Harry Potter and the Sword of Cessation

Chapter One

Sweet Sixteen

Midnight on Number Four Pivet Drive and it was like any other midnight, except this time, Harry Potter rubbed his eyes under his glasses and wished himself a silent Sweet Sixteen. Harry didn't usually take too much pride in his birthdays. He was short and weak for his age and being a year older didn't bring much relief from his Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, and bullying spoiled cousin, Dudley. However, this year had finally brought some fortune to Harry, for he had grown three inches over the summer and was finally one inch taller than Dudley. That, mixed with the threat of magic, kept Dudley well out of Harry's way, for the most part.

Harry smiled faintly and yawned, focusing on his homework under his dripping quill. State the properties of Nightshade and it's effect on the Slumbartonia Sleeping Potion. Homework from Snape, Harry's least favorite teacher. However, Harry had learned the previous year that Snape was a member of what is called The Order of the Pheonix; a group of Anti-Voldemort and Death Eaters activists who fight for the peace and survival of all wizards and witches. Yet, ironically, Snape had once been a Death Eater. All in all, Harry loathed him as much as Snape loathed Harry back. Why am I doing this stupid homework? He'll give me a detention if I the dot above my "i's" aren't big enough, so why bother? Harry put his quill down on the parchment and rolled it up, stuffed it in his pillowcase, and hid the stash under the usual floorboard beneath his bed.

Suddenly, there came a "hoot" from Harry's window that made him jump.

"Hedwig! I didn't even hear you fly in!" Hedwig was carrying a bundle of cards tied together by a hemp string and dropped them on Harry's bed. Harry gave her a pat of gratitude as she hooted softly and flew to her perch for a night's rest. The cards on his bed seemed bulky. Harry picked up the bundle, cut the string with his teeth, and dug in. He smiled as he saw a dozen brightly packaged birthday cards all saying, "Happy Sweet Sixteen Harry!" Harry opened the first card, which was from Ginny. It was purple and had stars and moons colorfully painted on it, covered in glitter. Inside it said,

Dear Harry,

Happy Sweet Sixteen!

I hope you enjoy my small gift. It's

not much, but it's the least I can do!

Are you coming here before start of

term? I hope I see you soon!

Sincerely,

Ginny

Ginny was Ron's younger sister and the only girl in the lot of Weasley children. She had a rather large crush on Harry during her first year at Hogwarts, but after he saved her life in the Chamber of Secrets when she had been held there by Voldemort's memory by means of an enchanted diary, she found a new sense of trust and secret shyness around Harry. She was no longer running and hiding from Harry when he visited the Weasley's, but rather politely greeted him and nothing more. It was as if she was proving that she wasn't a weak lovesick girl after all. Not that Harry thought so in the first place.

Harry glanced at the other inside pocket of the birthday card and noticed a rather expensive looking quill. It was scarlet red with sapphire diamonds tracing up the stem. The tip was already blackened with ink and when Harry tried it, he noticed that the ink never ran out. Hermione will get a kick out of this, Harry thought as he put the quill on his bed-stand. He gazed at its beauty for a few more seconds, smiled, and went on to the rest of the cards. He opened the next one which wasn't as colorful as Ginny's but instead was quilted with ribbons and buttons. He opened it and to his surprise, it was from Mr. and Mrs. Weasley (the card obviously decorated by Mrs. Weasley).

Dearest Harry,

We are so proud of you!

Happy Sweet Sixteen!

How are you feeling? Is

everything ok there? Ron is excited

to see you and bring you back here!

You are always welcome here with us, Harry!

I packed you some pumpkin

cake and sweets that I made.

They should be arriving by owl

soon!

Eat up and enjoy!

Love always,

Molly and Arthur Weasley

XOXOXO

No sooner had Harry finished when a rather clumsy owl zoomed through his open window. It landed against the wall with a thud and Harry held his breath to hear if his Uncle stirred--nothing but snoring coming from the next room. Harry exhaled and walked over to the fallen owl, who was none other than the Weasley's family owl, Errol. Harry noticed he had a package the size of a lunch box tied to its feet and he relieved the bird of its burdon and opened the package. Sure enough, inside was a gold tin with small samples of pumpkin cake and wrapped candies, dozens of them. Harry smirked as he remembered Dudley's diet going on for the fifth year and sampled a piece of pumpkin cake, knowing that Dudley would sacrifice everything he owned for just a taste. The cake was moist and soft, and extremely delicious. It tasted like pumpkin pie but had a distinct taste of ginger and cinnamon as well that reminded Harry of Christmas at Hogwarts. Harry had never tasted anything so delicious in his life. He kept the tin in his hand and walked back over to his bed as Errol fluttered to Hedwig's water dish, sipped, and then took flight back out of Harry's window.

The next card Harry opened with one hand as there was a chunk of pumpkin cake in his other. The next card he recognized by the sloppy writing. Hagrid.

Dear Harry,

Happee Birthday

Dumbledore's 'llowed me

to return to the cassle to

teach Care of Magical

Creatures again. He's a

grate man, Dumbledore. He

understud everything tha'

foul woman Umbridge did

and found me at once

and tol' me to come back.

