AN: This is a word of fiction using the characters from Harry Potter that are trademarked by J.K. Rowling
The warm summer air that hung heavy in the air had slowly transformed into a crisp fall breeze that caused a slight shiver to run down Harry's spine. The dim glow of the lanterns along the Hogwarts grounds cast long shadows along the stone walls. Only the breathing of his dormmates could be heard along with the constant ticking of his wristwatch that echoed in Harry's restless mind.
The soft rustling of leaves captured Harry's attention and heightened his anticipation. He was waiting for his weekly visitor. The bird that would bring news from his godfather. Even though he had been on the run from the ministry, hiding from the authorities, he still made sure to write to Harry every week. Each letter he sent was like a lifeline to Harry. A new connection to his parents. To his past.
Harry stood up from the window and moved towards his bed. He reached under and pulled out a worn shoebox where he kept all the letters from Sirius. He carefully opened it and took out the first letter that Sirius had ever sent him. It was written on a scrap of parchment, his untidy scrawl partially faded.
Dear Harry,
I hope this finds you before you reach your aunt and uncle. I don't know whether they're used to owl post.
Harry read over that letter along with the others that he had received. A small smile played on Harry's lips that grew as he read each word. The letters were more than just ink on parchment. They were a link to a world that he had never known, to parents who had sacrificed everything for him. He ran his fingers over the faded writing on the previous letter he had received that detailed one particular prank that Sirius and his father had concocted.
The night was calm, and the stars above twinkled in the sky. Harry moved back toward the window as his thoughts drifted over the stories that Sirius had shared about his adventures, the tales of Hogwarts, and snippets of his parents. Each letter brought Harry closer to a family that he had no memories of experiencing. One that was starkly different from the one he currently had.
As Harry stared out the window, he imagined Sirius on the run, finding a brief moment of safety to scribble down his thoughts and send them flying off across the world with the closest mail bird he could find.
Harry longed for the latest letter and the soft hooting of an owl in the distance made his heart skip a beat. He leaned forward, his eyes fixed on the night sky.
His anticipation was palpable as the minutes stretched into what felt like hours. Harry wondered if Sirius was okay. If he managed to stay one step ahead of those who hunted him.
Finally, a soft brown owl appeared at the window, a letter clutched in its talons. Harry's eyes lit up as he eagerly took the letter and thanked the owl with a scratch on the head and one of Hedwig's treats. He unfurled the parchment and savored the words from his godfather.
Harry read the letter over and over again until the sun started to crest on the horizon, his eyes began to burn from exhaustion, and his dormmates started to stir in their beds. His classes that day would be brutal, but he just couldn't rest his eyes until the words were burned into his mind.
Word Count: 579 Words
Challenges/Prompts:
Wicked Webs: Harry & Sirius – Relationship: 19. Penpals
Build-A-Bear – Step 1: 3. Harry Potter