Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Harry made up for his forgotten letter by reading two letters on Tuesday, and by Thursday was quite looking forward to reading his seventeenth birthday letter.

Dear Harry,

Happy Birthday! You're of age! One more year of Hogwarts. The most stressful year. I think schoolwork alone would have had me half-dead. The N.E.W.T.s are fine. Says the girl who came out at the top of the class. Just as long as you've got the right classes. If I hadn't dropped Arithmancy, I would've had to spend all my time studying. Now, Harry, I'm not saying to drop the subjects you're not the best at, or don't like, but if it's not necessary for the career you're pursuing - I'd say get one or two more N.E.W.T.s than required. Two more N.E.W.T.s than required!? If you want to seem like a better candidate for the job. I didn't have to take Defense or Ancient Runes. Lily. Everyone took Defense. There was a war going on. Well, yes. But even then, it would have helped so many of us. Like Alice. She didn't need the N.E.W.T, but getting it- helped her get the job. Yes, I know that. Maybe we should move on to the story, though? Ooh, yes. Which one this time? The time he crash-landed on Tiara's tail? I still don't know how you managed to land on her tail, but no other part of her.

Sirius got you a toy broom for your first birthday. You loved the thing. Flew all around the house with it. It wasn't the first time you landed on Tiara. But it was the funniest. You'd already spent plenty of time on the thing, and we needed to get you down. You, of course, didn't want to. And what seems logical to a baby in that position? Fly as fast as possible all around the room. I was trying to catch you. Dad looked ridiculous. And then you landed on Tiara's tail. It was the loudest I've ever heard her screech. She ran into our bedroom and hid under the bed as quick as a curse flies. We had to Summon her out, and even then, she was still shaking. She was perfectly fine, of course. No broken bones or anything.

Have a nice year at Hogwarts, Harry. We love you. Don't leave any essays until the last minute.

Love,

Mum & Dad

At this point, Eri gave a squawk, and Harry turned to face his owl. In the past few days, he had almost completely molted (leaving feathers everywhere), and now looked less like a pygmy puff and more like he had been given a bad haircut. The spots really were showing, and Harry could see how perfect it would be for camouflage in a forest. He couldn't fly yet, but had stopped acting as though his was in constant pain.

Harry looked back at the letter. His parents had thought he would have a normal life. That he would have gone back to Hogwarts for his seventh year, not that he would spend his time in a tent, hiding from the Ministry and hunting Horcruxes. But Harry's life had never been normal. From the moment the prophecy was made, Harry was doomed with craziest, most ab-normal life anyone could think of. And it was true, he'd skipped his last year at Hogwarts to hunt for Horcruxes, he'd defeated Quirelle and the Basilisk, but in the end, how different was he from anyone else his age? Very, very, different.

Harry placed the letter back into its envelope and and gently set it atop the growing pile of read letters. He'd saved the parchment they'd been wrapped in, and that was now where the stack of letters he'd finished were. Harry glanced back at the three letters he'd yet to read. Only three letters left. Harry wished they'd written more, that his parents had hidden more letters somewhere.

But now was not the time to search. He had his first Auror meeting today. They weren't starting the actual training yet, just meeting with everyone and finding out who their mentors would be, and when and where the first session would be.

"Which one was that?" Sirius asked, painted face coming into view.

"I seemed to have used the toy broom you got me to land on Tiara's tail." Sirius roared with laughter.

"Oh, good, I never liked her."

Thank you for reading! I'm sorry this is such a short chapter, but it's still longer than chapter 1. Cassandra30, thank you for reviewing. I'm glad you like Eri. delia, I agree that many people write her as very manipulative. I will be explaining the broom later. Desires of Autumn Leaves, thank you for the positive feedback. Sirius will be making appearances in most of the chapters to come. Please review!