My love, mine all mine
"Thanks..." Harry whispered as Theo knocked on the door. His eyes were slightly red and puffy, he'd cried the rest of the way to Number 4.
Harry doesn't know what came over him, but he'd broken down and spilled everything to Theo, and the boy had just hugged him, reassured him that what he was feeling was normal and listened. He patiently listened to everything Harry had to say.
"Don't mention it, and when your aunt opens the door, just go with what I say okay?"
"Erm…okay? But what are you gonna say?"
"I don’t know, but I'll improvise. Just go wi–”
The door opened before he could continue. Petunia was the one who'd opened it, like Harry thought, she was the only one home.
Her eyes immediately locked onto Harry, "You-! where have you been."
Before Harry could respond, Theo cut in. "He passed out, ma'am." That had caught her off guard. She turned and stared at Theo as if noticing him for the first time.
"What do you mean?"
"I found him passed out in front of my house, I was going out to water my mother's plants and found him lying there."
"Oh..." Petunia glanced at Harry and gestured for him to go inside, he hurried inside, going to stand right behind Petunia.
"Go start on dinner, I'll come ‘help’ you in a minute." She said, ushering him away before turning back to Theo with a tight smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Thank you. For bringing him back."
Theo nodded, his expression mirroring hers. "No problem ma'am, it's getting late so I'll be on my way."
Petunia nodded, waited for him to walk away, then shut the door, quickly she made her way to the kitchen to find Harry starting up on dinner.
"Who was that?" She asked him curtly, standing at the door, arms crossed and glaring at Harry.
Harry looked up from the potatoes he was peeling. "Theodore, he lives over in Number 9..."
Her brows raised in intrigue, "The house the neighbours won’t stop raving about?"
Harry nodded, looking back down to the potatoes to make sure he didn't cut himself. "I saw the garden, it's gorgeous..."
"Hmph...as if, mine is much better. I don't know what everyone sees in it." She huffed bitterly.
That's because you didn't see it, and it's my garden more than it is yours. Harry bit his tongue to refrain himself from saying it to her face, he didn't want to get another slap across the face.
Preparing dinner didn't take too long. It was a simple roast and a mix of vegetables, something Harry had gotten used to making, and even perfected a long time ago. Having an advanced recipe book thrown at him by the age of five really did miracles for his culinary skills. Especially considering the variety of dishes Aunt Petunia made him cook.
Harry, of course, didn't get a single bite of the roast. But it didn't really matter to him, what mattered was that he'd made it back before Vernon did, what matters most was that he met Theo today. That was the best thing that happened to him all summer, and the best part of it all was that he'll see him again in what? Two days? Harry had a feeling that this summer was going to take a turn for the best.
As Harry opened the door to 'his' room, a brightly colored, extremely large bird caught his eye, it was Parsley, Sirius' parrot. Harry's eyes immediately lock with the letter tied to the bird's leg.
Sirius had fled with Buckbeak the summer prior but had kept up with sending letters, and Harry couldn't thank him more for it. Sirius always answered any questions Harry had about practically anything. Harry had also found out that his godfather had extensive knowledge on the muggle world for a wizard, pureblooded no less. It was a pleasant surprise that made Sirius able to help him navigate summers with the Dursleys and actually learn about the muggle world instead of simply rotting in 'his' room.
Harry had worried about Sirius not having enough food to keep himself alive, where he was. Which was a little stupid since he himself doesn't get that much to eat. But for that reason he'd emptied the snack trolley on the way back last year and had stashed everything under the loose floor boards.
He'd send a good amount with each letter he'd write to Sirius. And today wasn't going to be any different, though he hopes the amount he has now can last him until term starts again.
"Hey there, Parsley…got another letter for me, huh?" Harry ruffled the parrot's bright red feathers. He removed the letter and moved over to where Hedwig's cage was and opened it, taking out the water tray. The snowy owl didn't look too pleased about that, she hadn't been a fan of the colorful visitors they'd been receiving, and Parsley being a returning one seemed to upset her even more.
"Come on girl, don't be like that." Harry said with an amused look on his face. He took the water tray over to the window and set it down for the parrot to drink and take a rest while he read the letter and got to work on his reply.
Harry plopped down on 'his' bed, getting comfortable before opening the letter. A smile crept onto his face as he started reading.
Dear Harry
How have you been? How's muggle Britain treating you? How have your relatives been treating you? You've been listening to my advice right? Make sure to keep an eye out for the charity shops. They have amazing pieces for stupidly low prices.
