CHAPTER STATS:
Word Count: 2017 (including notes).
Letters from Draco: 10.
Letters from Harry: 5.
s.t.b. says: Hey, thanks for the reviews, guys.
Boo on all of you that added me to Story/Author Alert and didn't review! I know who you are! Dx
But still, I'm glad for the readers. Thanks, everyone!
A few quick notes: During the Triwizard Tournament, there was no showdown with Voldemort; Cedric Diggory is still alive, and he and Harry shared the title as Champion of the Triwizard Tournament. Mad-Eye Moody really was DADA professor in fourth year, and the identity of the one who put Harry's name in the Goblet was never discovered.
Everything that happened in OOP never happened here, either. As far as we know, Voldemort has been silent since (considering he didn't show up in person in POA) the end of Harry's second year. That means that this story is canon until around...halfway through fourth year or so. (Please note that this means that there wasn't ever a tentative relationship between Harry and Cho. Let's just say that his crush never really resulted in anything, and he eventually got over his feelings for her.)
Well, that about covers it; if you find I've left any loose ends unexplained, do tell me so.
- - - - - - - -
A CORRESPONDENCE
FIVE - Original Letters 6 – 10
(EARLY OCTOBER '96 – EARLY NOVEMBER '96)
October 7th, 1996
Hidden agenda, Harry? I'd be insulted, but I know too much about your past to mistake your caution for something else entirely. No, Potter, I've no hidden agenda, though I can see you would suspect so. I'm not doing this for any reason other my own enjoyment. And, well, perhaps for some personal vindication as well.
Unlike you and your little friends, I've always been one to follow the expected path. I like things to be orderly, neat, and...well, expected. I prefer to know what's going to happen at all times. And my parents are like this as well. They know before they ask anything of me what my response is going to be, just as I always know what they're going to ask in advance. I am NOT fond of surprises.
And you, Harry, are nothing but one big surprise. No matter the situation, no matter the people involved, you always do the expectedly unexpected. Whether it be defeating that basilisk during our second year (didn't THAT news spread like wildfire?), or putting your name in the Goblet of Fire (yes, I know, you plead innocence on that account). I just never know what you're going to do next.
And, unlike the usual surprises, yours always leave me feeling...well, surprised, instead of violated or betrayed. Which is nice.
October 9th, 1996
Ha ha, Potter. Way to entertain me.
Yes, I suppose I did give away quite a bit in my last letter. Now you know we're in the same year and that I don't like surprises and that I'm obsessed with order. But seriously. Cedric Diggory? Are you out of your mind? That one is so completely in love with that Ravenclaw girl. Chang-something-or-other.
If you're going to guess again, then you should make sure that the next poor wanker you decide to accuse isn't a heterosexual Hufflepuff.
October 13th, 1996
Wisely stated, Mr. Potter.
Ah, so we've finally broached the subject.
I've always been taught that sexuality is a very elastic thing, Harry, something that doesn't ever really settle unless you go through life expecting only to feel for one gender. I was raised in a household where relationships were open, attraction and lust were not limited to the opposite sex, and where my parents weren't private in their sex lives.
Thinking back on it, I really should have turned out a hell of a lot more twisted than I did, what with all the rampant sex going on at home. Somehow, I managed to stay sane and soldier through eleven years of my parents openly having sex with each other sometimes, and other people a lot more than sometimes.
Ah, I wish I could see the look on your face; shocked yet?
PS – my sources tell me that Mr. Diggory and Miss Chang have been seeing each other since the end of last year. They are the same year, you know, and they've been making cow eyes at each other for as long as I can remember, anyway.
October 25th, 1996
Yes, well. I didn't really expect anything less, Potter.
Most normal people would be surprised by the volatility of my home life. You seem to have taken it rather well, though, considering. But then again, you never really were normal. Doubt you could be if you wanted to.
I have to say I'm surprised that I didn't shock you nearly as much as I thought I would. Hmm, another surprise.
November 3rd, 1996
Oh, don't be offended.
And no, the whole reason these letters are sent anonymously, is because I wish to, and listen carefully now – remain anonymous.
It's nothing personal; just my sense of self-preservation, Harry.
SIX - Responses to Letters 6 - 10
(EARLY OCTOBER '96 TO EARLY NOVEMBER '96)
Written on October 8th, 1996 in response to October 7th, 1996
Hermione is always telling me that I need to grow up and stop acting so selfishly. I think maybe she's just worried about me, but (and I've never told this to anyone) I would really like for her to just get off my back. In fact, I'd really love for everyone to just leave me alone for a while, instead of pretending everything is okay and watching me out of the corners of their eyes. It gets…frustrating? Humiliating? I don't even know what to call it, but it's almost like I'm never alone.
