congratulations, you are all alone [anna]

[Deleted]

dear anna,

I heard that you were selected as the Hogwarts Champion. I would congratulate you, but I'm sure you've heard enough congratulations and not enough cautions. These events can kill you. In fact, they're designed to come as close to possible as killing you without actually going through with it. I don't want to tell you to be careful, since I know you likely won't listen, but I'd like to tell you to be prepared. I've attached a list of spells I found useful during my time in the Tournament. I know that the events will likely be different, but they're still good to know. If I get the time, I'll see if I can find records of what happened in previous Tournaments, too. Be careful who you trust, Anna. The world is out to get you now.

yours,
uncle harry

@annelise

[Deleted]

Uncle Harry,

Thanks for your concern. I actually really do appreciate you sending me spells that you think will help. I'll study them, I promise. Actually, I was going to owl you soon. I don't know how I feel about the whole situation. I'm excited (of course), but very nervous at the same time. A friend told me recently that everyone will be wanting to be my friend now that I am champion and I don't know who to trust. I know that he's probably right- especially since you're telling me practically the same thing- but I have a hard time thinking of people that way. I'm so used to being friends with everyone that it's really stressing me out ...

Sorry, I'm not trying to complain to you. Really, thanks for your owl and advice. I'd love to hear anything  you learn about the other Tournaments. I'd love to study about them as well, but I really won't have the time.

            Thanks again, 
            ~Anna

HARRY JAMES POTTER

[Deleted]

dear anna,

It's good to be a little bit nervous; too much excitement can make you cocky, and you don’t want to be cocky in a Tournament like this. I think the only reason I even survived was because I was constantly worried about what was going to happen to me. Of course, I was younger than you are now, but that’s beside the point. I agree wholeheartedly with your friend, though. Anyone who wasn’t with you before you became champion doesn’t deserve to get to know you now. You have always been special, Anna, and if people need something like being Champion to see that, then they don’t deserve you anyways. It’s not something that you need to stress about, though. You know who your friends are now; stick with them, and you’ll be fine.

It’s fine. You need to complain to someone, and I’d rather it be me than someone who can leak anything to the Prophet. I know that they’ve gotten better about not being as gossipy, but old grudges die hard, I suppose. Expect a list of spells used in the other Tournaments in the next owl I send; I haven’t quite gotten everything together, but I’m working on it.

yours,
uncle harry

@annelise

[Deleted]

Uncle Harry,

So ... not trying to prove myself wrong or anything, but I don't think being cocky is a problem of mine. Pretty sure I'm going to worry about this whole Tournament thing enough that I'll be kept humble. And if not, I have some friends that will bring me back down to earth pretty fast if my head gets too big. 

Haha thanks! I hadn't thought about that, but I'd rather talk to you than someone who might tell my feelings to a newspaper too. I guess I really have to be careful with what I say and do now, huh? I'm not used to that at all. Not that I always let everyone know how I'm feeling or anything, I just don't hide it most of the time.

I feel like I'm just thanking you over and over in my owls, but I'm not going to stop, just so you know. Thanks for everything you're sending me! It means so much that you would take time out of your busy schedule to help me. I hope everything is going well with you.

            ~Anna

HARRY JAMES POTTER

[Deleted]

dear anna,

Fame can do funny things to people, Anna. Even if you don’t think you’re being cocky, people can perceive you that way, and then it’s a mess trying to get your image back into the right light. Can you tell I’ve spent a lot of time being slammed by the press? Well, it’s good that your friends are there to help keep you down to earth.

Being in the public eye is hard. If your father wouldn’t kill me for saying it, I would suggest some private lessons between the two of us, learning to deal with reporters. It’s all about knowing what to say and what to hold back, and the only way you can really know what information falls into each category is to practice. Of course, most of the Prophet’s writers are fair, though. They know that you’re just a kid and that you’ve been shoved into the spotlight without much warning. (If you’re going to argue that you’re not a kid, you’re wrong, and I will make all of your aunts and uncles agree with me.)

I’m your uncle, Anna. It’s my job to help you through these sorts of things, especially since I’ve had the privilege of going through them myself. If you wanted advice on normal teenager things, I would suggest going to one of your aunts or uncles, though. Maybe your Uncle Bill? He was old and grey before his life started to go to the dogs. Don’t tell him about the old and grey part. Or the dogs part, either – that was a horribly unintentional pun.

yours,
uncle harry

@annelise

[Deleted]

Uncle Harry,

I promise I will be very careful not to come off as cocky in any way. Though, I will tell you that it looks like Emile (the Beauxbatons Champion) has that covered. He doesn't have any problem telling people that he's the best and that there really is no competition. At least I don't think that, much less say it to people. I'm sorry you had such a hard time with the press.

