Title: The Truth about Magic and Muggles (03)
Author name: FabianaM aka SuperWitch
Author email: superwitch@brturbo.com
Category: Action/Adventure
Sub Category: Romance
Keywords: Birth Parchment Magical Essence Harry Potter Hermione Granger Legilimency
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: SS/PS, CoS, PoA, GoF, FB, QTTA, OoTP
Summary: Have you ever wondered why magical babies are born from Muggle families? Join Harry Potter in his sixth year at Hogwarts and face with him mysterious deaths, the consequences of the Prophecy and maybe... love?!
In this chapter: Harry's birthday, the prophecy is finally revealed and someone gets an unexpected Howler...
DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Author notes: Well, first let me thank my two amazing beta readers Lissie89 and GemmaH121 for their impeccable work. I'd also like to thank everybody who reviewed Chapter 02. It meant a lot to me, really.
Okay, so I'd better stop talking. This chapter is rather long. I hope you enjoy it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 03 - Truth be told
Hearing Kreacher's voice calling him 'Master' made all muscles in Harry's body start trembling. Barely able to stand on his legs (that were shaking with the ground) and trying his to best to pull himself together, Harry started to gasp, as if the spell he had just performed had absorbed all the oxygen in the room.
Fearing to lose control and perform uncontrolled magic, Harry was ready to follow the Blacks' tradition and rip Kreacher's head off to hang it on the hall when he saw the small contour of Hermione leaned on the door behind the elf, looking at him with scared eyes.
Trying to calm down, Harry made his way to Kreacher trying to fix his eyes somewhere between the worn parquet and Hermione's shoes.
"Listen, as your master from now on, I command you the following: you're obliged to respect any and every person that may dwell in this house. You are forbidden to eavesdrop in any conversation that does not concern you. And you are not authorized, under any circumstance, to leave this house or talk to anyone who is not allowed here. Most importantly, I don't want to see you anywhere near me while I stay in this house."
"Ye-yes Master," and taking another bow, he left the room, dodging Hermione, who was at the door.
Feeling Lupin's hand on his shoulder, Harry opened his eyes to see Hermione still leaning on the door with a blank expression.
"I'm sorry Hermione, I take it you expected me to redeem him, forgive him or anything of the sort, but you can't imagine how hard it was for me to actually say those words."
Hermione looked at him curiously.
"No, Harry, I am so proud of you! I was told how things happened that day and…" She looked at the ground, "It's really hard for me to say it, but... I kind of realized that the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare did have some crucial flaws in its conception. I was acting with the best of intentions, but it turned out that it was really naïve of me to believe that the problem was just with the elves. Kreacher is definitely mean - but it's not his fault. I believe that he only became such a cruel and manipulative creature because of the atmosphere he always lived in."
And looking at his eyes, she continued, "I won't give up fighting for this cause, but I guess I need to reevaluate my opinions and positions about this... It will be useless to try changing the elves mentality if the wizarding community goes on having such an antiquate perception."
Harry just beamed at her. It is really rare to see Hermione admitting a mistake (mostly because she rarely is wrong).
But Lupin interrupted his digressions, "Hermione, how is the project going?"
"Oh, I was supposed to meet Tonks in the dining room right after I had unpacked my stuff. Oh, Merlin!" Hermione cried, taking her hands to her face and leaving the room hurriedly.
Lupin, looking at her amusedly, "Harry, there is someone in this house who would be delighted to see you..."
"I hope this isn't another unpleasant surprise."
"Oh, no. I think you'll like seeing him. He's definitely been in need of some company lately," Lupin said, pushing Harry towards the door.
"Lupin?" Harry called when they reached the staircase.
"Yes, Harry?"
"What is this project Hermione doing about?"
"Oh, it's an extra-credit research project Tonks and I assigned in the beginning of the summer. Hermione was feeling a bit uneasy after the classes ended. Her O.W.L.s' preparation was quite intense, and she felt a bit idle after school was over."
Harry looked at him disbelievingly.
"I can't believe she actually asked for it! I mean, she almost drove herself, Ron and me crazy last school year because of those examinations."
"You know her. But it's a great project, Harry. While she is working on it, she's also practicing a lot of things she's learned at Hogwarts. And you have no idea how useful it will be for us if it works."
With a smile, Lupin added, "Well, with her in charge, I'm sure it will work."
"But what is this project about specifically?"
"Oh, let's say it is a kind of surprise... Don't worry, you'll know everything about it in the fullness of time," and stopping in front of Mrs. Black's old room, he said, "Come on."
As he entered the room, he saw Buckbeak sitting on his paws, playing with a very dingy brown teddy-bear that was currently being mopped down on the floor by his mouth. Right after he saw Harry, the hypogriff cheerily stood up and started to spread his wings, leaving the ground, making a somehow familiar noise.
"Hey, Beaky!" Harry said, bowing like Hagrid taught him in his third year.
"He's been a bit depressed ever since he noticed that Sirius is no longer around." Lupin said, checking Buckbeak dead rats plate, "Tonks brought this old teddy-bear to see if it would distract him a bit."
"Err, has Tonks been sleeping here ever since that day in the Ministry of Magic?" Harry asked curiously.
"No, I've been on my own here. But she came in all days. In the beginning, we even believed that she might have inherited all this. You know, she was Sirius' cousin..."
Hearing the entrance door being opened, it didn't take long for Harry to hear hurried steps in his direction. Coming from the door, he saw a very tall, red-haired, freckled boy, who said, "Hey! So, you're already here, mate?"
Much taller than the last time Harry saw him at King's Cross, Ron Weasley stopped to give his friend a big bear hug.
"So, how has it been? We were quite worried about how your summer would be."
"I'm okay. I'm glad I'm not in Surrey anymore. Not that this place actually inspire good things in me, but this is definitely better than being with the Dursleys."
Ron started laughing.
"What?"
"At least, this time you're not shouting at me like last summer..."
Harry grinned. "If I were you, I wouldn't be so sure. I already yelled at Hermione before getting here."
Trying to sound casual, Ron asked, "Oh, so you two have met before you arrived here?"
"Yes, she came to pick me up in Surrey at my relatives' house. Lupin and Tonks were there too."
"Ahn," said the red-haired, gazing at the ground.
Ginny appeared and broke the ice, "See, Ron? We already know how to act next summer... We just have to arrive AFTER he gets here."
