CHAPTER 2

LETTERS

It was a warm, sunny, beautiful summer day at Privet Drive. The weather was wonderful. The day was pleasant, and you could hear the happy children running around, laughing, playing, and having a great time. All, except one child.

Harry Potter sat bolt up on his bed. He just had a terrible dream. It seemed so real he thought. Sweat was beading down his forehead. His scar was hurting, that only happens when Voldemort is near. Oh, no.

Harry was reflecting about the dream. What does it mean? Is Voldemort near? Is he coming? What is the Crystal of Light?

It was just too much. He knew Voldemort was rising, but… this soon? And why would he think that Harry has this…this Crystal?

Harry tried to take it out of his mind - for the time being, of course. He knew this was going to come back and bite him in the arse. But, for now, he decided to overlook it. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and grabbed his glasses.

Harry looked around his room. If you call it a room. It was just a small closet under the stairs. Nothing special at all. All he had was a mattress, a tiny dresser, some clothes splattered around everywhere, his wand, Hogwarts' books, and a picture if his 2 best friends: Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.

Harry sighed. He missed them so much. It wasn't the same without them. Plus, there was nothing to do at the Dursleys'. Every day was the same - wake up, get yelled at, make breakfast, lunch, and dinner, (twice as much for Dudley, that is) get yelled at some more, and go to sleep.

It was like he was locked up. A prisoner.

He missed his friends. He missed Hogwarts. He missed quidditch. And Hagrid. And his dorm. And the amazing food. And sometimes, in really, really, really, really desperate times, he'd even missed Snape. Harry made a face and shook his head. Scratch that.

While Harry was listening to his Uncle Vernon yelling at the mailman, he heard a tap, tap, tap. He looked and found his owl, Hedwig, pecking on his window frame. Excited, Harry rushed off his bed, open the window, and grabbed the 3 letters. He thanked Hedwig, and while stroking her feathers, he read the letters. The first one was from Ron:

Harry-

Hey, mate. How's it going? The Dursleys treating you any good? I should hope so. I don't care if it's illegal or not – you should hex them to eternity! Anyway, mum talked to Dumbledore and he said you could come over to the Burrow for the rest of the summer holiday! Isn't that great? We should be there by Friday, I think. So get packed! Hermiones' coming a day early. See you later, mate. –Ron

"YES!" Harry said aloud. He would finally be outta this place! He couldn't wait. The trio would be reunited. Friday! That was only 2 days away! He reread the letter. Joy was written all over his face.

Harry silently chuckled at the part where he mentioned Hermione. Of course he knew about his freckled friend's not-so-little crush on his other friend. It was obvious to literally everyone but Hermione. Harry thought of all the times Ron tried to impress Hermione last year. Studying more and more, trying hard to get good marks. But instead of earning a kiss from Hermione, he earned a kiss from his mum. Harry laughed out loud. Hermione was oblivious.

Speaking of Hermione, that was his second letter:

Dear Harry,

How are you? How is your summer? Probably not good with those awful Dursleys. I hope you're doing well. I worry about you. I've missed you and Ron so much! All I did this summer was sit at home reading. It was rather boring actually. I can't wait to see you two! I'm coming to the Burrow on Thursday. See you then and stay out of trouble!

Love, Hermione

Harry smiled while he put a hand through his raven black hair. 'Stay out of trouble', such a Hermione saying. Harry chuckled.

The next letter was from Hogwarts:

Dear Mr. Potter,

We are happy to be having you again for another year of Hogwarts. 5th year will be exciting. After the events from last year, we were not sure how you were to hold up. Though we are still glad you are attending. Also, it might interest you to know, Oliver Wood has graduated, so the position of Quidditch Captain is on the grabs. Have a wonderful rest of summer holidays.

Sincerely,

Hogwarts Staff

Events from last year? Harry thought. What events? The Triwizard Tournament? Cedric dying? Voldemort rising? Harry didn't know, nor did he want to be reminded. He tried to overlook last year. Forget what happened. But he couldn't. He still had nightmares.

Harry tried to not let this dampen his mood. After all, Ron and them would be here on Friday! He wouldn't be in this hell hole anymore. Harry immediately smiled at the thought. He put down the 3 letters, and looked for some parchment and a quill. Soon, he began writing:

Ron

I'm really glad to be coming to the Burrow, mate! Living here is a nightmare. Can't wait to see you and Hermione and everyone else. And tell your mum thanks for letting me stay. See you then. -Harry

The next letter he wrote to was Hermione:

Hermione-

I've missed you too! It's been really dull around here. I hate the Dursleys a lot, but I have been living here for almost 15 years, I can handle them. But don't worry about me, I'm fine. I hope you've had a great summer. I can't wait to see you and Ron at the Burrow! See you Friday. –Harry

Happy with what he wrote, Harry sealed his letters and gave them to Hedwig.

"Ok, girl. Give this one to Ron, and the other to Hermione, alright?"

Hedwig nodded and took off.