"Well?" she demanded, her eyes flaming with anger. She planted her hands firmly on her hips. "Excuse me, Mr. Potter, but animals aren't allowed in our house. Is that your pet?"

I squeezed my eyes shut and then opened them quickly. Lightening was still beating at the window. I had to get to him before he flew away. I had to see that letter. But most of all, I had to make Charlie understand. I didn't like having her be mad at me. "Charlie… listen. It's not my pet. It's…" I started haltingly, standing up.

She raised her eyebrows, slipping into manager mood. I couldn't stop a small smile from escaping onto my face. She'd make the perfect full-time owner of this place someday. "… it's a form of communication," I finally admitted. Glancing at the window, I licked my lips. "Can I please just let him in here for a minute?"

"Form of communication?" she questioned, the look of anger melting from her features, replaced by utter confusion. "Wait, wait: why don't you just use email or letters like everyone else?"

I shrugged. I'd already said more than I should have. Now she would be suspicious of me from now on. She's watch me carefully, and might notice odd little things that happen around me. She might start guessing… and though I doubted she would guess correctly, no guesses were better than wrong guesses.

Finally she threw up her hands in exasperation. "You're not gonna tell me, are you?"

I glanced at the floor, scuffing my boot across the smooth wood. Then I peeked up at her through my mess of bangs. "No, probably not."

She laughed. "Fine. Go on. Let him in. But he stays outside from now on."

"Of course, madam," I replied, hurrying to the window. Lightening still hadn't slowed his panicked beating. When I let him in, he immediately landed on my arm, jutting out his leg.

I slipped the paper from around the thin ankle as I absently stroked the soft plummage. He hooted softly, nuzzling my shoulder. My heart beat harder as I tore the official Hogwarts seal on the envelope. My fingers trembled slightly, but I quickly steadied them, glancing at Charlie.

She was staring at me with a soft look of amazement. "You're good with animals," she commented quietly. "I didn't realize they liked you so much."

"What can I say?" I said, my eyes still focused on the thick parchment. "They flock to me."

"I can tell."

I tugged the letter from its pocket. Unfolding it slowly, I took a deep breath. Then I read the following:

Mr. Potter:

I assume this letter has reached you by way of my own Express Out of Country Owl. If it hasn't, I can only assume it has either fallen into the wrong hands, or your own owl has intercepted it.

Here I glanced at Lightening for confirmation. He gave me a seemingly understanding nod and focused his wise eyes on the letter, as if to tell me to keep reading. I did.

I'm sorry for the difficulties, fear, and confusion I'm sure you must have recently faced. We of the Hogwarts staff are aware of your current location. It was not a mistake that placed you there. Voldemort is on the move again, and we have reason to believe that he is headed toward Hogwarts. His motives are not yet clear, but it is a known fact that he is out to kill you, and if you are not to be found at Hogwarts, he will move on and search elsewhere. When that happens, you can be moved back here.

This is for your own safety. I'm sure you don't see it as that, however. We knew that you would want to stay here to protect your friends and loved ones, so we didn't give you the option. It would only put yourself and everyone else in danger.

If our owls have come in contact with each other, Alexis knew to exchange letters. At this exact same moment, I should be reading your note. Anyway, try to enjoy yourself while you're where you are. Don't worry about a thing. Everything is under control.

Love and blessing,

Professor Dumbledore and the Hogwarts faculty and staff

I stared, open-mouthed at the letter in my hand. I couldn't believe it. I had known it would have something to do with Voldemort. I knew it. But why wouldn't Dumbledore let me come back? I needed to be there to protect my friends. They were all I had left.

I tilted my head back and closed my eyes. I couldn't believe this. Those teachers and administrators were taking this one step too far. They were shielding me, as if I didn't know what it felt like to be hurt. I did know. I couldn't believe this.

How could they do this to me? I felt betrayed. So betrayed. I had to be there to protect them, and instead Dumbledore had me shuttled off into some foreign country. All alone. Far away from the people that really mattered. Didn't he realize that out here, where I could trust no one, it didn't matter whether Voldemort got me or not? If all I had were strangers, why would it matter if I were alive? Voldemort might as well come and get me.

I felt like I was about to cry. But I bit the inside of my cheek and held in my tears. In a matter of seconds, I was under control. I sat up, staring straight ahead, feeling much more cool, calm, and aloof. Standing up abruptly, I moved to my desk. Charlie was in my way.

I'd almost forgotten she was there. But the present came rushing to me when she spoke. "Harry? Tell me what's wrong."

All I could do was stare at her. Swallowing, I glanced away. How I wanted to tell her. Relieve myself of this burden, share it with someone who wouldn't mind. But I couldn't. I couldn't, and I wouldn't. "Nothing, Charlie. Nothing's wrong. But I do have some work to do. When I'm ready, we can have lunch together. I'll… come and get you."

She narrowed her eyes at me. "Okay, Harry. I can tell something's wrong. Why won't you tell me? What was in that letter?"

I swiveled my head back around to her. Staring into her huge eyes, I blanched, but kept my cool. Charlie was so curiously beautiful… I could easily see myself slipping up and getting too close to her. But I couldn't. I couldn't trust her. I had to stay unattached from anyone here in St. Louis, seeing as how I would be going home at any time.

I turned back around to stare out the window, my hands in my pockets. "Nothing of your concern. I don't even know you that well. Why would I busy you with governmental difficulties in Britain? Don't you have some sort of paperwork to do here? At this quaint Bed and Breakfast?"

Glancing at her out of the corner of my eye, I winced. Not only was her eyes squinted tightly, but her jaw was jutted out and her knuckles, clenched to her leather-clad hips were beginning to whiten. She said to me, in a deathly low voice, "Thank you, Mr. Harry Potter. Thank you for messing with my mind and acting like a friend. Thank you for being so grateful when I let you stay here. And, last but not least, thank you for nothing."

She spun around and stormed out of the room, her long thick hair whipping around her shoulders. I stared at her as she left, a lump in my throat. When the door was firmly closed (or, in this case, slammed), I walked carefully to the window, absently stroking Lightening, who was perched on the window frame. As I stared outside at the foliage creeping up the garden wall, I went over everything that had been said in my mind.

I sighed and squeezed my eyes shut, grinding them with the heel of my hand. "How could I treat her like that?" I whispered. But then I considered it. I couldn't get close to Charlie. I couldn't. Not only because of the fact that I would be leaving whenever Voldemort moved on. But because the last time I'd gotten close to someone… it had only ended in pain and depression…

I moved to the desk to write a letter of confirmation to Dumbledore, that I had received his mail. I also included in it a brief expression of my outrage at the situation they'd forced me into. However, I didn't get too emotional.

Never again would I let my emotions get in the way.