Number 4, Privet Drive, October 4th, 1995.

Under cover of the darkened evening sky, Harry and Tonks now arrive at the doorstep of the Dursleys' home. The latter seems to have kept her usual pink-haired look as she leads Harry by the hand to ring the doorbell.

"Well here we are again, let's hope it's a decent reception. Wouldn't want you to put up with more rubbish after Azkaban," says Tonks, with a slight shudder.

"Since when are you so soft and motherly, Nymphadora?"

She gives him a tight-lipped smile before replying. "I'll have mercy on the freed convict now, but don't expect to use my first name forever."

"Your name excites me."

"Pervert."

The door soon opens to a livid Uncle Vernon who immediately points his finger at Tonks.

"Now see here, missy. The only prison for this boy is our house, not some maniac mimblewimble torture institution!"

"Wait, what?" Harry doesn't know which emotion to feel, though he settles on amusement.

"So, now you know what your nephew's been through over the past few months. Take a good look at him for yourself." Tonks grabs Harry to place him in front of her.

"Serves him right for being abnor—" Vernon suddenly grabs at his chest in shock before stepping back. "Petunia, Dudley, come see how this boy looks!"

While the Dursleys scramble to the centre of the lounge in argument, Harry glances sadly at Tonks.

"Oh man, how bad is it? Really?"

She smiles at him before running her thumbs beneath his eyes.

"You're still a handsome little bugger, even with these baggy eyes and gaunt cheeks."

"So I'm actually ugly, eh?"

"Oh don't be so silly, Harry. Okay, if you're looking for a girl's point of view, I think you're still very cute."

"But you're not a female."

"You'd better not start this again," says Tonks firmly.

"You probably have a bigger wand than me, and I'm not talking about the one they snapped." Harry finally smiles before Tonks lightly smacks his head. Minutes later, Aunt Petunia approaches the doorway with a horrified expression.

"He's even uglier than usual."

"Well that's very comforting, thanks," replies Harry dryly, before Dudley jumps back in shock.

"Is that Potter? He looks like he's been in a horror movie or something—" Dudley's statement is cut off by a rather offended Tonks.

"Hey, kid, show some respect already. Yeah yeah you can laugh all you want but the guy who killed his parents is back. Surely Professor Dumbledore told you all this? You know, the old man who looks like your people's garden gnomes?"

Harry starts laughing at Tonks' description of the Headmaster.

"What? He kinda does in a way, just far taller."

"Yes of course, that old man has told us all about the Voldy-thingy on the loose," says Uncle Vernon, while waving his hand dismissively. "He tries anything against us and I'll shoot him."

"Guns are almost useless against the kinds of stuff that guy and his people can do," says Harry, who turns to look at his aunt. "My parents had wands and they couldn't do anything against him, so what good can a gun do?"

"Then dad will just buy a machine gun or bazooka or—"

"Dudley," sighs Harry. "Just don't. Those aren't even legal at all, and that Voldyman can block anything you Muggles throw at him. Nice try though."

"Um, aren't we going to at least talk inside? It's quite cold out here, you know," says Tonks.

"Oh no, not you!" says Uncle Vernon. "Boy, come inside, your friend can find her own way home."

"Goodnight, Dora," says Harry, while entering the house as Tonks waves.

"Cheers, Harry. Oh, and you can expect a letter sometime detailing the latest events. I'm not exactly sure what's going on or when your expulsion is going to be revoked."

Before the Dursleys can laugh, Harry smiles dryly at them. Meanwhile, Tonks walks around a nearby corner, and out of sight, before Disapparating to Sirius' place.

"So how did that girl go home, alone, at this hour?" asks Uncle Vernon, as the Dursleys and Harry take their seats in the lounge.

"Magic, yep. And because my wand's snapped there's no way they can blame me for doing anything. So it's all well and good now, except that I'm gonna be here for I dunno how long."

