A/N: This chapter differs from previous chapters in that it's not a one-to-one exchange of letters. James is on the run, so it's a little harder for him to reply to Harry's letters. So pay close attention to who is writing each letter.

Also, sorry this chapter took so long … see my profile for a small explanation and an estimate for when the final chapter will be up.

Year 6: The Half-Blood Prince

July 3, 1996

Dear Dad,

Summer here has been okay, and it's great spending time with Ron, but I miss you guys lots. We've been playing some Quidditch in the yard.

The Weasleys are great, and I love that they treat me like a part of the family, but it's not the same as being with you.

I love you and miss you. Send my love to Mum. I hope you guys are safe.

Love,

Harry

July 13, 1996

Dear Dad,

Professor Dumbledore wrote me a few days ago saying that he needed me to do him a favor, and he came by yesterday to pick me up and take me somewhere. We went to meet Professor Slughorn (he was your Potions master, right?) to try to convince him to come back to Hogwarts. It took a lot of convincing, but he finally agreed to come back. It feels a little weird to be used by Professor Dumbledore to try to influence someone, but surprisingly I didn't really mind that much.

Here's my big question – if Professor Slughorn is coming back to teach Potions, does that mean Snape is gone?

Professor Dumbledore said that he wants me to have private lessons with him this year. He didn't really tell me what I'd be learning, but I guess I'll see one we start.

OWL results came today. I failed Divination and History of Magic (no surprise there), but passed the rest. I got an E in most subjects, but an A in Astronomy, and O in Defense Against the Dark Arts (yay! I can't wait to tell Remus that one next time I see him, I'm sure he'll be proud). I know Snape didn't accept anything below O for his NEWT level Potions, and I'm sure Slughorn will be the same, so I guess no more Potions (and no more Auror aspirations) for me.

As nice as it is to spend the summer with friends (Hermione got here a few days ago), I miss you guys a lot more than I thought I would and I wish you could be here with us. I hope you're safe.

Love,

Harry

July 23, 1996

Dear Harry,

Yes, Professor Slughorn was our Potions master. He loved your mum – she was one of his favorite students (me, not so much – I did okay in his class, but I wasn't really the standout that you mum was). If Snape is gone, then good riddance, but I wouldn't be so sure that's the case – Professor Dumbledore may have switched him to a different subject (I think we both know what subject Snape wants to be teaching … but I'm hoping Dumbledore wouldn't assign him that subject).

Congratulations on the 7 OWLs. We're so proud of you! Once we get back to Godric's Hollow, I'll have an excellent present for you … something that my father gave me when I got my OWL results, that I think you'd also enjoy having. And you're right, Remus will be very proud of your O in Defense Against the Dark Arts – you were one of his favorite students, and he said it was a pleasure and an honor to teach you.

In terms of Potions – ask Professor McGonagall. I'm fairly certain that Professor Slughorn used to take E students into his NEWT class (in fact, I took NEWT Potions, and I'm pretty sure I only got an E on that OWL). He may be following Professor Snape's policy now, but I'd ask Professor McGonagall in case he is still allowing E students into the class.

We miss you tons and also wish we were with you. Happy almost Birthday – I wish we could be together to celebrate.

In case I don't get another chance to write to you before school starts, have a safe trip to school and a great year!

Love,

Dad

September 1, 1996

Dear Dad,

On the train I got an invite to lunch in Professor Slughorn's compartment (as did Neville). When we got there, it was just a collection of students with famous relatives (plus Ginny Weasley, who was invited because Slughorn saw her perform a particularly good bat-bogey hex – it's one of her specialties). The lunch itself seemed a bit insufferable. All Slughorn seemed to care about was who had good connections and who was "going places."

I know you said Mum was one of his favorite students – did she ever go to these lunches of his? Did she also find them a bit excruciating?

The feast was good, as usual, but I miss Mum's pudding assortment at my last meal before school. Ron's been complaining that my quill scratching has been keeping him up for ten minutes, so I guess I'll end my letter here. I miss you guys.

Love,

Harry

September 3, 1996

Dear Dad,

You were right about NEWT level Potions – Professor Slughorn is letting me take it. I'm actually doing better than ever in Potions (more on that next time I see you). Today I won a bottle of Felix Felicis by making the best Draught of the Living Death. Hermione is pretty furious with me, actually, but that's beside the point … it felt really good to do something right in Potions for once.

I'm holding Quidditch tryouts next week (did I mention that I was named captain?). McGonagall already gave me a list of names of people interested in trying out … and I'm actually not sure that all of these people are Gryffindors.

