"It's all his fault Ron, Voldemort… no Tom Riddle did all this." Harry spat vehemently. He would do as Dumbledore had and address him by his real name and not give him any power using his title of Lord Voldemort any longer. Ron had stiffened on hearing the name Voldemort but when Harry had said his real name Ron backed away.
"We'll get him Harry don't you worry about that. I could give you some time to read all of this, I can go downstairs and torment that cousin of yours." Ron said, as Harry couldn't help a grin at the thought.
"Yeah I would like that." Harry said composing himself now pushing the pain of loss away and bringing focus to the letters before him.
He picked up the letter that was from his mother and father; it had the return address of Godric's Hollow on it. He would be able to find the house with this now, pulling out the letter he began to read it.
Dear Sister,
I know we haven't been on the best of terms in years but with our parent's passing our mother's dearest wish was for us to be on better terms. I have given birth to a beautiful baby boy, we named him Harry and I know you have your little Dudley. I don't think our parents would want their grandchildren to not even know each other, please Petunia I want to honor our parents dying wish to bury this chasm between us. I know how you have felt about me and my choices in life; this will be the only letter I do not wish to antagonize you with this any more. If I do not hear from you then this will be the last time you hear from me my dear sister Petunia.
Your sister,
Lily Evans-Potter
Harry replaced the letter in the shoebox his hand shaking; his mother's words had reached to him from beyond the grave. She had kind words to her sister even after years of anger between her and her sister. Could he do that with his own cousin Dudley? He doubted it and was pretty certain once he left this house he wouldn't be speaking to his cousin ever again. He also felt angry that his Aunt had never shown him this letter nor the other ones for that matter. Harry supposed she had just tucked them away somewhere and forgot about them, like how they would do that to him putting him in that cupboard under the stairs for the first ten years of his life.
Harry pulled out what he felt was the oldest of Dumbledore's letters and began to read it.
To Mrs. Petunia Dursley,
It is important that you read this letter and understand with fullest certainty that your sister and her family are in immediate danger. They are under threat of what you full well know is Voldemort, even if you try to deny him and the world that you know exists beyond the walls of your home. Believe me when I tell you Petunia that should the worst happen that you will be called upon to take care of their son Harry. Lily has told me of her last letter to you so you know of their son and I understand your hesitance in wanting to communicate again with your family. This danger to your sister will not remain hidden and safely away from your life as a muggle Petunia. For Voldemort does indeed seek to harm all that he sees as unfit and your family will be in as much danger as the rest should he not be stopped. Please consider my words carefully and I await a response with the Owl I have sent this with.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Harry put the letter down staring at it unsettled, Dumbledore had prepared for this eventuality even before his parent's death. He felt in awe again at the foresight that Dumbledore had possessed and again Harry felt the searing loss of this guidance in his life. He pulled out the next letter that was addressed to his Aunt solely.
To Mrs. Petunia Dursley,
I have received your response with a heavy heart, you may despise your sister but she does not despise you. Your sister has gone into hiding and powerful magic's have been used to protect their location, even now she and her family is being hunted. Does this not stir your family bond? I feel that it does not which greatly saddens me for I fear the worst may still happen. You must now understand that Lilly and James's child Harry is very important to the fight against Voldemort. Harry may be the only one that can destroy him and you will be needed to help guard him against his enemies until he can do so. I know you want nothing to do with the wizarding world. However I stress to you to remember the bargain we made when you were a child. You may be able to live as a Muggle however your son may still show signs of what you so desperately wish to hide from your husband. I can insure that like you he need never enter the wizarding world. I implore what ever family love you may hold for your sister to please accept Harry for your guardianship, the future of your family and all of ours may very well rest on your shoulders Petunia Dursley.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Harry drooped that letter into the box and sat there absorbing what Dumbledore had said to his Aunt. Dudley and his Aunt. They couldn't be? Could they? Harry just shook his head it had only been a threat because Petunia did not love him but accepted him to keep any rumor of Dudley being a wizard away from Vernon. She couldn't bare to have a son be like Harry, it would probably have killed her Harry thought bitterly. Harry pulled out the last letter now that was addressed to both his Uncle and Aunt.
