Harry Potter sat gloomily against his bedroom window. He watched with tired eyes for any sign of his faithful friend and owl, Hedwig. It had been days since he had seen the snowy creature and he was beginning to regret having her deliver a letter in what ended up being the biggest storm Privet Drive had seen in many years. Harry wondered if the storms power was intensified because of his undeniable depression. Worse yet, Harry wondered if Hedwig was curled up in a gutter somewhere horribly sick, and no one around to help her. He felt stupid for how desperate he was for contact with his friends in the wizarding world. He just wanted to be comforted. Someone to tell him that everything would be okay. Harry understood that everything would either end or begin anew depending on his survival against the dark wizard Lord Voldemort.

There was a chance he may never be with Ginny.

There was a chance he may never see Ron or Hermione ever again.

There was a chance he may not be able to save anyone this time. Including himself…

Despite all of these "May-never"'s and "may-not"'s Harry was prepared for his destiny. He was prepared to sacrifice himself for those he cared about and those whom he could not care less.

Harry didn't notice it at first, the white pinprick in the distant night sky. It was quickly gaining speed and size. Harry wrenched open his bedroom window just in time for the feathery white ball of a bird to soar through.

"Hedwig!" Harry exclaimed. His voice was rough and so much unlike his own. He had not spoken much since he returned to the Dursleys this summer and his voice box needed some polishing. Hedwig collapsed onto Harry's bed and was breathing heavily. A worried Harry grabbed the small water trough from Hedwig's cage and offered it to her. She drank heavily and let out a small hoot of appreciation. Hedwig then hopped up dutifully onto her feet and extended a leg revealing a letter that, from the looks of the scribbled handwriting, was from Ron. Harry untied it and lifted Hedwig to her cage for some rest. He hastily unrolled the parchment and read:

Dear Harry,

Good to hear from you mate. Hedwig arrived in a right state. Feathers all askew and I think she might have been bleeding. Dad reckons she might have been intercepted. The Ministry's been picking up more and more owls since…since what happened last school year.

Anyway, Me, my dad, and Hermione are coming to take you to my house on your birthday. From there we can head to your "House" but only until after the wedding. I'd rather not upset mum more that she already is and I know she'd love for you and Hermione to be there. She considers you apart of the family you know.

From,

Ron

P.S. Don't forget your dress robes.

Harry read through the letter twice more. Dress robes? A Wedding? He thought to himself. Harry felt odd that Ron was reminding him to bring dress robes when there were more important matters at hand. He hadn't even planned on taking much with him along to Sirius's house.

"Well, it's my house now thought isn't it…" He thought out loud to himself. Harry looked around his small room. Old spell books and dirty clothing were thrown about and Hedwig's cage needed a bit of cleaning. He remembered growing up, wishing to be anywhere but the Dursleys house, but now Harry wasn't so sure if it was as bad as having to return to number twelve, Grimmauld Place.

Don't be stupid. Anywhere's better than here.

Harry nodded his head as if this thought settled things but he still couldn't help but feel sort of nauseous at the possibility of returning to Sirius's former home and prison. With too many thoughts to count an exhausted Harry climbed into bed and went to sleep.

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