I do not own Harry Potter. But you knew that.

Friday, 17th of July

"Dear Harry,

Hedwig is really the best owl in the world. I hope you tell her that every day. Gabrielle believes she is an enchanted princess, bewitched to watch over you. She's quite jealous of her.

I have a great time with the Delacours. After our dinner, they have invited us to stay with them. They have a really beautiful maison directly in the hills with a wonderful terrace looking over the bay. I have followed your advice and spent a lot of time with Fleur. She is much smarter than she looks. I'm really learning tons of new things, and I don't even know where to start. Concerning house-elves, I will close SPEW first thing when we return to Hogwarts. Where did I have my head?

Anyway, Mum and Dad hit off with Armand and Apolline. Mum and Apolline like the same classical music, and Armand and Dad spend every waking moment on the golf course. Today, we three girls went diving with gillyweed. If scuba gear is great, gillyweed is a league of its own. But I imagine that the Mediterranean is a nicer place to dive than the Black Lake.

Fleur holds you in high regards and has cordially invited you to visit whenever you want. She has finished her year at Gringotts and will start in her grandfather's investment company this fall. Also, she is thinking of a career in muggle fashion.

So, how is your mysterious girlfriend?

Hope to hear from you soon,

Love, Yourmione."

Harry rolled his eyes. If he wanted to get together with his best friend, he would have to act soon. Or so Tonks hat told him. And when he tried to apply her principles, she was likely right. But did he want to? He was a boy. She was a girl, a damn pretty one at that. They did great together, and they complemented well. Still, there was nothing sparkly between them. Oh yes, he could imagine Hermione to be his wife, forcing him to become all he could be, and he forcing her to have a little fun now and then with him and their kids. Still, he couldn't really picture her in bed with him.

"My dear Mymione,

Hedwig will always be my number one girl (sorry about that, but she has the oldest rights). Actually, she is a princess, but don't tell Gabrielle. I really would love to someday go down to France and visit the places you tell me about. It must be great to have these warm summer nights on the beach. Maybe when my little dark problem is solved.

Anyway, I have learned lots from E. Did you know that it's possible to intern during the summer? You just need a patron who will give you the right connections. D's father seems to be the one to talk to. (I would recommend Mr. Malfoy, but then maybe not, seeing he's in prison now) Anyway, maybe we should look for a placement next summer. Have you received the owl for your letter to D? I might have an internship with E's Uncle Raginald for August if we like each other. Also, I have heard some things about the wizengamot that will leave you exploding. We'll talk about that after you returned.

Give all my best to your parents and the Delacour girls.

Your Harry."

"Dear E.,

Today I had a whole day of gardening. It was really high time to prune the roses, and the lawn needed moving. Do you do such chores or are they usually done by elves? If you are interested in gardening, do you usually have plants like we learn about in herbology or do you have roses and other normal plants? My uncle and cousin couldn't garden to save their lives, but my aunt is actually quite good. To me, muggle gardening helps me think. I don't really like herbology though, because it's very difficult to relax with the plants trying to kill you in so many different ways.

By the way, what subjects do you like best at Hogwarts? I am quite partial to Defence, but I like transfiguration and care, too. I absolutely hate potions, history and divination. Actually, I hate Snape, Binns and Trelawny. Potions and history could be quite interesting if we had better teachers. Couldn't your uncle get them fired?

Do wizards tend to go on holidays with their families? Are there holiday resorts for purebloods?

Anyway, for your entertainment, I have bought two outfits for your Barbie. It's quite testing to go into a shop as a boy and just buy doll-stuff. Got some very curious looks.

The house is slowly getting back into shape. I guess that in a week or so it will look quite good.

Sorry for the short letter today, but I'm quite tired.

More soon,

J."

Saturday, 18th of July

"Dear J,

We had a very interesting visitor yesterday, my cousin Luna. It seems she has learned about A's and my imprisonment, and she came here pleading for us. Now, Uncle Raginald has lifted my house arrest, but not the geas. So if you would agree, I could visit you.

Also, our family will host a summer party next week. It might not be quite politically correct for a girl to ask out a boy, but I would like you to accompany me to that ball. We might not have seen each other yet, but I really like you, J, and as we have already agreed to be partners for our program next year, it is only fair to go there together. We will, of course, be going as friends.

