| Harry Potter and the Quest for Dumbledore By Dillian Bono |
| Harry Potter was a highly unusual boy. He hated the summer holidays more than any other time of the year. Harry also really wanted to do his homework but was forced to do it in secret, in the dead of night. He also happened to be a wizard. Fresh from his fourth year at Hogwarts, Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry Potter laid on his bed doing his homework with a flashlight above his book. During the summer, Harry was foced to live with his Muggle (non-magical) aunt, uncle, and cousin. For most people this was not anything to dread, but the Dursley's were torture to any witch or wizard, especially Harry. The Dursleyes despised Harry, and felt having a wizard in the family was utmost shame. Harry had lived with the Dursleys for ten long and dreadful years. Before Harry had been invited to be educated at Hogwarts, the Dursleys had Harry sleep in a closet. Perhaps this was why he was short and slim for his age. Harry was not just different from the Dursleys in magical ability, but in appearance. Uncle Vernon was a large, beefy man without a neck; Aunt Petunia was a skinny, horse faced, woman with quite a long neck (which was used to look over the fence at their law abiding neighbors), and Harry's cousin Dudley was a rude, spoiled, pink faced plump boy with blond hair. Harry, on the other hand, was a short, slim boy with very untidy jet black hair, brilliant green eyes, and a thin lightening shaped scar on his forehead, clearly visible through his hair. A scar that was a mark of a past that made him and his scar famous before Harry could even talk. It was not a souvenir from a car crash that killed his parents, like the Dursleys had told him. His parents had been murdered by one of the most powerful dark wizards in over a century, Lord Voldemort. Somehow, Harry survived Voldemort's curse that killed many witches and wizards, while Harry escaped with his scar. Harry sat up. It was 1:00 a.m. He had been 15 and not even known it. Harry had been writing an essay on Witch Burning in the fourteenth century. When he thought to himself, 'I wish Hedwig was here.' Hedwig was his female snowy white owl. She had been out longer than this, but he wished she were back because she was the only creature in the house that did not flinch at the sight of him. As if it were an answer to his prayer, he saw Hedwig, a male tawny owl, and what looked like Harry's friend's family owl, Errol. Errol was very old. He belonged to Harry's friend, Ron Weasley, and his family. Ron was a tall, pureblood wizard with flaming red hair and a face full of freckles. Ron had six other siblings and even thought he and his family were very kind, they were extremely poor. Harry took the parchment of Hedwig's leg and she fluttered to her cage looking very proud of herself. Harry opened the parchment, which read: Dear Harry, Happy Birthday! I hope you are well and that the Muggles are treating you well too. Have you seen the letter from Hogwarts yet? If you haven't, I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but this is an outrage! No Hogwarts until at least December!?! Love from, Hermione Granger Hermione was Harry's other friend. She had bushy blond hair and was top in her class even though she was a "Muggleborn" witch. Harry then opened the next piece of parchment from Hogwarts, which read: Dear Mr. Potter, I am sorry to inform you that Hogwarts will be postponed. All of the teachers are unable to teach. A very powerful memory has been placed upon them. They will receive their memories by mid-December. We are very sorry for any troubles this may cause. Enjoy your extra vacation. Sincerely, Professor Dumbledore Headmaster of Hogwarts Troubles was right. How was Harry supposed to enjoy his vacation with the Dursleys? Harry flopped on his bed. Now he knew what Hermione meant. But she wasn't stuck with the Dursleys. Harry turned to his side and saw Errol, sleeping on the windowsill, with the parchment still on his leg. Harry walked over to Errol and took the parchment. It was from Ron. Dear Harry, Happy Birthday! Heard about Hogwarts yet? I can't believe it! I really want to get out of the house because of Percy. He has been talking about cauldron leaks all summer! I don't know why the whole school is postponed. It must have been a really powerful wizard to set a memory charm like that one the teachers. Usually, memory charms can be broken. I hope the Dursleys are treating you well. Ron Percy was Ron's brother who had graducated from Hogwarts two years before and had gotten a job in the Ministry of Magic. Harry thought about what his life with the Dursleys until December would feel like. Harry took off his glasses and climbed into bed. * * * * Harry didn't have a very good sleep that night. He dreamed that the teachers never got their memories back, and he had to stay with the Dursleys for the rest of his life, neighter being successful in the Muggle world or the Wizard World. Harry awoke and went downstairs for breakfast. Uncle Vernon and Dudley were already at the kitchen table while Aunt Petunia was bustling around the kitchen. "Comb your hair!" Uncle Vernon said, peering over the newspaper. Harry, who knew it was pointless to tame his untidy hair, sat down. Aunto Petunia served him a VERY small helping of eggs and one single piece of sausage. "Er, Uncle Vernon," Harry said after finishing his breakfast. "What," Uncle