The look on Uncle Vernon's face turns triumphant as he shakes his finger at Harry while speaking.

"You see, boy? They falsely accuse you of murder, throw you to rot in jail, break your magic stick, and now you're stuck back here. Oh, and they expelled you from school! I told you that was all a bunch of hocus pocus freaky nonsense didn't I? Huh? Remember when that huge guy came to kidnap you back in '91? I did warn you they can't be trusted. Now look at you, basically an expelled delinquent!"

"The old man that looks like Father Christmas will make things right," says Harry.

"He's probably going to get you killed as well," mutters Aunt Petunia swiftly, before changing the topic as Harry looks at her. "So, how long are we going to have to hide you here, hmm?"

"'Hide' me?"

"Boy," sighs Uncle Vernon. "You're a fifteen year-old kid who doesn't attend any known school... or any school now for that matter. If someone catches even a glimpse of you at home all day long, then the cops will come knocking on our door! Summer holidays are finished, remember?"

"Oh great." Harry face-palms himself. "Last thing I need now is to be harassed by the EWS..."

"Or maybe this is your one and only chance to turn your back on that stupid freaky world and be normal." Uncle Vernon leans forward in his chair as if extending an offer to Harry. "It's a sign, boy, a sign that there could be some hope for you."

"That world is nothing but trouble," says Aunt Petunia in a scathing manner. "Some old man with a long beard coming to tell us what to do. Some kid who can't even dress himself properly, who reminds me of you, once came to brainwash my s— Nevermind, forget I said anything."

"The old man's Dumbledore, but who's this kid you're talking about?" asks Harry intriguingly.

"Forget it!" shrieks Aunt Petunia, whose sudden shout has even Uncle Vernon taken aback. "Now get in that bathroom, and get dressed properly before you also start wearing overlarge coats and too short jeans."

"Okay, sure."

"Wait a minute," says Uncle Vernon quite suspiciously. "The old man said you won that competition of yours, boy, so where's the quid?"

Harry now realizes that he hasn't received the Triwizard Tournament's prize money at all. Now he wonders whether the win was given posthumously to Alyssa, due to the allegations of murder on Harry's part. Therefore, he reckons that a visit Gringotts might be necessary. The sooner he appeases Uncle Vernon's expectations, the more bearable his stay might be.

"I'll, uh, need to stop by our world's bank to sort things out. Didn't exactly have time to plan in prison."

A tense few seconds pass by as Harry finds himself being eyed most cynically.

"That place near Charing Cross, right?" asks Uncle Vernon. "You said it was a shopping hub of sorts with a bank?"

"Yes, but I'll have to send an owl—" The Dursleys groan at this means of communication, before Harry rolls his eyes and continues. "—to some people to make sure I don't walk around unprotected. That pink-haired girl is like a policewoman in our world, sort of... well more like a secret agent kinda thing."

"Well, you'd better go wash first before sending anything." Aunt Petunia now looks at Uncle Vernon. "The money can wait until tomorrow."

"How much are we talking about here, boy?"

After pausing for some thought, Harry considers exchanging 500 Galleons to...

"Two and a half thousand Pounds."

Slapping his hand on the couch, Uncle Vernon appears triumphant. "It's about bloody time you paid us back for living and eating and sleeping here! You get us that prize money, got it, boy?"

"But, dad, what if he's spotted being home all day? Someone could see him through the windows," says Dudley, while gesturing towards Harry.

"Then I'll just stay away from the windows. What? You expect me to run off and sleep under the stairs like the good old days?"

For quite possibly the first time ever, Harry makes a comment that elicits slight laughter from his Muggle family. It's a good, if unknown, feeling to him.

"Alright, enough jokes. Get yourself in that bathroom and, well, what in the world are we going to do about his clothes? Throw that 'school' uniform away I say!" says Aunt Petunia, while grimacing at Harry's filthy uniform that he's been wearing for the past three months.

