69 Chapter 69: "Countdown to Hogwarts"

When Sirius got back that day and shared the day's events, Harry remained unphased. He was simply relieved that from this the Potters might give him some peace, sparing him from a future of constant pleas for forgiveness. Yet, he was slightly concerned about Dumbledore possibly trying to interfere. But Harry figured that Dumbledore, with all his responsibilities, wouldn't have much time to spare for him. After all, in Dumbledore's grand schemes, Harry wasn't the chosen one or a key player.

The news of his emancipation, however, did not unfold without its share of drama. Somehow, the Daily Prophet got wind of it and went on a spree of wild speculation about "the missing Potter boy," weaving all sorts of conspiracy theories. This media frenzy lasted about a week, but since neither Harry's group nor the Potters added fuel to the fire, and the wider wizarding community didn't show much ongoing interest, the commotion eventually died down. Harry was confident that this episode would soon be forgotten by most.

With the dust settling from his emancipation drama, Harry turned his focus towards his training, particularly with his new wand. With his departure for Hogwarts on the horizon, he aimed to arm himself with as much preparation as possible. Given the dangers that seemed to lurk around every corner at Hogwarts—dangers that Harry from the books narrowly escaped time and again—Harry set himself a goal: to be capable of defending against or evading an adult wizard.

He saw this as a realistic target, one that could potentially safeguard him from the unforeseen troubles awaiting at Hogwarts. Harry was gearing up to face whatever challenges Hogwarts might throw his way.

Before his journey to Hogwarts began, there was one significant event on the horizon: Susan Bones's birthday celebration. At Harry's suggestion, Sirius and Amelia organized a lavish party for Susan's ninth birthday. It wasn't a particularly special age, but Harry viewed it as an excellent opportunity for socializing and making new acquaintances.

The party was held at the Bones Manor, and Arcturus, as anticipated, did not attend. Susan, the birthday girl, was overjoyed. Harry had pitched in with the party planning, ensuring an array of magical activities that delighted the young guests. Among the highlights was a bouncy castle, conjured with a flick of magic and some assistance from Sirius, which proved to be an instant hit.

Additionally, there was a special play area teeming with miniature transfigured dragons, resembling playful pet dogs more than fearsome beasts. The kids were thrilled, although constant adult supervision was required to prevent any mishaps from the dragons' lifelike fire breaths.

The party also featured various other attractions that inadvertently set a new standard for children's parties, much to the other parents' dismay. Faced with the prospect of having to match the spectacle for their own children's celebrations, many parents sought Sirius's advice on how to replicate the day's magic.

Harry watched with a smile as Susan made friends effortlessly at her birthday party. True to the nature that would later see her sorted into Hufflepuff, Susan engaged joyfully with everyone, quickly becoming popular among the kids.

Throughout the party, Harry found himself mingling with a variety of guests, many of whom were curious about his backstory. However, Harry skillfully navigated these conversations away from his past, and the guests took the hint not to pry further.

Among the first people Harry encountered were the Longbottom family. Augusta Longbottom wasn't there, but Harry had engaging conversations with Frank and Alice Longbottom and their son, Neville. The Longbottoms expressed their gratitude to Harry, who modestly brushed it off, suggesting that by supporting his emancipation, they had already repaid any favor. As they spoke, Harry couldn't help but notice the occasional tremors that plagued Frank and Alice, a lingering effect of the Cruciatus Curse they had endured. He felt a surge of sympathy for their plight and mentally committed to finding a way to alleviate their suffering in the future.

However, Harry couldn't help but notice that Neville seemed much like his character from the stories—timid and inclined to stay close to his parents rather than mix with other children his age. Harry understood that the traumatic events Neville's parents had suffered were likely having a lasting impact on him, further complicated by the absence of psychological support systems in the wizarding world. While Harry held a fond affection for Neville, he recognized that bolstering Neville's courage would be a gradual process. It seemed that only once Neville was at Hogwarts, away from his parents' protective embrace, could Harry begin to assist him in developing the bravery that defined Neville in the later books.

