Harry awoke early the next morning, despite the time he'd went to bed. Harry slowly sat up. The morning sun was bright, regardless of how early it was. He looked at the clock: Forty-seven minutes after daybreak. Harry groaned and fell back on his pillow, but then sat bolt upright. He looked at his pillow and saw a letter laying innocently.

Harry picked it up and eagerly opened it. It must be important, not to come with the morning mail. Harry unfolded the letter and read:

Harry,

Please don't go to the place you were asked to on the bad Friday. Your Head sent a feather to us this morning informing us how bad you were last night. We had to write to you as soon as possible. Most people in the household are here as we write. We have all agreed that whoever writes must write what the person says, so here we go:

Moony says that he understands you wanting to go see the Smart One, but you should leave it up to others.

Blue Eye says if you by any means go see the Smart One, he will be like his imposter and spells.

Big Red says that you should leave it up to your Head.

Long Hair, who you shouldn't believe, says go for it, if you're sure you can.

Burns, who also isn't the best at advice, says do whatever you please, as long as you can handle it. You should think about the problems either way before making your choice, however.

The Elf surprisingly wanted to give his opinion. He says… oh, he's not nice. He says you should go into the place where Snuffles snuffed it and burn. I don't think you should take his advice.

Multi-personalities says be safe in whatever you choose. Don't listen to her, either.

The other random house members who you aren't quite as familiar with are divided, though most say that if you see the Smart One, they'll help Goldilocks and his role with you. (I don't think they're serious) The others say it's your choice to make or, as D.D. said, "What are you still sitting there for?"

I, personally, am of the opinion that if you go, I will still love you but I forbid you to go to the extent of my power over you (which Moony says to remind you is none at all, though that's not true. He says it is, even though it's not, but Long Hair says to finish or he'll write a new copy. Big Red says to say sorry if you missed that).

We love you, Harry, and will no matter what you choose. But if you choose to go, there will be some very unhappy people in the household.

Mum and the Household

Harry read the letter several times while trying to decipher it. It was plain that they still could no longer write freely.

Well, it was easy to see that a lot of them didn't want him to go to the Bryth on Friday the thirteenth, even though he'd already decided he was. "Moony" was obviously Lupin, and it sounded so like him, yet so like Sirius at the same time. Both most of the time suggested that Harry leave it up to others when it came to such serious matters. "Blue Eye" had to be Moody--who else had a big, blue, intimidating eye? And Moody was threatening to become like Barty Crouch, Jr. and hex him with Unforgivable Curses. Harry was pretty sure that "Big Red" was Arthur Weasley telling him to leave it up to Dumbledore. Harry smiled at "Long Hair"; that was surely a name Mrs. Weasley made up for her son. Bill was all for it, something Harry was grateful for. "Burns"… that had to be Charlie telling him to think before he acted. … And Kreacher would have been the one telling him to burn, that was for sure. Tonks just said to be safe; easier said than done when you're Harry Potter. And everyone else in the house… Harry remembered Emmeline Vance, Hestia Jones, Sturgis Podmore, Elphias Doge and Dedalus Diggle, whom Harry thought was uncannily named "D.D."

Harry grabbed a spare piece of parchment from the small table next to his bed and the ink bottle and quill nearby. He began scribbling furiously:

Dear Household,

In hearing of how bad I was last night, you must surely have also heard that my decision was made the same night? I have no intentions on changing it. Please don't waste your parchment and ink trying to dissuade me--I've already got a good deal of people coming with me, and to cut short their big adventure would brake their hearts. I thank you for the concern of my well-being, and tell the Elf I love him, too. As for those who support my decision, I thank you. As for those who do not, and I am terribly sorry to disappoint and be so straight forward with you, LIVE WITH IT.

I care for you all, too.

Harry

Harry re-read his letter and felt his sarcasm ought to punishable by law, though it did not stop him from getting up and heading toward the Owlery to send the letter. As he reached it and opened the door, however, he ran straight into someone, knocking them both back and onto the floor.

