Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J. K. Rowling and her publishers, not to me.
Spoilers: All five HP novels.
VII: Harry (Friday and Saturday, 5-6 July 1996)
After he sent off Hedwig to Mrs. Figg's with the letters to be forwarded to Remus and Professors Dumbledore and Snape, Harry was full of second and third thoughts. What if they think it's all rubbish? Snape has belittled my thinking for five years; he barely acknowledges I have a mind. And Dumbledore has been trying to do all the planning for me all this time. However, he was firm about one thing. If I did nothing else, I at least tried to do the right thing, and if I violated some custom or another, I'm sure I will be told. Besides, Snape might not care about setting things right, but if he tells Dumbledore about it, the Headmaster will, if for no other reason than that he's one of the few people who gives a bloody damn about Snape. If they won't listen to me, I'll find some other way. I can't just NOT act any more, but I can't afford to go into things blindly any more either.
He cast his mind back over what he had sent, mentally rewriting some of the sections. Stop it, Potter, he mentally scolded himself. The letters are sent and will get there today or tomorrow. You can't edit letters already sent. He gave a sigh, took out a match swiped from the kitchen, and incinerated all the paper drafts of the letters (he had not wanted to waste his limited supply of parchment and ink on rough drafts).
Soon enough I'll find out what they think of my ideas. He checked the clock; then he went downstairs to do chores.
The next day, he was tidying his room, when suddenly there was a flash of flame. "Fawkes!" he said happily. The Headmaster's phoenix glided over to perch on the foot of the bed. With a soft trill, he held out one foot for Harry to remove the scroll attached thereon. Harry did, and offered the bird an Owl Treat, which Fawkes took politely, then rubbed his head on Harry's hand.
Harry's fingers were trembling as he broke the seal and unrolled it. It read:
Dear Harry—
We are in receipt of your quite interesting letters. As you stated therein, some of the points mentioned need to be discussed in person, and soon. Therefore, if it is agreeable to you, then Remus Lupin, Professor Snape, and I would like to meet with you in your room at Privet Drive tomorrow morning at ten. The reason for this, in part, is security; actually, your quarters are more secure from eavesdropping than almost anywhere in the magical world; our presence there, if we stay in your room, will be less noticed than bringing you here or elsewhere. It may be a good idea to notify your Aunt and Uncle, and assure them that we will not be seen from the outside nor will we interfere with their Sunday schedule at all; Fawkes will be transporting us directly into your room. I will bring refreshments, so that your Aunt does not have to be put out if this goes through the noon hour. The conference may take a while, as both your letters were quite detailed. Any other needs that we have, I can take care of; my own magic will not set off the wards or alarms.
Please do not be concerned about our reactions; you are not in trouble. We all agree that you have some valid points worthy of discussion, and like you we do not wish to waste more time. Please reply with Fawkes; he will wait, and is the most secure communication link available.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster, etc.
Harry was a little surprised; he had only sent Remus the quick "I'm all right" note required by the Order. He wasn't really surprised that the Headmaster knew the contents of both letters; likely Snape had conferred with him. And he was also not too surprised about their mode of transportation: while Remus was fairly good in choosing Muggle clothing, he still tended to look a bit down-at-heels; Snape probably detested Muggle wear, and the Headmaster was likely to indulge in his whimsy a bit too much for this staid neighborhood. No, direct in-and-out was much better for all concerned, and using Fawkes circumvented the Anti-Apparation wards. He got out a pen and wrote on the bottom of the note:
Dear Professor: Got your note; tomorrow is fine and so is all the rest. HP
Re-rolling the parchment, he attached it to Fawkes' leg, and then took the time to give him a head scratch before the bird took off and vanished in a flash of flame.