It had been a few days since Harry and Hermione went to the Grangers and today was the day that Harry and his friends would go back to Hogwarts. Finally. It felt like months, if not years, had gone by since Harry decided to take his life in his own hands.
There had been a lot of preparations happening before they all went back to Hogwarts. They had contacted Rita Skeeter with their conclusions after she had sent them her findings a few days ago and Rita promised to have her article published today around dinner time. It seemed best for the paper to arrive when Dumbledore was in front of many witnesses. At dinner time in the Great Hall at Hogwarts.
Rita had found the holy grail of all information. She also made sure this time that her article was factual and that she could prove it. Rita had the memories of those she interviewed to prove it. She promised to have pictures in the article to make sure the people believed it.
Harry still couldn't believe all he'd read, all she'd found. Skeeter had done a bang up job on finding it all. Harry was horribly excited for when the paper got out. He couldn't wait to see Dumbledore's face. And hopefully, he would be fired after everybody knew. Gran was certainly ready for it. She would make sure that the Governors were ready to act when the moment was right.
Gran and Amelia also put up wards around the Granger home just to be sure that Dumledore or anyone else meaning them harm wouldn't be able to get them. They should have done that years ago, when the the threat of Death Eaters and Voldemort was still very much real.
Amelia had been busy hunting the remaining Death Eaters since the death of their master. She had been succesfully hunting them outside the Ministry lately but she also knew that there were a lot of Death Eaters or sympathisers inside the Ministry of Magic. So Amelia tried something different. She contacted the Head of the Department of Mysteries and asked for help. Through either a Vow or Veritaserum Croaker and Amelia have been quietly removing the corrupt people working in each department.
It was slow going but Amelia was happy with the progress made. Even though she sometimes came to Longbottom Manor furious at who she had that time discovered was corrupt some way or the other. At least they knew for sure now that Kingsley and Moody were on their side. They were loyal to Amelia and the future she wanted for their country.
While people expected Amelia to become the new Minister of Magic soon, she wasn't yet. It was too dangerous to make this move out in the open just yet. But it wouldn't take long before Fudge was ousted from his office and then she could make all the changes she wanted when Amelia was sworn in.
Harry and his friends had also doubled down on their own training since they wouldn't be able to continue with it while they were at Hogwarts. At least not with Amelia teaching them.
Harry had eaten dinner yesterday at Black Manor so that he could say goodbye to Andromeda, Ted and Tonks. He'd also said goodbye to Kreacher and Alphard. He'd promised them that he would come back home again for the holidays. Harry was finally one of the many students who wanted to go home for his school holidays. It was a bitter sweet feeling.
Andromeda had also given him a last check-up and had declared him healthy enough. His bones where approaching normal now for his age and so were his organs and weight. His health would soon be as if he had never been in the care of his relatives. He was glad that that chapter of his life was now almost completely over and done with.
"See you soon, kid. Do your homework and play an awesome prank for me, alright?" She ruffled his hair again. Tonks was clearly getting emotional when they said goodbye. Her voice sounded shaky but Harry thought that it was just the pregancy hormones. The pregancy was going well, her babybump seemed to grow bigger every day, not that he would tell her that. Alphard made the mistake of commenting on it a few days ago, and well, lets just say that he'd never make that mistake again.
Ted just hugged him and wished him a great year. Andromeda said warmly, "As my daughter and husband said. Do be careful, dear, and we will see you for your winterbreak. Sent us a letter when you're settled in?"
With a lump in his throat, Harry agreed and said goodbye to his family.
That morning before the dinner at Grimmauld Place Harry, Hermione, Neville and Susan also went back for a quick trip to Diagon Alley under a glamour for their school books and other things they needed for the new school year. Harry'd really needed some new robes since he'd grown so much this summer. Hannah's father had already taken care of everyhing and didn't want his daughter out in the open anyway so she didn't come with them.
It felt very different this year to leave for Hogwarts. This was the first time he had family and a home he'd leave behind. He wondered if this year would be the first year he'd get homesick.
Hermione and he had gone on the date she had planned for them that day. She had found a private place where she had cast muggle repelling charms and other wards around. Hermione asked Dobby for two brooms and asked Harry to teach her how to fly. First together on one broom so she could get used to the hights. Then next to each other on their own broom. Slowly but surely she started to like it a bit better.