I have my first lesson with Professor Dumbledore coming up later this week. I'm looking forward to it; I'm curious to see what he plans to teach me in these private lessons.

That's what's been happening with me the past few days. How are you and Mum? I miss you guys and hope I get to see you soon.

Love,

Harry

September 6, 1996

Dear Harry,

We've been travelling quite a bit, never staying in the same place for long, which makes it a little harder for your letters to find us (and even harder for me to find a post office to send you letters). We miss you tons and wish we could be with you. All this travel is a little hard on us, but we know it's necessary for our safety (which is a lesson you would do well to learn – do what's necessary for your safety, even if it isn't easy).

I'm glad to hear that Professor Slughorn is allowing you to take NEWT-level Potions and that you're doing well. Must be your mum's Potions genes coming out (or possibly just being away from that slimy bullying git Snape … I always knew that the way he treated you got in the way of you doing your best work).

Congratulations on being named Quidditch captain – this is a happy surprise! I know you'll do a great job – you've got great Quidditch instincts and leadership skills, and I'm sure Gryffindor will go far with you as captain.

Make sure to pay close attention in your lessons with Professor Dumbledore … sometimes you can learn as much from what he doesn't say as from what he does say. I don't always agree with everything he says and does, but I can't deny that the man is a genius, and you can learn a lot from him. He thinks on a completely different level than most of us, so you may not get everything he says, but try to soak in as much as you can.

I asked your mum about the Slug Club – she said it was insufferable at times, but some of the people were nice. I actually went with her a few times; the food was usually pretty good, but the people weren't always.

This letter is getting pretty long – I hope I've given you some good advice. We love you and miss you and hope to see you soon.

Love,

Dad

September 9, 1996

Dear Dad,

I forgot to mention this in my previous letters … Snape is actually teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. I'm a little surprised that Professor Dumbledore couldn't find someone who isn't a Death Eater to teach that class. He treats me just as well as he has every other year … meaning he's just as obnoxious and slimy as ever.

My first lesson with Professor Dumbledore was not what I expected. He asked me not to tell anyone what we're discussing, but I'm not entirely sure how these lessons are supposed to help me defeat Voldemort (apparently that's what the lessons are for).

I love you guys and miss you, and I hope that the travelling has been getting a little easier for you. I hope to hear from you again soon.

Love,

Harry

September 13, 1996

Dear Harry,

Professor Dumbledore always seems to have a plan for everything … I'm sure everything you learn in these lessons will make sense in time, even if it doesn't now. Just pay as much attention to him as you can, ask questions when you don't understand, and try to take in as much as you can. In fact, you can ask Dumbledore what the relevance of these lessons is to defeating Voldemort – he probably won't give you a straight answer, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

In terms of Professor Snape … you've never had a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher last longer than a year before, so hopefully this means you'll be rid of him soon. I know it's hard (and pretty hypocritical coming from me), but try not to let him get to you too much. He can be a real jerk sometimes, but you just have to let it roll over you … it's like with Umbridge – try to ignore the provocations.

We love and you miss you. Please keep writing – even if I can't always reply, I love getting your letters.

Love,

Dad

October 13, 1996

Dear Dad,

Yesterday was the first Hogsmeade trip of the year. It wasn't great.

I saw Mundungus Fletcher selling some of Sirius's stuff. I was pretty upset when I first saw … I kinda confronted him about it, but I've calmed down a little since then. I still can't believe he stole a bunch of Sirius's stuff (which is actually now my stuff, according to what that witch from the Ministry told me last year) just to make money off of it.

We called it a day early, and as we were walking back to Hogwarts, we saw/heard Katie Bell having an argument with a friend (they were walking ahead of us), and all of the sudden, Katie started to rise up into the air … but I could tell that something was really wrong, and she started screaming. We tried to drag her down, and she fell, but she was thrashing around and screaming. I ran back to the school to get some help, but ran into Hagrid on the way. Hagrid took her back to the castle, and we figured out that she had touched a cursed necklace. I wrapped the necklace in my scarf and we brought it back to the castle, where we ran into Professor McGonagall, and we explained to her what happened.

I think I know who gave Katie that necklace … I tried to tell Professor McGonagall, but she didn't believe me. I don't want to say who it is in a letter, but I think I'm right, even though Professor McGonagall says I really couldn't be.

Overall it was just a bad day and I don't know how to react. I hope Katie will be okay. In the meantime, I need to replace her on the team.

Love,

Harry

November 9, 1996

Dear Dad,

We had our first Quidditch match of the season today, against Slytherin, and we won! Ron played brilliantly, much better than he had in recent practices – it was great to see him playing well, it made the whole team play better. Hopefully this will give him a little more confidence on the pitch.

