Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any related logos, trademarks or characters. All the above belong to Ms JK Rowling and WB. Damn...
Ok new fic. This is my version of book seven to keep me going for the next 5 weeks or so. It will be eventual Harry/Hermione. Don't like, don't read. Rated for future mature content.
Harry was sitting alone in his bedroom at number four Privit Drive. He was sitting on his neatly made bed in a perfectly clean room. The reason? In exactly fifteen minutes he would be seventeen and the protection that the house gave him would be null and void.
Harry could not honestly say he was sad to be leaving. He couldn't wait to get out of the house in which he had grown up. Although he fully understood why he had to endure the next ten minutes with the Dursleys, it wouldn't make his departure any easier. He had explained to him Aunt and Uncle that he would be leaving at exactly 00:01 on July 31st. His uncle had been furious to hear that there would be magic used in his house, but quickly remembered that Harry would soon be of legal age, and wisely kept his mouth shut. Besides he would soon be getting rid of the boy he had lived in fear of for sixteen years.
With ten minutes to go Harry picked up Hedwig's cage, Hedwig was gone to Ron already, and heaved his trunk down the stairs. He walked into the living room, and was surprised to find four people sitting there. He hadn't expected anyone to be up. Vernon, Petunia and Dudley Dursley were sitting on the sofa and Ms Figg was sitting in an armchair humming to herself. Harry cleared his throat to signify his presence. The Dursleys jumped, Ms Figg merely stood up and walked over to Harry. She pulled him into a bone crushing hug.
"I had to come and say goodbye" she said after she let go of Harry, "after all I don't know when I'm going to see you again, look what happened to..." She choked; Harry knew that she was thinking of Dumbledore. Anger and grief welled up inside him. The image of Snape pointing his wand at Dumbledore and the flash of green light, 'stop thinking about that' Harry told himself. The images of Cedric and Sirius deaths were still fresh in his mid. He didn't need a third image haunting his dreams.
Never-the-less, he appreciated the fact the Ms Figg had come over, considering the fact that he had only found out about her connections to the wizarding world two years ago. He had adapted to it very well this summer. He had regularly paid visits to Ms Figgs' and had often inviter her around to his aunt and uncles when they were out, he had a feeling they wouldn't be too pleased to find out that they had left him in the care of a magical being for years. Harry had found Ms Figg very easy to talk to. She would listen as he poured out what he was feeling; he had to be careful however. He could still remember Dumbledore's words
"You must obey any order I might give you at once, and without question."
He had promised Dumbledore that he would only tell Rona and Hermione about the Horcruxes, and therefore could not mention anything about it to Ms Figg. Out of respect for Dumbledore and in tribute to his memory, Harry had also spent a good deal of the summer practising occlumency and legilimency. He had found that without Snape probing into his mind, it was much easier. His nightmares were now under control although he still felt his scar twinge occasionally. Legilimency had also proved very useful. He had suffered less bruising at the hands of his uncle and cousin this summer.
Ms Figg began quizzing Harry, making sure he had everything, Harry was only half listening, he had noticed the looks on the faces of the Dursleys. Dudley looked scared, and rightly so. As soon as midnight came, Harry would be seventeen and would be able to take revenge for everything Dudley had ever done to him. Uncle Vernon looked pleased with himself undoubtedly because he would finally be getting rid of Harry. Aunt Petunia however was white faced and ashen. In her hand she held and envelope. Harry couldn't read the address, but thought he vaguely recognised the writing.
Ad the clock struck midnight, Harry prepared to say goodbye. He received another bone crushing hug from Ms Figg, and then managed to shake hands with Dudley with good grace. Uncle Vernon shook Harry's hand with such enthusiasm that Harry was forcibly reminded why he was glad he was leaving. Aunt Petunia however, tears pouring from he eyes, pulled Harry into a hug.
"I'm so sorry Harry" she sobbed, while Uncle Vernon looked scandalised "I'm sorry for everything. I just didn't want your presence to bring the same fate upon us as befell Lilly and James." Harry was stunned, never before had he heard his aunt speak his parents' names.
"Here" she said, thrusting the envelope into his hand "you deserve to have this" Harry looked at the address, but it barely registered, he could only look at the hand-writing. It was Dumbledore's; Harry knew that it must be the letter left with him on the doorstep all those years ago. He was touched,
"Thank you" he said, his voice an octave higher than normal. Then it was time to go, Harry quickly shrunk his trunk and Hedwig's cage and placed them in his pocket. Then he walked to the centre of the living room and prepared to apparate.
"Good luck Harry" said Ms Figg
"Bye" the two male Dursleys grunted in unison
"Look after yourself Harry, and please be careful" with his aunts parting words ringing in his ears, Harry spun around and felt the now familiar feeling of being squashed through a tube. He reappeared on a dimly lit square and turned to face the house he knew was behind him. Number twelve Grimmauld Place. He took a deep breath and walked up to the door and inside. He knew that from that moment on he was alone, with nobody to protect him and everyone to protect.
Authors note: so first chapter, what do you all think? Come on just review, a couple of words that's all it takes! Just clicky the little purple button! Updates on my Harry/Draco fics promised if I get ten reviews for this chapter! (Damn I love bribery)
