A/N: Here is Chapter 3 as promised, hope you all enjoy it. Updates will follow soon
Chapter 3: Turning 17
“Happy Birthday Harry!” cried Ron and Hermione in unison.
Harry sat bolt upright, and put his glasses on, peering at the front of the room where his two best friends stood beaming at him.
“Thanks,” he said appreciatively, smiling.
“Get dressed Harry, we’ve a lot to do today. Mum wants us, that is you me and Hermione, out of the house. Today of all days she’s chosen to do a spring-clean,” informed Ron.
Twenty minuets later, Harry was dressed and on his way down the long staircase. Ron and Hermione were in the kitchen having breakfast.
“Happy birthday Harry dear!” Mrs Weasley trilled.
“Yes, many happy returns Harry!” added Mr. Weasley, looking up from his paper with twinkling eyes.
“Thanks Mr. and Mrs. Weasley!” Harry said as he sat himself down at the kitchen table.
There was a claw like tapping at the kitchen window. “Ah, the post!” said Mrs. Weasley, and she opened the window.
Three owls flew in to the kitchen and landed straight in front of Harry just as he was helping himself to some marmalade on toast. The owls ruffled their feathers as he put his toast aside and removed the post from them. He opened the first letter, which was marked with the Ministry of Magic’s seal, and then read it aloud to everyone.
“Dear Mr. H. Potter,
It is with sincerest pleasure that I wish you a very happy 17th birthday from all of us here at the improper use of magic office. I am writing to inform you that because you have turned 17 years of age, you are now eligible to use magic outside of Hogwarts School premises. This includes both verbal and non-verbal incantations, but there is still one rule every wizard must adhere to: use you magic carefully and wisely. That is all we ask of you. Enjoy your 7th and final year at Hogwarts School!
Yours Sincerely,
Mafalda Hopkirk
Improper use of magic office”
Hermione and Ron beamed at him. “Go on then…”
Harry well knew what they were waiting for… magic!
He lifted his wand and cried, “Incendo!” flourishing it at the fireplace. With a large bang a fire appeared in the grate. After watching it flare for a few seconds, Mrs. Weasley then put it out with a stream of water form her wand.
“Hey I used magic without being reprimanded by the ministry!” said Harry happily as he turned to his next letter, which he slit open and also read aloud.
“Dear Mr. H. Potter,
As you may recall, my name is Wilkie Twycross and I taught apparition to you and the rest of your peers last year at Hogwarts. As you are now 17 years of age, you are eligible to take your apparition test. I have arranged for your test to take place today, at 12 o’clock sharp, so don’t be late. Just come to the Ministry and head for the sixth floor, turn right out of the lift, and you will see the Apparition Test Center.
A very Happy Birthday to you!
Yours Sincerely Wilkie Twycross Apparition Instructor.”
“I’ll escort you to the ministry, Harry,” Mr. Weasley offered kindly.
“Yeah ok, thanks Mr. Weasley,” smiled Harry.
“Oh great, we can come with you for support!” Ron said in excitement.
Harry nodded with a grin, and moved on to the last letter, which looked more like a large parcel. He slit it open quickly and saw there was a note attached to the package within.
“Dear Harry,
A very happy 17th Birthday to you! Your mother and father would have been full of pride if they could see you now. Your parents left many of their possessions within my care; it was I who sent you the invisibility cloak that once belonged to your farther during your first year at Hogwarts. Your parents saw fit to leave this in my possession, too. I was told by Lily and James that you were to receive this upon your coming of age. I have now fulfilled their wish. Once again, Happy Birthday Harry!
Sincerely yours,
Albus Dumbledore.”
There was an unexpected outburst from Hermione.
“But…but how? Dumbledore was killed by Professor Snape… god knows how he can be called a teacher!”
“Calm down please Hermione,” said Mrs. Weasley with tears in her eyes. Harry knew that she held great respect for Dumbledore, and reading the note must have upset her. Mr. Weasley quickly guided her to a chair and she sat down.
Hermione calmed down instantly. “Sorry, Mrs. Weasley I didn’t mean to…” she trailed off.
“No, no, dear, don’t be ashamed, I was shocked too,” said Mrs. Weasley, wiping her eyes with a handkerchief.
Harry turned to her. “Please Mrs. Weasley, don’t get upset, I know you held very great respect for Dumbledore and still do...” He gave her a comforting smile, and before he knew it, he was swept up by her into a tight hug.
“Oh Harry dear, don’t worry about me, I’m fine,” said Mrs. Weasley as she let him go.
Harry then sat back down and removed the note from the package. He took the letter out of the envelope, and unfolded it with care. Then he read it out to the room so that everyone could hear what it said.
“To our darling Harry,
Happy 17th birthday! We can’t believe you have come of age, It seems only yesterday that it was your 1st birthday… Enclosed in this letter is your present from us, take extra care with it, as it happens to be a family heirloom which used to beong to your great, great, great grandmother. It has been passed down through the family, and now we are giving it to you. Harry, promise us, no matter what, that you’ll remember what we’re about to say. – We love you very, very much. No matter what you do in life we will always be proud of you!
We will love you always,
Mum & Dad xxx
P.S. Your Dad has researched into our family history and it seems that your great, great, great grandmother was related to G.G.”
“What a beautiful letter,” Ginny sighed, as he finished reading.
“G.G, who on earth was that?” Harry wondered aloud to the room.
“No idea Harry, open your present it may give you a clue,” Hermione suggested.
“Yeah, go on, open it!” urged Ron.
“OK,” Harry said, in an unsure tone.
He began to open the package very carefully - there was more than one layer of brown paper, it must be extremely delicate. A few minutes later he had removed the paper to discover that there were layers of tissue paper guarding the Potter Family heirloom. He removed the tissue paper from the package with ease, and saw a note attached to the gift, which read:
“My dearest great grand daughter,
This is for you on your special day. Take care of this ancient magical possession of mine, I hold it very close to me. But I give it to you now, knowing full well that you shall take extra care with it and I know that you shall pass this down through the generations, and teach them how to use it as I taught you.
Love,
G.G.”
Harry removed the note from his present and held it up towards the light. It was a golden hour glass with the smallest of crimson stones around the outside, and it hung delicately on a golden chain. When Harry took a closer look, he found the initials G.G engraved on the top of the hourglass, which seemed to glow crimson in the light of the kitchen.
When Harry showed it to everyone, Hermione said in whispered tones of excitement, “You know what it is, don’t you Harry?”
“Yes its an hourglass Hermione, anyone can see that,” said Ron sarcastically.
“I know that Ron! But it’s no ordinary hourglass.”
Harry stared at Hermione in awe.
“It’s a time turner,” she finished smugly.
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