Harry Potter and the Unwanted Ticket.
A twist at the end of Harry's first trip to Diagon Alley with Hagrid.
Chapter 15: The Magical Surprise Birthday Party.
I don't own the Harry Potter verse. Just playing.
Summary: A twist at the end of Harry's first trip to Diagon Alley with Hagrid. As they approach the Leaky Cauldron to leave Diagon Alley, Hagrid decides to present Harry with his gold ticket to the Hogwarts Express, while Harry was really expecting to go directly to Hogwarts with Hagrid now. Harry asks a different question.
And that changes everything. HHr NLLL T for Characters deaths.
03/01/23 Beta by alix33, thank you.
05/01/23
- Harry Potter and the Unwanted Ticket. -
Hermione woke up after sharing a very nice dream with her favourite wizard, and discovered a sound asleep Luna snuggled up next to her. She looked up to see the two small balls of light still floating together above her bed, and felt loved as she remembered her dream. It felt so real. In the dream Harry had told her that Luna needed a mother's love, and here was Luna.
Emma looked into the bedroom and saw Hermione awake. "Good morning love. Did you enjoy your sweet dreams with a certain wizard with emerald green eyes?"
"Oh Yeah!" Hermione said, but then remembered that this was her mother. "How did you know?"
Emma smiled as she pointed to the glowing balls of light. "Luna said that those two small balls of light link Harry's and your dreams together."
"Oh?"
"So it works?"
"Yeah." Hermione smiled. "When did Luna come?"
"Oh, the poor little witch. She had been very brave and courageous all yesterday after she discovered that her beautiful mother hadn't died in a magical accident, but had been murdered. Winky brought her back not long after you fell asleep. She needed to snuggle to find comfort as she deeply grieved for her mother."
"Oh, poor Luna. Harry said that she needed a mother's love." Hermione remembered. "And poor Neville. They would have relived the attack on their family. I hope that they are okay."
POP!
Harry and Dobby popped in.
"Harry!"
Hermione carefully climbed out of bed and hugged him.
"Hi Hermione. Sleep well?"
"Yeah. You know I did."
"I hope you didn't mind, but Neville's mother was rather upset after all the revelations yesterday and he went to snuggle with his parents and Gran. The Longbottoms' grief was immense, and Luna could feel her own. She needed more than me so I sent her with Winky to you. Luna needed a mother's love."
"You did the right thing Harry." Emma moved to hug him and Hermione. "How is Neville?"
"The Longbottoms are still asleep. I came to see Luna and you. Sirius wants to spend the day with me." Harry explained.
"It is okay, Harry, we can look after Luna today." Emma agreed and then smiled. "It might be time to indulge in some retail therapy."
"Yes!" Said Hermione with a fist-pump.
"Oh? Sirius had been trying to give me the talk and said that was some sort of girl thing that boys need to be aware of and to get out of the way, and don't feel rejected. You are still loved, even if you don't understand it."
"Yes, Harry. Retail Therapy is a cure-all for girls!"
"Good, well maybe we could meet up for lunch or something?"
"That would be great Harry. See you later." Hermione hugged Harry as he took the hint and popped away with Dobby.
While Luna got to see how magical Harrods could be. Then she discovered shoes and thought she was in heaven. Emma bought four pairs of shoes each for Luna, Winky and Princess, from practical and comfortable, to looking good but painful, right up to hot and to absolutely to die for. Luna loved her first pair of high heels, and Winky and Princess felt very special in their new shoes, while Dobby was jumping for joy in a pair of Doc Martens.
As the Grangers didn't go away overseas this year for holidays, Emma virtually had unlimited funds and two princesses to spend it on and she was determined to not waste a penny and get the absolute best bargains.
Shere Khan took Dan for a walk around the neighbourhood so he could mark his territory and scare the hell out of any dogs. Dan didn't mind as they ended up in the pub for lunch, and Shere Khan showed him his party skill of dicing up a large Ribeye steak with just two swipes of his razor sharp claws. As they were sitting in the Beer Garden, they shared their Ribeye steaks and chips with two familiar Snowy Owls.
There were some rowdy boys playing pool nearby and Shere Khan went to quieten them down. The pocket tiger jumped up onto the billiard table and growled and stared the boys down. One tried to poke Shere Khan with a cue stick and he sliced it in half with a swipe of his claws. That encouraged the rowdy boys to go somewhere else. While some of the nearby ladies who had been annoyed by the rowdy boys came to pat the pocket tiger and thank him.
The rowdy boys complained to the Barkeeper about the giant vicious cat who had kicked them off the billiard table and the Barkeeper looked and saw the ladies patting the ginger cat and decided the cat could stay.
Then Shere Khan discovered that they played pool with coloured billiard balls, and he was a cat who loved coloured balls. Coloured billiard balls that he could whack with his paw and knock other balls into the pockets. Dan came over and explained the rules to Shere Khan, that he could only whack the white cue ball to knock the other balls into the pockets. Now Dan had a walking, drinking and pool buddy.
