Order of the Phoenix
Correspondence
By Ruskbyte
Chapter Two
~ Correspondence ~
The rest of the summer;
Ron,
Thanks a bunch for the book, although I have a feeling you're going to regret having got it for me. I've already started reading it and next time we play, I'm going to hand you your head and the heads of your chess pieces. And the best part is, you won't be able to blame me for it, since it was you that got me the book!
The poster's great as well, it certainly beats looking at a plain white wall for hours on end. I can't wait to see my aunt and uncle's expressions first time they spot it.
If your folks can arrange for me to come to the Burrow, great - the Muggles have been pretty much ignoring me, so I'm an inch away from dying of boredom over here. Good thing you and Hermione both sent me books. If I can't come, well, here's hoping I won't run out of reading material before school starts.
As for Hermione visiting Krum in Bulgaria, I wouldn't worry about it so much. If you put too much pressure on her, you'll just be forcing her hand. You wouldn't want her to do something just to prove her point, would you?
Extend my thanks to your mother, and the rest of your family, for the wonderful cake she sent, it's delicious and a godsend - Dudley's still on a diet, not that it's helping him any, he still looks like a beached whale.
With luck I'll see you soon, or at Diagon Alley on the 28th.
Many thanks,
Harry
***
Dear Hermione,
Somehow I was expecting you to send me books. Thanks! You were right; of course, I'm finding them both useful and interesting. This will probably come as a bit of a surprise to you, but you weren't the only one to send me something to read. You won't believe it, but Ron, yes Ron, actually sent me a book too. Apparently he's hoping it will improve my wizard chess skills.
As for your visiting Krum, well, don't let anything Ron says influence your decision on the matter. It's your life and your choice, Ron needs to learn that. But whatever you do, don't do it just to spite him. You know how he is, it'll just make everything worse and remember what Dumbledore said last year. Now's the time we need to stick together.
I'm not sure if I'll be able to go to the Burrow this year, I certainly hope I will, but Dumbledore seems to think I need to stay here with the Dursleys for a time. One day I am going to find out the reasons for all this, but for the time being I think it's best that I follow orders.
"Follow orders" - Sounds like I'm in the army, doesn't it?
In any case, don't worry about me too much. I haven't had any trouble with dreams or my scar lately and the Dursleys have been leaving me alone for the most part. With luck I will see you at the Burrow or perhaps in London.
Thanks again,
Harry
PS.
Watch out for Fred and George this year. I have a feeling they're putting their joke business into high gear. I wouldn't recommend eating anything given to you by anyone except Mrs. Weasley and maybe
Ginny.
***
Dear Fred and George
You two are incorrigible, you know that? I'm actually surprised that the rest of your family are still redheads - I'd expect them to all have grey hair after so much exposure to the two of you!
Thanks heaps for the start pack, I'll be sure to put it to good use, if not here at the Dursleys then certainly at Hogwarts this year. I'm glad you're putting my "donation", as you called it, to such good use, though you really don't need to make me your partner in business, or should I say partner in crime? Just don't do anything to upset your mother too much and as for dressing Ron up in lilac robes, well, personally I think lime green would go better with his hair.
As for the Butterbeer and your insinuation that I'm small enough to pass off as a house-elf, I have news for you; I'm having a growth spurt. Either that or the engorgement charm you used in those Elephant Eats hasn't worn off.
See you both soon, I hope.
Harry,
Co-Chief Executive Wizard,
Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes
***
Dear Ginny,
Thank you very much for the gift, it's one of the very few I received this year that did not remind me everything that's going on. Ron sent me a book about chess and strategic thinking, Hermione sent me a book on curses and hexes and Hagrid sent me a sword. Well, it's not really a sword, it's a giant's dagger, but the thing's nearly four feet long, so I'm calling it a sword anyway.
As for wearing it, well, ever since my wristwatch got broken when I went swimming around the lake last year, my arm has been feeling kind of naked. It feels good to have something to wear on my wrist again, almost comforting. And it's certainly appropriate, especially when it's done in Gryffindor colours.
Don't worry about the Muggles getting me down, as long as I have friends like you, Ron and Hermione to write to I'll be okay. I hope to see you soon, either at the Burrow or in another letter.
