Visitor from the Future

Chapter 3: Awakening

Blinking, Harry looked around at his bedroom. Recalling the -was it a vision?- Harry couldn't help but shiver, remembering the terror and anguish he had felt seeing the people he cared for dead like that. I CANNOT let that happen! I need to do whatever it takes to prevent it! Harry felt more determination than he had felt in a long time overcome him, and vowed that he WOULD do anything and everything in his power to prevent that future from coming true.

As Harry's thoughts slowly tapered off, he couldn't help but notice that his acute hearing and even sight still remained. Although his glasses lay forgotten on his nightstand, he could still see relatively well. Not perfect, but it was better than he was used to. He could still hear very well too. The sounds of the Dursleys obviously up and about assaulted his ears, and for a moment, he wondered why they were up so early. However, when he looked at his clock, which read eight thirty-three, he realized that he had been gone for a number of hours.

Harry couldn't believe that the Dursleys had let him sleep in, since they normally pounded on his door at seven o'clock sharp, demanding that he "get up, and don't burn the breakfast!"

As Harry sat there, for the first time since he had gotten back to the Dursleys, his stomach rumbled rather loudly, reminding him that he hadn't had a decent meal in weeks. Grabbing his glasses and getting out of bed, Harry began his normal morning routine: get up, take a shower, and go (try) to eat some food.

Coming down the stairs with his messy black hair still plastered to his forehead, Harry took a deep breath before entering the kitchen, and coming face-to-face with his "loving" relatives.

Vernon having already left for work only moments before, only Petunia and Dudley were home, and both were in the kitchen. Aunt Petunia was standing at the sink, rinsing the dishes while peering out of the kitchen window, no doubt spying on the neighbors as she always did. Dudley was eating what was most likely his third or fourth helping (the diet he had been on last year was not something the Dursleys followed anymore, despite the fact that Dudley hadn't really lost all that much weight) while watching some program on the television across from the kitchen table. However, seeing his cousin walking through the door, Dudley looked up and glared at Harry, his eyes threatening numerous things, none of which actually scared Harry anymore.

Watery blue eyes locked onto bright green ones, neither boy willing to look away, which would be admitting defeat in this "battle of wills." However, when Aunt Petunia sniffed imperiously, the staring contest was ended when both boys looked over at her.

"Well, I see you have finally come down. Have you decided to 'grace' us with your presence?" Harry had a fleeting thought that, with some work, his aunt's sarcasm could reach the level of Snape, who was the Potions teacher at Hogwarts, and long considered the nastiest teacher ever, and his "dripping sarcasm."

Harry didn't reply to his aunt's excuse of a greeting, and simply walked over to the refrigerator, and took out a grapefruit, walked over to the bread box, took a slice of bread, put it in the toaster, and while waiting for it to be done, cut the grapefruit into quarters. Pulling the bread out of the toaster, and placing it on a plate along with the fruit, Harry poured himself a glass of orange juice, and took his breakfast back upstairs. Through it all, Harry had said nothing to either occupant of the kitchen.

Reaching his room, Harry opened the door, and saw no less than eight owls, including his own snowy owl Hedwig and Ron's small owl Pig, who was currently flying figure-eights's around the ceiling, twittering madly. Confused, Harry looked over at his calendar over his desk. 31 July. Wait! It's my birthday today! Kinda forgot about that little fact.

Putting his plate down on his small desk, Harry quickly relieved all of the owls of their packages and letters, and all but Hedwig, Pig, and Errol, the Weasley family's old owl, who was currently passed out on Harry's bed, obviously exhausted from his trip, flew out of the open window. The first package Harry opened was from Hermione, that Hedwig had brought. He first opened the letter, written in the familiar neat and tidy handwriting of Harry's best friend and sister-in-everything-but-blood:

Dear Harry,

Happy Birthday! You know, even though you haven't answered any of my other letters,

(Harry looked over at his desk, which was indeed covered with unopened letters from all of his friends, and ducked his head in embarrassment)

I thought that I would send you your birthday gift, since Hedwig had come here, obviously wanting me to send you something.

I hope that your summer has been as good as can be expected, and that you have a very good reason for not writing to me, or Ron, since he told me you haven't answered his letters either.

Harry, I know that you're going through a lot right now, but you need to know that you're not alone. Ron and I care about you a lot, as do the rest of the Weasleys, Professor Dumbledore, Professor Lupin, and the rest of the "old crowd." If you need someone to talk to, don't hesitate to ask.

I don't know if I had told you or not, but I went on holiday to Spain with my family right after term ended, and I just got back. It was so incredible! All the historic sights were so fascinating to see! Anyway, I'm leaving soon to go join the Weasleys in London (with the "old crowd") for the rest of summer. I hope that you will be able to join us.

I hope you like your gift, and I hope that you'll write me back. I'll say it again: you aren't alone. He wouldn't want you to be shutting yourself off like this. You know it's true Harry. Just, write. Please?

Love,

Hermione

Putting her letter down, Harry silently promised that he would be writing letters to all of his friends very soon, and would apologize for his distancing himself from them since term ended. Unwrapping Hermione's gift, he found a book, Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder(1). On the inside cover, Hermione had taped a short note:

Harry:

I read this book a couple of years ago, and even though it is a Muggle philosophy book, I found it fascinating. I thought you might like to read something a little different. It has a lot of good information about how different people have seen the world, and why it is the way it is. It really is a fascinating read.

Enjoy!

Flipping the book over and reading the back cover, Harry thought it sounded like something Hermione would really enjoy. Can't hurt to read it and see what it's all about, Harry reasoned. Putting the book down, Harry then reached for Ron's package.

