Battle of the Heirs

The three of them walked up the street, coming to a stop outside number four, Privet Drive.

"Harry, do you think we should knock?" Hermione asked, but before Harry could answer her question, Aunt Petunia opened the door.

"What are you doing here?" she said in a hushed voice.

"Er - well, we got sent home early this year. The Headmaster was killed," Harry said.

"Inside, quickly, before the neighbors start talking! We can't have the three of you standing on the doorstep looking like that."

She let them in and then softly closed the door. "Dumbledore, dead?" she said, though the words were almost a whisper. "He can't be..."

"He is. Professor Snape killed him," Harry said shortly.

"Snape? Not that horrible boy that my sister went to school with?"

Harry was startled - not only was his aunt talking about wizards, but they actually agreed on something! "He was in her year. I wouldn't have thought that they were close enough for you to have heard about him or anything, though," Harry said, turning to look uneasily at Ron and Hermione.

"Oh, I always knew he was no good. I tried warning Lily many times over the years but she never would listen to me. Best friends all through school, the two of them. Not really sure what they saw in each other. The few times he came around my parents' house, all they would talk about was this spell or that potion, the only thing they had in common was their school work."

"You're kidding me! They were friends?" Harry said, his anger getting the best of him.

"Mrs. Dursley," Hermione cut in. "I don't think this is the best time to talk about this; Harry found out recently that Snape played a part in the murder of his parents. Now, if you don't mind, we will be staying here with Harry for a few weeks. Ron and I are both of age and fully qualified wizards."

"If you stay in your bedroom, I suppose it would be okay. I will bring your meals to you," Petunia sniffed, and Harry and the others trudged up the stairs to his room.

Once in the room, Harry turned to the others. "Well, she agreed more easily than I expected!"

"She did seem pretty shocked about Dumbledore; maybe she's beginning to realize how serious things are. Anyway, I don't suppose that's important now - what was all that stuff about Snape?!"

"I remember when the Dementors attacked me and Dudley - she mentioned that a horrible boy had told her about Dementors before. I just always thought she was talking about my dad." He laughed bitterly. "Judging by what she just said, it could well have been that traitor. You'd think he'd show a bit more remorse that his running off and telling Voldemort about the prophecy ended up getting my mum killed, if they were so close."

"Harry, this isn't the time to think about Snape. We need to find out as much as we can about Horcruxes. I brought a few books from the library to help us in our research; aside from anything else, we need to figure out what the Horcruxes actually are before we can start looking for them. I have a theory: so far, each of the Horcruxes has been found in a location that is somehow linked to the object that was used. Think about it: the diary opened the chamber that it documented; the ring was found in the Gaunt house, where its owner had lived; and Slytherin's locket was found in a cave - a cave that Voldemort found by talking to the snakes. That means that once we figure out what the fifth Horcrux is, we should be able to work out where it is, too!" Hermione looked at Harry, and was relieved to see that she seemed to have distracted him from the issue of Snape.

"Wait - you think that Voldemort picked the hiding place for each Horcrux based on what item he had used to make it?" Harry asked, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "I guess that does make sense..."

Ron laughed. "Yeah, who would have thought he would be so smart!"

Over the next few weeks, they spent most of their time looking through the books that Hermione had brought with her. One interesting piece of information that they came across was the fact that Rowena Ravenclaw had devoted a lot of her time to perfecting the art of wand-making; Hermione was fascinated to discover that the Hogwarts Founder had been the first to use dragon heartstring as a core for wands. The books also said that she was rumored to have perfected the usage in wands of phoenix feathers - she had had access to the phoenix of her good friend, Godric Gryffindor, which had helped with her research.

"Harry, you don't suppose there's any connection between Gryffindor's phoenix and Fawkes, do you?" Hermione asked when they came across that fact.

They had been at Privet Drive for over a month and a half when, one morning, Hedwig brought a letter for Harry; he immediately recognized the writing on the envelope as Professor McGonagall's. He opened it slowly.

Dear Mr. Potter,

I am writing to inform you that the will of Professor Dumbledore has been found and that it is essential that I should meet with you as soon as possible. There are some other recent developments of which you should also be made aware. Would it be possible for you to meet me at Hogwarts on Monday morning?

Yours Truly,

Minerva McGonagall, Headmistress, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

"What do you think she wants to discuss?" Ron asked, glancing at the letter.

"Not sure. I'm guessing that Dumbledore must have left something to me in his will, but I dunno what the 'recent developments' are..." He trailed off, a thoughtful expression on his face.

