AN: Hey guys new to this site but not knew to the fanfiction world or Harry Potter. I have been working on this fan fiction for a while but haven't got it complete yet. Was posting on another site but had some trouble posting one of the chapters for a reason that i couldn't even find and they wouldn't explain so i am going to post it on here and go from there. Hope people like this and please Read and Review every little bit helps me become a better writer.

Disclaimer: I own none of this other than the plot and a few characters i pull out of my hat of tricks. All the Harry Potter characters and places you know belong to J.K. Rowling and I am just playing with her creation. I don't mean no harm I just decided to have some fun and flex my creativity with her world.

There in the window seal of a bedroom on the second floor of number 4 Privet Drive sat a rather slim young man with jet-black hair. To any normal human being this would be a normal place to think and feel safe but then again Harry Potter was anything but a normal human being even in his world. Harry had only known he was a wizard since he was 11 and now that he was coming on his 16th birthday this was a calming thought. Normally every teen weather wizard or muggle would enjoy the days before and the day of their birthday as this was a sign of getting closer to adult hood. To Harry it was just getting closer to the time that he had to take place in the final battle with Voldemort.

That battle would choose the fate of not only the wizarding world but also that of the whole world, no matter what race or how much wizarding blood you had when you were born. Harry had fears of the many possible outcomes, none of these out comes had Harry being alive and Thomas Riddle lying in some grave awaiting his judgment day. In fact, Harry was more or less thinking of the ways Riddle would kill him. There was always quick and painless but then again that was not Voldemort style. Riddle as most dark wizards enjoyed making their rivals suffer before killing them. Making them a mockery in front of their family and friends before giving that last final blow.

Tears were flowing from Harry's jade green eyes. He felt he had suffered enough in the recent months. While his summer lacked the constant and unrelenting abuse from his Uncle and Aunt, losing the closest thing he had to a parent was rough on a boy who had already lost so much without knowing his faith. When Harry and his friends had gone to the Ministry of Magic to save his godfather Sirius Black, they had not known that they were the ones who were to blame for his death. Harry sobbed violently now thinking of the one person who had helped him though the recent years. The man that had been there when Harry had nowhere else to turn to for advice. Yes, Harry did have friend but it just was not the same feeling. They were not the closest thing he had to a parent and now that he had lost that, it left him feeling empty and cold. He wished he could trade all the gold in his vault for his parents and godfather back.

Just as the thought of his friend's had entered his mind, Harry heard a warning Hoot come from a snowy white owl carrying a letter just for him. Harry moved in the nick of time just as Hedwig passed though the point where his head had been resting on the window seal. The snowy owl looked rather annoyed at the young man who was moving towards her perch on the desk in the corner of his bedroom. She stuck her beak in the air as if she was mad at him but an instant later lost that reason as she hooted with enjoyment when she seen he had some fresh owl treats. Instinctively she stuck out her leg to get rid of the dead weight on her leg.

Harry laughed, as he got closer to his summer companion realizing that she had a letter from the one girl who Harry always trusted when it came to getting information about almost anything. He could tell from the handwriting that Hermione Granger, one of his best friends since his first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, had written this letter. Harry had to admit he had been worried about Hedwig having not seen her for two days after letting her out to hunt. Now he figured Hermione had held her at wand point until she had finished the letter. Untying the note he chuckled, "What's wrong girl did Hermione threaten to turn you into a teddy bear unless you stayed till she finished this?"

Hedwig hooted in annoyance as she fluttered over to her cage and landed on the perch inside. She gave him a few more hurt looks before she tucked her head behind one of her wings. Her chest raised and lowered with every breath she took. Harry smiled and chucked a bit about the owls antics earlier. She had become more than a pet over the last few years and Harry could tell the difference in her from the time he got her till now.

Harry just shook his head and grabs the envelope thinking about his witty friend. The letter probably was not saying much other than the Order was doing some stuff but she could not tell him though a letter and that she missed being around and talking to him. As he open the letter at read what it said shock was sent all though his body.

Dear Harry,

Hey, sorry I have not written much but I figured that you would not want to hear me tell you that it is not your fault that Sirius died.

"Bloody right she is there, but I still would have loved the letters either way," Harry mused to himself.

Harry you should know better than to blame yourself but then again I know that is part of you being "The Hero" and it will never change. Now Harry I am not writing this letter to scold you over Sirius seeing as I will have time to do that once my parents and I pick you up from the Dorsey's tomorrow at 9:00 am tomorrow. I have gotten permission from Dumbledore to let you stay with me for the rest of the summer. He said, "That would be good for Harry to be around you as the Weasley's will be rather busy." He also said that you have spent the required time at your aunt and uncle's home for the protect magic. Also I want to know what Dumbledore told you at the end of last year. I questioned him but he would not tell me. Well I guess that is enough for now is sure to pack you things as soon as you get this letter so I do not have to wait on The-Boy-Who-Lived for too long. Well talk to you soon.