No matter that just three weeks had passed since he last saw her, it seemed that puberty had finally hit Ginny Weasley. She was looking really different from what Harry remembered.
Just like her youngest brother, Ginny grew several inches and became probably one of the tallest girls to be attending Hogwarts this term. Besides that, her body had some very feminine features, which combined with her red hair, made Harry feel really confused. Whatever happened to that little girl?
"Hi, Harry. Are you okay?"
"Hey, Ginny. Yeah, I'm fine..."
A sharp yell interrupted their conversation.
"HARRY! Come here, please!" Unbelievingly, Harry heard Hermione's voice shouting from the hall.
"For Merlin's beard, what's the problem with her lately? Doesn't she know that she'll wake up all the portraits in here?" Ron asked.
"Don't know," Ginny answered. "But I have a hunch. I found her at the dining room some minutes ago with Tonks. They were doing something strange - don't ask me what - with a stone and some books. Maybe she's spending too much time with her. Hermione has always been so discreet." but the red- haired asked suddenly, "Where are you going, Harry?!"
Already out of the room, Harry answered, "See what the problem with her is. Hermione wouldn't shout from the hall for nothing. I just hope they haven't freed any pureblood freak spirit from the Blacks."
Going down the stairs, Harry found Hermione with a book on one hand, her wand in another and a very pleased expression on her face. Tonks was at her side, transfigured in an old woman with a black cap. Drooling and rolling her eyes, she started saying, looking at Harry:
"This is so formidable that I had to dress up to the nines, ickle Harriekins... Don't I remind you of someone?" Tonks asked with a wicked smile.
Surprised (and a bit scared), Harry was trying to figure out what was happening, when Hermione's voice interrupted him.
"Oh, don't worry about her, Harry," she said a bit impatiently. "Now that you own this house, I think I have discovered a way to revert the Permanent Sticking Charm in Mrs. Black's portrait ."
"You own this house?!" Ron and Ginny asked in unison.
"Yes, I do, but I'll explain it later" Harry answered fast. "And how is that, Hermione?"
"Oh, just point your wand to the canvas and say 'Desgruda'."
Noticing that Harry's face was turning into that so familiar 'I don't get it' expression - which by the way, was very, very common in Potions classes - Hermione started to explain it, "Like this: 'Thes-go-roo-dah'."
Harry repeated several times, somehow bewildered, "Thes-go-roo-dah"
"Okay, that should do it. Now, try it with your wand pointed to the portrait."
"Desgruda." And with a brief silver light coming out of his wand, Mrs. Black old portrait fell on the ground. The thud was soon followed by heavy and short steps.
"Ay, Merlin! How did you manage that?" Mrs. Weasley asked entering the room.
Retrieving from her purse several magically shrunken trunks and putting them on the ground, she stopped at Harry's side, "Hello, Harry dear. How are you doing?" and studying him thoroughly, said with a satisfied look on her face, "It looks like you have finally been treated well at your relatives' house. You haven't lost weight like in the previous summers."
Indeed, despite their eternal reluctance in sharing the best meals with him, this summer Aunt Petunia served him reasonable amounts of food for a growing boy. Obviously, this only happened because the Dursleys were threatened by the Order and because Dudley was free to eat whatever he felt like due to his boxing training.
"And you, Hermione, had grown so much! Did you have a good time this summer? How are your parents?"
"They're fine, Mrs. Weasley, thank you. My mum just sent me a message from Portugal."
"Oh, so you bought them an owl?" Ron asked interested.
"Oh, no, Ron! How would they carry it on a holiday trip? Inside their bags?!" Hermione answered beaming. Looking at Ron's confused expression, she took a deep breath and tried to explain it, "No, she sent a message to my mobile," taking from her pocket a small silver cellular phone.
"Mobile?!" Ron asked confused. "Like those things you hang from the ceiling? You Muggles! Always inventing these crazy things! That surely looked like a small fellytone to me!"
Hermione couldn't help grinning. "Yes, this is indeed a small TELEPHONE, not fellytone. But you can take this telephone wherever you want. I mean, not all the places, I'm sure that with all the magical wards in there, this won't work at Hogwarts."
Ron looked suspiciously at the small silver device on Hermione's hands.
She continued, "You can make and receive calls from people and send or receive messages as well. See?"
Harry was observing Ron taking Hermione's cell phone in his hands when Lupin - who showed up right after Molly - took him to a corner of the room and asked him in a low voice, "Harry, have you considered when you are going to tell them about the prophecy?"
If there was a subject that Harry has avoided completely ever since he left Hogwarts, it was the truth about the prophecy. He almost told Hermione in the morning when they were at his aunt's house, but he didn't have the nerve at that time.
"I know it must be hard for you, Harry. But they need to know. From this day on, all the Order members will be attending this house and now that you know the truth, this won't be a forbidden subject in this house anymore."
"I don't think they're ready. I mean, I don't want to see them sad, or pitying me..."
"Harry, they should be able to interpret it on their own. Think about what you're doing. It's the same behavior that you disapproved in us last year. Ron and Hermione aren't kids anymore... You can't take them for granted like that..."
"I know," he said pausing. "Okay," Harry said, shrugging his shoulders, "I just need some time. Some time for me to plan what to say and how to say it. Can you do it for me? I mean, try to avoid this subject for a while, until I get to tell them?"
"Yes," Lupin answered with a blank expression. "But try to do it before your return to Hogwarts. I want you to be around adults when this subject comes out. We can help with clearing things up or try to cool things off." And he continued, seriously, "You know how things can go crazy when you're at Hogwarts. You may act impulsively or assume the wrong information."
"All right. I'll do it. Just give me some time."
Lupin left Harry to help Molly and Tonks carry the Weasleys' trunks to their respective rooms. After spending some minutes thinking about it, Harry decided to follow Ron.
***
As Harry was felling uncomfortable standing there while Ron unpacked, he decided to put Pig's cage on the wardrobe. As usual, the tiny owl was jumping frenetically inside it, to the horror of the ever so elegant Hedwig, who was staring at the younger owl with disdain.
Apparently anxious to talk about this particular subject, Ron said in a casual tone, "So, Harry, you're the owner of all this?! That's great. I'd love to be able to perform magic outside Hogwarts."
