Disclaimer: I only own the plot , if any text from original source is used then they would belong to one and only J.K. Rowling. Hope You Like it.
"What does Muggle mean?" Harry asked, but then put his hand on his mouth. He was afraid of what the Dursleys would say, but seeing Hagrid's terrified look he realized that it was now his turn to be afraid. "Non magic folks!" Hagrid replied. "Oh I forgot..." and then Hagrid took out a slightly squashed box from the inside pockets of his black overcoat. "Got somewhat for you here, I might have sat on it at some point, but It will taste all right, A very Happy Birthday to You, Harry." Hagrid beamed. Harry opened the box with trembling fingers. Inside was a large, sticky chocolate cake with Happy Birthday Harry written on it with green icing. Seeing the cake tears came to Harry's eyes, what was impossible for Harry for years became possible today, 'My very own cake!!' Harry thought happily. "Thank you so much Hagrid." Harry said with all his emotions that came out on seeing the cake. Hagrid noticed that it was a bit too emotional reaction but Albus warned him. Then he saw that Harry was shivering, so he took out his umbrella and said something towards the fireplace, and the fireplace started burning, warmth spreading in the room. Harry smiled encouragingly. Harry ate the cake, and offered it to Hagrid as well, and didn't know why but he offered it to the Dursleys as well but they all rudely declined.
"So Harry now for real, didn't you get the letter?" Hagrid asked. Then Harry shifted nervously, Hagrid looked at him and got worried, "I hope you know you're a wizard." And Harry sheepishly nodded surprising the Dursleys. Then Harry added, "Well I had an idea that I was different but things from the last few days have convinced me that I am a wizard." But then Harry, the question which he had been wanting to ask for so long, the anger which was filling his heart, Harry looked pointedly at Petunia, "You knew?? You knew I was a wizard, right!!' The bottled anger inside Harry awoke.
"Knew!" shrieked Aunt Petunia suddenly. "Knew! Of course we knew! How could you not be, my dratted sister being what she was? Oh, she got a
letter just like that and disappeared off to that — that school — and came home every vacation with her pockets full of frog spawn, turning teacups into rats. I was the only one who saw her for what she was — a freak! But for my mother and father, oh no, it was Lily this and Lily that, they were proud of having a witch in the family!"
She stopped to draw a deep breath and then went ranting on. It seemed she had been wanting to say all this for years.
"Then she met that Potter at school and they left and got married and had you, and of course I knew you'd be just the same, just as strange, just as — as — abnormal — and then, if you please, she went and got herself blown up and we got landed with you!"
Harry had gone very white. As soon as he found his voice he said, "Blown up? You told me they died in a car crash!" Although Harry suspected it , that was still a surprise.
"CAR CRASH!" roared Hagrid, jumping up so angrily that the Dursleys scuttled back to their corner. "How could a car crash kill Lily an' James
Potter? It's an outrage! A scandal! Harry Potter not knowin' his own story when every kid in our world knows his name!"
"But why? What happened?" Harry asked urgently. He knew that he was wizard and something malicious happened to his family, but why were stories over there ?
The anger faded from Hagrid's face. He looked suddenly anxious.
"I never expected this," he said, in a low, worried voice. "I had no idea, when Dumbledore told me there might be trouble gettin' hold of yeh, how
much yeh didn't know. Ah, Harry, I don' know if I'm the right person ter tell yeh — but someone's gotta — yeh can't go off ter Hogwarts not knowin'."
He threw a dirty look at the Dursleys.
"Well, it's best yeh know as much as I can tell yeh — mind, I can't tell yeh everythin', it's a great myst'ry, parts of it. . . ."
He sat down, stared into the fire for a few seconds, and then said, "It begins, I suppose, with — with a person called — but it's incredible yeh don't know his name, everyone in our world knows —"
"Who?"
"Well — I don' like sayin' the name if I can help it. No one does."
"Why not?"
"Gulpin' gargoyles, Harry, people are still scared. Blimey, this is difficult.
"See, there was this wizard who went . . . bad. As bad as you could go. Worse.
Worse than worse. His name was . . ."
Hagrid gulped, but no words came out.
"Could you write it down?" Harry suggested.
But with every word of Hagrid's, a scene formed in Harry's mind. It was the same sun which he had seen last night, before the green light, this time focusing on the shadow figure and seeing his face clearly. His face was a twisted and sinister sight. His skin was deathly pale, pulled taut over his skull, and seemed almost translucent in the light. His eyes were a piercing, snake-like yellow, with vertical pupils that seemed to gleam with malevolence. His nose was flat and serpentine, and his lips were thin and cruel, curled into a perpetual sneer. Two jagged, lightning-shaped scars above his left eyebrow seemed to pulse with a dark energy, as if they were a manifestation of his own evil power. The overall effect was one of chilling, reptilian menace, as if he were a creature more snake than human.
