So it's been a while since I updated, especially given the fact that I was updating this every day in the beginning. But life has really thrown me a hardball and I didn't manage to catch it. Instead I seemed to have caught it straight to the temple. So I'm having trouble updating. Please take this as my apology.

The Tales of the Time Keeper and Time Taker

Chapter 4: Letters across Time

The years started ticking by, with the Doctor and Harry exchanging letters.

"Dear Doctor,

I know you said that I shouldn't send you a letter every day, but cool things keep happening! Today the Bloody Barren stopped me and I was terrified, but he said he was extraordinarily sad that I hadn't chosen Slytherin house.

He's pretty cool, and he and Nearly Headless Nick get along pretty well, or more so than people would expect apparently. So they've both promised to take me round the school! Isn't that awesome. Definitely worth a letter I think.

Quittage is pretty intense though. Oliver Wood is a demon, I swear it now. He is nothing like even Snape, at least he tends to back off of diligent students. Wood just seems to want me to work more.

I have also decided that I thoroughly hate quills. Hate them. Hermione and I are going to use a pen from now on because this is ridiculous. If the teachers get really huffy about it we're going to buy fountain pens. At least then it's using 'real' ink.

Anyway, things are good. I'm still figuring out the wizarding world but it's not so bad. Ron can be a bit annoying sometimes, but I like him well enough. Hermione and I get along great though, I guess because we're both 'muggle raised'. So we spend a lot of time in the library.

Ron doesn't like that, but he and I go exploring when Hermione wants to study for a second time. Can you believe that? Twice!

Well, I got to head to dinner now, I'll write you next time something exciting happens.

Yours, Harry James Potter"

They started pretty frequently, but as Harry started to ease into the wizarding world more thoroughly the letters exchange was comfortable at once a week or so. The Doctor would answer questions for him, and soon Harry wasn't owling the doctor for every little thing, and instead was using the letters to keep each other updated on the goings on in their lives.

"Tiny Merlin,

You wouldn't believe the galaxy Rose and I turned up in.

It's full of Ood. Like, real life ood. I haven't seen one in a very long time. And coming from me you realise how long that actually is. They're rather friendly, though Rose is a bit put out by the talking orb thingy that they hold.

It's all rather fascinating.

I'm going to turn up for your first match of the year. I don't know which me, but I'm most certain that I'll turn up. Who knows, you seem so friendly with the older you, that maybe he'll turn up too. I'm not really sure myself. Make sure you tell that Oliver off if he pushes you too hard, we don't need a repeat of…..never mind. That hasn't happened yet, I don't think.

Anyway, Rose is currently trying to figure out how to work the kitchen, because the food in Ood-ville isn't agreeing with her so I better be off.

Tell me your professor's reactions to the fountain pens, I am fascinated by their refusal to meet new times head on. I mean, in like two-hundred years technology and magic are going to be more than compatible, they really should get ready for the transition.

See you later little Merlin. I'll try to see you for your birthday.

Your Doctor."

It was really fun for Harry to try to piece together the timeline of his Doctor's letters. Which companion he was with, and the language he used in the letters helped Harry to figure out when a regeneration had occurred. He wouldn't meet all the regenerations until well into his seventh year, but by his third he had met a majority of the third through tenth cycle doctors, and had corresponded with at least half of the companions.

See, sometimes the Doctor wasn't the one to answer, because he was busy or forgot. Sometimes the Tardis was stroppy and he had to deal with that, or the Doctor was, as his Aunty Rose liked to say 'utterly useless' at writing letters. So Young Harry actually met his other Aunt's a lot sooner than in person.

"Hello little lovely,

The Doctor and I got a little side tracked and now the idiot is messing the Tardis because she's stropping about.

I suggested it was because we haven't seen you're cute little face in a few….oh lord what am I supposed to call it. Years? Jumps? Wobbles is far too ridiculous to call them. You and the Doctor are such children. Wobbles, really! But the Doctor is certain that if the Tardis was stropping because she missed you she'd come and get you.

I still think that bringing you along for a little while would benefit us all. I at least will admit to missing my little munchkin.