I love you and miss you guys. I hope I get to see you soon.

Love,

Harry

November 14, 1996

Dear Harry,

Congratulations on your Quidditch win! I know from experience that it's good to get a win in your first game as captain – it helps team morale. Give me congratulations to Ron as well – I'm glad to hear that he's playing well.

I'm not too surprised about Dung – he's never been above stealing to make money. If it makes you feel any better, Sirius hated anything associated with the Black family, so he probably wouldn't have minded Dung taking that stuff. Come to think of it, he told me at one point last year that he was giving Dung old Black family heirlooms to sell – so I'm pretty sure he's okay with it.

What happened to Katie sounds pretty terrible. Keep me updated when you know more – I hope she's going to be okay!

Mum and I miss you tons. Right now she's hoping Voldemort gets defeated in the next month so that she can make you a Christmas ham. I tried telling her that she's being ridiculous, but you know your mum, nothing gets in the way of planning family Christmas.

Love,

Dad

December 20, 1996

Dear Dad,

Professor Slughorn's Christmas Party was today. I went with Luna (just as friends).

According to Hermione, there were some girls talking about slipping me love potions – I don't know what to do! Sometimes I hate being "famous Harry Potter" … none of these girls would even talk to me if it wasn't for the whole Voldemort thing. And I'm certainly not interested in any of them. There is one girl that I might be a little interested in, I'm not really sure … but it's a moot point, because she has a boyfriend.

Here's something interesting – I think my two favorite people in the castle are working together on something, but I'm not sure what. I overheard some angry conversation between them … and it certainly didn't sound school-related. I really wish I could tell you more – I would love your perspective on it – but I don't think it's something that should be said in a letter. I really wish I could see you!

I'm spending the Christmas holiday at the Weasleys' – we're leaving tomorrow. I miss you guys. Happy Christmas.

Love,

Harry

December 22, 1996

Dear Harry,

Girls are always a tough subject to deal with. Nobody understands them.

Your mum used to have trouble finding someone to take to Slughorn's parties sometimes … she took Remus to a few of those parties before we started going together (and she even took Sirius once or twice). I guess she didn't have any friends of her own, so she borrowed mine (kidding … mostly she went with her friends, she just borrowed mine when hers weren't available, and she was friends with Remus anyway because they were both prefects).

In terms of the love potions … be careful what you eat or drink (which is good advice in general, because you never know when a Death Eater (or prankster) has been interfering with your food). It'll probably come in waves … things should die down for a few months, but might pick up again around Valentine's Day. I had the same problem to some extent (minus the love potions) – girls used to do all sorts of things to try to get me to invite them to Hogsmeade (I guess it comes with being Quidditch Captain). I was only ever interested in your mum, though (well, mostly).

In terms of the girl you like – some (like Sirius) would probably say to try to break them up, but I'm going to give you better advice than that: be her friend. That way, if this thing passes, you're there when she needs someone; if it doesn't … at least she's still in your life.

In terms of your favorite people – if you're talking about who I think you're talking about, tell Professor Dumbledore about it. The conversation may have been on Dumbledore's orders, but if it wasn't, he should know, and hopefully he'll be able to figure it out. And if it was on Dumbledore's orders, you should know so that you don't do anything rash if it happens again. Don't try to interfere on your own – this could be a dangerous situation and you've gotten into enough of those by accident that you really don't need to be seeking them out.

I can't tell you where we are, obviously, only that we haven't been anywhere near Hogwarts lately, so a face-to-face conversation is probably not possible, at least not any time soon. I wish we could be joining you at the Weasleys' for Christmas! We miss you so much and wish we could be with you.

Happy Christmas.

Love,

Dad

December 26, 1996

Dear Dad,

I'm sitting here at the Weasleys' on Boxing Day, and I wanted to write to you. I spent Christmas with the Weasleys and a few other people. I missed you guys – this is only the second Christmas that I remember spending away from you guys.

I got to see Remus, which was nice (at least I got to spend the day with some part of the family). He agrees with you that the conversation between my two favorite people could have happened on Dumbledore's orders. He also told me a little bit about what he's been up to lately, and why he hasn't been able to write to me (I'm guessing he hasn't been writing to you either).

The Minister for Magic stopped by yesterday … he used Percy as an excuse, but it was fairly obvious that he was looking to talk to me. It seems that he wants to use me as a Ministry poster boy – have me pop in at the Ministry every once in a while so that people would know that "The Chosen One" is working with the Ministry. I'm not interested. I told him that I don't agree with some of the things the Ministry is doing, and all he did was come up with weak defenses. I'm definitely not going to be a Ministry poster boy, not after the way I was treated last year and not when they don't have their act together at all.

