Over the next five years Harry and Julie kept in close contact through letters, the older Julie got, the more frequent the letters. Julie always kept her bedroom window unlocked, and Harry's brilliant owl, Hedwig, only delivered letters at night. Whenever Hedwig softly tapped on the window, Julie would jump awake and let her in.
Harry's favorite letters told him of Julie showing signs of magic.
Dear Harry,
Dad's really mad at me, I can't leave my room for the rest of the week. Dudley was yelling at me for eating the last biscuit (he didn't need it), I told him to shut up and he couldn't speak for two hours. Only two more years until I can go to Hogwarts…
Dear Harry,
Suzy Sadler sits next to me in class, on Wednesday she called me a called me a pea brain behind the teacher's back, a couple of minutes later, when she got up to sharpen her pencil, she tripped because her shoelaces were tied together. I think I might have done it Harry! No one else walked near our desks!
Harry got his very favorite letter shortly after Sirius died.
Dear Harry,
I'm so sorry about Sirius. I wish I had been able to meet him. Did I ever tell you he wrote me a few letters? He told me all about your mum and dad, and said it sounded like I was more of a Potter than a Dursley. He said when I got my Hogwarts letter he would buy me a wand and an owl. You told me he was an animagus right? You said he could turn into a big black dog? I never told you this, but sometimes I would see a big black dog, I always kind of thought it was him. He followed me to school, or I saw him in the backyard at night, after Mum and Dad were asleep. I started sneaking treats for him in my napsack, just in case I saw him. He was always very friendly, he would let me pet him, and sometimes he'd bring me stick or ball to throw to him. So, maybe I did meet him, just not as a person. I think he was keeping an eye on me. Did you tell him to do that?
Harry, I think I did more magic tonight! Dad locked my window from the outside two weeks ago (that's why I didn't reply to your last letter,sorry about that), I am kind of surprised it took him this long to figure out you have been writing me. Hedwig tapped on my window tonight, I got out of bed to see if I could figure out a way to let her in, and my window just jumped open, without me even touching it!
You're going to go to the Burrow this summer, right? Mum and Dad know I'm a witch already, I'm almost positive of it. I'm sure they're going to let me go to Hogwarts just so the neighbors don't find out. Do you think Mr. and Mrs. Weasley would let me come?
I can't wait to see you, just a couple of more weeks.
Love,
Julie
Harry read this letter over and over, he had asked Sirius to keep an eye on Julie, Miss Figg as well. When Hedwig had returned with Harry's letter, not a reply from Julie, Harry was planning a way to get to Privet Drive to figure out why Hedwig had not been able to deliver Julie's letter. Hermione had talked him into writing Sirius to go check on her. By dinner that evening he had a response, his last letter from Sirius.
Harry,
Stayed as close to Julie as I could today, she spent most of the day in her bedroom as it's a Saturday and she doesn't have school. She went to the store with that aunt of yours. Horrible woman. She spent some time in the backyard, where I was watching her. She was reading one of your old school books. She saw me and brought me some biscuits from inside. I think she knows who I am, she asked me if my name was Snuffles. Smart girl, she might be headed for Ravenclaw.
Everything is safe on Privet Drive, no need to worry.
Snuffles
When the Dursleys picked Harry up from Kings Cross Station at the end of his fifth year, Julie wasn't with them.
"Where's Julie?" Harry asked slightly panicked. After the fight at the Ministry of Magic, Harry was worried about everyone he cared about.
"She's grounded, the little freak turned Dudder's eyebrows pink last week. We left her with Miss Figg." Vernon said gruffly. Harry was too relieved to laugh at the thought of Dudley with pink eyebrows. He wasn't exactly pleased that she wasn't with them, but, if Julie wasn't with him being with someone from the Order was the next best thing.
Vernon dropped Petunia, Dudley and Harry at the house, and went to pick up Julie. Once Harry got his trunk up the stairs, he collapsed on his bed, physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted from his simultaneously worst and best year at Hogwarts yet. Harry knew in a couple of minutes Julie would burst through his bedroom door, wanting to go to the backyard and catch each other up on the year, as was their tradition. He knew he would have to put on a happy face for her, but he wasn't sure if he could.