Thankfully yours,
Harry
***
Hermione,
Just got a reply from Harry. Sounds like he's doing okay with those Muggles, at least he didn't mention anything about being locked up or starved or something. Then again, if there was anything wrong, would he tell us? He was very withdrawn at the end of the year which is understandable considering, but I'm worried that he may be deliberately pulling away from us.
So, have you decided to go to Bulgaria or not? I don't want to sound argumentative or anything like that, but I'm not sure it would be safe, especially now. I know you're not going to rush blindly about, sometimes I think you consider everything a bit too much, but I will promise to back you up regardless of your decision.
Just make sure you're back in time to meet Harry and the rest of us in Diagon Alley, he needs our support now more than ever. Even if he won't admit it.
Ron
***
Dear Hermione,
Omigod! Hermione, he wrote me a letter! He wrote back and thanked me for the present I sent him! I know it was just a thank you note, but he said he was hoping to hear from me again and he called me a friend, along with you and Ron.
Do you think I should write back? I mean, what if he was only being polite? I don't want him to get the wrong idea. It's bad enough I always blush whenever he looks at me, but I don't want him to think I'm even worse than that! What should I do?
With love,
Ginny
***
Dear Ron,
I've just got a reply from Harry as well. He does sounds fine, but I agree with you, we'll have to keep a close eye on him this year. If there's one thing we can't let him do, it's distance himself from his friends.
As for going to visit Viktor, I still haven't decided. As I told Harry, I like the idea but would rather not go by myself. Unfortunately I don't think Viktor's invitation was extended to my parents as well as myself, so it’s unlikely that I’ll be going. I will probably be giving him an answer by the end of the week, if not sooner.
Harry tells me you sent him a book on chess? I must say, I approve. It will do him good to start thinking in a more strategic and analytical fashion, particularly with what is lying ahead of us all. I sent him a book on curses and another about Quidditch, I think it's also important to keep his mind off things.
I'll be seeing you in London before school starts.
With love,
Hermione
PS.
Harry warned me to watch out for the twins when I get to the Burrow. Are they really up to as much mischief as he says? I get the feeling he knows something we don't.
***
Dear Harry,
I'm glad you liked the books and am pleased you're finding them interesting. I just hope you're not neglecting all your homework by reading them instead. I know you have trouble doing it at the Dursleys, but don't waste any opportunities when you have them.
Did you talk to Ron about Viktor? He's suddenly become very understanding and I can't think of anything that could bring that about. If you did, I don't know whether or not to yell at you for interfering as well, or kiss you for talking sense into that boy.
I'm sure Dumbledore will let you go to the Weasleys before school starts and I'm certain that if he says that staying with the Dursleys in the meantime is a good idea then he's telling the truth. And remember, he's just the headmaster, not a general. So whatever you do, don't start saluting him when we get back to Hogwarts!
See you soon, with love,
Hermione
PS.
What do you know about Fred and George's activities that the rest of us don't?
***
Dear Ginny,
Told you he'd notice. I think you should definitely write back to him and try to start a regular correspondence. If you're still having trouble talking to him in person, then talk to him in your letters, it will get easier from there.
Let me know how it turns out, okay?
Wishing you luck,
Hermione
***
Harry,
Sorry, mate, but Dumbledore still hasn't said that you can come and stay. What is it with him? He knows how those idiot Muggles of yours treat you, how could it possibly be better for you to be with them instead of us?
You'll never believe this, but Fred and George bought me a new set of dress robes! Brand new, top quality and right out of the store! Apparently they've been doing a lot of work for their joke shop and decided to get me and Ginny; she also got some, new robes with some of their cash. They said they were planning on getting me green and lilac ones, but thank Merlin they decided not to!
Y'know, you were right about Hermione and Krum. I wrote her and tried to sound calm and supporting. Not easy, but I think it worked!
Hope you've been reading that book I got you, 'cause the first thing we're doing when I see you again is having a game.
Ron.
***
Dear Harry,
I hope you're well and aren't too disappointed that you can't come to the Burrow yet. Mum sent another letter to Dumbledore this morning, so cross your fingers.