"Burn it, I say," mutters Uncle Vernon. "Or shove it in your trunk, since the old man brought it to your room the other day."

Once Harry's on his way to his bedroom on the first floor, he hears his Aunt spraying air freshener and wiping the couch where he'd sat. But it bothers him little as he enters his room to retrieve some Muggle clothing from his trunk.

"Gonna write a letter for you to send later, alright?"

Hedwig hoots excitedly from within her cage as Harry exits his room to walk across the first floor landing.

"Man, you stink!" says Dudley, while heading to his room on the first floor. "And why the heck is there a snake picture on that so-called uniform?"

"Because my school is divided into four Houses where students can end up in."

"But why is yours a snake? Aren't there better 'Houses' there? No dinosaurs or tigers or sharks or whatever?"

"Don't you think it suits me fine?" Harry stands at the bathroom door while grinning mischievously. "Remember the zoo from four years back?"

"I'm gonna go play PlayStation now, don't wanna talk about weirdo stuff."

It's only when Harry locks the bathroom door and approaches the mirror that he gasps in horror. Truly, Azkaban has taken its toll on him as his cheeks are indeed gaunt. Dark circles surround his eyes while his pale skin seems almost stretched across his face.

"Damn, what the hell?"

But it's not as bad as he recalls Sirius appearing after his lengthy stay in Azkaban. The green eyes staring back at Harry in the mirror convey a sense of hope, and he therefore smiles. This is followed by the first warm, relaxing bath he's had in over three months as Harry lays back in the tub. Looking left, he sighs upon seeing his filthy robes which the Dursleys would never shove in their washing machine. But at least the soothing warmth of an evening bath has him finally easing up.

Later on, Harry begins writing a letter to Sirius requesting him and Tonks' presence tomorrow morning. After securing it to Hedwig, Harry sends the snowy owl on her way before he tucks himself in. Finally, a decent night's sleep which he feels could be the best one he's yet had at the Dursleys. He reckons that nothing could be worse than Azkaban, not even this place.

But he can't seem to drift off properly now, not unless he checks up on old friends. Therefore, Harry withdraws the Marauder's Map from his trunk and immediately activates it.

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

The Slytherin common room appears to be rather crowded in the evening, especially as one particular name stands in its centre:

"Theodore Nott."

A sickening feeling builds from within as Harry surveys the surrounding names and wonders what's happening. Nott's dot appears to be surrounded by Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, Zabini, Montague, and Vaisey. But as Harry sees another semi-circle of dots gathering nearby, he realizes what might be going on here.

"Bastards..."

Either one of the aforementioned names has to be Captain now, probably Montague, and it seems as if drastic changes have been made. Standing in the second semi-circle are: Yasmin Shafiq, Cassius Warrington, Miles Bletchley, and Adrian Pucey.

It doesn't take Harry long to assume that whoever's succeeded Marcus Flint as Captain has kicked out all friendly faces towards Harry. No doubt there might be some 'Anti-Potter' chants and mockery going on from the new Slytherin Quidditch team, and last year's Anti-Potter minority. It hurts Harry to see all of Flint's work be dismantled in such a crude manner, even more so since Montague's turned sour last year already.

Fifth-year means a new set of Prefects for each House, and Harry now wonders just who might Slytherin's be? But he soon has a very good guess as the two semi-circles of Quidditch players close up on each other. A potential face-to-face confrontation that is stopped as the dot of Pansy Parkinson moves between them. She now approaches Malfoy, and Harry wonders if that snob could be a Prefect too? If so, then Pansy might be reminding him to stop confrontations rather than provoke them.

Elsewhere, Harry eventually views the Hufflepuff common room where many names are gathered in a circle around Cedric Diggory. From the looks of things it seems he's addressing his fellow Housemates about something. Hopefully, it's a pro-Harry speech to spread some goodness across the school.

A similar scenario seems to be happening at Ravenclaw, where Harry spots Cho Chang in the centre of a crowded common room too, much like Cedric's doing.

