Chapter 1

The Letters

Once again Harry was in a bad mood, a very bad mood. Now the Black House was his, passed on from Sirius, he got to stay there instead of the Dursleys'. But this didn't make him happier. Sirius' mother screamed at him every time he passed her and that evil house-elf tried to kill him when he first walked through the door back from his fifth year at Hogwarts. Of course Kreacher never tried that again when Harry kicked him across the room. Hermione had had a go at him for hurting the "poor little elf" so now Harry was annoyed with Hermione as well and warned her if she didn't shut up he'd kick her across the room. Which was a shame since she was the only good company in this rotten house. Kreacher was fine as well; he just got up and shuffled out of the room. Harry's love for his friend Hermione would not allow him to kill the creature who had helped in his godfather's death. But Harry enjoyed slowly torturing Kreacher by hiding his prized possessions and putting dungbombs in his home.

Some people grieve for ages when a loved one dies, some go on a rampage. But Harry just moped and sulked and ignored company. What Luna had said about the veil had made his hopes of seeing is godfather again soar. And he even asked Mr Weasley to take him there but he was denied this request. He said that it was too dangerous and so much of a secret even Mr Weasley himself didn't know about it until Harry explained it.

This just made Harry even more annoyed with everyone that entered the house. Everyone steered clear of him, even Snape, who usually loved annoying Harry, tried not to talk to him.

Harry was going back to Hogwarts in three days and they had left the shopping for equipment a bit late as every time it was mentioned to Harry is acted as if he didn't care, when in fact he wanted to be anywhere than this horrible house that contained memories of his godfather. Since getting back from Hogwarts, the house had been subdued and awkward. Everything reminded everyone of Sirius and arguments broke out causing tears and depression. Things had cooled down a bit as it neared September. Everyone was busy of course, now new threats had emerged, but the aura in the Black house was definitely lighter.

Harry leaned against the wall in his bedroom and gazed out of the window. The rain came down in buckets and the occasional clap of thunder could be heard from miles away. It mirrored his mood but even on sunny days, Harry was grumpy. He had only been out of the house once, and that was a trip to visit the Dursleys as Mr Weasley was still sure they cared for him. Deep, deep down inside. It hadn't gone very well. Mr Weasley ended up apparating inside to ask them to open the door for Harry, only to get plates and vases thrown at his viciously.

"Harry, tea is ready," said Mrs Weasley from outside Harry's door.

"I'm not hungry," he lied, as his tummy rumbled loudly.

"But its roast turkey, dear. I made it especially for you," said Mrs Weasley, in an almost pleading voice.

Nobody had seen Harry eat for two days now, but unknown to the rest of the Order, he had been sneaking down and feasting on anything and everything edible he could find. He had put on quite a bit of weight now. So he was no longer skinny but quite slim. Maybe the fact that he hadn't been out of the house for a month had something to do with the weight gain. He had been doing a bit of exercise in his bedroom; it was perhaps the second only thing that was keeping him sane. The letter that had arrived a week before about his O.W.Ls had cheered him up immensely as he had received a total of seven O.W.Ls.

Harry rolled his eyes at Mrs. Weasley's pleading requests and stood up.

"I'm coming," he answered, swinging open the door. He made to slam it but remembered Sirius's mother, so he quietly closed it behind him. Many a time he wanted to blast her head of the wall but of course wasn't allowed. One day…

Downstairs was Hermione and Charlie Weasley, both tucking into a delicious meal. Tonks was there as was Lupin, deep in discussion. They all looked quite surprised to see him and stopped their conversation abruptly.

"Hullo Harry," said Charlie, grinning at him. No grin was replied. Hermione avoided his gaze.

"Hey," muttered Harry, who had only come down for the food, not for the company.

"We were just talking about meeting up with Ron in Diagon Alley tomorrow," said Lupin cheerfully.

"I bet you were," said Harry, helping himself to some potatoes.

Lupin frowned and didn't say any more.

"Would you be wanting treacle tart later, Harry?" asked Mrs Weasley, very pleased that he was eating.

"Yeah sure, can I have it in my bedroom? I need to finish my Potions homework," he said, lying once again.

