Chapter 2 - Letters
All the time while Harry had been training with Dudley, Ron and Hermione had been sending him letters, full of worry and with offers to talk about what happened to Sirius. Harry found these letters extremely annoying. They clearly conveyed his friends' feelings that he couldn't look after himself. Hermione even went as far as to remind him at the end of every letter "not to do anything stupid, it's not worth it". After a couple of these letters, Harry just didn't bother to reply to most of them, getting in touch once a week, telling in a short letter that he was fine. However, about 2 weeks after he came back he received a letter from someone whose handwriting he didn't recognise
Dear Harry
I hope you're having a good summer, and you're well. Ron and Hermione are worried sick. I know you're ok, and I think I know the reason you aren't replying to many of their letters, so I won't mention it.
Everything is as usual around here. Fred and George are still living at home so we are the victims of their untested products. It's amazing how much they've invented since they left school. They want to put a big picture of you up in the shop, proclaiming you as their benefactor, but they won't if you don't like it. I'm really glad you gave them the money. It'd be so boring around it if you hadn't, and Fred and George would be completely stuck for a job.
When he's not moaning about you not writing back, Ron talks about nothing else but Hermione. I assumed last year that it was just a crush and he would get over it, but now I honestly believe that he's in love with her, (believe me, crushes are very difficult to get over.) Un fortunately for him, Hermione is only talking about O.W.L.s, which he is avoiding talking about.
I broke up with Dean already. All he talked about was this thing called football, and how stupid Parvati's new boyfriend was. I made him admit that he liked Parvati so that was that.
Bill and Charlie are coming home for the last few weeks of our holidays. If mum can get Dumbledore's permission, so are you. It's not a question, it's an order. No progress on the Percy front. To tell you the truth, I am glad.
Hope the muggles aren't too bad.
Love
Ginny
Harry looked at Ginny's letter for a long time. He couldn't quite explain what he was feeling. One thing he was sure about was that for the first time this holiday; he felt that one of his friends understood him. For the first time this holiday, he was glad one of his friends wrote to him, and began his reply
Dear Ginny
For the first time this summer I am glad that someone sent me an owl. I'm having a really good summer. Dudley and me have patched up our old differences and are now really good friends.
Just to let you know, you are right about why I haven't replied to many of Ron or Hermione's letter. You seem to understand me better than they do and you don't know how grateful I am. I appreciate you not talking about it.
I'm glad that Fred and George are putting the money to good effect. If they want, they can put that picture of me up. It's about time I got some good publicity. Speaking of which, what are the Daily Prophet saying about me. Are they grovelling an apology to me yet?
It sounds like Ron has finally realised his feelings for Hermione. This gives us blackmail material and a plan to think of together. I really noticed after the Yule Ball, but did you see it before that? You are probably better at seeing those kinds of things than me. As for the O.W.L.s. piece of cake. Someone as clever as you has nothing to worry about.
I'm sorry to hear that things didn't work out with Dean, but the blokes around Hogwarts will be delighted when they hear you are single again.
I hope I can come to the Burrow, for the last couple of weeks, but it doesn't matter if I can't. It would be great to see you again though.
Keep writing
Love
Harry
Harry studied the letter for a while. Satisfied, he sent it off with Hedwig, who had had very little to do all summer. He thought about the letter again. There was no harm in a bit of flirting. Besides, he didn't lead her on. And he wasn't even lying. Towards the end of last year, Harry heard many guys talking about 'fit Ginny Weasly'. In fact, as early as last Christmas, Harry had more than acknowledged the fact that Ginny was a very attractive girl.
With Harry and Dudley training everyday, and regular letters arriving from Ginny, as well as the odd one from Dean or Seamus, Harry's summer passed very quickly. Ginny had told when she sent him his birthday present, a photo of him, her, Ron and Hermione together next to the lake, that they would floo to his house and pick him up the next day. Dudley was upset but he said it wasn't unexpected.
At midday the next day, Ron materialised out of the fire in the living room. Harry was already waiting for him.
"Harry, mate, how you doing? Are you ok? Are you -?
"Yes, I'm fine, Ron, as I keep telling you." Ron grinned
"We're just worried about you"
"And I appreciate it. You just need to relax a bit"
"Well, let's go. Hermione's still worried about you"
"Believe me I know. Wait there one sec." Harry went to the door of the room and called Dudley.
"Are you leaving already?" Dudley asked, as he walked in.
"Yeah, sorry mate."
"Nah, I knew you would, you always do, right?"
"Seriously Dud, thanks. This has been the best summer ever."
"Yeah, we should've done it 15 years ago, huh?"
"Yeah, well, you let me know how that fight goes. I helped you train that much."
"I will, mate. And you keep in touch this year. I might even talk mum and dad into getting me an owl." Harry chuckled weakly. He never thought he'd be so sad to see the back of Dudley.
"I'll miss you, bruv" said Harry. (A/N. 'bruv' - short for 'brother')
"I'll miss you too, mate." And, to Ron's amazement, Harry and Dudley shook hands, then pulled each other into a hug.
"Take care"
"You too" And with that Harry and Ron disappeared, and a second later, found themselves in the kitchen of the Burrow.