- Harry Potter and the Unwanted Ticket. -
Harry returned to Longbottom Manor with Dobby and followed a familiar low rumbling sound that grew steadily louder as he got closer to discover that Sirius had recovered his huge black motorcycle.
"I knew it was real!" Harry said. "I remember this motorcycle. It can fly can't it?"
"You remember it Harry? Yes, it can fly and I lent it to Hagrid and he has had it all these years." Sirius smiled as he held up a leather jacket. "I have been cooped up for far too long. Let's hit the open road, Harry. This is your father's leather jacket. It might be a little big but you will grow into it."
Harry smiled as he put on the leather jacket and realised that he could detect the scent of 'Old Spice', the deodorant his father used, and it brought back memories of a toy flying broom, a familiar ginger cat, a smiling father with glasses and the wind in his wild hair, and a great big stag.
Sirius, Harry and Dobby roared up to Loch Ness and then popped back to Harrods for lunch with Hermione, Luna and Emma. Emma bought Harry, Sirius and Dobby some more clothes and Doc Marten shoes before they returned popped to Loch Ness and roared all the way down on the motorcycle to Longbottom Manor. As Sirius pointed out all the magical places along the way.
Sirius showed Harry the twelfth-century Quidditch pitch on the Ilkley Moor, an expanse of moorland above the town of Ilkley, located northwest of Leeds in Yorkshire. He parked the motorcycle on a bluff that over looked the pitch and tried to explained Quidditch to Harry as they watched the all witch Holyhead Harpies train for their upcoming match against their arch-rivals Puddlemere United on Friday.
Harry loved every minute and Sirius seemed to come alive riding his old motorcycle.
- Harry Potter and the Unwanted Ticket. -
As Dan and Emma had been on holidays for the month of August so that they could spend time with Hermione before she disappeared to Hogwarts. They had planned a number of day trips to tour London and visit the museums, amusement parks and the beach. Hermione was very happy to invite her friends, Harry, Neville and Luna along with Sirius to the last two day trips, the London Zoo and the Birling Gap, East Sussex.
Harry had a very interesting story about the missing Boa Constrictor at the London Zoo in Regent's Park, London. And got to have a complete Knickerbocker glory. While Shere Khan won a roaring contest against the Lions and Tigers. Much to Sirius and Dan's amusement. As the big cats could detect the presence of an Alpha Predator and started to roar loudly at a measly one hundred and fourteen decibels while Shere Khan was standing on the roof of the Grangermobile in the car park on Outer Circle, and roared back more than twice as loud at a majestic bloodcurdling roar of one hundred and thirty decibels of sabre-tooth tiger goodness and put the big pussy cats to shame.
While at the Birling Gap, it was the first time Harry and Neville had seen the sea, and Emma, Hermione and Luna loved to go swimming as transformed Poly-Animagus-Juice dolphins while Harry and Neville were transformed Poly-Animagus-Juice Killer Whales. Later they went fossil hunting with Emma on the wild rocky beach at the foot of the Seven Sisters chalk cliff. While Dan borrowed some Poly-Animagus-Juice Potion and with Harry's help got to try out one of his favourite stories, Jonathan Livingston Seagull, to see just how fast a seagull could fly. Sirius felt the need for speed and joined Dan as Poly-Animagus-Juice seagulls. It was quite the sight to watch two seagulls screaming across the sky flying as fast as they could go.
Now it was Thursday and the day of Harry, Neville and Luna's Magical Surprise Birthday Party. Hermione had popped over earlier with Winky to help set up and had taken her school trunk and her parents' luggage for the weekend stay. While Shere Khan flew first class with Hedwig and Louis. Hermione had also brought her parents' birthday gifts for Harry, Luna and Neville, matching Indiana Jones brown leather flight jackets, with a rolled up leather bull whip under the left shoulder strap, a leather satchel and a cute white fedora hat for Luna while Harry and Neville received brown fedora hats. Harry, Luna and Neville loved the outfits and immediately put them on as Hermione was already wearing her jacket and hat.
Later Dan and Emma picked up some more Chinese, pizza and KFC for the party, and Winky popped the food directly into the Longbottoms' kitchen. While Dan and Emma popped over with Princess into the Grand Entrance Hall to be greeted by Madam Longbottom and Heir Neville Longbottom and Luna. Hermione appeared out of nowhere and rushed to hug her parents before leading them outside to see the Longbottom Manor. They were amazed of its size as it looked like Highclere Castle in West Berkshire with extensive manicure lawns and gardens with large glass houses full of exotic plants from around the world both mundane and magical. A snowy owl with emerald green eyes landed on Hermione's shoulder and Emma immediately recognised Harry.
- Harry Potter and the Unwanted Ticket. -
Neville and Luna had to stay by Gran as she and Neville greeted their guest as they arrived in the Grand Entrance Hall either by elf or through Ye Grand Fireplace. Gran loved the way Luna would announce their next guests before they arrived.
