Repeat after me. I do not own anything related to Harry Potter. Does that qualify as a disclaimer? Are you getting how annoying it is to write these all the time is?

Charlie waved goodbye to his coworkers as he trudged towards his cabin with a happy grin on his face. The sun was shining warmly, the dragons were healthy, and most importantly he had something important to do that afternoon.

He had decided shortly after Christmas to proceed with his plans regarding Harry, despite any laws or complications that might be in the way. The kid was coming to the Reserve this summer no matter what.

To that end he'd spent the last month and a half making all the necessary arrangements. The Reserve had strict rules against allowing children inside unsupervised. Even Ginny had had to remain with an adult the entire time she was visiting over Christmas. With Harry living there the entire summer with only Charlie that wouldn't be possible. He did still have to work after all. But his friends at the Reserve had taken care of that, offering their services as babysitters and even teachers. They seemed as excited as he was about the kid coming. And to make matters even better Bill had offered to take Harry for the week the dragon handlers spent in the field during breeding week.

None of that was what had him grinning like a loon however. Well, he had to admit that it was a relief to finally have the weight of the decision off his shoulders. But no, he was grinning because he finally had the time to decorate Harry's room.

His grin slipped slightly as he thought about what had prompted him to go all out for this project. Snippets of the kid's previous letters flashed through his head.

Dear Charlie,

Merry Christmas! This has been the best Christmas I've ever had. I can't believe you got me a whole new wardrobe. You really shouldn't have, its way too much. You work hard for your money, I don't want you to waste it on me. I have some money in my trust vault, I can repay you.

I've never had anything new in my whole life except for my school robes. The clothes I wore were Dudley's old ones, way too big and always had stains and holes. He wore his socks out though so I was given Uncle Vernon's or sometimes Aunt Petunia's. I wasn't even embarrassed to open the underwear. It was just nice to actually have something that hadn't been worn before.

Charlie gritted his teeth as he had done every time he remembered that particular paragraph. His family wasn't well off and sometimes they'd had it pretty lean but their basic needs had always been met. He disregarded Harry's words about payment. He had had fun buying the stuff. In all honesty he wished he could have sent a lot more to the boy but figured it would draw unwarranted attention. But that just meant he would have to do a lot more this summer.

His grin returned as he stepped into his cottage and saw the pile of bedding his mum had sent. It had been from his own years at school and while used it was in excellent condition, after all he had only had to use it during holidays.

And the best thing was that it was in Gryffindor colors. He'd lied slightly to his mum, saying how he was taking her advice to spruce up the place and how he'd had sentimental attachment to that particular set. He felt bad sure, but the money he saved on bedding he could spend on other things, like summer clothes, a practice snitch for the kid, and more miniature dragons.

His grin widened as he thought about the kid's response to that particular present.

The dragon, Charlie, its wow just wow. It really is too much but honestly if I had I would give all the clothes back and walk around starkers if I had to just to keep the dragon. I've never seen anything like it before, its so detailed and so life like.

And its so cool that Ron got one too, not just because it kept him from getting jealous, which worked brilliantly by the way. Now our dragons can have battles!

And I think the best thing is that I'm able to see what you get to work with everyday and it makes it seem, I dunno, more real I guess.

P.s. He really likes to be rubbed under the chin.

Charlie snorted to himself as he set about rearranging the furniture in the second bedroom. He would have to remember to tell Harry not to attempt rubbing the real dragons under their chins.

He used his wand to paint the walls a deep gold to match the gryffindor theme. It helped that the color made the room brighter and airier, something he was sure the kid would appreciate after being in a cupboard for so long. Add in the snitch shaped rug, the red book cases and the red and gold quilt, the room looked homey and inviting he decided with satisfaction.

One more detail would finish it off but that would have to wait a bit. He sighed, slumping to the side of the bed as he remember that particular letter.

Dear Charlie,

I don't think I told you this earlier but I also got an invisibility cloak for christmas. The note said it used to be my dad's and they were just passing it down. It wasn't signed so I don't know who had it. I think I would like to know that. What if it was one of my dad's friends? It it was I would want to write to them, maybe find out some stories about my parents. I don't know anything about them. In fact I didn't even know what they looked like until christmas night.

The thing is I snuck out of the dorm that night with the cloak. You can't really blame me, anyone, even Hermione, would have done the same. I thought maybe I could take a peak in the restricted section, you know just to have an adventure. I opened the wrong book and it started screaming which drew filch. So I took off running, got lost and ended up in this room that I'd never been in before.

The thing is there was this mirror in the room and when I looked in it I saw my parents. It took me a minute to realize it was them, I don't even have picture of them. Everyone is right I do look like my father. He was pretty lean so maybe my skinniness isn't all from the Dursleys. My mum is beautiful. I have her eyes but her's are so much prettier without the ugly glasses obscuring them.

I went back the next night and the night after that. How could I not when it's the only way I could have my family. I wanted so much to be with them.

Ron got mad and he kept saying I should leave it alone. I thought he was just jealous that I wasn't spending time with him. But I got caught by Dumbledore the third night. He wasn't mad and I didn't get into trouble but he did say that people have wasted away in front of the mirror because they want what they can't have. Which I guess I can understand. Anyway Dumbledore moved it so I can't visit anymore.

