Standard Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story; they all belong to JK Rowlings. This is a work of fan fiction, produced solely for enjoyment. No infringement of rights is intended.

– CHAPTER TWELVE –

Dress Robes and a Letter

When Harry woke up, the sun was already quite high. He peered around, but couldn't make any shapes out and deduced that Mrs. Weasley must have told the others to let him sleep in. He picked up his glasses, and getting up, rummaged around in his bag for a change of clothing, mentally thanking Hermione for always thinking about everything. He ambled over to the bathroom, and after taking a shower and getting dressed, went downstairs to find Mrs. Weasley bustling around the kitchen.

'Good morning Mrs. Weasley, how are you?' He asked, still a bit groggy from over sleeping.

'Good afternoon Harry,' she replied jovially, 'I'm fine thank you. Did you have a good sleep in?' She handed him a large plate of food, and continued bustling around the kitchen. Harry sat down and started eating eagerly.

'Ye, I think I really needed it. Where are the others?' He asked between mouthfuls.

'Out in the garden, they're de-gnoming it for the wedding. After all, we only have a few more days.' Harry choked on a particularly large piece of sausage.

'It's in a few days?' He asked, horror struck. 'I had no idea; I haven't received an invitation. I don't have a wedding gift for them yet or anything to wear.' He thought about his fourth year dress robes. 'No, I definitely need new dress robes.' He muttered under his breath, trying not to remember how stupid he'd felt being led around the dance floor by Parvati.

'It's alright dear. I didn't send you an invitation because I'd assumed you'd be staying here after you turned seventeen, so you'd be able to go get robes with Ron later.' Harry nodded glumly, still trying to erase the night of his seventeenth birthday from his memory. Mrs. Weasley noticed his expression, and guessing the reason behind it, added gently. 'Why don't you help the others in the garden Harry?' Mrs. Weasley asked. 'That'll take your mind off things.'

Harry nodded and got up absentmindedly, leaving his plate half-full. Mrs. Weasley watched him leave, and sadly asked herself why everything always had to happen to Harry. He ambled out the back door, and found Ron and Ginny competing on who could throw the gnomes the furthest and eagerly joined them, brushing away any questions with his usual reply of, 'I'm fine thanks.' Hermione looked determined to make him talk about it, but eventually gave up after Ron glared at her.

They spent the rest of the afternoon either de-gnoming the garden, or playing Quidditch, while Hermione sat on the ground watching them play. That evening, Ginny cooked them all dinner, as Mrs. Weasley had been cooking food for the wedding all day, and didn't have the energy to cook anything else.

After dinner they all tramped into the lounge, and discussed the wedding and plans for the rest of the summer, staying clear of Harry's plans for the rest of the year. Mrs. Weasley didn't know that Ron and Hermione intended to follow Harry on this search for the Horcruxes, and no one, including Hermione, was prepared to breach that subject. They all knew that she would never let Ron go; it would be difficult enough to stop her trying to dissuade Harry.

As the stars began to appear, they discussed when Ron and Harry would get dress robes; Hermione and Ginny had already bought theirs several weeks earlier, but they wanted to accompany Harry and Ron to help them choose. In the end, they decided to go the next day, before too many guests started arriving and they needed to set up the reception area.

Mrs. Weasley had insisted on there being an Auror guard, and had contacted Kingsley and Tonks to ask if they would mind. Tonks had jumped at the chance of seeing them, but Kingsley had been a bit nervous about the security risk, and wanted to ask the Ministry for more Aurors. Harry had refused, suspecting that Scrimgeour would simply use this favour as leverage later to get information out of him. Added to that, Harry was worried that someone could leak him position to Voldemort, and thought that the less people knew about his movements, the safer everyone was.

The next day, Harry and the others got up early, and were ready to leave by the time the first shops would open. As they were finishing breakfast Kingsley and Tonks walked in through the back door, and they all apparated to the Leaky Cauldron. They hurried to Madam Malkin's, Harry keeping his face down the whole way, while Tonks and Kingsley nervously looked around. Once inside, they all relaxed a bit, and while Kingsley kept a watch at the door, Harry and Ron started trying on robes. Ginny, Hermione and Tonks kept up a running commentary on each robe they tried on, and made the two boys try on almost every set of robes in the shop, but couldn't make a united decision on any set.

This continued for several hours, and Ron and Harry were beginning to lose patience, while Kingsley became progressively agitated. Ron's face was beginning to turn a dangerous shade of red, but the girls hadn't finished, and Madam Malkin showed no inclination of giving up either; evidently she was finding this a welcome challenge, 'And it doesn't help that it's me she's serving.' Harry thought irritably. He wanted to get back to the Burrow too; he was worried that someone would recognise him in the shop window, and was also anxious to read the other letters left for him.