"Dragon boy, Queen Narcissa and the Dungeon Bat are coming!" Luna announced with a smile.
Green flames came out to herald the arrival of guests from Grimmauld Place.
Neville bow. "Welcome Heir Malfoy."
"Thank you, Heir Longbottom." Draco replied putting on a brave face. "But it is just Draco Black now. The disgusting Malfoy name died with the evil monster that was my father. Thankfully Lord Black accepted me into the Black Family."
"Oh, welcome Draco. I am sorry for your pain and suffering." Neville replied.
"Thank you. I am glad to hear of the recovery of your parents and sad that you had lost them for so long." Draco replied.
"Thank you. May I introduce you to my girlfriend, Luna Lovegood."
Draco bowed to Luna and presented the gift his mother had selected, a beautiful gold jewel bracelet.
"My Mother wished you to have this. It has been charmed to detect poisons, potions and mind charms. A Black Family speciality. My godfather also added a communication link to this leather wristband that is for you, Neville." Draco explained. "It will allow you to talk and find each other."
Luna smiled as she hugged Draco and accepted his gift. "Thank you, Draco. Your Wrackspurt infestation has cleared up."
Draco chuckled. He didn't know what a Wrackspurt was, but he was still a Slytherin at heart and played along. "Oh, thank you Luna. The charms my former Pater Malus placed on me have broken and I don't have to look down on everyone and I don't have to bleach my hair anymore."
Luna smiled. "You look the better for it. Any longer and that sneer would have become permanent."
"Yes, and we wouldn't want that." Draco smirked. "Love your matching jackets."
"Thank you. We love them too. They are a gift from Hermione's parents." Luna replied.
"May I introduce my mother, Narcissa Black, and my godfather, Professor Severus Snape." Draco continued.
"Welcome to Longbottom Manor, Madam Black and Professor Snape." Neville greeted.
"Thank you Heir Longbottom. I am glad to hear of your parents' recovery and I am sad it took so long." Narcissa greeted and then excused herself as she saw her sister Andromeda, whom she hadn't seen since forever.
Sev continued. "Thank you, Heir Longbottom. Your mother was brilliant at potions so I am expecting good things from you."
"Of course, sir. Harry has taught me everything he knows and we have purchased the extra books and read them twice." Neville replied.
"That is a very good start. Where is…"
Sev was cut off by a snowy owl landing on his shoulder, that quickly transformed into an emerald green eye boy sitting around his neck and shoulders, who took great delight in messing up Sev's hair. Sev reached up and lifted the boy over his head and held him upside down in front of him.
"Harry, I have missed you."
"I have missed you too, Sev." Giggled the upside down Harry. "Watch this, Princess has taught me how to pop!"
Harry had a wicked smile as he snapped his fingers.
POP!
Harry disappeared from Sev's hands and reappeared right-side up standing on the floor in front of him with his arms stretched out.
"Ta-dah!"
Sev chuckled as he imagined what mischief Harry could get up by popping everywhere. "Sweet Merlin! Hogwarts won't know what has hit it."
"Yep!"
Harry gave a wicked grin and then turned to the boy next to Sev. He looked so unrecognisable from the pompous boy in Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, that Harry decided to start afresh.
"Hi, you must be must be Sev's godson, Draco."
"Er, hi? Sev said you don't match the pictures in the books but you look so different." Draco answered politely even though his first reaction to see the familiarity between Harry and his godfather was a hint of jealousy. Neither his former Pater Malus nor his godfather had ever put him on their shoulders or held him upside down in fun.
"Yeah, that was all the silly headmaster's doing." Harry said as he was wrapped up in a hug by Hermione. "Sev and Draco, this is my girlfriend, Hermione Granger. Sev you might remember her as Indiana Jones from that night in the museum."
"Yes, I remember the leather jacket. Hello, Hermione." Sev greeted her.
"Hello, Sev and Draco." Hermione smiled as she recognised those expressive dark eyes. "You were the Triceratops?"
Sev smiled as Draco resisted his bigoted Pure-blood past and said.
"Hello, Hermione. Sev said that you are like Harry's mother Lily. I hope you are enjoying the Magical World."
"It has been magical so far." Hermione replied.
Draco presented Harry his gift a leather wristband that matches Neville's. "Happy birthday Harry. My godfather also added a communication link to this bracelet for Hermione."
Draco gave the beautiful gold jewel bracelet to Hermione. "My Mother wished you to have this. It has been charmed to detect poisons, potions and mind charms. A Black Family speciality. My godfather also added a communication link to Harry's leather wristband. It will allow you to talk and find each other."
Hermione smiled as she hugged a surprised Draco and accepted his gift. "Thank you, Draco."
G T had a wicked smile as she came over carrying some small phials. While Sev and Sirius nodded to each other and went off to have their private meeting alone.
