Chapter 02: Letters and a Surprise

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Nearly three weeks had passed since Harry's vow. Luckily for Harry, Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon seemed to have decided to ignore him this summer, leaving him with plenty of free time. He had begun running every morning and was slowly starting to develop some minor muscle tone. He had also gone to the Muggle library and taken several books out on self-defense. He figured that since he wasn't allowed to practice magic away from Hogwarts he could still learn other useful ways of fighting. He was amazed at how fast he seemed to be picking it up. He also found himself greatly engrossed in reading his schoolbooks, particularly a book on curses and hexes he had borrowed from the Hogwarts library last year to prepare for the Tri-wizard Tournament.

Harry was lying on his bed reading the "Art of War" by Sun Tzu when a gentle tapping on his window broke his concentration. Looking outside, he saw four large owls hovering. He got up and went to the window. When he opened it, the four owls flew inside and landed on his bed. Each had packages and letters attached. He untied the packages and letters, then opened Hedwig's cage to allow them to enter. He carefully examined the first packet, recognizing his friend Ron Weasley's handwriting. He tore open the letter.

Dear Harry,

How's it going mate? I'm glad to here the muggles are leaving you alone for once.

I'm glad you're taking the time to brush up on your self-defense. What with You-Know-Who out there gaining strength, I think we're all going to need it. I've been working with Hermione and Ginny. Even the twins have gotten into the act. Whatever happens this year, we intend to be ready.

Harry smiled at his friend's mention of Hermione. It had been blatantly obvious since the Yule Ball that Ron fancied her. Shortly after they returned from their 4th year at Hogwarts, Ron finally admitted his feelings towards her. To Ron's surprise (though not to Harry's), she returned the feelings and the two were now dating. She had arrived at the Burrow a week ago and was staying with Ron's family for the rest of the summer while her parents went on a second honeymoon. He had received several letters from them, and their relationship seemed to be going well. He was glad to see his two best friends happy.

Speaking of the twins, they've managed to get an anonymous backer for their joke business. Mom isn't very happy about it but for now she's letting them go. They have been hold up in their room since we got back from Hogwarts. The only time anyone sees them now is at dinner time. I have a feeling their working on some new tricks, so be careful with anything they send you.

Again Harry smiled. As of yet, know one had made the connection between the 1000 Galleons he had given George and Fred for their joke shop and his purse from the Triwizard Tournament.

Mom owled Dumbledore again about letting you come here for your birthday. He didn't give permission but did say you could come a few days before the start of term, so we'll pick you up on August 25 at 5pm, okay?

Regards,

Ron

Harry tore into the package that accompanied Ron's letter. Inside he found a small collection of his favorite candy and a book on hexes and curses. Flipping through it, Harry could see that it was slightly more advanced the books he had been studying. He threw it back onto the bed and opened the next letter. He smiled as he recognized Hermione's handwriting.

Dear Harry,

How are you? I'm certainly glad the muggles are treating you better.

Did Ron tell you we've (he, I, Ginny and the twins) have been practicing our DADA? We know you don't like to ask others for help, but you're our friend, so we want to be ready to help you face whatever comes this year.

I can't believe Ron and I are finally together. I've had a crush on him since 2nd year but I never thought he'd feel the same. It's wonderful.

I'm glad Dumbledore is going to let you come here a few days before school starts. Everyone is anxious to see you.

Love,

Hermonie

Inside the package that accompanied Hermonie's letter he found another book entitled "Surviving Your O.W.L.s." He smiled. Even with everything that was going on Hermonie was still concerned about their grades. He glanced at the third envelope and immediately recognized the handwriting as Fred and George's.

Dear Partner,

That's right partner. For your kind investment in Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, we have decided to make you part owner of the business. You have the option of being an active partner or if you prefer, a silent one. Enclosed you will find a passbook to an account we set up at Gringotts. Your share of our profit will be deposited there on a monthly basis. The first deposit was made yesterday, a total of 200 Galleons.