All the time while Harry had been training with Dudley, Ron and Hermione had been sending him letters, full of worry and with offers to talk about what happened to Sirius. Harry found these letters extremely annoying. They clearly conveyed his friends' feelings that he couldn't look after himself. Hermione even went as far as to remind him at the end of every letter "not to do anything stupid, it's not worth it". After a couple of these letters, Harry just didn't bother to reply to most of them, getting in touch once a week, telling in a short letter that he was fine. However, about 2 weeks after he came back he received a letter from someone whose handwriting he didn't recognise
Dear Harry
I hope you're having a good summer, and you're well. Ron and Hermione are worried sick. I know you're ok, and I think I know the reason you aren't replying to many of their letters, so I won't mention it.
Everything is as usual around here. Fred and George are still living at home so we are the victims of their untested products. It's amazing how much they've invented since they left school. They want to put a big picture of you up in the shop, proclaiming you as their benefactor, but they won't if you don't like it. I'm really glad you gave them the money. It'd be so boring around it if you hadn't, and Fred and George would be completely stuck for a job.
When he's not moaning about you not writing back, Ron talks about nothing else but Hermione. I assumed last year that it was just a crush and he would get over it, but now I honestly believe that he's in love with her, (believe me, crushes are very difficult to get over.) Un fortunately for him, Hermione is only talking about O.W.L.s, which he is avoiding talking about.
I broke up with Dean already. All he talked about was this thing called football, and how stupid Parvati's new boyfriend was. I made him admit that he liked Parvati so that was that.
Bill and Charlie are coming home for the last few weeks of our holidays. If mum can get Dumbledore's permission, so are you. It's not a question, it's an order. No progress on the Percy front. To tell you the truth, I am glad.
Hope the muggles aren't too bad.
Love
Ginny
Harry looked at Ginny's letter for a long time. He couldn't quite explain what he was feeling. One thing he was sure about was that for the first time this holiday; he felt that one of his friends understood him. For the first time this holiday, he was glad one of his friends wrote to him, and began his reply
Dear Ginny
For the first time this summer I am glad that someone sent me an owl. I'm having a really good summer. Dudley and me have patched up our old differences and are now really good friends.
Just to let you know, you are right about why I haven't replied to many of Ron or Hermione's letter. You seem to understand me better than they do and you don't know how grateful I am. I appreciate you not talking about it.
I'm glad that Fred and George are putting the money to good effect. If they want, they can put that picture of me up. It's about time I got some good publicity. Speaking of which, what are the Daily Prophet saying about me. Are they grovelling an apology to me yet?
It sounds like Ron has finally realised his feelings for Hermione. This gives us blackmail material and a plan to think of together. I really noticed after the Yule Ball, but did you see it before that? You are probably better at seeing those kinds of things than me. As for the O.W.L.s. piece of cake. Someone as clever as you has nothing to worry about.
I'm sorry to hear that things didn't work out with Dean, but the blokes around Hogwarts will be delighted when they hear you are single again.
I hope I can come to the Burrow, for the last couple of weeks, but it doesn't matter if I can't. It would be great to see you again though.
Keep writing
Love
Harry
Harry studied the letter for a while. Satisfied, he sent it off with Hedwig, who had had very little to do all summer. He thought about the letter again. There was no harm in a bit of flirting. Besides, he didn't lead her on. And he wasn't even lying. Towards the end of last year, Harry heard many guys talking about 'fit Ginny Weasly'. In fact, as early as last Christmas, Harry had more than acknowledged the fact that Ginny was a very attractive girl.
With Harry and Dudley training everyday, and regular letters arriving from Ginny, as well as the odd one from Dean or Seamus, Harry's summer passed very quickly. Ginny had told when she sent him his birthday present, a photo of him, her, Ron and Hermione together next to the lake, that they would floo to his house and pick him up the next day. Dudley was upset but he said it wasn't unexpected.
At midday the next day, Ron materialised out of the fire in the living room. Harry was already waiting for him.
"Harry, mate, how you doing? Are you ok? Are you -?
"Yes, I'm fine, Ron, as I keep telling you." Ron grinned
"We're just worried about you"
"And I appreciate it. You just need to relax a bit"
"Well, let's go. Hermione's still worried about you"
"Believe me I know. Wait there one sec." Harry went to the door of the room and called Dudley.
"Are you leaving already?" Dudley asked, as he walked in.
"Yeah, sorry mate."
"Nah, I knew you would, you always do, right?"
"Seriously Dud, thanks. This has been the best summer ever."
"Yeah, we should've done it 15 years ago, huh?"
"Yeah, well, you let me know how that fight goes. I helped you train that much."
"I will, mate. And you keep in touch this year. I might even talk mum and dad into getting me an owl." Harry chuckled weakly. He never thought he'd be so sad to see the back of Dudley.
"I'll miss you, bruv" said Harry. (A/N. 'bruv' - short for 'brother')
"I'll miss you too, mate." And, to Ron's amazement, Harry and Dudley shook hands, then pulled each other into a hug.
"Take care"
"You too" And with that Harry and Ron disappeared, and a second later, found themselves in the kitchen of the Burrow.