Background: Harry is sinking into a depression after his godfather's death because of guilt and is cutting himself of from his friends. Until something happens on his birthday and the magical world is never the same again. Harry/Hermione, Powerful Harry, Independent Harry, Dumbledore and Weasley bashing to lesser degree.

Pairing: Harry/Hermione

Age: Mature, violence, a few sex scenes, curse words

AN: This is a story with Harry receiving powers and becoming very independent. Harry/Hermione is the only planned paring at the moment and there will be some small Weasley bashing and also Dumbledore bashing to some degree. Not evil or twisted or anything, just him being somewhat manipulative and Ron and Ginny being jealous such.

Prologue:

In the smallest bedroom on Private Drive 4 a fairly short and scrawny boy slept. He had black hair and bright green eyes, but what he was known for was the lightning shaped scar on his forehead. Harry Potter was lying awake as usual not the least aware what the night would bring, and that it would change the course of the magic world and his life in the most incredible ways. But for now, it was the 11.57pm on 30th of July and in three minutes he would be sixteen years old.

The summer had been one of the worst in his life so far and that was saying something. Pained by guilt over his part in his godfather's death he had closed himself off emotionally from everyone else. His friends had written several times in the past month, but he couldn't bring himself to answer them. A part of him felt like he didn't deserve to have their friendship after what he had done. Not only had he been the cause of Sirius death, but also he had led his best friends into a hostile situation that nearly got all of them killed.

Hermione had been injured the worst of them all after the curse by Dolohov, needing several different potions for weeks after what happened. Despite being injured she still spent all of her time trying to help Harry…no, he didn't deserve her friendship. He remembered her latest letter that he had received just three days ago.

Dear Harry,

I know you are hurting a lot after what happened, but you have to realise that we don't blame you! None of us do, you are our friend and we came with you to help, because we wanted to. I'm sure you are lying in bed all day and beating yourself down over everything and it has to stop. Sirius death isn't your fault, it was Bellatrix who did it, she cast the curse. Please Harry, write something, I'm worried about you.

Love Hermione

He tried to write something back, but every time he started a letter he just blanked out and finally he decided he would answer after his birthday. At least he would have something useful to write then. She was right though, the only thing he was doing was lying in bed all day listening to Aunt Petunia complaining and thinking about how lousy his life was, and the prophecy of course. The damn prophecy that had sealed his faith, how could he possibly dream of defeating Voldemort, the most powerful dark wizard in several hundred years.

Still, the days where better than the nights…because night meant sleeping, and sleeping meant horrible nightmares about a veil and his godfather. If only he could talk to him one more time. If only he could find a way to fulfill the prophecy without dying. If only he could talk to his friends without feeling guilty. If only…he could live his life. The clock switched over to 0.00 and a bright light suddenly appeared from inside him and started beating in a pulsing light of all colours. Panicked he stood up quickly knocking over the lamp next to his bed with a crash. Normally he would be worried that this would awaken the Dursley's, but he had bigger issues at the moment.

However, as fast as the panic had settled in he felt a comforting and powerful presence in the light, and he immediately felt peaceful with himself. A few seconds later the light increased in power and he passed out.