Quaffles, Anyone? 2: Dive Into Spirit

Chapter Two

A Change of Heart

Harry dashed to the window and opened it to let Pig in. The small fluffy owl started hooting frantically while Hedwig watched irritably.

“Come here, you” said Harry snatching it in mid air “What did Ron sent for me?” he asked to the owl taking the letter off of its leg “There you go” Harry made it hover around his desk.

With his eager fingers, Harry ripped off the envelope and took out a somewhat long letter and of course, it's from Ron.

Dear Harry,

I know it's a bit early for mail but maybe a letter from your friend on the first day of summer doesn't hurt, eh?

Anyway, how's time at the Dursley's? Yeah, I know it is rubbish but just let me know how your time there is.

On my side of world, it's pretty boring really, considering the de-gnoming we had to do the moment we portkeyed back here! I was able to use my break to write this letter and mind you, I had to write this while mum started rambling about what she saw at King Cross.

That's what I want to write to you about. Before we left, mum saw Hermione giving you a very - well, as Fred and George would call it - mushy goodbye. Yeah, I know you'll be wondering how we knew that but come on, you and Hermione were in front of us (Actually, you were right on front of us but you two were fairly far away) and Hermione gave you a small kiss on the cheek. Ha! You two lovebirds, and I thought you wanted to keep things private.

When mum asked about this, I was quite mum on it. I just told her that maybe you two were both comfortable together and she just kept on rambling on about it. She's very overprotective of you, Harry. The bottom line is that I never told her and it will stay that way.

Well despite this, I asked mum and dad if you can go to the Burrow like some time before July ends? In that way we can have your birthday here in the Burrow! It will be such fun! Mum can make the dream cake you always wanted. We can invite some neighbors who will be more than happy to attend your birthday, have some Quidditch and - wait… I'm getting a bit too fast there. Just ask - no - plea to your aunt and uncle to come! I want your last summer before Hogwarts a happy one! I'll be waiting for your owl pronto!

Take care, Harry!

Sincerely,

Ron

Harry looked at the letter for a while thinking on what to do. Mrs. Weasley was doing her overprotective mother thing again and if Harry's going to the Burrow with her in that kind of state - and not to mention, Hermione's presence around if she's coming to the Burrow - Harry will have a very difficult time in the place he called second-home to Hogwarts.

Then a new feeling came to Harry: uneasiness. Harry didn't ask for a relationship with Hermione, it just came to him and it was very complicated then so he decided to keep it a secret. Fortunately, Ron and Hermione agreed about it but maybe not today or maybe not tomorrow but someday, someday…

“Someday,” Harry imitated his thoughts “they'll find out”

But the thought of the whole student body of Hogwarts finding out that Hermione and Harry were together would be a bit awkward and somewhat irritating. It was his private life, not theirs.

Harry sighed when he thought of Mrs. Weasley finding out. He stifled a laugh when he thought of her shock when she finds him and Hermione probably snogging in the kitchen of the Burrow, not that he wanted to snog her.

At any rate, it will be revealed and that will be a long, long time till that happens.

The sound of Pig's hoot brought Harry to reality. He looked at Ron's letter and sat on the desk. He took out some parchment and wrote his letter to Ron.

Dear Ron,

Thanks for watching my back like that. I know I'm flattered that Mrs. Weasley considers me as her son-like figure but I can make my own decisions and I chose Hermione.

Harry sighed and looked at the last lines he wrote. After tapping the tip of his quill on the table surface, he continued to write.

Speaking of Hermione, I had this thought I brought her to some… you know, danger. Don't get me wrong but you know the consequences. I don't want her or anyone close to me to die because of me.

And I have another problem, I don't know if Hermione and I being together or whatever you like to call it is something I slightly can't cope… Not saying I don't want to be with her. I feel so lucky to be with her. The point is that I don't know how to keep relationships going. You know what happened to Cho and me! I don't want Hermione to experience the same thing.

Anyway, about going to the Burrow. Sure, I'd love to go. My uncle and aunt will say yes the moment I ask ever since Moody threatened him.

Have a happy summer!

Your friend,

Harry

Harry folded the letter, confident that he wrote the write words, and tied it around Pig's leg.

“Give it to Ron and only Ron, okay? No one from the Weasleys” said Harry patting the tiny owl and sending it off to the window.

Harry watched as Pig disappeared from sight. It was when Harry thought of what will Ron reply when someone knocked on the door.

“What?” Harry answered rather unresponsively

“We need you downstairs” it was Aunt Petunia “Your uncle needs help in the garden”

Harry sighed and left the room not knowing what will happen.

- - -

Dear Harry,

You're going to the Burrow? Great! Can't wait for it! Everyone will be pleased!

