Harry Potter was lying on his bed at the Dursleys one morning when something happened that would change his life. Not that his life needed any more changing.
He'd been thinking, as he so often did, about the return of Voldemort. Ever since his battle in the graveyard, Harry hadn't been able to get Cedric's face out of his mind. No one believed anything he had to say. People turned away when he tried to warn them. Was he the only one who cared?
Harry sighed and turned onto his side. He stared at the clock on his nightstand, willing the hands to move faster. The calendar spread on his desk showed that it was exactly two days into his summer vacation. Harry wished that he could be back at Hogwarts, riding his broom during Quidditch matches and eating treacle tart with his friends. At least Hedwig kept his days from being completely lonely and miserable.
He was getting tired of listening to the Muggle news for anything out of the ordinary, because there never seemed to be any massacres or hints of the Dark Lord's return.
The ticking of the clock was depressing him, so Harry got up and carefully opened the bedroom door.
The Dursley household was silent. Although it was already eight o'clock in the morning, snores still issued from the other rooms on the second floor. Harry walked as quietly as he could down the stairs and into the kitchen.
He helped himself to some cold eggs and sausages. He found some toasted muffin and ate that too.
Harry was just wishing that he'd had some water to wash down the dry bread when a faint tapping alerted him to the feeling that something wasn't quite right.
He ran up the stairs in his socks and into his room. At his window was a tawny owl, tapping at the glass and flapping its wings to stay in the air. Harry quickly opened the window and carried the owl inside.
Hedwig, who'd been asleep until then, woke with a squawk, then blearily welcomed the other owl inside for some water. As quietly as he could, Harry opened the envelope the owl had delivered. It bore the Hogwarts seal and was addressed to him in the same green ink that was on the book lists they got every year. But it was too early to go shopping for back-to-school items. Perhaps he had forgotten something in the dormitory and they were notifying him. The paper felt smooth and thick. Harry ran his fingers over it nervously.
The letter slid out of the envelope and rested in Harry's trembling fingers. He unfolded it and read:
Dear Mr. Potter,
We hope you are having an enjoyable and restful summer vacation. We write to you with good news. The Durmstrang Institute has prepared an ambassador program inviting you and a few other select students from Hogwarts to their school. You will represent Hogwarts and will learn more about Durmstrang's customs and procedures. We hope you will consider filling this important position. Viktor Krum has hand-picked all of the students that attend Durmstrang's ambassador program, so it is an immense honor to be invited. If you decide not to participate, this invitation will be extended to another pupil. Please send us your decision via owl post by next week and you are always welcome to contact us with any questions or concerns. We await your response.
Sincerely, Professor M. McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress
Professor Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster
By this time, Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, and Dudley could be heard moving around the kitchen. Not wanting to disrupt the welcome event of the Dursleys eating without bothering him, Harry decided to wait until later to tell them the news. He stuffed the letter back into the envelope, waved goodbye to the Hogwarts owl, and flopped back onto his bed.
Harry didn't know what to think. At first, he'd been shocked. He'd read the letter from Dumbledore so many times its creases were long gone. Harry was surprised that Krum even remembered him. Viktor Krum had been distant and moody throughout the entire competition. Harry assumed that Hermione would be going too. Viktor and Hermione had really hit off at the Triwizard Tournament last year, Harry thought. Ron wasn't very happy about this because he viewed Krum as a threat, so maybe Krum had left Ron off the invitation list. Harry really hoped not.
Harry didn't know how long he lay there. His mind turned over all the aspects of going to Durmstrang. At least he wouldn't have the Dursleys to worry about. However, Harry had to admit that he was just a little nervous about visiting the fortress. He'd heard that all Durmstrang students were trained in martial arts and other violent and dangerous magics, though he wasn't sure if that was just Fred and George's influence.
At last, Harry decided to break the news to his aunt and uncle. He rolled off the bed, walked downstairs (where the Dursleys were watching television) and cleared his throat loudly. Uncle Vernon grunted and looked up.
"Er, excuse me," Harry said as politely as he could. "A letter came from the headmaster of my school. I-"
But he didn't get to say any more, because Uncle Vernon leapt from the couch to usher Harry into the hallway.
"Now listen here, boy. I don't want you talking about that load of rubbish in front Dudley. He doesn't need this kind of crazy environment. And, you're upsetting Petunia." He growled, putting his face very close to Harry's.
"Alright," said Harry, trying desperately to keep his cool and avoid the shower of spittle. "Can I talk to you here?"
"Get on with it, then. Hurry up."
Instead of answering, Harry handed the letter to his uncle. He watched as Uncle Vernon's face turned several different colors, and the vein in his temple throbbed.
"I suppose you want to go, don't you?" He asked tersely, waving the letter in Harry's face.
"Well, I've thought about it, and yeah, I would like to go."
Uncle Vernon quickly handed the letter back, like he would get wizard germs from touching the paper. Harry fidgeted, waiting anxiously for his response.
"I'll talk to Petunia and we'll think it over." He started to walk away, but Harry interjected.
"Wait, Uncle Vernon. I, er, need a decision by next week, please."
"Hmph. We'll see. I suppose they'd be taking you for the whole summer, eh?"
"Well, I'll need to come back and pick up the rest of my things for school, so I'd say, er, up until about a week before term starts."
Uncle Vernon walked back into the living room and sat down again. Harry watched quietly from the hallway and saw Aunt Petunia lean over. They talked in whispers.
Not wanting to get caught snooping, Harry went back to his room, feeling a bit useless, yet hopeful. Uncle Vernon hadn't taken the news as badly as Harry'd thought he would. There was a small chance he might let him go.
Hedwig hooted softly at him, as though she sensed his inner turmoil. Harry walked over to her and fed her some owl pellets. She nibbled his fingers and fell asleep soon after. Harry stroked her absentmindedly before realizing with a start his mind had been off the return of Voldemort for hours! That had to be a record. Maybe something good would come out of this Durmstrang trip after all. If Uncle Vernon let him go, that is.