A/N: These are not my characters, they are J.K.R.'s and she owns all rights. The plot is mine.

Hello, I'm Brittany. I used to have quite a few stories up here but I gave up on them after awhile. This one ought to be really good, it will be my version of book 7. I hope you all enjoy and feel free to comment. Constructive criticism is encouraged! Also if you have not read the 6th book you will most certainly be confused!

Chapter 1: The Final Time

As promised, Harry had returned to the Dursley's for his last time. He had no particular feeling about this, but the Dursleys could barely supress their glee. Having Harry gone from the house permanantly meant no more odd things happening in their household. True, the majority of the things Harry did weren't his fault; Dudley's tongue, the pudding on the floor, the Dementors that had been in Little Whinging last year. The Dursleys were quite keen to be back to normal after seventeen years of keeping their dark secret quiet.

During the drive home from King's Cross, Uncle Vernon gave Harry a question that he had not formed an answer to yet.

"So..er... that man last summer said you'd be here one last time. When do you leave?" he asked in an oddly hopeful tone.

Harry had his forhead pressed against the window, staring at the trees flashing by.

"Dunno.. I don't know where to go exactly."

"Well you won't be welcome here, you ought to know that," said Uncle Vernon, returning to his usual manner.

Harry had his ideas, mind you. Like he had said to Hermione and Ron, he wanted to return to Godric's Hollow. But what was he looking for? Did he really think his old house would still be lying amongst a pile of rubble? And he still had the thoughts of the Horcruxes racing through his mind. The locket..the cup..the snake.. something of Gryffindor or Ravenclaw's.

Hermione was right; Voldemort was at the core of all of this. It was he, Harry, who would have to stop it. Harry looked blankly out the window at passersby and realized they were already pulling up into the driveway. He pulled his luggage out of the trunk and wasted no time once he was back "home". He did not bother to unpack his things. There was really no need to bring out the spellbooks, the quills, and especially the calendar he always marked the days off of until his return to Hogwarts. Hogwarts was no longer a place of solitude to him, a place to feel safe. Dumbledore had always represented a figure of security to Harry. Just like Sirius. Harry saw no point in returning; he had all he needed to know.

He set Hedwig down on his dresser and fed her a few owl treats. He sat down at his desk and thought, staring into the darkening sky. He opened the drawer and found some spare parchment left behind along with a quill. He pulled two sheets out and started writing a letter to Ron first;

I'd like to come back to the Burrow in a few days. Is there any way that you could come and get me? I want Hermione to come, too, if she can. After that we can decide what to do from there.

Harry

Harry did not know what else to include as he had not decided what to do. He thought hard about what would be best, and then pulled out the other sheet and wrote to Hermione.

Hermione, is there any way that you can come to the Burrow? We all need to meet and decide what to do. I think I'd like to go back to Godric's Hollow, then perhaps Grimmauld Place. Write me back please.

Harry

He laid down on his bed and stared at the ceiling. He could hear the T.V. downstairs while Uncle Vernon criticized the program. Aunt Petunia was in the kitchen because he could hear the clinking of dishes and silverware. He had no idea where Dudley was, nor did he care. Probably out with his gang. Harry decided to go downstairs and do something that could be considered either stupid or bold. Or both.

He stepped slowly down the stairs and went into the kitchen where Aunt Petunia was chopping celery. She did not glance at him.

"Er..Aunt Petunia..I wanted to ask you a question..." he started awkwardly.

"Well, what is it?" she answered briskly.

"You know when my mum moved out? Into Godric's Hollow?"

She absently dropped the knife and closed her eyes. He knew she did not like talking about her sister.

"Yes, I know. What about it?"

"I want to know where it is."

Petunia stood there a long time, a thought of deep concentration. He knew she was probably trying to remember, as this was a long time ago.

" I'm not sure. I never went to visit her. Why?" she snapped.

"I want to go there. Do you at least know which part of the country?"

"Wales. Now leave me alone".

Harry had retrieved the smallest bit of information he could have recieved from her. He doubted he would get much more. He turned on his heel and went back to his room. Hedwig should be back tomorrow morning with luck. Harry wanted to leave as soon as possible.

He thought that although Dumbledore never said to tell the other members of the Order about the Horcruxes, it might be necessary. He needed all the help he could get. He laid down on his bed again and stared into the Hedwig-less sky. His eyes closed uncontrollably and he lulled into a sleep, waiting for Hedwig.