Hey mate!

Happy birthday! Hope those muggles aren't getting you down (if they are, just let Fred and George know: I'm sure they have something you could use!)

I know that it's been a rough summer for you, but I just want you to know that, if you need someone to talk to, I'll always be here for you. I'm not going to push you into talking, but mate, I really think it would be good for you.

I hope that you can come to stay with us soon (Mum's been badgering Dumbledore about when you'll be coming.) 'Mione is coming soon, and so I hope you can come too.

Anyways, enjoy the gift! I know 'Mione usually gives books as presents, but, since it's a Quidditch book, I thought you might like it.

Ron

Ron's present was in fact a book, The Faces of Quidditch: From the Best Beaters to Star Seekers by Edward Herrick(2) Putting that book aside next to Hermione's, Harry continued on to the other packages: a care package, including lots of food, from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, some of Fred and George's latest products, along with a letter suggesting that Harry "possibly test out some of these new items on a certain cousin," and, surprisingly, letters from Neville, Luna, and even Ginny. Making a mental note to send Neville a belated birthday greeting in his letter, Harry slowly opened the youngest Weasley's card:

Dear Harry,

I know that you were probably not expecting a gift from me, but when I saw this in a small antique store, I just had to get it for you. I hope you like it.

I have heard from everyone here in London that you haven't been answering anyone's letters, and that your letters to the Order are, and I quote: "Dear Order: I am doing fine. Harry" ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND, HARRY JAMES POTTER?! What kind of letter is that?! "I'm fine." Bullshit, Harry. If you really were "fine" after losing Sirius, we'd all be in a lot of trouble. No one, and I mean NO ONE, gets over losing someone close to them quickly. I'm not going to make you talk to me, and I won't hover around you, waiting for you to finally crack and talk. I am however, going to offer you an understanding ear. I may only be 14 (going on 15), but remember, I have also faced Tom, and I know what it's like to blame yourself for what Tom has done. What happened to Sirius WAS NOT YOUR FAULT. It is Tom's, and Bellatrix Lestrange's, fault. NOT YOURS! Clear? Good.

I had been planning on just writing you a short note saying "Happy Birthday!" and I've gone and yelled at you. Just be thankful it's not a Howler! But Harry, I meant every word I said. If you need an understanding ear, just let me know. You're not alone, Harry. No matter what happens, I will always be here, and I will ALWAYS help you if you need it.

Hope to see you soon!

Love,

Ginny

Ginny's gift was in a small wooden chest: three small medals, each with a different animal depicted on the front: a dog, a stag, and a wolf. Harry felt tears sting his eyes at the gift, since he knew what they represented: the three true Marauders: Sirius (Padfoot, the dog), Harry's dad, James (Prongs, the stag), and Harry's former professor, Remus Lupin (Moony, the wolf, since he's a werewolf). Gently placing the chest on his desk, Harry turned to the final letter, which had been delivered by a brown barn owl that Harry did not recognize. Inside was a letter from Remus. Harry dreaded this letter, since he feared that his former professor hated him because of Sirius's death. Sirius had been the last of Remus' friends, besides Wormtail, left from his school days, and Harry had led Sirius to his death. With shaking hands, Harry finally pulled the letter from the envelope and unfolded it.

Dear Harry,

I just wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday, and to let you know that you will only have to stay at your relative's home for a few more days at the most. I hope you are doing well, and I wanted you to know that, if you need an adult to talk to about Sirius, my door is always open, as the saying goes. Sirius would be very proud of you today, Harry, as would Lily and James.

I'll give you your gift when I see you next.

Take care,

Remus

For a long time, Harry just sat there with Remus' letter in his hands. Nyx's words came back to him: "...Trust is a hard thing to regain ... just trust someone... Even just one person...Trust your heart..." Could he really let himself trust Remus enough to truly tell him how he was feeling? Harry didn't want to replace Sirius, but he also didn't want to lose Remus either. Maybe, he could talk to Remus... tell him about the vision he had with the strange winged woman... maybe he could trust Remus as he had never trusted any adult before, save Sirius...

With these thoughts running through his head, the letter slipped from Harry's hands as he fell into a light slumber, his breakfast long forgotten.

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Harry awoke suddenly, blood pounding in his ears. He glanced at his clock, and was startled to see it was already six in the evening. Did I really sleep that long? Harry thought, and just as he was preparing to stand up and stretch out the muscle cramps he had developed from sleeping in his desk chair, Harry felt all the air in his chest catch, like he had been kicked in his stomach. Hands on his chest and gasping for breath, Harry slid out of his chair onto the floor. Doubled over, Harry gasped repeatedly, trying to force enough air into his lungs. Suddenly, shivers like an electric shock ran up and down Harry's spine, making his entire body tingly. Harry felt his entire body jerk in a convulsion, and his arms were suddenly unable to support him, and he collapsed on the floor, body still twitching slightly.

His entire body felt overly warm, and his muscles were constantly cramping and relaxing. Harry felt a power surge unlike any other fill his very core, his very soul, and just when he feared he would explode from the pressure, the power tapered off, and settled, waiting to be used. Harry lay gasping on the floor for quite a while, and when he finally got his breathing under control, and his body had stopped twitching, he slowly pushed himself up off the floor. Staggering over to his bed, Harry barely managed to get his glasses off before he fell into blessed sleep. His clock on the nightstand read ten past six. The last thought through Harry's mind was, I should write a letter to Remus. Maybe he can help me...