A/N: keep the reviews flowing. It'll only take a second I swear!


Closing the door gently behind him, Harry sat heavily on his bed. Taking a bite out of his apple he briefly felt a stab of guilt at provoking his relatives. He was usually more reserved when it came to the Dursley's. But as the holidays were drawing to a close – there was only 4 weeks to go - the temptation was too much and he decided to have some fun. Honestly, they weren't the smartest people around. Easily riled up and easy to outwit in any situation.

The events over the past year had also contributed to him feeling no fear of them. They couldn't hurt him more than he already was. Their threats of no dinner or the prospect of countless chores rolled off his back without any remark. The chores in particular, at the beginning helped to keep himself busy, his mind concentrated on the task before him and not on the vivid memories that kept in him awake at night.

The summer heat on his back coming as a welcome relief against the dark and sleepless nights he endured in his tiny room. Although he couldn't completely block everything out – it became bearable and he was able to cope in his own way. Taking another bite of his apple, his eyes drifted away to the pile of letters on his desk. He had been ignoring them for the past couple of months, not wanting to talk to anyone. Not knowing what to say – he was sick of lying. What was he supposed to write anyway?

'Hey! Yeah I'm just dandy. I haven't can't sleep. How are you?' or

'Hey! I just found out the fate of the wizarding world lies on my shoulders and my godfather died and it's my fault. Oh and you were almost knocked off by a death eater because of me as well. My bad.'

Harry snorted quietly, yeah that would go down real well.

Looking over the pile of letters again, Harry felt the familiar tug to read them. Once again his eyes glued on Hermione's pile of unopened letters. Yes. She had her own 'Hermione Pile.' At the beginning of the summer Harry was inundated with letters from what seemed like everyone. Ron. Remus. Dumbledore. Tonks and of course, Hermione. After a while, the flow of letters decreased. Ron no longer wrote seemingly giving up on receiving any type of response. Hermione however – Harry closed his eyes sadly, had not stopped. Every second day he would get a letter from her. He could only guess what was inside. Biting his lip slightly Harry tore his eyes away with a lot of effort. Getting up, he walked quickly to his wardrobe and rummaged through his clothes. He had purchased new ones through the summer. One day – feeling particularly rebellious and knowing that he was being followed anyway, made his way to gringotts and exchanged his money to wizarding currency. Then he went on a shopping trip in London. Tonks trailing behind him, cursing under her breath as Harry ignored her.

Deciding on a pair of dark cargo pants and a white v-neck shirt, he made his way to the shower to freshen up.


20 minutes later Harry stood staring at his reflection in the mirror. He was barely recognizable. His jet-black hair had grown out, making him look older and rouged. His messy hair sticking out in all directions, with his fringe sweeping across his forehead casually and covering the scar on his forehead. His eyes, as green as ever, stared back at him blankly and the light stubble on his chin gave him a weary look. His face had matured. His jaw was sharp and defined and his face tanned from his being in the sun for the entire summer. The dark circles under his eyes the only indicator that anything was wrong.

Suddenly loud voices broke through his haze. Familiar voices.

Eyes wide with surprise, Harry tore the door open and ran down the stairs quickly.

"Where's Potter?" Moody's rough voice came from the living room.

"I'm here Sir." Harry spoke up. Striding into the room before stopping suddenly. Moody wasn't alone – he definitely wasn't alone. There, in the middle of the living room stood Moody, Mr. Weasley. Tonks and Kingsley.

"Ah Harry." Arthur said cheerfully, coming up and slapping him on the back. "You all packed son?"

"Packed?" Harry asked stupidly. "What for?"

"We're here to pick you up." Tonks said in explanation, a knowing look in her eyes. "Didn't you get our letter?"

"Oh of course." Harry smiled feebly. "I'll just go get my stuff." Without waiting for an answer, he walked briskly out of the room and into his bedroom.

Cursing under his breath at the mess he quickly chucked all his clothes in the open trunk that lay next to his door.

"Need some help?" Tonks' voice interrupted from the door. Her eyes sparkling as she watched Harry run around the room.

"Um. Yes please." Harry said pathetically, his shoulders slumping slightly in defeat.

"You know Harry." Tonks said seriously as she waved her wand casually, clothes folding themselves neatly into his trunk. "I know you're not having a great time at the moment but by ignoring your friends, you're only causing them more pain."

"I don't know what to say to her." Harry muttered, sitting on the bed. His mind full of his brown eyed best friend and the hurt he knew he was causing her.

"I'm sorry Harry." Tonks whispered, her eyes going over to the pile of letters on his desk. "But she'll want to hear from you. She's coming in a couple of days to the order anyway. You can't avoid her forever."

"I don't want to avoid her." Harry said with difficulty and staring at Tonks helplessly.

"Tell her you're ok then. Put her mind at ease." Tonks smiled softly before getting up and levitating his trunk. "Don't be too long. Moody hates the muggles."

Nodding and smiling slightly, Harry walked over to his desk. Taking a pen from his draw he quickly scrawled a brief note, his messy handwriting barely legible as he tied it to Hedwig's leg.

"I'll be at the order girl." Harry said as he stroked Hedwig softly. Smiling as she gave his finger an affectionate nip before flying out of the window.

Sighing quietly, Harry made his way downstairs. His hastily written words still in his head as he was transported to Grimmauld place.

Hermione.

I'm sorry….

I'll see you soon.

Harry.