I hope that you're safe wherever you are and that I get to see you soon. Send my love to Mum. I miss you.

Love,

Harry

January 7, 1997

Dear Dad,

There was a notice yesterday about apparition lessons – I'm signing up. I'm really looking forward to learning how to apparate.

I had another lesson with Professor Dumbledore yesterday. He showed me some interesting stuff. He also gave me a homework assignment. I think it might be difficult, but he seems to have confidence that I will be able to do it.

I told Professor Dumbledore my suspicions about my "friends," and he said not to worry about it. I guess you were right.

Send my love to Mum. I miss you guys and I hope you're safe.

Love,

Harry

January 15, 1997

Dear Harry,

Your mum and I both missed you terribly on Christmas, but we're glad you got to spend it with Remus. You've spent most of your Christmases with him, so it's a nice bit of consistency. I really wish I could keep in touch with him, but it's hard enough to keep in touch with you, and I always know where you're going to be. I wish we could have sent you some Christmas presents, but it just wasn't possible.

Interesting encounter with the Minister. The Ministry has certainly made a lot of mistakes, and I understand why you don't want to be associated with them. I do think that Scrimgeour is doing the best he can, and he shouldn't necessarily be blamed for Fudge's mistakes … but he definitely could be doing a better job, and I'm glad you decided to stand up for what you believe in rather than just be their poster boy.

If Professor Dumbledore says not to worry, then there's no reason to worry. And if he's confident that you can do the homework task he assigned you, then I'm sure you'll be able to do it. Professor Dumbledore has always been good at reading people's abilities.

Your mum and I love you and miss you. Have a great term. I hope we get to see you soon.

Love,

Dad

February 12, 1997

Dear Dad,

I started apparition lessons a few weeks ago. I'm not doing so great – it's pretty hard. Ron's also struggling a bit. Hermione (as usual) picked it up fairly quickly.

Other than that, things are pretty boring. I've been working on the homework Professor Dumbledore gave me, but it's harder than I thought it would be.

I miss you guys tons. Please wish Mum a happy belated birthday for me – I'm so sorry I missed it.

Love,

Harry

March 7, 1997

Dear Harry,

Apparition can be a lot tougher than you'd expect it to be, but you'll get used to it after a while.

Mum sends her love. We miss you more than words can say, and take comfort in the fact that you're with friends.

Love,

Dad

April 22, 1997

Dear Dad,

I had a very eventful day yesterday, and I wanted to write to you before bed (I know, I shouldn't be up past midnight … but like I said, it was an eventful day).

Ron and Hermione took their Apparition test. Hermione passed, but Ron failed (apparently only by a little though, he left half an eyebrow behind).

I finally finished the homework Professor Dumbledore gave me months ago. I can't tell you much about it, but it was important information that I had to gather, and things with Professor Dumbledore are going well. The prophecy is still always in the back of my mind, but I know now that that's not why I'm fighting against Voldemort. I'm fighting against Voldemort because I'm against everything he does and everything he believes in, not because I might be "The Chosen One." Professor Dumbledore helped me see that yesterday, and I think it will make a big difference in how I approach things from now on.

I guess this must be why you guys have been fighting my whole life, even when you couldn't leave the house. Because when there's someone like Voldemort out there, you can't not fight. It's starting to make sense now.

Love,

Harry

May 4, 1997

Dear Harry,

I remember when my father first talked to me about Voldemort. It was the summer between my third and fourth years, and Voldemort was just starting to become a household name (or rather, a name that you didn't want to say). He explained to me that just like in the stories I've read and history I've learned, there are good guys and bad guys out there, and Voldemort is one of the bad guys. I come from a pretty well-known pure-blood family, and for all intents and purposes I should be the kind of person who is interested in blood purity … except that my parents always taught me that everyone is equal and I should be kind to everyone, regardless of who they are and whether or not they deserve it.

I didn't always follow my parents' advice and I wasn't always kind to everyone (quite a few incidents with Snape come to mind), but I did listen to my father when he told me that fighting evil is more important than blood purity. The only way to survive is to know the difference between good and evil, and to always fight on the side of good, even if you don't know that you will win, and even if not everything you do is perfect.

I'm glad that you're learning more about why you're fighting Voldemort. As a father, it makes me proud to know that you've found the difference between good and evil, and you understand the importance of always fighting against evil. We can't let evil overtake our society, and I'm very proud that my son is so involved in getting rid of the current incarnation of evil.

Your mum and I are always proud of everything you do, and we couldn't have asked for a better son.

We love you and miss you. I hope we get a chance to see you soon.

