I Magus

Surprises



“Well Harry” said Dumbledore peering over at him over his half-moon spectacles “it looks like you are doing well”. Harry looked at the aged Headmaster in surprise “ Surely I thought he would still be angry with me for wrecking his office at the end of last term” He thought. Dumbledore mentally laughed to himself “ Poor child” he thought. “ He’s sitting there waiting for me to expel him or worse” “ If only I had been able to tell him earlier why he’s so important, not only to the prophecy but to me as well”

“ Harry” said Dumbledore as I wrote to you there are many things we must discuss that are of not only grave importance to the wizarding world at large but also to you as a person” However as it is time for dinner perhaps you would like to join the remaining staff and myself in the Great Hall.” Harry looked at the older man in surprise wanting to ask so many questions that had been plaguing him over the summer, but quickly regained his composure and simply replied, “ Of course Professor”.

“ Harry, while we are out of term please call me Albus” Dumbledore said as they made their way out His office and proceeded down to the Great Hall”. To say Harry was shocked was an understatement, “ Call his Headmaster by his first name?” He thought. Harry knew most of the staff did not even do that and they were all fully-grown and trained wizards. He looked at Dumbledore and simply said “ I’ll try, it’s hard to think of you even having a first name sometimes” He said cheekily. Albus acknowledged this with a small sad smile and simply replied, “ Yes, for so long people have only thought of me as a Headmaster or leader of the Order but I still am human Harry, always remember it is that above all that defines us all else. That our name is what at times makes us human a title tends to separate us into different entities, and even at times lose our way”. Dumbledore looked as though he was far away for a moment but quickly returned to reality and looked at his young companion “ But enough of an old mans ramblings Harry, let us go and eat now and then get you settled in and worry about these things tomorrow”

Harry and Dumbledore then entered the Hall deep in thought about what was to come in the next few days. All of a sudden there was a yell of “ SURPRISE!!” from all around him. Harry looked about in wonder in joy all of the Weasleys; members of the Order and Hermioine and her Parents were there. “ Of course” he thought I forgot with everything else going on that today is still my Birthday. He grinned wildly as both Ron and Hermioine ran to him and they grouped in a great group hug. He had been so worried about them after they were injured in the Department of Mysteries and with no communication possible from or to them he was relieved to find them both looking well and happy.” Happy Birthday mate” Ron said grinning as they separated. Harry looked at Ron and laughed He had grown at least 4 inches since last term. “ I can’t believe you guys are here,” Harry laughed. “ Yeah Dumbledore invited us last week” said Ron. “ At least with us not being able to write to you over the summer I couldn’t spoil the surprise” He grinned. “ Hermioine laughed a deep laugh and looked over at Harry, “ He sure has grown,” she thought. It was true due to better meals Harry had had a large growth spurt and had grown both in height and weight, standing a little over 6 foot 1 inch.

It was at this time that Mrs. Weasley had come to Harry and enveloped him in one of her famous bone breaking hugs. “ Harry dear, it’s so good to see you looking well for a change,” she said. “ Yeah” Harry said while smiling” it seems that Mad-Eyes threat to the Muggles worked.” “ Well it’s about time they started to treat you right,” she said. Everyone knew her dislike for those particular muggles ever since Harry and Ron had become best friends 5 years earlier. Harry looked at his surrogate mother and smiled happily. “ Well Ma’am I’m not sure what is happening but Professor Dumbledore told me to take all my belongings with me when I left, it seems I may never have to return there again” He said smiling. “ Oh Harry that’s wonderful so are you going to come to the Burrow this summer then?” asked Ron. “ I’m not sure were going to discuss what is to happen sometime tomorrow, or so I’m told” Harry replied. “ Well dear as long as you’re away from those horrible muggles that’s the important thing” said Molly.

“ Harry” broke in Hermioine how did you do on your O.W.L’s. Harry laughed inwardly he knew they would be amongst the first words out of his studious friends mouth. Grinning he said” I got “ O’s” in everything but History and Divination, plus the Highest ever recorded mark in the History of Hogwarts for DADA, so 12 out of 15.” Harry that’s wonderful said Hermioine flashing him her warming smile. “ See I told you it pays to study up and be prepared,” she said with her knowing look. “ I got 15 O.W.L’s,” she said. “ Mione, that’s fantastic, how did you do Ron?” Harry asked. “ Ron smiled and said 10 “. Mate that’s fantastic said Harry laughing as he remembered Ron’s consternation at taking the exams in the first place.

