Letters of Compassion

Harry woke up bright and early two days before his birthday to discover no less than three owls sitting at his window. He opened the window and let them in.

One of them he knew very well--it was his own Hedwig, and while she hadn't brought him anything he was exceptionally glad to see her. Stroking her, he put her in her cage and turned to the other two. The second he didn't know too well, but he knew at once where it came from because there was a leather bag tied to its ankle and a newspaper clamped in its beak. He put a Knut in the bag and set the paper down; the owl hooted and took off.

The third owl looked extremely important and, when Harry had removed the envelope from it, ruffled its feathers and took off again. "Thanks!" Harry called after it quietly.

Looking down at the envelope, Harry was unsure who it was from, and when he saw only his name and address he was none the wiser. However, when he slit it open, the first thing that caught his eye was four letters: O.W.L.s.

Hands shaking, he unfolded the letter slowly. This was it; this was what he had waited all summer for--this piece of parchment he held in his hands told him what the results of the exams were--this told him what classes he would be able to take...

Harry began scanning the page. There were two columns, one for written exam and one for practical, listed in the order they were taken. Hands trembling more violently now, he scanned down the page and began grinning. His Charms results were first, and he had an O in both the written and practical exams. He was a touch nervous about Transfiguration--he needed at least an E to get into McGonagall's N.E.W.T. level class. He breathed a sigh of relief when he discovered that he had an O in the written and an E in the practical, until he remembered that he also needed an O in Potions, and that was easily his worst subject--well, his second worst. Can't forget about Divination. Nervously, he kept going--Herbology was an E in both written and practical, which cheered him greatly. He positively beamed when he saw his Defence Against the Dark Arts marks--as he had suspected, he had received an O in the written and practical portions. Briefly, he wondered how the other members of the DA had fared--most of them, after all, had been in the fifth year...

Next was Potions--his breath caught in his throat--and he nearly fainted when he saw his grade, from sheer shock and relief. He had received an O in both, and was assured a spot in Professor Snape's N.E.W.T. level Potions class. What is this world coming to, Harry thought with a bemused smile, shaking his head, when I am actually excited at being able to take Potions?

Maybe he had good reason to. After all, he reminded himself suddenly with a pang, Snape had tried to help him...made sure Sirius was safe...alerted the Order when he realised he, Harry, still thought Sirius was in danger and gone to save him...even if he did hate them both...

Shaking his head, Harry kept going. Now that he was no longer worried about his Potions grade, he read the others with a much more relaxed air, and since he had a pretty good idea what his grades were he wasn't too worried. Both his Care of Magical Creatures O.W.L.s were O's, which would really please Hagrid. A lot had been riding on those O.W.L.s. The written Astronomy exam was an E--knew I didn't get all the moons of Jupiter right--and the practical was an A, which came as no surprise as the last third had been completed hastily in five minutes. Divination was a D. Expressions of shock and surprise completely failed to cross Harry's face, considering he had flubbed everything. If he'd only kept his head and not screwed up her head and life lines...

Harry's only remaining exam was History of Magic. He expected a D or perhaps a P if he was really lucky, considering he hadn't even finished it and was sure he hadn't got a single question right. Apparently, however, he had got more questions right than he thought he had, because he got an A. Harry stared at it in disbelief. He had done it. Somehow, some way, by some miracle, he had passed all of his exams--well, all his exams that really mattered.

He folded the letter and picked up the Daily Prophet, which he had, at Hermione's insistence, started getting delivered again. He was about to sit down and read when he heard his name being called. Clutching the paper, he headed downstairs into the kitchen.

His aunt, uncle, and cousin were sitting around the table. The television was on as usual. Aunt Petunia looked up as he walked in and pushed him a plate. Uncle Vernon was reading the paper, and Dudley was fixed on the television program as he ate. Harry unfolded his Prophet, glanced at the headlines, and choked on his eggs.

Sirius's face was staring up at him.

Harry jerked the paper open and began to read the article. His eyes grew wider and wider and filled with tears as he read what the paper had to say.

Finally, Harry set down the article and began to get started on his toast, by now cold and a little soggy from a couple of teardrops that had trickled down Harry's cheeks. Suddenly his uncle gave a roar, startling Harry out of his thoughts.

Several owls had just soared in through the window, all bearing letters addressed to Harry.

"I have no clue where all these letters are coming from," Harry said honestly, in response to his uncle's angry glare.

His aunt frowned. "Would you like a hand opening them?" she offered.

Taken aback, Harry stammered, "Erm...er, no thanks, I think I'll get them myself. Thanks anyway..."

