CHAPTER # 1

" AFTER THE FUNERAL"

It was a beautiful, sunny day of June. There was nothing in the wonderfully warm weather which indicated that a heavy leaden weight had settled in the hearts of most of the citizens of the wizarding world. Albus Dumbledore had died. The greatest wizard of them all has been brutally murdered and now they were even more vulnerable than ever before.

The beautiful lush green grounds of Hogwarts were swarming with dejected people. They had just been attending the funeral of Dumbledore, who had seemed like their last hope in these dark, troubled times.

Harry Potter, with his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger who had been silently pondering the effect of his mentor's death on the wizarding world, looked up suddenly when he heard Minerva McGonagall shouting his name and gesturing him imperiously towards herself. Grouped around her were Remus Lupin who was (still ) holding hands with Tonks, standing next to Mad-eye Moody, Bill, Mr. and Mrs.Weasley.

Harry shrugged at Ron and Hermione and went in their direction. He greeted everyone with a grim smile.

" Potter, I would like u to come to my office. " said McGonagall

"Erm…… Ok " replied Harry.

He followed the group to the gargoyle that guarded the Headmistress' office. McGonagall said the password 'farewell', the gargoyle leapt aside and they all ascended the stairs. McGonagall took her seat behind the desk. Remus, Tonks, Moody, Bill, Mr. and Mrs.Weasley took the seats. Harry, feeling slightly uncomfortable and curious remained standing.

"Potter, there is something important I want to talk to you about." said McGonagall in a serious voice.

"Yes Professor ….." said Harry trying to think what was so important. Surely not his mission with Dumbledore because he had already told her that it was between him and Dumbledore.

"Harry," McGonagall's voice interrupted his thoughts. " After Dumbledore died I found his will in the office and now I come to realize how close you were to Dumbledore."

" I don't understand Professor…. what are u talking about?" Harry interrupted impatiently.

"Let me finish Potter." Said McGonagall a little sternly.

Harry didn't bother to apologize but looked expectantly at his professor. McGonagall sighed and continued,

"Well…. Dumbledore's will was discovered in his personal belongings. Harry, I think you will need to sit down."

Harry took a seat next to Lupin.

"Harry, Dumbledore left you everything he owned."

Harry was stunned whatever he had expected it definitely was not something like this. Honestly who can imagine to inherit all the belongings of his Headmaster. Truly, they both cared for each other. Harry had been in many strange situations and Dumbledore seemed to be the only person who understood everything. They were even close enough to shout at each other (just in Harry's case). He had even destroyed Dumbledore's prized possessions and the Headmaster didn't even raise his voice at him.

When the whole world thought Harry an attention-seeking person, insane boy, Dumbledore was there by his side. Dumbledore even left his office to save Harry from expulsion in his 5th year when Umbridge found out about the D.A. and finally Dumbledore has given his life to keep Harry safe.

Some of his thoughts must have shown on his face. He felt a hand on his shoulder, he turned to see Remus Lupin looking at him with concern.

" Are you alright, Harry?"

"Yeah, …. Yeah, I'm fine." Said Harry absentmindedly.

" I know this is hard for you, Harry." Said Lupin.

But Harry interrupted, coming back to his senses.

"No… I'm fine."

McGonagall cleared her throat to gain the attention again.

"Harry, Albus also left you a letter." She handed Harry an envelop which he took with a slightly shaky hand. He stared at the envelop, it had nothing at all on its front but Harry felt a lump form in his throat just staring at it. This was Dumbledore's last message to him. But before he could say anything else, he heard a voice say loudly.

"It is time to finish what we started."

Looking up he realized that it was the sorting hat perched on top of Dumbledore's shelf. The hat had been stationary throughout their exchange as it has always remained but now for the first time ever it was speaking and not in a song like manner as it did at the start of every term.

Harry could see that he was not the only one who was surprised. Professor McGonagall had jumped to her feet at the sound of its voice. Everyone else jumped and stared at the hat shocked.

"Who… What?" McGonagall gasped .

" This castle was built to educate young soccerers. It has been used for centuries for this purpose and so it will continue to be used for the same.

The one chosen will now rise out of the ashes to correct the mistake of the founder four. Now Harry Potter take what is rightfully yours, you will now need it more than ever."

"Huh! What? " spluttered Harry.

