Chapter 13: Notes and New Norms

Harry was woken the next morning by loud hooting as Hedwig was puffing territorially over the owl he had sent out with letters the other day. He pushed himself off the bed and went over to the window. "Hedwig, play nice."

Unfastening the letters attached to the owl's foot, he turned to grab some treats and stroke the owl as he unrolled them. To his surprise there were not just two letters, from Ron and Hermione, but three. He frowned and opened up the third with unfamiliar handwriting first.

Harry,

I know we have never met, and you must be surprised to be receiving a letter from me. Yet, after the events of the last day in our home and what I have heard from Hogwarts I felt it was the right thing to do. My name is Arthur Weasley, Ron's father. Since September we've heard a lot about you from all of our sons. The boys seem to think of you as another brother and are just as protective of you as they are of each other. This also means keeping your secrets.

Harry frowned. Ron's parents probably wanted to know about the events at the end of the school year. The journey through the trapdoor. But the twins and Percy didn't know the truth about that, unless Ron had said something.

He knew Ron loved his parents and trusted them. But he'd also said he wasn't going to say anything about what happened. In Harry's experience, bad things happened when adults got angry. Still, because it was Ron's father, he was curious enough to keep reading. Just to make sure he hadn't gotten Ron in trouble.

Each of our sons mentioned the lack of letters between you and your family. My wife, Molly, did not take that well, as she has been worried about you since she met you at the platform. The fact you were alone then was not something that went unnoticed. Our hope was that it was only circumstances, your aunt and uncle must be busy people, unable to write often and come with you.

However, when a letter came from Hogwarts telling us that you would be staying there for the summer, it was clear that our positive thinking was very wrong. Do not get angry with anyone at Hogwarts for telling us, I know you would rather this all stayed a secret. Molly and I just want you to know that you are cared for, and if you ever need somewhere to stay, you are welcome at our home, though it is crowded and busy you will never be unwanted here.

Harry stared at the letter for a few minutes, unsure what to think of what Ron's father was promising. Maybe the Weasleys felt bad, but the second they'd learnt what danger Harry had put Ron in, they'd be all too happy to kick him out. At least Dumbledore knew everything already, he had wanted Harry to stay here even knowing how much trouble he could cause.

I know Ron has invited you for part of the summer, and we will be in touch with Professor Dumbledore to try and arrange it. Hopefully, Ron can come and see you before then. Until then, if you need anything please send an owl to Ron or any of us. We're here to help you however you need it.

Sincerely,

Arthur Weasley

Harry stiffened usure how ready he was to go on to the Weasley's when he was finally sure he wouldn't be leaving Hogwarts. His teachers at least knew what had happened with the stone, and that Voldemort was somehow still around. The Weasleys would get angry when they learnt about Ron's involvement, and staying with them would involve the rest of the family. It seemed like it was too big a risk to take now that he was secure.

It would be great if Ron could visit though, he missed his friends more than anything in the world. So, Harry focused on that thought, and turned to the letters that came from them both, opening Ron's first to compare to Mr. Weasley's response.

Dear Harry,

It sounds like you'll be having a better summer than I am. Mom has us all helping with chores. Cleaning the chicken coop, folding laundry and clearing the garden, when we could be playing quidditch. The twins are causing explosions left and right. Ginny's been asking questions about you nonstop. At least she was, until I got your letter.

Harry frowned as he read that. He knew Ron hadn't told his parents anything, but it was the letter, the one Ron received from him and that the Weasley's received from the Hogwarts staff that had made Mr. Weasley write the letter. He still wasn't sure why though, so Harry turned back to Ron's letter.

The professors sent one to my parents too, and when mum read it, she and Dad got into a fight. Mum's always yelling at someone, and Dad always has to calm her down.

His eyebrows crinkled as his brow. Parents fought. Harry knew that was normal, but he wasn't sure how often they did it. Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon almost never argued in front of him. Was Mrs. Weasley like Aunt Petunia in some way? It hadn't seemed like it when he'd met her at King's Cross, but if she liked to yell a lot… He winced in memory of Aunt Petunia's shrill voice, sharpened by complaints of anything he had ever done.

This was different. I think the most scary thing was Dad was so silent, just standing there hugging Mum while she cried. When you come to the Burrow later this summer, she's going to spoil you and smother you with attention. That is, if Ginny doesn't annoy you to death first.

Why would he have made Mrs. Weasley cry? Had the letter from Hogwarts contained information about their first year? Mr. Weasley's letter didn't make it seem that way. But Mrs. Weasley had no other reason to cry over him, she'd met him twice. He didn't like the idea that she'd started to cry because of him. Was it because of the Dursleys then?

This was Ron's family though. The twin's and Percy's. The four of them had always been nice to Harry, happy to help them, even if the twins would make stupid jokes and Percy could be annoying. Harry supposed that it might make sense if the rest of the Weasleys would want to know about him. His mouth tugged in the corner, remembering the girl at the platform in the beginning of the year who had so wanted to go to Hogwarts.