- Harry Potter and the Unwanted Ticket. -
Severus Snape and Sirius Black sat down at table in a small conference room that had privacy runes to ensure no one over heard anything discussed in the room. Dobby popped in with two large glasses of the finest Ogden's Fifty Years Old Firewhisky.
The two childhood arch-nemeses looked at each other. They had hated each other for so long that either knew where to start.
Sirius was in a good mood after getting his freedom, so he took a sip of his Firewhisky and spoke.
"Harry told me that he has forgiven you pending some punishments."
Severus nodded slowly as he raised his new left arm. "Yes, without Harry's forgiveness I would only have a bitter life with very painful death to look forward to. Croaker removed my dark mark and gave me this fancy new gold arm, and Harry gave me hope for a better future. So forgiveness works when it is based on Love. One of the punishments was to help you get free of Azkaban, and to forgive you from the heart. I didn't know if I could forgive you from the heart but Harry showed me how."
"Oh?" Sirius realised how difficult this meeting was going to be.
Severus continued. "To free you from Azkaban, we worked out that we would need to capture the rat and somehow sideline Dumbledore, Barty Crouch, Cornelius Fudge, and Lucius Malfoy along with a number of others who had a vested interest in keeping you locked away. An impossible task even for a Slytherin. Only to find that something Harry had done had already resulted in you being taken from Azkaban."
Sirius snorted as he considered that the painful demise of the evil Death Eaters in Azkaban had allowed him to be freed from that terrible place.
Severus continued. "But it appears when Harry is involved, nothing is quite impossible."
"He is so much like his mother." They said together and chuckled.
Severus looked directly into Sirius's eyes and slowly said something he never thought he would ever say before Harry came into his life.
"I forgive you, Sirius Black. For hating me so much that you would try to murder me, and all the horrible things you said and did to me. I am sorry for hating you so much that I left you to rot in Azkaban, and all the horrible things I said and did to you."
Sirius nodded slowly as he looked into those dark eyes.
"Thank you, and I forgive you for all the horrible things you said and did to me. I am also sorry for hating you so much, and for all those horrible things I said and did to you. Even to try and kill you. Without your help, I don't think I would have ever been freed. So thank you from the bottom of my heart. I doubt Dumbledore would want that. So thank you."
Severus nodded. "It is sad now I think about Dumbledore. The only thing that you were guaranteed to learn at his Hogwarts was that Slytherins hates Gryffindors and Gryffindors hates Slytherins. That hatred was the basis of his political power."
Sirius snorted. "I didn't know I was supposed to hate my Slytherin brother and cousins until I was sorted into Gryffindor. It was all to make our future toxic and so many died."
Severus nodded in agreement. "I don't know if we could ever be friends but for Harry's sake, let's not be enemies anymore. We have both suffered and hurt each other far too much."
Sirius carefully looked into the eyes of Severus and didn't see any hatred or deceit, but hope.
"I can live with that." Sirius replied as he raised his glass of Firewhisky. "To Harry, to Lily, to James, to forgiveness and a better future!"
Severus raised his glass and tried to repeat the toast but still struggled with James Potter. "To Harry, to Lily, er, to James, to forgiveness and a better future."
Sirius chuckled. He was glad Severus was trying with James Potter, and then he went on to talk about the events. "Croaker and I couldn't believe how effective your plan was. It has devastated the Dark Side. Some of those were your friends."
"Were, were friends. But being ambitious and cunning is not conducive to making real friends. Only family is important and Lily is family to me. So when they threatened Lily, they were no longer my friends." Severus replied. "And the Dark Lord was no longer my master. I begged the Dark Lord for her life. I begged Dumbledore to protect her. I tried to warn her. But once the Dark Lord had marked Harry for death, there was nothing I could do to stop him and he would have killed me without a thought for even daring to try. And James Potter would protect his son at all costs."
"Oh?" Sirius looked at Severus in a different light.
Severus continued. "And this recent devastation has completely ruined all of Dumbledore's manipulations, plans, schemes and political balance of power. Lucius would boast how brilliant his political manipulations of Fudge had been, while the old fool would claim some insignificant concession as a moral victory for the Greater Good. The reality was that for the last ten years Dumbledore has allowed the Dark Side to slowly advance their agenda, while he failed time and time again to champion the rights and needs of Muggle-borns and other magical beings, and at the same time he has allowed the effective mothballing of the Dark Lord's infrastructure and network. So when the Dark Lord returned, he would be back to full strength very quickly and we would be facing another devastating Blood War."
"Wow." Sirius wondered at what had happened while he was in Azkaban.
"We always knew the Dark Lord was not completely gone, and Dumbledore also knew that. That was the reason why he trapped me at Hogwarts. To keep an eye on my Dark Mark. Even knowing, he still did nothing to prevent the Dark Lord returning!" Severus reasoned.
"What was he playing at?" Sirius wondered.
"The Greater Good!" Severus snorted.
"Yes, but whose?" Sirius questioned.
