Loving Harry

Chapter one- At 'Home'

Harry Potter was a very unusual boy. He went to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and had two close friends who were also wizards. These friends, Ron and Hermione had written to him countless times over the summer, making sure he was alright, and that the Muggles were treating him properly; not that they did in the first place.

Tomorrow, however, would be different. Harry had been waiting for this day a long time, tomorrow was Aunt Petunias shopping day for Dudley's new school clothes, and Uncle Vernon had to go to a convention at his work. Which meant, that for the first time in his life, Harry would be home alone.

As Harry scanned the skies he saw the figure of an owl swooping down towards him. He looked at his alarm clock, 11:57. He would be fifteen in three minutes. He quickly un-did the bolt holding the window shut, and opened the window just wide enough so Hedwig could fly in. Harry gave a puzzled look at her, wondering who his mail could possibly be from (Ron, Hermione, and Sirius had already written in the past two days). But then again... it is my Birthday Harry thought to himself. Harry untied his letter and flung himself on to the bed, propping a pillow against his headboard so he could sit up. Tearing the letter open he read:

Dear Harry:

Hey, how are you? It's Dean Thomas here from school. I hope I didn't get you in trouble for sending this, because I know you live with muggles and I don't know if they're used to owl post.

Harry stopped reading for a moment. Dean Thomas? Sending his mail? He and Dean shared a dormitory. But still, they weren't as close as he and Ron were. His curiosity getting the better of him, he read on,

Anyway, I have some exciting news! There's going to be a new student at Hogwarts this year! She transferred from some school back down in Ontario Canada (I don't know which one, you'll have to ask her). Just thought you might be interested, Ron and Hermione might not know so I guess you might wanna send them the news too. She's being sorted with the first years, her name is Rachel, and from what I've heard I hope she's in Gryffindor;) Anyway, enjoy your Holidays.

Dean.

P.S. Happy Birthday! How old are you now? 102? 104? (Haha)

Harry supposed it was common to transfer schools if you moved, but he hadn't heard of it happening at Hogwarts before. He decided to send Ron and Hermione the news (though Hermione might not find it very surprising, Harry thought to himself. Yeah, she'll probably know all about the Wizard schools in Ontario, and these apparently common transfers between schools. Harry looked at his luminous alarm clock again, 12:01 AM. He had been fifteen for a full minute without realising it. His stomach, not for the first time, gave a funny sort of jolt.

Harry was just beginning on his notes to Ron and Hermione, when he realised what Dean had said in his letter, "from what I've heard I hope she's in Gryffindor..." What had Dean heard? But he stopped wondering about this in order to start his notes to Ron and Hermione. Harry sighed and decided to get some rest before his first day alone. He wasn't planning on sleeping through the morning. Doing so would just give Uncle Vernon an excuse to come yell at him when he got home.

After tying the letters to Hedwig's leg, and letting her soar out the window, he flopped in to bed and fell asleep. It was, after all, two o'clock in the morning. Time to get some sleep.

***

Harry woke early and wondered for a moment why he was up, the sun was just starting to rise, and there were still stars scattered across he sky. He sat up in bed and realised what had woke him. Uncle Vernon was leaving for work early so he surely wouldn't miss his meeting while caught in traffic downtown. Harry looked at his alarm clock, and wondered if he should assure Uncle Vernon that there wouldn't be that much traffic on the roads at six twenty seven AM.

Just as he thought that Uncle Vernon had hurried past his door in the hallway and stopped at the sight of Harry standing up beside his desk. "What're you doing up so early?" He sneered at Harry.

Uncle Vernon's five or six chins wobbled dangerously as he said that. Harry was reminded, not for the first time, of a rhinoceros about to charge. He stared at Harry for another moment before saying "Well?"

"You woke me up while you were thundering on the stairs," Harry replied coldly. But suddenly he had to stifle a laugh because he remembered that was more or less what Percy had told Ron, Hermione, and himself last year at the Burrow. Uncle Vernon however, didn't find this statement very amusing, his face turned even more purple for a moment, but then he was gone. Evidently not in the mood to get his blood pressure up by yelling at Harry.