"Yeah, I guess so," Harry answered. "Sirius was the last of the Blacks and I think that I became his heir because I was his godson," Harry answered sheepishly.
Ron started beaming, "Your vault at Gringotts must be overflowing now. You weren't exactly poor with your folks' inheritance, imagine now with the Blacks' fortune."
"Blacks' fortune? What do you mean?" Harry asked confused. "I can understand that this house might have some kind of magical conscience and can recognize its owner. But how can Gringotts know that Sirius is dead? As far as I know, his body disappeared in the Department of Mysteries."
"Have you never heard of the birth and death parchments?"
"No," Harry answered, feeling slightly stupid.
"Okay, let me tell you." Ron started, "When a magical human being is born or is deceased his name is automatically recorded in a magical list known as the birth or death parchment. So, when a magical baby is born, for example, this list registers some days before when and where the baby should probably be delivered and who his parents are. The same happens when someone dies, some minutes after the person passes away the death parchment registers the exact time, place and how this person died, including potential heirs as well."
"So the Ministry knows that Sirius is dead?"
"Yes! What I don't understand is why they didn't announce it to the public. I even asked my father and I'm sure he was going to tell me, the problem was, my mum appeared in the kitchen and said that I shouldn't get involved with 'grown-up issues'."
"Well, although there is this death parchment thing, they have no way of proving that Sirius is really dead, there is no real evidence that he had even been in the Ministry of Magic that day." Harry tried to reason.
Enthusiastically, Ron interrupted him, "Maybe Fudge is ashamed to admit that Sirius died fighting against Voldemort when the whole Ministry was pretending that there was nothing going on."
Not really convinced, Harry gave up trying to understand the motivations of the Ministry. "I shouldn't worry about this, I have too much on my mind to deal with," he thought.
But he still had some doubts.
"But how would Gringotts know that Sirius is dead if these parchments are located at the Ministry of Magic?"
"The organizations that need this kind of information, like Gringotts and Hogwarts, for example, have some devices that are magically connected with the parchments and receive this type of data. Have you never heard of the Hogwarts Magical Quill? How do you think McGonagall knows which wizards in Great Britain are going to turn eleven every year so she can send the letter to them?"
Harry nodded, but he couldn't believe it. If accepting the house was complicated, knowing that the inheritance that his parents left for him would be jumbled with the money from such an evil and discriminating family made him sick.
If not even Sirius wanted the Black's patrimony, why should I, for Merlin's sake, accept it?!
Ron, noticing Harry's expression, said, "Harry, don't be like this. Think about the position you are in. It is really rare to find someone who has the power of choice that you have at such a young age. I would give anything to be in your shoes."
Harry just needed to look at Ron to show him what his opinion was.
Realizing his mistake, Ron tried to make things right immediately. "Sorry, I didn't mean for it to sound like that. Oh, Harry, but you are in such a luxurious position. You are the master of your destiny."
I doubt he would say that if he knew about the prophecy...
"... you don't need to worry about O.W.L.s, jobs or money. Do you know how many O.W.L.s I've got, Harry? SIX. None in Potions, History of Magic or Transfiguration. I won't be able to be an Auror anymore. Only Fred and George were worse than me in the family."
"But Fred and George turned out to be really successful, didn't they? See? This just confirms that these exams don't mean a thing, Ron."
"But they are talented. Ever since they were young they were always dismantling stuff from Zonko's and creating things to surprise us. Besides that, they were really lucky to have you as an investor. How easy is it for two sixteen-year-old wizards to get one thousand galleons to start a business nowadays?!"
Harry told him sincerely, "Ron, you know I'd be happy to share with your family the Black's fortune."
"No way, mate," Ron said determinedly. "I mean it, Harry, you've already helped us too much and I doubt anyone in my house would be glad to get rich without deserving it." And he added as an afterthought, "Besides that, the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes is going really well. Our household income has increased a lot with the twins' business. For example, all the school supplies Ginny and I are going to use this year are brand new, nothing second hand."
But instead of a proud expression, Harry noticed that Ron carried the same look in his eyes that he had when he saw Harry's name being retrieved from the Goblet of Fire in his fourth year. Worried, he asked, "What's the matter, Ron?"
"The matter is me. You should have seen my mother's face when she saw my O.W.L.s results. I never thought I would let her down like that. Obviously she tried to deny it, talking about 'difficult times', 'harder tests', 'experiences that mean more than exams', but we all know that this didn't matter at all, because you and Hermione went really well, despite everything. What surprises me is that even my mum found an excuse for my failure."
Harry wanted to interrupt that, but Ron didn't let him.
"I know that I'm not as smart as Bill, or as dedicated as that sycophant known as Percy. But I didn't know I was that bad. I've always dreamed of growing up and having a different life than I had when I was a child. Not that I'm complaining about my parents, but I wanted them to age with a better financial situation."
"Ron, don't think like that. Six O.W.L.'s aren't really that bad. We've still got two years at Hogwarts, it isn't over yet," Harry tried reasoning, to at least try to put his best-friend in a better mood.
"But I don't have any chance left of being an Auror, Harry. And I really wanted to work with that, I can't think of anything else I'd like to do." Raising his head so he could look at this best-friend, he continued, "But don't look at me like that, I'm thinking about following my father's career. I'll enroll in 'Muggle Studies' this year, I know that you and Hermione will help me with it if I need it."
***
The rest of the week passed really fast. Harry and Ron usually played Wizard Chess and Exploding Snap, and tested some items - the most inoffensive ones - from Fred and George's store. Hermione was usually with them or reading the new sixth year books that Molly bought for them in her last visit to Diagon Alley. Ginny was helping the twins in their store and only showed up in the house at dinner's time.
The Order's meetings were resumed the day after Harry returned to the house, bringing with it all the Order members. To Harry's surprise, Fred and George were accepted in the Order due to 'all the responsibility they've shown running their business', according to Mrs. Weasley.
But unlike Harry had imagined, the twins wouldn't tell him - or Ron and Hermione, for that matter - anything about what happened at the meetings, as their conversation in the day before has proved.
"We promised not to divulge anything that happens in the meetings, mate," Fred told Harry, "It's a part of the acceptance ritual..."
"But don't worry, you guys," George completed, "We won't leave you in the dark."
"Although we can't exactly tell you what's going on, we will provide a way for you to find out yourselves."
"And how is that?!" Hermione asked curiously.
