Chapter One: Number 4, Privet Drive
Harry sighed as he lay his head back on his pillow. Four more nights. Four more nights until he could leave the Dursleys forever. Ron and sent an owl earlier that week, telling him that he and Hermione would be arriving at 1:00 in the morning on the 29th of July to help him get his stuff and apparate back to the Burrow. The wedding would be taking place on the 3rd of August, giving Harry a good 6 days to spend there. They had decided to leave the day after the wedding for Godric's Hollow, from there traveling on to wherever clues led them in their quest for the horcruxes.
Harry drifted off into imaginings of what was yet to come, the daunting task ahead of them, and also what they would be leaving behind. A petite redhead came forward in his mind's eye. Ginny. He had broken it off with her at Dumbledore's funeral, making the tragic day even more despairing for him, but it had to be done. He didn't know what he would do if she was hurt, or worse… she was his reason to live…if she was gone… well… he steeled his mind against thoughts of her, forcing the lion in his chest to back away from the surface. It wouldn't work out. They couldn't be together, and that was that.
He was disrupted out of his musings from a sharp rap at his window. He ambled out of bed to open his window for the two owls waiting outside. Hedwig flew in first, back from her nightly hunt. She was followed by the Weasleys' old, bedraggled owl, Errol, who had come with a letter, soaking wet from the rain.
He fumbled to untie the letter from Errol's legs, as he feebly tried to shake himself off. He carefully unfolded the damp piece of parchment and smoothed it out. The writing was just clear enough to be legible:
Hey mate,
How's your summer going? Wait, why would I even ask that? I'm pretty sure it's not been so great. Oh man, poor you, stuck with those bastards. Well, we're coming to get you. Only four nights left, so don't worry mate. We'll come to your rescue… hahaha… anyway, be sure to have your things ready by 1:00 on the 29th. Just so you know, we're also bringing Fred and George. They said they wanted to give one last goodbye present to the Dursleys. Well, I can't wait for that! So we'll see you then Harry. I'd wish you happy birthday, but we're gonna be there to wish you it in person!
-Ron
PS. There should be a letter from Ginny enclosed.
And sure enough, there was a small piece of parchment squashed at the bottom of the envelope. He un-crumpled it. It held nothing, other than a lipstick kiss mark, and one word.
-Ginny
AN: I'll judge by reviews whether I should attempt to continue this or not, cause I'm not that sure how good it is…