DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters. They are the property of J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros, etc. No money was made from the creation of this story.
Chapter One: Another Summer's Day
Harry Potter sighed to himself as he looked out his window towards the morning sky from the floor of his room. It was another hot summer day in the month of July, and Harry couldn't stop the wave of boredom and frustration from rising within him. Harry had been forced to stay cooped up in number four, Privet drive by the Order of the Phoenix. With the recent rise and exposure of Lord Voldemort, everyone within the Order of the Phoenix and the Ministry of Magic were scrambling to prevent another war from beginning.
Harry released another sigh as he sat up and looked around his room. It was a depressing sight. His clothes were scattered all over the floor, his books dispersed about his bed, and parchments covered his desk in an unorganized fashion. Not being able to leave the Dursley's home had forced Harry to resort to something he'd never believe he'd do to keep himself from going insane; his summer homework.
He picked up the photo album that Hagrid had given him during the end of his first year at Hogwarts. He flipped through the pages and looked at the picture of his parents. Harry gave another depressing sigh as he turned the page. The next picture was of him and his two best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, at the end of their fifth year at Hogwarts. Harry couldn't help but release as soft smile as he looked at his friends, unable to wait for the new school year to start so they all could be together again.
He continued to flip through the pages until he found his parent's wedding photo, his eyes focusing on the man standing behind his father. Sirius Black, his father's best friend and Harry's godfather, was the closest person that Harry had to a real father. However, due to a horrible twist of fate, like his parent's, Harry had lost him as well. Despite several talks with Professor Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts, about the events that transpired in the Department of Mysteries the previous year, Harry couldn't help but blame himself entirely for the fate of his godfather. He knew that if he had only continued to practice Occlumency, all of it could have been avoided.
Harry heard something behind him and he turned to find Hedwig sitting on her perch with a letter attached to her leg. Harry's expression lightened incredibly as he quickly got up and walked towards his snow owl. He stroked the feathers on her back gently and he smiled as he noticed that the letter attached to her leg was from Hermione Granger. She was the only real contact that he had with the outside world since the beginning of the summer.
Ron and his family had taken a family vacation to the United States. Fred and George's joke shop, Weasely's Wizard Wheezes, was booming and they were the talk of all those who entered Hogsmeade. Their store was so popular that it threatened to put Zonko's, the past reigning joke shop, out of business. With the earnings the twins had made, they were able to provide the funds for the vacation for the whole family (with the exception of Percy, who still refused to acknowledge his family).
Ron made sure to keep in touch with Harry, but barely had enough time to write about once a week. The majority of his letters were somewhat short. Harry could tell that he had written them in a hurry, but the from the details that were explained in them, Ron and his family were having a wonderful time. He couldn't keep himself from laughing when Ron explained how the Americans drove of the wrong side of the road and spoke with the funniest accents.
Writing to the Order wasn't always an enjoyable task. To ensure that no one could understand the message if the messenger owl was intercepted, Harry was forced to keep what he wrote to a minimal. The Order had made sure to keep in contact with Harry at least once every three days to make sure that the Dursleys were treating him properly. The thought of knowing that the Dursleys could no longer abuse him was a wonderful one; however, it actually made things less interesting for him. Last summer, he would sometimes vent his frustrations on his cousin, Dudley, or Uncle Vernon, but with the threats the Order made at the end of the previous year, the two rarely spoke to him.
Hermione, aside from his schoolwork, was the only thing that was keeping him sane over the summer. Harry and her had been writing to each other almost everyday since they parted from King's Cross Train Station at the beginning of the summer. Harry revealed his frustrations about been locked up and his loss over Sirius to her, and he was eternally grateful to her for being there for him. She was the only person he could talk to with regards to everything that had taken place over the past year. She would always reply, telling him that Sirius' death wasn't his fault and how there were things in the world that they couldn't control.
He took the letter from Hedwig's leg and sat in his chair. He opened the envelope and noticed that it was written on light blue stationery. He smiled softly realizing how much of girl Hermione was.
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Dear Harry,
I'm glad to hear that you are feeling a lot better. I honestly didn't know what to say about the things that you were going through, but thank you for saying that I helped. You know that I always want to help. I was hoping that I didn't sound too much like a person lecturing you than a person trying to console you.
