Tales of a Spiritual Warrior

Chapter One: Harry's Swedish Correspondence

Harry Potter saw Hedwig gliding toward his window and opened it wide to welcome her back. She had a letter attached to her leg. Harry removed it, and stroked Hedwig gently. She hooted softly and nibbled at his hand in an affectionate way before returning to her cage for a long drink of water.

Unrolling the note, Harry read the first part quickly. It was from Remus Lupin.

Dear Harry,

It was good to hear from you. I'm glad things are going better on Privet Drive this summer.

Harry paused to think. In some ways things were better. Uncle Vernon had certainly been frightened of Mad-eye Moody. Harry's uncle still had Harry doing chores, but he was no longer ordering Harry about. Before leaving for work each morning, he would make a comment about the lawn needing mowing, or the flowers needing weeding, while glancing at Harry in a furtive way. Harry did these chores to keep himself occupied, not out of fear of receiving a beating or missing a meal.

Dudley was ignoring Harry totally, which was a great improvement over past summers, even if it was a little lonely.

The understanding that had sprung up between Harry and his Aunt Petunia the previous summer had not been mentioned. She was pretty much ignoring Harry, too, and waiting for this summer to end.

Harry began to read the rest of Lupin's letter.

I know you must be thinking a great deal, as I am about Sirius. I want you to know...

Harry crumpled up the letter and threw it away without finishing it. He did not want to hear about Remus Lupin's pain. His own pain was still too raw.

He missed Sirius terribly, but he didn't want to discuss him. Harry had found no comfort in talking to Dumbledore. He'd fled from Hagrid's cabin at Hagrid's attempts to draw him out on the subject, and he's made himself totally inaccessible when Ron or Hermione had tried to bring it up. Like the dreadful prophecy he had hanging over him, Sirius was a topic that Harry didn't feel like discussing with anyone.

Even thinking about Sirius falling through the veil crushed his spirit. He'd done so many things wrong that night that remembering it was painful. Images started flashing through Harry's mind. He saw the look of mingled fear and surprise on his godfather's face, the sight of the grotesque baby-headed Death Eater, and the glow of purple flame as it slashed across Hermione's chest.

He heard dreadful sounds in his mind as well. He heard Neville's blood thickened but defiant voice, and his screams of pain as Bellatrix had cursed him. Harry would never forget Bellatrix's triumphant scream as Sirius had vanished, or the way she had sobbed when Voldemort had coldly informed her the prophecy was lost.

So many bad memories haunted Harry, and there was absolutely no one he cared to discuss them with. He threw himself on his bed and closed his eyes. He's gone for answers everywhere, but they weren't in Dumbledore's office or in the two-way mirror. He couldn't even get them from Nick, and Harry really thought Nick should have known. He was being crushed under a great weight and was almost out of hope.

Then he remembered something else. He remembered faint, whispering, murmuring noises coming from the other side of the veil, and a familiar voice telling him, "They were just lurking out of sight, that's all. You heard them."

"Luna," Harry whispered, and once again, the terrible weight inside him lessened slightly. There was someone he could tell anything to. Nothing was too strange for her to believe. He had almost forgotten. Harry got up and went to his desk. He began to write.

Dear Luna,

How is your summer going? I was just thinking about you and wondering if you got all of your stuff back.

I'm at my aunt and uncle's house for the summer. It's not very nice here, but I am safe. I miss Sirius, though. I wish so many things had gone differently that night. You know what I mean.

You'll have to tell me if you and your dad find a snorkack. I'm sure no matter what that you two will enjoy being together.

Let me know how it goes.

Your friend,

Harry Potter

He read the note twice, and almost tore it up, but in the end he decided to take a chance. He gave it to Hedwig, who carried it away. Harry stood watching at the window for a long time, even after Hedwig had gone from sight.

She returned a few days later, and Harry felt an unaccustomed thrill as he opened Luna's reply.

Hej, Harry!

"Hej" means hello in Swedish. I didn't know how long it would take Hedwig to get back to you, or I would have written "god morgon" which means good morning, or "god eftermiddag" which means good afternoon.

I was glad to get your letter. I hope things are going better with the muggles. I know muggles can be a bit odd. We've been staying at a lot of muggle hotels in Sweden, but I still haven't figured them out yet.
At one hotel we stayed at, five men got out of the sauna and walked across the courtyard naked! Have you ever been in a sauna?

We're in northern Sweden now. We've seen ordinary bear, elk, muskox, wolves and reindeer, but no snorkacks yet.

I know you must be thinking a lot about your godfather. Remember him, and miss him, but don't blame yourself. Everything happens for a reason, and I'm sure he's watching over you until you can be together again.

Write back if you get time.

As ever,

Luna

"Time?" Harry said softly, "I have nothing but time." He pictured Luna wandering around in the wilderness with bears and reindeer. It was certainly easier than picturing her clinically watching a bunch of strange men getting out of a sauna. He picked up his pen and began to write.

Dear Luna,

My aunt and uncle and cousin are fairly normal for muggles. The problem is that they don't understand magic. It must have been an awful shock for my Aunt Petunia to find out her sister was a witch. She thinks we're all freaks.

