Harry Potter and the War against Voldemort

Chapter 1: Trouble at Number Four Privet Drive

It was a quiet night at Number Four Privet Drive. Everyone was asleep, except for one person. This boy who still lay awake was Harry Potter, the boy who lived. He laid awake writing letters to his two best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. He wanted to keep in touch with them as much as possible. He wanted to know about the plans for Bill and Fleur's wedding. Harry had to tell them that he had finally made his decision. He wasn't going back to Hogwarts if it reopened at the beginning of September. He had told them this at the end of school year at Dumbledore's funeral. Harry could just tell what they were going to say to him. Ron would have said something like, "I understand mate and would be there with you to help you, but my mum would never let me. She would have a fit and tie me up and send me to Hogwarts if she had to." Hermione would have said something like, "Harry, you know you can't do that. School is very important! Especially now when this will be our last year, and have N.E.W.T.S coming up." But he didn't get either of these responses from his friends. Instead they said that they would be there with him every step and would always be there to help him.

Dear Ron,

How is everything going? How's Ginny doing? I hope she still isn't too upset with me. How is Fred and George's shop? What about Bill and Fleur? How are the wedding plans going? Well, I just wanted to tell you that I have made my decision. I will not be going back to Hogwarts if it reopens. I need to give all my time to finding and destroying the Horcruxes. I know that you will understand. I know you want to help, but I don't want to risk you getting hurt. I know you won't understand and that won't stop you. But your mum certainly will. She will have a fit and will forbid you from not going back to Hogwarts. Besides, this is something I was meant to do. Besides, it's best if you aren't put in danger and finish school and your N.E.W.T.S. I'll be coming to the Burrow as soon as I turn of age. Write to me if there are any changes with the wedding plans.

Harry

Dear Hermione

Hey Hermione. I hope you are fine. I just wanted you to know that I have made my decision and will not be going back to Hogwarts. I know that this is the best decision. I know that you want me to stay and finish my last year and my N.E.W.T.S. But I need to do this Hermione. It's for the best. I need to destroy those Horcruxes. I know that's what Dumbledore would have wanted. I promise that I will keep in touch with you as much as possible. I know that you will do just fine with your N.E.W.T.S. Oh, and one more thing. If you find any useful books on horcruxes, please send them to me. I'll see you at Bill and Fleur's wedding, or probably sooner.

Harry

Harry put his letters in envelopes and sealed them up. "Here Hedwig, I have a job for you to do." Harry said as he tied the envelopes around Hedwig's feet. "I know you're tired of being cooped up in here. I'm sorry, but it's only a few more weeks before we leave here for good." Harry said as he stroked his owl and gave her a treat. "I want you to give these to Ron and Hermione." He opened the window and watched his owl fly out into the night sky.

When Harry woke up the next morning, Hedwig still hadn't returned. He figured either Ron or Hermione was keeping Hedwig with them since there letters had arrived late at night. They would probably send her back in the morning with there responses.

Harry walked downstairs to go get some breakfast. He was surprised that nobody else was up. This was odd. Usually Aunt Petunia was cooking breakfast for everyone, Uncle Vernon was reading the morning paper, and Dudley was shoving food down his mouth and watching TV. But no one was down here. They were usually up by now. Harry went over to the refrigerator and found a letter written from his aunt.

Your uncle and I have taken Dudley to his school where the Principal wanted to have a meeting with us and Dudley. We have already eaten breakfast. Find something to make for yourself, as long as you don't burn the house down. Actually, it's better if you just wait until lunch to eat. I'm not sure if I can trust.

Harry laughed to himself as he finished the letter. Dudley's principal probably wanted to tell Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia what a horrible, dreadful son they have. They would probably say he was, "Unbearable, horrible, disrespectful, uncooperative, misbehaved, and a disgrace to the schools." But of course, Vernon and Petunia thought that Dudley's principal wanted to tell them what a "smart, excellent, most well behaved student they've ever had at their school." Harry also laughed at Petunia's not trusting him to cook a meal without burning the house down. She even believed he could ruin the house just when he made cereal.

A few hours later Hedwig returned with two letters tied around he feet. They had to be the responses from Ron and Hermione. Hedwig flew onto Harry's shoulder. He stroked her as he untied the letters from her feet. "Good girl Hedwig." He said and gave her a treat. Harry opened the letters. He decided to read Ron's first.

