That evening, after an exhausting day of chores, his Uncle having loudly reminded him of them, he sat down to compose an owl to Ginny.
Dear Ginny,
I hope things are going well for you so far and Ron isn't being too much of a prat. I wonder just how many owls each week he's been sending to Hermione. Things are going okay here so far. For the most part, Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon are leaving me alone, and yes, I'm getting enough to eat. The ‘little talk' our mutual friends had with my Uncle at Kings Cross seems to have made an impression, especially when I remind them how much they would love a visit by Mad-Eye Moody. He seems to have made quite an impression on my Uncle. I get the feeling that he definitely doesn't want to see him again. Since my Aunt has me outside a lot, doing yard work for both her and dear old Mrs. Figg, I've got a bit of sun finally. I haven't let on that she's one of us,but I had to put my foot down when she tried to bring out the cat pictures again; I've seen enough of them to last a lifetime. I hope Ron has finally given up talking about Victor Krum. It's not doing him any good and all it does is irritate Hermione. I wonder when he's going to admit how he feels, at least to himself, let alone her.
Speaking of Hermione, I received a telephone call from her earlier today. It was a very interesting conversation and she suggested that I start owling someone otherthan her and Ron in no uncertain terms and you were the first person I thought of.
You deserve someone who will appreciate your courage and… umm, and other interesting qualities. I know that somebody is out there. It may even be someone you already know, although he may not have noticed you before in the manner that you deserve. Sometimes it takes something to shake a guy out of a certain image of someone.
Well I hope you write back soon, I'm very much looking forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Harry
I hope I didn't say too much there, if she is really going with Dean then I definitely don't want her hacked off at me, Harry thought worriedly. I remember how bad Malfoy looked after her Bat Bogey Hex. With shaking hands he folded the parchment and wrote Ginny's name on the outside and sealed it.
"Hedwig, I need you to take this to Ginny before I change my mind," said Harry as he tied it to her leg. Hedwig nipped his hand affectionately and then flew out the window. She was almost bowled, head over tail, by Pigwidgeon as he popped inside the open window. Hedwig gave Pig a dirty look and continued on her mission while he zoomed around Harry's bedroom, hooting happily.
"Hold still featherhead!" snarled Harry, trying to snatch him out of the air, "Sometimes you're harder to catch than the snitch!"
Finally Harry got a good enough grip on Pig to untie the letter attached to his leg and a small package. Huh, Harry wondered in confusion as he looked at the letter, this isn't Ron's handwriting.
Dear Harry,
Ron hands are swelled up due to a new version of Gobstones that the twins invented and had him testing, so I'm writing the letter for him. Mum's sent them several howlers about that and a couple of other items. (The package is from me though, I hope you like it.) Ron says that the Cannons are actually doing well this season – they might have a chance at the semi-finals. (He's been bouncing off the walls just like Pig, he's so happy.)
Harry, Mum has been owling Dumbledore every week to see if you can stay the last month of summer here. We're all hoping that he'll say yes, but so far no luck. Ron says that Hermione will be contacting by telephone (I, at least know what it is, having taken Muggle Studies.)
Guess what? Percy owled Mum and Dad, apologizing, and has actually been to supper a few times here at the Burrow. Ron's still hacked off at him though. (Can't really say I blame him though, he really hurt Mum and Dad with his behaviour).
I've got to run, Mum needs help in the kitchen with supper.
Your Friends,
Ron & Ginny
Harry tossed the letter on the bed and turned his attention to package lying on the bed as well. It wasn't big, maybe about the size and shape of a pack of exploding snap, wrapped in an emerald green paper. "What could be in the mysterious package?" Harry wondered. He ripped off the paper covering and found a velvet-covered box. Upon opening it, there was a gold necklace and amulet with a stag, a wolf, and a large dog, which could be mistaken for a grim, engraved on it. Taking it out a small note fluttered down to the floor.
Harry picked up the note and it said:
Harry,
I found this and was going to give it to you for you birthday but felt it couldn't wait. I almost got it in silver ‘cause it looked so good, but figured Moony could touch it this way.
Love,
Ginny
Harry felt a fluttering in his stomach. He definitely had not expected this. But his heart was troubled. Did she sign it like that because she was imitating Hermione or did it mean something else?