Chapter 6

It had been a very easy couple of days and now it was the day of his birthday and Harry was scared. Although things had been different lately, his fears popped into his head. He was afraid that things were going to be like they had been like they had every other year. He can remember watching Dudley open up present after present and then when his birthday rolled around getting nothing, not even anyone acknowleging that it was his birthday. He remembered the one time he reminded his family that it was his birthday at breakfast when he turned four. He learned quick not to mention it again when Vernor yelled at him and told him freaks didn't have birthdays. He cried all day wondering why he was hated by them, what had he done. Shortly after that Vernon told him a bout all the work that he was going to start doing around the house, including cooking meals for them. He got scared when Vernon told him that if her burnt anything that he would be punished severely. He learned quick to make them properly after he spent four days in his cupboard without eating.

He pulled himself out of bed and went to the loo to use it and take his shower. After finishing and getting dressed, he headed downstairs expecting everyone to ignore like before. He was surprised when he went into the kitchen that his aunt was standing at the stove cooking breakfast. His uncle and cousin were sitting at the table as usual. Vernon was reading the paper while Dudley was coloring in a book. When Petunia saw him enter she smiled at him.

"Happy birthday Harry," she said, "sit at the table breakfast will be done here shortly."

When Harry sat down Dudley looked at him and gave him a small smile and Vernon just snorted at him.

"Petunia," he said, "me and you are going to have a talk when i get home."

She just looked at him and shook her head sadly. Satisfied at that he turned his head and looked at Harry.

"I have already told you before boy," he said with malice in his eyes, "freaks don't have birthdays."

Harry hung his head at that and sighed. he knew that this year would be no different. They all ate breakfast in silence and then Vernon left for work.

After he left Dudley came up to him and told him happy birthday. Harry looked at him shocked not knowing what to say.

"I'm sorry for the way I have been treating you," he said, "I say dad treat you that way and I thought that was what i was supposed to do."

"What changed," Harry asked.

"Mum sat me down and explained that what had been happening to you was wrong and that we are family and family takes care of each other," he replied.

Harry smile at him and stuck his hand out. Dudley took his hand and shook it with Petunia looking at them both and smiled. This is a start she thought to herself as she shooed them out of the house so she could get started on everything for Harry's party. It was gonna be small this year, but hopefully Harry will make some more friends and next year will be bigger. She didn't want to think about it , but if things didn't change with Vernon she might have to do something that she didn't really want to do. If push came to shove though she knew she would do it, she had to take care of Harry and Dudley no matter what. They were her her biggest priority. Harry didn't realise that moving here gave more than just him a fresh start.

After going outside Harry and Dudley seperated, Dudley heading to the park and Harry going next door to see Hermoine. Harry had taken a couple of his mom's old school books to her when she asked him if he had anything magical she could read. He giggled at her enthusiasm when he showed her the book and all he asked was that she take care of them since they were his moms. He knocked on the door and shortly after Hermoine's dad answered the door. Dan wasn't sure of what to make of all this nonsense about magic but he knew he would never win against both his wife and daughter about the subject so he dicided to take a wait and see attitude about it. Now the subject of Harry , on the other hand, made him very nervous. While he could rest easy knowing the fact that they were both really young, he was uneasy when it came to him. If he stopped and thought about it, he would admit that most of that unease came from him no longer being the only male in his daughter's life and that scared him. He placed a smile on his face and looked down at the black-haired young man that was at his door and sighed.

"She is out back," he told him.

The boy smiled and calle thanks before running around back. Dan closed the door and sighed again knowing it was futile.

Harry and Hermoine played for a couple hours before it was almost time for his party. Hermoine said that she would see him in a little while as Harry headed home and she went inside. Harry didn't know this but Emma was coming home early so that she could be there. She had taken a liking to this young boy who had captured his daughter's heart, even though she doubted either one of them knew it. She thought it was sweet, but admittedly she was a romantic, has been all her life. She could see them growing up and becoming more than friends. She just wished that her own relationship was going good. Don't get her wrong, Dan is a good man, but ever since Hermoine was born their relationship has been strained. It has gotten even worse ever since she told him what Petunia had talked to them about. At first he was saying that they were gonna move because this had to be Harry's fault, this hadn't happened until he moved next door. That is until she reminded him of all the things that had happened long before Harry was even around. Ever since that conversation there had been a lot of tyension in the house. She tried to get him to go to the party with them but he refused saying that he wasn't going anywhere near those people and he wasn't happy that she was letting them corrupt their daughter.

It was a short time later that everyone was gathered around the table watching as Harry blew his candles out. He smiled as he made a wish hoping that it would come true. He heard a voice in his head tell him that she would help him make it come true. He was happy that he had a party and everyone came over to celebrate. He got loads of gifts from everyone and he was excited. From his aunt he got several new outfits and matching shoes. From Dudley he got a watch, it was a cheap one but Harry didn't care. From Mrs. Granger he got some books because she remembered him saying that he liked t read. His favorite present came from Hermoine though. It was a framed picture of the two of them on her swingset, with the words best friends forever. He went to bed later that night exhausted but extremely happy.

Meanwhile in a castle in northern Scotland a man sat behind a desk. This man had white hair and a long white beard wearing an outlandish purple robe with a matching purple pointed hat perched on the tope of his head. He was reading a letter, his eyes looking at it hrough a pair of half-moon glasses. He sat the letter down and set his head in his hands before going to his fireplace. After throwing some powder in and watching the flames turn green he stuck his head in. after a few moments he pulled his head out and was then joined by a man dressed all in black that walked out of the fireplace.

"Do what do I owe the honor headmaster," he asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"It seems young Harry has dissappeared," the heamaster answered.