The Bond of the Links

The sun rose over the roof of Number 4, Privet Drive, casting its first rays into Harry Potter's room. Harry, however, was already awake, repeatedly replaying the previous year's events in his mind. Guiltily. 'Get a grip, Harry. It wasn't your fault. Just get ready for your fifth year at Hogwarts and face the inevitable,' he told himself. Not that he was convinced. Pushing the thoughts out of his mind, he got up to do a few exercises. Not only did it help him relax, they improved his physical appearance too, and he definitely did not want to be the shortest boy in the year. His appearance was certainly improving.

Harry had grown a lot over the past month and was fitter than before. His muscles were strong and defined. He smirked at the thought of hitting Malfoy if he caused any trouble. He only wished he had Quidditch to help him enjoy exercising. Suddenly, his owl, Hedwig soared in through the window, holding a large parcel in her claws. Harry had almost forgotten his birthday. Feeling elated, he rushed to untie the parcel, only to find his path obstructed as three more owls glided in through the window. Feeling decidedly like he was going to burst with happiness, Harry untied all the parcels from Hedwig, Pigwidgeon, a school owl and an owl he did not recognize. The school owl took flight as soon as Harry had received the letter. Harry opened Hedwig's parcel first, knowing it would be from Sirius.

Dear Harry,

Happy Birthday! I have some wonderful news for you. My name has been cleared. I will come and pick you up tomorrow and take you to my house. Sorry I couldn't tell you earlier, but it was a private meeting with the minister and Dumbledore. Fudge has been forced to acknowledge Voldemort's return since a few attacks with the Dark Mark hovering above the houses. Don't worry about anything. Aurors are doing their best and quite a few Death Eaters have been captured. However, Voldemort has been keeping pretty quiet. We think those attacks were just random. He is planning something, Harry. He may not carry out his plan until next year. We have to be prepared. Anyway, about the present I have given you. Your parents left it in my possession before they died. It is a bond between you and your family. It also holds a secret. Remember Harry, it can protect you and help you in the events that will unfold with Voldemort gaining power. Take care of it, and make sure you wear it.

Love,

Sirius.

Puzzled, Harry opened the small box in the parcel. It was a gold ring. Gingerly, Harry lifted it out and examined it. It was plain with nothing on it. Slowly, Harry slid the ring onto his left ring finger. It suddenly glowed bright gold. Harry could tell that the glow was powerful magic. Astonished, he looked at the ring as the light faded and stared in wonder. There was an engraving of two rings linked together shining brightly on the glossy gold surface. Shaking his head in amazement, he moved on to the rest of the parcels. Ron had sent him a bright green stone that could help him communicate with the owners of its counterparts (Ron had one and had sent the third to Hermione) and an invitation to visit the burrow with Sirius over the last week of the holidays. Harry deduced that the news of Sirius's innocence must have been all over the Daily Prophet. The third owl was Hermione's. She had sent him a protective amulet that could also sense danger and warn the owner. Wearing it, Harry felt warmth and comfort spread through him. He was grateful. He definitely needed that. Last of all was the Hogwarts letter. In it was the list of books he would need. Harry noticed another letter behind that.

Dear Mr. Potter,

We are happy to inform you that you have been chosen as a prefect for Gryffindor House. Enclosed is the prefect badge and a list of the prefects for other houses. Please take your duty seriously.

Deputy Headmistress,

Minerva McGonagall.

Harry was delighted. He only hoped Ron and Hermione were prefects too. To his relief they were. To add to his joy, Draco Malfoy was not one of the Slytherin prefects, though why he would have been chosen in the first place was a mystery to Harry. With a huge grin on his face, he went downstairs, eager to see the looks on the Dursleys' faces once he told them that Sirius was coming the next day. He wasn't disappointed.

