Disclaimer: This is purely a writing exercise borrowing the background and
characters from the Harry Potter series by J.K Rowlings. The only profit I
hope to make is my own personal satisfaction.
***
Summary: Summer after 5th year, Harry enters the adult world. He learns to trust, himself and others, as the war approaches and chaos reigns. (not slash) (hp/?)(hg/rw)
Chapter 1: A Pleasant Summer Day
Sunlight was streaming through the open window right onto his face. Ron cursed as he stepped out of his bed to pull the blinds down.
Gah! It was of no use! He was too awake. He stretched and started getting his bath things together. Ginny was singing shrilly in the bathroom, it was sign that she was drying her hair, and that the shower would soon be free. Ron realized he knew a lot of these little facts about his family members. These little facts were essential to ones survival when one lived in such a big family. However, the family was growing smaller. The twins had left to live in their bachelor pad above the shop in Diagon Alley, and Percy ... Well the less he thought about Percy, the better.
Ron wondered whether one day he would have forgotten those little facts about his siblings. One day, when they all had their own families. Shaking himself out of his reverie he started pounding on the bathroom door.
He heard a shriek from inside and smiled contently. At least he had his baby sister with him this summer.
Ginny stormed past him muttering about idiot brothers.
Brunch was good. His mother had left chicken sandwiches and a list of chores for them. She was away for some Order business.
Ginny seemed to have forgotten about the bathroom episode, and was humming to herself as she cleaned behind the stove.
"You seem to be in a good mood"
Ginny turned around, smiled archly and said, "Well, I am! Dean wrote to me"
"Dean!" Ron exploded. "That git better watch out! What do you see in him anyways?"
Ginny's eyes narrowed dangerously, but instead of replying she threw her rag down and stalked out of the room with a warning glare.
'First Corner and now Dean.... Why did she have to grow up! She was his little sister and she better the heck act like a little sister should' Ron grudgingly turned his thoughts away from that issue and took a look at the list of chores.
Laundry wasn't so bad, except for the fact that someone had to stay with the laundry and make sure the muggle washer his dad had charmed didn't start smoking as it frequently did. But, basement was dim and cool, and the constant sloshing of the water was nice and soothing. Ron took out the parchment and quill he had grabbed earlier and sat down on the folding table.
Dear Hermione,
How is your summer starting? Mine is relaxed so far. It's great not to have any homework. I figure though that we all have earned a break after those crazy OWLS. I heard from dad that the results may be a bit delayed, and I couldn't be happier!
Fred and George have moved out to a flat above their shop. Mum and Dad are never home anymore either. So, it's really quiet around here. In any case, I had a little fight with Ginny today. I can't understand what she sees about all these guys she is dating! Seems like she has lost her crush over the "Boy who Lived" and now has crushes on just about any Boy. I guess I will cut this short now. I think I will send off a note to Harry. Has he written to you at all? Hope those muggles treat him better this summer. Love from, Ron
Ron started to write his note to Harry, but gave up. He had tried to write a note several times the last few days, but he just couldn't bring himself to write some trivial nonsense. Sighing he rolled up Hermione's letter and made his way to his room to find Pig.
Ginny had kidnapped Pig, well not exactly kidnapped, but she used him more than he did. Always writing to her stupid boyfriends without as much as a 'by your leave' Ron barged into Ginny's room flushed with righteous indignation. "Where is Pig?" he shouted.
Ginny, who had been half inside her closet squeaked with alarm at the sudden intrusion and bumped her head against the hangar rod. She blushed a furious red and looked back sheepishly at Ron. "Errol was too tired and I had to send a letter."
Ron was furious. "He is my owl and I am letting you use him for the stupid gits you call boy friends!"
Ginny's sheepish expression switched to one of anger. "I was not writing to my boy friend! For your information I just wanted to write a note to check on Harry! And since he is your best mate I didn't think you would mind, especially as I have noticed that you haven't written to him even once this summer!"
Ron's indignation faltered. He hemmed and hawed for a bit and then said, "Well next time ask me before you use my owl."
