Chapter Two

Surprises

All of a sudden, Harry was at a loss for words and he could feel himself turning a shade of red he imagined would match Ginny's hair.

"What are you doing here?" he managed to croak out.

"Well, I was in the neighborhood and just thought I'd stop by" she replied.

"What do you mean you were 'in the neighborhood'? You know just as well as I do that the Burrow is over a hundred kilometers from Privet Drive." He said.

"I apperated, but I'm not even supposed to know how yet, so you can't tell anyone. You swear?" she asked.

"Alright" he said, with a hint of accidental sarcasm in his voice.

"And don't take that tone with me, Harry" Ginny said sternly, reminding Harry of Mrs. Weasley. "I came here just to tell you how much I like you and I have thought of you almost every day, wondering how you are, and..." she continued to ramble on, not noticing Harry slowly inching toward her. She didn't stop talking until he was about an inch away from her face, just in time to kiss her. When he pulled away, she was scarlet and had a silly smile on her face.

"I'm sorry," said Harry apologetically, "I'm just a bit stressed out. I didn't mean to snap at you." He turned around, too embarrassed to look at her. "I want you to know that I think I like you too and I was wondering if..." He didn't finish his sentence, seeing that Ginny had disapperated. He quickly dashed to the loose floorboard under his bed and dug out parchment, a quill and ink. He quickly began scribbling a note to her.

Dear Ginny,

Perhaps you left so suddenly that you didn't hear my question, or maybe you chose not to answer, so I ask you again. Will you be my girlfriend? Please answer as soon as Hedwig delivers this message and I hope to hear from you soon.

Yours,

Harry

Harry re-read the letter a dozen times, making sure it was perfect. After reading it for the last time, he went over to Hedwig's cage. He was tying it to her outstretched leg, when he heard a small 'pop' and noticed a small owl Harry recognized as pig zooming around the room. He quickly tore the letter off Pig's leg to find only five words written on it.

Harry,

Yes, but don't tell Ron

Ginny

Harry felt happier than he had all summer and he began jumping up and down, silently jumping for joy. In fact, he was so happy that he didn't notice the young red head and owl disapperated, once again, out of his room.

A minute later, Dudley ran into the room.

"Talking to yourself, Potter?" he sneered, "I don't know about in your world, but with us normal people, talking to yourself means you're a nutter. Wait 'til I tell mum. Maybe we can check you into the loony bin and I can finally have my second bedroom back."

"Shut up, you prat," Harry retorted, "or I'll tell your mum what you've really been doing when you tell her you're out to tea."

"She wouldn't believe you," Dudley said, sounding more confident than he looked, "I'm her poor Diddy Duddykins, remember?"

"Alright" said Harry, a plan formulating in his head, "How about we bet on it? If you win, you can tell the whole world that I'm a wizard. If I win, you have to..."

"What's going on?" Tonks peaked her head into the room.

"Mum! It's Harry!" Dudley replied, throwing his fat arms around the waist of who he thought was his mother, "He was about to do you-know-what!"

"Nonsense!" Tonks replied with a laugh. Harry had to bite his lip to suppress his laughter. The shocked look on Dudley's oversized face was priceless, "Harry knows he's not allowed top do magic outside of school. He'll be expelled from Hogwarts if he does." Dudley continued to gape at her. Not only did she use the "M" word, but also she talked openly about Harry's school, "Now, you are to stay in your room until dinner. I will not tolerate lying." Dudley, who always had his way, was at a loss for words. He begrudgingly agreed.

Harry walked downstairs, and had begun to prepare dinner when the telephone rang. Harry went to go pick it up, expecting to hear the booming voice of Uncle Vernon. He nearly dropped the receiver when he heard the voice of...

"Hi Harry! It's Hermione," she began.

"Hi Hermione! How are you?" he asked casually.

"Oh, pretty good," she replied, "I was just wondering how you are after, you know, everything that happened last month. We never really got a chance to talk."

"Yeah," Harry agreed, "I'm doing fine, just trying to pass the time until school starts."

"Fantastic! In that case, are you doing anything tomorrow?"

"No. Do you want to come over, maybe around seven?"

"Sure, but what about your aunt and uncle? Will it be all right with them?" Hermione asked nervously.

"I'm sure it will be fine with them."

"Great! I'll see you then! Bye!"

"Yeah, see you then!" Harry said excitedly, and with that, he hung up. He turned back around, expecting to see Tonk's face looking back at him, but instead, he turned and saw the furious face of Uncle Vernon. Harry hadn't seen him this mad since he blew up his Aunt Marge, a few summers back.

"I thought I told you never to give away this number, especially not to have any of your people contact us!" he boomed.

"I don't know how she..." Harry began, but stopped quickly, realizing he wasn't being listened to.

"Now you're having one of, of your kind come over to our house?" Uncle Vernon roared.

"I assure you, you'd never even know she's a..." Harry attempted again.

"Vernon," Tonks intervened, "It's all been said and done, so can we please eat? Supper's getting cold." Harry looked at Tonk's gratefully and she winked.

"But, well, fine." he heaved.

The rest of the night, everyone was silent, all deep in thought. Harry went to bed happy, and slept peacefully for the first time all summer.