A tapping of a fork on glass from the Head table got their attention. “ Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen” said Dumbledore I’m so glad you could all make it he this evening to celebrate the 16th birthday of our young Harry Potter today. So without further ado lets feast and enjoy the party. Dumbledore merely waved his hand and as usual loads of food appeared on the table. Harry looked at Dumbledore thoughtfully, “ He uses wandless magic” He thought “ I need to learn that, badly,” he thought. “How many times has my wand been taken and left me defenseless?” He thought. As he gazed around the room at his surrogate family and friends his resolve to learn was both strengthened and reaffirmed. Harry silently vowed to himself “ By God as my witness Tom Riddle, you will fall, you will pay. I will stop you.”

Dumbledore seemed to sense his mood and looked over at him and saw the resolve written on his face and the raw determination and courage to carry out his goal to the end in his emerald gaze. Noting this he silently raised his glass in salute to the young warrior before him. After dinner came time to cut the cake and open his gifts. After everyone had sung Happy Birthday and he had blown out the candles he opened the gifts from his friends. “ I’ve never gotten this many presents before” he silently mused. Ron came forward and thrust his present into Harry’s hands. “ Here Harry open mine first” he said. Harry opened the package wrapped in the familiar orange of Rons favorite quidditch team the Chudley Cannons. “ WOW!!” Harry said looking at his best friend with a grin how did you ever get season passes with box seats to the Cannons games” he asked delighted. “Well it’s a gift from all of the family” Ron said laughing with delight.” Fred and George kind of blackmailed Ludo Bagman as he welted on his bet at the World Quidditch Cup on their bets. “ Ron said with a grin. “ This is great thank you so much, I can’t wait for the first match” Harry replied. Hermione was next as she handed him a red and gold wrapped package. “ Open mine next Harry” Harry opened it and both grinned and groaned at her. It was a book entitled “ 1000 and 1 tips for N.E.W.T.S.”
She laughed at his face and said “ Well now I know you can do it and besides we only have 2 years to get ready you know” Harry and Ron both laughed at her seriousness as she said this. “ Really Mione” said Ron Laughing “We just got over O.W.L.s can’t we take a break some, it’s the holidays after all “ Everyone laughed at this.

Harry received many other useful texts and gifts from the Order members but it was Dumbledores gift that truly puzzled him. It was a note that said \"you will find out more tomorrow.\" “ I wonder what that means,” He thought. Harry turned and said to everyone “I can’t thank you all enough for this, I’m speechless.” Everyone gathered just laughed and said you deserve it Harry. After a few more hours everyone had to leave and Harry told his friends he would see them as soon as he found out what was going on and where he was to stay.

Later after everyone had left Dumbledore took Harry to his room. “ Errr Albus, aren’t I going to stay in the Gryffindor tower?” He asked confused as they headed back towards the Headmasters Office and personal quarters. Dumbledore looked at Harry and smiled as his eyes twinkled madly at him. “ No Harry, for the time being I have prepared quarters for you in my tower.” “ Don’t worry Harry he said you will understand soon enough.” He said as he sensed the young mans apprehension. Harry merely nodded in acceptance and followed Albus to his new quarters. They entered not a room a s a suite of rooms all done in Gryffindor red and gold. It had a sleeping chamber with his familiar 4-poster bed, a separate bath and a library and study area. “ Harry was stunned is this for me” he gasped. Dumbledore merely nodded” Yes I thought it was high time you had more livable quarters than what was provided to you by your “ family” “ he said as a slight frown furrowed on his face and his ever present twinkling eyes diminished some.

“ Well Harry I shall leave you here for the night and see you in the morning for breakfast.” Dumbledore continued on “ If you need anything, just call for Dobby as he is most anxious to help you settle in.” Harry merely nodded dumbstruck as he was. “ Albus” Harry said the name still coming rather clumsily to him. “ I just wanted to say I was sorry for last year and to say thank you.” Harry blushed as he finished. “ Don’t worry Harry rest assured that all is forgotten and forgiven “ Dumbledore said smiling. “ But rest now and tomorrow I’m sure all will be made clear”. With that Albus bid Harry goodnight and left Harry to his thoughts. Harry took a few minutes to take in more of his new chambers. “Wow” he thought as he looked at the portrait over the fireplace.” That’s Godric Gryffindor’s frame but I wonder where he is, he seems to have left” he mused. Yawning tiredly he quickly undressed and climbed into bed and tried to clear his mind before he drifted off to sleep. As he slept he dreamt of a man that looked strikingly like himself come to him and look him up and down with an appraising look to his eye. Apparently he was pleased with what he saw for he nodded and smiled and said “ You will do” My son, my heir…….

Harry awoke with a start he thought he had heard voices, something or someone calling him. “ Must be dreaming” thought and drifted back to sleep.

A/N Thanks for reading and reviewing allJ