A/N: Written as a response to a Challenge from TGP. This is my first challenge and first fanfic, so if I mess something up, please tell me. Once I've met a condition for the challenge, I'll post it in an A/N at the end of the chapter.

Warnings: Yaoi/Slash, Angst, DARK themes, mature content. This is for the entire fic, in case you care.

Disclaimer: Belongs to J. K. Rowling…sigh at lest she shares.

Curiosity Killed the Cat

Prologue: Aftermath

It's been two weeks since the end of the term of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and things are happening. Minerva McGonagall is now Headmistress with an unknown residing as Deputy Headmistress or Headmaster. Hogwarts will open at the beginning of September, whether or not the Ministry approves of it, or, at least, that's what McGonagall says.

Hermione, now an adult in the wizarding world, has moved into number twelve Grimmauld Place. Convincing her parents of this took some time; they wanted her to stay until she was of age in the Muggle world. You see they still not ready to give there only daughter to a world they could never fully understand. Finally, after Hermione told them some of the things she had already done and that she would be with some of the best Aurors in the business, they agreed, on one condition; that they would receive a letter from her once a month until "that evil man is gone". At this Hermione sighed, but knew she was getting off lightly. And at this her mind turned to Ron, but we'll get to that in a bit.

Ron was also staying at number twelve, as was Ginny, Molly and Arthur. Though Mrs. Weasley knew Ron was of age, but that did not mean she had to let go of him. Ron was happy that Hermione had convinced her parents to let her stay at number twelve and many times he and she could be found in one of their rooms (door open as was the rule), heads together whispering about something. Ginny could usually be found in the next room, one of the twin's Extendable Ears trailing from under the door to her ear.

Lupin and Tonks are happy together, well at least that's what people are assuming, they don't see much of either nowadays. Tonks is at work at the Ministry as are most of the other Aurors. Lupin is out trying to find out about Fenrir Greyback, and what will happen to Bill. He is also trying to find out about how many werewolves have joined Voldemort.

Hermione has it in her mind that she might be able to find some good spells to help her and the boys when the go off to find Voldemort. Ron is poking around trying to find out how much the order knows and if they knew where he is. He is also trying to find out where they can go first.

Harry is waiting at number four Privet Drive. He waits for every letter from Hermione telling him about what she had found out and what she and Ron have decided. He waits for every letter from Ron telling him about what he had found out and his ideas about where to start. He waits for every issue of the Daily Prophet, counting every death he has caused by not defeating Voldemort the first time, or the second, or third etc. He waits for the Weasley wedding, and hopes that nothing will go wrong during it. And right now he is waiting for Hedwig to come back from a hunt so that she can send another letter to Hermione.

Herm,

What are we going to do come the start of next term at Hogwarts? I just read in the Prophet that it's opening. We will all be able to Apparate by that time. Maybe we should go to the Hogwarts Express and Apparate once we are on the train? I'm not sure. Tell me what you think.

Bye,

Harry

And last, but the hardest of all, Harry is waiting for July 31st, his seventeenth birthday. He made a promise to Dumbledore and he means to keep it. But the minute he turns 17, he will be gone. Gone from the disapproving glares and shifty glances he had been getting since he came back from his first year at Hogwarts. Gone from the verbal and sometimes physical abuse he had had as long as he can remember. Gone from his only blood family. Gone, forever.

A/N: Hum, I like the way I wrote this. It kind of ends abruptly, but I like that. This is the first and only time in this fic that something will be written in present tense. I hope you liked this and please comment if you want to say something.