The first time Lily took me to a charity shop I had such a blast I ended up doing all my shopping there from then on, so I really need you to develop a decent fashion sense. If that doesn't happen then I would've failed both Lily and myself.
Anyways, I've been quite busy recently. Well Remus has, not me. You should see him hard at work. He's got his brother-in-law to work as my lawyer and is working up a case for me to get a trial. There's also an old friend of his who's a healer helping me recover from, you know, the Azkaban damage and all.
Things are looking up for us. If things keep up like this and everything goes according to plan, my name will be cleared, and you'll be moved in with me by the time you're getting ready to start your fifth year.
I'm very excited pup, and I hope I get to see you soon. Also, there's a special little surprise coming your way, it's a little birthday gift from me. I'm sure you'll like it.
I better wrap things up here before it gets too long, remember I love you, and I'm going to make sure you're safe the minute I can roam the streets free.
Padfoot
By the time Harry finished reading, he was grinning ear to ear, looking like a fool. Sirius could possibly be free, he could possibly be proven innocent. Professor Remus was helping him, in fact several other people were helping him.
That immediately put many of Harry's worries to ease. It gave him hope, hope that this could be one of the last summers he would spend at the Dursleys. That the rest of his summers would be spent with his godfather, someone that cared about him. Someone that was trying so hard to get better for him. Someone that was try for him.
Harry didn't waste anytime, he folded the letter and put it under his pillow then hurried over to his trunk, taking out a piece of parchment, a quill and an ink bottle. Sitting down at 'his' desk, he uncapped the ink bottle, dipped his quill and wasted no time to start writing.
Dear Padfoot
Firstly, I've been doing well. Really well, actually. I met another wizard my age that also goes to Hogwarts and is spending the summer in his mother's house near my relatives. He's really nice, and I'm really happy I'm not alone this summer.
And yes, I'm listening to your advice, don’t worry. I've been keeping an eye out at the charity shops when I get the chance to go, I got myself a few things I think you'd approve of. And thank you for the tips on how to make decent money. I don't know where or how you and mom learnt that stuff, but thanks a lot. I've been stashing most of it just in case.
I'm relieved to hear you're getting treated by a healer, please make sure to take care of yourself, okay? I'm also really happy to hear Professor Lupin is helping you. If you get the chance, tell him I'm really thankful for his help.
I should cut things short before I start rambling too. I'll be waiting for your trial, and when it happens, I promise you I'll be there.
I can't wait for the birthday gift, I know it'll be brilliant.
Harry
Harry looked over the letter a few times, then folded it and slide it in an envelope. He got up and approached the parrot that was getting ready to depart. Tying the letter to its leg, Harry smiled once he made sure it was secure and just like that the bird was off. wait.
Harry panicked a bit, he didn't send the snacks. What'll Sirius eat?! But he quickly calmed down again. Sirius said he was being taken care of, he'll be fine. Right?
Taking a moment to think, Harry decided to write to Luna and Neville. He already had his quill and ink out, so now was a good time to check up on the two. He should ask about the visit to Neville’s parents too.
He took out two pieces of parchment and sat back down.
Dear Neville
Hi there, how have you been? It's been a while since we last talked.
I wanted to check up on you, see how you're doing. Also, I wanted to ask about your parents and when you'll be visiting them next. I was serious on the train when I said I'd go with you.
So if you're going to visit them soon, please tell me. And, since the start of term is in a month or so I want to ask you if you'd go supply shopping with me, I'm also going to ask Luna to come with us.
Please send a reply soon.
Harry
Dear Luna
Hi Luna, how are you?
It's been a while, have you been successful in finding Crumple-Horned Snorkacks? If you have, do tell, I want to know everything.
I also want to check up on you, see how you're doing. I've asked Neville about his parents and when he'll be visiting them to tag along.
I want to ask if you want to come with.
If you do, either send me a reply or just write to Neville.
And, since the start of term is coming up, I wanted to ask if you'd go supply shopping with me and possibly Neville.
Please send a reply soon.
Harry
Once Harry was satisfied with everything, he slipped both letters into envelopes and gave them to Hedwig.
"Get these to them and come back safe, okay?"
The owl glanced ant him for a moment and flew off, Harry knew he didn't have anything to worry about, but he still did. Hedwig was a very smart owl, she knew how to keep herself safe, but she was his family in a sense. Ever since he got her, she's been with him through thick and thin. He couldn't help but worry.
As he looked up at the owl fading away into the distance, Harry decided to get some stuff done. Hyun-seok had given him a good list of spells to learn, he might as well get to working on it.