Mumbling some more under his breath Ron retreated. He would send that letter to Hermione later. It bothered him that it was Ginny who had had the guts to write to Harry first. It was not like he didn't want to; just that it was hard for mates to talk about emotional stuff. A guilty flush crept up his neck as he realized that he also wanted a break. He just wanted a nice normal summer for a change. A summer where he did not have to worry about Harry's sanity and he could just sit back and think about Hermione like a normal teenager. 'Gah! It was all that bloody Voldemort's fault! That git had to decide to target his best mate and make everyone miserable. Bloody creepy moronic git!' During his musings Ron had wandered back into the basement. The laundry was done, so he took it out to dry. Normally he would have left the drying for Ginny, but he didn't feel like facing her at that moment. The sun was warm in the backyard, so after hanging up the clothes, he retrieved a couple of quidditch magazines and sprawled out on the lawn.
After ten minutes or so he gave up. Harry was back on his mind. He had successfully not thought about him or worried about him too much for the last couple of days. But after the show down with Ginny, he couldn't concentrate on anything else.
The incident at the ministry had affected Ron more than he cared to acknowledge. For the first time he had actually been with Harry throughout most of the 'adventure.' It hadn't been a good experience. He had never been more scared in his entire life. There was a difference between playing chess and sacrificing himself to having crazy murderous death eaters throw curses at him. The fact that he had been worried to death about Hermione also did not help. Gah! He was going to have to do something about that situation soon. He liked Hermione. There had been no question about that, at the least from his third year if not earlier. However, everything was different now. Damned Voldemort! That git was messing everything up. All he wanted to do was enjoy his last teenage years with his best mate and his girl. No pressure! That's all he wanted! He was pretty sure Hermione liked him and that was enough for him, but now he had to know, because of that stupid red eyed girlie voiced imbecile! Despite what everyone thought, Ron noticed things. He had noticed the fear in his parents' eyes. He had also noticed the way Hermione had cried in his arms after she had woken up in the hospital wing. And Harry? Last year had been bad, but this year, every time Ron had looked at Harry, his heart had been torn by the weight sorrow that seemed to weigh his best mate down.
It was time to give up his teenage years and grow up. Grow up fast!
"Bloody Git!"
***
Harry woke up late with a splitting headache. He was completely dehydrated from all the tears he had shed. Groaning he got up and made his way to the bathroom to freshen up for the day.
When he got back to his room after a light breakfast he noticed Pig fluttering about the room completely oblivious to Hedgwig's glares. Catching the little owl, Harry removed the note and tossed it on his desk. He wasn't in the mood to read letters. There was too much in his mind already and he knew what the letters would be about. Somehow he knew that he was not ready for their queries.
The sun was getting strong and the room was starting to get rather warm. Harry put down the Charms book he had been reading and slowly made his way downstairs. His aunt was in the living room watching a soap. Stepping quietly, Harry eased out of the back door into the yard. Nothing stirred in the drowsy heat. Even the birds that had been chirping away in the morning were silent. He looked around, but whoever his watcher was, was obviously under an invisibility cloak. Clearing his throat he called out. "Anyone there? I need to send a message."
For a moment, there was silence and then a soft female voice spoke behind him. "Wotcher Harry! It's Tonks."
Harry whirled around and a small smile crept to his face as he noticed Tonks' disembodied head floating by him. "Hey Tonks! I need to send a message to Dumbledore and I don't know if I should send Hedgwig."
"Good thinking. Give me the message and I will pass it on."
This was pretty much what he had expected. Nodding, he said, "Alright I will write it up. Be back in a few."
The head nodded and disappeared.
Harry went back to his room and sat down to compose his letter. Pushing down his anger and resentment was not easy, but he managed nonetheless.
Professor Dumbledore,
I would like to begin by apologizing for my behavior in your office. I hope I did not damage anything in your office permanently. If I have, please fell free to bill me for any replacements.
I would also like to find out more about the protections you have placed here. I was wondering whether it would be safe to take a walk, however, the Incident from last summer made me realize that the protections have limitations. I think I also need to talk to you personally. Please feel free to drop by at your convenience.
I hope everyone is safe and that you are well. Harry P.