Yesterday was okay. I helped my mum and dad at the clinic. I mostly assisted them in getting things that they needed when they were working on their patients and doing a lot of work at the front desk. I don't know who they hired to work the front desk, but they are horrible. The desk was a total mess and it took me five minutes to find the telephone under the piles of paperwork, which I also had to organize.
I had an idea! Since it's your birthday in two days, I was wondering if you would like to spend the day in London with me on your birthday? You've been stuck at your uncle's house for too long. I'm sure the Order would allow you to go if it's only for a day. It would be great to see you. I talked to my mum about it and she said that she would give us some spending money. What do you think? If you don't want you, it's okay. It's only an idea.
I need to help my dad with dinner. It's his turn to cook tonight and he is horrible in the kitchen. Write back soon and let me know what you think about going to London. If you don't want to, it's okay.
Love,
Hermione
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Harry's heart started to beat uncontrollably. A mixture of excitement and anticipation filled his body as he reread Hermione's letter again. Of course, he would want to get out of the house. He couldn't stand being locked up any longer. He needed to be able walk outside and breathe free air, if only for a day.
Another feeling soon formed inside him. It was an indescribable sensation that he had felt in the pit of his stomach. He was going to spend the day with Hermione. He didn't know why, but for the first time, he felt nervous about being alone with her. He thought about it for a few moments, but the growling of his stomach forced him to stop.
He took in a deep breath as placed Hermione's letter back inside the envelope. He placed the envelope inside his desk drawer, where he kept all her letters, and made his way out of his room. He stretched his back and made his way towards the stairs. He heard Uncle Vernon making an unpleasant comment about something he was reading followed by the clinging of utensils against plates. He shook his head as he descended the staircase. As usual, none of them had informed him that breakfast was ready.
He slowly entered the kitchen and found the Dursley's in the middle of their breakfast. The three talked about going out to dinner that evening, refusing to acknowledge the fact that Harry had just entered the kitchen. Harry didn't mind this and took his spot at the table next to Dudley. Aunt Petunia had prepared eggs, sausage, and bacon that morning. Harry reached over and placed a few sausages on his plate and proceeded to take a last few strips of bacon when he heard Dudley grunt.
"What do you think you're doing?" Dudley growled as he looked at Harry's fork. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia looked towards Harry, giving him an icy glare.
"I'm helping myself to some bacon," Harry replied softly, noticing a large mound already stacked on Dudley's plate. "What does it look like I'm doing?"
"Too bad boy!" Uncle Vernon spoke out as he picked up the newspaper. "That bacon is for Dudley. He needs to maintain his strength."
Dudley had entered himself into a boxing league that summer. Dudley had grown somewhat leaner over the past year, adding to his already menacing look. He unfortunately used his strength to bully the smaller kids around their neighborhood, but Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia never paid much attention to it. They felt that no what the circumstances were, the other kids were the ones who started the fight, and that Dudley was merely defending himself.
Despite the hostile gesture he made at Harry, Harry never took any of their threats seriously anymore. "Sorry Dudley, but I would really like this bacon and since your plate is already covered with it, I will just help myself."
Dudley tried to stab the bacon with his fork, but Harry was too quick for him. Harry had taken the remaining pieces and moved them away as Dudley's fork came slamming down, cracking the plate. Aunt Petunia rose to her feet and glared at Harry. "Look what you have done you horrible boy!"
"What I've done?" roared Harry as he met his aunt's stare with an equal amount of hatred.
"I will not tolerate such behavior in my house!" Uncle Vernon bellowed has he slammed the paper on the table, his eyes fixed on Harry, his face turning a shade of purple.
"Fine," Harry replied as he got up from his seat. He took the plate and walked away from the table back towards the stairs.
"Where do you think you're going with our food?" Uncle Vernon hissed as he watched Harry stop at the foot of the stairs. "Don't you dare think I'll let you take that food after the way you've disrespected my family!"
Harry sighed and looked at the Dursleys. He had anticipated this action and had already planned out his remark in his head. "Fine then, but I will have to tell the Order about it. I'm suppose to write to them today and let them know how I'm doing."
Uncle Vernon's mouth suddenly closed, his expression changing from rage to fear. The memories of being threatened at the train station at the beginning of the summer started to fill his mind, and the idea of angering the Order was something that he didn't want to do. He lowered his eyes and turned away from Harry, focusing on the dining table. He growled softly and said, "Fine, keep the food."
