Chapter 14

Dear Harry,
We made it safely to Hogwarts, though you probably know this by now as Hermione had sent a letter to Ron an hour ago.
The castle looks AMAZING! You would never have known that a battle took place here just a few months ago. Even Hagrid's hut looks untouched (he told me to tell you 'Hello' by the way and wants to know when you'll visit).
The Headmistress made some changes today, and I think they are for the better. She said that while we still have house points and will have quidditch matches, she doesn't want us to have such huge house rivalries as before. So now, during the meals we are encouraged to sit wherever we want; we are not obligated to sit just with those in our house. Infact, after today, she informed us there will be a bunch of smaller tables rather than four huge ones like before. We'll see how this goes, but so far I think everyone is in agreement, even the Slytherins!
I scheduled to have Quidditch tryouts next Saturday. I hope to find some good team members this year. Wish me luck!
I know it's only been a day, but how are you? I miss you. Make sure to keep taking your Dreamless Sleep potion since I won't be there to comfort you if you have a nightmare… unless you want Ron to take my place, then that's entirely up to you (haha!)
I love you,
Ginny xoxox

Harry smiled at the letter from Ginny, already missing her presence at the Burrow. He rolled up the letter and placed it into an old shoe box which was inside his school chest, then grabbed some blank parchment and a quill to write her back:

Dear Ginny,
Yes, Ron boasted how his girlfriend wrote to him before mine, which I told him it wasn't competition (so this just means you'll have to write to me more then Hermione does so I can boast about it, ok?)
Tell Hagrid that I will send him an owl later this week.
I'm glad to hear about the castle! I was worried that it was broken beyond repair, but McGonagall ensured me it would be back in working order before the start of school term. Looks like she delivered on that! I can't wait to visit and see for myself.
As for the new seating arrangements, that sounds like an awesome idea! I wonder if things would have worked out differently if it was that way when I was attending Hogwarts the last few years.
Let me know right after tryouts how things went. I will keep my fingers crossed for you for an awesome team so you can smash all the other ones into oblivion!
As for your brother, what he and I do in the privacy in my bedroom is our business… I mean, a Weasley is a Weasley, right? Kidding! No one can replace you, love.
Speaking of me and your brother, we're going to start looking into flats this week. Hope we find one that suits us.
I love you,
Harry
P.S. The Burrow is too quiet without you and I miss you like crazy. Let me know when the first Hogsmeade visit is.

Harry read his letter over, then rolled it up. He'll send it in the morning with Lyra so that Ginny can get it by lunch time tomorrow.

Harry crawled into bed, making sure to take his potion as Ginny instructed. He only forgot to take it once since he started it and while the nightmare that night was bad, it was thankfully not as horrible compared to the ones before. He hoped one day he'll be able to start weaning off of the medication, or stop using it entirely; he wasn't keen on taking it for the rest of his life, but if that's what it took to get sleep without recurring nightmares, so be it.

A few days later, Harry was working on some paperwork in the Auror's office when Ron came in and leaned a hip against his desk, "Hey Harry, got a moment?" he asked.

"Hm? Ya, what's up?" he responded, not looking up from his desk.

"I was talking to Rhys about flats here in London and he gave me addresses to a few of them. I was thinking maybe after work we can check them out?"

Harry looked up at him, "That'll be awesome! Oh wait," he said, checking the date on the calendar, "I can't today. I'm watching Teddy this evening for a bit."

"Crap, that's right, it's Friday," said Ron, running a hand through his hair.

"If you want, you can go look and tell me about them when I get back later?" offered Harry.

"If you're Ok with that, then that works for me," said Ron grinning.

Harry nodded, "I trust your judgement."

"Cool. Thanks mate. You heading over to Andromeda's right after work then?"

"Right after I finish this up. I should be back at the Burrow around 9 or 10."

"Ok, I'll see you then," said Ron, as he patted Harry on the back before heading out of the office.

Harry apparated in front of the Tonk's residence then made his way to the front door. It had become customary to knock a few times then enter, even if Andromeda didn't answer, since sometimes she was busy with Teddy and couldn't get to the door. As soon as he walked in, he heard wailing from the kitchen and went to see what was happening.

Andromeda was walking around trying to calm a very distraught child. When she saw Harry she gave him a look of relief, "Oh Harry, I'm so glad you're here. I think he understood when I told him you were coming because right after I did, he started crying hysterically. He even changed his hair color to black, like yours."