Vernon said in a frustrated voice, not even looking up. "Er, there is a problem at Hogw- I mean, my school and the school is going to have to be postponed until Decem--" "What?!?" Uncle Vernon said, tossing his newspaper aside. "So, I have to stay here until it re-opens," Harry said miserably. "Don't you have any friends at that non-sense school of yours that will take you?" "Yes, but Professor Dumbledore said I had to stay here," Harry said, feeling even worse. Harry soon found himself weeding the garden, painting the fence, clipping the bushes, mowing the lawn, and washing the car. At 4:00, Harry was spreading manure on the flower beds while Dudley watched him eating ice-cream. I wish they could see the famous Harry Potter now, Harry thought, with sweat pouring down on his face. He finally heard Aunt Petunia's voice calling him inside. Harry went upstairs and into his room. He was about to fall back into the bed but there was someone already sitting on it. It was a house elf. Harry already knew two house elves by the names of Dobby and Winky. "Er, hi" said Harry weakly. "Hello Mr. Potter sir," said the small female house elf," I is Notty, Mr. Malfoy's house elf sir." Harry felt awkward. He didn't want to sound rude, but he wanted to know why Notty was sitting on his bed in his room. "Er, can I help you?" Harry asked. The house elf beamed at Harry. "Harry Potter is asking Notty if she is needing help! Dobby told Notty about Harry Potter. But Notty never knew how wonderful Harry Potter is!" Said Notty, breaking out in a large smile. "Thanks." "Notty is coming to warn Harry Potter that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has regained full strength and is plotting to kill Harry Potter." Notty said grimly. "Harry Potter is only safe at Hogwarts with Dumbledore." "But--" "Harry Potter must hurry!" Notty suddenly disappeared. Harry knew he should heed Notty's warning. Harry took out a piece of parchment from his desk. He then wrote: Dear Ron, Thank you for the letter. A house elf was just here. She warned me about Voldemort. She said he is plotting my murder, and I am only safe at Hogwarts with Dumbledore. Write to Hermione and tell her too. We need to meet somewhere, and quick. Harry For the next few days, Harry waited for a reply. On the fourth day, Ron responded. Dear Harry, I didn't tell my Mom and Dad about what the house elf said, but I asked them if I could invite you and Hermione over. From there we can go on to the journey to Hogwarts. My dad will pick you up tomorrow. He is going to apparate. Ron Harry felt quite a bit better after that. He packed his things and was ready to go. Harry waited in his room all day so he would not miss Mr. Weasley. At 5:00 p.m., Harry was about to give up hope when Mr. Weasley suddenly appeared next to his beside table. "Hello Harry" said Mr. Weasley. "Hi Mr. Weasley," Harry siad grabbing his trunk. "Shouldn't I say hello to your aunt and uncle?" "No they're in a bad mood," Harry said. "Very well then..." Mr. Weasley said, "well, let's go then." Mr. Weasley clasped Harry's shoulder and they were automatically transported to the Weasley's burrow. The Weasley family was very hospitable to Harry, of course. Harry felt guilty that he, Ron, and Hermione wasted no time to plan for their journey. Ron's oldest brother Bill made their trunks feather light and compact taht would become normal size on command. The next day, they set off. Harry, Hermione, and Ron first set off to Niathers marketplace, an all wizard market. While getting food, there was a great number of hags, or creatures somewhat like wizards except for the fact that they were crueler, less magical, and very uncivilized. "Looking for something?" the hags said before a mass of large cackles. Ron and Hermione looked astonished, but Harry, who had seen a hab before, pulled them away from the hags before Ron and Hermione were harmed. "They didn't look anything like the hags in our Defense of the Dark Arts text books," said Hermione, still looking shocked. "That's because this is real life, Hermione," said Ron smiling. They walked on until they got up to the porthole at the end of the marketplace. It was an old boat. They walked up to it. "Ready?" said Harry. "One....Two....Three...." after three they touched the old boat. They were then transferred to Diagon Alley in London. Harry, Hermione, and Ron walked to Gringotts bank. "We should get some money so we can afford the Knight Bus," said Harry, "Ron-what is your--" Harry suddenly stopped. He saw a veela, a very pretty being that was so beautiful, Harry wondered if she were human. He was walking toward her, when he was suddenly pulled back. "Honestly!" Hermione said. She was holding on to the backs of their shirts. Veelas had a tendency to enchant men and boys. While Hermione was exchanging Muggle money for Wizard money, Harry and Ron were admiring the veela. "She has got to be part veela, part witch, she is at a Wizard's bank." Said Ron. "She looks our age," said Harry dreamily. "I'm back," said Hermione. "Well, shall we go?" said Harry. "Yep," said Ron. "Can we get some ice cream first?" asked Hermione. "Okay," said Harry, who was thinking about some ice cream himself. Hermione, Harry, and Ron walked to Florean Forescue's Ice Cream Parlor. Hermione and Harry got ice cream. Ron was trying to decide what he was going to order. "I would get pumpkin juice," said an unfamiliar voice. Ron looked up. It was the