Grawp lef' the forest

o' while ago. Reckon 'e

got bored with flingin' trees. Its

fer the better, I 'spose. Calmd

Centaurs down o' bit.

Anyway, hope you enjoy yer

Birthday, Harry. See you soon.

Love

Hagrid

Harry remembered Umbridge from Hagrid's message. She was a foul, toad-faced, power hungry gnat that invaded Hogwart's last year. She forced Professor Trelawney, Hagrid, Fred, George, and even Dumbledore to flee the school. She also monitored ever means of contact with Sirius, which made it both extremely difficult and dangerous to talk to his Godfather. Sirius....

Harry tried to prevent his anger from swelling. It was Harry's sweet sixteen and the only family member who actually cared was forever out of Harry's life. Sirius Black was killed by a Death Eater in the battle against Voldemort and his followers last year in the Ministry of Magic's Department of Mysteries. He still remembered ever word and feeling from that not-too-long ago event. He also remembered wanting to hide away from life as long as he lived, never saving another soul or caring. He was through with it, that is, until Dumbledore finally told him the truth.

Harry shook his head and wiped his watering eye. He didn't want to feel like this. Not now. Nothing good would come of it. He grabbed the next card and opened it roughly. It was from Hermione.

Dear Harry,

Happy Birthday!

I bet you're very thrilled

to finally be sixteen.

One more year and you're

an adult! You'll have to

study extra hard now!

I was reading the Daily

Prophet and I sent you a

copy. I've made some

arrangements with the

Hogsmeade Mayor and

I think you'll like what

you read. Happy Birthday!

See you soon!

Love,

Hermione

P.S. Are you going to stay at Ron's for the rest

Of the summer?

Harry looked on the back of the card and found a folded piece of paper torn from the Daily Prophet, a wizarding newspaper. Harry stared at the back for a moment, saw nothing of interest, and then flipped it over, only to have his jaw dropped. There was a moving picture of the Mayor of Hogsmeade, waving at passerby's and shaking a few hands, while unveiling a life-size pewter statue of Harry himself in the center square of Hogsmeade! Harry thought he was dreaming. He read the small article:

On July 17, Mayor of Hogsmeade Columbus Meade ordered the construction of a pewter statue in the center square in honor of young Harry Potter. Harry Potter, who had defeated He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named four times in his life is being honored around the wizarding world for his bravery and heroism. It was two years ago that Harry Potter revealed to the public of You-Know-Who's return, and thwarted the dark wizard once more with the aid of his faithful friends, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood, Ginny Weasley, and Albus Dumbledore; headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Also, the Mayor of Hogsmeade has now granted that the above named students and staff receive a 100,000 galleon reward for their use in Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley. For more details, see page 1D.....

Harry could hardly breathe. He looked at the picture once more and noticed the statue was LARGER than life-size. The statue, which stood on a round pewter pedestal, was nearly seven feet high. Harry was depicted wearing a Gryffindor robe and his face and wand raised triumphantly to the sky. The statue was incredibly detailed right down to his shoe laces up to his lightning bolt scar and messy hair. His cheeks suddenly flushed and Harry felt a wave of embarrassment rush over him. Why didn't they make a statue of Tonks, or Mad-Eye, Dumbledore, Lupin, or even Sirius? Harry knew that a statue of Sirius would never be erected because the public still thought he was a deranged escapee from Azkaban prison, plotting the death of all of them. But if Harry could only let the world know of the heroism and sacrifices made to save him from Voldemort and the death eaters once more, the statue would have a different shape. Harry did, indeed, defeat Voldemort more than anyone can claim to see his face, but in his fifth year, he stupidly fell for a trick that didn't work on him in the end, but caused the pain and suffering of many others who rushed to his aid. Voldemort laid a trap for Harry, who blindly ran into it in an attempt to save Sirius, who wasn't even there in the first place; guarding a secret door in the Department of Mysteries. In the end, the world finally knew of Voldemort's return, but to a loss greater to Harry than his own life.

No. He wouldn't think about this. Everything came back to Sirius. I'm a fool, Harry thought, shaking his head. I don't want a statue. I don't deserve one. What about Neville? Where is the statue of him? He was the one, whom, after all smashed my prophecy accidentally, preventing Voldemort from ever knowing how to kill me. And Hermione saved my neck on more occasions than I can blink to. Every spell she did saved us all. If she wasn't there, we'd all surely be dead. Where's the statue of Ginny and Ron? If Ron wasn't there backing me up and taking the blow to save my life, everything would have fallen apart. Ginny, who was so frail and small, was by my side to the end. She has shown me nothing but loyalty and I never repay her. I never repay any of them. Saving them from certain death is my payment to them? No, they saved me from certain death first.

This was turning into a rather emotional birthday. Harry noticed that he had squashed the article in his fist and dropped it to the floor like it was an insect. He picked up the card from Hermione and noticed on the back a thick card that was a 100,000 galleon gift from the Mayor. Harry, at first, thought of keeping it for his supplies, but remembered George and Fred's joke-shop that needed constant funding. He decided to give it to them. He felt it selfish and embarrassing enough to have a statue in one of the most populated wizarding towns, but to keep the prize money would be too much. The guilt was eating away at him.

