It was a dusk night, and not a soul dared venture into the streets after dark. That summer, the unthinkable had happened, and now frantic woman waited at the bus stop for their children every day after school and ushered them home quickly, glancing now and then over their shoulder to make sure they weren't being followed. Dudley whined and complained ferociously when his mother waited for him next to the high school bus, but she ignored him, grabbed his fat hand, and heaved him home.

Harry, of course being gone for the past year, had no idea what had happened to make everyone so scared. He drove home silently in the car with scowling Uncle Vernon, and didn't attempt to engage him in any type of conversation. He grabbed his luggage by himself and lugged it into the large, expensive house on Privet Drive.

"Thanks for helping me!" he called over his shoulder as he stumbled upstairs to his room, nearly staggering under the great weight of his trunk, Firebolt, and Hedwig's cage. Leaving something on the first floor was not an option, for Harry didn't trust his things with the Dursleys. He wasn't quite as bitter and sullen as usual, for he knew that he would be leaving soon to complete his task.

"Hedwig, are you scared?" he asked her, sitting in his desk chair with Hedwig in her cage, sitting on the desk. She stared at him without any trace of emotion, and clicked her beak quietly. Harry looked at her without saying anything. Suddenly he heard a scream. He entered the kitchen to find Dudley pouting with his arms crossed over his chest. Aunt Petunia was clawing at her hair and shrieking loudly.

"What were you thinking?" she shouted. "Not telling me anything! No phone call, no anything! Dudley, it's time to start acting responsible! You're seventeen!" Dudley stamped his left food and clenched his hands in fists at his sides.

"Mum, I'm not a child!" he screamed right back, his eyes sending daggers at her. "I don't have to call you to say I'm going to Pier's anymore! Stop treating me like a baby!"

"I'm trying to keep you safe!" Aunt Petunia bellowed. Dudley stared at her, then huffed under his breath and stormed out of the room. Aunt Petunia stood still for a minute, and then turned to Uncle Vernon, who had been watching the whole thing with a furious expression.

"I was right Vernon, wasn't I? It's not safe for him to be out there after dark these days!" Uncle Vernon sputtered and turned beet red.

"Well, I suppose he can make his own decisions, er, right dear?" Aunt Petunia screeched.

"Vernon, you know what that-that thing is, and you know what it will do! He knows Dudley is his cousin," she snarled, jerking her head in Harry's direction.

"What are you talking about?" he asked eagerly. "Who is it? Who knows who I am?" Aunt Petunia shook her head and didn't answer. "Tell me!" he persisted. If this supposed person knew who Harry was, then he had to be part of the Wizarding World. Who could it be, though, that would scare so many people? He didn't have time to think anymore, for Uncle Vernon grabbed his shirt and dragged him upstairs.

"You will stay in your room and not leave," he said, poking his finger in Harry's chest so hard that Harry gasped.

"Leave what?" Harry glared at him. Uncle Vernon looked confused.

"You-your room," he stammered uncomfortable. "I just said that." Harry decided to have a little fun.

"I have a room?" he said, his eyes wide and innocent.

"Ye-yes boy, and you won't leave."

"Leave what?" Harry grinned. Uncle Vernon growled.

"You're room."

"Which room, the one I have or the one I don't?" Harry laughed, shuffling his feet.

"The one you have!"

"What about the one I don't?"

"You don't have a room that you 'don't'!" Uncle Vernon shouted, tearing large chunks of hair out of his mustache.

"Oh, that's good, because then I wouldn't be able to leave it." Uncle Vernon grabbed Harry by the collar and lifted him up roughly (which was hard because Harry had grown and was now over six feet tall). Harry just laughed at his uncle. He reached into his pocket, grabbed his wand, and leapt back, pointing it threateningly at Uncle Vernon.

"You stay away from me, old guy. I'm of age in a few weeks, but I got special permission to use magic this summer to prepare."

"Prepare for what?" Uncle Vernon growled.

"Oh, you didn't know? The man who murdered my parents and tried to kill me is alive and he's only alive because he created Horcruxes by killing people and dividing up his soul. I have to find and kill the Horcruxes."