***
Hermione Granger was antsy. It was nice to back home, but something grated. It was the loneliness. She was used to that though. She had always been a single child, solitary and book-wormish. But her beloved books weren't much company these days. She needed her friends. They all hardly had enough time to process the events at the ministry before they had been separated. She was worried about Harry. Well who wouldn't be? He never caught a break did he? Then there was Ron ... and that was an issue that just absolutely befuddled her.
Shaking her head at herself in annoyance, Hermione decided to pay a visit to her parents at their practice. The office was barely two blocks away. Both of her parents were rather environmentally conscious and had decided to live close to their practice to avoid driving everyday. It also helped when Hermione was younger and they needed to check on her during the day.
It was odd but there was something she liked about the antiseptic smell in her parents office. It was probably the fact that her parents hugs smelled like that. She nodded to the receptionist and walked into her mother's office. She was on the phone, but noticed her and made a motion for Hermione to take a seat.
The conversation was something boring about someone's root canal or something of that nature. Hermione tuned her mother out and picked up the newspaper. She, therefore, was a bit startled when her mother called her name. "Oh hi mum! Do you have a bit of time?"
"Yes dear, not many patients today. So what is it you want to talk about?"
"Well I was wondering if you guys needed help at the office, or if I could get a summer job. I am just really not in the mood to be cooped up in the house all summer."
Hermione noticed that her mother looked a little uncomfortable. "Hmm are you sure dear? I mean, having a real summer job would mean that you might not be able to go visit your friends like last year. Mmmm... and I got a letter from your school yesterday." She paused as Hermione raised her eyebrows. "Well your Headmaster seems to think that you should stay near the house this summer and that you might be needed at that Headquarters place sometime soon. I was hoping if that were the case, that you would like to spend some time with us."
Yes, she did need to spend some time with them. Last year had been rather bad, and she had barely seen her parents.
"You know you are growing up, and you belong in a different world." Her mother continued. "I just want to spend some time with my baby before she gets all too lost in a world where we can't be."
Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at her mother's somber face. She got up and gave her mother a tight hug.
"Yes mum, I think I would really like that."
"Good! I have been talking to your dad and I think we will take a little break, not go anywhere, and just have a good time relaxing and catching up with each other."
***
Summary: Summer after 5th year, Harry enters the adult world. He learns to trust, himself and others, as the war approaches and chaos reigns. (not slash) (hp/?)(hg/rw)
Chapter 1: A Pleasant Summer Day
Sunlight was streaming through the open window right onto his face. Ron cursed as he stepped out of his bed to pull the blinds down.
Gah! It was of no use! He was too awake. He stretched and started getting his bath things together. Ginny was singing shrilly in the bathroom, it was sign that she was drying her hair, and that the shower would soon be free. Ron realized he knew a lot of these little facts about his family members. These little facts were essential to ones survival when one lived in such a big family. However, the family was growing smaller. The twins had left to live in their bachelor pad above the shop in Diagon Alley, and Percy ... Well the less he thought about Percy, the better.
Ron wondered whether one day he would have forgotten those little facts about his siblings. One day, when they all had their own families. Shaking himself out of his reverie he started pounding on the bathroom door.
He heard a shriek from inside and smiled contently. At least he had his baby sister with him this summer.
Ginny stormed past him muttering about idiot brothers.
Brunch was good. His mother had left chicken sandwiches and a list of chores for them. She was away for some Order business.
Ginny seemed to have forgotten about the bathroom episode, and was humming to herself as she cleaned behind the stove.
"You seem to be in a good mood"
Ginny turned around, smiled archly and said, "Well, I am! Dean wrote to me"
"Dean!" Ron exploded. "That git better watch out! What do you see in him anyways?"
Ginny's eyes narrowed dangerously, but instead of replying she threw her rag down and stalked out of the room with a warning glare.
'First Corner and now Dean.... Why did she have to grow up! She was his little sister and she better the heck act like a little sister should' Ron grudgingly turned his thoughts away from that issue and took a look at the list of chores.
Laundry wasn't so bad, except for the fact that someone had to stay with the laundry and make sure the muggle washer his dad had charmed didn't start smoking as it frequently did. But, basement was dim and cool, and the constant sloshing of the water was nice and soothing. Ron took out the parchment and quill he had grabbed earlier and sat down on the folding table.
