Title: Redemption

Rating: T for language, suggested sexual situations, and a little bit of violence

Summary: Harry returns to Hogwarts for his final year. He makes new friends and learns the power of forgiveness and love. He learns to make peace with his past and accepts the responsibilities of the prophecy. One hero may have fallen but Harry rises higher and stronger than ever before.

Spoiler Warning: HBP

Disclaimer: Let me tell you, I own everything and yet I write fanfiction. Yep, that's likely. I own nothing, nada, zip, zilch.

Author's Note: This is my first fan fic so I don't want flames. Constructive criticism appreciated. The story is a little slow to begin with but the pace picks up quickly. Please R&R. I have the first couple of chapters written so I will upload if I get at least 5 reviews. Oh, I need a beta so let me know if u want to beta for me. I'll beta for you if you want. I'm American so please forgive me if what I say isn't in the correct British terminology.

Marauders Forever

Harry had arrived back from school in his worst state ever. For the first week, he had stayed almost entirely in his room. Occasionally he made his presence known, but he was moody, depressed, and silent.

At the beginning of the second week, Harry decided that he'd had enough. He packed his trunk, attatched it to his broom, and flew out the window. Before he left, he wrote a short note of explanation to the Dursley's.

Dear Dursley's,

I've left. I'm coming back so don't start celebrating yet.

I've gone for a breather on my broom. I'll be back soon.

Your grateful nephew,

Harry Potter

Harry flew for what seemed like hours. Harry flew with no destination in mind, and only landed when he was hungry. The town he landed in was small, quaint and, sleepy.

Harry landed in a large clearing in the middle of a forest. He stashed his broom and trunk inside of a hollow opening in a gigantic, antique looking oak. He found a little used trail, and followed it out of the woods.

After Harry exited the woods, he walked to the town square. Once there, he received the shock of his life in the form of a monument. The statue was made of black granite and stood at slightly over 8 feet(2 ½ yards I think).The figure was of a man in a cloak. He wore a pointed hat and, and held a wand aloof. Harry looked into the statue's eyes, they seemed to twinkle uncannilally like Dumbledore's. Harry felt his eyes begin to sting, so he dropped his gaze to the man's feet. The man wore buckled boots much like Dumbledore's. Harry wondered if he would ever find a place that wasn't full of painful memories.

Harry, not wanting to see anymore of the figure that reminded him so much of Dumbledore, dropped his gaze to the pedestal that the figure stood on. The base read: Godric Gryffindor is probably one of the greatest men to ever live. In his lifetime, Gryffindor helped found Hogwarts, a school for young witches and wizards. He and his friends, Salazar Slytherin, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Helga Hufflepuff lead many dark wizards to their downfall. Gryffindor was brave and noble, he worked hard to maintain peace. His legacy has withstood the test of time, thus the name of this beloved town, Godric's Hollow.

Harry stood silently in awe after he finished reading the plaque on the pedestal. He realized that the people in this town not only knew who Godric Gryffindor was, but they knew that magic existed. He was curious as to whether the residents of Godric's Hollow actually believed in magic.

"I take it you're new around here?" Harry turned around to see a boy about his age, standing behind him.

"No I'm not from around here, I'm from Surrey. This statue, do you believe what it says?"

"Yes, most people around here do. I suppose you must find it shocking that we believe in magic around here?"

"A bit shocking, yes. Do you have any proof? I mean, are there witches and wizards here?"

"We have lots of books that tell of the magic that once happened here. Gryffindor's personal library is part of the town's library. There hasn't been any magic here in years. The last time there was any sign of it was on Halloween, 16 years ago. They say a dark wizard snuck into the Potter's house, the mystery was how he found it. Apparently he wanted to kill their son, but he was just a baby at the time. The dark wizard (his name was Voldemort), met James Potter at the base of the stairs. They dueled, but Voldemort got the better of poor James. He was young too, just 21 years old. So Voldemort walked, well more like glided up the stairs. There he found Lily, she was just about to fetch her son, Harry. He told her to move aside, she refused. Voldemort killed her, she never stood a chance. Then Voldemort moved to kill Harry. He sent a killing curse at the baby, but somehow the curse miraculously rebounded towards Voldemort. They say that Voldemort was stripped of his body, but his soul wasn't destroyed. The house was in ruins, but a giant showed up. Shortly afterwards, a handsome figure showed up on a flying motor bike. When he saw the house, he sat down on the curb and cried. The giant came out with baby Harry in his arms, and the giant comforted the poor fellow. Apparently Lily and James had been two of his closest friends. Anyway, Sirius I think his name was, begged the giant to give Harry to him. The giant refused, he had orders to bring him to someone else. Sirius offered the giant his motor bike. After the giant left, Sirius yelled, somewhat hysterically "Lily and James, your sacrifices have not been in vain. They will be revenged." Then he disappeared with a pop. There haven't been any witches or wizards here since the Potters' deaths. But you can still feel the magic living in this place, waiting for someone." He dropped his voice even lower, and leaned in closer. "The question is who? I'm Arthur, by the way." He said breaking the moment.

After Arthur finished his story, Harry was silent for several minutes. He was lost in memories, memories that he didn't remember having. Finally Harry pulled himself back to the present.

