They'd all been gone for a long time. Nearly four years had passed since
he had left. It had been too much, and not having either of them there for
him made it unbearable. So he left.
He didn't tell anyone where to find him, as he didn't know where he was going himself. All he knew was that he had to get out. And get out he did. He moved to America, hoping his fame didn't stretch this far.
He felt a bit guilty leaving, though it wasn't as if he'd left anyone behind. His two best friends had left before he had, not to be heard from, at least not by himself. He had gone out of sorts with his godfather, the last remaining person of his true family. His old teacher had been cast away to America, which explained his choice in his new home.
The wisest and oldest of his mentors had been killed. Killed by the one person who made his life a living hell. The same person who had killed all of his family, killed so many innocents, had killed his friend and mentor.
Yes, Harry Potter was living in America. And he had a respectable job. And he had his own house. And everything was going fine. Until one day.
"Yes, I told him TWO whole bottles of the freezing flame but did he listen?! No! He brought me eight damn cases of newt's eyes! If he can't get the order right bring him in here and I'll fire his ass and be done with it!"
"Yes, sir, right away sir."
Harry was sitting outside his boss's office in an uncomfortable chair, waiting for his meeting with his boss. Harry had rolled his eyes at the anger that was obviously radiating off the man, and wished his that his appointment had been later. Much later. He didn't need a headache right this moment.
The door opened and out scurried a hassled looking young man who couldn't have been more than twenty, holding a stack of papers. He gave Harry a sympathetic look that wasn't needed before he practically sprinted away from the office.
"Potter, you out there? Come on in." Harry got up and slowly walked into his boss's office. His boss was sitting at his desk, face red (probably from all the yelling, Harry mused) with his feet propped up on the desk. On the desk lay numerous papers, one picture of a dog and a small child, and a name plate that read, 'Richard Martin, Head of International Magical Cooperation'. It only read that because to keep up pretenses. In reality Harry worked a secret group of undercover Aurors.
"Potter, I called you here immediately because I got a message for you. Some old chick called asking for you on the fire, and I told her she's got the wrong place, but no she kept insisting so I told her I'd take down a message. I thought you knew you weren't supposed to give out this address or access number," he gave Harry a stern look.
Harry was bewildered. "I didn't give it out, and I certainly haven't spoken to anybody in a while, outside of the office I mean." He had been away on an operative for a half a year, and had returned about two weeks ago. He hadn't really had the time to 'hit the town' yet.
"Well then Potter, how'd she get it?" Harry shrugged, not in the mood for his boss's anger right now.
"Can I have the message?" Harry asked. Richard snorted.
"Sure, but it makes no sense what so ever. 'We need the three back.'"
"Is that it?" Harry furrowed his eyebrows. Richard was right, that didn't make much sense.
Richard nodded. "She didn't leave a name or anything," he said.
"Hmm. All right, is that all you wanted?" Harry asked, not wanting to stay much longer.
"Yep, that's all. Oh, nice job on the operative, by the way. Eighty-two death eaters ain't bad for six months."
Harry reddened a bit but thanked him all the same. He left immediately, just wanting to go home and relax. It was Friday, and he was anxious for the weekend.
When he apparated into his house (it had been charmed so that only he could apparate in) he checked for any mail from Hedwig. Maybe he'd gotten a reply from one of his outside sources on the upcoming death eater meeting.
There was only one letter on the table, and it bore the handwriting of someone Harry hadn't seen for five years. He pondered whether he should open it, then gave into his curiosity, broke the seal, and began to read the letter.
Dear Mr. Potter,
I write you only because I have no other option. I know you left four years ago hoping never to hear from any of us again, but I pray that you will help us. As you know, when Albus died I took over as headmaster of Hogwarts. Since then, things have hit an all time low. The school is barely safe for the children anymore, and I'm afraid we might have to close Hogwarts if we cannot come up with a solution.
I write to you because Voldemort is still alive, terrorizing muggles and wizards alike. Hogwarts has become the last refuge for the side of light, and if it falls I fear we will not last another year. Please, return to Hogwarts. We need your help.
I have also taken the liberty to write to some very old friends of yours that we need as well. I tell you this so you will not be surprised to see them. Your family needs you Harry, as do we at Hogwarts.
Sincerely, Minerva McGonagall
Harry sighed and put down the letter. This was the part of the reason he'd left. Too many people had used him as a weapon, a tool, casting him aside until they had needed him again. They didn't care to see that he was human, only that he was the 'boy who lived' and he was needed to boost morale.
The other part of the reason he'd left was because of his friends. Ron had accused him of stealing his girlfriend and his family, called him a bastard, and left. Of course Harry didn't really know what he meant but he was too furious to care. Harry was also mad at Hermione for leaving (among other reasons) and making Ron a total mess. Ron wasn't really the same after she'd left, and she hadn't even let them know why she'd left.
Harry supposed he could guess why'd they had done it, but it didn't make it easier to forgive them, or make his decision. He sat down at the kitchen table, thinking. After contemplating the matter for a while, he retrieved a piece of paper (here in America, parchment was hard to come by) and a pen (a muggle contraption he'd remember using before when he was in grade school before Hogwarts) and started writing.
~~~~****~~~~
Hermione had not seen Hogwarts in ten years. She had been the first one to leave. She had been dating Ron at the time, and everything had been fine until Voldemort had attacked Hogwarts.
Things had gone downhill from there. Though no one had been killed save some poor first year that was caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, Hermione had felt, for the first time in her life, completely helpless. When he'd attacked she didn't know how to do anything that could possibly help and was forced to watch helplessly. All of the students had.
From that point on Hermione was going to make sure she was never put in that situation again. As soon as she graduated from Hogwarts, she left England for the research center in New Zealand. Ron had been furious that she was leaving so soon and they had gotten into a huge argument about it, which resulted in Hermione's sudden departure.
She had been in contact with Minerva and Molly Weasly, and of course her parents, but other than that her contact with her old friends had been dropped. She didn't know why she did it, but she knew that she had something to prove to herself and to others. She had just celebrated her 28th birthday three weeks ago, and she had a job at the wondrous research center in New Zealand.
One day, after a particular frustrating day at the center she came home to a letter on the table. It was from Minerva. She recognized the handwriting. Not expecting a letter until Wednesday, (it was Monday) she opened it curiously.