You really won't believe this, but Fred and George got Ron and I new dress robes for this year. Mom's been trying all week to find out where they got the Galleons, but so far the two of them are more secretive that a Slytherin. You wouldn't know anything about where they got the money, do you? Hermione told me you had warned her about them and she thinks you must know what those jokers are up to.
I'm very glad you liked the gift, I wasn't sure it was something you'd want. So Hagrid sent you a sword? I hope he doesn't expect you to have to use it. Although, considering the creatures he finds for class it'd probably be a good idea to be armed.
Hope to see you soon.
With love,
Ginny
***
Dear Hermione,
I may have had a few brief words with Ron about your trip to Bulgaria. Mostly all I did was tell him that it was your decision and that the best thing he could do would be to accept it. After that, the ball's in his court.
Actually the Dursleys haven't been that bad this year. Well, lately at least. I think I noticed their attitudes improving just after my birthday. And I'm not really grouching about being stuck here, I just wish I had a better explanation than, "it's for your own safety". Besides, even if the Dursleys are being a little nicer, I'm still bored out of my skull sitting around here doing nothing.
As for Gred and Forge, well, that's for me to know and you to find out.
Regards,
Harry
***
Ron,
Don't worry too much about me being stuck at the Dursleys. For some reason they've all been acting a lot nicer to me than usual, not that that's hard or anything. In any case, life has become a bit more bearable than it usually is during the summers.
Great to hear about the robes the twins got you. You say they also got some for Ginny? That's really nice of them, it's important for her brothers to start realizing that she is not a little girl anymore.
Better polish your chess pieces; if you're brave enough to challenge me to a game, I'm more than willing to accommodate you.
Harry
***
Dear Ginny,
Of course I'm disappointed that I can't come to the Burrow yet, but life here with the Dursleys has become a little more tolerable this past week or so. They're hardly in the same league as your family, but they have improved, which isn't saying very much anyway.
I hear from Ron that Fred and George almost got him a set of green and lilac dress robes. That would have been a sight to see. What about yours? I hope there's a ball this year, so I'll get a chance to see you wearing them, I know you'll look good in whatever colour they chose for you - even green and lilac!
Write back soon, I can use the company.
Harry
***
Dear Hermione,
Sweet Merlin, he replied! Harry replied to my letter! And even better, he asked me to write back again! This is so great!
Have you heard anything from Harry? He sounds like he's getting along nicely with those horrid relatives of his. Perhaps he ate something and is hallucinating it all - I just can't imagine them being nice to him after what he's told us all.
And you won't believe this, but... he said he was hoping there was a ball this year so he could see me in my new dress robes that the twins got me. He also said I'd look good regardless of the colour! This is so great! (I'm repeating myself, I know, but it is!) I just hope to the high heavens he means it and is not just being polite.
Yours thankfully,
Ginny
***
Dear Ginny,
That's wonderful news, Gin, I'm really happy for you! It's about time you and Harry got to know each other properly.
I got a letter from Harry a few days ago, he told me as well that the Dursleys have been better than before. Only took them half the summer to get around to it though!
So, the twins got you new dress robes? Where'd they suddenly get the money from? Last I heard they were flat broke after Ludo Bagman swindled them. You know, I have a strange feeling that Harry probably has something to do with it.
And don't worry, Harry's always polite, unlike Ron, he doesn't know how not to be. But rest assured, he's always sincere about anything that he says. If he says that he knows you'll look great in whatever your brothers got you, he honestly means it.
Y'know, it almost sounds like he's flirting with you.
Best wishes,
Hermione
***
Dear Hermione,
Flirting with me? Please don't be joking. You really think so? Oh, what I would give for that to be true. But I really hope I'm not reading too much into this. Literally, since all our conversations have been in letters.
I must admit your theory about Harry knowing what Fred and George are up to sounds more plausible than you could believe. I know he sent them a letter just after his birthday, thanking them for the gift. Thing is, they were rolling on the floor with laugher after reading it. Something about "Co-Chief Executive Wizard". Any ideas what that's about?
