(A/N: His hair is back! YAY! Sorry guys, didn't realize you would hate it so much, so I listened to you. OMG, SHE LISTENS TO US! Somebody asked me to continue with the H/G fluff. Now don't get me wrong, I love fluff. I'm probobly a fluff fan, but this story really does have a plot! Really! Anybody who cares what's going on in my real life, IM me at KKismagic or E-mail at KKismagic@aol.com, because I love talking to you guys! I never put a disclaimer in here, because I figure since the site is called 'fanfiction.net' we should all assume that I am a 'fan' writing 'fiction'. There is something I need to do, and I beg you all to read this. {And to all my other friends, your moment will come, but this is Ally's})

This story is dedicated to my best friend Ally.

Dearest Ally,

I have owed my life to you numerous times. I know I would have never been able to get through the last 5 years without you. Also I owe this story to you because without your encouragement I would have never posted it. You are the best listener I have ever known and you are always there. Ally, you will never know what you mean to me, and I promise that my first real book will have your name on that dedication page. You are a huge part of my life and I could never imagine it without you.

Thank you Ally, with all my heart.

Your best friend.

Chapter 8

Summer's End

But it was actually three weeks before Harry made it back. That was because the day he had planed on going, the Dursleys were going to London again, and he wasn't going to miss it.

The more and more Harry looked in the mirror; the less and less he liked his hair. He dyed it pitch black again, and got it cut. Though you couldn't tell it had been cut, you also couldn't tell he had ever changed the color. He spent another night at the Leaky Cauldron, but he was very careful there were no reporters this time.

After one last trip to pick up Sally, Harry slowed down his trips to visit to Weasleys, it was just a little too much for him to handle. So instead he would write letters.

Dear Ron,

We should arrange a day to go get our stuff together. I don't think I'm going to be making very many more trips, it's just hard to wake up and leave, and if I don't get up early, I'm going to be seen. We really don't need another flying car incident. Anyway, you said that I would get to meet your two older brothers if I stopped by during the summer, but I never did. Hey, we have a spot open on the Quiditch team, going to try? Is Hermione still staying in your room? Now don't you do anything you wouldn't do if I were there. (You should see the smile on my face right now.) Actually I bet by now you two are fighting, and it's probably over something stupid, and your not taking to each other. And your probably putting Ginny in the middle. No wonder the poor girl has problems. Kiss and make up. (Oh I would love to see that.) I just heard from that dog again. He's doing just fine. Keep in touch; letters are so much easier then flying two hours there and back.

Talk to you soon,

Harry

Dear Hermione,

How's vacation coming? I'm sure all your homework is done and re-done, but how's Ron coming? Are you still in his room? Maybe you should move to Ginny's, you two worry me alone up there together. (Like I told Ron, you should see the smile on my face.) But, I'm still betting you're fighting over something stupid by now and not talking to each other. Am I right? Next time I'm around, I want to talk to you about Ginny. She said she doesn't have any friends, and I think that's just her imagination. You're her friend, that I know. She's just really shy I guess. Sally seems to love her, but she doesn't like you and Ron very much. I think it's because Sally can sense your fear, and you both are a little bit frightened of her. But don't worry as you get to know her I'm sure it'll get better. Oh, I need to know, what is the main ingredient in the Seal Potion? I just can't seem to find it! Oh, and I heard from that dog again. Good old Sparky is doing just fine.

Love,

Harry

To the Weasley family,

Thank you so much for having me over, it was a lot of fun. I don't think I'll be coming as often though, at the risk of being seen. I hope you are all having a good summer. We should all meet up to buy our new schoolbooks when we get our lists. Mr. Weasley I have a new gadget I know you're going to like, it's called a CD player. Dudley has a dozen of them, he won't notice one missing, but I'll give it to you when I see you all. Thank you again for having me come visit, it's really a nice change to have the people in the house actually talk to you. Though now I'll keep in touch with letters.