Dear Hermione
I realized this letter may seem a bit out of the ordinary, but I assure you that it is important. We here at Hogwarts would like for you to return and teach for us. We could use your knowledge and skills to help prepare us for the inevitable.
We have gotten word from one of our spies that Voldemort plans to attack Hogwarts within the next several months, and I'm afraid that we won't hold out much longer. Hogwarts is the only safe hold here in Europe now; even Madame Maxine has moved her school to Hogwarts.
I believe that you love to teach anyways, as you mentioned in one of your previous letters. This would be a great opportunity for you as well as a great burden released from our shoulders. Please come help us, Hermione.
I should make you aware of whom else we have called into help. Some of your oldest friends will also be called, and I hope that this will not present a problem. You know as well as I do that we need all of you, not just one or two. All, Hermione.
Well, I hope I will see you soon, and I hope this letter reaches you in the best of health.
Yours truly,
Minerva
Hermione looked at the letter, pondering what to do. She really did love to teach, Minerva hadn't lied. And she didn't want to see Hogwarts fall to anyone. It would crush the hope of many people. But she just didn't see how herself, one tiny insignificant person like herself could help stop Voldemort.
Of course, she owed Minerva a lot for different things over the past years, and she wasn't about to let any students be killed if she could help it. She decided she would help them out, even if it meant seeing her past.
~~~~****~~~~
Ron walked into his small flat sore and tired. He'd been training all week for a big test at the end of the month. Ron was trying to become an Auror. He'd passed through most of the training but the last test was coming up at the end of the month and he and his fellow trainees were training as hard as they could.
He walked into his small kitchen and pulled out a bottle of pumpkin juice. Not bothering with a cup, he opened it up and chugged down some delicious juice as he sorted through the mail.
Seeing the handwriting on one letter made him drop it in surprise, as well as his bottle of juice that splattered everywhere when it hit the floor. Ron jumped back to avoid being covered in a sticky juice and cursed his bad luck. He muttered a cleaning spell and everything was free from the juice. He picked up the letter again and pondered whether he should open it or just burn it. There was nothing those people could say to him that he'd want to hear.
He had left a couple years after she had. It had been too much, what will Voldemort trying to kill him and Harry every day and Hermione gone. he couldn't take it anymore. About seven years ago he'd just left, not leaving a word behind with anyone, not even Harry or his family. He'd just left.
He never knew why he had picked Brazil to work in, but that's where he had ended up. He immediately tried to forget about them, especially Hermione. They'd been dating when she'd left, and she hadn't let anyone know where she was going. Ron suspected that she was contacting Professor McGonagall but he kept his thoughts to himself. The last straw had been when he'd seen Harry receive a letter from an owl, but it wasn't just any owl. It was Hermione's owl that he and Harry had gotten her for her sixteenth birthday.
He was so mad he couldn't see straight. Harry had lied to him! He'd said he hadn't heard a word from Hermione but here was the evidence, plain as day. He was also mad because earlier in the week Harry had been asked to join the Order of the Phoenix, a secret organization that was trying to bring the downfall of Voldemort.
Ron hadn't been asked, of course. Ron knew that he was just jealous, but he couldn't stand how Harry had gotten everything, how Harry was the one everyone turned to for help when they needed it, even Ron's own family. It had really angered Ron, and then the last straw had been the letter from Hermione. Even Hermione, his own girlfriend, had written to Harry but not Ron. Ron grimaced as he remembered the heated conversation he'd had with Hermione the day before she'd left. He was still mad about that, ten years later, but time had weakened his fury.
Ron scowled and sat down at his small kitchen table, opening the letter.
Dear Mr. Weasly, I hope this letter finds you in the best of health. I know you have not heard from us here at Hogwarts for over seven years, but we need your help. We have received word that Voldemort is going to attack the castle sometime in the next several months. Since you have begun, and almost ended your training as an Auror, we were wondering if you would be able to come back and help us.
We know that this will not be easy for you, but we wouldn't have asked you if the situation had not been so dire. Hogwarts is going to fall without your help, Ron. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Please come and help us.
I must tell you that I have contacted some of your old friends, so I thought that it would do you good to see them again. Hermione has been owled, as well as Harry, so even if you don't come for us then please come for them.
Sincerely, Minerva McGonagall
Ron scowl deepened. Of course! They wouldn't really need him the situation wasn't so desperate! Now they were trying to get anyone who was foolish enough to go back. Of course, he did not want to see Hogwarts fall. He had good memories of the place, and he felt as if he owed it to Dumbledore to make sure the place was still standing at the end of the war.
Ron was torn between his choices. He finally decided that he wasn't going to let Harry get all the glory, like he did every time something like this came up. He quickly owled his old Professor back.
~~~~****~~~~
Hermione apparated to Diagon Alley. She was supposed to meet Minerva as well as he old friends, whomever they might be. She had a sinking suspicion that she knew who it was, but her mind just pushed back her thoughts.
Walking through the crowds she spotted a familiar face.
"Lavender?" Lavender turned and when she saw who had said her name she'd jumped and immediately hugged Hermione.
"Hermione!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing here? I haven't seen you in ten years!"
"Well, I was owled by Minerva about Hogwarts," she said, slowly. Lavender's face broke out into another grin.
"Oh, thank God, Hermione. I'm so glad you came! With you helping us there's no way that Voldemort can attack the castle." Hermione blushed at the rather, she felt, undeserved praise, but was suddenly greeted by Padma Patil, also whom she had not talked to in several years.
"Hermione! What a pleasant surprise!" As the old school friends caught up Hermione explained where she had been, and they explained the growing worry of Voldemort's attack at Hogwarts.
"Well, he's attacked all over Europe, killing millions. It got worse about four years ago, though. Much worse. Most people, afraid of being attacked, came straight to Hogwarts. They've had to magically expand it now several times, to fit all the people. It's a school still, but now they teach adults as well as children. It's mostly a defense against the dark arts course, but with out a good teacher this year." Padma trailed off.
"What happened to the old teacher?" Hermione asked, curious. Minerva hadn't mentioned anything like that before.
"Well, he was one of the best Aurors ever here in Europe. So good, in fact, that Voldemort had recruited him. He did his best to resist, but in the end." Lavender stopped, and went on. "So now there's no defense teacher, and many are terrified about Voldemort. He is ruining our lives, Hermione. I doubt the children have seen anywhere but Hogwarts for the last five years.
