I've been trying to update for ages but the document manager wouldn't load the document. I'm so sorry, but here is the next chapter.

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Chapter 21

Many Goodbyes

It had been a long twenty-four hours but the combined efforts of James, Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey had eventually succeeded in saving Harry. However all of them knew that Harry would not fully recover; he would continue to suffer and only love and support would help him through it.

James had refused to allow anyone in to see Harry, until he had been told what had exactly happened to him, and even then, James did not understand it himself. It was a curious thing, magic, and new things were discovered everyday, but this one so far was the most significant of all. It had the power to change the survival of the magical world, beyond anything, and make them invincible to death. Nothing like this had ever been achieved before, and James found himself wishing that Lily was still alive so that she could see what her remarkable achievement in bonding James and Harry together was doing for the world.

Everything was going to change.

It was on the fifth day after Voldemort's death that Harry woke. Many reporters had tried to get into Hogwarts to interview the famous hero, but both James and Dumbledore had strictly refused to allow anyone in, if they had a purpose to twist the words. James had the intention of writing the article himself, at the most allowing himself to be questioned as long as the papers didn't twist his words. He wished for Lily to be recognised; after all she deserved that respect.

"Hey, glad you're awake." Quietly James said, leaning down to peer into his son's glazed eyes. "You're safe."

Harry tried to move his lips; they were too parched. Gently his father raised a glass to his lips and slowly tipped the water down his throat.

Finally Harry spoke. "Is he dead?"

James nodded. "There's still much you need to know, but once you are ready, Dumbledore will explain what occurred that day. And, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised what the effects are."

"What?" his curiosity was roused.

"Your scar has gone."

"Really?"

James conjured a mirror and showed Harry his forehead. There was a slight mark left, but that was fading. Harry raised shaky fingers and rubbed the area, delighting in the fact that he no longer had an abnormality that marked him as different. "I look older."

Indeed, Harry had aged. His hair had grey streaks within it, and his face was slightly lined, but he still held the youthful face of a young twenty-year old.

"That is another effect. I can't explain it fully, but you are marked through wearisome and tiresome deeds, but at least now you can find peace in your heart."

A gentle smile flitted across Harry's face, but it was one of sadness, and that tore James' heart. "I'll leave you now. Rest and regain your strength. I'm sure the others will come and visit you at some point, for now, just sleep. It'll do you some good."

Nodding, Harry leaned back into the pillow, shifting his position and fell asleep.

Within a few days Harry was able to leave the hospital wing. He had agreed with his father that he needed to understand everything before seeing anyone else. It had been hard for his father prevent the others from gaining access to him, and he had even gone as far as to take his invisibility cloak from the Gryffindor Dormitories.

His legs felt weak, but strength gradually returned as he stepped forward. James helped him along towards Dumbledore's office. It was after hours so the dangers of being caught were rare. The candles burned low in the halls, and a faint musky smell reached him. Reaching the headmaster's office, Harry numbly climbed the stairs, knocked weakly upon the door and waited.

It swung open. Edging his way inside Harry sat down in the chair that awaited him, James standing behind him. Dumbledore sat with his hands clasped on the desk, his eyes staring at him, as if he was reading his mind.

"First, I should congratulate you. Living up to the Prophecy, a terrible burden, yet you survived. I am proud of you my boy!"

"Thank you sir." He mumbled.

"Now, I wish to explain to you what happened, it is my understanding that you know of Lily's spell she placed on you and James?"

"No…" Harry seemed lost. "I don't."

"Ah, that complicates matters. Perhaps, James, you could fill Harry in. I trust you to explain this more fully, before I go on." The Professor suggested.

James moved in front of Harry; he began the tale of the night he died, before ending at Lily's message he had received from the Veil. He realised Harry had some idea of what his mother had done; knew there was a bond between them, but did not know the full consequences of it.

When he had finished, Harry leaned back in his chair, thinking hard. Finally he spoke, his voice soft. "So, Voldemort could only kill you, but if I died, then anyone could?" James nodded, confirming Harry's question. "Okay, I think I understand. I'm beginning to see how I saved you."

James held up his hands. "I barely understand it myself."

"I shall explain this to you, to ease your questions," Dumbledore began. "Both of you are connected by a magical bond that has entwined you together. A rarity in the Wizarding World. I told Harry secretly before he left that he should remain connected to you, if ever the killing curse is hurled at any of you. Because your minds are linked, part of your soul has merged with the other, allowing one to draw the power of the killing curse to them, saving the other. Harry did just this. He made you invisible to the curse. The curse came through you towards Harry. When he broke the connection Harry did not leave you. He kept his connection strong…"

He was cut off by James. "But surely I would've realised Harry was still connected to me?"

The headmaster shook his head. "He had withdrawn, but clung to you semi-consciously."

Dumbledore continued: "What I did not foresee was that Harry used this to his advantage. While he was connected to you, he could not be killed by any of the killing curses as he was merged with you, however that doesn't mean nothing will occur to you. Harry, you have suffered from the killing curse. It did hit you. You only sent back one curse, but it had the power of two. The other went into you, that is what made you fall unconscious. It also has a long-term effect, something that will change your life forever."