"Err. Let's say we have performed a comprehensive update on our Extensible Ears." George said.
Fred continued, "Honestly, with them, I wouldn't really mind if I weren't accepted in the Order."
Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at the twins bewildered.
"We have worked to increase its reach and now it is resistant to some restrictive spells. It won't be hard for you to know what happens in the meetings."
"Just be careful so that my mother doesn't see them."
"But why are you doing this for us?" Harry asked.
George answered sheepishly, "We think that we kind of owe it to you guys. Growing up or being in the Order isn't as easy or exciting as we have imagined..."
Harry didn't understand what this had to do with the Extensible Ears. But he was extremely grateful, anyway.
However, as far as they have heard in that meeting, Voldemort or the free Death Eaters haven't made any appearance since the Department of Mysteries battle.
And although Harry wouldn't tell anyone, each time he heard that there weren't any visible signs of dark activity, an incredible sensation of relief invaded his senses.
***
Harry was dreaming of a big black dog and a stag running through the Forbidden Forest when he woke up with something heavy falling on his body.
"Happy Birthday!" said Ron and Hermione in unison, each shaking one side of his body for him to wake up.
"All right, I'll wake up," said Harry defeated. "But please let me have my glasses, I'm getting dizzy."
While Ron was retrieving his glasses from the nightstand, Hermione didn't even wait for Harry to sit to give him a hug.
"Ooh, it's the first time I see you on your birthday!" she said, squeezing him hard. And looking at his head, she said, "I think there's something wrong with you, Harry. Your hair is so trimmed today." and with this, she started to dishevel his locks savagely, messing it completely, and even pulling out some hair.
"Hermione, control yourself," Ron said irritated.
But he was only pretending because when she turned to face him, still with her hands on Harry's hair, Ron jumped on the bed and started tickling poor Harry, who couldn't get away with his two best-friends holding him.
"I'm not sure you're aware of this," Harry said trying hard not to explode with laughter, "...but I was once told that my uncontrolled magic is very dangerous..."
Slightly shaken, Ron and Hermione let him go immediately. Hermione stood up from bed, putting her hands in her pockets as if she was storing something in there. Ron left the room for an instant, coming back a few moments later with some parcels in his hands.
"These are just our presents and the ones that arrived by owl. You'll probably be getting some more" Ron said, throwing the parcels on Harry, who was finally able to sit on the bed.
"Do not open our presents first," Hermione commanded.
"Okay." Getting a parcel wrapped in brown paper, Harry recognized Hagrid's untidy scrawl. As he opened it, he found a hard and furry cloak with a note:
Harry,
This is a porcupine cloak. It repels attacks from Dark Beasts. When you're back at Hogwarts, let's test it in the Forbidden Forest!
Happy Birthday!
Hagrid.
"Wicked!" Ron said, "Charlie has one of those too! He said that it protected him once from a Pogrebin."
Harry felt the cloak in his hands. It was heavy and it looked like it was radiating some sort of invisible energy that made him shudder.
After examining Hagrid's present, Harry saw a very colorful package. Opening the note, Harry recognized Dobby's handwriting:
Dobby wishes Harry Potter a Happy 16 Birthday!
Dobby decided to enlarge Harry Potter socks this year because Harry Potter is no longer a tiny skinny boy.
Dobby hopes Harry likes it.
And with this, Harry saw two gigantic and colorful socks in his hand, that would probably cover his knees.
Ron smiled after seeing Dobby's present. "Now, open mine."
While Harry was opening the big red and yellow box that Ron placed on his lap, his red-haired friend started saying, "They're the Weasleys' Wildfire Whiz-bangs - Gryffindor Team Edition. Fred and George created it especially for you."
Under the name of the product, Harry could see written in italics, 'For our angel capitalist - and the best seeker Gryffindor has ever had'.
"Let's use them in our first game of the year!"
Excited, Harry and Ron spent some time making several plans on how to use the fireworks, aggravate the Slytherins and play Quidditch at the same time when Hermione interrupted them.
"Look, I'm sorry to interrupt such a glorious moment, but Harry, would you please open my present? I'll leave you alone after that and two can make all the plans you want."
"Oh Hermione, I'm sorry..." Harry said embarrassed. Then, he took the parcel, which could not look more like a book, from Hermione's hands. However, after he opened it, he was surprised to see a beige box with a huge picture of Victor Krum and Aiden Lynch looking at each other with menacingly eyes:
Legi-Quidditch World Cup Edition Featuring: Ireland x Bulgaria
Develop your Legilimency skills and try your Quidditch strategies at this thrilling game!
Opening the parcel, Harry saw a small glass cube, with various players' miniatures that moved every time Harry looked at them.
"It's sort of a Gameboy for wizards, Harry. But in order to control them, you have to use Legilimency. As a matter of fact, I was going to give you two presents, but the other isn't available yet. Well, at least, now you can expect what you're going to get from me on Christmas."
Ron interrupted her, "But what is a Gameboy, Hermione?"
"It's a sort of game that you play on a cube like this, Ron," Harry explained it roughly. "Wow, this is awesome, Hermione, but you know that I am terrible with Occlumency. I don't think I'll be able to even start a game in this."
"Don't worry, Harry, there are several difficulty levels. This game is recommended for kids in general, I'm sure you'll be able to play with it."
Looking at Harry's incredulous face, Hermione continued, "For your information, I caught the Snitch myself when I tested it in the store..."
"Really? With which team?" Ron asked.
"Err, with Bulgaria. As a matter of fact, Krum was the only player who obeyed my instructions in the game."
Ron snorted.
"At least give it a try, Harry."
"Okay." And with that, he started to look intensely at the toy and soon Harry could see a little Snitch forming the following words in the game screen:
Which team would you like to play?
Then, he saw the words 'Ireland' and 'Bulgaria' appearing in silver, with a Bludger circling the two words. Deciding he'd like to play with Ireland, the Bludger immediately hit the team word, and started the game.
"Hermione, thanks! This game is the greatest thing I've ever seen..."
"Don't mention it." And turning, "Well, I have some business to take care of," she said, with her hands on her pockets. "Let Ron play a little after you're done, Harry. I'm sure he wants to try the Wonski Feint."
However, Harry couldn't follow Hermione's instructions immediately. After some time and three goals, he was interrupted by Mrs. Weasley, Tonks and Lupin.