Heading over to his trunk, he pulled out the little notebook Hyun-seok had given him.
In complete honesty, Hyun-seok wasn’t normal. At all. Not one bit.
The guy had a strong dislike for the headmaster. He didn't hate Dumbledore on a personal level, it didn't have anything to do with beliefs either. No. He couldn't care less about what the headmaster thought. He hated how unprofessional and irresponsible the headmaster was. How little attention he paid to the students, and how there were little to no precautions taken to ensure the students were safe.
That dislike wasn't reserved for the headmaster alone, the teachers and staff too. It showed in his passionate dislike and distrust for the teachers and staff. Apart from Professor Lupin, Madame Pomfrey and Professor McGonagall.
And partially Snape, Hyun-seok had remarked how Snape was only a decent authority figure to the Slytherins only. The rest were on his 'do not trust' list.
The thing about Hyun-seok was how he'd fight for the students' quality of education and safety without hesitation. He was disgustingly knowledgeable on how low Hogwarts' education, lessons and student safety placed in terms of quality and variety compared to other schools.
He'd openly talked about the lack of professionalism in the hiring process, stating several times that Professor Lupin had been the only D.A.D.A Professor to have actually taught the subject properly, which Harry had to agree with.
He was also, an outright genius when it came to magic. Using the frozen library as a sort of lab to experiment with different kinds of magic. The thing that shocked Harry most was that Hyun-seok was trying to make his own spells. And according to Hyun-seok, it was something he'd been trying to do for as long as he could remember.
Though the Ravenclaw never had much success, last year he'd come up with a spell idea and wanted to actually create it. So he'd set his mind to it and, as far as Harry knew, just buried himself in trying to make it work the whole year.
He's probably still working on it. Harry thought to himself while looking through the notebook, until he landed on an advanced version of Alohomora. An unlocking charm. The advanced version Hyun-seok had come up with was interesting. Firstly it was stronger, it was also able to unlock anything, as long as the caster used just as much magic in the charm as the object they wanted to unlock had.
Harry looked it over, then glanced at the locks on ‘his’ door. Yeah, this'll do.
If anything were to happen with the Dursleys, he needed to be able to run. And the several locks on ‘his’ door had to go.
He'd been practicing the wordless version of Alohomora for a good while now. He'll try it out, and if it works he'll start on the wandless version next time, and then the advanced one.
Harry got up and placed the notebook on 'his' desk then moved over to the locked door wand in hand. He took a deep breath and started reciting the charm internally, and as always Harry seriously needed to thank Hyun-seok. The guy included everything in the notebook, even how to pronounce the charm. Everything.
And of course, with Hyun-seok's instructions. It worked. Harry heard a click. He put his hand on the doorknob and turned it. It opened.
Harry let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He had to stop himself from screaming out in joy. He didn't want the Dursleys to ruin the moment. So, he slowly closed the door again. Walked over to 'his' bed. Sat down, grabbed 'his' pillow and screamed into it at the top of his lungs for a good ten seconds straight.
When he lifted his head he had a wide smile spread across his face. This was it, he had a way out if anything happened. He had a plan B he could fall back on. At least the start of one.
Thank whatever force brought Hyun-seok into his life. Harry seriously doesn't know what'll happen to him without the Ravenclaw. And truly, he hopes he never has to find out.
Thinking back to it, Hyun-seok wasn't the only one doing the Hogwarts staff's work. There were several other students that seriously had to be thanked. Lorelei, Cedric, Don. All of which were older year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws. Lorelei especially, she was basically the older sister every first, second and third year needed.
She helped with lessons, directions, and advice. She'd give muggle-born and muggle-raised students lessons and advice and lessons on the magical world on weekends to help acclimate them just like Hyun-seok did for him.
Cedric was in his turn the older brother everyone needed, he helped younger years out with the physical stuff. Flying their brooms properly, helping with understanding the magical creatures and plants around them. Helping them make friends around the school. He was the ideal representation of a great Hufflepuff.
And Don, he was the Muggle-born dredhead of the group that had become the safe space for many homesick muggle-born and muggle-raised students. He had somehow finessed his way into being granted access to the kitchens on weekends and would hold get-togethers for anyone who wanted to participate where he and others would cook muggle dishes from around the world and serve them for everyone to enjoy.
Even pure-bloods had frequented those get-togethers out of curiosity, and were warmly welcomed to join. Harry himself had participated in a few, and truly they were amazing. The atmosphere was always so calm, so warm so homie. He hoped Don would hold more of them next year.
I could invite Theo to join too.