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Chapter Eight Birthday Surprises and the Weasleys

The weeks passed by with no problems and Harry established a new routine. He would get up, turn back time and train and study as usual. Go to training with Swiftdeath, turn back time, and then explore Diagon Alley or muggle London as Sam Underhill. As Sam Underhill, Harry rented a loft above Madame Malkins which he used to turn back time and could come and go without arousing suspicion. He was living almost two days for each real one. His spell repertoire and understanding of runes was growing by leaps and bounds, and with the magical signature adjustment ring he could perform magic in the open.

During one of his study sessions, Harry came across tracking charms. Deciding to practice them, he started examining all his personal belongings. To his surprise he found some. There was one on Holly and Phoenix wand, one on his old glasses, and one on his fathers invisibility cloak. The one on his wand only activated when he used the wand, he figured might have to do with the trace…but the one on his glasses and cloak? 'The only time this could have happened was when I was at Hogwarts or the Weasleys." That was a disturbing thought. 'Only Ron, Hermione and Dumbledore know about the cloak. Oh yeah, and also Snape since last term. Ron couldn't do it, Hermione could but wouldn't, that only leaves Snape and Dumbs. Snape hates me but I don't think he would stalk me, that only leaves Dumbledore. Barkake said he is my magical guardian, is this how he keeps track of me?" Harry was getting angrier and angrier, 'This is all dumb ass does and he calls himself my magical guardian! That senile old bastard!' He decided to alleviate some frustration in the training room,.

Three hours later found an exhausted Harry wondering what to do. 'I'll leave the one on my old glasses and wand for now, but I'm definitely taking the one on my cloak off.' Examining it more closely found something interesting. There was a piece of fabric sewn into the bottom of the cloak under a notice-me-not charm. On the fabric there were runes that Harry had to look up. They turned out to be a tracking rune set, a notice-me-not rune set, and a magical suppression rune set. The tracking and the notice-me-not he could understand, but the magical suppression rune set? Deciding to bring the cloak to Swiftdeath to check out, Harry put it away for now.

Before he knew it, it was his birthday. Harry wasn't aware of this because of the repeating of days, until he received four birthday cakes from the Weasley's, Hermione, Hagrid, and surprisingly from Sirius. There was also card from Ron, Hermione, Hagrid and Remus with a handwritten note from Snuffles, aka Sirius inside. "Hey Prongslet, Happy Birthday! I am safe for now and wanted to let you know that you can get a note to me through Gringotts. Go to Account Manager Snarltoe and leave it for Han Solo. Great name isn't it? Loved that movie, tell you more later. Love Snuffles."

Harry was ecstatic, he had heard a few times from Ron and Hermione, but this was the first time he heard anything from Sirius since the train ride home from Hogwarts. Harry was glad he was safe and he now had a secure way to contact him. He wondered when Sirius had seen Star Wars. As had become standard procedure for him, he checked everything for tracking charms. Everything was clear, 'Thank Merlin.' Deciding to take the day off of training, except for Swiftdeaths, he visited Alton Towers and had a great time. That night he was able to identify his Animagus form for the first time during meditation. He was a Black Capuchin monkey. 'At least it isn't a useless form.'

Life returned to routine until one day an envelope came for him the muggle way. The first sign that anything unusual was happening was that Vernon was waiting for him when he got home. He was as purple as the envelope he had in his hands. Vernon practically snarled at Harry, "The Postman delivered this to the house today." He shoved the envelope into Harry's hands.

Taking the envelope, Harry saw what probably set Vernon off. The whole envelope was covered in stamps except for a small box with the Dursley's address. Reading the note inside, Harry found it was an invitation to join the Weasley's for the Quidditch World Cup.

"The Postman noticed. Wanted to know where it came from. Thought that it was funny." Vernon spat out.

Trying to avoid a confrontation, Harry said. "I'm sorry uncle Vernon. Most wizards don't know how to do most… normal things. I'll write back and tell them not to send anything else here like this again." Vernon was still purple, but the shade was lightening. So Harry continued. "This also means that I will be leaving in a couple of days and you will get the last of the money."

Vernon's color was back to normal after that, or at least normal for Vernon, and the greedy gleam was back in his eye. "I'll want the money by tomorrow, or I won't allow you to go."

Harry thought, 'I'd like to see you try to stop me.' But aloud he said, "OK, I will go get it tomorrow." Harry turned and went up to his room and found Pigwidgen waiting for him.

Ron's note said "Hey Harry, how are the muggles treating you? Mom sent a letter in the muggle post. I don't know when it will get there but we are inviting you to the Quidditch World Cup. Dad got great tickets from of his contacts and we will be picking you up on Monday. The Quidditch World Cup starts Wednesday, so that'll give you little time to settle in. Hermione will be here too. See you Monday. Ron."

