Chap 3 – Letters

Harry sat in the Dursley's sitting room, bored out of his mind. Uncle Vernon was attending a seminar on the marketing and sales projections for the drill company he worked for and had decided to take Petunia with him to Bath, so they wouldn't be home until Wednesday; while Dudley, their enormous, cruel prodigal son, was staying at his friend Piers' house. This meant that by some unknown miracle, Harry was left all alone: the house was completely empty.

Harry had finished the mountains of holiday work from school within the first two weeks of the vacation – being locked in his room, what other choice did he have?

It was nearly six o'clock in the evening. Ginny had had about twelve hours, Harry guessed, and still hadn't sent a reply. 'Don't freak out. There are a dozen reasons why she may not have replied yet.' A dozen or so scenarios played around in his head, each becoming progressively worse than the one before.

Unable to control his nerves any longer, Harry walked over to the piano, raised the key guard, and sat down at the bench. If Aunt Petunia knew he was about to touch her vintage upright Steinway, she'd go spar.

"What she doesn't know can't hurt her," and with that Harry began to play. His fingers flowed over the ebony and ivory keys as a slow, intricate ballad began to fill the air. No one knew that Harry could play, except for Mrs. Figg, who allowed him to play after she had regaled him with her unbearably long stories about her numerous cats. Piano and Quidditch were the only things which came naturally to him. As the final chords faded away, a loud crash and a shrill shrieking came into the room.

"Pig!" the little owl buzzed unceasingly around the room, but being a Seeker, Harry deftly plucked him out of the air and removed the letter he was carrying.

Harry opened the letter with barely contained joy. Ginny. Her graceful, feminine handwriting spread across the page and Harry's heart gave a tight thump as he began to read.

Dear Harry –

I was so surprised to receive your letter – at first I thought Hedwig had the wrong room. You were right, though. I was scared, but I know how much this means and what needs to be done. If you say that you need me, I'll stand by your side until the end.

I talked with mum about all of this (I'm sorry if you didn't want her to know yet, but I had to talk with her) and she said that it'll take about a week for Dad to get some things approved by the Ministry, but then I can leave to be with you. In case you're wondering, Dad will be getting us both approved Emancipated Waivers, which will make us legal adults in the Wizarding world.

Well, I guess that's it for now, mum and I have a lot to do before next Monday. Hope the Muggles are treating you well.

Love always – Ginny

P.S. How's your "master plan" coming along?

Harry smiled at the last comment before rereading the whole letter, slowly this time, wanting to commit every word to memory.

'. . . then I can be with you. . . Love always.'

Those words kept resounding within his mind. 'I just hope she doesn't get hurt because of me,' Harry thought as he folded Ginny's letter and put it in his shirt pocket. "Come on, Pig. I've got a letter to write." Pig flew over and settled calmly on Harry's shoulder as he walked up the stairs to his room. "I hope you're not getting sick. I've never seen you act like this," he laughed. Pig merely cooed and fluffed his feathers importantly before flying off to Hedwig's empty cage.

As Harry closed the door he heard a hooting, much deeper than Pig was capable of, coming from the open window. Upon the sill sat five different owls, all quite unfamiliar to him. Unsure what was going on, he grabbed a few Owl Treats and removed their letters. After finishing their business, all, except one, flew off in different directions.

"Well, that's no help. Hmm, two from the Ministry of Magic, one from Dumbledore, one from Hermione. "I guess you must belong to Hermione," he spoke to the tawny still waiting patiently. She straightened and ruffled her feathers before nodding. "Ah, and one from Ron." Deciding to go with good news first Harry opened Ron's letter.

Harry –

Hey mate! You should've been at the shop today. Fred and George were introducing some new gags. Dean was there, so we had him try TransGinger – which will change you so you look like a bloke/girl, depending. He's such a twat, the slap to the face was well worth seeing him storm and huff out of the store. We're still not sure how long it will last (oops).

Guess what – Dad got the Minister of Strategic Planning!

Can you believe it? Mum was almost beside herself this morning. He says they've got some strings being pulled for you, but I guess you'll learn more about that once you get to Grimmauld Place. Hope the Muggles aren't keeping you down. Ron

P.S. Have you heard anything from Hermione? I think she must be angry at me for something.

Harry groaned aloud as he leaned against his desk. Although he was very proud of Mr. Weasley's appointment- no one deserved it more – the letter grated on his patience. Ron and Hermione were always having a spat about something or other and being caught in the middle for six years was beginning to take its toll.

In hopes of finding some answers, Harry read Hermione's postcard with her neat, precise script filling up the card.

Dear Harry,

Italy is wonderful! Everything is filled with magic and history. Do you think Professor Flitwick will mind that my essay is five rolls of parchment rather than three?

I'm so upset with Ron; he's such a brainless git! I practically throw myself at him inviting him to come with me and he starts going on about the joke shop!

Oh, well, he'll be getting his (I've asked Ginny to give him hell until I get back and can do it myself). So, how has your holidays been? I hope you're doing your homework and are reading up on your defense lessons.

