Just so you know, I am (although unfortunately) NOT JK Rowling, and all characters and related logos etc. belong to her... the lucky woman.
Chapter II: the mystery solved
Harry had been right- Hedwig came back 2 days later with not only a letter from his Mystery Friend, but from Ron, Hermione and Lupin as well. Ron and Hermione had written a joint letter- Ron's untidy scrawl mostly about Quidditch and how his mum had made them keep cleaning Grimmauld Place. Hermione's neat script would interject every paragraph or so with worries about OWL results and how she was anxiously awaiting her scores, because she was 'having nightmares about messing up her charms practical'.
All in all, it was a happy letter, but Harry couldn't help but feel a little pang of jealously that Ron and Hermione were together at Number 12 having fun- even if it was just cleaning.
Lupin wrote on behalf of himself and Moody, and let Harry know that they would come to collect him in one week. Harry couldn't be happier. This would be his shortest stay at the Dursley's ever, and he could see the look of relief on Uncle Vernon's face when he informed him. Vernon gave him a lecture about how those "blasted wizard folk" had better not blow apart his living room like they did last time, and Harry coldly told him not to worry about it, before he went back upstairs.
Harry reclined on his bed, and Hedwig perched herself on his knee. He absentmindedly stroked her back while he read his mystery letter. He couldn't help but smirk at this one. You see, Harry was no fool, and after the second letter, he knew exactly who had sent him these mystery messages. But, even still, he felt quite mischievous and decided to let the game continue. The letter read:
Dear Harry,
Oh, no. I don't believe that I will reveal myself to you just yet. But let's see┘ yes, I am female, and to be quite honest, I don't have that many girlfriends in my year. Only a few, but they're enough, and they're really more like acquaintances anyway.
I just want you to know that I know you would never give me the time of day in person to discuss your most personal troubles, and I respect that. Why would you want to burden anyone else? Besides- I never trouble you with my own.
You have no idea, Harry, but you and I have a lot more in common than you think. You're not the only one that's been keeping secrets since you began at Hogwarts.
In my first letter, I told you that I know you only think of me as a friend, and I think the same of you, but I can't lie any more.
I do like you as more than a friend, and I know it could kill so many other friendships if we were to ever become more than friends, but at the same time, I feel like I'm obligated to let you know.
Yes, Harry Potter, I have a crush on you, and I've kept it secret for years, because I knew the problems I would face, the friendships that could be ruined, and the ridicule I (not to mention you) would receive. But, at least now I have it off my conscience, and can go on. You know I like you, even if you don't know who I am, and that (for now) is enough for me.
Love from,
A friend
After reading his letter, Harry smiled. There was now no doubt in his mind who had been sending them. 'Keeping secrets for years',and having 'barely any girlfriends in her year' ("more like acquaintances"), and to top it off- the signature at the bottom. "Love from".
Who did he know that signed all her letters like that, and who did he know that would be clever enough to charm the letter to look as if it had been written by a Muggle computer?
Who else would be concerned about ruining other friendships if they were to be together? It was obvious.
And besides all that, how else could Hedwig have gotten back so quickly, if this girl hadn't been also staying at Grimmauld Place with the Weasleys and the rest of the Order?
Oh yes, Harry knew exactly who had sent this letter, but that created in itself an even bigger problem┘
How could he possibly tell his "mystery friend" that it was not her he fancied?
For in fact, after the events that took place in the Department of Mysteries at the end of last term, he had finally realized who it was that he cared for. After all these years, she had been right under his nose, and he had never noticed. He was only sorry that it was such an extreme situation that had finally made him realize just how much he cared for her.
The way she was so strong, and refused to be helped, despite all the pain the Death Eaters had inflicted on her. When he saw her, lying there limp on the floor, unable to stand, he knew that he couldn't bear to see her hurt again. He wanted nothing more in the world than to make sure she was okay, and since then, she had always been in the back of his mind. He thought only of her, and she was the main reason (other than the Dursley's being so miserable) that he wanted to leave #4 Privet Drive as soon as possible. He knew that if he was with her, he could keep an eye on her at all times, and make sure she was all right.
Harry thought hard, and then he did the only thing that he could think of: he drafted another letter, and tried his hardest to put it so no feelings would be hurt. He needed to tell his "mystery friend" that he cared for someone else, but also make sure that her pride wouldn't be hurt in the process.
Yes, how could Harry tell Hermione Granger that he really fancied Ginny Weasley?
Dear Friend,
Thanks much for your letter; it's nice to know that I've got someone that admires me for more than just having a scar on my head. But, I can't lie to you either. I don't know how to say it, but I'll try my best.
You see, I think you should know that I fancy someone else, who in fact is quite a close friend of yours. One fitting your description, as she is not in your year, and so therefore COULD be more than your acquaintance. In fact, I'd go as far as to say she is your best girl friend. After what happened in the Department of Mysteries to her, I knew that I would die if I lost her. She has no idea, of course. I may be able to catch a speeding snitch, but somehow I can never bring myself to talk to a witch.
I still care about you, and very much, and I know that in the next years, you will always be the first I will go to when it begins to be too much to bear. I hope that I haven't hurt you too badly, and I hope that we will be able to continue our friendship, because as like you said, I don't want any friendships ruined either. So, I guess, when I see you at Sirius' place next week (as that is where I am guessing you are), I will go on as if you never told me anything.
Your friend, forever,
Harry Potter
Harry looked over his letter and sighed. It was as nice as he could put it, but he knew if he received a letter saying that someone he fancied didn't return the feelings, he would be quite miserable. Livid, in fact.
He attached it to Hedwig's leg, and sighed once again as she took flight out the window, giving him a friendly nip on the ear as she passed.
But, it was the best he could do. How was he supposed to go on pretending that he didn't know anything? He knew that when he saw Hermione it would be harder than ever, but he would have to just grin and bear it. She was the cleverest witch in his year, and he knew she was quite levelheaded. She would be fine. In the meantime, it was quite late. Harry looked at the clock, and saw it read nearly one a.m. He changed into his pajamas, and got into bed. As he settled in for the night, his thoughts couldn't help but wander.
Normally the woman he thought of most (especially after something tragic happening) was his mother, but tonight, like most recent nights, his thoughts turned to another. Yes, it was a different woman with long red hair that occupied most of Harry Potter's thoughts as of late.
As Harry rolled over and drifted off to sleep, he couldn't help but smile. And you know, for everything that he had been through, for Ginny Weasley to be so powerful that even the mere THOUGHT of her could make him smile┘ Now he knew she had to be something quite special.