The Story of the Marauders

Twenty-Two: Harry

HARRY

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Sirius,

Thank you for the last letter. The cakes for my birthday were very delicious. I enjoyed hearing from you and Calysta. I miss you both.
Anyways, everything had been the same here lately. Dudley's new diet isn't working...again. Aunt Petunia caught him smuggling doughnuts into his room yesterday and threatened to cut his allowance in half if he didn't hand them over. He got really upset and threw his PlayStation out his bedroom window. That's a sort of device you can play games on. Bit stupid, seeing as though he already destroyed his other one.
I'm okay, mostly because they're terrified you and Calysta might show up and turn them into bats if I asked.
A funny thing did happen though: my scar started hurting again. The last time it happened was when Voldemort was near Hogwarts. You don't think he could be near me again, could he? Do you think curse scars hurt years afterwards?
Best wishes,

Harry

Harry sealed his letter with one hand, gently massaging his scar with the other. It kept stinging night after night. With a light sigh, he pushed himself away from his small desk with his palms, sluggishly shuffling a short distance to Hedwig, whom of which was picking at her feathers under her wing.

"Take this to my godparents, Hedwig." Harry instructed in a hushed tone. The owl chirped and stuck out her leg for him to tie the letter around. Harry didn't send her away, for he saw a smaller, low-flying owl approach and crash-land into his open window sill. Harry picked the owl up around its wings. A letter scratched against his arm, so he took the new mail from the squirmy creature.

"Hello, Pig." Harry smirked at the owl and opened the letter; it was from Ron explaining how they would pick him up on Sunday even if his aunt and uncle refused. He also advised Harry not to ask Percy about his new job unless he wanted to be bored to death. Once he read this, his night was made three times better. He added to his letter to his godparents: 'P.S. One more thing, I'll be with the Weasley's at the Burrow until school starts, so contact me there. They're taking me to the Quidditch World Cup!'

Harry went to bed happy and dreaming of the Quidditch World Cup.

~~~~~

The next morning, Harry was putting the final items into his suitcase before the Weasley's arrived at his aunt and uncle's home. He was glad to get out of there.

"Harry, dear, so good to see you!" Molly Weasley greeted after most of the chaos from their method of travel was over. They had used the Dursely's fireplace via Floo. Harry was inwardly feeling triumphant at the reactions of his guardians and cousin. Harry almost ran into the fireplace to leave.

"Hi, Mrs. Weasley," Harry breathed in an excited rush. Ron clapped him on the back and disappeared right behind him. The Burrow sprung into view before him with a puff of smoke. Harry breathed in the smells of the home, delighted by the sight of Hermione and the twins flying down the stairs towards him.

"Harry, Calysta wrote you," Hermione announced quietly after she was done hugging him, and as soon as the Weasley family around him disbursed. Harry smiled automatically.

"That was fast." He muttered, taking the note from her hand. Quickly he read the loopy writing down the page.

Harry,
You told Sirius and I about your scar hurting again. You asked him if scars hurt years after they were given and he brought it upon me, for I would know more about scars from cursed spells.

Many years ago, the Dark Lord wanted me in his ranks so I made a deal against my wishes that I would, as long as he waited until I was finished with my schooling. He tried to place his Mark on my arm, but he failed for certain reasons better left unsaid and it left a scar where the Mark would have been. For years after, it still bothered me. I do not believe the Dark Lord would be as stupid as to manifest so close to you, so what may be happening is that his emotions are linked between you. This is worrisome, but we will figure it out as soon as we see you again.