Harry Potter and the Secret Horcrux

Chapter One: The New Mission

The dark night sky seemed to show that something horrible had happened. Yet, it could never truly tell the atrocities laid forth on that sinister night. Two figures tore along the forgotten roads that lead to the deepest fears of most mortals. No words were exchanged, for there were no words that could explain what had just occurred. The most callous act of betrayal was nothing compared to what Professor Snape had just done.

Draco Malfoy felt Severus Snape's hand tighten around his arm as the two rounded another shadowy corner. There was no time to pause. Draco made a motion to speak, but Snape quickly silenced him with a single glance. The Unbreakable Vow had been forged and completed. The impossible had been accomplished and nothing would ever be the same.

Albus Dumbledore was dead.

Draco felt his body shudder. The Dark Lord would not be pleased with the course of action he had failed to take. His mouth grew dry as he recalled the last words Dumbledore had spoken to him. Even in his gravest hour, he had offered him solace and protection.

"This way," Snape hissed as he started towards another direction.

Draco glared at him. "Where are we going?"

Snape didn't answer. The further they traveled the more winding the road became. This was a place Draco had never seen before. Was Snape taking them into hiding? Didn't he realize that nobody could hide from the Dark Lord?

"I'm not going any further until you answer me," Draco said sternly as he snatched his arm out of Snape's grasp.

"I'm taking you to your mother," Snape said in a low murmur.

Draco narrowed his eyes. "Why?"

"Foolish boy!" Snape lashed out. "Do you realize what has just happened?"

"Yeah," Draco retorted. "You did the job I was meant to do. You disobeyed a direct order from our Master."

Snape's cold dark eyes locked on to Draco's false face of confidence.

"Murder isn't as simple as it seems, is it?"

"I would have killed him, if you--" Draco started.

"You failed! If I hadn't killed Dumbledore you would be dead. He doesn't accept failure," Snape spat viciously. "He may still..."

Draco fell silent as the fear that was in his eyes spread across his face. "So, why are we going?"

He couldn't finish; his mouth was too dry.

Snape turned back towards the trail. "There isn't much time."

The dark figure of Snape had almost disappeared from sight before Draco found his footing and trudged behind. The trail finally started to narrow and a small cottage appeared in the darkness. As the two approached the door flew open. A woman dressed in a long hooded clock ran towards them.

"Is it over then? Did you?" she pleaded desperately.

"No," Draco said in barely more than a whisper, "Professor Snape did, because of your Unbreakable Vow, Mother."

Narcissa threw her head upwards and a look of agony stretched across her face. She stood motionless for a moment before lowering her head to face Snape.

"He's safe and what had to be done is done," Snape said quietly.

Narcissa closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. "Thank-you, Severus."

Draco stared, with a look of disgust, at his mother. This was her doing. Her motherly intuition had consumed her. She had not realized death haunted them whether he succeeded or failed.

"The Dark Lord will not be pleased," Snape began.

"He will understand. Dumbledore is dead, and it doesn't matter who killed him," Narcissa argued. Desperation crept into her voice as her hands shook lightly.

Snape frowned, "You must leave and go into hiding. Draco will be punished for his failure. He is expendable."

"I'll accept my punishment. I will not run," Draco spat as his mother let out a pointed sob.

"Don't be a fool," Snape replied. "There are things worse than death."

"Oh please, Draco, listen to me. Severus is right; we have to hide. The Dark Lord will take you away from me. I've already lost Lucius."

Draco yanked his hand from his mother's grip. "It isn't my fault. I had Dumbledore right there. I'm the one who figured out how to get the Death Eaters into the castle. I'm the one who disarmed Dumbledore. I was about to do it, but you had to push me out of the way. This is your fault, not mine."

"I suppose you always lower your wand before you cast a spell then?" Snape retorted.

Draco didn't answer.

"We can go to France; we have relatives we can hide with," Narcissa said suddenly as she claped her trembling hands.

Snape swallowed hard. "The Dark Lord will expect that. Did Lucius have any place where he could hide in case something like this happened?"