In the Gryffindor common room, dots seem to be spread all over causing Harry to zoom in for better accuracy. Ron Weasley's dot seems to be where Harry recalls a few tables being. Around him are Fay Dunbar and Eloise Midgen. Also seated (or standing? Harry can't be too sure) nearby are Neville Longbottom, Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, and Roger Malone. All five Gryffindor fifth-year boys seem to be congregated near one corner of the room.

The dot of Hermione Granger near the fireplace has Harry's heart skipping a beat. He recalls how comfortable it had been back in third year when she smuggled him into the common room to cosy up at the fireplace. It pains Harry to imagine the look on Hermione's face now that he's actually been expelled from school, got his wand snapped, and served time in Azkaban. At least she has some comfort in the form of Crookshanks who Harry now spots as being on her lap.

While the sounds of Dudley enjoying his PlayStation may be heard across the first floor landing, Harry reckons the Marauder's Map proves far more entertaining. Elsewhere in the common room, it seems that Ginny Weasley's pacing up and down restlessly while the twins and Lee Jordan are gathered in another corner.

After deciding to view Professor Dumbledore's office, Harry spots a variety of staff members including McGonagall, Snape, Sprout, Sinistra, Madam Hooch, Flitwick, Grubbly-Plank, and Trelawney. Then he sees Moody in Dumbledore's office even though scrolling to the Defence Against the Dark Arts Office shows a Dolores Umbridge.

"Okay, what the hell?"

Closer inspection reveals even a Remus Lupin amidst the group which surprises Harry. Perhaps Dumbledore's working on getting the latter's expulsion revoked, therefore he'd require backing from current and former staff members?

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BOOM!

The sounds of gunfire and explosions echo loudly from Dudley's room as he's still getting through his videogame. This leaves an annoyed Harry to try and ignore the action while focusing harder on his Map.

After navigating back to the Gryffindor common room, he spots a variety of names near another corner of the room. Angelina Johnson, Katie Bell, Alicia Spinnet, Fred and George, Cormac McLaggen, and Ginny seem to be gathered in a semi-circle. No doubt they're planning and discussing this year's Quidditch season. Harry's never liked the arrogant McLaggen, and neither does he admire any of the current Slytherin Quidditch team members.

"Wait a minute."

A most outlandish idea now forms in his head, something that makes him struggle to contain his laughter.

"I am so bored..."

Since he's due to visit Diagon Alley with Sirius and Tonks at some point, Harry tries to find an old piece of parchment from Hermione. After rummaging through his trunk, and through old books, he finally finds a list he'd once demanded from the girl.

"Leeches, powered bicorn horn, knotgrass, fluxweed (picked at full moon), lacewing flies (stew 21 days), shredded boomslang skin, essence of target."

What better (and safer) way to get at his foes than to humiliate them at school, including Quidditch? Harry recalls seeing the talent of Ron as Keeper at the Burrow, although he's always lacked confidence at Hogwarts. If there could just be a nicely hidden room somewhere in the castle... then he'd use Dobby to side-along Apparate from Grimmauld.

All it would take is getting Dumbledore's permission (which, hopefully, wouldn't be too hard) and Hermione's knowledge to get the fun going. But sending an owl straight to Dumbledore is too risky now, as Harry recalls the possibility of them being intercepted at school.

"Mischief managed."

The following morning sees Harry up and early to get himself some breakfast. Given his somewhat withered appearance (and incoming prize money), the Dursleys now seem less finicky over his raiding of their fridge.

"Take what you want but don't ask us to cook it," says Aunt Petunia. "And don't you dare waste our food, you hear?"

"Yes, of course, thanks."

"Boy, we're taking Dudley to school later on. Where's your people going to meet you? Not outside on our lawn, I hope?" asks Uncle Vernon.

In a most timely manner, Harry receives Sirius' reply via Hedwig which states that he and Tonks will meet up at the Leaky Cauldron.

