PROLOGUE

Ah, morning. My favorite part of the day.

I rub my eyes lazily as I sit up in my bed and breathe in the fresh summer air through my open window. I look around my room with a smile playing across my face. I had almost forgotten term had ended yesterday at Hogwarts!

Yes, I said Hogwarts. Hogwarts School of Witch Craft and Wizardry, to be precise. Ever since I was eleven I've gone there but I've been a Wizard all my life. I mean, we all have. At least everyone but the Muggles and Squibs.

It had been my fifth year at Hogwarts and an especially tiring one, at that. With O.W.Ls and studying and quiditch all packed into one, well...you see where my stress comes from. Not that it was all bad. Hufflepuff did win the house cup! Not to mention, me and my friend Rowel Luciber found a secret passageway to Honeyduke's through a statue of a Humpbacked witch. (Well, I can't get all the credit for that. Harry did tell me about it.)

Eager for an action packed day, I climb out of bed and to my still packed trunk, feeling lighthearted. I open it to reveal an untidy stack of books, chocolate frog cards, robes, scarves, old boxes of Bertie Bott's Every Flavored Beans, Gobstones and and old letters from my friends. I spotted Rowel's scrawny handwriting and sighed. Next year, Rowel would be attending Durmstrang instead of Hogwarts. Apparently his Mum got a job abroad for Gringotts and transporting him to King's Cross wouldn't be an option.

I began throwing my clothing sloppily at my dresser trying to land it in the open drawers. I'm not a Chaser so it didn't come quite so easily. Soon my robes, shirts, pants and underwear were spread messily on the floor. I didn't mind. I would clean it up later. I mean, it's summer! I have to live at least a little.

I turn to my bedside table to grab my Mahogany wand when my eyes fall upon a small picture of two people-- my parents.

Like all wizard photographs they were in motion not stationary like the muggle ones. My father, a thin man with sandy hair and light wrinkles had his arm around my mother. She had bubblegum pink hair, spiked atop her heart shaped head. They both wore huge grins upon their faces as they smiled and hugged.

My heart almost stopped dead when I saw it.

I'm not one of those people who cry about stuff like this. I mean I hardly ever met them. Everytime I look at it I try to remember the happy times I spent with them...or at least I try. But this time...this time it reminded me about what I had to do.

I don't know how I ever forgot. I guess a good night's rest can erase a memory like an Obliviate spell. How had I forgot what had been on my hand all term? The thing of been working for since what felt like forever? How had I forgotten that I had finally put the pieces together?

Let me start this over.

Ah, Morning. My favorite part of the day.

But not today.

I know I've been waiting for this date for a long time, marking down the days on my calender, simply waiting. But somehow now that it was here I felt... nervous.

I'm not the type of guy who gets anxious or whatever but I do get jittery now and then. But this--this was real nerves.

I flop back on my bed, twiddling my thumbs and gazing around my cluttered room. What would Harry and Ginny think? What about James, Albus and Lily? What would I tell them? Would they hate me for it?

I sit there for a while longer, just thinking. I have no choice. I go to my trunk and pick up parchment and a quill and sit down at my desk. I take a deep breath and dip my quill into my favorite bottle of electric blue ink. I press the tip to the parchment and spill my thoughts onto the page...

Dear Harry, Ginny, James, Albus and Lily,

Words cannot express how grateful I am. (Even in panic mode I can't help realize how un-me this is, but I write on.) You've done everything for me. Everything. I really couldn't ask for a better family.

Harry, you always reminded me of myself, orphaned as a baby. I admire your bravery and determination and blimey! You defeated the Dark Lord! I'm proud to call you my godfather.

Ginny, you've been like a mother to me. I wish I could repay you but I know nothing no matter how valuable will compare to the home you welcomed me to with open arms.

James, Albus and Lily, you guys really are my true siblings. You've all been by my side in times of need and I wish you luck at Hogwarts.

I know it sounds like I'm leaving forever, which could be true. I hope that you will support me in the choices I make this summer. I want you all to know you are my family. My real family.

I now embark on the biggest quest of my life.

I am going to avenge my parents.

Sincerly, Teddy Remus Lupin