Dear Hermione,
How is your summer starting? Mine is relaxed so far. It's great not to have any homework. I figure though that we all have earned a break after those crazy OWLS. I heard from dad that the results may be a bit delayed, and I couldn't be happier!
Fred and George have moved out to a flat above their shop. Mum and Dad are never home anymore either. So, it's really quiet around here. In any case, I had a little fight with Ginny today. I can't understand what she sees about all these guys she is dating! Seems like she has lost her crush over the "Boy who Lived" and now has crushes on just about any Boy. I guess I will cut this short now. I think I will send off a note to Harry. Has he written to you at all? Hope those muggles treat him better this summer. Love from, Ron
Ron started to write his note to Harry, but gave up. He had tried to write a note several times the last few days, but he just couldn't bring himself to write some trivial nonsense. Sighing he rolled up Hermione's letter and made his way to his room to find Pig.
Ginny had kidnapped Pig, well not exactly kidnapped, but she used him more than he did. Always writing to her stupid boyfriends without as much as a 'by your leave' Ron barged into Ginny's room flushed with righteous indignation. "Where is Pig?" he shouted.
Ginny, who had been half inside her closet squeaked with alarm at the sudden intrusion and bumped her head against the hangar rod. She blushed a furious red and looked back sheepishly at Ron. "Errol was too tired and I had to send a letter."
Ron was furious. "He is my owl and I am letting you use him for the stupid gits you call boy friends!"
Ginny's sheepish expression switched to one of anger. "I was not writing to my boy friend! For your information I just wanted to write a note to check on Harry! And since he is your best mate I didn't think you would mind, especially as I have noticed that you haven't written to him even once this summer!"
Ron's indignation faltered. He hemmed and hawed for a bit and then said, "Well next time ask me before you use my owl."
Mumbling some more under his breath Ron retreated. He would send that letter to Hermione later. It bothered him that it was Ginny who had had the guts to write to Harry first. It was not like he didn't want to; just that it was hard for mates to talk about emotional stuff. A guilty flush crept up his neck as he realized that he also wanted a break. He just wanted a nice normal summer for a change. A summer where he did not have to worry about Harry's sanity and he could just sit back and think about Hermione like a normal teenager. 'Gah! It was all that bloody Voldemort's fault! That git had to decide to target his best mate and make everyone miserable. Bloody creepy moronic git!' During his musings Ron had wandered back into the basement. The laundry was done, so he took it out to dry. Normally he would have left the drying for Ginny, but he didn't feel like facing her at that moment. The sun was warm in the backyard, so after hanging up the clothes, he retrieved a couple of quidditch magazines and sprawled out on the lawn.
After ten minutes or so he gave up. Harry was back on his mind. He had successfully not thought about him or worried about him too much for the last couple of days. But after the show down with Ginny, he couldn't concentrate on anything else.
The incident at the ministry had affected Ron more than he cared to acknowledge. For the first time he had actually been with Harry throughout most of the 'adventure.' It hadn't been a good experience. He had never been more scared in his entire life. There was a difference between playing chess and sacrificing himself to having crazy murderous death eaters throw curses at him. The fact that he had been worried to death about Hermione also did not help. Gah! He was going to have to do something about that situation soon. He liked Hermione. There had been no question about that, at the least from his third year if not earlier. However, everything was different now. Damned Voldemort! That git was messing everything up. All he wanted to do was enjoy his last teenage years with his best mate and his girl. No pressure! That's all he wanted! He was pretty sure Hermione liked him and that was enough for him, but now he had to know, because of that stupid red eyed girlie voiced imbecile! Despite what everyone thought, Ron noticed things. He had noticed the fear in his parents' eyes. He had also noticed the way Hermione had cried in his arms after she had woken up in the hospital wing. And Harry? Last year had been bad, but this year, every time Ron had looked at Harry, his heart had been torn by the weight sorrow that seemed to weigh his best mate down.
It was time to give up his teenage years and grow up. Grow up fast!
"Bloody Git!"