With love,

Harry

Dear Ginny,

Sally is going just nuts knowing she won't get to see you as often. She speaks very highly of you. She wants me to tell you she saw what was under your bed, but she promises not to tell me anything about it. Truly, I'm not going to ask. Hope your summer is coming along well, and if you have any questions about that person we talked about a while ago, just ask Hermione and use the name Sparky. I just wasn't in the mood to go into the details. Ron and Hermione are fighting by now aren't they? Don't let them put you in the middle of it like they always do to me when they aren't speaking to each other. "Harry tell Ron…" "Harry tell Hermione…" But it will only be a matter of time before they admit they're in love with each other. I plan to record that, blackmail for all eternity. Sally says she also saw what was under your pillow. Please excuse me while I scold her for being nosy and tell her to shut up while I'm writing. (Three minutes later.) Sorry about that. Hey, what was in that envelope Hermione gave you for your birthday? Write me back, and NO ONE-WORD SENTENCES. Just kidding, your name is of course a one-word sentence.

Love,

Harry

All nine of the Weasleys and Hermione were sitting at the breakfast table. Ron and Hermione were sitting next to each other, but they didn't look very happy about it.

"Ginny, please tell Hermione to pass the syrup."

"Ginny, please tell Ron he can reach the syrup from where he is."

"Ginny, tell her I don't want to reach over there because that means I would have to get closer to her."

"Remind Ron that he is a brainless idiot."

"Tell Hermione she's never had her head out of a book long enough to know what I am."

Ginny flat out ignored them. They could play their little game if they wanted to,

but she wasn't going to participate. Just when she thought they might start screaming, a white owl flew in through the window.

"Hedwig," Ron forgot their little fight for a moment. The owl hooted softly and landed beside Hermione. She untied four letters off of Hedwig's leg.

"One's mine. This is Ron's," she handed it to Ginny, who rolled her eyes and threw it at Ron. "This one is addressed to all the Weasleys," she handed it to Mrs. Weasley. "And this one is Ginny's. Mrs. Weasley why don't you go first."

"Thank you dear." She opened the letter and read it out loud. "Oh, but he must come back for his birthday! I'm sure those Muggles never do anything nice for him."

"I'll tell him mum, really."

"Ginny, you go," Hermione said smiling.

"Okay," she carefully opened the letter and started to read it. "Dear Ginny, Sally is going just nuts knowing she won't get to see you as often. She speaks very highly of you. She wants me to tell you she saw what..." Ginny paled, then flushed. "Um, this really isn't a read out loud letter."

"Oh come on Ginny," Ron said impatiently, "what could he possibly tell you that you can't say out loud?"

Ginny finished skimming the letter. "How about this Ron, 'Ron and Hermione are fighting by now aren't they? Don't let them put you in the middle of it like they always do to me when they aren't speaking to each other. "Harry tell Ron…" "Harry tell Hermione…" But it will only be a matter of time before they admit they're in love with each other. I plan to record that, blackmail for all eternity.' Do you really wish me to continue?"

A very red Ron shook his head 'no'. "He really knows you both too well. Oh Hermione, I want to talk to you about Sparky later."

Hermione looked up. "You know about Sparky? How do you know about that?"

Ginny shrugged. "He told me. I know about everything. Anyway, read your letters."

They both stared at her for moment longer before the started on their own letters.

As they read, they both turned red at some point and then they looked up at each other.

"Harry's right, this is stupid. I'm really sorry."

"No, it's my fault, I was being a pain in the ass."

"Kiss and make up!" Ginny exclaimed smiling widely

They both glared at her. "That's what Harry said and it's not funny."

"If it was funny Ron, I would be laughing." Ginny said all-to-seriously.

"Ginny," Hermione started, desperate for a subject change, "when you said he told you everything."

"I meant everything. Come on," she grabbed Hermione's hand and dragged her upstairs to her room.

"Tell me exactly what you know," Hermione said sitting on the bed.

"Let's see, I know about Sirius, the cloak, the broom stick, Scabbers, everything, but he really wasn't in the mood to talk about it in detail, so he said to ask you."

"Well, that sound like a girls night up." Hermione said smiling.

"Tonight then?"

"Yep."