"...and put on a hoodie, just for caution's sake."

After sitting down for a decent breakfast with the Dursleys, Harry slips on some rather plain clothing (including a hoodie) before getting into the car as sunrise nears. The drive to Charing Cross proves rather uneventful before Harry raises his hood and climbs out.

"Don't be back before sunset, understand? I don't want unnecessary attention drawn to us. Remember: you're supposed to be at a secure facility for the incurably criminal boys," says Uncle Vernon sternly. "And don't expect us to come pick you up here again. Find your own way home."

"Thanks, see you all tonight." Harry swiftly heads towards the Leaky Cauldron where he meets up with Sirius and Tonks at the back of the pub.

"Wotcher, Harry. You smell loads cleaner and you sure look a tiny bit better."

"Hi to you too, Dora."

Sirius grabs Harry into a hug before checking to see if he's alright.

"They didn't give you hell, did they?"

"Nah, the Dursleys were alright, I guess."

"Right," says Tonks. "You still got the Trace on you but I pulled some strings with a few friends. If anybody tries anything then Sirius and I will get 'em good, and you don't have to worry about getting into trouble."

"What's the plan for today?" asks Sirius, while looking at Harry. The latter soon explains about Gringotts and the Apothecary.

"Wait a minute, are you serious?" asks Tonks, before Harry shrugs.

"No, that's him."

"Oh, very funny, Harry." Sirius laughs for a bit before looking at his godson incredulously. "So, lemme get this straight: you want to get back at those who are probably mocking you at school, correct?"

"Yep."

"And you wish to brew Polyjuice Potion with Hermione so you can turn into Ron Weasley, right?"

"Yep yep."

"I think it's brilliant!" declares Tonks quite happily. "But how are we going to smuggle you into school? Not to mention that you don't have a wand."

Lowering his voice to a whisper, Harry leans forward as they stand at the back of the pub. "House elf magic bypasses Hogwarts' enchantments. Shhhhhh."

"Don't bother with Kreacher, waste of space."

"No man, Sirius, I meant Dobby. You know, the free elf that's more than happy to help me out?"

"That's a big security risk, you know," says Tonks.

"No Death Eater nor even Voldemort would ever resort to using House Elves to get into Hogwarts. Dumbledore knows that too," replies Harry. "But just think how furious it'd make Theodore Nott Jr. and his cronies when a—pardon me—'Blood traitor' owns them."

"I hate people like that, always mocking others because of their blood and stuff." Tonks' expression turns quite firm indeed. "Sirius, I say we get Harry to shut some 'elitist' wannabes up at school."

"So you'll finally get to live out your dream of being a Gryffindor? Hahaha, welcome to the good side."

Harry narrows his eyes at Sirius.

"Not all Slytherins are bad, you know. Hey, Tonks, I think Sirius is implying that your mum's also evil..."

"It's two on one now, Sirius, Harry's got a point."

"Whoa there, relax, I was just joking." Sirius gestures for them to be on their way. "Let's tap that brick."

As Sirius walks towards the brick wall behind the pub, Harry gives a sly look at Tonks.

"I'd tap this brick."

"Didn't you have enough time to play with yourself in prison, pervert?"

"It's never enough, hahaha!" Harry follows Sirius through the archway and into Diagon Alley. "Back in the abnormal freak world, yes, ow!"

Tonks grabs him into a headlock from behind, while bending forward to scowl at him.

"You take that back, convict."

"I take it back!"

"Good."

"When you're done bullying my godson, Tonks, Gringotts is straight ahead," calls Sirius from a few metres away. Meanwhile, Tonks softly laughs while looking at the frowning Harry.

"So, you don't have a wand, and you're being taken through Diagon Alley by two adults? Awww, look at the little child heading off for his first day of school."

"Oh, shut up. Yeah, this 'child' lost his wand after duelling with Voldemort, and then he got expelled from school. Ha-ha how very funny you are."

