Hey guys. SO sorry it took longer than expected. Last weekend was my birthday, so I was really busy. But I tried to make this a really good chapter. I promise I will try to update more frequently.

Oh, and to answer a question, I live in America. ISTEP is standardized test we have to take every few years to make sure we're not hopelessly dumb. I never have to take it again!

Ch. 5

The next day, Hedwig flew in with a letter tied to her leg. Harry's eyebrows knitted together in confusion as he rolled out of bed. "Where have you been?" he asked as he stretched his arms, which were stiff from lack of use. Hedwig just stuck her leg out, patiently waiting.

Harry took the letter from her, gave her an owl treat, and sat back on his bed. He opened the letter, which was from Hermione. It was rather brief, since it had only been a few days since they had seen each other. Harry began to read with indifference.

Dear Harry,

Hey! Hedwig just showed up at my house and kept hooting at me until I sat down and wrote to you. I think she might be worried that you're lonely. It must be dreadfully boring at the Dursleys. Hopefully you'll get to leave soon.

Everything's fine here. Mum and Dad are happy to have me home. They don't get to see me much, you know. I haven't been doing much; mostly reading. I should probably owl Ron.

Well, I can't really think of much to say, since it hasn't even been a week since we got home. I hope you're okay; Hedwig's arrival led me to believe something might be wrong. Please reply and let me know. Oh, and don't forget to write to Remus and let him know you're okay.

Hope to see you soon,

Hermione

Harry stared at the letter. It wasn't much, but it was some contact with a friend, and he really needed that. He looked up at his owl. "Thanks, Hedwig." She hooted wisely. Harry quickly replied to Hermione's letter, letting her know he was fine (though he really wasn't; he just didn't feel like writing a huge letter at the moment), then wrote to Lupin, lying to him about being okay as well.

After Hedwig set off again, Harry was overcome with a sudden burst of restlessness. He decided to go for a walk like he used to.

It was a beautiful summer evening. The heat of the day had disappeared, and it seemed as if everyone else had felt the need to be outside as well. Children played in their plastic ships and castles, dogs energetically barked at each other through fences, adults sat on their porches, talking in cheery tones and letting their dinners digest. The perfect picture of a muggle suburb. Normal people.

Harry was depressed again. He wanted so badly to be normal. To have parents. To have loving siblings. To not be famous. But it wasn't to be. He sighed from the bottom of his soul. He was a freak. A big, stupid freak.

Harry found himself at the park, one of his old haunts. He sat in one of the swings (they had been replaced since last summer when Dudley's gang had broken them) and stared at the ground. He was so lost in thinking about nothing that he didn't hear someone jog past him, then backtrack and stand right in front of him.

"Harry?"

Harry jerked his head up. There was Kat, wearing running shoes and breathing heavily. He vaguely remembered her telling Aunt Petunia after dinner that she jogged in the evenings (she didn't want to go home flabby). She had a strange look on her face now. It took him a minute to realize it was concern.

"You okay?" she asked.

"Yeah. Uh, hi." He looked back at the ground, feeling really stupid.

"Do you mind if I join you?"

He shook his head, and she took the swing next to him and started pushing herself. They sat in silence for a while. Finally, Kat made a stab at conversation.

"It's really nice here."

"Yeah, I guess."

"I mean, it's so peaceful. In America, or at least, in my neck of the woods, you can hardly go anywhere without some stupid people actin' fools." Harry was kind of confused, so he just nodded.

Kat's voice took on an overly enthusiastic tone. "So. Harry. How are you doing? Good? Bad? Yes, no, yes, no, yes, no?"

Harry did something he hadn't done in days: he smiled. Kat noticed.

"Oh my gosh, he can smile!" she exclaimed. "For a while there I thought you were born without a personality."

At this, Harry cocked his eyebrow at her. She just grinned and said, "I know, I'm a big freak."

Freak. That word. The momentary happiness was gone. "You're not a freak," he said quietly.

"Oh really," Kat replied. "You obviously don't know my very well." They were silent again until she said; "I think we need to get to know each other better. We should hang out; do some friend stuff."

Friend stuff? She wants to do friend stuff with me? Why? He realized too late that he had asked "why" out loud. "Sorry. I just meant, why would you want to hang out with me?"

"Well, Dudley's cool and everything, but he kind of has his own thing going on. And I noticed that you don't hang out with anybody. Not that I'm implying that you don't have friends," she added quickly, which made Harry smile again. "I'm sure you do, but your always in your room and I thought that maybe, you might want someone to hang out with."

She was thinking about me? She noticed me? Someone actually gives a crap?

"Yeah, I'd like that," he answered.

She smiled. "Good. Because, even thought you might have friends, I don't. At least, not here, anyway." She stood up and stretched. "Speaking of which, I need to send some emails, so I'd better get going. You coming?"

"Uh, no. I think I'll stay here for a bit."

"Okay. See ya later."

"Bye."

As Kat walked away, Harry smiled to himself and pushed himself on the swing a little. He had a new friend. Maybe being at the Dursleys wouldn't be so unbearable after all.