Harry Potter and the Lost Prophecy

Chapter Four:

Birthdays, Broomsticks and Boxes

When Harry awoke it was not yet dawn. A strange feeling was winding its way through his body. It was pleasant, relaxing and he lay still for a moment, savouring the sensation. He wondered briefly about the cause of this feeling-- then realised that today was his birthday. It was the first time he'd woken on his birthday in a place that felt like home.

He sat up slowly and fumbled for his glasses. Glancing around the room his eyes lighted on Ron, who was snoring loudly, one arm flung over the side of the bed. Harry smiled to himself, and watched his best friend sleep. He wished Ron didn't feel the resentment that Harry knew still lurked beneath the surface. He'd gladly switch places with Ron in an instant, except that doing so would place Ron in greater danger than he was already in. He gave a small sigh, then quietly gathered his clothes and dressed. Holding his trainers in his hand he crept downstairs, avoiding the creaky floorboard on the bottom step and snuck quietly out the kitchen door.

Settling himself on the grass, he drew his knees up to his chest and waited for the sun to rise. As the first rays of morning crept through the sky, Harry heard the door open behind him. He glanced behind him and was surprised to see Ginny standing hesitantly by the door, wrapped in a dressing gown. He smiled at her and patted the ground beside him. With a grateful smile she sunk down onto the grass.

"Hi," he whispered.

"Hi yourself! Happy Birthday Harry," she whispered in return.

"Thanks Gin," he turned to grin at her, "It feels so strange, to be in a place I love for my birthday, with people I love. I wanted to watch the sunrise, see if it looked different."

He paused then glanced at her dressing gown. "I didn't wake you did I?"

Ginny shook her head. "No, I was awake. I heard you go downstairs and I wanted to make sure you were ok. When I saw you out here I wasn't sure if I should disturb you or not."

"Sunrise is even more beautiful when you have someone to share it with." Harry whispered back.

Ginny smiled at him, the morning rays glinting off her hair.

"Harry?" she asked after a moment.

"Yeah?"

"Why are we whispering?"

Harry shrugged. "It just seems the right thing to do."

Then they both gazed up at the sky, shoulders touching slightly in solidarity.

This was how Hermione found them a few minutes later.

"Ginny?" a voice yawned from the doorway.

Ginny turned around. "Oh, morning Hermione!"

Hermione rubbed her eyes and peered at them sleepily.

"Oh. Hi Harry!" she said, "Happy Birthday."

Harry grinned up at her. "Thanks. You've just missed a beautiful sunrise."

Hermione looked disappointed. "You got up early to watch it?" she asked, "I woke up and you weren't in your bed Ginny. I was worried." She was looking at the younger girl in a rather unfriendly way.

"But I can see you're alright, so I'm going back to bed," she spun around and stalked off.

Harry looked at Ginny. "What's up with her?" he asked, puzzled.

Ginny shrugged, but she had a troubled expression on her face.

Harry got to his feet and reached a hand down to help Ginny up. She took it, blushing and letting go hurriedly.

"I-I'd better get dressed," she said, then hurried inside.

Harry watched her go, thinking how much she'd changed in the past year. Then he turned back to look at the fresh dawn sky, revelling in the feel of his birthday morning.

Half an hour later Mrs Weasley found him sitting at the kitchen table eating an apple.

"Morning!" he said brightly as she entered the room.

"Oh! Good morning Harry! Happy Birthday, love!" she said with a kindly smile.

"You're up bright and early! Did you sleep ok?" she said, her tone turning worried.

Harry laughed. "I slept fine! I just wanted to see the sunrise," he smiled at her shyly. "It's the first time I've woken on my birthday in a place that feels like home." He said this rather fast, turning red.

Mrs Weasley beamed at him. "I'm so glad you feel that way Harry. After all, you're a part of the family!" She began bustling around the kitchen. "Now, what do you say to pancakes?"

"Sounds great!" Harry replied, "I'm famished!"

A loud clattering on the stairs heralded the arrival of the twins. They burst in in a flurry, talking loudly about a new idea for Weasleys Wizard Wheezes.

