Disclaimer: Alas...no.
Chapter Two: The Flying Ford
Harry had a nightmare that night. He was trapped on a cake, as large and menacing as Mount Everest, and the icing sucked at his feet, trapping him in sticky, sugary place. Harry tried to climb up; a flickering flame at the top of the gooey pastry beckoned him sweetly. Harry made it a few feet and then large green eyes appeared out of the icing and knocked him down, transforming into tennis balls as they battered him. Harry became covered in icing, the white goop weighed him down and he felt himself sinking into the fluffy cake…
"Gah!" Harry bolted upright in bed, soaked with sweat. He groped for his glasses on the bedside table and slid them onto his face, scanning the room with wide, frightened green eyes. His scar twinged annoyingly and Harry pressed one palm against his forehead.
A large silvery dog nudged the door open with his nose and bounded to Harry's bedside, placing its two front paws on the bedspread and quirking its head at Harry. "Are you okay?"
Harry nodded at Sirius' patronus and the dog snuffled Harry's hands to be sure before disintegrating into thin air.
It was still dark outside and Harry's room was stuffy. The twelve-year-old boy swung his legs over the side of his bed and padded on bare feet to the window, pulling it open a fraction. It was cool this early in the morning, although Harry knew it would be sweltering later when the sun rose. The air was sweet; it smelled of Mrs. Rees' flowers. Harry took several deep breaths and, feeling better, went back to bed.
Ron Weasley was awake early that same morning as well. The ghoul who lived in the attic made an awful commotion, banging on pipes and thumping on the ceiling above Ron's bed until he was jarred out of sleep.
The sun was just starting to rise, spilling an orange glow over the countryside. Ron pulled on his bathrobe and walked downstairs, knowing his mother would be up and cooking already and his father would be getting home from the office soon.
Ron tip-toed past his eldest brothers' room. Bill and Charlie were both home for the summer, but would be returning to work in Egypt and Romania respectively by the end of the week. The house always seemed more fun with the two oldest red-haired boys home. Their younger siblings jumped through hoops to get their attention and Bill and Charlie were always quick to delight their brothers and sister with games and jokes.
Unfortunately, it sounded as though the twins were awake too. A few muffled explosions shook their doorframe as Ron crept past. Ron rolled his eyes and continued. Jarring snores indicated that Percy was still asleep and the light was off in Ginny's room so Ron was the only child up and about.
Jumping the last two stairs, Ron smiled at his mother. "Morning Mum."
Molly Weasley smiled at her youngest son. "Morning Ronald dear. Would you mind setting the table, add three settings as well."
Ron's face broke into a wide grin. "Is Harry coming over?"
Molly nodded. "Yes, we'll be celebrating his birthday. Remus said they'd be over around eight o' clock. I expect they'll stay all day."
Quickly setting the breakfast table, Ron bounded back up to his room to get dressed and send an owl to Hermione, although undoubtedly Harry already had.
Harry coming for birthday party. Want to come too? Any time today at my house.
Ron
Ron scrawled the letter quickly and ran back to the kitchen were Errol, the family owl, was recuperating after delivering the Daily Prophet.
"Here Errol, this needs to go to Hermione. She's at her summer house in the country." Ron tied the letter to Errol's leg with a piece of string, gave Errol a bit of dry toast for strength, and shoved the disheveled owl out the window.
"Hiya Ronnie." Bill chirped, hopping down the stairs on one foot and tousling his younger brother's hair good naturedly as he passed.
"Bill, guess what?" Ron sat beside Bill at the table.
"The…uh…Brazilian Wizard's Association is filing suit against the Turkey Supreme Hobgoblins for copying their slogan?" Bill's eyes scanned the Prophet's front page.
Ron's brow crinkled. "What? No. Harry's coming over today."
Bill looked up and smiled. "Cool, I forgot to wish the little bugger a Happy Birthday yesterday."
"Do you think you and Charlie will want to play Quidditch when they get here?" Ron asked hopefully.
"I think that can be arranged." Bill chuckled. "Morning Mum."
Molly ushered a yawning Ginny and the twins down the stairs. "Morning dear."
"Where's Perce and Charlie?" Fred asked unhappily, slumping in his seat.
"Yeah, his perfect prefect majesty didn't get ordered from his room." George copied his twin's look of indignation.
Molly slapped both of them lightly on the head with her serving spoon, doling out portions of bacon, sausage, and eggs to the rest of the kids. "You should be proud of your brother. Imagine, another prefect in the family." Molly sighed wistfully. "That's three now, just think if you two got your acts together you might be able to be prefect next year."
