Authors note: This chapter takes place the same day as the last….Is that obvious?

"Growing up in the lap of luxury with his well-to-do muggle relatives, but he is showing no sign of a good background," Harry screamed to Ron and Hermione. Harry had gone back to the common room and Hermione and Ron had been waiting for him. They seemed to have forgotten there own problems; the three of them now united under hatred for Rita Skeeter. "The Dursley, the lap of luxury! I swear the woman is raving."

"A vivacious young Slytherin girl in Harry's year," Hermione said as her eyes read through the paper again. "Pansy Parkinson, she probably interviewed her over the summer. She had better not come around here."

"Hermione, why don't you just threaten to rat on her?" Ron asked as he grabbed the paper from Hermione and flipped the page to something else.

"I gave her my word. I said a year and she waited. I hoped a year would cool her down, but it hasn't."

"I am going to go down and give McGonagall my class registration form," Harry said to pull the conversation away from the article. He didn't care that Rita was writing about him. Worrying about that, like Cho, belonged to another world. A world where Sirius was still alive. "I'll be back. I have to go and get something from upstairs."

He ran up the steps quickly, stopping at the door to his room. He opened it slowly and was happy to see it was empty. The wide window was open and the room was full of cool, fresh air. It was summer air; it refreshed Harry. It smelled like trees as he sat down on the bed. He gave a long sigh. Harry hated days like this. On days like this everything came back to him.

He could hear the voice of Sirius. It was warm and welcoming like an old friend whispering words of inspiration. His face came next; with his dark shadowed eyes and pale, creamy white skin. The slight smile that would creep upon his visage. Harry could almost feel his hand on his shoulder.

The veil. Harry still dreamt of that veil. The swishing purple curtain that hid so many secrets. He could hear the sound of melancholy voices. Harry wished he could go into the veil; join Sirius in it.

The wind came to him again. Something else was coming to him as the memory of Sirius floated into his head. It was the stone walls of his dream and the glowing green light. It was so like the light he saw when he thought of Voldemort.

Voldemort, with his slit like eyes and small pointed, snake-like eyes. Everything came back to him. Everything that was wrong with Harry's life. If it wasn't for him he would have a family. If it wasn't for him Sirius would still be alive. Harry hated him. He was the only person Harry had ever hated. Malfoy, Snape, and Wormtail; Harry disliked them. He wanted to kill Voldemort.

He would have too. That was what the prophecy, said. And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives. Harry would have to become a killer. He would have to kill or be killed. He would, ultimately, have to end the worlds suffering or be its passage into the dark times. If he fails then the Voldemort will win.

And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not. What power! As the wind gushed into the room again, Harry thought about that line. Harry had no extremely powerful magical capability. Sure he could conjure a patronus. What good was that against Voldemort? The thought of his patronus stag fighting away Voldemort was laughable.

Harry got up from the bed slowly and moved over to the window. He grabbed the hook that held it open and closed the window shut.

"Better not to remember," Harry said to himself as he looked down. Hagrid was sitting outside of his house. His face was bright and from even this far Harry could see that he was smiling.

He pulled from his pocket the registration form. He looked at it for a long moment. Then he checked off Transfiguration, Potions, and Defense against the Dark Arts, Care of Magical Creatures, Charms, and Divination. He thought of his O.W.L. in Divination. Would Trelawney care about that? He shoved the parchment in to his pocket and went toward the door. As he closed it he stared to the closed window and his past.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked out of the common room slowly. The rest of the students were in classes. Harry wondered where the other sixth years were.

"You guys want to come and visit Hagrid with me after we drop these off," Harry said as they turned the corner. As they did, Hermione let out a huge scream.

"Got your conk," Screamed Peeves as he grabbed Hermione nose. He let go and began to whisk around the three of them.

"Peeves get out of here. I will report you to Filch if you don't," Ron said, his face was bright red. Harry thought it was an odd thing for Ron to say. Then he saw the bright gold prefect badge on Ron's chest.

"Weasley…Weasley…Weasley…." Peeves said as he began to zoom around Ron.

"Silencio," Hermione shouted with her wand outstretched. Bright silver waves erupted from her wand and hit Peeves in his face. Peeves's mouth continued to move silently. He seemed to be screaming at Hermione to fix him.

"Just deserts, Peeves," Harry said as the three of them left him. They began to laugh loudly as they turned the corner and saw the office door of Professor McGonagall. As they reached they stopped laughing and Hermione knocked on the door, softly. The door opened at the touch and they entered to find the oval room empty.

Harry had never seen such an opposite of Dumbledore's office. There was nothing out-of-order or odd about this room. Everything seemed to be in its proper place.

"I suppose she has a lesson," Ron said as he sat down in on of the three chairs in front of her desk.