" Nah , Can't spell it either , Ok I will only say it one time - " but then both Hagrid and Harry said together, " Voldemort. " Hagrid was astonished. "Harry, how do you know?" Harry shrugged and said, "I just now saw his ghostly face." Harry spoke in a very calm and mature voice, which further intrigued Hagrid. Then Harry motioned hum to continue.
Hagrid shuddered. "Don' make me say it again. Anyway, this — this wizard, about twenty years ago now, started lookin' fer followers. Got 'em, too — some were afraid, some just wanted a bit o' his power, 'cause he was gettin' himself power, all right. Dark days, Harry. Didn't know who ter trust, didn't dare get friendly with strange wizards or witches . . . terrible things happened. He was takin' over. 'Course, some stood up to him — an' he killed 'em. Horribly. One o' the only safe places left was Hogwarts. Reckon Dumbledore's the only one You-Know-Who was afraid of. Didn't dare try takin' the school, not jus' then, anyway.
"Now, yer mum an' dad were as good a witch an' wizard as I ever knew. Head boy an' girl at Hogwarts in their day! Suppose the myst'ry is why You-Know-Who never tried to get 'em on his side before . . . probably knew they were too close ter Dumbledore ter want anythin' ter do with the Dark Side.
"Maybe he thought he could persuade 'em . . . maybe he just wanted 'em outta the way. All anyone knows is, he turned up in the village where you was all living, on Halloween ten years ago. You was just a year old. He came ter
yer house an'— an'— "
Hagrid suddenly pulled out a very dirty, spotted handkerchief and blew his nose with a sound like a foghorn.
"Sorry," he said. "But it's that sad — knew yer mum an' dad, an' nicer people yeh couldn't find — anyway . . . "You-Know-Who killed 'em. An' then — an' this is the real myst'ry of the thing — he tried to kill you, too. Wanted ter make a clean job of it, I suppose, or maybe he just liked killin' by then. But he couldn't do it. Never wondered
how you got that mark on yer forehead? That was no ordinary cut. That's what yeh get when a powerful, evil curse touches yeh — took care of yer mum an' dad an' yer house, even — but it didn't work on you, an' that's why yer famous, Harry. No one ever lived after he decided ter kill 'em, no one except you, an' he'd killed some o' the best witches an' wizards of the age — the McKinnons, the Bones, the Prewetts — an' you was only a baby, an' you lived."
Something very painful was going on in Harry's mind. As Hagrid's story came to a close, he saw again the blinding flash of green light, more clearly than he had ever remembered it before — and he remembered something else, for the first time in his life: a high, cold, cruel laugh.
"Took yeh from the ruined house myself, on Dumbledore's orders. Brought yeh ter this lot . . ."
"Load of old tosh," said Uncle Vernon. Harry jumped; he had almost forgotten that the Dursleys were there. Uncle Vernon certainly seemed to have got back his courage. He was glaring at Hagrid and his fists were clenched.
"Now, you listen here, boy," he snarled, "I accept there's something strange about you, probably nothing a good beating wouldn't have cured — and as for all this about your parents, well, they were weirdos, no denying it, and the world's better off without them in my opinion — asked for all they got, getting mixed up with these wizarding types — just what I expected, always
knew they'd come to a sticky end —" But at that moment, Hagrid leapt from the sofa and drew a battered pink umbrella from inside his coat. Pointing this at Uncle Vernon like a sword, he
said, "I'm warning you, Dursley — I'm warning you — one more word . . ."
But then, Harry's calm voice changed to an angry voice; Harry had never spoken to anyone in such a voice before. "You - Better - Not insult - My Parents!!" And the whole hut began to shake as if an earthquake had occurred, the winds started to blow more and it became quieter and quieter... Hagrid realised he had to calm Harry down and he placed his hand on Harry's shoulder comfortingly. Harry flinched reflexively but then relaxed it was just Hagrid. Well how was his feelings towards him? Hagrid seemed to be more than a guide, may be a fun Uncle to have around or perhaps a friend; no he was more sort of a big brother or figure for him.
In danger of being speared on the end of an umbrella by a bearded giant, Uncle Vernon's courage failed again; he flattened himself against the wall and fell silent.
"That's better," said Hagrid, breathing heavily and sitting back down on the sofa, which this time sagged right down to the floor.
Harry, meanwhile, still had questions to ask, hundreds of them.
"But what happened to Vol-, sorry — I mean, You-Know-Who?"
"Good question, Harry. Disappeared. Vanished. Same night he tried ter kill you. Makes yeh even more famous. That's the biggest myst'ry, see . . . he was gettin' more an' more powerful — why'd he go? "Some say he died. Codswallop, in my opinion. Dunno if he had enough human left in him to die. Some say he's still out there, bidin' his time, like, but I don' believe it. People who was on his side came back ter ours. Some of 'em came outta kinda trances. Don' reckon they could've done if he was comin' back.