"Fat chance of that Mum." George grinned, reaching for the jam.
"Hate to break it to you, but we ruined our chance second week of our first year. Filch nabbed us in the Forest." Fred reminded his mother.
Molly sighed again and put the dishes in the sink, waving her wand so that they would begin cleaning themselves. "It's in a mother's heart to wish for these sorts of things at least." Molly's gaze fell on Bill and her eyes narrowed. "Bill, we've got company coming. Won't you please let me give you haircut before they arrive?"
Bill shook his head vigorously, mouth too stuffed with eggs to talk.
"Then at least take that ridiculous earring out." Molly continued.
Bill's ponytail and fang earring were stains on Molly's otherwise respectable household. Bill, however, was fiercely protective of both.
"No Mum." Bill swallowed and then gulped pumpkin juice.
Molly opened her mouth to argue but was interrupted when the back door opened.
"Morning family." Arthur Weasley walked in, putting his hat on the coat rack and sliding into his chair at the head of the table.
"Morning Dad." The table chorused.
Percy ambled down the stairs dressed impeccably with his shiny Prefect's badge gleaming on his chest. Fred and George made a face as their older brother joined the raucous breakfast.
"Charlie still not up?" Arthur looked around, taking count of his children.
"Nah, you know he likes to sleep late." Ginny said.
"Remus, Sirius, and Harry are coming over dear." Molly told her husband, taking her seat beside him.
Ginny choked on her toast. Percy thumped her on the back helpfully.
Fred leaned across the table. "Hear that Ginny? Harry's coming."
Ginny's face went bright red.
"Fred, knock that off." Arthur said briskly, opening the Prophet.
"Quidditch later?" Ron asked the twins, who both nodded.
"Hello? Weasleys?" Remus knocked on the back door.
Arthur folded the newspaper. "Come right in."
Remus, Sirius, and Harry filed in, shouting greetings which the Weasleys shouted back even louder.
Harry grinned and joined Ron and the other kids at the table, loading his plate with Mrs. Weasley's delicious cooking and feeling very much at home.
"So you're saying a house elf got you in trouble?" Ron asked skeptically. After breakfast, Harry and Ron had bolted out the backdoor and into the orchard. Harry loved walking through the trees, plucking apples to munch on when he pleased. The morning light cast a golden glow on everything, lending the orchard a magical feel.
Harry nodded. "I know it sounds ridiculous, but that's what happened. It's like it wanted me to get in trouble."
Ron shrugged. "Bizarre mate."
Harry looked skyward, shielding his face from the sun. "Is that Errol?" He pointed into the distance where a black dot was flying.
Squinting to get a better look, Ron shook his head. "No, but I did send Errol out to Hermione. That's another owl. Errol would be swerving or dipping or something erratic. Looks like a ministry eagle owl to me."
As the dot flew closer, the boys could see that it was indeed a ministry owl with a bulky letter tied to its leg. Circling the boys, the owl dropped onto Harry's shoulder and held out its leg. Harry untied the letter and smoothed back some of the feathers on the owl's head. Appeased, the owl took flight and soon disappeared into the sky.
"What is it Harry?" Ron asked as Harry flipped the wax seal open and read the contents of the letter quickly. His face went ashen. Wordlessly, Harry handed the letter to Ron, who read the notice and then gawked at Harry. The two turned and sprinted for the Burrow.
"Yes, of course dear. You remember your scales and arpeggios don't you?" Molly shooed Sirius towards the piano. "Harry's been making wonderful progress at his weekly lessons."
Remus and Arthur watched as Molly led Sirius through the notes, shooting smirks at each other. Sirius hated playing the piano and was only humoring Molly. "I think I'm getting the hang of it Moll." Sirius said his fifth time through.
"You're forgetting to work the foot pedal." Molly prodded.
"Of course, how foolish of me." Sirius fumbled up and down the ivory keys, trying not to laugh.
"REMUS! SIRIUS!"
Harry and Ron burst through the back door and into the foyer.
Sirius calmly turned on the piano stool to look at his godson. "You bellowed?"
"Look!" Harry thrust the letter at Remus.
Reading, Remus frowned. "Oh dear."
"What is it?" Sirius asked. Molly and Arthur bent over Remus' shoulder to read the letter also.
Dear Mr. Potter,
We have received intelligence that a Hover Charm was used at your place of residence last evening at twelve minutes past nine.
As you know, underage wizards are not permitted to perform spells outside school, and further spellwork on your part may lead to expulsion from said school.
Enjoy your holidays!
