Harry Potter and Soul of the Serpent

Chapter 1

A Trust Misplaced

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Standard Disclaimers Apply

Harry,

I know the holidays have just started but I thought I'd write and tell you my news anyway. It's not much but with all that's happened lately I reckoned you'd want someone to talk to, so if you do, you know you can always come to me, mate.

Anyway, Mum and Dad are really busy and Bill's kind of moved back in to look after us. We shouldn't be here for too long so we might get to see you soon! Mum's been talking to Dumbledore about it but he doesn't seem too keen.

Anyway, write back or whatever. Hermione will probably be writing too.

Ron.

Harry snorted and scrunched up the small bit of parchment in disdain. Didn't they get it? All he wanted to do was forget what had happened. Not that that was likely to happen soon, though. Every time he closed his eyes, Harry would remember the feeling of horror as Sirius fell through the veil.

Ron's letter brought with it fresh thoughts of his past- and his future. Either way he looked at it, Harry wasn't going to escape the nightmare that was his life for a second. As bleak as his past was, his future didn't look much better, and he wondered for the hundredth time why. Why did it have to be him?

Try as he might, Harry couldn't see how his friends could understand what he was going through. All their commiserations fell on death ears. They had no idea. He punched his wall savagely, and cursed as he heard uncle Vernon stomping up the stair. He stepped away from the door seconds before it burst open.

"What do you think you're doing boy? Think I can't hear you banging things around up hear?"

"No," Harry answered coldly.

"Ungrateful little thing you are!" growled Uncle Vernon, his face turning an interesting shade of purple. "After all we've done for you, you-"

"After all you've done for me?" Harry asked in disbelief. He'd had enough of his Uncle's domineering ways. "You haven't done a thing. I've practically been on my own since I got dropped here!"

"That's bloody right, boy, and that's the way it should be. You don't deserve any better from this family, and that's the way it's going to stay!"

"Fine! I'll leave then," Harry fumed.

He grabbed his wand and pushed past his Uncle.

Within seconds he was making his way towards the front door. Just as he was about to open it, his Uncle caught up with him and grabbed his arm, wrenching him back. Harry's wand flew out of his hand as he struggled to maintain his balance.

"You're not going anywhere, boy! I won't have you disgrace our family by showing your face in this neighbourhood!"

Harry pulled his hand from his Uncle's grasp and stormed out of the house.

He walked for several minutes before he calmed down enough to think clearly.

What had made him lose control like that? That had never happened before with his uncle. And how could he have been so stupid as to leave without his wand?

Sighing, Harry sat down on the curb and rested his head in his hands.

There, sitting by the side of a lonely back-road, Harry Potter made a decision. It was a decision he would some days regret, but he swore then and there, on the lives of all those who loved him, that he would embrace his destiny. And he would do it without Dumbledore. Too many times he had felt betrayed by people he thought he could trust. They were kidding themselves if they thought he could defeat a dark wizard with the useless charms and curses they were teaching him. It was time to take matters into his own hands, and rid the world of Lord Voldemort once and for all.

He wouldn't be returning to Privet Drive again, that he promised himself. He was unaware that that was a decision he was not required to make.

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A/N: This is short, but only an introduction. No need to review as this is only an outlet for my creative impulses:)However, any corrections would be appreciated.

Chapter 2: Another Kind of Trust