And here we have it! The first chapter. And I don't own it. Except for my OCs that crop up on occasion. Please check out my other stories for background/ more detail.

Harry led the way out of the Head office and set his feet on a path to the Gryffindor tower. Hermione's voice stopped him.

"Where are you going Harry?"

"Gryffindor Tower." he replied with a yawn.
Hermione sighed. "Didn't you hear Madam Pomfrey earlier? I think we should go to the Hospital Wing first."

The boys grumbled, thinking of their stomachs and beds, but agreed.

"What are you three up to?" Professor McGonagall asked from behind them.

They started, as McGonagall sounded stern. "We were going to the Hospital Wing, Professor." Hermione said.

McGonagall smiled. "Please, Hermione call me Minerva. After everything you three have done..." she broke off and smiled.
Harry smiled back. "Er, thanks. Are you going to the Hospital Wing too?"

Minerva nodded and continued ahead of the Trio. Ron muttered, "Never thought I'd hear that. Did she just call you by your first name, Hermione?"

Minerva replied without turning, "That I did, Ronald."

As Harry laughed, Ron spluttered, "Uhh, that's Ron, Prof-Minerva. Only Mum and Hermione use that."

Minerva nodded. They walked on in silence, arriving soon at the Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey was pleased to see them. She sat them in chairs and examined them individually, behind screens.

When it was Harry's turn, she checked him over everywhere, tutting as she saw his new scars, which now included a large red scar stretched diagonally across his chest, with bruising surrounding it. "Every year I see more, Harry," she said. Harry idly wondered how many more teachers would start calling him by his first name. Pomfrey asked if his scar had pained at all since he'd defeated Voldemort.

He shook his head. "And it's a bl-great relief." he added, choosing to ignore (for now) her use "You-Know-Who" instead of Voldemort.

Pomfrey nodded. "Well, it's thinner than last year." she said, "Though it does show signs of inflammation…"

Harry blinked. How had she known?

"Harry, your last injury was a cracked skull."

"Oh yeah..." Harry said sheepishly. She smiled at him and said, "Well, you're done. Take this bruise paste and apply it every day until the bruising disappears. Otherwise, I've done all I can."

"Thanks Madam Pomfrey." Harry said, getting up. She had thinned most of the scars and rubbed paste on his bruises.
"Wait, don't go yet." Pomfrey said. Harry stood with Ron, Hermione and Minerva. "I'm glad you came here together. I need to show you... Two of my patients."

The group were puzzled, naturally. "Two believed to be dead... Are alive."

They gasped. Harry, eyes wide in disbelief, said, "Who-what-?"

Pomfrey smiled and beckoned them towards a private room next to her office. They followed her quickly, Harry leading. Was it even possible that someone he knew...?

When he saw who it was, he stopped in the doorway and stared. Of all people... "Remus and Tonks?" he whispered hoarsely, hardly daring to believe it.

The others gasped and Hermione pushed him forward so he wasn't blocking the doorway. They all crowded in. Harry walked forwards slowly and gently touched Remus' hand atop the bedspread, reassuring himself that they were real.

"How?" he asked quietly. He had seen the bodies... Remus had been called by the Stone. And yet, here they were.

Pomfrey sighed. "I don't know," she said blankly, "The only explanation I can think of is that they weren't quite - gone - before... Just enough, with their injuries, to seem like it, until I misfired a Diagnosis spell."

"Injuries?" Harry echoed. The Matron nodded.
"Quite severe – but I was able to fix them up. Mostly." she hesitated, then continued, "However… Harry, you'll need to prepare yourself. Remus' injuries have had the unfortunate side-effect of making him lose all memory of events since October 31st, 1971."

Harry stared in open-mouthed shock, while Minerva gasped, Ron swore and Hermione froze. There was a pause, then Hermione said quietly, glancing towards the two on the bed, "Tonks knows, I suppose?"

Poppy nodded. "Yes. But there has not been much time to discuss it. They've been sleeping since the battle ended." she looked again at Harry. "I'll need to wake them soon. Sleep is a useful healer, but in the case of head injuries, or others that cause…unconsciousness…it can also be dangerous. And my treatments need to be given every few hours. When I wake them, Remus will be curious. He will want to know. And we must tell him. It wouldn't be fair otherwise."

