A/N

Before I get started, I just wanted to clarify a few things.

Unfortunately when my email account was hacked, it was closed by hotmail and I have been unable to re-open it as it was an old address I'd rarely used. As such, I was unable to gain access to the new password I had been sent to log in here.

I have tried numerous times to get help from admins on this site but have received no response.

So i'm left to create an entirely new log in account and re-upload the story under a different name.

So, simply put - I am indeed the original author!

As it's been a long time between updates, i've revised the story a bit. It's essentially the same - but hopefully with some improvements.

Happy reading.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I'm merely an avid fan who likes to play around a bit.

The night was unseasonably cool for this time of year and the occupants of number 4 Privet Drive all slept soundly. All but a fifteen year old boy who twisted restlessly in his bed, his long legs getting tangled in the sheets.

Harry Potter's usual messy jet-black hair stuck to his forehead as beads of sweat rolled down his face. His emerald eyes alight with fear as the nightmare that awoke him remained clear and vivid. Closing his eyes tightly, he wished away the harsh images that plagued his mind. The scene replaying like an old record, the final moments of his god-fathers life flashing before him - tormenting him.

He took a deep breath and sighed quietly before hauling himself out of his all too short bed. He made his way over to his tiny window and looked out at the pristine and normal neighbourhood he had called home for the past 14 years.

Tugging against the window for a moment, he opened it and closed his eyes as he allowed the crisp nighttime air to brush against his face. The tiny glow of the orange street light casting a shadow across his face. He stood there silently for a moment, the contents of the dream seeping away but still lingering - the harsh reality always present and aching.

Not for the first time, his eyes were drawn to his desk where a pile of unopened letters lay. Ever since his return to Privet Drive he had struggled to find a way to respond to his friends. Struggled to find a way to put his thoughts to words, to fight the guilt of how it was he who placed them in such a dangerous situation and how easily it could have been them who had not made it out alive.

Their unwavering loyalty stabbed at him and their willingness to follow him made his stomach churn. The feeling of helpless as he watched Hermione fall and his lack of readiness when Voldemort struck.

He turned away, teeth grinding together as he fought to repress images from that night. He was angry with Dumbledore for lying to him. But more than that, he was angry at himself. Angry that he was irrational and stubborn. Angry that he didn't listen to Hermione. Angry that he lead them into a situation he knew was dangerous. Vivid images of Dumbledore's duel with Voldemort flashed before him. He felt the power they both radiated as they locked eyes and fought with such skill and precision it made Harry feel weak at the knees.

'The chosen one' echoed in his head. He had recited the prophecy countless times, the words etched into his brain. The reality of the words weighed on his shoulders, a constant pressure. His fate and destiny laid out before him. Undisputed and unchallenged.

Since that night, there had been a fire that ignited inside of him. A fire to prove himself worthy and it wasn't because of the prophecy. It was because of Sirius and his parents. Because they believed in him. Because if he stood any chance in this fight he was destined for, he was gonna give it his all. And It was because of his friends, whose unwavering support and loyalty deserved better. He resolved that he would never put himself or anyone in that position again. That he would work harder than he had ever done.

With the thought of Hermione and Ron in his mind he donned his well worn pair sneakers and retraced the steps he took every morning before the sun rose. The morning air was a blast to his face as he stepped outside and as his feet hit the ground, there was one single thought that pounded in sync with the beat of his heart.

'I will fight.'

'I know you're there.' His voice cut through the silence. He sat in the swing, his shirt saturated with sweat as he watched the sun rise.

'Constant vigilance' The voice replied.

Harry turned to the voice in time to see Tonks emerge, seemingly out of nowhere.

'You're getting faster,' Tonks commented as she took the swing next to him, her long legs stretching out in front of her as she pushed off.

'So are you.' Harry replied dryly, observing her own sweaty state.

Tonks smiled briefly, eyes soft as she looked at him. 'How are you doing, Harry?' She asked that question every time she saw him, which had been quite often. Harry enjoyed when Tonks was assigned to watch over him, she didn't flit about pretending she wasn't there and she was the only one who had made an effort to talk to him about what happened. The past months had been hard for both of them and their friendship had strengthened from their time together. Sometimes they would chat. Sometimes they would sit in silence, each satisfied that the others mere presence provided a sense of comfort.

Harry glanced at her before resuming his vigil on the sunrise. 'I'm doing ok, Tonks. And you?

