Disclaimer: Please... I don't think so! By the way, some of these imaginary "Associations and Societies" actually, most of them, they belong to Jaclyn Moriarty, author of Feeling Sorry for Celia, the book I'm modeling this story after. They are like our own feelings about ourselves, the ones we beat ourselves up about. I'll probably stick in a few of my own, and will tell you at the end of each part which ones are mine.
Summary: Not really romance (but it could be) -- more like sweet friendship, but feel free to interpret it however you wish. Enjoy.
Quick Note: This particular chapter will vary between points of views, as the events here are rushed and intense. Or as intense as letter writing can get. If you can't tell, it has been rendered AU with the release of HBP. But it's still a fun story! You may want to reread the previous chapter in order to refresh yourselves of this story's style.
Letters and Care Packages
Dear Harry,
That was quite the enthusiastic dive towards that letter. Honestly, it's like you'd rather read a letter than eat—let us rephrase that, you'd rather read her letters than eat. No, don't let us interrupt you—the irrational look in your eyes and irregular breathing isn't becoming, and we'd like you to get over it as soon as possible. Please proceed to opening that letter and reading it instead of staring at it.
Sincerely,
Agency for the Observation of Suddenly Strange Symptoms
Dear Harry,
We know what your symptoms are . . . Don't you want to know what they are? Well, we aren't going to tell you . . . yet.
Have a nice day,
Amorous Anonymous
Dear Harry,
Another letter from Ginny and already so soon! She must really care, and your near pouncing on Hedwig is obviously evidence of your feelings toward her—though they seem rather wooly. Despite their wooliness, we can tell they are very strong . . . In that case, our work here is done, and we hand you over to the Best Friends Club—who have been very anxious to receive your membership, with good reason, for you have been a pleasure to work with.
All the best,
The Friends-in-the-Making Club
Dear Harry,
I'm really sad that you're having a hard time. I know what those dreams are like. The problems with mine are is they're all from my imagination. They're nightmares I don't remember doing, but that I recreate from what I've been told. It's almost worse like that. I only wish I could help you but I'm too far away. If I could, I'd come visit you and bring you a big bowl of ice-cream and tell you a funny story, but it sounds as though ice-cream won't help fix whatever problem is on your mind.
On the other hand, if you were here, my mum would fix you up with a big, hot cup of tea, sit you down on the sofa, and wrap you in one of the dozens of blankets that she's knitted and keeps folded in a pile on the floor next to the wall. She'd say, "Ginny, come over here and give Harry a blanket!" And then I'd have to pick up the entire pile and bring them over to you. She'd probably make me model each one for you. And then you'd get to pick whatever color you wanted, and after you were all warm and comfortable, she'd sit down next to you and give you a great big hug—Mum's hugs make almost everything bad go away. It feels like—for a little while—that you've got nothing to worry about, and all the stupid things you've done or made happen, on purpose or not, disappear, and everything around you is calm. I'm not my mother, but I'm sending you a big hug through this letter. I hope it makes you feel better. I wish I could go over there and keep you company. I'll try my best to get you over here—and hopefully, you can tell us whatever you need to really soon.
About my brother—it's rather amusing—he recently wrote Hermione and—get this—his letter was longer than the one she had written to him! Did you know he was capable of that? Anyway, she wrote back a few days ago—it turns out that one of her best friends before Hogwarts (they're next-door neighbors)—they met each other for the first time in five years and they've got really close like they used to be. Despite Hermione's mentioning that they're only friends—well, you can imagine what Ron's been like. Think of Viktor Krum hate multiplied by ten. I think it's because Hermione and Wally see each other everyday—and Ron knows that he and Viktor can't. The poor smitten boy! He goes around muttering under his breath. Things like, "Stupid blank-blank. . . . What kind of a name is Wally?" I'm sure that if there was an action figure of Wally, its head would be ripped off as well as its arms.
Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes is practically a cult among the younger generations of the magical world. Fred and George are literally rolling in gold. And I mean literally. I went with them to Gringott's the other day to deposit their takings for the day, and when the goblin opened their vault, they immediately threw themselves into the heaps of money. They started writhing and laughing like maniacs, cackling and screeching with joy, throwing coins up in the air and dancing what looked like—well, I won't go into any more detail. However, they've been kind enough to let me have a few Galleons now and then when I help out at the shop—taking inventory, stocking shelves, and sweeping up—I'm saving the money for something special, but I don't know what yet.
I have to go now. Figuring out a way to get you here to the Burrow will take some clever and careful planning, or what you might call conniving; earnest letters that have a professional air about them; and if necessity calls, fake tears. It's been a while since I faked sobbing, so it's worthwhile to hone my skills while doing a good deed.
So take care . . . Be happy!
Always,
Ginny
P.S. It's always nice to know that I'm loved, even though I'm a freak. Thanks. Tell your cousin that I'm flattered by that title. At least I'm not a pig-faced, bloated bully full of moronic ideas about normalcy. Most likely he won't understand that. That's okay. And then tell him to go look in a mirror, and check his nose hairs, because the next time I see him, magical restrictions or not, those hairs and their contents will be attacking his face.