"Did I touch a nerve?" asks Tonks, as the trio soon step into the vast marble hall of Gringotts bank. Having managed to keep Harry relatively unnoticed thus far outside certainly comes as a relief.

"Let's get this over with," mutters Harry. "I've never liked these goblins."

Sirius leads the way towards a free goblin at a counter before requesting a withdrawal.

"And Mr. Potter's key, sir?"

"Here we go." Sirius shows the vault key given to him by Harry. With everything in order, they soon board a small cart before heading to Harry's vault.

"How much do you reckon I might need?" asks Harry, before Tonks seems to be pausing for thought.

"Those ingredients won't be very cheap, especially if you're planning on multiple doses. It's your call."

"Oh that's very helpful." Harry sighs before turning to question the goblin about the Triwizard Tournament's prize money. In response, the latter appears slightly offended.

"This is just a bank, Mr. Potter, what more do you think we do here? Take those questions to your Ministry."

"I know about Bagman..." replies Harry, which causes him to briefly explain the situation with a confused Sirius and Tonks.

"We all know about Ludovic Bagman," says the goblin, with a look of disgust on his face. "Owed us a lot of money on that bet he's just lost. More than one bet, actually. He was banking on you winning the Tournament but that's not how we see it. Double touch means there were two winners, well, unless your Ministry revokes your victory for murder."

"How much are we talking about here, exactly?"

"That is confidential information, Mr. Potter."

"Well, he's never going to pay you back, is he?"

"And for good reason, the fool," replies the goblin. "7350 Galleons, since you're so curious."

"Idiot's never gonna ever get that kind of money, just take it from my vault then." Harry's statement has Sirius and Tonks nearly falling off the cart as they near vault 687.

"WHAT? Are you nuts? How can you just waste your parents' money like that?" asks a bewildered Sirius.

"I think your godson's spent way too much time in Azkaban!" says Tonks.

"The hell do I care? I can do whatever I want," replies Harry. "That's not too much of a dent in my cash anyway."

"Well, aren't you noble?" scoffs the goblin mockingly. "We'll find a way to notify that idiot of his debt repaid. Here we are, vault 687, currently holds 37,449 Galleons in total."

"It's your cash, Harry," says Sirius. "But now you're gonna dip below thirty thousand in one visit. You sure you wanna do that?"

"Mr. Potter has already made an arrangement, I'd suggest not backing out of this promise," says the goblin, before Harry gestures towards him.

"Yeah, what he said."

Once they've unlocked the door, Harry enjoys the expression on Tonks' face as stockpiles of Galleons come into view. But he enjoys it even more as a noticeable chunk is soon taken away by the goblin, and set in another cart.

"Bloody mental, that's what you are, Harry. A bloody mental pervert."

"How much would it cost for a special dance right here, Nymphadora?" Harry's smirk is then slapped away by Tonks.

"I'll just pretend that you're a bit unhinged from jail. Sirius, maybe you should counsel Harry on keeping his weapon in check before we get little Blacks running around."

"Potters, you mean," says Harry. "Or maybe... hehehe... little Tonkses?"

"So you'll bang my father?"

"Oh you did not just twist my joke, Nymphodora."

"HEY—"

"Can we get this transaction finished already?" asks the goblin, before Harry decides upon taking 300 Galleons for himself.

This is followed by withdrawing an additional 500 to be converted to Pounds in the marble hall. As they leave, the goblin declares that there's around 29,299 Galleons worth of coin left in the vault. Eventually, the trio exchange the coins for twenty-five £100 notes at a counter.

"I'll shove those in my jacket," says Sirius, as they exit the bank and return down the road whence they've came. Next up is the apothecary (which now sits to the entrance wall's right), where Harry lets Tonks do the purchasing.

"Brewing Polyjuice Potion, eh? Quite a lot by the amount your hooded friend is wanting," says the store clerk. "For 230 Galleons he can get enough to brew an average of about ten cauldrons."

