A/N: So I have decided to give writing my own FanFic a Try. I love the Harry Potter Au stories and I am a total Harry Potter Geek counting down the days until the next move comes out.

I have read quite a few AU's and while I will likely end up borrowing a few ideas from others I like the concept I have. We will pick up the boy-who-lived just after OOTP and Dumbledore's untimely death. Harry now has to decide how to proceed and whether or not to continue with the mistakes and secrets the former headmaster has left him with. This is I think, a twist on the soul bond / very powerful Harry stories. Know then, that as far as this story is concerned, Harry is not a horcrux as I have never liked that. There is also no such thing as the deathly hallows in this story. I really never liked that concept and felt it cheapened the whole series as a whole. The Elder wand is not un-beatable since the books clearly state that Dumbledore won the elder wand in a duel against Grindewald. So I hope you enjoy this slightly more outspoken and confident Harry/Ginny story and look for some feedback.

A/N2: I have redone all chapters of this story and I am starting from the beginning. I reworked the formatting to make the story more readable. I have also corrected as many mistakes as I could find. I have been activly searching for a beta but have not had much luck so if you have some free time and would like to offer your time and your beta services I would greatly appreciate it. I hope you all enjoy the story If not I enjoyed writing atleast. Let me know in review if there is anything you think I need to address.

Chapter 1: Dumbledore's legacy

Harry slowly began to open his eyes in slight confusion, the feeling of stiff muscles falling over his body as he tried to remember where he was. Madam Pomfrey had insisted he stay in the hospital wing, having been given a pepper up potion and several rejuvenating potions to restore his health and mental state. Harry never liked waking in the hospital wing and found this experience no less pleasant. He lay in the bed just staring up and wondering if he thought hard enough that the events of last night could be willed into nothing more than a dream.

Closing his eyes he saw the headmaster struck by the killing curse and fall from the tower so vividly he had to grasp his chest feeling the physical pain the memory caused him. One name rolled through his mind with such rage it threatened to tear from Harry in a violent explosion of emotion. Snape had played them all and the headmaster had paid the ultimate price for his mistakes and his misguided trust in the man. Harry had never liked much less respected or even managed to be civil with. Tears began to form in his eyes as he relived the event, his muscles clenching on their own accord as he realized there was a hand clasped firmly in his own.

He opened his eyes and turned his head to see Ginny sitting in the chair next to the bed sleeping with her head propped on her hand. In that moment some of the tension began to melt away. The sight of the woman he knew he loved was like the sun shining through after a particularly nasty storm when you realize the worst is over.

Ginny stirred a little and awoke, her eyes focusing on the sight in front of her. She couldn't help the small curl of a smile that spread across her lips as her eyes focused on Harry's green eyes staring back at her. Seeing the tears in his eyes, she too felt the shutter of emotion only losing a loved one can cause as tears began to form in her eyes as well. Even these emotions were not enough however, to remove the small smile that remained on her mouth at the sight of him. She wanted to say something, anything to make his pain go away, but she knew that there was nothing she could do but be there for him. She had refused to leave his hospital bed the night before, even though Ron and Hermione had both tried to pry her from the room. Any one that tried to make her leave was dangerously close to being hexed and so she had been left to stand vigil by his bedside. "Harry.."

"Hold on" Harry said holding up his hand to stop her from continuing. "I need to say something first. I am so sorry Ginny"

Gin looked at him in confusion. What could he possibly be sorry for and she was about to speak we he continued.

"I love you Gin! I have loved you from the day I met you and I should have never let you go."

Tears began to run from his eyes again as he continued on. Ginny, for her part, was on the brink of emotional collapse as her heart soared at his words.

"I realize now I cannot do this without you and I don't really want to try. I would never forgive myself if something happened to you but I think last night has shown me that I was only kidding myself when I thought I could protect you by leaving you here without me."

There were so many things Ginny wanted to say at this moment, but words failed her they could not express the depth of her feeling for him. Leaning forward in her chair she pressed her lips to his trying to force every feeling she held through to him in the contact. This was a kiss with meaning and purpose filled with the kind of love that cannot be harmed by anything of this world or the next. Pulling back and looking into his eyes

"I Love you too Harry. If you ever leave me again though, I will Hex your bits to pieces and then heal you so I can do it again" Harry cringed away for a moment hoping she was joking noticing the smile still present on her face.

