A/N: Okay, in light of Deathly Hallows, I am publishing my own version of HBP. This story had been abandoned a year ago, but to get me in a better mood I am re-starting it. I know that this isn't the best story around but its just a stopping-point before I start something else.

Please don't be angry if you find this fic abandoned after some time as I haven't written anything good since five months, but I am hopeful that I will finish it.

Constructive criticism is always welcome, but please no flames. I know this isn't the best fic but please don't review if you are just going to be throw insults.

Thanks for reading the rather boring A/N.

DISCLAIMER: The characters in the story are not mine and never will be. Otherwise Deathly Hallows would have different. Enjoy…

Harry Potter sat in his room at no 4 Privet Drive. He was looking out into the night sky, thinking about the happenings of his sixth year at Hogwarts. As he sat a tear fell down his cheek. Quickly he wiped it away.

Stop it Harry, you have to be stronger than this

The loss of his mentor was still etched in his heart, how his body had fell from the tower, seeing his lifeless form lying spread-eagled at the bottom of the tower, it was too painful.

Then there was Snape's betrayal. Harry always wondered why Dumbledore trusted Snape so much. He didn't believe his story about how Snape had felt guilty about James and Lily Potter's death. He had always known that Snape was evil but him killing Dumbledore was still a shock.

Harry thought about where Malfoy was now, it was true what Dumbledore had said, Draco would never have killed him. He felt sure that Draco had lowered his wand a bit before the rest of the death-eaters had burst in. An outcast part of Harry's heart felt sorry for him, he was after all forced to do Voldemort's bidding.

Voldemort…the darkest wizard of all time, it all came down to him, didn't it? He was the one who was power hungry and it was all his fault, the numerous lives lost, His parents, Cedric, Bertha Jorkins, Sirius, Dumbledore… the list just grew on. He felt a surge of guilt at those names. Everyone was killed because of him, including his parents. He had always been…a marked man.

He thought about his relationship with Ginny, he couldn't let anything happen to her because of him. The list of `people dead because Voldemort wants Harry Potter' was already big enough. Besides, he couldn't see their relationship going any further. Of course Ginny was a great girl, she was smart, enchantingly pretty, a great Quidditch player, but just not right for Harry. But anyway, Harry had much greater problems to worry about.

Now, it was time, it was time to finish what Voldemort had started fifty years ago, time to fulfil the prophecy. He knew that it might be months till he had defeated Voldemort, but he had to start tomorrow. Harry knew what to do now; tomorrow he would come of age. He had come to the Dursley's because Dumbledore had wanted him to. Tomorrow he would apparate to the Burrow. Bill's wedding was probably next month, and the day after that he was going to leave everyone to find the Horcruxes. No one could get hurt anymore. He didn't plan on taking his two best friends either. Ron and Hermione didn't understand what Harry was feeling. He would sneak off at night. No more of Voldemort's bullshit. He would find the remaining Horcruxes and then go for Voldemort himself. Hogwarts didn't matter anymore, it probably wouldn't even open.

If Dumbledore was right (and Harry was sure he was), there were three Horcruxes left. `The cup of Hufflepuff', `Nagini' and something of Ravenclaw. Hopefully R.A.B had done what he had written in the letter. Then there was Voldemort himself, which would be the hardest bit, but Harry felt sure he could do it; he had enough hate inside him now. And if Snape was to come in the way, Harry knew exactly what to do to him.

Then suddenly Harry's watch beeped. It was twelve o' clock.

Happy birthday Harry. You're of age now!

Harry noticed an owl coming to his window. He recognised it as his own, Hedwig. The snowy white owl came in his window and landed on the desk. Harry went over and unfastened the letter from her. Then Hedwig hooted and gave Harry a comforting nip; and with that she flew out of the window.

Harry opened the letter and immediately recognised Hermione's neat handwriting.

Dear Harry,

How are you? Hope the Dursley's are okay. Happy Birthday! You're finally of age! Don't worry about Voldemort for now Harry; everything will be okay soon. I hope you haven't changed your mind about taking Ron and me with you because we aren't going to accept no for an answer. Anyway, I'm going to the Burrow tomorrow. Hope I see you there tomorrow.

Love,

Hermione

Harry read the letter and sighed deeply. Hermione knew everything about him as well as knowing exactly how he would behave. She was the only one who looked at him as Harry for who he was inside, rather than the celebrity shell of Harry Potter. Even Ron sometimes felt jealous of him because he was Harry Potter. In short Hermione was everything Harry needed for a life partner.

`Stop it Harry! She's your best friend! Ron's the one who likes her!' a voice inside his head said.

`You shouldn't care what Ron thinks if she likes you back' another voice said.

`Exactly! She doesn't like you. Remember how she was upset over Ron snogging Lavender? Besides if you like her, stay away from her. Everyone close to you either gets hurt or dies.'

“Stop it!” Harry whispered hoarsely to himself. `You've got more important things to worry about.' He thought.

Then another owl came soaring in the window. Harry recognised as Ron's owl Pig. It dropped a letter and a small package. Then it flew off again. Harry opened the letter first.

Dear Harry,

Hope the muggles are treating you okay. Happy Birthday! You're coming over tomorrow right? Hermione might be coming as well. So I'll see you tomorrow. Talk to you then.

Ron.

Harry picked up the package. Harry opened it and it turned out to be a box of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes' tricks. Harry grinned at the present and then unwrapped Hermione's present. It was heavy and Harry wondered what it was. Out fell a medallion with a small note.

Harry, this is an intruder alarm. If an enemy is around it will heat up. Happy Birthday again.

Harry put the medallion in his trunk when he noticed a third owl coming in the window. This one was a Hogwarts post owl. Confused that Hogwarts was still open, Harry pulled the letter out and handed the owl a knut. He opened the letter and read it.

Harry,

You are required at Hogwarts tomorrow. It's urgent. Could you apparate outside the main gates at ten o' clock and Hagrid will pick you up. Oh and congratulations on coming of age.

Yours Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Harry's pulse quickened. What was going on at Hogwarts? And why did they need him? One thing was sure: he definitely planned on going. Then Harry realised how sleepy he was. He got into his bed and immediately went to sleep.