The next morning, Hedwig was waiting in Ginny's room. Ginny smiled at the owl and re-read the letter she wrote one last time. She was proud of it. It wasn't evident that Hermione and her had planned out each word carefully. Then in Hermione's letter she repeated a few things that were in Ginny's letter, to make it even more discrete. The letter had actually been really hard to write. It took a lot out of her to crack open her shell enough to let Harry see the real her. The print was small and neat, the words she would never be able to say out loud. 'But maybe,' she thought, 'with Hermione and Harry's help that could change.'

Two days later, Hedwig flew in though Harry's window with numerous letters attached to her legs.

Smiling, he untied them.

Dear Harry,

Mum says you have to come over for your birthday. You just missed Bill and Charlie, they're here right now. But they showed up an hour after you left last time. Charlie really wanted to meet you too. Well, maybe they'll be here when you come back. Nah, I don't think I really want to play Quiditch. I like the game, but I'm not very good at it. Speaking of, the cup is in Canada this year, and we can't get over there to see it. Really sorry, I was real bummed. Now you'll never get to see one, because in four years, you'll be playing in it. So what's this with Ginny knowing all your secrets all the sudden? Are you sure that's wise? She and Hermione and planning a 'Girls night up' to talk tonight. Maybe I'll spy on them. We were fighting, but we made up when we read your letters, and there was NO KISSING! You and Ginny think alike. Really, we're just friends. I never make fun of you and Hermione and you two are friends. Do we really put you in the middle when we fight? Sorry 'bout that. We'll try not to. Do we really fight that much? I don't understand how you can say we fight all the time and then say we're in love with each other. Anyway, I'll see you July 31 then.

Your Friend,

Ron

Dear Harry,

The main ingredient is Eye of Newt, but I don't know why you couldn't find it. It's right there, actually no, it's right here! You wrote something on that page and passed it to me in class. Harry, sometimes you are just like Ron. Ginny, well we're about to have what we call 'Girls Night Up.' Ron doesn't think we know he's going to try to spy on us. He is an idiot. You want to talk about her? She is really shy, but I'm sure if we tried we could help her get over it. I don't know but I think we're going to be doing a lot of talking about you tonight. You told her everything? I guess you trust her as much as I do. Well, I am a little frightened of Sally, but it's nothing personal, she's a snake. I never liked them, but I'm sure I can learn. About Ron's homework, well we were actually in a fight about it, but we made up. He's not done. Yes, Harry, I'm still in his room, and there is NO REASON for you to worry about us! We are both mature, well, maybe he's not as mature as we would like him to be, but that's a whole other story. Sorry to hear your not visiting as often, but your reasoning is good I'll talk to you soon.

Love,

Hermione

Dear Harry,

There will be NO one-word sentences in this letter! I have always liked writing better then talking. Here you can always chose your words carefully and you don't need to be afraid of saying the wrong thing. You tell Sally that if she breaths a word I will cut her into a million pieces, paste her together, and do it again. But I trust her! You know Ron and Hermione way too well. They were fighting, but then they read your letters and made up. It was so cute! Ron called himself a Pain-in-the-ass! I don't think Herm realizes how much that means. Ron NEVER insults himself, and he never admits he's wrong. Now I know Hermione doesn't like to be wrong, but she will admit it when she is. I'll record it with you, two copies equals twice the fun. Do you know any recording spells? Anyway, Hermione and I are planning to talk tonight about everything, and we know Ron's going to spy on us. But, what he doesn't know is after we bust him, we're going to talk about him. Or rather, I'm going to MAKE Hermione talk about him. I promise to keep you informed. I can't tell you what's in the envelope, Sal could since it was under my pillow, but she won't, I hope. Thanks again for my necklace. It's not glowing anymore. And I'm sorry about that magazine article, and before you yell at me I know it's not my fault. You really are helping me, and I do know you are trying to. And, well, thanks. I'm signing my name with my first and last name so it is not a one word sentence. Oh, but then I can't close with 'Love', I don't know what to close with! I got it! You should have seen Ron's face when he found out I knew about Sparky. I'm running out of things to say. Thanks for the letter, it really brightened my day. (I had been putting up with "Ginny tell Ron" "Ginny tell Hermione" all morning) We all miss you. Tell Sal I love her.

