Chapter 3 Letters, Determination, Revelations

I woke up rather disoriented as I looked around for my glasses. I finally found them on the bedside next to the clock which read 6:00 a.m. I glared at the clock before sighing and getting up for the day. I looked over at my desk and saw that Hedwig arrived and was sleeping in her cage.

I looked at the pile of letters in disdain as I tried to come up with an excuse not to reading them. I went towards the letters slowly; dreading what was in them. I knew what happened yesterday and I knew that no one was going to be happy with me. I open the howler hesitantly and it immediately was filled with Mrs. Weasley's voice:

HARRY JAMES POTTER, HOW DARE YOU TREAT TONKS LIKE THAT YOU WILL BE THROUGH ROUGHLY PUNISHED WHEN YOU COME. HOW DARE YOU DISRESPECT DUMBLEDORE AND THE ORDER AFTER ALL HIS DONE TO PROTECT YOU. YOU SHOULD BE A SHAME OF YOURSELF. YOU DISGRACE THE POTTER NAME BY ACTING THIS WAY HARRY POTTER. I EXPECT A FULL LETTER OF AN APOLOGY SENT TO DUMBLEDORE AND THE ENTIRE ORDER IF YOU DON'T YOU'LL BE PUNISHED SEVERELY… With that the howler ripped itself up.

I bawled my fist as they started shaking and I thought of yesterday and I slumped my shoulders and again I asked myself "What is love?" and I thought that this certainly isn't love when your own friend's mother turns her back on you and treats you as if you were a juvenile. I was determined to do the exact opposite of what Mrs. Weasley wanted me to do because what I said was the truth about Dumbledore and I had nothing to be sorry for let alone have anything to apologize to anybody. All of sudden I heard thunderous steps coming up and my door open violently as my uncle step through, his face purplish blue.

"What is the meaning of this racket boy, I will not have your freakishness in this house do you understand me!" He yelled while shaking his fist. I gulped.

"Yes Uncle Vernon, it won't happen again." I said looking at Uncle Vernon. Satisfied with the answer Vernon said "Clean this mess up boy." He left after that muttering about the neighbors hearing the racket.

I quickly cleaned up the mess and threw the rest of the letters in the trash except Luna, Neville and Hermione's letters knowing that nothing bad will be in them. I opened Luna's first and it read:

Dear Harry,

Everything is fine here. Daddy and I are going to Sweden to look for Crumple-Horned Snorkack. We will be leaving in a few days, so I won't be able to keep in contact, so I'll see you on the 1st of September. Don't forget Harry we are never alone as long as we remember who we lost, we will never forget.

Your friend,

Luna

I smiled as I finished reading Luna's letter. As I read the last line, I knew that she was right and I know that I can't push my friends away because they will ultimately help me defeat Voldemort. "Is this love" I asked myself quietly.That question has been showing up every time I think about my impending doom, but I know that hopefully in time I'll figure out what love is even if it kills me in the process. Shaking my head clear of these thoughts I turned my attention to Neville's letter who, I also been corresponding with ever since term ended.

Hey mate,

When I told gram about what happen in the DoM, she sort of freaked out, but then she suddenly said that she was proud of me, a little disappointed in me that I broke dad's wand, but anyways she's taking me to Diagon Alley this weekend to get me a new wand, isn't that great. (I smiled at the thought of Neville finally getting his own wand, which will probably improve his skills in magic.) Well anyways what happened at the DoM wasn't your fault Harry and I came with you because you're my friend and I'll always follow you, through thick and thin. Eh mate. (I beamed at what he said.) Well I got to go take care of the plants; I'll keep you posted on what wand I get next week.

Your mate

Neville

I finished reading Neville's letter with tears falling from my eyes, but they weren't of sadness they were happy tears. I never knew I had so many people who care about or the fact would do anything to help me out in anyway possible. My goal this term was to get to know Neville and Luna better. I turned to the next letter with a heavy heart. My hand shaking as I open the letter with bated breath:

Dear Harry,

I heard what happen with Tonks yesterday from Ronald. (I closed my eyes as the memory of yesterday threatening to come forth, but I momentarily blocked it from coming through.) I don't blame you for what happened, but I am disappointed that you didn't include me in your escapade because I wanted a word in edge wise to. (My eyes widen at this.) I don't blame you for what happened at DoM, I would've followed you anyways and you are in know way at fault for what happen to padfoot. I'm not doing anything this summer as my parents have a convention to go to which doesn't even teenagers, so they said that I could invite a friend for the summer and I was wondering if you wanted to come over for the rest of the summer. (At this I jumped and shouted yes, I did a little victory dance, I soon calmed down and finished reading her letter.) If your answer is yes I'll be over at your house on Friday at 1 p.m. to pick you up and if you say no I'll understand. Hope to see you soon.

Love,

Mione

I finished the letter with a smile on my face. I truly do have the best of friends. I replied to all three letters, went over to Hedwig who was now wide awake and looking at me with patience. She stuck out her leg waiting for me to tie the letters on her foot.

"Okay Hedwig, take this letter to Hermione first, then Neville, and finally Luna, okay." She gave me an affectionate hoot and flew out the open window, which I open just in time.

I walk downstairs to see Aunt Petunia washing the dishes. I hesitantly walked in. "Aunt Petunia." I said. She turned around. "What do you want?" She said with disgust and hatred. "I was wondering if I could go to one of my friend's house this summer." I said looking at her with pleading eyes.

"When and who?" She said. I gave her a grin and said "Hermione and don't worry she's lives like us so you don't have to worry about her appearance and she'll be picking me up on Friday at 1." I said giddily. "Fine, as long as she doesn't ruin the house with her freakishness." Aunt Petunia said. I punched my fist in the air and said "Yes" and surprised my aunt by giving her a hug and saying thank you over and over again.

I ran out of the room and starting packing my trunk since I had nothing better to do until tomorrow. I finished packing within 2 hrs; I did a few chores here and there. Come nighttime I went to sleep with a silly grin on my face as I anxiously waited for tomorrow to come.

Even though the day's events started out bad, Hermione's letter had changed everything and it also got me thinking about my feelings for her and the possible meaning that I actually might love her, but what is love and do I love her was my last thought before dreams of Hermione came and went.