Chapter 1

Harry Potter lay on his bed in Number 4 Privet Drive. His belly rumbled suddenly. No surprise there, his relatives rarely fed him. He thought back to the beginning of the summer, when his aunt and uncle had brought him picked him up at the start of the summer.

Flashback

"Get in the car boy!" Bellowed Uncle Vernon.

Harry quickly tossed his trunk into the back of the car, and climbed into the seat next to his cousin, Dudley. The drive home had been quiet, with his uncle's face being purple, and his aunt constantly glancing back at him as if to make sure he wasn't doing anything to her precious "Ickle Diddykins."

As soon as they got home, his uncle had locked his school supplies in the cupboard under the stairs, and thrown Harry and Hedwig into Harry's room, promising to not let him out until September 1st.

End of Flashback

Harry was startled out of his reverie by a large, tawny owl swooping through the window. Hedwig gave an indignant hoot, and glared at Harry, as if to ask him when she could deliver letters.

Harry gave her an apologetic glance, as he hurried to undo the letter that was attached to the owl's leg. He checked the seal on the envelope, but he did not recognize it. Tearing it open he read:

Mister Harry James Potter,

We are sorry to inform you that the will reading of Lord Sirius Orion Black, (Lord of Most Ancient and Noble House of Black) will take place on the Tuesday the 14th of July at 3:15 PM. Your letter is a portkey that will activate at 9:00 AM that morning. You may use at any time after that. Thankyou, and we offer our condolences in regard to your loss.

Director Ragnok,

Gringotts

Harry sat on his bed, frozen, as he realized something.

Sirius was gone.

He had known he was gone, but the letter seemed to confirm it.

Counting quickly in his head, he realized that the will reading was tomorrow.

"Oh, well," He thought, "at least I'll be out of here for a while."

Then he lay down, and went to sleep.