A Summer of Love

It was late at night, around eleven o'clock. Harry Potter collapsed onto his bed, exhausted from yet another day's hard work.

It had been a mere week since the Dursleys had brought him home from King's Cross. And already, they had set him hard to work, completing many of the household chores. They made him mow the lawn, weed the garden, and quite a few other tasks. The next day Vernon was planning to make him paint the house.

Although this wasn't unusual, Harry still disliked it, and was already praying for Ron or Hermione or any of the Order members to come usher him off to Grimmauld Place, or the Burrow. Come to think of it, Harry wanted to be anywhere other than where he was.

Though this year was different from the others. He was receiving money for his tasks. Granted, they were small amounts, but it was money nonetheless. The Order must have scared Vernon. They could afford to pay Harry a bit for his work, right? Just to keep those freaks from coming to his house.

When Harry sat up, he noticed that there was a letter near the foot of the bed. Somebody must have owled him while he had been working. Harry picked up the letter and saw his name written in neat cursive.

It was from Hermione.

Well, that is unless other girls decided that Harry was worth owling. But it definitely wasn't from Ron. Harry carefully opened the letter, and read its contents slowly.

Hello Harry!

Can you believe it's only been a week? It feels like a month since we all left King's Cross. (No kidding, Harry thought.) But oh well, that's how it goes. I'm sure that you are counting off the days until we leave for school again. I know I am!

But enough about that. This letter isn't about how we've already managed to get a week into our holiday. I figured that, knowing you, you're probably already begging Merlin that somebody comes and rescues you from the Dursleys. Trust me, if I were in your place, I would too. At least, judging from the tales you tell us of them.

So I thought I'd invite you to my house over the summer. My parents are already okay with it. They want to meet this Harry Potter I speak of.

Mum said she'd come pick you up whenever you're ready to come. Please write back as fast as you can!

-Hermione

Harry grinned. It was just like Hermione to know exactly how he was feeling. He quickly dug around his room for a piece of parchment, then for a quill. He sat at his desk, and quickly dipped the quill in his inkwell and began to write.

Hermione!

How'd you know that I'd already want to leave this place? I can always trust you and Ron to know what I want!

I'd love to come, but of course I must ask Vernon. I have my ways to bargain with him, if you know what I mean.

And then the Order may want me to clear it with them. But I'm sure that I'll be able to come. I'm not sure when I'll be able to leave, but hopefully it'll be within this coming week.

I'm looking forward to this!

-Harry

Harry quickly sealed the letter, then took out another piece of parchment and addressed a letter to the Order, then started writing.

Remus,

How are you? Hopefully this past full moon wasn't too rough for you. And hopefully you're feeling better.

I hate to be a bother, but earlier today, I received a letter from Hermione inviting me to spend the summer with her. I figured that the Order would like to know about it.

Vernon has me working this summer. Don't worry, I've still got a bedroom and they're being respectful towards me. In fact, they're paying me! So it's fine with me. And I'm sure I can convince Vernon to let me go somehow.

-Harry

Harry sealed this letter, then wrote Hermione's name on the other already sealed letter. He opened Hedwig's cage, and pat the snowy owl on the head. "Hey girl. Mind making a couple of deliveries for me tonight?" She hooted softly, and nipped his finger lightly. He tied both letters onto her legs, one on each leg, with the label visible.

He opened his window, and spoke to Hedwig before letting her go. He said, "Hedwig, I'd like to you to deliver Hermione her letter first. Then the other one needs to go to the Order. Be careful, okay?" He ran his fingers over the soft feather of her wing, which had been broken a few years before. She hooted and dipped her head, showing that she understood. Harry let her out through the window, and watched as she disappeared into the darkness.

Harry soon fell asleep, thinking of being away from the Dursleys once again.