Chapter 2: You Haven't Written!

Phoenix and Kaleb looked at each other before turning around. "I was cleaning the library like you asked." Phoenix gave her best cheesy smile.

Paige glanced at her, "cleaning the library doesn't require all that racket." She said and looked at something on the floor. "I take it, it has something to do with that?"

Phoenix followed her mother's eyes as Kaleb snatched the wand off the floor. "Nope."

"Uh, what'cha doin mom?"

Paige watched Phoenix snag her wand from Kaleb before putting it into her back pocket. "Your Aunt Piper. Your friend's owl is over at the manor again."

"Hedwig?"

Paige nodded.

"Why would she go to the manor and not here?"

"Magic School is protected remember." Kaleb stated.

"So is Hogwarts, but owls can come and go."

Kaleb shrugged, "Different type of magic?"

"Phoenix sweety, your Aunt Piper is really nagging in my ears, just go and either calm the owl down or bring her here."

Phoenix nodded then orbed out. Kaleb looked at Paige, "I'll be in the office when she gets back." And watched her leave.

As Phoenix orbed into the manor, she had enough time to duck when Hedwig flew over her head and onto the couch screeching.

"Hedwig what is your deal?"

"I don't know but that bird is making a mess!' Piper yelled.

"Sorry Aunt Piper. I don't know why she didn't come home or to Magic School."

"I don't know sweetheart, maybe it's because you are closer to the manor. I don't know how this stuff works." She handed Phoenix a couple of envelopes, "She did let me take these. Take her with you. She is tired and agitated. I don't think she will settle here."

Phoenix grabbed the envelopes and a few treats. Sighing, she petted Hedwig's white feathers. "I'll see you for herb lessons." Then orbed Hedwig and herself out.

When she arrived back in the library, Hedwig gave another screech flapping her wings. Phoenix cooed, petting her feathers again while clicking her tongue lightly. "Shhh, it's okay Hedwig."

"Something wrong?" Kaleb asked, watching the interaction between the two.

Phoenix shrugged, "I'm not sure yet." She looked down at the envelopes, only two. Something was not right. She opened Ron's letter, knowing from the feel of it, it was smaller, and quickly glanced through it. She did the same with Hermione's. "Harry hasn't written to any of us." Phoenix looked up at Kaleb concerned.

"Has he ever written any since school let out?"

"To me at least up until this last month."

Kaleb shrugged, "there isn't much we can do."

Phoenix perked up. "Mom might." She placed Hedwig on her shoulder, grabbed Kaleb and orbed them to her mother's office.

Paige heard someone orb in front of her, she looked up hearing Hedwig give another loud screech.

"Mom, something is wrong."

Paige placed her pin down watching Hedwig flap her wings again. "What is it? Is it the owl?"

"What? No. It's Harry. I have a feeling something is wrong. Hermione, Ron, and I haven't heard from him in a month. He was writing to me since summer started."

I haven't felt any unusual stress from him."

Phoenix blinked caught off guard. "Wha…."

"If it was anyone else, I would say maybe he got busy or they went on vacation, but seeing his uncle and aunt," Paige sighed, "You do you know where he lives right?"

"Not really." Paige and Kaleb looked at her confused. "I put Harry, Hermione, and Ron's name on the envelopes, give them to Hedwig and she takes care of them." Paige sighed again. "Mom, please, we need to check on him. You saw how his uncle was at the station."

Paige smiled. Standing up, she grabbed the two teens by the hand, "Let's go then."

The three orbed in what looked to be a suburban neighborhood. "Where are we?" Kaleb asked.

"I am hoping in front of Harry's home." Paige started walking up towards the house they were in front of. Phoenix looked at Kaleb before following her mom to the door, Kaleb behind her. Paige straightened her clothes and knocked. She heard some shuffling and muffled noise until the door opened. It was the man Paige saw at the station, Uncle Vernon, she thought she heard Harry call him.

"May I help you?" he asked, eyes squinted as if he was blinded by the sun.

Paige put on her best fake smile. "Hello! I'm so glad I have found the right house!" Vernon looked at her confused. "You don't recognize me from the train station?" Vernon's confusion turned to skeptical. "My daughter goes to school with your nephew." His face quickly went to anger. Paige's fake smile changed to a dramatic frown. "You're not Harry Potter's Uncle? I could have sworn I saw you at the station."

"What is it you want?" Vernon's English accent interrupted Paige's rambling.

Paige was taken back. She blinked a few times. Phoenix had to clamp her mouth shut. She had seen her mother's performance before. "I'm so sorry if we were interrupting something. We were in town for a conference and my daughter wanted to stop and say hi to her best friend." Paige pulled Phoenix in front of her. Phoenix gave a tiny innocent wave.

