Thanks to my Beta reader and editor, Darkest Melody!

Chapter 4 - He ate an owl?

Dumbledore was shocked when the dark dragon stretched its out leg and offered to let him take the parchment strapped on it. Being very careful to try to avoid startling the rare and supposedly highly dangerous creature. He managed to removed the rolled up message from it's leg without it showing any signs of concern and let out a small breath of relief. Seeing the familiar slightly bold hand of Harry on the parchment he quickly unrolled it and started to read.

At the same time as Dumbledore was reading the letter, the dragon switched it's attention to the dark haired man just a few seats away, who was currently drinking coffee at the kitchen table- and trying to hide his interest in the miniature dragon. Recognizing the man from his master's memories it moved closer to him, its crimson serpentine eyes unblinking as they took the greasy Potions Master in. Snape looked little appalled that the dragon was coming nearer to him, not to mention staring at him in a way that made him wonder if maybe Potion Master was on it's dinner menu. After a full minute of intense scrutiny the dragon apparently lost interest in the greasy git- much to the relief of the Potions Master and Charlie Weasley, who was afraid that the dragon might somehow prefer the snarky man for some odd reason. The dragon took one last look around the room, lingering a second to give Charlie an almost scolding look- clearly saying 'come now, did you really think I'd let you study me?' before taking flight again and folding it's wings around itself and disappearing in a flash of bright golden light. Not even waiting for an answer from Dumbledore since it knew it's Master didn't require one.

"What does it say?" Minerva McGonagall asked carefully, after they had all recovered from the dragon's spectacular exit. Dumbledore looked up, face looking quite shocked and just a tiny bit pale-twinkle completely gone from his eyes. Clearing his throat he then started to read Harry's letter aloud:

"Dear Dumbledore.

I know the war is coming. Don't say it isn't, I know it is. So I've decided to take a holiday. Yes you read that right. I -AM -TAKING- A -HOLIDAY!

After losing Sirius, I've been kind of down. But then, I realized I'm throwing my summer away, why should I, Axxx Harry Potter be miserable? Now, however, as I am aware of my part in the war, I'll be back at the September first. I've made sure you won't be able to find me, but you could let Snape try if you must send someone. If I am being looked for, tell Snape I specifically requested him. I can't wait to see the look on the greasy git's face when you tell him he has to look for me... smirk.

You can owl me, and I will get the letters, but it may be better if you use Fawkes, I can't guarantee the safety of those god-damn owls! I've just realized that I don't really like them. My pet was hungry, so I released Hedwig from her services. Did you know that Owl's taste like chicken? Well, anyway, I'll see you at September first.

Axxx Harry

"It appears young Harry has indeed written this." Dumbledore said, after he cast a small spell on the parchment and it glowed a faint blue. Giving the rest of the room a chance to recover from their shock, knowing it would probably be the first doubt expressed.

"If that spoiled brat thinks I'm going to look for him-" Snape started to sneer from his place near the corner of the table.

"Severus, we don't have time to deal with that now." Dumbledore cut him off.

"What? I don't understand! Harry would never write something like that!" Hermione protested, trying in vain to picture her normally shy friend writing those things.

"The spell clearly says that Harry has indeed written this, even though the tone and words are off." Dumbledore replied calmly.

"Did I understand this wrong…" Ron said, getting everyone's attention "But did it just say that Harry ate his owl?" Dumbledore looked at the letter again.

"Mmm… it seems so. Harry must have been more severely affected by our words at the end of term then I thought. I didn't know it would affect his so deeply…" Dumbledore said softly. He looked twice as old as he used to. There was no twinkle in his eyes. He sat to the chair by the kitchen table and put his head in his hands.

"What would affect him like this?" Hermione asked. And Dumbledore being so lost in thought, answered without thought.

"The prophecy of course." Just as he had realized what he said he looked frantically at Hermione, who looked shocked.

"But I thought the prophecy was destroyed?" Hermione whispered, now confused.

"No." And so Dumbledore, seeing that he clearly had no choice, told them the prophecy and explained it's meanings to them. After hearing this Hermione looked one time at Dumbledore, and then started crying. This was not how things were supposed to be.

"Mmm… did I like read this wrong, or did Harry just say he ate an owl? Is there a possibility, a small one mind you, that we should consider that Harry has lost his mind?" Ron asked, after a while.

"How can you ask a thing like that? Of course he's not crazy! And surely Hedwig is safe, maybe…. Maybe he just thought it was funny, or something…! We have other things to think about. What about the prophecy? It is little more important than his bloody owl!" Hermione screeched, her voice hoarse as she looked shocked at Ron.

"Well, SORRY! If I maybe don't wanna think about the fact that may best friend may, or may not, die! That he is going to have to fight That god damn snake eyed bastard on his own!" Ron yelled as he stormed out of the kitchen towards the living room. There was a small silence, and then Hermione ran from the room too, screaming after him:

"I DIDN'T MEAN IT LIKE THAT! RONALD WEASLEY GET YOUR ARSE BACK HERE, I'M NOT DONE WITH YOU!"

Ares hugged Aphrodite, after finishing his breakfast and spending a bit of time, cough, entertaining his brides.

"Do you really have to go? I really wanted you to entertain me…" Aphrodite protested rolling a strand of platinum blonde hair with her slender fingers.

"Oh, don't worry Dite, I'll bring you something. I really just want to go around the world again. It's really been a terribly long time since I've walked on the face of the earth. I want to see the world, and how it has changed. I promise I'll bring you some virgin to play with.. " Ares said before leaving. He walked to the main door, and the second he was gone, Aphrodite said to no one:

"Oh, boy, is he going to be surprised. " She said with a not-so-innocent smile on her lips.

To Be Continued

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