veela. "Er, thanks," said Ron, looking dazed. "Some wizards recommend it," she said, "it's delicious." "Be careful Ron!" said Hermione interrupting, "it could be really dangerous!" "Hermione, it's just pumpkin juice!" said Ron. "But it could be that new potion, the Imperios Potion!" Hermione said. "Yea, right Hermione," said Ron. "I suggest you try it..." the veela said. Ron did. Little did he know that Hermione was right. It was the Imperios Potion, a potion that makes wizards and witches do whatever the maker of the potion tells them to do. After Hermione and Ron were not talking, they walked down Diagon Alley in silence. Harry felt like the "middleman." When one of them finally did speak, it was in front of Florish and Blotts Bookstore. "Look!" said Hermione, pointing to a large goblet. At sign under the goblet read: The Goblet that Knows All is Sickles Each. "You wouldn't need that Hermione, since you already know everything," Ron said. Hermione burst into tears. Harry tried to comfort her. "You guys can we please get along?" Harry asked. "We need to work together if we want to get to Hogwarts!" "He's right," said Hermione, wiping the tears off her cheeks. "I'm sorry Hermione," said Ron. Hermione suddenly flung her arms around Ron and completely broke down her awkwardly on the top of her head. Hermione and Ron got along after that. At around 8:00, they asked Tom, the manager of the Leaky Cauldron, if he could flag down the Knight Bus, a nightly wizard transportation, since they were not allowed to used magic outside of Hogwars. "Welcome to the Knight Bus." A young man said, "where would you like to go?" "Hogwarts please," Hermione said. "Sorry, miss and sirs, but the Knight Bus cannot travel to Hogwarts. But we can travel to Hogsmeade," the young man said. "That will be 15 sickles each, which includes a bid, hot chocolate, bottled water, and a toothbrush," the young man said. Harry, Ron, and Hermione chose their beds. When they were getting ready to go to sleep, Ron found a large blue and green marble. But the blue and green mist inside the marble was moving. "Wow! Harry! Look at what I found!" Ron said holding out the marble which was almost as large as Ron's palm. "Cool!" said Harry, admiring Ron's new discovery. "Ron! That's the magician's Marble! It's VERY powerful! I believe it is at least a thousand years old!" said Hermione, fascinated by the marble. Ron grinned widely and put it in his trunk, which had returned to its normal size. They got to Hogsmeade at 6:00 a.m. Ron was still admiring his new marble, which was clanking next to his compact trunk in his pocket. They were happily along the road, when they saw the same veela they had seen in Diagon Alley. "Hi!" she said to Ron, Harry, and Hermione. "Hi!" said Ron. Harry noticed Hermione scowled at the veela. The veela didn't seem to notice. "I never bothered to tell you my name, I am Circle." "I'm Harry, this is Ron and this is Hermione," Harry said. "Are you students at Hogwarts?" "Yes," Hermione said. She seemed to not mind Circle as much as before. "Cool! I will be going to Hogwarts when it re-opens. I'm fifteen." "So are we!" said Ron. "Cool!" she said, "do you want any pumpkin juice? I received the recipe." "No thanks," Harry said. "Okay, well, see ya!" Circle said, walking off. Harry, Hermione, and Ron went to the two broomsticks to get a few Butter Beers. After they drank their butter bears, they started talking about the magician's marble. After twenty minutes, they heard a sudden scream from outside. Hermione, Harry, and Ron ran out of the door. "Where is the marble you foolish girl?" Harry heard Voldemort's voice yell. "Leave her alone!" Harry found himself yelling. "Ah, Harry, how good of you to make your murder easier for me! I thank you," Voldemort said. Ron and Hermione stood frozen. Both of them had never come face-to-face with Voldemort. They didn't even say his name. "You're wrong!" Harry said, "I have escaped you four times, and I can do it again!" "Oh can you?" Voldemort replied, "do you really think you can beat Lord Voldemort at full power? Foolish boy! You are like your idiot parents." "They were not idiots, and I'm not either!" "You shall discover you are wrong, boy," Voldemort said pointing his want at Harry. "Harry! Catch!" Ron yelled, throwing the Magician's Marble at Harry. Harry caught it. "Give me the marble boy!" Voldemort said. "Never," Harry said. "Give me the marble and you will have a quick death!" "No!" "Avoda Kaverna!" Voldemort yelled. At that moment, Harry held the marble out firmly in his hand. A ray of green light shot out of Voldemort's wand. The ray of light bounced off the marble and rebounded on Voldemort. Voldemort fled again. The whole crowd who had seen Harry's battle with Voldemort cheered. "You saved my life!" Circle said, Harry felt himself blush. "Wonderful job Harry!" a voice said behind him. Harry turned around. It was Dumbledore. "I saw the whole thing. You have not only saved all of Hogsmeade, you brought the teacher's memories back. Hogwarts can re-open, thanks to you! I am awarding Gryffindor 250 points at the beginning of the term." "Good job Harry!" Ron said, clapping Harry on the back. "Excellent!" Hermione said, kissing him on the cheek. Harry felt a ray of joy. Hogwarts was reopening, Gryffindor got 250 extra points, and he had made a new friend. A perfect end to a perfect beginning. |
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