I can't wait to get back to Hogwarts. That's where I really feel at home.

My godfather's house went to his cousin, Tonks. She's the girl with the pink hair that came to the Ministry after us. I hear from her and from a lot of other wizards often. They make sure my relatives are not too hard on me.

Thanks for writing back.

Harry

P.S.

Did YOU go in the sauna?

And that's how it all began. Luna's second letter was very interesting.

Dear Harry,

I'm sorry your muggles are uncomfortable with magic. That must make it difficult for you. You aren't using magic, though, are you? I'd hate to see you in trouble again. Does you aunt know about you-know-who? Maybe that frightens her. That would frighten anyone.

We're on our way to Dellenbygden. Perhaps we'll see snorkacks in the Dellen Lakes area. There are very dark forests there. I wouldn't be surprised at anything we find in them. Professor Hagrid would probably love them. I know he is your friend, but I can't help thinking he is not a very good teacher. I admit, however, that he has a wonderful affinity for all living things.

Even if we don't find snorkacks, though, the trip won't be a total waste. Thanks to you the Quibbler is doing much better and dad is thinking of expanding internationally. He's talking to Scandinavian wizards about a special edition for Norway, Sweden and Finland.

No, I haven't gone in a sauna, but they are very popular here. I'm taking lots of pictures of everything I see. I'll show you when I get back.

As ever,

Luna

Harry wrote back and sent the letter as soon as Hedwig was up to another long trip.

Dear Luna,

My aunt does understand about Voldemort, but Dumbledore invoked some ancient magic after my parents died. As long as I stay with my mother's only blood relative, we can't be touched here.

I'm glad I was able to help your father with the magazine. It helped me more than I can ever say. You were both willing to take a chance on me when no one else would, and I will always be grateful for that.

Your trip sounds fascinating. I don't know much about foreign wizards, but any contacts your father can make can only help things. I can't wait to see your pictures.

I got my O.W.L. results. When Snape hears I got an "Outstanding" in Potions he will probably have a coronary. I also got one in Defense Against the Dark Arts, probably because I could do the Patronus charm.

I got "E" in Magical Creatures, Charms, History of Magic and Herbology and an "A" in Astronomy. I knew that one wouldn't be great because I quit working halfway through the test to watch what was going on at Hagrid's. I got an "A" in Divination, too, which was not a surprise, either. I got an "E" in Transfiguration and McGonagall warned me that I'd have to start working harder when we get back to school. I'm not looking forward to that.

I have to admit to you, I know Hagrid doesn't always plan hi s lessons well. I wouldn't say that to anyone else, though because Hagrid was the first friend I made at Hogwarts, and I know he is a good person. He knows what he's talking about, but he just doesn't know how to get it across. He seems to be getting better, though.

Your friend,

Harry

Harry was just sitting down to dinner a few days later when Hedwig returned. She sailed right into the kitchen, causing Uncle Vernon to swear loudly.

"That blasted bird!"

Harry was startled to see that Hedwig was carrying a small parcel besides a letter. He opened the letter first and began to read.

Dear Harry,

We just finished looking around the island of Oland, which has many ancient burial places and the remains of many fortified dwellings. I've written a lot about Viking legends for the essay I'm doing for Professor Binns.

I've been thinking a lot about your muggle family. I still think your aunt might be afraid. After all, she hasn't had a lot of good experiences with magic, has she?

We're in southern Sweden now, about 20 km northwest of Kalmar. I decided to tour the Orrefors glassworks while we were here. When I saw this, I thought it might brighten up your aunt's day. Give it to her, with my gratitude for keeping you safe. My world is a much better place with you in it.

Congratulations on passing all of your O.W.L. exams. I'm not looking forward to taking them. I think I will do all right on the written exams, but I am not always good with people, so the practicals might be hard for me.

Love,

Luna

Opening the box, Harry found a small crystal bowl, which was surprisingly heavy for its size. The glass was twisted like a whirlwind, which caught the light and glowed like a rainbow.

"What is that?" Aunt Petunia asked suspiciously, eyeing the box across the table.

"It's a gift for you," Harry replied, sliding it across the table toward her.

Petunia stared. "For me? What do you mean? Where did it come from? It's not going to turn into something else, is it?"

Harry laughed. "No! It's from Sweden. It's Orrefors crystal, as muggle made as things come."

Petunia hesitated, then lifted the small bowl out of the box.

"Who do you know in Sweden?" Dudley asked, confused.

"My girlfriend happens to be on holiday there."

"You go out with girls?" Dudley said, snidely. "Who'd go out with you?"

"Yes, I've gone out with girls," Harry answered heatedly. Then it suddenly dawned on him what he had said and how it must have sounded. How had he ever said something like that so casually about Luna of all people? "But this one," Harry added thoughtfully, "is special."

"She must be mad," said Dudley, but for once, Petunia hushed him.

"At least one of your friends is trying to do something normal for a change, Harry!" Petunia said grudgingly, and began to try out the bowl in various places around the house, seeing how it looked.

Yeah, thought Harry, escaping from the table. Luna is very normal. He took his letter upstairs to reread it, noticing for the first time, she had signed it with love.