Hermione sighed. Now she was glad she'd came back, they sounded like they could really use the help.
~~~~****~~~~
Ron apparated to Diagon Alley, knowing he was supposed to meet his old Professor here with Hermione and Harry. He kept an eye out for the bushy hair, and finally spotted her. She was standing, talking to one of the Patil sisters and Lavender. He walked up behind Lavender and Hermione stopped talking to stare at him.
He glared at her, before saying, "Hello Hermione, it's been a while, hasn't it?" Lavender spun around, surprised at the voice. She'd really gotten pretty over the years, as had Padma and Hermione, Ron mused.
"Yes, it has. Have you seen Minerva or Harry?" Ron scowled at Harry's name.
"No, I haven't seen the lying bastard. And since when is Professor McGonagall 'Minerva'?" he said, with a sneer in his voice.
"Well she's not our teacher anymore, Ron. Grow up! I've been exchanging owls with her and she's told me-"
"Oh! I see how it is! You can mail our old strict professor but you can't owl me?! I see where your priorities are. School's always first, and then maybe if I have time I'll talk to my friends. Oh, wait, I have to go to the library and check in Hogwarts, A bloody History to make sure-" what ever he was going to say was cut off by a slap from Hermione.
"How dare you say that? I do not think school is the most important thing, and you know it! I owled her because she was the only one-" she trailed off.
"She was the only one who would what?" he said, his voice with a cold, clipped tone.
"She," her voice was now taking on a cold tone as well, "was the only one who would listen to me and not get angry!"
"Well, of course we're going to get angry, Hermione! You left without telling us where the hell you were going or who-"
"I don't have to tell you everything, Ronald Weasly!"
"Yeah, well you have to tell me enough so that-"
"Silencio!" Whatever Ron was going to say was cut off as both of them were silenced.
Ron turned to glare at whoever had cast the spell and he found himself staring in the eyes of his past transfiguration professor.
She had really aged since the last time Ron had saw her. Her eyes had many wrinkles around them, her hair and all but turned gray, and her eyes had tired circles surrounding them. He angrily undid the spell.
"What the hell was that for?" he asked.
"To stop you two from causing a racket. People know who you are, you know, and if you don't want instant popularity you might want to keep your voices down. Now follow me, both of you," she said sternly.
Ron and Hermione both followed, though both were glaring daggers at one another. She led them out of Diagon Alley and into the Leaky Cauldron. They sat a small table in the back of the room where no one could really see them.
"Now, really! The both of you, acting like children in the middle of Diagon Alley. It was like you were fifteen again." Hermione had the grace to blush and look ashamed, and Ron's glare somewhat lessoned.
"So is wonder boy not going to show up?" Ron asked, with a hint of anger in his voice still.
"Well, he owled me back yesterday, I believe he received his letter later than the both of you. His owl was confusing, but the general gist of it was that he wouldn't be coming until later. He had some business left to attend to or something like that."
Ron opened his mouth to say something but Hermione beat him to it.
"I left right away, no questions asked. I left my job, which I feel absolutely horrible about, and we were in the middle of one of our biggest assignments! I can't believe he's going to show up later!"
"Humph, you left some bloody assignment? I left my final test to be an Auror! I had two weeks left before the final test and then I could finally finish my training! And I just dropped everything and came here!"
"Now, you two, I'm sure Harry had a perfectly good reason for not coming, one I am sure he will gladly explain to us when he does arrive. In the mean time-" she was interrupted by a fourth voice.
"I did have a perfectly good reason for showing up five minutes late," a voice said, "one which I will not share with you."
~~~~****~~~~
Harry looked for Minerva in Diagon Alley. He'd been very vague about when he was arriving for a good reason. He didn't want anyone to know when he was to show up, and he himself didn't really know how long his last project was going to take.
When he didn't spot them in Diagon Alley, he assumed they'd already left for Hogwarts. He went into the Leaky Cauldron for a quick drink. He wanted to sit somewhere in the back where no one could recognize him. As he reached the back corner, he heard voices.
"I left right away, no questions asked. I left my job, which I feel absolutely horrible about, and we were in the middle of one of our biggest assignments! I can't believe he's going to show up later!"
"Humph, you left some bloody assignment? I left my final test to be an Auror! I had two weeks left before the final test and then I could finally finish my training! And I just dropped everything and came here!"
"Now, you two, I'm sure Harry had a perfectly good reason for not coming, one I am sure he will gladly explain to us when he does arrive. In the mean time-"
"I did have a perfectly good reason for showing up five minutes late," he said, "one which I will not share with you." He sat down at the table next to Ron since Hermione was already sitting next to Minerva.
"Oh, so you finally decided to grace us with your presence. Spying on us getting old?" Ron's voice was filled with sarcasm.
~~~~****~~~~
Harry gave Ron a glare that could rival Snape's on a good day. Hermione gulped and decided to refrain from adding her comment. She didn't want to mess with that.
"Ron, can it," he said coldly. Ron, who usually didn't take orders from anyone, probably would have responded had he been able to. However, someone had cast a silencing charm that he could not break. Ron looked murderous when he realized that he couldn't undue the spell, like he had before.
"Hmm.now that's better, don't you think?" Harry said, with a fake cheerfulness in his voice. He turned to Minerva as if nothing had just happened and said, "When are we going to Hogwarts?"
Hermione also turned to Minerva, for she had not been told of their plans.
"Well," she began, and then sighed, as if she dreaded to tell them. "Part of the reason you-know-who can do so much damage is because everyone is afraid of him. They are afraid to stand up to him. It's actually more mental than anything else. So, we need to boost their mental states a bit. You know, give them hope." She left off, hoping they'd get the hint. From the dark look on Harry's face Hermione could tell that he got it, but Ron looked confused. Hermione was confused as well. What were they going to do?
"Minerva, I really don't think that's necessary. I think we should just head up to the castle," Harry said.
"Harry, you don't understand! Everyone has lost hope! The Weaslys, Sirius, the professors, everyone! If we keep it a secret then no one will gain hope," she said, almost desperately. Hermione frowned, finally understanding what they were going to do. She was also bewildered at her mentor's voice. It sounded as though she'd lost hope as well.