With all my love, (HA)

Ginny Weasley

Dear Ron,

Sure, I'll come for my birthday. I mean, anything is better then staying here. I'll see your brothers next time I'm over there. Sorry 'bout the cup, and only in my dreams. You don't want to play? Oh well, I don't know who's going to replace Wood. Hey! You could write up plays for us, I know you love to do that. I can trust Ginny, Hermione already does, don't you? And I already know the girls busted you, they had planned it. There was no kissing? Oh man! Ginny promises to record you two with a spell I'm going to teach her. We're so evil. The reason you never make fun of me and Hermione is because there is a difference between me and Hermione relationship and you and her relationship. We're not secretly in love with each other. I hear you called your self a pain in the ass and admitted you were wrong. Well I'm impressed! She must be really important to you! See you later!

Your best friend,

Harry

(P. S. Please don't kill me. You two are really just too predictable to pass up.)

Dear Hermione,

Thanks. I knew there had to be a reason I couldn't find it. So what did you two talk about anyway? Sparky, me, and Ron? You got to tell me cause I didn't get a chance to spy on you! It's not fair! Ron's going to shoot me, because I keep teasing him. You know what I miss? Nobody but you would have ever understood that phrase. But, you and Ron will still worry me. And I'm going to have Ginny check in on you! So behaive. Of course you'll learn to like Sally, you can learn anything. I'm running out of things to say and I still have Ginny's letter to write. See you soon.

Love,

Harry

Dear Ginny,

Sally's in the attic. What she possibly finds interesting up there I have absolutely no idea. All that's up there is Dudley's old stuff. (I should know, I hauled most of it up there this weekend.) Heavy lifting, heavy lifting. I'm surprised I can still move my quill. A good recording spell is the "Veedeeoo" spell. That's were the word video comes from in the Muggle world. Something about a squib, ask Hermione. Hermione and Ron are predictable, that's all. Thanks for keeping me up to date, it's hard to keep up from over here. Hey, since their in the same room, maybe you should do some surprise check ins with a camera handy. Black mail is a treasured item. You're welcome, it shouldn't glow unless I'm around. Me try to help you? Whatever for? Really, it's no problem. Always there for a friend in need. I think I'm going to break the rule and use one-word sentences. I don't like signing things with my full name. I'd rather use just 'Harry.' I just wrote to Sparky telling him about you. Hedwig's on that delivery now, and then I need to let her rest for a few days. So that's why these are late. Do you want to know what to do when they start that not talking to each other thing? Like this: "Ginny tell Ron he's an ass" "Ron, Hermione loves you." They both go nuts. It puts them both on the same side. Just forget about the article. I just try to ignore it, there's nothing else to do. Ask your mum if we can go book shopping when I come over on July 31st. I can't get back to London. The Dursleys now sneak away so I don't come with them. (I went back to dye my hair black again. I missed it too much.) I miss all of you too. Sal says she loves you too. Talk to you soon.

Love,

Harry

Even though Harry had planned to stop by once and a while, he didn't make it back until his birthday. Sally had already given him his present; a small rock box to hold his earring. Harry didn't need Hedwig to show him the way, he knew it now.

They had all sent him letters to make sure he was coming, and Harry had never answered them. Truthfully, he couldn't and they still didn't know that.

As he landed by the door around noon, he didn't even get a chance to ring the bell. Ron, Hermione and Ginny threw the door open, and pulled him in.

"Harry we weren't sure if you would come! You didn't answer our letters." Hermione started.

"Well you see-"

"Mum, he made it!" Ron called.

"Oh good! I was so hoping he would,"

"We are going to Diagon Ally." Hermione informed him, dragging him to the living room.

"Hope you brought your list."

"Well I-"

"If you didn't we both have the same stuff."

"Guys!" Ginny shouted, causing Hermione and Ron to fall silent. "Let him talk!"

Harry smiled. Hermione had apparently worked wonders while he was gone. Ginny even looked more outgoing. She returned his smile as Sally went up to her neck.

"Hi Harry."

"Hey Gin. I missed you three!"

"We missed you too Harry." Hermione said finally calming down. She went to hug him but he pulled away, his hand flying up to his shoulder.

"Sorry, can't."

"Why, what happened?" Ron asked concerned.