"Most of us reckon he's still out there somewhere but lost his powers. Too weak to carry on. 'Cause somethin' about you finished him, Harry. There was somethin' goin' on that night he hadn't counted on — I dunno what it was, no one does — but somethin' about you stumped him, all right."
Now while Harry settled with the memories of his parents deaths, Vernon found opportunity again.
"Haven't I told you he's not going?" he hissed. "He's going to Stonewall High and he'll be grateful for it. I've read those letters and he needs all sorts of rubbish — spell books and wands and —"
"If he wants ter go, a great Muggle like you won't stop him," growled Hagrid. "Stop Lily an' James Potter's son goin' ter Hogwarts! Yer mad. His
name's been down ever since he was born. He's off ter the finest school of witchcraft and wizardry in the world. Seven years there and he won't know himself. He'll be with youngsters of his own sort, fer a change, an' he'll be under the greatest headmaster Hogwarts ever had, Albus Dumbled —"
"I AM NOT PAYING FOR SOME CRACKPOT OLD FOOL TO TEACH HIM MAGIC TRICKS!" yelled Uncle Vernon. But he had finally gone too far. Hagrid seized his umbrella and whirled it over his head, "NEVER —" he thundered, "— INSULT — ALBUS — DUMBLEDORE — IN — FRONT — OF — ME!"
He brought the umbrella swishing down through the air to point at Dudley — there was a flash of violet light, a sound like a firecracker, a sharp squeal, and the next second, Dudley was dancing on the spot with his hands clasped over his fat bottom, howling in pain. When he turned his back on them, Harry saw a curly pig's tail poking through a hole in his trousers. Uncle Vernon roared. Pulling Aunt Petunia and Dudley into the other room, he cast one last terrified look at Hagrid and slammed the door behind them.
Hagrid looked down at his umbrella and stroked his beard.
"Shouldn'ta lost me temper," he said ruefully, "but it didn't work anyway. Meant ter turn him into a pig, but I suppose he was so much like a pig anyway there wasn't much left ter do."
He cast a sideways look at Harry under his bushy eyebrows.
"Be grateful if yeh didn't mention that ter anyone at Hogwarts," he said.
"I'm — er — not supposed ter do magic, strictly speakin'. I was allowed ter do a bit ter follow yeh an' get yer letters to yeh an' stuff — one o' the reasons I was so keen ter take on the job —"
"Why aren't you supposed to do magic?" asked Harry.
"Oh, well — I was at Hogwarts meself but I — er — got expelled, ter tell yeh the truth. In me third year. They snapped me wand in half an' everything. But Dumbledore let me stay on as gamekeeper. Great man, Dumbledore."
"Why were you expelled?"
"It's gettin' late and we've got lots ter do tomorrow," said Hagrid loudly. "Gotta get up ter town, get all yer books an' that."
Harry noticed the way the topic was changed, he thought he would tell Hagrid when he was ready. But there were more questions, then Hagrid said, "In all this, your letter was left behind." He took out the letter and said towards Harry. Harry shook his head, "I had already received the letter, which I read secretly, away from all these people, but it seems that you did not get my letter." Hagrid was stunned for a moment, but then smiled, "Obviously," then Hagrid took out a parchment from his pocket and started writing,
DEAR PROFESSOR DUMBLEDORE,
I HOPE YOU ARE WELL. HARRY ALREADY HAD LETTER BUT STILL THERE WERE SOME DIFFICULTIES BUT ALL SORTED. WILL TAKE HARRY TO SHOPPING TOMORROW.
HAGRID
Then Hagrid took out a live owl from the qlockets, which looked quite annoyed, as something was stuck in its claws, which Harry noticed immediately, and freed the owl. The owl gave Harry a grateful look and nipped it with affection. Harry petted her, although Hagrid was perplexed by the encounter. He let it go and sent the owl in the storm to disappear. Then Hagrid read Harry's mind and said, "I know you want to ask a lot of things, but for now I will only say this much that you need sleep right now, tomorrow is going to be a busy day." and he gave Harry his coat, to which Harry was grateful, and just hoping that this was not all a dream, Harry drifted off to some sleep.
There was a lot of excitement in the Weasley family home on the morning of July 31st. They all had to go to Diagon Alley today, Ginny especially seemed the most excited. Molly couldn't understand the reason for this though, why was Ginny excited instead of being upset when Ron would also leave now? Ron was ready to air Ginny but then there was a loud bang. "FRED AND GEORGE WEASLEY!!!" Because of today's bang, Fred and George were sent for degnoming and then Percy Weasley came whose hair had now turned turquoise. And then Fred and George got more scolded. But now Percy refused to go and Fred and George were again punished, but Percy still wanted to go. "Then we will go tomorrow," Molly said. "Noo!!" Ginny and Ron complained. And after a lot of debate it was decided that they would go to Diagon Alley today and tomorrow too, and on the same days Ginny and Ron would come.