I have thought pretty long if I should add this, but I think you have a right to know something important about me. I told you that my parents are dead. My father died in Azkaban two years after Harry Potter killed the Dark Lord. He was serving life for several murders as a Death Eater. I was conceived when Mum visited him, and she committed suicide when he died. My other family has never supported Voldemort as far as I know. Our gamots have just spoken to give more money to the aurors to fight him.

Dear J, if you don't want to write to a murderer's daughter any more, I will understand. But I felt dishonest not to tell you, as you most likely lost your parents to my father's gang. Maybe even to him. And you should know this about me before you decide if you want to invite me to your home or come to us.

Really hoping to hear from you soon,

E."

Harry took a deep breath. Damn! Why wasn't Hermione there? He sat up, turned off the TV and stepped out into the garden.

"Tonks? I need to talk to you."

The air in front of him flirred for a second, then the young auror stood in front of him.

"Read this, please." He handed her the letter.

She read through it, then she smiled. "You got yourself a girlfriend, Harry. Way to go!"

"Nymphadora..." he patted his foot on the soil.

"I would venture to guess that this little girl is Ernestina de Bokken, the granddaughter of William Greengrass. D and A are Daphne and Astoria Greengrass then. Raginald is about the only pureblood who still talks to mum. He's a client of Dad's. Your friend's father was a sickening bastard who makes Uncle Lucius look like the philanthropist he wanted to look like. I studied his case in auror school. He was into little girls, raped them, killed them, and not in a nice way. So what do you want to do?"

"Ask you what I should do?"

"And concerning E.?"

Harry shook his head. "Ron would tell me not to admit ever writing to her. Hermione would most likely channel Dumbledore about second chances and all that."

"Second chances?"

Harry stopped for a second. "All right, first chances. She hasn't done anything to me yet. But dare I trust her?"

"I can't really help you there. But this letter sounds like a little girl who is afraid that she loses someone because of something a man she has never met has done."

"Should I invite her here, first?"

Tonks stepped up to a rose bush and broke off one half opened flower. "White roses indicate a offer of friendship." She performed a little preservation spell. "Why don't you invite her here for the day after tomorrow? You could try and spend a muggle day. Then, you decide if you want to continue with her or not.

"Dear Ernestina,

At least I guess that this is your name. I have been spending a wonderful week of this summer writing to a nice girl who was as bored and fed up as I am. I don't want to lose the friendship we have built this week, regardless of who her father might have been. You can be sure that my parents were not killed by him, the three persons responsible for their death have never been prosecuted.

If you can, why don't you visit me the day after tomorrow? The small token in this letter will work as a portkey to my uncle's house. A friend helped me there. To start, please say "Activate" sometime the day after tomorrow after 9 am. If you want to bring a chaperone, please feel free to do so. However, we will be watched by an adult witch, so nothing untoward will happen.

Then, we can decide what we will do concerning the ball. I can't dance, but I swear I will treat you better than my last date. (she would have been well within her rights to grievously harm me, at least).

All the best,

J – You'll only find out who I am if you use the rose."

Sunday, 19th of July

"Dear J,

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I'll be at your house tomorrow and bring Uncle Raginald for a moment.

Love, Ernie"

"Dear Harry,

Hermione say that you live with bad uncle and awnt. If you need help, we will help you.

Gabrielle"

"Dear Harry,

It seems my little sister tries to save you from the big bad muggles and wizards in Britain. Yesterday, she tried to bring my great-granduncle to organise a troop to bring you to France or another civilised nation (he's head of Law Enforcement for the European Community). Would you terribly mind to write her a few sentences to assure her you are well? If you are not, tell me or Hermione, and we will send a European auror team to get you out. By the way, I have not heard anything about the next Triwizard Tournament? When will it take place?

Best from your contestant

Fleur Delacour"

"Dear Gabrielle, dear Fleur,

I can assure you that right now I am spending the best summer I have ever spent at Privet Drive. There is absolutely no need to send in a rescue team. Thank you very much for spending some time with Hermione. She needs someone to help her understand our world better. She has conveyed your invitation to me, and as soon as I find a way to leave Britain, I will make sure to visit you first.

Gabrielle, are you going to start at Beauxbatton this year? What are you going to do, Fleur? And why do you ask me about the Triwizard Tournament?

All the best from

Your friend Harry."

"Neville,

Can you tell me something about the Greengrass family? It seems I have been writing half the summer with one of their nieces, and I would like to know more about them. Raginald Greengrass has invited me for an internship with his company. Do you think I should accept? Anyway, how are your greenhouses doing? Did you have time yet to repair your grandfather's glasshouse? And what plants did you find?

Harry"