Narcissa shook her head, "No, he was the Dark Lord's servant until the end. He would never run."

"And neither will I," Draco said in a short voice.

Narcissa knelt down and grabbed her son's hand again. "Please, don't leave me. He'll kill you, Draco. Then, he'll kill me."

"You had nothing to do with it," Draco snapped as he stared at his pleading mother.

Snape narrowed his eyes. "She had everything to do with it. She is a traitor; she disobeyed the Dark Lord's orders. She convinced me to do the task if you could not."

Narcissa glared up at Snape, "I had no choice. He is only a child. There was no way he was going to succeed. The Dark Lord knew that it was a fool's errand."

"Do you honestly think it matters? The reasons?" Snape asked.

Narcissa suddenly released her son's hand and her head fell.

Draco took a deep exaggerated breath.

"I have a place where you can stay," Snape suddenly said. "It isn't in England and it's among-- you won't be able to use any magic at all."

"No magic?" Draco said resentfully. "Are we supposed to live as Muggles then?"

Snape nodded as he attempted to help Narcissa to her feet.

"I'd rather face the Dark Lord's wrath than live as a Muggle," Draco snarled.

Snape's lip twisted. "I can arrange that, but I sincerely doubt you mean it. If you had let me help you during the year it would have never come to this."

Draco made a motion to move towards Snape but his mother held a firm hand against his shoulder.

"No, Draco. Severus is just trying to help us," Narcissa pleaded.

The dark sky gave a great rumble as the clouds began to build. Snape took a narrow breath as he pulled a small scrap of parchment out of his robe.

"You haven't much time," Snape said slowly as he pushed the parchment into Narcissa's hand.

"How do we know he won't tell the Dark Lord where to find us?" Draco asked in an accusing voice.

Snape raised his eyebrows in annoyance. "Use your head! Don't you think if that had been my intentions I would have taken you directly to the Dark Lord?"

Narcissa left no time for the quarrel to continue. She quickly kissed Severus' cheek and whispered a soft 'thank-you.'

Draco didn't let his eyes leave Snape's face. Narcissa quickly grabbed Draco's arm and without another parting look, Disapparated both herself and her son.

The loud crack echoed in Snape's ear. The anger raging inside him for the past several hours had not lessened and he knew that the Dark Lord would not be pleased with him. He could only pray that Dumbledore's murder was enough to appease his master.

He could run. However, running would mean all he had sacrificed and done would be in vain. No, running away was not the solution. The Dark Lord would hunt him down and strike him dead. Draco was right about one thing: there was no way to hide from the Dark Lord.

Snape took one last fleeting look at the cottage. It could very well be the last sight his eyes every saw. If he lived, he would still be punished. He could feel the pain searing through his veins even now.

"Is this what you wanted, Albus?" Snape said suddenly. "I'm exiled and Potter will not rest until your murder is avenged."

The wind howled loudly as if it were answering Severus' plea. A distant rumble of thunder seemed to break the barriers of time. He knew his lingering would soon come to a close and he would face fate. As if chance's humor had run thin, a sharp pain burned through his sleeve. He slowly pulled the cuff of his robe and revealed the charred flesh that burned black into his skin.

He didn't hesitate. His eyes closed and his mind left behind all traces of the past few moments. Suddenly, the cottage was gone and a dank low-lit room replaced his vision.

A figure cloaked in black, whose eyes glowed with insanity, approached.

"My sister?"

Bellatrix's voice was barely above a mumble, but Snape didn't need to hear her words to know the question she was asking.

"Now is not the time," Snape said briskly as his eyes scanned the walls of his master's abode.

Bellatrix grimaced. "I'm just asking. Are they?"

"Yes," Snape said quickly, signaling an end to the conversation.

Bellatrix nodded as her eyes cut towards a room at the far end of the corridor. "He's not pleased. I knew the Vow was a cursed scheme. If he knows I performed it..."

Snape glanced at Bellatrix and made a motion to walk towards the room.

