A/N –I do not have a beta for this story yet, so please forgive the multitudes of errors. (Feel free to PM them to me though).

This is intended to be my version of book seven, and although I doubt if I will be very close to what JKR will actually do, I wanted to try something a bit different to my normal one shots. Please review.

Disclaimer: The Harry Potter universe and all related materials are the property of J.K. Rowling, Bloomsbury and Warner Brothers. I am in no way affiliated with JKR, Bloomsbury or Warner Brothers, and use their materials without their permission or knowledge, unless JKR happens to be lurking and stumbles across this!

---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Memory Chest -----------------------------------------------------------------

There was a long silence. The crowd had almost dispersed now, the stragglers giving the monumental figure of Grawp a wide berth as he cuddled Hagrid, whose howls of grief were still echoing across the water.

'We'll be there, Harry,' said Ron.

'What?'

At your Aunt and Uncle's house,' said Ron. 'And then we'll go with you, wherever you're going.'

'No -' said Harry quickly; he had not counted on this, he had meant them to understand that he was undertaking this most dangerous journey alone.

'You said to us once before,' said Hermione quietly, 'that there was time to turn back if we wanted to. We've had time, haven't we?'

'We're with you whatever happens,' said Ron. 'But, mate, you're going to have to come round my mum and dad's house before we do anything else, even Godric's Hollow.'

'Why?'

'Bill and Fleur's wedding, remember?'

Harry looked at him, startled; the idea that anything as normal as a wedding could still exist seemed incredible and yet wonderful.

"Yeah, we shouldn't miss that," he said finally.

His hand closed automatically around the fake Horcrux, but in spite of everything, in spite of the dark and twisting path he saw stretching ahead for himself, in spite of the final meeting with Voldemort he knew must come, whether in a month, in a year, or in ten, he felt his heart lift at the thought that there was still one last golden day of peace left to enjoy with Ron and Hermione.

But then reality crashed down on him.

"Ron," he said, turning to his friend. "Ron, I broke up with Ginny."

Harry heard Hermione gasp, but he kept his eyes on Ron, waiting to see how he took the news.

Ron looked confused, of course. "What? Why?"

"It's safer for her this way. Voldemort will come after her if she is going out with me. She'll be in even more danger than you guys, and we can't let her come with us anyway," he answered.

Harry saw the look of understanding in Ron's eyes; he understood.

"But, Harry," said Hermione. "Everybody already knows you are involved with her. Snape knew, Harry. Draco knew. It doesn't make sense to break up with her now when everybody already knows!"

Harry laughed a short bitter laugh. "The way the rumour mill around here works, I bet everybody knows we have broken up before I even get back to the castle."

Ron looked worried. "Maybe, mate," he said dubiously, "but how is Ginny taking it? Should I be angry with you for breaking my little sister's heart?"

Harry didn't answer, but Hermione was ready to defend him anyway.

"Oh come on, Ron, you know Harry still likes her," she said. "He is just trying to do his best to keep her safe, even if it is incredibly misguided."

Harry turned away and started walking back towards the castle, his anger rising. It had been hard enough as it was without his friends trying to change his mind. Percy and the Ministry officials were some distance in front of them and Harry didn't want to catch up, so he had to force himself to walk slower.

"She didn't argue with me, and wasn't crying if that's what you are worried about," he snapped. "She said she was expecting it."

This must have stunned them because neither immediately said anything. They walked in silence for a minute before Ron spoke again.

"Harry," he asked, a bit hesitantly. "Do you think you should have a big public break up with her? I mean, so everyone sees. Maybe in the common room with her yelling at you or something?"

"Ron!" said Hermione.

Harry's mind involuntarily brought the scene up. Ginny screaming insults at him while he yelled back at her; it wasn't something he wanted, or thought he could do.

"Nah, mate," he answered. "I don't think it would be good."

"But then everybody would see it, and word would get out faster. You could even let her bat bogey you. Probably make her feel better! Hey I could even get into the act and slug you one, make up for not letting me deck Percy!" insisted Ron.

Harry laughed and even Hermione smiled a bit.