Harry trailed off as he recognised the handwriting on one of the envelopes. It belonged to his best friend, Ron Weasley. Taking the envelopes from all of the owls, he stacked them and opened the first one--not the one from Ron, but another one.

He immediately realised what the letters were all about. They were in response to the article in the Daily Prophet he clutched in his hand...and Harry remembered that he'd been getting the issues one day late...

"Well?" snapped his uncle impatiently. "What are they all about?"

Harry tossed his uncle the newspaper he'd been reading. "Main headline," he said quietly, reading the letter he'd opened, one from Lupin.

I just read the Daily Prophet article about Sirius, and I felt I had to write to you.

I know how you must feel, seeing that article. I, too, harboured a strong and firm belief that Sirius was all right and would be returning soon. Part of me--in fact most of me--did not want to hold you back that night. I felt sure that if you had simply pulled back that ragged veil covering that thin archway, Sirius would have been standing or sitting right on the other side grinning, perhaps laughing that barking laugh of his. However, a very tiny portion in the back of my brain knew the truth--that he was gone--and this is the part that held you back.

Seeing that article made the very small portion spread across my brain and do a victory jig, because it knew that I had to finally admit the bleak truth and face it, and as a result I now have a pounding headache, so I will sign off for now. Keep in touch, Harry.

Love,

Remus Lupin.

"What's all this rubbish about dementoids again?" snorted Uncle Vernon.

"Not that one," said Harry in the closest tone to impatience he had reached since losing his godfather. "The next one." He slit open Ron's letter and began to read.

It's me, Ron.

And don't forget Ginny.

Optimist.

Look, Harry, we really care about you, mate.

Fred, what are you doing?

Um...okay, whatever you want. Like I said, Harry, we all really care about you.

Love,

Ron

"Okay, let's see...What the Ministry should have told us, page six?"

Harry sighed. His uncle couldn't find a golf ball on a black table.

"No, Uncle Vernon, the large article accompanied by the picture."

He returned to the next letter as his uncle perused the right one.

I read that article about your godfather (though I expect you've tired of hearing it), and I figured I owed you an apology.

I treated you very badly on the subject of my father's imprisonment in Azkaban and the fact that you landed him there. In truth, he deserves it and I should be thanking you on bended knee. I could dance a jig. My father hates my sister Amber, who will be starting Hogwarts this year, and me. He hates us all the more because we live while Matthew, my adorable younger brother, is dead. He was always my father's favourite. He died of meningitis when he was only four and I was seven, and my father has never quite forgiven Amber and me for surviving after his death, nor has he forgiven St. Mungo's for failing to diagnose him properly.

But we were not discussing Matthew--perhaps I will tell you more about him later. We were discussing my father. I try to make him proud of me, but he notices every tiny flaw, like the fact that I never have yet managed to beat you at Quidditch, even with Ron Weasley as Keeper (his own words, I swear, although you must admit his skills are abmyssal). In our third year, I thought he would be proud if I played that dementor trick on you, but it backfired and he grew angry with me for receiving a detention.

I express my sincere condolences at the loss of somebody as close to you as your godfather was, and I will attempt to be kinder to you and your friends in the future. I apologise for treating you so abominably and hope you can overlook this and greet me with an open mind when we return to Hogwarts. I will see you on September first.

Love Sincerely Your humble friend,

Draco Josiah Malfoy

Harry didn't quite know what to say as he folded this letter and set it aside. He was about to open the next one when he heard the flop of the mail on the doormat.

"Dudley, get the mail," Uncle Vernon said without looking up from the Daily Prophet article.

Dudley frowned. "Make Harry get it."

"Harry's busy," Aunt Petunia said. "Scoot!"

"No, I'll do it," Harry said, getting up. Dudley looked surprised as Harry headed into the hallway. Stooping to pick up the mail, he saw the corner of an envelope that looked like Hermione's neat handwriting. His heart gave a quick, painful leap as he scooped the rest of the mail up. Sorting through, he noticed two other letters addressed to him. One, as revealed by the return address, was from Dean Thomas. The other one had no return address, but he assumed it was someone else from school.

"Here," he said, handing his uncle the rest of the mail.

Harry sat down as Uncle Vernon grunted and kept reading. His heart thudding painfully, he slit open Hermione's letter. He didn't understand quite why he was having this reaction, but he unfolded the letter and read the contents.

Dear Harry,

I can't believe Sirius is really gone. I didn't believe it when you told me, and up until I read that Daily Prophet article I still didn't. Now I'm convinced, but I can't help but think it's too late. Did you feel that way when--well, never mind. We won't bring up painful subjects.

