Soft

Soft

The sun shone brightly over number 4 Privet Drive, the number glinting gold in the sun. There was a slight breeze, enough to take the heat away from the sun's bright rays. It was a good a day as any to be alive.

Inside his room, a brooding Harry Potter felt differently. His curtains were drawn tightly together, in an attempt to block out the sun, effectively creating an artificial night. He'd spent every day of the summer like this, ruining what promised to be a enjoyable summer. His reasons were painfully obvious, however.

His OWL results had come, and, to his surprise, he had gotten passing marks in everything but divination, even achieving an 'Exceeds Expectations' on his potions OWL. He supposed that Snape not being there made a difference after all. He was well on his way to becoming an Auror.

His birthday had come and gone as well, and he'd received gifts from all his friends. Mrs. Weasley had sent the usual assortment of pastries, Ron, a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, and Hermione, a quilt, which she had knitted by hand. Hagrid had sent him a little something as well. Ginny's present, however had brought up bottled up grief. He'd gone mad trying to find the handle of Sirius's knife, one of the only connections to his godfather. Tears had welled up when he opened up Ginny's present. It was the very same knife, re-cast, with the words, 'Never Forget' engraved on the blade. He could tell, because on the corner of the handle was a small paw print stamped in silver.

This gift, however, had brought home something that Harry had dreaded thinking of since the ride home from Hogwarts. Sirius Black, the closest thing he'd ever had to a real parent, was dead. It was such a blow that Harry's emotions were little short of crippling. As it was, Harry had spent the summer in his dark room.

As if that were not all, images of Cho Chang kept floating about in his head. Try as he might, he couldn't forget the raven haired beauty; the chaste kiss she'd planted on his cheek, and he found himself frustrated by the news that she and Michael Corner were an item. He supposed he'd been in too much of a shocked state after Sirius's death to notice properly on the train home, but it had hit him, hard, back in Privet Drive, where there were no distractions.

With all that in mind, it seemed he'd found some use in Ginny's present. He hesitated only slightly, before driving the tip of the knife into the flesh of his left arm. He drew a jagged line, not unlike the one on his forehead, and let the blood seep out, as though he were trying to let his frustration escape with it. There's one lightning scar that won't be famous upon Harry Potter, he thought dryly to himself. He wrapped a handkerchief firmly around his arm to stop the bleeding.

At present, Harry was sitting on the floor, leaning his back on his bed, head slumped and shoulders bowed. He felt guilty for not having responded to his friends owls. He supposed that now was as good a time as any. He got up, went over to the desk and took out a scroll of parchment. He paused, and then began to write.

Dear Ron:

Sorry for not responding to the letters that you sent me, I've been a bit out of it lately. Dumbledore's given me the go ahead to visit the Burrow, so I imagine that I'll see you shortly.

Talk to you then,

-Harry.

He grunted as he ripped of the top of the parchment, regarding the laughable excuse of a reply. He decided that a reply was a reply, and tied the note to Hedwig's leg, sending her off to The Burrow. He wrote another half-hearted response to Hermione, and sat down on his bed, his mind exhausted. If he was truly honest with himself, then what Harry wanted was someone to unload everything on, someone he could tell everything. This ruled out Ron and Hermione, because, as much as he trusted them, he would have to face them every day. Resigned to the worst, he slumped back on his bed, waiting for the day to pass.

Harry woke from a stupor, hours later. He had just had a revelation: he could write to Ginny Weasley.

Dear Ginny:

And then Harry paused. What on earth was he going to write? But then it came to him in a rush, all about Sirius falling through the veil, all about Cho, everything that had been bothering him during his dark stay in the smallest bedroom at 4 Privet Drive.

I can't rightly say why I'm writing exactly...I just know that I needed someone...safe to write to. I'd like to ask you not to show this to Ron or Hermione...they just...wouldn't understand.

After a paragraph or so of small talk, he started to talk about Sirius, and before he knew it, he was pouring his heart out to a girl he barely knew.

And every time I think about him, Ginny, it's like I've lost the connection to anything about my past. He was like my father, and I've lost him. It just seems that anyone who's slightly like a parental figure around me is going to die...and I'm scared...that well...if I go back to The Burrow then....

Harry didn't think he had to elaborate on that point. The letter then fell to the subject of Cho Chang

I know that it didn't seem to bother me at the end of last year...but I mean, there was...Sirius's death to consider...but thinking of her with Michael Corner...it just...it just feels like something inside me is torn. Sometimes I just want to be with her so bad that it hurts. But maybe...maybe it's just not meant to be.

Well anyway, Ginny...thanks for listening...it's been a great burden off my shoulders.

Love-

Harry.

Harry heaved a great sigh, and folded up the letter, waiting for Hedwig to return. He felt as though there had been a great weight lifted from his shoulders, and he felt ready to be with people again.

August first loomed up, bright and sunny, and Harry, though by no means companionable, had started going outside more and more often. The Durselys hadn't minded of course, they'd spent the summer pretty much ignoring Harry, though true to their word (and perhaps because they were afraid of Mad-eye Moody) they had taken to feeding Harry a lot more, and leaving him to his will.

The second day of August brought a visit from Pig, bearing a letter inviting Harry to the Burrow. Harry seriously debated whether he should go or not, due to the concerns that he had expressed in the letter to Ginny. In the end, however, Harry's longing for the wizarding world gave out, and he wrote back to Ron, saying that he'd be glad to visit, and hoped that he would see him soon.

Harry arrived at The Burrow two days later, burdened with trunk, broomstick, and Hedwig's cage. Remus and Tonks had come to fetch Harry from the Dursleys, because, as Remus explained, Voldemort was still at large, and just because the wizarding world was aware of his re-appearance, it didn't make the Dark Wizard any less of a threat. When they picked him up in a car, Harry was surprised, but then remembered Tonks's muggle background. As they reached the Burrow, Remus helped Harry with his trunk, while Tonks grabbed the Firebolt and Hedwig. Mrs. Weasley burst out of the house and her face lit up as soon as she saw Harry.

"Harry dear, it's wonderful to see you!"

Harry couldn't help smiling when he saw this wonderful woman, the only mother figure he had, and threw his arms around her in a tight embrace.

"It's good to see you too, Mrs. Weasley."

Harry turned around and quickly stifled a smile when he saw Tonks hanging off of Remus' arm, her cheek nuzzled against his shoulder. It was common knowledge that Remus and Tonks were something of an item, and Harry couldn't help but smile at the couple. Harry was glad that Remus had finally found happiness, after all the events in his life, he couldn't think of anyone more deserving, especially as dark times were sure to be coming.

Harry bid goodbye to the two, and they wished him a good holiday. After a last, one armed hug with Remus, Harry went inside the Burrow, into the homestead he'd become so familiar with. He saw Ron and grinned. He was feeling better then he had in weeks. Ron thumped his back as he told him how glad he was to see him. It had been awfully boring around the house with the twins gone to work everyday.

"Where's Ginny?" asked Harry.

"Oh, she's upstairs," Ron replied. "She's probably writing to Dean or something...but I expect she'll be down soon."

He gave Harry a sort of furtive glance as he said this, and then helped Harry haul his trunk up the stairs. As they reached the landing where Ginny's room was, she came out to investigate the noise. When she saw Harry, she gave him a quick hug and said "It's good to see you, Harry." Harry was a little shocked at the unexpected contact, and his body gave a slight tingle. Ignoring it, he said "you too". The look in Ginny's eyes told Harry that she had received his letter, and that they would discuss it later. She gave him a small smile, and went back into her room. Harry had a feeling that the holidays were about to take a turn for the better.