Chapter 2: Mail Surprises



Today was Dudley's 16th birthday. He was woken up by surprise when a strong scream came from the front yard. Harry woke with a start, ran down the stairs and out the door without bothering to change out of his pajamas. He looked over to the driveway where Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia were admiring their son Dudley and he jumped into what appeared to be a brand new Covetable. It was pure red with a solid structure. Harry couldn't believe his eyes, the must of paid a fortune for this. He looked over at the now slim driver and was ready to shout out at the whole family when he heard,

"Hey Harry, want to go for a spin?"

He looked over at Dudley and lowered his brows as if asking, "Are you serious?"

"Come on, jump in."

Harry cautiously jumped in and looked over at his Aunt and Uncle, who were now looking completely stunned. They skidded out of the driveway. Harry could have sworn he saw his Aunt and Uncle chasing after them as they turned the corner.

"Okay, one question, why am I here?" Harry asked, not knowing what was going on

"I've been reading the paper lately," he through over what looked like the front page of the Daily Prophet, "and I just want to tell you to be careful when you return to that school of yours."

Harry looked at the paper, absolutely stunned.

"H-How did you get this?"

"I saw one on your bed and noticed the moving pictures, I found them rather amusing, and so I sent an order out. I was actually quite surprised when I noticed there was an article about you in every paper.

"But how did you get this?"

"Harry, if you don't want me finding out about your world, you have to stop leaving stuff lying around."

At that moment, they pulled back into the driveway. Harry noticed his Aunt approaching him with such anger, he thought was about to be strangled.

"What did you do to him?" she bellowed out.

"Mom, it's okay, just wanted to talk to him."

Harry jumped out of the car and made his way past them. He opened the door and walked up the stairs, listen to his aunt and uncle seemingly yelling at Dudley. It was actually kind of sad, he did nothing wrong, though it would be wrong in the mind of his aunt and uncle. He should help him out, no, that be too weird, plus, he was old enough. Then he noticed the paper in his hand, his face plastered on the front page. He should ask Dudley if he could borrow the newspaper every once in a while. He closed the door behind him as he entered his room and noticed a brown owl sitting on his bed, with a letter around its ankle. Lucky thing Hedwig was away, or they would have been fighting right then and there. Harry had noticed that she had become feistier over the summer.

At that moment, the smallest owl he had seen came flying through the window, followed closely by open-mouthed Hedwig, who seemed to think of Pig as a new chew toy. Harry grabbed Pig out of midair, which stopped Hedwig right in her tracks. Harry carefully took the note from Hedwig and put her in her cage. He then took the letter from Pig and put him on the bed next to the brown owl, who seemed very amused by the whole incident. After calming down Hedwig, he opened the letter from Pig.



Harry,



I've been trying to keep this secret from you the whole summer. As soon as you get your school simply list, open it. I think you'll be very surprised. I've had the privilege of reading the book over the summer. As soon as you get your list, you'll know. Anyway, Fred and George have invented a few new products, luckily were not the unknown testers anymore. There is no way that mom is going to stop them after you gave them that money. Oh, since you don't get the news, I might as well tell you. Fudge still won't accept the fact that Voldemort is back, and is being threatened to be discharged, since most of the ministry actually thinks he's back. Okay, and write back soon, we can pick you up in two weeks if you want to stay with us for the last month of break.

-Ron



Harry wondered why Ron wanted to open his school list so fast, he had never been excited about school and especially not a book. Then he knew that that was why the there was a brown owl o his bed. He jumped after the owl, which, being quite frightened, jumped out of the way at hooted at him. It took a little convincing to get the owl to come back down, but not to much later, it dropped the letter and swooped out the window. Harry opened it as fast as he could, accidentally tearing off a corner part of the letter and read,



Dear Mr. Potter,



All 5th year students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are to have,





*Standard book of Spells: Year 5 by Miranda Goshawk

*Hogwarts: A History by Bathilda Bagshot

*Making Potions is making Masters by Arsenius Jigger

*Charmful Charms by Adalbert Waffling

*The True Story of You-Know-Who by Albus Dumbledore

*The Wonders of Astronomy: Books 2 & 3 by Bathilda Bagshot

*Divination's Ways by Emeric Switch

*Creatures of the Sea by Newt Scamander



And may buy, if they wish,



*Ministry's True Magic by Cornelius Fudge

*Ginny Remember... by Ginny Weasley

*The Muggle way by Newt Scamander



And if on, or wishing to be on a Quidditch team, may purchase,



*Seeker Secrets by Kurt Alexander

*Keepers Kradle by Kurt Alexander

*Beater Blood by Kurt Alexander

*Chasers Chance by Kurt Alexander



Harry looked at the list for a long time. He was surprised to see that Dumbledore had written a book about You-Know-Who, but as he made his way down the list, he was even more surprised by, Ginny Remember...; she had actually written a book. Harry was amazed; Ginny had never talked about the incident with Tom in her first year since it happened. Now she wrote a book on it. He could see why Ron was so excited. He couldn't wait to get his hand on it, and read. He remembered when he heard that Ginny was kidnapped in his second year. The Chamber of Secrets was open and she was gone. Harry was able to save her, but they never talked about it since. Harry then remembered the message that Hedwig had brought. It would be from Hermione, since he sent her an owl to ask how she was doing over at the Krum's house. He opened the letter and read,



Harry,



I've come home for the rest of the summer. I'm not sure if it's going to work out with him, plus my parents wanted me home because of the news of You-Know-Who. I'd rather not talk about it. Oh, did you get your Hogwarts letter? It's so exciting! I'm hoping to make it to Ron's for the rest of the summer. I can't believe she actually wrote about it! Anyway, hope to see you there soon.