Dear Harry,

I'm doing just fine, and so is everyone else, including Ginny. Yeah, she's still a little upset about your break up with her, but she doesn't hate or isn't mad at you or anything else like that. Fred and George's shop is doing just as fine as it has been. And Fred and George are.., well, there Fred and George. The wedding plans are going okay I guess. I don't really have anything to do with them though, except keep you and Hermione updated. Bill and Fleur are over almost every day. It's a bit annoying actually. But, yeah, I figured that would be your decision. And I just want to let you know, I'm willing to risk my life to help you. You should know that by now. Yes, my mum will not be very happy, and she will have a fit, but when you think about it, she can't stop me. I mean, I am of age now. Besides, N.E.W.T.S aren't that important (Hermione will kill me if I tell her that). There are more important things. Well then, I guess I will see you in a few weeks.

Ron

Harry then went to read Hermione's letter.

Dear Harry,

I have just received your letter. I must say that I wasn't surprised with your decision. Also, I know that you aren't ready to go back to school after Professor Dumbledore's death. I am a little disappointed though. I really think we should finish our last year at Hogwarts and finish our N.E.W.T.S. I understand that these horcruxes must be destroyed. And I just want you to know Harry that I will be there to help you. I know Ron will be there too. And you're right; Dumbledore would have wanted you to finish his task. I know that N.E.W.T.S are important and that I should stay and take them, as should you, but no Harry, I want to help you. This task is more important than N.E.W.T.S. I promised you at Headmaster's funeral that I would always be there to help you. I'm not breaking my promise. I will always be there for you Harry. I am looking for some books about horcruxes, but I haven't found much yet. Oh, and Harry, I think you should tell Professor McGonagall or Professor Lupin about these Horcruxes. I'm sure that they can be a lot of help.

Love Hermione

Harry was very thankful that he had his two best friends. He was glad he could always trust them and count on them to be there for him. But he didn't want to put them in danger, he just couldn't. He wouldn't be able to stand it if one of them or both of them got killed. He didn't want to risk their lives for something he needed to do. He was actually surprised with Hermione's response. She said that she was not going to go back to school even though this was their last year and they had N.E.W.T.S. Harry went running upstairs and got out a quill and a piece of parchment. He immediately started writing to Hermione.

Dear Hermione,

I have just received your response. I must say that I don't think you should come with me. Neither should Ron. It's just not a good idea. Voldemort will just try and kill you to weaken and get to me. Besides, I don't want to risk your life. I don't think I would be able to live without you and Ron. I just couldn't stand it if you died. I was barely able to hold it together that night at the Department of Mysteries when you were hit by that curse. I thought you were dead. I couldn't stand it. I don't want to loose you Hermione. Besides, you need to go back to Hogwarts. You need to take your N.E.W.T.S. Hogwarts wouldn't be the same without you there. I know everyone will miss you. Plus, you have a very good chance of being Head Girl. I know you can do it Hermione. I know you can.

Harry

Harry then took out another piece of parchment and wrote to Ron

Dear Ron,

I have gotten your letter. I think you should go back to school. You should take your N.E.W.T.S. It's probably what's best for you. Besides, I don't want to risk your life. I don't want to see you die. I wouldn't be able to live if you were to die. You and Hermione need to go back to school. I don't want Voldemort to use you to get to me. And yes, N.E.W.T.S. are important. And yes, some things may be more important (Hermione even thinks so). But N.E.W.T.S are important for you, and if you want to become an Auror then you need to take your N.E.W.T.S. I know you've always wanted to be an Auror. And I know you will be a good one too. So, I'll see you soon.

Harry

Harry sealed his letters in envelopes and tied them around Hedwig's feet. "I want you to go back and deliver these to Ron and Hermione. At least you have something to do now." Harry gave Hedwig a treat. "For these next few weeks, you're going to be really busy." Harry opened the window and watched Hedwig fly away again.

Around noon, Dudley and his parents arrived home. Dudley wasn't in a good mood, which wasn't a surprise. Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon didn't seem so happy either. Harry thought whether it would be okay to ask what happened, although he thought he already knew the answer.

"Those stupid school people are unbelievable!" Dudley exclaimed, punching the wall.

"Yes, I know Dudleykins." Aunt Petunia said.

"How dare they say that about my son!" Uncle Vernon roared. "They should be happy to have you as a student! You're better than all those other kids, that's for sure!"

"Yeah! I'm a lot smarter than them too!" Dudley said.

"How dare they call you an, "Uncooperative, misbehaved, intolerable, disrespectful, and inconsiderate" person!"

"I hate those people! I hate them all!" Dudley screamed.

"May I ask what happened?" Harry asked, trying not to sound sarcastic.

