A/N Disclaimer is the same as the last time. Thanks for reading. I'm happy to see how well my story is being received. Thanks everybody for reading, reviewing, following, and favoriting. Hope you all continue to read.
Ch. 5
The night before Harry's birthday Susan was awoken by a scream from another room. Throwing off the sheets she dashed for the door. Throwing it open she saw her Auntie already opening Harry's room. Susan watched as Amelia made a bee line for Harry's bed. When she looked into Harry's room she could see him sitting up in bed wrapped in her Auntie's arms with her running he fingers though his hair and whispering calming words to him. Susan seeing her Auntie taking care of Harry, she quietly called Puck.
"Puck, can you go get us three cups of Cocoa please."
"Of course Miss Suzy."
Puck popped away and Susan went to join Harry and Amelia. Susan sat on the edge of the bed and Puck popped back with three cups of cocoa. She handed the cocoa out to her family. "I put a small bit of calming drought in your cocoa Master Harry."
"Thank you Puck. It tastes wonderful." Harry said in a raspy voice. He sat back and sipped his cocoa.
"Harry," Amelia started. "Do you want to talk about your dream?"
Harry continued to sip his cocoa gathering his thoughts. "I dreamed a dream I haven't had for over a year. It's always the same. I hear a women screaming and a high cold laugh, then a bright green light." Both Bones girls sat there in silence realizing that Harry had nightmares of his mum's murder. "I think the dreams are coming back because of the prophecy. It's making me think about him and that night. When I write in my journal it usually helps but I ran out of room a few days ago."
"Hannah, me and her mum are going to Diagon Alley on the 2nd, I can pick you up a new journal if you want."
"Thanks Suzy that would be wonderful." Harry let out a jaw cracking yawn. "I think I'm going to try to get back to sleep. Thank you so much. This is the first time anyone has ever been there after a bad dream." Harry looked at both the Bones women. "I love you too so much and am so happy to be a part of your family." Harry gave both women a hug and crawled back into bed. Susan and Amelia went back their beds and went back to sleep.
HC
Susan jumped out of bed on the morning of July 31st. She took some extra time picking out what she was going to wear today finally deciding on a yellow sun dress with a flower pattern and a cute pair of sandals. Kingsley had agreed to distract Harry keeping him out of the house until 11 allowing Susan, Hannah, and Amelia time to get everything ready. Hannah came over around 9:00 to help decorate the house and the other guests started to arrive at 10:30. Every Hufflepuff first year turned up along with a few of the older students such as Cedric Diggory and the Weasley twins. Harry had been exchanging owls with them over the summer discussing ideas for pranks during the year and other ideas about products. All the members of their study group showed up including Daphne Greengrass and Tracey Davis. Poppy Pomfrey and Professor Sprout showed up just before 11:00. At 11:00 a silver lynx appeared in the entry way. It opened its mouth and a familiar voice spoke out. "We are on our way back. Be there in two minutes."
"Everyone in position" Susan called out and everybody found a hiding space. Just as the last person was getting out of sight the door opened and in walked Harry, Neville, and Kingsley. When they closed the door and stepped into the center of the main hall, everyone jumped out and yelled "SURPRISE!" At first, Harry did an exact impression of a goldfish opening and closing his mouth. Susan could almost see his brain trying to figure out what was happening then a giant smile split his face as he realized what this was. A round of Happy Birthdays to both birthday boys followed and the party began.
Susan and Hannah walked over to the boys still standing and gave them big hugs. "Happy birthday you two, "Susan said as she first gave Harry a hug as Hannah gave one to Neville then they switched and gave the other a hug.
"Thanks you two. This is my first birthday party I've ever had. The fact that its mine and Neville's birthday party makes it so much better. Thanks for putting this together"
"It was our pleasure you two. Puck went all out also. She prepared a large feast consisting of all your favorite foods and she baked a giant chocolate cake for later."
Smiling the four friends went to get some food and mingle with all their friends. To Susan's satisfaction, the party was a great success. Harry and Neville seemed to enjoy themselves as did all their friends. People would play in the pool or one of many lawn games that were provided for the party. Both boys received many gifts from all their friends. Susan, Hannah and Amelia worked together to get Harry a scrap book of pictures of his Parents and also pictures of them at Disney World and at school. Susan could tell how much he appreciated it. Kingsley also got Harry a new Nimbus 2001 broomstick. Cedric eyed the broom with a hungry expression. "Harry, please tell me that you will be trying out for the team this year."