Uncle Vernon simple threw a loathing look his way, and left. Harry laughed delightedly and flopped onto his bed. He hadn't had that much fun in a long time. And his uncle was so easy to manipulate and get riled up, it was too simple. When he was enjoying himself, he could almost forget about the dreaded task ahead. He soon fell asleep.

"Everyone! Get up and leave! Get up, we have to go!" Harry awoke sweating with a start. He winced as a bead of sweat dropped into his left eye and stung the cornea.

"Ow!" he crawled out of bed to find Dudley running around the hall screaming.

"It's here! It's here!"

"Who's here?" Harry yelled. Dudley let out a sob and kept wailing and flailing his arms around. Harry grabbed his cousin's arms and pinned them tightly together. "Dudley, who is here?" Dudley choked.

"The-the man who's been killing people. He's here!" He broke free of Harry's grasp and rain straight towards the stairs, where a bright green light was flashed. Dudley's body fell limp, and he fell to the floor. Harry stopped breathing. Death Eaters. At Privet Drive! He hastily slipped his hand in his pocket to get his wand, but in a flash, he remembered that it was on his nightstand. He turned around to retrieve it, but came face to face with a cloaked figure in a white mask. Harry whirled around but another man caught him and shoved him towards the first man. He grabbed his mask and tore it off. Harry shut his eyes.

"Let me guess, the infamous Lucius Malfoy, am I right?" He opened his eyes, squinting at a scowling Lucius. "Ahh, I was right. I love guessing games, don't you? Let's play another one, shall we?" he laughed, clapping his hands in delight. "I think you're here to bring my to my dear friend Tom, who will try to kill me, correct?" Lucius clutched Harry's shirt.

"Don't be a smart-ass, Potter," he snarled. "Very, very soon you will end up just like your dear cousin over there," he nodded towards Dudley's dead body. Harry felt anger welling up inside of him. Of course he didn't like Dudley, but he was family, and Harry certainly didn't want him dead. He felt magic scurrying to the tips of his fingers, and he felt a power that he had never felt before. Tiny flames of fire welled up behind his eyes and Lucius gasped as he saw Harry's eyes glow bright green with little specks of orange. Suddenly, light beamed from Harry's eyes and something exploded

Lupin burst into the room, followed by Tonks and Moody.

"Harry!" he cried, staring at the mangled body of his godson lying in a crumpled form on the floor. Several hooded figures lay unconscious near him, black robes wrinkled around their forms. Lupin grabbed Harry's body and flipped him over. His glasses were cracked and knocked askew, and his hair lay matted over his forehead, soaking in sweat. His eyes were closed. Lupin flicked his wand and muttered, 'Enervate." Nothing happened. He tried again, but with no success.

"No," he whispered. "What happened to you?" He gently picked him up in his arms, and placed a stone in Harry's hand. Lupin closed Harry's fingers over it, and placed his own hand over his godson's hand. He silently counted down to one, and closed his eyes, awaiting a swirl of color and light.

"Poppy, what happened? How did everything-explode?" Lupin sat in a rough, wooden chair next to the hospital bed. Harry still hadn't woken up, and everyone was growing more anxious every day. It had been a full week with no response except the steady breathing that confirmed he was still alive. Poppy sighed.

"I'm sorry, Remus, I can't find out what's wrong with him. I'm still running a few tests, but I have a theory." Lupin edged toward the edge of his chair. "I think Harry did this, using his natural magic."

"Natural magic?" Lupin breathed. "I had no idea he was that powerful! Natural magic is present in everyone, but precious few can access it in their lifetime! Only Merlin and the four Founders ever did. How on earth could Harry use it?" Madam Promfery blew a long bang off of her forehead, and placed her wand on the bedside table.

"Remus, I've been tending to Harry for six years. He's survived things he shouldn't have. He's very powerful. More powerful than anyone knows. Even himself." Suddenly, Harry stirred. His breathing grew extremely ragged, and he began to pant.

"Harry!" both Lupin and Madam Promfery lunged for him, and hovered over him like eagles. Harry's eyes flew open.

"No!" he screamed, and began to thrash wildly in the bed. The sheets crumpled up and fell off the bed.

Pain. All he could feel was immense pain. Harry groaned, but no sound escaped his lips. His insides felt empty, like everything had been drained from him. Suddenly, his dried lips separated, and he emitted a long, groan. He saw a fuzzy creature lingering over him, along with a short looking bat.

