chap4pg1

      The next few days were very gloomy and uneventful for Harry. However, his birthday was an exception. Four owls flew in that evening. The first was from Hermione. She got Harry a few bags of Bertie Bott�s Every Flavor Beans, some Chocolate Frogs, and a book called How to Protect Yourself From Dark Magic by Colin Cursey. A note came with the package.

        Dear Harry,
Ron told me what happened and I�m really sorry. It must be horrible to have to hide from You-Know-Who. They�d better let you go to Hogwarts, though. Speaking of school, I have the best news! They�ve made me a prefect! Isn�t that terrific?
       I thought you might like this book. It may come in handy if you ever need to use some of the spells in there. As for the candy, that�s just because I thought you might need some sweet stuff. I know you�re bored, but don�t worry; it�s only two weeks until school starts.
        Love,
               Hermione

        A prefect, what a surprise, thought Harry sarcastically. He opened Ron�s package. �Oh, wow,� Harry said, shocked to see that Ron had given him a whole assortment of Quidditch related things. In the package was the book Quidditch Through the Ages, Volume II, a book called Guide to Becoming a Better Seeker, a copy of the magazine Quidditch Weekly, and a plastic model of the Chudley Cannons seeker, Robert Jenkoss. He walked around the table, tossing and catching a little plastic snitch. Harry smiled, and read the note that came with the package.

        Harry,
        Hey I know this may seem like a lot, but with so many people quitting the Ministry, Dad has been getting paid more to stay. Cool huh? I sort of owe you for those omnioculars you got me last year anyway, so this is the least I could do. So, I guess Hermione�s told you she�s a prefect, right? Great, that�s the last thing we need, is some telling Hermione that she�s a genius, as if she doesn�t know already. Oh well, I guess it makes her happy, so I�ll try not to get on her case about it. Oh yeah, about the seeker book, it�s not that I don�t think you�re a great seeker, I just thought that you might like to know some tips that the professional seekers use. Also, I got the letter from Mrs. Figg. Sorry you can�t come, the adults say it�s for the best, but I say it stinks. But I guess it�s better that your safe, although the only thing here for you to worry about it those stupid canary creams Fred and George keep sneaking into my food.
       - Ron Weasley

        Harry laughed at the last line, then opened the third letter. It was from Hagrid, and it looked like it had been rained on more than once.

Harry,
On the secret mission from Dumbledore,
Can�t talk much now, sorry I couldn�t get ya anything,
Hope yer birthday�s fun, see you at Hogwarts.
Hagrid