READ THIS PLEASE!: O.k.! This isn't your average chapter. I decided to put together a scenes from the last two years of Harry's student life at Hogwarts and put them up as quick little almost one shots to past the time until a real chapter comes up. Hopefully these will be somewhat entertaining and will help me flush out the characters I am writing. Both good points in my book.

Following the events of Order of The Phoenix: summer first week.

Intermission: correspondence

It had been pouring rain for the past 3 days. Harry was resigned to sit at number 4 Privet Drive with only the screeches from his relatives and the occasional hoot from Hedwig as company.

"I wonder when Moody is supposed to send me another 'check to make sure I am not dead letter?' " He thought idly. He had tried his best not to think of Sirius with little luck. The rain wasn't helping much with the constant tapping it made against his window. Harry jerked his head up and saw a small brown owl tap the window again. Harry ran up and let the little fellow in. The owl hooted thankfully and sat patiently. Harry looked at the owl and recognized it as a Ministry owl. It held a smalltag around his neck with the insignia of the Ministry. Harry looked back to the letter. If it was a ministry letter it would be enchantment proof at least. Harry looked at the owl who looked back expectantly.

"I guess your expecting a reply? Let me give you some treats while your waiting." It hooted happily and joined Hedwig at the water feeder in Hedwigs cage. Hedwig didn't seem to mind. Harry smiled at the two owls then looked at the letter. "Susan Bones? How did she get a Ministry owl? Why would she even owl me?" He had never had much contact with the quiet Hufflepuff. The times they had spoken, which Harry could only remember a handle full despite the five years of going to the same school, were quick and unmemorable.

He raised his eye brows while he read the letter.

Dear Harry,

I heard from my Aunt that you and some of the other D.A. members had gone and broken into the Ministry of Magic and encountered Death Eaters and Voldemort himself. I was relieved to see that you were alright and felt that I should owl you and give you my support with what you did there. Aunt Ami had always wanted to get that jerk Fudge out of office and this might be the big chance.

I also heard what really happened with Sirius Black and feel awful for you. But from what I heard I am sure he would be happy that you were safe now. I don't know how busy you are over the summer but if you have time I would like to hear from you.

Well wishes,

Susan Bones

Harry looked over the letter and couldn't help but smile. If Hermione and Ron couldn't owl him for whatever reasons he was glad it did not extend to everyone. He read over the letter again and felt she should get a response now. He sat down after digging through his trunk for ink and quill. He thought for a moment what he would say and how to start before he settled down and wrote.

Dear Susan,

I am glad to hear from you. During the summer I tend not to get many owls.

Harry stopped there and flinched, it sounded like he was replying her as a last resort. After not being able to come up with anything else he decided to leave alone and let the chips fall where they may.

Thank you for the support. I feel horrible for my godfathers death. Everyone says-

Harry stopped again. He suddenly realized that this would be harder than he thought. He didn't want to confide in someone who he didn't know well. Harry sighed then finally decided to write down what he felt like saying and if he doesn't like it, he can always trash it.

that's its not my fault, but that doesn't mean I don't feel it. I am glad that you feel what I did was good, but I still have a self doubt. But I know what I am supposed to do now, I can move ahead.

Harry looked at what he just wrote. He had wanted to vent and didn't even know why he wrote this last part but realized it was true. Sirius was dead but Harry finally knew why he was so calm about Sirius' death. He felt pain but he didn't know now if it was for Professor Dumbledore not telling Harry things he had a right to know, or that all of that just led Sirius to an early grave. But it led to the fact that there was a purpose that he had to fill. And it seemed Harry could only have learned it after Sirius died.

I hope Fudge gets kicked out for this. Its ridiculous what he was getting away with for the past couple of years. I don't think you knew, but he had tried to get me expelled from Hogwarts for defending myself last year from dementors that had attacked me and my cousin, from Umbridge who had confessed to doing it. The hearing was more like a damn trial. Your aunt thankfully was one of the few people who maintained professionalism through it all. I guess I never really thanked her for that. Susan? Can you please pass the word to her? I appreciate it. I guess I wrote down more than I thought I would have now that I am looking back at this letter. But I don't regret it. Thank you for writing Susan. I think you helped me solve some things I have been having trouble sorting out on my own.

Sincerely,

Harry Potter

Harry reread what he wrote, it was a little personal for him. But Harry decided it was best to confide in someone who was outside of his circle of friends who believed him. Instead of the friends who would just console him blindly. He cooed both owls over to him. They both promptly flew on to his desk.

"I am sorry I don't know your name little guy, but I want to have Hedwig go with you." It looked hurt. "I am sorry, Hedwig is more used to the things that might intercept owl letters. Right Hedwig?" The snowy owl gave an affirmative hoot. "Just for this once. I really don't want this letter to fall into anyone's hands other than Susan's" The small owl finally relented and both owls flew off with Harry's letter in tow. Harry looked down at the letter Susan sent him. He was glad that someone owled him other than the obligatory owl of concern. At least Harry hoped that was the case. Harry sighed and leaned back into his chair. "I wonder if this is another mistake." He felt the doubt climb back into his vision, but knew that there was no way to bring either owl back. Aunt Petunia screeched for Harry to come down and cook her duders some breakfast. Harry grimaced. Of all the things that happened, he was almost glad that there was a kind of normalcy at the Dursleys.