Poppy came from her office hearing them talking and began to cast a few diagnostic spells before she was satisfied.

"All right Mr. Potter you may rejoin your class mates. Breakfast is in an hour and I suspect the Headmistress will make an announcement at that time." With that she turned and left the room.

Harry and Ginny both returned to Gryffindor tower to shower and get cleaned up. He started to put his robes on but simply could not bring himself to do it. Something had been lost that could not be recaptured and he simply was unable to put his school uniform back on. So instead he put on a pair of Jeans with a grey shirt and a black jacket before heading down to the common room. It was apparent to him that some of the other students had the same notion and where dressed casually for breakfast. Harry saw Ginny over by the fireplace and walked over and sat down next to her and immediately grasped her hand, holding it so deeply that you would have thought he was trying to make their hands become one.

"So what's this then?" Hermione asked with a smile on her face.

"He finally realized he was being daft" Ginny replied

Ron entered the room just then and he looked less then pleased to see them holding hands, but was respectful enough not to challenge this on the spot in the face of the still raw emotions that everyone felt. He could not blame Harry for seeking comfort; he just wished it was not with his sister. With a forced smile he suggested they head for the Great Hall.

"May I have your attention!" The amplified voice of Minerva McGonagall easily reached over the subdued chatter of the great hall.

"Last night a terrible act was committed against this institution. Our beloved Headmaster…" McGonagall paused a moment to regain some of her composure but continued in a shaky voice

"Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore was taken from us in an act of violence by none other than one of our own staff members".

There was an intake of breath at this and much of the student body was wiping away tears and sobbing as Minerva spoke. Harry had is arm wrapped around Ginny's waist as she cried lightly, her head resting against his chest. Ron Had laid a comforting hand on Hermione's shoulder and even in this sorrowful moment Harry could not help but smirk at their oblivious nature to their true feelings for each other.

"Due to current circumstances Classes will be canceled for the remainder of the year. Your end of year exams will be forwarded to your homes over the summer were they can be completed and sent back. Practical exams will be administered at the beginning of the next school year. Those who are in their graduation year may schedule these exams through the ministry. There will be a funeral service for our late headmaster tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m. Any student wishing to attend is welcome, however attendance is not required. Owls have been dispatched to your homes explaining the situation to your parents that you will be arriving at Kings cross station in two days time. I need not remind you that in this dark time you must keep watch over your safety and the safety of your loved ones."

Having struggled to get through the speech the new Headmistress sat down looking as emotional as everyone in the room felt.

Harry and Ron did what they could to comfort the girls as they battled their own emotions; no one seemed to have much of an appetite and slowly picked at their food. The four young students decided not to return to the common room with the rest of their house and instead decided to seek out a quite room on the lower level to talk together. Harry had explained to them everything he knew about the Horcruxes and what had happened at the cave and the fact that the locket was in fact nothing more than a fake.

"So it was all for nothing?" Hermione asked through heavy sobs.

"It would seem that way" Harry responded in a very somber manner his head hanging low not able to look at the rest of them.

"So what do we do now?" Ginny asked.

"I am leaving school. I must take up the hunt that Dumbledore started. I must find the remaining Horcruxes and destroy them." Harry started to say more but was interrupted.

"When do we leave?" Ginny asked with conviction.

Ron was quick to respond "Gin you will not be going. This is too dangerous and mum would go spare".

Gin gave Ron a hard look but Harry interrupted. "I will not place anyone in danger I will go by myself".

This earned him a threatening stare from all three of them, each trying to speak at once.

"I don't think so mate." "Harry you must see reason" "Do you remember what I said if you tried to leave me again?".

Harry held up his had to stop them, but Hermione spoke up. "Harry, if you think after everything we will let you go at this alone then you are the dumbest wizard I know".

Harry looked put out at this, but could not find the energy to argue. He thought about escaping and just running hiding away on his own to complete the mission at hand.