Harry was happy to hear from Ron and excited to go to the World Cup, but he didn't want the Weasley's anywhere near the Dursley's, so he wrote back right away. "Hey Ron, thanks for the invitation I t sounds perfect. I can't wait to go. Do you know who's playing in the World Cup? I have made a little deal with the Dursley's, so it would probably be best if we met up at the Leaky Cauldron and we can floo back to the Burrow. You know how the Dursley's hate magic. Write back what time you want to meet and I will meet you then. Can't wait to see you, Hermione and the rest of the family. Harry."

Sending the note back with Pigwidgen, who is still zooming around the room, annoying Hedwig, Harry decided to write a note to Sirius that he could drop off at the bank later. "Dear Padfoot, guess what? I just got invited to the World Cup by Ron! I will be leaving on Monday and won't be at the Dursley's again all summer! How is everything going for you? Are you still safe? Is Remus with you? Hope you are doing well and that I can see you again soon. Prongslet."

Before he knew it, Monday arrived and Harry left the Dursley's home for the last time that summer. Arriving at the Leaky Cauldron at 10 am, Harry found Mr. Weasley, Ron, and the twins waiting for him.

"Well hello there Harry." said Mr. Weasley when Harry walked up to the table they were at. This caused all the patrons in the bar, including Tom to turn around and start staring at Harry.

The twins joined in next. "Harry, a pleasure to see you again."

Spiffing good to see you."

"Yes quite, quite. Always a pleasure." The twins both curtsied to Harry which made him and Ron laugh, and Mr. Weasley even sported a smirk.

Ron said, "Harry mate, good to see you. Looking good. The muggles have been good to you this summer."

Harry replied, "We came to an understanding and we kept out of each other's way. It was for the best. So where's Hermione?"

"We're waiting for her to arrive, should be here any minute. Do you want a butter beer? I bet you haven't had one in a while?" Ron said with a little smirk. The twins had already sat back down and were in a private discussion between themselves, Mr. Weasley had gone to the bar and was talking to Tom.

"Yeah, a butter beer sounds good."

"It sure does. Why don't you go get us each one." Ron said with the laugh.

Knowing it was just Ron's sense of humor, Harry just shrugged and went to the bar to order himself, Ron and Hermione a butter beer for when she arrived.

It was about 10 minutes later when Hermione entered the bar, dragging her school trunk behind her. Spotting Harry and Ron sitting at a table she immediately joined them, sitting down with a huff. "The traffic is terrible and there is no parking anywhere in the city." She said to no one in particular. "Ron, Harry, had a good summer? I had a great time. My family went to France and I saw a loads of interesting things. Did you know… " She talked about trip for another five minutes straight before she took a breath and Harry was able to answer her.

"Breath Hermione." said Harry. "Yes I had a good summer and am doing fine. It sound like you had fun. Are you excited about the World Cup?"

"Quidditch isn't my favorite thing, but it should be interesting seeing all the foreign witches and wizards. I bet we will learn a lot."

Ron snorted, "Figures, take her to the most exciting Quidditch game of the year and all she wants to do is learn about other witches is in wizards."

Harry had to agree, but Ron's attitude was a little harsh. It always has been, he realized. 'I wonder why I don't didn't notice how rude Ron has been before? I guess I always did but I chose to ignore it.'

Hermione crossed her arms over her chest and said "Well it will be interesting seeing how all the foreign witches and wizards act." Turning to Harry she said, "Are those new clothes Harry? And glasses?"

"Yeah." Harry replied, "They were a gift from Sirius for my birthday. I also got a new robe." Harry noticed that there was a slight jealous look in Ron's face but didn't mention it.

Hermoine said "Isn't Sirius on the run? How could he buy you new glasses and clothes?"

"I'm not 100% sure but I do know that he has made contact with Remus so he must've gotten him a wand. Remus must have made the purchases for him." Replied Harry.

"OK, I guess that makes sense, as long as he's being safe. But how did you get you glasses if he doesn't know your prescription?"

Thinking quickly Harry said. The glasses are magical and can adjust the prescription automatically."

Ron grumbled "Must've been expensive." Under his breath but Harry heard him.

Harry said, "Here Hermione, I got you a butter beer."

They sat for a few more minutes drinking their butter beer and catching up when Mr. Weasley rejoined the group and said OK it's time to go ."

The twins spoke up, "Aren't we going into Diagon Alley?"

"Not today boys. Molly wants us home so that Harry and Hermione can get settled and meet your older brothers."

The twins looked crestfallen and Ron wasn't too different, but he did say "Yeah that's right, you'll get to meet Bill and Charlie. They were able to make it for the cup. They're the best."

The twins said "And what are we?"

"Chopped Dragon liver?"

Taking the floo one at a time back to the Burrow, Harry tumbled out the fireplace and saw the familiar site of the Weasley's living room. The twins were laughing when they helped pick him up and Mr. Weasley said. "Lunch will be in an hour. Boys why don't you take Harry and Hermione's trunk up to their rooms. You're going to share with Ron and Hermione, you're going to share Ginny. I hope this is OK?"

"Not a problem Mr. Weasley." said Harry.