Well, I must go. Mum and Dad are waiting on me for dinner.

Arivederrci! Hermione

P.S. Isn't Athene lovely!

"Stubborn fools! You'd think that by now they would've gotten it together and realized that they're mad about each other," Harry was now pacing from the window to his bed, not caring if the on looking owls thought he'd gone off his rocker. "Honestly, they can't even be in the same room with each other without sparks flying. Well, we'll soon fix this."

Ideas of how to set up his two best friends began to form in his mind until he remembered the other letter he was still holding. "Business before pleasure, I guess," Harry sighed as he sat on the edge of the bed to open Dumbledore's letter.

Some how Harry had been able to forgive Dumbledore once he had revealed the secret of the Prophecy at the end of his fifth year. It had taken a lot of thought, but in the end it came down to two simple facts: Dumbledore was the best source of information on almost any topic and was still the only person whom Voldemort feared.

Harry Potter –

We have been expecting something like this for some time. Voldemort and his followers have been too small in their attacks of late. Once you have left for Grimmauld Place we may discuss some other tactics and defenses.

It has come to my attention that Miss Weasley shall be staying with you for the remainder of the summer.

Harry could just picture the twinkle in the old man's clear blue eyes at this point.

If that is to be the case, we should explore some options to ensure both of your safeties – every precaution should be used when protecting a lady.

Albus Dumbledore

'How did he find out about that, already?' Harry wondered as he broke the seal on the next Ministry letter. Dumbledore always seemed go have an "in" on most subjects, but this was the fist time Harry had experienced it with something in his truly personal life. Looking back to the letter, he noticed that it was short and very official.

Mr. Potter:

An application, UEW6219A – Under-aged Wizardry Emancipation Waiver, has been filed in your name. Due to extraneous circumstances, this request has been approved. Further information concerning this permit shall be sent to you through Albus Dumbledore, as your legal residence is unregistered with the Ministry of Magic.

Also, an appointment will need to be arranged with Gringott's Bank concerning your accounts and any inheritance(s) you may have accumulated.

Hope you enjoy the remainder of the holidays.

Cerise Burlsing – Secretary to Minister of Underage Wizards

"Wicked!" 'Ginny said it would take a week to get this approved.' Wishing to test his new found freedom, Harry conjured a stack of Pumpkin Pasties and opened the final letter magically.

The last letter was written in a strangely familiar scrawl. Skipping down to the signature, he realized why it was so familiar; Ron's handwriting was exactly like his father's. Harry took a deep breath, almost fearful to see what Mr. Weasley would have to say.

Harry –

I hope that you're doing well and are safe. I understand that you will be living at Grimmauld Place for the remainder of the holidays and wish for my only daughter to stay with you.

I must say this came as quite a shock to me when Ginny and Mrs. Weasley floo called the office earlier. At first I was vehemently opposed to the idea, – wanting to protect my little girl, you see – but I do trust you Harry, and believe that you'd do everything in your power to keep her safe. There was really no way I could have stopped her if she had wanted to go, she's too stubborn for her own good sometimes. So, with that said, I give you both, my blessing and my daughter.

Try to keep in touch with us, as you know how Molly is prone to worrying over you.

Arthur Weasley – Minister of Strategic Planning

P.S. How do you like the title?

Harry fell back onto the bed in relief. He'd just been given the greatest gift of his life. 'And it's not even my birthday,' he thought wryly.

The foundation that he needed for his plan was beginning to take form: he had his Wizarding license, the support of the Order and Dumbledore, and Ginny. "What more could I ask for?"

As he lay basking in his good fortune the owls began moving about the room. Harry was completely unaware until Pig pecked him on the nose. "Ow!" Harry shot up and saw Pig holding a quill while Athene had a few sheaves of parchment. "Alright. I know I need to write back, but couldn't you have reminded me in a less painful way?" he asked, still rubbing his nose.

Both owls just hooted sweetly and dropped the items into his lap.

The letters to Dumbledore and Mr. Weasley were short and consisted of making arrangements to meet at Grimmauld Place the following week and promising to take care of both himself and Ginny. In his letter to Ron, he explained Hermione's position and told him to apologize, profusely, until she took him back. 'If all else fails, kiss her.' Harry could just see Ron gasping in shock at the idea of kissing Hermione, so he decided to include it. He told Hermione to forgive Ron once he'd apologized and told her to 'listen to your heart instead of your brain for once in your life.'

His letter to Ginny was the longest of all and as he wrote a warm, longing filled his heart, just as a solution to his problems began to take shape in his mind.

With the letters sealed and addressed, he tied the ones for Mr. Weasley, Ron, and Ginny to Pig and had Athene take Dumbledore's and Hermione's. He watched as both owls disappeared into the darkness.

Harry looked over at the bedside clock – 9:45.

While not particularly tired, Harry knew he had a lot to do tomorrow before the Dursleys returned home. He quickly changed out of his baggy jeans and t-shirt, and climbed into bed. He cleared his mind and tried to put up the barriers and drifted off to a peaceful sleep.