To Mr. And Mrs. Dursley,
It is with greatest and deepest regret to have to inform you of Lily and James Potters death at the hands of Lord Voldemort. I have left Harry into your care, entrusting him to his only remaining Family. Please care for him as one of your own and treat him well as he deserves. The Muggle authorities will of course be contacting you as next of kin and I dare say they will have much to discuss with you. The house they lived in is now destroyed so there is little to be found there, however I wish for Harry to know of this when he comes of age, he will need to know where he came from in order to fully know where he is to go. In the mean time I offer my sincerest condolences in the loss of Lilly and James and hope that you will find it in your hearts to accept young Harry into your home for he is in need of it.
Sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Harry replaced the last of the letters within the box and just sat there watching the box as if waiting for something else to happen. So Dumbledore had to threaten Petunia, Harry felt sick with knowing how much his Aunt had hated him and his parents. Standing up from his desk he walked out from his room and down the stairs. In the living room Ron was sitting behind Dudley who was at the moment yelling at the TV. Ron was pointing his wand at the TV and every few seconds changing the channel on Dudley that seemed to torment his cousin to no end and couldn't find the reason the TV was doing this and so yelled at it each time it did so.
Harry smirked at his frustrated Cousin and walked into the living room. Ron glanced up at Harry and gave him a wicked grin and sniggered. Dudley looked behind him and bolted up out of his seat at the sight of Harry and Ron. He backed up from them holding his bottom and bumping into the TV.
"Y-you stay away from m-me.." Dudley stammered at them, as he looked frantically around him for some avenue of escape.
"Oh Dudders were not doing anything to you now why would you think that?" Harry said in a mock comforting voice to Dudley who merely shook his head vigorously. Ron laughed which seemed to frighten Dudley even more.
"You c-can't use m-ma-" Dudley continued to stutter at them both and Ron stood up now.
"He can't yeah but I can." Ron said raising his wand threateningly and Dudley went the color of parchment his piggy eyes fixated on Ron's wand. It was then that Dudley ran from the room crying for his mother that they were using magic on him. Harry and Ron just shared a hearty laugh over the prank. It felt good to get Dudley back for the things he had done to him but Harry still had one last thing to give Dudley before leaving. Harry and Ron went back to Harry's room; he didn't want to discuss the letters where Uncle Vernon could hear them.
"Well there wasn't much in the letters other then the address to Godric's Hollow and the fact. That Dumbledore had to threaten my Aunt to accept me here." Harry told Ron.
"Blimey I can see that the way they've always acted it's no surprise is it?" Ron asked rhetorically.
Harry nodded "Yeah I guess I just expected more somehow but that's all they are really just some muggles who happen to share blood with me. I'm glad to be rid of this place tomorrow night, I don't think I could stand anymore then that." Harry said walking over to his solitary bedroom window, looking out he noticed that Mrs. Figg was outside walking around with her cats. She seemed to be acting a bit oddly though; she kept looking over to Harry's window and ignoring her cats entirely. Before Harry could tell Ron about this he was distracted but the sight of three owls making their way to his window. Hurriedly he opened it up and saw with dread one letter was actually a Howler with Ron and Harry's name on it. Errol had delivered the Howler with a crash into the floor. The remaining two Owls Hedwig and Pig dropped letters on to the bed and perched themselves apprehensively on the back of Harry's desk chair.
Ron looked anxiously at the Howler and picked it up as a faint wisp of smoke trailed from it.
"Better open that Ron, I don't think house could take a Howler exploding." Harry said worrying over what would undoubtedly be Mrs. Weasley screaming at them. He just wasn't sure how extensive her anger was, though the fact that the letter was also addressed to him as well left him greatly worried. Ron opened the letter with a resigned face knowing it was best to get the worst over with quickly.
The Howler bellowed out Mrs. Weasley's voice so loud that Harry was sure the entire neighborhood could hear her. Harry's ears ringed with how loud Mrs. Weasley was shouting at Ron and himself.
