Author's Disclaimer : This story is a work of fiction based on the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling. No infringement of any copyright is intended and no profit is being made.
Chapter 1
Thoughts and Letters
Harry Potter smiled for the first time in two weeks as he looked out of his bedroom window. Dudley Dursley was sweating like a pig as he pushed a mower across the lawn. He seemed to be muttering to himself. Harry was sure the choicest words were meant for him.
The last two weeks had been significantly different from his normal summer at Privet drive. The Dursleys had been very civil towards him and sometimes their actions even bordered on being nice. They had obviously taken the threats made by Mad-eyed Moody seriously. Harry had been properly fed and had been given no chores to do.
He spent most of his time in his room staring at his ceiling, thankful for the peace and quiet. He tried not to sleep knowing what his dreams would be about. It was a single scene stuck in a loop. Sirius falling into the veil again and again and again. His scar hadn't hurt at all so far which was suprising. He shook his head and looked up to see his beloved Hedwig fly in through the window carrying his mail.
Unlike the previous summer, Harry had received a lot of letters this year. Ron had written twice already and so had Ginny. Dumbledore wrote to him every second day. The only thing that frustrated him was that all of them kept asking him how he was and how he felt. "Like I killed my ruddy godfather and nearly got my best friends eviscerated". He decided to open the letter from Professor Lupin.
Hello Harry
The first time I met Sirius I though he was a big git. He stuck a paper on my back that said 'Loo-pin' and teased me all day long. He was also one of my dearest friends. When he first heard of my physical predicament he spent weeks in the library looking for a cure. He never once thought of telling on me or avoiding me. At your parents wedding Sirius tried setting me up with all the bridesmaids. He said he wanted to make sure he was the only bachelor remaining in the group. "More ladies for me" is what he said.
I'm telling you this Harry to let you know how much Sirius loved life. He had a big heart. I know you must be feeling horrible and as usual blaming yourself for what happened. But it wasn't your fault. Everything in this world happens for a reason. Being depressed and sad is not what your parents or Sirius would have wanted for you. You have wonderful friends who love you and a life to look forward to. Cheer up. Sirius will always be in our hearts and minds. We will never forget him. Living your life to the fullest is the only way you can give his spirit some peace. Good luck Harry and hope to see you soon.
Remus Lupin
Tears ran down his face but strangely Harry felt better. He knew he would never be able to forgive himself for Sirius's death but he also knew he could not go on being sorry for himself. His destiny had already been written and it was either him or Voldermort. If he spent his life sulking around in his hole then it would definitely be Voldermort who won the final battle and then all his friends would die. He would just have to do the best that he could and believe in his friends and himself.
He opened Ron's letter
Harry
How are you mate. Things haven't changed much since last week.
Ginny's been in her room channeling Hermione. She has started studying for her owls already. Mental!
The twins wanted me to help at the shop. The offered me a galleone a day. A galleon a day! I said yes but mom said no way. So stuck at the burrow all summer.
Did you read the junk in the Prophet? Dad says the ministry may be holding a special election soon. Don't mention that to anybody.
I invited Hermione to stay at the burrow this summer but she said she wanted to spend some time with her parents this year. I have something to tell you later. I don't want to tell you by owl post.
Hope you are feeling OK.
Ron
Harry glanced at the Daily Prophet headline.
"Minister Fudge blames bad intelligence for poor information on Voldemort's resurrection"
Harry gritted his teeth. His own bad intelligence. The stupid git.
Harry had been reading the prophet daily, cover to cover this time and it seemed to be full of doom and gloom. Lacking any new information they had printed stories from Voldemort's first rise. There were stories about random attacks on muggles and wizards alike. Death and destruction seemed to be a common theme. His name was mentioned in a lot of articles and editorials. At least this time they didn't make him out to be a head case. Harry also noticed that there were a number of ads for travel agencies promising to take wizards to a safer destination. A lot of people must be running away to protect their families. He didn't blame them.
He wondered what Ron wanted to tell him that he couldn't say in his letter.
He searched through the pile for a letter from Hermione and came away disappointed. Of all his friends he thought that she would have written. There had been no letters from her so far. "Maybe she's mad at me for my stupidity and nearly getting her killed." he shuddered. He remembered the scene in the Department of Mysteries when Hermione had been hit by a curse from Dolozhov and lay absolutely still. Harry couldn't bring himself to think of the scene again. He couldn't think of ever losing her. If the second task of the Tri wizard tournament was to take place again Harry had a feeling that Ron would not be the person he missed the most.
The next letter was from Ginny. She had started writing to him recently and Harry appreciated her friendship.
Dear Harry
Hope you are in good spirits. Sorry I couldn't write last week. Luna had dropped by to fix an OWL study schedule before she left for Sweden with her dad. She stayed an extra day and seemed to enjoy staring at Ron. He got so frightened that he volunteered to help mom clean the attic.
Ron has been a little quiet lately. We went for a checkup at St. Mungos and the Medi wizard said he was fine and showed no after effects of the brain attack.
Please take care.
Love
Ginny
Harry hoped that Ron would not suffer any long term damage from the brain attacks. He decided to write to Ginny sometime soon. He needed to get to know her a little better this year.
The last letter was from Neville. Harry felt a bond between them after the adventure at the Ministry of Magic and hearing the Prophecy. Neville was a loyal friend and Harry was sure that he would be a great wizard some day.
Hi Harry
I just wanted to see how you were doing. My leg has healed completely and my grandmother took me to Ollivander's to get a new wand yesterday. I hope I do better in class with my new wand. My grandmother was very angry after I told her what happened at the Ministry and yelled at me for a while. But I hear her repeat my story to all of her friends.
I am spending summer learning new spells to help you better next year. I hope they let you continue the DA club .
Neville
Harry hoped he was allowed to continue with the DA club. It had been one of the few things that he enjoyed in an otherwise horrible fifth year. It probably depended on who they had for DADA this year. He hoped they let Prof. Lupin teach again.
His thoughts were interrupted by a loud bang downstairs and he heard someone yell "PETUNIA!!"