"You can count on it Ced, Susan and I have been practicing with a Quaffle all summer on a pair of Commit 200s"
"Well we seem to have enough people here…" started Fred looking around the yard.
"And a shed full of brooms." added his twin.
"How about a pickup game." They finish together.
This got a positive response from a large number of party goers and two teams were quickly formed. The game lasted a few hours with people subbing in to give everyone a chance to play that wanted to play. Harry let Susan have a ride on his new broom and she had to admit that it was way better than the Commits they had been ridding before. No one seemed to really be keeping score and the game broke up when Puck announced that it was time for cake. After the cake was demolished it was time for everyone to head home.
SH
After everyone had headed home Susan, Amelia and Harry were once again sitting in the lounge thinking about the day. They were all broken out of the reverie by a loud pop of two house elves appearing on the floor in front of Amelia.
"Mistress Amelia, I have captured this sneaky elf around our home." With that the little house elf pushed the other on the ground and sat on him.
"Good job Puck you did wonderful." Amelia pulled out her wand and tied him up with magical ropes. "There, that should hold him here until we have a chance to talk to him. You can get up now Puck." After Puck got up Amelia picked up the smaller of the house elves and sat him on the chair. She knelt down in front of him. "Now then, who are you and why are you here?"
The little elf looked at Amelia with wide frantic eyes. "I'm sorry Miss my name is Dobby, I is here to warn the great Harry Potter that he cannot return to Hogwarts. Terrible things are planned to happen this year."
Susan looked at the little elf with surprise, "What do you mean terrible things are planned for Hogwarts this year?"
"I is sorry miss but I can't say. Dobby just over heard Master telling Mistress about how he was going to make all their troubles go away somehow."
"Dobby," Harry asked, "Did they specifically say that this has anything to do with me?"
"No, the Great Harry Potter was never mentioned. Only that something terrible would happen at Hogwarts. Great Harry Potter cannot be put in such danger. He is too important." Dobby seemed to struggle with the bindings trying to get away.
This time it was Amelia who questioned Dobby. "Who is your master?"
"Dobby cannot say. Dobby will have to punish himself quite severely when he gets home for saying as much as he did." Harry and Susan looked horrified at that but Amelia wasn't done with asking her questions.
"Dobby, was it you who tampered with the wards?"
Again Dobby looked terrified back at Amelia seeming to expect a severely punishment. "Yes Miss Boneses, Dobby used his magic to make owls to the Great Harry Potter unable to find him. I hoped that if Harry Potter thought that he had no friends he would not want to go back."
Amelia nodded at that, she appeared to be deep in thought. "Is there anything else you can tell me about this danger Dobby?" To Susan, it looked like the little elf wanted to say more but even when he opened his mouth it immediately shut again.
"I don't think he can Auntie, I think he is running into house elf enchantments." Susan told her aunt.
"Dobby," Harry asked suddenly, "Does this have anything to do with Voldemort or Dumbledore?"
Dobby hesitated a moment. "Not He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named," Dobby looked at Harry with his wide eyes like he was trying to give Harry a hint but for the life of her, Susan couldn't think of what Dobby was trying to say. "Dobby has heard no mention of bad Headmaster Dumbydore from master."
Amelia made the ropes vanish around Dobby, "Thank you for the warning Dobby, I will look into this and take steps to protect Hogwarts, but I doubt that Harry will be staying away from Hogwarts."
Seeing he was released Dobby immediately vanished from the house. Amelia stood up and sat back in her chair. "Well that was interesting. What do you kids think?" She turned to the two kids sitting on the couch.
Susan was the first to answer. "It is obvious that Dobby was here on his own with no knowledge of his master. He was nervous and said he would have to punish himself for being here."
"Is it normal that a house elf needs to punish themselves?"
Amelia shook her head sadly. "Unfortunately yes it is for some of the old pure blood families. They treat their house elves like scum. These are also the same people who look down on Muggleborns and muggles."
"So since it is the bigots who tend to treat their house elves like that we can narrow who is planning something." Said Harry, "Is there any records on who owns what house elf?"
"Hmmm, I don't think there is any official record but I will do some digging and see what I can find out. Speaking about digging, I have been discreetly looking into the Black Case. It appears that the goblins were correct; there was no trail for him. Next week I have set up an inspection of Azkaban Prison. I will use the opportunity to talk to him. We will have to move slowly until we get all our ducks in a row, but once we do we will have to move quickly. I am hoping to have him out before the end of summer."