"It's true? Dumbledore is dead?" Bellatrix pushed.

"Yes," Snape replied. He tried to keep his voice from catching in his throat but Bellatrix didn't seem to notice.

"And Draco? He didn't?" Bellatrix asked, already knowing the answer to the question.

Snape nodded, "I did it for him. It had to be done and my time at Hogwarts had expired. I seriously doubt the Board of Governors will allow the school to reopen."

Bellatrix nodded. "Word travels quickly."

The conversation had reached its end. Snape didn't pause as he approached the room where he knew his master was waiting. At first he couldn't see much in the dim light, but an inhuman sound caused his eyes to wander into a corner where a single throne-like chair rested. A long coiled creature lay at the base.

"Ah, Severus... I've been expecting you."

Snape swallowed hard and lowered himself into a bow. "My Lord."

"You deliberately disobeyed my orders," Voldemort began.

Snape felt his eyes betray him as he watched the demon-like man curl his fingers around his chair.

"I ordered Draco to dispose of Dumbledore. Your position had great strategic importance."

Snape drew in a deep breath, "My Lord, I apologize. I feared the boy could not complete the task."

"And where is young master Malfoy?" Voldemort taunted, almost reading Snape's mind.

Snape held back a smirk as a blank page replaced the truth. "He has disappeared. Potter attempted to stop us from escaping after the task was done. I pushed him ahead and ordered him to Disapparate once past the barrier. I assumed he would go to his mother's, but I did not find him, My Lord."

"But, Albus Dumbledore is dead," Voldemort asked.

Snape nodded, "He is."

"You have disappointed me; something caused you to act against me. Tell me, what was it?" Voldemort said in a sharp voice.

"Narcissa--she came to me and asked me to help Draco with his task. I was tricked into an Unbreakable Vow. I thought the boy would be able to complete the job, but I had to be prepared in case he wasn't," Snape replied, lowering his bow as his heartbeat increased.

"You displease me, Severus," Voldemort replied. "However, the task that was assigned is done so there will be no punishment at this time."

"Thank-you, you are most gracious," Snape said, not daring to rise from his bow.

"Do not mistake my mercy for weakness. Next time I will not be so patient," Voldemort hissed.

Snape nodded, slowly lifting his head. He knew he was not safe yet. The Dark Lord was known to change his mind even after handing down a verdict.

"There is one more thing," Voldemort said in a sadistic tone. "Bring Draco and Narcissa Malfoy to me as soon as they are found. To help lure them out of hiding--make sure Lucius Malfoy meets an untimely demise. I think we have sources inside Azkaban that can carry that out."

Snape said instantly, "It will be done."

"I know it will," Voldemort said without hesitation. "I do not appreciate failure."

Snape nodded respectfully one last time before making a swift but appropriate exit. His face twisted with disgust, as he dared not look back at the room he had just left. A lesser wizard would have had his mind turned to mush and his deepest secrets revealed. However, Snape was not an ill-trained wizard by any stretch of the imagination.

"You're still alive," Bellatrix said as she suddenly reappeared in front of Snape.

Snape smirked, "Disappointed, Bella?"

"Deeply," she said as her eyes narrowed. "You have orders? What are they?"

"They do not concern you," Snape said coldly.

"If they concern my family, they concern me," Bellatrix pushed as she stepped in front of Snape and blocked his way.

Snape closed his eyes, praying the regret would not surface. "What does family mean to you? You have made your allegiances perfectly clear."

"Does that mean yours are not?"

"You dare question me?" Snape roared.

Bellatrix scowled, "You do not frighten me and you do not fool me. I know what you're all about, Severus."

"Do you now?" Snape continued. "Then you are much wiser than I give you credit for. I do not know where your sister or nephew are? If they are wise, you'll never know either."

Chapter Two: The Last Visit

The whistle blew and rattled the glass panes of the Hogwarts Express as it pulled into King's Cross Station with an abrupt stop that caused the passengers to lurch forward.

"Harry, are you ready?"

