As the summer progressed (and the temperature rose), a new schedule became known. The first to notice the change was the group of giggling girls, and it resulted in only more giggling. The next was the group of 'eyeing up' boys, and they were not pleased. On the other hand, they did wonder if they would get more attention if they followed the example. The group of kids noticed too, but they couldn't care less, whereas the mothers discussed it amongst themselves and thought no more of it.
The schedule concerned one of the occupants of number 4 Privet Drive. Had someone bothered to tell him about his new audience, he wouldn't have believed the informant. As soon as he had seen proof, however, he would've run straight into the house and not come out for the remainder of his necessary time spent there.
Harry Potter had taken up gardening. Every day, from three pm to ten to six, he would be working, usually in the front garden, and whenever he found it too hot (which was quite often), he would take of his shirt and hang it on the fencepost. There was one more person who was interested in and pleased with this new development, even if it wasn't for the reasons of the teenage groups. Remus Lupin had managed to get guard duty every other afternoon, and he was pleased to note that under the heavy clothing Harry was always forced to wear, Harry was finally keeping the meat and muscle he gained during the school year. Even better, Remus thought he noticed a slight increase in Harry's muscles as the garden work caught up with him. Remus smiled as he thought at what Tonks (who had the other afternoons of duty) would think and say about this new development.
Something that only Remus (and perhaps Tonks) had noticed, was the snow-white owl that flew out of Harry's bedroom window every third day. It was always loaded down with several letters, and Remus had been very surprised when, on his second guard, the owl had swooped straight towards him, landed on the lawn and stuck one of her legs at him so that he could remove the letter addressed to him. As he did so, he wondered how on earth the owl had found him and knew that he was sitting there: he was invisible! He decided to ask Dumbledore about it, perhaps the owl's instinctual magic were much stronger than he thought.
He rifled through the letters to search for his name. Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom, Ginny Weasly, Professor Dumbledore - ah, Remus Lupin. He glanced at the name on the last letter of the pile and froze. Mr. Sirius Black.
'Sirius!' Remus was stumped, 'Harry, Sirius is dead, no longer, gone!'
A flapping of wings and something being snatched from his hands pulled him from his stupor. Hedwig took off, the letters now in her beak.
With a sigh Remus opened his letter. He would have to speak to Harry about that. However, as he read the letter, his resolve faded - he hadn't given Harry enough credit, that much was certain.
Dear Professor Lupin,
I would like to apologize. First of all for my behaviour last summer. I am sorry that I acted like such a spoilt brat, I realize that you all were only acting on Professor Dumbledore's orders and I shouldn't have questioned them.
I would also like to thank you, I don't think I ever did. Last year, as you know, Dudley and me were attacked by two Dementors. If it hadn't been for your lessons during my third year, I believe that both of us would be worse of than death. Thank you.
Now, since I have reason to believe that you will be the first to be found by Hedwig, let me reassure you that I am not writing to Sirius. The letter addressed to him is simple my three-day letter. It is one of the things I have explained in my letter to professor Dumbledore. So don't worry, I'm not going crazy. Hedwig will make sure it gets where it should.
Yours sincerely,
Harry Potter
Remus looked up at Harry's window, who incidentally stood there, looking out over the rooftops, a book clutched to his chest. Even with his enhanced sight, Remus could not read the cover, so instead he gazed at Harry's face. It looked sad, he noted, but that was no wonder. Sirius had died not a month ago. As Remus read the letter once more, he did not notice Harry's gaze change direction and come to rest exactly where he sat. A cold look of determination glinted in the emerald green eyes, before the boy turned away from the window.
As Remus settled down once more he hoped that Harry would send him a letter again soon, perhaps tonight. He'd never really had anyone to correspond with, even letters from James, Sirius and Peter had been non-existent. They'd had a few two-way mirrors set up, so they could chat whenever they wanted. Absentmindedly he wondered where those had gone, he still had his.
Anyone notice what's wrong with Remus' letter?