***

The day passed quite peacefully, and Harry suspected that it was because the Dursleys were terrified of what Sirius might do to them if he came and saw Harry hurt in any way. They had obviously not forgotten Dudley's pig's tail and the ton-tongue toffee. However, things were more serious over at Albus Dumbledore's office, where Sirius was waiting with Shalimar. A pretty Indian girl, Shalimar was Sirius's close relative, though not his blood relative, not known by anyone due to the fact that she was a Link and the key to Voldemort's defeat. She, of course knew that the ring Harry had received was the completion of the bond created between a Link and his or her family.

'Shalimar, I know it will be hard for you to pretend that you know nothing about Sirius or Harry, after having lived with Sirius's family all your life. But you have to do this for Harry's sake.'

Shalimar contemplated for a while, carefully thinking of how she would go about doing this. The best thing was to act her normal self and be careful that she did not let anything slip. 'Ok, but where will I stay while Harry's staying with Sirius?' Dumbledore thought for a while and said, 'It's best if you stay with him. After all, he is your relative. To the rest of the school, you will be a regular student who has done her training at home, which is partly true. Sirius, tell Harry that she is the daughter of your sister's friend. Just tell him not to ask any more questions. After all, he can get too inquisitive at times.' There was a twinkle in his friendly blue eyes. Now it's best if you get home. You have to pick Harry up tomorrow. Sirius and Shalimar exited the office quickly, leaving Dumbledore to his thoughts about what lay ahead.

The next day dawned peaceful, and Harry was excited. The atmosphere downstairs, however, was tense. Sirius was due any minute. Harry wondered how he would come. Hopefully, he had sense enough not to apparate right in front of the Dursleys. All of a sudden the doorbell rang. Harry rushed to open the door. 'Hi Sirius!' he exclaimed before his godfather swept him into his arms. 'Hey! You're smothering me! Stop acting like you haven't seen me for ages, Sirius!' Harry said, laughing. Sirius however, was staring at him in awe.

'What? I'm looking okay right?' Harry asked self-consciously.

'Well, last time I saw you, you were a midget Harry,' Sirius said with a twinkle in his eyes.

A friendly punch on the shoulder was all the reply he got. Suddenly, Harry realized that there was someone behind Sirius. 'Who's that Sirius?' he asked curiously looking at the Indian girl.

'Shalimar. I'll tell you later. Are you going to let us in?' Harry let them into the warm hallway. The Dursleys were waiting nervously in the living room. Sirius made an indistinct noise in his throat before greeting them with a forced smile, which looked quite genuine to them. 'Well Harry, get your trunk. We must leave soon with this Portkey,' he told Harry. In no time, Harry had brought his trunk down to the living room. Saying goodbye to the Dursleys, they took the Portkey to Padfoot Cottage.

Going inside, Harry stared around him in awe. This was much more like the home Harry wanted to live in. 'How do you like it Harry?' Sirius asked him, grinning widely at his awe. 'It's wonderful.'

Shalimar, who had been quiet so far, moved forward and extended her hand out to Harry. 'Hi. I'm Shalimar. Since Sirius here hasn't told you who I am, let me introduce myself. I'm his sister's friend's daughter, and I'm going to Hogwarts this year. So far I have had my training at home, but mom decided to send me to Hogwarts, where I can make more friends.'

Harry had never met someone his age who had so much confidence, and marveled at this girl's self-esteem. Harry took her hand, and felt something pass through them. He shook it off as his imagination and turned to Sirius. 'Could we have something to eat? I'm starving. When are we going to Diagon Alley, anyway?' he asked.

Sirius grinned. 'We'll go to Diagon Alley today, but not for books. I already bought them. We'll have our lunch there. And yes, it's about time we ate.'

While having breakfast, Harry asked Sirius about how he was cleared. While talking, Harry realized that both Sirius and Shalimar were avoiding the subject of her family, so he didn't touch it. They had a nice day after that and reached home quite late. They were to go to the Burrow the next week. Harry had already informed Ron that Shalimar would be coming. He just hoped that everyone got along with her. She was the quiet type of person, but was not shy. For some reason, Harry felt protective of her, like she was his sister. He supposed that she wasn't really comfortable around him. Only time would reveal her true character.