It's nice to hear that not everyone is always worried about me. And it's even better to know that you don't find my obnoxious tendency to get into trouble really all that obnoxious…leaves hope for the rest of the world, maybe.
Your letter was more revealing than I think you realize. So we're both sixth years; that much is obvious. And you don't like being surprised, but you don't mind my surprises so much. To tell you the truth, you don't really give me much to go on, but I think maybe I'm okay with that.
I wish I could figure out which house you're in; you don't sound like a Hufflepuff, but for all I know, you could be…Cedric Diggory.
Written on October 11th, 1996 in response to October 9th, 1996
A heterosexual Hufflepuff? Does this mean I should be accusing all the homosexual Hufflepuffs or just shirtlifters in general?
What am I saying; I don't really even know if you're a guy or a girl. But the way you write…I just don't think I can picture some teenage girl saying the things you say.
Also; Cho Chang and Cedric Diggory? Yeah, right. Where'd you hear THAT one?
Written on October 15th, 1996 in response to October 13th, 1996
Huh. I never would have guessed.
You know, your family sounds completely insane. What responsible parent goes around having wild, unrestrained sex where their children can hear?
But I suppose I can't really say anything about your family. Yours may be insane, but so is mine (or what's left of it is, anyway.)
Still, I'm not sure if I'm more uncomfortable with your parents' lack of inhibitions or your easy acceptance of their lack of inhibitions.
Written on October 29st, 1996 in response to October 25th, 1996
What do you mean I couldn't be normal if I wanted? I could be normal with the best of them.
This is driving me insane; who ARE you, anyway? It's like you know me better than even my best friends do. It's giving me reason for concern.
Are you absolutely certain that you want to be a mystery?
Written on November 5th, 1996 in response to November 3rd, 1996
I'm not offended, and I'm the last person to be judging others' sense of preservation.
You are rather being a spoilsport, though; would it KILL you to give me even a clue?
I can't continue writing to someone that doesn't have a name. What am I supposed to call you, anyway? You are nameless and it's starting to feel almost like I'm writing to myself; if I wanted to do that, I'd just start a journal.
So give me something, anything!
SEVEN - Original Letters 11 – 15
(EARLY NOVEMBER '96 – LATE NOVEMBER '96)
November 6th, 1996
Oh, Harry. How completely and utterly hopeless you are.
November 7th, 1996
hopeless; hope·less
– adjective
1. providing no hope; beyond optimism or hope; desperate: the hopeless case at St. Mungo's.
2. without hope; despairing: hopeless grief.
3. impossible to accomplish, solve, resolve, etc.: Trying to balance on this broomstick is hopeless.
4. not able to learn or act, perform, or work as desired; inadequate for the purpose: As a Quidditch player, you're hopeless.
Take your pick.
November 10th, 1996
Yes, I am always such a 'snarky bastard,' thank you very much.
I take great pleasure in my capability to say whatever I want, whenever I want.
I sounded much more like Snape just then than I ever would like to. Before you ask – no, I'm not Snape.
I say you are hopeless because no matter how many times I tell you that I'm not going to reveal my identity willingly, you persist in asking. Your persistence, though, is one of the things I admire about you, so I do try not to be such an ass about it.
Now that that's settled, more questions are in order.
First of all: Do you truly enjoy the company of your so-called friends? I see you almost every day, Harry, and can recall when their constant presence had you smiling just as constantly. These days, though, you seem almost reluctant to be amongst your peers, as though it pulls at your patience. Did something happen between you and them? I realize that perhaps this isn't exactly a question one would ask in proper etiquette, but it tears at my curiosity like nothing else; I insist that you respond accordingly, and with equal unreservedness.
Of course, I don't really expect you to answer, but I figure it's worth a shot anyway.
November 25th, 1996
Well, I must say, I was beginning to think you wouldn't ever reply, that'd I'd finally crossed a line that shouldn't be crossed.
It's understandable to grow annoyed with your friends, Potter. I find myself almost constantly annoyed with mine, so I can say with experience that it's a common occurrence, and that you shouldn't let it bother you nearly so much as it obviously does.
Really, Harry, you need to stop thinking like that; not everyone thinks of you only as the Hero of the Wizarding World, you know. I don't, anyway.
I was watching you yesterday in the Great Hall at dinner. You looked almost…pensive. Tell me, what were you thinking about? I don't think you said one word the entire meal.
November 29th, 1996
Yes, I watch you. I watch you more than I've even mentioned, and will continue to do so.
Did you know that when you smile, the left side of your mouth only goes up about half the distance that the right does? And that when you laugh, you laugh with your entire body…
I don't think you realize how completely enthralling you are.
PS – it's about time those two stopped making lamb's eyes at each other and just got on with it.
END OF PART TWO; TO BE CONTINUED.