Harry swallowed, seemly understanding her meaning. "You want my – our – help." he whispered.
Poppy nodded. "He watched part of the last stand…after all, it was hard not to when Molly – reacted – like she did."
Ron smiled, but quickly sobered. "In other words, he saw Harry, and heard who he was. He would've already started making connections. Now, he'll push and pester until he gets answers." he said. Spending summers with Lupin (Remus) had taught him that.

Harry agreed, and looked as though he was about to speak further, when a voice stopped him. " 'He' has awoken, and is not exactly comfortable with others speaking about him while he's here." It said sardonically. Harry whipped his head around, a broad grin of relief and sheer joy spreading across his face.
"Remus!" he cried, then swallowed, finding himself unable to say anything more. Ron and Hermione exchanged sad smiles.

But before anything else, Poppy had to reassess her patients – for Tonks had woken, also. After having completed the checks satisfactorily, she concluded, "Well, it appears you are on the mend. Remus…have any recollections occurred to you whilst sleeping?"

They waited with baited breath, but Remus merely frowned and, after a moment, shook his head. "Only some that confirm the date which I'd thought I was waking up to." he said, somewhat distractedly. He glanced at Tonks, and it was clear to the trio that his thoughts had turned to the fact that he did not remember anything about the woman he had married.

Minerva stepped forward swiftly, having noticed Remus' worried expression also. "In that case, Remus, you'll remember me. As we're adults, we call each other by our first names." she said.
Remus' brow furrowed. "That will take some getting used to." he muttered.
Ron grinned. "She just threw the same thing on us, too!" he cut in, attempting, it seemed, to put Remus at ease. It worked, a little, for he smiled. Then the furrow returned, as he peered past those before him, who were hastily taking seats in preparation for the long talk to follow; he looked towards and through the door, then after a moment returned his gaze to the three who had yet to speak.

Anticipating his possible questions, Hermione said, "We'll introduce ourselves. It's hardly fair that we know you, but you don't know us. I'm Hermione Granger, muggleborn. I'm eighteen and two thirds – quiet, Ronald – and I've known you – to some degree – since I was in third year. Oh, and I'm a Gryffindor." She bit her lip, then nervously added, "Oh dear, I probably spoke too fast, didn't I? I seem to do that when I'm nervous."

Remus smiled. "No, it's fine. I know someone who does that a lot." his lips twitched, then he added cautiously, "At least, I think he does it a lot. Certainly has in the time I've known him…"

Ron jumped in. "Er, well, I'm Ron. Ronald Weasley, but call me Ron. I'm pureblood, obviously, with five…" he cringed, "brothers and one sister. Erm, I'm eighteen and one month – oh, honestly, Hermione – and a Gryffindor. I've known you the same amount of time as her." he nodded at Hermione.

Remus stared at him for a moment, then nodded. He looked, finally, at Harry. "I know who you could be." he whispered, "And if so, I owe Sirius five galleons. He had a feeling Lily would take an interest, once James grew up a bit." No-one could prevent the flash of pain – of knowledge – to show on their faces. Remus swallowed. "I thought so." he murmured, his voice shaking. "After all, it couldn't last forever."

The others exchanged glances, but Harry leant forward. "P- Remus. There's a lot to explain, but, if I'm right, it's not what you think." Pomfrey opened her mouth to speak, but Harry made a motion with his hand, and continued hastily, "My name is Harry James Potter. I'm almost eighteen, a Gryffindor and a half-blood. My parents were, yes, Lily Evans and James Potter; my godfather was Sirius Black. When I was born, you had the role of favoured uncle, because before – before Voldemort interfered, they considered you family."

Remus froze, and the others' expressions cleared. Several scolded themselves mentally. Of course he'd jump to that conclusion first!

Harry went on, "They knew your secret. As do all of us. And they didn't care. Dad and Sirius called it your "furry little problem" in company, actually." he reached out and took one of Remus' hands. "And, Remus – we don't care either."

Remus' face lit up with joy. Then he nervously looked at Tonks, beside him. She smiled at him. "I don't care." she said, softly. "I know, but I don't mind. Though it took you a while to realise that…" Remus blushed, but looked extremely happy. Tonks sighed. "We'll get to my side of the story later though. You still need to hear...what happened."

Remus swallowed, looking anxious. Harry winced. "Where to begin…" he murmured. Then he shook himself. "Just…the bare facts, now. Details…later." he said distractedly, then began.

He explained how Remus' "three great friends" had found out about his secret in second year, and set themselves the task of finding a way to help him. How they had become Animagi for him: a dog, a stag (with demonstration through Patronus) and…a rat.

