The Invitation
Young Harry took his seat in the chamber after lunch. Madam Pomfrey had insisted that he could start having a slightly larger portion size at meal times and Harry was feeling exceptionally fully and tired. Before coming to the chamber, Harry wasn't sure he'd ever had a full stomach before. It was a strange feeling. Not bad exactly. Just different. He smiled at his older self as he sat next to Neville. He liked the quiet boy. While Ron seemed great too, he was a little too loud and boisterous and that sometimes put Harry on edge. But Neville spoke softly and didn't move particularly quickly, and Harry found himself feeling safe with the other boy.
Harry flinched when he heard the book start. He hadn't noticed Professor Flitwick casting the spell. That was unusual. Normally he noticed everything. Was this what it was like to feel safe?
By the time Harry arrived... behind the morning's Daily Mail,
"You know that's something else that probably needs to change," Hermione said. "We only have one newspaper that is taken seriously and its ministry controlled. We need a free press."
Rita grinned maliciously. "You wouldn't want a free press."
"Sure, I would," Hermione countered. "We'd need stronger laws about protecting individuals from libel and also protecting the rights of minors."
"We already have those laws in place, Miss Granger," Lucius said. "Unfortunately, Heir Potter didn't have anyone protecting his interests. His magical guardian should have hired a lawyer to deal with the Prophet."
Hermione frowned. It was one thing to think that the laws just didn't exist but it was another thing entirely to think that people just didn't think that the laws should apply to Harry. Presumably they saw an orphan and thought him alone and defenseless.
"The same can be said for muggleborns," Lucius said. "Often they're unaware of the laws in our world and so do not take the appropriate action to respond to defamation in the paper."
"You're not wrong that we need more papers though," Harry said. "I mean, I don't even know how many papers there are in muggle Britain."
"You shouldn't have a monopoly on information," young Harry said, surprising them all. "We learned that in school. The more sources you gain your information from, the more you can ensure your opinion is unbiased."
"Very true, Mr Potter," Minerva said with a warm smile.
and Aunt Petunia... her horse-like teeth.
Madam Pomfrey sat forward. Were they about to hear about Dudley's diet?
Dudley looked furious... Dudley glowered at her.
"Just a quarter of grapefruit?" Madam Pomfrey asked. "Was that for breakfast?" Sure, the boy clearly needed to lose weight but that was some extreme dieting. "That's only about twenty calories."
Suddenly restricting food like that could be deadly. For a boy like Dudley, even a small change might have made a significant difference. Reducing his portion sizes for example, might have been enough to kickstart his weight loss without potentially effecting his electrolytes or bone density.
His life had taken a most unpleasant turn... find excuses for his bad marks as usual:
Minerva tutted at that. She really didn't like the Dursleys.
Aunt Petunia always insisted... he wouldn't hurt a fly!" Aunt Petunia had said tearfully.
That led to a lot of eye rolling.
However, at the bottom of the report... size and weight of a young killer whale.
A couple of the young Gryffindors laughed, although they did their best to hide it from the adults.
So - after many tantrums... Uncle Vernon called "rabbit food."
"It's clear to see where he gets his unhealthy eating habits from," Poppy said.
To make Dudley feel better about it all... get more to eat than Harry.
Sirius glared at the book.
But Aunt Petunia didn't know... an enormous fruitcake and assorted meat pies.
Sirius smiled at the Grangers, Mrs Weasley and Hagrid. He was grateful they'd been looking out for Harry.
Poor Errol... recover from the journey.
Arthur sighed. They really did need to retire Errol and get a new post owl. But owls were expensive.
And then on Harry's birthday ... he ate his grapefruit without complaint.
"Birthday cake for breakfast?" Poppy asked with a mock glare.
Uncle Vernon laid aside his paper ... a very sour look in his piggy little eyes.
"If he tries and takes your food," Sirius growled.
Uncle Vernon gave a great sigh... Uncle Vernon's grapefruit.
Everyone laughed.
Harry heard talking at the door ... ripping paper came from the hall.
"Oh, no," young Harry said. "He's mad, isn't he?"
Harry nodded. Everyone else wondered how the young boy had known.
Aunt Petunia set the teapot down... "In the living room. Now. "
"But you haven't done anything," Remus said. "Have you?"
Harry shrugged. It really didn't matter if he'd done something or not. Not when it came to Uncle Vernon.
Bewildered, wondering what on earth... settled for looking politely puzzled.
"Good decision," young Harry muttered. It was always better to stay quiet.
