Chapter 1
Harry woke up to the sound of screams. Well—she more like sat up rigged with her eyes squeezed shut until she could only her sharp intakes of breath in the quiet room. That's when she knew the nightmares were over. Harry knew that she wasn't alone. Even though they wouldn't admit it, Ron and Hermione had the same nightmares as well, but they had each other to help them cope. Harry was currently residing in her Aunt and Uncle's home, in which they had moved back into and were currently trying to wrap their tiny brains around the fact that Harry had—not single-handedly—won the war between good and evil and actually probably saving their lives. Did she mention that they were also acting nicer to her now? Yes, well that too.
Harry was still in Dudley's old room, but it had been freshened up a bit, and Petunia and Vernon had allowed and helped her to paint it. She was surprised when they asked, and Petunia's reply was only this: "I had always wanted a daughter, and was so terrified when I learned that I could have another child that I took out my sadness and anger on you. It was only in that dark little hotel room that I realized that I had the opportunity for a daughter for 17 years and I never took the chance that was thrust into my arms in the form of a small-pinkish baby with a nasty little cut on her forehead…" No more was said on the subject, and later that evening, Petunia and Harry went shopping.
Harry's Uncle Vernon was no longer blocking out the post, and so every Sunday morning Harry got a copy of the Daily Prophet. She only read the major articles, and sometimes the ones on reforms and laws, but not often. Over the break that lasted from the end of the war until today, June 31, Harry had noticed quite a few things going on in the magical world. All of the unregistered animangi were called to be registered, and they were cleared of all charges, any Death-Eaters who refused to renounce their loyalty to Voldemort were sent to Azkaban on a life sentence, all of those who did were sent on a one year parole, a new minister of magic was elected, and last, but not least, Professor McGonagall was renamed as Headmistress of Hogwarts school for Witchcraft and Wizardry.
That morning, as Harry went down the stairs, she heard a smack on the Dursleys' door. She opened the door to see a young brown-black owl with a white envelope in its talons. She carefully took the envelope and closed the door, turning to read what was inscribed.
To Harriet Rosalind Potter
In the top left room upstairs, 4 Privet Drive in Little Whinging, Surrey
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Ms. Potter;
You have been accepted to Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry for your final year. As a result of the previous war, all students have been recalled for an extra year. As a result, we understand that there will not be any graduates from the previous year; however, as the war interfered with the second and first semesters, there was not much learning going on in Hogwarts. Please take into consideration when buying your school items this year that some rebuilding will be going on do to damage created during the war. All school supplies are in the sheet provided below. On a happier note, please reply on whether or not you will be attending by September 1st at the latest.
Headmistress Minerva McGonagall
Harry smiled slightly. I have another year at Hogwarts and nothing to interfere this year. She slowly walked into the kitchen and placed the letter on the counter. Vernon's eyebrow went to his hairline. "What is that?" Harry looked over. "Just my Hogwarts letter. They said that I would be attending one more year due to some… complications from last year." Vernon sighed under his breath, but didn't say anything and for that she was grateful. Boom, boom, boom. Dudley's stomping could be heard in the living room, which wasn't even under the stairs. The front door could be heard opening and closing as Petunia entered the house—coming back from her shopping trip. It was just another summer day in the Dursley/Potter household, and Harry loved it.