Is it okay to be sad? That I feel like crying because I won't be able to see my parents again?

Charlie admitted to himself that the mirror scared him and he prayed to Merlin that Harry wouldn't find it again. If it's so dangerous that it entrapped people, what was it doing in a school full of children? Shouldn't it at least have wards around it or something?

But what kill him was what Harry had said about his parents. For someone who came from a family of nine it was inconceivable to imagine and made his next project all the more important. He didn't know how he was going to do it yet but he was determined to get photo's of the Potters to hang in the kid's room.

That aside he didn't know what to think about the cloak. It was completely cool and he would have given anything to have had one as a kid. But the thought of what Harry could do with it...lets just say he now understood why his parents worried so much.

Shaking his head he strolled outside to enjoy of the last of the evening sun. Merlin but it had warmed up nicely. Perfect Quidditch weather too. Maybe he'd get some of the other's together for a pick up game. He grinned as he thought about how Harry would be there in three months. He was looking forward to playing with the kid and comparing skills.

A speck of white caught his eye and he turned to watch Hedwig approach. "Hello Beautiful, how's Hogwarts?" he asked freeing the letter. She hooted softly as she hopped onto his shoulder.

Dear Charlie

Things are going good here. The upper years had a big Valentines day celebration and have been crazy the last two weeks trying to get dates. Personally I think they've been a bit mental. Ron keeps gagging everything he see's them kissing which causes Hermione to shake her head and tell him to grow up. I tried to point out to her that we're eleven but she didn't listen to me.

She does that a lot. I told you how she wouldn't let go of the Nicholas Flamel thing right? I've tried to stay out of it but she has us in the library every chance she gets trying to find him and I want to spend time with them. But i'm not actively looking.

But we still found him. Purely by accident too. Neville got caught alone by Draco and his goons. I swear I'm going to set the twins on him. They jinxed Neville with the leg locker curse and he had to hop all the way back to the common room from the library. Really how many upper years do you think he passed and not one of them offered to help him! Its not wonder Voldemort was able to take over so easy if that's the kind of people wizards are.

He was really embarrassed and down about it so I gave him a chocolate frog, hoping to cheer him up. He handed the card back to me, he doesn't collect but he he knows I do. It was Dumbledore's care and Nicholas Flamel's name was on the back. Can you believe after all this time it was right there?

It said Flamel was an alchemist which went completely over my head but Hermione seemed to understand and she rushed off for this huge book. It said that Flamel created the philosopher's stone. We figure that's what's hidden in the school. It makes sense why someone would break into Gringotts for it. Untold riches and extended life. Anyone would want that. Well almost anyone. I really don't see the appeal in living for 600 years.

We aren't going after the stone I promise. Mostly we're just making sure that Fluffy is safe and sound behind his door and that Snape hasn't gotten to him yet. And we aren't going in to check, we're just listening through the door.

We had another quidditch match. It was actually good you weren't at this one. It didn't last very long. Wood told me to catch the snitch as fast as possible because, get this, Snape was referring. How wrong is that? Why would Dumbledore agree to that knowing how biased against Gryffindor he is. Plus if we lost it almost assured that Slytherin would win the cup so wouldn't he do anything in his power to make that happen? Urgh it still makes me mad.

But I showed him. Caught the snitch in five minutes. I did hear something about it being a new record. Would that be your record I broke? Its too bad you can't see the large grin on my face at the moment.

The look on Snape's face was hilarious. I wish I'd had a camera so you could see.

Apparently Ron and Neville missed it, Draco and his goons were being really nasty and deliberately baiting them. They did the only thing they could which was knock some sense into them. I really wish I could have seen it. Ron ended up with a black eye and Neville was hurt a little, he did take on Crabbe and Goyle by himself. But the best part is Draco had to spend the night in the hospital wing.

McGonagall was planning on writing your mum and Nev's gran. I hope they don't get in too much trouble. The prats really did deserve it.

Now its time for my own confession. Don't get me wrong, I'm not asking for punishment or anything. I'm not that desperate. But the twins caught me and are going to read this and make sure that I tell you. You know its really not fair that you have such devious spies.

Well you see after the game I noticed Snape being really shifty and going into the forest and I sort of followed him on my broom. I didn't tell anyone and the twins didn't notice until I came back. They said anything could have happened to me out there and no would would know. Plus the fact that it was Snape and if he had caught me I'd be dead and buried.

But I couldn't not go. He was acting so weird. And it was a good thing I did. He met with Quirrel and I couldn't hear everything they were saying but it seemed like Snape was threatening Quirrel. He must be trying to get the stone and can't figure something out.

So anyway, I got out of the forest safe and sound, no harm done. Snape didn't even catch me.

Harry.

"Harry." Charlie groaned as he finished the letter. He shook his head in disbelief. He didn't mind the kid being, well, a kid but Snape and the forbidden forest made for a dangerous combination.

"Come on Hedwig. Let's go give our little boy a scolding shall we?" he laughed as the white owl hooted in agreement.