"Haha, I see you've liked the Legi-Quidditch, huh?" Tonks asked with a gentle voice and blue hair.
"Yes," Harry answered without taking his eyes off the toy.
"But I'm afraid you'll have to TURN IT OFF if you want to get presents from us!" she shouted in his ear.
Harry, startled, knocked down the toy on the bed.
"T-take it, Ron," he said in a small voice. "I'm sorry, Tonks."
"It's okay, birthday boy. Open my present first."
Harry unwrapped a little parcel and saw a heavy tiny yellow box, where it was written 'Weird Sisters' and Harry recognized the musicians who played in the Yule Ball.
"It's a Weird Sisters Record, Harry! I'm sure you'll love it," Tonks said enthusiastically.
Harry really appreciated the present, but he didn't have a clue how to listen to magical songs.
"Perhaps, it would be better if you showed him how to use it, Nymphadora," said Lupin, noticing Harry's bewildered expression.
"Oh, sure, ickle Harriekins! Come here!" she said with a motherly voice, but before Harry had moved, she directed her attention back to Lupin and shouted with an irritated and artificial manly voice, "And I forbid you AGAIN to call me by that hideous name."
Lupin, trying hard not to laugh, answered, "Okay, I'm sorry."
Tonks sat at Harry's side on the bed, "It's really easy. Tap your wand on the Record and say 'Sonorus'..."
Harry did exactly as she ordered.
"Then, you'll just have to raise your wand proportionally to the volume you'd like the sound to have. Like this," she said, starting to raise the tip of her wand until it was leveled with her eyes. When the song finally started to play, the sound was deafening, the windows were shaking and Mrs. Weasley was staring at Tonks with a really disapproving look.
"Okay, that's enough, Tonks," Mrs. Weasley said with a tired voice. "I'm sure Harry will be able to manipulate this record perfectly fine - and in a much more bearable tone for human beings, I must say."
Lupin, trying to break the ice, sat by Harry's other side. "This is my present, Harry," Lupin started, "I'm sure that it isn't as electric as Tonks', but it might help you with that toy over there," he said pointing to the Legi-Quidditch in Ron's hands.
Harry unwrapped the package to find a book called 'Knowing the depths of your mind'.
"We'll be working soon on what we've arranged. But before, try looking at this book, maybe it can help you understand some things."
"Sure, Remus. Thanks"
"Now it's my turn, Harry my dear," said Mrs. Weasley, showing him a Weasley jumper. "I'm sure you won't be surprised, but you'll definitely need this. Seeing how you've grown up in the last few months, those jumpers I previously sent you must be small now."
Mrs. Weasley was definitely right. Harry wasn't as tall as Ron, but his body has undoubtedly crossed the short-skinny-boy line. With larger shoulders and a lean body, if Harry were seen by centaurs this time, he wouldn't stand the least chance of being confused with a cub as he was in their last encounter.
"Well, it's time for you two to change because there is a special breakfast waiting for you," Mrs. Weasley said. And adding as an afterthought, "...and because we have an announcement to make."
***
Harry and Ron dropped the Legi-Quidditch on the bed and changed quickly, anxious to hear whatever announcement Mrs. Weasley and Remus would be making. When they got in the kitchen, they found Hermione already changed, buzzing with Tonks behind a book called "Useful Spells to Repel Dark Magic".
Ginny, Fred and George were also having breakfast and as soon as Harry entered the kitchen, the three siblings went in his direction, giving him a triple hug, "Happy Birthday, mate! Did you like our Gryffindor Edition Whiz- bangs?"
But before Harry could answer, Ginny started saying, "Oh, Harry, it's going to be so fun! Can't wait for our next game!" and hugged him without her brothers this time.
The breakfast was delicious. Mrs. Weasley not only knitted the Weasley Jumper, but also prepared a wonderful breakfast, different from all the breakfasts he'd ever had on his birthday's. Cakes, breads, sweets and pies were packing the table of the former Black Manor, making it hard for Harry to even try everything.
Bill joined them at the table a little later, undoubtedly late for work.
After being questioned on the reason why he lost track of time, Harry heard two muffled voices saying, "Err, let's say that his English classes with a certain French blond witch dragged on until late hours yesterday."
But the oldest Weasley son simply beamed at his younger brothers and said, "I had to work overtime yesterday, Mum, I'm sorry. But don't worry, I think I'll be able to have dinner here tonight."
Harry was currently laying his eyes on the last pumpkin pie slice resting on the tray when he saw Hermione unceremoniously taking it to her plate. Looking menacingly at her, she glared at him, then started dividing it in half, "Only because it's your birthday, you know. This pie has been here for ages and I'm sure you haven't even taken notice of it."
"Of course I did", Harry said beaming. "I just wanted to save the best for last. I know that if I've had it before I wouldn't want to have anything later."
"Whatever." Hermione dismissed, giving him his half.
"You can take mine if you want it, Harry," Ginny said pushing her plate in his direction, which carried an almost untouched slice of pie. "Oh, it's not that I don't like it, Hermione," the red-haired girl said, before her friend even asked, "I was a bit of a glutton and took a bigger slice than I could take..."
But before Harry could make up his mind about accepting Ginny's offer, Mrs. Weasley rose at her seat and started saying. "So, Remus and I have a small announcement to make for you kids," she said looking at Ron, Harry and Hermione.
Looking at Ginny, who was staring at her with questioning eyes, Mrs. Weasley said, "Oh, Gin, you're dismissed from this summer duty, dear. You can still help Fred and George at the shop."
And returning to look at the red, black and brown heads at the table, she started saying, "Remus and I have been analyzing this house and its wards for the last few days, haven't we, Remus?"
"Yes, Molly. Since Hermione was able to discover the spell to revert the Permanent Sticking Charm, we've been making a few tests."
Molly continued, "So, we've discovered that this house accepts remodeling and redecorating now that it has another family owning it."
George couldn't help saying, "Such a big family you have, don't you, Harry?"
"…But the thing is," Remus continued, "we know how this house feels unpleasant for most of us. However, we need this place. This is the best headquarters the Order could ever have... So, we have decided that the best birthday present we could give you, Harry, is to provide you a place to be, where you can feel well and safe. We believe that by remodeling and redecorating this house, we can take away some of the bad memories such a dark place like this inspire in us."