Ginny felt as if she must go to Diagon Alley today. This was the reason why she accompanied Ron to go there today and in the end her mother had to accept defeat. Ginny has always been quite independent, earlier she used to do lady-like things for her mother's happiness and she was also interested in living Quidditch, for which she used to practice flying at night or early in the morning when everyone was sleeping. Being the only girl, she always got the treatment of the baby of the family and living with 6 brothers was also not easy. Ginny never had any friends, except Luna Lovegood who lived nearby. Luna was a good friend but after her mother passed away last year she became very distant from her. Basically Ginny was different even in such a big family, not alone but different. All she needed was a friend, a real friend.
Mrs. Weasley was the mother of seven children, and loved each of her children equally. Bill was now in Egypt, working as a curse-breaker for Gringotts. It was very difficult for Molly to be away from her child, but it was necessary for Bill and Molly understood that Bill was grown up now, but it was impossible for Molly not to worry about him, especially since Bill was far away.
And Molly was even more worried about Charlie as he went to Dragon Reserve, Romania, and it was difficult for Molly to stay away from her children. Then there was Percy, who was perfect in his work but Molly sometimes worried that he was too perfect and might get away from the family. But Percy had no tension about the future, Molly could already see him at the table of a Ministry Official.
The twins always worried Molly and Molly knew that their future was not in any desk job, but the path was difficult. Molly knew that if she opposed them then they would try more and succeed, and if they stopped opposing then their dreams might not come true.
Then there was Ron, there was one special thing about each of Molly's children and the special thing about Ron was his loyalty and ability. But there was one big problem, Ron always underestimated himself, for which Molly would have to do something, but it was important for Ron to recognize his own abilities.
And Ginny, she was only daughter, so she was pampered too. Being an only girl, Molly wanted to fulfill all her dreams, but Ginny's personality was different. Ginny was not like the others and was not interested in lady like activities. She was quite independent and ate very little. Ginny did not know her, but Molly had always seen her while flying, and Molly knew that Ginny's happiness lay in her.
But there was also a strange thing about Ginny, her attachment with Harry Potter. She did not want to know the Harry Potter stories like the others, but about Harry. She was always worried about his family and did not even celebrate Halloween. Her brothers would have thought it to be a crush and would have ignored it but Molly knew that Ginny's feelings were not just a crush. There was genuine care and concern. Ginny was also more mature than her age, which is why Molly was very worried, so when today she insisted like children, Molly immediately agreed to go to Diagon Alley. "Come on, Ron, Ginny, take some flour powder in your hand and speak carefully." And all three left for the Leaky Cauldron.
Just not be a dream. Please not a dream , Harry thought as he opened his eyes because the rays of the sun were lightly hinting to Harry's face that it was time to get up. And Harry felt a surge of light and as he stood up, Hagrid's coat fell off his head. Harry saw that Hagrid was still sleeping; today Harry woke up quite late because usually he gets up with the sun rising so that he can do his morning exercise and meditation etc.
Harry had been doing morning exercise for a long time, ever since Harry read about physiology that is, since the age of 8. Initially Harry would only go for running, the length of which he increased as he went. Harry would often get up between 5 to 5:30 and then run around a mile and gradually increased the distance. It was then that Harry would do some stretching, yoga and meditation. And after taking a bath at around 7 o'clock and cleaning the house, he would prepare breakfast, which was usually ready by 8 o'clock, because Uncle Vernon used to leave for office at 9 o'clock. Due to three years of continuous exercise and meditation, Harry's physical health had become quite good. Although Harry had got the punishment for it a few days ago. And after this there was always time left to study with Harry.
Tap Tap Tap. Harry heard the sound and saw a barn owl on the nest, Harry let it in and pet it affectionately. The owl gave it a newspaper and Harry understood that it needed some kind of payment. When Hagrid asked, he gave it 5 nuts and little bronze coins. Harry also gave it water to drink and bid it farewell by caressing it for the last time, Hagrid watched this incident with surprise. Hagrid thought that Harry had some connection with owls.
Harry came to Hagrid, Hagrid made some tea and also gave Harry some sausages for breakfast. It was now light and the weather had become very calm and pleasant after last night's storm. "Harry, it's time to leave now. We have to buy a lot of things. We will answer any questions on the way." Hagrid said. Harry nodded. Harry wrote on a letter that Harry would go straight home by tonight and they both left on the boat.
A/n: I hope You like it. Please ignore grammatical and spelling errors. Thanks for reading. § Hinny Forever § Please Review!!!