Harry touched lightly on the activities of the Marauders in their schooldays. "You weren't the best-behaved group, that's for certain. But as I said, the details can be…established…later. For the events that concern…me…happened after you'd all left Hogwarts. Of course."
Remus frowned and studied Harry carefully, seemingly realising there had to be some reason for avoiding discussion of those events. Then he shrugged and nodded in agreement. Harry went on.

Harry explained the growing unease and war; how various events – "Which I'm still not one hundred percent certain of" – caused the friends to mistrust each other. Or rather, caused one friend in particular to drive wedges between the rest. And then, how his family had had to go into hiding; then that 'friend' had betrayed them all, framing one for his own crimes.

Remus let out a choked noise that was halfway between a whimper and a sob. Harry could feel the tears in his eyes. Swallowing painfully around the lump in his throat, he continued on, determined to get the rest over with. He mentioned what he knew of the twelve years after that; Sirius in Azkaban, the rat hiding as his animagus form. He said he wasn't quite sure what Remus had done during that time – Minerva filled them in, saying Remus had become a "wandering soul", living as best he could, wherever he could.

Harry explained how they'd met again as teacher and student; he carefully avoided mentioning the lack of contact in his childhood, but he thought Remus might have guessed. Harry continued, explaining the events of third year, glossing over fourth, then explaining (again with Minerva's help) what he knew Remus' activities in fifth, sixth and seventh.

Some things, however, he didn't say. The…personal…events of the second war, he left up to Tonks to explain. As he said as much (during his recount of sixth year), Tonks looked rather grateful. When Remus turned to her, she smiled. "I'll fill you in later." she promised, leaving unsaid, when there are not so many people around. Remus seemed to understand.

Finally, it was over. Harry had talked himself hoarse, and all the necessary information for this point in time had been given. Remus took a moment to realise they were finished. "And I – forgot – all that?" He was finally able to say. He then shook his head and turned away, tears in his eyes. Harry put his head in his hands. No-one knew what to say, for what else could be said, after all?

A commotion at the door of the ward caused Pomfrey to remove herself briefly to deal with it; she quickly returned, gesturing to Minerva, who took her place at the door. After a few minutes of strained silence from the group around the bed (punctuated by hurried whispers and exclamations from the other end of the ward), Minerva returned. Ron saw her readying herself for saying something, but Hermione (who had been watching Harry) got there first.

She said quietly, "I know it's…impertinent to say the least, but I – I have to ask… Tonks, do you have any idea how you survived? Madam Pomfrey didn't know, but…"

Tonks sighed. "Well…not exactly. Details of the hour or so surrounding our – Incident are sketchy at best. According to Poppy -" she indicated the matron with a nod of her head, "That's to be expected…Something to do with consolidation… Anyway, I think... I have this feeling… we were dying when Madam Pomfrey saved us... We even went On for a bit."

As the group made shocked noises, Tonks screwed up her face in an effort to remember. "We got a chance to be saved because – to quote Dumbledore, 'love itself is a magic beyond all spells'." Tonks glanced at her husband. "Or at least, I think that's the case... that phrase sticks out, anyway…"

Harry's eyes widened. Remus' reason for fighting...of course! And Harry had enabled that by calling him... Harry wondered whether any of the other Marauders had helped, too.

Then Tonks frowned. "Oh, that reminds me," she said quietly, "Mum - has someone told -"

"No - but I'll do it!" Harry volunteered quickly. Here was a chance to meet his godson in person.

Pomfrey suggested he use her Floo. Tonks said, "It's Picnic Cottage - Front Room."

Harry thanked them both and stepped into the Floo, repeating Tonks' instructions.

Harry tumbled out, catching his glasses as they slipped down his nose. He slid them back into place and straightened. He looked around at the small, rather bare room, then walked softly to the door. He eased it open and walked down a hallway, following the sound of a feminine voice and gurgling baby.

Then a sharp voice made him pause. "Hold it!" he spun around, barely resisting the urge to draw his wand. He relaxed when he saw it was Andromeda and started to speak, but she cut him off. "The first time Harry Potter met me, what was his reaction, and what did Ted Tonks say to him in reply?"

Harry said evenly, "I shouted, 'You!' and tried to draw my wand; Ted said, 'Your wand's here, son. It fell right beside you, I picked it up. And that's my wife you're shouting at'."

Andromeda sighed. "And I said...?"

" 'What happened to our daughter? Hagrid said you were ambushed, where is Nymphadora?' " his lips twitched. "I can give you more of the conversation if you like, Andromeda." he added quietly.

