Title: Harry Potter and the Journey of Hope

Author: xXkraziefaerieXx

Concerns: There are Half Blood Prince Spoilers

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. They are all property of J.K. Rowling.

Chapter 1---Back to the Burrow

The death of Albus Dumbledore seemed to be the only thing running through the pages of every paper in the Wizard world; from the Daily Prophet to the Quibbler. The news concerning whether Hogwarts should remain open or not were still in debating but everyone knew that it would be close until the war came to an end. It had been a week since all the students left the school and the weather had grew hotter and more humid as summer came creeping in between the sobers. The breeze was thin and weak as thought it felt the sadness that roamed through the blood of those today. But Harry Potter no longer held onto the past. Now that his Headmaster was gone, the road became clearer to him each and every minute. He now knew what he had to do and what he must do for the sake of other lives.

As the warmth of the sun came slowly in through the open windows, Harry choose those few belongings that he loved the most and packed them neatly into his school bag. He packed in his Invisibility Cloak that he received 7 years ago. Along with it, he picked out a few pairs of pants to change into, shirts, and under clothing.

Ron and Hermione hadn't written to him since they left school and he wondered why. What was it that kept them from writing to him? Did they want to avoid him now that he found his road? Are they going to back out? Wait…of course they won't, Harry thought viciously. Ron and Hermione had always stayed true to their words and they would still stay true to their words. He found the Marauder's Map and tucked it in his bag along with the message he and Dumbledore had gotten form Voldemort's cave and along with the knife Sirius had given him 2 years ago. Sirius…

Harry sat their on the bed and continuously stared to the knife as though it was an interesting object. Thinking of Sirius caused a soaring pain in his stomach and it stayed there. Everyone he loved was slipping away from him in just a blink. Why do I have to live like this? Harry thought angrily remembering of all those that passed away all because of Voldemort. His dad, his mum, Sirius, and now…Dumbledore. And it was the thought of revenged that speeded up his packing. Harry quickly sealed his bag and put it over his shoulder as he grabbed his wand.

He walked quietly down the stairs as though someone was home but there were really no one home. The Dursleys had attended a ceremony for Dudley. Harry didn't understand why anyone would award Dudley, unless it's for being the biggest muggle git. When he reached the living room he took his wand, grabbed a old of Hedwig's cage, and apparated to the Burrow and once again…he felt that dark sickening feeling as he was going into a very narrow area. After what seemed like a long time, Harry appeared on a hilltop where he can see the Burrow from his view.

He took a deep breath and smiled. The Burrow always gave him a happy sensation. It was filled with everything in the world; family. It was mid afternoon and he can still hear the birds singing somewhere nearby but he couldn't spot them. He jumped up happily and started walking quickly towards the Burrow. He felt reborn, re-new, and most of all happiness. His spirits we're being lifted and even right now…he felt as though the wind had picked up its pace and now was washing away his torture.

He was so full of excitement that he hadn't realized until he nearly bumped into the figure that now stood facing him. Her hair was strangling as usual. She wore a white t-shirt with black polka dots that almost reached her knees and wore a pair of orange jeans. She wore an old butterbeer cap necklace along with bright red earrings made of cherries. She had her wand tucked behind her right ear and her hands we're occupied with 4 daisies that we're dead.

"Hello Harry," she smiled dreamily looking at him with her protuberant eyes.

Harry seemed uneasy. Luna had always been called "Looney" or "strange" but seeing her out of school was stranger than everything. Especially the way she dressed and accessorized, Harry thought.

"Uh…hi Loon-Luna," Harry said uncertain.

"Visiting Ronald, I suppose," she asked.

Harry now wished he hadn't come at this time. He never really did feel comfortable with Luna, except for last year but now they were alone and Ron or Hermione were not with him.

"Yeah…" Harry said as he took a look at the dead daisies in her small thin hands, "Luna…what are you doing with those dead daises?"

She chuckled, "Oh…I'm going to rest them in peace. It seemed they have caught the Brackious and so…I want to give them their farewells…"

Harry looked at her oddly and found this ludicrous, "Well…I got to get going."

"Yes…you should," she said vaguely, "Good bye Harry."

And she left heading the direction Harry came from.

Did Luna live around here? If not, what is she doing here? Brackious? He had never heard of them and thought it must be one of her and her dad's imaginary creatures. Harry shrugged and continues walking quickly until he reached the Burrow.

He gave a quick loud knock.

"W-Who's there?" a shaky voice that belonged to Mrs. Weasley answered from inside.

"It's Harry," Harry answered.

"Harry? Well…if you're Harry then answer this question first. Where---"

"Who's R.A.B.?" another voice interrupted.

"What?" Harry was confused. He didn't know who R.A.B. was.

"Uh…I don't know," he said hoping it was the correct answer.

"Ron…stop that will you." Mrs. Weasley said seriously as Ron opened the door.

"Mum thought you were some deatheater," Ron joked as he took a bite of what seemed to be a biscuit.

Harry couldn't help but laugh at Mrs. Weasley's concern.

"Ron…he could have been," Mrs. Weasley said walking closer to Harry, "Harry, dear. It's so good to see you! You haven't told us that you would be coming."

"Sorry…I kind of didn't have time," Harry lied.

"It's ok Harry," Ron said happily from the side.

"What's important is that you got here safely," Mrs. Weasley said crushing Harry into a hug.

He couldn't breathe but he didn't want to be rude. He gave Ron an evil glare seeing that Ron seemed to be enjoying himself to see Harry suffer from his mum.

"Now…come on in the kitchen and I'll cook you something, dear. You look awfully thin," Mrs. Weasley said releasing him.

Harry fixed his glasses, "Yeah…"

"Ron…take Harry up will you," Mrs. Weasley smiled and walked into the kitchen.

"Come on Harry." Ron said as they climbed the stairs holding Hedwig, "Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

"I didn't want to bother you guys," Harry said following Ron into his room.

It was just as he remembered it and he loved being in here.

"So…when's the wedding?" Harry asked putting his bag on the bed that he always slept in.

"Two weeks from tomorrow," Ron said putting Hedwig next to Pig.

"Is Hermione coming?"

"Yeah…she'll be arriving sometime next week." Ron said sitting on his bed, "So…Harry…are you sure about what you're about to do? I mean about seeking You-Know-Who?"

"I have to Ron. I can't just stay at Hogwarts thinking I'm safe. I have to find all the horcruxes and destroy them all. That's the only way to kill Voldemort."

Ron twitched at the name of "Voldemort".

"Hermione and I are coming with you." Ron said.

"I---"

"Harry...we've always been together since the first day at Hogwarts and I'm not going to just let you go on alone. There are dangerous things out there."

"Tell me about it…" Harry said sarcastically.

"Are those all your things?"

"Yeah…"

"Seems little."

"I'm only taking the things I need." Harry said.

"Ron…" the door opened, "have you seen the biscuit I saved---"

Author's Note: I hope you like it so far. Remember that this fan fic takes place after Book 6…so there are Half Blood Prince spoilers…I'll be updating as soon as possible…but for now…please review okies…