"Harry, it's not like it'd have to be very long. Just walk through and then apparate." At these words realization dawned on Ron but he couldn't make a comment because Harry still had him silenced.
Hermione sighed. "Harry, undue the silencing spell. He deserves to talk too," she said. Harry shrugged.
"All right Hermione, but you can deal with him when he explodes. Have fun." He got up and went to get another drink, reversing the spell as he did.
"Bloody hell, I'm going to kill him!" Ron leapt up to go after Harry and Hermione tried to immobilize him. Ron, however, wasn't in Auror training for nothing. He threw up a shield and the spell rebounded, almost hitting Hermione, had she not had ducked. Within two seconds he had caught Harry.
"You bloody prat! Think you're better than everyone else! How dare you try to silence me, you self-" Harry spun around, looking like Snape yet again. The glare on his face silenced Ron perhaps more effectively than the spell had.
"You know Ron? You sound a hell of a lot like Malfoy," Harry said coldly, barely above a whisper. Harry turned around leaving a now disgusted Ron and an angry Hermione.
She grabbed Ron by the arm and roughly led him back to the table, where Harry was already sitting down, drinking a butterbeer. As much as she wanted to slug both of them, she knew that nothing would be accomplished if they didn't work together.
~~~***~~~
Harry sat down at the table, glaring at Minerva. He didn't see why they had to go parading the fact that they were back all around Diagon Alley. It was like asking for a Death Eater to kill you on the spot. He made room as Hermione dragged Ron back to the table, and this time Hermione sat next to Harry while Ron grudgingly took a seat next to Minerva.
"Harry, I think we should try to do whatever we can to raise their hopes. It's useless if we come back to help and no one knows about it. Half of the" she rethought her words and tried to rephrase them, but Harry got the gist of it.
"Half of our usefulness is just me being the bloody boy-who-lived, am I right?" She winced at the bluntness of his words. "I'm not good for anything else, I'm good for a scar and some brave words. Let me tell you something, I did not become an Auror because of my scar," he hissed, angry with her. She looked back guiltily, but she didn't back down.
"I didn't mean it like that, Harry," she tried, exasperatedly.
"I'm sure you didn't. But hey, why don't we do what Hermione says. She's always right, so she'll be right this time," he said, voice deep with sarcasm.
"Honestly, Harry, grow up! I've heard more mature things from a seven year old," she said, her voice hiding the hurt his words had caused.
~~~~****~~~~
Minerva looked helplessly at her former students. If she hadn't known better, she would have said that they were the worst of enemies, not the best of friends. How would the world react to the famous trio?
She had to stop the heated argument before it got out of hand. Ron was currently in an argument with Harry and Hermione was sitting adding things in agreement or disagreement.
"As much as I would love to hear all about this, I believe that we need to get to Hogwarts. If you're willing to go through with this plan, just follow me. We need to do something to help moral against you-know-who."
"Honestly, Minerva, say Voldemort," Harry muttered. She got up looking guilty and left, hoping they would follow. As she stepped out of the Leaky Cauldron and back into Diagon Alley, people greeted her with fearful expressions or hopeful expressions. It was usually her job to announce when something had happened at Hogwarts, good or bad, so whenever people saw her they usually expected news. At this point Minerva didn't know whether she actually had any news to tell.
"Minerva, do you have any news today? Did something happen at Hogwarts?" one of the local shopkeepers asked Minerva, causing many eyes to fall upon her and for many voices to silence. She looked around, almost helplessly.
"Well, I owled some old friends of ours to see if they would be able to aid us in our fight. One is training to be an Auror," she said, stopping because of the cheers. Most of the current Aurors had been captured or killed by Voldemort's forces. An Auror was a rare sight these days.
"One has been doing extensive research at the New Zealand Research and Development Center," murmurs and more cheers sprung out again. Only the incredibly smart would study at the Center. This was sounding better and better to their ears.
"And one." she trailed off, not knowing what to say. Harry really hadn't done anything noteworthy during his absence, not that she knew of. "One is just." She was spared of having to say anymore when Ron walked into the crowd and stood next to Minerva. She smiled a grateful smile at him. He held up his hand for silence, and the crowd immediately obeyed.
"Hello! I haven't seen quite a few of you for a while, as I've been busy training to become an Auror. My old Professor here has invited me back to Hogwarts, and I've kindly accepted her offer." Anything else he was going to say was cut off by cheers. Ron blushed and looked around, grinning at the same time. No one had ever appreciated him before, not like this.
"Now, wait just a minute, Ronald Weasly, I don't believe you get all the credit. I was invited back as well, you know," Hermione said, her voice cutting through the crowd. Immediate whispers began, but they died down when she began to talk.
"As you've been informed, I was working at the New Zealand Center, but I've been called back here, and I believe I will be taking over a teaching position at Hogwarts." Minerva nodded, for she couldn't speak. More cheers broke out, but this time everyone was thinking. Minerva had said there were three..it couldn't be Harry Potter, could it?
"Minerva, who is your third mystery person? I don't think we could be anymore surprised than we already are!" Minerva looked at the two helplessly, wondering if Harry was going to come. Hermione looked slightly nervous and Ron was trying not to scowl.
Suddenly the edge of the crowd went silent. A person made their way through the gathering and stood next to Hermione, just slightly taller than she was.
He cleared his throat, as if uncomfortable, but no one seemed to notice this save Ron and Hermione.
"I too have been invited back to Hogwarts, and I will stay as long as I am needed." He didn't mention what he had been doing, or what he was going to do, but the crowd loved it just the same. They couldn't believe it. The famous trio was finally back! There was no way Voldemort could beat them! The crowd's excitement was spreading, and everyone came out of the shops to see what the commotion was. The news spread like wildfire.
Harry glared over at Minerva, this is exactly what he'd wanted to avoid. Ron, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying it and was chatting amongst many people.
Minerva didn't catch his glare, though Hermione did. Even though she was beyond furious with him, she couldn't help but feel a tad sorry for him. He'd never really liked the attention. Hermione grabbed Ron and literally had to drag him away as they made their way through the parting crowd. Harry followed, ignoring the couple flashes that were going off, grabbing pictures of the famous trio together again.
As soon as they had reached the Leaky Cauldron Hermione pulled out a pouch of Floo Powder and threw a pinch into the fire. She stepped into and said, "Three Broomsticks!" and with a flash she was gone. Ron followed suit, a little reluctantly, and so did Harry.
