Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling, Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books, Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros. Inc. and any other company that managed to sink their teeth into the merchandising outfit. I own nothing at all.
A/N: A message for all people who read Gryffindor Princess, Slytherin Prince - An update should be there soon. It was all typed out and ready to be uploaded, until my computer deleted half the chapter. Apologies for the delay.
Shameless plugging and thanks: Thanks as always to my Beta, Cyropi. (Read Fallen - updates Fridays!) Review thanks go to Emma Ackroyd, Ph34rKitty, Viraten and Ami-gryffindor89.
Recommended story: A new story every week! This week I recommend 'Fifth Year? I Haven't Done My Homework!' written by the immensely talented Laterose. If you haven't already read it, where have you been?
Recommended story Summary: AU fifth year fic with everything! Abuse to animagi (sort of) snakes, Sirius (and his sister), Remus, Voldie, crazy new powers and a decision that will change Harry and Ron's lives forever.
A must read! ^_^ Now sit back, relax and enjoy the letter-chapter. See you next Sunday!
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Dear Sirius,
This time next week, I'll be staying with Hermione and Ron again. It's going to be hard living in your house and knowing you're not there. I hope you're hiding somewhere warm and exotic, with plenty of ladies. I know how much you love them. There hasn't been much of a fuss about you, and about the fight. I think Dumbledore had something to do with that, but Hermione may have used her 'influence' with Rita Skeeter to avoid a fuss.
I still can't believe that Skeeter was an illegal animagus. Is it easy to become one? You should know, after all, Snuffles, you have experience.
When you get back, will you teach me to become one? It will definitely be handy, especially when it comes to sneaking around Hogwarts with Ron and Hermione and not getting caught by Snape. Since he knows I have an Invisibility Cloak, he's been a lot more determined to catch us. If he does, Gryffindor will still be in the minus points in ten years time. Slimy git.
That reminds me, I have an essay to do for the bat on the Polyjuice Potion and its effects. It'll be easy for me, I have first hand experience. Did you ever take Polyjuice? It feels really weird, and it was disgusting when I looked into a mirror and saw Goyle. Did I ever tell you about that?
I had a letter off Remus yesterday! Thank you for talking to him. He said that he hadn't been avoiding me, and he wasn't angry with me. It made me feel so much better. I was worried that he was annoyed with me for going to the Ministry like I did. Are you annoyed? Is that why you haven't written back?
I'm sorry. I know I just rushed in without thinking. It's the Gryffindor in me. What else was I to do? I thought Voldemort had taken you, and I wasn't going to let him take the last of my family away from me. He wasn't going to get to you, and I didn't let him. He took Mum, and he took Dad, but I'd rather die before he takes any more.
Please write back, Sirius. I had a dream about you, and it made my scar hurt really badly again. We were back in the Ministry, in the Department of Mysteries, and I could see the veil again. It was calling my name, and I was all alone. It made me feel so scared. And then I saw you, and Bellatrix Lestrange. You were duelling, again. She's really got it in for you, hasn't she?
And then she Stunned you, and you fell backwards… through the veil. I could hear you shouting, calling me. Telling me you were there, waiting. That's how I know you're still alive, no matter what everyone tells me. Just because they think I'll do something stupid like try to find you. I wouldn't, you know that. I want you safe more than anything, more than I want Voldemort dead. Next time you owl Remus, can you tell him that I know? I know you're just hiding, and your 'death' was just to throw the Ministry off the scent.
I had better start packing. Sixth year is going to be much harder, especially with Hermione. I can hear her now, "Harry! NEWTs are only a year away! We should be revising!"
You just can't help but love that girl, even if she does make too big a deal about school. I suppose I'd better do some work too. I'm going to be an Auror, did I tell you that? And good old McGonagall, she's going to help me, which probably means extra homework when we get back to Hogwarts. Not that I'm ungrateful, I'm really glad she said she'd help me.
I'd better start packing now. Hedwig made off with one of my socks last night, and I can't remember where the other one is. They're an ugly pair anyway.
Please remember to speak to Remus again. Tell him that everything is okay. And if you can't owl me back, please owl him with a message for me. Even if Hedwig brings the letter back, it's always slightly mangled. I know you read them before you send her back to me.
I hope you're well, and having fun! Owl me soon, please.
Harry.
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Okay, so it's a little bit longer this time. Next week will be longer again, and so on as the story develops. ^_^