"Professor," he moaned. Lupin cradled him gently.

"Harry! Are you all right?" Harry closed his eyes.

"No."

"No?"

"Dudley's dead." Harry whispered. "They killed him." He reached for his wand, but it wasn't on his side table. "Where's my wand?" Lupin reached into his pocket and handed the long, thin piece of wood to Harry.

"Try it Harry, we'll see how strong you are. Maybe then we can find out what happened." Harry took it and tried to grip the wand firmly. He waved it in the air, pointing it at a stuffed bear lying on the floor, a reminiscent of an old patient. "Wingardium Leviosa!" Nothing happened. Harry frowned (though it hurt his cheeks) and attempted the spell again. Nothing.

"Professor?" Harry whispered. "What's wrong with me?" He gestured at the bear. "I can't even do Wingardium Leviosa now." Suddenly, the bear lifted into the air and hovered slightly. Harry fell silent. He pointed his index finger at the bear and muttered, "Wingardium Leviosa!" once more. The bear lifted up high, and stood still. Lupin gaped.

"She was right!" he said hoarsely. "Merlin, Harry, I had no idea!"

What are you talking about? Harry thought. Why can't I use my wand? It's never not worked before. Did it have something to do with the explosion?

"Professor, why- " Lupin cut him off with a disapproving frown. His eyebrows rose up high and he tutted under his breath.

"Please Harry, call me Remus. I'm not your teacher anymore." Harry hmmpped.

"Re-mus, does it really matter at a time like this?" he said in an annoyed tone.

"Yes, Harry, we're friends, not teacher and student. Although there are a few tricks I still have to show you. James in particular liked-"

"Stop!" Harry shouted. "Just stop! I'm being serious, why can't I use my wand?" Lupin looked up at the ceiling, and a small smile seemed to flicker across his face.

"Harry, do you know what natural magic is?" Harry shook his head. Lupin snapped his fingers, and a book appeared on the bed, opening up to page 4, 506. Harry grabbed the immensely heavy book and heaved it into his lap.

"What is this, Remus?" He turned to the cover, and laughed when he saw the title. Hogwarts, A History. "Oh boy, Hermione would be so happy. He turned back to the page in the book and began to read.

Natural magic is present in every witch or wizard, but only a few in history have even been recorded as being able to use it at their own free will and control it within reason. One of these was Merlin, who first accessed it at age thirty-two. After that moment in history, he was never able to use his wand again for the natural magic had been released inside of him and with it had come rather unpleasant interactions with the core of his wand. It is almost as if a wand's core is released in your soul, and spells are amplified to enormous power. For more information on the Founders and their magical abilities with natural magic, turn to page 4, 528. Harry shut the book.

"What does that have to do with me?" he asked, already having a slight suspicion about what it was all about. Lupin grinned devilishly.

"Harry, you accessed your natural magic the other night. It wasn't exactly under your control, but now it's been confirmed. You can no longer use you wand, or else disasterous results would happen." Harry looked at his wand, a disappointed look upon his face. It was his wand! They had been through everything together, and he had come to trust it like a brother or a friend. How could he just…stop using it? It was unethical.

"So I can never use it again?" he said mournfully. Lupin nodded, but for some reason, he looked excited.

"Harry, don't you realize what this means? Even Voldemort can't use his natural magic! This is a huge advantage, and we have to use it!" Harry nodded in understanding.

"I get it," he saw slowly, "but how do I learn how to use it?" Lupin's smile vanished, and he sputtered.

"Well-I…don't know, Harry. Dumbledore knew how to use it, but…" Harry turned away.

"Go away," he said flatly. Lupin turned him over again.

"Harry, we only have one choice!"

"And what is that?" Harry shot back, anger exploding in his chest.

"Harry, you must be taught how to use your magic, and there are teachers!"

"Who?" Harry sat up suddenly, and narrowed his eyes at the weary, old man.

"The Founders." Harry crossed his arms over his chest, and glared.

"Oh, so now you're making fun of me? Remus, they're dead!" The man grimaced and shrugged his shoulders, trying to look apologetic.

"Yeah, I know. But it doesn't matter."