Harry closed the next letter, this one addressed to Tonks. It basically adressed the fact that there was something fishy over there, and it could eventually ruin everything he believed in.
He leaned back in his chair before he sent it off, thinking again just how much all this meant to him. Was it worth it?
Of course, this is just the entire world. World vs. Him. Who cares anyway?
Ginny. Ginny cares.
Harry got up and sent the letter. What he needed right now was sleep.
But no, could Harry Potter sleep peacefully? Yeah right.
Instead, he dreamt of Dobby. Dobby's wedding, to Winky. They were both so happy. Except Dobby kept glancing at the door.
Then Harry realized why. In this dream, he was just an innocent bystander, he was invisible, and Dobby was waiting for him.
He awoke, not sweaty or hot, not cold and nervous, but he had a pit in the bottom of his stomach. Guilt.
Ginny, Dobby, Ginny, Dobby, his head just about exploded! He couldn't take it anymore, and headed back downstairs to have a glass of milk (Hermione had bought some yesterday, as there was no other food in the house, and Ron had been the over-analyzing patrol that made sure that there was plenty).
He found two people there, Ron and Hermione. How predictable.
"Hey, what's up?" Harry asked, sitting in the chair beside Ron.
Ron smiled. "Oh, you know that thing I haven't told you about yet?"
"Before we left the hotel?"
Ron's smiled widened. "Yeah, that, ya see, it was this article I had found."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "That's all I could get out of him. Then you came when he was about to go on."
Harry grinned. "So sorry, if I'd known, I would've waited till next week."
She narrowed her eyes playfully at him. "Like I would've let you live that long in peace."
"GUYS, FOCUS!" Ron interjected. They stared at him. He nodded, apparently pleased, but then again that's Ron. "Okay, the article was from the Quibbler," Hermione sucked in a quick breath, "and it was about us."
"Us?" Harry asked.
Ron nodded, "I just said that, Einstein." Harry punched him. "Anyway, it said that we are hiding Neville in our acclaimed basement and that Neville, being the herbologist he is, was coming up with a cure for itchy..."
Hermione leaned forwad, "What? Itchy what?"
Ron sat up straighter. "Well, I didn't think I should say it in front of the lady."
Hermione laughed, "It's okay, we can ask Harry to leave, he wouldn't mind, would you Harry?"
With that, Harry grabbed a cushion off of the couch and began the most brutal cushion fight in the history of pillow/cushion fights. Hey, what did you expect? Another letter?
And then, right on cue, an owl flew in, stopping them in their game. Hermione dutifully headed over to it, noting the crest on the front.
"Hey, guys, Tonks wrote back. Wow, that was quick." She leaned against the back of the chair and began to read out loud:
'Hey Harry,
I realize your concern about Timothy, Luna's cousin, but I think that you are mistaken. There is no Polyjuice on him, no bottle, and no potions in his suitcase (I had Shaklebolt check, me being the total klutz that I am).
I do, however, think that you're right about something fishy. According to Ginny, he made a big deal about lying to her, and that it was very hard to tell the truth. It wasn't even that big a deal anyway, why would he get upset?
I'm researching other possiblilities, and let me know if you come up with anymore.
Stay safe, wherever you are,
Tonks.
P.S. Neville showed up here last night, and is determined to follow you guys (Ginny lent me a pair of Fred and George's Extendable Ears, and let me tell you, they are a work of genius).'
Hermione folded the letter. "Now what? What other possible solutions are there?"
Harry shrugged. Instead of contemplating on the present matter, Ron picked up a pillow and threw it Harry with all his might, causing Harry to fall down.
Hermione smiled, and set the letter on the table as she joined in. Laugh lines or wrinkles or whatever you call them, she thought maybe she should earn a few more before the day ran out.