'Pretty average, not going to lie. Dung is driving me mad as usual, and everyone else for that matter.' She paused, 'Mrs Weasley's had enough of him. That woman is a force to be reckoned with, that's for sure.' She smiled at him, nudging his shoulder.

'Red heads are notoriously fierce.' Harry agreed lightly. 'When are you going to rescue me from this place?' He asked with a smile. This was a running joke. Harry often complained of being stir-crazy, the days dragging out agonisingly slow. He both looked forward to and dreaded his return to the wizarding world, but the idea of being an active member ultimately won out.

'Ah, a few more days I think… you need to run some more.' She winked at him before they settled into a comfortable silence, both enjoying the sunrise.

'I got a letter from Hermione, asking after you. She's worried.' Tonks broke the silence, aware of his refusal to respond to their letters.

'What did you tell her?' Harry asked, his eyes dropping to the ground as he kicked at the dirt. Hermione had been the one he struggled with most.

'I told her you were training for a marathon.' She supplied offhandedly, laughing quietly when she saw Harry bite back a smile.

'I hate that I'm doing this to her.' Harry admitted, raising his eyes to look at her. 'I miss her.' He sighed, a wave of guilt crashing down on him. 'I just don't know what to say.'

Tonks reached over, her hand resting on his arm and offering a comforting pressure, a knowing look in her eye. 'You'll get there, Harry. And she'll be there when you do.'

Harry smiled sadly, the image of her falling at the ministry racing across his mind. 'I know. That's what scares me.'

After bidding Tonks a farewell, Harry made his way slowly back to the house. His eyes swept from house to house, each identical. Their front-yards pristine and perfect - not a blade of grass out of place. Many of his neighbours continued to eye him with caution, their gazes uncertain as he strode past.

He entered the house quietly and avoided any confrontation with the Dursley's, his feet light as he made his way to the bathroom. After taking a quick shower he stood in front of the mirror. The person who looked back was hardly recognisable. He had grown a staggering amount over the summer, shooting up a few inches. His jet black hair was longer, the scar on his forehead completely hidden from view. His bright green eyes held a haunted look and dark circles under his eyes made him look older than he was. His body had filled out and become more lean, his exercise over the summer transforming his once skinny frame into an athletic one. His jaw-line was more defined, long gone were the days of his once chubby cheeks. Rubbing his eyes with his hands he moved away from the mirror and got dressed.

He admired his new clothes, a sly smile making its way onto his face. Sick and tired of the hand me downs he'd received his entire life. Not long ago - when he was feeling particularly restless and stir-crazy, he convinced Tonks to a sneaky trip to London and went on a shopping trip. He only felt a little bit guilty at getting her in trouble but it was by far the best day of the summer.

As he made his way out of the bathroom, loud noises greeted him. Familiar voices.

'Where's Potter?' Moody's rough voice came from the living room.

Eyes wide with surprise, Harry tore down the stairs and bounded round the corner. 'I'm here, Sir.' Harry said, eyes sweeping around the room. Mr Weasley, Moody, Tonks and Kingsley stood smiling at him. His eyes lingered on Tonks, an eye-brow raising in question.

'I couldn't tell you, I swear!' She grinned, her deception earlier clearly an amusement.

Mr Weasley stepped foreword, his tall frame filling the room. 'It's good to see you, Harry.' He smiled, he hand clapping his back. 'How long do you think it'll take for you to pack?'

Harry smiled, 'with the aid of some magic?' He looked at Tonks, 'give me two minutes.'

Tonks followed him upstairs, her eyes sweeping around the room, taking in everything. As they came to his room, Harry suddenly felt very self-conscious. 'Um, It's not much. Sorry.' His face flushed as they entered his tiny bedroom.

Tonks' eyes softened as she looked at him, her eyes drawn to the letters on his desk. 'Didn't read a single one, did you?'

'I have been completely oblivious to everything. You were my only source of information.' Harry stated, rushing about his room. 'I figured if it was anything serious, I would be directly contacted.'

'I didn't have to be.' Tonks said simply, eying a letter that was clearly from Hermione.

Harry frowned, an uneasy feeling in his chest. As Tonks flicked her wand and packed his trunk up, he walked towards Hedwig's cage. 'I'll be a the order, girl.' He said.

'I'm going to make it right.' Harry said quietly as they made their way downstairs. He looked Tonks in the eye, 'I will.'