Chapter 1 - Musings

It was a warm night in Little Whinging, Surrey. A cool wind blew in the bright moonlight, easing some of the heat. The streetlights were lit, the large square houses dark and silent. The window of the smallest bedroom of number four, Privet Drive was wide open and if any neighbors were awake they would be able to see a skinny dark-haired teenage boy gazing un- seeingly at the night. He looked more than a little underfed and his normally bright emerald green gaze was shadowed by sorrow. Though most of the neighbors were scornful and wary of the Dursley's nephew, even they would have felt a little sorry at the expression in Harry Potter's eyes.
As usual, haunted by insomnia, Harry thought of Sirius. With his relatives asleep and with nothing to occupy his time he could only think of his godfather's death. Every time he closed his eyes he would see him falling, ever so slowly, towards the ragged veil. It was as if it was etched into his brain, so perfectly could he see the moment. Every time his eyelids would flutter shut, just before sleep, he would see the awful look of surprise and fear on Sirius's face. Just thinking of his godfather could bring tears to his eyes.
So lost was Harry in his thoughts that he almost missed the ghostly figure soaring towards his window until it was dangerously close to crashing into Harry's face. Hedwig landed on his bed, hooting indignantly.
"Sorry, girl," he whispered soothingly, half afraid that she would wake the Dursleys. When he noticed the letter and a floppy package tied to his owl's leg he asked, "Is this from Hermione?" Hedwig hooted softly in reply. Harry thanked her and untied the letter and package before putting her back into her cage and giving her some water and an owl treat. Then he turned his attention to Hermione's letter. Dear Harry,
Are you sure you're doing okay? I know you don't want me to worry, but I can't help it. I keep feeling as if there is something you're not telling Ron and I. We're your best friends; I hope you know that you can tell us anything.
I'm not going anywhere this summer really, but I'll most likely go to the Burrow sometime during August. My parents are beginning to get a bit wary of sending me to Ron's house this year with 'teenage hormones' as they put it in play. I keep telling them that Ron and I are just friends but they're not totally convinced.
Are you sure that Headmaster Dumbledore won't let you go to the Burrow at all this summer? Even if the wards do protect you at your aunt and uncle's, you have gone to the Burrow before and been safe. I don't really understand it, but if the Headmaster thinks it's best...
I know you're wondering what the package is because your birthday is not for a few weeks yet. I thought that you might want to study a little more outside of the curriculum with you teaching the DA (that's if you're still doing it next year; you are, aren't you?), so I sent you the Flourish and Blott's catalog. I hope you'll find it useful.
If I don't see you at the Burrow, I hope that Ron and I will at least get to see you in London when we shop for next year's school supplies. It's hard to believe that we have only two years left at Hogwarts, isn't it? Anyway, tell us the day you'll be in London so we can meet you there. Love from,
Hermione

Harry smiled softly. Wasn't that just like Hermione to send him a book catalog? Ron would have rolled his eyes if he could see. At the thought of his two best friends, Harry sighed. He didn't know how he would get through the summer without seeing them. Who knew if Dumbledore would even let him go to Diagon Alley? It was getting harder and harder to trust the Hogwarts Headmaster nowadays. He just couldn't forget the fact that the knowledge of the prophecy, which might even have saved Sirius's life, was kept from him. He wanted to weep from frustration when he thought of it.
Then there was the prophecy itself to consider. "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies". How could Harry have the power to defeat one of the most evil, most powerful wizards of all time? The idea was almost laughable. All I do is get my friends killed, Harry thought bitterly. In the wake of the self- pitying thought, though, he felt new determination surge through him. Not anymore, he thought. Never again. I won't let them get hurt.
Harry was expected to kill Voldemort. Special power or no, he could develop the skill necessary to protect the wizarding world and muggle world alike. The skill necessary to avenge Sirius's death. He wasn't sure exactly how to do this, but he had to. Absentmindedly he fingered through the book catalog. Perhaps he would find this catalog useful, after all.