I heard that this year you have a new defense professor. Well, one that might actually be worth a toss. What's he like? Is he handsome? Does he treat you nicely? I swear if he doesn't I'll come down and give him a good smack. That potions professor is going to learn about my fury if he doesn't get his act right. I promise, you give me the word and your Aunty Donna will be there in a flash.

I'm sure the Tardis will agree.

I hope you work hard in your classes. I'm sorry you can't go to hogsmede. Maybe the Doctor and I can forge a signature for you. I'm sure that'd be exciting. Not that I'm condoning you cheating your way into that town. Of course not.

(Though between you and me I think you should sneak out. You're young and lively, thirteen is the time to Mitch off. You have that invisibility coat from your dad. Use it well wasn't it? You didn't hear that form me though young man. Your Aunty Donna would never condone sneaking off and being a skiver.)

Apparently the Doctor needs me to hold a lever. Can't he see I'm busy? Honestly, I don't know why we even try, you and I.

I'll talk to you later sweetpea, take care of yourself, and don't worry about those tormentor, ghost things. You remember your Doctor and your Aunty Donna and I'm sure everything will work out. Take care you hear? Else I'll be there, you're not too old for a smack. (Or cuddles and kisses)

Love you munchkin,

Your fabulous Aunty Donna xx"

Donna was probably one of the best people ever. Harry had met her once, before beginning his third year, and had a few correspondences with her in letters. Though she had suggested that through his fourth they grew a lot closer. He was looking forward to next year already. He saw her more of a Mom than as an aunty. Though he wouldn't tell her that….yet.

Aunty Rose was still his favourite, and he missed her. Harry knew what happened, exactly what happened, and part of him blamed himself for not helping. He could handle the time vortex more than Rose could as a human, but he had been injured during that particular fight. He really did miss her, so much, but her last letter to him was cryptic in a way that was a bit like Captain Jack last time they met.

Harry missed his uncle Jack too. He had a feeling that he'd be seeing him soon enough through, so Harry didn't dwell on it. Instead, Harry pulled out his parchment and sent the last letter of the summer off to the Doctor.

"Hello Doctor,

I really hope you can make it in time to come with me to collect supplies. Ron, Hermione, and I are headed to the Quittige world cup this summer, so I don't have to stay with the Dursley's much longer. They're really getting bad now.

But I'll be here until the 4th, so if you could make it to help me shop I'd appreciate it a lot. You always get the best deals, you're so sly like that. I've decided you'd make a right good Slytherin.

Anyway, I have to head out. School starts soon and I'd rather not give the Dursley's any reason to throw pans at my head again.

Talk soon, say hello to Aunty Martha for me.

Harry JP."

Most of the time, Harry was pretty good at keeping up with who was with the Doctor, and at which regeneration on the linear projection of his timeline. Too well according to the doctor (though the man couldn't hide how proud he was of that fact, as much as he was intrigued). But even if he wasn't, between Hedwig, the Tardis, and time's incessant interference, the letters usually turned up in the correct timewobble.

Harry sighed as he tied the parchment to Hedwig's leg. He pet her gently as she nibbled on his wrist. He could tell that she enjoyed these flights. It made her even more special than she already was, for how many owls were given explicit permission and the ability to sly across time-boundaries? Of course, it made Harry wonder how this was going to change her internal workings, but from what he could see it had only made the Owl stronger.

And he needed that in his life.

"Go on then girl, take this to the Doctor, and take your time coming back. It might be just as well for you to head to Hogwarts."

The owl hooted softly, nipping his chin before she took off and Harry watched her with a gentle smile. His first gift may have been given to him by Hagrid, but Harry knew that the Doctor had a hand to play in it. The Doctor however, was Harry's first person (to trust, to love though in what way he didn't know yet, and to count on) and that was precious in ways that being given a gift could not touch.

"Boy! Get your lazy good for nothing person down here and finish cooking dinner or you'll be lucky if scraps is all you get tonight."

Harry sighed and moved. The Doctor would get back to him eventually. For now he might as well get a move on.