Harry wiped his nose on his pajama sleeve and moved onto the next card. It was from Neville stating how excited he was to get the money and congratulating Harry. He also told about how his summer had been and how much people are recognizing him. Harry was very proud of Neville. Neville had gained a rather nasty broken nose from the fight with the Death Eaters, but still fought next to Harry, even under the worst of curses. Harry made a special reminder to thank Neville when he saw him. The next card was from Tonks, Mad-Eye, and Lupin. It was a simple Happy Birthday and some encouraging words that Harry wanted to hear, but knew meant nothing to him. He didn't want to show his face to the Order, afraid of what will come up from the past events. Nevertheless, he folded the card neatly back up and put it back into the pile with the rest of the cards. The next card, Harry had no idea where it was from. He opened the pink envelope and saw a beautiful gleaming pastel card with the Hogwarts Castle on it and a shining moon behind it. Inside, Harry's stomach lurched:

Dear Harry,

I just wanted to say that

I'm sorry for everything.

I should have known talking

about Cedric was difficult

for you when you're faced

with death every day, it seems.

You must think I'm very selfish

and you're right. I hope we

can talk soon. How is Hermione?

Are you two dating? I miss you.

I promise not to cry about

Cedric anymore. At least

not in front of you. Luna told me

it was your birthday so I hope

you get this in time.

Happy Birthday, Harry.

Sincerely,

Cho Chang

Cho Chang. Harry couldn't think. Harry's infatuation with Cho had been bumpier than a roller coaster in their previous years. Both because of her constant ramblings of Cedric Diggory; a boy she dated who died under Voldemort's curse. Harry didn't mind her talking about Cedgric. By all means, Cedric was a hero in Harry's eyes. He was a very honest and caring boy who was pulled into the graveyard that fateful night by the portkey that brought Cedric to his doom. Cedric was brave and unspoiled and Harry wanted to be just that. Cho, however, didn't just talk about him, she cried....alot. Harry wasn't very good in situations such as those and made the mistake of bringing up Hermione, which in turn, made Cho jealous and she left Harry not once, but twice. Harry tried not to think about it with Voldemort, Malfoy, Death Eaters, and the Daily Prophet slandering his name all year, but he couldn't help but feel the butterflies in his stomach as he envisioned her almond eyes and long black hair. Harry sighed. He'd deal with Cho some other day. The next letter was from Ron:

Hey Harry! Happy

Sixteenth Birthday! My mum

made you some sweets. I hope that

ruddy bird, Errol, managed to

get it to you in one piece. Dad's

injuries are better. Since

Malfoy's dad had been accused of

being a Death Eater, Dad's

been promoted!! I guess

they realized what slime bags the

Malfoys are. Mum is surprisingly

handling Fred and George's joke

shop well. We haven't told her

where they got the money, though, but

if she doesn't seem to care, I don't see

the point in letting her know.

The whole family is still avoiding

Percy, though. Even though Fudge

is proven wrong and you and Dumbledore have clean

names again, he's still bent on me not

seeing you again or talking to Dumbledore.

What a stubborn git. I hope George

and Fred teach him a lesson or two.

Write back!

Your friend,

Ron

PS. DID YOU SEE THAT STATUE!? AND THE 100,000 GALLEONS!?! WOW!

You better come here soon for the rest of the summer. Everyone cant stop talking about you.

Harry forgot about the statue all too soon. Nevertheless, Harry opened the small package attached to the card and found seven tiny Quidditch action figures. Harry pulled them each out and held them in the palm of his hand. They were cute little figures in different robes. Harry also noticed, at the bottom of the box, a tiny snitch, no bigger than a speck, a tiny quaffle, and two bludgers. When he pulled them out, they immediately levitated in the air, and soon, so did the action figures. Harry watched in amazement as a tiny Quidditch game was being played in his very bedroom. He was amused for the longest time until he realize that if Uncle Vernon busted in and saw the cabaret of brooms and robes flying around Harry's room, the figurines would meet their cruel fate in the kitchen garbage disposal. Harry watched for a minute more or two until he finally stumbled around his room to collect each piece. The snitch was the hardest to catch, not to Harry's surprise, because it was so small that Harry had to squint even through his glasses to spot it. He neatly packed them all away back into their box with amazement and gratitude and moved to the remaining cards. One was from Luna Lovegood, a girl from Ravenclaw that accompanied the fight against the Death Eaters, and another was from Dean Thomas. After that, Harry yawned and stood each card on his bed-stand. He gazed at them for a moment and then considered getting Ron's Quidditch set back out, but decided he was too tired to catch the pieces all again. He glanced at the clock and saw that it was well past 1:00 am and decided to sleep. He had mixed feelings as he lay on his bumpy bed. Was sixth year at Hogwarts going to be normal or chaotic as usual? It was when he realized he already knew that answer that he fell into a deep slumber.