Chapter 2

It was 2 AM. Harry Potter was tossing and turning in his sleep. Not for the last time, and certainly not for the first. Harry wasn't an ordinary boy- he was a wizard. In fact, he wasn't even ordinary for a wizard. He was apparently the "Chosen One" according to some prophecy and the wizarding newspapers. The Chosen One meaning that he was supposed to defeat the Dark Lord, Voldemort.

For the past two weeks after returning to his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon's house on Privet Drive, Harry hadn't been able to sleep at all. Horrible nightmares of what had happened earlier that year haunted him, and not only at night. Harry now relived those hideous moments every minute of his life. Snape betraying them, Dumbledore being murdered, the funeral, breaking up with Ginny, not to mention that the Horcruxes, objects that were keeping Voldemort alive and immortal, were still out there, perhaps in the evil wizard's hands as we speak.

The wizarding world was in a crisis. Their greatest leader for so many years had been murdered, and the Ministry of Magic had confirmed that Voldemort was back and worse than ever. Death rates were becoming higher each and every day. There was no safe haven anywhere. Hogwarts, the school for wizards and witches, and also the one location considered to be the safest place on earth, could be closed because of Voldemort's raid. Harry wasn't planning on going back for his 7th year anyway.

There was a thump against the window. Harry sat up to see a snowy white owl, and a semi-familiar tawny one flying around his window. He had forgotten to prop open the pane last night like he usually did. The immediate second he let the two owls in, another much smaller owl came plummeting in behind them. This small excuse for an owl flew around like a person belonging in a psych hospital. He flew around madly for about five minutes, until the white owl finally had enough of him, flew off her perch, and pecked him until he fell onto Harry's bed.

Harry untied the letter from the tawny owl first, which after being unloaded of his burden, hopped up regally and soared out of the window. Upon opening the envelope, Harry found the following letter:

Dear Mr. Potter,

I have been informed by no else than your friend, Miss Granger, that you are not going to return to Hogwarts. I am writing this letter to tell you that I cannot accept that decision on your part. It is crucial that you return to the school. We are going to reopen Hogwarts no matter what has happened. The education of this generation of wizards and witches is very important, especially at this delicate time. I am not going to say anymore in this letter, if by some small chance it is intercepted by another unfriendly source. Just be sure you are on the Hogwarts Express September 1st.

On a happier note, the Weasleys will be taking you in after your 17th birthday. They will also be taking you to take your Apparition test. If I have not convinced you yet to return to Hogwarts, I am sure Molly will take care of it. Remember, it is for your own good as well as everyone else's that you return.

Have a nice summer and good luck on your Apparition test!

Professor McGonagall

Harry read over the parts where McGonagall had said he must return to Hogwarts. She couldn't be serious! Return to Hogwarts when he was the one who was supposed to be searching for the Horcruxes?

"Pig, shush!" Harry whispered to the tiny owl. Pig had once again started to fly around. Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia would have his head if another owl woke them in the middle of the night. Harry grabbed the letter from the hyperactive owl.

Harry-

We'll be picking you up sooner than your birthday. We have a small detour to make. Well, not small really, but I can't tell you in a letter.

See you soon!

Ron

P.S. Hermione says hi.

"Great, more cryptic messages," Harry said. He was worried though. If the entire Weasley clan showed up unexpected, no doubt Uncle Vernon wouldn't be thrilled.

He turned to Hedwig, taking the letter she had brought. He recognized the extremely crude and untidy handwriting.

Harry

Me and Olympe'll be heading back to France. Owls'll take a little longer to get to ya.

Happy Birthday!

Hagrid

Harry opened an oddly wrapped package that Hedwig had brought with Hagrid's note. It weighed a ton. "Hagrid, you're killing me here," Harry groaned. Inside the box were over two dozen of his famous rock cakes. Hedwig hooted despondently.

After shoving the heavy box under a loose floorboard, Harry opened up the drawer in his nightstand and pulled out his wand. Just looking at it made him feel like an animal cooped up in a zoo. In a month he would be free from this place though, and then he could use magic whenever he needed to.

Harry looked over at his clock. 2:36. He pulled off his glasses and laid them on the nightstand. Maybe it was the knowledge that he would be leaving soon or that he was overtired, but he fell straight asleep.