Dark, Light and In Between

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Harry glanced up at the clock that he had managed to smuggle into the cupboard a few years ago, noticing that it was thirty-five minutes until midnight......and his sixteenth birthday. He has never ever celebrated his birthday properly before, and it didn't look like it was going to be any different this year as well. To Harry, that didn't really faze him all that much, what upset him the most was that none of his so called friends had contacted him yet.

As he stewed in his thoughts, Hedwig flashed into the cupboard in blazing wisps of fire. Harry was pulled from his thoughts and looked up, letting a small smile spread across his lips as he stroked her feathers. She was the only constant in his life that had stayed by his side from the very first moment they met. She let out a content coo and nipped at his fingers affectionately before holding out her talons. Harry reached out and untied the letters attached to her. Immediately after he did she flew up onto her favorite spot, which was his shoulder, and settled herself down. He ran his fingers through the tufts of fur on her breast, and she let out a hoot in pleasure at his touch. He smirked at her reaction to his caress. She was the only one to show her true self to him.

He picked up the very first letter on top of the pile that sat on his cot. He immediately knew it was from Hermione, noting the swirling handwriting. He smiled, glad that his best friend had remembered his birthday. He had thought that she wouldn't have been able to get in contact with him thanks to Dumbledore. He broke the seal and unfolded the parchment.

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Dear Harry,

First of all, HAPPY SIXTEENTH BIRTHDAY!! I hope you have a great time and try not to let your relatives get you down too much. Congratulations! You are now of age! Dumbledore told us that the age was eighteen, but i did some digging.

He lied to us! That lying sack of moldy prune juice!

It's sixteen when you come of age, not eighteen. It makes me wonder what else the old coot has been lying about.

I'm sorry that I can't be there for your birthday. (I really wanted to spoil my best friend rotten!) My parents have taken me to Greece, and we'll be staying there until August. I'll be back in time for your trial, and I'll support you 100%!

I just absolutely cannot believe that they are trying to pin you for using magik under age when you were attacked by Dementors! I bet Dumbledore will get you off the hook though. Even if he's lied to us, he really does care about us all.

And one last time: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Lots of Love,

Hermione

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

P.S. Ron and I have officially broken up. I can't believe how much of a stuck up little prat he is to me! He only makes me cry and suffer and I have had enough of it!

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Harry chuckled at the end note of Hermione's letter. Ron may be their friend, but he is an absolute twat sometimes, and most of the time it was focused on Hermione. He didn't know why Ron thinks he loves her when he can treat her the way he does.

The one thing that Harry couldn't agree with Hermione on was the fact that Dumbledore cared. If he did, he would get Harry away from his relatives and he never has. He will most definitely never forgive the old man for that.

Harry grabbed a hold of the next letter on the stack and scowled deeply at it. He couldn't believe that Ron's handwriting was so scratchy and incoherent after so many years of writing. Although, he would usually use Hermione to do all of his homework as well as most of his notes from his classes.