" At the age of twelve, I presented you with a gift. Only after realizing that u were worthy. Take it with you. You will need it more than ever now."

"Sword! NO! I can't do that! Why would I need it?" shocked was not the word to describe Harry.

"I have never been wrong Harry Potter. I saw in you what I have never seen before. Your destiny was written in the stars, thousands of years before your very birth. I have never yet been wrong, you will need the gift of your forefather more than ever now." Replied the sorting hat in an extremely calm voice.

"This has to be a joke! It has to be…" muttered Harry, turning back to the others.

Professor McGonagall was still standing with her hand over her mouth. Remus Lupin was chalk white. Mrs. Weasley's eyes were wide. All of there faces registered nothing but shock.

" What …. What's that? How can the sorting hat speak all of a sudden? " , gasped Mrs. Weasley.

"It's not suppose to speak other than at the start of term. It has never spoken like this …" Bill stated shocked.

Harry came back to his senses and interrupted.

" Hang on! What do you mean ' It is time to finish what we started '? What exactly have we started? And what do you mean by the mistake of the four founders?"

"Well…hasn't the sorting hat been singing about uniting the four houses, which had divided due to the founders' dispute." Said McGonagall hesitantly. " Maybe that is the mistake."

"Oh! So, what you're telling me is that I'm suppose to try to unite the four Hogwarts houses?" said Harry incredulously. "Why don't you just tell me to go and bring Dumbledore back from the DEAD!" his voice rising to a shout.

"He called you the 'chosen one'." Lupin said quietly.

"And people have been calling me that for a whole year, thank you very much." Snapped Harry. " It doesn't mean it's true."

" The sorting hat is a reflection of the founders thoughts and it always tells the truth." Said Tonks, biting her lip, " I did a lot of research on it when I was at school. It seemed such an amazing kind of magic that an object portrayed the thought of people who had died so long ago." Tonks said even more quietly.

Harry took deep breaths to calm himself, realizing that it was his shouting that was causing then to be so hesitant, and said.

"Fine! Ok! But for now can I please go?" said Harry, forcing calmness in his voice. He fell dazed and to make matters worse the whole room was now expecting him to sprout wings and turn into Wonder Boy or Superman or something.

Before anyone could reply, the lid of the glass case which held Gryffindore's sword flew open.

Harry stared at the sword, then at the hat and muttered, " Fine! I'll take it then."

He reached forward and grasped the sword. The moment he touched it, he felt as though a surge of power had just coursed through his body, though the sword look the same as it always had.

This had not happened last time, thought Harry, why now?

But Harry was quickly pulled out of his reverie when he saw that everyone was still staring at him.

Although the room consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley and other adults whom he had long since dubbed his favourite, he wanted nothing more just now to just be left alone.

Tucking the sword in his belt and then extracting the pensieve and the vials of memory which were the only clues to Voldemort's life found by Dumbledore. He turned to the others who had been following his every move and said,

"Bye."

He hastily crossed to the door, opened it and left the room, having no wish at all to see any of them.

However, halfway down the stairs, Remus Lupin, who had apparently run down the stairs, caught up with him.

"Harry" He began but Harry interrupted.

" What? What else?" in sharper voice than he had intended.

"I just wanted to see if you were Ok." Said Lupin quietly. Although his voice was quite calm, Harry could see the hurt in his eyes at Harry's reaction.

"Look Professor. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have shouted at you. But I'm still so …confused. I …I mean, I don't even know what's happening. Dumbledore's death, his will, his letter and everything the hat said… I just need some time Professor, that's it." Harry said helplessly.

" When are you going to stop calling me 'Professor', Harry?" answered Remus with a small smile, then sighing he continued, " Harry, I understand. Everything is just jumping up at you and you are confused. But I know you'll figure it out. Dumbledore trusted you more that anyone as is obvious and if it matters, I trust you as well."

"It matters …. It matters very much." Said Harry feeling touched " Thank you, Mr. Lupin." He continued with a teasing smile.

Lupin pretended to hit him on the head returning Harry's smile " Call me that again and you will face the wrath of an old werewolf."

"You are NOT old! And 'wrath' yeah right!" snorted Harry

"well you never know." Remus smiled.

"Uh huh! See you later Remus. " waved Harry and headed towards Gryffindore Tower where he knew he would find Ron and Hermione.