Harry felt unease growing within him. A wand was held out to him. He took it, holding it in his fingers. It was his own, but it felt strange in his hands. He frowned, confused.

"Try it." Urged his father.

Curiosity within him compelled Harry to attempt the Patronus, but barely more then a whiff of vapour appeared. He tried again, but still the same result. Standing up, he attempted again, before giving up. "I've lost my magical ability, haven't I?"

Solemnly, the headmaster nodded. "The killing curse destroyed your magical affinity, there is little of it left."

"At least it didn't take my life as it intended." Harry replied. Discovering that he barely had any magic did not bother him. He was still alive, and that was what mattered.

"However," Dumbledore continued, "you can regain your powers. They will be weak, and not as powerful as before, and I am afraid to say that you won't be liable for the Aurors. Your wand no longer is bonded to you, because you don't have the power to wield it. A lesser wand will suit you. You will need to be re-educated, though I am certain I can find someone who is willing to teach you, if you wish."

"I know what I'm going to do," stated Harry. "My life has been a road of twisty turns. I'm tired of fighting; I'm tired of being a Wizard. All I want is peace. If I could, I'd return to live as a Muggle, and never set foot in the magical world again. No matter how much I love this world, it has taken too many things from me, to entice me to remain behind. I am sorry, but no more, I have to leave before everything overwhelms me. I don't want to risk losing anything else."

James swallowed. He had expected this, but he had never thought his son would say it so blandly. "What about me? Your friends?"

"I'm sorry, I can't stay. I need a life. Maybe one day I will return. I'm sorry." Standing up, Harry shook hands with Dumbledore; turned and hugged his father before gathering up his old wand and disappearing through the door. That was the last time James Potter saw his son for years.

He could not bear to say farewell to Sirius and Remus; instead he hastily wrote them a joint letter, telling them he was sorry for leaving. He hated the fact that he was doing this, but it was the only plausible way for him to escape without any one stopping him.

"I'm so sorry." He whispered, as he attached the letter to Hedwig's leg. "Hedwig, don't come back to me, don't find me. Please, stay with Sirius."

The owl's eyes glazed with sudden pain, as if it realised what Harry was implying. Hedwig pecked his finger, then flew off.

His next stop was his farewell to Hermione and Ron. He found them in the Gryffindor Common Room. There was only a few people present, but most were out enjoying the summer sunshine, in response to the cancel of examinations due to Voldemort's death. Only the NEWT exams had to go forth. People stared at him as he, Hermione and Ron left the Common Room. Harry hoisted the Invisibility Cloak around him. He no longer wanted to use it, but it was necessary now that people were beginning to guess what had transpired. He led them to an unused class room on the fourth floor, that held a few books, and rusty chairs.

Harry sat on top of the table staring at his friends. He stammered, unsure how he could break the news to them. "I'm leaving the Wizarding World." He decided it would be best if he just said it, that way the hardest part was over and he was not left dawdling over the subject.

Shock ran over their faces, and Harry spoke before they could find words to express themselves. "I'm sorry, but I can't stay in this world. One of these days, I will come back, maybe, but I need to be alone for awhile, in a world that I once belonged to." He stepped up to each of them, laying his hands on their shoulders before pulling them both into a hug.

"You've been the best friends I could ever wish for; I could ever have. I do not know if this is the last time I will see you, but don't dwindle on the prospect of what could've been. I will be happy. I promise. But not here."

Without allowing them to speak, Harry turned and walked from the room. He hated goodbyes. If they started to speak he might change his mind; he needed to be strong. He stopped at the third floor, and made his way towards the statue that hid the entrance to Honeydukes Cellar. He dare not risk going through the entrance of the school. He had to disappear from view. Hoisting his cloak around him, he crawled into the passage.

From behind he saw two people running up, and he turned, and though they could not see him, Ron and Hermione were smiling.

"Goodbye Harry." Ron whispered.

"Find your peace, and good luck." Tears dripped down Hermione's face, and without saying a word, Harry walked into the passageway, closing it behind him. He leaned back against the stone, breathing steadily, waiting. Using his wand for the last time, he carefully constructed a barrier that would only break if he ever returned to this place. He leaned down and picked up a travelling pack he had with him. Laying his cloak and his wand on the floor, along with the Marauders Map, Harry began to walk further into the passage, leaving behind his most treasured possessions of his past.

Tears fell, splattering the earth, as he fled.

Up in the girls dormitory, Ginny Weasley, sat crying, her hands clutching a letter that had been just delivered. Her lips quivered, and part of her mind refused to believe what it said, yet in her heart she knew it to be truth.

The letter dropped to the floor, as it slipped from her fingers.

Slipping out of Hogsmeade, Harry glanced back at the world he was leaving behind. As he turned his back on the magical village, Harry breathed a sigh of relief; he felt free at last. The Muggle world waited his return.

TBC

I hope you liked this! Please review and let me know!

Thanks for all the reviews for the last chapter. They really made my day.

Epilogue will be posted in a few days time.

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MissBlackPotter