Harry awoke the next morning feeling funny. He realized why when he looked at his calendar and saw that it was July 31st, his birthday! Harry stood up, and opened the window for Hedwig, his owl. He leaned forward, meaning to lean on the sill as he had done the night before, but instead, was knocked over by a gray owl with piercing blue eyes. It was not Errol or Pig, Ron's owls, or his Hedwig, It was different, and this owl was carrying a letter for him. He took the letter from the owl's paws, and ripped it open. In his haste, a picture enclosed in the letter fell onto the floor. He picked it up, and took a look at it. In the picture were two girls, one Hermione, the other a stranger he didn't know, at the beach. Hermione was wearing a tankini, but the other girl was wearing a multi-colored, crocheted bikini. This girl was blonde, short, and had a nice smile. She's cute, Harry thought. I wonder who she is… He turned the picture over, hoping to see names and a date, and saw: Hermione and Rachel on the beach in Italy.
He turned it back over, and set it on his night-stand. Then, he picked up the letter, and read:
Dear Harry,
This may seem a little odd, but my name is Rachel Starnes, and I am Hermione's Pen-Pal. She wrote me and said you needed a little cheering up, so I decided to write you. I will be attending Hogwarts this year, and I will be in your year. You will meet me then, but I wanted you to see what I look like, so I slipped that picture of Hermione and I into the envelope. That was taken last summer, but I haven't really changed much. Blonde hair, green eyes(not emerald, like yours, but ocean colored).
I am a lot like Hermione in school work, but I get better grades than she does. I love learning, but I know when to give it a rest and have some fun. I like Transfiguration and Charms, but I think Divination is a waste of time. I like all colors, and have a pet chinchilla who will come with me to Hogwarts. Her name is Cecil. I hope to be in Gryffindor, but I think I will probably be in Ravenclaw. Can't wait to see you in person, I already have a few pictures of you from Hermione. Write me if you want. I am open to anything that you want to tell me, and I can give good advice. I will listen to anything you have to say.
Until Later,
Rachel
Might as well give it a shot… Harry thought. He rummaged through his desk and found a quill, parchment, and after a few moments of struggling, came up with some ink. This is weird… he thought, as he penned the first words onto the page. I'm writing to a girl I don't even know. But that can have advantages. She doesn't know me, so therefore she can't judge me, so therefore, I have a fresh start. Harry's thoughts and feelings went into that letter. As he finished, he worried that he had gone too far. But she had told him he could tell her anything…. So, Harry addressed the letter and gave it to Hedwig, and that was it. No turning back now.