Severus shook his head and then changed the topic. "Honestly, I really expected you to go all Gryffindor and stuff it up with you getting yourself killed."
"I probably would have without Croaker's help, and Harry would never forgive me if I did that." Sirius replied.
Severus snorted. "So the old dog can learn a new trick."
Sirius snorted. "What are your other punishments?"
Severus smiled. "I have to forgive James Potter from the heart."
"Wow, you have left the really impossible task to last!"
"Indeed!" Severus snorted. "Just little steps forward each day but it will be worth it. Anything to stay in Harry's good books, and I have never been this happy and actually looking forward to teaching for the first time."
Sirius chuckled as he nodded his head. "I understand. Harry got me out of Azkaban."
They studied their glasses of Firewhisky and took a slip. They considered the effect Harry has had on their miserable lives and the possibilities of a bright future.
Sirius turned serious as he asked. "What is this prophecy?"
Severus steeled himself as he knew this would eventually come up but he wanted to ask a question first. "Do you know Harry Magical Potential?"
Sirius nodded. "Lily did the test parchment."
Sev added. "Double Arch-Mage."
Sirius nodded.
Sev continued. "I only heard the first part of the prophecy before Aberforth caught me."
"Aberforth?"
"It was in his pub, The Hog's Head Inn. I was to be interviewed for the Potions Professor at Hogwarts and for some reason, Dumbledore held the interviews at his brother's pub." Sev replied.
"But Aberforth hates Dumbledore. Why on earth would the headmaster use his brother's pub? It is a known haunt for Death Eaters and other such never-do-wells?" Sirius questioned. "The rat kept it under surveillance for information."
"I know. I thought it was odd too. Anyway Trelawney was being interviewed before me and I overheard her give the prophecy to Dumbledore." Severus explained as he steady himself.
"The one with the power to vanquish the – Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies.." Severus said.
"Oh! Bloody! Hell!" Sirius spoke very slowly. "That was what James would say about Harry. Double Arch-Mage! Our little Dark Lord Vanquisher!"
"And James told Dumbledore?" Sev asked.
Sirius nodded. "Yes! They needed Dumbledore's help to control and contain Harry's accidental magic. The little tyke blew right through the ancient wards around Potter Manor to apparate to Lily. He loves his mummy. That is how the headmaster got them to leave Potter Manor and hide in Dumbledore's old family home in Godric's Hollow. He said he could setup strong wards around his old home that would be strong enough to block Harry from apparating away."
"Damn!"
They said together.
"No wonder Dumbledore would never tell us the Prophecy." Sirius raged. "Oh, trust me. It is too dangerous for you to know! Damn! If Lily had known that little bit, she would have cursed Dumbledore onto his next great adventure, and taken Harry far away. Damn Bloody Hell!"
They sat in silence and drank their Firewhisky.
Sirius turned to Sev. "So, how did the Manipulative Old Fool play it out?"
Sev replied. "The first part was all I heard before Aberforth grabbed me and dragged me into the room. Dumbledore just smiled and let me go. He obviously thought that I had heard enough."
"Dumbledore knew that you had overheard the prophecy and still let you go without obliviating you?"
Sadly Sev nodded and Sirius swore.
Sev continued. "I thought it must be important and I foolishly ran straight back to the Dark Lord and told him everything. I was horrified when he marked Harry and Neville for death."
Sirius could see that Severus spoke the truth. "So the Prophecy is totally bogus!"
"Totally!" Sev replied. "The timing was suspect as was the location and everything. But Dumbledore and the Dark Lord had the power to make it self-fulfilling."
"Yeah, after months of the headmaster's suggestions, recommendations and demands, the final straw was the attack on Edgar Bones' family. James and Lily ultimately moved out of Potter Manor and into the old Dumbledore home in Godric's Hollow, and went under the protection of Dumbledore's Fidelius Charm with the rat as the true Secret-Keeper. He had put up the wards to trap Harry, and a week later James and Lily were dead." Sirius added bitterly. "Too many things went wrong for everyone except Dumbledore."
Severus nodded sadly. "You can feel how powerful Harry is already, and maybe Dumbledore wanted the Dark Lord to eliminate Harry before he was a threat to his Greater Good, and I was set up to focus the Dark Lord's attention on Harry. Then whatever ancient magic Lily did to save Harry, blew away the dark lord before Dumbledore could act and pretend to save the day. Then Dumbledore went to Plan B, and you were banished to Azkaban and the Longbottoms were attacked so Dumbledore could have complete and absolute control over Harry, and he was banished to Durzkaban. While I was condemned to Hogwarts under Dumbledore's thumb."
"You have my sympathy. I only had Death Eaters and Dementors." Sirius wryly added and then nodded slowly in agreement. "And yet somehow Harry survived with his pure heart full of love. He really is Lily's son."
Severus nodded slowly in agreement as he took a sip of Firewhisky. "Yeah. Then on his birthday, Harry vanquished the Dark Lord again so he really does have the power but there may be more than one Dark Lord to vanquish. He has already started to soften up Dumbledore before he has even met him."