Brooms would never be her favorite way to transport herself but she didn't hate it anymore. In fact, she quite liked it when she flew with Harry on the same broom. That way it felt a lot safer then when she was flying on her own.
Then, to warm up a bit from the chilly air high up in the sky, Hermione asked if they could go to Potter Manor. There she'd asked Dobby and Effy to prepare for a swim and a picknick at the lake.
There was a beautiful if a small lake behind Potter Manor. Since the lake was still inside the wards, they were warded with climate control. The water was deliciously warm after the flying they had done. Harry had been a bit self-conscious about his swim skills but Hermione had been very patient in teaching him how to swim.
She hadn't been surprised to learn that he didn't know how to swim. She remembered how panicked he was when they were told the Second Task would be in the lake. Gilly weed had fixed that little problem but still, Hermione thought it was a necessary skill to know and offered to teach him today. After all, she told him pertly, they lived on a island for Merlins sake!
Harry kinda loved it when Hermione got affronted on his behalf.
The Dursleys hadn't found it necessary to teach their nephew how to swim. Why waste their money on him if it wasn't actually necessary? His aunt and uncle but mostly his aunt had been spiteful like that. Before Hogwarts when at school some teacher had noticed he couldn't see right. That teacher told his aunt about it in person so Petunia had to get him glasses or otherwise other people would see that she wasn't the perfect housewife/mother/woman as she tried to show the neighborhood.
But actually glasses that were the right for him? No, she didn't want to spent that much money on him or take him to an actual eye doctor. So he got to try a few cheap options from a second hand store and got the one that made his sight a bit better than usual. It didn't matter they barely fit, or that they weren't the right prescription. He had glasses now so the teacher wouldn't start about it again. Harry just had to try a bit harder to read.
Hermione told Harry very sincerely that she would like to set them on fire for all that they had done to him. Harry was touched but he just wanted to leave his past behind him. Live the best life as possible. Perhaps that was a bit of spite in that after all.
Besides, the Dursleys were probably already gone if they had listened to him.
Harry didn't need glasses anymore since the Horcrux had been taken out of his forehead. It was something he was still getting used too. He kept trying to shove his glasses up his nose while there was nothing there. Andromeda told him that he would likely need glasses later in life, since his father and grandfather had them too, but not for some years yet.
It had been a great day splashing around in the lake behind his home. Hermione was a good teacher if a bit impatient sometimes. Harry knew how to swim now and it felt great. Harry and Hermione agreed to keep going on dates when they were at Hogwarts.
Harry had also shown Potter Manor to Susan and Neville. He trusted them with his safe place and they had sworn to never reveal where he lived. He was glad that he shared a bit more of his life with his other two best friends.
They had spent that day together and it had been great to spent some time alone with Hermione, Susan and Neville. No training, no schoolwork or anything, just them. They needed that.
Meanwhile Hannah had been training extra hard so that her father would allow her to go back to school with the rest of them. She had gotten very good at the stunning spell but the Incarcerous was her best spell. Harry didn't know what she did but her ropes were almost impossible to get out of. She and Susan were working very hard on it so that Hannah could come to Hogwarts with them.
Her father might have gotten Hannah her school stuff but that didn't mean anything. If she wasn't allowed to go then she would use it to study at home.
Last evening Hannah had to prove to her father that she could protect herself. Her friends would only know if she had been allowed to go when they saw her on the platform. She wanted it to be a surprise or if she didn't succeed, watch them leave without her.
He hoped they would see her there. For Susan's sake but also for Neville. His friend had a big crush on the girl and Harry hoped that something good could grow between the two of them. They'd gone on a few dates and they clearly liked each other.
And more education was never a bad thing to have.
Harry had also said goodbye to his grandparents portrait and of course to Dobby and Effy. Both Elves where very sad to see him leave for school but the both of them did undersand that he needed to go. They had a very nice breakfast this morning and both Elves had made him a little basket with snacks for on the train.
Effy told him, "Master Harry be good little wizard and go to Hoggywarts. We be fine."
Dobby nodded cheerfully as he grabbed the hand of his mate, "Master Harry Potter Sir not need to worry. We take care of everything!"
They had told him quite sternly to call them when he needed help. Harry had promised them that he would. Then he also had to say goodbye to the portrait of his grandparents. It was difficult to say goodbye to them after only spending so little time together.