Susan smiled at the news and turned to see an even bigger grin on his face. "Thanks Auntie that would be wonderful if I can meet him before we head back to school." said Harry.
"Ok kids, that's enough for tonight, it's been a long day, up to bed with you."
Together the kids headed upstairs to their room. Before heading into bed, Susan gave Harry another big birthday hug. "Happy Birthday Harry, I'm glad you had a good time today."
"Thanks Suzy, it was wonderful. It was the best birthday of my life." As they started to pull apart Susan gave Harry another kiss on her cheek and went into her room.
HC
Two days after Harry's birthday, Susan, Hannah, and Mrs. Abbott took the floo to Diagon Alley. Susan was almost jumping around with excitement. "I can't believe we get to meet Gilderoy Lockhart. He is probably the bravest wizard alive, and his smile is so dreamy." Susan just walked along rolling her eyes at her friend. She had also read some of Lockhart's books and had serious doubts as to the validity of some of his deeds. Auntie had told her that the Dark Force Defense League was made up of nothing but people who had washed out of the Auror training program and usually caused more problems than they solved. As the three witches exited the Leaky Cauldron, they didn't notice the small pop of a house elf disappearing.
HC
Lucius Malfoy was sitting in his study sipping a glass of Ogden's Finest. He had set Dobby to watch the Leaky Cauldron for any signs of the Bones brat a few days ago and was awaiting news. He had hoped that today with that peacock doing a book signing that the blood traitor would make an appearance so he could put his plan in motion. A slight pop announced Dobby's reappearance at the Manor and he approached Lucius cautiously and bowed deeply to his master.
"Master, the Bones girl is in Diagon Alley with friends and no Madam Bones."
"Finally" Lucius growled as he rose from his chair and grabbed his cane. He gave the worthless elf an absentminded whack with his cane as he passed on his way to his desk. Taking out his wand he tapped the top of the desk and a hidden compartment opened up revealing a small black diary. He also took out a brand new invisibility cloak and swung it over his shoulders before apparated away. Lucius appeared at the apparition point at Diagon Alley and made his way to Flourish and Blotts. It wasn't long before he found the Bones brat and her friend waiting in line to see Lockhart. Keeping close to the girl would be difficult in the crowed but he was able to keep close enough to some of the two girl's conversation.
HC
Susan was getting board. She didn't care to meet the ponce especially if it meant having to wait in this line forever. She was glad that her other best friend wasn't here as she couldn't imagine what would happen if this crowed of hero worshipers caught sight of the Boy-Who-Lived. Lockhart would probably drag him out in front of the crowed and make a spectacle of the whole thing just to get his picture on the front page of the Prophet. Turning to her friend who was currently standing on her tip toes trying to see Lockhart better with a dreamy look on her face she poked her ribs.
"Hannah, I need to go get a new Diary. I'm just going to pop next door while you're in line."
Hannah seemed to not be paying any attention to her and only managed an "Ok Suzy" back at her. Susan just shook her head and went to Scribbulus Writing Instruments.
HC
Lucius was standing close to the two girls heard what Bones had said and couldn't believe his luck. He thought he would have to do something drastic to either slip the girl the book or make her buy it, now it seemed that she would buy it all on her own. Thinking quickly he went to the store and reached it before Bones did. He moved to the section with diaries and notebooks and placed the small black diary on the shelf and put a price tag from another book on it. Casting a light compulsion charm on the diary to draw her attention and buy this one he stepped back to watch what happened. Lucius watched as the Bones brat walked down the shelves of diaries and journals until she came to the one he placed there. She picked up the small black diary off the shelf and flipped through it. After a quick look at the price tag she carried it to the front and paid for it. Lucius left the store with a smile on his face and apparated home. His plan had worked perfectly and no one would be the wiser.
HC
Susan returned to Flourish and Blotts with the journal that she picked up for Harry. She hopped he would like it as itt was a bit old but she thought the black leather cover gave it a bit of a distinguished look to it. She came to the store just as Hannah was leaving with a giant grin on her face.
"Suzy, there you are. You missed it. I got a copy of Magical Me and Lockhart's autograph. Look he even personalized it." She opened up the front cover to show her friend.
