Harry had not tried to improve his image since the summer had began. He never felt like eating much and he seemed to have gotten skinnier by the minute. The loose skin which no longer had a purpose hung without restraint on his clearly visible rib cage. The shirts that Dudley Dursley had lent him were larger than usual. The "short" sleeves went passed his elbow and hung off his bony arms like robes while the rest went beyond his knees and hung effortlessly giving him the airy feeling that nothing was there to hide his chest from the world. He refused to leave the house, feeling to vulnerable in the muggle world, and had not had his hair cut for weeks, his already out of order black hair drooping in clumps past his ears. He hadn't even bothered to bathe. A distinct odor was now sensed every time Harry walked by, dirt was caking around his neck and eyes and under his fingernails. Even his glasses were slightly cracked from when Harry had almost stepped on them a week ago, they were marked by a tiny crack in the upper left hand corner, creeping like a spider web in every direction. He could tell they were also perched slightly crooked on his nose. Yet he didn't care. He didn't long to take the kind of refreshing showers the Dursley's took every morning, he didn't even long to be whisked away by Ron or Hermoine, or even Lupin. He only wished to by alone, or even with Sirius, but because that wasn't possible, the best he could do was to stay alone in a dark room, awaiting the inevitable It was later in the day, when the gray clouds were draping the suns golden rays in darkness when Hedwig arrived at Harry's closed window, carrying more mail than he had seen in his life. She carried from her feet three smaller envelopes. She also carried in her mouth one of the large, paper size envelopes, marked with a large red Hogwarts seal on the front. Harry opened his window and let the damp (it had been raining earlier) and exhausted Hedwig throw herself into Harry's room. Slowly, Harry extracted the envelopes from his owls mouth and laid her to rest. Tired yet curious, Harry first took the large one and ripped the wax seal from the top, continuing to anxiously open the letter. He pulled out a stiff piece of parchment, with fancy leaning letters written in recognizable top brand ink.

Mr. Harry Potter

Career Advisement and O.W.L results

Transfiguration-Exceeds Expectations Potions-Poor Herbology-Outstanding Defense Against the Dark Arts-Outstanding Astrology-Poor Care of Magical Creatures-Outstanding Divination-Dreadful History of Magic-Poor Career Advisement: Determined by your test results, your ideal job would most likely be working in the Ministry of Magic. If you are still looking to be an Auror, as discussed in your Career Advisory Session, it is suggested that you shall improve your work in Potions. Your suggested N.E.W.T classes will be determined after sixth year. Thank you for your time and effort, Minerva Mconnagle Albus Dumbledore

Harry stared at his results in slight disbelief. "Not bad, eh?" He said, turning to Hedwig, the only other living organism in his room. Staring at the stiff parchment again he forced a weak smile, proud of the small glimmer of hope of becoming an auror that was building in his stomach. With new found determination, Harry next ripped the top off one of the smaller envelopes and turned it upside down. A small piece of parchment fluttered out and landed gently on his bed. Harry turned it over and recognized Hermoine's writing.

Harry,
I've left my house to go stay with Ron at the Burrow. Lupin is staying with Ron, it will be a while before he will go back to Grimmauld. Mrs. And Mr. Weasley are trying to find a way to get you to the burrow before school starts. I hope the Muggles are treating you alright,
Hermoine

The second envelope was a relatively short letter from Lupin, addressed from the burrow.
Harry,
I'm staying with the Weasley's. Tonks and Moody have remained at Grimmauld. I hope the Muggles are treating you right. I hope to see you soon, Mr. Weasley is planning to rescue you from Privet drive soon. I received a copy of you O.W.L results. Good job! I commemorate your attempts to become an auror. I will hopefully see you soon.
Lupin P.S.-I have been given rights as your new godfather.

The last small envelope was bordered with various pictures of Ron's favorite quidditch team, the Chudley Cannons. Harry tore it open and slowly lay the pre-folded paper on his bed. It was slightly longer that the others and written after Hermoine and Lupin had already been at the burrow for a week.

Harry,
How is everything? Lupin and Hermoine have already been at our hose for a week, they told me they had already sent you letters about them staying here. How were your O.W.L's? I can't believe how well I did!! Hermoine got outstanding on practically everything. She's too predictable! I hope everything is going alright, dad sais that it will be alright to come get you in another week. Most likely, Fred and George can apparate and turn something in your room into a portkey. Business is booming for them, they offer there undying gratitude for what you did for them. Dad sais they have another girl defense against the dark arts teacher to replace umbridge, I hope she's not as bad! We're going to be needing a new quidditch captain, and its all up to you now mate! We're missing a lot of people from the team, and I'd really like to resign. See you soon, mate. Fred and George will be here in about a week.
Ron

Harry couldn't help but grin at Ron's letter. It reminded him more of the tie and obligation he had to the wizarding world. And an almost excitement of being back on his broom. It felt as though he had been numb since summer had begun, and feeling was beginning to creep back into him. He suddenly could feel the dirt that was growing on him, the weakness that had been possessing him, and a horrible eruption of hunger that had been growing in his stomach. He knew that his Aunt and Uncle were in the kitchen enjoying desert as the day drew to a close, and for once, he thought he might join them.
As he reached the kitchen, the almost joyful feeling he felt was drained again. The scrumptious desert that Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia had been enjoying was finished and they forced him to clean up as soon as he had showed his face downstairs. Not willing to argue, Harry scooped up the rather large empty ice cream bowls and dropped them in the sink. He was half-hearing the news coming from the TV but most of the sound was covered with the sound of the rushing faucet water as he dropped globs of dish soap onto the dirty bowls and scraped at them with his sponge. He was half way through the thorough cleaning of the second bowl when something on the news made him drop the bowl back into the sink, splattering him with dishwater and clashing with the other pots and dishes already in the sink.
"Delores Umbridge, a high government official, has mistakenly become in contact with a letter about the whereabouts of alleged murderer, Sirius Black. She was happy to surrender the letter to us, although we are still unsure of a few code words that was used in the letter. It reads as follows. 'To whom it may concern at Azkaban, I have gained the knowledge, as I was there when it happened, that your convicted felon, Sirius Black, is dead. I assure you of this fact and hope that you will stop telling the muggle ministry such lies of his whereabouts and you will discontinue your search. Thank you, Remus Lupin.' Government officials and scientists are attempting to gain knowledge of the meaning of certain words such as 'azkaban' and 'muggle.' We also hope to find Lupin for further questioning. If you have any knowledge as to the whereabouts of either Black or Lupin please contact us by phone at 555-6342. Thank you."
Harry felt the pit of his stomach drop to the floor. Umbridge was still at large, now contacting even the muggles to gang against Harry. Harry's legs gave out, leaving him on the Dursley's linoleum kitchen floor, with a face as white as snow. Uncle Vernon appeared on top of him in an instant, his six chins wobbling back and forth. "What is it? Do you know anything about this boy?" Harry's uncle asked harshly. "Well?"
"No, no." Harry muttered as he slowly found his balance and began to walk upstairs, not even sure of where he was going. Umbridge had intercepted Lupin's letter of information to Azkaban and had given it willingly to the Muggle government. Harry's stomach continued to drop, leaving an empty, nervous space. Harry wasn't sure what to do or say. He wasn't sure whether or not the Order was even safe, it seemed no teams of people could work against Voldemort now. It didn't matter what the sorting hat or Dumbledore could say about unity with one another, it seemed as though it was every wizard, witch, or muggle for themselves.