June 4th: Owl to Harry

[chessmate]

After breakfast, Ron retreated back up to his room in search of parchment. He hadn't any idea where Harry had gotten to or where he'd been the night before during the raid. He ignored the fear gnawing at him- Harry'd ducked out of worse situations than wherever he might be right now. Hadn't he escape Voldemort a half dozen times already?

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[book_cleverness]

Hermione wandered up from breakfast a short while after Ron did, curious as to why he was abandoning his family. Then again, she wasn't exactly stalking him per se, she was just, concerned for him. Hermione saw the bedroom door closed and entered a moment later, heading to where Ron was sitting at his desk.

"Hey, why'd you leave?" she asked, glancing down over his shoulder. Seeing it was a note to Harry, Hermione snatched the quill and parchment from Ron, quickly adding her own note to the bottom.

PS - If you did anything stupid last night, you are in so much trouble. I swear, I'll tell Mrs Weasley and let her mother you for a bit. And if you did do something stupid, I just hope you're okay. Let us both know as soon as possible. And if not, let us know. Alright, just let us know how you are either way.

Hermione

Hermione passed the parchment back to Ron. "Now you can send it."

[chessmate]

"Oh by all means, add in another paragraph," Ron teased as Hermione finished the letter for him. He read it over, thinking with an inward smile that it sounded so very like Hermione that one would never question who had written it.

"Thank you so much for permission. Pig! Get down here!"

The little owl twittered delightedly and flitted around the room three times before descending to Ron's outstretched hand. He barely held still while Ron tied the letter to his leg. "Find Harry, no matter what," he instructed, and Pig streaked out the window.

[his_own_man]

Harry unrolled the scrap of parchment, already guessing who'd sent it. As much as he'd enjoyed his summers at the Burrow, he knew the work he had to do was more important to take this summer off. His mind flashed guiltily to Ginny, but he pushed those thoughts away. Then he went in search of quill and parchment.

Dear Ron and Hermione,

I'm fine. I heard about Malfoy--

That still burned, and Harry couldn't help remembering the last time he'd seen the elder Malfoy, there in the Department of Mysteries, the night Sirius--

I'm at Hogwarts, but going back to #12 Grimmauld Place for the rest of the summer, and to--

His quill faltered again.

to begin work.

That was as close as he could come to mentioning the horcruxes in a letter as he could. They'd know what he meant, he was sure.

I haven't done anything stupid--

Again his conciousness flashed up visions of red hair lying against cool, pale skin.

Or at least not anything more stupid than usual. Please come to visit me when you can.

Love, Harry.

[chessmate]

Dear Harry,

We're glad to hear you're okay, mate. Thanks for the invite- how's tomorrow for you? Up for two visitors?

Ron

He looked across the kitchen table, where he and Hermione were enjoying a late afternoon snack after the massive breakfast that morning. "Anything else to add to my letter this time?"

[his_own_man]

Eagerly Harry unrolled the parchment, suspecting once again who it was from, then smiling when his guess proved correct.

He padded in bare feet into the library in search of quill and pen, scribbling a quick reply.

Dear Ron,

You know it, mate. You need to see Neville before you can come, but yes, please come. I'll have Kreacher fix up something special for you!

--Harry

PS. Just kidding about Kreacher.

He sent Hedwig off with a lighter heart than he'd had in days, staring around the gloomy library. Not long now and this old place might start to feel like a real home.

[chessmate]

Ron read the owl twice, hoping the confusion would go away. Neville? He had to go to Neville to see his own best mate and go the headquarters that Ron himself had lived in and Neville, as far as Ron knew, had never even set foot in? He tried to tamp down on the immediate flare of temper, and found another scrap of parchment.

Dear Harry,

Sounds good. We'll be there tomorrow. Er. Why exactly do we have to go through Neville, and where can we find him?

And please, the only thing I'd like Kreacher to fix is his own head to the wall.

Ron

[his_own_man]

Harry frowned, trying to figure out his reply. How to explain Fidelius, when he couln't even talk about it? He shrugged. Ron was his mate; he'd understand.

Ron,

Just talk to Neville, and you'll understand. He's at Hogwarts right now.

--Harry

With a sigh, he sent poor Hedwig off again. Ron was probably in a right foul temper, but it couldn't be helped. Magic was a wonderful thing, except when it really, really sucked.