He didn't tell anyone where to find him, as he didn't know where he was going himself. All he knew was that he had to get out. And get out he did. He moved to America, hoping his fame didn't stretch this far.
He felt a bit guilty leaving, though it wasn't as if he'd left anyone behind. His two best friends had left before he had, not to be heard from, at least not by himself. He had gone out of sorts with his godfather, the last remaining person of his true family. His old teacher had been cast away to America, which explained his choice in his new home.
The wisest and oldest of his mentors had been killed. Killed by the one person who made his life a living hell. The same person who had killed all of his family, killed so many innocents, had killed his friend and mentor.
Yes, Harry Potter was living in America. And he had a respectable job. And he had his own house. And everything was going fine. Until one day.
"Yes, I told him TWO whole bottles of the freezing flame but did he listen?! No! He brought me eight damn cases of newt's eyes! If he can't get the order right bring him in here and I'll fire his ass and be done with it!"
"Yes, sir, right away sir."
Harry was sitting outside his boss's office in an uncomfortable chair, waiting for his meeting with his boss. Harry had rolled his eyes at the anger that was obviously radiating off the man, and wished his that his appointment had been later. Much later. He didn't need a headache right this moment.
The door opened and out scurried a hassled looking young man who couldn't have been more than twenty, holding a stack of papers. He gave Harry a sympathetic look that wasn't needed before he practically sprinted away from the office.
"Potter, you out there? Come on in." Harry got up and slowly walked into his boss's office. His boss was sitting at his desk, face red (probably from all the yelling, Harry mused) with his feet propped up on the desk. On the desk lay numerous papers, one picture of a dog and a small child, and a name plate that read, 'Richard Martin, Head of International Magical Cooperation'. It only read that because to keep up pretenses. In reality Harry worked a secret group of undercover Aurors.
"Potter, I called you here immediately because I got a message for you. Some old chick called asking for you on the fire, and I told her she's got the wrong place, but no she kept insisting so I told her I'd take down a message. I thought you knew you weren't supposed to give out this address or access number," he gave Harry a stern look.
Harry was bewildered. "I didn't give it out, and I certainly haven't spoken to anybody in a while, outside of the office I mean." He had been away on an operative for a half a year, and had returned about two weeks ago. He hadn't really had the time to 'hit the town' yet.
"Well then Potter, how'd she get it?" Harry shrugged, not in the mood for his boss's anger right now.
"Can I have the message?" Harry asked. Richard snorted.
"Sure, but it makes no sense what so ever. 'We need the three back.'"
"Is that it?" Harry furrowed his eyebrows. Richard was right, that didn't make much sense.
Richard nodded. "She didn't leave a name or anything," he said.
"Hmm. All right, is that all you wanted?" Harry asked, not wanting to stay much longer.
"Yep, that's all. Oh, nice job on the operative, by the way. Eighty-two death eaters ain't bad for six months."
Harry reddened a bit but thanked him all the same. He left immediately, just wanting to go home and relax. It was Friday, and he was anxious for the weekend.
When he apparated into his house (it had been charmed so that only he could apparate in) he checked for any mail from Hedwig. Maybe he'd gotten a reply from one of his outside sources on the upcoming death eater meeting.
There was only one letter on the table, and it bore the handwriting of someone Harry hadn't seen for five years. He pondered whether he should open it, then gave into his curiosity, broke the seal, and began to read the letter.
Dear Mr. Potter,
I write you only because I have no other option. I know you left four years ago hoping never to hear from any of us again, but I pray that you will help us. As you know, when Albus died I took over as headmaster of Hogwarts. Since then, things have hit an all time low. The school is barely safe for the children anymore, and I'm afraid we might have to close Hogwarts if we cannot come up with a solution.
I write to you because Voldemort is still alive, terrorizing muggles and wizards alike. Hogwarts has become the last refuge for the side of light, and if it falls I fear we will not last another year. Please, return to Hogwarts. We need your help.
I have also taken the liberty to write to some very old friends of yours that we need as well. I tell you this so you will not be surprised to see them. Your family needs you Harry, as do we at Hogwarts.
Sincerely, Minerva McGonagall
Harry sighed and put down the letter. This was the part of the reason he'd left. Too many people had used him as a weapon, a tool, casting him aside until they had needed him again. They didn't care to see that he was human, only that he was the 'boy who lived' and he was needed to boost morale.
The other part of the reason he'd left was because of his friends. Ron had accused him of stealing his girlfriend and his family, called him a bastard, and left. Of course Harry didn't really know what he meant but he was too furious to care. Harry was also mad at Hermione for leaving (among other reasons) and making Ron a total mess. Ron wasn't really the same after she'd left, and she hadn't even let them know why she'd left.
Harry supposed he could guess why'd they had done it, but it didn't make it easier to forgive them, or make his decision. He sat down at the kitchen table, thinking. After contemplating the matter for a while, he retrieved a piece of paper (here in America, parchment was hard to come by) and a pen (a muggle contraption he'd remember using before when he was in grade school before Hogwarts) and started writing.
~~~~****~~~~
Hermione had not seen Hogwarts in ten years. She had been the first one to leave. She had been dating Ron at the time, and everything had been fine until Voldemort had attacked Hogwarts.
Things had gone downhill from there. Though no one had been killed save some poor first year that was caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, Hermione had felt, for the first time in her life, completely helpless. When he'd attacked she didn't know how to do anything that could possibly help and was forced to watch helplessly. All of the students had.
From that point on Hermione was going to make sure she was never put in that situation again. As soon as she graduated from Hogwarts, she left England for the research center in New Zealand. Ron had been furious that she was leaving so soon and they had gotten into a huge argument about it, which resulted in Hermione's sudden departure.
She had been in contact with Minerva and Molly Weasly, and of course her parents, but other than that her contact with her old friends had been dropped. She didn't know why she did it, but she knew that she had something to prove to herself and to others. She had just celebrated her 28th birthday three weeks ago, and she had a job at the wondrous research center in New Zealand.
One day, after a particular frustrating day at the center she came home to a letter on the table. It was from Minerva. She recognized the handwriting. Not expecting a letter until Wednesday, (it was Monday) she opened it curiously.