While Remus was talking, Ron asked the twins in a low voice, "So, you knew about this?"
"'Course we did," Fred answered. "But wait, you haven't heard the best of it yet."
"…And this is why we need your help. I mean, I'm sure all the members of the Order would love to help remodeling his house."
The twins snorted.
"...but everybody has been very busy lately performing their duties. Since you two have been really idle ever since you've arrived here, we would like to ask your help." And turning to face Hermione, "we know you have a lot on your mind right now, but we think you'd like to help us in this anyway. Molly and I will be coordinating this, but we're sure that if you're helping, we'll be able to finish this in just a couple of weeks."
Ron asked, "I know Harry owns this house and all and therefore is able to perform magic here, but, how can Hermione and I help?"
"Although Harry is allowed to perform magic inside this house, house- remodeling spells are really complex and need a certain magical experience and strength I'm not sure you three would have." Lupin stated.
Looking at their faces full of disbelief, Remus continued, "Or do you really think it is easy to be Dumbledore and change the whole Great Hall with just a flick of wand and some words?"
The three teenagers looked at him with blank expressions.
"Here, let me show you. I'm going to try to remove the previous paint this wall had with a scraping spell."
And pointing his wand to a wall in his right, he said, "Raspa".
Then, they could see a small area, that had the size of a window, being slowly scraped and producing a lot of ink dust at the same time. "You see? And I'll only be able to perform this spell again after this one finishes. I'm sure you'll be able to do this much faster."
Looking at Hermione's astonished face, Lupin said, "Okay, Hermione, maybe this is too harsh for you, so we'll only use your help to paint the walls. Is that better?"
Hermione couldn't answer.
***
Harry and Ron spent the last couple of weeks working like they never had in their lives. In the first week, the two boys scraped and sanded the walls, while Hermione swept and cleaned the mess they made. Remus and Molly were performing the magical part of the remodeling, removing the hideous Dark Magic pieces that 'decorated' the house and transfiguring the doors and windows to less somber objects. After they finished the painting in the second week, the house got several new pieces of furniture and a special note from Dumbledore, thanking mainly the teenagers for their help.
Although it has been extremely tiring, Harry couldn't deny that all the hard work made him forget the problems and memories that were haunting his mind. Come to think of it, the remodeling was very positive, because the new surroundings, clear and cheerful, didn't resemble the old Blacks' manor at all.
However, there was still an issue troubling him. Sitting in a dark blue couch in the new living room of the house, Harry was looking to the newly installed magical clock similar to the Weasleys' one. Staring specifically at Ron and Hermione's pointers, Harry didn't know what to do...
"Harry, it's time to tell them the truth... You'll be back at Hogwarts in four days." Lupin said as if he was reading his mind again, sitting by his side on the couch.
"I know," said Harry crestfallen.
The last thing he wanted was to talk about the prophecy, because he wasn't really sure himself of what to think of it. Certainly Ron and Hermione deserved to know the truth, but it felt like telling them about it would make it seem more real, more inevitable.
And it would also multiply by three the burden Harry's been carrying alone. He didn't think it was fair to steal their peace and somehow their innocence with something like that.
"You surely know what the limitations of this magical branch are, don't you?" Remus asked, interrupting his thoughts.
"Yeah, I do. But even Dumbledore seems to believe it," Harry said dejected.
"But your best-friends are old enough to have their own interpretations, Harry. Try to do it still today, so you'll give them some time for reflection before you return to school."
"Okay, Remus. It'll all be over tonight," Harry said uncertainly.
***
Harry spent the rest of the day bashful and quiet. Sitting in Mrs. Black's old room, Harry was petting Buckbeak when a familiar voice woke him up from his trance.
"A Knut for your thoughts." Hermione said, closing the door behind her.
"They're more valuable than that, believe me." Harry said bitterly
Ignoring his moody attitude, she continued, "Okay. In that case, since I'm not really a rich girl, I'll have to offer something else than money."
Harry raised an eyebrow.
"Err, so what do you think of free access to my classes notes for a month?"
Harry shook his head, beaming.
Hermione took that as a no.
"You're finicky today," she affirmed amusedly. "What about a three-months access, then?"
Forgetting a bit about what he really had to tell her, Harry laughed sincerely. "That's a great offer, but, no, thanks. I think I'll be studying a bit more from this year on, we really don't know what we have ahead of us," he said sincerely.
"I see. I'm glad to hear that," she said smiling. "So, what else can I offer you?" she said, taking her hand to Buckbeak's head and apparently thinking hard.
"Oh, I know!" she said, almost squealing. "Since you think I am great with feelings and stuff, I can be your 'Love Advisor' from now on. Every time there's a new girl in your life and you need some advice, you can come to me and I'll tell you what to do."
Harry looked at her shaking his head.
Then, she added, with much less enthusiasm, "Even before you have the actual date, if you'd like."
Harry couldn't quite understand what was going on.
"Hey, I'm kidding, come on," Hermione said, punching his arm.
"Oooh all right," he said laughing. "I only thought it was funny, is all. I'm sure a lot of guys would die to have you as a 'Love Life Advisor', anyway", he said sincerely. "Although I don't think that'll be necessary for me."
Before Hermione could ask why, he continued, petting Buckbeak at the same time, "I don't think I'll be involved with anyone for the time being," he said, eliciting Hermione to open her eyes wide.
"You know, not all the girls are like Cho."
"It's not that. It's just that after Sirius died, I have the impression that my previous attitude towards life - and that includes whatever I felt for Cho - seems so distant, like it happened in another life. Come to think of it, I know that she had some interest in me, but after I got to know the real her, I kind of realized that she wasn't what I expected her to be."
Hermione just looked at his face.
"What I mean is, I can't risk getting distracted with such confusing feelings, with these girls who know nothing about me, for something that obviously is not worth it. I fear for the future and I think that this kind of thing would only detain me from what I need to do."
"I don't really know what to say, Harry," she said with a blank and confused expression. "But why do you fear the future?"
"Oh," he said smiling, "That would be the answer to the first question you'd asked when you entered this room..."
"Hmm, I see," she said, sliding her back at the door and sitting hugging her knees. "I need to know, Harry. What do you want from me?"
He was about to say 'nothing'; he was aware he had to tell her about the prophecy no matter what. But Harry knew that if he stopped their 'game', Hermione would feel taken for granted, and knowing her as he did, that wouldn't be a very wise thing to do.