Harry set down his cloak on a chair and took the baby from her, who immediately stopped crying but was still whimpering softly and had started to hiccup.

"Ted, you can't do that to your grandmum," he said, cradling the baby and talking to him gently, "Crying and carrying on like isn't nice to her. When she says I'll be here soon, she means it. No need to carry on that like. I do like that hair color on you though."

He continued to talk to Teddy, trying to calm him down. When the baby started babbling at him and his hair changed back to the teal color he was known for, Harry knew the worse was over.

"He's better now, Dromeda. You can head on out now if you want. Are there bottles ready for him or do I need to make some?"

"There is one ready, but since he's five months old now I've started him on solid food too," she said, indicating to something green and mashed up in a bowl on the counter. "Feed him that in about an hour, then he'll probably need a bath… if I'm not back by 8, then please give him a bottle and see if he'll go to sleep for you, ok?"

Harry nodded, then handed Teddy back to his grandmother so she could kiss his wet, rosy cheeks. He squealed and tried grabbing her hair, which made her laugh.

Harry took Teddy into the living room and placed him on a blanket that was spread out for him to play on. He knew from last time that Andromeda was working on trying to get him to sit up unassisted. He was happily surprised to see that Teddy went a full two minutes before toppling over.

When Teddy started to get fussy, Harry knew he was ready for some food. He strapped him into the highchair that was in the kitchen and warmed up the mashed food in the bowl.

After a grueling half hour, with half of the bowl's contents on either on the floor, Harry, or in Teddy's hair, Harry finally gave him the last bite.

"Now I know what she meant when she said you'd need a bath," he said chuckling. He filled the sink with warm water and stripped the very messy child. With one hand, he supported the baby, while cleaning him with a soft washcloth with the other, just like how Ginny showed him before.

Clean, warm, and dry in his sleeper, Teddy yawned hugely and rubbed his eyes. Harry took his cue and warmed up the bottle waiting for him. He went to the nursery and sat in the rocker and gave his godson the bottle. With the lights dim, both Teddy and Harry fell asleep.

Andromeda came home a little while later. Usually Harry would be in the living room reading as he waited for her to return, and was confused when she didn't see him there. She checked the nursery to look in on Teddy and smiled warmly when she spotted her grandson asleep in the arms on his godfather. She walked in softly and gently nudged Harry until he woke.

"Sorry," she whispered, taking Teddy and placing him in his crib.

Harry yawned and stretched as he got up from the rocking chair. He and Andromeda walked quietly out and she closed the door without a sound.

"Thank you again, Harry for watching him. I know you don't have too but it brings me such pleasure knowing how much you care for him. And even though he's little, I know he really loves you."

Harry smiled, "I love the little guy too," he said, as he retrieved his coat from where he left it. "I'll see you next week?" he asked. She nodded and gave him a hug, then laughed as she wiped some mashed up peas from his hair.

As promised, Ron was up and waiting for Harry when he returned, excitement showing all throughout his face.

"I'm pretty sure I found the best place for us," he started before Harry even set down his cloak. "Two bedrooms. Separate bathrooms. Living room, kitchen, even a fireplace! And best yet, it's only for wizards so we don't have to worry about muggles."

"Sounds great! When can I see it?" Harry asked.

Ron grinned, "I knew you'd say that. The manager said we can stop by anytime tomorrow and if we like it, it's ours!"

By mid-afternoon, Harry and Ron were giving Mrs. Weasley a tour of their newly obtained flat. "So, what do you think, Mum?" Ron asked nervously.

Mrs. Weasley walked around the living room area and into the small kitchen. She peered into each bedroom and nodded with satisfaction, "I think this is a nice place for you boys," she said, giving them each a smile, "It's the perfect size for you. But, I can't help notice that it's rather… bare."

Ron ran a hand through his hair and looked at her sheepishly, "That's my fault. When we saw the place before, it was full of furniture so I assumed it came that way. I guess that was just for show though."

Mrs. Weasley nodded, then picked up her big hand bag, "Well, come on boys," she said.

"Where are we going?" asked Harry.

"Why, furniture shopping, of course. I know of a few places that have just what you two need."

Later that evening, with the help of Mrs. Weasley's shopping expertise, Harry and Ron bought two beds, dressers, a couch, coffee table, dishes, silverware, and everything else they needed for their place. Harry bought most of the items with Ron's promise that he'd pay him back as soon as he was able. The bigger items were delivered that day and once everything was set up, they went back to the Burrow to have dinner and gather their belongings.