Love always,

Hermione

"What did Dumbledore mean that the Weasley's are busy but then again I haven't heard anything from Ron?" he thought to himself aloud. He shrugged and began packing knowing the bushy chestnut hair girl who would pick him up in 9 hours would be rather angry with him if he had not at least a few things packed. "This is gonna take a while," Harry mused as he looked over the mess that had become his room after not keeping it clean.

As he went around the room picking up a multitude of items Harry spotted a book that he figured he should begin reading at some point in his life. Hogwarts A History sat on his desk where it had made a rather nice paperweight instead of being read, as a book should have. Harry felt a little guilt climb up his back as he had not the read the present Hermione had gotten him a while ago but then again if he ever needed to ask about anything to do with Hogwarts, Hermione could tell him the exact words from the book.

After 11:30, Harry had finally placed the last item in his trunk. The two-way mirror Sirius had given him a year before sat motionless onto of the black with red trimmed school robes in his trunk. Looking at the alarm clocking making sure it was set for 6:00 in the morning so he could wake up and do his normal house chores for the Dursleys and finally drifted off into a deep sleep. Harry had hardly slept this summer due to the facts of nightmares and the relentless grief that had plagued him since his godfather's death.

Harry was dreaming of the time he would spend with Hermione and how much fun they had. He relieved the first time he had met her on the train. His brain jumped to when he had saved her from the troll with Ron. When they had just been outside the door that held the philosopher's stone and she had told him that he was the greatest wizard that she had ever met. In second year when she had been petrified by the Basilisk. In third year when she had walked out of divination saying it was a waste of time. Also in third year riding on the back of Buckbeak to save the same godfather that had recently died. In fourth year when she stood by him even when Ron had walked away when he thought he had put his own name in the Goblet of Fire. When Rita Skeeter had begun bashing his names in the headlines about his and Hermione relationship. Then fifth year had been a disaster. He had pushed everyone away with his anger and blaming other. He had lost his temper with everyone calling him a glory hound and making him out to be a liar. Then the DA had been one of the greatest clubs in Hogwarts thanks to Hermione. Then the battle of the Ministry Hermione had pleaded with him to check on Sirius and not go rushing off trying to save him. Hermione falling to that unknown curse and Harry freezing up. Harry felt something being to probe in the back of his mind. He felt the Darkness begin to overrun his dreams.

Then everything started to fall apart to Harry's horror he seen a flash of green and Hermione fall to the ground lifelessly. Harry ran to her catching her before she hit the ground. Tear began forming in his jade green eyes as he looked into the now lifeless amber eyes. Her skin was cold and pale and her hair dangled and blew with the wind. The sky seemed to be channeling the storm that was brewing with in him. Lightning flashed and the thunder roared in the distance while the wind picked up speed and leaves flew in it. People were standing around in a circle with a snake like man in front of Harry.

"HERMIONE," Harry screamed. He began thrashing in his bed the covers hit the floor. The room began to crackle with energy and small items began to lift from the bedside table and desk in his room. The window flexed a little under the energy filling the room and looked about ready to shatter.

Back in the dream Harry felt chills go up his spine as a cold raspy snake-like voice, "Aw Potter was in love with the mud blood. Don't worry you pretty head you will soon join you love on the other side." Voldemort's red slits showed his glee at the sight of Harry filled with grief and sorrow.

Harry froze for what seem like hours maybe even days. Finally, he reached for his wand and shouted, "Stupefy." The red blot missed by a mile as Voldemort batted the weak stunner to his left. Harry felt rage but he would not move from the spot holding Hermione's corpse. He felt the need to protect her body even if she was dead. His place was right beside her as she had been for him. He only wished to fall into Death cold grasp to be reunited with Hermione even if they were just friends.

"You know Potter you could have avoided this if you would join me," Voldemort hissed his slits for nostrils flaring. The cold barely full of life eyes sizing up his prey as he drew near to Harry. Harry felt almost as if Death itself was after the Dark Lord. He knew what was coming he could feel the power building as Voldemort ready for the finally curse.

The tears falling from Harry's eyes warming his check as his horse voice responded, "Tom you have taken almost everything from me why in Merlin's name would I join you and your miscreants?" Hermione's eyes had been so full of life Harry wanted to scream out to strike Voldemort down with anything in the nearby area. He began to recount all the spells he had learnt at Hogwarts to cause the most intense pain that he had every thought of. For his life, he could not think of one damn spell. Every bit of knowledge had left him at the sight of Hermione dead body.

