Chapter 1: Dreams and reality

Vivid green eyes stared longingly out into the cold morning sky. Pale pink clouds could be seen dotting the horizon, and the sun had barely begun to reach atop the adjoining houses that lined a quiet, lonely Privet Drive. The green eyes belonged to none other than Harry Potter, who had been awake most of the night. The reason being, that it was his birthday. Harry had been sixteen for more than a few hours, and there was no one to celebrate with. Of course, Harry was used to his birthday being a day of no fanfare, (after all, he did live with the Dursley's.) but he had at least hoped for a card or something to solidify the fact that he had indeed turned sixteen.

The Weasley's had written to Harry, informing him, that they would be unable to visit him over the holidays due to the fact that they were heading to Canada, for something, or other relating to Arthur's post at the ministry. Hermione on the other hand was going off to visit Victor Crum, for reasons lost on Harry. With the two of his greatest friends gone, Harry felt very much alone. To magnify even more the feeling of emptiness and loneliness that lived within Harry, his mind kept wandering to the night when his Godfather Sirius died. Harry had nothing to keep his mind from the horrifying events of that night. Harry hadn't received one letter over the whole summer. Even Neville hadn't written. (But Harry had received a few editions of the Quibbler).

Frustrated, and lost in thought, Harry didn't notice a huge shadow move through the air, until it landed on his window ledge and began rapping on the windowpane with huge razor sharp talons. The dark figure on the window ledge appeared to be nothing more than an owl, although an owl like none Harry had ever seen before. It was the largest and most regal bird Harry could ever remember laying eyes upon. As Harry scrambled to open the window, he noticed that the owl was carrying a small square parcel, almost as black as the bird itself. There was also a letter of a matching colour.

When the owl had finally made its way into Harry's small, cluttered bedroom, it's black feathers stood out radiantly against the bone white of Harry's walls. The next thing that Harry noticed about the owl was it's strange beak. It was the colour of polished gold, as were its talons, and they both looked equally as razor sharp. Harry knew he didn't want to see the consequences if he crossed this bird.

After pausing to glance at the strange bird that had just entered his room, Harry untied the parcel and letter that were attached to the long golden claw. He gave the owl some leftover food from Hedwig, gave it a drink of water, and sent it once more out into the early morning light. Suddenly the package seemed very alluring. Harry leaned forward to undo the knot in the green ribbon entwined around the tiny black box. As the ribbon fell away, Harry lifted the lid to the box and it revealed a small, delicate ring that appeared to be made out of a bright luminescent silver. The band of the ring was an intricately designed serpent, and engraved were the letters "H B".

At first Harry was sure that it must have been a birthday present, but after viewing the strange inscription, he wasn't so sure. All that left him to do, was to read the letter…