Dear Harry,
Isn't that just precious? Ginny would come and feed you ice cream and tell you a funny story if she only could. Just to cheer you up. And she sent you a hug, because you aren't at the Burrow so that her mum could wrap you in blankets and make you tea. Of course you realize that every thing she says cheers you up no matter what it is, and her letters invariably turn out to be funny stories. She really is a dear girl, and you're just lucky to have her as a friend. Don't you go and mess it up now.
Cheers,
The Best Friends Club
Dear Harry,
Have you figured it out yet? Why you wait for her letters like someone starved for communication? Why you even jumped on your own owl to wrest it off her poor leg? Why you have irrational looks on your face when you recognize her handwriting? Well, we've decided to tell you. You are madly infatuated. Excuse us while we titter madly with glee.
Yours,
Amorous Anonymous (a subdivision of the Young Romance Society)
Dear Harry,
Yeah, madly infatuated with a girl you barely known or seen. Sure she's always been around, but why now? Why her? Why is she suddenly such an amazing person to you in the couple of months that you've been writing to each other? You prat. You know nothing. Get your irrational head out of the clouds . . . you're mussing them up.
Sincerely,
The Romantics are Hopeless Association
Dear Harry,
Ohhhhh . . . so THAT'S why you've been acting strange. Oh yeah, it's all coming together!
Smugly yours,
Agency for the Observation of Suddenly Strange Symptoms
Dear Ginny,
Are you serious? You're going to spring me from this hell-hole? When? How? It's brilliant! Please tell me as soon as possible. It's the best news I've had yet! I can't wait!
By the way, thanks for your letter—it really helped. It's good to know there's someone who can understand. I wouldn't mind some ice-cream either, but unfortunately, Dudley is still on his diet. When you get me out of here, I'll take you out for ice cream and treat you to it every Hogsmeade weekend. It's the least I can do.
This Wally sounds like a decent fellow—Hermione deserves to have a friend who's truly nice to her. I admit I haven't always been the best of friends, and Ron certainly hasn't. Pretty sure I'm not anxious to see Viktor hate multiplied by ten. That's vicious. Are you sure it's that bad? Maybe it's best if Hermione stays safe at home until we leave for school. I am sure that she won't be able to take his insults for much longer—because if she breaks, Ron's arms will break down and maybe his legs too.
You know, if I can see the twins perfectly in my mind's eye doing crazy dances in Gringott's vaults, it's a sign that I've been acquainted with them for way too long. That part was very amusing. Gave me a laugh. The Dursleys asked me why I was making noise, and I told them explicitly about the gold—you should've seen their eyes light up. But then I told them how, because they were Muggles, they would be sucked into a high-security vault if they even touched it—and who knows if they'd ever be let out (I conveniently left out the part that anybody who wasn't a Gringott's goblin would have that fate, they wouldn't know the difference). They left me alone after that. Haha.
Well, anyway, I haven't got anything else to say, but to please hurry! I'm serious when I say that I can't take it much longer here!
Write soon,
Harry
Dear Ginny,
He promised to treat you to ice cream at Hogsmeade! How utterly sweet! How divinely charming! How wonderfully dreamy! Mark the first Hogsmeade weekend on your calendar. Surround it with tiny little red hearts. Sprinkle it with glitter!
Starry-eyed,
The Young Romance Society
Dear Ginny,
Ice cream rots your teeth. Glitter is nasty, vile,messy stuff. Gets all over the place.
The Romantics are Hopeless Association (along with the COLD HARD TRUTH ASSOCIATION)
Dear Harry,
I'm glad you got a laugh from scaring the Dursleys with the Gringott's vaults. Very clever of you. I'm extremely proud of you for thinking of it. See? All hope is not lost when you've got a sense of humor. Obviously, there is no hope for your relatives, because they wouldn't get a joke if it bit them on the arses.
As for your rescue, I'm working on it. I'm just tweaking things right now. If I don't write you for a bit, don't worry, it's because I'm spending all of my spare energy on getting you out of that horrible house. Trust me, this is no easy feat. Ron pretends he's helping me, but all he really does is watch me do all the work, make useless comments, eat, and grumble about Wally. You'd think he'd be over it by now. Oh wait, it's still the same month—let's see, it's been almost two years with the Viktor thing. And it's still going strong! Harry, we're both going to be old and gray, and Ron is still going to fly into a demented old-man fury whenever he hears the name 'Viktor Krum,' except that he'll be breaking things with his cane. I agree with you about Hermione staying at home and hanging out with Wally, she'll be much safer there than here with Ron. I told my brother so, but he claims to have no idea as to what I'm talking about.
If you're bored, make a list of the things you want to do when you get to the Burrow, and a list of the food you'll want to eat (send that one to Mum), cut some pictures out of Muggle magazines (send those to Dad and make your relatives mad at the same time!), make a list of all of the wonderful things that you'll do for me because I'm saving you (send that one to me, but don't let the twins see it), make a list of all the reasons why Ron needs to let go of his anger towards Viktor Krum and why Wally is probably a pretty cool fellow (send that one to Ron), and I'll send you a list of the reasons why he even has that anger towards Krum.