Yours Sincerely,
Mafalda Hopkirk
Improper Use of Magic Office
"Aw, but that's rubbish. Harry doesn't even know how to do that spell." Sirius argued and then looked at Harry. "Do you?"
Harry shook his head. "Not the kind the house elf used."
"House elf?" Arthur asked.
"It's a long story." Remus explained. "But at least this is just a warning. It could have been worse."
"Yes, but now the warning is on Harry's record. Employers look at those records. Fred and George have a warning each. Charlie does as well." Molly said worriedly.
"So it's not uncommon." Arthur assured Harry.
"Yeah, but I didn't do that magic. It's unfair." Harry complained.
Remus folded the letter and put it in his pocket. "Let's just see if I can't get this warning revoked. I know Mafalda, I think she'll understand."
Harry smiled. "That would be great. Thanks Moony."
Something crashed into the window, startling everyone in the room. Ron opened the window and looked down into the shrub below. "That'll be Errol."
"Is she coming?" Harry asked.
Ron unfolded the letter and read aloud.
Ron and Harry if you're there,
Happy Birthday Harry! I wish I could join you two. It sounds like fun, but my grandparents are arriving today so I have to stay at home. I have a birthday gift for you Harry but I'll send it by mail later. I didn't think Errol could carry it. I'll be going to Diagon Alley for school shopping next week. Do you want to join me?
Love from Hermione
"Tell her of course we'll meet her in London." Molly said briskly. "Your school letters should be arriving any day now."
Ron tore a corner off the letter and scribbled a quick yes reply and handed it to Errol who, dejectedly, flapped off again.
Bill stuck his head into the foyer. "Charlie's awake. Do you two want to play quidditch now?"
"Only always." Harry grinned. The two friends ran after Bill outside.
Following the quidditch game, the Weasley children all went off to do their own things. Bill and Charlie walked into town, Fred and George went up to their room to work on some new experiment, and Ginny and Percy simply disappeared.
"I almost forgot!" Ron exclaimed as he and Harry walked down to the pond.
"What?"
"I have to show you my dad's latest project. It's so cool." Ron dragged Harry to the gardening shed. Behind the dilapidated structure, a turquoise car sat.
"What is that?" Harry asked in bewilderment, circling the car.
"A Ford Anglia. My dad tore it apart and put it back together to see how it worked. Thing is, he also made it so it could fly." Ron patted the hood fondly.
"No way! That is wicked. Sirius would love this." Harry looked into the car.
Ron nodded proudly. "Yeah, Fred and George have driven it loads of times. Without my mum knowing of course. Dad said when I'm older I can give it a go too."
"Harry! Time for your presents!" Sirius shouted from the house.
"Let's go mate. You'll love what I got you." Ron ushered Harry back towards the Burrow.
A loud crack broke the silence of the sleepy little village. Mrs. Rees stopped watering her plants and looked up at the sky, expecting to see thunder clouds. The sun was setting in spectacular technicolor fashion but there were no clouds to be seen.
Her neighbors, Remus, Sirius, and their young nephew Harry walked by and waved goodnight to her. Mrs. Rees waved back and smiled. Such a pleasant evening.
"So was that a better birthday Hare?" Sirius asked as they entered their house.
Harry nodded. "Yeah, much better. But you know what I really want for a present?"
"What? These aren't enough?" Remus pulled all shrunken gifts from his pocket and dumped them into Harry's hands.
Harry laughed. "It's not a gift really. I just want a nickname like you guys have is all."
Remus and Sirius exchanged looks. "You lost me." Sirius said.
"Well, you guys are Moony and Padfoot and those names are so cool. And they mean something too. I want a nickname like that." Harry explained.
Sirius shrugged. "I call you Hare."
Harry shook his head. "That's just you shortening my name. That doesn't count."
"There is a way to find out your name. We could see what animagus form you are." Remus suggested.
"Yes!" Harry pumped his fist. "Let's do that!"
"Okay, we're going to need a mirror." Remus steered Harry to the bathroom with Sirius following after.
Remus positioned Harry in front of the mirror. "Stand here. Your animagus form will appear in the mirror briefly so look straight ahead. Ready?"
Harry nodded, green eyes trained on the reflective glass.
"Do you remember the spell Sirius?" Remus stepped back.
"I think so. Hold still Hare." Sirius pulled his wand out of his jeans pocket and pointed it at the back of Harry's head. "Bestia vultus castro."
A screech rang out in the bathroom and a hawk's head appeared where Harry's had been a second before in the mirror. Harry gasped. The hawk had green eyes and markings around its eyes like Harry's glasses. It had dark feathers, except for a noticeably lighter, jagged feather on its forehead. The image faded as quickly as it had come. Harry turned to his guardians, eyes alight with joy.