Harry grimaced as he watched his favorite owl fly in with the rest of the post owls. He'd been dreading this letter ever since the twins had made him sit down and write to Charlie. He hated disappointing Charlie, especially after everything the man had done for him.

His look turned to one of confusion as Hedwig took a path that led to the twins, pausing only long enough to drop a letter in their laps before continuing on. Harry's eyes widen and he looked around worriedly but it seemed no one else had noticed.

The twins turned to flash him smirking looks, making Harry huff in annoyance. He was still mad at them for practically standing over him as he wrote to their brother. It's not like they never did anything wrong. They practically had detention every other night!

He sent them a glare as he gathered his letter and made for his dorm.

Dear Harry

Hey kid how's it going? Not much going on here. February is usually a quiet month for us. The dragons tend to sleep a lot this time of year. Of course that just means we use the time for improvements around the reserve. Repairing fences or nests. That sort of thing. Ive been on several runs for the med station, acquiring the unusual ingredients needed for the poultices used on the dragons when they need it.

Some good news is we might be getting a new dragon. It's always a big deal when we get a new one. We haven't heard for sure, it's position is actually closer to the Welsh Reserve but we have the better facility so we're hopeful.

That's about it on this end. We're a simple bunch. We don't go a big Valentine's extravangza's like Hogwarts. Though I do remember them well. And no I don't feel a bit sorry for you. It won't be long before you're participating and having as much fun as everyone else.

Now about this Flamel business. First off I think you were a very good friend to Neville and I'm sure he appreciated it. As for Hermione she sounds a bit intense. And I'm sure that you feel you need to participate but I don't want you to get into a place where she pushes you into something that you really don't want to do.

Not that I think that's the case here. I'm sure you were quite happy to find out what was hidden. It's absolutely crazy that the philosopher's stone is being kept at the school. The old man must be even crazier than I thought. Or maybe he has some plan but I think its disgraceful that he's doing it around children. If mum knew she would blow her top. Maybe I should let her know. It would be amusing if nothing else.

Now go clean out your ears because I want to make sure you hear this. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE YOU ALLOWED NEAR THAT STONE! Let Dumbledore play his little games and you just finish your first year.

Enough of that, let's talk Quidditch. Can I just say how wrong it is that Snape was a referee? Does he even know the rules of the game? Or better yet can he even fly a broom? What was McGonagall thinking allowing that to happen?

Wood had a good strategy to save the Lions but it really is too sad. Quidditch is a game to be enjoyed by both the spectators and the players. Games are anticipated for weeks. And to have a game last for only five minutes is a big disappointment.

Not to take anything away from your amazing catch. I can't believe you were able to find it in such a short time and yes you did break my record. I'll give you that one but I have plenty more to uphold my status as the best seeker. It'll be interesting when you come out this summer and we can go one on one.

Now Harry James. What were you thinking? Haven't we talked about putting yourself in dangerous positions?

First of all you went in to the forest which I don't approve of. The forest is full of really brilliant creatures and when I can I'll take you in there and show them to you. But it's also full of really bad things, things that would hurt you in a heart beat. So no more going into the forest is that clear?

Secondly following Snape is about as dangerous as it gets. Do you realize what he could do to you if he caught you? Detention for the rest of your life, using you as potion ingredients, not to mention making your life as horrible as possible.

Now I know you're probably not going to be too happy about this and I hate doing it but I can't just let you follow potentially dark wizards into a dangerous forest.

So you're grounded. One week, no where but to classes and the great hall for meals. The rest of the time you are to stay in the tower. And I want you in the dorm by nine thirty. I don't like getting on you like this but I don't want you getting hurt either. You need to learn to stay away from dangerous things.

The twins are going to help me enforce this. Don't be getting mad at them. They're only doing what I ask. And that's looking after you since I can't be there.

I care about you Harry, remember that.

Charlie

Harry's mouth dropped as he read the last part again. A part of him felt completely embarrassed. He was at school. What if someone found out? What was he supposed to tell his friends?

But then, it was pretty cool to have someone care enough to actually do it. And if he was honest with himself he knew he was in for a telling off when he'd written the letter.

He looked up as Ron walked into the dorm room and flopped onto his bed with an angry look on his face. "What's wrong?" Harry asked as he hastily shoved his letter under the pillow.

"I'm grounded." Ron muttered, kicking his bedpost. "For the fight with Malfoy. I can't go anywhere but classes and meals and I have to be in bed by nine thirty. And worse Percy is going to be making sure I follow it. I won't be able to get away with anything."

"I'm grounded too." Harry admitted shyly. He couldn't help grinning as the redhead popped up off the bed with a shocked look on his face.

"What? What for?"

"For following Snape into the forest." Harry admitted. "Apparently it was dangerous."

Ron nodded solemnly. "It was. Snape would have eaten you alive if he'd caught you." he was silent for a moment. "But you don't really have to follow it do you? I mean how's this guy going to know?"

"He has spies." The dark haired boy answered, sighing as he thought of the twins. He knew if he didn't obey not only would he disappoint Charlie but he'd be viscously pranked to boot.

"That sucks." Ron commiserated. "But at least we're together."