# Ron-Weasly book 1. V2. Interludia 3

Аноним Горный-Цветок

Harry writes home to Aunt Petunia to buy him clothes, and she sends him a package.

Interlude 3. Harry's letter and Aunt Petunia's reply

The Gryffindor common room at Hogwarts, late autumn. It's snowing outside the windows, and a fire is crackling in the fireplace. Harry is sitting at the table, wrapped up in a robe and a wool sweater that Aunt Petunia gave him. He writes a letter, periodically rubbing his frozen fingers.

On the table is a sheet of parchment, torn off unevenly along the edge. The handwriting is a bit clumsy - it's obvious that Harry writes in a hurry and in the cold. And he still writes clumsily with a pen.

"Dear Aunt Petunia,

I hope you and Uncle Vernon are doing well, and Dudley isn't bothering you too much. I am writing to you with a small request. It gets very cold here at Hogwarts, especially when you go to herbology or caring for magical creatures classes. My regular trousers don't keep me warm at all, and my robe doesn't protect me from the wind.

Could you buy me some warm trousers at a second-hand store? I'm ready to work it out at home in the summer - I can help in the kitchen, wash dishes, clean the garden, do anything. I don't have Muggle money for new things, and I don't want to ask my friends.

Thanks a lot in advance.

Your nephew,

Harry"

Harry seals the envelope, ties it to Hedwig's leg, and watches as the bird flies off into the snowy gloom.

***

The Dursleys' kitchen, two days after the letter was sent. Petunia is standing at the stove, stirring the soup and frowning at the envelope lying on the table, which was brought by her nephew's snow-white owl.

Petunia mutters to herself

"Those owls again... As if you can't write normally, like a human being."

She reluctantly opens the letter, reads it, then reads it again. Her face softens for a moment, but she immediately frowns.

Petunia grumbles aloud, as if making excuses. Well of course. He'll freeze, catch a cold, then he'll hurt... and what should I do with him?

She puts down the letter, goes to the closet, takes out her wallet and counts the money.

"I won't tell Vernon. He'll just start grumbling about "those things of his.""

The next day, Petunia goes to the nearest second-hand store. She chooses for a long time, feels the fabric, meticulously examines every warm thing.

The seller politely offers to help.

"Are you looking for something specific?"

Petunia strictly:

"Warm trousers. For a teenager. To avoid blowing, getting wet, and stretching on your knees. And shoes. Winter ones. With a thick sole."

The seller nods and brings several options. Petunia chooses the tightest trousers - dark gray, with fleece lining - and sturdy winter boots with fur lining.

Petunia to herself

"Hopefully not small. Although ... if anything, it will be possible to twist."

"Would you like a pair of flannel shirts for the boy?"

"Yes, they won't be superfluous."

She pays for the purchase, packs her things into a large box, and puts a note on top:

"Harry,

I got your letter. Here are warm trousers, a pair of shirts and boots to keep warm. Be sure to wear it, especially in bad weather. In the summer, you will work in the kitchen, as promised - you will peel vegetables and set the table. And don't even think about giving up shirts because of the green color. Yes, you're in Gryffindor, I remember Lily saying that you like red, but what do shirts have to do with it?

Aunt Petunia"

The box is sent with his nephew's owl to Hogwarts. A smart bird, she realized when she was asked to wait. And it's good that she's so big, she was able to lift such a weight.

***

The Gryffindor common room, a few days later. Harry receives the package, opens it, and freezes.

Harry says softly, to himself

" Aunty..."

He pulls out trousers-thick, with a soft lining-and boots: sturdy, heavy, obviously worn, but in excellent condition. Trying on shirts. There's a note under them. Harry reads it, and a smile appears on his face.

I go over and look into the box.

"Wow! New clothes? And from where?"

Harry, still smiling

"From Aunt Petunia. Can you imagine? She sent warm trousers and boots. And a couple of warm shirts."

Hermione looked surprised.

"Really? But she's... never before...."

"Yes, I didn't expect it myself. Apparently, she's still... worried."

Harry runs his hand over the soft lining of his trousers, then carefully puts them back in the box.

Then he resolutely adds out loud:

"I'll definitely work in the summer. I'll peel all the vegetables she asks for. Even cut the hated bulbs. And... maybe I'll even help her with the garden."

Ron taps him on the shoulder.

"Well, now you definitely won't freeze. And the shirts are cool, don't look like they're green. You can wear any color of clothes under the mantle, the main thing is to tie a tie."