He paused for a minute but this was a minute to long. "Avada Kedavra," Voldemort said with a touch of dark humor in his voice. It was over Harry could feel the darkness come over him. He felt his body fall to the ground. There he laid in peaceful darkness. There was no more pain or suffering. No more of having the world on his shoulders. He could see Hermione, his parents, and Sirius waiting to greet him on the other side. They smiled sad smiles and waved at him as tears streamed down their faces.

Suddenly, Harry felt a pain as a great amount of force came in contact with his jaw. Harry fell off the bed and onto the floor feeling as though a bludger had just been hit directly at his jaw from a giant's bat. As Harry reached for his glasses, he felt a fist connect right at the bridge of his nose with a sickening crunch. Instantly the pain was worse than any curse possible and blood was flowing freely from his nose. Tears were forming in his eyes and he had finally found his glasses. Harry fumbled to put the glasses on so he could see his assailant only to see another large pudgy fist flying into his stomach. Harry's head dropped as all the air in his lungs was forcefully removed.

"THAT IS THE LAST TIME YOU HEAR ME, BOY? THE NEXT TIME I HEAR YOU SCREAM AND YOU WAKE ME UP AT BLOODY 3 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING I WILL BREAK EVERY BONE IN YOUR BLOODY BODY AND LEAVE YOU IN THE STREETS. YOU HEAR ME BOY?" Vernon Dursley's voice rang though the silence of the night. Harry had now had to scratch the part about his uncle's abuse and knew that he would pay gravely if he dared tell an Order member.

With that, Harry tried to open his mouth to answer but the pain was so unbearable in his jaw that he simply nodded in agreement. With that the rather over weight man straightened himself up and walked merrily across the room. Vernon did not have a care in the world that he had just beaten the most important person in the universe. The though never crossed his mind of what would happen when someone found out. Harry was still sitting with his back against his nightstand holding his head wish that the pain in his jaw and nose would go away. Blood dripped freely from the broken nose as well as from a cut that had been opened from where the large fist had ripped the skin.

He sat there cradling himself doing the best to keep himself from crying out in pain. He wished so desperately wishing someone were here holding him telling him everything was going to be alright. This was not the first time he had been beaten by his uncle and probably would not be his last. He just wished no one had to know about it, as it was rather embarrassing for Harry that others knew how weak he was. He knew that Hermione would know but at the same time wished that he knew some healing spells to cover up where he had been hurt.

Harry was silently crying all the way back to his room as both his eyes started to blacken and the right side of his jaw began to swell. He knew that this was not acceptable but then again he had to return next summer so the blood magic would work. However, Vernon beating him was not what upset him the most. It was the dream. He shivered thinking about holding the lifeless Hermione in his arms. The thought that he wouldn't be good enough to protect her.

As Harry finally got a hold of himself his alarm clock rang out that it was indeed 6 o'clock in the morning. With this, Harry stood up and trotted downstairs silently. His uncle was already sitting at the table in his work clothes waiting for a cup of coffee and breakfast. His aunt and cousin no so much looked at him, as they were transfixed with something on the white tile of the dining room floor.

As Harry sat down to eat his own breakfast Vernon sat his paper down, stood up, and walked out the door heading to work. As this happened his aunt looked up showing her puffy eyes as she looked at Harry. "I am so sorry Harry there was nothing I could do," She sob.

Harry never thought he would place a comforting hand on the frail women who sat across from him at the table. "It's ok I will be fine I have been though a lot worse," Harry barely able to get the words out without crying out in pain. His jaw had swollen to twice its size and any movement hurt to do.

"No Harry I should have done something to stop him. You did not deserve that. Dumbledore told me what you are going through and what happened at the ministry. I am sorry for everything we have put you through in the recent years," As she croaked out the last words her sobs came uncontrollable. Harry stood up, walked around the table, and pulled her into a tight hug. As her sobs started to lessen to whimpers, she pushed back. "I hope you don't hate me or Dudley for any of this. We never wanted to but you know what happens when you don't do as Vernon tells you."

"I know," Harry said, the pain in his jaw was decreasing the more he talked. As Harry was about to go back upstairs the doorbell rang out into the silence of the home. "Fuck it can't be 9 already." Harry thought to himself. Reluctantly Harry opened to door to see a bolt of bushy brown hair flying at him. He caught Hermione in his arms barely able to keep them both from falling to the floor. He smiled as if nothing had happened the night before.

"Harry I missed you so much I tried to get Dumbledore to let me take you home right after school let out. He protested saying something about that damn blood magic your mom did traps you to this place for at least 4 weeks." Her voice cut off as she looked at the still bloody and deformed face of Harry. Harry tried his best to smile and look like nothing had happened. Hermione's eyes hardened as the anger quickly took over her body and mind. Then everything became stiffly silent. The air around them seemed to stand still in the calm before the storm.