Home, Sweet Home

Harry woke up to find all of his friends already showered and eating breakfast.

"About time you woke up, sleepyhead," Bella said, stuffing some grapes in her mouth.

"Did you intend on staying in that bed for the whole day?" Damien asked.

Harry looked at his watch. It was already eleven-thirty. He never slept that late.

"Leave the poor boy alone," Josh said. "He's probably afraid that some other crazy people are going to go up to him and kiss him or something."

"Oh, shut up you three," Harry said, although he was smiling.

"Well, you do seem to be famous," Bella said. "Don't you, Mr. Potter?"

"Just because some random girl starts hugging me, you say I'm famous?"

"It's not as if it's the first time. I mean, we saw all the people in France that bowed down to you."

They argued for a while about whether Harry was famous or not (although Harry knew he was, he wasn't about to tell them that), until Bella asked if they wanted to go watch a movie. Damien and Josh were all for it, but Harry came up with the excuse that he was feeling sick. Finally, after a lot more arguing, his friends went off to the movies without him. Harry went and took a shower; he had other things to do.

Harry Apparated to his house with a tiny pop. It was a two-story house with a big backyard that was obscured from view by of all the trees. That was one of the reasons Harry had for buying this house. It would be perfect for playing Quidditch. But now that he thought about it, there really wasn't anybody he could play with.

The front door opened with a swish of his wand, and he walked in. There was a surprise waiting for him.

"Hedwig!" Harry shouted with glee.

The snowy owl flew to him and landed on his shoulder. She was holding something in her beak.

"How did you know I was here?" Harry asked the bird.

His question was answered when he took the package from Hedwig. It was today's edition of the Daily Prophet. On the cover was a moving picture of him at the fair. He should have known there would be wizards there.

Under the picture was the title, Harry Potter Seen Yesterday.

Under the title, there was a long article telling people about how the famous Harry Potter had been spotted at the annual fair.

Harry Potter, who rid us of the Dark Lord, was spotted yesterday at the annual fair, which many witches and wizards attended dressed as Muggles. Potter, who had been proclaimed missing some months ago, was with three people that sources say are Muggles and…

Harry threw the Prophet down on the table and looked at Hedwig.

"Where have you been, Hedwig?" he asked. "I don't remember what happened. One day you were with me, and the next you were gone…"

Hedwig lifted one of her legs to show Harry a parchment that was strapped to it.

"Who is that from?"

He unrolled the parchment and saw a vaguely familiar handwriting.

Dear Harry,

I don't know how you've forgotten me, but I thought you'd like your owl now that you're back. Ever since you left, I kept on thinking that I would never see you again. Now that you're back, I don't know what to do. I was delighted and astounded to see you yesterday, but I guess you think I'm just some girl that's gone mad. I guess you were wrong when you said that you would always love me.

Ginny