Minerva McGonagall sat in her new office, the shock of the events still setting in. Potter and Dumbledore had been working together, but on what she didn't know. But regardless, they had gone on a mission of sorts. A mission that ultimately led to the loss of the most beloved Headmasters Hogwarts had seen. A tear slid down her cheek as she thought back to the events of the year. She was crushed by the loss of Dumbledore, but she still couldn't forgive herself for tampering with the children. She leaned over the pensieve, and indulged in the memory the previous terms end.

Dumbledore sat patiently behind his desk as McGonagall wrestled with his last statement. The crudeness and absurdity of it sank deep within her.

"So you mean to rewrite their memories?" McGonagall asked quietly.

"Only somewhat, as certain things should be left as they are. I will only rewrite the memories since their homebound trek on the Hogwarts express last summer. I have discovered several things that make it necessary that Harry forget many recent events."

"Albus…It is unethical not to mention dangerous. You will have to-"

"I know what must be done… A sleeping draught will be slipped into the beverages at tonight's supper and the modifications will be completed by morning."

"Albus, students will be leaving for Christmas holiday tomorrow…"

"Certain parents will also be adjusted accordingly…"

"You're certain this is for the best?"

"If we do not act upon this…the world may yet fall."

"But why must we do this to Potter? He has learned so much and become so powerful…"

"That is precisely why we must do this to him. Harry will learn more if he feels he knows nothing. Everything will come back to him in some form. He will, in time, discover all of his current abilities, but for now I need him to be himself."

"What makes you think he will be driven to learn again?"

"You forget that we have a true seer amongst us…"

"Sybill? Hardly…"

"Do you not remember-?"

"Oh, I do…It's just…are you truly certain?"

"Minerva, if you question this once more, I will simply say yes once more."

"Then we must act quickly."

"Yes, and I must speak to Harry before the feast."

"I will send him."

"Thank you, Minerva."

McGonagall stood curtly and left, sending a note for Potter to report to Dumbledore's office.

The memory faded and she watched as the next swirled. It was her actions that night. She watched with a tear as nearly one hundred Obliviators entered the castle and began the daunting process. They were given strict orders on which events to replace with others by Dumbledore, who had already created substitutes. It took most of the night.

Minerva watched on as it took thirty of the Obliviators, Dumbledore, and Flitwick to restructure Potter's mind. Even in his sleep his defenses could not be penetrated. Without so much as grimacing he had mentally, and unknowingly, cursed and injured nearly thirty. He had nearly destroyed the boy's dorm in the process, but ultimately he would fall to the charms. The only other student to give resistance was young Ginny Weasley. It took ten Obliviators to subdue her, and that was just plain luck. Dumbledore had then proclaimed that he understood why she and Harry got along so well.

Minerva raised her head and was again in the head office, a small smile playing amongst her tears. Dumbledore knew what would happen. Not only what would happen to himself, but also to Potter and Ms. Weasley. He was an amazing man, and she would miss him terribly. She stood and walked over to her window, and gazed out as the Hogwarts express rolled out of the station, possibly making its final journey for some time.

Harry awoke suddenly in a cold sweat. He looked around; he was in his bed back on Privet drive. Hermione and Ron had been determined to accompany him, and finally he had let them. His Uncle had thrown a right hissy fit, but he gave in at the order of Moody.

Harry sat up, the dream fading from his mind. Not that he forgot it; it wasn't the first time he had it. Lately his sadness and anger overpowered his curiosity. He looked over to see Ron and Hermione staring at him. He turned away embarrassed.

"Harry, are you alright?" Hermione asked quietly.

"Yeah…I'm fine." Harry replied quietly.

"Was it that dream again? You know, the one with the tournament and the ball of light?" Ron inquired.

"Yeah…I think Voldemort is trying to get to me again. I've been seeing it since Christmas and it gets more and more detailed each time. This time the giant creature and the ball of light turned out to be me. I had so much strength and knowledge…It was amazing. If only it were true…I could have saved him." Harry said sadly

"You can't blame yourself, Harry. Snape killed him in cold blood, and we couldn't have known his plan. I'd say not to blame him, Dumbledore trusted him…But if it keeps you from blaming yourself, do it."

"Don't start this debate, Hermione."

"I wasn't starting anything. But I have a question."

"Let's have it then." Ron interjected.

"We have been here for over month and we haven't discussed these plans of ours."

"Well we aren't going to talk about it right now. We will discuss everything after the wedding. For now I want to focus on one thing, having fun. Dumbledore would have wanted both." Harry whispered.

"When are we leaving for the burrow?" Ron asked.

"In two days, at midnight exactly."

"That's your birthday, mate." Ron said sounding confused. "Don't you want to stay and have fun with the muggles?"

"I want nothing more than to get out of here. Let's get some rest."

"Alright, mate." Ron said as he lied down on his conjured cot.

