Disclaimer: I am not J.K. Rowling and I'm not using her characters and books for profit.

Rating: PG-13, for violence, language, and lots of angst

Genre: NO SLASH; Adventure/Angst; not a romance fic, though there are hints of Harry/Ginny.

Summary: Harry has discovered a way to defeat Voldemort, but to do so he must set out on a journey that will take him far from home and friends and safety, and leave him stranded in a strange yet familiar world. Please read and review. Thanks!

Author's Note: This story takes place during Harry's seventh year, thus he is seventeen. Just thought I'd clear that up.

Prologue:

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches..."

—Sibyll Trelawney, The Order of the Phoenix

Harry sat at the small desk in his room, feather quill in one hand and a piece of parchment in the other. He set down the thick yellow paper and stared at it a moment, not knowing how to begin. He had never been good at saying goodbye.

Dear Ron, he began, deciding to write to him first. I'm writing to tell you that I'm going away for a while. I don't know when I'll be back...maybe not for years...

Harry paused, not quite knowing how to continue. He couldn't tell Ron where he was going, though he wanted to desperately. It was far too important that his whereabouts remained a secret. He wasn't worried about anyone finding him, just what would happen if they found out where he was going to...

I am going someplace where neither you nor anyone else will be able to follow. I wish I could tell you where, but that might jeopardize things for you and the Order. Let it suffice to say that I've found a way...a way to destroy Voldemort. Don't worry about me, just take care of yourself. I promise I'll come back.

Your friend,

Harry

Harry copied the letter onto three more pieces of parchment, this time addressed to Hermione, Remus, and Ginny. He folded them up neatly and gave them to Hedwig. "Make sure these get there safely," he whispered, giving her an affectionate pat.

She gave a mournful hoot, her amber eyes wide. She knew what he was planning to do.

"Stay with Ron," Harry said sadly. "He'll take care of you while I'm gone." Then he kissed her downy head and watched as she fluttered out the open window into the warm summer evening.

Harry followed her progress with his eyes, wishing desperately that he didn't have to do the heavy task that was before him. He wished that he could be Ron: free from the burden of being the savior of the Wizarding World. But there was nothing for it. He had to do this...the lives of his friends depended on it.

Picking up his satchel, already loaded with various items of clothing, his Invisibility Cloak, his sneak-o-scope, and other personal belongings, he slung it onto his shoulder. He picked up his Firebolt and headed to the door of his room, looking back at it one last time before exiting into the hallway.

He made his way quietly into the kitchen so as not to wake the Dursleys, and began rummaging through the cabinets and icebox, assembling together some food for the journey that lay ahead. When he had packed it away in his satchel, he got out a piece of normal muggle paper and a normal muggle pen and wrote a curt note to his aunt and uncle. He told them that he was leaving, nothing more, nothing less.

With that taken care off, he put on his trainers and buckled the silver fastenings on his long black cape. As he passed out of the kitchen and into the main hall, he stopped for a moment by his old cupboard under the stairs. He smiled at it, almost fondly, knowing that he was about to leave the muggle world for the very last time. His old life with the Dursleys was ended for good.

He opened the front door silently and slipped outside unnoticed. The moon was full—Remus wouldn't receive his letter 'til morning, Harry thought absently as he made his way down the garden path and onto the sidewalk. By that time, Harry would be gone.

With a quick swish of his cape and a small POP! Harry Potter disapparated from Privet Drive.

So, my little chickadees, how'd you like the first part? Review and tell me what you think. I know it was a little strange, but prologues are supposed to be strange. More to come shortly!

Love,

Enny