"Ron, I think that might not be such a bad idea, but I don't reckon I could go through with it mate. I think they'll figure it out fast enough when we are not sitting together on the train," said Harry.

"Well, we got an hour or so before it goes, so you are going to have to avoid her until then," said Ron.

The trio walked the rest of the way to the castle in silence, brooding on what lay ahead.

As they reached the front doors, Filch the caretaker grabbed Harry roughly by the back of his robes, bringing him up short.

"Professor McGonagall wants to see you in her office," Filch snarled.

Harry, in no mood to take Filch's attitude, shrugged him off.

"What for?" he asked.

"How would I know?" snapped Filch. "Just get up to the headmaster's office straight away."

Harry, already not looking forward to entering the office again so soon, was in no hurry. He was even less happy when he noticed the Minister and Percy waiting outside the Gargoyle statue that hid the entrance with several other people.

Before he could turn and leave, however, the statue leapt aside and Professor McGonagall appeared at the bottom of the stairs.

"Please come in, everything is ready. Harry, you need to be here for this as well," she said, sensing Harry's hesitation.

At mention of his name both the Minister and Percy shot sharp looks at Harry, and Percy began to object.

"I hardly think it is appropriate for a schoolboy to-" he began, before Professor McGonagall cut him off.

"The Will specifically mentions Mr Potter and so he must attend," she said, her voice taking on the stern schoolmistress tone that still made grown men feel like little boys.

Percy blanched and rushed passed her to join the Minister on the moving staircase that lead up to the office.

"Will?" Harry said, horrified.

"Yes, Harry," said Professor McGonagall in a slightly less harsh manner. "I am sorry I did not let you know earlier, but Gringotts has only just released it."

Harry's mind was spinning. Dumbledore had mentioned Harry in his Will?

"I don't want anything," he said, staying outside.

Professor McGonagall looked down at him compassionately. "Mr Potter, would you prefer to allow the Ministry to take charge of informing you of Albus's wishes?"

Harry shook his head resignedly and entered the stairwell behind the last person, who he didn't recognise, determined to keep his composure in the face of yet another emotional situation.

-

The office should have been overcrowded with the number of people in it, but it seemed to have expanded to hold the dozen people now sitting in a variety of different chairs in front of the desk. Harry wondered if it happened automatically, a bit like the Room of Requirement.

A Goblin sat behind the desk reading aloud from a long scroll. A second Goblin stood behind him handing out parchments and items as the first read different parts of the Will.

So far, dozens of Dumbledore's personal possessions had been distributed out according to his wishes. It appeared many of the people on his will were unable to be there, but quite a few people who were present in the office had received parchments describing their inheritance.

Harry had sat as close to the door as he could, and although the reading had been going on for almost half and hour, he had managed to avoid looking at the painting of the former headmaster. Last time he had been in here, immediately after his murder, the painting had been asleep.

Harry half hoped that it still was, but he also wanted desperately to talk to it. In the end, he decided to not look at it. If he didn't know it was awake, he could avoid wanting to talk to it.

"My family home and the remaining contents of the family vault, I leave to my brother Aberforth Dumbledore."

Harry saw a few people looking at the bartender from the Hogshead tavern sitting with his head bowed. He knew Dumbledore had a brother, and vaguely remembered Mad-eye Moody mentioning it was the bartender, but it had never really sunk in before.

"You have been a loyal brother and fine friend for all of my long life, and I hope that you are able to enjoy and care for the house and grounds, but should you decide to dispose of it, please be sure that it goes to somebody worthy of our father's home."

There had been much sobbing from various people through the reading, but Harry thought he had not heard anything as pitiful as the one croak that escaped Aberforth.

Before he knew it, tears that had been trying to force their way out the entire time he had been sitting, started to leak out of the corner of his eyes as he watched the old man fighting his grief for control.

Harry used the sleeve of his robe to wipe them away as the Goblin continued reading from the scroll that was nearing the end of the roll.

"All my other possessions, including the contents of vault seven hundred and thirteen, I leave to Minerva McGonagall, whom I hope the Board of Governors will see fit to instate as Headmistress of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She has my full support and I have no doubt that she will serve the children well."