"Goodnight, Harry. Sweet dreams." Hermione said quietly, lying down on her own cot.

Harry grinned as he saw Ron's face turn a bit red. He closed his eyes and focused on clearing his mind, before falling asleep.

The Dursley's sat idly on their couch, watching the late night news. It was an odd sight to see them. A proportionally miniscule Petunia crammed between her husband and beefy son. Dudley was quickly popping pieces of chocolate into his mouth. Still, with all the sweets he ate, it was amazing that he hadn't quite reached his previous level of obesity. Boxing had its advantages. Petunia turned to mention something to Vernon, when she paused and stared into the hallway.

The trio stood near the door. Hermione checked her watch. Harry glanced at his as well. Two minutes to go. He looked into the room adjacent, at his remaining family. They all had their eyes fixed upon him. Slowly, he approached the room.

"I'll be leaving in a moment." Harry said shortly.

"For good?" Petunia asked.

"You will never see me again. Nor do I care to see you." Harry said with a hint of anger.

"What do you mean, boy? You are the freaky one. And just where were you? You have been here just a few weeks. You return for just over a month, after leaving me standing at that bloody station. Now you just leave, I'd like an explanation!" Vernon said, turning a deep shade of red.

"You don't deserve it. Suffice it to say I had things I need to take care of."

"What would you have to take care of?"

"Maybe he will help people deal with the grief of losing the greatest wizard of our time! Maybe he is preparing for something that needs to be done!" Hermione suddenly shouted.

"The…What does she mean? Who died? Was it that Lord what's-his-name?"

"She means people have died! My headmaster was killed. A professor turned spy for Voldemort and murdered him." Harry spat coldly.

"You mean…That Dumbledore is dead? He can't really be gone can he?" Petunia asked, looking frightened.

"He most certainly is!" Hermione retorted.

"Oh dear…Harry, I know we've been horrible…but you can't leave us now…" Petunia began sobbing as she pleaded.

"Petunia…what the devil are you doing?" Vernon shouted.

"Harry you must stay! He will kill us. Your professor kept us safe while we kept you, it was a deal. Now he is gone and Lord whatever will come for us! He tried when you were a baby!"

"What are you talking about?" Harry and Vernon shouted in unison. The latter was turning purple.

"Him! The evil wizard! He wanted to kill us to get to my sister! If not for her husband and his bloody professor we would be dead! Harry we need your help!" Petunia was now begging him.

"I can't do a thing, at least not yet. You are on your own, just as you left me." Harry said darkly.

"Mum…what are we going to do?" Dudley asked, looking as if a loud noise could kill him.

"Harry…You can't…" Hermione was pleading from behind him.

"Why can't he? They tortured him, Hermione!" Ron shouted.

"Because this would make him no better than they were!" She shouted back.

"Enough!" Harry interjected. "Look, I can't protect you, I'm not strong enough. But I'll help." He said as he pulled a large bag from his trunk. It was full of galleons. "Take this. Go to Figg."

"The cat lady?" Vernon said, looking appalled.

"Yes. Tell her I sent you and to have Gringotts exchange this. Then leave. Leave this house and never return. Don't pack. Just leave. You should be able to afford new things."

"But we can't just-" Vernon began loudly.

"Shut up!" Harry roared. "All you ever did was treat me like a dog. Just listen to me or I'll walk away now and leave you to whatever comes your way!" The room grew silent. "Take the money and go. Don't return for work. It has to look like you just disappeared. I'll contact you in one month and see if there is anything else I can do. I'd be gone by morning if I were you. He'll know I'm leaving soon." With that he turned back to the hallway.

"Harry?" Ron said quietly.

"Yes, Ron?"

"It's after midnight. Happy birthday!"

"Brilliant!" Harry said with a grin.

Several moments later, three loud cracks were heard in the house. Harry and his friends were gone, but the Dursley's would never forget them. They were in a panic trying to pack. It wouldn't have been so bad if Harry hadn't transfigured every dish into tiny birds which were chasing them. Vernon would soon break a window just to let them out, for Harry and Ron had locked them all shut.

Molly Weasley sat at the table of the burrow, a mug of tea clutched in her hand. It had been weeks since she had seen or heard from Ron, Hermione, or Harry. She sighed deeply as she looked down at the table. She knew she shouldn't be surprised. She had a feeling they were leaving for good, but she had pushed the thought away. Now she wondered if she could have even stopped them. They were three of the most special children she knew. However, they were still children to her.

Ginny quietly entered the room and sat beside her mother. She linked her hand with her mothers and put her head on Molly's shoulder. She felt her mother's warm embrace and closed her eyes. She didn't know what to think. She had thought that one of them would have at least written her. But she hadn't heard a thing. And as much as she tried to pretend, she was still saddened by her breakup with Harry. She felt her Mother's eyes upon her and looked up hopefully.

