A/N: Sorry for the wait. I just got caught up in my other stories. But I have that work out now. I'm going to update in order: this story, HP and SH, DDNT, and then Corkscrews. Hopefully, I'll be able to update a couple times a week, as long as I don't have too much work to do.

Okay, and thanks to Lya; Hermione HP; and JerseyGirl03.

CH3: A Shocking Turn of Events

~[Harry] turned off his light, but before he could fall asleep, two more owls tapped on his window.~

Realizing it might be some time before he could turn in, Harry dragged himself back over to the window. He let in the owls: A gray one carrying a large box and a deep brown one. He took the gray one's burden first.

Inside the box were bundles of papers and a few slightly smaller boxes. On top of the pile was a letter, which Harry promptly opened.

Dear Harry,

These were left with me by your parents to be returned to you on your fifteenth birthday. There are things in here that I'm sure you'll want, but also things that you may not wish to know. Always remember, you can't change the past, only the future.

Albus Dumbledore

Puzzled, Harry put the letter aside and reached into the box, extracting another envelope.

Dear Harry,

If you are reading this now, we are no longer with you. Voldemort's been after us for years and we knew this would probably be the outcome. We only hope that you are safe and happy, and know that we have always loved you.

As much as we would like to be there in person to tell you this, circumstances haven't cooperated. So, you must read it here now.

You are the heir of Godric Gryffindor. The last one.

Now, we know this will be a shock to you, but you need to know. Gryffindor is your father's great-grandfather, many times removed. That is why the Dark Lord is after us now, that is also why he is after you in your time, if he is still alive.

And if he is still alive, it will be you who will defeat him. We wish that he is gone so that you can have a good life, but if he isn't....

This will be hard for you to take, but it is your destiny. And always remember, no matter what, we are proud of you and watching you from wherever we are now.

All of our love,

Mum and Dad

Harry stared at the letter in shock. 'Me? The heir of Gryffindor?!?' He flashed back to his second year...'"Only a true Gryffindor could have pulled that out of the Hat, Harry," Dumbledore had said. At least it makes sense now.'

He shook himself out if his reverie and peered back into the box. There were pictures of everyone: his parents, him, Sirius, Remus, Wormtail, even some of the Hogwarts staff. One of Harry's favorite was of his parents, Padfoot, Moony, and two girls he didn't recognize, lounging around the Gryffindor common room. They looked about Harry's age.

He dug deeper and pulled out a bunch of official looking papers and a key. The paper on top of the pile was his birth certificate.

"Harry James David Albus William Godric Gryffindor Stanton Renault Taylor Evans Potter?" Harry read aloud, making a face. "That's my full name? Uggg." The rest of the stack seemed to be bank statements and deeds and such. Harry decided to read it later. But, nestled at the very bottom, was the Sword of Gryffindor and a note that echoed the one from first year, 'Use it well.'

He turned to the brown owl who was looking impatient.

As soon as Harry had taken the letter from the owls leg, it took off. He opened it and read:

Harry Potter,

Happy 15th Birthday. I hope you enjoy it for it may be your last. I want you to know I am watching you, waiting for the right moment to strike. You may have gotten lucky back in June, but you are still only a teenager. You have no chance against the greatest wizard ever. We will meet again soon and I'm sure you will be interested in what you learn.

Until then,

Lord Voldemort

Harry raised an eyebrow at the parchment. "Somebody has been reading too many comic books," he said sarcastically, although he did wish he knew what Voldemort meant by, 'what you learn.' He sighed and laid down to bed for a hopefully dreamless sleep.

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Okay, I know this is kind of cliche so far, but it will get better. Trust me and read on.