***
Harry woke up late with a splitting headache. He was completely dehydrated from all the tears he had shed. Groaning he got up and made his way to the bathroom to freshen up for the day.
When he got back to his room after a light breakfast he noticed Pig fluttering about the room completely oblivious to Hedgwig's glares. Catching the little owl, Harry removed the note and tossed it on his desk. He wasn't in the mood to read letters. There was too much in his mind already and he knew what the letters would be about. Somehow he knew that he was not ready for their queries.
The sun was getting strong and the room was starting to get rather warm. Harry put down the Charms book he had been reading and slowly made his way downstairs. His aunt was in the living room watching a soap. Stepping quietly, Harry eased out of the back door into the yard. Nothing stirred in the drowsy heat. Even the birds that had been chirping away in the morning were silent. He looked around, but whoever his watcher was, was obviously under an invisibility cloak. Clearing his throat he called out. "Anyone there? I need to send a message."
For a moment, there was silence and then a soft female voice spoke behind him. "Wotcher Harry! It's Tonks."
Harry whirled around and a small smile crept to his face as he noticed Tonks' disembodied head floating by him. "Hey Tonks! I need to send a message to Dumbledore and I don't know if I should send Hedgwig."
"Good thinking. Give me the message and I will pass it on."
This was pretty much what he had expected. Nodding, he said, "Alright I will write it up. Be back in a few."
The head nodded and disappeared.
Harry went back to his room and sat down to compose his letter. Pushing down his anger and resentment was not easy, but he managed nonetheless.
Professor Dumbledore,
I would like to begin by apologizing for my behavior in your office. I hope I did not damage anything in your office permanently. If I have, please fell free to bill me for any replacements.
I would also like to find out more about the protections you have placed here. I was wondering whether it would be safe to take a walk, however, the Incident from last summer made me realize that the protections have limitations. I think I also need to talk to you personally. Please feel free to drop by at your convenience.
I hope everyone is safe and that you are well. Harry P.
***
Hermione Granger was antsy. It was nice to back home, but something grated. It was the loneliness. She was used to that though. She had always been a single child, solitary and book-wormish. But her beloved books weren't much company these days. She needed her friends. They all hardly had enough time to process the events at the ministry before they had been separated. She was worried about Harry. Well who wouldn't be? He never caught a break did he? Then there was Ron ... and that was an issue that just absolutely befuddled her.
Shaking her head at herself in annoyance, Hermione decided to pay a visit to her parents at their practice. The office was barely two blocks away. Both of her parents were rather environmentally conscious and had decided to live close to their practice to avoid driving everyday. It also helped when Hermione was younger and they needed to check on her during the day.
It was odd but there was something she liked about the antiseptic smell in her parents office. It was probably the fact that her parents hugs smelled like that. She nodded to the receptionist and walked into her mother's office. She was on the phone, but noticed her and made a motion for Hermione to take a seat.
The conversation was something boring about someone's root canal or something of that nature. Hermione tuned her mother out and picked up the newspaper. She, therefore, was a bit startled when her mother called her name. "Oh hi mum! Do you have a bit of time?"
"Yes dear, not many patients today. So what is it you want to talk about?"
"Well I was wondering if you guys needed help at the office, or if I could get a summer job. I am just really not in the mood to be cooped up in the house all summer."
Hermione noticed that her mother looked a little uncomfortable. "Hmm are you sure dear? I mean, having a real summer job would mean that you might not be able to go visit your friends like last year. Mmmm... and I got a letter from your school yesterday." She paused as Hermione raised her eyebrows. "Well your Headmaster seems to think that you should stay near the house this summer and that you might be needed at that Headquarters place sometime soon. I was hoping if that were the case, that you would like to spend some time with us."
Yes, she did need to spend some time with them. Last year had been rather bad, and she had barely seen her parents.
"You know you are growing up, and you belong in a different world." Her mother continued. "I just want to spend some time with my baby before she gets all too lost in a world where we can't be."
Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at her mother's somber face. She got up and gave her mother a tight hug.
"Yes mum, I think I would really like that."
"Good! I have been talking to your dad and I think we will take a little break, not go anywhere, and just have a good time relaxing and catching up with each other."