"This just arrived," ... sent letters by the postman?
Mrs Weasley looked up. She'd sent that letter. She didn't mean to get Harry in trouble though.
Uncle Vernon glared at Harry... a great deal from Harry about my son Ron.
Ron snorted. Yeah, he'd be surprised if the Dursleys even knew his name.
As Harry might have told you... a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity;
The kids all looked at the book eagerly. This was exciting. Would they get to hear about the world cup final?
Britain hasn't hosted the cup... see him safely onto the train back to school.
"Like they care about that," young Harry muttered.
It would be best... I am not sure he even knows where it is.
"He won't like that," young Harry said with a grimace.
Hoping to see Harry soon... P. S. I do hope we've put enough stamps on.
The muggleborns all looked confused. "You should only need one for a letter," Hermione said with a sigh.
Uncle Vernon finished reading... Dursleys' address in minute writing.
Mrs Weasley went bright red.
"She did put enough stamps on, then," ... His uncle's eyes flashed.
Don't be cheeky,young Harry said. "He really won't like that."
"The postman noticed," ... Seemed to think it was funny."
"Well, it was, in fairness," Harry said with a shrug.
Harry didn't say anything... with people like Mrs. Weasley.
All the magicals looked offended at that. They didn't want to be associated with him either.
"Perhaps you can teach the children in the primary school how to send letters," Mr Granger said, "both the magical way and the muggle way."
Uncle Vernon was still glaring at Harry... most fundamental instincts came into conflict.
Everyone looked confused.
Allowing Harry to go... Uncle Vernon hated having Harry in the house.
The confused expressions disappeared.
To give himself thinking time... aloud in the Dursley household.
"Imagine making the word Hogwarts taboo," Tom said with an eye roll.
Uncle Vernon screwed up ... become wider than he was tall.
Mrs Weasley reddened still more. It was strange having a complete stranger talk about her body like that. The man had no manners.
Uncle Vernon was perusing the letter again... "Played on broom-"
"Surprised he's actually talking to you about this," young Harry said thoughtfully.
Harry nodded with a grin. It had surprised him too.
"All right, all right!" ... 'the normal way'?" he spat.
Harry laughed.
"Normal for us," ... his face now a rich plum color.
"Well, he did ask," Minerva said snappishly.
"You stand there... extremely baggy jeans.
"Careful," young Harry murmured, looking actually scared.
"I will not be spoken to like that!" ... You know - my godfather. "
Severus's eyes widened. The manipulative little brat. He was impressed. "That was very Slytherin of you, Potter."
"Thanks, sir," Harry said with a grin.
He had done it... tiny eyes contract with sudden fear.
Sirius smirked. He liked the fact these muggles were scared of him. He'd show them just why they should fear him.
"Well - yeah," ... tell him you're going. "
Several people cheered. They hadn't expected Vernon to agree.
"Okay then," ... "I feel really full, don't you?"
George laughed heartily.
Laughing at the astonished look... she was annoyed about something.
The aurors sat up a little straighter. What was bothering the owl?
Exactly what was annoying ... DAD GOT THE TICKETS -
Ron gave Harry an apologetic look for Pig.
Ireland versus Bulgaria... We're coming for you whether the Muggles like it or not,
Madam Bones frowned. Did they not realise that could technically count as kidnapping? Under the circumstances, she certainly understood it, but they really shouldn't have let Ron put that in a letter. If you planned to do something questionable, it was better not to leave evidence.
you can't miss the World Cup... unless you want the pants bored off you.
Percy glared at his younger brother.
See you soon ... though daring it to try and come any closer.
"What is it with Crookshanks and Hedwig not liking my pets?" Ron muttered irritably.
"At least Hedwig didn't attack Pig," Harry said. "She just thinks that post owls should behave a certain way."
Harry seized his eagle-feather quill ... Hedwig hooted in a dignified sort of a way.
Everyone who knew Hedwig smiled at that. She was a very dignified bird.
"Can you take this to Sirius for me?" ... how a real post owl should behave.
Ron rolled his eyes. Sure, Pig was annoying but he was his.
"I'll be at Ron's... nothing but grapefruit;
"That's surprisingly vindictive of you, Harry," Hermione said, giving him an odd look.
"You'd feel vindictive too if you always had nothing while your cousin had everything," Harry muttered. "It was nice to have our roles reversed for once."
it was a bright summer's day... even Lord Voldemort.
Sirius smiled. That's what he wanted to hear. Harry was only fourteen in the book and shouldn't have a care in the world.