'HOW DARE YOU JUST RUN OFF WITH OUT ONE WORD TO ARTHUR OR MYSELF. WE WERE ALL WORRIED SICK UNTIL HERMIONE HAD THE DECENCY TO DROP BY AND TELL US YOU WERE ALRIGHT! YOUR LUCKY YOUR FATHER AND I WERE TO BUSY TO COME AND GET YOU! I AM SO DISGUSTED WITH BOTH OF YOU ACTING SO IRRESPONSIBLY AND I EXPECT LETTERS WRITTEN BACK TO US WITH YOUR OWLS!
The Howler burned into ash and dissipated in the air. Harry could hear pounding of steps coming up the stairs and to his room. Vernon busted into the room slamming the door open, his face was twisted with anger.
"What the devil was that? You knock that noise off or I'll-" Vernon's ranting yelling was cut off as his voice failed him. Ron had pointed his wand at Vernon sharply and all sound had ceased coming from Vernon's mouth. Vernon clasped his throat and backed out of the room horrified. Harry got to the door and slammed it closed locking it with his wand; he didn't care if the Ministry detected his magic or Ron's.
Ron had picked up the reaming to letters and handed one to Harry.
"This one is addressed to me and it's" Ron said to Harry opening his letter and it issued out a rude noise in his face. Ron drew a disgusted face at the letter "Ugh it's from Fred and George" Ron said as a waved the air which now had a smell of rotten eggs.
Harry saw his letter was from Ginny, his heart started to race as he began to read the letter.
Harry,
I hope those muggles are treating you right and that your ok there. I missed you on the train and Mum went berserk when she saw that you and Ron weren't there. She thought for sure that something bad had happened, I knew better though. Listen I was talking it over with Hermione and she agrees with me we think it's a good chance that Voldemort already knows about us Harry. Everyone in school knew about it and that means Draco and Snape knew. Harry we think they probably told Voldemort all sorts of things about Hogwarts and the Order and also how we were going out.
I know you have to face Voldmort but you shouldn't go it alone, you need us Harry, all of us. Hermione told me about you going to see your parent's old house and I would like to go with you. It's not about the mission but I want to be with you when you go there. Write back as soon as you can Harry we are all worried about you and Ron.
Love,
Ginny
Harry re-read the words before putting the letter back into the envelope, he didn't want Ron to see it. He knew she would want to join him and a part of him wanted that, knew what she was capable of. She had made sense about Snape and Draco as well, he felt cold at the thought of Voldemort knowing and If he did know then they were in danger. This made him remember that Mrs. Weasley's clock had them ALL pointing to Mortal Peril. He felt his resolve to keep Ginny away beginning to fracture but there was still the fear that she would be in more danger with him then staying behind at Hogwarts were it would be much safer to be. Still the faint flowery smell wafting up to him from the letter made his heart ache for Ginny all the more.
Ron was viscously ripping up George and Fred's letter growling insults under his breath. "Those two think they can order me around, telling ME what to do. I'm of age and I'm not taking any of that crap anymore." Ron said throwing the scraps on the desk and incinerating them with his wand. Ron turned to Harry having just glanced out the window.
"So Harry what did my sister have to say?" Ron asked sitting back down on the edge of the bed looking at Harry.
"Not much just that your mum is really angry" Harry chuckled a bit at that; the Howler was pretty evident of the anger.
"Well at least I didn't have to hear any of those disgusting kissing noises." Ron said picking up Pig from the chair.
"Uh" Harry said with a slight frown, he hadn't told Ron yet he had broken it off with Ginny. "Well it wasn't like that Ron, I broke up with her." Harry finished a bit lamely.
Ron looked at him quickly "What? You did.. What!" Ron exclaimed thunderstruck at Harry.
"Listen I had to Ron you do remember what happened in our second year don't you? How Tom used Ginny to lure me there and that was just because she was your sister! What if he finds out how… That we were going out? I couldn't… If it was her funeral…" Harry couldn't finish due to horrible images of Ginny lying out on a stone plinth surrounded by her family. The monster inside howled in fury at the very image and couldn't live with the possibility that scene being his fault.
