Chapter 1: Getting Back


A year has passed since the biggest war that the Wizarding world has ever fought. Everything has been brought back to their rightful places. The world which previously yielded to darkness has now found a new light. Every street, every alley, and every castle showed no signs of the terror that had previously stricken. All was well.


"So, we are finally going back to Hogwarts, eh? I thought saving the Wizarding world offered better rewards than this." Ron complained while trying to get his trunk to close.

"There isn't much we can do, mate. After all, education is still more important than recognition. Besides, I bet that with all the restructuring done Hogwarts might be better and more interesting than it had ever been." Harry replied. "I'm actually a bit worried the Marauder's map might be rendered useless." He jokingly added.

"I guess you're right. But having my face on those chocolate frog cards still beats the idea of going back to Hogwarts, you know." Ron said still struggling to close his trunk.

"True enough, but we got to deal with it." Harry answered after flicking his wand which finally rendered Ron's trunk to a close. "You sometimes forget you are a wizard, don't you?" He remarked, laughing.


"Children, get up! Breakfast is ready! You're going to miss your train!" Molly bellowed while levitating the plate of bacon towards the table.

"Molly, relax. The train's not going to leave until the next 2 hours." Arthur reprimanded her before sipping his coffee.

"I know, Arthur. But I want to be sure that they get proper breakfast-"

"Morning, Mum." George greeted her loudly from behind, startling her.

"Merlin's beard! Will you stop doing that to me, George?!" She cried out.

"I figured I needed to get my revenge for waking me up, Mum." He replied with a wink before settling himself on an empty chair.

Just then, series of footsteps accompanied by a series of morning greetings started to flood in from the stairs. And when everyone was settled in their rightful places, Molly started again,

"Now all of you better be good this term, especially the three of you." She said glancing at Ginny and then casting a stern look down Harry, Ron and Hermione. "Now that everything is back to normal, I don't want to be hearing any news of mischief again."

"We promise." Harry and Hermione replied together, smiling.

"I know, Mum." Ron answered after gulping down a mouthful of bacon.


Both Harry and Hermione had been living in the Burrow after the war. And although they had originally planned to go back to their respective residences prior its onset, the rest of the remaining Order members along with Arthur and Molly insisted that both of them stay in the Burrow to ensure their protection. Eventually, it proved to be the best choice for the both of them. Staying there helped them to feel that there will always be a family to welcome them, considering the fact that Harry had none from the start and Hermione lost them in the war. It both helped them heal and get back on their feet.

At least, this is what Harry felt for the most part of it. Staying in the Burrow proved to be the most helpful and most confusing experience he ever had because while his longing for a complete family started to diminish, another feeling of loss had started to grow in him. A longing he originally never wanted. It was a longing for a certain brown haired girl he called best friend.

He didn't know how it started and how it came to be. But he knew that it became profound to him after that eventful night where he held her for hours while she cried in his arms because of a big fight she had with Ron. He knew at that certain moment he had just felt something else for her. Something that was completely beyond the bounds of platonic love, something he wasn't ready to accept fully at but he knows he would eventually need to come in to terms with, which unfortunately hasn't happened until now.

"Harry?" Ginny called unto him, waving her hands in front of his face. "You really haven't been paying attention to me, are you?"

"What?" He asked snapping out of his thoughts. "Oh. I'm sorry, Ginny." He apologetically added after realizing what he'd done.

"I was asking you if you're still willing to be Quidditch captain for this year."

"Quidditch captain? Me? Sure. I really wouldn't mind, but I warn you that not being able to play for 2 years might have made me rusty."

"Don't worry, love. We'd practice." She said with a reassuring smile and a peck on his lips before slipping out of his arms.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

"I still have to finish packing the things I need to bring, Harry. Have you finished packing yours?"

"Oh. I almost forgot! I'd have to check my things too." He exclaimed before rushing upstairs.

"Be careful!" She shouted shaking her head as he ran past her.


Harry almost forgot that he really hadn't packed his things for Hogwarts in the past days. A large part of it was because he didn't like the thought of going back to Hogwarts. He felt like if he there again all of those hurtful moments that happened will just wash him over. He was afraid that all of those faces who died in the battle will just haunt him every time he would walk down the halls of his old school. Another part of it was because in the past 2 years, he got used to Hermione taking care and packing all of their stuff. He got so used to it that he forgot that packing his stuff was actually his responsibility. So while running upstairs, he tried to remember which of his belongings are needed to be packed. He was so immersed in the thought that he didn't notice that he was about to crash to someone else.

"Harry!" Hermione shrieked as she saw her best friend rushing towards her at breakneck speed.

He looked up, but it was too late. And so with a loud thud they crashed into each other.

"My glasses! Where are my glasses?!" He exclaimed glinting and arms trying to reach out and feel his surroundings.

"They're here, Harry." Hermione replied obviously in pain.

He then took it and put them on and said, "Thank you, Her-mi-one-", his words trailing off after he realized he was still on top of her.

He wasn't ready for the sight right before his eyes. Right before him lay the girl with the most beautiful face, the most tantalizing eyes and the most luscious lips. He enjoyed the sight before him and he never really intended to move until he felt her squirm under his weight.

"Harry, I- can't- breathe." She told him while struggling to breathe properly.

Instantaneously, he stood up and exclaimed, "Oh, I'm sorry, Hermione!"

"Are you all right?" He asked before sticking out his hand to help her get up.

"Well, I'm better after you stood up. Thank you, Harry." She said taking his hand to stand and straightened herself afterwards. "Why are you running so fast? We could've died back there, you know." She asked, a hint of worry in her voice.

"I just did, Hermione. I just died by the mere sight of you." He thought. "Well, I'm rushing because-", He paused hesitantly.

"What?" She pressed on.

"Look, I haven't really packed my bags yet." He replied sheepishly.

"Oh, Harry. Why?! You perfectly know we're going back to Hogwarts ages ago." She cried in disbelief.

"Maybe, I was too lazy to do it. I don't know. I- I have to go." Harry told her and quickly paced towards his room to avoid further questioning.

"I'll help you." She said.

"What?" Harry asked after an abrupt stop.

"You heard me." She replied walking past him.


"Take care of yourselves. Arthur and I wouldn't be seeing the rest of you until Christmas" Molly told them as she kissed them on their foreheads before they board the train one by one.

Soon enough, after all the students settled in the train started its engines.

"Never forget to write! We'll miss you!" Molly shouted, trying to keep her voice above the sound of the engines roaring while waving her hand as she watched the train move.

Harry heard it and poked his head out of the window and waved in return. He never went in even after the train started to gain speed. He just looked on to Molly, as the image of her started to diminished. And as he watched, he thought to himself, "Finally."