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Chapter 1: Beginning

Bright like the moon, he glows in expectation

Starved for forgiveness, he prays for consolation.

He dwells in guilt and there is no redemption.

Save your knives. He is his own mortification

VenusPlay

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Harry was sitting on the roof of Privet Drive number 4 even though it was already past midnight. The starlit washed his lonely figure in soft silver shades. The warm summer breeze played with his hair and spread flower's scents everywhere. Crickets were creating a symphony in the grass. Every few minutes a loud snore coming out of Dudley's bedroom would disrupt their concert and Harry's calm tray of thoughts.

It was not the first night he spend on the roof instead in his bed. He was obligated to do so. The reason was Dudley obviously. A few days before his return to Privet Drive, aunt Petunia created a pandemonium in the house. Apparently she discovered a colony of cockroaches that settled in Dudley's room. After short investigation uncle Vernon discovered that Dudley hid in his room big amounts of fast food while being on diet. That explained both his unchanging weight and the cockroaches. A group of insect experts were alarmed into the house the next day. They took care of the cockroaches but left fumes from the chemicals in the room. The fumes and the smells were supposed to be gone in few days but till then aunt Petunia didn't want to "risc poor Duddykins fragile health" and as a result mooved her son to Harry's room.

When Harry arrived he was offered to sleep in Dudley's smelly room or in the cupboard down the stairs. Harry placed his trunk in the cupboard, only taking Hedwig and his wand with him. He tried to stay as much as possible outside and sleep in the garden full of aunt Petunia's flowers.

However, already in the first week he was spotted by some of the neighbours and heard them threaten to report "that dangerous homeless criminal" to the police. While Dudley found the situation extremely amusing and spent part of his nights throwing used ciggarettes from his window on Harry, aunt Petunia wasn't nearly as happy. She and uncle Vernon spent a full hour yelling at Harry for causing them such trouble and shaming them in front of the neighbours. Harry was very annoyed at them to say the least. After all it wasn't his fault he had nowhere to sleep anymore. After reminding his relatives about the warnings they received at the station from the order members and seeing their horror-stricken faces Harry decided to check if the roof was habitable. As it appeared to be, the roof wasn't very comfortable, however provided with a mattress that Harry took from his cupboard, the place didn't look too bad. It was certainly better then the wet grass he was sleeping on before.

The most important thing about the roof was that it gave Harry a sense of freedom he never felt before. Of course, Harry was still isolated from the wizarding world, not getting important news from anyone, not even his friends, but this feeling of isolation wasn't as strong as the one last summer. He enjoyed the cool air at night and the stars watching him from above. On his first night on the roof, remembering his Astronomy lessons, Harry successfully detected the bright Sirius star. He watched that star every night since then and felt strangely comforted by it.

The cool atmosphere on the roof also calmed Harry a lot. He found out that he can clear his mind better now and had fewer nightmares as a result.

Harry was also much less annoyed due to the understanding that the headmaster Dumbledore finally had shown. They were much less order members that were following him around and they were hardly noticed. Only once, Harry spotted green hair in the bushes and figured it belonged to Tonks who probably tried to "melt" into the surroundings. He didn't write in his letters to the order about his new "home" because he figured they would find out anyway. Ms. Weasley proved him right when she sent him a blanket made by her.

So there he was, sitting on the roof in the darkness, watching Sirius star and thinking about his destiny. The thought about him fighting Voldemort to death was more than just depressing. He felt trapped since the grand responsibility to rid the world from evil was lying heavily on his shoulders.

He didn't want all this, he preferred to be left alone, living a normal life for a change. Harry snickered to himself at the desire of being normal that was so characteristic of the Dursleys. That was one thing that he shared with his family. Hopefully, it was the only thing.

White spot in the darkness surrounding him revealed Hedwig who returned from her evening flight with a dead rat in her beak. She landed on Harry's shoulder smoothly and threw the rat into his lap, waiting him to admire her hunting skills. Harry was reminded of a wormtail and he tossed the little thing from the roof far from himself. Hedwig sent him a reproachful glance but Harry didn't noticed it.

The previous day Dudley announced at dinner that Gordon was having a party in his house. Uncle Vernon had an official meal with his co-workers scheduled at the same night and he could not miss it. Aunt Petunia heard some rumours about this dinner that claimed it to be the event of the year. She even bought a horrific looking purple dress and a matching tie for her husband. Clearly she was very excited to go to the event. Rambling at those thoughts, Harry felt his eyes close as he drifted into a blissful dreamless sleep.