"Give me something that comes from your heart, Hermione. Something that you wouldn't consider a part of our trade," he said.
It took some time for her to react. She stood up, looked right into Harry's eyes and started walking up to him.
The time seemed to stop.
And then the door crook opened.
CRAAACK.
"Harry, Remus told me to meet you here. Is there something you want to tell me?"
Luckily, Hermione had already taken a few steps before Ron opened the door, because if not, she would have been knocked down by it.
"Er, yes," he answered somehow startled. "Sit here you two", he asked, pointing to two old stools close to the - currently sleeping - hypogriff.
But before Harry could start saying anything, he heard three loud voices from the entrance downstairs, "GOOD EVENING, HOUSE! DID YOU MISS US?"
Ron startled, frowned, "Fred, George and Ginny are already here! For Merlin's beard, I had no idea it was this late."
"Ron, Harry here is trying to tell us something."
"Hermione, why are you so inf…?"
But Harry didn't even give Ron the chance to complete his question. "Thanks, Hermione. Well, do you remember the orb I took at the Department of Mysteries?"
"The prophecy? Neville broke it, didn't he?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, he did," said Harry. "But there's something about it that you don't know yet."
"But what could it possibly be if it's broken now?" asked Ron.
"That orb was just a record of the prophecy. What you don't know is that the person who heard the prophecy still lives."
Hermione and Ron asked together, exasperated, "Can he tell us? Does he remember it? Who is it?"
"Yes, Hermione, he can recall it perfectly. And that person is Dumbledore, Ron."
"But why didn't he tell you before, then?" Ron asked excited.
Hermione looked at him anxiously, "Oh, Ron, he will get there. Let him start."
Harry then told them everything he knew about the prophecy. The exact words Trelawney has uttered, the circumstances in which the prophecy was made... Why Voldemort wanted to retrieve the orb from the Department of Mysteries.
After he finished, his best friends had very different expressions. Ron looked shocked and could barely look in Harry's eyes. For his surprise, Hermione didn't look the least shattered. She was shaking her head, and had a revolted glint in her eyes.
"What's the problem, Harry?" she asked, noticing the apprehension in the green-eyed boy.
"What's my problem? I have been given a life sentence before I was even born! How do you think it feels to know that I have to be either a murderer or a victim? Do you really think I can destroy Voldemort? I'm sorry, but from what I've seen of him fighting Dumbledore, I don't think I can."
"Oh, Harry, please don't tell me you're taking that rubbish seriously."
"You aren't?" Ron chipped in. "Hermione, look at his forehead! He's been marked... Didn't the last five years in the Wizarding World teach you anything?"
Taking a deep breath, he directed his attention to Harry and continued, "But you shouldn't worry so much, mate. You'll still have a chance, the prophecy says something about the power he knows not."
"How can you two believe this nonsense from Trelawney?" Hermione started laughing nervously. "And how could Dumbledore, of all wizards, presume it true?"
"Oh, Harry, I think she's been memory charmed," Ron said, putting his hand in her forehead. "She apparently doesn't remember anything she read about you in those books before we went to Hogwarts."
Suddenly, a low muffled sound started in some place Harry could not locate in the bedroom.
"For Merlin, the first thing we learned about Divination was that it was an imprecise branch of magic. You've heard it from so many sources, Harry."
SNIFFF, CHUIFF, SNIFFF, CHUIFF….
It was really hard to ignore those muffled and strange noises now. Harry could say he was almost locating its source when Hermione stood up and went determinedly to the wardrobe, opening it to find a recoiled Ginny Weasley crying inside it, holding an old white clothes hanger in her hand to their surprise.
Getting out of the wardrobe, Ginny threw the hanger on the floor and went running to Harry's direction, then surprisingly clung to his body with watery eyes.
How did she get in here?
Before Harry could even open his mouth, Hermione asked her, surprised, "What's going on, Gin?"
But all the red-haired girl could say, as she sank her wet face in Harry's shoulder crook, was, "He's going to die! I can't believe that! I've been such a fool!"
Hermione puffed angrily. Ginny was still crying loudly, now completely dampening Harry's T-shirt. Looking at his befuddled expression, Hermione made a sign and started pulling Ginny out of Harry's reach, sitting her on Mrs. Black's old bed.
"What's the matter, Gin?" Hermione asked, sitting by her side and taking her hand.
"You know what's going on - you've heard it from him! Harry is going to die in You-Know-Who's hand! He's your best-friend, Hermione. How can you be so insensitive and not feel anything?!"
"Well, I'm certainly surprised at your lack of confidence in Harry by believing that he is the one who is going to die in Voldemort's hand. I'm just not so sure it will happen like this." Hermione said exasperated.
"Keep telling yourself that, dear..." Ginny answered bitterly.
"Oh, Ginny… Harry may lose his life in battle, but this doesn't really worry me. Do you know why?"
"No," the red-haired girl answered surprised, drying her eyes with her fingers.
"Because if we get to the point when Harry may lose his life in battle, I'm pretty sure I won't be alive to tell the story either."
Ginny just sighed a small "Oh."
"Neither will your brother," the bushy haired girl continued. "So, if you're crying for his death in battle, you'd better start being more realistic and cry for the three of us."
Startled by seeing the two girls bickering like that, Harry yelled, "Can you two stop discussing my destiny as if I weren't here?!"
"Sorry, Harry, but the only thing I can feel right now is repulse. How could Trelawney play with such a serious issue?"
"Oh , come on, Hermione, you didn't look so incredulous in the hospital wing last term when you discovered that there were real prophecies..." Ginny said.
"It's because I didn't know those prophecies came from such an unreliable source as Trelawney..." Hermione answered disgruntled.
"But Hermione, don't you remember that prophecy she made in the end of our third year? The one that said that an old servant would join him and that Voldemort would regain full power?" Harry asked.
"Yes, I do remember. But can you tell me exactly who that old servant was?"
"Of course, I can. It was Wormtail."
Hermione started shaking her head, "It might not be. If I recall correctly what you told me, that prophecy said that his faithful servant has been CHAINED for 12 years. From what I've heard, Barty Crouch Jr. has been in Azkaban for twelve years, and he was the one who gave his Master the flesh of his greatest foe, so that Voldemort could have regained his full power."
