Summary: Harry, Ron and Hermione have been best friends for several years now. After the prophecy had been told to Harry at the end of term last year...Harry has tried to remain very isolated from everyone...including Ron and Hermione...is the prophecy the only the only thing keeping him that way...?

Disclaimer: Unfortunately I do not own any of the characters of Harry Potter….they belong to the brilliantly magnificent J.K.R

Chapter 1

The sky was cloudy and the sun was trying extremely hard to break through the thick black clouds of London and Harry had some very mixed feelings as he awoke on the morning of going back to Hogwarts. First of all he was quite relieved he was getting out of this bloody hell hole at Privet Drive. On another thought, he would be returning to the wizarding world, returning to more stares...more false friendships...more people pretending they were on his side all along...more questions...questions were what he feared the most.

Harry got out of bed and began to pack...usually he would have been packed at LEAST a few days before he was due to be back...but this time...his heart just wasn't in it.

At least at the Dursleys nobody questioned him about Voldemort, The Ministry of Magic mission...and...Sirius. Sirius was still an extremely touchy subject for Harry. Since of course nobody even knew of Sirius at the Dursleys, nor cared that Harry was even less talkative than usual...more distant... more depressed...it was good and bad that he hadn't spoken of him since that day. He really should have had someone to talk to about it... get his burning guilt and sadness off his chest...but then again...he couldn't bare it...then it would make it more real...he just didn't want to think about that. Not quite yet. Sixth year sure was going to be a tough one...he could already feel it.

Little did he know just how tough it was going to be...not just about classes or even Sirius...

As Harry was packing things into his trunk he heard a slight tapping on his window and knew immediately it was that of an owls. He rushed over to the window and threw it open as Pigwigdeon came hooting by. He dropped the letter on Harry's bed as he landed gracefully on Harry's shoulder. He nipped Harry's thumb so Harry reached into his back pocket for a treat and sat him next to Hedwig in her cage. As Harry opened the letter a feeling of surprise rushed over him. It was a birthday card...he had totally forgotten about his birthday. "I forgot my 'sweet sixteen' " he mumbled...then he gave a bitter laugh as he thought...'yeah really sweet'. Opening the letter as he figured... of course it was from Ron.

Dear Harry,

I do hope your break was alright mate...I am sure it was hell living with those damn muggles of yours...but I wanted to say Happy Birthday all the same...we will really celebrate it when you get back to school...heh heh...you'll see later...

Harry got a puzzled look on his face...'what in Merlin's name could that mean...'

but right, anyways, sorry this is a bit late...and if you haven't gotten anything from Hermione...don't take it too hard...she's been having some family trouble this break...which is all she really told me...bloody hate that about her...never gives a straight answer unless its on a test...but anyways hope you enjoy your gift...there will be an even better one when we get back to school...heh...see you soon Harry...

Ron

Harry actually smiled a bit at the fact that Ron was still bickering about Hermione even though she wasn't even present...not a full smile mind you...just a tad. He popped one of the chocolate frogs Ron had sent him for his birthday in his mouth.

'Well that's odd I wonder what he has in store for me when we get back to school'...thought Harry as a little bit of excitement filled him...

'NO!' he actually said out loud as he slammed the chocolate frog wrapper and Ron's letter down on his desk...He would NOT be happy right now...he could not be that disrespectful to Sirius...even though he knew in the back of his mind Sirius would have wanted him to be happy...to feel something again.

Then he began to worry...he sure hoped Hermione was alright...he felt a bit of guilty pleasure that he might be able to finally take his mind off of his own problems and perhaps help with someone else's...if she would actually tell him...

"HARRY! GET YOUR LAZY ARSE DOWN HERE NOW! I MEAN IT! I WANT TO HURRY UP AND LEAVE BEFORE THE NEIGHBORS SEE YOU HAUL THAT MASSIVE TRUNK AND WRETCHED BIRD OUT OF THE HOUSE! THEY ARE COMING OVER FOR TEA TODAY! GET ALONG! MOVE IT"

Harry cringed...'Well' he thought 'At least I won't have to deal with this for awhile...'

Sighing he grabbed his trunk and the owl cage and began to drag them and himself down the stairs to leave for platform nine and three quarters.

XxX

This is my first story! Please be nice and please review! I really appreciate it! It does get better as the chapters go on...as I get more comfortable with it...I am also editing a few things throughout the story. Thanks for your time guys!