"Wha--oh, Harry!" It was Kelly, who quickly stood and recovered. "Are you all right?"

"Y-yeah, I'm fine," Harry said, taking Kelly's outstretched hand to help him up.

"What are you doing up so early?" Kelly asked him.

"I could ask you the same thing," Harry commented, walking inside and looking around for Hedwig. She was perched on one of the topmost rows. Harry called her down, and she flew onto his shoulder.

"Who are you sending your letter to?" Kelly asked curiously.

"Oh, just to--" He stopped. Kelly didn't know about the Order. "--my mum. Er, not my mum, sorry, my aunt. She wanted to know if… I could stay at the Weasley's again this summer. I told her not to worry, that I wouldn't be at Number Four, Privet Drive this summer if I could help it."

Harry knew Kelly didn't believe him, but she didn't press the matter, for which he was thankful. Harry quickly tied the letter onto Hedwig's outstretched foot, who'd been growing impatient, and led her to the window. She flew off into early morning sunrise, watched glazy-eyed by Harry, who stared aimlessly out the window until Hedwig was nothing more than a little dot in the sky, and then vanished.

"So…" Kelly said. "Wanna go eat?"

Harry hastily agreed, taking note that she looked rather tired. He refrained from mentioning further; she had not pressed with his letter, he wouldn't press with her sleeping habits. But hadn't she gone to bed before he and Ron? But couldn't she, like he, have tossed and turned in bed for several hours? Harry tried to make a mental note not to judge so quickly.

They talked of which brooms were better at what time periods on their journey to the Great Hall, the subject of owls turning to flying having lead them there. When they sat down and started eating the delicious eggs, the subject lasted them for several minutes, Kelly arguing that the earliest broom had been recorded in 976, Harry quite certain he'd read in Quidditch Through the Ages that it had been 697.

Ron walked in later, his hair still a mess. Harry didn't think anyone had slept that night, but at least with Ron he had a very good guess why.

"You look ready for classes," Kelly commented, surveying him with a sarcastic look.

"Yeah, could say the same to you," Ron said, piling his plate with eggs and toast.

"Whatcha mean?" Kelly asked.

"Kelly… it's Saturday," Harry said, looking at her concernedly.

"No it isn't," Kelly said, now looking at them in concern.

"Uh… yeah it is," Ron said, now gulping down his pumpkin juice.

"Are… are you sure…?" Kelly asked, looking at them, though seeming to not quite see them.

"Yes," said Harry.

"So… so no classes today…?" Kelly asked, as though not understanding what they had just discussed.

"You all right?" asked Ron, shoving some French toast down his throat.

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine… just thought it was Tuesday for some reason… heh heh…" Kelly said, taking a large swig of pumpkin juice.

Ron seemed to have noticed that she was very tired. He opened his mouth and had just gotten out "How much slee--" when Harry kicked him hard under the table. Ron instinctively grabbed his leg in pain, but Harry seemed to have gotten the point across. Harry felt he owed Kelly at least this one favor, of which he could do.

Kelly and Ron disappeared after breakfast, when Harry remained behind to try and inconspicuously help Dean some more with the latest spell. Crabbe was very confused as to why he suddenly found everything funny. Kelly and Ron's ominous absence left Harry's mind to unpleasantly wander, though Parvati came down and said, to Harry's relief, that Kelly was sleeping in her dorm. Harry, after going into his own dorm, found that Ron was sleeping soundly as well. Harry inwardly breathed again.

Taking the opportunity, Harry started out of the common room and into the gorgeous outside day. Many students lay about the gorgeous spring grass, chatting to one another in perfectly friendly tones, whether or not Seamus realized he was talking to a seventh year Slytherin. Near the forest Harry thought he saw Hagrid merrily talking to Ginny Weasley, who was eagerly introducing Dean Thomas. Harry quickly strode to his and Kelly's usual spot. It was empty, though their was a recent-looking imprint as if someone had just left. Harry sat down quietly and thought.