Chapter Three: Observations & Apologies

Waking just before dawn his eyes felt like they had weights attached to them, and after fifteen minutes of just lying there and constantly blinking Harry struggled out of bed feeling like he had been hit by a ton of bricks. The effects of his now routine nightmares were beginning to subside as he made his way over to where Hedwig's cage was located. Unlocking her cage and carefully removing his winged friend, he slowly made his way towards the window, affectionately stroking the only companion he had during his summers.

"Have fun hunting girl, and be careful ok?" he whispered near her ear. Hedwig gave him a pleasant nip to his ear and took off out the window. Grabbing a clean set of clothes he started off with his morning routine. After a steamy shower and quick breakfast, he reappeared in his room and sat himself down in front of his desk. Reaching over for a few pieces of parchment, his quill, and ink bottle, he set out writing letters that he would ask Hedwig to deliver when she returned.


Dear Hermione,

First off how are you? I hope that you're doing better and that soon you'll be in perfect health as quick as possible. I know over the years I've been a horrible friend to you and never treated you as the best friend a person could ever have. I want to apologize for my inexcusable behavior towards you all those years, and especially this last year, as I acted like a huge prat, yelling and snapping at you almost all the time. You deserve so much better, to be treated like the angel you are, and if I could go back and do it all over, I would have done things a lot differently. I would surely have spent more time in the library with you, studying and working harder, applying myself to my full potential, trying to get good grades…just the thing you've been doing all this time. Don't let anybody ever tell you that this is something wrong or a waste of time, and if some people call you a bookworm don't even spend a second worrying or thinking about it, because they're probably only jealous of your intelligence. Knowledge is power, and one can never have enough knowledge you know. But also don't forget to live and squeeze as much fun in your life whenever you can, as you know life is precious and short. I should have listened to you when you begged me to consider things, and I'll regret not doing so for the rest of my life. I was an idiot and I'm truly sorry, and I'll never forgive myself for putting you in such a situation that you almost were killed because of my actions and recklessness. You are and will always be my BEST friend (don't mention that to Ron cause I'll just say that you both are equally my best friends) and I will never be able to thank you enough for constantly supporting me and sticking by my side. Don't you think about it for one minute if anybody accuses you of mothering or worrying over me, cause I know you're just looking out for me, exactly like a great friend should act. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me for all the pain and suffering that you experienced through my actions, mistakes, and behavior. If you're angry with me, and never want to speak or be around me, I understand completely, but I will always think of you as my best friend. . I hope you have a good summer and wish you good luck on your O.W.L results. (I think you'll get all O's just like you deserve due to all your hard work and studying.)

Love,

Harry

P.S. Don't be mad, but I gave a couple of letters for Hedwig to deliver so she won't be able to stay with you and wait for a reply. I'm sure she'll know if you want to reply back, and show up.


Dear Ron,

How are you mate? I hope you're doing fine and that you're in good health, or will be soon. I just wanted to apologize to you for acting like a right old git this last year. I'm also sorry that you got injured because of my stupidity. It was my fault that you, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and Neville were put in danger and were almost killed. Thank Merlin that didn't happen. Anyway, I also wanted to thank you for sticking with me all through last year. You're a great friend, and I'll always appreciate your friendship. I hope you and your family are doing ok, and say hi to everybody for me. Have a good summer, and best of luck on your O.W.L results!

Harry

P.S. Don't get rusty in Quidditch! (Just kidding!)


Dear Ginny,

How are you? How's your ankle feeling? I hope you're feeling better, and if you're not I hope you recover as soon as possible. I wanted to apologize for my behavior this last year, I treated you and so many others horribly. I acted like a total prat, and I hope you can forgive me. It was my fault that you and everybody else got hurt that night, and I'm just thankful that everybody got through it ok. I also want to tell you that you did a great job playing Quidditch, and that you definitely have great seeker skills as well. Well, I hope you and your family have good summer. I know you'll be starting your fifth year come September 1st, so that means you're going to be taking your O.W.L's, and it might be a good idea to take a page out of Hermione's book and start preparing for them. It might save you from a nervous breakdown like what some of the other students in my year experienced. If you ever need help, you can always ask me, but you'll probably be better off asking our intelligent Hermione, she does know her stuff. Anyway, have a good summer, and say hi to everybody for me, especially the twins.

