Authors Note: This is my sequel to Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. I hope you like it and please be gentle with the reviews as it is my first fanfiction.
Disclaimer: Everything from Harry Potter is owned by J.K.Rowling. The only thing I own is the plot.
Chapter summary: Harry has finally come of age and he is ready to take on his greatest test of his life. However, there is time for laughter, but it is the beginning of the end.
Chapter 1 - The beinning of the end
Harry Potter's bedroom on number four Privet Drive was what any mother would have called, "a right state." Unconcerned by its looks, Harry looked outside his fog covered window squinting into the memory of his Headmasters death. Albus Dumbledore, greatest wizard of the century had been conquered by a "bloody traitor," as Harry had concisely put two weeks ago. Harry had been through a rocky road in his life of reality. For six painstaking years Harry Potter had visited Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and wizardry each with a mysterious twist, than any average wizard would have gone through.
"Just this one night," thought Harry to himself, "And then I'm leave with my new friend."
Freedom. This was something Harry Potter had longed for his entire life. Ever since he was born, Harry had been subjected to pain. Over the past six years, he had learnt to cope and had even grown accustomed to it. Many would agree that physical pain was the worst one could endure, but for Harry Potter it was all different. Going through a rollercoaster of emotional pain had been Harry Potter's test of life. Losing his parents Lily and James Potter when he was one, meeting his godfather after thirteen brutal years and not having him around anymore was another. And now another whom Harry had had love and respect for, had died. With a tear trickling down his cheek, Harry dozed off into a dreamless sleep.
"Get up! It's almost nine," cried Aunt Petunia prodding Harry in his shoulder. "I want you to clean up this mess and come down to fold the clothes."
"I'm up! Quit poking me," replied Harry with his eyes grazing at Aunt Petunia's with loathing. And with that, Aunt Petunia walked out of the room and downstairs into the kitchen.
Harry had walked down the kitchen in less than one minute with a power surging through him. He felt different today. Looking down at himself, he realized that today was his birthday and was in fact the day he had turned of age within the wizarding world. With a broad grin across his face, he entered the kitchen.
"Why do you look so pleased?" asked Uncle Vernon looking at him.
"This is why," replied Harry with a flick of his wand and staring at his Uncle. Instantly, a stack of toast, eggs and juice had materialized. The reaction of his uncle was quite predictable.
"Don't you dare use that thing in here!" he shouted as Aunt Petunia ran near the table and Harry's cousin Dudley had turned around with his big beefy head away from the television.
"Today is my birthday; I am of age," replied Harry with a triumph over his Uncle after seventeen harsh years.
"So, you'll be leaving then?" asked Uncle Vernon looking hopeful.
"Yes, I will be. As soon as my friends get here, I will leave with them," said Harry.
"Then get everything of yours and get out of my house. What time are they coming here?" said Uncle Vernon looking the happiest Harry had ever seen him.
"They should be here by now and I have everything packed already," said Harry.
"No you don't! That room is a mess," said Aunt Petunia glaring at Harry. Harry pointed to his wand, and Aunt Petunia looked quizzical and walked upstairs. At the precise moment that Aunt Petunia had disappeared, there was the chiming of number fours' doorbell. Harry got up enthusiastically after helping himself to toast and eggs and opened the door only to welcome three individuals.
"Harry!" squealed Hermione, the cleverest of Harry's friends who was as tall as Harry and had big bushy hair flying behind her as she gave Harry a bone crushing hug.
"Hey mate," said Ron a read headed Weasley whom Harry considered as his best friend.
His greeting was followed by a quiet, "Hello Harry," which turned out to be from another read headed Weasley named Ginny. Ginny was the last of the Weasley children. She was one year younger than Harry and had in fact gone out with Harry that previous year for a brief period of time.
"I didn't know she was coming," said Harry looking at Ginny.
"We didn't either. She followed us," said Ron pointing to their broomsticks.
"I wanted to come along, but mum said no. So I had to sneak out," said Ginny looking rather pleased with herself. "It's not fair that you three always get to have the fun. And being Fred and George's only sister, I hate being left out of fun."
"Fair point that," said Harry. "I have all my stuff ready to go upstairs. Wait here, I'll get it."
Within a minute, Harry was downstairs with his trunk, Hedwig's cage and his firebolt. With a flick of his wand, his trunk and Hedwig's cage disappeared. "It's best to send it to 'The Burrow' so it's easier to travel. I'm almost done. Just give me one second," said Harry and walked back towards his Aunt, Uncle and even Dudley who had gotten his big self and had hidden behind his father.
"This is it. I am leaving for good. It's a good chance that I will never return here," said Harry. "Just so you don't forget me, here is a souvenir." Harry's wand pointed towards Dudley as he gave it a flick and a tiny pig's tail had erupted from his behind. Dudley was screaming all over again and was being cooed over by his parents. Too ignorant to find out their reactions, Harry gave a hearty laugh and ran out of Number four Privet drive. Mounting his broom alongside his friends (who were also laughing at the sight they had seen through the window), they took off into the morning breeze, which was rather cool than warm for the summers day and flew towards The Burrow.