Harry, do you remember the end of our fourth year? Of course you do. If I know you--and I think I do--you've been harping on it for ages. It was lurking in your subconscious before June, but now you can't stop thinking about it, can you? What I'm getting at is--well, you didn't want to talk about what had happened. It hurt too much. By the time we went home, just three or four days later, you were ready. But when Sirius died, we went home a whole week afterwards, and you still weren't ready to talk. I don't know if you are ready or not, but whenever you are, I just want you to know that I'm here and I'm ready to listen.

I know I didn't care about Sirius anywhere near as much as you did, but I cared about him too. And I care about you. I don't like seeing you hurt, and I don't like seeing you in pain. If there is anything I can do to make you feel better--but there, I can't. If there's anything I can do to help you on the path to feeling better, just let me know.

We're moving to a new neighbourhood soon--a street called Magnolia Crescent--and I'll let you know when we get there. Keep in touch, Harry. I love you

Love,

Hermione

Harry was quiet as he folded Hermione's letter. Magnolia Crescent--that wasn't so far away. He'd be able to see Hermione a lot. Glancing up, he noticed that his uncle's face was turning a very ugly shade of puce and twisting in some kind of unusual grimace.

The next letter Harry picked up was the one from Dean Thomas, and Harry wondered what Dean could have to say.

Dear Harry,

Hi. It's Dean Thomas...well, obviously you knew that, it was on the return address. Look, I just wanted to write and let you know that I read the Daily Prophet article. Obviously you know what it says; I know Hermione's been making you get it. Don't ask me how I know that. It's just a hunch. Maybe I was better at Divination than I thought.

Anyway, I wrote to you today because I saw the Muggle newspaper on my doorstep--the Prime Minister announced that Sirius Black had been shot in an accident and was discovered not to be guilty of the crimes he'd been committed of. I guess that means the Minister of Magic is really admitting it...I wonder what made him see the light?

Good luck, Harry. I'll see you September First.

Your friend,

Dean

Harry didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Instead, he just folded the letter up and lifted the next letter. This one was from Neville--or so he assumed; the handwriting was far from superior.

Dear Harry,

Hi, it's Neville. I thought I'd write to you after I saw that Daily Prophet article announcing that Sirius was...well, you know. I can't believe they'd put that in such huge headlines. And then to tell them exactly the circumstances of his death...I think that's a little tactless, don't you?

Anyway, I'm rooting for you, Harry. I know you're strong--a lot stronger than I am--and I know you'll make it. Good luck--and again, I'm sorry about Sirius.

From Neville Longbottom

Harry was about to open another letter when his uncle roared. Aunt Petunia dropped her fork and Dudley even reverted his piggy eyes from the television to stare at his father.

"Vernon?" Aunt Petunia ventured. "Is something wrong?"

Uncle Vernon flung the paper at her. "Rubbish. Absolute rubbish. You read it for yourself." He grabbed his own paper and started reading. Dudley shrugged and went back to his program. Aunt Petunia began reading the front page article in the Prophet, and Harry picked up his next letter, this one from George.

Dear Harry,

Hi! It's George Weasley. I bet you're wondering why I didn't write with Ron and the others. Well, actually, I wanted to tell you a couple of things that I didn't want the others to see. Don't worry, it isn't anything bad, but I did want to talk to you uninterrupted.

First off, I want to say I'm sorry about Sirius. I saw how much you cared about him--and how much he cared about you. Losing him had to be hard, especially since he was almost like your last connection to your parents. I know you still have Lupin, but it isn't the same, is it? Sirius was so much like your father...

Anyway, I also want to tell you something very important. I don't know if anyone else noticed, but I sure did. Harry, what happened to Sirius is absolutely, positively, without a doubt, one hundred percent NOT YOUR FAULT. I know you don't believe me right now, but I know for certain that I'm right. So don't beat yourself up over it, Harry--and don't let anyone else beat you up over it either. And you didn't put Ron or Hermione or Ginny or anyone else in danger either--Ron's told me the whole story, and from what I understand, you told them to stay put and they insisted on going. It isn't your fault--any of it. Please listen to me, Harry.

At any rate, I'll see you later this summer--I'm sure you'll be visiting sooner or later. Keep in touch, Harry.

Love,

George Weasley

Harry folded the letter and set it with the others, then picked up the final letter--the one that had come through the Muggle post. He almost dropped it when he realised it was from Percy--he really wasn't in the mood to be told he was off his rocker. After a moment's hesitation, he opened it. If Percy had considered it important enough to write to him, he was going to take a look.

Dear Harry,

I know that it is rather unlikely you will actually read this letter, and after the way I treated you and my family I suppose it's no more than I deserve. However, I shall try--I wish to make amends for the horrible things I did the previous year.