Your Friend,

Harry


Dear Luna,

How are you? I hope you're feeling well, and that you have no last effects from that night. I wanted to apologize to you, as it was my fault that you and everybody got injured, and I almost got you lot killed. I hope you can forgive me for my stupidity. I want to thank you for your help and sticking by me. I also want to thank you for the words you told me during the night of the feast. It made me think about things, and I believe it did me some good. I know you're about to start your fifth year just like Ginny is, and I just wanted to suggest that you get a head start on your studying so you can be prepared for your O.W.L's and get brilliant scores. But I know you're a Ravenclaw and probably know all of this, so if you ever need any help you can always ask me. (Although you're probably better than me in most subjects!) Anyway, I want you to know that you're a great friend and that I truly appreciate you for sticking by me. I hope you and your father have a good summer.

Your Friend,

Harry

P.S. Are you and your father going to search for a Crumple-Horned Snorkack? If you do, I hope to hear all about it! I'm not sure if you have an owl at home, but I gave Hedwig (my owl) a couple of letters to deliver all at once, so she won't be able to stay around for a reply. If you don't have an owl don't worry, when you're ready to send a reply Hedwig will know and show up.


Dear Neville,

How are you? I hope you're feeling better, and that you don't have any last injuries. I hope your Grandmother isn't too mad about your father's wand. I wanted to apologize to you for placing your life at risk, it was my fault and I should of known better. Also, I wanted to say thanks for sticking by my side and fighting so bravely. I don't know what I would of done without your help, especially the way you helped with Hermione. I'll never be able to thank you enough for that. I just wanted to wish you a good summer, and the best of luck on your O.W.L results.

Your Friend,

Harry

P.S. I'm not sure if you have an owl, but I gave Hedwig a few letters, so she won't be able to hang around for a reply. If you don't have an owl, Hedwig will show up when you need to send it.


Dear Birdies,

All is fine here. I'm doing ok.

A "Private" Friend


Right after he signed the last of his letters, a whooshing noise caught his attention and Hedwig came soaring through the window, landing on his shoulder.

Scratching her behind the ear he asked, "Have a good hunt girl?" She answered his question with a bob of the head and an affirmative hoot. After he finished placing the written letters in envelopes and writing out the names and addresses on each of them, (except the one for the Order) he sealed the six letters. He then gave Hedwig a once over and looked towards the clockon his nightstand and noticed it was ten minutes to eight.

"You have enough energy to deliver all six of these in one go girl?" Harry got the answer to his question when his owl shoot him a patronizing look, and nip that had a little more force than usual.

"Ok, ok…jeez, I just didn't want to tire you out you know. Ok, take these first to Hermione, Ron and Ginny, Luna, Neville, and this one is for the Order so just deliver that last to Remus, Tonks, or Moody. Don't let anybody read what's not for them, and don't wait around for any replies. Fly safe Hedwig."

As he looked out the open window and watched his faithful owl's form disappear into the clouds overhead, he glanced at his clock again to take note what time Hedwig left. The hands on his clock struck eight, and as he turned to gaze out the window again, he saw the sudden figure of Severus Snape materialize with a soft 'crack,' two houses down. Harry noted the man's appearance in a low, amused voice 'pale complexion…check, greasy black hair…check, long hooked nose…check, trademark scowl…check…definitely Snivellus,' also the Potions master looked extremely irritable, 'probably because I'm involved,' thought Harry. Trying to remain hidden so Snape didn't spot him observing, he watched as the dark robed man arrived in front of number four while looking at the house with a sneer of disgust on his face. Another figure shimmered into sight right next to the Hogwarts professor, but without a hint of sound following the movement. 'Invisibility cloak,' Harry thought as he quickly recognized the tall black man with a gold hoped earring in one ear…'Shacklebolt.' The Auror quietly spoke a few swift words while Snape nodded once, and with a similar soft 'crack,' he left. Snape then quickly tapped his head with his wand and disappeared out of sight, and the teenage boy mumbled to himself "Disillusionment Charm."

With his newly liberated freedom from chores and the absence of Hedwig, Harry suddenly found himself sitting around with nothing to do. He started fumbling and shifting stuff around in his trunk until he located his first year school books. Propping his back against the wall underneath his window, he began reviewing first year Defense Against the Dark Arts, while keeping his ears opened for any sound that would alert him of a changing of the guard. Harry silently pondered how long each lookout shift could be, and opted to check every hour just in case.