Harry heard the front door close, and heard footsteps slowly coming up the stairs, there was a hesitant knock on his bedroom door, just before it opened.
"Harry?" Julie asked quietly. She opened the door, just enough for her small frame to fit through, and entered Harry's room, closing the door behind her.
Harry was Julie's hero, and she'd never seen him look so defeated before. He was lying on his bed in the dark, staring blankly at the wall.
"Harry?" She said again. This time, Harry responded. He sat up and smiled weakly at her.
"Hey Julie. How was your year?" Julie ignored the question, climbed onto Harry's bed next to him, and gave her cousin a hug, Harry melted. Admittedly, he felt guilty pouring so much onto the shoulders of an eleven year old, but, after all, for eleven years, she had been the only family he had who cared about him. For an hour Harry told her about Umbridge, Dumbledore's Army, and what had happened at the Ministry of Magic
"He's back Julie. Voldemort is back. He's been back for a year now. He's got enough followers... it's only a matter of time before he takes over the ministry." Julie's eyes widened in fear and Harry realized what he had said, he had told the young girl too much. "Julie, you don't need to worry. This summer, you'll be with me the whole time, when I leave and go to the Burrow, you're coming with me. I've already made arrangements with the Weasley's. They couldn't be more excited to have you. You'll be safe the whole time." Harry said quickly. "I'm not going to let him get you."
It wasn't long before Dumbledore himself showed up at the Dursley's home. He told the Dursleys of Sirius' death, a very upset Kreacher visited briefly, and Sirius' affairs were put in order, everything was left to Harry, except for a small sum left to Julie, with the specifications that she was to spend it on her wand and an owl in the event of her acceptance to Hogwarts. At this time Dumbledore turned his attention to Julie, who had been watching Dumbledore with fascination the whole evening. "Now, Miss Dursley, I believe I have something here for you." He said with a twinkle in his eye. Dumbledore handed her a thick envelope with green lettering.
Miss Julia Dursley
West Bedroom
4 Privet Drive
Little Whinging, Surrey
Julie looked at Dumbledore with a large smile before tearing the letter open.
Dear Miss Dursley,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Julie looked at the old Headmaster, beaming.
"Take her." Vernon said without hesitation. "The less the neighbors can find out, the better. Some of them have already noticed odd things. We're telling them you've been accepted to Endroit Sûr School for Gifted Girls in France." Julie was a little shocked by the lack of a fight her father put up. She looked to her mother, who pursed her lips and avoided eye contact with her daughter.
"Well," Dumbledore said softly, if you don't mind, I'm going to take both Julia and Harry tonight. Harry and I have some business to attend to, and as I'm sure he has told you, things in our world are getting a little… well, let's just say Julie will be safer with us for the time being."
"Fine." Vernon said as he got up and left the sitting room. Julie watched her father leave with tears in her eyes, which she tried to hide from Harry and Dumbledore.
"Julia," Dumbledore said kindly, "Why don't you go up to your room and pack a few things, you won't need much. The Weasleys will help you buy everything you need in a few days." He turned to Harry, "You have your things packed I presume?"
"Yes sir." Harry said before running up to his room to fetch his things. Julie followed him up the stairs slowly.
Julie packed the bare necessities in her knapsack as quickly as she could, a few changes of clothes, her toiletries, and the doll Harry had purchased her on his first trip to Diagon Alley. As she zipped her knapsack closed Petunia entered the room.
"Julie-Julia." Julie turned to her mother. "You be safe, alright?"
"Yes Mum." Julie muttered.
"And write mummy." Julie smiled a bit.
"I will, Harry promised I'd get an owl." Petunia sat on her daughter's bed and handed her a picture frame with three slots in it. One had a picture of Julie and Petunia, shortly after Julie's birth, the second held a picture of the family, and the third was a picture of Julie and Petunia at an amusement park, taken a few months earlier.
"Julie" Petunia started, Julie didn't miss the fact that her mum used the nickname only Harry used, the nickname Petunia hated. "I'm so proud of you. You're such a good, kind, bright girl." Julie wrapped her arms around her mother and hung on tightly.