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Harry woke up feeling the worm morning sun bathing him in its rays. He was already very tan because he spend so much on the roof exposed to the sun. He liked this tan very much because it made his scar less visible. Harry figured that anything that made him less distinguishable and recognizable was good. He realized already that he will fight the best he can against Voldemort. He promised himself that. He will do that in memory of Cedric, his parents and especially Sirius.

Harry got dressed and entered the house. Dudley was still asleep, uncle Vernon was probably at work, supervising drill-making process and aunt Petunia was in the living room, watching a cooking program. Harry prepared himself a sandwich and hurried back to his roof. There was a little brown owl sitting arrogantly on Hedwig's perch. Harry noticed that she was sending nasty glares at the owl. The moment Harry unattached the leter, the conceited owl flew away. Unfolding the letter, Harry read:

Dear Mr. Potter,

Hogwarts school of Withcraft and Wizardry is happy to inform you that you have received 13 O.W.L.s.

Please remember that a passing grade is any grade above Poor.

Your grades as listed:

Ancient Runes.................................

Arithmancy.................................

Astronomy .............................Poor

Care of magical creaturs......................Exceeds Expectations

Care of magical creaturs practical........................Outstanding

Charms.................................Average

Charms Practical...........................Exceeds Expectations

Defence against dark arts..........................Outstanding

Defence against dark arts practical.................Outstanding

Divination............................Average

Herbology............................Exceeds Expectations

Herbology practical............................... Outstanding

History Of Magic................................Troll

Muggle Studies.................................

Potions..........................Exceeds Expectations

Potions practical.............................Outstanding

Transfiguration........................Exceeds Expectations

Transfiguration practical......................Exceeds Expectations

Mr. Potter, you have achieved enough OWLs to take NEWTs exams on more then five needed for an auror career classes. I would advice you to decide already what classes you will proceed with this year. Remember that the minimum scor accepted into aurur college is Exceeds Expectations on at least five NEWTs. Choose wisely.

Professor Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

P.S. Your Quiddich lifetime ban was lifted and your broom will be returning to you at school.

Harry grinned in disbelief at his good grades and was happy to receive his broom back. He missed flying very much. Putting the letter aside, Harry decided on going to Ms. Figg. She invited him for dinner long time ago and he didn't show up yet. He knew that the Dursleys would lock the house up so he preferred on staying in some other place.

When Harry came to Ms. Figg's house he found her in the kitchen, feeding her cats. It was truly disturbing. The cats were running around excitedly in a big colourful swirl of fur.

"Oh! Hello, Harry. How are you?" Ms. Figg finaly noticed his presence.

"Errr...fine. I guess." answered Harry. Ms. Figg looked relieved at his answer and pushed him further into her apartment.

"Go, sit Harry. Food is on its way. Nothing too fancy I'm afraid but better then what I gave to my darlings." Chuckled Ms. Figg. Harry sat on the small wooden dinner table and ate hungrily.

"Have you heard any news, Ms. Figg?" He asked a little later.

Ms. Figg groaned in weariness. "There were some attacks of coarse but those were expected. Dumbledore does what he can. At least, Fudge doesn't deny anything anymore." Harry was expecting all that but he still was mourning over the loss of his godfather and new attacks ment more people killed. It was all very difficult for him. However, Ms. Figg continued.

"The worst of all are the dementors. They are impossible to stop. Just a few wizards can create patronus. As long as they are on you-know-who's side, we are in disadvantage. Anyway, the order has it's own plans. Hopefully, they will come up with something useful." Ms. Figg didn't look as if she believed in what she just said. Noticing Harry's disbelief, Ms. Figg hurried to calm him down.

"You shouldn't worry about it, Harry. You just need to concentrate on your lessons." At Harry's surprised look, Ms. Figg smiled and added. "You are leaving the Dursleys tonight, Harry."

"I'm not going to Grimmauld place!" He protested. "I'm never going to that accursed place!"

"Calm down, Harry. Noone is sending you there. You are going to a totally different place." Mr. Figg smiled in secrecy. "Just go home now, Harry. You are in for a surprise."

Intrigued, Harry went home after thanking Mr. Figg for dinner. He climbed through the emergency stairs to the roof and started packing his things. He didn't know who is coming for him or where he is going but he was happy to leave. He was sick of his lonliness and his isolation. He wanted to be useful and he needed to train if he wanted any chance against Voldemort.

Harry was sitting on his trunk when he heard an apparating pop. He turned around and saw a middle aged wizard. The wizard had a radianting with kindness, wide smile. He was dressed in blue robes that were the same colour as his eyes. He was mostly bald except a few white locks of hair that were framing his head. The wizard closed on Harry in few steps and were standing right in front of him.

"Hello, Mister Potter. You are coming with me."

Before Harry could properly react, the stranger grasped his hand and Harry felt the familiar pull of a portkey taking him to an unknown place.

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