Dumbledore gathered his courage and spoke.

'Harry, I am afraid I have some bad news.'

Harry blinked but didn't give any other indication that he had heard the century old wizard.

'It's about Sirius' will. It is to be read in several days and as you are mentioned in it you are expected to attend.'

Silence stretched through the room as Dumbledore waited for Harry to give any indication that he was heard. Finally he just continued speaking.

'I am sorry, Harry, but I'm afraid that I cannot allow you to leave the building. Even with an Order escort it will be too dangerous. Especially since Mrs Malfoy is also expected to attend and this means that it is likely that Voldemort will know you are in a vulnerable position.'

Dumbledore sighed and stood up.

'I am sorry that you will not be able to claim your inheritance, Harry. But it is truly for your own good. I will speak with you again shortly. Good day.'

With that Dumbledore left the shed and closed the door behind him. Inside Harry sat in silence, glistening tears running down his cheeks.

I know this will never reach you, but it is easier for me to write these things down as if communicating with you than it is writing it to myself.

I am sorry, Sirius. I am sorry for having taken your life away from you. You had lost so many years whilst in Azkaban due to me, and now you don't have any time to catch up on those lost years, because of me. Again. I cannot forgive myself.

I miss you, Sirius. More than you can imagine. It does not help that I have no one left to live for here, in this world. All of you are in the 'next great adventure' as the Bumblebee always calls it. However, I cannot join you yet, there are so many innocents in this world that I have to protect. I do not know if you know, if Dumbledore ever told you, mum and dad, or if you have found it out now that you are There, but it is up to me to save the world from Voldemort. I am the only one, I truly am the 'Saviour of the Wizarding World'. I wish it were not so, but I have accepted it now, and am training on my own. I do not know what 'the Power He Knows Not' is, but I do not think that I have a power that Voldemort knows nothing about. The bloody man has 50+ years on me! He has studied so much in those years that he disappeared, how can I ever find a power that he doesn't know and gain enough knowledge and confidence in it to defeat him? I am but 16 years old.

Ah, but there you have it, don't you? I am but a boy, a child. However, doesn't a child have a childhood to remember? I don't. I never had the chance to have a childhood. That chance was taken away from me on 31 October 1981. That fateful Hallowe'en. Ha! Fateful has a whole new meaning to me now. Fate has indeed decided my future. To kill or be killed. That's what the Prophecy says. 'Neither can live while the other survives.' Well, it's right, I never have truly lived, and Voldemort was less than a spirit these last years. However, living when Voldemort is dead? I don't think so. I doubt I can kill the bastard, let alone live to tell the tale. But, I will try. For you, for mum, dad, Cedric, for all those innocents with you who were killed.

I will see you soon, Sirius, and hopefully I'll be bringing the bastard with me.

Love you always,

Your godson,

Harry James Potter

Dear All,

I am sorry, but I feel that I must leave you to your own devices for a while, without my 'invaluable' help, which I am sure you will find very difficult. However, I am sure that you will manage.

I was contacted last night by Gringotts, asking me why I was not present at the reading of Sirius' will. They also informed me what I would be missing if I didn't claim my inheritance, and that I could do so by owl. I'm afraid that certain individuals neglected to tell me this and as such I have claimed my inheritance. However, now that I have several, shall we say, 'responsibilities', I have taken my life into my own hands. It would do well for certain people to remember what actions led to my receiving this inheritance in the first place, and I am not referring to my own part in it. He who I am talking about knows what I mean; I will not spell it out.

You will not find me, I will be safe.

Until September 1st,

Harry James Potter

Several days after Harry and Dumbledore's 'talk' (or Dumbledore talking to Harry, as the case was) Grimmauld Place was in uproar. Harry had disappeared. All his possessions, including Hedwig, were gone as well, and a letter on his bedside cabinet proved that he wouldn't be returning of his own accord any time soon.

Since the day he left, Harry had travelled far. His first stop was Gringotts, where he claimed his inheritance, contrary to what he had hinted at in the letter. It was true, he could have claimed it by owl, but since Dumbledore specifically told him he was not to claim his inheritance by going to Gringotts, he decided to be childish and spite the man.

'Evening Griphook. I would like to see manager Greytooth, please.'

The goblin looked up at him in shock, but then quickly bowed and gestured for him to follow. Harry followed the goblin through several corridors until they came to a plain grey door. Griphook knocked and answered the call from within, signalling Harry to stay in the corridor.

Not a minute later the door opened again and the 16-year-old wizard was ushered into the office.

In the office several exchanges of signatures took place and then Greytooth handed several thick folders to the young newly emancipated wizard.