Harry Potter and the Final Horcrux

Chapter 1: Petunia's Gift

It was an abnormally dreary day when the sun rose over Number 4 Privet drive that warm July morning. It was just as the sun finally decided to shine through the storm clouds that a young man with untidy, raven black hair awoke from another night of restless sleep. Harry Potter was not a normal boy. He knew, for instance, that the mist outside was not from excess condensation from a particularly wet year as the weatherman had said; but that it was a product of Dementor breeding. Harry also knew that dementors were a very nasty dark creature that had joined forces with the evil Lord Voldemort. Harry knew these sorts of things because he was a wizard. Harry was no ordinary wizard either. Some prophecy made years ago had destined Harry to be the one to vanquish Lord Voldemort, but Lord Voldemort and his followers had been the ones to make Harry truly want to rid the world of evil.

Harry stepped out of bed and as he put his glasses on, he tried to wake himself from the terrible nightmares that had been plaguing him. He had stopped dreaming about the deaths he'd already encountered: his mother dying to save him when he was one, his Godfather falling through a black veil, his mentor, Dumbledore, dying at the hands of one he trusted. Now, Harry was plagued with the dreams of those who had yet to die. He saw his friends, Ron and Hermione, dying at the hands of Voldemort. He saw the only girl had had true feelings for, Ginny, tortured in his dreams. He saw the last of his father's friends and only remaining mentor, Remus Lupin, meet the same fate as so many others. Although these dreams kept Harry awake for long portions of the night, they also gave him a drive—He would not let these dreams come true.

In the morning light, Harry looked around his usually untidy room. Most of his possessions were piled neatly on the rickety desk that stood in a corner or placed in his school trunk. The reason for this unusual neatness was due to the fact that Harry would soon be leaving the Dursley's forever. He had lived with his Aunt, Uncle, and cousin all of his life and he would finally be leaving them. When Harry turned 17 in just a day's time, the magic of family that had protected him for so long would be no more and Harry would truly be on his own.

Harry looked into the small mirror that hung on the side of his wardrobe. He hadn't changed much in the month since school let out-the month since Dumbledore's funeral. He had gotten a little taller perhaps, but the only noticeable difference was in his eyes. Everyone had always said he had his mother's eyes, and they were right. But ever since the death of Dumbledore and Harry's decision not to return to the best wizarding school in the world, Hogwarts, Harry's eyes burned with a passion that wasn't present before.

Harry continued shuffling around his room, still drowsy from only just waking up. He went over to his owl, Hedwig, who he'd let out only to go hunting in the month he'd been home. He sent one message to everyone he knew telling them he would feel better if they stayed out of contact while Harry remained at the Dursley's, but he'd write them all when he turned 17. They had respected his wishes. Harry's only contact with the wizarding world was through the Daily Prophet. Every day, the paper reported more murders by Voldemort's henchmen, Death Eaters. Luckily, few that Harry were close to had fallen victim in the past month. However, there were a few exceptions. Ron's brother, Percy, who worked at the ministry had gone missing. Not very devastating news since Percy had disowned his family a few years previous. Mr. Ollivander, the wand maker was also still missing. While Harry lost himself in his thoughts on the war, a pecking at the window interrupted him. Sure enough, a tiny owl holding a letter was persistently trying to fly through solid glass. Harry recognized the owl as Ron's, Pigwidgeon. Harry hoped the letter contained no ill news as he let the owl in and untied the letter from about his leg. Pig helped himself to some water out of Hedwig's cage as Harry read:

Dear Harry,

I know you didn't want contact until you were seventeen, but seeing as how you turn seventeen at midnight, I thought an early letter wouldn't bother you. I suppose you've read about Percy. Mum's torn up about it, but the rest of us think it serves him right. Bill is still recovering from Fenrir's attack, but he's in high spirits. Which brings me to the point of this letter. Bill and Fleur are getting married in a week. We hoped you would arrive a few days early, so you're welcome here at the Burrow as soon as you can make it. Hope to see you soon,

-Ron

P.S. You might have noticed this letter isn't encrypted with any sort of code, but don't worry, it's safe from You-Know-Who. Dad's had some Ministry charms put on all the family's owls and he assures me it's quite safe to send anything with Pig.