Vernon gave a sneer then opened the door wider. "Please come in."

Paige placed her fake smile back on and pushed the two teens forward. They were greeted with a boy who was bigger in size then both Harry and Kaleb combined and a blonde-haired woman who was so thin Paige could blow her over with her breath.

"Hello, you must be Harry's Aunt and cousin!" Paige said shaking the woman's hand and smiling at the boy.

The woman gave something in between a sneer and a smile. "Yes, I am Petunia, and this is Dudley. Please sit." Petunia instructed indicating towards the couch in the living room. "Would either of you like something to drink?"

Paige and the two teens sat slowly onto the couch. Vernon followed by sitting across them on a chair while Petunia and Dudley stayed standing. "Oh, no thank you. We don't want to be long."

"Oh, well. Dudley dear, why don't you go tell Harry he has guests." Vernon asked, gazing at Paige with a sneer.

Dudley looked at his father confused before treading up the stairs. Paige noticed his awkwardness and noted that for later. There was some silence between the group until Petunia spoke.

"So, Mrs.…."

"Oh! How rude and embarrassing for me! My name is Paige Matthews, this is my daughter Phoenix and her friend Kaleb." Phoenix and Kaleb both nodded their hellos before Petunia started back up.

"Mrs. Matthew, you said you were in town for a conference. May I ask what kind?"

Paige's face muscles were hurting from the permanent fake smile. "Yes, I am here for a social worker conference. I am a social worker back in the States."

Both Vernon and Petunia's faces briefly went white. Vernon's sneer faltered into shock. It took all of Paige's strength to not laugh or say something she would regret.

Before anyone could say anything else, a creak was heard from the stairs. They all looked and saw Harry and Dudley at the bottom step. Vernon placed on a smile before getting out of his set. "Harry!" He rushed over to him giving him a bear hug. Dudley quickly went to his mother's arms, confusion written on his face. Harry had a mix of horror and shock. "You have company."

"But who…."

"Why don't we let you catch up? Come on Dudley." Petunia suggested. Vernon sneered at Harry before looking back into the living room with a smile then followed Petunia and Dudley into the kitchen.

Harry peeked into the living room. Paige saw the confusion on the poor boy's face before it was replaced into a bright smile. "Harry!" Phoenix shouted while running over to Harry almost knocking him over with her bear hug. "Why haven't you written! How have you been?"

"Phoenix honey let him breath."

As the two walked into the living room, Paige took in Harry's appearance. His clothes were way too big for him. Most likely hand me downs from his cousin. But his face looked a little fuller than the first time she saw him on the platform. She saw a little bit of confidence in his step but also caution.

"Why, haven't you written?" Phoenix asked. "I was worried. So was Hermione and Ron."

Harry's smile changed back to confusion. "What are you talking about? I haven't heard from any of you. I thought you all didn't want to be my friend anymore."

Now it was Phoenix who looked confused. "Harry, I have been writing to you since we left school. I got your letters up until this last month. But I still wrote you."

Kaleb nodded, "It's true, I've seen her write them." Harry glanced at him. "I'm Kaleb."

"You still have been writing?"

"Yes! I give the letter to Hedwig, and she heads off."

Harry shook his head. "Then I don't know where she is delivering them. I haven't received one this whole month. I thought you all have stopped caring."

Phoenix looked at him with sadness. "No Harry, once I make a friend, I don't abandon them."

"She's right Harry. I can't shake her anymore. And she has been worried about you. Driving me crazy even." Phoenix punched Kaleb in the shoulder. "Ow!"

Paige watched the exchange. It didn't make any sense. She has even seen Phoenix give the owl letters. "How is everything going Harry?"

Harry looked over at her forgetting she was there. He shrugged. Paige knew it was probably because he knew his family was just around the corner listening in. She knew it was a risky question, but his demeanor told her everything.

"What happened to your hair?" Harry asked, finally realizing what was different.

"Mom wasn't too happy on our end of school adventure so, when the red dye went out, I couldn't recolor it."

"Oh." He was about to say something else when he heard Phoenix's mom move on the couch.

"Look at the time!" she said loud enough for the others to hear. "We are going to have to get up early tomorrow for the conference." As she was standing up, Petunia, Dudley, and Vernon returned to the living room. Paige looked at them, her fake smile returned. "Thank you for your hospitality. I do apologize if we came at a bad time." Then headed towards the door, but before she did, she went over to Harry, giving him a hug. "It was nice to see you again." She said while slipping a card in Harry's hand.

Harry looked down at the card reading what it said. 'If you need anything or anyone, don't hesitate to holler for me.' He looked back up at Paige. She gave him a genuine smile and winked before walking out the door.