at least no one he knew. There was a nurse tidying up though. She was a woman of average height. She possessed a pretty face full freckles, and red hair. Weasley red. As she walked around the room, straightening this, picking up that, she was humming a merry tune until she saw Harry was awake.
"Ah, you're awake, Mr. Potter. Good. How are you feeling? Is there anything I can get you? By the way, your godfather is in the next room taking a nap. If you want I can go wake him up? Or would you like some breakfast? The house elves make a smashing good mushroom-omelette if you like." The woman was a virtual waterfall of questions.
"Breakfast," Harry said, "I'm starving."
"A very good sign of recovery, a healthy appetite is. I'll get you some immediately. By the way, my name is Maddy Weasley. I'm a niece of the family you know, but I guess the hair gave it a way, ay? But look at me talking away, while I should be getting you some breakfast. Would you like me to wake Sirius as well?"
"No, just breakfast for now," Harry replied, a little overwhelmed by the continuing onslaught of words, "let Sirius sleep some more, he looked like he needed it yesterday." Harry also felt he needed some time for himself; to compose himself for the things to come.
"You're right about that Mr. Potter, he looks tired. A handsome man he is, but too little sleep and too little to eat. It's to be expected under his circumstances, terrible thing that; but still it's nothing a good woman can't fix." She had a mischievous grin while saying that and Harry couldn't help but smile back at her for her last remark.
"Please, call me Harry; Mr. Potter reminds me of my professors."
"Sure thing Harry, your breakfast will be here shortly."
After Maddy left nothing happened for a few minutes, until there was a loud pop beside his bed. There were two house-elves with eyes as big as saucers looking at him. They were holding a large tray with all kinds of food. They didn't move until one of them seemed to snap out of its trance like stare and said, with reverence in his squeaky voice: "Yous really be Mr. Harry Potter Sir? It really be yous?"
With not a little discomfort Harry answered: "Yes, I'm Harry."
"Such an honour it is for us to meet yous, Mr. Potter Sir. You be the great light that brightened the world after the dark days. I be Dinky and this be Zonky. We is having your breakfast with us." With that they levitated the tray up to Harry's bed were it rested on a specially attached pedestal.
"Thank you both," Harry said kindly, "I am really hungry."
"Our great honour to serve the great Mr. Harry Potter Sir," the second house-elf peeped, and with that they disappeared again with a pop.
Feeling a little odd after experiencing the House-elves' open adulation, Harry turned his mind to breakfast.
On his tray Harry found a variety of food and drink, he tried a little of everything. The nurse, Maddy, had been right; the mushroom-omelette was delicious.
On the tray was also a newspaper, The Daily Prophet.
BOY WHO LIVED AWAKENS ON BIRTHDAY
Has Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived, pulled off another miracle? At a small party in honour of his birthday, Harry Potter came out of his coma. In a statement made in the lobby of St. Mungo's Hospital, Professor Albus Dumbledore stated that The Boy Who Lived has made a remarkable recovery with no apparent after effects from the torture inflicted by his uncle, Vernon D. Vernon D. turned out to be one of those rare Adepts whose talents are actually magical. Even before Vernon D. acquired Mr. Potter's wand, he had already begun a regimen of torture by Muggle means at the start of the summer holidays.
Mr. Potter was in the care of Vernon D. and family since they are his last living relatives. This newspaper, however, questions the wisdom of letting Mr. Potter stay with these Muggles as we have uncovered evidence of prior mistreatment, including malnutrition, incarceration and mental abuse. How was it possible that the signals were not heeded previously?
Vernon D. will be tried at a Ministry court in six days time as the crime was committed by magic. In all probability, Mr. Potter will be obligated to attend this trial as it is required by law that the victim is present if possible. Rumours also have it that Mr. Potter will replace Remus Lupin, known werewolf, as the main witness.
In conclusion, this newspaper calls upon the Ministry to launch a full inquiry into why Mr. Potter was left in the care of a barbarian. Furthermore, this newspaper wonders if the penalty for this heinous crime should not be elevated to a Dementor's Kiss. And last but most surely not least, this newspaper extends its well wishes to Harry Potter and hopes that all the prayers of our readers are with him in this most difficult of times.
Adelia Socks- Chief Editor
Page 2- All the details of the trials arrangements Page 2- The full story - What really happened at 4 Privet Drive Page 4- Is Harry Potter truly sane? by Rita Skeeter Page 5- Adepts, what are they? by George Theoricetius Page 8- Vernon D. a personal history by Rita Skeeter
When Harry looked up from the newspaper, still seething with anger about the details from his ordeal in print, he saw that all the plates on the tray had cracked in half.
