Disclaimer: I don't own anything Harry Potter related.
A/N: I started this story over a year ago. It's still not finished but I thought I'd start sharing it with you guys here at PK. The first five chapters are purely fluff. But I got bored writing the same bits of romance so after chapter five it becomes a suspenseful thriller type story. Odd things are happening to Harry and Hermione. . . Oh and also. Because I started this a year ago, the fifth book had not come out yet, so this takes place the summer after fourth year. Please don't flame me for my taste in music, the songs listed in this chapter were simply things I listen to. I have updated some of them however. Anyway, here's the start. . . it will get better as the chapters come along. I hope you enjoy it! ~MtL
Love Letters
Chapter One
A sweaty and exhausted teenager clamored his way up to his small room one late Saturday afternoon. He had been working all day in his aunt's garden, tending the roses in the terrible heat. He opened his closet door to put on some drier, less sticky clothing and caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. It was his fifteenth birthday. He had grown a few inches and his shoulders had broadened, but other than that, he was still the same old Harry Potter.
Harry sighed and brushed his sweaty black hair off his forehead. A sudden pain twanged in his stomach. There was the same lightening bolt scar he had had since he was a year old, given to him by a monster he hated more than anything in the world, the same monster who took the innocent life of a fellow friend of Harry's, Cedric Diggory.
The teenager tried to form a mental blockade as he took off his shirt and put on a new one. It wasn't that easy though. Harry wasn't any normal teenager. He happened to be a wizard, a very famous one at that. When he was only an infant, Harry had amazingly defeated the darkest wizard of all time. In doing so, he received the infamous scar on his forehead. But Harry hadn't completely defeated the Dark Lord. The monster had risen just two months before, out for revenge. Harry had escaped but with more remorse and guilt than one would have expected him to have. He hadn't slept in nights.
A fluttering noise thankfully distracted Harry's troubled thoughts as he turned and saw an owl hovering outside his window.
"Hedwig," Harry breathed, giving a smile that brightened his darkened face. When Harry opened the window, the beautiful snowy owl flew to the bed and held out her foot. Harry quickly untied the package which was attached to his pet and stroked her gently. "Thanks Hedwig," Harry muttered. The owl cooed softly and flew to her cage, where she took a sip of water and went in for a nap.
Harry hastily opened the letter attached to the package and another small smile graced his lips.
Dear Harry,
Happy Birthday! I know I haven't exactly been keeping in touch this summer, but I would never forget your big day. How are you? I hope you are feeling better. I'm so sorry that you have to stay at your dreadful relatives. I know you must be bored out of your mind. To solve that little problem, I've given you a special gift. It's a little taste of the muggle world, the nice muggle world that is. I hope it gives you something to do until school starts again. I miss you terribly and can't wait to see you. Happy Birthday and stay safe!
Love and Friendship, Hermione
Harry smiled for the third time that day as he finished the letter. Hermione had always been so sweet and concerned. His curiosity got the better of him and he hurriedly opened the package. Inside he saw two things he only dreamed of holding in his own possession. It was what the muggles called a portable "CD player." It played music and you could take it around wherever you went. Harry knew his cousin Duddley owned at least five of them, but Harry was never allowed to touch them. But the present didn't stop there. When Harry took the CD player out he saw a headset and an actual CD. The ebony haired teen stared at the gifts in awe. It took Harry a few good minutes to realize that he had no idea how to work those things. He frowned slightly until he saw another slip of paper in the box.
Harry-
This is a CD player. It plays music. I'm sure your cousin has one of these. Just take the CD out of the case, put it in the player, put the headset on, press play, and there you go. It's somewhat self-explanatory once you get used to it. I made the CD myself. It's full of songs I thought you might enjoy. I really hope you do. Happy Birthday!
-Hermione
Harry eagerly took hold of the CD and saw a list of song titles on the case.
1. Head on Collision. . . . . . . . . . . . New Found Glory
2. Somewhere Out There. . . . . . . . .Our Lady Peace
3. Believe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yellowcard
4. Young and the Hopeless. . . . . . . Good Charlotte
5. I Miss You. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Blink 182
6. I'm Still Here. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Goo Goo Dolls
7. You're a God. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Vertical Horizon
8. Still Waiting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sum 41
9. I'm Just a Kid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Simple Plan
10. Iris. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Goo Goo Dolls
Harry laughed at the titles of some of the songs. He then carefully took the CD from the case and put it into the CD player. Within moments he heard music blaring from the headset. He then sat down at his desk to write back to Hermione.
Dear Hermione,
Thank you so much for the gift. You are the most thoughtful person in the world. The summer has been absolutely boring. The Dursleys act like I don't even exist. The only person I can talk to is Hedwig, and she can't talk back so what use is that? I'm listening to the music right this moment. It's amazing. You definitely picked out some great songs. This is the coolest present anyone has given me. You always give the best gifts Hermione. Thank you so much.
So what have you been up to this summer? Did you visit Viktor in Bulgaria? I bet you had the time of your life there. If not, I'm sure you're having a better time than I am. I'm either locked up in my room all day or doing some ghastly chore. This summer hasn't exactly been a ray of sunshine. I'm sorry, I'm probably making you feel bad. It's just that I've got no one to talk to and, well, I know you understand. I better go. Write back soon.
Love, Harry
Harry placed the letter in an envelope and put it aside on his desk. He'd let Hedwig have a real nap before sending her out again. Harry lay back on his bed with the music playing in his ears and the first genuine smile of the summer plastered on his face. He then drifted into a peaceful slumber, something he hadn't had all summer.