Dear Mum and Dad

I can't fight in this war, nor can I continue to act as if I am a hero.

Voldemort has robbed me of my hope and any optimism I had in the previous years.

Don't try to look for me, I am fleeing the country and living in exile in Antarctica and will be obliviating my friends of any knowledge as to where exactly in the Antarctic wastes I will reside.

From Harry

"This does not seem like the sort of thing I would write to anyone on any occasion, what makes you think this will work?" Harry asked after he handed the letter back to Hermione.

"That isn't important, the letter will be intercepted and the tracking charm I've placed on it will plot the path of the letter on this map." Hermione responded, pointing to the map before continuing. "You've already spoken with your parents about this so if the letter arrives there untouched then you know they will disregard it."

"Don't forget that you did tell us that you planned to make Voldemort believe that you were scared of him." Daphne interjected, placing her hands on Harry's shoulders and smiling at him. "We leave in three hours, the letter will have to do."

"Before you send it, I have to know, is there any way to make the letter track those who intercept it?" Harry asked the girls.

"The charm Blaise and I have designed for this purpose is designed to be undetectable from all but cutting the letter up and using it to brew an identification potion, which for a letter to your parents is hardly worth it, adding anything else would jeopardise that. They won't get any information out of it, sure they may search it for hidden codes and messages but that will never come to any fruition, or should I say that any clues they do find will be purely coincidental." Hermione explained patiently, with Harry nodding.

"Hedwig!" Harry called to the bird, who flew over from where she had perched to land on his arm. "I need you to take this letter, but I don't want you to fight anyone who tries to take it from you, let them have it and fly away from them." Harry whispered to the owl, whose orange eyes looked at him with an uncertain expression. "I need you to let them have it, you're the only owl I trust to trick my enemies into thinking they've gotten one up on me." At that Hedwig hooted happily and nipped Harry's finger affectionately before flying out the window and out of Hogwarts.

"Good luck old girl." Harry said quietly as he watched the snowy owl flying away.

/_-^_^_/

It was sad that Harry couldn't make his way to every Professor to whom he wanted to say goodbye, he could fly around and spend a moment or two with each, or he could send numerous Patroni to each and have them explain. Harry knew that the latter would be the most effective way to do so and so he chose that.

For a long moment Harry wished he could drag his friends and himself back to first year, so he could do it all again.

The Vipers would be stepping through the fireplace in Headmistress McGonagall's office and come out in Diagon Alley and then make their way to the abandoned Nott Manor to begin their planning. In September he would be down to only a few friends embarking with him on this journey, with the rest returning to Hogwarts to continue their education.

Things were only going to get harder.

/_-^_^^_/

"I hope you all know what you are doing, especially those who aren't going to live and study here next year, I don't want to read any eulogies for any of you." Professor McGonagall said sternly but tearfully as the group assembled with their trunks and bags.

"We will be, don't you worry about us Headmistress, we will get through this and you will see us again."

"Good luck Potter, Granger, Weasley, Hawthorn, Nott, Zabini, Lovegood, Longbottom, Black, Malfoy, and Greengrass."

"Thank you." They echoed back at her and left through the fireplace and were in Hogwarts no more.

"Mr Potter? I thought Hogwarts still had over a month left." Tom, the barkeep, called out as the near dozen students stepped out of his fireplace.

"It does. Between you and me, I am getting away from things." Harry responded, making sure to be overheard by the general population of the tavern.

"Ah, I see. As you were." The man sounded dejected but Harry knew he was the right person to tell.

"Goodbye Tom."

They walked through Diagon Alley, buying books and supplies before making their way to one of the designated apparition points, with Blaise, Theo, Daphne, and Neville having to help the rest to leave with them.

With a final glance at the street the eleven friends vanished with a snap, reappearing in Theo's old house.

"We have until September to plan before some of you leave us, we had better make the best of it. Professor Gaunt cannot leave until the year is over and then he will be joining us. Until then we are on our own, if you would rather go home to your parents then now is the time to leave, otherwise let's get down to business." Harry said after a moment of standing in the creepy house.

/_^_^/

"Potter has gone running like a coward, I shall send some people to Antarctica very soon. It is a shame about the obliviating of his friends, it would have been remarkable to torture that out of them. You all know what you have to do, Potter has finally acknowledged that I am superior to him, now he will die at my feet." Lord Voldemort declared after news of the letter was brought to him.

"My Lord?" One of his men called out.

"What is it?"

"They were spotted in Diagon Alley today, Potter and his friends, it appears that they wish to say goodbye to him before he flees."

"He has left already? It seems he was more feeble than I thought, how interesting."