"Nothing?" Ginny said quietly.

"I'm afraid not, dear. Not so much as a word."

"But they could be coming here."

"It's quarter past, dear. If they were coming, they would be here by now. Harry would be trying to leave those awful muggles as soon as he could."

"Maybe he wanted to give them a bit to remember him by?"

"Perhaps, but I don't think we should get our hopes up. Now go on, off to bed."

"If they make it in, will you send Harry?"

"Of course I will, dear. I'm sure you want to see him most of all." Molly said with a small smile.

"I'm sure I don't know what you are talking about…" Ginny said sheepishly before quickly heading up.

After a few more moments, Molly stood to head off herself, when a movement caught her eye. Ron's hand on the clock moved from Mortal Peril to Traveling. She watched as it stayed for just a second when it shifted back. It was just then that she recognized a soft pop near the house. She turned towards the door to see the knob turn and a bloody and ragged Ron and Hermione entered. Hermione collapsed at the table and Molly rushed to them.

Tears began to flow as she tried to sort them out, waiting desperately to see Harry come in. After several moments of waiting, she moved to shut the door. There was a muffled thump. The door hadn't closed. Ron and Hermione spun around with their wands out. But it was Harry. His lip was bleeding and a black eye was forming. He had a limp form on his shoulder. It was Moody.

"What happened?" Molly demanded.

"Keep it down, Mum." Ron said quietly. "We just ran into some trouble is all. Nothing we couldn't sort out."

"What do you mean?" She asked, teary eyed and frantic.

"They were waiting for me to leave." Harry said darkly. "We were about to leave. Disapparated but only ended up outside and they were waiting. Snape was there with them." Harry sounded more than hateful as he spoke. "They attacked but we held our own. Then Moody showed up. We started to gain the upper hand. Snape started in though, and took Moody quickly. I wasn't stupid enough to try cursing him again, so I just grabbed him. I squeezed. I would have strangled him, but the others were already gone. I told them to run and they did. I needed to get Moody out before more death eaters showed up."

"You say it like it's such a small thing…" Ron said with a chuckle.

"I wanted him dead. I would have if I could."

"It's alright, you didn't. Besides, we are fine. Mrs. Weasley? Could you notify the order?" Hermione spoke finally.

"Certainly, they would want to know."

"Tell them to make sure the Dursley's get out by morning, and to unlock the windows and doors. We had a bit of fun before we left." Harry said with a small grin.

"We just fought death eaters and you are still thinking about that? Harry potter you amaze me!" Hermione said with a laugh. She stood slowly. "I think I'm going to get some rest."

"I think we all should." Harry added.

"Yes, you should all go straight to bed. I'll notify the order and sort out Moody." Molly said with a motherly air. They all got up to leave. "Harry dear, I told Ginny I would send you in to see her if you returned. She has been worried." She added with a small smile tracing her lips.

"Thanks, Mrs. Weasley."

"Honestly, Harry. You are family. My name is Molly."

"I'll work on that, Mrs. Weasley. Good night."

Harry slowly made his way up the stairs. He was barely halfway up when he heard footsteps rushing down towards him. He watched as Ginny's face appeared in front of him. She stopped suddenly and he had to hold his arms out to keep her from falling. She looked at him sternly, a single tear rolling down her cheek.

"Are you alright?" She asked as her hands met his.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"You sure?"

"Yeah…"

"Good then…stupid git!" She said harshly as she slapped his arm.

"Ow…what was that for?"

"You didn't even write; you've barely spoken to me since the funeral, not to mention you broke up with me!"

"I thought we agreed-"

"No you got up and left before I could really argue. If you would have stayed I would hit you and kissed you and told you no."

"But Ginny-"

"Oh shut it already. If he was willing to target me and use me just because I knew you, it means he'll still be willing now. He has already done it and will try it again regardless. Breaking down one of the only good things this war has brought, is a pointless and stupid move."

Will you just-"

"No, you listen. If he has done it once, he won't hesitate again. Being your girlfriend won't make any difference."

"But if he ever-"

"Argh! You are just like Ron sometimes. Look, if he kills me, whether I'm a friend or more, you will still blame yourself. You will still feel guilty and hate him even more. I know you well enough to know that. So why not just take what good we can get while we can get it. I mean, there is no guarantee that any of us will survive."

"Ginny, I won't let him kill you. I can't."

"And I will fight to keep you from sacrificing yourself or getting yourself killed. So you see? We are safest when we are together."

"But you-" Harry began before heaving a defeated sigh. "Fine, but I'm still not comfortable with this idea…"

"Too bad, because I have a good feeling about it. By the way, happy birthday." She said with a smile.

"Thank you. So what did you get me?"

"You got me back, Potter. What more do you need?" She said before giving him a soft kiss and heading to bed.