-1Harry Potter lay in his bed on Privet Drive, staring up at the blank ceiling above him. This was how he spent his long, miserable days with Dursleys; thinking about the horrible events that occurred at the Ministry. Harry knew that he was to blame for what happened to Sirius, despite what Ron, Hermione, or anybody for that matter, said. He knew that everyone who died over the course of his life had been his fault; first his beloved parents, next it had been Cedric, and now, one of the closest things he had to a father had been sacrificed because of him. Harry knew that this madness would never cease to end, he knew that his friends and family would never see the end of this life in turmoil….unless he did something about it. And knowing that terrified Harry, knowing that he was the only one who had the capability to rid the world of its evils, knowing that he would either be killed by the wizard who had ended so many lives before his, or he would vanquish the same man from every humans' fear absolutely mortified Harry. But deep inside his troubled heart, Harry knew that he would fulfill this dreadful task, he had to. Even if it meant he had to sacrifice his own well being, that he would loose his life in the process, he would fulfill the Prophecy. he owed it to so many people who had affected his life, so many people who had thought not of themselves, but others at their time of death. Many days, Harry wished he could simply forget it all. Forget about the terror, the fear, and the heart-ache he had become so accustomed to feeling. He wished he could be a normal fifteen - year old boy with a care-free life, and a family that loved him.

As all these complex thoughts ran thru his mind, Harry felt his stomach give a low rumble. Instead of eating the minute amount of food Aunt Petunia gave him each day, Harry had recently started ignoring his hunger, and hadn't eaten anything but a minuscule amount of chicken broth, in about three days. It wasn't as though he was trying to starve himself. Harry honestly had been too overcome and distressed about everything to really care about necessity of eating. In fact, he hadn't truthfully cared about much of anything lately……anything, that is, except for overpowering Lord Voldemort, and seeking his revenge.

Whilst Harry had only been 'Darkening the Dursleys Doorstep' for a mere week, he had already successfully received four letters from both Ron, and Hermione. Both of whom, had no ghastly idea about the heavy burden that now lay on Harry's shoulders. Although Ron and Hermione were his best friends, Harry preferred that they didn't know about the Prophecy . For now at least…. If he did tell Ron or Hermione, he knew exactly what their reactions would be…

Hermione's first impulse, would be to run to the nearest Library and research everything to her ability about the Prophecy. She would then proceed to analyze him and each and every one of his feelings. And in the end; Harry was willing to bet his Fire-Bolt on this, Hermione would suggest that he wrote to Professor Dumbledore. As well as Hermione's intentions may have been, Harry really didn't need any of that. Especially the Dumbledore bit, Harry didn't know when he would be able to face is Headmaster again. The last time he had been in his presence, it had resulted in Harry destroying half of what Dumbledore owned. It was needless to say that Harry had instantly regretted this, and was undoubtedly ashamed of himself.

Ron, however probably would have had a reaction that completely contradicted Hermione's. He would have told Harry what he was already aware of. And if possible, make Harry's situation sound worse. Although Harry knew that Ron meant well, it just wouldn't help him to hear how horrible things really seemed, and how skittish the people around him were.

So as of now, Harry had never felt as alone, depressed, or miserable as he did right now.

Perhaps, that was why Harry had been so keen to reject all of his friend's mail, and why it now sat in a small pile, untouched, on his window sill.

That's why it came as no surprise or shock to Harry when he glanced out his window, and noticed Pig soaring thru the bright morning sky, heading directly for Harry's bedroom. What did slightly surprise Harry, was that as the owl got closer, he noticed it was carrying a small package of some sorts. Harry found this odd because, although Ron and Hermione had written him many letters, none of them were sent with a care-package of any sort. The clumsy owl made a soft hoot, before dropping the parcel in Harry's lap, and heading off to Hedwig's empty cage for a quick rest. Harry hastened to tear open the package, and realized once he'd opened it, that there was a slightly bulging envelope, on top of a assortment of, what looked like, home-made sweets. Grabbing a brownie with multi-colored sprinkles on top, he glanced quickly at the name written upon the front of the envelope, and was ready to through it in with the rest of his letters, when he did a very fast double-take. Instead of a normal letter from Ron or Hermione, this particular one was from none other than Ginny Weasley. Coming to a very odd decision, Harry decided to open the letter, he didn't really know why, but something told him it was the right thing to do.