Tonks sees Harry giving a thumbs up, then she winks at him before replying to the clerk:

"Oh, we're just looking to spice up our love life, add some flavour, you know?"

"Lucky lad that is. Here's everything you need, well, besides whoever you're looking to impersonate." The clerk accepts 220 Galleons for Harry's desired list before packing everything into a sealed bag.

"I heard what you said, Dora," says a blushing Harry, while walking beside Tonks as Sirius taps open the brick wall again.

"Now don't go getting a boner over all that," she responds with a laugh. "Got you a 10 Galleon discount, didn't I? Say: 'thank you, boss'."

"Thank you, mistress."

"Pervert."

Since it's now broad daylight, Sirius and Tonks decide against disapparating to Claremont Square with Harry. Instead, they risk using Muggle transport (with Tonks paying from her own spare change) through the jam-packed streets of London.

While sitting beside Tonks on the back seat, Harry sighs. "Traffic is like hell out here."

"Why we going to Claremont Square now? It's nearly half-past eight so shouldn't you be going to school, boy?" asks the taxi driver.

"He's quite sick," says Tonks, while nudging Harry in the side.

After coughing a bit and leaning over in pain (deliberately on Tonks' lap) Harry speaks hoarsely:

"Very sick... need to lie down at home... I'm really sick."

"Sick in the head, yeah," whispers Tonks.

"Well you'd better not be missing out on too much work today. Stormy weather like this could knock out the power and it's already not so bright," says the driver.

With the taxi basically crawling in bumper-to-bumper traffic, Sirius locks eyes with Harry in the rear view mirror.

"Maybe you should take a nap while we keep watch around."

"Keep watch for what?" asks the taxi driver. "What are you folks up to?"

"Keep watch for heavy rain, otherwise the boy's gonna get more sick," replies Tonks, although Harry knows they're keeping a lookout for suspicious individuals. Who knows where a Voldemort supporter might be lurking these days?

Seizing the opportunity, Harry rests his head on Tonks' shoulder which elicits an amused whisper from her.

"Such a blooming baby at times, unbelievable."

After about half an hour's drive, the trio are dropped off at their destination before entering number 12, Grimmauld Place.

"Shhh, remember my mother... and don't trip over the stand, Dora," whispers Sirius, as they tip-toe through the long hallway before entering the dining room. Once inside, they're safely able to speak at normal tone. "You might notice the place's a bit cleaner than last year."

"Yeah," says Harry. "Even more so than with everybody helping last time."

"They even got rid of the boggart in the drawing room," says Tonks. "Hermione tried... and let's just say it was a bit emotional."

"Professor McGonagall failing all her exams again?"

"No, it was you, Harry," replies Sirius quite softly. "You sitting on the ground, soulless, empty, and nothing but a broken shell of a boy in Azkaban."

"Oh..."

Tonks squeezes Harry on the shoulder before adding: "Ginny stepped in next and, funnily enough, the boggart stayed unchanged. Same deep-seated fear but she toughed it out, although it was a quiet few minutes after that. Quiet for everyone here."

"I think any of us, from Molly to Arthur to Remus to Tonks... anyone really... could have possibly had the boggart turn to that," says Sirius, before Harry looks apologetically at him.

"I didn't mean to cause so much grief, sorry."

"Don't blame yourself, kid, we mostly understand how you must've felt in that graveyard." Tonks leads Harry to a seat at the lengthy table. "Nobody's perfect and we all have our moments. It's just unfortunate that you're a little rascal who's used the Killing Curse."

"Poor Mad-Eye," laughs Sirius. "He wasn't sure what to feel, either guilt at having taught it, anger at the unfairness, or being impressed that you pulled such a spell off."

"Well here I am," sighs Harry. "Sitting without a wand in a place where I could be going over some magic."

