~Chapter 1~
Harry Potter woke with a start in his bed at number 4 Privet Drive, as he had done on every other hot summer day in his entire life. After all, why should today be any different? The answer would become clear. Just as he was about to go down to what he knew as breakfast, an owl flew through the window. Harry didn't recognize this owl. In fact, he had never seen it before in his life. It was a medium sized, brown barn owl, with feathers as soft as butter that had been left out only to become ever so slightly melted. This owl is almost as beautiful as Hedwig, Harry thought. Hedwig, his snowy owl, had been on a journey to deliver a message to Harry's friend Hermione for almost two days now. Harry untied the message attached to the owl's leg, unrolled it, and read:
Dear Harry,
As you know, the dark lord Voldemort has recently killed Cedric Diggory, who I took as my date to the Yule Ball last year.
At this point Harry thought of Cho Chang, his crush for the past year or so. Oh, how he wished she returned his feelings! But why on Earth was she writing to him? Harry read on:
It was you who saved his body, and for this, I thank you. However, this leaves me currently single. The first time I thought this, I almost immediately thought of you, who asked me to the Yule Ball just a little too late last year. I got myself thinking of the possibility of . . .well . . .us. And I was just wondering if it's not too late, so if you could just send a message in return with Tillie-that's my owl-that would be great. Thank you, Harry. Yours truly, Cho
Wow, Harry thought. He pinched himself. It hurt a lot. He pinched himself again, only to find that it hurt more. Harry automatically sat on the floor, grabbed a spare sheet of parchment and his favorite quill and ink, and began to write a reply. He wrote:
Dearest Cho,
Either this has been the sickest of jokes, or it has been destiny in effect. I have been waiting for this moment for what seems like an eternity, or maybe longer. I sincerely hope this will turn into a commitment, and then an unbreakable bond of love and trust. I am flattered that you thought of me, as I have thought of you so many times before. I can't wait for the summer holiday to end as it is, but wanting to see your beautiful face makes me all the more anxious. Please write in return. Love from Harry P.S. Tillie is a wonderful name for an owl.
Harry read what he had written. He felt like this simple letter could change his whole life, and he hoped it would. He realized that this was the most meaningful thing that he had ever written before. He neatly rolled up the parchment, and attached it to Tillie's leg with care. Tillie flew off into the morning air, looking almost as beautiful as Cho herself.
Harry Potter woke with a start in his bed at number 4 Privet Drive, as he had done on every other hot summer day in his entire life. After all, why should today be any different? The answer would become clear. Just as he was about to go down to what he knew as breakfast, an owl flew through the window. Harry didn't recognize this owl. In fact, he had never seen it before in his life. It was a medium sized, brown barn owl, with feathers as soft as butter that had been left out only to become ever so slightly melted. This owl is almost as beautiful as Hedwig, Harry thought. Hedwig, his snowy owl, had been on a journey to deliver a message to Harry's friend Hermione for almost two days now. Harry untied the message attached to the owl's leg, unrolled it, and read:
Dear Harry,
As you know, the dark lord Voldemort has recently killed Cedric Diggory, who I took as my date to the Yule Ball last year.
At this point Harry thought of Cho Chang, his crush for the past year or so. Oh, how he wished she returned his feelings! But why on Earth was she writing to him? Harry read on:
It was you who saved his body, and for this, I thank you. However, this leaves me currently single. The first time I thought this, I almost immediately thought of you, who asked me to the Yule Ball just a little too late last year. I got myself thinking of the possibility of . . .well . . .us. And I was just wondering if it's not too late, so if you could just send a message in return with Tillie-that's my owl-that would be great. Thank you, Harry. Yours truly, Cho
Wow, Harry thought. He pinched himself. It hurt a lot. He pinched himself again, only to find that it hurt more. Harry automatically sat on the floor, grabbed a spare sheet of parchment and his favorite quill and ink, and began to write a reply. He wrote:
Dearest Cho,
Either this has been the sickest of jokes, or it has been destiny in effect. I have been waiting for this moment for what seems like an eternity, or maybe longer. I sincerely hope this will turn into a commitment, and then an unbreakable bond of love and trust. I am flattered that you thought of me, as I have thought of you so many times before. I can't wait for the summer holiday to end as it is, but wanting to see your beautiful face makes me all the more anxious. Please write in return. Love from Harry P.S. Tillie is a wonderful name for an owl.
Harry read what he had written. He felt like this simple letter could change his whole life, and he hoped it would. He realized that this was the most meaningful thing that he had ever written before. He neatly rolled up the parchment, and attached it to Tillie's leg with care. Tillie flew off into the morning air, looking almost as beautiful as Cho herself.