Wolf, Witch and Forks
Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or Harry Potter
Chapter 3: Birthday Surprise
Mid-July, 1991, Number Five Privet Drive
Paul
"Paul, take a look, there are so many Owls around the Dursleys house," Bella called out from standing near the drawing-room window.
"Are Giraffe and Walrus starting an owl business?" Paul said with raised eyebrows. Harry was his best friend and that automatically made his disgusting relatives his enemies.
"Oh come on, be serious. Only one owl came with both of our letters, this time they are so many" Bella replied with wide eyes.
Since Dudley's birthday, Harry had received one letter in the mail, which was snatched by his horrid Aunt and Uncle. Harry had not been able to open it, same was the case with all the subsequent letters, Paul thought someone was bombing the Dursleys with Letters on purpose to make a point. So he had come up with a plan which he was going to pull off today with Bella's help.
"Bells listen carefully; we are going to help Harry with opening one of those Letters and sending a reply back" Bella gave him a hopeful look.
So he relayed the quite simple method to get Harry out of the house where he was being held as a prisoner from last week since the first letter arrived. He quietly approached one of the owls sitting on the Dursley post box and snatched the letter; the Owl gave out an indignant screech and pecked on his hands, "Ouch! I hate owls."
Despite the unpleasant experience, he had successfully managed to get what he wanted. He then looked up at Bella who rang the Dursley's doorbell twice and ran towards their house with lightning bolt speed but what shocked him more was that Bella did not trip and fall while making her way back to their house as it was a proven fact that no one as clumsy as Bella Swan.
His plan worked when he heard a shout from inside the Dursley home, "Potter, open the door". As soon as Harry opened the door, he gestured Harry to run towards their house. Harry an experienced athlete rushed towards Number Five Privet drive as if his life depended on it. Within seconds Bella was closing the door and all three of them were seated in the living room.
Harry looked so relieved and genuinely happy as Paul handed over the letter he got from the Owl. "See shrimp, I told you that you would get a letter." He said with a huge smile as Bella rubbed ointment on his bruised fingers.
"Pig, Bells you both are the best" Harry replied. Then Bella said rather impatiently, "Open it, Harry". He could not leave this opportunity to tease Bella, "Bells is more excited than you about the letter shrimp"
"Shut up Paul." Bella frowned. "Don't be rude Pig; you are just as excited about it as the rest of us." Paul pulled out his tongue as a reply to that but inside he was very happy for Harry 'Shrimp' Potter as the boy with the lightning bolt forehead scar was more than just a friend, he was a brother, he never had. Bells, Renee and Harry were his family.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Paul noticed that it was the same one that they had got. So Harry quickly scribbled his reply that he accepts the offer for admission and they gave it to the owl that had pecked him earlier as it was perched on their post box to Paul's shock.
"What happens now?" Harry asked. Both he and Bella answered that they had no idea; maybe they should wait for a reply was Bella's suggestion but he knew that there was no chance of that happening. Renee was out again as usual so they spent rest of the afternoon playing board games and eating the leftover Pizza which Renee ordered last night as she forgot to make dinner again.
31st July 1991, Number Five Privet Drive, Morning
Renee was home today as she was helping them organize Harry's Birthday Party in the evening to his, Harry and Bella's surprise. Renee was the most careless and forgetful woman he had met, Paul thought if she could be a parent, anyone could do it.
But he still respected and loved Renee a lot as after his mom died, she took him in as his father gave up his custody without even thinking twice and no one in the tribe wanted to keep Drunk Lahote's son in their house.
The doorbell rang and Renee answered it but the rest of them were in the living room, decorating it with streamers and other knickknacks.
Renee then came back in with two people that were so mismatched with each other that it was hilarious, first was an old woman wearing glasses and a long black dress. She had cat-like sharp eyes, her grey hair in a tight bun and, other was a huge bearded man who gave of a gentle giant vibe despite Paul's opinion that he could be a motorbike gang leader.
"Paul, Bella, Harry this is Professor McGonagall and Hagrid the Groundskeeper, they are here as representatives from Hogwarts." At once three jaws dropped at hearing the word Hogwarts come out of Renee's mouth.
Then Professor McGonagall said with a tight smile after looking at Renee with pity and sympathy, "You are so much like your aunt and mother Renee, playing a prank on innocent children. I still remember the devastating look on Stella's face when she found out that her only child would not be going to Hogwarts; it was such a tragic end of the Higginbotham line."
Paul was not sure what McGonagall was talking about like Harry and Bella but he was shocked and angered again when a single tear fell from Renee's eyes, 'How dare the old hag make Renee cry' he thought.
