Chapter One (A day like any other)
It was day like any other. In a neighborhood like any other. The only difference was the people. Well actually the only difference was this one person. That person was Harry Potter.
Harry lay awake in his small room on his extremely small bed in Privet Drive. He was just thinking. Like he always did. Except this summer it seemed all he ever did was think. Think of the past events of his school year. He couldn't erase them from his memory. He was having reoccurring dreams of his Godfather Sirius dying and how he couldn't save him. How it was his fault that the only person he really loved and cared about was gone only a short while after he had met him. He still cared about his friends Hermione and Ron dearly, but it just wasn't the same. He was drowning himself in his own misery. He was depressed and it seemed like nothing could take him out of it.
"HARRY!!! Get down here this instant." Came a voice from downstairs that Harry distinctly recognized as his Uncle Vernon's. Harry got up from his bed and started heading downstairs. "Yes Uncle Vernon" he said in a very monotone manner. "We are going away in a few days and since we don't trust you here all by yourself we have no choice but to take you with us" Vernon said with a sigh. "So I want you to go and pack so we don't have to wait for you when we do leave in three days time." "Yes Uncle Vernon" he said in that same monotone voice.
Harry walked back upstairs into his room and right as he entered he heard a tapping at the window. He walked over and let in three owls. The first one was from Hogwarts. He opened it and it read:
Mr. Harry James Potter.
We are pleased to inform you that your O.W.L (Ordinary Wizarding Level examinations) marks were one of the highest in your house, along with Ms. Granger of course and Ron closely following. You will be expected to do just as well on your N.E.W.T. exams in the years to come. Enclosed in this letter is a list of all the supplies you will need for the upcoming year.
Uniform:
1. Two new sets of work robes
2. One set of dress robes (any color)
3. One winter cloak.
Books:
1.Monster Book of Monsters Volume 2
2. Moste Potente Potions
3. The standard book of spells grade 6
4. A History of Magic The Dark Forces: A guide to self-protection
Equipment:
1. Dragon hide gloves.
2. Crystal phials
3. Quills
4. Ink
5. Parchment
The Hogwarts Express will be leaving September the 1st at 11 am sharp. DON'T be late. See you then.
Harry then took one of the other letters which was from the looks of it, Ron's writing.
Hey mate, sorry I haven't been writing you lately but you see I've been kind of busy over here. Well anyways I was wondering if you wanted to come and stay here for the last couple of weeks of summer. That is if your mean muggle Uncle will let you. Owl me back as soon as you get your answer.
Ron
Harry smiled at this. Maybe after all he wouldn't have to go with the Dursley's on their vacation. But knowing his uncle he knew it was a very slim chance. Even though his Uncle hated being around him, he liked being cruel and mean to him every chance he got, even if it meant bringing him with them on their vacation. Harry took the last letter, which he knew could only be from Hermione.
Hey Harry
How is everything down there? I hope that you are being treated okay. And don't be so tough on yourself; it wasn't your fault that Sirius is dead. Stop moping around the house like I know you are and go out and have some fun. Well anyways onto some good news my aunt who lives near you is going to have a baby. I can't wait. I'll be going down there to the hospital to see her soon. Maybe if I can I will try and stop by. See you later.
Love you always Hermione.
Harry reread the letter ten times before putting it down. He went to his trunk and grabbed all his other letters from Hermione and looked them over. He looked at her signature once again, and never, not once before had she put 'Love Hermione' Did she actually like him? No she couldn't. It's just me, Harry, her best friend. But what if she did. Do I like her? I might I'm not too sure though'. Suddenly his conscience took over 'stop talking to yourself already and write her a letter. We all know you like her, so why don't you just accept it' 'I can't' 'And why not?' 'Because I don't want her to get hurt' 'And why do you think that is?' 'Because I love her' 'See I knew I could get it out of you' 'I didn't just say that did I?' 'You sure did. Now right her a letter' 'Okay okay I will'
Harry walked over to his desk and sat down, he took out a spare bit of parchment and began writing.
Dear Hermione
I just wanted to write to you to tell you something that is very important to me, and hopefully to you too. Well first off I would like to congratulate your aunt on having a baby. You will soon get another cousin. Hopefully one that is much more behaved that Dudley (He chuckled a little when he wrote that) well anyways back on topic. I am doing fine here, they are treating better than ever, (Which he knew was a lie, but hoped that Hermione wouldn't find out) Sorry I keep getting off topic. Well the real reason why I wanted to owl you back was to tell you that I think I am in love with you. If you don't feel the same way than you don't have to ever bring this letter up again.
Love you always and forever Harry
After he had finished the letter and reread it many times over to make sure it was just right he walked over to Hedwigs cage so he could send her the letter. But he wasn't there. 'Maybe she's out for the night, well this can wait' He was getting extremely tired and he looked at the clock on his bedside table which read 1:30 am. 'WOW its late I should be getting to bed' Harry than slowly got undressed and put his pajamas on and went to bed. He was out like a light.