"I love you mummy. I'm going to miss you!"
"I'll miss you too dear." Petunia said, choking up. "Now, you better get going, you don't want to keep Professor Dumbledore waiting."
Julie carefully put the picture frame in her knapsack then ran down the stairs, giving her mother one final hug before running out the front door.
"Alright Miss Dursley, what has Harry told you about apparition."
Julie scrunched her face up, trying to remember. "Er, that's where you just kind of poof around, right?" She asked. "Dumbledore chuckled.
"Right you are. Tonight, I will be apparating, you and Harry will be traveling by Side-Along-Apparition. Our first stop will be the Burrow, we'll drop you, and Harry's things off at the Burrow, then Harry and I have some business to attend to. Now hold on tightly, you may experience discomfort."
Julie held onto Dumbledore's arm as tight as she could. She had just started to ponder how crazy this was. She was about to travel to stay with strangers, with a stranger, who seemed more than a little off his rocker. Harry had told her how dangerous the wizarding world was right now. Julie had started to contemplate telling Dumbledore just to leave her with her parents when there was a loud 'crack'.
She was being squished, and pulled every way, all at once, it was like she was being stretched out like a rubber band, and smooshed through a straw at the same time. She couldn't breathe. And, as quickly as it had started, it stopped. She was on her hands and knees, in a field, feeling incredibly dizzy and woozy.
"Hello dear! I'm Molly Weasley, and this is my husband, Arthur. We're so pleased to have you!" Said a kind motherly voice. Julie looked up and saw a man and a woman with red hair smiling broadly down at her. Julie's stomach flip-flopped and she retched on the man's shoes.
"Oh, dear." Said Molly, "Apparition can be a bit unpleasant the first time. I warned Albus… well, not to worry dear." Arthur waved his wand and the puddle of sick was gone.
Molly helped Julie up, and gave her a warm hug. Julie noticed as Mr. Weasley waved his wand again, and this time, Harry's trunk and Hedwig's empty cage floated effortlessly through the air.
"A bit of tea, and a biscuit and you'll be as good as new!" Mrs. Weasley said cheerfully.
As they walked to the Burrow Mr. Weasley explained that just a year ago you could have apparated right inside the Burrow, though wizards and witches didn't do that out of politeness, but, with everything going on in the wizarding world at the moment, they had to create magical shields and barriers around their home to keep their family safe.
Julie couldn't help but smile when she saw the Burrow. It looked like a magic house. It had level built upon level. It reminded her a bit of the nursery rhyme about the little old woman who lived in a shoe. She had always thought that shoe would have been a cheerful place to live, and never imagined that it would have smelled like a shoe.
When they walked into the house Julie immediately saw Ron and Hermione sitting at the kitchen table. She'd seen them at Kings Cross, but her parents had never given Harry the time to properly introduce them.
Hermione beamed widely at Julie and walked over to her.
"Julie! My, you've grown. It's so wonderful to properly meet you." The older girl said, hugging Julie. Ron also stood up and offered Julie his hand, "Good to finally meet you squirt." He said with a teasing wink.
"You know," Julie said, finally finding her voice, "You lot are lucky I'm not a muggle! No one even asked to make sure I was the right girl."
Ron snickered at the comment, "You ought to meet Fred and George, they'll be round tomorrow morning for breakfast."
"Really?!" Julie asked excitedly. She couldn't help but feel like she was meeting celebrities. Harry had sent her a few puking pastilles and nosebleed nougats, under the condition that she not use them to skip school. Instead, she had given them to Dudley. The effects were more than satisfying.
Mrs. Weasley sat her down at the table, next to Ron, and fussed over her as the teapot boiled itself and biscuits placed themselves on a small saucer. Julie turned to Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and asked nervously, "You don't by any chance know when Harry will arrive, do you?" She was beginning to feel a bit overwhelmed, she had never seen so much magic at once. There was a pair of knitting needles clicking away independently in a rocking chair in the corner. Shirts, trousers, socks and pants were folding and placing themselves in different baskets, the house just seemed to hum with magic.