Don't worry about your secret. It's safer like galleons in Gringotts and hopefully Fred and George won't try to squeeze something out of me since their joke shop's been very busy lately.

About that Hermione thing…I don't know but I think that you are just too rash about it. I know, I know, you are worried that she might be brought to a danger zone and that you might think that she might end up like Sirius. Don't worry, Harry. If You-Know-Who has to hurt Hermione to get to you, he has to hurt me before anything. I've known you and Hermione since first year and I would do anything to make you safe.

And about the subject of you and Hermione being together? Not a clue. I suggest you write to her about it.

Happy Summer!

Ron

P.S. - Mum set up Lupin and Moody to get you on the seventh of July. See ya at the Burrow!

This letter was sent to Harry just hours ago. It's been over a week since he wrote to Ron and now Harry found some new excitement. Seventh of July? That's only a few days away and Harry thought Ron stuffed the letter improperly since the letter looked crumpled.

Harry folded Ron's letter, put it inside his pocket and started to pull out the weeds on the Dursley's backyard which he's been doing all day.

The Dursley's has been suspiciously quiet with him lately except Dudley since he's been talking about going to the wrestling team next term. This made Harry a bit irritated and puzzled considering the weight Dudley had.

“Now, now, Dudley” Vernon looked at his son during one dull dinner “We know that you are pursuing your dreams but first we have to work on your appetite. Your mother has arranged a new diet program for you.”

Harry could have sworn he saw Dudley grumbling when he halfheartedly accepted the diet only if everyone came with him which, to Harry's dismay, everyone agreed to.

While pulling out his seventieth weed, Harry thought of the encounter he and Dudley had with the dementor. That was one of the events that made Harry think that Surrey is not that safe anymore. But what caught Harry's attention that night was Dudley's reaction towards it. Up to now, Harry will never know what terrible memory the dementor projected in his brain. If he has a brain, Harry thought.

Another half hour past and the backyard look nearly flawless. Harry thought he outdone himself with this one since it's been four days without any hard work.

Putting the stool and the gardening tools in the shed, Harry decided to tell his Uncle and Aunt the time and place on when he will leave.

“Uncle Vernon?” Harry asked when he entered the house to find the Dursley's in the living room watching a movie.

Uncle Vernon grunted and looked at Harry with irate.

“What is it now, boy? I thought we agreed that you can go to those weird lots”

“Actually, I came here to tell you that I'll be going there on the seventh of July” Harry took out his letter “They just owl - I mean mailed me”

Uncle Vernon stared at the letter and just waved his hand impatiently.

“Yes, yes, fine” he grunted looking away from Harry to the television set.

“Thank you” Harry replied sophisticatedly with a small bow and left the room. Harry wondered why his Uncle would say yes without arguing and realized that Moody threatened his Uncle if Harry was being mistreated.

- - -

I suggest you write to her about it…

Harry stood in front of his desk in the bedroom looking at an empty piece of parchment.

The suggestion Ron made to Harry about his unsure temperament on his relationship with Hermione was to write to her and after thinking for two whole days, it was time to write to her about it.

It wasn't easy as he thought it would be though.

“Dear Hermione,” Harry muttered as he wrote what he said on the parchment and pressed his back on the chair “What write next?”

A memory of last Valentine's Day came to him. It was hard at first but after help from his friends, Harry was able to write a Valentine's greeting to Hermione.

After minutes of thinking, Harry finally wrote:

Dear Hermione,

How's everything on your side? Well, I've been having a lot to think lately.

The things I've been thinking lately are well, kind of confusing really. I don't know how to write it to you at first but now I'm going tell you how I feel at the moment.

Harry paused after this line. He doesn't know if he liked to continue. Hermione is Harry's best friend for crying out loud! Why was he nervous? They were both comfortable when they parted at King Cross, why was he nervous writing to Hermione? She would understand, she's a smart girl. Very smart without a doubt.

With a small sigh, Harry continued.

I have this certain thing on my head that kept bothering me for the past few days and it involves you, how surprising. Anyway, the thing that bothers me is that I'm somewhat nervous about us… you know what I mean.

It's not that I don't like being with you. I enjoy being with you and I love it, a lot. It means so much to me. But I'm worried you might suffer from so much danger like Voldemort, Death Eaters and the like. I don't want anything to happen to you or to anyone close to me.

There is another thing I'm worried about, I don't want our - you know - relationship to end up like what happened to me and Cho. I know that we have been friends for six years now and we have a good start but I just don't want to… I don't have the right words for the moment but I have this to say: I don't want to…

Harry ceased himself from continuing. This letter is getting too serious. All he wanted was a simple one but he felt better that he is letting it all out in paper, let alone Hermione who will be receiving the said letter anytime soon if he sent it. Gathering up his courage, he wrote on:

…lose the friendship and bond we built throughout these years. I'm still new to this and kinda inexperienced with it. I hate to admit but I never asked for a relationship with you, it swooped in like wind. See Hermione? I don't want my inexperience with girls to hurt you or insult in any way despite that I'm comfortable with you already.