"Minerva, you have been more than a friend and colleague for almost my entire career as Headmaster, and I am honoured to have worked with you. Our time together moulding generations of children has been more fulfilling than if I had raised my own, and I trust you to continue to guide them through the fine traditions of Hogwarts."

"Please feel free to redistribute anything I have left you to those you consider deserving, keep anything you yourself desire, and use the rest for to better our world and future of all children."

Harry saw the normally stern countenance of Professor McGonagall almost crack as she dabbed at her eyes with a hanky and sniffed quietly. He had given up trying to stem the flow of tears from his own eyes and let them run freely down his face.

"The small trunk in my quarters with the golden Gryffindor Lion on the lid is to be given to Harry Potter."

Harry looked at the Goblin in shock, and several heads turned to look at him. The Minister of Magic in particular was watching Harry closely.

"You are an extraordinary individual, Harry, and I have been proud to watch you grow into a fine young man. Never doubt you are worthy of praise and love, and be assured that you, and your friends, are equal to any task."

"I leave you with this gift hoping that it, with your usual oath, will help you through anything that lies ahead."

The Goblin looked up from the scroll and addressed the crowd.

"That concludes the last Will and Testament of Albus Brian Wulfric Dumbledore. Any disputes may be lodged with the London Gringotts branch within eight days of this reading."

"Those who are to collect items from this office, please remain behind, the rest are free to leave."

Harry rose from his chair and stood to one side to let the others out. Several people shook hands with Professor McGonagall and each other, and a few offered their condolences to Harry as they passed him.

Eventually only himself, Professor McGonagall, the Goblins, the Minister, and Percy remained behind. As Percy motioned for the Minister to leave, Scrimgeour shook his head, earning a confused look from his aide.

"Minister Scrimgeour," said Professor McGonagall, "I was unaware there was anything that you were to collect from this office. If you wish to meet with me, I am afraid I will have to ask you to return once this business is over with."

The Minister cleared his throat before answering.

"Yes, well, I believe, in the interest of national security, that I should be present to witness the contents of the trunk left to Mr. Potter," he said.

Harry felt his anger rise quickly. He had no idea what was in the trunk, but the Minister obviously expected it to have something to do with the mission that had helped claim Dumbledore's life.

In an instance of panic, Harry considered that he might be right.

"This is highly inappropriate, Minister!" objected Professor McGonagall. "The contents of the trunk could be personal and you have no right to demand to see it!"

The Minister had obviously been expecting her objections.

"Come on, Minerva," he said. "You know the boy was the last one to see Dumbledore alive, and he is refusing to say where they had been off to or what they were doing. This could be important!"

An all-out verbal brawl ensued between Harry, Professor McGonagall and Minister Scrimgeour. Even Percy jumped in, accusing Harry of withholding information vital to the safety of the wizarding world.

Suddenly, the second Goblin placed a small trunk on to the desk with a loud bang, interrupting the argument.

It was about a quarter the size of Harry's school trunk and was roughly the same squarish shape, but that was as far as the likenesses went.

Made of a rich, dark wood, with gold trimmings, this trunk had five keyholes on the front and looked new. Its most startling feature was a huge golden Griffin embossed on the lid. The carving had gemstones for eyes that glittered brightly.

Everybody stared at the trunk until the Goblin finally spoke.

"May I suggest we allow Mr. Potter to open the trunk and view its contents? Then he may decide to share it," he said, holding out a large brass key to Harry.

Harry hesitated a moment, unwilling to open it in front of anybody, but he looked into the Goblins eyes and, for a brief second, thought he saw a glimmer of encouragement in their black depths.

He took the key and placed it into the first lock. As he turned it, he felt and heard a loud click, and the lock opened. Grasping the lid in both hands, he took a deep breath and opened it slightly to look inside.

It was empty.

Releasing his breath loudly, he told his audience. A slight smile appeared on Professor McGonagall's lips, but Scrimgeour was quick to point out the remaining locks.

With a growing sense of confidence, Harry opened each lock in turn, and found an empty compartment every time.

