Chapter 2

Harry was not able to return to sleep and instead decided to pack his trunk for the trip. Most of what he owned was still in his trunk, his cauldron, his scales, a messy pile of robes, his prized firebolt, and an array of wizarding items he had collected over the years. His books were in piles around his room, he had been scanning them for any spell that might help him in his upcoming tasks. He still kept his wand and invisibility cloak on him at all times.

As the day grew on into night, he expected the Order would be arriving soon, but they had not said how they would be getting there. Harry supposed they would use brooms as they had two years ago. As he got his things together, he remembered the Dursley's, who would now be downstairs for supper. He had not told them when he would be leaving and he did not think they would care anyway, but they were still his Aunt and Uncle, and this would probably be the last time he would see them.

He rolled his trunk and Hedwig's empty cage down the stairs and into the dining room where Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, and Dudley had just sat down to eat.

"I'm going to be leaving now." Harry said, feeling awkward.

"You don't expect a ride anywhere do you?" sneered Uncle Vernon, not looking up from his meal. Dudley grinned slightly, he had already finished he own plate and was now grabbing Harry's without hesitation.

"No, I don't need one. But er, I'll be coming of age soon so I wont be back next summer." Harry was beginning to feel even more awkward, he couldn't remember what had made him confront them like this.

Neither Uncle Vernon nor Dudley was even looking at him, only his aunt seemed to be paying him any attention. Harry looked at her and saw that instead of he usual look of disgust, she did seemed concerned about something.

"I don't want any of your kind in my house, if you plan to be picked up by anyone you do it outside, we've had too many incidents" said his uncle, still not looking up. Harry knew his uncle must be reliving all his encounters with wizards he has had since Harry first attended Hogwarts; Hagrid giving Dudley a tail, the Weasley's blowing up their parlor, Dumbledore bewitching wine glasses to climb up their heads.

"er, right," Harry was feeling very uncomfortable and wanted nothing more than to leave, but he still felt like he needed to say something to them. "Well thank you, I guess, erm, bye."

He walked away from the table still expecting them to say something. He knew they had never cared when he left for school each year but this had to be different, they would never see him again. He took one last look at his uncle, who merely turned a page of his paper, and left the kitchen. Although Harry knew he was no safer inside the house, he felt more comfortable waiting for his party at the door. After another half hour Harry heard the cracks of many people apparating and he opened the front door expectantly looking around for the order.

Instead, he heard a scream from inside the house and Uncle Vernon's booming voice yelling "WHO THE BLOODY HELL ARE YOU?"

Harry rushed toward the dining room door but was shoved aside by the enormous Dudley who had run from the room horrorstruck. Upon entering the room, he saw Professor McGonagall standing beside his aunt who had screamed and dropped her glass, which had smashed and scattered everywhere.

"Terribly sorry to intrude, my name is Minerva McGonagall; I'm here to collect Harry."

Harry's uncles looked from him to McGonagall, and after deciding that Harry would be the lesser threat rounded on him. "You know this, this woman?"

"Yes, she's," Harry paused at the words, "she the Headmistress of Hogwarts."

"Now wait a second," shouted Uncle Vernon who now rose a bit higher, feeling he understood the situation a bit more, "That ruddy, that crackpot who collected you last year, he was the headmaster of your school."

"Albus Dumbledore was no crackpot!" shouted Professor McGonagall, standing right up to Harry's Uncle, "He was the greatest wizard who ever lived!"

Harry took a step back; he had never seen McGonagall shout like this. He had seen her angry, but she had still maintained her temper to an impressive degree. This was the first time Harry had considered how Dumbledore's death might have affected others. She had surely known their old headmaster much longer than he had and as it seems been very close to him.

Harry's new headmistress seemed to regain her composure as she said calmly, "Well, me and Harry need to be going."

"So, you'll be taking him for good then. He won't be back at our doorstep again?" asked Vernon nervously.

"Harry is your nephew, any normal uncle would be sad to let him go. I never wanted Harry to be sent here and it appears I was right. You are wicked people and yes, after 16 years I am glad to take him away from you, forever."

Professor McGonagall stormed out of the room and Harry followed closely.

"Ready to go Potter?" asked McGonagall, now very calm.

"Yes, professor."

"I have come to collect you myself to tell you that you have been made Head Boy this year."

"What?" said Harry, who although he had no plans to return to Hogwarts, was slightly happy to hear this. "I'm sorry but I won't be going back to Hogwarts."

"Don't be ridiculous Potter, you need your education."

"I wish I could but, well I have things I need to do." Harry had not shared with Professor McGonagall the task that Dumbledore had set for him.

"I am fully aware of what needs to be done, but this task is not yours alone. You will have help, you will need help." McGonagall seemed concerned for Harry as she looked down at him. "and not just from your friends Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger, the entire Order is behind you."

"Professor, you know about," and Harry lowered his voice slightly as he said it, "the horcruxes? But how?"

"The previous headmaster has always had ways of reaching their successor."

"Does that mean, I mean, would it be possible for me to reach him?" Harry asked enthusiastically.

Harry's new Headmistress frowned slightly, "It is not generally accepted but due to the circumstances I suppose you would be able to reach him. If you return to school."

"Well, I'll think about returning, but professor, I don't want to be Head Boy. Make Ron, he deserves it more than me, he was the Prefect."

"Are you sure Potter, it is a great honor that has never yet been turned down."

"I don't want to be made Head Boy if I have to leave the school, it wouldn't be right."

"Very well then Potter," McGonagall said not at all put back, "are you ready to go then."

"Yes, how will we be going?" Harry asked, but at that point a jet of fire erupted over his head and Fawkes the Phoenix appeared, swooping down to rest on his shoulder.

"Fawkes will look over you until you have passed your apparation test. You need merely call on him and he will take you wherever you need to go. Good luck Harry, I will see you on the first of September." She said and before Harry could ask anything she apparated and was gone.

Harry was not sure how Fawkes would transport him, he hoped it would be something like floo powder. Fawkes started to take off and Harry grabbed her tail, as he had seen Dumbledore do two years ago, but before he could say any destination, Harry felt Fawkes grow hot and fire engulfed them both.