You could also pack up, so you can leave the minute that everything is okayed.
Well, I must go and do some wheedling.
Always,
Ginny
P.S. Make sure to include in the list of the wonderful things that you're going to do for me because I'm saving you that I get the first turn with the Firebolt. And that means before you. Don't give me that face. I never said that I was entirely unselfish.
P.S.2 I wonder if there are any pictures of Wally and Hermione together in the bath as babies. I should ask Mrs. Granger. Imagine how purple Ron would turn if he saw that. Mwahahaha.
Dear Professor Dumbledore,
Not meaning to be rude or anything, but I think that it's high time that Harry left Privet Drive behind for the summer. It's almost half-over anyway, don't you think it would be nice if Harry could spend the better part of it having a good time? (See attached list. If you can't tell already, Ron and the twins had a hand in writing it. I did try to stop them, but it didn't work.)
Don't you see? He's really lonely, and sometimes he's sad, and I don't want him to have to write a letter when he's upset or scared. I want him to have people to talk with, face-to-face. Remember all the times I had to come to you during my second year? It was bad for me, but I had family. Harry doesn't, well, except for mine, but he isn't here! Professor, don't you tell me that you can't see the problem here. We both know that you're the smartest man alive. Please let him come, sir. His birthday is soon. A birthday can't be celebrated alone.
Please consider it.
Respectfully yours (more respectfully if you let him, less if you don't),
Ginny Weasley
P.S. I'll make you homemade raspberry jam. I promise. You know it's your favorite. Maybe you shouldn't have told me that when I was twelve; twelve-year-olds have very excellent memories. Raspberry jam, Professor. Honestly, what've you got to lose?
Dear Ginny,
What in Merlin's name were you thinking? Chastising Albus Dumbledore? Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore? Are you completely off your rocker? He's only the most famous wizard in the world. The only wizard that You-Know-Who was ever afraid of! And you ordered him to let Harry come to your house. You ordered him! You bribed him. With his favorite jam! You bribed the greatest wizard with raspberry jam. You challenged his intelligence! He defeated Grindelwald. HE IS ON A CHOCOLATE FROG CARD! What is wrong with you? Have you no shame? Run, you wicked child! Run and hide yourself away. You can't expect any mercy after writing such a letter.
Appalled at your behavior,
The Club for Cowering Cowards
Ron,
I just sent Dumbledore a note. With the list we wrote.
Ginny
Gin,
So what? That was the plan.
Ron
Ron,
I sorta… well, for lack of a better word, I demanded that he let Harry come right now.
Ginny
You did what?
Ron
Ron,
And that's not all.
Ginny
Gin,
Oh no. What else did you do?
Ron
Ron,
I, uh, bribed him with his favorite jam.
Ginny
P.S. You don't think he'll take it the wrong way, do you?
Ginny,
Four words: Merlin save us all!
Ron
Dear Ginny,
Good heavens! What a friend you are! Braving circumstance and adversity to save Harry Potter from a lonely rest of the summer. You practically commanded the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to do your bidding. If that isn't reckless, we don't know what is. But all in the name of loyalty and friendship, of course. Such a beautiful deed as you did, we have never seen before. If you keep it up, Harry is going to end up owing you the rest of his life.
We're overcome,
The Best Friends Club
Dear Ginny,
Actually, we beg to differ. We think that it's all done in the name of devotion and love. It sounds much better that way. Don't you think? It's like when the popular boy stands up for the nerdy girl in front of all of the bullies because he cares more about the deep attraction between them than his popularity. Right? Except you're the nerdy girl standing up for the popular boy in front of the most powerful wizard in the world. After all, love is what makes the world go 'round, isn't it?
Heart-flutteringly yours,
The Young Romance Society
Dear Ginny,
We quote the Young Romance Society, "Nerdy girl standing up for popular boy." We think there's a problem with this scenario. Don't you?
Honestly yours,
The Romantics are Hopeless Association
Dear Ginny,
You attempted to buy off Albus Dumbledore in a letter. The Albus Dumbledore. Does the word STUPID mean anything to you? Obviously not.
THE COLD HARD TRUTH ASSOCIATION
Author's Note: Why hello there. It's been a year and I'm ashamed. But I've got my groove back! I know how I want to end it. There will probably be around two more chapters left. I am so, so, so sorry that it's taken forever. As you know, HBP sorta blew it out of the water—but people still seem to want this to be finished, so finish it I shall. I sort of lost inspiration for awhile, due to high school and its drama, but now I've graduated and done my best to recapture the spirit of the story that left when all of our H/G dreams came true! Lol. Thanks for sticking with me, guys, it means a lot! Except for the Young Romance Society, the COLD HARD TRUTH ASSOCIATION, and the Best Friends Club, all other associations and societies are mine.
For contemplation purposes: Will Dumbledore give his permission? Will Ron "rescue" Hermione from Wally? Is the Young Romance Society totally off its rocker? What is in those lists that Harry is supposed to write? Are Harry and Ginny destined to be BFFs?
Predictions are welcome.
Please REVIEW!