Hermione Granger looked, with a worried face, at Harry Potter. Harry had not moved since boarding the train. He had simply stared out the window with a look of devout determination etched across his face.

"Harry?" Hermione asked again.

Harry blinked, "Yeah."

"You don't think your aunt and uncle will go spare do you?" Ron asked with a worried expression as he glanced at Hermione.

Harry grinned. "Probably, but what choice do they have? I'm only staying there one night."

"Well, we better go," Hermione declared as she picked up her book bag from the floor. "I doubt this is going to get any easier."

"Bloody hell," Ron swore, "I forgot to tell my parents what we were doing."

Hermione frowned. "You what?"

"I forgot to tell mum and dad," Ron repeated. "I guess in the craziness of Dumbledore's funeral it slipped my mind. Where's Ginny? Why isn't she in here anyways?"

Harry didn't answer. He knew perfectly well why Ginny was not in the train compartment with them.

"Well, I wrote to my parents as soon as we promised Harry we'd go with him to the Dursleys," Hermione said in a serious tone.

Harry swallowed. "You two don't have to come. I can face them alone. After all, it's only for one night."

"No way, mate," Ron said looking appalled.

Hermione nodded. "Ron's right, Harry. You shouldn't be alone right now. It's not safe."

"Three wands are better then one," Ron added. "Plus, you aren't of age yet. You can't use magic outside of Hogwarts. Though I doubt the Ministry would say anything if you did."

Harry grimaced but didn't reply. Ron poked his head into the corridor as he scanned it.

"Oy, you there--have you see Ginny?"

Harry felt his chest constrict. Ginny was probably in a compartment nuzzled up with Dean Thomas telling him how big of a prat Harry was.

"Yeah, I just saw her get off the train," a voice Harry didn't recognize called back.

Ron frowned as he turned back to Harry and Hermione. Finally he shrugged and started to push his way out into hallways. Hermione gave Harry an encouraging smile as she followed Ron's lead. The train was rather empty for the end of the year voyage. Parents had collected most students right after the funeral.

"I suppose I'll just tell them when we get off the train. What are they going to say? I'm of age now," Ron said mostly to himself as he stepped off.

Hermione rolled her eyes at Ron's comment and Harry couldn't help but grin. He seriously doubted Mrs. Weasley would take such an understanding attitude about Ron's decision. It didn't take long to spot the family of redheads standing near the entrance to Platform Nine and Three Quarters.

"Hello, how are all of you? Hermione, I haven't seen your parents. Did they know that you were coming home early?" Mrs. Weasley asked as she tipped up on her toes to scan the crowd.

Hermione smiled nervously. "Yes, well--I'm going back to the Dursleys' with Harry."

"Oh no, Harry--you don't have to return to your aunt and uncle's house. You're more than welcome to come straight home with us," Mrs. Weasley insisted.

Harry heaved a sigh. "No, I promised Dumbledore I'd go back one last time. He wanted me to go back."

"And we're going with him," Ron piped in.

Harry thought he saw Ginny look up, but he might have been mistaken because the next moment she looked like she wasn't even paying any attention to the conversation taking place. Next to her, Charlie Weasley made a teasing gesture causing Ginny to laugh slightly, and Harry convinced himself that he had just imagined the concerned look on her face a moment before.

"Don't be silly," Mrs. Weasley said sternly, "I'm not about to let the three of you go off on your own. It isn't safe and you aren't--well, it's just a foolish idea."

Ron's face reddened a bit. "We're not letting Harry go alone."

"Harry, why don't you let Tonks or Arthur accompany you to collect your things. Then they can bring you back to The Burrow."

"Mum," Ron said in protest. "We're of age. We're not kids."

Molly Weasley placed her hands firmly on her hips. "Well, you're still too young. I'm not going to sit back and watch the three of you just run off because you think can take care of yourselves. It's too dangerous out there."

Ron suddenly drew himself up to full height. "I'm going with Harry and Hermione."

"Ron, it's okay--" Harry started.