His grandmother told him with soft eyes and a teary smile, "Of course it's alright! Study hard, dearie. Be respectful to your teachers and we will see you soon."
His grandfather smiled too, "And don't forget to have some fun too, alright kiddo?" Winking subtly at his grandson, Harry suddenly had a idea from who his father got his pranking from.
They were sad but they understood and Harry promised he'd come back home for holidays. He'd spent Christmas with his family this year.
Then he had just one person left to say goodbye to, Hedwig. His owl was not happy to see her human leave without her but her chicks still needed her. They had a nice cuddle and some preening of his hair before he really had to leave for the platform. He'd miss her. His first friend.
"I've asked Dobby to bring you some bacon, okay girl?" Hedwig hooted softly while rubbing her head against his cheek. Then she flew back to her nest where Helios, Selene and Hermes were waiting.
"You be good for your mum, okay guys? And I hope to see the three of you flying when I get back." The three owlets hooted agreeably.
Harry hoped that Hedwig would be able to come with him again after the Winter Break. The owlets should be almost fully grown by then. A quick scratch on the head for the three owlets and then he really had to leave.
He and his friend had agreed to meet on the platform a hour before time so when Harry stepped through the barrier he was glad to see that Susan, Neville and Hermione were already there. He kissed Hermione in greeting and went to stand next to her. The rest of the platform was still empty but that would soon change.
They had agreed to say goodbye to their families at home so that they could make a battle plan before the other students could overhear them. Amelia had to go to work early anyway since she and Croaker had been very busy catching the remaining Death Eaters. There had been no sign yet of Bellatrix and that made them nervous.
Hannah wasn't there yet so Harry asked his friends, "Hey guys, have you heard anything about Hannah yet?"
Susan shook her head as she came to stand next to Harry and Neville, "No, nothing yet. But we still have a few minutes until the agreed upon time so hopefully she will arrive soon."
And just when she finished talking the barrier opened to show a familiar blond haired girl walking through.
"Hannah!" Susan called happily. She ran to her friend to hug her and the others followed a bit more slowely behind her.
Hannah let go of her friend and turned to the rest of them to say, "I did it guys! Father was so surprised and it was brilliant!" She said with a big smile on her face.
They congatulated her and went to find a compartment on the train together so that they could talk. They needed to make a game plan for when they were back at Hogwarts.
They agreed to meet twice a week for extra training in the RoR. They could train or meditate for their Animagus form or even just do their homework together. They also agreed that they would never be alone while the Headmaster would still be around.
Oh and Harry had come up with a name for his wolf, Grim. In honour of Sirius and according to the Maraunder tradition. Neville didn't know yet what he wanted to name his form and the others had to wait for a little while yet before they could even meet their inner animal.
It would be a while yet before he will be able to change in his wolf completely since it took on avarage a year before someone could manage the complete transformation. Still, Harry was making good progress. His father's, the both of them, book really helped. Harry was able to chance his skin into fur and change his nails into claws.
It was a strange and exciting thing.
Neville meanwhile has managed to change his nose into the snout of his bear. It was a hilarious image not that Harry could talk, he was a walking hairball with claws when trying to transform. Still, when Neville was trying he was completely human except for the nose of his bear. They both laughed their arse of when they practised together.
Soon they could see other people starting to appear on the platform. Harry hoped that Luna, Ron and Ginny would appear soon so that they could cast some privacy charms on the compartment. He really didn't want another predictable visit from Malfoy.
Althought he did wonder if Malfoy was still as smug as last year now that Voldemort is dead and Umbridge gone. With Harry back in everybody's fickle graces again Malfoy was probably not very happy. Poor Malfoy.
Harry wasn't sure what Amelia was planning for the two elder Malfoys. Lucius was clearly a Death Eater so he would probably go to prison but he wasn't so sure about Narcissa. Narcissa was a Black before her marriage and while he disliked her, he still felt responsible for her. She wasn't a Death Eater he thought, so Harry would give her a chance.
Only one though.
Harry could see two pale blond heads moving around in the crowd so Harry opened the window so he could call Luna to their compartment. He had promised himself to be a better friend to her and that would start today.
Hanging slightly out of the window he called, "Luna! Do you want to join us?"
The poor girl looked so surprised at his invitation that Harry felt guilty again. But soon she smiled brightly and nodded back at him. Harry went to sit back into his seat and let her say goodbye to her father in private. He would do better with his friend.