"I'll explain, after we get out of the hallway."

"Come meet my brothers Harry."

Ginny led the way to living room, the other three following behind. In the many mismatched chairs, there sat Mr. Weasley, Fred, George, Percy, and two people Harry had never seen before.

"Harry, this is Bill, and this is Charlie."

Both of them had red hair to match the other Weasleys. Though, it seemed as they got older, their's had become a little darker.

Bill looked like an older version of Fred and George, with glasses. He stood up and offered Harry his hand.

Harry shook with his left hand. "Sorry, my right is out of order."

"No need to apologize. I stuck around to meet you, but I must leave now."

"Bill's girlfriend is waiting."

"Shut up Ron. Mother! I'm leaving!"

"Wait one moment dear!" came Mrs. Weasleys voice from the kitchen. She soon came hurrying out with a bag in her hand.

"Take this, and have a safe trip Bill, honey."

"Thanks mum." He took the bag from her and bent down to kiss her on the cheek. "Bye everybody." He left.

"Lunch will be a few more minutes." Mrs. Weasley disappeared again.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione fell on to the couch, while Ginny went and sat in Bill's now empty seat.

"Nice to meet you Harry. I would stand and shake your hand, but as you can't use your hand, I see no reason for me to get up." He gave Harry a smile.

"Fine with me." Harry said, returning the smile. Charlie looked more like Ron or Mr. Weasley, and he was very fit.

"So I hear your pretty good at Quidditch."

"Some people say so."

"Oh stop being modest Harry."

"He could beat you Charlie."

Harry shook his head. "I doubt it, with my right arm gone, I'd have to catch with my left."

"What happened to your arm anyway?"

"Well, it seems Dudley had a box of rocks that he just had to keep. So I had to take it up to the attic. It wasn't that big of a deal, until Dudley decided to play games. He shut the door to the stairs, just as I got there. I set the box down and opened it again. But as I was picking it back up, he shut it. Then I tried again. So, I had to pick the box up and hold it in one hand and open the door in the other. I messed up my shoulder. I didn't do anything really bad to it, but then I made the mistake of not moving it for a few days, and it got all stiff. Now, I'm exploring the wonders of hot water every night."

"Hey," Charlie started, "little Gin is famous for her back rubs. She gets it from all that sewing she does."

Ginny didn't even wait for a response. She stood and walked behind him. "Tell me if I hurt you."

Harry didn't answer, he clenched his teeth in pain, but did not cry out. "Well, you were right about the stiff part."

(A/N: I'm really only writing this because I just messed up my shoulder. I had my dad rub it for me and it hurt so much I was bawling. It's still spazzing out. So writing this is painful! I expect a lot of thank-yous! {Just kiddin})

She pulled his shirt so that his right shoulder was exposed. "I could use some pain killer," she said sympathetically. Harry shook his head no. "Herm go get me a glass of ice water."

Ginny worked at his shoulder until Mrs. Weasley called for lunch. Then she handed him the glass of water. "Drink this, it flushes all the chemicals I knocked out. I'll do it again later."

He nodded. "Thanks."

"No problem. Always here for a friend in need," she quoted him. "Wait here." She disappeared down the hall, and returned a few moments later with a steaming bag. "Aroma-therapy. With some work, we should have you all fixed up before you go home." (A/N: That's what I just got, but shit it's hot!)

Harry walked in the kitchen, to discover his chair decorated with balloons.

"Happy birthday!" He smiled.

"Thank you. You didn't have to do that."

"Sure we did."

They sat down and enjoyed a meal of all of Harry's favorites. After that, Mrs. Weasley brought out a cake with 14 candles lit.

"Make your wish.'

"I wish that this year is less eventful then the last!" Ron, Hermione, and Ginny laughed. Harry blew out the candles, and as soon as he got them all out, they all lit up again. Puzzled, Harry tried again. The same thing happened.

"Boy's," Mrs. Weasley said.

"Yes mum?" Fred and George said together.

"Did you use cursed candles?"

"We didn't think Harry would mind!" They said this together too, causing everybody to laugh.

"Oh well, I guess it would get boring anyway. I wonder what it's like to have a normal life."