"Hermione and I of are of age and Harry doesn't have a choice. We aren't going to let him face those horrid people alone again," Ron snapped.

Hermione seemed to have sunk down behind Harry hoping not to be pulled into this conversation. Suddenly Ron grabbed his trunk and pushed his way through Platform Nine and Three-Quarters into Muggle London.

Molly stood there thunderstruck as Ron disappeared from sight. Ginny however was now paying full attention to the events unfolding. Her eyes locked onto Harry as her lips drew thin.

"It's only for one night," Hermione said suddenly to Mrs. Weasley before Harry grabbed her arm and pulled her along behind Ron.

The moment the two emerged from the barrier Ron appeared.

"Can you believe her?" Ron ranted. "She acts like I'm still ten years old."

"She's just worried," Hermione said softly. "It's risky right now to do anything. It's what everybody is going to think now that Dumbledore is gone."

Harry frowned as he pushed his trunk towards a stairwell that would lead up to the exit.

"Harry, wait up!" Ron yelled.

Hermione followed quickly. "Where are your aunt and uncle?"

Harry glanced back at them. "I didn't tell them I was arriving today."

"What?" Ron said in sudden disbelief.

Harry shrugged. "Well, I figured if you two were serious about coming with me to Privet Drive then it was safer if we just showed up versus having my aunt or uncle retrieve us."

"So, are we taking a train or taxi?" Hermione asked.

"Of course not," Ron said annoyed. "You have your Apparation license don't you?"

Harry shook his head. "It's too risky to use magic. We don't know who might be watching. I think we should take a, err...a taxi."

Hermione pointed. "Over there, at Platform One."

Ron glanced over Hermione's head towards the direction she was pointing. Harry watched Ron as it became apparent Ron had never ridden in a taxi before in his life. Harry had seen them before, but he had never actually taken a taxi. Uncle Vernon had always driven.

"Harry... how are we going to pay for a taxi? They cost money don't they?" Ron asked.

Realization suddenly hit Harry. He only had a pocketful of wizard money and he seriously doubted that the taxi driver would accept Galleons or Sickles. Hermione seemed to gather that Harry had not planned this far ahead and simply rolled her eyes.

"I have some Muggle money, but taxis are really expensive," she supplied. "Maybe we should take the train to Epsom and then take a taxi from there."

The two nodded as they followed her to the ticket counter where she purchased three tickets for the train to Epsom. The train ride went by quickly as the three sat silently watching the scenery pass the window.

"So, what's up with Ginny anyway? Why wasn't she with us on the train ride home?" Ron asked as he stared at Harry. "You two aren't fighting are you?"

"Ron," Hermione nipped.

"I'm just asking. She's my sister. I have a right to know," Ron argued.

Harry frowned. "We're not seeing each other anymore."

Ron looked confused for a second then asked, "Why not?"

Harry took a deep breath before replying, "Because it's not safe. Voldemort used her against me once just because she was your sister. Imagine what he would do if he knew..."

Ron winced as Harry said the Dark Lord's name causing Hermione to let out an annoyed huff. Ron seemed to think about what Harry had said for a moment then nodded.

"Well, probably for the best then."

"Honestly, you two really don't use your heads sometimes. Ginny isn't in any less danger because you broke up with her, Harry. You two were seeing each other the entire last part of the year. Malfoy and Snape both knew that."

Harry felt some blood drain out of his face, but he didn't respond. Neither did Ron.

The train stopped at the Epsom station and the three disembarked with their things. The station wasn't nearly as crowded as King's Cross, but the large trunks did attract some unwanted attention. Suddenly Hermione stopped and let out a soft noise. She then turned to face Harry and Ron.

"All this stuff won't fit," she whispered pointing to their trunks.

"Huh?" Ron asked slightly dumbfounded. "What do you mean it won't fit?"

"She means Muggle taxis don't have Expanding Spells placed on their boots," Harry answered.

Hermione bit her lip before finally sighing. "Make sure nobody is watching."