At that moment Maddy Weasley came storming in: "Oh no, you shouldn't have seen that just yet. Any aggravation now would be bad for you. The house- elves must have missed that memo."
"What do you mean bad for me? You mean I shouldn't get upset, don't you? And let me guess, it was Dumbledore who told you so, wasn't it?" Harry's voice was getting louder and louder as he spoke. "Why is it that I shouldn't get angry? TELL ME."
"Calm down, Mr. Potter," said the serene voice of Albus Dumbledore, who had just walked into the room. "Don't you see what you are doing? You are scaring Maddy. And you are doing a great deal of accidental magic."
Dumbledore was right. Every glass, pitcher, plate and mug in the room had shattered by now. The knives, forks and spoons on the plate had been bent and several objects such as books and scrolls were flying through the room in circles.
"Calm down, Mr. Potter. All will be explained in due time."
Harry felt all his anger leave him, it just flowed into nothingness. The flying objects gently descended to the Floor.
"You're doing it again, aren't you?"
"Yes, Mr. Potter, I am using magic to drain your anger. It is, unfortunately, necessary.
I have spoken to the doctors and although they are desperate to find out how you survived and kept sane, they have no other reason to keep you here, you are physically healthy. If I were you I would not give them cause to keep you here for reasons of. mental instability."
Harry realized the truth of Dumbledore's words and looked like nothing more than a scolded little boy.
"I'm sorry, Maddy; I didn't mean to yell at you. sorry, Professor," he said in an apologetic tone of voice, staring at his hand which he had folded in his lap.
"Quite alright Harry, you've been through a lot and I understand your. distress," Maddy said with a soothing voice. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone." And with a wink at Harry she took the tray and left.
As if nothing had happened Dumbledore continued in a lighter voice.
"I have arranged for you to stay at the Burrow for the remainder of the summer. I have placed several 'special' wards there."
Harry felt himself fill up with joy. "Really? The Burrow, with Ron?"
"Yes, Mr. Potter, and as I understand it, Miss Granger has decided to cancel her trip to Bulgaria and stay with you at the Burrow."
If a mirror had been present Harry would have seen that his eyes shone with a definite magical quality. It was as if a light shone in them. Dumbledore saw this and was pleased that Harry was still able to feel the emotion of joy. It was a good sign, he thought.
When Harry woke up once more there was no one in his room, at least no one he knew. There was a nurse tidying up though. She was a woman of average height. She possessed a pretty face full freckles, and red hair. Weasley red. As she walked around the room, straightening this, picking up that, she was humming a merry tune until she saw Harry was awake.
"Ah, you're awake, Mr. Potter. Good. How are you feeling? Is there anything I can get you? By the way, your godfather is in the next room taking a nap. If you want I can go wake him up? Or would you like some breakfast? The house elves make a smashing good mushroom-omelette if you like." The woman was a virtual waterfall of questions.
"Breakfast," Harry said, "I'm starving."
"A very good sign of recovery, a healthy appetite is. I'll get you some immediately. By the way, my name is Maddy Weasley. I'm a niece of the family you know, but I guess the hair gave it a way, ay? But look at me talking away, while I should be getting you some breakfast. Would you like me to wake Sirius as well?"
"No, just breakfast for now," Harry replied, a little overwhelmed by the continuing onslaught of words, "let Sirius sleep some more, he looked like he needed it yesterday." Harry also felt he needed some time for himself; to compose himself for the things to come.
"You're right about that Mr. Potter, he looks tired. A handsome man he is, but too little sleep and too little to eat. It's to be expected under his circumstances, terrible thing that; but still it's nothing a good woman can't fix." She had a mischievous grin while saying that and Harry couldn't help but smile back at her for her last remark.
"Please, call me Harry; Mr. Potter reminds me of my professors."
"Sure thing Harry, your breakfast will be here shortly."
After Maddy left nothing happened for a few minutes, until there was a loud pop beside his bed. There were two house-elves with eyes as big as saucers looking at him. They were holding a large tray with all kinds of food. They didn't move until one of them seemed to snap out of its trance like stare and said, with reverence in his squeaky voice: "Yous really be Mr. Harry Potter Sir? It really be yous?"
With not a little discomfort Harry answered: "Yes, I'm Harry."
"Such an honour it is for us to meet yous, Mr. Potter Sir. You be the great light that brightened the world after the dark days. I be Dinky and this be Zonky. We is having your breakfast with us." With that they levitated the tray up to Harry's bed were it rested on a specially attached pedestal.
"Thank you both," Harry said kindly, "I am really hungry."
"Our great honour to serve the great Mr. Harry Potter Sir," the second house-elf peeped, and with that they disappeared again with a pop.
