Chapter 4: Fudge's Apology
Harry carefully opened the letter. It was from the Ministry of Magic after all. Inside were a letter and a small package. Harry opened up the letter and read:
Dear Harry,
First and foremost, please accept my humblest apologies. I should have listened to you in order to save, what I know now, was an innocent man's life. May your poor godfather rest in peace. I feel terrible about all the untrue and hurtful things I said about you and Albus Dumbledore, for apparently you were correct. I think you will be happy in hearing that I have canceled the Educational Decrees I put in place in you last year.
Please accept the items in the package as a token of my apology and gratitude to you and your friends. I can only hope that, in time, you can find a way to forgive my appalling behavior.
Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic
PS: Contrary to what Ms. Umbridge said to you, I'd be honored to have you as an Auror in several years' time.
Harry finished the letter and put it by the bedside table. He probably would forgive Fudge, just not yet.
He than gave thought to the parcel. It was wrapped in silver paper and had been neatly tied together with gold ribbon. Harry slowly opened it. Even though he was quite sure Fudge wouldn't give him something dangerous on purpose, one could never tell with the wizarding world. After three layers of wrapping paper, Harry finally found what Fudge had sent him: a front row ticket to a Weird Sisters concert. Harry looked back at the letter.
Please accept the items in the package a token of my apology and gratitude to you and your friends.
This meant that Ron and Hermione would be going too. Harry had never been to a wizarding concert before, and had only seen the Weird Sisters perform once. Even then he had been too busy to appreciate the music. Harry lay down in bed, and that last he thought was that when Hedwig returned, he would have to send a letter to Ron and Hermione.
Ron got to Harry first. That morning Harry was awakened by the hooting of Ron's owl, Pigwidgon. The tiny owl resolved to flying around the room, hooting madly and occasionally running into Harry's waking face when he didn't jump up and retrieve the letter in the first fifteen seconds. Fortunately for Harry, Mr. Dursley wouldn't be awake for anything at five in the morning, even a loud owl like Pig. Harry, after five minutes hard work, succeed in prying the letter from Pig's leg and read Ron's letter.
Dear Harry,
I can't believe it! Front row tickets to the Weird Sisters concert on June 31! I've heard they've sold out, so I guess Fudge has tickets because he is Minister of Magic. What do you reckon; do you think we should forgive him? I don't think I'm ready to just yet after the way he treated Dumbledore and you. Guess what? Hermione and Ginny got tickets too! That means that Neville and Luna will probably be at the concert also. Dad says we can come and pick up tomorrow, which will give you the rest of the summer away from the Muggles. Send Pig back pronto with your answer.
Ron
Harry wrote a quick reply because Pig was tearing the room apart.
Dear Ron,
I agree with you. He spent all last year saying I was lying and he expects us to forgive him so soon? I hope he's actually sorry and this just isn't political stuff. I'll see you tomorrow.
Harry
Harry tied the piece of parchment to Pig's leg and watched him take three tries to fly though the window. He didn't know why he didn't tell Ron about Dudley's change. He almost felt that that was his secret, not to be shared even with his best friend.
Harry dragged himself out of bed. Lately he had been more and more tired. He went down stairs where Dudley was eating breakfast. Aunt Petunia had been allowed to discontinue Dudley's diet, on the condition he went to boxing practice every week.
Dudley looked up groggily when Harry sat down and said,
"I saved you some bacon. Would you like any coffee?"
Harry was surprised by the offer. As a rule, he only got bacon when the Dursleys were full or when there was half a strip left.
"Sure," Harry replied, "Why not?"
Dudley passed him a cup and Harry took a sip.
"Not bad!"
At quarter-after, Harry saw Mr. Weasley drive up. He knew it was Mr. Weasly, because he was the only one who would drive up in a red and green striped Ferrari.
"What do you think?" Arthur Weasley asked, grinning as he parked. "I bought the inflatable version by owl post. I did the paint job myself using Muggle paint!"
Harry laughed and got in the back seat. His best friend turned around in the front seat and mouthed the word nutter to Harry. Harry knew that Mr. Weasly wasn't a nutter. He just loved anything and everything to do with Muggles.
"How's your summer been, Harry?" Ron asked, trying to change the subject form his father's unusual hobby.
Harry hesitated before he said,
"It was better than it usually is in fact!"
"That's good" Mr. Weasly said sympathetically. Try as he might, he had never fully understood why Harry had to go to the Dursley's house ever year. But Arthur would trust Dumbledore with his life, and was certain that he had Harry best interests at heart.
The ride to the Burrow was an exciting one. Mr. Weasley, though having a car, hadn't mastered the art that is driving and pushing the right pedals at the same time. At one point, driving on a highway at seventy miles an hour, Mr. Weasley had to look down from the road to change into fifth gear. That scared Harry and Ron very much, and they both yelled for Mr. Weasly to watch the road. He looked up just in time to swerve to the left and narrowly missed a truck full of livestock.
When they finally reach The Burrow, Ron and Harry jumped out of the car, very thankful to be alive. Mrs. Weasley ran out to the lawn, very thankful that they were all right. Harry was surprised that they were at the Burrow.
"Why aren't we going to Grimmauld Place?" he asked Molly Weasley after he was pulled into her embrace.
"Well," she said whispered, looking flustered. "I didn't think you'd want to be reminded of Sirius."
At the name of his godfather, Harry's stomach twisted with guilt. He hadn't thought of Sirius all day, he had been so excited about the concert. He was surprised to feel that he didn't feel as guilty or grieved as he had before right after Sirius' death. He knew that Sirius wouldn't have liked him think constantly about him, and would have loved for Harry to move on in his life. In fact, the more Harry thought about it, as he entered the Burrow and was greeted by most of the Weasley clan, he was sure of it. Sirius loved Harry, and now Harry completely knew that in order to fulfill the prophecy that was unfairly placed upon him he would have to move on.
Maybe he was just imaging it, but Harry thought he felt a load off his shoulders. A/N: Finally I've written chapter that isn't left on a cliffhanger. If you have any suggestions, comments or flames feel free to leave a comment. In fact I've love if you did.