Harry, I should never have taken that job with the Minister, first and foremost. I knew from the day I was offered the job that the only reason Fudge wanted me was because of my father--he wished me to spy. However, my family (you may have noticed) needed the money, so I agreed. I was going to tell Father exactly why I took the job, and promise that I wouldn't tell, but about halfway home I realised that Dolores Umbridge was following me. She was obviously trying to keep hidden and failing miserably, but I didn't let on that I saw her. Actually, in retrospect, I should've. However...when I arrived home, I knew that the only way to keep my family safe was to leave home. With Umbridge following me, spying on us, I couldn't very well just say that, so I staged an argument with my father. I'm afraid that I got a little carried away with the façade and said a few things I shouldn't have. I felt horrible and tried to write to my family. At Christmas I sent them a care package with presents for everyone and most of my wages--everything I didn't need for my daily day-to-day basics--but they simply sent the package back unopened. The same with my letters. I would by lying if I said that I wasn't heartbroken. I can't help but wonder if they still care. Mum didn't even send along her usual Christmas package--although I suppose it was only to be expected.

I also would like to apologise for that letter I sent to Ron by evening post--the one warning him against associating with you. Cornelius Fudge forced me to write it--he threatened Ron and the others if I didn't. He told me about that quill Umbridge used for your detentions and said he'd give Ron and the twins--and maybe even Ginny--a few months' worth detentions with her if I didn't write that letter. Ron's always been rather fragile--although I'm sure you haven't noticed; he's been loads better lately--and a few months' constant bleeding on that hand of his could potentially kill him. Fudge knew my one weakness--my concern for Ron's safety--and went out of his way to threaten that to keep me from telling my family everything.

My Daily Prophet subscription has been stopped for some reason, but the buzz at the office is that Fudge finally admitted He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is back. My friend Alexander told me that it was in t he paper yesterday that Sirius Black has been declared innocent, that he is dead, and that he was your godfather. I wish to express my sincerest condolences.

If you have read this letter, I thank you. If not, I understand.

Sincerely,

Percy Weasley

Harry pondered this letter quietly for a moment. Finally, he slowly stood up and stacked the letters, then turned and headed up to his room. He had some responses to write. Dudley half-glanced at him as he left, but no one else paid him any mind.

Three hours later he was done. Looking carefully at each one of his letters, he folded them one by one and put them in their envelopes, then woke Hedwig. "Up to a long trip?" he asked her. "I've got a lot of letters here...think you can deliver them all?"

Hedwig hooted reassuringly and stood still as Harry tied the letters to her leg. He carried her over to the window and opened it, then smiled as she flew off.

~~~

Dear Professor Lupin,

Thank you for writing to me. I guess that article upset me more than I thought.

That night in the Department of Mysteries, I believed that Sirius was just beyond that veil myself. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I was pretty angry with you. I'd like to apologise for that. I should've known you cared about Sirius more than I did and you wanted to believe that Sirius was all right as much as I did. I guess I was just in denial and I didn't want to believe you. I'm sorry.

Again, thanks, and I hope your headache feels better.

Love,

Harry.

P.S. I just thought you'd like to know...I got my O.W.L. results back this morning. I passed everything but Divination.

-H.P.

~~~

Dear Ron, Ginny, and Fred,

Thanks for the letter. I kind of needed a laugh this morning--I've been getting my Prophet a day late, so I just found out about Sirius being innocent this morning. You guys were right about my feelings being in conflict. In addition to everything else, there was the fact that I'd been trying not to think about Sirius too much and there he was staring at me off the front page...it kind of hurt.

Tell your mum and dad I said hello.

Love,

Harry.

P.S. Ron, how'd you do on your O.W.L.s? I passed everything but Divination.

~~~

Dear Draco,

I'm glad you wrote to me. I was starting to feel a little guilty about being so mean to you myself. I'm sorry about what your father did to you and your sister, and I'm sorry about your little brother. I know it wasn't my fault, but I am sorry about it.

You don't need to apologise for anything. And you don't need to thank me. We came from two different worlds, we grew up with two different sets of ideology instilled into us...there's no reason for any apologies. I'm glad you and your sister have a better chance now. I'll see you on the first, and I hope you did well in your O.W.L.s.

Your friend,

Harry James Potter.

~~~

Dear Hermione,

Thank you so much for writing to me. I really needed that to bring me out of the depression I've been in all summer. I know you didn't know Sirius as well as I did, but I guess I didn't realise that I wasn't the only one affected by what happened. I suppose it isn't until a person dies that one realises exactly how many lives that person touched, and Sirius touched so very many.