He was in fact planning to write to his pen pal, whom he had been in contact with since around two weeks ago. She had sent him an owl by accident about how much she loved quidditch and when she was starting school in Hogwarts. Whether she meant to send it to Harry or not didn't matter. Harry had replied to it, saying, "you accidentally sent me an owl. I'll send it back so you can send it to whoever you intended to in the first place. I love quidditch too by the way. I'm a seeker in the Gryffindor team. That's a house in Hogwarts."

She had sent another letter saying, "you go to Hogwarts? Tell me about it please! I used to go to a private school in Durham but I didn't like it. So now I'm going to Hogwarts! I'm really nervous! Yours, Roxanne." He kept the many letters in his drawer, locked so no one could check, not even Kreacher. Most were short, quick replies, quite the contrast to Harry's lengthy posts.

Back upstairs Harry began writing his letter to Roxanne. No one knew about her, not even Ron. What would he say if Harry told him he had a crush on a girl he had never even met?

Hi Roxanne, We're going to Diagon Alley tomorrow. Maybe I could see you there? Send me an owl back quickly if you can go, from Harry xxx

He did this very neatly and even put a smiley face on the envelope even though he wasn't feeling "smiley" himself. He tied the envelope onto Hedwig's leg and watched her sore into the night sky.

Moments later there was a knock on the door.

"Yeah?" said Harry.

"I've got your pudding, do you want it?" asked Hermione.

Harry opened the door and held out his hand.

"Who were you writing to?" she asked, peering over Harry's shoulder at the parchment and pens strewn across his desk.

"My pen pal," he said, taking his pudding.

"I didn't know you had a pen pal. What's his name?"

"She's a girl and her name is Roxanne. Any more questions?" he said rudely, closing the door so only Hermione's face could be viewed.

"I was just wondering," retorted Hermione.

"Well you'll see her tomorrow, I'm hopefully meeting her in Diagon Alley," he said, looking very chuffed with the shocked expression on Hermione's face.

"But you don't even know her!"

Harry scowled, "you worry too much." He closed the door gently as not to wake Sirius' mother up. Harry ate his pudding slowly, enjoying hot food as when he raided the kitchen it was usually cold. There was a tap on the window and Harry opened it. Hedwig was back already. The reply read,

Hi Harry! Yes I will meet you in Diagon Alley. How about outside Flourish and Blotts at 11:00? Send a letter back if you can't. I can't wait! Luv, Roxanne xxx

Harry's mood lightened immensely as he dressed into his pyjamas and fell into a dreamless sleep.

The next morning Harry woke up quite late. Mrs Weasley was rushing about preparing food and talking to Mr Weasley's head in the fire.

"Good morning, Harry!" said Mr Weasley, beaming up at him.

"Good mornin'," replied Harry dully.

He didn't eat much as he wanted as much time as possible to smarten himself up. He changed into his least faded pair of jeans and a navy sports jacket. Not even bothering to try to tame his hair, he instead cleaned his trainers.

"You look very sophisticated, Harry," said Tonks, as he went back downstairs.

Tonks' hair was burgundy now and flowed right down her back. It looked very normal compared to her usual hairdos, which Harry had actually grown to like.

They went via the Floo Network, Harry's least favourite way to travel.

"But I'll get soot all over me!" he said, completely outraged.

"Don't worry, I'll get rid of it when we get there," assured Mrs Weasley, obviously keeping laughter out of her voice.

When they arrived in Diagon Alley the Weasley family were standing there waiting.

"Hey Harry!" said Ron, striding over. He had grown another few inches but seemed to have less freckles and was paler than usual. Everyone seemed more like that. The security had gone up loads and people were starting to get anxious, watching their backs and trusting no one.

"Hiya Harry," said the twins, looking very classy in their new clothes, they winked mischievously at Hermione.

Harry grinned and nodded a hello before asking, "what's the time?"

"Nearly eleven, why?" asked Fred.

"I've got to go to Flourish and Botts, I'll meet you all somewhere later."

"I've got to go there anyway," said Hermione.

"Us too," said Ron, indicating to Ginny.

"But…" Harry started, but it was no use. They had already started towards the shop.

When they got there they were the only people outside it, as the whole country seemed to be crammed inside.

"I'll wait out here for a while, its too crowded in there," said Harry, glancing around. Ron frowned but they left him standing outside.