They cut the cake, and then Mr. Weasley brought out a box. "Happy birthday Harry."

"Oh man, you really didn't have to get me anything."

"Well, we all got together and it's not much, but we hope you'll like it."

"Hey, the Dursleys gave me an apple peal this morning. Just being here is better then that."

"Harry," Ginny smiled. "Shut up and open it!"

"Yes ma'am." He pulled the paper off to discover a wizard radio.

"We knew you didn't have one, and over the summer it will keep you up to date with our world."

"Thank you so much. This means a lot to me."

Not too much longer after that, all of them were in Diagon Ally. Mrs. Weasley was allowing the four of them to go out on their own. After stopping at Gringotts, they set out.

First was the book store, of which they had to drag Hermione out of. Then they stopped for robes. Ginny was fine, but the other three were in need of new. Then they bought parchment and ink. When they stopped for potion supplies, Harry bought some that weren't on the list, just in case. Then they had some extra time to have some fun.

"Lets go to Quality Ouidditch Supplies!" Ginny said dragging them over.

"You like Ouidditch?"

"No, I just want to watch all the cute guys who do like it," she said sarcastically "Yes I like it! Always have."

They reached the window, in which was displayed three brooms. One, Harry recognized as his own.

"Man, I would kill for a Lightning," Ginny breathed.

"New brooms?" Harry asked.

"Not really. The Firebolt is still the fastest. It's a Seeker or Chaser broom. But there are two others in the series. The Thunderbolt is a Beater broom. It's built to hold still when you hit. And the Lightningbolt is a Keeper broom. It's faster then the Firebolt, but only for short spurts of speed, and it stops faster."

"Hey Gin, when did you become so interested in Ouidditch?" Ron asked.

"Forever, I just refuse to play with you guys, because you all knocked me of my first broom at three."

"Now Ron that wasn't very nice!" Hermione scolded.

Ginny and Harry let them pull ahead, continuing their fight on what Ron had done many years ago. "You've changed a lot over the summer."

"Not really. I told you I'm not shy around people I know. And Hermione told me so much I feel like I've known you for a few years now." She smiled. "She tells me the most intresting things."

"Wel- huh? Like what?" Ginny broke in to laughter and ran to catch up with the other two, Harry running after her.

All too soon for Harry's taste, he flew in through his open window. His many bags had weight-less charms, courtesy of Mr. Weasley. His birthday was over, and as he set up his radio, he decided it was the best he ever had.

Not too long after that, it was time to pack up his stuff. Sally was a challenge. He couldn't leave her, but he wasn't really sure if he was aloud to take her. He decided he would keep her a secret, then if he was caught he could play ignorant.

The whole summer the Dursleys had tried to make Harry do as much work as possible. This was mostly heavy lifting. But as he picked up his trunk easily, and carried down stairs without a problem, he didn't mind it so much.

Vernon didn't say a word as he drove Harry to the station. And as soon as Harry got his things out, the man sped away. Harry sighed, carrying his trunk and Hedwig in her cage. Sally was hidden around his waist under his shirt. He walked through the platform, to find the ussual crowd. Picking his way through carefully, he climbed onto an empty compartment. Leaving his stuff, he went back out to the crowd.

It was only a few minutes before the Weasleys and Hermione showed up. They all went in to Harry's compartment, and entertained themselves with childish Muggle games that Harry and Hermione explained for the rest of the ride.

(A/N: I'm so sorry this took so long! School is pounding the hell out of me! It's like they want to make you suffer as much as they possibly can before you get out for the year. Plus the fact that I broke up with a really good friend of mine and have been losing sleep ever since. Ahh the glory of sleeping pills! Anyway, this is a rather long one huh? To my penpal Jude, or Snow*Flake, I just want to bring you up. Since you are the only person from England I know, if you find anything wrong with this since it takes place over there and I know diddly squat about it, then E-mail me with it. All of you are welcome to E-mail me at KKismagic@aol.com, because I love to talk to you. I think I said that at the top though. Half of this story belongs to my friend Ally, and half of it belongs to the little green diskets with orange eyes that live in my desk. So I guess this story doesn't belong to me at all! Love you all, pease out.)