Andromeda smiled slightly. "No, that's fine. Call me Andi. Now, the last questions you parroted...?"

Harry smiled. "Tonks is fine. She got a little – banged about – but Madam Pomfrey's fixed her."

"And Remus?" Andi asked with nearly the same amount of worry.

"Similar. But slightly more serious. Nothing life-threatening, but…" he trailed away, wondering how to describe it.

Andi smiled again. "Oh good." she muttered, apparently latching onto the 'nothing life-threatening' part of his response.

"Where's Teddy?" Harry asked the question that had been on his mind since he came. Perhaps once he'd seen the baby he'd be able to formulate a proper explanation. Andi gestured to the lounge room. "I've been trying to get him to sleep, but had no real luck after his mother left. He's very attuned to Nymphadora."

Harry nodded. He followed Andi through to the lounge and paused in the doorway. A small baby with bright yellow messy hair was lying in a bassinet, squirming while music played.

Andi went to him and picked him up. "Hello little Ted. It's your godfather Harry here to see you."

Harry bent over the baby. "Hi Teddy," he said. Teddy's face was nearly heart-shaped, with dark blue eyes and a tiny pink mouth. As their eyes met, Teddy frowned – and then his hair changed to match Harry's – even the length. He also created a scar on his forehead and changed his skin tone to match Harry's.

Teddy giggled at Harry's surprise. Andi said, "Do you want to hold him?"

Harry felt apprehensive, but if Andi trusted him enough... He nodded. "Okay."

Andi passed Teddy over. For one so small, he was rather heavy. "Cushion his head - use your arms to support him..." Andi helped Harry adjust his hold. "You're a natural," she said.

Harry smiled. "I dunno about that. Listen, An-di…What I said about Remus before…"

Andi sighed. "How serious is it?" she asked crisply.
Harry winced. "He was unconscious for a time. Both of them had a close brush with death." he admitted. "Tonks appears to be fine, but Remus…Remus has lost a large portion of his memory. We've…updated him, but the fact remains that he won't remember you."

Andi blinked several times. "How much…?" she began.
"Since Halloween 1971." Harry answered.
"Oh." Andi said, then sighed. "Well then…he'll need the details filled in. I know you said you've updated him, but given the personal nature of things, and the amount of time taken, then I assume you've only touched on things – mainly things that had to be said, but no more."
Harry nodded sheepishly. She smiled. "I happen to know there are a few things of his around here that might help – he was a prolific journal keeper, apparently from a very early age."
She studied Harry as he shifted Teddy in his arms and then she said, "You should go back to the Hospital Wing. Take little Ted, I'll need to search them out and Teddy hates dust. Go on." She all but shooed him out.

A bit nonplussed, Harry took Teddy through, carefully. Teddy cooed, hands reaching, when he saw Tonks, and his hair went electric blue. His face stayed the same, but Harry was slightly miffed (or at least, he pretended to be). "Oh, you change your mind quickly, little guy." he muttered as he handed him to Tonks. "You like blue better than black now hey? Well, I suppose that makes sense, it's your parents after all."

Tonks chuckled as she took her baby, then glanced at Remus who was hovering next to her, looking anxiously at the little boy. Tonks smiled, a little sadly. Harry could almost see her thinking, Stage One. "Remus, this is your son, Edward Remus Lupin. We call him Teddy. As you've just seen, he's a metamorphagus, but he is most definitely not a werewolf."
Remus froze. He looked at her, then at the baby. He blinked, processing the idea, then a look of dawning wonder spread across his face. "Not?" he repeated, latching onto the word. Tonks nodded, swallowing. Then a smile crept onto Remus' face – a smile that Harry had only ever seen once before, when Remus had come to Shell Cottage to announce Teddy's birth.

Harry swallowed, hard, then moved to stand next to Ron and Hermione, who wore similar expressions. "Hello Teddy." He heard Remus murmur, "I – I'm your daddy. You already know that, but you'll have to forgive me. I was in a battle recently, and I appear to have misplaced some of my memory...to the point where a part of me feels eleven. Though how I could ever have misplaced someone like you – or your mother – and the events that led us here, I can't imagine…"

The fireplace flared suddenly, and the moment was interrupted. "Mum!" Tonks gasped. Andi, bearing a box in her arms, stepped forward. Dumping the box on the bedside table, she dusted herself off with a flick of her wand, then turned to her family.