At the party, Harry also met the other Black sister, Andromeda Tonks (née Black), and her husband Edward "Ted" Tonks. Their daughter, Nymphadora Tonks, who was busy with her OWLs at Hogwarts, wasn't there to join in the fun.

Up until this party, Harry hadn't crossed paths with Andromeda and Ted, mainly because Arcturus held some reservations about Andromeda. His disapproval didn't stem from her marriage to a Muggle-born, Ted, but rather how she handled her personal matters back in the day.

Andromeda was supposed to marry someone from another old wizarding family, a setup she wasn't fond of at all. Instead of seeking a diplomatic solution, she chose to follow her heart and married Ted in haste, causing a bit of a stir within the Black family and the broader wizarding society. Arcturus believed Andromeda's rash decision slightly tarnished the Black family's reputation. He felt that if she had just come to him with her problems, he could've helped her navigate through them. But because she didn't, Arcturus kept his distance. However, he did make an exception for Sirius to maintain contact with her, especially since her daughter, Nymphadora, showed the rare Black family trait of being a Metamorphmagus.

Arcturus was still on the fence about officially welcoming Andromeda and her family back into the Black fold, leaving the final call to Sirius, who was set to take over as the next Lord Black.

Despite these intricate family ties, Harry found himself warmly received by Andromeda and Ted. Their close relationship with Sirius encouraged Harry to engage with them more deeply. Andromeda, though primarily focused on her family, worked part-time as a healer—a role Harry admired. Ted, meanwhile, ran his own business, often liaising with the Muggle world, showcasing his adaptability and expertise in navigating both realms. Harry was impressed by their skills and looked forward to learning from their experiences.

Thanks to the considerable efforts of Sirius and Amelia, many people had come to the party and among them, Harry recognized many familiar characters in the Harry Potter books.

Some known names were the Greengrass family, with their daughters Daphne and Astoria. Close by was Susan's good friend, Hannah Abbott, accompanied by her parents. Lavender Brown also made an appearance, her bubbly personality and her parents in tow, adding to the lively atmosphere of the gathering. Though there were numerous other children whose names Harry couldn't immediately recall from the books, their presence added to the festive atmosphere.

A particularly notable encounter for Harry was with Cedric Diggory and his parents. Given that Cedric was destined to be in the same Hogwarts year as Harry, they spent a good deal of time chatting during the party. Cedric lived up to his literary description—a quintessential Hufflepuff with an approachable aura and a touch of shyness that Harry found endearing. Harry was quick to befriend him, though he humorously noted Cedric's father, Amos's, tendency to boast about his son's achievements. A gentle reminder from Sirius about Harry's own academic success was enough to temper Amos's enthusiasm.

At the birthday bash, there was a noticeable absence of those aligned with the Dark faction and those firmly in Dumbledore's camp, which meant the Weasley family, known supporters of Dumbledore, weren't in attendance. This detail didn't escape Harry's notice, especially since he wouldn't get the chance to meet Fred and George Weasley, the notorious twins, before starting Hogwarts together. Aware of their reputation for mischief, Harry mentally prepared himself to steer clear of their infamous pranks.

As the party wound down with the setting sun, it was evident that the children were having too much fun to think about leaving. Susan, in particular, had a blast, making numerous new friends and eagerly planning future get-togethers. Sirius and Amelia looked on with pride, delighted by Susan's newfound popularity. They felt reassured knowing she would have a strong circle of friends when it came time for Hogwarts, easing any concerns they might have had about her adjustment to school life.

Reflecting on the day's events, Harry felt content with the new acquaintances he'd made. Encouraged by Sirius, he even promised Cedric Diggory to join him for a game of Quidditch. Though sharing this interest, Harry doubted they'd be on the same team since he suspected that Hufflepuff wasn't in his future at Hogwarts.

With each passing day, the anticipation for the Hogwarts Express grew. Harry felt a mix of excitement and readiness, keenly aware of the adventures and challenges that awaited him at Hogwarts.