What dad doesn't know won't hurt him ... can we please do some private lessons? After talking to you and Madam Macmillan, I'm super nervous about, well about everything, if I'm being honest. I want help. I don't want to be nervous every time I have to talk to a reporter, I want to feel confident. Honestly I feel so overwhelmed and I need to do something to help me know that I can do this, all of it. If you could spare the time or something, I would love to meet with you. But if not I understand. I know you're busy. I would like your help though. 

Yeah, I don't really need advice on normal teenager things at the moment. I have the feeling I won't able be able to think of myself as normal again, and I don't know how I feel about that. I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but I'm glad that you had experiences that can help me now. Don't worry, I won't tell Uncle Bill what you said. 

            ~Anna
HARRY JAMES POTTER

[Deleted]

dear anna,

Well, I guess it’s a good thing for you that Emile’s cocky. They like to give you all different personas, you know. Fleur was the mysterious beauty, Viktor was the strong, silent hero, I was the scrappy underdog, and Cedric… Never mind that. Don’t let them pigeonhole you as just another Weasley – show them what makes you you. It’s fine that I had problems, Anna. Now you won’t have to.

I’ll see if I can find some time in between my Auror duties to come see you. If you can give me times that work for you, I can see if I can come before the first task, so that in the press storm after you’re not left floundering. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, Anna. Just find someone to give you a big hug and tell you it will be okay until I can come do it myself. I believe in you and your skills. It’s going to be okay.

Being not normal sucks, not going to lie. Maybe we can have lessons on that, too. I don’t want this one experience to change the way you live your life in the future. It should be a big part of your life, of course, but it shouldn’t define it. I don’t take it the wrong way; a lot of people benefitted from my not-normal experiences, and I’ve learned to accept that just because people are grateful for those experiences doesn’t mean they’re grateful that I, specifically, had to have them.

It’s all going to be alright, Anna. Keep your chin up, love.

yours,
uncle harry

@annelise

[Deleted]

Uncle Harry,

I guess one reason I'm worried is that I don't know what makes me ... me. I don't know if it's the fiery redhead who can't stand for anyone to be mistreated or the girl who is terrible at potions but still tries to make it work. I don't know what part of me to show, what part represents me, or if I should just show myself. I don't want to pretend to be anyone, but I don't know ... I guess I just don't know who I am. So it's hard to figure out what persona I am. I hope this is making sense.

I've attached a list of my classes. Other than that, any time would work. This meeting is more important than any studying I would be doing. At least meeting with you would probably help me feel less nervous and more ready for what's coming. Ha ha, don't worry I'll make one of my friends give me a hug and then pretend it's from you for now. Thanks.

I will take whatever lessons you can give me, Uncle Harry. Thank you for everything. I don't know if you'll believe me, but even just getting your owls help. I appreciate them.

            ~Anna
HARRY JAMES POTTER

[Deleted]

dear anna,

If you're asking my opinion, what makes you you is...everything, really. It's the way you sign your name on letters and the songs you sing to yourself when you're trying to focus. It's the boy that you love and the girl who's your best friend and all the people in between. Anna is not Anna because of one personality trait, but because of a series of moments that have made her the way she is. Think of a charming anecdote about your mother or father or sister that relate to the questions you're going to be asked. People can draw their own conclusions from stories, but you won't have to put on a persona, because they're all true.

Would next Saturday work for you? I can come in the morning, as early as you're awake, pretty much. If that doesn't work for you, I could probably swing it so this coming Thursday could be doable.

You're welcome for everything, Anna. I don't want you to think you're going through this alone. Me and your aunts and uncles are all here for you. We just want you to be happy.

yours,
uncle harry

@annelise

[Deleted]

Uncle Harry,

You have no idea how much that helped. I needed to hear all of that. Also, thanks for suggesting the stories. I'll have to think about some of those so I can use that idea in the interviews. Hopefully I'll be able to get the real me across. 

Next Saturday would be great! I can get up as early as you want. I've actually been waking up pretty early lately, so would 6 or 7 work for you? Really, any time is fine with me. 

I know you're all supporting me. It helps knowing how much family I have behind me in all this. I really can't wait to see you soon!

            ~Anna

HARRY JAMES POTTER

[Deleted]

dear anna,

Consider that your homework from me, then: think of a few stories. I'm sure I can think of one from when you were a baby, though no guarantee that story will be a hundred percent accurate. I was sleep deprived during most of your upbringing, thanks to a certain cousin of yours.

Seven works - I'll meet you by the Gryffindor tower's entrance and we can grab a light breakfast before we start?

I can't wait to see you, either, Anna. Until then.

yours,
uncle harry

@annelise

[Deleted]

Uncle Harry,

All right, that sounds good! I'll get some stories ready for you. And I'm interested to see what stories you think of, to tell the truth.

I'll see you at 7! Can't wait.

            ~Anna

---end---

HARRY JAMES POTTER