Much of the rest of the day continued in the same way with dark emotions consuming everyone interrupted by the occasional light moment in which everyone felt guilty for smiling at some offhand remark or situation. The night seemed to stretch on forever as everyone lay in bed with their thoughts. Morning found them in dress robes sitting in rows and rows of seats lined up by the lake.

It was a beautiful morning and Harry casually thought that the morning did not reflect the emotion everyone was feeling. Almost all of the Weasleys had arrived and given him hugs. Mrs. Weasley had as usual commented on how thin he was after pulling him into a bone crushing hug. Tonks and Reamus where sitting next to them. Looking around Harry could also see Kingsley, Moody and some of the other members of the order. A small frail looking old wizard took the podium and began to speak in a high shaky voice.

"Today we are gathered to celebrate the life and legacy of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore."

Harry listened to the man speak but he was finding it hard to concentrate. He was becoming angry but could not identify what or why he was so agitated. He kept running the same thoughts though his mind. What is the legacy of Albus Dumbledore? Secrets were the trade of Dumbledore's life. Harry had been brought into many of those secrets over the last year but he also knew that for every secret that was revealed there were a dozen more that were not.

This was troubling Harry greatly. He had been told he could not tell anyone but Ron and Hermione about the Horcruxes and he had already broken that with Ginny. But he also did not like secrets and lying. Harry was no fool and he knew that Voldermort was no fool also but he also knew that they would need help. Voldermort was amassing an army of Death Eaters in the hundreds while they did nothing.

After the ceremony the comforting words of friends and family did little to improve his mood. He tried to participate in the light hearted chatter as stories were told of the fallen Headmaster, but Harry just could not shake what was nagging at his insides. As they were about to leave the Headmistress stopped by Harry to offer some measure of support before asking Harry to stop by her office later that afternoon.

"Ah, yes Harry, come in please."

Harry entered the Headmistress' office and felt even worse as emotions flooded him. The memory of so many familiar trinkets and bobbles flooding his senses, the bowl of lemon drops still sitting on his desk, her desk, and the realization struck Harry. This was no longer Dumbledore's office and he had to fight hard to keep from breaking down before his head of house.

"Harry I once again want to express my sorrow at what you have gone through. Above all else I can assure you that Albus loved you like he has loved no other student. On many levels he thought of you as more of a son than a student. If you ever need to talk please know that my office is always open."

As Harry listened to her words, he walked over to the window and stared blankly at the sky trying to suppress his feelings of loss and guilt. Minerva McGonagall paused for a moment before continuing. "Harry as you know, there were certain protections you were given by the headmaster while you stayed with your relatives over the summer. With Albus's passing I am afraid those protections are no longer in effect since they were keyed to him with the exception of the blood ward. So as such, you will be accompanied back to the Dursley's with an Auror to ensure those protections are re-established"

Harry processed what she was saying. So many thoughts were whizzing around his head. The thought of returning to his family nearly made him physically ill. "NO!" Harry nearly shouted at the already emotional Headmistress.

"Excuse me?" she asked, hardly able to understand what was happening.

Harry had to wonder himself. Something seemed to be snapping into place in his mind, but he was not sure what it was. He somehow instinctively knew that this was the moment he had to make a decision. Did he continue to fight this war with Dumbledore's secrets or did he at this moment define his own path?

He had made his decision long ago, but he was just now realizing it. "I will not be returning to my relatives this year. I will explain, but first I need you to do something for me."

He looked at McGonagall with such conviction in his eyes she was shaken for a minute before asking "And what would that be Mr. Potter?"

"I want you to call a meeting of the order of the phoenix immediately. Gather them all together and I will meet you back here at seven this evening." McGonagall considered his words for a moment and started to comment when Harry abruptly turned and left her office without saying a word. She was left feeling more than a little confused and concerned as she was not used to getting orders from her students.

Harry marched into the common room to find Ron, Ginny and Hermione with a determined look on his face.

"Harry what's…" Hermione started to ask before Harry cut her off and said

"We have work to do in the Library. Please come with me and I will explain everything but we need to make some plans". Harry gathered the four around him with the shear conviction and authoritative tone in his voice. The three followed him willingly all be it very confused as to what he was going on about.