"You two will need to go grocery shopping tomorrow," instructed Mrs. Weasley, "Then you should be all set to go."

"Thanks for all your help today, Mrs. Weasley," said Harry, reaching over and squeezing her hand briefly.

"Ya, thanks Mum! If it weren't for you, we'd be sleeping on the floor tonight," said Ron, chuckling and shoveling food into his mouth.

Mrs. Weasley blushed slightly, "It's no problem boys. Glad I could help," she sniffled into her napkin, then got up quickly and said, "I'll pack you some leftovers to bring to your new place."

"Thanks Mum, Harry and I just need to put our stuff into our trunks then we'll be ready to go," Ron said, getting up from the table.

"Oh, and Ronald," said Mrs. Weasley as he started up the stairs, "Make sure to fold your clothes, don't just throw them into your trunk haphazardly. And make sure to pack all your underwear!"

Harry sniggered at Ron, who just rolled his eyes, "Yes, mum."

When Harry entered his room, he was surprised to see a barn owl perched on top of Lyra's cage. Lyra, who seemed to have just gotten back from delivering her letter to Ginny, didn't seem too keen on the intruder, and kept clicking her beak and ruffling her feathers at him. The other owl didn't seem to notice, but stuck out his leg where there was a letter attached.

"Wonder who this is from," he asked out loud. He gave the owl a few owl treats before it took off, and put some in Lyra's cage as well where he saw a letter attached to her as well. Thinking maybe the letter from the barn owl was from Hagrid, he tore open the letter, only to be completely wrong.

"I.. I don't believe it," he said dumbfounded, staring at the letter and sitting on his bed.

Ron came in, his trunk levitating behind him, "You ready mate?"

When Harry didn't answer and just kept looking at the letter, Ron walked over to him and waved a hand in front of his face. "Everything ok? Who's the letter from? Ginny? Is every alright?" he asked, starting to get worried.

Harry finally snapped out of it and looked at Ron, "It's from… Dudley."

"Dudley? As in… your cousin, Dudley?"

Harry nodded, reading the letter over again.

"Why'd he write you for?" Ron asked curiously, sitting next to Harry.

"I wrote to him months ago, just telling him I was alive and said if he wanted to keep in touch to write back. I never got anything so I figured that was that."

"What does the letter say?"

Harry handed Ron the letter.

Harry,
Glad to hear you are safe. We just returned to our old house before your letter came, but mum and dad moved out because they said this one reminds them of you too much.
You can write if you want, I don't mind the owls, they are neat.
Dad has me working with him at the factory but it's boring. Thinking of going back to school.
I'd like to keep in touch if you want.
-Dudley

Ron read the letter over then pointed to the date, "It says he wrote this months ago. I wonder why you just now got it?"

Harry shrugged, "I dunno." He took the letter and tossed it into his trunk. He opened the letter that Lyra had, which was from Ginny.

Dear Harry,
Tryouts went great and I think I have a pretty good team this year! I have Joe Rodgers and Alfie Hewitt as Beaters. Myself, Zara Hale, and Faith Preston as Chasers. Max Garner as Keeper and Gracie Randall as Seeker. I'm starting practices after dinner every Monday and Wednesday. Our first game is in three weeks, on September 26th, against Hufflepuff. Do you think you'll be able to make it? I really hope you can. I miss your face.
I love you,
Ginny xoxox
P.S. Just got notice that the first Hogsmeade weekend is in two weeks! Meet me at the Three Broomsticks at noon, ok?

Harry chuckled at Ginny's letter then got out some parchment to write her back.

"Harry, I thought we were going to the flat tonight?" Ron asked starting to sound irritated.

"We are, just give me a minute to write your sister back. I promise we'll leave when I'm done," he said.

"Alright. I'll meet you downstairs."

Harry nodded as he wrote Ginny a quick note.

Gin,
Can't say I know the team members but if you're confident about them, then I will be too! You'll be a great chaser and if need be, a great seeker as well.
I will try my very best to be at the game, as well as Hogsmeade. As long as nothing urgent comes up with work, I should be there.
Can't wait to see you.
Love you,
Harry
P.S. Ron and I got a flat today! I'll tell you more about it in the next letter.

Harry gave the letter to Lyra, along with a few more treats, and sent her on her way. He gathered his clothes and other belongings from around the room and threw them in his trunk, then raced down the stairs to meet up Ron so they could go to their flat together.

Thanks for reading! Please follow story for updates or follow HufflepuffMom82 on Twitter