Dear Hermione
I realized this letter may seem a bit out of the ordinary, but I assure you that it is important. We here at Hogwarts would like for you to return and teach for us. We could use your knowledge and skills to help prepare us for the inevitable.
We have gotten word from one of our spies that Voldemort plans to attack Hogwarts within the next several months, and I'm afraid that we won't hold out much longer. Hogwarts is the only safe hold here in Europe now; even Madame Maxine has moved her school to Hogwarts.
I believe that you love to teach anyways, as you mentioned in one of your previous letters. This would be a great opportunity for you as well as a great burden released from our shoulders. Please come help us, Hermione.
I should make you aware of whom else we have called into help. Some of your oldest friends will also be called, and I hope that this will not present a problem. You know as well as I do that we need all of you, not just one or two. All, Hermione.
Well, I hope I will see you soon, and I hope this letter reaches you in the best of health.
Yours truly,
Minerva
Hermione looked at the letter, pondering what to do. She really did love to teach, Minerva hadn't lied. And she didn't want to see Hogwarts fall to anyone. It would crush the hope of many people. But she just didn't see how herself, one tiny insignificant person like herself could help stop Voldemort.
Of course, she owed Minerva a lot for different things over the past years, and she wasn't about to let any students be killed if she could help it. She decided she would help them out, even if it meant seeing her past.
~~~~****~~~~
Ron walked into his small flat sore and tired. He'd been training all week for a big test at the end of the month. Ron was trying to become an Auror. He'd passed through most of the training but the last test was coming up at the end of the month and he and his fellow trainees were training as hard as they could.
He walked into his small kitchen and pulled out a bottle of pumpkin juice. Not bothering with a cup, he opened it up and chugged down some delicious juice as he sorted through the mail.
Seeing the handwriting on one letter made him drop it in surprise, as well as his bottle of juice that splattered everywhere when it hit the floor. Ron jumped back to avoid being covered in a sticky juice and cursed his bad luck. He muttered a cleaning spell and everything was free from the juice. He picked up the letter again and pondered whether he should open it or just burn it. There was nothing those people could say to him that he'd want to hear.
He had left a couple years after she had. It had been too much, what will Voldemort trying to kill him and Harry every day and Hermione gone. he couldn't take it anymore. About seven years ago he'd just left, not leaving a word behind with anyone, not even Harry or his family. He'd just left.
He never knew why he had picked Brazil to work in, but that's where he had ended up. He immediately tried to forget about them, especially Hermione. They'd been dating when she'd left, and she hadn't let anyone know where she was going. Ron suspected that she was contacting Professor McGonagall but he kept his thoughts to himself. The last straw had been when he'd seen Harry receive a letter from an owl, but it wasn't just any owl. It was Hermione's owl that he and Harry had gotten her for her sixteenth birthday.
He was so mad he couldn't see straight. Harry had lied to him! He'd said he hadn't heard a word from Hermione but here was the evidence, plain as day. He was also mad because earlier in the week Harry had been asked to join the Order of the Phoenix, a secret organization that was trying to bring the downfall of Voldemort.
Ron hadn't been asked, of course. Ron knew that he was just jealous, but he couldn't stand how Harry had gotten everything, how Harry was the one everyone turned to for help when they needed it, even Ron's own family. It had really angered Ron, and then the last straw had been the letter from Hermione. Even Hermione, his own girlfriend, had written to Harry but not Ron. Ron grimaced as he remembered the heated conversation he'd had with Hermione the day before she'd left. He was still mad about that, ten years later, but time had weakened his fury.
Ron scowled and sat down at his small kitchen table, opening the letter.
Dear Mr. Weasly, I hope this letter finds you in the best of health. I know you have not heard from us here at Hogwarts for over seven years, but we need your help. We have received word that Voldemort is going to attack the castle sometime in the next several months. Since you have begun, and almost ended your training as an Auror, we were wondering if you would be able to come back and help us.
We know that this will not be easy for you, but we wouldn't have asked you if the situation had not been so dire. Hogwarts is going to fall without your help, Ron. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Please come and help us.
I must tell you that I have contacted some of your old friends, so I thought that it would do you good to see them again. Hermione has been owled, as well as Harry, so even if you don't come for us then please come for them.
Sincerely, Minerva McGonagall
Ron scowl deepened. Of course! They wouldn't really need him the situation wasn't so desperate! Now they were trying to get anyone who was foolish enough to go back. Of course, he did not want to see Hogwarts fall. He had good memories of the place, and he felt as if he owed it to Dumbledore to make sure the place was still standing at the end of the war.
Ron was torn between his choices. He finally decided that he wasn't going to let Harry get all the glory, like he did every time something like this came up. He quickly owled his old Professor back.
~~~~****~~~~
Hermione apparated to Diagon Alley. She was supposed to meet Minerva as well as he old friends, whomever they might be. She had a sinking suspicion that she knew who it was, but her mind just pushed back her thoughts.
Walking through the crowds she spotted a familiar face.
"Lavender?" Lavender turned and when she saw who had said her name she'd jumped and immediately hugged Hermione.
"Hermione!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing here? I haven't seen you in ten years!"
"Well, I was owled by Minerva about Hogwarts," she said, slowly. Lavender's face broke out into another grin.
"Oh, thank God, Hermione. I'm so glad you came! With you helping us there's no way that Voldemort can attack the castle." Hermione blushed at the rather, she felt, undeserved praise, but was suddenly greeted by Padma Patil, also whom she had not talked to in several years.
"Hermione! What a pleasant surprise!" As the old school friends caught up Hermione explained where she had been, and they explained the growing worry of Voldemort's attack at Hogwarts.
"Well, he's attacked all over Europe, killing millions. It got worse about four years ago, though. Much worse. Most people, afraid of being attacked, came straight to Hogwarts. They've had to magically expand it now several times, to fit all the people. It's a school still, but now they teach adults as well as children. It's mostly a defense against the dark arts course, but with out a good teacher this year." Padma trailed off.
"What happened to the old teacher?" Hermione asked, curious. Minerva hadn't mentioned anything like that before.
"Well, he was one of the best Aurors ever here in Europe. So good, in fact, that Voldemort had recruited him. He did his best to resist, but in the end." Lavender stopped, and went on. "So now there's no defense teacher, and many are terrified about Voldemort. He is ruining our lives, Hermione. I doubt the children have seen anywhere but Hogwarts for the last five years.
