Harry groaned under the harsh light streaming through the cracks coming towards the window. He was surprised that Ron still slept in the same room as him. In fact, it was the same room that still held the portrait of Phineas Nigellus Black, the great-great-grandfather of Sirius Black. The portrait currently showed no signs of its occupant; Harry guessed he was back in his portrait at Hogwarts since the last of the Blacks…died. What was the point of coming to a home where no one else wants you there or finding it deserted without your last remaining relative?

Harry sighed deeply from the pain of knowing that he was connected to three deaths in the past three years. These were people he talked to, touched, smelled their cologne, smiled, and shared stories to. None of them deserved to have died. He wished he had a time turner to undo what has been done.

The now, unknowing-what-day-it-is 17-year old, dressed quickly and left the room before his roommate would wake up. He could already smell and hear Mrs. Weasley making breakfast. He would offer to help, but this would possibly be the five hundred and ninety-sixth time his services in kitchen duty were denied. Why would today be any different with her?

Harry tip toed down the stairs in hopes of not waking anyone at such an early hour in the mornings, especially to a certain portrait. He made past the portrait and decided to test the safety of one of the newly refurbished rooms. He had to sneak past the door leading towards the kitchen and dining area. Hopefully, if his luck was with him the doors would be closed. A quick glance told him otherwise and he inwardly groaned.

"I just don't know what to do with him anymore, Arthur," Harry heard Mrs. Weasley say.

"It's okay, Molly. All boys and girls are like at that age, believe it not. Why I remember the time when you told a certain someone to sod off, excuse me, bugger off. Don't worry, it's just a phase Harry's going through," Mr. Weasley tried comforting his wife.

"I know, but he really is distancing himself off this time. With that Diggory boys' death, bless his soul, he had Sirius to talk to. Then, that attack in the Ministry and with the Veil…I heard that Harry nearly destroyed Albus' office. Poor boy. I was so rude with Sirius back then, if only I knew…But now Albus has departed, I'm afraid the Order and us is all he has left. You don't think…"

"Molly I do think that he may be thinking that, but look, I promise you that no one else will die while I'm around," Mr. Weasley got up from the stool he was sitting on and walked over towards his wife.

"Oh and to think that you almost died! I thank whatever lucky stars we have left that Harry managed to tell Albus in time. If it weren't for that boy –"

Harry tuned out whatever Mrs. Weasley said. He quickly, but silently made it to the room and was glad to find it empty. He closed the door behind him and jumped slightly when the fire in the fireplace kindled to life. Dejected, Harry opened the blinds and sat on the mildewed couch not caring that they hadn't changed it yet. He watched silently as the pale glow of the summer's sun start to fill the sky.

'If it weren't for that boy…Percy would still love his family…Cedric, Sirius, Dumbledore, his parents, and countless others would still be alive…No one would be calling him a hero…'Harry thought to himself. 'How many times did Sirius wake up every morning waiting for him to use the mirror and tell him of his nights events with Snape only to wait and find himself looking in his own reflection? How did Dumbledore find the strength to continue on to help Harry when he was so mean and rude to the old wizard? Why didn't he be selfish for one moment and take the Cup without pulling Cedric with him? It's not fair…I never wanted this. No one deserves what happens to them because of me. Stupid seers and their stupid prophecies. Why did she have to make it? Why?'

Harry cried out in silent agony. He knew he mustn't blame himself or else he'll be sucked down further in this downward spiral of his. He has to at least pretend to be happy around everyone. What he really wants to do is set things straight and to do that he will have to search for those remaining Horcruxes.

He will do what he will have to do to ensure that everyone will be safe and happy. Even if that means he'll have to pull himself out of this funk they call 'self-pity' and 'guilt'. Starting now!

"Was there suppose to be some sort of sign?" Harry wondered out loud. He shrugged and continued to watch the sunrise.

