Hunter and the Hunted

Prologue: Another Owl Post

Harry sat awake. He was having a great deal of trouble sleeping lately. It may have been that the shock of Voldemort's return still didn't bode well with him. He actually found that being somewhere where Voldemort couldn't touch him was comforting. He felt glad, even if the Dursleys made him feel horrid.

Harry looked out the window. He had been hoping for some mail from his friends. They may have had some trouble. According to Ron's last owl, the ministry, while not acknowledging the Dark Lord's return, had apparently grown cautious due to a series of attacks. They were, however, not showing enough security.

Harry thought about sending Hedwig out when she returned from a trip to Sirius. The previous letters he had received from Sirius had been somewhat rushed in appearance, leading Harry to believe that with Voldemort returned, life for his godfather had become very risky.

While Harry was lost in his thoughts, he missed a shape growing ever nearer. He realized it was an owl about a second before it collided with his head.

The owl was a large, brown one that looked as though it had been delivering letters for quite some time. It carried four letters as opposed to the normal one or two. Harry recognized a seal on one of them as being from Hogwarts. The owl held out its cargo for Harry to take. Having done that, it leaped over to Hedwig's dish to take a light drink, and then it hopped out the window with a light hoot.

Harry opened the letter from Ron first.

To Harry,

How are you? You probably won't get this message for quite some time. The ministry seems to have most everything inspected and then re-routed. I tried to send it so it would be there by your birthday. Hope it gets there on time!

Sorry about not being able to get you a present. Afraid what I wanted to give you will have to wait. Speaking of which, you know someone named Luminar? Said he wanted us to meet in Diagon Alley. Not too sure I trust him, what with You-Know-Who and all. Listen, Hermione said she could meet us in London. Hope to see you there.

Sincerely,

Ron

Harry looked at his friend's letter and grew suspicious. Who was this man, this Luminar? If he was a Death Eater, Ron might be in serious trouble. Harry just looked at the letter and hoped.

Next, he found a neatly addressed letter in perfect handwriting. This one had to be Hermione's.

Harry felt his heart skip a beat. Hermione had been dating Krum for a long time. She had not written many letters to him over the summer. Harry, still not opening the letter, looked out the window.

Hermione seemed to be on his mind constantly. No matter what he did, his thoughts came back to her. He could recall every moment they had ever spent together. Right up to the moment that she had given him a kiss upon arriving at the platform...

Now Harry knew he was being stupid. She had never shown the slightest interest in him as more then a friend. The kiss might have been something she had picked up on her trip to France during the summer before the third year. Still, Harry couldn't shake it.

He finally tore open the letter.

Dear Harry,

I do hope you are well. I've been very concerned all summer. I'm so sorry that I couldn't write to you! My parents have been a little upset with me for shrinking my teeth and going to the ball with Viktor without telling them. Still, if you look in the envelope, there should be a little gift for your birthday.

I'm sure Ron has mentioned this, but there was a man named Christopher Luminar asking about you. He actually showed up at my house. I'm pretty sure he's a wizard. From the look of him, I don't think he's a Death Eater. At least, he's not as obvious as someone like Mr. Malfoy. Anyway, he mentioned meeting in Diagon Alley. Can you make it on the day after your birthday? Hope to see you soon.

Love,

Hermione

P.S. Don't hesitate to ask anyone for help. If your scar hurts, write to Professor Dumbledore right away.

Typical Hermione. She knew that Harry might be just a little too prideful to mention his scar hurting to anyone. She knew him a little to well. But this wasn't the worst thing.

It was the second time the mysterious Luminar had been mentioned. Who was he? Why did he have this interest in Harry? Harry decided to worry about it later.

Harry looked into the envelope. Inside were two tickets. Reading them over, they said it was for a concert in Hogsmeade during the school year. But why only two? Maybe she had given another to Ron.

Harry glanced at the clock. It read twelve o' clock. With a sigh, Harry switched off the light and drifted into an uneasy sleep.