"If we added a simple Engorgement charm then it would create a bigger bang," Fred was saying, stopping abruptly when he saw his mother.

"Morning Mum!" George said cheerily. "Morning Harry!"

"How is the birthday boy this morning?" Fred asked. "Only another two years and you'll be of age- think of the freedom!"

"And think of the extra, uh, fun you'll be able to have." George said quietly, winking.

Harry felt himself turning red, and the twins started to tease him good-naturedly.

A few minutes later Hermione and Ginny trouped in, sitting down either side of Harry. There was a tension between them that Harry found puzzling. Before he could begin to wonder about the cause Mrs Weasley had placed a plate stacked with pancakes and bacon in front of each of them.

"Mmm, this looks delicious Mrs Weasley," Hermione said with a smile.

Mrs Weasley looked gratified then turned to holler up the stairs. "Ron! Percy! Bill! Breakfast is on the table!"

Fred looked up from his plate, mouth half full. "What do you say to a game of Quidditch this morning, Harry?"

"When the others get down here we'll have enough for four-a-side," George added.

Harry nodded enthusiastically. "Will Percy want to play though?" he asked through a mouthful of bacon.

Fred shrugged. "Doesn't hurt to ask I suppose." He took another bite of his pancakes and continued. "Now, we can be the Beaters on either team. You and Bill can be the Seekers, Hermione and Percy can be the Keepers and Ron and Ginny can be the Chasers."

Hermione looked over at him and shook her head. "Uh-uh. I don't think so."

"Come on Herm," Harry said, nudging her playfully, "It'll be fun."

Hermione glared at him and Harry laughed. "I guarantee you'll love it. You, me, Fred and Ron can be one team."

Fred nodded. "Come on Hermione. We can't play without you."

Grudgingly Hermione agreed.

Half an hour later they were outside in the Weasley's meadow. Miraculously Percy had agreed to play, and had even graciously given Hermione his Comet Two Sixty to ride, while he himself used a rather dilapidated Shooting Star that had once belonged to their father. Bill quickly said a charm which would prevent the balls from leaving the meadow, released them, and a few seconds later Harry was feeling the familiar rush of adrenaline as he soared high above the others. With a smile he patted his Firebolt, glad to be back on his broomstick where he belonged. Being a Seeker meant that Harry had a lot of time to watch the others play. His job was simply to find the tiny Golden Snitch and catch it, which would end the game and earn his team 150 points. He swerved slightly as a Bludger hit by George flew towards him. His own beater, Fred was suddenly there, hitting the heavy black ball back down towards Ginny. The two Bludgers were designed to knock players off their broomsticks. Fred and George, who were Beaters on the Gryffindor team, had the rather tiring job of hitting the Bludgers towards opponents and defending their own players. They carried bats for this purpose and Fred was waving his rather energetically as he hovered next to Harry.

"Ron's quite good isn't he?" he commented before zooming back down again.

Harry looked towards the opposite goals- three hoops were suspended in the air at either end of the makeshift pitch. Ron's job as Chaser was to throw the Quaffle, a large red ball, through the hoops, earning his team ten points. He had already scored several times against Percy, bringing the scores to 60-40. George's team was in the lead, due either to Hermione's lack of talent as Keeper or to Ginny's expertise as Chaser. Despite hating flying Hermione wasn't as bad as Harry had expected. Grim determination showed on her face as she tried to prevent Ginny from scoring.

Strangely, each time the Quaffle sailed past and Ginny flew a lap of honour Hermione's face darkened slightly. Harry frowned slightly, wondering what the problem was. Then he turned and looked at the opposite end of the pitch.

Suddenly Harry spotted the snitch. It was hovering enticingly by the ground close to Percy. Harry swooped down immediately and saw Bill following him out of the corner of his eye. A Bludger was hurtling towards him on his left and Harry swung into a steep dive, spinning 360 degrees. He reached out and grabbed the snitch, a huge smile on his face. He looked up to see Ron grinning at him proudly. He landed softly and Hermione came running towards him, engulfing him in a big hug.