"Can you take me to the graveyard please?" Harry asked.

"Sure follow me. The called the baby, The-Boy-Who-Lived you know. Strange name if you ask me. Isn't it incredible that magic really exists? I reckon Voldemort's behind all the mysterious attacks that have been happening of late. The adults say it's codswollop. But the children agree with me and my friends. Our parents all say that we're chasing some stupid legend, but I know that we're right. After all why would that monument have been made if Godric Gryffindor hadn't lived, and done all those things. They're too old, they think it's just some childish fairytale. But I know they just don't want to believe that there's a war going on. Adults can be so ignorant sometimes. They never trust us with the truth, they act like we can't handle it. Do you know what I mean?"

"Yea, I know what you mean."

Harry was convinced that Arthur desperately wanted someone to confirm his beliefs. After all it was nice to know that what you believe isn't utter rubbish. Harry was broken out of his revery by Arthur's voice.

"Here we are."

"Thanks Arthur maybe I'll see you again sometime." Harry briefly considered confirming Arthur's beliefs but he decided against it. No one should be unnecessarally burdened with the thoughts of war.

Harry waited until Arthur was heading down the lane, before he began his quest to find his parents graves. He slowly perused through the headstones, looking for the names Lily and James Potter. Harry thought he'd found his mother's grave when he saw the name Lily. His heart began to beat rapidly. But upon futher inspection it was Lily Patterson, evidently this wasn't his mother's grave. His heart fell, and he became despondent.

He continued his quest. Finally he found the graves of Lily and James Potter. His mother's grave read: Lily Potter, loving mother, beloved wife, cherished sister, and irreplaceable friend. Forever R.I.P. 1960-1981 "The only limit on your abilities is your own determination."

Harry smiled. The quote for some reason really hit home. Harry then continued on to read his father's grave. James Potter, beloved father, loving husband, cherished friend, and loyal Marauder. R.I.P. Eternally. 1960-1981 "Marauder's Forever."

Harry sunk to his knees and cried. His father's gravestone represented the man that his father had been. Harry realized that he had never really mourned his parents deaths. He wasn't just crying for his parents, he was crying for Cedric, Sirius, Dumbledore, and everyone else who had given their lives so that good might prevail.

Harry didn't know why, but at that moment he fully accepted his destiny. With his mother's words ringing in his head, he rose from the ground. Harry squared his shoulders, and stuck out his chin defiantly. Harry walked out of the graveyard, head held high, and proud. His eyes were still misty, but Harry was determined. He was going to defeat Voldemort, once and for all.

7777777

Harry wiped the last traces of tears from his eyes. He wandered through the village looking for Arthur. He wanted to tell him that magic existed, and that Godric Gryffindor had indeed been a real person. Then he would fly to the Weasley's, and stay there till Bill and Fleur's wedding.

Harry found Arthur in the square, surrounded by people. The group of people appeared to be his friends. Harry walked towards them.

"Did you find who you were looking for?" Arthur questioned. His group of friends turned to Harry questioningly.

"Yea, thanks. Before I left, I figured that there were a few things that I ought to tell you." Arthur and his friends stared at Harry expectantly.

"Well, erm, you see, magic is erm, well real and…" But before Harry could finish, he was interrupted by Arthur and his friends bursting into excited conversation. Finally Arthur managed to quiet his friends so Harry could continue what he was saying.

"Sorry, continue. What's your name, I don't think you ever said?"

Harry took a deep breath, "I'm Harry Potter, I'm The-Boy-Who-Lived, the baby from the story. Lily and James Potter were my parents. You were right, Voldemort is behind all the attacks, and disappearances. Hogwarts really is a school for witches and wizards, I go there. Voldemort has gotten his body back, and now he's trying to rid the world of muggles (non-magic people), and muggleborns."

They just stared at him in awe. Finally one of the girls, who introduced her self as Ingrid (Grid for short), found her voice. "Are you helping to fight Voldemort?"

"Yes." Harry answered. "It's my destiny to destroy him."

After many more questions, the long discussion was complete. Harry was finally able to leave. "I'll come back I promise. Do me a favor, and keep track of muggle disappearances and accidents. Oh, and make sure you record where they happen."

Harry waved good-bye. He vaguely wondered if he had broken the Stature for Secrecy. He dismissed the thought. I've done worse things anyway. He slowly walked towards the big oak. His arms were laden with books that Arthur and his friends had insisted that he take. He recalled what Arthur said. "After all," said Arthur. "You need them far more than the library does. In there they're just collecting dust. Hardly anyone reads them anyway.

Harry retrieved his broom and trunk. He placed the books in his trunk, and he took out his invisibility cloak. Once he made sure that the cloak was securely fastened, he mounted his broom. Harry found himself a comfortable position, and then he took off for the Burrow. He figured that he'd get there just in time for dinner.

Author's Note: Thanks for reading, now do me one small teensy, weensy, little favor. Review. I'll give you cyber cookies (lets smell waft towards readers). You could make my day. My offers are so tempting aren't they? Lol. This is going to be a pretty long story so bear with me. I'm starting school soon, but I'll try really hard to update often. Once a week at least.