The Last of the Potters
Chapter One – The Letter
The summer twilight was slowly fading into night. The Dursleys of number four Privet Drive were entertaining their perfectly normal friends, talking about perfectly normal drills (which Vernon's company made), and trying desperately to pretend that upstairs there was NOT something that was perfectly less than normal.
Most normal sixteen-year-old boys would not be happy about being banished to their rooms on their birthday. However, Harry Potter was not a normal boy. In fact He was about as un-normal as it was possible to be.
Only one more month to go Harry thought to himself as he reclined on his bed. All in all it hadn't been a completely horrible summer. His cousin, Dudley, had been shipped off every morning to a day camp for overweight boys, his Uncle Vernon was working hard to secure a promotion, and his Aunt Petunia was busy spying on the neighbors. As long as Harry did his chores and kept to himself the Dursleys were content to let him be.
Harry actually didn't mind the work. It was mostly weeding the gardens and washing the windows and Harry could feel the muscles that had developed over his last two summers of hard labor. Of course, the fact that his friends had sent him food to supplement his sparse diet probably contributed as well.
Downstairs Harry heard a car door shut and a car drive away. Shortly afterwards he head his family (although he hated to call them that) climb the stairs towards their respective bedrooms. He ran his fingers through his already messy hair and then down his forehead and along the famous lightening shaped scar on his forehead.
As he let his thoughts wander they turned to the vision he had less than a week after returning to the Dursleys'. Harry had relived this vision at least a dozen times since then. He let his mind embrace every detail determined to figure out it's meaning.
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The room was shrouded in darkness, the firelight flickering eerily. Tied to a chair in the middle of the room was a man with sandy brown hair. His head was slumped down against his chest making the rest of his features indistinguishable. A shadow moved slowly across the floor separating itself from the surrounding darkness as it crept towards the fire.
Wormtail! Harry would recognize that lousy excuse for a wizard anywhere. He reached the man in the chair and shook him trying to rouse him. Harry could hear him muttering to himself. "Stupid muggle. If you'd just tell the master what he wants to know your death wouldn't be as painful."
" I won't help that scum you call master even if it would mean my freedom." Harry always got anxious at this part. Voldemort was coming any moment and Harry still hadn't seen the man's face.
"Ah, but nothing can buy your freedom now muggle," a voice hissed in the darkness, "Crucio!" The man in the chiar jerked from the pain. Deciding he'd seen enough Harry let the images fade but kept the dialogue playing in his head.
"Now muggle, on last time, where are your wife and children?"
No answer.
"Tell me now and the pain can stop."
Silence…and then…"NEVER!"
"Pity I'll just have to find them the old fashioned way. This does, however, render you useless to me. Goodbye. Avada Kedavara." It was said so carelessly that it always made Harry shudder.
"Well done, my lord, may I compliment you on…"
"Shut up Wormtail. I have more important things to do then listen to you groveling. I have to find, and demolish, the last of the Potters."
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The last of the Potters, the last of the Potters, the phrase kept playing over and over in Harry's mind. Shaking his head, disgusted with himself for not being any closer to the answer Harry rolled over and immediately noticed the strange owl perched on the corner of his desk.
Reaching over Harry took the thick letter from its leg and the owl hooted softly before flying into the night. Harry looked at the envelope and immediately recognized Sirius' handwriting. Opening the letter he found a note and another envelope.
Harry,
I know I already sent you a present for your birthday. (Hope that's working out for you by the way.)
Harry smiled at this and let his gaze wander over to the several sets of robes Sirius had sent him.
Anyways, this arrived after I had sent your package. But after a lot of thought I decided to send it on to you now. You are old enough to read it.
Be seeing you soon, Sirius
Harry laid this letter down and slowly examined the envelope that had been included. Deciding to just get it over with he slid the second letter from its envelope and began to read.
Dearest Harry,
I can't believe I have finally worked up the courage to write this letter. For fifteen years I've been meaning to write these words, but first the danger was too great, and after that the guilt stopped my pen. So first of all, Harry, let me say I'm sorry. I'm sorry for a lot of things but mostly I'm sorry that I failed you and left you with those abominable Dursleys.
That said I think an explanation is in order. You do not know me Harry, but I know a good deal about you. Your parents were quite literally my closest friends. Yes, I knew James and Lily better than most people, except maybe Sirius and Remus. Harry, you must believe me when I tell you that leaving you with Vernon and Petunia was the hardest thing I have ever done. And Harry, please don't be mad at Sirius and Remus for never telling you about me. I have, quite literally, been in hiding to save my life. Not just my life, but also my family's lives as well, including yours. That's right Harry we are family. To be more specific, I am your aunt. James was my younger brother.
Harry dropped the letter into his lap at this and stared at the wall. He had an aunt? It started to fall into place. The last of the Potters. Potters plural, him and his aunt. He picked the letter up and continued on.
Harry, I hope you do not hat me and you trust me when I say I have always wanted you with me. Circumstances were not to be how I wanted them however. Harry, if you can find it in your heart to forgive me Sirius will know how to reach me. I am still in hiding but I couldn't go any longer without contacting you. I loved your parents very much and I want you to know that I love you as well. I hope to hear from you.
Your Aunt Bri
Harry sat for a long time rereading this letter. This letter from his aunt! I have an aunt! An aunt that doesn't hate me! After a few more minutes Harry moved to his desk. The urge to share this information overwhelmed him. He pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill. Running over his list of correspondents in his mind he quickly settled down on the correct one. Sirius obviously knew this person whoever she was. Ron and Hermione were so wrapped up and happy discovering their true feelings for each other that Harry didn't want to put a damper on it with his questionably good news.
Dear Ginny,
Thank you for the birthday card and present, I've been absolutely lost since I broke my watch in the lake two years ago. This one is so much better. (Even if it doesn't give me the real time)
Do you remember that dream I told you I've been having? About the last of the Potters? I think I've answered it. You'll never believe who I got a letter from today. My aunt Bri, my dad's sister. I never knew I had another aunt. I'm going to send you a copy of the letter. Tell me what you think because honestly I'm so confused right now. I could use a little advice.
Well, I can't wait to hear from you. I hope I can come to the Burrow soon. I miss you all like crazy.
Love,
Your Friend
Harry
Ps. don't worry I'm not letting the muggles get me too depressed.