"We won! We won!" she shouted happily. Harry caught Ron's eye, laughing, but his friend just looked back, frowning slightly.

"That was amazing Harry!" Bill said, slapping him on the back.

"You know," Harry said to George, "Now Oliver and Angelina have gone we'll be needing a new Chaser and Keeper." He nodded in Ron's direction.

George nodded thoughtfully. "He is pretty good- it's the Weasley genes. We're born with a broomstick in our hands." Harry laughed.

"Harry, dear!" Mrs Weasley called from the backdoor "You've got an owl!"

Harry handed Ron his Firebolt and headed back into the house. "I'll be right back," he called over his shoulder.

He hurried into the kitchen, hoping it would be Sirius's reply.

Instead he saw that it was one of the Hogwarts school owls sitting on the kitchen table. Sitting down, he quickly untied the letter from the owls' leg. It ruffled its feathers, then snatched a biscuit from a plate on the table, and flew straight out the window.

Harry watched it leave then opened the letter. A note and a piece of familiar folded parchment fell onto the table.

The note was from Professor Dumbledore.

Dear Mr Potter.

Salutations on your Birthday! I trust this finds you in good health.

I am returning to you an item, which was found amongst Crouch's belongings after the events of last term. Although I could not possibly know its purpose, I believe it may prove itself invaluable in the coming year. I trust you will use it wisely and appropriately.

I would like to invite you to join me in my office immediately following the Welcome feast on Sept. 1^st. There are a number of matters we urgently need to discuss. Snuffles has asked me to express his greetings to you, as he is currently unavailable to contact you at present. You will be hearing from us both before the end of the holidays.

Until September

Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster

Harry put the note down and frowned. He was glad to have the Marauders map back, but there was something in the tone of the note that left him feeling slightly apprehensive.

He slowly climbed the stairs to Ron's room wondering what Dumbledore wanted to see him about. Having hidden the Map safely in his trunk he hurried back downstairs, finding the others sitting in the living room.

Sitting on the sofa next to Hermione he handed the note to Ron. He skimmed it briefly and handed it to Hermione, giving Harry a questioning look. Hermione finished reading and looked at Harry.

"He gave you back the Map?" she asked incredulously.

"What map?" Ginny asked curiously. They all ignored her.

"I wonder what he wants to see you about?" Hermione asked curiously.

Harry shrugged, still feeling a little apprehensive.

"No point worrying about it now." Ron said wisely. "Besides you're got this to open."

He handed Harry a bright orange wrapped parcel. Harry grinned at his friend and ripped the paper off. Inside was a copy of Quidditch Through The Ages.

"Excellent!" Harry exclaimed. "Thanks Ron!"

"It's the latest edition, with extra moves and plays. Fred and George say you'll be Captain of the House Team, so I thought it'd be handy."

Harry looked up in surprise. "Captain? Me?"

Fred nodded. "It makes sense. Both George and I would be terrible at it. Alicia will be busy enough- She'll probably be Head Girl. And Katie doesn't want the responsibility. We've all agreed and we think that'd you'd be the best Captain."

George gave Harry a mock menacing look. "But if you're like Oliver and make us get up at dawn, we'll make you sorry," he laughed and the others joined in.

Harry was gobsmacked. "Wow. I don't know what to say. Thanks guys!" He ran the thought through his head- Harry Potter, Quidditch Captain. Just like his dad. He felt a tear forming in the corner of his eye and became very absorbed in the book.

"Here," Ginny said thrusting two packages under his nose. He smiled gratefully at her and began to unwrap the larger of the two, quickly discovering it was one of Mrs Weasley's homemade jumpers. This one was dark blue with a golden snitch on the front. Dropping the wrapping on the floor he pulled it over his head, smiling happily.

Then he opened the smaller of the packages. It was a beautifully embossed notebook, bound in maroon leather and depicting a golden lion fighting a silver snake. He glance up at Ginny.