Ron looked at her like she was mad but Harry had a good idea what she was going to do. She slowly pulled out her wand and without uttering a word the trunks shrunk to the size of a purse.

"You're really getting good with wordless magic," Ron said with an impressed expression.

Harry had to admit that Hermione's wand skills were remarkable, but he couldn't help but be reminded of his last encounter with Snape. It had been with wordless magic that Snape had countered all of Harry's spells.

"We need to go to Little Whinging in Surrey," Hermione told the driver as the three loaded the closest taxi.

When they arrived at Little Whinging Harry insisted the driver stop near Magnolia Crescent. He didn't think Aunt Petunia would appreciate it if the neighbors saw all three of them getting out of the taxi in front of her house.

"It looks different from the ground," Ron commented with a nod as the three walked up the alley where Harry and Dudley had encountered the Dementors.

Harry smiled lightly as he gave Ron an appraising look. Finally he pointed to a spot in the alley. "That is where the Dementors attacked me. Come on, this way."

Privet Drive was not a sight for sore eyes. It had never felt like home to Harry Potter. It had always just been someplace he had to go. Finally they were there, standing in front of the house that looked identical to all the houses around it.

"Should we knock?" Hermione asked, looking worried.

Harry glanced at the lot of them. Knocking would probably be a good idea but they would lose the element of surprise. It was now or never. He grabbed the doorknob and twisted it open. The living room was empty and looked just as it had the last time Harry had seen it. Except, last time Harry had seen it Dumbledore had been alive.

Harry suddenly realized the weight of the locket in his pocket again and closed his eyes. "Let's get this over with."

"It's really clean," Hermione commented, as she seemed to search for something positive to say.

"Ron, you know which room is mine. You and Hermione go on up. I don't plan on socializing with the Dursleys. It will be less of an issue if they don't know you guys are here."

"What are you going to do?" Ron asked.

Harry sighed, "Let them know I'm back I suppose."

Ron made a motion to protest but Hermione grabbed his arm and started towards the stairs. Suddenly she stopped and her eyes grew wide.

"Is that the cupboard?"

Harry turned around to see his little cupboard where he had spend so much of his youth and frowned. "Yeah."

Hermione gasped, "Those horrid people."

Harry turned towards the kitchen as he heard something stirring behind the door, and then he locked eyes with Ron and mouthed the word 'go.'

Ron pulled Hermione up the staircase and barely made it out of sight before Aunt Petunia opened the door and shrieked.

Harry grimaced at his aunt's dramatics but did not move.

"You! What are you doing back so early?"

Harry shrugged. "School's closed. Our headmaster was murdered."

"Murdered?" Petunia whimpered.

"Yeah, murdered--by our Potions professor," Harry continued, finding a strange enjoyment out of upsetting his aunt.

Petunia Dursley sucked in a sharp breath. "So, you're back for the entire summer?"

Harry smiled. "No, just one night. I promised Dumbledore I'd return one more time. You remember him don't you?"

Petunia glanced around the room. "Whom were you talking to? I heard voices."

"Honestly, Aunt Petunia, hearing voices isn't a good sign," Harry cheeked.

Petunia scowled. "Get out of my sight. You've been nothing but a burden on me since that freak left you on our door."

Harry didn't waste time as he raced up the stairs and down the hallway he would soon forget. Ron and Hermione, with troubled expressions etched on their faces, were sitting on his bed.

"Ron's already charmed the room. Nobody should be able to hear us talking," Hermione said quickly as she saw a thought cross Harry's face.

"They won't come in here; they never do," Harry said as he took a seat at the chair near his desk.

Just as the words left Harry's mouth a car door shut outside the house, signaling that Vernon was home from work.

Ron was studying the Quidditch poster on his wall then looked out the window and nodded. "The view's not bad."

"Now that the bars are gone?" Harry joked.

"I can't believe Dumbledore kept making you come back to this terrible place," Hermione said with a thoughtful look on her face as she pulled her knees into her chest.

Harry lowered his eyes in thought before he said, "This was the safest place. As long as I returned once a year I had a special protection. It was part of my mother's sacrifice."