The best part was that it seemed like Ron still wanted him to come visit. Even if his mother would stop paying attention to him for Harry, fussing over him like Aunt Petunia always had with Dudley. Harry felt the small tugging become a grin as he read further, hearing Ron's complaining voice and also seeing the tips of his ears turn red with anger.

I know you won't be able to come for a while, but I think that's why the headmaster wrote to my parents. If you get too lonely at Hogwarts, we'll find a way to get you here sooner. I mean, you only have the professors for company. The whole thing is bloody mental and brilliant, I think I'd rather touch a spider than eat dinner with McGonagall and Snape.

I can't believe McGonagall argued with Dumbledore about you. He should be apologizing if he left you with the Dursleys. If McGonagall hadn't made him see sense, he might have stayed an arse and left you there.

Harry stopped and reread that sentence a few times before laughing loudly and breaking into a large smile. He could always depend on Ron to somehow make humor out of situations, even without meaning too.

At least he's making up for it by letting you stay at Hogwarts. I'm jealous, you get to do magic, use the pitch, and McGonagall is teaching you wizard's chess. She'll probably do better than me, her giant set had some brilliant strategy.

Mostly, I'm happy you're away from the muggles. You get to stay at Hogwarts, and you learnt new things about your parents. You don't need that stupid mirror to see them, if you can dream about them and find notes they left.

Harry paused, contemplating this. It didn't exactly sound like Ron, because his friend was rarely this serious. Except he had been when it came to the mirror and when Harry had told him about what he knew about his parents. Ron didn't need to worry about it anymore, Harry's mind reminded him. The mirror was gone along with the stone. He doubted he would ever see it again. I think they'd be proud. Dad said he was proud of me the other day, for what happened in June even though he doesn't know the details. Your mum and dad would be too, I think.

So, Mr. Weasley wasn't mad, at least not enough to stop Harry from seeing Ron. His friend seemed sure that both of their parents would approve of what they had done in June. Maybe he was like McGonagall or Hagrid, someone who only got mad because they were worried. Harry hadn't even known that was possible before this year. The Dursleys were never angry at Dudley, they blamed everything on other people. If stern McGonagall could nearly cry over worry, maybe other people, like Mrs. Weasley had done so too.

I can't believe that wasn't so long ago. It feels like forever ago since we went through the trapdoor, and since I saw you and Hermione. It's weird not seeing both of you every day. You better not get into any more trouble without us. Whoever thought summer could be so boring? Write more with more excitement.

You bored friend,

Ron

Harry laughed and felt his chest ache, both with the echoing sound and something he was sure meant he was missing his friends even more than before. At least, in some way, he had a piece of Ron here from this letter. He could hear Ron's complaints, and excitement all at once in the letter. Harry had known what it was to miss people, every day of his life, he missed his parents and felt their absence. This was a different kind of missing though, one where he didn't have to wonder about ever seeing Ron again, or what Ron felt about him. It was the same thing he was feeling now.

Dwelling on that feeling, Harry turned to the third letter, marked with Hermione's neat handwriting. He could tell it was written with a pen and not a quill and laughed when upon opening it, a pen fell out onto his lap. Both of them, as well as Dean had complained about quills after Ron knocked down Hermione's ink when all of them had been preparing for exams. Hermione had then started on a rant on how inconvenient quills were, how messy they could be when pens were much easier to use and erased the risk of spilling ink everywhere.

Dean had declared he'd bring several pens next year, to the curiosity of their friends raised in the wizarding world. 'They're better for art, anyway,' he'd said with a shrug. It seemed Hermione had thought Harry could use one before next fall, which he put carefully with his other supplies as he started to read.

Dear Harry,

I was surprised to find the owl waiting for me in my room last night. I thought I was going to have to use muggle post. Everything is so different now that I've been to Hogwarts and been surrounded by magic all the time. Here everything is so normal. You're lucky to be able to practice magic during the summer. I wonder if Ron can as well. I have to ask him of course.

Harry already knew the answer to that, it was something Ron had complained about loudly upon their train ride back to London. Mrs. Weasley was very strict with the rules, making sure all her children didn't use magic until they were of age. He could sympathize with Hermione though, even for the few minutes he'd been back in the muggle world, he'd been dreading a summer without magic. Of course, he missed some muggle things, like pens, but he belonged in the Magical world. Without it, he would feel empty and strange. Harry made a note not to mention to much of his using magic during the summer when his friends couldn't. It wasn't exactly fair.

Of course, the most important thing is that you are away from the Dursleys. I was just about to write and ask if you could stay for part of the summer. Ron and I had this idea you could stay with me first, then we would visit him. We thought your relatives might let you come because my parents are 'normal' like them. That's no longer an issue though, so I expect you'll want to stay at Hogwarts though. Perhaps, we'll both go visit Ron's later on.

