This is my second fanfic; the first one didn't come out very well. I will be grateful if you review.

CHAPTER I

Harry Potter looked up at the dark ceiling as he lay flat on his bed. It was Thursday, July 30. The time was 11.30 pm. He was now at No.4, Privet Drive, with half an hour more for his seventeenth birthday. He had been received very unenthusiastically by his uncle and aunt at Kings Cross Station. Aunt Petunia had turned very pale and had also shown signs of shock (though she had readjusted her features hastily) when Lupin informed her and Uncle Vernon that Professor Dumbledore was dead. Then they had left for his aunt's residence after they were told by Lupin, Moody, Tonks and the Weasley couple that the Weasleys would come and pick Harry up after his seventeenth birthday. Harry was very relieved of the fact that this was going to be one of his last days at Privet Drive for his entire lifetime since he had made up his mind to not to come back there ever again if he could help it.

He turned on the light, grabbed a piece of parchment from his bedside table and looked at it.

Hi Harry,

Hope you are OK. Dad, Hermione and I will be coming to pick you up this Saturday. And guess what? We're coming by Muggle Transport. That's mainly because, well, our last visit wasn't very pleasant, remember? We caused a little damage to your uncle's fireplace. That's why Dad decided that we would come by the Muggle way. Since Hermione is also there this time, it won't be much of a problem. We're all getting ready for the marriage, it's on August the 13th and Fleur's family will be arriving any time.

And Harry, (Hermione's request, she's here) keep writing to us everyday will you?

Your mate,

Ron.

Pigwidgeon, Ron's tiny owl had delivered this letter to Harry, two days back. For the past two days he had been writing to Ron, and he took his quill, ink and parchment for that day's letter.

Dear Ron,

Nothing special to write about, I'm just keeping up the daily routine. And please ask your Dad about our apparition tests. I want to take them as soon as possible. Have Fleur's family arrived? And what about Percy? Any signs of…I think you'll understand, right, see you tomorrow.

Harry.

He thought for a moment and added:

P.S.: Forgot to ask: Who's Head of the Order now?

Harry attached the letter to Hedwig's leg and let her fly out of the window. He could feel his curiosity surfacing once again, as he stared at Hedwig's empty cage. He remembered Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix. He wondered where he would be now. He had flown away after his master had died.

Simultaneously, he started arranging his things for his departure. Even if the Weasleys could not get to Privet Drive through some problem, I can go myself, he thought to himself, since he was turning seventeen that very minute. Out of some stupid urge, he took out his wand and muttered, 'Expecto Patronum!' thinking of Voldemort dying. A gorgeous silver stag erupted from his wand's tip as Harry watched it gallop in a circle him. After a few glorious minutes, it vanished. Harry held his breath for a minute, and let it out in a whoosh. He was happy for the first time in two months. He was an overage wizard.

I know this is too small, but I'll post Chapter 2 soon, within a week or so.