Harry decided he would go back to sleep. He had to admit he was still tired and needed his rest. As he began to go back to bed, something caught his eye; it was shining in the sky. Harry lay back in his covers not wanting to know what it was, but the reflection of the thing shone on the white, metal desk lamp that was lying on his table.

As Harry's curiosity got the better of him, he got out of bed and stared out his window, looking for something bright in the sky. He almost kicked himself in embarrassment when he saw the source of light; He grinned stupidly to himself thinking what Ron would've said. Harry had seen the moon.

***

Harry was angry when he woke suddenly that morning. He had been having a good dream about Hogwarts, Ron, Hermione, and him winning a Quidditch match against Slytherin. For a split second, Harry thought he was still dreaming. Dobby the house-elf was standing at the side of Harry's bed. Harry pinched himself rather hard. Nothing happened. He must be awake.

"Dobby- what? - How? - Why're you here?" he spluttered sounding very much like Ron.

"'Tis Dobby's day off today sir!" said Dobby grinning at him, "Dobby has been waiting to see Harry Potter all year sir, Dobby has missed Harry Potter very much!"

"Thanks Dobby, but, I thought you were working?" replied a very startled Harry.

"Yes sir, Dobby is working still at Hogwarts, and Dobby is enjoying it very much sir," said Dobby earnestly, "But you is forgetting Harry Potter sir, today is Dobbys day off!"

"Oh," said Harry, remembering Dobby's deal with Dumbledore, "Right - Yeah..."

"And Dobby also wanted to see Harry Potter so he could wish Harry Potter a very Happy Birthday, and was wondering if Dobby could give Harry Potter his present sir..." Said Dobby, looking at Harry with his toothy grin.

"Yeah, 'course you can Dobby!" said Harry with a wide smile at the elf. Dobby then took something out of a pocket in his football shorts and pulled out a gift (which was wrapped with Quidditch wrapping paper) and a card,

"You is opening this now Harry Potter sir?" asked Dobby hopefully.

"Yeah, sure Dobby," said Harry, "But let me ask you..."

"Yes sir?" said Dobby anxiously.

"When's your Birthday Dobby?" asked Harry.

"Dobby's Birthday? 'Tis December sometime..." said Dobby, "Dobby was never sure when."

"I see..." said Harry.

"Yes sir," said Dobby. He looked pretty much the same as when Harry had last seen him, the same, long, pencil-like nose, the round green eyes, and the big ears. Harry then opened his card. It said:

A very Happy Birthday

To Harry Potter sir,

Underneath the words there was a picture of Harry on his broom speeding towards the Snitch, a Quaffle behind him, and he could see the faint outline of a bludger as well. Best of all about this picture, was that it was moving. "Thanks a lot Dobby!" said Harry enthusiastically. With that, Dobby dissolved in to tears and hugged Harry as hard as a parent after their lost child comes home. After that little episode Harry opened his present, which turned out to be a book, surprisingly, which was named "Quidditch - Things to know". Dobby dissolved in to tears once again after Harry said he would read it as soon as he could.

When Dobby was gone (the familiar leaving ceremony, a simple "Farewell Harry Potter!" and a sound like a whip-crack), Harry began to read his book, which turned out to be quite an interesting read. It told you thousands of facts about Quidditch, who came up with the game. It showed all the different types of moves and tactics for each player, and also had small section on each page for each position on the team, giving useful hints and tricks.

Harry was suddenly very aware of how hungry he was. So he went downstairs to start making toast, or something simple (thanks to the Dursleys, he didn't have much experience in the kitchen) like that. He was halfway through his third piece of toast, when he decided he'd watch television for a while. Having no idea what fifteen-year-old Muggles watched, he flipped to the News and listened for information. He hadn't heard from his Godfather in a while, and was starting to get worried, and since he didn't get The Daily Prophet he wouldn't - couldn't know if Sirius had been caught. He sipped his milk thoughtfully, wondering where Sirius was, and amused himself a moment with a picture of Sirius trying to talk a monkey in to getting him something down from a tree.

