It did cheer him up a little. At least, everyone knew Sirius was not a murderer, but he remembered what his godfather had said, "I'm not sure I'll be accepting their apology". Maybe, Sirius wouldn't forgive them, he thought. It was another question that plagued him. 
                              
Ten days to go. He looked over at his calendar. He had not touched it since before his birthday. He realized it was longest he had been at the Dursleys' since he started his first year. Hedwig flew into his room. She had a letter from Hermione. She looked concerned for him for she knew he was not eating. 
                              
"I suppose it's a good thing you can't talk," he said aloud. 
                              
He put the letter on the desk, because he did not need to open it now. Hedwig needed rest, anyway. He lay back down on his bed. His stomach was aching. The cat flap opened and Petunia took a plate of cold eggs and bacon, and pushed in a bowl of soup. He knew he needed to start eating something. Therefore, he took a few bites, but each one made him feel sick and he did not take anymore. After an hour dragged by without incident, he got up and opened Hermione's letter, which looked like all the other letter's they had sent him.
                              
Harry, 
                              
You need to talk to someone Harry! We know you're telling us all the same thing. Harry, please come over to Ron's. No one blames you for anything. We want to see you! Write back soon.
                              
Hermione
                              
It looked like the standard plea. He was thinking of all the ways he had said "no" so far and was trying to figure out which was best, when the telephone rang downstairs. It did not faze him. His aunt and uncle did not even let him answer the phone, for anyone, but this time...
                              
"HARRY!" his aunt's voice rang out through the house. 
                              
He immediately strained his ears to listen. 
                              
"Harry! Phone!" she shouted, but he did not answer. Then he heard her say, "I don't think he'll come down. What's your name? Ok, I'll tell him. Harry! It's Hermione!" she yelled. "He isn't coming down. He barely ever comes out...." 
                              
With that, Harry moved the dresser out of the way and opened the door quickly. He did not want Aunt Petunia to tell her anything else. 
                              
"Oh, here he is... amazingly," said Aunt Petunia, as she handed him the phone and walked away.
                              
"Hello?" said Harry, clearly dreading this conversation.
                              
"Hi, Harry, glad you came down. I see you're talking to your family as much as you are talking to us," Hermione said, bluntly through the receiver.
                              
"Yeah. What do you want?" he asked slightly worried, though he felt a little better once he heard her voice. However that feeling went away quickly, too.
                              
"I want to know why you aren't coming over to Ron's," she said, breathlessly.
                              
"I just got your letter. How do you know I wasn't coming?" Harry asked.
                              
"Harry, I'm not stupid. You have been sending the same response to all of us all summer, except to Ginny, who won't tell us what you wrote," she said irritably.
                              
"Good for her. You and Ron should mind your own business," he said, shortly, getting defensive.
                              
"Harry, we aren't trying to be nosy, we're trying to help. Why are you avoiding us?" she asked.
                              
"Maybe because you all kept bugging me every damn day to come over so you all can do it in person. If I wanted to talk to you guys I would," he said, abruptly.
                              
"We aren't going to badger you, Harry!" she said, irritated. "We want to see you, talk about other things. Play Quidditch, even. We'll be at the Burrow. All together as friends... with good food...."