He's seen plenty of sunrises over his years in Hogwarts, but now, he's going to start being a lot more appreciative towards it. Mainly it is because it's a sign that he has somehow managed to thwart Voldemort's plans and delay death another day. Also, because it's good to know that the world around him is still full of life.

He watched that great pale yellow orb in the sky brighten until he could no longer endure the intensity the sun gave off. Shadows became bold and the room brightened. It truly was one of the beautiful parts of the Noble House of Black, but it was missing one thing, Sirius Black, the rightful owner.

He pushed those sad and happy thoughts of Sirius away. Though sometimes he felt like he could almost see Sirius come round the corner without a scratch on him and bark out a laugh. Or maybe Dumbledore would knock on the door and offer him a lemon drop. If only it were true.

But he had to move on. No matter how much it pained him, how many losses he will face, the obstacles, it'd be worth it in the end when he can relax. Once Voldemort is gone, he might actually be normal with the occasional mention of his name whispered around as he passes by. So many things he could do! It'd be a nice change of freedom, also. He could probably rent out a flat with Ron, date Ginny if she wants him again, play Quidditch whenever he wanted, get a job, hangout, watch muggle films, and maybe even stroll outside at night without worrying of being attacked or targeted. Normal.

Yes, now he had something to look forward to. He'll find the final horcruxes, destroy them, and then find Voldemort. He can't involve Ron and Hermione anymore. He reasoned with himself that they'll be more of a liability and something could happen to them. He couldn't have that on his mind if they were hurt. Though they might have some useful information, but Harry didn't want to use his friends as followers or slaves. He'll have to do it alone.

"Harry, dear," Mrs. Weasley voice rang out. "Your breakfast is getting cold."

"Coming, Mrs. Weasley!" Harry yelled back.

His food was indeed cold when he reached the table. Was in there longer than he thought?

"That should do it," Mr. Weasley said and with a small wave of his wand, the food on his plate was heated.

"Cool. Thanks, Mr. Weasley," Harry said and began eating his breakfast eagerly.

Everyone present noticed the air of contentment around the young wizard instead of the dark, brooding one they saw slowly destroy him.

Harry looked up from his meal when he felt eyes watching him. It felt like they were holding something terrible back from him. "Is something wrong?"

"Nope. Just a really great day this morning, right Hermione?" Ginny answered. "Though you should do something about your hair."

"Right. Perhaps you guys would want to play Quidditch later?" she suggested.

Ron, Harry, Fred, George, and Ginny stared at Hermione. It was a somewhat known fact that the most brilliant witch they know does not enjoy flying.

"Not with me, obviously," she said rolling her eyes at them. "I said "you guys", not "us.""

Harry laughed and continued his meal. It was peaceful. Pleasantries and jokes tossed back and forth between the members in the room. Harry finished his food and watched them. Is this how it's like being around friends? What about family?

"Come on, Harry. Today we're all just hitting the ball at each other."

"Yep. Not many people to make even one team," George, or was it Fred?, said.

Outside, they had to play in the front yard, but not on brooms since the ward didn't extend that far. Speaking of wards.

"Who's the new Secret Keeper?" Harry asked them from one corner of the yard.

"Really batty, you know," George or Fred said and tossed the ball.

"Can't say who specifically," the other twin said and caught the ball before throwing it.

"He does have a sort of mad eye, eh?" Ginny said hinting and passing the ball to Harry.

"Oh," Harry said.

While the four were in the four corners of the small yard, Ron was in the middle trying to catch it.

"This isn't fun," Ron said after failing to steal the ball from their passes.

"It is for us, little brother!" one of the twins said and chucked the ball away from his younger sibling.

"Tons. We could practically do this until dinner," the other twin said.

Harry smiles at the siblings, enjoying the moment. A family. He remembered Sirius telling him what seemed only the other day that once the war with Voldemort is over, they can be a family again. Perhaps this is what the older wizard meant, but not in this form.

"Potter!" a gruff voice reawakened him from his musings.