After three uneventful breaks to check out the window, Harry closed his DADA book with a frown, thinking 'well there's a good three plus hours I'll never get back.' With a now regular look at the time, which read fifteen minutes to noon, he got up and stretched his aching back and headed over to his surveillance spot. When noon came around and he could not spot any movement, he started to become discouraged but kept his eyes peeled just in case. 'Snape did arrive exactly on time, but the next guard might be running a little late…or maybe they're just trying to piss Snape off,' Harry thought with a smile. At ten past noon, Harry's patience paid off and he heard the familiar sound of two simultaneous 'CRACKS,' and realized that his new guards were none other than Fred and George Weasley. 'Newest Order memberswhat a coincidence they're ten minutes late to relieve Snape,' he chuckled to himself. Smiling like a pair of Cheshire cats, the twins made their way to the house and upon their arrival the head of Severus Snape became visible, followed by the rest of his body. The exchange of words between the three Order members was a little longer than the one Snape shared with Kinglsey, 'of course Snape is going to be the bastard he is and throw in a couple of insults and sneers,' and right after Snape's departure, Harry witnessed the shared look between the brothers, and the immediate roll of their eyes upwards.

Wondering who was watching the twins' joke shop in Diagon Alley since they were going to be here for possibly four hours, Harry made his way downstairs to the kitchen for lunch. He mentally reminded himself that the guards probably changed after four-hour shifts, and not to forget to check again at four in the afternoon.

Arriving twenty minutes later to his room after a mediocre ham and cheese sandwich and orange juice, Harry decided to sort through some more first year books, starting off this time with Transfiguration. Two hours later, he closed his book smiling to himself since he remembered most of first year Transfiguration, and knew he could perform all of what he had just reviewed. Settling to take a break from reading as his eyes refused to tolerate such abuse, he started doing some push-ups, sit-ups, and crunches.

A sudden knock on his bedroom door startled him, given the fact that nobody that lived in this house had ever been that polite regarding his privacy. Thinking maybe it could be one of the twins or a visitor, he opened the door to reveal none other than his cousin.

Staring at each other for a good long minute, Harry decided to just get it over with cause he had better things to do with his time as it was obvious that his cousin was not going to speak first.

"Yes?" he asked in a silky tone, causing Dudley to narrow his eyes.

"I have to ask a question," he responded in spiteful way.

Flashing him a cheeky smile Harry mockingly said "What could possibly cause Big D to come seeking my assistance?"

"Shut it."

"Well?" Harry asked again in a sweet song voice.

"Laundry," he unpleasantly answered.

"What about it?" was his next question, as his suspicions were telling him that Dudley was going to try and dump this chore on him.

Dudley hesitated for a couple of moments, then swallowed his pride and asked, "How do you do it?"

Rolling his eyes and letting out a sigh, "Didn't your Mum tell you how to do it?"

"No, she said I'm a big boy and that I should know how to do these things."

'Understatement of the year,' thought Harry. "Fine, you take the clothes put them in the washing machine, add the detergent, set the machine, and start it. When the clothes finish washing, you put them in the dryer, set it, and start it. Got it?"

"Um, yeah."

"Good…" Harry trailed off waiting for any sign of gratitude, but Dudley then just turned and wobbled away.

'Your welcome…spoiled…ungrateful…pig-in-a-wig," thought Harry as he closed the door and went back to exercising.

At ten minutes to four Harry was back in snooping mode, and waited to see who was going to replace the Weasley twins as his prison guard. Five minutes later he spotted a black hair, pink-cheeked witch talking to the twins. 'I know her…Hestia Jones, she was part of the Advance guard last year.' All three Order members were talking and smiling, until the Weasleys departed, and Hestia Jones swiftly disillusioned herself.

Later, a shrill shriek pierced the silence inside the house, and as Harry was about to run downstairs to investigate with his wand in his hand, he heard his Aunt's raised voice, and realized there was no immediate danger.

"Ruined! I thought you said you knew how to do the laundry!"

Harry shook his head and smiled, 'Leave it to Dudley to destroy anything that he comes in contact with.'

"You have to separate the white and dark colored clothes! Just get out of my sight!" his Aunt screeched.

Harry heard the thunderous footsteps that could only mean that a really heavy person was making their way as fast as they could up the stairs. Expecting to hear the loud slam of Dudley's bedroom door, Harry was surprised to see his door violently swing open and crash back into the wall. His red-faced cousin was staring at him while clenching and unclenching his pudgy fists.