He'd been wondering all day who had written him the letter that had been left with Ragnog, and was almost desperate to find out what Dumbledore had left him in his letter. While waiting for the girls to decide on a set of robes, he had been trying to guess the contents of the letter, finally deciding that it might have clues as to where or what the other Horcruxes were. Ron on the other hand, had spent most of the day complaining, repeatedly exclaiming in irritation that he'd just wear the set he was presently trying on, if the girls didn't decide soon. They just giggled and ignored his threats, passing him another set to try.

Eventually, after several hours of what Harry and Ron deemed as worse torture than Snape's lessons, they'd picked out a set of robes for each of them. Hurrying out of the shop with the robes shrunk and stuffed in their pockets, Kingsley led them back to the Leaky Cauldron. It was getting dark, and he was nervous to be walking around at night, especially while guarding Harry Potter, to which problems seemed to gravitate. Fortunately, there were no incidents, and they were back at the Burrow a few minutes later.

After Mrs. Weasley had force fed them all a pile of food, Harry asked Hermione what she'd done with his letters. She arched her eyebrow in question.

'Harry, you're not going to run off to read these alone if I tell you, are you?' Harry shook his head. He had no intention of finding himself in the same situation as last time, and was very embarrassed by his behaviour, even though they had all told him it was perfectly normal to react as he had.

'No, I won't, I promise. You can sit with me if you want, but I'm reading them alone first.' He replied firmly. If there was any information about the Horcruxes in Dumbledore's letter, he'd have to hide it from Ginny and Mrs. Weasley or he'd be forced to answer some very awkward questions.

'Alright,' Hermione agreed, grinning, 'they're in your bag that I brought over with you; in the front pocket.' Her smile broadened, 'After all, they weren't mine to take Harry, you should have checked before asking.' She knew he wouldn't want to open the letters alone again, but preferred to leave him dangling a bit.

Harry groaned in frustration, realising he'd been led on, and just pulled out his wand, muttering, 'Accio bag'. His bag came sailing down, and he grabbed it in mid-air, grinning smugly. 'You know they've taken to using my idea at the Auror office.' He knew it would irk Hermione that he'd got credit for her idea, and couldn't wait to get her back for earlier.

Unfortunately, Hermione caught on to what he was up to almost immediately and just smiled back at him sweetly, replying, 'Isn't that nice Harry? That was so kind of them to merit Harry with the idea, wasn't it Ron?' She turned to him, but his face was set in a puzzled frown; he hadn't caught on to their discussion. Then Hermione remembered that Ron hadn't been talking to Harry when they'd spent weeks trying to find out how to summon his broom for the First Task and frowned. She turned back to Harry, who was grinning; he'd apparently picked up on her mistake too. Angrily, she huffed, 'Oh forget it Ron; you weren't there. Harry, are you going to read those letters?' She asked suddenly, changing the subject.

Harry nodded slowly, and picking out the letter from Dumbledore, he opened the envelope and began reading.

June 1st

Harry stared in disbelief, 'that was the day we went after the Horcrux, the day he – died.' He shook his head and kept reading.

Dear Harry,

If you are reading this, I fear that it means that our little adventure has resulted in my passing into the next great adventure. Do not mourn me Harry, I have lived a full and happy life, and you have brought me much happiness in the last few years.

I have just returned with some evidence pointing to where the next Horcrux might be, and sent a message for you to come here. I'm keeping my promise to take you along next time I found one; I just hope that neither of us has to lose a hand or worse to destroy it. However, judging by the defences Tom placed on his ring, I can never be too careful.

Harry, if this evening's search does result in my demise, please, I ask you again, do not mourn me. Rather, remember me, and remember that I am 157 years old. I am tired of this life Harry, I have seen more than my fair share of evil and death; and I am dying. The curse placed on Salazar's ring was powerful, and even with Severus' help, I could not destroy it. It is killing me slowly, and even if I live tonight, I do not expect to live out the summer.

Now, as you are reading this, I assume that our little outing did not go as planned, although I do hope that we did reach the Horcrux, and it was only during the return journey that we came across problems. Assuming that, I expect that you still have one Horcrux belonging to Tom and that you have no idea how to destroy it; I never did get a chance to tell you how I got the ring. With that in mind, I left my Pensieve in your possession, and have taken the liberty of adding a few memories which I think may be of help. Peruse them at your leisure Harry, there are memories I obtained pertaining to Tom's later life, and also some of my own which describe places that he may have visited during his leave. There is also the memory of my visit to the Gaunt home this summer; it may help you find the others.