I wish I could say the three letter word but I'm still new to this thing. Maybe if we developed our relationship a bit further, maybe we can say it… but not now, I'm sorry.

If I'm not making you feel better then I understand if you throw me a hate mail or something but please understand… please…you are my best friend after all.

Love,

Harry

He folded the letter and placed it inside an envelope. When he sealed it, he had second thoughts on Hermione's reply. Would it be a reply with anger? Or understanding?

This made Harry panic a bit but it ebbed away when he decided one thing.

“Send it on another day” he opened his trunk and tucked the letter in one of his robe's pockets.

Nothing to do till dinner…

On his back, Harry laid on the bed thinking of what will happen tomorrow. Only one day to go and he will be fetched by Lupin and Moody. The thought of the Weasley's beaming faces when he entered the Burrow made his face spread in a smile. He can't wait to leave this place.

Harry closed his eyes and tried to imagine Mrs. Weasley's motherly smile as she served him crispy bacon and fat juicy sausages sided with a nice sunny-side up egg. He thought he was hearing voices since he could here voices downstairs from his door which stood ajar.

“Yes, who is it?” it was Uncle Vernon as the sound of a swinging front door came.

Letting out a puff of air, Harry ignored Uncle Vernon and went back to thinking about the birthday he would dream of. Ron mentioned that they could have his birthday their in the Burrow. The thought of party banners, cake, food, and birthday greetings made Harry felt a rush of excitement since he never had a birthday party before. Quidditch with the Weasley's will be something to look forward to. Ron's keeping ability and Ginny's chasing ability will add to the fun in the game and hopefully Fred and George might be available to play including Bill and Charlie.

His thoughts went back to earth when he heard the sound of his bedroom door open widely. Harry looked up to see Uncle Vernon walking inside and gave him a comforting look as if Harry was his favorite nephew.

“Harry,” Uncle Vernon spoke rather happily “I know you are excited about your visit to your friends and I know tomorrow is…”

Harry was a bit startled when Uncle Vernon walked across the room and looked at the personalized calendar Harry made for himself every year.

“… July seven” Uncle Vernon tapped his finger on the square that had number seven on the upper left with a small note that said “Going to the Burrow”.

Something was going on. Harry wondered why but Uncle Vernon was somewhat in high spirits (which looked creepy to Harry) to see Harry's wizarding looking room.

“Anywho,” Uncle Vernon continued walking to the threshold “I came here to ask if you want to go to your friend's place today?”

This showed the clear sign that something was wrong. Harry sat up and gave his Uncle a puzzling look.

“But do you know where they live?” Harry asked

Uncle Vernon nodded thoughtfully and said

“Ottery St. Catchpole”

“How did you know that?” Harry was getting to the bottom of Uncle Vernon's sudden knowledge of where Ron and his family lived.

“Aunt Petunia and I read the letter that man wrote two summers ago. Who was he again?”

“Er - Lupin?”

“Yes, yes” Uncle Vernon nodded “the place was mentioned there and we know that those red-heads live there”

Unsure on what to do, Harry asked

“You are taking me to the Burrow? Today?”

Uncle Vernon nodded and clapped his hands together.

“Well, pack up your things!” he joyfully said “Best be off. I'll be waiting downstairs when you're ready”

“It might take long though” Harry said “I need to write a letter to my -”

“No need to” said Uncle Vernon “We need to hurry fast. Would you think surprising your friends would be a good idea? Kind of adds to the esteem in you”

With a nod, Uncle Vernon left the room leaving a befuddled Harry.

“What's going on?” he thought to himself

- - -

Harry dragged his trunk downstairs and saw Uncle Vernon holding the front door open.

“Ah, done are you?” he greeted happily “I'll get that for you, Harry”

Harry gave his trunk to Uncle Vernon while he exited out of the house. The car was running and Harry noticed Aunt Petunia and Dudley were in the car.

“Why are Aunt Petunia and Dudley inside?” Harry asked as he saw Uncle Vernon closing the back of the car.

“Er - there is something in Southampton we need to pass by” he replied quickly

“Oh” Harry climbed inside and sat beside Dudley. Somehow, Dudley was silent and so was Aunt Petunia.

Uncle Vernon climbed inside the driver's seat

“Ready everyone?”

Harry nodded and noticed Dudley and Aunt Petunia weren't replying. Harry could catch a glimpse of Dudley's eyes which were slightly anxious.

Something weird is going on, Harry thought but kept it to himself.

The sound of tires grazing on the tarmac of number four rang in Harry's ears and in one turn of the car, they were now on the move.