Chapter 15 – Letters and Hedwig's Temper

Harry landed feet first back to his bedroom in Privet Drive. He noticed that he had spent around six hours in the vault.

He took out his wand and tried to do magic the way he read in one of his books, where the intention of the user matters more than the words. He had hoped that his recent power increase might help him with this kind of magic.

"Pack"

The end result wasn't as neat and tidy as Harry had planned, clothes were haphazardly put together on top of another, some even collided in mid air, but after a few minutes the stuff lying around his room was placed in his old trunk. He shrunk the old trunk and put it in his new trunk in the first compartment knowing that he had a year to fix up his new trunk so he wasn't in a hurry right now. He left a few pages of parchment and ink to write the letters, rest including the stuff under his floorboard and Hedwig's cage were put in his trunk.

Hedwig had finally returned during the time Harry was in his vault, with a small package. He threw a puzzled glance at her, but she just hooted in response. Momentarily forgetting about his letters, Harry cut the strings holding the cloth-covered package secure, he looked around for some letter but finding none what so ever he starting opening the cloth.

Inside Harry found a small round-shaped amber colored crystal, it was smooth on the outside, but as hard as a rock; also it was for some reason giving out light on its own. Harry prodded the stone with his wand hoping it wasn't some sort of portkey or any device, which could harm him. When he was satisfied with the results, he gingerly and gently picked up the stone to examine it in some light.

It seemed that the crystal was glowing because of some liquid that resided within the crystal. Not understanding what the stone was for, Harry placed it back in the cloth, and put it in one of his robes pockets, hoping Godric or one of the portraits could shed some light on the properties of the mysterious stone.

He brought his attention back to the letters he had to send. He however had failed to notice another owl that was waiting at the foot of his bed, it hooted angrily as if it had better things to do than wait for Harry.

"Hello who are you from?" asked an amused Harry who found the antics of the owl quite funny.

The owl flew and landed on Harry's knee, and stuck his foot forward.

"Could you wait for me, I might have to reply back" the owl nodded and flew and sat next to Hedwig.

Hedwig unlike her master was not as amused at the antics of the owl thus she hooted angrily for the owl to get away from her. The owl screeched and flew to the other side of the room, as if scared what Hedwig could do to him.

Harry snickered at this, as he opened the letter to notice it was from Ron and Ginny.

Dear Harry

How are you doing mate? Sorry we didn't send you a letter before, it seemed that the Dumbledore thought that it wasn't safe to use owls at the moment. Don't ask me why, we are still kept out of the loop here. Anyways everything's fine here, by here we mean that we are in HQ, mom moved us here the day after we returned from Hogwarts, she said it was safer than the Burrow. But I reckon she just needed us to clean the house for her, bloody slave drivers.

Luckily the twins moved out of the Burrow before the summer, and are now living above their shop in Diagon Alley. The stuff they sell in the shop is bloody brilliant, we only went their once, but it was an amazing experience. Anyways Hermione told me to say hi to you, she has got the floo network installed in her fireplace, so she keeps on dropping by to pay us a visit.

But between you and me, I hope she doesn't come till the results are out. All she talks about is the Owl's I swear if the results don't come out soon, me and Ginny will have to break the underage sorcery law just to make her shut up. Anyways everybody's fine here; mom worries about you from time to time, since she looks upon you as a surrogate son. Bill and Charlie are also back to help the order.

Anyways Ginny's wants to write to you too, so I will sign off here mate. Take care of yourself, and send a reply with this owl, because according to Dumbledore's words "It has been deemed safe to send letters through him."

Your Friend

Ron Weasley

Harry smiled at the letter, it was a typical Ron letter, include something about Hermione in an irritated sort of way, and complain about the work he would have to do. He hoped Ron wouldn't become jealous about Harry's inheritance, and the training he was about to receive.

He put that thought behind, and continued to read Ginny's letter.

Dear Harry

Hope you don't mind me writing to you, I am bored out of my mind here. My day passes either in cleaning the house, or listen to Ron complain about his work or about Hermione, or Hermione complain about how she would not pass the OWL's. Seriously doesn't that women realize that if she doesn't pass, who would! And god when will my idiot of a brother realize he has feelings for Hermione. I am already tempted to ask the twins when they next visit to provide me with some truth serum. Think of the possibilities Harry, I could lock them both in a room, after they have consumed the truth serum, and then I would unlock them after a few hours, surely they would have both told the truth to each other.

And honestly how dumb can my brother be, Hermione wouldn't be coming everyday just to talk to me, she's there to see him. Hello stupid brother! I wish I could knock some sense into him.

I am sorry for babbling on like this, I have been frustrated staying in this house for the past couple of days. I would do anything to get out into the sunshine.

Anyways enough of my chitter chatter, what have you been up to Harry. Hope your life has been more exciting than mine, and can you do me a big favor, can you tell Ron I am not going out with Dean, Jesus I said I was thinking about going out with him, there's a difference, and the only reason I said it was just to bug him. He's been going on and on about how Dean isn't the perfect guy for me, how you deserve better. For Christ sakes Harry stop him before I resort to using one of the twin's pranks.

Anyways sorry again for pouring out this much in my first letter, what you must be thinking about me. Anyways if you ever want to talk to anyone other than Ron and Hermione, you should know I would always be there for you. As I mentioned last year I know what it feels like to be possessed and fooled by Tom. And other than that friends are always there for each other.

