Currently looking for a beta... message me if interested. Will also be listed on AAO3 within the week.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Headmistress: Minerva McGonagall (Order of Merlin, First Class)

Dear Mr. Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been selected to attend a special 8th term at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The Board of Governors has found this to be a necessary addition to our curriculum as most students missed last year's schooling. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,

Filius Flitwick
Deputy Headmaster

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Uniform
Three sets of adult work robes (black)
Three sets of muggle clothing
Two sets of formal robes
Two pairs of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

Books
Advanced Transfiguration by Kristjan Steinsson
Muggles and the Wizarding World in the New Age by Philippe Favreau
A Beginner's Guide to Animagus Forms by Minerva McGonagall
Potion Making for the Independent Witch or Wizard by Gerhard Waltraud
Charming Your Way to Higher Education by Nadira Rahat

Equipment
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 5)
1 set crystal phials
1 set brass scales
Bound, empty journal, style optional

STUDENTS ARE REMINDED THAT EIGHTH YEARS ARE PERMITTED TO LEAVE CAMPUS ON WEEKENDS WITHOUT SUPERVISION

Why would they want a murderer? How would anyone be comfortable with him there? Harry had thought about it for days on end. Would he return to Hogwarts for another year? Could he? It was the 28th of July and he knew that he needed to respond to Professor McGonagall in the next few days. In all likelihood, she had tried to contact him via floo or owl, but he hadn't opened the floo or opened any mail in weeks. Harry sat in the library of Grimmauld, sipping firewhiskey as he thought about how to respond to the letter.

He had holed himself up in Grimmauld ever since the Final Battle. He couldn't bring himself to enter the Wizarding World. Once every few weeks he allowed Ron or Hermione to floo call for a few minutes, just to assure them that he was still alive.

For most of May, he spent most of his time drinking firewhiskey and crying at old pictures of his parents. He remembered very little of that month other than Kreacher cleaning him up occasionally.

During June, he drank less and started to exercise. He relished in eating three meals a day and the way it filled out his body. He jogged around a local muggle park, where there was no risk of being recognized. He also started cooking for himself. Kreacher didn't like that.

Since the start of July, Harry had been helping Kreacher to renovate the place; really brighten it up. They started in the basement kitchen and worked their way up. That day, they had just finished turning the attic into an exercise space filled with magical and muggle workout equipment. He spent hours working on charms to get a muggle treadmill to function properly in a wizarding household.

"Kreacher!" Harry said, louder than he intended.

"Yes, Master Harry?" Kreacher said as he popped into the room.

"Could you please get me parchment, a quill, and ink? And fetch Hedwig from her spot in the attic?" Harry said as he set his glass on the side table. He ran his hands over his face, feeling them scratch on the stubble on his chin. He really needed to shave. Kreacher returned, and Harry started to write.

'Professor McGonagall:
I would like to speak with you in person before giving my response about attending an additional year of schooling. If you have the time, my floo will be open for the next two days. Feel free to drop by. I presume you remember headquarters?
Harry'

He attached the letter to Hedwig's foot and downed the remainder of his firewhiskey before heading up to bed. He knew he'd need to be well rested before this conversation took place.