Chapter 37

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Harry was grateful to get a letter back from Spencer so soon, he must have written it straight away, and it was a big bulky letter too. He tore open the envelope and was surprised to find a second envelope inside, this one with a warning on it not to open it anywhere he could be seen or observed, or at the Dursleys.

Unsure about why Spencer had asked this, but willing to trust his friend had a good reason, he asked to use the staff bathroom at the restaurant and opened the letter there. There was a letter from Spencer and an opened envelope addressed to Spencer in his own handwriting, probably containing the letter he'd written to him to make him write such a confusing letter last time. He opened the letter from Spencer first, needing to know that his friend was okay and hadn't been affected by whatever had made him and the Dursleys forget what had happened and hoping Spencer believed him when he said he didn't remember anything unusual happening no matter what he might have written, before he worried about what he'd actually written to Spencer while he was sick, or before his memories had been altered.

Thursday 11/1/90

Dear Harry

I don't know how to tell you what happened to make me send you my last letter that confused you so much except to send you a photocopy of the letter I received from you on 10/22/90 so you can read for yourself what you wrote that day. I don't want to send the original in case something happens and I need it to send to you again. I really don't believe that this was a dream Harry, the stains on the letter are the color of blood on the original. They are blood. My advisor helped me to access the chemicals needed and set up an experiment to test it. Of course, I couldn't test whether the blood was yours or not but it was on the letter and the inside and outside of the envelope so who else's blood could it be? You were injured when you wrote that letter, not just sleepwalking or dreaming.

You wrote me that you'd left the Dursleys and were heading to the police station when you posted it so I don't know what happened after that. Whether you made it to the police station or whether you passed out in the street on the way like you were afraid of. Do you remember any of it?

I'm glad that you managed to post the letter otherwise I wouldn't have known anything about it either, and you'd have forgotten the beating and the attempt to leave the Dursleys go to the police, forever. Maybe that would've been better for you, or safer somehow if someone is watching to make sure you don't remember or try to leave again, but on the other hand I always believe it is beneficial to know the truth, and possibly safer as well to know what Vernon Dursley is capable of if you anger him and that someone with powers similar to yours is watching you and letting Vernon and Dudley hurt you, or at least not doing much to stop it and preventing you from getting away safely.

It worries me greatly that someone made you forget being attacked, and for them to return you to an abusive situation is terrible. It has to be someone who has the powers you do to make you forget like that, I suppose we should at least be grateful that they healed your injuries before forcing you back into that house, but whoever did this has to be considered your enemy Harry, no matter what reasons they have for doing it.

I don't know how you're going to find out who they are but if you ever do meet other people like you then you need to be careful. You'll have to remember that not all of them will mean you well, and it might be difficult to know their real motives since they're capable of altering memories. I wonder if there is a way to protect your mind from having your memories altered without your permission?

One other thought, if they were able to take your memories and the Dursleys' and heal all your wounds, could they have also done something to your powers to stop you from being able to open the door and run away again? Have you concentrated to see if they're still building up like they used to while you're away from the Dursleys' house.

I know that you will be angry and frightened to read these letters and find out what happened to you, but Harry, it's really very important that you don't show a reaction in case someone is watching you. You mustn't let them know you know what happened. Or they might have another go at making you forget.

Please be careful with the Dursleys, I don't want you to be hurt again.

Your true friend

Spencer

Spencer was disappointed not to have received anything from Harry on his birthday but supposed he could excuse Harry missing it with all that had happened. Even he was preoccupied with worry over what was happening to Harry, and whether he was safe enough, he couldn't blame Harry for not thinking of things like other people's birthdays. And the original assault was probably just before Harry would've needed to send a card or letter to arrive on his birthday.

Still, he had a very lonely birthday. He hadn't told Ethan or any of his other new acquaintances when his birthday was, so he couldn't expect any of them to say anything. His Mom hadn't sent him anything either, not that he really expected her to be organised enough to, and unfortunately, she was having a bad day and wouldn't come to the phone when he tried to call her so he didn't even get to speak to her and he couldn't call Harry, he'd told him that he wouldn't be allowed to come to the phone and he didn't want to draw attention to their friendship.

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