Hedwig fluttering downstairs interrupted his thoughts, she'd never been down here before. Hedwig dropped three packages on to his lap, and took off to the safety of her cage again. Harry opened the first package, it was a gift from Hermione, Harry read her letter,

Dear Harry,

I was otherwise wouldn't know how to get you your present. When she turned up she was exhausted, so she rested here for a while, I noticed she had something for you from Ron, she must've been by there first. Anyhow, I was wondering if you were staying at The Leaky Cauldron again this year, Ron said he will, and I don't want to be stuck with him for a whole two weeks! No, don't worry I'm only joking! I was hoping Hedwig would come round here soon, as I don't have an owl, and

Harry stared at the word "Joking". This was Hermione. She had a sense of humour all right, but... She never really "joked" about anything. 'Oh well,' Harry thought to himself, 'She's probably changed...'

In Ron's last letter to me, he said something about Hagrid including his present with his, because he didn't think Hedwig would be up to going to the castle. Anyway, I hope you enjoy your gift, Oh, yes, thanks for telling me about the new girl, but I already knew, you'll find out soon!

Love/From: Hermione

Harry stared, once again at the letter. She already knew? How? Ok then... thought Harry, going to his present. He opened it, "Wow Hermione..." he gasped. It was a wand polishing kit, with polish, a cloth that made sure you didn't shoot sparks out the end, and a book called "Your Wonderful Wand". Which gave instructions on how to keep your wand extra clean, without polishing it every day. And (Harry guessed) instructions on cleaning it. He grinned as he picked up Hagrid's present, and read, (in Hagrid's untidy scrawl):

Dear Harry:

Happy Birthday! Thought you might like these. See you at school,

Hagrid,

Inside were a few of every kind of Harry's favourite sweets, Chocolate Frogs, Sherbet Balls, Sugar Quills, and much more. Harry, once again very pleased, went to Ron's note.

Dear Harry,

What's Hermoine Hermione going on about knowing this new girl at school? I'd like to know the answer to that! Maybe she was staying at Hermione's house, or maybe their parents were friends... Or maybe, Oh... sorry... nevermind, I thought you might like my gift.

Harry chuckled at Ron's constant suspiciousness, and read on,

It's called "A love stone" I don't know what possessed me to buy it for you, I thought if it was that expensive, it had to be good! That's the British way isn't it? I realised you might need it later on in life, or soon -wink-. Oh well, I have to go, Percy thinks I stole his Essay for his new boss (If you really wanna know, then ask me at School). Oh by the way, are you going to The Leaky Cauldron? Hermione and me are! Meet us there ok?

See you in Diagon Alley!

Ron

Harry folded the letter appreciatively and set the parchment aside. He then picked up Ron's present, which was very heavy. Harry gasped, it was amazing. The Love Stone was a circular stone, with swirling colours on it, a note from Ron fell out of the wrapping

Harry, this is the Love Stone, when someone "loves you" for real, when they touch it it'll glow red.

See you later!

Ron

Harry looked at the stone. It was beautiful, and if someone really, truly loved him, it would glow red when they touched it? I better find someone who loves me to test this on... no sooner had he thought that when his mind retorted, Duh...Ginny!

Harry spent the rest of the holidays enjoying himself as much as possible. Dudley, who seemed quiet, wasn't taunting him as much anymore. Plus, Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon couldn't find any reason to yell at him. Harry had sent a note to Ron, asking him to borrow some Floo-Powder for the Journey to 'the Leaky Cauldron', where he would be staying for the last two weeks of the Holidays. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia were more than glad to get rid of him. They even permitted him to use the fireplace, which, for Muggles like themselves, was an immense sacrifice.