Harry finished the letter wondering what he should do. After sending Pig off again, Harry made up his mind. He would leave for the Burrow this evening. There he would spend a week and after Bill and Fleur were married, he would begin his true quest, starting with a visit to his parents' old home in Godric's Hollow.

For now, though, Harry decided it was best to pack the rest of his belongings and face his relatives for one last time. Soon, everything Harry owned was packed in the large school trunk with his owl cage perched on top. Harry's wand, however remained safely at hand-just in case.

That afternoon, Harry finally walked downstairs to find his aunt and uncle. So far, they had pretty much left him alone this summer holiday. He would come down for meals and they would eat in silence until he returned to his room. Harry couldn't complain. Now, however, he would make his relatives talk to him. Harry reached the kitchen without meeting anyone. In the kitchen, his aunt stood at the sink washing dishes. His cousin and uncle were nowhere in sight.

"Aunt Petunia," Harry said with slight hesitation as he stepped into the kitchen.

"If you want something, wait until your uncle comes home. He and Dudley went out to celebrate," His aunt answered his unasked question.

"Why-" Harry stopped himself from asking why they had gone out. It didn't matter. "Well, I didn't want anything. I just needed to let you know that I'll be leaving shortly and I won't be coming back." Harry was surprised to see his aunt actually stop washing dishes and turn to pay attention to him.

"I hope you'll have everything…unnatural out of this house by then," Petunia said sternly but there was something else there too. Was that regret?

"I suppose I should warn you," Harry continued. Why was he finding it so hard to speak? He knew what he wanted to say. Why was he almost feeling bad that he'd never be seeing this place again? It had been a place of torment his entire life; but then again it had been the only other place besides Hogwarts where he was safe. "Lord Voldemort will probably come here looking for me. He will most likely kill anyone he finds here. It might be best if you left this house before midnight."

"Oh, Harry," Petunia was almost in tears. "I'm sorry for the way we've treated you. I think we were always just afraid of what you were…what you could do. I was always jealous of Lily, but you're all that's left of her. Take care of yourself." Petunia covered her mouth and wiped the tears away from her cheeks as she hurried into another room. 'That went differently than I expected,' Thought Harry to himself as he climbed the stairs to gather his things and bring them outside. He noted that it was starting to get dark outside as he passed the living room window.

In his room, Harry let Hedwig fly into the night; telling her he'd meet her at the Burrow. It took a while for Harry to drag his trunk downstairs and when he finally managed it, Petunia sat watching him from an armchair. On her lap was a wooden box and in her hand was a handkerchief.

"Harry," Petunia said in an overly calm voice. "This box contains the only thing I have from my sister—from your mother." Harry stepped closer to his aunt as she opened the box on her lap. In was a beautiful mahogany box with a flower inlaid on the top. 'A lily' Harry thought to himself as he eyed to box. Petunia carefully opened the thin box and turned it to face Harry. Purple velvet lined the inside of the box and in the very center, a single ring sat.

Harry reached out and picked the ring up. It was plain and yet very intricate. The ring was a single gold band, but wrapped around were various other metals in varying colors giving the ring a very ancient and beautiful look. As Harry held the ring in the palm of his hand, he felt a warmth flow through him. He wasn't sure if his mind was playing tricks on him or if the ring was actually magic. Shaking himself from his thoughts, Harry placed the ring back in the box and his aunt closed the lid.

"It's yours," she said quietly. "I know Lily would have wanted you to have it, and I only hope it will help you in some way." Petunia handed the box to Harry, stood up, and walked from the room. "Goodbye," she said quietly as Harry took the box under his arm and grabbed his trunk. Harry opened the front door and stepped into the street with his things. It was now completely dark. From the hallway inside Number 4 Privet drive, Petunia muttered to herself, "Good Luck."

Disclaimer: I only own a few ideas the rest is Jo's

A/N: I hope you like it so far. I promis I will update as often as possible and will do my best to make this story new and different. Thanks and remember to review!