Harry glanced at the others. "I think it's time we left," he said somewhat regretfully. But still, he was tired. And it was clear they wouldn't be needed anymore. "We'll come back later," he called at the group, receiving a few distracted nods in reply.

Outside the room, Pomfrey went off to see to her other patients, but Minerva brought the trio to a halt again. "Harry," she said, "I know you – and your friends – are extremely tired, but there's just one more thing. The…the other House teachers arrived as we finished explaining the – circumstances – to Remus. Horace in particular wants answers…Apparently, he tested – His – body to check that it was dead…" her voice trailed away as the three exchanged glances in consternation. Harry in particular frowned. How could he not have expected this?

"Best get it over with," he muttered.

They followed Minerva out of the ward. "I told them to wait in – in my Office." Minerva said. When they arrived, they walked up – after Minerva told the gargoyle to "Stop sulking. We'll fix you up as soon as we can, but for now we have other matters to deal with".

Inside the Head Office, Slughorn, Flitwick and Sprout were waiting. Impatiently. Minerva led the trio to the three chairs provided for them, casting an exasperated glance at Slughorn as she did so – it was clear who had conjured the comfy armchairs.

Harry sat down in the middle, with Ron and Hermione to the right and left of him respectively. Minerva sat beside Ron in a straight-backed wooden chair. On her right sat Flitwick, then Slughorn, then finally Sprout; the three House teachers facing the trio.

Harry sighed. "What do you want to know?" he asked calmly, forcing his irritation and tiredness aside.
Slughorn leant forward. "Well, my boy, not much really. Just…. Are you certain he's really gone? I do have some idea of what you've been up to this year – if, that is, you were continuing Albus' work from the year before – but…"
Harry replied, "I'm sure he's gone." He smiled slightly, with incredulity. It just seemed so…silly, to have to say these things, after everything he – they – had done. But the teachers don't know that, a voice inside reminded him. Harry straightened. "I'll tell you what happened. But for now at least, it doesn't go outside this room without my – our – say-so."

The others stared at the suddenly stony expressions of the trio, and agreed. Harry began, "Last year, Professor Dumbledore had meetings with me. Unlike what some of you may have speculated, he didn't teach or even show me fancy spells or survival strategies – not obviously at any rate. He certainly gave no clue that he knew he was dying." Harry paid no heed to the gasps of the listening, but continued.

"What he did show me were bits of Voldemort's past. Or to give his real name…Tom Marvolo Riddle." Flitwick blanched, Slughorn winced, Sprout gaped and cast a glance at Minerva, who looked startled. "Tom Marvolo Riddle was a half-blood who grew up in a Muggle orphanage. Born on the last day of 1926, his father was the son of the squire of Little Hangleton; his mother was Merope Gaunt, who fell in love with the handsome Muggle man who rode past on his horse…." Harry continued the story, explaining what he knew of Voldemort's birth, childhood and early school years. All the while, Slughorn grew paler, Flitwick's grimace grew sourer, and Sprout's eyes grew wider. Harry gently led into Riddle's thirst for information and how he manipulated others to get it. Slughorn interjected here, shamefacedly telling the others what knowledge Riddle had been given by him. With Hermione's prodding (when he floundered) he also explained what a Horcrux was – and in the barest of terms how it was made.

Here Harry paused to gather his thoughts. The long months of 'isolation' during the Horcrux hunt, when nightmares plagued him and he couldn't sleep, had allowed him to piece together what little knowledge he knew of Riddle's doings. Of course, he couldn't be certain, but…

"Just before his sixth year, Riddle went to his mother's old home. There he met his uncle Morfin, and bewitched him after finding out the truth about his father: that he'd abandoned Merope before he was born. I don't know if Riddle realised Tom Senior had been bewitched, either by a love potion or by the imperius, and thought that Merope had made up the pregnancy. Professor Dumbledore thought it was a love potion – easier, and possibly more romantic to Merope. Anyway, once Riddle knew his father had scarpered after finding out Merope was a witch, we think he left Morfin, took his wand and, going up to the 'big house', committed his first murder." Again, the teachers gasped or otherwise reacted. Harry ignored them.

"Back at school, he wore his uncle's ring, a thick-set thing with a black stone – a family heirloom." Harry didn't mention it was a Peverell family heirloom. That side of the story was too complex, and unimportant…right now anyway.