Harry sent Hedwig away with a note to Hermione, asking her to bring Hedwig with her to Diagon Alley, as he wouldn't have enough room in the fireplace for him, his trunk, and Hedwigs cage. Hermione sent a note through the muggle mail, saying that she would be glad to. Now, the only thing Harry had to do was pack. He packed everything he did last year, and more. The gifts from Ron and Hermione, Dobby and Sirius, his Godfather, who got him a broomstick book with helpful hints, many of which weren't listed in Dobbys Quidditch book.

The last day of Harry's stay at Privet Drive, he had his usual breakfast, and went to heave his trunk down the staircase. Harry remembered it being that heavy last year as well, but he wasn't used to the weight of it all yet. He threw some Floo-Powder in to the fire, stepped in, gave the Dursleys a cheery wave and shouted "DIAGON ALLEY!"

Seconds later, after any spins and churning sensations, Harry was in the Leaky Cauldron, covered in soot. He had just looked up and saw someone running towards him at top speed, next minute he was nearly pushed back in to the roaring fireplace by Hermione who had ran to him as soon as he got out. Harry was now being hugged as hard as he had been with Dobby.

When Hermione stepped back, Harry saw that a great change had come over Hermione, her hair was no longer bushy, but straight, and without bangs. Her teeth reduction was more noticeable than ever, and since she was still dressed in Muggle clothes her figure was slim, and in shape.

"Harry!" said Hermione, wiping soot off of him.

"Uh... Hi... Hermione..." said Harry, still in awe at how beautiful his best friend looked.

"I want you to meet someone!" said Hermione, motioning for him to come. Harry followed curiously. On the way up the staircase Hermione asked many questions like, what his Summer had been like, how the Muggles were, if Dudley was still a pest. Harry had never seen her this talkative. Soon they approached an old door with a number seven in the middle of it. Hermione led Harry inside.

The first thing Harry that noticed about this room was how messy it was; there were Muggle clothes strewn all over the floor and bed, it looked as though a twister had been through. Hermione however, motioned to a girl, who was bending over a suitcase, which looked full to the brim, Harry didn't know how she expected to fit the rest of her clothes in there, the ones scattered all about that is.

The girl turned around and smiled. She was really pretty, Harry noticed this at once. She was also tall and thin, almost the same height as Harry. "Hi!" she said, walking over to them. She held out her hand and introduced herself. "I'm Rachel, more commonly known as 'the new kid' Da Da Da..." she laughed and Hermione joined her. Harry smiled, hoping to look casual, he couldn't get over how pretty she was. She sat down on the bed. Her hair reached her shoulders, and was dark brown... No, wait, as the light hit it, it became light brown, so it must've been a few shades of brunette.

"Hermione has told me so much about you and Ron!" said Rachel. Not being able to get over how cute he looked, leaning against the doorframe, looking as if he didn't have a care in the world. His eyes were amazingly green, and his glasses, instead of making him look like a geek, made him look absolutely gorgeous. He was definitely worth a new word in her dictionary. He seemed to sense her gaze and she laughed. She knew she must look insane, laughing for no reason, so she thought up an excuse.

Harry thought her laughter was the most beautiful thing he had heard in a while. Besides her voice, it was so much like music, when she was shy it became high, and when she was confident it went in to natural tones. "Are you laughing at me?" Harry asked with a note of mock-embarrassment in his voice.

"No...It's just... you look so..." she trailed off, and Harry decided to make this fun,

"Ugly?" he asked.

"No, no, you look so...free, you know? I mean, if I had Voldemort after me I would be paranoid...but you look like you don't have a care in the world..." she finished. Harry smiled. She relaxed. Rachel liked it when he smiled. It was reassuring, and warm.

At that moment Hermione came back with Ron who clapped Harry on the back and said, "Harry, how ya doin'?" Harry smiled and said, "Fine...You?"

Ron replied, "Same as always, stunningly gorgeous, and fine..."

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Rachel burst out laughing at this. Harry turned to see Rachel was on her feet again. "So...Who's up for dinner?" They chuckled a bit and started off downstairs, Harry letting Rachel go before him. Rachel made a mental note to try and get a seat beside him, while Harry made the same note to her. They both concluded that this was going to be an interesting year at Hogwarts.

***