I'll be seeing you soon, I guess. Magnolia Crescent isn't that far from Privet Drive--we'll be in the same neighbourhood. Just watch out for Dudley's gang, they're worse than ever this summer. I love you too.

Love,

Harry

~~~

Dear Dean,

Thanks for the letter. It's always nice to know people are thinking about me.

Dean, Fudge was one of the first on the scene in the Department of Mysteries when Sirius was...well, you know. Dumbledore practically sat on top of him and made him 'see the light', as you put it. Still, at least he listened this time. Dumbledore tried to warn him a year ago, after the third task, and he was too worried about his precious job to care about the lives of others. This whole sticky mess could've been prevented if he'd only listened to Dumbledore...and me, for that matter.

Thanks again,

Harry Potter

~~~

Dear Neville,

Yeah, that was kind of tactless. But then, so was printing that picture of Bellatrix Lestrange and announcing to the whole world that she'd tortured your parents a couple months ago.

I'm glad you're rooting for me. Hope you did all right on your O.W.L.s and that your summer's going all right.

Your friend,

Harry

~~~

Dear George,

Thanks for writing. I had no idea you were that insightful.

You're right. Thank God I still have the few pictures of him--and my parents--otherwise I might go utterly mad. I do miss him--a lot--but I know Lupin misses him too. I guess we'll have to help each other out.

Of all the people who have written to me--and believe you me, there were a lot--no one else seemed to notice how much I blamed myself for what happened. Right after Hermione was hit, right after she was knocked out, I remember thinking that it was my fault if she was dead. Thank God she wasn't. Still...everyone seems all right now. And Hagrid was right--if anything had happened to me, and Sirius had stayed home, he'd have never forgiven himself. At least he died the way he would've wanted.

To tell you the truth, George, I was still beating myself up over Cedric too. I told him to take the cup with me...if I hadn't, he might not have died. As you pointed out or implied to me, I couldn't have foreseen it, I couldn't have prevented it, and I shouldn't beat myself up over it. Tell everyone I said hello if Ron and the others don't beat you to it.

Love,

Harry Potter

~~~

Dear Percy,

I'll admit, I was about to throw away your letter, but I figured if you felt it was important enough to write to me I might as well take a look. And I'm glad I did.

Percy, your family DOES care, and they absolutely want you back. Everyone thought you didn't want to come back. They never got a single letter from you, they never got your package...and they sent you tons. Your Christmas package came back unopened as well--no note or anything--and I'm starting to suspect someone was stopping your mail--except that letter you sent that Fudge made you write. (Three guesses who.)

Yes, Fudge finally admitted it. It's taken him an entire year and nearly cost seven lives, including Ron's and Ginny's, but he finally admitted it. I can't help but think that if Fudge had only listened a year ago, Sirius would never have died.

Thank you for writing, Percy, and just remember: your family really does want you back.

Sincerely,

Harry Potter.

~~~

Remus Lupin smiled and ran a hand through his greying brown hair as he finished Harry's letter. The boy really was awfully thoughtful. As Remus stared out the window, where the rain was just beginning to pour, he knew Harry would be all right.

~~~

Ron read Harry's letter aloud to Ginny and Fred, who looked indignant. "What did he mean, 'I kind of needed a laugh this morning'?" he asked in mock indignation.

Ginny laughed. "Well, you have to admit, the Donnie Osmond reference was kind of funny."

Ron laughed as well. "Yeah, well...I'm glad we could cheer him up. Glad he did so well on his O.W.L.s, too."

Across the room, George grinned into his own letter, glad he'd been able to help Harry with the problems he was having.

~~~

Neville pushed his brand-new glasses up his nose and grinned as he read Harry's letter. Miracle he could even read my handwriting, he thought to himself. Still...

He smiled again, folded the letter, and knelt down to continue fixing the flowers in his grandmother's rag-tag garden. Dean Thomas, who was spending the summer with him, folded his own response from Harry and bent over to help.

~~~

Percy felt tears well up in his eyes as he finished Harry's letter. They DO care, he thought happily. Standing up, he made his decision. He put Harry's letter in his pocket and began gathering his things with a purpose. He was going home.

~~~

Draco reread the letter from Harry, a genuine smile playing about his lips. Amber looked over at him. "So? What did Harry say?"

Draco smiled again at his little sister. "He said there's no need to apologise, he's sorry about Matt, he's glad we've got a better chance now, he hopes I did well on my O.W.L.s, and he'll see me on the first."

"That's nice," Amber said with a smile. "I can't wait to meet him."

"Well, we'll have to make sure that you do," Draco told her affectionately, giving her a hug.