Renee then replied after an awkward minute of uncomfortable silence with a sad smile while rubbing her eyes, "Professor my mom was depressed for many months as I remember, with my Aunt and Grandparents blaming it on my Muggle father's blood. So we left for the States after my dad's sudden death caused by a heart attack a year later as you very well know.
After all, you were mom's best friend from her school days. Anyway, Bella and Paul both have magic and Harry does too, so they can fulfil my dream to attend Hogwarts provided they do get into reputed non-magical universities and have great magical careers."
Paul then heard a booming voice after Renee's childhood story which made Bella tear up with Harry comforting her, "That's enough sad talk, Professor we should get to Diagon Alley soon, I can't wait to get Harry his birthday present."
At being mentioned, Harry then asked, "How do you know it's my birthday today? I am meeting you for the first time,"
"What? The entire Wizarding world knows Harry Potter the Boy Who Lived's birthday and I knew your parents from the time when they started attending Hogwarts, oh James and Lily" Hagrid said wiping big fat tears which were like mini waterfalls to Paul with a dirty handkerchief.
Paul then could not help but ask on behalf of now muted Harry, "What do you mean by Boy Who Lived? Is Harry famous or something?" Professor McGonagall gave Hagrid an icy glare, which terrified Hagrid but Paul found it to be very funny.
He noticed that Bella and Harry also had grins on their faces as they all watched the professor scold Hagrid but their grins vanished as she ordered them to be seated and started narrating about how Harry's parents were murdered by a Dark Wizard who's name should not be taken, it was unlike the 'your parents died in a drunk driving car crash story' the evil Dursleys had been feeding Harry since he could understand the concept of parents.
"There was a war in Wizarding Britain not long ago, a dark period as many a witch and wizard started worshipping, following and practising the dark arts. Some very influential families also referred to as the Purebloods with long lineages steeped deep in magic gave their support to the cause of He who must not be named.
A terrifying time of fear and blood had washed over everyone but it all changed on the fateful Halloween night of 1981 when a baby boy not much older than a year became the sole survivor of the deadliest curse the Unforgivable Killing curse in all of magical history. The boy who lived with a lightning bolt scar on the forehead is famous throughout the Wizarding world.
That boy is you Mr. Potter, every child; adult, magical being knows your name, as most see you as the one who ended the second great war of magic of the present century."
Paul was enraptured by the scary tale which McGonagall weaved, he believed if she was not a school teacher she could take up a job as a professional storyteller. He also had to put a supporting arm on Harry's shoulder who he was sure going to faint anytime soon. Bella and Renee were gasping so loudly with horror.
Then Renee spoke with a very shaky voice, "Then why leave poor Harry with those wretched relatives of his if he is so famous? I bet any good standing family could have adopted him or fostered him."
"There is arcane protection around the house which are called Blood wards, the Headmaster of Hogwarts Albus Dumbledore himself set them up but for them to work Harry needs to stay with a blood relative and that would be none other than Petunia Dursley. It was a very hard choice as he is the Last Potter, so no relatives on his father's side."
Then McGonagall approached Harry and said in a soft tone, "Mr Potter I know this must be a lot to take in at once but this day was going to come one way or another, so please try to keep an open mind about Hogwarts and the Wizarding world. Life is a challenge for everyone but those in the limelight face additional scrutiny so beware."
Paul was intimidated a lot by the professor but he felt concerned for Harry and he could see same was the case for Renee and Bella. Then Bella asked, "Professor what is Hogwarts like, what subjects are we going to study, where do we get the books?" Paul and Harry gave out defeated sighs as Bella the bookworm had emerged and Professor also shifted the conversation from the dark topic to answering Bella's questions with equal enthusiasm.
"Ms Swan, Hogwarts was founded a thousand years ago by the four greatest wizards and witches of the age. Each of them valued a different quality in their pupils, so they established Houses, which would be like your family during your stay at Hogwarts; Gryffindor preferred Bravery and courage, while Ravenclaw liked those that showed intelligence and intellect, Hufflepuff looked for loyalty and hard work in her students and Slytherin put ambition and cunning as his first preference."
Paul was mesmerized by the concept of houses, he wanted to go to Gryffindor but he was sure Harry would also be in that house but Paul thought Bella was a more of a Ravenclaw than Gryffindor.
Professor McGonagall the suddenly got up and then said, "I will tell you about the subjects in the book store in Diagon Alley. We should leave now so you all can return in time for Mr Potter 's Birthday party,"
Paul could not wait to see Diagon Alley and was looking forward to a brand new adventure in his short life with Bella and Harry at his side.
Author's Note: Next Chapter is Diagon Alley and Train and sorting all through Harry's Point of View. Though updates would be a bit irregular.