To Hannah thanks for reading. Love, Gilderoy
Susan was able to barely restrain her eyes from rolling as she looked at her excitable friend. "That's great Hannah." She caught Mrs. Abbott's eyes and had both had to look away quickly before they broke up in laughter.
"That's not all, he announced that he will be teaching at Hogwarts this year, isn't that wonderful? We will be able to learn all the amazing things he did during all the wonderful adventures that he had. Think of all he can teach us."
Susan repressed a shudder at the thought of him as a teacher but smiled at her friend anyways. "Well I'm done with everything I needed, how about we get some Ice Cream and then we can head back and splash around in the pool. I think Harry and Kingsley won't be back from some Muggle football match until later. I think he got them tickets to Manchester United and Manchester City. I guess it's a pretty big deal. He kept saying it was a Darby whatever the heck that means."
"Sounds good Suzy, it's really nice of Kingsley to take Harry to those games. I'm sure Harry appreciates having some sort of man time."
"I think he does too. It's good for him to get a good male role model in his life and most of the time he is surrounded by us girls."
Hannah giggled "And what's wrong with that Miss Bones, give us some time and I am sure we can train him properly to know all the important things that someone should know. How to shop, fashion, shoes, you know, important things." Both girls giggled as they worked their way through a large ice cream Sunday. Later that night Susan gave Harry the diary that she bought for him earlier in the day.
"Thanks Suzy, I don't usually have to write every day now, but I try to at least to make two or three entries a week. It helps to get my thoughts straight and not brood so much. Thanks for getting this for me."
"No problem Harry. I'll see you in the morning." And with another good night hug, both kids went their rooms and fell asleep.
HC
The summer continued with the kids mixing their time practicing and playing. The week after Harry's birthday Amelia was taking the small boat to the worst place on Earth. Amelia hated having to come here for her yearly inspections and was probably one of the worst parts of her job. As the boat approached she could feel the effects of the dementors auror start to take effect. Giving an involuntary shiver she pulled out her wand and thought of her trip to Florida with the kids and cast her patronus. As the silver wolf stalked around the boat the effects went away and were replaced with happy thoughts.
The boat arrived at the small dock and she was greeted by the warden of the Prison. "Good morning Madam Bones. It is good to see you."
"Good morning warden, I'm glad you were able to adjust the schedule for our inspection. Now if we can proceed." Amelia motioned for the warden to lead the way. With her patronus at her side, Amelia toured the prison. After the tour was over Amelia turned to the warden. "Warden, I was wondering if I could speak with Sirius Black. There are a few questions on old Death Eater activities that are being raised with the sighting of the Dark Lord. As his number two man, we are hoping that he has some information for us."
"Of course Madam Bones, I will need you to relinquish you wand before going into the Maximum Security part of the prison though. Standard procedure, you understand." Amelia handed her wand to the warden and went to find Black's cell. She had the warden wait at the door telling him this was confidential information and well above his pay grade. He nodded in understanding and waited at the door.
Amelia walked down the block looking into the cells until she came to Black's cell. He was curled up on his cot facing the wall. The young vibrant man she remembered was gone replaced by a skeleton. "Sirius," She said in a quiet voice. "It's Amelia, I need to talk to you." Immediately, Sirius's head rose from the bed and looked at the door. Amelia was expecting to see a mad man after years in Azkaban, but those eyes stared back at her were as clear and steady as the last time she saw him.
"Amelia, I can't believe it's you, I haven't talked to anyone since I got here. You have to believe me I didn't do it." His eyes took on a frantic look willing her to believe him. Seeing the conviction shining through those eyes she believed him.
"Sirius, I believe you. I've been looking into your case ever since we heard Lily and James's Will reading last month."
"Why was the Will only read last month, and why were you there?"
"I am Harry's guardian now. Dumbledore put him with the Dursleys and he was horribly abused. I don't have the time to go into the details now but he is safe and happy now." Sirius had a look a rage when Amelia said Harry was with the Dursleys. "I have to get going Sirius; I am trying to get everything set up before any of the big players who have a lot to lose realize what I'm doing. If they find out before we are ready to move then I'm afraid they will silence you permanently."
Sirius nodded his understanding. "Ok Amelia, thanks for coming and talking to me. Say hi to Harry for me and thanks for everything."
"Don't thank me till we get you out of here. Stay strong Sirius I'm working as fast as I can." With that Amelia turned and headed back to the warden. Collecting her wand she exited the prison and returned to the main land.
A/N Thanks for reading