"So, I bet Dumbledore wishes he never heard the prophecy?" Sirius reasoned.
"You won't get a straight answer out of Dumbledore." Severus replied.
"Ain't that the truth?" Sirius smiled. "So, where has Mouldyshorts been hiding?"
Sev snorted. "That particular part of him was hiding in Harry's scar."
"What? Damn Bloody Hell!"
Sev continued. "Harry was practising the general counterspell, Finite Incantatem, in front of a mirror and accidentally removed all of Dumbledore's hexes and transfigurations including the scar. A part of Wraithmort escaped from the scar and tried to attack Harry, and got incinerated and that triggered the drain on the Dark Mark of the Death Eaters."
"Bloody Hell! And Dumbledore knew?"
Sev just tilted his head and looked at him.
"Of course he did. Never missed a bloody trick!"
Sev and Sirius took a slip of their Firewhisky.
"So, what has happened to Dumbledore with all those Acceptance Letters?"
Severus chuckled as he took another sip of his Firewhisky and launched into the tale of the headmaster who thought it would funny to annoy Harry's relatives by sending thousands of Hogwarts Acceptance Letters addressed to wherever Harry was. He told of the destruction of the headmaster's office and the fool's pain and suffering. Only for the headmaster to bounce back two weeks later and charge off to investigate Harry's disappearance from Durzkaban. The headmaster had made him go with him and he was so glad Harry had warned him about the cupboard under the stairs.
Sirius had tears in his eyes as he laughed at the vision in his mind of the headmaster being crushed not once but twice by his own stupidity and arrogance, that resulted in destroying all of his own manipulations and plans including the complete utter destruction of The Cupboard under the stairs and the Smallest Bedroom at Number four Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey, in one cataclysmic catastrophic fireball.
Their mutual love for Harry had brought two former mortal enemies together in forgiveness as they shared their fine single malt fifty year old Firewhisky and enjoyed the hope of a better magical future.
Sev spoke quietly. "For months the Manipulative Old Fool had been reminding me of James Potter's son was coming to Hogwarts and he looked just like his father. I was so angry and would have hated Harry for just looking like James, without ever getting to know him. The first time I met Harry, he looked so different and I saw Lily in his eyes. All my hatred was shattered into tiny little pieces. It rocked my world when I tasted Harry's cooking. Pure Lily, just as she cooked. Then Petunia forgave me. I …"
"I know what you mean. I knew Harry would be going to Hogwarts this year and I would miss it like everything else. Then the Death Eaters in Azkaban started to die and I didn't. Croaker came and took me out of hell because Mouldyshorts had attacked Harry again and lost. Harry just blew him away!" Sirius said as they slipped their Firewhisky.
Then Severus went on to talk about what he and Harry had done for two weeks and the adventures they have shared together. Sirius couldn't believe that the stuck up evil Slytherin Severus Snape that he had known, could have possibly taken Harry, Sirius' own dogson, and pranked the Natural History Museum in London by running around as full-size, living, breathing, dinosaurs.
After that Sirius knew he had to really lift his game and spend more time with Harry and share his tales of James and Lily, while he consider the possibilities to dream up his own new adventures to share with Harry and Hermione.
- Harry Potter and the Unwanted Ticket. -
Meanwhile. Back to Harry and Hermione.
"Greeting, you must be cousin, Draco?" Tonks said as she messed up Draco's hair exposing his black hair roots. "I am your cousin, G T, that's Governess Tonks, and I am in charge of the entertainment. So we are all going flying now."
"Flying, but I didn't bring my broom." Draco replied.
"Broom? Where we are flying you don't need brooms." Tonks grinned like an actual Cheshire Cat in two tone stripe purple shading.
Nymphadora smiled as she handed Draco a phial of Poly-Animagus-Juice Potion containing the feather DNA of an albino peacock. She gave Hermione, Neville, Luna, Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott phials of Poly-Animagus-Juice Potion containing the feather DNA of two certain snowy owls, while she kept the phial that contained the feather DNA of a phoenix just to be different and she loved the bright colours. Harry transformed into his snowy owl and led the children outside.
Harry worked with albino peacock Draco to get him up and flying while Hermione, Neville, Luna and Tonks with Hedwig and Louis worked with Susan and Hannah's snowy owls to get them up and flying. With their skilled instructors they soon flew solo and earnt their wings and graduated Hedwig's Royal Magical Mail Owl Academy.
Then they were all up and flying, and having a great time. Draco appreciated Harry's help and enjoyed being different and accepted while having so much fun flying around without the expectations of his late father. He talked to Harry about his relationship with Sev and Harry told him the stories of their adventures together, which made Draco rather envious. So envious that Harry noticed, as Sev had told him of his godson, and the strict unloved childhood he had because of the brutality of his arrogant father. So Harry shared one of Sev's most closely guarded secrets. Conspiratorially he told Draco that Sev was extremely ticklish.