TLTLTLTLTLTLT

Harry gave an honest smile when Hedwig returned that evening with another letter from Susan. He quickly opened it and read,

Harry,

I am glad to know I could help you with sorting stuff out. Even if I didn't know that I did. Aunt Ami said she was grateful for the thanks. I have been really worried with the what the prophet has been writing. I don't know if you get it so I put the article with my letter. Its about you and how powerful you are getting. It's a nice little article for Harry Potter fans, but its these kinds of articles that seems to be setting people up. Aunt Ami thinks so too. Sorry for bringing this up. I am sure you didn't want to know. I am almost tempted to cross this whole part up, but I think you should know anyway. I hate it when people talk behind my back and I know you are the same.

Anyway, I was really happy that you replied. And I was surprised to see you had your owl, Hedwig? Come back with Julie. When I saw your owl there, I had to reply immediately. So I thought of things to say, and realized you probably don't know much about me. This is where I am thoroughly embarrassed for even owling you in the first place. I almost curled up in a ball when I realized it, honest. Then I just sucked it in and wrote back. Well, for some background information about me. I live with my Aunt Ami in London. You already know who that is. I have a small circle of friends who are in Hufflepuff, but they have been getting on my nerves this past year. They just keep changing their opinions about everything. Especially when it comes to the Daily Prophet. They are so ready to believe what that damn paper says and if they have to contradict something they had said earlier, my friends say, "Well they obviously can't be right all the time." Arg, sorry I am getting my self worked up over those idiots. I think that a news paper should have facts not just 'news'. It just angers me the crap that people go through to sell a damn newspaper.

Harry couldn't help but laugh at this point. He tried to be quiet since Uncle Vernon had finally allowed the boy to not work outside in the rain, but if he laughed anymore Uncle Vernon would throw him out there again. Harry ended up laughing harder when he read the rest of the tirade, the delicate writing of Susan's had slowly morphed into tight jagged scrawls.

What really sets me off though is when the whole schools agrees with those idiots. I mean what the hell is wrong with these people! Whew, I guess that has been building up.

I could just scratch this off, but after you wrote something so personal, I can't. I hope you don't think me mad. But if you do, at least call me eccentric. That will help when I get hauled off to St. Mungo's. Write back. I like to hear from you again.

With honesty and love,

Susan

Harry promptly wrote out a reply but slowly wondered what he should say to it. He decided a background would be just as entertaining to her as hers was to him.

Dear Susan,

Thank you for not cutting anything out. And I heartily agree about the papers, and this article about me isn't going to be good. I was thoroughly enjoying your opinions of the Prophet and of people in general.

I don't know how much is published about me so I'll just write you what its like living with the Dursleys. Its crap. When I was orphaned I was stuck with these people. They really don't like me and I guess the feeling used to be mutual. Now I don't to waste the energy being angry at them. I have had enough of that.

But there was this one time when I was young that I first got my glasses. My cousin Dudley wanted to take them off and break them. I didn't want him to so for three hours the pudgy kid tried to tear them off my face and they would not come off. He finally got so frustrated he ran home and told aunt Petunia that I wouldn't let him take my glasses off my face so he could crush them. I was feeling smug so I sat and listened. Uncle Vernon was mad so he shaved my head that evening. It was a shock to all of us when it was back to normal the next day. Every single time they shaved my head for the rest of my stay here, it would grow back by the next morning. Its one of those little things that has endeared them to me I guess. Being sarcastic here.

There were a few other times where it was fun being here when I would get a slight retribution through accidental magic when I was younger, but they seems petty now. So I guess my only real joy staying here now is sharing owls with you.

Awaiting for your next owl with a smile

Harry

Harry looked at it and thought it didn't seem as funny as her letter was. But he decided being honest was easy and important first step in writing the letter. Harry walked over to Hedwig who looked irritated for flying out again, "I am sorry Hedwig, rest at Susans for the night and you can come back in the morning. I'll save you some extra bacon." She nipped his finger affectionately. Harry wrote quickly at the bottom of his letter.

P.S. my poor owl, I just wanted to send one more letter to you tonight. Can you please let Hedwig rest over tonight and send her back tomorrow? Thank you.

Harry sealed the letter. Hedwig gave another hoot before she left to deliver Harry's letter.

The following weeks had the same pattern of two or three letters a day. Harry constantly begged for Hedwigs forgiveness as Susan did the same for Julie. Harry sat on his bed one day smiling to himself. He began to realize how much he became attached to Susan. He looked over the letters. He knew his were always more serious that Susan's but she never complained or even commented. It was raining again and Harry wondered if Hedwig would be able to send him the letter Susan no doubt had already written to him. He looked at the last letter she had sent him and smiled again.

