Plot: Two months after the battle in the Department of Mysteries, Harry is grieving over Sirius. Depressed due to life in general, will Harry make it? Will trust be gained? Will love conquer all? On the eve of his 16th birthday Harry receives a letter that will change life as he knows it, forever. Can enemies get over their differences for the greater good? Will all fall apart?

Chapter 2: "Reality"

After a few hours of sleep Harry awoke. Keeping his eyes closed, he listened carefully to the sound of the early morning. Cars passing through the neighborhood, birds chirping loudly, and the wind chimes sounding under the tense pressure of the morning winds. Everything seemed so beautiful as if it were all a dream. He wished it was a dream. It was simple; He was delusional. There was no way in hell that he was the son of the greasy git. Slimy bastard. Always intruding and making my life a living hell. How could he sire any offspring? Just maybe he Confunded Mom. She had to have been under some curse to like the likes of him.

"HARRY JAMES POTTER, get your butt up and get ready. We need breakfast made now," said his aunt. "I'm up Aunt Petunia, be down shortly!" he replied. Grumpy old hag. The lot of them; Just a herd of cattle living under this roof. Harry heard the locks on the door being undone. With the noise still in his ears he rushed out of bed, and threw some hand-me-downs on from Dudley. Before leaving Harry decided to check out the way he looked. He wanted to be presentable and nothing less. Can't stand another beating. Uncle Vernon almost got you good with his belt last time, Potter. Doing a double take, not quite believing what was being seen in his reflection. Harry noticed his eyes were an even brighter shade of emerald green and his black hair seemed to be more black in color. Both even more so than ever before. He seemed to have grown over a foot in height in the last few hours since falling into a deep sleep. Sweet Merlin of Camelot. This is not happening. This isn't real. The lightning scar was still present, but even the naked eye could see that he seemed more pale, and his face had higher cheekbones; More prominent but no crooked nose like the slimy bastard. Must be from mom's side. Lastly, he noticed his muscle mass. Always tanned and toned it seemed to his eyes he was even more so. Just with a slightly pale look in his skin. I look just like him. With some of Mom's features. The Dursley's are going to flip, and I'll probably be punished for this freakish nature. Damn them all. Why can't I live just a normal life. Why can't I be normal. Listening to Hedwig cooing he gulped and spoke with a strained voice. "Well I've always wanted to have a family. It's been a dream since before I remember, girl. Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled to hear about Professor McGonagall being my grandmother. And even though I know that Professor Snape is a git I do enjoy learning potions. Knowing that he is my father at least gives me hope for a family. Maybe, just maybe things could work out. I'm excited to tell McGonagall and excited to tell Ron and Hermione about this even though they'll probably flip. I may not like this as of yet but it could get better I guess, girl. It's just that everything in life as I knew it seems to be all a lie. Even the way Dumbledore has 'taken care of me.' Just have to give it a try and then just maybe something could be worked out." At least I hope and pray they'll except me. Knowing Snape though he'll probably ignore it and be the greasy git he is. We shall see…. Harry sighed, "bloody hell!"

Leaving his room quickly, Harry flew down the flight of stairs and into the kitchen. "It's about time you showed up, boy. Don't burn my bacon or else you get no scraps," said Vernon. Annoyed Harry replied "Yes, Uncle." At that very moment his aunt came from behind and swatted him with a wooden spoon. "Set the table you ungrateful brat." Harry hissed, "Yes Aunt Petunia." Thank God they didn't notice any changes. After laying all the dishware and refilling teas he went to the stove to start serving the Dursley's their breakfast, serving Duddikins last. Dudley decided to be an arse and smack the pan of bacon out of Harry's grip. Spilling grease and freshly cooked bacon on Petunia's wooden floor. "Mummy, Potter spilled grease all over your beautiful oak floor!" Harry cringed, expecting the worse. "He did what! Eeeeek! You freak. Always messing things up that aren't yours. Clean it up, now!" she yelled. Before he could gather the supplies he needed he felt a belt to his back. SMACK! "What the bloody hell was that for? I did no such thing!" His uncle took one more swing and backhanded him across his cheek, and uppercutted him in his abdomen knocking the air out of Harry. Unable to breathe correctly he passed out on top of a pool of his own blood.

Waking up to rough-housing from his uncle, Harry slowly got up. Cupping his abdomen, he hurried out the kitchen and up the stairs. Trying to reach his bedroom before his uncle lashed out again. Slamming the door shut he could hear Vernon lashing out; The sound of locks clicking shut. "You're never coming out of there you ungrateful brat. Once a day for the loo and that's it. No food. Starve for all I care! We brought you into our home out of the goodness of our hearts and this is how you treat us? After how you are so ungrateful. You're a freak like the rest of them. Just like that bitch of your mother. You'll never go back to that school. Never see your freak show friends ever!" yelled Vernon. Bloody hell he's mental that one. I need to write some letters. That should keep me occupied. Lifting the floorboard that hid all he held dear to him, Harry pulled out some parchment, quill and ink.

Dear Ron,

Thanks for the letter. Tell your mother I absolutely loved the cake. Some of the only food I've received so far this summer. Can't wait to come to the Burrow hopefully soon. I've got loads to tell ya, mate. Some stuff has come up. Some BIG stuff. Like life-altering, path-deviating changes. I'm having a hard time accepting parts while others I think are totally cool. I'll fill you and 'Mione in on it whenever we meet. Could you do me a huge favor...I hate asking for help but could you send any food? I have a feeling Vernon will continue to keep this banning me from eating up the rest of the summer and I'm already famished. Can't wait to see you.

Harry

Folding the letter and addressing it he moved on to the next.

Dear Hermione,

I'm sorry for being hermit-like with my feelings. I have just way too much going on and something big has come up with me. I'll tell you about it later. And please do not bring up Sirius. I'm controlling myself hearing his name isn't helping. Thanks for writing. Will you do me a favor? What do you know of the Merlin and Morgana and the Founders? Have you ever heard of the Priory of Avalon? Any information will prove useful.

Harry

"Hedwig, I need you to deliver these to the Burrow and return here as quickly as you can." Harry asked. Hedwig hooted and flew right out the window like a rocket. Before he knew it he couldn't see her on the horizon. Damn she is fast, I better hurry and write a letter to Grandma, and let her know everything. Grabbing his quill he returned to writing his last letter for the day.

Professor McGonagall,

I hope you are having a great holiday. I'm sorry to disturb you but it is of utmost importance. Some new information has come into light regarding myself. It does include you and I ask that you use the most caution you have available for not even the Headmaster needs to know this. In fact I don't want him to know. Please, if you can come to the Dursley's so we can discuss this properly it would be greatly appreciated.

Harry Potter

Sealing the letter shut he awaited Hedwig's return, and enjoyed the nice summer breeze next to the window. Contemplating over his new appearance and what life will throw at him next.