Harry gave them a lopsided grin as he made his way up the stairs and back to his room. He settled at his desk and proceeded to eat breakfast as he pulled out his quill, his inkbottle, and a fresh roll of parchment. He brushed the tip of his quill against the inner rim of his inkbottle as he thought about what to write to the Order.
After he had thought it over thoroughly, Harry started writing and took a quick bite of bacon. He had to be sure to be as discrete yet indiscrete as possible with his letter. The last thing anyone wanted was to have a Death Eater discover the location of the Order of the Phoenix.
Harry put his quill down and read over this letter to himself.
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I am doing just fine, trying to keep myself busy. Would it be okay if I went out with Hermione on birthday? I've been locked up for too long. I hope everything is going well. Let her and me know what you think.
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It was one of the more non-descriptive letters he had written to the Order, but he felt that it got the message he wanted across without having to give away too much information. He folded the parchment in half and pulled out another piece. He thought about what to write in his letter back to Hermione. He leaned back in his chair, chewing on a piece of sausage. Hedwig looked down at him, hooting softly. Harry smiled and tossed a piece towards her. She swooped down, catching it in her beak. She landed on her perch and proceeded to eat it.
Harry dipped his quill in his inkbottle and began to write.
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Hello Hermione,
I would really like to go to London with you. It would be great to get out of this house. Believe me, I can't take much more of it. The Order's rules are so strict that I can't even relax in the front yard. I tried working on Professor Binn's essay but I couldn't concentrate on it. I decided to work on Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration essay instead. I have the first few paragraphs written out, but I still have ways to go.
Don't feel like you're lecturing me. I sometimes feel bad for always complaining about the same thing. I'm really happy that you're willing to listen. I don't have anyone else to write to, with Ron gone and all. But I am feeling a lot better about it. Thank you again for everything. I would of really gone mad if it weren't for you.
Sorry that this letter is short. I want to send Hedwig out as soon as possible so the Order has time to write back. I hope they say it is okay for me to go. I told the Order to write to you too with their answer. It'll give you more time to plan things out. How do you plan on getting us to London? I was just wondering about that….
I hope your day is a good one. Write back soon! Thanks again for helping me out, Hermione. It means a lot to me.
Yours Truly,
Harry
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Harry folded the parchment in half and wrote Hermione's name on it. He looked at Hedwig, and she knew that it was her cue to get ready. She fluttered down to his table and stuck out her right leg. Harry rolled one parchment and attached it to her leg and then rolled and attached the other letter on her left. "Now, take this one to Hermione." Harry pointed to her left leg. "And take this one to the Order." Harry pointed to her right leg.
Hedwig gave him a loud hoot and flew out of his window. He watched her disappear into the morning clouds before looking back down to his breakfast. He finished it quickly before moving back to his bed. He looked at his Transfiguration book and thought to himself. He took the book back with him to his table and proceeded to finish his Transfiguration essay.
* ~ * ~ * ~ *
Hedwig returned the following morning and gave a loud hoot as she landed on her perch. Harry opened his eyes and stretched his back, releasing a loud groan. He rose from his bed and placed on his glasses. He walked over to Hedwig, giving her an affectionate pat. He proceeded to remove the two letters attached to her leg.
He took a deep breath and crossed his fingers as he opened the letter from the Order.
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You may go with Hermione. Be careful. We will be keeping an eye out.
Moony
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Harry's heart started, his excitement rising. However, again, the feeling of sudden nervousness overtook him as he thought about being alone with Hermione. He thought about why this could be, trying to rationalize everything in his mind. This is Hermione. You've been alone with her loads of times. You two are best friends. There is no reason to get nervous.
Harry again shrugged off his thoughts as he opened Hermione's letter, reading it intently.
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Dear Harry,
I am so excited! I am so happy that the Order allowed you go. I talked with my mum and she said that we should use a taxi to get around. I will be at your house at 11:00AM on your birthday. Don't worry about the money. My mum says she will handle everything. She is quite fond of you, you know.
I have to go. I need to help my mum and dad at the clinic again today. I will see you tomorrow at 11:00AM. Don't get into any trouble.
Love,
Hermione
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