Aria Ashborn and the Order of the Phoenix (A Harry Potter fanfiction)

Chapter 1: A Peck of Owls

July 8, 1995

Dear Harry,

How are you? A dumb question, I know. You must be feeling awful. The term ended on a very sour note. Just keep looking forward to September first. I know I am. I can't wait to see you, Ron, and Hermione again. Have you read the Daily Prophet lately? Well, don't. They can only speculate, but you actually saw what happened in that graveyard that night. There I go, reminding you of that terrible event again. I'm sorry. Can't wait to see you.

Your friend,

Aria

July 10, 1995

Hello Aria,

I just wanted to check up on you. What happened to Cedric was awful and if you need to talk, please feel free to write. Also, I know you live in a muggle community, as do I. Maybe we could get together? I miss having a girlfriend to talk to. The things the Daily Prophet is writing is rubbish. I hope Harry doesn't look too much into them. It's also insulting to Cedric's memory. I should like to write a complaint. In fact, I've already drafted one. It's 10 pages, can you believe it? They probably won't even read it.

Hope you are well,

Hermione

July 11, 1995

Dear Aria,

I appreciate you trying to cheer me up. Really, I do. But I can't just forget that all of that happened. I still have nightmares. How are you? I'm sure this hasn't been easy for you. I don't do much here but wait for Hogwarts. Aunt Petunia has me bring her buckets of ice all day long for her to put her nasty feet into. I tell her I'm going to the store to get more ice just to get away. I'd rather be out in the heat wave than inside with the Dursleys. Nothing ever changes on Privet Drive. Mrs. Figg is always watering her magnolias and Dudley is always bullying kids at the corner store. None of them are aware of the war brewing right under their noses. I really appreciate you writing to me. Ron and Hermione haven't sent a single letter. Have you heard from them?

Yours,

Harry

July 11, 1995

Hermione,

I would love to get together with you! However, I have been writing Harry lately and he is concerned that neither you or Ron have written him. I know it's still early in the summer, but still. I think he needs extra support from all of us right now. Also, he has so many questions I'm sure Ron could answer for him. He's on the outskirts.

Your friend,

Aria

July 17, 1995

Harry,

I am doing my best. I had dinner at the Diggorys' last night. It was actually quite painful despite the fact that I went to bring them comfort. Mrs. Diggory is doing better compared to Mr. Diggory. She doesn't cry in front of me, although, I'm sure she cries plenty on her own. It's almost been a month. Mr. Diggory has almost completely shut down. His wife had to drag him to dinner and he barely touched his food. It's terrible. Hermione wrote to me last week but I haven't heard from Ron. Have you sent them a letter? Maybe their owls have gotten lost. I can't imagine they would ignore you.

Take care,

Aria

P.s I have nightmares too.

July 24, 1995

Aria,

It's nice that you visit the Diggorys. I don't know if I would be able to face them. I know I should have nothing to feel guilty about, yet I still am for some reason. I'll be honest, it bothered me a little that Hermione had written to you and not me. Actually, both Ron and Hermione wrote me after I got your last letter. However, neither of them are answering any of my questions. It's very frustrating. I also don't understand why they waited 'till almost a month after term ended to write. I hate this isolation. I hope to soon be able to spend my summers with Sirius, my godfather. Then I won't ever have to come back to Privet drive again. By the way, it's been just about a year since the Quidditch World Cup. I know that night was awful but I have good memories of the time before it because it was when we started to become friends.

Yours,

Harry

July 31, 1995

Happy birthday Harry,

I've sent a cake as well! I hope you enjoy it. It's angel food cake and my own special recipe. Only another month until we get to go back to Hogwarts! Perhaps we can all meet at the burrow some time?

Your friend,

Aria

1 August 1995

Dear Miss Ashborn,

I'm writing to inquire if you have spoken to your father lately? He received a special gift from me some time ago and I'd like to hear what he thought of it. It's of the utmost importance that you speak with him about it Miss Ashborn. I do hope your summer is going splendidly.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore