"Hello and good morning Wizarding World! It's a sunny, crisp fall morning here in London! This day brings many happy tiding to our community both far and wide! The reign of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is over and a new time has begun. The kids are back to Hogwarts today and the folks back to work. We're gonna let the Weird Sisters start off our morning with a little bit of rock!"

I couldn't help but smile as I flicked my wand toward the radio turning the sound up to a dull roar. Stretching, I stood from my excruciatingly comfortable bed and pranced toward my open window. I breathed in the chilly fall air and appreciated the magnificence of the trees which were changing colors. Shaking my head I crashed back into reality…time to go back to school. However an excitement burned through my heart as I thought about finally returning to Hogwarts to complete my final year of Wizarding education. I, like many of my fellow students, had taken a leave of absence during the past year of turmoil. By Wizarding decree, all students were required to repeat their last year of schooling as the last years was interrupted by the Carrows, death, worry, and pain. However, I like many of my fellow Hogwartians, were overjoyed at returning and completing a normal (however normal Hogwarts could be) year of education.

Moving into the bathroom, I took a shower and magically dried my dark brown hair until it was perfectly wavy. Putting on some muggle clothes, I checked my trunk to verify I had all the necessary items for my year long stay at Hogwarts. My Ravenclaw Quidditch Captain pin was already secured onto my robes; however I couldn't help but grin. Harry Potter and his Gryffindor team would need to train much harder this year if they planned on beating the Ravenclaws.

I glanced at the empty owl cage that stood next to my window and saw that Oliver, my tawny owl, had not yet returned from his trip. Grabbing the empty cage I levitated my trunk and proceeded down the stairs to find my little brother Owen already dressed him his Hufflepuff robes, "You can't go to Kings Cross looking like that Owen. Statute of Secrecy, hellooo."

Scowling Owen retorted, "Just because you're in the 'smart' house does not mean you can boss me around."

My father, the Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports, boomed, "Listen to your sister. We have to get going soon. Much to do today. Now Charlotte, please tell Harry that he is more than welcome to come visit us at Christmas time, your mother and I do enjoy his company."

I winced slightly at Harry's name, I hadn't yet gotten over the fact that he left without so much as a word last year. Granted it was to save the Wizarding world but as to our 2 year relationship…I had no idea what his thoughts were. Hell, I didn't know what my own thoughts were. Not wanting to get into a discussion on my love life I nodded, "Of course, pop. I'll…I'll let him know."

"Good, good. And you know…Anthony is always welcome too! He and I had such a great time at the Appleby Arrows match last week!" grinned my dad ruffling the Daily Prophet and setting it down.

Of course, my mum then walked into the room after hearing the tail end of our conversation, "Why yes dear. Bring Anthony around; we'd love to see more of him! Besides, I hear he is still single…and ready to—"

I cut her off, "Mingle, ughh, Merlin mother. I know." I poured myself a bowl of muggle cereal trying to pry my mind away from Harry Potter. And there was of course Anthony Goldstein…my best friend…of whom my parents absolutely adored…and who I considered nothing more than a brother.

After a hurried breakfast and my solid attempts of keeping the topic off of either of the men in my life, it was finally time to leave. I ran up to my room to double check I had all my books, clothes, and necessities however what I found was much more. My owl Oliver had finally arrived back with an envelope attached to his leg.

"OLIVER, finally!" I practically screeched. I raced over and opened the letter.

Char-

Ohh how I have missed your lovely face these long summer months! I am, of course, coming back to Hogwarts. What could keep me away? Lessons? Sure. Sexy Snape? Of course not. So in short, I am coming back to see my love Snape…not you…sorry to burst your bubble. France was, obviously, an absolute paradise! The men, the shopping, the nonexistent tan lines (sorry to break it to you but I did allow my presence to grace some…er...nude beaches. Buy hey, should come as no surprise to you…let's face it…I AM a…bit of a slut). However…I then toured Beaubatons…lovely school. My deciding factor…the potions master was an absolute prat when compared to the flawless physique of dear Severus. So I am coming back to Hogwarts, as much as my parents hate it.

Sorry…you can't get rid of me. Love you. See you in a matter of 60 excruciatingly long minutes

-Ssssarah Fawcett.

I couldn't stop smiling all the way to the station. My muggle mother drove, since my father would not step near one of those "death traps". When we arrived at King's Cross my father was already waiting for us at the entrance, having apparated less than five seconds ago. As we walked up to him, I couldn't help but notice how much older he looked. The war had seriously sped the aging process up on him, receding hair line, brow creases, and a bit of a belly…but it was a part of life. Too much worry.

Trying to look inconspicuous the family of four, complete with two owls, and two trunks made their way to Platform 9 ¾. My thin, stunningly beautiful mum and brother walked into the barrier first, closely followed by my dad and I. Blinking through the steam from the Hogwarts Express I glanced around for my friends. Excitement reached a peak as I spotted Anthony a few yards away. Turning to my parents I began my good-bye, "See you pop, mum. I'll be back at Christmas."

"Behave dear. I know how you have that annoying knack of wandering off where you should not be. Tell Anthony we say hello, Harry too dear. We will miss you so much," sobbed my mum

"And look after your brother, it's only his 4th year here, he still needs his big sis." Said my father in a gruff voice.

"I do not need her help," whined Owen.

"Love you guys, good luck at work dad. I'll let you know when my first match is!" I hugged my mum and dad, deposited my trunk, and sprinted off in Anthony's direction.

However, before I reached him I collided with someone and fell to the ground. I caught my owl with the reflexes of a chaser. Breathing a sigh of relief I looked up to see who I had unceremoniously hit. My heart dropped to my stomach, my intestines contracted and squirmed, and my brain ceased to function. Harry Potter…my…boyfr..my… whatever he was stood before me with a pained look on his face. He spoke first, "Charlotte…uh…hey. I…erm…here let me help you." He lowered his hand.

I hesitated a moment then grasped onto the calloused hand I use to hold. Meeting his eyes for a fleeting moment I saw regret and worry. Glancing at my feet I summoned my vocal cords to form some kind of speech, "Er…uhh…Th-thank you Harrrr…thanks. Sorry about…um running into you. Well I don't mean to keep you from—" I glanced over his shoulder to see he had been talking to Ginny Weasley who would not meet my eye.

"Listen Charlotte, I—uh need to apologize to you."

"Don't worry about it. I'm a big girl Harry no need to waste words on me. Nothing new." I was surprised at the venom in my own voice.

Harry responded feebly, "Let's just talk about it…please. I-I missed you…I need to explain."

So many thoughts whirled through my mind. Was he with Ginny? Why did he leave without a word to me? Did he want to get back together? Did I even want to get back together? Did he think we still were together?

Knowing my mind would not rest until I learned the truth I nodded slowly, "Sure…we can talk. Just not now. Later I suppose. After the feast? We can..we can…"

"Quidditch pitch…like old times? Eleven o'clock ok?" asked Harry.

"Yeah, that's fine. See you." I turned my back to Harry and Ginny without a second glance and walked away not really knowing where I was headed. But to my surprise Anthony was still standing not five feet away from me. All thought of Harry Potter vacated my mind when I ran to my best friend, and hugged him. He grinned down at me as I took in his new features.

Damn, Anthony changed over the summer and it was definitely a good change. He was taller and his muscles were defined. All I wanted to do was rip that sexy blue button down shirt off and get a compartment to ourselves. MmmmmMMmmmm. I glanced up into his sky blue eyes and saw him looking at me strangely, "Nice to see you too Char."

"Crap" I thought, I still had my arms wrapped around his sexy torso. I stepped away and grinned, "Sorry about that..uhh..kinda had a mind blank for a second."

Anthony laughed and his glistening white teeth struck me dumb, "It's alright, I saw you talking to Harry before. Must have been weird. Let's get a compartment. Sarah is already on the train with Terry and Michael and Mandy. Let's not deprive Sarah the joys of torturing us endlessly with her witty yet inappropriate adjectives."

Happy that Anthony did not linger on the subject of Harry Potter, I readily agreed and followed him onto the train. Smiling and nodding to some old friends along the way, we finally reached the compartment containing my 7th year Ravenclaw friends. As soon as Anthony slid the compartment door open a shrill screech echoed throughout the hallway. Many students raced out of their compartments with their wands held aloft ready to hex whatever death eater had escaped Azkaban and was now on the Hogwarts Express. However much to the chagrin of the rescuers, it was only Sarah Fawcett launching herself upon her best friend Charlotte Shenwick. Her shouting did not end until Charlotte put a silencing charm on her, though that did not stop the jumping and the hugs.

Finally, after quite some time, I was able to take the hex off of my closest friend and sat down to face the rest of the compartment. Terry Boot grinned happily at Charlotte however he kept eyeing Sarah, who had turned him down for the past six years. Michael had his arms around his latest girlfriend Mandy Brocklehurst. Sarah and I were fairly good friends with Mandy, since she was in our year and all.

The ride to Hogwarts was quite enjoyable. We talked of our year away from the castle and of course the epic battle of Hogwarts. Wondering slightly if the castle was repaired to its original beauty we changed into our robes and stopped at the Hogsmeade station. It felt wonderful to be home! I chose a carriage with Anthony, Sarah, and Terry and we made our way up to the castle. When it came into view it looked as though nothing exceedingly evil had set its eyes upon it at all. Any battle scars had been repaired and the castle looked as grand and perfect as it always had.

We walked into the Great Hall to find it the same except instead of the usual decorations of the different houses; the room was shrouded in black in memory of those who died to protect the school and the Wizarding world. I sat down next to Anthony and chanced a glance at the Gryffindor table and saw Harry chatting away with Ron and Hermione. Ginny was on the other end of the table with some other 6th years. Looking smug in spite of myself I turned to find Sarah looking at me in a worried manner, "What?"

"What's going on with you and…You-Know-Who?" questioned Sarah, her eyes darting to the back of Harry's head.

"Well I am happy to say nothing is or ever has been going on with me and Voldemort. Seeing as he is dead and all. Honestly Sarah, where have you been?" I avoided the question swiftly as the sorting began.

"We are going to talk later.", retorted Sarah pausing until the sorting had ended and the feat had begun when she began their conversation with, " Now…Anthony, YOU seem to have changed a lot over the course of a few months, what have you been doing?" questioned Sarah appraising Anthony's biceps mischievously.

Anthony scratched the back of his neck uncomfortably, "Ohh…you know just working out for Quidditch. Gotta stay at the top of my game if I want to stay on this girl's team."

I smiled at him, "Well of course you'll be on the team. We're an unstoppable pair of chasers together."

"Though with biceps like those you could be a damn fine beater. Haven't you noticed Char?" asked Sarah sweetly.

I immediately blushed, of course I had noticed. I tried to brush past the question, "You would be a fair beater, however I am certain that your chaser skills will still be a necessity for the team. Now why don't you, Sarah, start eating a little more and talking a little less."

"Eating what exactly? Because if you're talking about Antho—"

What exactly she would like to devour was never found out, for McGonagall, the new Headmistress had risen to her feet to dismiss the tables. She began, "This is a new era at Hogwarts, and we can all hope to Merlin it will be a safe one. I would like a moment of silence for all those brave individuals who helped rid us of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and the Death Eaters and died in the attempt. Those brave individuals are the reason you are sitting before me today without the issue of blood and heritage to hinder your way into this Hall." She bowed her head as did all of the staff and pupils. After a sad reflection on the past year McGonagall raised her head and spoke again, "Have a successful term. Study hard and excel in your classes. You are not sitting in this hall because of so many brave people to throw your education out the window. Have a good term." She raised her hands and the benches wrenched themselves away from the tables with a grinding noise and the students stood to leave. Anthony held me back as the other Ravenclaws rushed past to get to our tower on the West end of the castle. He looked down at me with concern etched on every feature, "Char…what's going on with you and Harry?"

I smiled sadly, "Honestly, Anthony…I have no bloody idea. We're actually talking about it tonight at the Quidditch pitch."

"And …you would go back to him." It was a statement not a question.

"Depends on his story. Don't worry. I'm not going to get myself hurt."

Anthony shook his head as we began to walk to our tower, "You already have Charlotte. When are you going to see the truth? That Harry is not the guy for you and that…that-"

He was cut off by Professor McGonagall who walked up to us briskly, "Mr. Goldstein and Miss Shenwick, it is so nice to see your faces back here. I trust you are still adamant on your studies to become animagi?"

We both nodded vigorously and she continued, "I'd like to see you two in my office tomorrow evening? Can that be arranged?"

We both nodded yet again and I said, "Professor, I…I am so happy you've returned. I feared that after the war and with everything that happened you might want to retire."

She gave us a rare smile, "Ahh that was my intention. However, I decided Hogwarts needed me for one more year. Besides…you two were actually my deciding factor. I shall see you tomorrow in my office. Seven o'clock."

We continued on our way, and thankfully the subject changed to our shared ambition to become animagi. I was to work for the Daily Prophet when school was done to become an investigative reporter, while Anthony was planning on working in the Ministry for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.

We entered the common room and Sarah immediately strode up to us and grabbed my hand, "I'm sorry to break you two apart Anthony but I must speak with dear Charlotte here. She has some explaining to do. See you later dear." Sarah began to drag me off to our dormitory. I twisted around and shouted to Anthony, "Sorry, you know her; she always must have her way. Goodnight Anthony!"

She did not drop my hand until we reached our dorm and she set me onto my bed. Looking at me with daggers she stated, "Explain. Now."

I launched into the explanation on what Harry and I intended to do in a matter of fifteen minutes. She nodded and looked rather put off that I did not share this information with her earlier. After I had finished, she began her retort sounding much like a lawyer, "What are your intentions? How do you feel about this meeting? What are your feelings for Harry? Is he with that Ginny Weasley? Are you going to-"

I stood up and grabbed her by her shoulders, "Sarah. Breathe. I have no idea what I expect tonight nor do I have any idea how I feel about Harry Potter."

She looked at me skeptically, "Do not lie to me Char. You have loved Harry for the past 2 years and if he has a perfectly valid hero worthy excuse for not contacting you in a year you will go running back to him with open arms and I will be completely supportive of your decision. However, if that idiotic prat has been hiding his basilisk in Ginny's Chamber of Secrets I will murder him, and you will not be going back to someone who would disregard you like that."

"Sarah, chill. I haven't made a decision yet. And just an FYI, pretty sure if Lord Voldemort could not kill Harry Potter, you will not succeed either. Not that I don't have faith in your mad Dark Arts skillz. I must be going. I'll tell you all the details tomorrow and hey, if you get a Pensieve in the next couple hours I'll let you relive the whole thing. Alright? You pacified yet?" I asked as I mounted my new edition Silver Arrow.

Sarah grinned, "Yeah, yeah. Go off to Harry. Don't do anything I wouldn't do…well… don't do anything a less slutty version of me would do. Night Char, good luck."

I smiled back at her then launched myself out of the window toward the quidditch pitch. It was exhilarating to be on a broom again. As much as I wanted to ride around the grounds I did not want to get caught. I spotted Harry at the far end of the pitch and accelerated. Landing and dismounting swiftly, I felt my nerves quickly climb to a climax. Harry smiled nervously at me and we sat down.

He began to talk right away, "Listen Charlotte please let me get through this whole explanation. I know some of it is going to sound…terrible…but I…I feel awful."

"This is staring out well." I muttered looking at the ground. I saw Harry squirm nervously next to me. I continued, "Listen, if you could defeat Voldemort, you can break up with someone you haven't spoken to in a year alright? No biggie, just get on with it."

"I…I don't want to break up with you Charlotte. But you…you may want to break up with me. I know I have been a complete prat. Listen…this is what happened. Alright, so you know at the end of last year I told you I wouldn't be returning to Hogwarts right? And I well I should have just broke up with you then, but I was just too selfish. I figured I'd be able to see you now and again throughout the year. Well turns out my mission was a hell of a lot tougher than I could ever have imagined. And you were protected by your father and his ministry connections and I did not want to jeopardize that for your family. I wanted you to be safe. So after a few months of no contact whatsoever with me, I figured you'd think we broke up and would spread the word, which would keep you and your family out of danger."

He took a breath and ran a hand through his hair. I decided to give him a few words of comfort, "Harry, I mean..you did all this to protect me. It was so nice and well I c-"

He cut across me, "Wait...there's still more Charlotte. I…uh…did something awful. See before I left for my mission with Ron and Hermione I was at the Weasley household for Ron's older brother's wedding. I-I…Ginny and I got rather close in those short two weeks. We…uh…we kissed…"

"Just kissed?"I questioned, trying desperately to hold back tears.

"Uh…well…no. More but I don't need to go into the details. I was lonely and afraid…and I..I am not making any sort of excuse for what I did with Ginny when I was still technically with you…when I still loved you. I…I mean I still love you now…but after all this how much can you love me? Don't even answer that." Harry rubbed his eyes vigorously.

I shivered, from the cold or from this news I was not sure. My heart was dead. Harry saw how awful I must have looked and pulled two bottles of butterbeer out of his cloak. "Here, I brought this for us. I figured it'd be kind of cold."

He handed me the bottle and I took a sip without really thinking. I wished it was firewhiskey, which would solve my problems. I tried to speak, "So…s-so you cheated on me with no intention of…of ever speaking to me again if you should have died in the attempt of killing Voldemort. I…I am glad you did not die…but what now? You're with Ginny, and –"

Harry looked up and cut me off, "No…no not all. I am not with Ginny. We decided that what we did was a big mistake. We both knew I was still in love with you and it just would have been wrong for us to continue. I did not want to continue it."

"So here lies the question Charlotte. Will you give me a second chance? I know I do not deserve it but I love you Charlotte. I am still in love with you; you kept me spirit alive this last year. I…I don't know what else to say…" finished Harry lamely.

I sat there in silence for a moment, allowing all this information to sink in. My brain was in pieces. I spoke with firmly, "I'm quite sorry Harry, but you're too late. I am already dating Anthony Goldstein."

TO BE CONTINUED NEXT CHAPTER