I'm a horrible writer! I haven't updated in months! Thank you to the faithful, who put up with my delays.
Disclaimer still stands (as much as I wish it didn't).
(Oh and Remus did not die in the final battle! -big mistake by JKR if you ask me!)
Oh, one more thing...since this lame-o thing can't handle all my cool fonts, all letters (the kind you send and/or receive...duh) will be written bold/italics...just FYI
I don't know how long I cried, but I probably would have continued if something hadn't gently nudge my head. I sniffled, and raised my head to see Hedwig standing in front of me. She hooted softly and nudged her soft head into my cheek.
"Hey Hedwig." I smiled softly at the white owl. "I totally forgot you were here." I gently petted the owl. "How's Harry? Is he okay?" She hooted softly, and I swear, she was saying he was concerned...about me, and she held out her leg. I sighed, and slowly untied the letter.
"Does he expect a reply?" I asked the owl. God, am I that pathetic, that I can talk to the owl but not to the man? Hedwig hooted again, and nodded. "Ummm, Hedwig...could you take a note to Grigotts for me? I'll have a reply for Harry when you get back." She hooted and nodded again. I went to one of the drawers in the kitchen that held paper and pens and quickly wrote:
Mr. Gripaxe,
I have just had word that someone has authorized a genealogy test for me, and I would like to take advantage of this. Please let me know when it would be convenient for you, as I am available at any time.
Midna Lovegood
I folded the note, took the twine that I had pulled off the journal, and tied it to the leg that Hedwig outstretched. "Can you take this to my account manager, Gripaxe?" Hedwig hooted and nipped lightly at my hand before taking off thru the still open window.
Once Hedwig was gone, I looked down at the parchment Harry had sent. I wasn't quite sure what I'd find written there. Part of me hoped for a declaration of love; but I knew that wasn't realistic. He told me, the day before the "incident" that he was getting back with Ginny; for the umpteenth time. Merlin, I wish he'd realize that Ginny's an ex for a reason...she's not right for him, and on some level he knows that...he's got to or he wouldn't keep leaving her. I picked up the letter:
Dear Rina, I smiled. Harry's the only one who ever called me Rina. Everyone else calls me Mid or Midna.
It's been three weeks. None of us have seen you for three weeks, not even Remus, and he's your boss. Any time one of us goes by the DoM, they tell us you're gone...it's like you know when we're coming and you run. We all see it, and while everyone else may think they know why, which is probably the truth…I know the truth. The truth about what really happened that night, I can't help but to think that's what you're hiding from, and that it's driving you from me…and it's driving me crazy. I miss you. I miss my lunch buddy; my cooking buddy. Grimmauld Place is so empty without you. I've even tried using a tracking spell from one of my dad's notebooks, so I could find you and get uou to come home, but it always fades. I know you must be at the townhome in London you were telling me about, but since I can't find it and you keep disappearing on me, I've come to the conclusion that it's under a fidelius charm.
Oh! By the way, let me be the 2nd (as I'm sure Luna has found a way and already told you) to say, Happy Birthday. Hope you have many, many more. You'll have to wait for your present thought…I'm not giving it to you thru the mail.
Back on point, please...come home Rina...I need you.
Love;
Harry
P.S. - By the way, Hedwig won't leave you until you send a reply telling me that you are okay, and promise to come back to Grimmauld Place tonight...at least for dinner. You can't be alone for your birthday dinner.
I sighed. I had a feeling it would be something like this; and truth be told, he was right. I didn't want him to worry about me. He didn't need to be worried about me, and I couldn't face him. I didn't want the others to see me, because I knew if they did, they'd just tell him. I knew I wasn't taking care of myself, but I just didn't seem to care. I guess I'm just one of those self-destructing types. It's been tricky hiding from Remus, but I seem to have gotten pretty good at it. Alannis, the person I worked most closely with, knew better than to ask questions.
I looked down at the letter again. It's funny...if someone had read his letter, I'm sure they would be reading more into our relationship. All the "I miss you's" and the "I need you" and even signing the letter with Love; but it's just like a sister...that's all. I pulled another sheet of paper out of the drawer, and started writing.
Dear Harry,
I'm not hiding from you...I just can't face people right now. I've got to deal with this on my own. Please don't worry about me. I'll be back; I promise… I just don't know when.
All my love,
Rina
I hated lying to him, but I couldn't write the truth...I had just folded the letter as Hedwig flew in the window, with a reply from Gringotts. Being in London does has its advantages. I took the letter from her, and tied the new letter to her leg.
"Hey girl...take this to Harry." She tilted her head as if to say "Andddd...what about the questions?"
I sighed...this owl was waaaayyyy to obedient to her owner. "I'm fine...I swear." then she did something I would never have expected from an owl. She actually leaned down and nudged my arm...right at my wrist. How the hell did she know? I moved my arm under the table; but something told me that if I didn't explain she would tell on me. Honestly! An owl...telling on me! This is so stupid! She's too human for her own good!
"Please don't tell him...its fine; I'm fine. It's just a...it was just...please...I won't do it again. He doesn't need to know about it, he doesn't need to worry." Damn it, when did I stoop so low as to be in a situation where I have to explain myself to a fuckin' owl? Said owl rolled her eyes at my words, as if saying "he'll worry anyway."
I smiled a small, sad smile. "I know..." I reached out to the bird, and ran my hand down her soft head. "It's what makes him so endearing; but he doesn't need to add this to his list, okay?" she nodded. "And I'm not sure about dinner...today – today isn't going to be easy. I think it might be good to be away from people." Hedwig tilted her head and a look of sadness filled her eyes. "I'm sorry girl...but some things just need time."
She hooted, and nipped at me affectionately. The turned back to the window and flew off. It's really sad that I can carry on heart to heart conversations with that owl, better than I can with any person.
I closed the window...hopefully I won't get any more owls today. I went back to the table, and picked up the Gringotts letter.
Dear Ms. Lovegood,
I will be available in one hour.
Gripaxe
"One hour...I suppose I should shower and get ready. I can apparate to the bank steps." I stood up, tapped the journal with my wand, "Mischief managed" so no one could read it, and tucked it and the letter into my bag, just in case I needed them at the bank.
Well, there's another chapter for you my lovelys. Please let me know what you think!