Those words made Harry feel like Hermione was here right now, giving him a hug and exclaiming over whatever he had just done. He felt the need to return the affection, with a hug of his own right now. His friends were the best, somehow, they'd found the time to plan behind his back to help him. Harry was sure he didn't deserve it, never being as good a friend to them as they were to him. He'd have to try better, maybe do something to thank both of them.

I'm excited to hear you're enjoying being at Hogwarts. I agree, the books hidden around the common room are so interesting. I recommend marauding with monsters, by Gilderoy Lockhart. When you finish there, read the rest of his novels from the library. They're so interesting, what a marvelous wizard, and so creative.

Taking Hermione's book recommendations might be a bit dangerous, considering her fancy for old tomes and heavy reading. Harry would check anyway, just to see and give it a chance. Some of the books were quite interesting.

I think professor McGonagall's schedule is very practical. I've started on my own essays, firstly Professor Flitwick's. I have an idea for my transfiguration assignment next. If you need help with revisions, I think I'll be finished next week with my own.

He chuckled to himself, surprised it had taken Hermione this long to get on the topic of schoolwork. He could always depend on Hermione's love of homework. He just wished he might enjoy doing his own as much.

We're supposed to go on holiday soon too, I think visiting Cornwall or Bath. I'm already researching the magical history of both the places. There's so much to learn about the magical world now that I've been part of it for a year, I can't imagine not knowing all the important things about it. That's why I'm so happy you seem to be excited to learn too. Ron doesn't quite understand, does he? I suppose because he's never been part of the muggle world and doesn't know he's missing something. I suppose we'll need to show him the better parts that come with living in the muggle world. I'm counting down the days till I see you both today.

Harry grinned, thinking of what plans Hermione must already be formulated and the good-natured arguments that would happen between her and Ron over the pros and cons of the muggle and wizarding worlds. Again, he was struck with just how much he missed both his friends.

The owl is getting upset, so I'll finish this letter quickly. Write back soon and send more news about Hogwarts and what else you've done. It seems like an amazing experience.

Love, Hermione

Quickly scrawling out a beginning of a response to booth oof his friend's letters was interrupted by the feeling of hunger. He put Mr. Weasley's letter aside somewhere safe to contemplate again later as he started to pull on his trousers and shirt. Today was only the second day of his new schedule, and Harry wasn't sure he was completely used to it yet.

Sprout, Flitwick, and McGonagall were at breakfast when he arrived. The latter had smiled kindly at him as he took a seat. "Mr. Potter, just a reminder that today you shall be working on your History of Magic essay under the supervision of Professor Binns."

Flitwick chuckled, "I believe Mr. Potter will be mostly supervising himself."

McGonagall gave him a sharp look in response and turned back to Harry. "I shall see you at lunch then. I have a visit with a muggleborn student scheduled for today. Professors Sprout, Flitwick and Dumbledore are here if you need anything."

Harry nodded quietly. Yesterday, the two and a half hours had been spent with McGonagall, who had accompanied him to lunch after. Half of that time had been spent on his assignment, a short response to a question on the Transfiguration basics they'd learnt the past year. The rest of the time, he read quietly as McGonagall had finished her work.

His free time yesterday had also been spent with her. She'd managed to get some new clothes and had him try them on to make sure there were no adjustments needed. She'd seen him watching carefully as she used a spell to shorten a pants leg and sighed. "I suppose, Mr. Potter, you will be getting into a lot of trouble over the next few years. You might be able to use some of these spells if your clothes do need mending. Though I warn you, this is not my specialty. It would be better to ask the house elves."

Harry had just stared wordlessly at the first clothes that fit him properly in years, besides his Hogwarts robes and the sweater from Mrs. Weasley, all of his garments were baggy hand-me-downs from Dudley.

Today, he was wearing one of these new outfits. Most of his other clothes had disappeared, though a few of his favorites were still around. It seemed the magical laundry he took for granted throughout the year, as well as every other household chore he would be doing if he was at the Dursley's, was under the house elves' jurisdiction. But it wasn't the same, Harry hadn't been paid or given respect, and it seemed like the house elves were just like most muggle housekeepers.

Having adults listen to him and ask his opinion, like any form of respect, felt completely strange to Harry. It wasn't like when Aunt Petunia coddled Dudley by asking what he wanted. Harry was treated like a person, not a baby. He wasn't too sure about all their questions, or how he should answer them, was there wrong answers and even more important, was there a right one? He tried to answer with as little words as he could.

The professors just kept talking, not acting like he wasn't there, like the Dursleys, but giving room to ask or answer questions if he wanted, or just stay silent. It was a bit too much for him, and he still wasn't sure what he thought about it. It was best to just go along with it, until he figured out what they expected, even with all their promises.

So, Harry stayed silent at breakfast, as the professors just talked, about politics, complained about work, and then got up one by one. Flitwick walked him towards Professor Binns classroom, asking Harry gently what he thought so far about his summer at Hogwarts, how he liked his new clothes. Harry gave the same type of answers as always and was almost happy to be spending the next few hours with Professor Binns and have all the attention off him.