After an hour, the potion wore off and they returned to themselves, and it was time for the food. They all enjoyed the scrumptious food and drinks Gran and the elves had prepared with the new treats of Chinese, pizza and the mysterious KFC that Dan and Emma had brought. As it was Harry's first-ever birthday party, Dan and Emma pulled out all the stops and had Owl Ordered Harry, Neville and Luna matching Bavarian chocolate ice cream birthday cakes. She had sent the recipe and pictures to Florean Fortescue and he had worked his magic to make something absolutely amazing. The witches and wizards had never seen before nor had they tasted something so delicious. The Bavarian chocolate ice cream birthday cakes were soon added to the range of scrumptious ice cream treats produced by Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour.
- Harry Potter and the Unwanted Ticket. -
During lunch Emma was able to speak to Madam Andromeda Tonks about what Luna had told her and she quickly waved her wand over her. "That's interesting. You have a block on your magical core that was placed on you when you were eleven years old. Your parents probably refused for you to go to Hogwarts." She saw Emma frown. "Don't be angry, they most likely saved your life as there was a Blood War at the time. It is a miracle that Hermione was born. The block has the headmaster's magical signature, so I won't be able to remove it, but I know someone who is very good at undoing the headmaster's handiwork." She turned to the side. "Harry?"
"Yes, Aunty Andi?"
Harry came over with Hermione, Neville and Luna.
"Emma has a block on her magical core that was placed there by the headmaster." Andi explained. "Could you remove it please?"
Harry looked at Hermione and she nodded as did Luna and Emma. "Please Harry."
"Don't worry, Harry, you will be performing this powerful magic under my direct medical supervision." Andi reassured him. "And what the headmaster as done is not good, and Emma will benefit greatly with the blocks removed from her magical core."
"Okay." Harry said as he triggered the Ancient Wand into his hand, while Dan and Hermione supported Emma.
Severus saw what was happening and came over to conjure dark glasses for everyone.
Andi showed Harry to aim in a circle around Emma's chest.
"Finite Incantatem!" Harry said gently and a white light filled the room as Emma glowed.
Andi waved her wand. "Almost Harry. Try it again with gusto!"
"Finite Incantatem!"
There was another brighter white light that filled the room and Emma's magic popped as the block gave way and arcs of magic travelled over her body and buzzed onto Dan and Hermione. Emma collapsed into Dan's arms with a low murmur. He picked her up bridal style as Andi waved her wand to check.
"Brilliant Harry! Congratulation Emma, you are a witch! Just take it easy for the next few days." Andi smiled as Hermione hugged Harry as his magic had given her quite the buzz.
Emma gave Dan those bedroom eyes and excused themselves as Dan carried Emma bridal style up the Grand Staircase, two steps at a time. Hermione's little sister was conceived that very afternoon.
Andi would later check Remus Lupin that afternoon and give him the great news that he was all clear.
- Harry Potter and the Unwanted Ticket. -
After the excitement of Emma's good news, Sev was a little sleepy and looked for a corner for an afternoon nap. That was when Harry and Draco struck. Harry tackled Sev and brought him down while Draco pounced and started to tickle Sev without mercy. Soon Sev was giggling uncontrollably and desperately trying to protect his most vulnerable spots while the other adults smiled and laughed at the antics. Harry turned into his snowy owl and flew off while Draco took the hint to run away. With Sev in hot pursuit he didn't get far. Sev corner Draco and pounced to tickle him to death. When they both had enough Sev returned to the living room with a smiling giggling Draco on his shoulders. While Harry charged in riding an enormous shaggy black Grim. The giant, spectral dog that haunts churchyards! It is an omen — the worst omen — of death!
Later Tonks led the children to Luna's bedroom where they had an epic game of pillow forts and pillow fights. Something that Draco, Susan and Hannah had never done before. Harry and Hermione noticed that Luna was extremely hard to hit as she just seemed to know which way to move to avoid the pillows. She didn't dodge as such, but she moved in a beautiful graceful dance while she was an absolute terror with her pillow. Neville said that it was because Luna was part seer.
As Dumbledore's amendment to the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery had been recently repealed, the children were allowed to practice their magic in the privacy of their homes so long as they kept the International Statute of Secrecy.
Hermione showed Harry the Levitation charm as she had read and remember all the first year textbooks, and together they waved their wands at a pile of pillows as they said. "Wingardium Leviosa!"
The pile of pillows floated up and Harry and Hermione directed them with their wands to follow Neville and Luna. They cancelled the charm and the pile of pillows fell on Tonks as Neville and Luna danced away hand in hand.
The children asked Hermione to teach them the Levitation charm and soon she was in her element as she went into instructor mode with Harry's assistance. Soon the pillow fight went up a level as they used their wands with the cry of, "Wingardium Leviosa!" And pillows were whizzing around the room.