"Lesson's just let out," Hermione said staring at the large grandfather clock on the wall. It lack numbers but, in fact, had a list of houses on them and in between each house stood a dash that spelled out break.

"Let's wait," Harry said as he sat down. There was nothing of interest here. "This office sure does suit McGonagall."

"Professor McGonagall," Said a clear voice from the doorway. The three of them turned swiftly and saw that Professor Dumbledore was standing in front of them. His bright eyes glowing down at them. "I suppose you are here to give Professor McGonagall your registration. Ms. Granger, I must give you my apologies."

"For what, proffesor?" Hermione asked. She was flushed and seemed to think she had done something wrong.

"I have waited to long to congragulate you on your O.W.L. scores. Best of your year. Completely up to your standard. In fact, you may have assured some that I am not a crack pot old fool who is heading the school into the ground. Although, Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley did well to. Everyone did exceptionally well at Defense Against the Dark Arts. I thank you three for that," Dumbledore said, his bright blue eyes flashing over them.

Harry was unsure what to say. He was sure that Dumbledore had just thanked him for starting an illegal club to study the dark arts last year. Hermione and Ron were thinking along the same lines.

"Hello, Proffesor Dumbledore," Said the strict voice of Proffesor McGonagall. She entered the office amd sat down behind her desk. She was wearing robes of bright tartan emerald green and her hair was in a tight bun.

"May I help you," Proffesor McGonagall said in a austere voice. Her mouth had loosened a bit. Harry had never seen her so relaxed.

"We just wanted to give you these," Ron said laying his registration on her desk and getting up from his chair. Hermione followed and afterwards Harry followed suit. They left the room slowly and closed the door behind them.

"Let's go on down to Hagrid's now," Harry said as they turned down the corridor.

"Alright, but I have to be back up in while," Hermione said as they were reaching the steps.

"Why?" Ron asked tenativly.

"I have to do some S.P.E.W. stuff," As Hermione finished, Ron groaned loudly.

"Hermione, when are you going to get it? They don't want to be freed," Ron said as they pushed the entrance door open.

"It dosen't concern you, Ron. I am not asking you to help. I am doing this on my own," Hermione said in a slighltly final voice.

"Could you two not spend the day arguing," Harry said as they reached Hagrids hut. Harry walked up to the door and knocked on it slighltly. Hagrid appeared at the door a moment later. He was looking sunburnt and a bit larger than usual. His face was still holding a large smile.

"'Arry good to see ya. Come on in. You to, Ron and Hermione," Hagrid exclaimed as he opened the door. He ushered them into the brightly lit hut. Harry could see the larger boarhound Fang sleeping in the corner.

"Hello," Said Hermione as she sat down next to Ron on the sofa. Harry joined them and Hargrid pulled a large stool up to them.

"Harry I've got ur gift right here," Hagrid said before Harry could even ask. Hagrid began to rumage through his many pockets. "Guess what?" He said as he continued digging in them.

"What?" Harry and Ron asked in unison. Hermione had taken to stroking the newly awakened Fang under his chin.

"Buckbeak. I've got Buckbeak back. I mean after Sirius-" Hagrid stoped and turned to Harry with a sympathetic look in his eye.

"It's okay. I'm fine."

"Well…seeing as Buckbeak has no owner and there is a new Minister of Magic, they let me have 'em back," Hagrid said. There were tears coming down his face. His large hand was still in his pocket. "Here it is."

Hagrid pulled out a small white envelope. He handed it to Harry slowly. Harry shook it and then opened the flap. Out of it came a very small golden key.

"What is this?" Harry asked as he showed the key to Hagrid in astonishment.

"It's a key 'Arry" Hagrid said slowly. "It's the key to Number Twelve Grimauld Palace."

"Why do I have this?" Harry asked. Ron and Hermione seemed to have left the room; they were both extremly silent.

"Sirius left you everything. Dumbledore asked me to give it to ya. Wouldn't seem right if the Headmaster was handing out gifts. Sirius's money has been put into your account and everything he owned is yours," Hagrid finished.

Harry turned away. He got up from the chair and moved over to the window. It was open. Harry could feel the warm, summer air fill him.

"It's for when you leave school. I mean the order dosen't use it anymore. Kreacher has left the house. Dumbledore thinks he has gone to the Malfoys," Hagrid said. Harry still kept toward the window, allowing the breeze to become one with him.

"Isn't that dangerous?" Hermione asked still absentmindly stroking the chin of Fang.

"No," Harry said. "He can't tell them anything. He wasn't the secret keeper." Harry said. He knew he had heard those words before. It seemed like so long ago someone had told him that.

Harry stared out the window. Memories began to flood his head. He thought of closing the window; his hand began to close it

"Maybe it is better to remember," Harry said silently as he closed the window.

"What did you say 'Arry," Hagrid asked.

"Nothing."