His friends didn't mind Luna joining them and they even agreed that giving her a Mandrake leaf would be a good idea. They weren't sure yet about giving Ron and Ginny one yet but they had time to make a decision about that one.
Luna had said goodbye to her brightly dressed father and was now stepping into the compartment. Luna herself was looking her usual self with her bright clothes and interesting jewelry.
"Good morning, might I sit here with you? It is nice to see a compartment without Nargels, don't you think?" Luna said brightly.
Harry enjoyed seeing his friends perplexed faces and gestured for her to take a seat in the enlarged space before he said, "Hello Luna, did you have a nice summer with your dad?"
"Yes, daddy and I have found some clues as to where to look next summer for the Crumble-Horned Snorkacks. We think we'll finally find them next summer."
Hermione looked doubtful but Harry was glad to see that she didn't say anything unkind to Luna. He had a talk about Luna this summer with her and she agreed to be kinder to the lonely girl. Honestly, Hermione and Luna couldn't be more different and that clashed sometimes. Harry didn't mind that as long as they weren't rude to each other.
Neville wished her good luck and asked if she found any interesting plants while traveling. They talked about for a while before Harry took the opportunity to ask her if she wanted a Mandrake Leaf like the rest of them.
Luna nodded and said, "Yes please, I will make a beautiful owl."
This time Hermione had to speak, "Luna, you do know that you won't be able to chose your own form right?"
Luna looked at Hermione with her big eyes and said, "Of course I know that Hermione. Are there Wackspurts flying around your ears again?"
Harry snorted and his girlfriend elbowed him in retaliation. Luna grabbed something from her suprisingly deep pockets and held it out to Hermione. She said, "Harry said he wanted a necklace like mine so that the Wackspurts couldn't get to him and we thought that you might like one too."
Harry took the cork necklace she gave him and put in on under his shirt while the others were looking on, bemused. He smiled at her in gratitude and said, "Thank you, Luna, for your gift." He looked at Hermione who was still sitting with the necklace in her hands.
"Ah, yes, thank you Luna for the necklace. I will wear it now." Hermione said as she put the necklace on under her shirt. She looked surprised by the gift but also touched. Luna just looked happy that her gifts were accepted and even worn. Harry really hoped that Luna and his friends would be able to become friends themselves.
Hermione went to sit closer to Luna so that they could talk and Harry went to give her the Mandrake leaf which she put in her mouth with barely any reaction at the disgusting taste of it.
It was just in time since Harry could see the Weasley family entering the platform. Again they were almost to late since they only had a few minutes left until the train left. It wasn't long before both Ron and Ginny were standing in front of the door of their compartment. Harry was glad to see his friends again after not seeing them this summer.
"Harry, mate! Blimey it has been some time since we last saw you! How was your summer?" Ron said as he walked in and went to sit down next to Hannah. Ginny went to sit down on the other side of Luna. Ginny blushed when she saw Harry but she seemed to get over it quickly. Harry was relieved to see her getting over her crush.
Harry answered his oldest friend with, "Hello Ron, my summer was fine. I moved houses but otherwise it was an uneventful summer. How was yours?"
His friends, other then Ron and Ginny looked like they were trying very hard not to give away Harry's lie but luckily it seemed like Ron was oblivious. Ginny just raised an eyebrow. That girl had always been smarter then her brother.
"I'm very glad that you got rid of the Dursleys but did you have to do it in secret? Blimey Harry, mum was beside herself!" Ginny nodded along in agreement at what her brother said and Harry felt a bit guilty that he caused Mrs. Weasley so much worry.
He might not be her actual son but she did take care of him for a few weeks each summer without asking for anything in return and Harry was grateful for that. She cared for him so the least Harry could have done was tell her he was alright. He should apologise for worrying her when he got the chance. He'd write her a letter when he got to Hogwarts.
Soon the wistle blowed and the eight teenagers went to settle down. The train started moving and Harry looked out of the window.
In just a few hours he would be at Hogwarts for his sixth year and he had never felt so prepared for it. He had a lot of new friends, new skills, soon to be perfect health, independence, support from competent adults and best of all, no more Voldemort after his life.
He just had to worry about his grades and an mentally ill old man this year and Harry just knew that it would all be alright. He could be a normal teenager from now on. Finally.