Feeling a little odd after experiencing the House-elves' open adulation, Harry turned his mind to breakfast.
On his tray Harry found a variety of food and drink, he tried a little of everything. The nurse, Maddy, had been right; the mushroom-omelette was delicious.
On the tray was also a newspaper, The Daily Prophet.
BOY WHO LIVED AWAKENS ON BIRTHDAY
Has Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived, pulled off another miracle? At a small party in honour of his birthday, Harry Potter came out of his coma. In a statement made in the lobby of St. Mungo's Hospital, Professor Albus Dumbledore stated that The Boy Who Lived has made a remarkable recovery with no apparent after effects from the torture inflicted by his uncle, Vernon D. Vernon D. turned out to be one of those rare Adepts whose talents are actually magical. Even before Vernon D. acquired Mr. Potter's wand, he had already begun a regimen of torture by Muggle means at the start of the summer holidays.
Mr. Potter was in the care of Vernon D. and family since they are his last living relatives. This newspaper, however, questions the wisdom of letting Mr. Potter stay with these Muggles as we have uncovered evidence of prior mistreatment, including malnutrition, incarceration and mental abuse. How was it possible that the signals were not heeded previously?
Vernon D. will be tried at a Ministry court in six days time as the crime was committed by magic. In all probability, Mr. Potter will be obligated to attend this trial as it is required by law that the victim is present if possible. Rumours also have it that Mr. Potter will replace Remus Lupin, known werewolf, as the main witness.
In conclusion, this newspaper calls upon the Ministry to launch a full inquiry into why Mr. Potter was left in the care of a barbarian. Furthermore, this newspaper wonders if the penalty for this heinous crime should not be elevated to a Dementor's Kiss. And last but most surely not least, this newspaper extends its well wishes to Harry Potter and hopes that all the prayers of our readers are with him in this most difficult of times.
Adelia Socks- Chief Editor
Page 2- All the details of the trials arrangements Page 2- The full story - What really happened at 4 Privet Drive Page 4- Is Harry Potter truly sane? by Rita Skeeter Page 5- Adepts, what are they? by George Theoricetius Page 8- Vernon D. a personal history by Rita Skeeter
When Harry looked up from the newspaper, still seething with anger about the details from his ordeal in print, he saw that all the plates on the tray had cracked in half.
At that moment Maddy Weasley came storming in: "Oh no, you shouldn't have seen that just yet. Any aggravation now would be bad for you. The house- elves must have missed that memo."
"What do you mean bad for me? You mean I shouldn't get upset, don't you? And let me guess, it was Dumbledore who told you so, wasn't it?" Harry's voice was getting louder and louder as he spoke. "Why is it that I shouldn't get angry? TELL ME."
"Calm down, Mr. Potter," said the serene voice of Albus Dumbledore, who had just walked into the room. "Don't you see what you are doing? You are scaring Maddy. And you are doing a great deal of accidental magic."
Dumbledore was right. Every glass, pitcher, plate and mug in the room had shattered by now. The knives, forks and spoons on the plate had been bent and several objects such as books and scrolls were flying through the room in circles.
"Calm down, Mr. Potter. All will be explained in due time."
Harry felt all his anger leave him, it just flowed into nothingness. The flying objects gently descended to the Floor.
"You're doing it again, aren't you?"
"Yes, Mr. Potter, I am using magic to drain your anger. It is, unfortunately, necessary.
I have spoken to the doctors and although they are desperate to find out how you survived and kept sane, they have no other reason to keep you here, you are physically healthy. If I were you I would not give them cause to keep you here for reasons of. mental instability."
Harry realized the truth of Dumbledore's words and looked like nothing more than a scolded little boy.
"I'm sorry, Maddy; I didn't mean to yell at you. sorry, Professor," he said in an apologetic tone of voice, staring at his hand which he had folded in his lap.
"Quite alright Harry, you've been through a lot and I understand your. distress," Maddy said with a soothing voice. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone." And with a wink at Harry she took the tray and left.
As if nothing had happened Dumbledore continued in a lighter voice.
"I have arranged for you to stay at the Burrow for the remainder of the summer. I have placed several 'special' wards there."
Harry felt himself fill up with joy. "Really? The Burrow, with Ron?"
"Yes, Mr. Potter, and as I understand it, Miss Granger has decided to cancel her trip to Bulgaria and stay with you at the Burrow."
If a mirror had been present Harry would have seen that his eyes shone with a definite magical quality. It was as if a light shone in them. Dumbledore saw this and was pleased that Harry was still able to feel the emotion of joy. It was a good sign, he thought.