Hermione sighed. Now she was glad she'd came back, they sounded like they could really use the help.
~~~~****~~~~
Ron apparated to Diagon Alley, knowing he was supposed to meet his old Professor here with Hermione and Harry. He kept an eye out for the bushy hair, and finally spotted her. She was standing, talking to one of the Patil sisters and Lavender. He walked up behind Lavender and Hermione stopped talking to stare at him.
He glared at her, before saying, "Hello Hermione, it's been a while, hasn't it?" Lavender spun around, surprised at the voice. She'd really gotten pretty over the years, as had Padma and Hermione, Ron mused.
"Yes, it has. Have you seen Minerva or Harry?" Ron scowled at Harry's name.
"No, I haven't seen the lying bastard. And since when is Professor McGonagall 'Minerva'?" he said, with a sneer in his voice.
"Well she's not our teacher anymore, Ron. Grow up! I've been exchanging owls with her and she's told me-"
"Oh! I see how it is! You can mail our old strict professor but you can't owl me?! I see where your priorities are. School's always first, and then maybe if I have time I'll talk to my friends. Oh, wait, I have to go to the library and check in Hogwarts, A bloody History to make sure-" what ever he was going to say was cut off by a slap from Hermione.
"How dare you say that? I do not think school is the most important thing, and you know it! I owled her because she was the only one-" she trailed off.
"She was the only one who would what?" he said, his voice with a cold, clipped tone.
"She," her voice was now taking on a cold tone as well, "was the only one who would listen to me and not get angry!"
"Well, of course we're going to get angry, Hermione! You left without telling us where the hell you were going or who-"
"I don't have to tell you everything, Ronald Weasly!"
"Yeah, well you have to tell me enough so that-"
"Silencio!" Whatever Ron was going to say was cut off as both of them were silenced.
Ron turned to glare at whoever had cast the spell and he found himself staring in the eyes of his past transfiguration professor.
She had really aged since the last time Ron had saw her. Her eyes had many wrinkles around them, her hair and all but turned gray, and her eyes had tired circles surrounding them. He angrily undid the spell.
"What the hell was that for?" he asked.
"To stop you two from causing a racket. People know who you are, you know, and if you don't want instant popularity you might want to keep your voices down. Now follow me, both of you," she said sternly.
Ron and Hermione both followed, though both were glaring daggers at one another. She led them out of Diagon Alley and into the Leaky Cauldron. They sat a small table in the back of the room where no one could really see them.
"Now, really! The both of you, acting like children in the middle of Diagon Alley. It was like you were fifteen again." Hermione had the grace to blush and look ashamed, and Ron's glare somewhat lessoned.
"So is wonder boy not going to show up?" Ron asked, with a hint of anger in his voice still.
"Well, he owled me back yesterday, I believe he received his letter later than the both of you. His owl was confusing, but the general gist of it was that he wouldn't be coming until later. He had some business left to attend to or something like that."
Ron opened his mouth to say something but Hermione beat him to it.
"I left right away, no questions asked. I left my job, which I feel absolutely horrible about, and we were in the middle of one of our biggest assignments! I can't believe he's going to show up later!"
"Humph, you left some bloody assignment? I left my final test to be an Auror! I had two weeks left before the final test and then I could finally finish my training! And I just dropped everything and came here!"
"Now, you two, I'm sure Harry had a perfectly good reason for not coming, one I am sure he will gladly explain to us when he does arrive. In the mean time-" she was interrupted by a fourth voice.
"I did have a perfectly good reason for showing up five minutes late," a voice said, "one which I will not share with you."
~~~~****~~~~
Harry looked for Minerva in Diagon Alley. He'd been very vague about when he was arriving for a good reason. He didn't want anyone to know when he was to show up, and he himself didn't really know how long his last project was going to take.
When he didn't spot them in Diagon Alley, he assumed they'd already left for Hogwarts. He went into the Leaky Cauldron for a quick drink. He wanted to sit somewhere in the back where no one could recognize him. As he reached the back corner, he heard voices.
"I left right away, no questions asked. I left my job, which I feel absolutely horrible about, and we were in the middle of one of our biggest assignments! I can't believe he's going to show up later!"
"Humph, you left some bloody assignment? I left my final test to be an Auror! I had two weeks left before the final test and then I could finally finish my training! And I just dropped everything and came here!"
"Now, you two, I'm sure Harry had a perfectly good reason for not coming, one I am sure he will gladly explain to us when he does arrive. In the mean time-"
"I did have a perfectly good reason for showing up five minutes late," he said, "one which I will not share with you." He sat down at the table next to Ron since Hermione was already sitting next to Minerva.
"Oh, so you finally decided to grace us with your presence. Spying on us getting old?" Ron's voice was filled with sarcasm.
~~~~****~~~~
Harry gave Ron a glare that could rival Snape's on a good day. Hermione gulped and decided to refrain from adding her comment. She didn't want to mess with that.
"Ron, can it," he said coldly. Ron, who usually didn't take orders from anyone, probably would have responded had he been able to. However, someone had cast a silencing charm that he could not break. Ron looked murderous when he realized that he couldn't undue the spell, like he had before.
"Hmm.now that's better, don't you think?" Harry said, with a fake cheerfulness in his voice. He turned to Minerva as if nothing had just happened and said, "When are we going to Hogwarts?"
Hermione also turned to Minerva, for she had not been told of their plans.
"Well," she began, and then sighed, as if she dreaded to tell them. "Part of the reason you-know-who can do so much damage is because everyone is afraid of him. They are afraid to stand up to him. It's actually more mental than anything else. So, we need to boost their mental states a bit. You know, give them hope." She left off, hoping they'd get the hint. From the dark look on Harry's face Hermione could tell that he got it, but Ron looked confused. Hermione was confused as well. What were they going to do?
"Minerva, I really don't think that's necessary. I think we should just head up to the castle," Harry said.
"Harry, you don't understand! Everyone has lost hope! The Weaslys, Sirius, the professors, everyone! If we keep it a secret then no one will gain hope," she said, almost desperately. Hermione frowned, finally understanding what they were going to do. She was also bewildered at her mentor's voice. It sounded as though she'd lost hope as well.
"Harry, it's not like it'd have to be very long. Just walk through and then apparate." At these words realization dawned on Ron but he couldn't make a comment because Harry still had him silenced.
