CHAPTER 1: Still Alive

"…A baby with no extraordinary magical talent managed to defeat the greatest sorcerer of all time?" A dark-haired, hazel-eyed boy said slyly.

He gazed down with a look on his pale face of most disgust, and hatred. His lip curled and his eyes narrowed, he raised his wand ready to strike and the scenery changed quite rapidly. The dark black dungeon faded and the sky was now visible, but still dark as ebony. There were oddly no stars shining in the sky, no form of any visible life at all, except for a tall hooded figure leaning over another young man with charming emerald-green eyes, black-as-night hair that shined in the moonlight and an odd lightning-shaped scar marked across his forehead.

"Time to die Harry" spoke the figure. He raised his wand.

The boy on kneeling on the ground was in unbelievable pain. His head hurt like the dickens and he felt a sort of warmth come through him like a surge of boiling water. His scar felt it would explode any moment but he was not scared, he was not envious. In fact if anything, he felt a sort of pity for the man about to murder him; pity for the man before him that had ruined and tormented him his entire life. Because of this man, he had been forced to live with his despicable aunt and uncle for seventeen years. The boy with the lightning-shaped scar got up on his feet and faced the hooded man. The man in the dark green cloak once again raised his wand but again the scene changed. He was now seeing flashes. Flash, Cedric was dead. Flash, Sirius disappeared behind a veil. Flash, Dumbledore lay on the ground bleeding from the head.

A young man woke with a start. He sat up on the floor deciphering what he had just seen. His breathing was heavy and he was in a cold sweat. He swallowed, as he stared around the small green room.

His messy black hair, bright green eyes, and lightening scar on his forehead set him very much apart from everyone else. He was slightly skinnier than the average teenager; probably because from all the years he had lived at the Dursley's, and they had practically starved him to death. His panting had slowed down and he was more aware of where he was and his surroundings. His body was felt immensely hot but his face was cold as ice.

Harry searched the room with his eyes. There were cards from his birthday scattered on the table. Of course it was not his birthday quite yet, but he had gotten them ahead of time. Hedwig's cage was over on the window ledge, but Hedwig was not in it. Searching for dead things was her favorite thing to do at night. His school books, cauldrons, and suitcase were all pushed in a corner. There were two more suitcases there as well though.

But more important than every object surrounding him was the two figures, one lying on the floor beside Harry and the other on the bed. The one on the floor was wrapped loosely in a burgundy blanket and sprawled out snoring. The boy had messy red hair, and a few red freckles dotted his cheeks. With a loud grunt, the boy stirred and rolled over onto his side. On the bed however, all that was visible was a huge bush of brown curly hair. On top of the bed over to the corner lay a ginger cat. He was sleeping contently, but purring quite loud. His face twitched and he opened his eyes. With a huge yawn bearing his saber-like teeth, he picked himself up and went over to the person lying in the bed. The blankets were much neater and looked as though the person in the bed wasn't even breathing. He started sniffing the body's face and sneezed profusely. Harry looked around, his breathing back to normal, sweat-free. Another bird cage lay just beneath Hedwig's. It was much smaller, but clean all the same. Harry lifted his arms in the air stretching to the ceiling, and let out a huge yawn.

He suddenly got a huge jolt in his stomach as realism sunk in. He stood up rather hastily and looked at the calendar hanging on the wall. 'July 31' ; Harry's birthday.

Today would be the last day Harry would ever spend in the Dursley's home. He would leave here today in search of objects more powerful than anything else in the world. Harry knew what he had to do the moment Dumbledore had died; finish a long and tiring journey. Four of Voldemort's horcruxes were still out there, undestroyed, forgotten, hidden from prying eyes. As much as Harry would love for his journey to be over; for him to wake up and have it all have been a dream; to still have parents, but at the same time still know Ron and Hermione; he knew his life would never continue until Voldemort was gone. Harry knew what his future held.

Three letters addressed to Harry, Ron and Hermione lay on the bedside table. They had contained information about Hogwarts and its 'not-being-open-due-to-the-lack-of-safety-our-students-desperately-need-in-times-like-these.' 'Hogwarts would be sorely missed' thought Harry. Students would be better off staying with their families as much as possible, but what would Dumbledore have done? Harry felt his heart sink down into his stomach. Dumbledore; the greatest wizard of the time, at least Harry thought so.

