Chapter 4: A Horcrux and a Headache

The rain poured in a torrential onslaught and lightning illuminated the sky, thunder rolled in the heavens, a sense of change clung to the air. Harry arrived at Godric's Hollow flanked by Remus and Sirius, Godric's sword in its scabbard at his hip. The entire north side of the house was little more than a ruin, the site pulled at their hearts.

"Now, Dumbledore left details on how to destroy a Horcrux. What we know is that you must have thoughts of love in your mind and heart and that you must say this: 'Diligo in Vita , Diligo in Nex , purgo malum huic locus quod malum huic animus. In nomen of Lux lucis EGO operor precor vestri ops , expello Umbra hinc'." Remus explained to him.

Harry crossed the threshold of his parents home, followed closely by his parents friends. Sirius paused at the remnants of the stairs, eyes closed, his hands were shaking.

Harry glanced at him just as his eyes snapped open. Sirius offered a reassuring look, determined to not let his anger and despair become visible.

Thoughts flitted through his mind, flashes of faces, and memories that he cherished. He thought of his parents and all those lost to Voldemort. All those killed or corrupted by the vile machinations of a loathsome, twisted soul. He made his way through the crumbling house, taking in everything, and his resolve strengthening. When, at last he reached the mantle, above which the Shield did hang, he paused. He unsheathed the sword, the metal ringing and resonating the power of the Founder who wielded it.

And in the inherent gloom of the once magnificent home, his voice rang out with the ancient words of the spell.

"Diligo in Vita , Diligo in Nex , purgo malum huic locus quod malum huic animus. In nomen of Lux lucis EGO operor precor vestri ops , expello Umbra hinc." He thrust the sword into the shield, using it as a conduit for the magic.

An intense, and nigh on blinding light filled every corner of the ruin, spreading out and brightening the entire area. Then the light was sucked back in, in a black hole sort of way, and the three were left looking at the remains of the Shield. The horcrux was destroyed, and Harry breathed a sigh of relief. As he made to leave he stepped on something that lay on the floor. He bent to retrieve it, and realized that it was a picture of his parents, him, and Remus and Sirius. The glass of the frame was broken as was the frame itself. He pulled the picture from it and a folded piece of parchment fell to the floor. It was a letter, to him from his parents. It was in two different hand writings, and you could tell that Lily and James and fought over the quill at some points, there were even a few tearstains on it.

'Dearest Harry,

Hopefully, by the time you read this Voldemort will be no more than a tragic and harsh memory. If this is not the case, we are likely no longer with you, and for that we are sorry. But with any luck, you have Sirius and Remus to help you. We love you so much and are proud of the man you've become. (Don't let Sirius call you Prongsie Junior, son. Because you probably have your own Animagus by now. Your Mother says not to even think about that if you aren't legal, but I say if it is necessary you do it.) Now, Harry, you must go into the study, in the portrait of our family, you will find what you need. Do not worry, you are the only one who can read this, and the only one that can remove the portrait. Listen to Remus, stay out of trouble, and live knowing we love you more than anything.

With all our Love,

Mom & Dad

P.S. Tell Remus we are sorry, he will know why. As for Sirius, tell him we are sorry to. We didn't mean to leave you three alone and Love you all.

P.P.S. I hope you play Quidditch son.

P.P.P.S. That was your father and if you don't want to play Quidditch, you don't have to.

P.P.P.P.S. But you should…'

Harry's eye were filling with tears as he looked up from the letter. Sirius and Remus were giving him worried looks. He gave a weak smile.

"Mom and Dad say that they love you both and that they are sorry, and that you know what they are talking about. Now," his voice cracked slightly and he paused. "Where is the study?"

Sirius and Remus lead him to the study, or what was left of it, in the northern wing of the house. The room surrounding the painting was almost entirely destroyed, the frame had some char marks and deep scratches on it, but the actual painting was unharmed. It depicted his parents, his mother holding him, and a table with a large basket of flowers, all of which was set before a massive window that featured the Hogwarts grounds in winter. Harry swiped the tears from his eyes, and touched the portrait. He felt a pulling sensation and then he was in the portrait. His parents stood before him, holding the baby that he had been. His father smiled at him and pointed to something behind him.

Harry turned and there he saw a round mahogany case, and a silver dagger resting on the table, both conveniently hidden from view behind the flowers. The moment he picked the items up he felt the same pulling sensation, and he was back in the study.

"Harry? You have what they left for you right?" Remus asked and Harry nodded.

Harry suddenly felt a pain in his head, and he grimaced as it grew to a throbbing headache.

"We have to leave. Now, Voldemort is trying to locate me through my scar, he might suspect something"

They hurriedly left the ruin and Apparated back to the Burrow. Four down, three to go…

Please Review! I'm sorry it took so very long to update! Tootles m'dears!

Snuffles