Letters in the Mailbox

Harry sat at the kitchen table, just staring at the clock on the wall. The mail was overdue by an hour and it was driving him crazy. He'd been back at the Dursleys' for almost two weeks already and he hadn't received any news from his friends or Irlynn. To be honest he was more interested in her letters. They had exchanged addresses and agreed to write as often as they could. She had assured him at King's Cross Station before they parted ways that he could spend time with her and her parents that summer.

"Boy, what are you doing?" Vernon spat, noticing Harry's far off gaze as he walked into the room. He made a beeline to the refrigerator.

"Huh?" Harry mumbled.

"I said, what are you doing, boy. Listen when I talk to you," the portly man grumbled.

"Waiting for the mail," Harry answered. Vernon looked at him strangely.

"Mail doesn't come on Sundays," he muttered, taking the tub of ice cream and a spoon and heading into the sitting room to take up residence in his armchair.

Harry blinked several time at his Uncle's comment. Was it really Sunday? Had he lost track of time that much? Letting out a sigh, Harry stood up and climbed the stairs. His Aunt and Uncle had decided to give him Dudley's second room. He couldn't complain. It was better than the cupboard under the stairs. He reached the room and collapsed on the bed. His eyes flitted over the empty owl cage that sat next to his desk. He'd sent Hedwig with a letter for Irlynn two days ago.

"Where did you go?" he mumbled. As if on cue, the snowy bird appeared, soaring straight for the closed window. Harry bolted from the bed to open the window and allow the owl entrance. When she landed he couldn't stop smiling. She was carrying a letter attached to her leg.

"Welcome back," he said, stroking the bird's feathers, trying to untie the letter at the same time. Hedwig gave a squawk as he tugged on the string.

"Sorry Hedwig but she tied it on tight," he apologized, getting the note free. He was about to sit down at the desk and open the letter when Hedwig let out a loud hoot. Harry looked at her and to the desk drawer. He pulled it open and fished out a handful of owl pellets.

"There you go," he said. Satisfied that Hedwig was content, the eleven-year-old sat down and tore open the letter. He let the envelope fall to the floor as he unfolded the parchment and began to read.

Dear Harry,

I am sorry this letter took so long to get to you. Mum and Dad insisted we let Hedwig rest a day or two as it was a bit of a long flight. I hope your summer has started well. I guess it has since I haven't seen anything bad happen. If it does, please write to me straight away as sometimes I can't always tell.

I miss Hogwarts already. I had things to do and classes really were fun…well maybe not Potions or History of Magic. I am excited to see my friends though. I haven't seen them since August of last year. What are you doing for summer holidays?

I talked to my Mum and Dad…about everything. They can't believe about You-Know-Who. They said it was just awful about our Mum. They weren't mad about me looking for her. Mum said she was a little worried but that she knows I still love her. They want you to come visit sometime this summer. Even before I asked if you could, they told me you had to.

I feel like I'm rambling so just write me back when you can and I hope to see you soon

Your sister (doesn't it sound funny saying that?)

Irlynn

Harry beamed as he put the letter down. It was a short letter but it was mail nonetheless. It was still strange to think she could see into his thoughts but maybe that was a good thing? Maybe it would make his aunt and uncle treat him better. He would have to talk to them about staying with Irlynn. He hadn't said a word about Irlynn to them; at least not that she was his sister.

He spent the remainder of the afternoon in his room, rereading the letter and writing his response. He barely heard Aunt Petunia's bellow to help make dinner. He pulled himself away from the letter he was writing to respond to her call.

"Get going," she said, pointing to the butter in the pan on the stove. He turned the burner on and began to push it around to melt it. He moved carefully under the watchful eye of his aunt as he continued to prepare dinner. He never appreciated the house elves at Hogwarts as much as he did right then. The meal was silent for a while, punctuated only by the loud slurping sounds Dudley made as he shoved his fourth helping down.

"Uncle Vernon," Harry said near the end of the meal. Vernon set his glass down and looked at his nephew, disdain dripping from his voice as he spoke.

"What?" he asked.

"I…got a letter from a friend…at school," he began.

"How many times do we have to tell you not to talk about your…abnormities," Vernon hissed.

"She wants me to spend part of the summer with her family. I was…hoping I could go," Harry finished, trying to ignore his uncle's harsh tones. Aunt Petunia looked at Harry and then at her husband. She couldn't deny that they would like to have him out of the house but it would mean they were acknowledging his…weirdness. She gave Vernon an imperceptible shake of her head.

"No, absolutely not. And I don't want to hear any more about your freaky friends," Vernon answered, slamming his fist down on the table for emphasis. Harry felt hiss stomach drop at his Uncle's response. It wasn't entirely unexpected but it was by no means still hurtful.

A short time later he was left to do the dishes while his aunt, uncle and cousin went out to see a movie. He wondered if Irlynn could see him now? Could she see how they left him home to keep from attracting stares? As he set the dish rag down he couldn't help but feel angry at his family.

"It's not fair," he shouted, kicking the cabinet beneath the sink. He instantly regretted it, his toe now throbbing in pain. With a grumble he hobbled back upstairs and into his room. He slumped into the desk chair and picked up the parchment he'd started writing on. He tossed it in the rubbish bin and started over.

Irlynn,

I'm glad to hear from you. Thank you for making sure Hedwig was well rested. She thanks you too. I don't know if you saw tonight but my family left me home while they went to see a movie. They hardly take me anywhere public since they found out I was a wizard. They think I'm contagious or something.

I miss Hogwarts too. I miss being away from my family, away from being looked at like I'm a freak. At Hogwarts I fit in, well more than I fit in here. I have friends at school and I feel like I'm where I belong. I bet you feel that way too

I wish Dumbledore would have let me go and live with you and your parents. It sounds nice. I wish I could come visit but my Uncle said no. I know he wishes I wasn't here but he doesn't want to admit that by letting me leave he says that magic exists.

I haven't told them you're my sister. I don't know if I should. I don't know what they would think. What do you think I should do?

Oh, have you heard from Ron or Hermione? I've written them both a few times but got nothing back. Write me back soon. If I can't leave here, at least I can still talk to you.

Your brother (yes it still sounds very odd)

Harry

Harry checked his spelling before letting the parchment dry. He stowed the quill and bottle of ink. The sun had started to sink below the tree line at the edge of the property when Harry finally rolled the letter up and opened Hedwig's cage.

"I hope you're up for another long one. It's important that she gets it," Harry said, attaching the letter. Hedwig nipped his finger affectionately with her beak and gave a hoot.

"Hurry back," he said before letting her fly out the window.

He watched her getting smaller, fading into the distance and wondered what he was going to do all summer, being locked away like a prisoner. Evening melted into night and Harry fell asleep, unaware of his family's return from their outing. None of them bothered to check on him to see if he was still there.