"It's a diary," she said simply. "Not enchanted of course," she added with a wry smile, "I thought it might help for you to write things down. Help you clear your head." She blushed and looked down at her hands.

Harry leant over and hugged her tightly. "Thanks Gin," he whispered, "It's perfect."

His eyes met Hermione's. She was scowling slightly. Then her eyes widened.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, jumping up from her chair, "I almost forgot."

She pounded up the stair to Ginny's Room. And returned a few moments later carrying a parcel wrapped in plain white paper with a blue ribbon tied around it.

"It's not much," she said apologetically as Harry tore at the wrappings, "I just saw it and it made me think of you."

She smiled over at Harry who was looking down at the box resting amongst the torn paper. He smiled up at her.

"Wow, this is beautiful Hermione! Thanks!" He traced the snake design on the lid with his finger, following the snakes' coils that were intertwined into the shape of the number eight. The cherry wood gleamed in the light looking brand new.

"Cool" Ron exclaimed, leaning over Ginny to get a better look. "That's an Eterna-box^tm . I've never seen one quite like that before though"

"It's a wizard box?" Hermione asked in surprise

"Yeah, didn't you know?" Ron looked over at her, "I thought maybe you got it from one of those old antique shops in Diagon Alley. They're invisible to Muggles"

"Really? I got it from a shop near where I live," Hermione replied ponderously "Hmm, that means that either the shop keeper was a wizard, or he thought I was absolutely bonkers trying to buy something that wasn't there!"

"So, what's so special about it?" Harry inquired, placing the box in Ginny's outstretched hands.

"Well, see how it's got the eternity symbol on the lid? The lazy eight? It identifies it as a genuine Eterna-box^tm, which means it's guaranteed to last forever," she informed him.

"They're indestructible," Ron added, "You could throw every curse you had at it and it'd still be untouched."

"Which is really useful- as long as you can get the darn thing to open!" Ginny said in frustration, prying at the lid.

"I know," Hermione said, "I tried for ages to get it open. I thought that maybe Alohomora would do it but I couldn't try at home because of the Underage Wizardry Laws."

Ron pulled out his wand and reached out to tap the box.

"Uh, you'd better let me do that, don't you think?" a voice came from behind them.

They jumped and looked up to see Ron's older brother Charlie watching them.

"Don't want you getting into any trouble now, do we?"

"Charlie!" Ginny cried jumping up to give him a hug "When did you get here?"

"I apparated in a few minutes ago. Happy birthday Harry!" he smiled down at the younger boy.

"Thanks Charlie" Harry smiled. He liked Ron's big brother. He was like an older version of the twins.

"Now, what was it you needed opening?" Charlie asked. Ron showed him the Eterna-box and Charlie tapped it with his wand.

"Alohomora". Nothing happened. "Ok then, let's try Aperito! No? Foramenis! Hmm, nothing, Open Sesame!" Charlie looked closely at the box then shrugged.

"Well, that's all I can think of," he said, looking at Hermione enquiringly, but she shook her head.

"Maybe it's just like a muggle puzzle box?" Harry said, picking it up. He started pushing various parts of the box in an attempt to find a secret catch. As he did this the snake on the lid seemed to wink at him. Harry froze and stared, thinking he'd imagined it, but no, there it was again.

Without thinking he said "C'mon, open up!" and the lid slid open.

No one was looking at the box though. They were all staring at Harry with varying degrees of horror and amazement on their faces.

"What?" Harry asked, puzzled, "I guess we just needed to ask it nicely."

"Uh, Harry, you were speaking Parseltongue," Ron said finally.

Harry's eyebrows rose in surprise.

"Really? I didn't realise. Why so surprised though? You've all known for years."

"I know but it's just- weird hearing you speak like that," Ron said, "Sorry mate."

"It's a little creepy," Hermione added, "Useful though."

She indicated the now open box in Harry's lap.

Five curious heads leant over the box and eagerly peered inside.

A/N Aperito and Foramenis both come from the Latin 'Opening'. They are probably incorrect but they sounded the best!