Hey Harry,

Just got done shopping. Aunt Ami would not let me get the new set of quills that I wanted. Arg I know I don't need them but they are nice. Well, can't have everything right? I asked Ami about either of us visiting each other but a no go. I guess Professor Dumbledore didn't think you moving around or being visited was a good idea. Damn. Well I guess I just have to suffer to reading your untidy scrawl twice a day. Oh, I almost forgot. Ami said your birthday is coming up. I am going to give Julie the gift that I got you. I hope you like it. If you don't I am going to have to hurt you then. Or break down and cry. This is where I am being overly dramatic. Yes, I have been watching a muggle show. Its about some women who all fall in love with the same man, but he is already married. And there is this whole involved story how they try and get his attention. He finally makes his point that he is not interested only to find that he really was and divorces his wife and goes after one of the girls to only find that she really didn't care about him, she was just going along with her friends. Its was depressing. I was crying for half an hour after the show. Ami was actually concerned until I explained what had happened. Then we sat down and watched the next episode and we were both bawling our eyes out.

Aunt, niece bonding time is fun. Write back and beg me to tell you what I got you. You have only a week before your birthday. Beg!

Love Susan.

Harry smiled before a knock came at the front door. He ran down to see Mad-eye flanked by Tonks and Professor Lupin in the hallway. Whatever smile Harry had faded. He would be leaving number 4 Privet Drive and Susan wouldn't know what had happened.

TLTLTLTLTLTLT

Susan sighed again, much to her friends complaints. She looked over and saw a few of them playing exploding snaps. They asked if she wanted to join in but she shook her head and looked back out the window. Susan had made a correspondence with Harry for over a month before the letters were abruptly cut off. Her Aunt told her that Harry had to go into hiding again. Susan was surprised that her aunt said again. Susan wondered all summer how often that happened to her new friend. Susan had asked if he was o.k., but the aunt merely grimaced and said, "He asked me to tell you that he couldn't owl you for the rest of the summer." That was at the end of July.

Since then, she had steadily gone over his letters and realized that she really fallen for the moody guy. She grinned at the word moody. He wasn't moody so much as he was just thinking. He always thought about something, even when he was in deep conversation. Susan sighed again, she really missed his letters. And him. Which she tried to rationalize as ridiculous as neither of them had really been in front of each other for longer than a class length period.

Susan listened halfheartedly to her friends on the train. They were all talking about how fun their vacation. Susan smiled slightly, then looked back out the window of the Hogwarts express. The only fun time she had was when she read Harry's letters. She was dreading if the relationship would only be attainable through letters, or if it was simply in her head, and he wrote to humor her. Susan shivered at that. She tried to find Harry on the train, but the Griffindors said they did not see Harry on the train at all. She was worried now if Harry was alright.

Susan got off the train and looked around. Students filed out of the train and she couldn?t help but sigh depressingly. Susan felt a hand on her shoulder and she tensed. She turned around and saw Harry stand there smiling at her. Susan surprised herself immensely when she jumped and hugged him. Harry was apparently as surprised as she was but hugged her back happily. "I am sorry I couldn't owl you Susan. I been studying here at Hogwarts for the past few weeks."

He let her go and they started to find a cart. The students skirted around Harry. He looked at Susan for questions. Susan felt sad when she explained. "There was a few articles released questioning if your not becoming as dangerous as Voldemort."

Harry almost lashed out at Susan before he caught himself and sighed just as Susan had done. "D-do you believe them?" He asked suddenly uncertain.

Susan walked closely to him and lean slightly towards him saying, "Not a word. You are a wonderful wizard Harry, a tad too eager to blame everything on himself, but that's it." Susan smiled at him and Harry reddened slightly at her leaning close to him. Harry and Susan walked to the carriages and their hands naturally reached for eachother. They both looked at each other and smiled. With the press circulating the articles about Harry, Harry and Susan found a nice carriage all to themselves. For the first time in Harry's life, he didn't care what was going on around him. Susan was still standing with him and that was all that mattered.

:-.,,.-:'':-.,,.-:'':-.,,.-:'':-.,,.-::-.,,.-:'':-.,,.-:'':-.,,.-:'':-.,,.-:

Yay! Intermission: correspondence is up!

Hope you all liked it!

Hedwigpig: I am working on Part 2 and it's a little more action orientated. Had to set up the characters first you know?

Lap: Thanks, I am glad that you found Harry in distress as amusing as I did. I think Remus and Fluer would suit each other well. And wizards and witches are so long lived that age wouldn't really matter past 20 years old. Well that's my view anyway. I hope you liked reading this little snipet of Harry and Susan's past until Part two is beta'ed next week.

Zero-skillz: thanks I am going to put up one more intermission piece this week, and hopefully get Part two up a week from today.

MistRose: Thank you for the review. I am pleased that you have enjoyed the premise of the story. I hope that you will stick to reading until the end.

Oh god what did they do to the editor and stuff. Every single qutation mark became a question mark. This is going to kill me with the coming chapters. Hopefully I just need to save in rtf before uploading. I hope everyone enjoyed the chapter. The next intermission is a little shorter and will be the last one till part two goes up!