"This isn't over yet, Mr. Potter," growled Percy, as he scurried out of the office following the silent Minister. "You might want to consider how helpful the Ministry can be!"

"Oh, I remember exactly how much help the Ministry has given me against Voldemort so far," called Harry to the retreating figures, earning a glare from Percy.

"Mr. Potter," said the Goblin who read the will, "I have here a copy of the portion of the will that relates to you."

He handed a tightly rolled scroll to Harry, and then turned to Professor McGonagall.

"Madam," he said bowing slightly to her before turning back to Harry. "Mr. Potter."

Harry nodded back and waited until the two Goblins had left the office before turning back to the trunk and Professor McGonagall.

"Can I go now?" he asked.

"Of course, Harry," she answered. "Please remember that my door is always open to you, and if you need help, don't hesitate to come to me or any other Member of the Order."

"What's happening to the Order?" he asked, picking up the small trunk and putting it under his arm.

"We will elect a new head at the next meeting, although headquarters can no longer be considered safe," she said with a sigh. "With the loss of Albus it is impossible to give the location to any new members-"

"Snape can't get in, can he?" asked Harry.

He hadn't had time to think about the fact that Grimmauld place was open to the traitor.

"No. Mr. Moody removed Severus's ability to enter the property immediately, and there is still some time before the Fidelus charm expires completely. The Order has moved to new headquarters, since there is too much of a risk that Severus may have been able to indicate where we had been meeting before Mr Moody was able to exclude him. The Fidelus is a powerful spell, but there are several ways around it if you know for certain the property exists or you have somebody who has access to it."

"I have asked Arthur to arrange for somebody to recast the Fidelus as soon as possible to protect your property. There are not many people that have the skill and power necessary to perform that charm, so we are lucky to have an expert available."

Harry thought about it. Number 12 Grimmauld Place was not his favourite place, but he had to have somewhere to go once he left Privet drive, and the Burrow might not always be an option. If the Order of the Phoenix were still using it as a headquarters, Harry would have practically no privacy, and would be constantly be under their watchful eyes.

"Thank you, Professor," said Harry, as he was about to leave the office. "Thank you for everything."

"Take care, Harry," she said, sitting down in the headmaster's chair behind the desk. "Be safe."

Harry nodded and headed off to his dorm to finish packing before the train arrived to take him away. He just hoped he would be able to avoid Ginny while they were waiting.

Back in the dorm, Harry told Ron and Hermione about the will reading and showed them the trunk. The rest of his dorm mates, and most of Gryffindor, were waiting in the common room. He had managed to avoid seeing Ginny. Hermione said she had not been seen outside her room.

Ron was at first excited at the trunk, but became a bit disappointed when they couldn't find anything magical besides having five identical compartments.

"Would have been cool if it had a room like Moody's one," said Ron poking at the inside. "We could stay there rather than that little bedroom at your Aunt's house! Wonder if you can get one that has a dozen rooms and a swimming pool in it?"

Harry laughed. "What, a bit like that tent your dad had at the world cup?"

"Yeah, but hopefully a trunk would be fireproof!" laughed Ron.

"And smell a bit better too," added Harry.

"Harry," said Hermione, interrupting their joking. "Have you read what Dumbledore wrote to you?"

"I heard it Hermione, I don't think I need to read it again," he answered.

"It says 'I leave you with this gift hoping that it, with your usual oath, will help you through anything that lies ahead'. Do you think he meant something?" she asked.

Harry hadn't thought about the exact wording before, but now that Hermione pointed it out, it was too unusual to ignore.

"My usual oath? You don't think it meant like the Marauders map?" he asked.

"Try it and see what happens, mate," said Ron, excited again.

Harry closed the lid, locked the locks, and drew his wand.

"I solemnly swear I am up to no good," he said, tapping his wand on the lid of the trunk.

When he opened it again, the trunk was no longer empty; it was full of trays of small, clear bottles holding something that looked like thick silvery smoke.

"What are they?" asked Ron, taking one of the vials and holding it up to the light.

"Memories," said Harry.