Hermione started to scan through the last few weeks' worth of Daily Prophets. "Well, the only major events recently have been a few murders - and the only one of those that could be significant was the death of Alistor Gumboil, of the Magical Law Enforcement Squad. According to the article, he was killed while answering a call to a crime scene." She went quiet and continued to read. "They're still investigating, but it seems that they suspect that a Death Eater named Yaxley may be responsible," she added after reviewing all of the papers.

"I don't see why she'd need to talk to me about that," Harry said dubiously. "I mean, not that it's not important, but there's been a lot of murders recently - that one doesn't seem especially unusual to me."

"Well, we'll just have to wait and see when we get there. The question is how are we going to get there? Neither you nor Ron can Apparate, yet," Hermione said.

Harry grabbed his quill and a piece of paper and started to jot down a reply to Professor McGonagall.

Professor McGonagall,

Hermione, Ron and I will take the Knight bus to Hogsmeade. From there we will walk to the castle. See you Monday morning.

Harry Potter

The friends continued their research until Sunday afternoon when Hedwig returned with another note from Professor McGonagall.

Potter,

I do not think it wise for you to walk to the castle from Hogsmeade. I will send a few members of the Order to ensure your safe arrival here; you should expect them around nine o'clock tonight. Also, I suggest that you bring most of your belongings with you. I am sure that Professor Dumbledore has explained to you the protection that you are under while you reside at your relatives' house. However, there is still a slight possibility that You-Know-Who would be able to attack you there, especially as the protection is weakening as you approach your seventeenth birthday. At the present time, I tend to err on the side of caution and therefore ask you to join me here at Hogwarts - at the very least, until you turn of age.

Minerva McGonagall, Headmistress, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Harry read over the letter and passed it Ron and Hermione, who looked up after reading it. "She sounds worried about something."

"Yeah, I noticed. I wonder what it could be, though." Harry said. Before anyone could respond, there was another peck at the window.

"It's Pig!" Ron yelled, running over to the window and grabbing Pigwidgeon. "Harry, he has a letter from the twins."

Harry could feel the blood leaving his face. "Read it."

Ron, Harry - and yes, even you, Hermione,

We just thought it was bloody brilliant that you decided to let us back into the DA. Granted, a very small DA, but hey... we're not picky! We just left a meeting with the Order and thought that we should warn you. There seems to have been some kind of break-in at Azkaban. Not sure yet if any of the prisoners managed to escape. Most of the more well-known members of the Order are being moved to Hogwarts, but we're not sure why yet. While the three of you have been holed up in Harry's house, Ginny has been acting as the leader of the DA. She keeps us informed with Neville, and Luna.

Feorge and Gred

Harry laughed. "Well at least they're still their normal selves!"

"Harry, this is not a laughing matter!" Hermione scolded.

"I know, Hermione, but you have to admit - it is nice to see that those two are still themselves. Anyway, she seems to be moving the Order members to Hogwarts to protect me. I hate to admit it, but until I turn 17, I'm still vulnerable; I think I'd better go down and tell the Dursleys that we'll be leaving tonight." Harry rose and started towards the door.

Ron looked at him worriedly. "Mate, do you want us to come you?" he offered.

"No, I'd better do it on my own." He proceeded down the stairs.

"What do you want, boy?" Vernon said as soon as Harry stepped off of the bottom step.

"I just wanted to tell you that my friends and I will be leaving tonight. It looks like it will be the last time I come here." Harry turned and ran back upstairs before Vernon or Petunia, or even Dudley for that matter could say anything to him. As he was entering his room, he heard Vernon saying, "About time that freak and his friends get out of here." There was only a sigh from Petunia.

"How did it go?" Hermione asked as he shut the door.

"Exactly how I should have expected it to. They've tormented me for years - they were hardly going to be upset to see the back of me. They've only been civil this past six weeks because they were worried you guys would hex them into oblivion, otherwise."

There was a sudden knock at the door. Harry opened the door to see Aunt Petunia standing in the hallway, holding a box. "May I come in for a few minutes?" she asked. Harry moved aside to let her into the room, more than a little puzzled. She set the box on the bed. "I know that we haven't been that nice to you. But Lily was my sister - I did love her, and then she abandoned me when she went off to that school. Then I fell in love with Vernon. And you know how he disapproves of anything like that. So I promised him that we would stamp out any abnormality in you.

"This box is all I have left of Lily. It contains many of her books. Did you know that she used to teach at that school? Chemistry or something like that. I was never any good with the sciences. It also contains the keys to her bank deposit boxes - they're awfully big, old-fashioned things."

