1: Summers winding down

Harry Potter sat at his little rickety wooden desk, in his little rickety room, in the other wise spacious and elegant home located at # 4 Privet drive. He had shot up 4 more inches over the summer. Maybe now Ron Weasley wouldn't completely dwarf him. Though still slightly pale, his emerald eyes were shaped perfectly by the chiseled features of his face. Harry had even grown stubble on his chin. Indeed the boy who lived turned out to be very handsome.

The boy with the messy raven hair stared down at page 6 of the pamphlet that was Professor Snapes' idea of an outline for his Newt level potions class. To both Snapes's & Harrys' dismay, Harry had gotten a Perfect Owl in Potions. However another year with Snape was the least of Harrys' worries. Fifth year at Hogwarts had by far been the worst for Harry and the school itself.

For the first time in 5 years Harry couldn't wait to leave the Magical Universe and return to his muggle family (If that's what u could call them). After the death of Serious, Harry could care less if his only retreat was to people whose hatred for him was only rivaled by Lord Voldermort himself.

Actually this summer was not so bad for Harry. Dudley was away in America, at Football (the American Kind) camp. This fact made a bruise free summer for Harry. Uncle Vernon was still an arse, but nowhere as near as what he had been. Vernon was still shaking from the ominous warning the Order of the Phoenix gave him at the end of term. The biggest surprise was Aunt Petunia though; she actually started to treat him like a person. Petunia even managed to get his uncle to start to pay him for the work he did around the house. Harry hated to admit it but for the first time he did not want to leave Privet drive. For the first time Harry felt that here, he would be missed.

"Uggh! Where's Hermione when u need her. She would make me read this stupid assignment!" He said as he threw his wire-rimmed glasses on the desk. He realized that he had been staring at the same sentence for a ½ hour.

Harry finally gave up on his studies, and flopped on his bed. Thinking of Hermione made him think of happier times with his friends. He missed her and Ron terribly. Ron had not written at all this summer break. Hermione only wrote to bitch at him for not writing her.

Past summers had been spent by the three at the burrow. Not this year though. On strict orders of Dumbledore Harry was to remain with his aunt and uncle for the entire summer. Herminone was also told she could not visit the burrow. Harry wasn't sure who was upset by the news more Ron or Hermione.

"If I can't be happy, why should they?" Harry whispered. As soon as the words escaped his thin lips, he regretted them. He loved Ron and Hermione both, he had no right to wish bad things on his friends. They were the only two who had always been there for him.

"I won't let my unhappiness…or a stupid Prophecy for that matter ruin this year for my friends and me."

Suddenly out of the corner of his eye Harry caught site of a white blur.

"Hedwig!" Harry shouted, "What do you have for me girl?" Hedwig nipped at his hand lovingly. Harry untied a letter from the birds' right leg and tossed Hedwig a treat for her effort.

"Ron!" Harry laughed at his friend's perfect timing. He knew what ever Ron had to say would cheer him up. Harry tore open the letter and began to read.

Harry,

Bloody hell mate how have u been? Sorry I haven't written you all summer, but Harry I got to spend the summer with the Cannons mate! That's right I was the Keeper for the team during practice sessions. Percy knows some people and got them to take me on. He's been doing nice stuff for everyone since he disgraced us last year. He even got dad a Jaguar. Some sort of muggle car. Anyway mate, I've gotten damn good if I do say so myself. They even say they will let me try out after I graduate, I put in a good word for you too mate. Bloody hell mate can you believe it! Even Mione was excited for me. Cant wait to see her again…I mean can't wait to see you guys again. Well just wanted to let you know I was still alive. See you in a couple of days on the train.

P.S.

Ginny says she can't wait to see you.

Harry sighed after he read the letter. Good old Ron. He knew it was a dream come true for Ron to be with the Chudley Cannons. Ron was the only person who loved Qudditch more than Harry. He also was the only one who was as good at it as Harry.

Even though the world saw Harry as the "Famous Harry Potter", Ron never did neither did Hermione. To them he was just Harry. It was in that moment that he realized that Ron and Hermione were his better halves. He began to laugh out loud. He needed to get a girlfriend. Harry stopped laughing suddenly. When did that happen? When did he start thinking about girls? He wondered had this thought yet crossed Ron's mind. Of course it had, ever since Ron first laid eyes on Hermione Granger. But Harry would rather spend a week at Malfoy manor than mention his accusations to Ron. But he couldn't Blame Ron. He had noticed how beautiful Hermione had gotten. Her bushy hair, had toned down, now it was a mass of honey brown golden spirals, which bounced off her shoulders playfully and highlighted her almond eyes. Compared to Harry and Ron…Hermione's 5'6, 130 frame made her look tiny. She was so small, it made Harry feel like he just wanted to scoop her in his arms and protect her. But he would never tell Ron that he valued his life too much. Once again Harry started to laugh out loud. He sluggishly got up and began to pack up his Hogwarts trunk.

"Maybe year 6 won't be so bad." He said