Ron was silent for a few moments and finally spoke. "Yeah maybe that could happen but Harry. That could happen to me or Hermione and were not backing out and I don't think Ginny will either." Ron said in a matter of fact way.
"She seemed to understand to me, she didn't get mad or cry. She knows I have to face him, I can't rest or be happy until he's dead Ron." Harry said firmly.
"No none of us can Harry, you think I feel safe and happy just because I'm not his number one target? Do you think I don't live in fear that some Death Eater is going to kill me to get closer to you? I think about it all the time now Harry and so does Hermione. Were all in this together Harry and you can't shut us out or push us away. I think that Neville and Luna should help as well Harry, they're loyal to you they were the only ones that responded to the DA call." Ron said
"What? No not them I can't risk everyone Ron and yes if I'm the number one target then the further other's are from me.." Harry tried to state the logic of how keeping others away would be keeping them safer.
"That's not going to work Harry, what about the Dementors? The giants? The werewolves? The Inferi? He doesn't need them to ALL go after you, you know. He's got probably a dozen plans having them attacking who knows what and where right as we speak. Harry you know you can't go at this alone, I think the more that are with us the better, I don't like my sister being in danger any more then you but I think she's safer with us. Especially if school doesn't re-open for next year, I'd rather we were all together Harry." Ron finished
Harry was pensive for a few moments absently brushing Hedwig's feathers. What Ginny had said about Snape and Draco added with what Ron said about all the forces at Voldemort's call gave him a horrible image. He imagined the Burrow under attack by Inferi, Werewolves, Giants and Dementors it left him feeling cold and hollow.
"Blimey Harry I better write to mum, you should write to Ginny." Ron said putting down Pig and looking about for a quill.
Harry stood up and pulled open a desk drawer there was an ample supply of cheap pens. "Use one of these, it works just like a quill only you don't need an ink bottle." Harry said to a disbelieving Ron.
"This is weird Harry, this how muggles write?" Ron asked amazed at the simple pen.
"Yeah but it works just as good see?" Harry said demonstrating with another pen and paper. It would have to do since all Harry and Ron's supplies had been sent ahead to the Burrow.
Ron sat at the desk and wrote a letter out to Mrs. Weasley while Harry sat on the floor using a book to write a letter to Ginny. It was hard at first how to start and what to say to her, there was so much he wanted to say and it could never fit it all in one letter.
To Ginny,
I'm sorry about leaving school so abruptly like that but we wanted to get my last visit to the Dursley's over with. You wouldn't like it here anyways, real boring and hostile here. I miss all of you and can't wait to see you when Ron and I get back. Were looking forward to Phlegm and Bill's wedding it should be a sight to see I'm sure. Ron and I are safe here for now and will see you all soon.
Love,
Harry
Harry stared at the letter silently wondering if he had said everything he should, worrying that it wasn't enough or too much. He closed the letter as Ron finished his own and they sent Hedwig and Pig back to the burrow with their letters. As the owls flew off into the darkening sky Harry noticed that Mrs. Figg was still outside watching the house.
"Do all Muggles act like that?" Ron asked nodding to Mrs. Figg below as Harry closed his curtain.
"No and that's not a muggle, that's Mrs. Figg she's a Squib. She was set there to watch over me just in case." Harry said walking away from the window, it still seemed odd to Harry to see Mrs. Figg standing out there for so long and not seeming to pay attention to her cats, just the Dursley's house. He pushed the thoughts aside figuring McGonagall or someone had told her to keep a closer eye on him.
"Let's go down stairs and bug my cousin some more." Harry said
"Sure" Ron said and they both left the room. They spent the remaining of that evening sending small bugs to pester Dudley. Uncle Vernon eyed them suspiciously but said nothing, Aunt Petunia just kept to her cleaning routine. After going to bed Harry fell asleep to visions of him and Ginny running along the lakeside and never quite catching her.