Dear Harry,

Hi, its Ginny! I know your probably in complete awe that I'm writing to you, but I figured you could use some cheering up….and not to mention good food from Mum.

Its been pretty hectic here with all the Wedding Plans and such….but wait, you don't know yet do you? Ha, well I guess I'll have to be the one to tell you! Remember ole Fleur Delacour? Well, her and my dear brother Bill are engaged and getting married next Summer. Mum hates her though, along with Hermione and I. I have recently afflicted it upon myself to call her 'Phlegm', and although Mum has told me off for it, I know she secretly thinks its quite amusing. Ron, on the other hand, is just as horrible as he was in 3rd year….possibly worse, now that I think about it. Anyways, that's all I here about…wedding plans….What color roses to buy, who should do all the cooking for afterwards(of course Mum won that battle, not even Phlegm can deny her food), what color dresses everyone will be wearing, what color the table-clothes should be….Ugh! It's enough to drive anyone completely bonkers.

And then there is Ron and Hermione, who haven't stopped bickering since Hermione arrived on our doorstep(I mean that literally.) I swear, sometimes they don't even realize they're doing it! I'm beginning to wonder how in the name of Merlin, you've survived these two for all these years… I mean, I never knew that the way you buttered your toast was that important!

Harry chuckled to himself quietly as he read through this particular part in the letter. That was Ron and Hermione for you…

They really need to tell each other that they've got it bad for one another before everyone around them goes insane.

So that pretty much leaves me alone to sit around and think, not that I mind much though. I would much rather be alone with my thoughts, then participating in the Wedding Plans or, trying to interfere with Ron and Hermione. I've done a bit of exploring this Summer, and I've come across the perfect spot to sit and relax for a while. Do you remember the small group of trees by our pond? Well, I found the perfect one, its right next to the water's edge, and its secluded, so I can come here whenever I don't wish to be disturbed. The tree has a ideal spot for sitting, so I can climb up there whenever I wish and look out over the pond.

Well, I wish I could write more, but Mum is calling us all down for dinner, and with the touchy mood she's been in since Fleur came, I had better go before she gets upset.. Plus I wouldn't want to miss out on another hilarious moment of Ron and Hermione's 'Blossoming Love Life'

Take care,

Ginny

P.S: I thought you may like to play a game, you know, to keep us both occupied

P.P.S: Enjoy the sweets, Mum made them earlier today, and I figured you might like them.

Harry glanced down at the envelope, and sure enough, he found another piece of parchment labeled:

'Hangman'

At the bottom of the page, Harry noticed a short note from Ginny saying:

I figured you and I could play this game by you guessing a letter, and sending the parchment back to me. Have fun!

Ginny

Harry couldn't keep from smiling after reading Ginny's letter. Somehow, reading Ginny's writing cheered him up immensely. Maybe this was because Ginny had written not to interrogate him of his feelings or to say how concerned she was for him, no, she had written to him as if nothing had changed, and to simply cheer him up a bit.

Harry got out of bed, and sat down at his desk, grabbing a fresh piece of parchment, some ink, and a new quill. For the first time this summer, he was going to write a response to one of his letters….

Dear Ginny,

You're right, your letter did surprise me. But it also helped to cheer me up, at least slightly. While I was reading your letter, I was able to forget about reality for a moment and enjoy what was written in front of me. For the first time since the incident at the Ministry, I was able to laugh, even if it was only for a brief second. And I want to thank you for that, it helps dull my misery.

Well what can I say? I guess a 'Congratulations' is in order for Bill and erm…. Phlegm, if I'm not mistaken. Just kidding, although I think I may be willing to pay, for the opportunity to see Ron when Fleur is in the vicinity…

Ron and Hermione have finally reached their all time low, of arguing over toast, eh? I've been expecting this for quite some time now…Although I have to agree with you, their constant bickering is enough to drive any person bonkers. I honestly don't know how I've put up with them, maybe its because I don't know what I would do without their friendship. I think after time you just learn to block them out when they get at each others throats.

Waiting for your next letter,

Harry

P.S: Tell your Mum that the sweets were delicious.

As Harry called Pig down from Hedwig's cage, he made sure that he enclosed the second piece of parchment with his response, including his first guess at a letter.