Hermione taught them the Wand-Lighting Charm — "Lumos" and the Wand-Extinguishing Charm — "Nox" as a precursor to teaching the Shield Charm, "Protego", to protect from flying pillows, and soon pillows were bouncing off invisible shields. While G T taught them the variation of the use of the Shield Charm to parried a charm, hex or curse away. "Protego Averto!"
G T was surprised how quickly Harry and Hermione mastered the Shield Parry Charm, so she taught them the Summoning Charm — "Accio", the Vanishing Spell — "Evanesco", and the Disarming Charm — "Expelliarmus". All of which Harry and Hermione quickly learnt.
The room was filled with smiling happy children having fun with magic as flying pillows whizzed around to the cries of, "Wingardium Leviosa, Protego, Accio, Evanesco, Protego Averto, and Expelliarmus!"
Poor G T soon found herself outnumbered and used the Communiqué Patronus Charm — "Communicata Expecto Patronum" and a silver badger came out of her wand. She spoke to the silver badger and sent it to Sirius requesting immediate assistance. She saw the look Harry and Hermione gave her and she knew she would have to teach them that charm as well.
Soon there was the patter of padded feet and a big black grim charged into the room followed by a large Greater mouse-eared bat. They transformed into Sirius and Sev, and the battle Royal was on. But they never stood a chance against any side Harry was on.
It was the best biggest pillow fight ever!
With feathers flying everywhere.
For the children it was the most fun they had ever had with magic, and working together they all became good friends.
After the Sirius and Sev gracefully withdrew, the children arranged the pillows into one big thick enormous flat pile. Hermione snuggled into Harry as Luna snuggled into Neville as Susan and Hannah snuggled while Draco made himself comfortable.
Harry held out the palm of his hand and said.
"Lumos!"
And a small ball of light appeared over his palm. Hermione followed suit and held out her palm as she cast her Lumos charm. The two balls of light floated above them as Luna, Neville, Susan and Hannah followed their example, now there was now six small balls of light floating above them.
G T came in and saw the beautiful lights and said. "Oh, wow! Love Lights. My friend, Miriam told me about those. They are glorious and you can feel the love and have sweet dreams."
"Oh?" Harry smiled as G T sat down next to Draco and wrapped her arms around her cousin.
Hermione asked. "How are you coping with the revelations from the rat, Harry?"
"Well, I remembered my mother pleading for me, and that green flash, Sev holding my mother, and a flying motorcycle. But after the rat and my encounter with Wraithmort, I also remember the terrible screaming he made as his body was destroyed." Harry quietly spoke. "But I always knew my mother loved me and I kept that in my heart. I left the past behind by forgiving my Aunt and that love and forgiveness has opened many doors of opportunities!"
Hermione hugged him tight, while Luna noticed that Susan was very quiet and she saw the tears in her eyes. She looked at Hermione and both of them moved to hug and snuggled Susan with Hannah. While Draco was thinking of the door of opportunity that Harry's love and forgiveness had opened for his mother and him to come back to the Black Family.
G T dug her elbow into Draco.
Draco took the hint and summoned his courage. "I am terribly sorry for your loss Susan. My Pater Malus was there and mur…"
Draco couldn't say the words but Susan felt his shame and sorrow and remorseful love, and she moved to hug him.
"You're not your Pater Malus, Draco." Susan said quietly. "I hope we can be friends?"
"I would love that." Draco said as he held his palm out. "Lumos!"
He smiled as a small ball of light appeared over his palm and floated up to join the others.
While everyone pounce and loved bombed the poor boy.
After the moment Draco smiled. "Thank you, everyone." Then he smirked. "But it is Susan's turn now!"
And everyone pounce and loved bombed the poor giggling girl. Fortunately they were on a very thick pile of pillows.
Then it was Hannah's turn, just for fun.
They were totally exhausted when the time came to go home and the parents found them snuggled up and asleep. They looked so cute under the Love Lights that Gran suggested to let them be and explained that they planned to visit Godric's Hollow tomorrow. Madam Bones was happy to agree for Susan and Hannah to stay as she was so busy, and asked Princess to pop Susan and Hannah home tomorrow.
While Narcissa thought it would be a good opportunity for Draco. She was so proud of her son to find acceptance and friendship after what had happened, and the new level of relationship with his Godfather. She always feared that his Pater Malus would make him a mini copy of his evil self. Narcissa and Sev smiled at the end of a very good day as they went through the floo to Grimmauld Place.
While Dan and Emma felt the love from the Love Lights and knew Hermione was loved. Then they realised that they had had an exceptionally good day, and had made many good lasting friendships with the witches and wizards.
All because an emerald green eye wizard had chose to Love and Forgive.
- Harry Potter and the Unwanted Ticket. -
Thank you for reading.
- Harry Potter and the Unwanted Ticket. -
Hatred destroys everything it touches!
Love and forgiveness opens doors of opportunities!
Choose to Love!
Happy New Year!