Hermione sighed. "Harry, undue the silencing spell. He deserves to talk too," she said. Harry shrugged.
"All right Hermione, but you can deal with him when he explodes. Have fun." He got up and went to get another drink, reversing the spell as he did.
"Bloody hell, I'm going to kill him!" Ron leapt up to go after Harry and Hermione tried to immobilize him. Ron, however, wasn't in Auror training for nothing. He threw up a shield and the spell rebounded, almost hitting Hermione, had she not had ducked. Within two seconds he had caught Harry.
"You bloody prat! Think you're better than everyone else! How dare you try to silence me, you self-" Harry spun around, looking like Snape yet again. The glare on his face silenced Ron perhaps more effectively than the spell had.
"You know Ron? You sound a hell of a lot like Malfoy," Harry said coldly, barely above a whisper. Harry turned around leaving a now disgusted Ron and an angry Hermione.
She grabbed Ron by the arm and roughly led him back to the table, where Harry was already sitting down, drinking a butterbeer. As much as she wanted to slug both of them, she knew that nothing would be accomplished if they didn't work together.
~~~***~~~
Harry sat down at the table, glaring at Minerva. He didn't see why they had to go parading the fact that they were back all around Diagon Alley. It was like asking for a Death Eater to kill you on the spot. He made room as Hermione dragged Ron back to the table, and this time Hermione sat next to Harry while Ron grudgingly took a seat next to Minerva.
"Harry, I think we should try to do whatever we can to raise their hopes. It's useless if we come back to help and no one knows about it. Half of the" she rethought her words and tried to rephrase them, but Harry got the gist of it.
"Half of our usefulness is just me being the bloody boy-who-lived, am I right?" She winced at the bluntness of his words. "I'm not good for anything else, I'm good for a scar and some brave words. Let me tell you something, I did not become an Auror because of my scar," he hissed, angry with her. She looked back guiltily, but she didn't back down.
"I didn't mean it like that, Harry," she tried, exasperatedly.
"I'm sure you didn't. But hey, why don't we do what Hermione says. She's always right, so she'll be right this time," he said, voice deep with sarcasm.
"Honestly, Harry, grow up! I've heard more mature things from a seven year old," she said, her voice hiding the hurt his words had caused.
~~~~****~~~~
Minerva looked helplessly at her former students. If she hadn't known better, she would have said that they were the worst of enemies, not the best of friends. How would the world react to the famous trio?
She had to stop the heated argument before it got out of hand. Ron was currently in an argument with Harry and Hermione was sitting adding things in agreement or disagreement.
"As much as I would love to hear all about this, I believe that we need to get to Hogwarts. If you're willing to go through with this plan, just follow me. We need to do something to help moral against you-know-who."
"Honestly, Minerva, say Voldemort," Harry muttered. She got up looking guilty and left, hoping they would follow. As she stepped out of the Leaky Cauldron and back into Diagon Alley, people greeted her with fearful expressions or hopeful expressions. It was usually her job to announce when something had happened at Hogwarts, good or bad, so whenever people saw her they usually expected news. At this point Minerva didn't know whether she actually had any news to tell.
"Minerva, do you have any news today? Did something happen at Hogwarts?" one of the local shopkeepers asked Minerva, causing many eyes to fall upon her and for many voices to silence. She looked around, almost helplessly.
"Well, I owled some old friends of ours to see if they would be able to aid us in our fight. One is training to be an Auror," she said, stopping because of the cheers. Most of the current Aurors had been captured or killed by Voldemort's forces. An Auror was a rare sight these days.
"One has been doing extensive research at the New Zealand Research and Development Center," murmurs and more cheers sprung out again. Only the incredibly smart would study at the Center. This was sounding better and better to their ears.
"And one." she trailed off, not knowing what to say. Harry really hadn't done anything noteworthy during his absence, not that she knew of. "One is just." She was spared of having to say anymore when Ron walked into the crowd and stood next to Minerva. She smiled a grateful smile at him. He held up his hand for silence, and the crowd immediately obeyed.
"Hello! I haven't seen quite a few of you for a while, as I've been busy training to become an Auror. My old Professor here has invited me back to Hogwarts, and I've kindly accepted her offer." Anything else he was going to say was cut off by cheers. Ron blushed and looked around, grinning at the same time. No one had ever appreciated him before, not like this.
"Now, wait just a minute, Ronald Weasly, I don't believe you get all the credit. I was invited back as well, you know," Hermione said, her voice cutting through the crowd. Immediate whispers began, but they died down when she began to talk.
"As you've been informed, I was working at the New Zealand Center, but I've been called back here, and I believe I will be taking over a teaching position at Hogwarts." Minerva nodded, for she couldn't speak. More cheers broke out, but this time everyone was thinking. Minerva had said there were three..it couldn't be Harry Potter, could it?
"Minerva, who is your third mystery person? I don't think we could be anymore surprised than we already are!" Minerva looked at the two helplessly, wondering if Harry was going to come. Hermione looked slightly nervous and Ron was trying not to scowl.
Suddenly the edge of the crowd went silent. A person made their way through the gathering and stood next to Hermione, just slightly taller than she was.
He cleared his throat, as if uncomfortable, but no one seemed to notice this save Ron and Hermione.
"I too have been invited back to Hogwarts, and I will stay as long as I am needed." He didn't mention what he had been doing, or what he was going to do, but the crowd loved it just the same. They couldn't believe it. The famous trio was finally back! There was no way Voldemort could beat them! The crowd's excitement was spreading, and everyone came out of the shops to see what the commotion was. The news spread like wildfire.
Harry glared over at Minerva, this is exactly what he'd wanted to avoid. Ron, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying it and was chatting amongst many people.
Minerva didn't catch his glare, though Hermione did. Even though she was beyond furious with him, she couldn't help but feel a tad sorry for him. He'd never really liked the attention. Hermione grabbed Ron and literally had to drag him away as they made their way through the parting crowd. Harry followed, ignoring the couple flashes that were going off, grabbing pictures of the famous trio together again.
As soon as they had reached the Leaky Cauldron Hermione pulled out a pouch of Floo Powder and threw a pinch into the fire. She stepped into and said, "Three Broomsticks!" and with a flash she was gone. Ron followed suit, a little reluctantly, and so did Harry.