He looked behind him and saw Mad-Eye Moody standing next to the door with Tonks and Remus. He was about to wave when something cracked against the back of his skull. He fell forward and landed heavily on the soft grass.

"Blimey!"

"What was that noise?" the sound of Mrs. Weasley came from the inside.

"Now you've done it, little brother," one of the twins said as they all rushed towards the still form of Harry Potter.

"Constant Vigilance is what that lad needs," Moody muttered.

"Give it a rest, ey?" Tonks asked irritated. "You were the one to distract him while they were playing."

"You okay there, Harry?" Remus asked kneeling next to the boy.

Harry could hear them, but he couldn't move or open his eyes. He couldn't feel. He was numb. Entrapped in darkness.

"Harry…Potter…" a voice whispered against his cheek.

Then the edges softened and darkness became light. He became fully aware of the throbbing and sharp pains.

"Death by blow to the head," he grumbled to himself and tasting the unpleasant taste of grass in his mouth. "Voldemort would be crushed."

Remus laughed being able to hear the young wizards musing. "Yes, Harry, that would be horrific. Think you can stand?"

"Yeah," he said and pushed himself off the ground. He regretted it soon enough as everything started to sway and swirl into one and he didn't realize that he was becoming unbalanced. He started to fall again before several pairs of hands caught him.

"Obviously not," Fred snorted out.

"Come, come. Let's get you inside and get that checked over," Tonks said bringing up the rear.

"What happened!" Mrs. Weasley yelled when they brought Harry into the kitchen.

"It's nothing, Mrs. Weasley," Harry said giving her a small smile but winced when someone touched the sore spot.

"All right, which one of you did it?" Mrs. Weasley asked turning to her children with her arms crossed and a wooden stirring spoon in one hand.

Ron looked around defeated and sighed heavily. "I didn't mean to. It just sort of happened is all."

"It's fine, Ron," Harry said trying to make his friend feel less guilty. "Just an accident. Ow."

"You're lucky it's just a bruise, Harry. No concussions from the looks of it," Remus said done with his prodding.

"Here you are, Harry," Tonks said as she tossed a thin slice of raw meat at him.

"You've got to be kidding," he grinned.

"Of course, unless you really wanted to slather yourself in that."

"Please, don't throw raw meat around the kitchen," Mrs. Weasley sighed. "This should be better, Harry."

"Thank you, Mrs. Weasley," Harry said and took the conjured ice pack from her. He hissed slightly as the weight of the ice was placed on his tender head.

"Feeling better now, Potter?" Moody asked watching them from the corner.

"Yeah," he said and stared into the old Auror's mismatched eyes.

"We've been told that you weren't planning on going to Hogwarts this year," Moody started.

"Who told you tha-" Harry started.

"Don't interrupt me yet, lad," Moody barked. "It's yer last year there and we cannot have you wandering off destroying Horcruxes. Let the Order take care of that. Just stay in school like a good boy."

"Is that what Dumbledore told you?" Harry asked his eyes blazing in anger.

"All he said was to take care of you and that is what we will be doing along with some outside help. If I find out that you've run away from the school, I will personally confine you there."

"Yeah, well you can try," Harry said defiantly and stood up. "I don't need to be taken care of. I'm not weak!"

"Not weak. Stupid is what they call you," Moody spat. "Stupid is what got them killed. You want that to happen to more people? The war has hardly begun and already people are dead!"

"Harry please, listen to him," Hermione pleaded.

"You told them?" Harry asked breathing heavily now. "Not too long ago you guys said you'd help me. Come with me too after I said no."

"That was before we realized the bigger dangers that lie ahead."

"Danger? Is that what I am to all of you? Something to be locked up and only out when necessary? I thought you were my friends!" Harry looked at every downcast face inside the kitchen and the only one who could look at him was Remus. He ran out of the home that once belonged to his godfather.

"He was enjoying himself a minute ago…" Ginny sighed.

"Mad-Eye, you could of waited –"

"-a few more seconds," the twins said.