Fixing the past (Sirry)

Chapter 23

Harry was more than happy for his presents.

He received the same Pocket Sneakoscop from Ron. Hermione this time sent him a packet of underwear, she said 'there's nothing more comfortable than French clothes'.

"I'll kill you," he said as he held up the clothes and her letter, "I swear I'll kill you."

He had to endure the mirth coming out of the dog that wiggled as if he was laughing.

"Oh no," he sighed as he looked at the brown package and the scribbles on it, "Hagrid."

Snuffles looked wary, he didn't blame the animal, he was making the poor thing nervous with his reluctance, he knew what the package contained.

He peeled back the top layer of paper and caught a glimpse of a green, fur-like thing, but before he could fully unwrap it, the package shook and whatever was inside made a loud noise, like jaws closing.

Harry shuddered. He knew, he really knew, that Hagrid would never send him anything dangerous on purpose, but then Hagrid's ideas about what was dangerous were not very normal: Hagrid was friendly with giant spiders; he had bought ferocious three-headed dogs in taverns; and he had hidden dragon eggs in his hut (which was forbidden).

Sighing, he unwrapped the whole package and held up the book with the elegant green cover, with the title stamped in gold letters, The Monster Book of Monsters.

He managed to hold the book before it fell and stroked its spine so that it wouldn't jump out.

"Bloody hell Hagrid," he swore as he moved to open his trunk with a flick of his wrist and pulled out a strap to put on the book, "According to you I live with muggles and I've never seen a book of this calibre in my life and you send it to me? You are definitely irresponsible, Dumbledore is insane leaving you as a professor, you are an unconscious risk," he threw the book and closed his trunk and then looked at Sirius' confused face, "The Headmaster is a prat, he likes to collect people who are beholden to him, the one who gave this to me, Hagrid, is a half-giant, he was expelled from school for bringing in a deadly animal, he was charged with murder for that and although the animal didn't kill anyone, it was dangerous, if Aragog hadn't listened to him and got out, more than one child would have died, at least the basilisk can be commanded by a parseltongue, the other animals only by a Lord Drakonis like me, so, Dumbledore spoke for him and Hagrid fell for his righteous form and concerned teacher, innocence or idiocy, I guess more innocence."

He sighed just thinking about it, Snuffles came over and swatted his legs to push him to sit on his bed.

"Yeah, yeah, thanks mate," he patted his head, "Well, let's get on with it, this is from school at last, hopefully now my aunt and uncle will sort out whatever it is that's been driving everyone mad and get me out of this place, I'm hating every second I'm away from the Wizarding World, maybe as Hermione says I'm already becoming more of a pretentious pure-blood."

He laughed just remembering how Hermione had been teasing him, Ron was behind with Draco silently mimicking her, making exaggerated faces.

"Well," he said looking at the letter, "Let's open this."

Harry slit open the envelope, pulled out the first page of parchment within, and read:

Dear Mr. Potter,

Please note that the new school year will begin on September the first. The Hogwarts Express will leave from King's Cross station, platform nine and three-quarters, at eleven o'clock.

Third years are permitted to visit the village of Hogsmeade on certain weekends. Please give the enclosed permission form to your parent or guardian to sign.