Harry fought to contain his laughter. "That's because they're vaults, not boxes. You said keys, do you mean that there's more than one?"

"I just know what Dumbledore told when he brought the box to me a few months after you came to live here. He said it was only right that the family gets her belongings. Personally, I never saw the point of keeping it, but he thought it best to hang on to it until you were of age. I stuck it up in the attic and forgot about it until last year, when he came back here. Some of the things that he said made me think of Lily for the first time in years. I am going to leave this with you; I hope that it answers some of the questions that you may have." She stood and left the room, closing the door behind her.

Harry walked over to the box that lay on the bed and sat down beside it. A rapping on the window signaled the arrival of the latest Daily Prophet evening edition. Hermione took it and began reading eagerly. "Oh, my!" she exclaimed, handing Harry the paper.

Another Break-out at Azkaban: Calls For Scrimgeour to Resign

Earlier today another massive break-out occurred at Azkaban, the prison that was once thought to be impenetrable. This is the latest in a long line of events that is leading many to call for the resignation of Rufus Scrimgeour from the position of Minister for Magic.

Scrimgeour took office less than a year ago, promising to protect the wizarding community from You-Know-Who. Instead, his tenure in office has been marked by numerous attacks on high-profile members of the wizarding community, such as Albus Dumbledore (past Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot), Mr. J.C. Ollivander (Owner of Ollivander Wands) and Mr. Octavius Pepper. Even Hogwarts itself has been attacked, despite Scrimgeour's promises that the school would remain secure. The Daily Prophet has discovered that Hogwarts was protected only by measures put into place by the late Headmaster; the Ministry had gone to no ends to ensure the safety of the students. The Current Headmistress of Hogwarts, Minerva McGonagall, refuses to comment on the matter.

"This is not good, not good at all!" Hermione said, re-reading the article. "Pity they didn't give any more information about the breakout." She glanced at her watch. "We need to pack our things - they'll be here in a few hours." She started to gather up the books that were piled up on the desk.

"Who do you think will end up as Minister when Scrimgeour's gone? I've got a horrible feeling Umbridge might be a popular choice..." Harry said.

"Well, we'll just have to make sure she doesn't get in. I'm sure you'll have some influence. You are 'The Boy Who Lived', after all. Now go ahead and get the rest of your clothes into your trunk."

Harry had barely finished packing when he saw lights flickering outside.

"Hermione, those lights look suspiciously like spells - grab your wands. Send the luggage to Hogwarts." He grabbed a piece of parchment from the top of his trunk and scribbled a note.

Ginny,

Looks like there may be trouble here. May be a little delayed.

Harry

"Hedwig, I need you to take this to Ginny. Stay with her until I come and get you." He turned to Hermione. "We'll need the twins here immediately - send them a message to get here as quickly as possible." Hermione sent her Patronus off to Fred and George. "As soon as you have heard back from them, come and join us in the kitchen. Ron, come with me; I need you to protect my aunt and uncle as much as possible. Try to keep them inside - if I understand Dumbledore's protection charms, they should be safe as long as they're in the house."

As Harry and Ron reached the bottom step, Uncle Vernon opened the door. A split second later a green jet of light flew towards him, and he fell to the ground, his face frozen in horror. Aunt Petunia ran forward.

"Vernon! What have they done to my husband?"

"He's dead, Aunt Petunia, and if we don't get this door shut, we all will be too," Harry screamed at her. Harry and Ron pulled the body of Vernon Dursley away from the door, which Petunia then shut and locked. Dudley peeked out from the living room, horrified. Hermione joined them a few seconds later in the kitchen.

"What on earth is going on?" Petunia asked, almost hysterical.

"We don't know yet - we just noticed spells being fired outside and came downstairs, but Uncle Vernon got there before us. But there's meant to be some people coming to pick us up soon; they'll be able to sort this out."

Hermione looked at him with a horrified expression. "Harry, it's ten past nine. I think that whoever the Order sent to escort us must have been ambushed," she said, her eyes wide.

Harry swore. "We'll just have to wait for help then."

They sat quietly for several minutes, until the silence was broken by Fred and George Apparating into the kitchen.

"Hello everyone, we didn't expect a welcoming party!" Fred said with a smile.

"Did you go outside and see what was happening?" Harry asked.

"We did, and it doesn't look good, Harry. We don't know for sure how many of the Order are here, but we definitely saw Lupin, Moody, Tonks, and Shacklebolt fighting. We went ahead and told the Headmistress that reinforcements will be needed."

"MUM!" screamed Dudley from the living room.