It was a bright summer day in Little Whinging, Surrey, and everything was normal. Or was it? On a normal road named Privet Drive, in a normal house which happened to be Number 4, there was a very abnormal boy staring out of the window into space. He had unruly, jet black hair, green eyes that were dull compared to the usual shocking colour they were, wire-rimmed glasses, and a lightening shaped scar on his forehead. This boy was Harry Potter, soon to be a 7th year student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Soon to be an adult in the Wizarding World, and more than he ever expected he would be.

He was currently staring at a speck of white in the distance against the black night, a snowy owl, which was flying towards him. As this owl grew nearer, he could see that she was carrying a letter and a package attached to her legs, and he smiled broadly. Harry stepped back from the window as the owl flew in and landed on his bed, hooting indignantly as Harry just stood there grinning.

"Thanks Hedwig." Harry said as he undid the package and letter, letting her fly into her cage for a well deserved rest and some water. He chucked in an owl treat as he sat on his bed, and looked at the package. He sighed as he recognised the writing as Mrs. Weasley's, and knew it would be a package of food. Picking up the letter first, he saw that it was Remus Lupin's writing, and opened it carefully.

Harry

How are you coping? I know that Albus' death has hit you hard during the last few weeks, and it is understandable. Everyone is at loss of what to do now that he is dead, and we have lost our top spy, and the Order is falling apart! Some think that you're not worth the protection we are giving you, so a few of us have had to do 24 hour shifts to watch over you.

I know you hate having guards, but it is for your own safety! Death Eater activity has increased drastically since Albus' murder and those of us who know the prophecy have protected you to the best of our abilities.

You will also hate to hear this, but it is NOT your fault! Albus petrified you to keep you safe, something he would never regret even in death, and something any of us would have done for you. We do not know what you were both up too, but a letter left to us told us it was a mission you must complete, and that we were to assist you as much as possible. It also said some other things, we will let you read it tomorrow.

Yes, Harry, we are coming for you tomorrow. Or today, if this reaches you after midnight. Be ready to leave at 9pm sharp, Molly sent enough food to last you the day. Do NOT leave your room except to go to the bathroom, we want to surprise your family and do not want any trouble! We will apparate directly into your room, pick you up, and leave, while Tonks will explain everything to them.

Have everything packed, time is short.

Your friend, I hope

Remus

Harry's smile grew wider as he read that he would be picked up that day, and opened the package, eating a muffin before stuffing the rest under the loose floorboard below his bed. He took his glasses off and laid down, staring at the ceiling as he methodically tried to clear his mind as described by the books Hermione had sent him on occlumency, and finally fell asleep.

****************

It was midday by the time Harry woke up, and he jumped out of bed grinning at the thought of leaving that night. He stretched his sore limbs and walked around the room, slowly gathering his belongings and putting them on the bed, before walking over to his trunk.

He dragged it to the middle of the room and opened it up, before taking everything out of it, and grabbing the rubbish bin. Slowly he started to pack his stuff again, his school stuff at the bottom, all the old rubbish went into the bin, and the books and any items he may need in a rush went in last.

By the time he had finished, while occasionally stopping for a drink or something to eat, it was 8pm and he only had an hour left to get ready. He quickly got dressed and laid down on the bed, staring at the ceiling and waiting for the pops that would indicate he was no longer alone in his room.

It felt like an eternity to Harry, as he lay there, but suddenly there were six small pops within his bedroom. Being on the cautious side, he jumped off his bed with his wand raised, and trained it on the face of Remus Lupin. Moody sent a nod at Harry as he saw this, but Harry just glared them all down.

"Headquarters?" That was all Harry spoke, hoping that Remus would catch on and identify himself as the real person. Remus hesitated slightly, looking at Moody who shrugged, before writing down on a piece of paper 'Sirius'.

This was all Harry needed to know, aware that saying it out loud was not a good idea, and knowing that writing down the address was not possible for Remus. He ran into Remus' arms, giving his parents friend a huge hug, clinging onto him as tears ran down his face.

Remus comforted him while looking over at Tonks, who turned away and walked out the room, withdrawing her wand as she went. Harry saw this and looked (up) at Remus, but he just shook his head, speaking softly to Harry.

"Later, we must leave now. It's not safe to travel via apparition or muggle methods, so we will have to take a portkey. Kingsley has got us an authorised portkey that somehow slipped through all the official channels. This will take us to Gringotts, where the Head Goblin needs to see you about your Potter inheritance, ok?"

Harry nodded and looked around, just realising who exactly had come to pick him up. In front of him was Remus Lupin, an old friend of the family. Moody was standing to his left, looking as alert as always as his eye spun wildly in its socket. Behind him was Kingsley, one of the Senior Aurors for the Ministry of Magic. Tonks had just come back, and was standing next to him, her being one of the Junior Aurors at the Ministry, although a formidable witch in her own rights. Harry also noticed Minerva McGonagall, his Transfiguration Professor and the temporary Headmistress of Hogwarts. He smiled at her as his eyes turned to the last person, someone he had never seen before.

Remus coughed slightly, getting Harry's attention as he held out a rope in front of him. Everyone grabbed a part of it, as Remus tapped it with his wand, making it glow bright blue. Harry took one last look around his room as Kingsley shrunk his trunk and empty owl cage; Hedwig had flown off to the Burrow earlier that day knowing Harry was being moved. He smiled as the portkey activated, dragging him into the nauseous swirl of light that would take him to Diagon Alley.

They all landed in front of Gringotts, and Remus quickly shooed Harry into the bank. They entered the dark atrium, Harry frowning as he saw only one goblin there. Immediately his questions were answered, as the doors slammed close, and some guards ran around the hall, getting into a protective stance around the bank and the lone goblin stepped forward.

"Mr Potter, I am Gralt Greyner, Director of Gringotts and Head of the Goblin Nation. I would like to thank you for coming at such short notice. I would also like to warn you that the bank is in lockdown for your protection, never has a double lordship taken place in our halls in such dangerous times. Follow me, please." Gralt turned around and walking towards the double doors at the back of the atrium, leaving Harry gob-smacked and wondering what the hell a double lordship could be.

A/N: Thanks to Jerry who edited for me. Minor grammatical, spelling and structure mistakes has been fixed, made it more consistent. Thanks! -Dave