"That will be fine Mr. Weasley." said Hermione. The twins carried Hermione's trunk and Ron and Harry carried Harry's. Harry was using his old-school trunk and packed everything he normally had in it, he kept his new trunk hidden in his pocket. He wasn't sure why but he didn't want to share the secret of his new trunk with Ron and Hermione yet. He was sure he could trust them, but it just felt like something he should keep private for now.

Lunch was a rambunctious affair. Coming down to the kitchen area, Harry was introduced to Bill. The only way to describe Bill was… cool. He had dragon hide clothes, long hair pulled back in a ponytail, and had what look like a Dragon tooth earring. Charlie on the other hand looked tough .He was more muscular then Bill and had what looked like many healed burns along the exposed part of his arms. Both the older brothers were nice and Harry got along with them just fine. He had more in common with Bill than even Bill knew, considering all the training in cursebreaking he was getting from Swiftdeath. He spent most of his time talking to Bill about the tombs he was exploring in Egypt.

Bill said, "Boy, I'm glad I was get able to get time off to see the World Cup. It should be an exciting game. Who do you think is going to win Harry? Ireland or Bulgaria?"

"I think Ireland will win." said Harry "It's too bad that Britain wasn't in the World Cup."

"Yeah, too bad." Bill said "That was embarrassing, that was."

"What about Krum?" said Ron. "He is the best seeker there it is!"

"Krum is good, but Ireland as a whole has a better team." said Charlie.

"I just like the green on Ireland." said Harry and everyone laughed.

That night in Ron's room, the snoring was worse than Harry remembered. He was glad that he came prepared, bringing out a specially carved rune stone he prepared before arriving, Harry pushed some magic into it to activate it and placed it under his pillow. The rune stone created a bubble of silence 2 feet in all directions for six hours. Harry figured he could make a fortune with these, selling them to his roommates and maybe some of the other years. He would have to ask around if the other years had similar problems and see if he could ask Hermione or Ginny to ask around the girl side. Probably Ginny, Harry didn't think Hermione would be interested in helping. Too much like violating a rule or something.

The next morning Harry woke at his regular time around 5:30. Ron was still asleep so Harry went downstairs where he found Mrs. Weasley in the kitchen starting preparation for breakfast. "Hi Mrs. Weasley."

"Oh hello Harry dear. You're up early aren't you?"

"I started getting up this early over the summer. It was easier to avoid the Dursley's if I was out of the house before they woke up, and I started exercising and exploring the neighborhood."

"Oh OK. Would you like anything to eat or drink? The full breakfast isn't ready yet but I could make you some toast and get you some juice or some tea?"

"No thank you Mrs. Weasley. I still want to keep up some of the habits I formed. I'm going to walk around the Burrow and do a little exploring. I will be back in a little while."

"That's OK dear. The kids usually have a bit of a lie in during the summer and breakfast is served around nine. Remember to stay on the property."

"I'll make sure I'm back before then Mrs. Weasley." Harry said and then left through the kitchen door. Harry wandered for it while searching out the perimeter of the Burrows ward lines with his glasses and looking for a secluded spot to set up his trunk.

He decided not to do his normal training today, instead he mapped the Burrows ward boundaries and set up his trunk at a spot at the end of the orchard right before the ward line. He went into his trunk and found the snakes anxiously waiting for him.

"What took you sssso long Harry?" said Ssssliter, "We have been waiting forever."

"Oh don't be sssso dramatic." Harry said. "I ssssaw you yesssterday morning and gave you each a large mousssse for your trouble."

"But it isss sssso boring being cooped up here when you aren't around."

"I know, but now that we are at the Weasssley'ssss certain thingssss will probably have to change."

"Like what?" ask Sssslisssser?"

"Well. tomorrow I am going to have to go to the World Cup which meanssss I might not be back for a day or two. Maybe longer."

"Doesss thisss mean we have to ssstay in the truck for ssseveral daysss . We'll sssstarve." Said Sssloker.

"You can either ssstay in the trunk… or if you promissse to ssstay invisssible, I can let you out and you can explore the groundsss of the Burrow. I can even make you a place to sssleep at night that isss warm and covered. There are lotsss of little creaturesss around so you definitely won't ssstarve. if you can catch them that isss."There were indignant grumblings from all three snakes at this and Harry just laughed. "I'm jussst kidding. I know you three are good huntersss. You ssshowed me that before when I let you out in the park."

"That'sss right, and don't you forget it." Said Sssloker.

Harry spent the rest of that morning setting up a perimeter of ward stones that covered two meters in a Notice –Me-Not and a rune set that kept magic from being detected, similar to the one in his trunk. A little farther out he placed an intruder alert ward to tell him if any of the Weasley's were getting close. He then dug a hole and buried a stone with a permanent warming rune set carved on it and then found some branches and made a little hut over it for the snakes. When 8 o'clock came around, Harry stepped over the Weasley property ward line, activated his Portkey, and a minute later arrived back after having trained with Swiftdeath for six hours. He headed back to the Burrow to have breakfast with the Weasley's, his second of the day