Harry could still hear Dumbledore's voice telling him the prophecy ringing in his ears, "Neither can live while the other survives". Harry had grown immensely, not only physically, but mentally as well. He was a strong survivor; a hero of the time. Everyone's lives, everyone's future were in the hands of Harry. Everyone depended on him to defeat a legend; to kill Lord Voldemort. Something like this could not be easily forgotten and yet, Harry couldn't help but feel he wasn't ready. He had so much he had wanted to do; after all he was only seventeen. Harry now thought of this battle as his last chance for survival, but he held close to him the chance he might die; the chance that he could let down the whole of the wizarding world and humanity. Harry blinked. 'Why me?' he thought to himself. It was so much to handle, so much power. It was true he did indeed feel alone, but he had his friends with him; here at the Dursley's. They had been more than welcome to come. It was as if they thought it their duty; as if they owed it to Harry.

'This is not their journey, it's not even their business' he thought harshly. But he did feel very thankful, very happy to have company; to have friends there with him. He had to admit it was less lonely and at least this way he had someone to talk to.

Harry itched his head and looked over at the small window. The sun was coming up and it was a glorious shade of orange and pink. A nice chilling breeze flew through and hit Harry in the face completely waking him up. Just then, Hedwig had flown through and landed on ledge. She had come with no vermin this time, which Harry was sort of thankful for. She then flew over to her cage and started eating from her dish. Followed in behind her was Pigwidgeon. He fluttered and screeched joyfully, flying down to Ron and starting to nip his left ear.

"OI! What the bloody hell! Oh, it's you. Don't do that Pig, I was sleeping" Ron said rubbing his eyes and smiling over to Harry. "Good morning" Harry said smiling "Had a good nap then?" "Oh, you know, not bad. How long have you been awake for?" Ron said yawning, his eyes watery. He had orange pajamas with brooms flying on them. "Oh, just a few minutes before you" Harry replied.

He looked over at Hermione who was still sleeping cuddled in her blankets. "Umm…should we wake her?" Ron asked politely. "Better. We should leave soon." Harry said getting up and searching his closet for something to wear. He finally decided on a red t-shirt, and his nicest blue jeans. He figured that seeing as he was going on the longest trip of his life, he mid-as-well wear something that wouldn't wear out as fast as Dudley's hand-me-downs. Over those clothes however, he draped his robes over him and safely tucked away his wand. When Harry was done changing, he came out of the bathroom and then Ron followed after him.

By the time Ron came out he had a yellow and orange striped sweater and blue jeans on as well, and Hermione had wakened up. Her hair was perfectly brushed, but still had a little bit of bush to it. She was already ready; dressed from head to toe. She was now sitting on the end of the bed cross-legged reading a huge tattered old book reading 'Old and Powerful Spells Almost Forgotten'.

"Where'd you get that-" Ron started. "Professor McGonagall gave it to me right before we left last year. She said it would come in useful" Hermione gave them all a very serious look, but at the same time a look of helpfulness. "I've been reading it at night by the lamp when you two were sleeping." Hermione said.

"And I've been reading it when you two were outside necking" Harry said laughing. "Ron's face went burgundy as he smiled and Hermione returned to her book grinning. "Well I haven't read it at all. I don't know any good spells." Ron said changing the subject of necking. "Don't worry; we can scan through it while we start the journey." Hermione said finishing the conversation. "And how'd you get ready before me? You were sleeping when I left to get dressed." Ron looked at her oddly. Hermione sighed, "Magic Ronald… We're allowed to use magic out of school now remember?" "I know that" Ron shot back, but somehow Harry doubted he even remembered.

Harry forced a smile and patted Ron on the back. Hermione stared back down at the book flipped a few pages and shut it tight, packing it tightly away in her brown side bag that hung over her shoulder. "I'm bringing a few things. Just in case" She looked up at Harry who nodded and heaved a great sigh. "Well…" Harry walked over to Hedwig "I need you to go live with the Weasley family while I'm gone. Bring Pig with you as well." He knew she understood completely, but it was as if she didn't want him to go. Her amber eyes glowed and she nipped him softly as if saying goodbye and fluttered out the window. Pig followed her straight out the window as well. They disappeared into the clouds very quickly and Harry turned around to face Ron and Hermione.

There was silence until Hermione spoke up "Mrs. Weasley offered to take Crookshanks for me while we're gone as well." "Ok, we'll…Are we forgetting anything? Wands?" Harry asked them checking they all hand their weapons they would eventually need. They each pulled theirs out quickly and put them back in their pockets in their cloaks.

"Thanks again guys for doing this. You didn't have to but-" Harry started. –"We wanted to Harry. Besides, you're my best mate and we're practically brothers" Ron said grinning. "Yes Harry. We care about you too much and we're very stubborn to just let you go off and fight him alone." Hermione said, looking like she was fighting back huge tears. Harry nodded. There was a moment of silence. This would probably be the last time they could ever enjoy being together and be sort of, well…happy.

"And by the way Harry, Happy Birthday" Ron said significantly smiling. He looked over and Hermione was smiling, her eyes shining. Harry couldn't suppress his grin so he generously smiled back. "Well I guess it's time"…