We have enclosed a sample kit of available products, as well as some order forms. Even if you do not wish to be an active partner, we ask that you at least put this starter kit to good use this year. Like you said on the train, we're going to need every bit of fun we can find in these troubling times.

Regards,

Fred and George

P.S. We can't wait to see you on the 25th. Its pure torture here watching Ron and Hermione being kissy-kissy all the time.

P.P.S. You'll be happy to know we have fulfilled your request and purchased new dress robes for Ron. Business was so good that we also decided to by new robes for Ginny as well.

Harry carefully opened the package that accompanied the letter. Knowing the twins, it could be bobby-trapped. He breathed a sigh of relief when nothing happened. Inside was selection of Fred and George's best Wheezes, including Harry's favorite, Canary Creams. He definitely wanted to get some use out of them this year. Then a thought hit him.

"The Marauders!" he said out loud to himself. "I should re-start the Marauders." He quickly wondered how Ron, Hermonie, and the twins would react to an invitation to help re-form the most famous prankster team Hogwarts had ever seen. "I'll ask them when I see them on the 25th."

Harry picked up the final letter. He recognized the handwriting as being that of Ginny Weasley, Ron's younger sister. He smiled. Ginny had had a crush on Harry since her first year and never seemed able to talk to him without blushing. This shyness grew after he rescued her from the Chamber of Secrets. But something had changed since last year. When he received her first letter just over a month ago, he was surprised. Ginny's letters had helped him get over the initial bout of depression and guilt he had been feeling over Cedric's death. She was probably the only one who truly understood what he had been feeling, courtesy of her own run-in with Tom Riddle in her second year.Since then, the two had exchanged several letters, discussing the new relationship between Ron and Hermione and getting to know one another better. Along the way Harry had stopped seeing her as Ron's little sister, and felt that he and Ginny had become friends. He was glad that she was finally able to talk to him. He also began to feel guilty for not noticing her before now. They both seemed to have a lot in common.

Dear Harry,

Mom has just told us the news that Dumbledore is allowing you to come here on the 25th. Everyone is excited.

I hope you have a happy birthday. Enclosed you'll find my present. I bought it in Diagon Alley last week. It's not much, but when I saw it I immediately thought of you. I hope you like it.

You'll never guess what! George and Fred's joke business seems to have taken off after the mysterious investor helped them out. You wouldn't know anything about that, would you? wink, wink.

Harry grinned. Unlike Ron and Hermione, Ginny had suspected something was up when the twins received his backing and had quickly confronted Harry about it. For some reason Harry couldn't lie to her, so he told her everything, after swearing her to secrecy.

Anyway, they made enough profit so far that they decided to do something nice for a change and bought Ron and I new dress robes. I only hope I'll get a chance to wear them this year.

Your friend,

Ginny

Harry opened the small packaged that accompanied her letter. Inside he found a simple silver chain with charm attached. The charm was in the shape of a phoenix, holding a lightening bolt. Harry looked at it more carefully. The lightening bolt looked exactly like the scar on his forehead. Also, the eyes of the phoenix appeared to be made of two small green stones. Turning the charm over he found that it was engraved.

The phoenix of light will always triumph.

Harry put the chain on and tucked it under his shirt. Though the present was simple, Harry couldn't help but feel moved by it. Then Harry was struck with another thought.

I hope there's another Ball this year. I'd really like to see Ginny's new dress robes. Harry was startled by this thought. Where had it come from? It was soon replaced with the realization that it was now 9pm and Harry had been so engrossed in his studies and letters that he hadn't eaten. He silently wished he was better at transfiguration and that he was allowed to do magic. He began to walk to his door intent on going down to the kitchen when something on his dresser caught his eye. It was a large plate of chicken and a pitcher of pumpkin juice. Harry stared at it for several moments in confusion before walking over to it.