Harry sat dejectedly on the backseat as his uncle drove speedily home, muttering at the traffic around him. As he sat staring out of the window, slowly tear began to squeeze their way out of his eyes and trail down his face. His mind mercilessly replayed the events of that fateful night at the ministry. Again and again he relived the moment that Sirius fell into the veil. The only father figure he had ever known, was gone.

As soon as the car pulling into the drive of No 4. Privet Drive, Harry shot out of the car and ran up the stairs three at a time. Crashing through the door he threw himself onto his bed. After his uncle had lugged his school things into the house and thrown them into the cupboard under the stairs he strode up after his nephew determined to have a few words with the 'good for nothing brat.' He walked into Harry's room to see Harry sitting on his bed, head sunk into his hands crying.

"What the hell's the matter with you?" he demanded sharply.

Harry looked up, stricken.

"What do you care?" he shot back. Unbelievably, he saw Vernon's face soften for a split second before he glared back at Harry.

"I asked you a question, brat."

"I, Sirius..he died."

Vernon looked shocked and as Harry went back to crying he slowly left the room closing the door behind him. He walked back down the stairs feeling, for the first time, sorry for his nephew. Death was a hard thing to deal with.

'So that was why he had such a large escort of freaks at the station.' He thought. By the time he had reached the kitchen however, all thoughts of remote kindness towards his nephew had vanished. Knowing the boy, he had been there when his god-father had died, having a way of finding or looking for trouble.

'Must have been that man they're all scared of. Lord Voldieport.' Suddenly he was filled with dread. The boy must have got away. That meant the man would be after him putting Vernon and his family in danger. The boy had to go. He wasn't prepared to endanger his own family for the boy's sake.

"He can go and live with those Weasels or whatever. He can't stay here, not now." Vernon said to Petunia.

"But…"

"NO, my word is final. He can leave as soon as possible."

"How about now?" said a voice from the hallway. Vernon turned to see Harry with tears stains on his face holding his wand about to take his school things upstairs.

"Now look here boy,"

"No, I've put up with this for long enough. I'm going." He turned and walked quickly away out the front door. Part of him was sad to leaving the family he had grown up with, even if it was the Dursleys. The majority of his mind was rejoicing to be finally gone. He'd ask Remus to collect his school things when he got to London, when he got to, Sirius' house. Just thinking the name made his heart break at the thought of never seeing Sirius again.

Before he had taken more than 10 steps out of the house, an owl swooped down and dropped an envelope onto his head. As it fell to the floor he saw the Hog warts crest and PRIVATE stamped onto the front. HE reached eagerly for it and ripped it apart. Several folded sheets fell into his hands. The first was a letter from Professor Dumbledore.

Dear Mr Potter,

Due to circumstances that are unfolding around us it was felt beneficial to send out the fifth year OWL results before the designated date. Well done on your results. I have enclosed a list of materials which you might find useful for the months ahead of you.

Yours sincerely, Professor Dumbledore.

Harry shuddered at the implied message in the letter and took up his grade list.

Astronomy: P

Charms, Magical: O

Charms, Theory: E

Defence Against the Dark Arts: O

Herbology: E

History of Magic: P

Potions: E

Transfiguration: O

Care of Magical Creatures: O

Divination: A

His face fell at the E for Potions as Snape had said he would only accept Outstanding for NEWT levels. But just as quickly brightened at the number of Outstanding's and Exceeds Expectation's he had received. He was still in an elated mood five minutes later when black billowing smoke started to surround him.

"So, Potter. You think you can escape and I will forget all about you." A voice sounded from nearby. Harry took in a sharp breath at the sound of Voldemort's voice. Suddenly, anger started to build up inside him at this, thing, which had invaded his life. Prevented him from even having a normal life and then taking away everything he cared about in one swift action.

"Come on then, Tom!" he yelled into the darkness.

"Kill me now! I've got nothing else to live for!"

A cold laugh sounded from right in front of his face.

"Oh, very melodramatic, Harry. You should be on the stage. No, I've got something much more interesting planned than a plain killing. You have proved many timed that you are no ordinary boy, I want a real match."

'He must be crazy.' Harry thought desperately. There was no way he could win in a duel against the most powerful wizard in several generations. Swiftly the smoke vanished as if had never been. Harry looked around him and saw that he was standing in a ring facing the dark lord.

Voldemort grinned manically,

"Guard" he whispered. Harry slowly brought up his wand and with the speed born from absolute terror dove to one side as the killing curse shot past where he had been standing seconds before. Harry jumped up and screamed the first curse he could think of.

"ACCIO!" Voldemort's face suddenly contorted in pain and a brilliant white light surrounded the two of them. As he collapsed to the floor, Harry felt his body filled with a suddenly rush of energy and power. He had no time to reflect on this as Voldemort growled and grabbing his wand pointed it and yelled 'CRUCIO!' towards Harry. But, nothing. No jet of light came out of his wand to hit Harry, no reaction from his wand at all. He tried again. 'Crucio!' but there was again no response. Voldemort looked at Harry in terror as they both realised what had happened. Somehow, with Harry's Accio spell, he had summoned Voldemort's very power into himself. Tom had become a squib.

Harry, his face set, bore down on the powerless man who was lying on the floor. He pointed his wand towards his former enemy and slowly whispered the spell that had started the entire process, nearly 16 years ago.

"Avada Kedavra." He turned his head away from the flash of green light and when he looked back he saw just a man who looked almost like the man who had terrified generations of wizards. Tom Riddle was dead.

But Harry had no time to savour the joy of finally being free of his adversary. He fell to his knees as pain erupted in his head. The world went black and he fell into unconsciousness.

Slowly, Harry opened his eyes. He was in what looked like a hospital. Looking down he saw that he was wearing a hospital gown although in his hand was still clasped his OWL results. 'Were on earth am I?' he thought in bewilderment. Suddenly a machine that he was wired to started beeping madly and a moment later a nurse bustled in who jumped at the sight of Harry awake.

"You, you're awake?"

"I guess so. Where am I?"

"St. Mungo's. Bless my soul; I can't believe you've woken." She came swiftly across the room and hugged him. She finally let him and walking out said,

"I'll just go and inform your parents."

Harry watched her go in confusion. His parents, didn't this woman know who he was?

Down the corridor at the reception the woman was speaking into a fire.

"Yes, Mrs Potter. Your son is awake."