Best wishes,
Ginny
***
Harry,
Sorry, but still no word from Dumbledore. Maybe you should talk to Snuffles about it and see if maybe he could suggest that you can come stay with us. I mean, summer'll be over in a couple of weeks, we're running out of time.
You say the Muggles are treating you better? That's weird! And since when did you worry about how we Weasley boys treat Ginny? After all, she is our baby sister.
I hope you're studying that book I gave you, 'cause I'm not going to show any mercy.
Ron.
***
Ron,
Unfortunately Snuffles is unavailable at the moment. So unless something happens, I'll only be seeing you at Diagon Alley. Bummer eh?
If you think the Muggles treating me okay is weird, you have no idea. Try living in the same house with them!
And I've been worried about what you guys think of Ginny ever since 2nd year. If we had been paying better attention to her and not just thinking of her as your "baby sister" all the time we might've caught a clue about the trouble she was in. I wouldn't call her a "baby" to her face - she'd probably kill you if you did. If you were lucky.
No mercy? Are you sure? 'Cause you'll be begging me for just that!
Harry
***
Dear Harry,
I'm sorry to hear that you won't be joining us until we meet in London. I wish Dumbledore would let you come, with Ron, the twins and Percy hounding me every moment I could use a level headed person to talk to.
The robes Fred and George got me are cream and silver, which is good since I don't think green and lilac suit me, despite what you said. I'm also hoping there will be a ball this year. If there is one, who would you take? I wonder if Ron'll get it in his head to ask Hermione before the last minute this time.
What mischief are you up to with the twins? Hermione and I know you're up to something.
With love,
Ginny
***
Dear Hermione,
I'm beginning to get worried about Harry. I think he has a crush on Ginny I'm serious! He's been going on about how we should've been paying more attention to her and stuff.
This is terrible! I can't have my best friend drooling over my baby sister, especially when she's going to be drooling back!
Love, Ron
***
Dear Hermione,
You know, I think Ron's a bit over protective about Ginny. All her brothers are, but I think he's a bit more so. He also still thinks of her as a baby, which she definitely isn't anymore. From the way she writes I think she's very lonely. Any suggestions?
Less than a week to go until I see you all in Diagon Alley. I can't wait!
Regards,
Harry
***
Dear Ginny,
Cream and silver? Nice, I can't wait to see you in them. Who would I take? Why don't we wait until then and find out? After all, we wouldn't want to start tongues wagging now, would we?
Mischief? With Fred and George? Me?
I deny everything.
Love, Harry
***
Dear Ron,
Get a hold of yourself! If Harry and Ginny start drooling (how could you say something like that about your friend and sister?) on each other it's their business and nobody else's - especially not yours!
Perhaps it's escaped your attention, but Ginny's not a baby anymore and Harry certainly isn't. You really don't have to worry, this is Harry we're talking about. He would never deliberately hurt anyone, especially the people he considers friends and family. Us.
Besides, you don't really know that anything will happen. Maybe you should just sit back and watch what happens before jumping in without checking the water.
Love, Hermione
***
Dear Harry,
Yes, you're absolutely right. Ron babies Ginny more than I had realized. I think he does it to remind the others that he's not the youngest Weasley. I only hope he realizes how childish that is before he does something to hurt Ginny.
I can't wait either! I'm so excited, have you looked at your book list? Some of what we have to get sounds soooo interesting I can hardly stand the wait.
Best wishes,
Hermione
PS.
I know you're up to something with Fred and George and so does Ginny!
***
Hermione,
Omigod, omigod, omigod! Merlin's beard, Hermione! Harry is flirting with me! What's more, he signed his last letter with "Love Harry"!
I don't think I'll be able to stop smiling for the rest of the week. I can't wait to finally see him in London. I think I'm having an attack. Oh boy!
Ginny
PS.
He denies everything when it comes to Fred and George. Circe help us.
***
Dear Hermione,
Don't get too excited, it's only a couple more days. And since when have you and Ginny been discussing my dealings with the pranksters supreme? That's assuming, of course, I have any dealings with them.
See you soon,
Harry
***
Professor Dumbledore,
I have been thinking a great deal about our conversation at the beginning of the month. Which is why I have a proposition for you...
***
TBC...