Disclaimer: Everything in the Harry Potter world belongs to JK Rowling and no money is being made from this story.

A/N:I am sorry about the long wait, I have already started the next chapter so hopefully you won't be too disappointed with this one. Enjoy!

Parseltongue

Sign language

Chapter 2:

When Harry woke the first thing he saw was Tom and Dudley passed out on the floor. He didn't remember what had happened to them but he did know that he felt different. Tom was stirring so when he woke Harry sent him to the bathroom for water to wake Dudley. It didn't take long for Dudley to wake and they were soon seated on Harry's bed.

What happened?

"You reached your magical maturity, it is quite normal I just didn't expect it. You are quite powerful Harry. The strength of that magical wave that sent us flying was greater than mine and Dumbledore's; I see why you are the savior of the wizarding world Harry" Tom informed him. Harry just sat there in surprise. Because he didn't quite know how to deal with the information Harry just decided to ignore it. Sirius arrives today; what are we going to tell him about you Tom?

"I don't know" Tom mused

"How about you just wing it? You are likely to be too detailed if you plan too much," Dudley paused "will he recognize Tom?"

"No, not many people do, I look like I did in school and not many people who knew me then are still around. As the Dark Lord I looked different, especially my eyes"

I like blue eyes better than red, interrupted Harry besides I agree with Dudley, we will wing it

They sat in silence for a while until they were interrupted by the sound of spellcasting downstairs. Harry and Tom recognizing it for what it was were at the door in seconds leaving Dudley to follow behind them.

The scene that met them at the bottom of the stairs was horrifying. Petunia and Vernon were sprawled out in the entrance to the kitchen obviously dead and standing behind them were a group of Death Eaters. Harry with Tom concealed behind him and Dudley behind both of them were rooted to the spot in shock; a very similar state to the Death Eaters at the moment. The first one to react was Tom who turned sideways so he could grab both Harry and Dudley tight and apparated outside to Mrs. Figg's house, hoping like hell that the collapsing of the wards for Harry had pulled down the one that kept him in the property. Thankfully it had.

Arabella Figg had seen the Death Eaters arrive and so had immediately called Dumbledore who would gather the order and come and help Harry. She was quite surprised when three people arrived in her backyard.

It didn't take long for the Order to arrive and remove the Death Eaters. Tom you have to stay here, you can't let the Headmaster see you

"I am not leaving you to face them alone, who will translate for you? Besides why can't the Headmaster see me?"

Because he is of the belief that one must know their enemy and so he researched you and thus he will recognize you, and have you forgotten that he was a teacher when you were at school? As for translation, Dudley can help. Tom you can't help me with everything, I have been facing things alone since I entered the wizarding world at age 11, I am used to it

Tom just growled at that, it wasn't fair that a just turned seventeen year old boy should be used to facing the world alone. "Alright but as soon as the Headmaster leaves I am coming back" Harry smiled brilliantly at him. Thank you Tom Harry signed before giving Tom a quick hug. Tom was floored, Harry had just hugged him, maybe there was hope?

Tom disappeared into the shed in Mrs. Figg's garden just as the Headmaster came around the side of the house, "Harry, are you alright?"

Harry just nodded.

"Where is your wand? I can cast a charm on it that will remove any records of magic from the ministry as you were acting in self defense" Harry stared, there was a charm that could do that and yet he had had to go through a trial and everything before. Harry being quite hurt by this took great delight in the Headmasters' surprise when Dudley started translating his sign language. As you can see Headmaster, I don't have it as I can no longer speak

"What happened to your wand, I believe you know the importance of it?"

Yes I knew the importance of it, mores o than you I think. When I returned to this house at the beginning of summer, where I would be safe from Death Eaters, my uncle, a devout magic-hater decided that in order to stop any funny business he would remove the instrument of it. So the first thing he did when I came home was snap my wand in front of me. I was ill for two days Harry said with great inflection. Dumbledore just looked horrified. Did you know Headmaster, that it was our connection through our wands which stopped the visions that came from the connection through my scar from getting worse? About a week after my wand was snapped I felt the effects of the torture Voldemort put his victims through. Thus I stand in front of you today unable to speak, with only Dudley knowing what I say. Dudley was also the only one who helped me all summer; my Aunt and Uncle were only tolerable because they were worried that someone magical would find out their involvement, which I informed them of when I could still talk. There better be a way to do spells without speaking or you will no longer have a saviour

"There is, that is not a problem" Albus said absently "Harry have the Dursley's ever done anything else to you, hurt you in any way?" Harry just stood there stubbornly refusing to sign anything.

"Sir they did" Harry immediately started signing telling Dudley to keep quiet. "No Harry I won't stay quiet. Sir his bedroom was the cupboard under the stairs until he got his first Hogwarts letter. He had to do all the chores and never got any gifts or anything; he was always threatened with beatings and hardly ever had anything to eat."

"Oh well, I am sorry to say this Dudley but with them dead it doesn't matter too much anymore as we are unable to press charges" Albus turned to go.

"Sir?" Dumbledore turned back "is there some way I can stay with Harry? I'm not 18 yet so I would have to stay with my Aunt Marge as my Guardian and I don't like her very much, plus I can translate for Harry…" Dudley trailed off.

"I doubt we will need your translation services much longer as I am sure Madame Pomfrey will be able to fix Harry but I can declare you a ward of the magical world which means at 17 you are an adult and can live where and with who you choose. I will see you at the beginning of term Harry" and this time he left leaving two new adults with hope.

Let's go find Sirius

They found Sirius by the door of the Dursley's house talking with Snape of all people. Yet surprisingly they weren't arguing. When they saw Dudley and Harry, Sirius ran over to give Harry a hug. At the same time Harry saw Snape look around as though looking for someone else, Snape knew that Tom was here then which means Snape was the one who left him Harry mused, I wonder how he pulled it off especially without exposing himself as a spy.

"Harry today was supposed to be a really good day as I was finally allowed to invite you to live with me" Harry smiled "so will you live with me?" Sirius began to look disconcerted when Harry didn't say anything. "That is alright, you don't…" started Sirius before Dudley interrupted

"Wait, give him a minute, you just offered him what he has wanted his whole life and you expect him to answer straight away, are you mad?" by this time Harry had recovered and started signing to Dudley.

I would love to go with him but you have to ask if you and Tom can come, if you want to because I don't want to leave you by yourself

"Harry wants to know if I and a friend of ours can come and stay with you as well?"

"Is that what you want Harry?" Harry nodded "very well lets go and get your stuff and while we are doing that someone will tell me just why my godson can no longer talk!" Harry smiled; it looked as though the rest of the summer would be OK.