Harry, Ginny and Ron were looking at her awestruck. Hermione continued, "In my opinion, Barty Crouch Jr. sounded way more faithful than Wormtail - remember how he begged us for mercy in the Shrinking Shack? You see, Harry, you thought that you were responsible for Voldemort's return to power, but if this prophecy was referring to Barty Crouch Jr., you didn't have any control over it."
Harry couldn't deny that Hermione's arguments made sense somehow. But if even Dumbledore believed the prophecy, he wasn't going to be the one who would just dismiss it. "But, Hermione..."
"The only thing I'm asking you three is to be reasonable. It is just a prophecy. Please, let's go on with our lives and wait until things happen for real. You can't live dreading every new day over something so imprecise."
"Imprecise?!" Ginny asked between sobs, "Hermione, I understand you had a Muggle upbringing and things like Divination are somehow hard to believe in. But you have to understand that in the Wizarding Community a prophecy like that is a huge thing. No wonder Voldemort went after Harry so soon after he was born."
"Exactly, Gin. What do you think would have happened if Voldemort hadn't heard this prophecy? What if Trelawney's interview was at Hogwarts instead of the Hog's Head? Do you think he would still go after Harry? I'm sorry, but I don't think so."
Harry shuddered to think that if Voldemort hadn't been aware of the prophecy he might still have had his parents.
"This could all be a huge misunderstanding," she continued. "If you think about it seriously, it doesn't have logic at all."
"But Hermione, as you said, that prophecy Trelawney made in our third year, was kind of correct…" Ron said.
"I know, Ron," Hermione said. "I'm not telling you to forget about it, just to keep getting on with your lives. Maybe this is a personal belief, but I think that if such a thing as Divination is indeed correct, I may lose faith in all the other things I truly believe. I mean, if this life is just a stage and our choices don't mean anything, if we're just characters of a destiny already planned, what is this life for?"
After she realized that no one would answer that, she sighed in a defeated way and stomped out of the room.
Harry wanted to follow her, he was feeling miserable as well. He knew that telling them the prophecy would be hard, but he could never believe that Hermione wouldn't give it full credit. And although his heart wanted to believe every word she said, his mind told him that joining Ginny in her misery would be the most reasonable thing to do.
He was about to give Buckbeak a last pet when he saw Ron coming near his sister, who still cried - lower now - putting one of his hands on her shoulder.
"Everything's going to be okay, Gin. Let's try to think like Hermione and go on with our lives." He was about to let go of her, but then he seemed to have remembered something. "By the way, how did you get in here?"
He then used two fingers to raise her face - which currently was as red as her hair - and the girl was about to start talking when Fred and George came through the door.
"So, you all know about the prophecy?" George asked looking at his siblings.
"I can't believe it! You two knew it and didn't tell us?!" Ron asked revolted.
"Yes. But we've only known for a three weeks. We also knew that Harry was supposed to tell you soon and we thought that it would be better if you heard it from him."
"Did it work, Gin?" Fred asked, visibly searching for something in the room.
Drying her tears with the back of her hand, Ginny nodded her head.
Ron, holding her hand, searched for her eyes and asked again, "Can you talk now? How did you get in here?"
But before Ginny said anything, Fred started explaining, "Ginny has just been the beta tester of our newest product. It's the 'Wardrobe Portkey'."
At this, George got the clothes hanger that Ginny had thrown on the floor and started explaining, "It takes you inside any wardrobe you'd like in a house. So, for example, you can take a peek of a female visitor sleeping in your house, scare someone who's sleeping, tinge all your brother's clothes pink, and all those fun things."
Harry didn't find that fun at all, but he continued listening to their conversation.
"Hmm… What a strange coincidence… Getting exactly in this room… Right when Harry was telling something as important as the prophecy…" Ron wondered.
"It isn't like that, Ron... I heard Remus telling the twins that Harry was in Buckbeak's room, finally telling them the truth. I got curious and asked the twins to let me use the 'Wardrobe Portkey'," Ginny said, slightly calmer.
"We knew what was going on in here. So, we decided that Ginny should also be aware of the prophecy; she always hangs with you guys at Hogwarts. So we gave her the Portkey and that's basically it."
Harry needed out. He didn't know if it were Ginny's sobs, Ron's pitied expression or the fact that Hermione was unusually quiet ever since she left the room - something really strange considering that Tonks was inside the house - but he couldn't take any of that anymore.
Despite that neither Harry or Hermione went downstairs to have dinner that night, the two following days went on normally. Everybody pretended that nothing happened and the only strange thing was that Hermione and Ginny weren't talking much to each other.
There was just one day left before they returned to Hogwarts and Harry couldn't be yet sure if telling them the prophecy had been the right thing to do. He couldn't help noticing that in the last couple of days, everybody's behavior changed and there was nothing he could do about it.
Laid on his bed, Harry was walking fast in the dark at Hogwarts. He was about to get near the lake, when he felt his body being shaken violently.
"Harry, wake up, for Merlin's sake, wake up, it's going to explode!"
Harry rubbed his eyes from being shaken so brutally. Trying to form an image without his glasses, he could see Ron, with short pajamas and a scared expression and a brown owl flying by his side with a red envelope in its beak.
"Open it, Harry, it's swelling, it's going to burst, please." Ron was begging now.
Getting the Howler in his hands and opening quickly, Harry took the letter in his hands, but before he could hear the voice of the sender, something caught his eyes in the envelope.
To: Harry Potter
(Wherever that ruddy git is.)
From: Dean Thomas.
Author notes:
My special thanks to:
Sally, ears91, ANDTORR, chady, Lis, tinydancer, shawnpickett, harryherm94, luvfordanielandtom, Lucy and Sbys.
1) Thanks for reading! As you may know, feedback is always appreciated. You guys have no idea of how your reviews motivate and help me writing. If you have time, please tell me what you think of this.
2) Liked it? Hated it? Don't agree with something? Well, I never promised I would write a conventional story, but I do promise I'll answer your questions and comments (and try to justify my actions in this story, if necessary, :blinks:).
3) Curious about the Howler? Kreacher's reaction was too mild in your opinion? Well, things happen in this story for a reason. In chapter four, you will definitely find some answers and more questions. I won't take long to update it.
4) My special thanks again to Lis (who made me think and rethink about all my canon beliefs) and Gemma (who came up with the title of this chapter)