With love

Ginny Weasley

The beginning of the letter had Harry laughing till his stomach started hurting. He always knew Ginny was more like the twins than any of her brothers, but this validated that fact. The girl was someone you wouldn't want to get angry. Her temper was just like her mother, except she preferred the twin's method of pranking instead of screaming her head off,

Or maybe both- thought Harry remembering Dumbledore's previous letter.

The end of the letter had really touched Harry, he had always ignored Ginny till before last year, but she still didn't mind listening to Harry's problems. He promised himself he would take time to get to know her better this year, no matter what.

Putting both the letters aside Harry sat down to write his letters.

Dear Ron and Hermione

Sorry that you are stuck at HQ mate, I have been having an amazing summer. Sorry cant mention anything in a letter, will tell you whenever we meet next. I have been told by Ginny to tell you to stop bugging her about Dean, seriously mate she's a grown up now, stop treating her like a kid, because I swear no girl would like to meet you with Bats coming out of your nose. If you think your mom and the twins are scary, well think again, Ginny is a mixture of them both, and mate for your sake you better stop bugging and mothering her.

Anyways Hermione if you are reading this too, please stop worrying about your OWL's, as someone once told me "If Hermione doesn't pass what chance do the rest of us have", so keep that in mind and relax.

Anyways the reason I am writing this to you both together is so that I can tell you both what I want to say without having to repeat myself. Now before you start jumping to conclusions about me being in some kind of danger, and not reading the rest of this letter, and running straight to find me, let me tell you –RELAX. I have come upon an opportunity to train as an Apprentice; I have accepted and am leaving for a while. Tell your mom Ron to not worry; no body will be able to find me, whether it be the order or the death eaters themselves.

I repeat again to you both to not worry about me, I have my reasons for this, which I will only explain once I finish up with my training, and don't worry Hermione I will most definitely be back before the school begins.

Until then my friends take care of yourselves.

Your Friend

Harry Potter

Harry hoped both his friends wouldn't be too angry with him, when he would return. He sat down next to write Ginny's letter.

Dear Ginny

That was some letter; phew I think my stomach still hurts from laughing that much. Of course you can always tell me your problems, and between the both of us the scheme you have come up with to get both my stubborn friends together is marvelous (thumbs up from me). I have also mentioned to Ron the consequences of messing around with a fiery redhead such as yourself, I hope for his sake he takes my words at heart or else you are welcome to do as you seem fit, though if you could get some pictures it would be useful for black mail material ;).

Now to serious stuff, I am touched by your concern for me Ginny, it pains me now deeply to have ignored you to instead hear the constant bickering of my friends, maybe I can make up for lost time now. I have many secrets in my life, many that I have hidden deep inside my soul never to tell anyone. But somehow I feel compelled to share some with you, and I hope you feel the same.

I will be leaving my relatives place, to embark upon a crusade, nahh sounds too corny!

I am going away to train myself under a master, I have accepted his request to be his Apprentice, please do not tell anyone, but my master is none other than Godric Gryffindor himself. It would seem that I am his descendent through my father's side; I have come to know many things that have been hidden from me by Dumbledore. Luckily Sirius left behind some instructions with the Goblins to seek me out before contacting the old man. I have now become the heir to the Potter line, and the Black line.

I will be living in my vault, which houses the portraits of my ancestors and my parents so don't worry I will have lots of company. Also expect me to be older than you would expect. Anyways whatever I am writing to you must remain between us, I don't want Ron or Hermione to know yet.

I really want to be your friend Ginny, and I hope you feel the same. If you ever want a comforting ear or someone to just talk to about anything out of the blue, I will always welcome you with open arms.

Anyways I am leaving right now, don't fret or worry about me, I will be staying in the safest place possible and getting to know my family better.

Until we meet.

With Love

Harry Potter

Harry had never written to anyone except his friends, and he hoped the letter was appropriate. He hoped Ginny wouldn't break his trust and spill the beans to the old man, but somewhere deep inside him he knew she wouldn't.

Now that he was through with the letters to his friends, he sat down to write to Dumbledore.

Dear Headmaster

Thank you for taking care of Hedwig, hope she wasn't bothersome. Anyways getting to the point. By the time you will receive this letter I would have left my relatives place. I have accepted to be Apprenticed under a powerful wizard; I believe his knowledge would prove to be useful for my continuous existence, i.e. if I ever plan on surviving a battle with Voldemort. I have also come across many things that you have been hiding from me, and I hoped we had come to an understanding the last time we had met that you wouldn't be hiding anything from me.

Alas my pleas have fallen on deaf ears, and I am forced to take action myself. Getting back to the issue at hand, I will be leaving and there is nothing that you can do to stop me, also I would prefer if you don't waste your resources in trying to find me, because you never will.

I am sure the orders resources can be used for better purposes, like getting rid of our current minister, or fighting the dark forces. We will talk when I return, which could be anytime before school reopens.

I repeat once again – Don't waste your time looking for me, it would be your loss.

Until we meet again

Yours Sincerely

Harry James Potter

Satisfied with the letter Harry attached all three to the waiting owls leg, "Deliver these letters to only the recipients they are meant for, and if anyone else tries to read it, do anything to prevent that. If you don't I am sure Hedwig would love to have a nice chat with you"

The owl gave Hedwig a frightened look, and nodded to Harry, and left through the window.

"Now girl do you want to come with me away for a year, or would you prefer to go and live with the Weasleys for twelve days" asked Harry while stroking Hedwig.

Hedwig hooted angrily as if Harry had insulted her by asking that question.

Harry smiled at her loyalty towards him, and shrunk his trunk and rechecked his room, hoping he hadn't left anything.

When he was satisfied, he used his ring to return to his vault.

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