-Hermione



He stood there for a few minutes; he had just been blasted with so much information. Ginny had written a book about the Chamber of Secrets, Hermione seemed to have broken up with Krum, Dumbledore had written about Voldemort, and when looking over the Quidditch books, he had remembered that his team was going to need a new Catcher and Caption, but who? He decided to write to Ron first, to get Pig on his way and be able to let Hedwig out. She was still fluttering around in her cage and seemed disgusted that she was in there while her dinner was out there. Harry grabbed a piece of parchment and a quail from under his bed and started writing,



Ron,



WOW! Ginny actually wrote about it. I need to read it. Pick me up as soon as you can, I think my aunt and uncle might just try and starve me again. Just tell me how you're coming beforehand. Did you also see the book Dumbledore wrote on You-Know-Who? Some of the books changed, I wonder why, but it looks like were going to be studying Sea Creatures. Congratulate you sister for me, and did you hear the news about Hermione and Krum? See you soon.

-Harry



Harry grabbed the frightened owl from the bed, who seemed to be avoiding the eyes of Hedwig, who was now beaming down on him. He tied the not, which was larger then the owl, to its ankle. He shoved it out the window and watched it drop a few feet before it got the strength and headed off. He quickly shut the window and walked of to Hedwig's cage. She glared up at him, angry that he had just let his lunch fly away. Harry let her out and was surprised to get a set of white wings flapped in his face. Hedwig then flew to the other side of the room. She parched herself on the furthest dresser and glared at him.

Harry had decided to not to send a note to Hermione. He would talk to her when they met at the burrow. He didn't want to make her mad by asking questions about Krum, plus he had become just a little afraid of Hedwig and didn't want to disturb her. He decided to take out some summer school work, which he almost had done, to pass the time.

Harry was just putting the final touches on his Potions exam, with was the last thing he had to do when,

"HARRY! DINNER!" The roar had most definitely come from Uncle Vernon.

He put his stuff away under his bed and hurried downstairs. He noticed a pizza guy at the front door as he walked to the kitchen. For most kids, this would be an excitement, but for Harry, it meant the smallest piece with the most anchovies and skim milk on the side. He walked into the kitchen and saw Dudley talking to his father. He quickly took his seat at the table we screaming erupted at the front door,

"FIFTH-TEEN POUNDS!?!?!?!?"

Harry snickered under his hands and noticed Dudley was doing the same as Uncle Vernon went to help solve the argument. Some five minutes later, they returned with the pizza and fifth-teen dollars still in hand.

"Do we have a dead pizza guy on our front porch?" Muttered Dudley surprised that they brought both back.

"He just got scared and ran away," explained Aunt Petunia.

"Right," Dudley retorted.

Aunt Petunia placed the pizza on the table and was ready to sit down when the telephone started ringing.

"Blasted telephone, can't they see were trying to eat," she spat as she went to pick it up.

"Hello," she said as Uncle Vernon passed him the greenest piece of pizza he had ever seen. "Why?" At this note, the three of them turned to watch the conversation since she so easily got ticked off. "We're trying to eat here...fine I'll give you five minutes." She took her mouth off the telephone and turned to the 'family'. Dudley was standing up, thinking it was one of his friends, and Harry was still trying to pick off all the anchovies that were flaking off his piece of pizza.

"Dudley, sit down," she snarled, "Harry, it's for you"

Uncle Vernon seemed even more surprised that Dudley of himself. He got up and slowly took the phone from Aunt Petunia.

"Be quick about it," She snarled.

"Hello?" he said hesitantly, not knowing who it could be.

"Harry, is that you?" The voice sounded quite different, it was obviously feminine, but he couldn't pick up on who it was.

"Yep...Who is this?" Thinking it might be Hermione.

"Oh, sorry, this is Ginny." She suddenly started to giggle, and Harry stood there stunned, it didn't sound anything like her, but maybe that was because they never really talked.

"Wow...so why'd you call," just remembering Ron's invitation.

"Ya, umm...well, Ron said we could pick you up next week, but were going to be busy. Do you want us to pick you up tomorrow morning?"

"Hurry up, boy!" Came a shout from the kitchen.

"Umm, sure, I think they want me out of here as soon as possible anyway," as he scrambled back into the conversation.

"Okay, will be there a little before ten...and Harry, I'd like to say I'm sorry."

"What...Why?" Now very overwhelmed and confused.