Love,

Dad

June 11, 1997

Dear Dad,

I don't have much time, but I wanted to write you a quick letter.

I'm headed somewhere with Professor Dumbledore. This is a very important mission, and I'm very glad that Professor Dumbledore is taking me with him. I should be safe with Dumbledore, but in case anything happens … I just wanted to tell you and Mum that I love you guys.

Love,

Harry

June 12, 1997

Dear Dad,

It's hard for me to write to you right now, but I know I should, so I'm making myself do it.

Last night, Professor Dumbledore and I went somewhere … I can't tell you where, but it was something important (or at least we thought it was important). While on our mission, Professor Dumbledore had to drink a poison in order for us to accomplish the mission, and while it didn't kill him, it did weaken him significantly. When we got back, we realized that things at the school weren't right.

Malfoy had gotten a bunch of Death Eaters into the school. Malfoy disarmed Professor Dumbledore and was threatening to kill him (Professor Dumbledore had immobilized me and I was under the invisibility cloak, so I couldn't do anything), and then Snape came and killed Professor Dumbledore. Snape! Professor Dumbledore trusted him, and in the end … he was a Death Eater who was just pretending to be on our side.

There was a big fight between the Death Eaters and the Order of the Phoenix … Bill Weasley was attacked and bitten by Fenrir Greyback (the same werewolf who bit Remus), but since it wasn't the full moon, nobody's fully sure what the effects will be. Remus says he probably won't be a full werewolf, but he may have some wolfish characteristics.

I feel so bad … Professor Dumbledore might not have died if he hadn't been weakened from our mission. And the worst part – it was all for nothing. We thought the mission had been successful, but after Professor Dumbledore died, I realized that what we had retrieved on the mission was just a trinket that someone else had left behind to show that they had already done what we were trying to do. So Professor Dumbledore didn't need to weaken himself, and he didn't need to die.

There is one bright spot in all of this. Do you remember Sirius's cousin, Nymphadora Tonks? She likes Remus and wants to marry him. Remus thinks it's a bad idea, but … he's Remus. With all of this death and sadness, I'd actually like to see him settled down and happy. For as long as I've known him, he's always seemed burdened, and maybe this can finally remove some of the burden from his shoulders.

I don't know if you'll even get this letter. I'm leaving it in the same drop spot by Professor Dumbledore's office where I've always left my letters, but since Professor Dumbledore is dead … I don't know if it will get to you or not.

Love,

Harry

June 14, 1997

Dear Harry,

I just wanted to start this letter by saying I love you. Fawkes delivered your letter, and he's waiting here to deliver a return letter, but I don't think we'll be able to communicate by letter after this.

It's sad to hear the news about Professor Dumbledore. He was an incredible teacher and a good friend, and he will certainly be missed.

I hope you don't blame yourself at all for his death. Whatever this mission was, I'm sure it was very important that you went, even if it wasn't successful. Even if you and Professor Dumbledore hadn't gone on your mission, this confrontation between the Death Eaters and the Order of the Phoenix would have happened soon enough, and who knows how it could have ended. There's no use dwelling on possibilities – just take solace in the fact that Professor Dumbledore trusted you enough to take you on this important mission.

If you see Remus again soon, please send him my best and tell him that I think marriage is a wonderful idea. I really want him to be happy, he more than deserves it. I hope Nymphadora is good for him … I don't think Sirius really knew her well, but I know that her mother, Andromeda, was Sirius's favorite cousin.

Your mum and I love and miss you, and wish we could be with you. Have a great summer at the Weasleys'. We'll be thinking of you constantly, even if we can't write to you.

Love,

Dad

June 16, 1997

Dear Dad,

I'm sorry that you and Mum couldn't make it to Professor Dumbledore's funeral – it would have been nice to see you, even if it was for a sad reason, but I understand that you couldn't come.

I have some big news: I've decided not to go back to school for seventh year. The work that I was doing with Professor Dumbledore was incredibly important, and now that Professor Dumbledore is gone, I think I need to dedicate all of my time to it. Ron and Hermione say they're coming with me, but I'm trying to convince them not to – it may be too dangerous for them. I've already broken up with Ginny (I don't remember if I mentioned to you that we were going out – but we're not anymore). I don't want her to be in danger because of her association with me.

I don't know why I'm writing this letter, because I don't know if you'll get it … I'm sending it with a regular school owl. I don't think we'll find a way to communicate next year, and even if we couldn't … I don't think it will be safe to write. I'll miss reading your letters and the amazing support and advice you have always given me. I miss you guys more than I could ever express in a letter, and I hope we can be reunited soon.

Love,

Harry