Harry shot him a flashy smile and asked, "Back for more questions ickle Diddykins?"

Narrowing his small blue eyes and unclenching his jaw, "You did that on purpose just to get me into trouble!"

"Well, I could say Turnabout is fair play, but I told you the right way to do it. How was I suppose to know that you wouldn't be smart enough to separate the clothes?"

"You DIDN'T tell me to SEPARATE the clothes!" roared Dudley.

"I guess I gave you too much credit and thought you had the common sense to check the labels on the clothes…but tell me, since when does Bid D do whatever a puny little freak tells him to do?" throwing in a smirk to add insult to injury.

"I should beat you to a pulp for getting me into trouble!" his cousin spat, taking a step towards him.

"Maybe…but then I think I'll write to my friends and ask them if they wouldn't mind giving you back the squiggly pig tail you were so fond of…"

Dudley's progression stopped, and his body stiffened immediately as Harry's words hit him like a 'Petrificus Totalus,' and he turned around and exited the room as fast as his chunky legs would allow him, with one hand covering his rear, and the other grabbing the doorknob and slamming the door shut.

'Note to self…thank Hagrid again for giving Dudley a pig's tail…absolutely brilliant!'

Dinner was a very quiet affair that night. Harry noticed that for the first time ever that Dudley's short attention span was not focused on eating and watching television like usual, but shooting angered glares at him from across the table. His Aunt was silently eating, occasionally muttering to herself about 'pink clothes,' and 'different methods of punishment.' His Uncle wanting to ignore all three people at the dinner table chose to read the newspaper, not bothering to look at any of them. Finishing his supper first, and after washing and drying his plate and utensils, Harry bolted back up to his room, where he found Hedwig sitting on top of her cage.

"Hey girl, you're back!" said the cheerfully obvious teenager.

While giving her a healthy amount of owl treats, and refilling her bowl with fresh cool water, Harry asked, "Were you able to deliver the letters to everybody?"

A hoot and short nod was his answer, "Great, I knew you could do it. It was pretty boring with you gone, but I think you deserve a good deal of rest," he proudly stated as he placed her back in her cage and leaving the little swinging door open for her.

As it was nearing eight o'clock, and Harry cautiously closed the lights in his room so the guards would think he was asleep, and quietly moved into position. He then heard a muffled 'oomph' near the sidewalk, and spotted a tuff of bright bubble-gum pink hair that just as quickly as it was seen, vanished. Harry knew of only one person that sported that kind of hairstyle and could be clumsy enough to trip over the sidewalk, and the thought brought on a healthy smile. Watching the young Auror that goes by only 'Tonks,' as she shed her invisibility cloak and carried on a conversation with the previous guard, he silently wondered if any of his guards would actually visit or make their presence known to him. As Hestia Jones began to depart, he saw Tonks disappear again under her cloak, and let a sigh escape his lips.

He knew Tonks would be relieved at midnight, so he turned the lights in his room back on, and cracked open the first year Charms book. After awhile he became bored going over stuff he knew like the back of his hand, so he switched subjects and decided to thoroughly review Potions. As midnight approached, Harry switched off the lights again, and waited to see the identity of the last guard of the day. He silently giggled on the inside as he watched Tonks trip over the root of a tree, and hit the ground with a dramatic 'thud,' while still under the disguise of her cloak. Since Harry's attention was focused on Tonks' antics, he missed the faint sound that was barely emitted from the almost perfect 'crack,' that accompanied the new guard. It was the rhythmic whisper of 'thunk'….'thunk'….'thunk,' that keyed Harry in on who the new guard was. He quickly dove for his bed, and pretended that he was sleeping, since he knew that the Auror known as Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody possessed a magical eye that could see through many things, including the walls of number four.

Lying in bed with a grin plastered on his face, Harry thought his entire day of efforts seemed to have paid off. He now knew who his guards were, what times they arrived and departed, and which means they preferred to use when hiding their presence. But Harry was not that arrogant, and he figured that he would have to wait a couple of days to see if the same guards would show up tomorrow, or rotate around. Also, he wondered if Dumbledore ordered them not to make any contact with him, or did they just assume they were not allowed to? With so many thoughts bouncing around in his head, he shut his eyes and began working on his Occlumency practice to clear his mind, anda houlf-hourlater he was fast asleep.