However Harry, there is something I need you to do before you go in search of the last Horcruxes. Please, I implore you to return to Hogwarts, finish your education, and then search for them. You will not be able to protect yourself against Tom's curses without further educating yourself in Defence against the Dark Arts among other subjects. I myself had a lot of difficulties this summer, and believe me Harry; that is saying something, if I may say so myself.

You must return to Hogwarts this year, only then will you be able to confront Tom and stand a reasonable chance at success. Last time you duelled, you were very lucky; he was surprised by the Priory Incantatum but he will not again. The disappearance of Mr. Ollivander has led me to assume that Tom wanted to know why the spell occurred, and must now know. He will not make the same mistake twice Harry.

In my will, I've asked Alastor (the real one) to return to Hogwarts to teach, and specifically to teach you; I'm sure you will be able to find a suitable training room. I want you to take this help if he agrees; Alastor is a very capable wizard, and there are not many people who could train you in Defence as well as he could.

I believe in you Harry, I am confident that when you are ready, you will confront Tom and you shall win, and I do not believe I am the only one. Do not abandon your friends Harry, they are what make you strong; you need them as much as they need you. They would follow you into the jaws of death, as I would, because they believe in you, and love you, and that is something that Tom will never have or understand. This is your strength Harry, do not underestimate it, it is the power that will let you defeat Tom; it is love

You are like the son I never had Harry, I love you and am so deeply sorry for all the mistakes that I have made in my life regarding you. Know that I never wanted to leave you with the Dursleys, but those were dark times, and I knew that Petunia's blood was the only thing that could protect you from harm. I knew that I was condemning you to a difficult childhood, but chose your safety over your happiness. Some may say that I made the wrong choice, but I have watched you over the years, closer than you could ever imagine, and I do not doubt for a second that you would not have become the kind, gentle, caring, and strong young man I now know as you, without that childhood. I know it was difficult, but you have risen above it, and exceeded all my expectations thousands of times over. I am so proud of you Harry, and hope that you can forgive a tired, old man for making decisions on your behalf. Although I cannot believe that you told the Minister that you were, how did you put it? Ah yes, 'Dumbledore's man through and through'. I cannot express how proud and happy you made me that moment, so thank you.

By the way, if you are wondering why I left you Fawkes; you are the only person that he has ever gone to help without my asking him. He is very attached to you, perhaps because of your loyalty towards me, and would not have agreed to stay with anyone else. I also thought he may be able to help you if you were in a tight spot, as he can Flame Travel. Good luck with your hunt, and I wish you all the happiness in the world following your victory, do not forget, I believe in you,

Best Wishes,

Albus

By the time Harry had finished reading the letter, his eyesight was almost blurred with tears. Memories of that night ran through his head and it was all he could do to stop himself collapsing again. 'Be strong,' he willed himself, 'he doesn't want you to mourn him, so don't.' He shook his head vigorously to clear it, and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

Ron, Hermione and Ginny were watching him intently to see his reaction.

'Harry, are you ok?' Ginny asked hesitantly.

'Ye, I'm fine, I'm just a bit tired. I think I'll go to bed now.'

'But Harry, it's not even ten yet!' Ron exclaimed indignantly. Hermione puffed in irritation, but Harry smiled weakly, and replied softly.

'Well, it's been a long, tiring day, and I have a lot to think about.' In fact, he didn't know what to think. Dumbledore had thrown out another possibility for him that he hadn't even considered, not thinking that Dumbledore would want him to return to Hogwarts. He had a half mind to plough ahead with his plan of searching for them based from his flat, but he knew that Dumbledore was right. He needed to train a lot before going after the Horcruxes; he just didn't have the knowledge or power to destroy them yet, and needed to find the last artefact, and locate it, along with another one. There was also the locket which he didn't know anything about. It may or not be destroyed, and he couldn't know without finding R.A.B.

'It looks like I'll be returning to Hogwarts then,' he thought glumly. He wasn't looking forward to going back now; everything would remind him of Dumbledore, but he had no choice. 'Good night guys, see you in the morning.'

He made his way up to the twins' room, and changing into pyjamas, climbed into bed. His brain was still whirling around, thinking of everything that Dumbledore had written. 'Did he really think of me as his son?' He mused, and with that happy thought, he fell into a quiet sleep.