Part 6

Chapter 22

Mail

It took Harry awhile to get used to Lupin living with them, and even longer for Harry to trust him. In fact it was the summer of his eighth birthday that they had become friends. They had become so close that Harry trusted Lupin without blinking an eye.

It was a hot summer day. Rachel sat out the grill for a barbeque while Harry, Ron, and Hermione played downstairs in the parking lot.

They had to play in the basement area because Rachel didn't want them to get hit by a car and Sirius said it was more than they lives if they climbed onto his car. . .again.

After playing for three hours, nonstop, they went to go get some ice cream from the kitchen.

They were sitting at the table eating Chocolate ice cream when Lupin came and sat the mail on the table.

Mail time was one of Harry's favorite times of the day. He didn't get any mail, but he loved to open all the mail that Sirius would normally throw away: junk mail.

Harry automatically picked up the mail and sorted through it. He sorted through bills, bills, bills, a funny letter from a person named Peter Pettigrew, a brochure to a summer camp, bills. . .a brochure to a summer camp?

Harry put the rest of the mail neatly on the table and opened the brochure. It had pictures of people racing in funny shaped boats, people sitting around the campfire, people doing arts and crafts, people hiking, and other fun activities.

"What's that?" Ron asked, looking up from his ice cream to the letter.

"I dunno," answered Harry. "Look's like a brochure to a summer camp."

"A summer camp?" repeated Hermione. "Read it."

Harry opened the brochure up and read:

Fuzzy Camp

Are your children sitting at home with nothing to do? Are they getting in the way of your cleaning? Do you want your child to have a camping experience?

If so, enroll your child into Fuzzy Camp. Fuzzy camp is just the thing needed for a growing child.

They will learn how to canoe, do arts and crafts, learn about nature, and other fun activities.

Fuzzy camp is enrolling children from the ages 6-12.

Transportation and refreshments will be provided. It's absolutely free.

Sign up today!

"Wow," said Ron. "This Fuzzy camp sounds awesome."

"Have you guys ever been camping?" Harry asked, still looking at the brochure.

"Yeah," answered Ron. "My uncle Bilius took us camping two years ago. It was awesome, but it was nothing like that brochure. What about you, Hermione?"

"No, but I've read about it in books. It sounds really interesting."

"Interesting? It's not supposed to be interesting. It's supposed to be fun."

At that point, Sirius had walked into the kitchen. He was carrying a bucket of soapy water and a torn rag.

He walked over to the table and picked up the mail. He began to rummage through it until he stopped at a letter in a parchment color envelope.

"What's wrong?" asked Harry.

Sirius was looking at the letter with a dark expression on his face mingled with the look of disgust.

"Remus," called Sirius. "Come look at this."

Lupin came from out of his room, which was smoking, causing the kids at the table to cough.

"Mr. Lupin," choked Ron. "Why is your room on fire?"

"It's not on fire," Lupin said patiently. "I was just trying to make a Wolfsbane potion. Not coming along very well." he then turned to Sirius. "What?"

In answer to the question, Sirius held up the envelope. Lupin glanced at it and frowned.

"You think I should open it?" he asked, ignoring the quizzical look from Harry.

Lupin hesitated.

"Why would he write to you? He hasn't contacted us in seven years."

Sirius carefully slit the envelope open and extracted the letter. He read it through quickly then shoved the letter in Lupin's hands, who also read it.

"This is some bull," he said balling up the letter and throwing it in the garbage. "Who does he think he's fooling?"

"My thoughts exactly. You can't apologize for doing something like that. He can be sorry all he wants to."

"Well," he said slowly. "Maybe he is sorry about killing James and Lily and he really has changed."

Harry watched the conversation closely at the mention of his parents' names.

"He just wants to make up to us," Sirius said coldly. "He wants to be our friends again so that he can get closer to. . ."

"Sirius," Lupin said warningly.

Sirius looked round and noticed that Harry, Ron, and Hermione was watching the conversation with interest.

Without another word, Sirius picked up his bucket, and left the room. After a few seconds, Lupin went back in his room and closed the door.

"What was that about?" Ron asked the other two.

"I don't know," answered Harry. "but I'm going to find out."

Harry stood up and headed to the garbage can, in which Lupin had thrown the letter. He began rummaging around it.

"I don't think you should," said Hermione.

"Why not?"

"Because it's not any of your business. It has nothing to do with you."

"But Uncle Lupin mentioned my mom and dad. They have something to do with me."

"That may be so, but. . ."

"Found it!"

Harry opened the letter and began to read:

Dear Sirius, and Remus if you're there,

I just wanted to apologize for everything I've done. I've been lonely these past seven years and I miss your company. I had seven years to think about my actions and I hope we can still be friends.

I know you're mad at me, but I never meant to kill James and Lily. I didn't understand what I was doing. I'm really sorry.

So, how's Harry. How big has he grown? Did you mention that I was his second uncle? I bet he's popular with all the girls. He's so handsome, like his father.

Hope to see you soon,

Peter Pettigrew

Harry's throat suddenly became tight and the brim of his eyes began to burn.

This man, who helped murder Harry's parents, had the nerve enough to contact Harry, after he had killed his parents.

"Harry?"

"Harry, what's. . ."

Before Ron finished his question, Harry ran into his room and slammed the door. They heard the door lock and knew that whatever was in that letter had something to do with him.

Sorry it took so long to update. Been busy. Anyway, happy holidays!