20th June

Dear Padfoot,

Happy Birthday! Have you had a nice time so far? I've enclosed your present and I do hope that you like it.

Harry said his first word! Do you remember that when you last visited I was trying to teach him to say Mummy and that you and James kept laughing at me? Well, yesterday I tried again and James came in and said "say Daddy, Harry". Guess what Harry said: "Daddy"! Typical!

The rain has finally stopped and I have been busy trying to rescue my plants. Most of them have survived but I did finally manage to lose all of the Fanged Geraniums that have been discovered scattered around the garden. No more bitten fingers for us!

I found my old guitar under a pile of junk too and I've managed to tune it up until it sounded vaguely right – I'd forgotten that Petunia had sent it over just after Mum died. Hard to believe that it's been over a year now. Still – I've managed to remember some old songs and there was a book of music with it so I've got plenty to do – I'd forgotten most of it as I haven't played since my first year. Do you remember they made me take it home at Christmas because one of the girls in my dormitory complained about my playing? I can't remember what she was called now but I know that I was absolutely furious and wouldn't talk to her for a week!

Dumbledore was here last week and I told him that we hadn't heard from Remus in a while. He mentioned that he had seen him about a month ago and that he was fine but that he had been very busy which was why he hadn't written. We were both glad to hear that he was okay but I do wish that he would write – it is unlike him not to!

Bathilda came round this morning and mentioned that a Dark Mark was seen over a house in the next village and a body had been found. Does anybody know who it was? Bathilda couldn't tell me anything and so far it hasn't been in the Daily Prophet but she was worried as it was so close and it was kind of her to come and tell us.

All around us things seem to be getting worse - James went out on a midnight excursion last night to get me some more music and came back looking grim. Apparently a muggle family was found dead in a village a few miles away and that it was on the muggle news – he overheard some women talking about it. The muggles are putting it down to a gas leak like all of the other families who have died and there has been a huge inquiry but nobody really knows what is going on. There hasn't been any news of it in the Daily Prophet – they seem to have pretty much given up on reporting muggle murders. I know it's not possible to protect everybody but even the baby in the family was killed. Couldn't something be done? It isn't murder: it's slaughter.

Dumbledore mentioned that you were hurt a couple of weeks ago – why didn't you say anything in your last letter? Is it fully healed now? If it isn't you could try this healing potion I found (I've included the recipe) - it works wonders whenever James hurts himself! Do try to keep yourself safe, though. We would all be devastated if something happened to you!

Lots of love,

Lily

P.S. I heard that Severus had joined the Order. Do you know why? Stay safe!

OoOoO

As Harry and Ginny finished the letter the door creaked open slowly and Kreacher appeared carrying two heavily laden trays which he quietly put down on the desk, before leaving the room. The aroma reminded Harry that it had been hours since he had last eaten and he crossed to the desk and carried the trays over to the bed. Handing one to Ginny, he sat down and they started to eat whilst reading the next letter.