Harry Potter and the Protectors of Hogwarts

ii. of a better birthday

Three more weeks had passed since Aunt Petunia had taken him out to buy him clothes, and Harry's birthday was just one day away. He was just about to send his letter to the Order and write back to his friends as well.

He was looking over Hermione's last letter so he could write out a reply. Harry cherished Hermione like a sister, but her constant badgering to talk about Sirius was annoying and proving to be not so fruitful. Harry didn't mention Sirius in any of his letters to Hermione. He read over Hermione's letter.

Dear Harry,

How are you, Harry? Hope you've had a good summer. You don't know how happy I was to hear that were reading over your previous books. We can never be too prepared for NEWTs, and reading over your books will certainly help you choose which subjects you'll want to carry on with in NEWTs classes. Have you given any thought to it yet? But I suppose it all depends on our OWL results doesn't it?

Anyway, how are you really doing, Harry? You know you'll always be welcome to talk to me, don't you? I'm always willing to lend an ear. Don't blame yourself for Sirius, Harry. Just wanted you to know that.

Anyway, we're at you-know-where. So are my parents. I finally get to show them what the wizarding world is like. I mean after that fiasco before second year, they've learnt a bit more about how it works by staying at ... here.

Mr Weasley is really enjoying himself by talking to them. Anyway, I'll finish off here. I'll always be here to talk about Sirius if you want to.

See you soon,

Hermione

Harry appreciated Hermione's concern, but he was really getting annoyed at thinking that talking to her would help. He talked to Remus briefly about Sirius. Remus and Harry exchanged letters often.

Harry quickly wrote and sent off his letters to his friends and the Order. He finished the evening by reading and practicing wand movements. He decided to take the day off from reading tomorrow. He cleared his mind and drifted off to sleep.

***

The next day, Harry woke up with a smile on his face. He didn't remember but he thought he had a good dream. The images of the dream were already slipping away, but Harry didn't care. The only thing he did remember was the same comforting feeling he got from his other dream.

He stretched and looked out the window. It was nine o'clock, and he saw the clouds, slightly grey covering up the sun. It looked the weather couldn't make up its mind of whether to rain or not. But Harry decided not to let the weather spoil his day.

He went down and made himself some breakfast, the Dursleys already had theirs. Vernon had probably already gone to work. He heard Aunt Petunia in her bedroom on the phone. Dudley was probably out with his friends God-knows-where.

Harry quickly ate, took a shower, changed into his new clothes, and stepped out. He headed towards the park, where he was going to meet Remus. They were planning to go to Diagon Alley. When Harry got to the park he saw that Remus was already there.

"Happy Birthday, Harry." Smiled Remus.

Harry and Remus headed further down where Remus then flagged down the Knight Bus. They travelled to Diagon Alley and did their shopping. Harry didn't have his book list yet, but he did get more Defence theory books. He also requested going to the Magical Optometrist, so Remus had made an appointment for him in advance, under a presumed name at Moody's insistence. He wanted to get rid of his glasses if possible.

The witch behind the counter gave him a through examination. Without his glasses everything was a blur, but thankfully according to the witch he could have his eyes corrected but it would be a 3-month process. He would need to take a potion a week for the first month and then a potion every 2 weeks for remaining 2. This would fully correct his vision problems, but because he'd had glass from a young age his prescription was out of date, the Dursleys had never taken him back to Options to have his eyes check again since the first occasion when the school nurse had order them too. Due to this Harry would have to take the Occulus Corrective Potion every 6 months. He had a 5 day window every 6 months to take his Potion, but any longer than that he would need to start the whole process from the beginning. Given the taste of the potion Harry wasn't too keen on taking it again on a weekly basis.

Harry left the store with the first 4 weeks' worth of potions, with a parchment prescription that would enable him to order the rest of his Potions regiment when he needed. He knew Remus would pick these up for him, if not Remus then he knew someone from the Order would. His glasses had been spelled by the Eye Healer to adjust his prescription accordingly. He was also given strict instructions that he should tell his Healer that he was taking these Potions, in case of any adverse reactions to other Healer Potions he might take. Harry thought this was a good idea to let Madam Pomfrey know. He was pretty sure his medical file was quite thick.

Harry was more than happy with this change. Harry thought that depending on his glasses, especially during a battle, could be dangerous. Because if he lost them, then he would be practically useless during a battle if he couldn't see where he was pointing his wand.

As the Magical Optometrist was the last place they needed to be, they ate a late lunch at private table in the Leaky Cauldron after Harry took his first dose. He was told that he would feel the potions effect for an hour, the change to his eye sight would begin straight away. So for that hour Harry and Remus decided to have lunch at the Leaky Cauldron. Harry had headaches all throughout lunch, but that was the potion taking effect.

Harry and Remus skirted around the topic of Sirius, but they both knew how the other felt. Harry didn't particularly want to talk about Sirius and neither did Remus. This worked out quite well for them, because they both knew that words wouldn't be enough.

Even though his shopping was done, they spent the rest of the day browsing around Diagon Alley. Harry knew better than to think that he still wasn't going to be watched over by the Advanced Guard. Even though he was itching to ask questions, he contained himself. He knew he wouldn't be told anything, whatever he asked.

All in all, Harry thought the day was well spent. He actually felt slightly normal for once. Just before Remus left Harry at the park, he was told that he would be picked up the next Saturday.

Harry walked back to Privet Drive, laden with his shopping bags and potions. Dumping everything on his bed, he turned to his desk where his presents were stacked up. He'd opened at midnight, as had become tradition by now. Reaching into his pocket he added Remus' gift to it as well. It was a notebook from his own school days and it held the ramblings of the Marauders. The gift meant a lot to him. Thinking of the Marauders made him think of Hogwarts. Thinking of Hogwarts made him think of his plans.

He wanted to turn all Hogwarts into One, to perish all house rivalries... Dumbledore's words came into mind.

"United we stand, Divided we fall..."

With that and the Sorting Hat's song in mind from last year, it was one of the things that was on Harry's To-Do List.