Mrs. Weasley placed a comforting hand on Julie's and said "Dumbledore wasn't able to give us a time frame, but I'm sure it won't be long, just a couple of hours. It is a bit late dear, you can go get ready for bed if you'd like. We've got Per- an extra room ready for you, you'll be staying with Hermione, if you don't mind."
Julie looked to Hermione and smiled, "I'd love to share a room with Hermione, but, if you don't mind, I'd like to stay up and wait for Harry?"
"Of course you would." Mrs. Weasley said kindly.
As they waited for Harry's arrival the Weasleys and Hermione asked Julie many questions to get to know her. Ron, kept guessing which house she would be sorted into. When he had firmly landed on Gryffindor, Hermione chastised him. "Ronald, it doesn't matter which house she's sorted into. They all have wonderful attributes."
"Except Slytherin." He mumbled.
As Hermione gave an exasperated sigh the door opened and Harry walked in the door. Julie jumped out of her seat, but was beaten to him by Ron and Hermione. Hermione flung her arms around Harry, and Ron instantly started pestering him with questions about what he and Dumbledore had been up to.
"Now Ron," Mr. Weasley interrupted, "I'm sure Harry can't tell us." The three shared a knowing look.
"Harry!" Julie said launching herself into her cousin when there was room for her. Harry squated down to her level. "You're alright?" He confirmed looking her over. Julie nodded and admitted sheepishly, "I threw up on Mr. Weasley." Harry chuckled.
"So, what do you think about the Burrow?"
"It's amazing!" Julie gushed. "Harry, I can just feel the magic! Can you?"
"Yeah, yeah I can. I've always loved the Burrow, but now, you're here and it might be my favorite place on the earth."
At this moment a girl with long red hair walked in, followed by another girl with silvery blonde hair. The red haired girl, who Julie was pretty sure was Ginny, stopped when she saw Harry, while the blonde girl rushed up to Harry.
"'Arry! 'Ow are you!" She said after kissing him on both cheeks.
"Er, Hi Fleur." Harry said blushing. "This is my cousin. Julie. She's starting her first year at Hogwarts this year." He said, placing a hand on Julie's shoulder. "Julie, this is Fleur. You remember me writing about her. She was in the Triwizard Tournament two years ago."
"Oh, yeah, Hello Fleur. Nice to meet you."
"Ah! Julie! So lovely to meet you! What a beautiful leettle girl you are!" She kissed Julie on each cheek as well. Julie wasn't so sure how she felt about Fleur. She didn't exactly view herself as a "leettle girl."
"And, er, this" Harry started nervously, "is Ginny. Ginny, Julie."
"Julie," Ginny said kindly, walking towards her, "Harry talks about you non-stop. I'm so excited to finally meet you." Ginny gave Julie a quick hug. "I can show you some of the ropes at Hogwarts. Don't trust Ron, he's too much like Fred and George. He might let you get caught in the trick stair. " She said in a whisper. Julie nodded and laughed. Ginny moved to greet Harry.
She hugged him, for quite a long time. Julie turned to look at Hermione who was grinning smugly.
Fleur went back upstairs saying something about Bill, and the rest of the group sat around the table and talked about their holiday.
Julie, who had had a rather long day scooted her chair close to Harry's and rested her head on his shoulder, he pulled her closer, and Julie felt warm and secure. As everyone talked and laughed Julie stifled yawns and rested her eyes, not wanting to miss anything. When she started to doze off Mrs. Weasley interrupted the conversation.
"Well, it's getting late, and Harry and Julie have had quite the long day. We should all head off to bed."
Everyone agreed, and made their way up the stairs, stopping at different levels. As Ginny entered her room she muttered something about "too much Phlegm." Just a floor up from Ginny's room, was Hermione and Julie's room. Harry stayed just outside the door until the two girls were changed, then came in to talk to Julie.
"I'm going to be staying in Ron's room, at the top of the stairs, if you need anything, come and get me, alright?" Julie yawned as she nodded and climbed into bed. "You ready Hermione?"
"Yes," Hermione responded, then turned to Julie, "Harry, Ron and I are just going to talk about some things for a few minutes. I'll be back soon." Hermione reassured.