- - -
Isabella stared numbly at the creamy sheet of parchment lying in front of her. How could she even write this letter? What would be the point? Would it even make a difference? Well, it would make a difference to Isabella.
Slowly, she brushed her dark ringlets out of her face and picked up a flask of green ink. Uncorking it, she dipped her quill in the ink and started writing in her neat cursive: Dear Mr. Potter, she began. Esther, her screech owl gave an impatient hoot, eager to deliver the letter. Isabella grew more determined by this. Dutifully, she continued:
Allow me to extend my utmost sympathies about the loss of your godfather, Sirius Black. I know that I am a complete stranger, but I know that Sirius was a very special person. He cared about you more than words can express. I suppose I feel obligated to write to you, because I am greatly indebted to Sirius. He saved my life. So, as I'd admired your godfather since I was at Hogwarts, I now have decided to
Isabella halted. What had she decided to do? She paused, then slowly scratched with her quill:
-Well, I haven't decided, but if you ever need anything or want anything, don't hesitate to send an owl my way. Because you were so special to Sirius, I suppose I am indebted to you now. Please write if you ever need anything.
She finished by signing 'Isabella Fowlie' in her delicate signature. Sealing the letter within, she reached out to Esther and tied the letter to her owl's leg. As Esther flew away and soared out into the night sky, Isabella felt a sense of accomplishment and, rubbing her eyes, she fell asleep at her desk.
- - -
At number 4, Privet Drive, Harry Potter stared at his ceiling glumly. It was late and he was incredibly hungry. His Uncle Vernon had locked him in his room without food for 2 days.
Harry had set off a couple of the items Fred and George had sent him, as they said, for 'kicks.' Well, it had certainly brought him kicks. He could still see Dudley flailing about in his mind's eye. He grinned. It had been worth it. He could use a laugh.
Hazily, Harry lay back down. He had nearly fallen asleep when he heard a tapping noise. Hedwig made a surprised noise, causing Harry to open his eyes. There was a screech owl rapping its beak against the window.
Hurriedly, he scrambled out of bed, chucking Hedwig an Owl Treat to keep her quiet. He didn't want to wake up the Dursleys. Opening the window, the owl fluttered in and landed on Harry's bedpost. He untied the scroll from the owl's leg.
Reading the letter, Harry's fingers started to tremble, and he sighed. Time in solidarity away from the wizarding world had erased much of the anger that had consumed him last year. It was hard to keep a hold of his emotions after all he'd been through. At first, after Sirius' untimely death, Harry had been furious. Now that the truth had really sunk in, he felt thoroughly depressed. He glanced at the clock. It was 3:45 AM. It would be rude to contact anyone at this hour.
"You can stay 'till the morning," Harry said to the owl. He then stretched out on his bed and fell asleep, still clutching the letter.
- - -
When morning came, Harry could not ignore the sunlight shining in his eyes. It was a beautiful day; the sky was a robin's egg blue, and completely cloudless. What a day to be shut inside his room.
Harry sat up and picked up his glasses from his bedside table. When he put them on, he saw the screech owl looking at him reproachfully. Grinning, Harry drew the shade on the window to stop the owl from glaring at him.
Remembering the letter that he had received, Harry knelt down and pulled up the loose floorboard in his room. From his treasure stashed there, he withdrew a small rectangular mirror. Remus Lupin had given it to Harry before they had parted for the summer.
Harry bent down, and clearly said, "Professor Lupin." Lupin's face appeared in the mirror.
"Harry?" he asked, concerned, "What is it? Is something wrong?" Harry smiled, happy to see a friendly face.
"No, no, nothing's wrong, Professor," he replied, "It's just...I think I might have found someone who could join the Order."
Remus looked quite surprised at this, but he inquired, "Someone to join the Order?"
Harry nodded firmly. "Yeah, someone who went to school when you did...her name is Isabella Fowlie."
"Right, right," Lupin said distractedly, "Listen, Harry. I think it's about time we came to get you from you aunt and uncle's house. Do you think you could ride the Knight Bus to Diagon Alley? We could get you settled in The Leaky Cauldron, and we could discuss this face-to-face. Is that alright?"
Harry brightened immediately at the prospect of leaving the Dursleys. "That's brilliant!" he exclaimed, and, bidding a quick farewell to Remus, he stood up. Sitting down on his bed, he quickly scrawled a reply to Isabella's letter:
I think there's something you can do. Meet me in front of Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour in Diagon Alley at noon tomorrow, and we'll talk then.
Harry quickly tied the letter to the screech owl's leg, and sent her to deliver his reply.
- - -