Chapter two - Happiness
Harry started to write letters to Ron and Hermione. He wanted to share his happiness with his best friends. He couldn't sit and talk with his aunt everyday. This was something special.
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Dear Ron,
I've just had a conversation with my aunt, and she has changed her attitude absolutely! She told me about my parents a little bit, and she said that she cared about me.
I thought that after what happened at the Ministry was the end of the world. But my aunt came and lifted my spirit. She said that she knew Lupin and Sirius.
I hope that you're doing well. Write back as soon as you can.
Yours,
Harry
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"Well, Mr. Ronald Weasley, this will be quite a surprise for you, wouldn't it?" Harry smiled and rolled the parchment and put it aside. He took out another parchment and wrote the next letter.
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Dear Hermione,
I hope that I haven't interrupted your reading time (just kidding!). I have wonderful news! I've got my aunt back! We just had a conversation and it was the first time that she didn't yell at me. She told me that she cares about me and told me about my parents. Believe it or not, she also knew Sirius and Lupin! She has met them when mom was still at Hogwarts. They used to come along with dad to take mom to Diagon Alley and to King's Cross every year.
Reply as soon as you can.
Yours,
Harry
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Harry rolled the parchment and Hedwig flew toward the desk at once. She stood still waiting for the letters to be attached to her legs. "Take these to Ron and Hermione. Don't come back without their reply, okay?" he said.
Hedwig flew out of the window and disappeared in the sky.
A black owl came and landed on Harry's bed. It had a letter attached to its leg. Harry took the letter and the owl flew out again. He opened the letter and started to read.
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Dear Harry,
I haven't heard from you for a week and I started to think that your aunt and uncle are causing you some problems. I hope that you're doing well. If I don't receive your reply within two days I'll come to your house to see if everything is fine.
Professor Dumbledore sent me an owl this morning telling me that you are back on Gryffindor Quidditch team as a seeker. I think you'll receive an official letter soon from Professor McGonagall about this. (I guess I've spoiled the surprise. Don't tell McGonagall that I told you, or she'll kill me) And if she doesn't write to you about this, then she might tell you when you're back to Hogwarts in September. Don't worry about Ginny, she has applied to be removed from the team right before she left Hogwarts a week ago. She says that she prefers to concentrate on her lessons rather than practicing.
Anyway, I am waiting for your reply. Tell me about how you spent the last week, and if you need any help, don't hesitate to ask.
Sincerely,
R. Lupin
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Harry's eyes shone with excitement. He was back on the team! But one thing confused him. Why haven't Ron told him that Ginny left the team? He must've known about that.
He took out another parchment from his drawer and started to write the reply to Remus's letter.
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Dear Remus,
I am so happy to know that I'm back on the team. Nothing could've made me happier than this. I won't tell Professor McGonagall that you have already told me, so don't worry.
My aunt says that you knew each other. How come you never told me? She was so nice to me today when we had a conversation. She said that she cares about me and she still loves my mother. She just stopped having any connection with her because of my grandmother's pressures.
I haven't done much during the last week. I felt miserable. But now I know that nothing is lost and life goes on. Even if Sirius is not with me personally, but I know that his soul is always with me no matter where I go.
I hope that we would meet someday before the start of terms. I wouldn't want to spend my whole summer vacation here at Privet Drive. It would be so much boring. Do you know if there's any Quidditch game that we can go and watch? I'd love to see Bulgaria's team playing again. Viktor is a good player you know. I met him last year when he came to Hogwarts to join the Triwizard Tournament. If you have any information about their team, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Harry
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Harry put the parchment aside and waited for Hedwig to come back, so he would send Remus's letter. He sat in front of his desk and took out his Defense Against the Dark Arts books and started reading them. Maybe he could find a new jinx to teach his friends during D.A. practices.
O o O o O
Hours passed and Harry kept reading. It was getting dark when Hedwig came back holding two letters. She dropped them on the desk in front of Harry and headed to her cage.
"Thanks Hedwig." Harry said and saw that the letters were from Ron and Hermione. He opened Ron's letter first.
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Dear Harry,
I am so happy for you! At least you won't be punished anymore! And you can come to visit us more often I think. It would be great to meet each other during the holidays. We can do some Quidditch practice together. Ginny doesn't want to practice with me and I don't know the reason. And I don't want to practice with Fred or George because you know how they are. So, you're my last hope.
I hope to hear from you again soon.
Yours,
Ron
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Harry was excited. Ron was inviting him to stay at his place. Happiness seemed to be falling upon him today. Nothing could ruin his mood anymore. He put Ron's letter on the desk and opened Hermione's letter.
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Dear Harry,
I'm glad that you and your aunt finally understood each other. I was surprised to know that she has met Sirius and Remus when she was younger. Why didn't she tell you about this before?
I am currently getting ready to go to the Bahamas with my parents. They say that it's a nice place to spend the summer vacation. I've also read that they make nice pewter cauldrons there and they engrave your name on it. I think I'll buy one for myself.
I'll write as soon as I'm back. Maybe we can meet before going back to Hogwarts.
Love,
Hermione
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"Bahamas? You're so lucky!" Harry said at the letter and put it aside. He decided to go to sleep. He would send Remus's letter tomorrow. Hedwig must be tired now and he didn't want her to get mad at him and leave. He changed into his pajamas and went to bed. He stared at the clear black sky through his window, which he left open for a while and soon fell asleep.