"It all makes sense now," Hermione said in a low voice mostly to herself, as if suddenly hit with realization. "Why didn't I realize that Dumbledore would use that type of magic to keep you safe? It's genius."

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE'S BACK?"

Harry's, Ron's and Hermione's heads popped and turned towards the door as Vernon Dursley's voice roared through the walls. Hermione bit her lip then nervously turned back towards Harry.

"Harry, the protection you're talking about--it must work both ways. Obviously your mother's family would have been a target after Voldemort killed your parents," Hermione began fretfully as she watched the door as if she expected it to rip open. "They've got to go into hiding. Once you leave the protection will be broken. That is once you leave for the last time and no longer call this place home."

"I've never called this place home," Harry corrected.

"Yes, you have," Hermione argued. "This is the place you came once a year. Hogwarts wasn't really home to you. What other place did you have?"

Harry screwed his face. "There is no way I'll ever be able to convince the Dursleys to leave. They hate magic, and everything about it!"

"I WILL NOT HAVE THAT FREAK IN MY HOUSE! I'VE ALLOWED THIS FOR TOO LONG!"

Ron glanced towards the door again. Suddenly there were the sounds of somebody coming up the stairs.

"Vernon, listen to me. You know what his kind are capable of. He's just here for the night."

"How many times have we opened our doors to him? After what that, that--Bumbleroar did to humiliate us last year, I'll be damned if I let him back in this house!" Vernon roared.

Hermione glanced at Harry's face, which suddenly looked a bit red.

"Ignore them," Hermione whispered.

"It's just one night," Harry muttered to himself as he suddenly crawled down to the floor and stretched out.

A loud knock sounded on the door and Hermione gasped and grabbed Ron's arm.

"Don't say anything," Harry said quickly before going to the door and cracking it open.

"You," Vernon spat. "You have the nerve to come back into my home after what you and that old fool did to my family last year. I remember what he said; you're of age now."

Harry refrained from lashing out and calmly replied, "I'm not of age until the end of July. However, I don't plan on staying that long, I promise you."

"Vernon," Petunia said from just out of Harry's line of sight.

"Petunia, I know he's your nephew but we've dealt with this rubbish for long enough," Vernon said firmly.

Vernon turned back to Harry and pointed a stubby finger into his face. "Don't you get rude with me. I want you out of here right now. You've done nothing but cause your aunt and me embarrassment since you were burdened on our doorstep. I've remained silent for nearly sixteen years because I didn't want to cause your aunt any more grief, but this time you've gone too far. Just thought you'd show up, did you?"

"Yeah, something like that," Harry said with a smirk.

"I won't tolerate it. I remember what that old crackpot said last year. You have a house, why in bloody hell did you come back to haunt ours for?"

Harry heard Ron shift and decided that he had entertained Uncle Vernon for long enough. "I'm only here for the night. I can either stay peacefully in my room without any problems or I can knock the two of you out with a simple spell and have free rein of the house. Your choice really."

Vernon's face flushed purple as Petunia let out a soft whimper. Harry attempted to shut the door, but Vernon Dursley placed his hand firmly on the door to prevent its closure.

"I'm not finished!"

"Well I am," Harry retorted.

"Vernon, please," Petunia pleaded as Harry brandished his wand.

Vernon glowered. "One night; if you aren't gone by the time I wake in the morning that wand won't do you any good."

Harry started to reply angrily, but instead he simply shut the door and flung his wand onto his desk. Hermione had a bitter expression on her face and Ron simply looked dumbfounded. Hermione let out a small 'tsk' and leaned back against the wall. Harry realized that this was the first time she had actually encountered the Dursleys and the Dursleys could leave a foul taste in anybody's mouth.

"I guess this means we've got to get up early?" Ron asked as Harry bent down and began to rummage through his recently expanded trunk.

Harry nodded, "I want to get an early start anyway."

"Are we going to The Burrow then?" Ron asked.

Harry shook his head. "No, not yet. We're going to Godric's Hollow."