"I'm a hawk!"
Remus and Sirius laughed and congratulated him.
"That means you could fly if you ever learn the transformation." Sirius said excitedly.
Remus nudged Sirius. "Don't give him any ideas."
"What about my nickname?" Harry asked impatiently.
"Uh…let's see. Hawky?" Sirius suggested.
Harry crinkled his nose. "I know you're joking but this is serious."
"No, I'm Sirius."
Harry whacked his godfather. "Stop that."
"Sky?" Remus said thoughtfully.
"Sky." Harry said. "Sky…Sky…Sky. I like it."
Sirius nodded. "Me too. Sky it is." He ruffled Harry's unruly black hair fondly.
Harry hugged both his guardians and then ran off to his room to write Ron about his new name.
Draco walked down a busy London street, careful to avoid bumping into anyone as he hopped over cracks in the sidewalk. The orphanage let him go for walks around the city now if he pleased so long as he was back by sundown, which suited Draco just fine. He had read every book in the orphanage and played quidditch almost every day and he was bored. Luckily, summer holidays were coming to an end soon. Draco would be going back to Hogwarts soon. Back to his friends and his studies and the exciting things that happened at school. Draco couldn't wait.
The blond-haired boy crossed the street with the crowd and walked into a park. Little children were everywhere, running, screaming, and playing. Their parents stood watch nearby. Draco felt envious for a second, and then remembered who his parents were and decided he was better off without them in his life.
It was almost time to head back towards the orphanage. The sun was beginning to sink below the tall buildings surrounding the little park. Draco turned to head back to the entrance and stopped dead in his tracks.
Theodore Nott was standing a little ways in front of him, talking to an older version of himself. It must be his father. Draco had heard Nott the senior had had Theodore very late in life. He certainly looked older than the usual father. These two were the last people Draco wanted to run into in a muggle park.
Last year at Hogwarts, Theodore Nott had spent a good deal of time pressuring Draco into joining a junior pureblood elitist group because of his lineage. Draco wanted nothing to do with his parents or people like them. When Draco had refused, Nott instead began making Draco's life miserable. Nothing had changed since. Draco didn't want to get into a fight around muggles. That would only lead to trouble.
Quickly turning on his heel, Draco walked quickly towards the far end of the park, deciding to take the longer way home. He didn't make it.
"Oye Malfoy!"
Draco stopped. Damn his hair, it made him to recognizable. First chance he got he was dying it something inconspicuous, like muddy brown.
Nott strode up to Draco, smirking nastily. "What are you doing with all these muggles?"
Before Draco could answer, Nott filled in the gap for himself. "Oh that's right. You live around here, in this filth. In that orphanage." He said orphanage like a dirty word.
Draco stuck his hands into his pockets so Nott wouldn't see his clenched fists. "I think the better question is what are you doing here Nott? You have no reason to be in muggle London."
"My father is here on business. There is a wizarding business down the street. I accompanied him." Nott said haughtily.
"Lucky you. Look at the time," Draco glanced at his bare wrist. "I have to be going." He made to turn and keep walking but Nott grabbed his shoulder, keeping him rooted to the spot.
Nott smiled at him. "Oh Draco, I'm trying to be friendly here. I think we got off on the wrong foot this past year. I only want to be your friend. Show you who to associate with and who not to, sort out the best from the rest. It's all in your interest. My associates and I are willing to overlook your past behaviors. The Malfoys are one of the oldest wizarding families in the world after all."
Nott sounded like he was being friendly and helpful, but his words sent chills down Draco's spine. "I think I can tell the right sort for myself thanks." Draco shrugged off Nott's hand and stepped back. "Now piss off."
Nott's smile turned sour immediately. "Can't say I didn't offer you another chance Malfoy. Dobby, come." Nott turned and walked off. A little creature that had been crouched behind Nott sprang to action, trotting after Nott.
"Wait…Dobby. That name is so familiar." Draco said.
Nott looked at Draco over his shoulder and smirked. "That's because he used to be yours."
Draco watched the two leave, feeling miserable. "I'm going to have to wash this shirt." He complained, wiping at where Nott had touched him.
Author's Note:
Way to go Draco! Being the bigger man. That's how you get it done. Sorry this took so long but the lack of reviews didn't inspire me at all. But what with 18 days till you know what I felt the creative juices flowing again. Thanks to those two folk who did review. This is sort of mish-mashy but oh well, the plot gets rolling again when they get back to Hogwarts. Hope you guys like it.
PLEASE REVIEW!