The Paths We Take
By Ged
Disclaimer: I know most of you aren't going to read this anyway so I'll make it brief; I do not own Harry Potter or any of its astounding characters. They and everything else in the HP universe are owned by J. K. Rowling. Just about everything in existence is copyrighted these days so really nothing here is mine.
A/N: This is my first official fanfic. Let me know what you think. Constructive criticisms are welcome, but flamers had best turn back now.
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Chapter 2: Correspondence
Another cold and lonely night was crawling by at number 4 Privet Drive as Harry lay awake in his bed. Time no longer had meaning for him; every passing minute felt like an eternity as his dreams, while previously nothing to smile about, paled in comparison to the nightmarish images he'd been subjected to for the last few days. Realizing that sleep was miles away, Harry got up and walked over to the makeshift desk in the corner, on which rested a half-finished letter to Ron.
Suddenly, Harry heard faint tapping on his window. Gazing over to the window, he saw the familiar face of Pig and two other unknown owls, one a bright tawny color and the other was a snowy owl similar to Hedwig. The two owls landed on Harry's desk, and waited patiently as Harry untethered the letters attached to their legs, and the small package carried by the unknown snowy owl. With an appreciative hoot, each owl flew out of the room as Pig constantly twitted and flew around the room, giving Harry's head an occasional peck, happy he completed his mission. After a few minutes laughing at its antics, Harry snatched Pig from the air. As he continued fluttering about in his hands, Harry removed the letter from Pig's leg, and then tossed him out the window. Unfolding the letter, he began reading:
Hey, Harry! I've got some bad news for you...Dumbledore says that he won't allow you to stay at the Burrow this summer...I dunno why, Mum's been pelting him with owls for ages and he still wouldn't say a word. I reckon he wants to keep you safe after what happened over the past two terms, though I can't think of any place safer than the Burrow right about now. Dad says Dumbledore has his reasons, and I think he knows more than he's letting on. Ginny and I stopped down at Fred and George's new store the other day. You wouldn't believe all the joke stuff they managed to create. You have no idea what you set into motion the day you gave them that money. We've been hearing more explosions than usual from their room, and their jokes are springing up all over the house. From the rate at which they're making their jokes, you'd think that someone is helping them. There is no way that two kids can turn out as much as they did in such a short amount of time. Did you hear from Hermione about going to Bulgaria to see that git, Vicky? I asked her about it like a thousand times and she just stopped answering. I swear, the nerve of her! Anyway I gotta run. I just heard another explosion from the kitchen, and Mum's taking her rage out on anyone in the house!
Ron
After finishing with Ron's letter, Harry turned to the brightly-colored tawny owl's letter and right from reading the handwriting on the envelope he knew it was from Hermione Granger, one of Harry's first friends upon his arrival to Hogwarts. Nobody cared enough about their handwriting to make it that neat except Hermione. He tore open the envelope and read
Dear Harry,
I'm sure that Ron has owled you by now, asking for information about me and Viktor. I can assure you that there is nothing between us, but don't tell Ron. I want to make him suffer a little first. Anyway, how has your summer been going with the Dursleys? I saw some well-known wizards and witches talking to them about something when we got off the train. I hope it's nothing serious. So what do you think of my new owl, Persephone? She was a birthday gift from my parents. She's absolutely gorgeous! I'm really really scared about getting my OWL results; I don't know how I did. I think I did rather well, except in...
Harry continued to read Hermione's letter, going over how she thought she did on each aspect of the exams. Finally, after 3 pages, Harry came to the end.
I'm going to be going over to the Burrow at the end of the month, so if you want to keep in touch you can owl me there. (I'm going for Ginny, not that prat Ron!)
Love from,
Hermione
Harry allowed himself a chuckle at the end of her letter. When would those two ever realize how perfect they were for each other? Harry was certainly no expert in the field of romance; his "date" (if you could call it that) with Cho Chang the year before was not what you would call a very romantic experience. If he recalled correctly, it ended with her in tears and him in a very bad mood. However even he could see how obviously smitten his two friends were. Harry finally turned to the letter delivered by the mysterious snowy owl. He didn't recognize the handwriting, so he very carefully opened it and started reading
Harry,
It's me, Ginny. I hope you'll actually read this and not just toss it out because you don't recognize the owl and are paranoid about dark wizards sending you portkeys, like back during the third task. I just wanted to let you know that I have been through very similar things, and if you ever want to talk about it, my faithful owl Bill would be more than happy to help exchange correspondence. My brother Bill bought him for me as a birthday present but couldn't get him to me until I got home so I decided to name the owl after him. Anyway, it's so boring around here. Ron is off stewing about Hermione every day and Fred and George are keeping to themselves mostly. The only things that keep it interesting around here are the random wheezes that pop up in random places. I think Fred and George charmed them to do that. Also, Mum told me to send you some food, just in case those damn Dursleys are starving you again. Well I gotta run, one of their whiz-bangs just went off and Mum's screaming like a banshee. Don't forget about what I said. I'll be here if you need me.
With love,
Ginny
For the first time that summer, Harry allowed himself to smile, a genuine smile, free of worry or doubt. He wasn't sure what caused it, but there was something about his friends that just kept him strong. He moved to open the box of food from the Weasleys, when there was suddenly a burst of flame on his bed, and Fawkes appeared with a loud, spine-tingling cry. Harry noticed he was holding a letter in his beak, and made quick work of opening it. He instantly recognized Professor Dumbledore's neat, loopy handwriting.
Dear Mr. Potter,
I feel that the events of the previous year should be taken into full account, and preparations be made. You are the one destined to defeat Lord Voldemort, though I'm sure you would face him anyway, feeling responsible for all the destruction he has caused. The time has come that you be made ready for the final battle, and only one man alive can prepare you the way you must. It is with that thought in mind that I would like to request that, shortly after you receive this letter, pack all of your belongings and hold onto Fawkes' tail feathers. He will take you to a secret location where you shall begin your training an old friend of mine, Master Toomin. Oh, and let those kind relatives of yours know that you won't be coming back until next summer.
Most sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
After coming to the end of the letter, Harry jumped up and packed all of his belongings. His aunt and uncle had seemed much more lenient this summer with his belongings, and so Harry was allowed to keep them all in his room, so long as "nobody can see hide nor hair of that damn FREAK stuff."
Triple checking his trunk to make sure he had not forgotten anything, Harry finally slammed the lid down and locked it. He scribbled a quick note to the Dursleys, letting them know that he was leaving and won't be back until next summer. Harry Potter grabbed onto the beautiful golden plumage of Fawkes's tail and in a burst of flame, departed Privet Drive for places unknown.
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Well there you go guys, chapter two. I know it's moving along slowly right now, but things will pick up once Harry begins his training. Unfortunately, I will be going away to a sleep away camp as of July 20th, and I will not be back until August 17th. I can assure you though; I will probably have at least another two chapters ready to be uploaded when I get home. They give us a lot of free time. Don't forget, more reviews=longer chapters. So please review!