"I thought about telling you before I put you in my book, but I'd ruin the surprise...you were surprised, right?"

"Yes, definitely, but you don't need to be sorry, it's fine if I'm in it."

"I just know you don't"- the line suddenly went dead. He looked over and saw that Uncle Vernon had disconnected him. He felt the like strangling him or get his wand and...

"What was that for?" he spat out

"It seems you veered of the subject of leaving," who must have been listening to the entire conversation.

"I'll be leaving tomorrow morning...and I'm not hungry," as he stomped off.

He was making his way up the stairs when he just realized that he'd be leaving tomorrow. He hurried his pace and entered his room. He opened the door and heard some hooting. He looked over at Hedwig's cage and noticed more than ten other owls were surrounding and imitating her. She looked like she'd die of embarrassment. He went over to scare them away. Accidentally hitting some, they flew over to his bed, dropped their letter and, with a hoot, flew out the window.

Harry walked over to his bed to see what they had left him, when he looked over at the other side of his room and noticed almost 20 more owls perched on his bookshelf. They were all of different colors and were sitting quietly, just looking at him. He noticed they all had letters in their claws. He walked over and grabbed the letter from the nearest owl before he shot right owl the window. He continued with the rest of them until he had nearly twenty letters in hand. He walked off to the other letters and laid down on his bed. He began tearing open the letters and reading.





The best book I've ever read, I can't believe you saved her life.

-Tanya



How do keep doing it...you've saved us and Hogwarts so many times.

-Miriam



Exciting story, I hope you'll be okay now that You-Know-Who is back.

-Tyler



Ohhhhh...WOW, you really are the best wizard ever to walk the Earth.

-Samantha



Really...Oh, I so want to meet you now.

- Ness



Did you always know you were so amazing?

-Chris



Exactly what I thought you'd be like; I so want to meet you in person.

-Samuel



Really, I do think you're kind of cute.

- Amber



Oh My God, You're SOOOOOO Brave.

-Ecstatic Amber



From the day I heard that you survived, I knew I'd LOOOOVE YOOOOOU!!!

-Overly Ecstatic Amber



That was so brave of you, I can't wait till I get in to Hogwarts to meet you.

-Now Amazed Amber



Hehehehehe, this is like my hundredth message to you. Why don't you write back?

-Amber In love



Exactly how did you get so famous? I mean you're just as worthless as a mudblood.

-Daniel Malfoy



Perhaps we'll meet at Hogwarts this year.

-Mysterious Writer





How on Earth can I send you SO MANY MESSAGES AND YOU DON"T RETURN A SINGLE ONE!?!??!?!

-Angrily In Love Amber



Okay, so we made it through our first fight. Are we still friends???

-Sympathetic Amber



EEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!! Why do you say his name, he is He-Who-Must-NOT-Be named!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- She-Who-Was-Never-Named



Not to get mad or anything, BUT YOU STILL HAVEN"T WRITTEN BACK!!!!! THIS IS MY 1,895 MESSAGE AND YOU STILL HAVEN'T RESPONDED!!! YA, so what if I count them...

-Amber having second thoughts



Intentional, all this was intentional. Haven't you learned that you have to save the world and EVERY Single person on this bloody planet?

- Daniel Malfoy



xzactely wat do yuo maen. i don't not get nothing. NO SENSE MAKEY!!!

-scottw



Depending on how you look at it, I could really like you or really hate you right now. Ohhhhh, but look at that face, I can never stay mad at you.

-Krista



Expecting that make calculations are correct (which they are) the score is now 2,306-0. YOU SEE THAT 0, THAT'S YOU!!! WRITE ME BACKKKKKKKKK!!!

-Amber having third thoughts



Perhaps you should just fall over and die. I hope the Dark Lord kills you very soon.

- Daniel Malfoy



Expect the Unexpected. Never thought it was true...until I met you.

- Mysterious Writer



Nothing can stop the Dark Lord from killing all of you now.

-Dark Lord II



Destruction will come, you can do nothing now.

-Dark Lord III



Something tells me you should not go to Hogwarts this year.

-Dobby the House Elf



Only you can stop him now, we're behind you all the way.

-Mysterious Writer on behalf of the wizarding World



Now you must choose. You may never have to the chose again. Our world is nothing without you.

-Mysterious Writer



How do you do it, our world is too much to handle, you will need help, never refuse.

-Mysterious Writer





Exacted Score - 3000-0, I have wasted too much time on you.

-Amber giving up





Right Harry, if you've guessed by now, these is Fan Mail (and some Hate Mail). We have averted every single letter to you since we left you with the Dursleys, so you wouldn't find out to early in life. You are now aloud to get to it any time you want. It is at a safe place at Hogwarts, just wanted to let you know of this.

-Dumbledore



P.S.-You may want to look at what this Mysterious Writer is about and you might not want to send anything to Amber, she seems pretty mad.





Harry sat back, amazed by all of this. He had started to wonder why he never got any Fan Mail (Even though he didn't care). He picked up the letters put them in the suitcase and started packing. He would be away from his Aunt and Uncle soon enough.