Morning came quickly. Harry awoke as an unwelcome burst of sunlight stung his eyelids. He stifled a yawn and stretched his stiff back. The makeshift bed he had created on the floor looked as uncomfortable as it had slept.

"Ron?" Harry mumbled as he looked around the floor for his best mate.

The second bed of robe blankets and a textbook pillow was vacant and Harry felt his heartbeat quicken. Harry felt his belly grumble and a thought crossed his mind. Surely Ron hadn't been thick enough to wander downstairs? Harry sprang to his feet and in less than two steps he was pulling the door open. He glanced back into his room just before stepping out into the hallway when he spied his missing friend. There was Ron with Hermione in an upright position. It looked as if the two had fallen asleep while talking, most likely about him.

Harry closed the door he had wrenched open and moved towards the bed. Hermione's head was placed in an uncomfortable-looking position on Ron's shoulder. Harry rubbed his eyes then nudged Ron.

"It's too early," Ron grumbled without even opening his eyes.

As Ron stirred, Hermione jerked up with a start and looked uncertainly at Harry. He merely grinned and grabbed a clean shirt out of his trunk.

"We need to get going. Uncle Vernon will be up soon," Harry said flatly as he paused for a second before taking off his shirt.

Hermione lowered her eyes as Ron pulled himself off Harry's bed and rummaged through his own trunk. He stifled a yawn and looked pointedly at Hermione.

"Cover your eyes, will you?"

Hermione blushed as she quickly lowered her face. "Honestly."

Ron nodded and followed Harry's lead, pulling a clean shirt over his head. Hermione's face turned redder as she began to look through her own highly-organized trunk. She made a motion to pull something out then sighed and closed her trunk instead. She suddenly grabbed her wand off Harry's bed and gave it a quick wave to shrink their trunks.

"Do we even know how to find Godric's Hollow?" Ron asked.

Hermione cleared her throat. "I did some research before we left. I hope that's all right, Harry."

Harry smiled briefly. While he had a general idea where Godric's Hollow might be, he had to admit he had assumed Hermione had already looked up the information. Hermione was not smiling.

"I couldn't find any information about any wizarding communities named Godric's Hollow," Hermione finally stated.

Harry's smile slipped slightly as he noticed something that he had simply missed until that moment. There was a box sitting discreetly on the corner of his desk. The box didn't have any distinguishing characteristics. The brown tape on the edges had faded yellow and had begun to peel.

"Harry, what is that?" Ron asked as he watched Harry with curiosity.

Harry reached his desk and slid the box towards him and began to open the tattered top. Inside were assortments of small items. There was a stack of letters and a few old textbooks. Harry pulled out the books and letters and set them on his desk.

"That Charms book hasn't been used in nearly a decade at Hogwarts," Hermione commented.

Harry didn't answer as he continued to shift through the items. At the bottom of the box was an old wand that looked like it had been neglected for many years. A thought entered Harry's mind. Could this wand have been his mother's? Were these her things?

Hermione, with a pointed look, began flipping through the charms book then sighed. "Well obviously they stopped using it. Some of these charms are outdated."

"Who are the letters from, mate?" Ron asked.

Harry shrugged. "I dunno. I've never seen this stuff before."

He pulled off the top letter and opened it.

Dear Petunia,

It's amazing here. I'm so thankful Harry, James and I have found safety at long last. I know things between us haven't been on the best of terms since mum passed but know that you will always be my sister. Nothing is going to change that. I look forward to the day where we can sit around like old times and have a chat about anything and nothing at all. I've enclosed another slip of paper with this letter. If anything should happen and you need to reach me this is where we are located. Please memorize the address and then destroy it. You have my trust now and always.

Your Sister,

Lily

There was a scrap piece of paper taped to the bottom of parchment. Harry recognized the handwriting. He doubted he would ever forget that handwriting as long as he lived. This was the writing of Peter Pettigrew, his parent's Secret Keeper.

Number 10 Dor Drive

Godric's Hollow, West Sussex