"He was in his sixth year when he opened the Chamber, then – well – found out the missing information about Horcruxes. I believe, Professor Slughorn, that you really only confirmed what he already knew – or suspected. So, by the end of the year, he had committed another murder, through the Basilisk. Myrtle. He also had enough knowledge to begin making Horcruxes…"

Harry continued on, outlining what was known, or suspected, of Riddle's exploits after Hogwarts. How he'd killed and robbed Hepzibah Smith, working for Borgin and Burkes. How he'd applied for the Defence job twice and that he was the reason for the curse. "We'll need to get a team of curse-breakers and such to sweep the school!" Minerva grumbled.

Harry nodded. "After that, he submerged himself in the deepest, darkest arts, travelling widely. When he emerged, he was…well on the way to transforming himself into Lord Voldemort, the one everyone would fear." He sighed. "And so the first war – or the preparations for it – began."

He looked around at them all. "Voldemort made seven Horcruxes. One – the ring, using the killing of his father and grandparents. Two – the diary, with Myrtle's death. Three, Slytherin's locket or Hufflepuff's cup, using Hepzibah Smith. Four – the other of the locket and cup." He went on, "He intended to make his sixth Horcrux with my death, as he saved them for 'significant' killings. He didn't quite succeed, so Nagini was eventually used instead." The teachers smiled briefly at Harry's comment about 'not quite succeeding', but for the trio that phrase now meant something very different. Harry did notice that Slughorn had picked up on the 'seven horcruxes, six explained' part of the story, but he stayed silent.

Harry then outlined (with Ron and Hermione's help) the events of his school years. Towards the end of the retelling of sixth year, he explained Regulus' involvement, as well as what he thought had been going on 'behind the scenes' with Dumbledore and Snape. When they got to this year, they gave slightly more detail. Some things were omitted, such as Remus' 'visit' and what had happened immediately after the trip to Godric's Hollow; and they did not give full details of Ron's leaving, just that there had been a "rough patch" thanks to the influence of the Horcrux and their lack of leads. Minerva gave them a swift, piercing look, but thankfully kept silent.

Eventually, Harry had to explain the events of the battle, and why he needed to 'die'. To say they were shocked and angry – no, furious – was an understatement. It was probably good that Dumbledore's portrait was empty. They were shocked and astounded in different ways at what Harry revealed about Snape; whilst not directly showing the memories (except for a few drawn up in silhouette out of the Pensieve), he was still able to explain vividly what he knew. The teachers also volunteered information about certain things that had puzzled (and pleased) them about the dour professor during that year.

Soon after that, it was over. Harry found himself struggling to suppress yawns, as were Ron and Hermione. They said their goodbyes, promising to reappear later when everyone had had more sleep, and they left the shell-shocked teachers to make their way up to Gryffindor Tower.

At the Fat Lady they stopped. She gave them a look, cheeks rosy. "Where have you been?" she asked.
Ron yawned. "Here an' there, y'know."

The Fat Lady chuckled. "Well, I'm very glad you're back home, dears." she raised her eyebrows, smiling lazily. "I expect you'd like to go in?"

"Er, we don't know the password," Harry admitted.

The Fat Lady trilled. "Since Riddle's demise I don't either – it was a rather silly one!" she was a bit tipsy. "We'll have to get a new one. Anyway," she tipped them a large wink, "I'd let you in whatever the case – Violet told me – and I saw – you're the reason he's gone! I couldn't be prouder of you. In my House! Welcome home!"

With that she finally swung forwards with a tender smile. Blushing, the Trio climbed through. Harry paused to take in the scene. Same old Common room. It felt like ages since he'd been here... Longer than a year, anyway.

With a sigh, Harry climbed the stairs to the seventh-year boys' dormitory. He noted with some surprise his bed was still there, as though he had just left.

With a sigh he dumped his rucksack (which he'd gotten from Hermione earlier) at the foot and flopped onto the bed, placing his glasses on the bedside table. Then he lay back atop the covers. After everything that had happened, there was no place like home.

The idea of having the teachers find out about Riddle is not mine; at least, not the part about Slughorn testing the body to double-check he was dead; I'm having difficulty finding the exact author's name. Also, the reactions of the teachers – to Voldemort's true name and past etc. – is drawn from observations gleaned from the books and Pottermore, compiled by wolfhound in one of her essays at her website. Flitwick and Slughorn (of course) would have been teachers when Riddle was at Hogwarts; Minerva was born in 1938 according to Pottermore, so would never have crossed paths with Riddle at school (though may have heard of him as an 'exceptional student, etc.'); but Sprout is probably older than Minerva, so she might have seen him.