"You're just waiting to laugh at me, aren't you?" Dudley asked, throwing Harry an evil glance.

"No, I was just asking."

"It's none of your business boy!" Uncle Vernon said. "Now go make me some lunch."

"Yes sir." Harry said.

"And how dare they say our Dudlekins won't be able to get into college."

"Yeah, I have a better chance than all those other brats in getting into college!"

"Of course you do sweetie."

"I'm a lot smarter than them all!"

"What are they then, lamp posts?" Harry said sarcastically.

"What did you say boy?" Uncle Vernon asked, turning slightly red.

"I think you heard me." Harry said.

"How dare you say that to me!" Uncle Vernon roared, completely red now.

"And to me!" Dudley said. He had his fists clenched and was about to attack Harry.

"I wouldn't do that if I was you." Harry said.

"Yeah, why not?" Dudley asked.

"Because I might just have to use some magic on you."

"You wouldn't dare!" Dudley seemed a bit frightened now.

"He won't because he can't use magic out of school! Not until you turn of age!" Uncle Vernon exclaimed. Harry pulled out his wand, and pointed it at Dudley. Aunt Petunia shrieked. "Yeah, who's gonna stop me? I'm not going back to school this year, so they can't expel me." Harry said, walking closer to Dudley.

"You're not going back to school? What the hell do you think you're going to do? You certainly can't stay here all year! I won't allow it!"

"I don't want to stay here, and I won't. As soon as I turn of age, I'm gone, for good! And I'll never come back either!"

"That's perfect because we never want to see you again anyways!" Uncle Vernon roared.

"Great, then this works out for everyone!" Harry said. "However, I can still use a curse on Dudley."

"You get away from my son this instant!" Uncle Vernon roared.

"Make me!" Harry shouted, and then pointed his wand at his uncle. "You have treated me like shit for the past 17 years. You've locked me up; you've given me days without food, hell, all these years have been child abuse. And I'm sick of it, and have been for as long as I can remember. Now, I think it's time I give you what you deserve!"

"You wouldn't." Uncle Vernon said. He didn't sound angry, but scared.

"I would. And I think I should use the killing curse." But Harry found that he couldn't use the killing curse. Actually, he found that he couldn't use any curse at all. He couldn't bring himself to murder his uncle. He didn't want to be a murderer. But now he didn't know how he would kill Voldemort. Harry hadn't realized that he had lowered his wand. Harry came back to reality when uncle Vernon had grabbed him and shoved him against the wall. He had hit the wall pretty hard.

"How dare you threaten me and my son!" Uncle Vernon screamed, his face turning bright red. "How dare you nearly kill us!"

"I'm sorry." Harry said, but knew that sorry wasn't going to help. "I wasn't thinking."

"Sorry? Sorry! You say you're sorry! That won't cut it boy!"

"Well, maybe you deserved it! Maybe it should have straightened you up a bit!" Harry didn't think before saying this. He knew this made things worse.

"Go to your room this instant!" Uncle Vernon roared. "You shall have no dinner tonight or any other meal for the rest of this week!"

"You're going to starve me?" Harry said. He had been locked in his room without a meal or two before, but a whole week's meal?

"That's right, you heard me! If you don't like it, then why don't you just leave? That might be better anyways. So, go, leave! Get out of my house!"

"Fine, I'll leave!" Harry said and stormed out of the room. As soon as he got to the staircase he stopped. He had just remembered what Dumbledore had told him when he came to get him last summer. "Next summer, you will only need to stay here until you turn of age. Then, you are free to leave and not come back." Harry promised Dumbledore that he would stay until his seventeenth birthday. He couldn't break his promise to Dumbledore. He just couldn't. Harry walked back to the kitchen. "Just let me stay until I turn of age. I promised Dumble….uhh… I promised a friend that I would stay until my birthday. Please, it's only for a week." Harry never thought that he would say these words. It was a while before he got his response. "Fine, you can stay until you're birthday. But we want you gone exactly on your birthday. No exceptions. You are grounded for this week and are to stay locked in your room. If you use any sort of magic to unlock your day and get out, you will be locked in your room until your birthday with no meals at all. Is that clear?" It was Aunt Petunia who said this.

"Yes." Harry responded.

"Okay, now go up to your room this instant." His aunt said. Vernon, I want to talk to you in the living room." Harry immediately went upstairs to his room. His aunt had followed him so she could lock his door. Before she locked the door, she said that she would give him small portions of breakfast and dinner only, no lunch. She also said that the only exceptions for letting him out of his room were for him to go to the bathroom. "You better behave yourself boy." She said as she locked the door.