"Trace my arse, they probably can't track us property here nor pinpoint who's doing it," says Sirius. "Use my wand and refresh yourself after going through hell in Azkaban."

"Wands choose the wizard, so it's not going to be the same. Hell, I might just suck so badly at casting anything now."

"We won't laugh at you, honest," says Tonks kindly. "I'm up for afternoon duty today so... shall we have some fun together? Casting spells I mean, not what you're thinking, Harry."

"Oh, by the way," says Sirius. "You might be interested to know that that portrait in the bedroom is of Phineas Nigellus Black, my great-great-grandfather. Least popular Headmaster Hogwarts ever had."

"He's a sarcastic git from what I remember last year. Always sniggering and laughing in that empty portrait," replies Harry.

"Well I'm going to have a chat with him, since his other end is right in Dumbledore's office. Cool, huh?"

"Wicked."

"And when you're done informing Dumbledore of Harry's plans, I think you ought to show the baby"—Tonks pinches what's left of Harry's cheeks—"the family tree in the drawing room."

"Good idea." Sirius heads off to the bedroom portrait who, reluctantly, takes to helping him pass messages to Professor Dumbledore. He eventually returns to the dining room to inform Harry that the latter will be allowed back into the school, provided that he remains undetected.

"Dad's Cloak will definitely come in handy for that," says Harry. "Not to mention the Map which means all that's missing is a wand for me."

"Dumbledore mentioned Mr. Ollivander having started on working some stuff together. It might take a while because they've still got to convince the Wizengamot to revoke your ban on getting a wand."

"The what?"

"Wizengamot is basically like the high court of law in the wizarding world here," replies Sirius. "Politics and legal stuff everywhere."

"So far, they're aware that it's Sirius and I performing magic around you when the Trace shows. But unless Dumbledore gets in good to revoke your ban then it's going to look suspicious for you to be Traced every time," says Tonks.

"But why am I not at my own court trial then?" asks Harry.

Sirius smiles before replying. "Because Dumbledore knows what he's doing. The next hearing is in a few days' time and it's best if you're not present to be provoked. Some of the pro-Fudge diehards will no doubt be looking to make you lose your temper, and thereby lessening the chances of you getting permission for another wand."

"I can control my temper."

"No doubt there, Harry, but we're talking a courtroom full of uptight, annoying, and smart-arsed legal folks. They'd know how to work you up without showing it," replies Sirius.

"Well then, I guess I'll practice some magic here a bit before heading back to the Dursleys later today," says Harry, which is exactly what he ends up doing as well as letting Sirius discuss the Black family tree with him.

By late afternoon's end, before preparing to leave for Privet drive again, Harry receives a surprise visit from Dobby. The elf seems to have left Malfoy manor of his own accord due to the unfairness shown towards Harry by many, including Draco himself.

"They is very bad people, sir! Dobby was happy to work there again only because Harry Potter sir asked and paid. But now Dobby thinks it's best to avoid that place where they all dislike Harry Potter."

While sitting on the floor in the drawing room, Harry smiles. "Good on you, pal. So where do you plan on working next?"

"Professor Dumbledore has already given Dobby a paid job at Hogwarts, since before Harry Potter was sent to Azkaban!" replies Dobby quite excitedly.

"Well I hope that finally makes the Malfoys realize what they're missing. Let them do their own damn work from now on. Why did I even let you go back there?" asks Harry confusedly. "Well at least I paid you for it."

"Dobby has also come to bring Harry Potter a message, sir."

"Alright, let's hear it then."

"Professor Dumbledore said Harry Potter would be needing somewhere to hide if Dobby helps Harry Potter back into the castle, right? Well Dobby knows just the place! On the seventh floor corridor there is a room that Dobby had accidentally found while moving around Hogwarts."

"Yeah," says Harry. "I also remember finding a weird room there that I just couldn't get back into. Had lots and lots and lots of junk stored there."

"Doesn't sound like the room Dobby has found but maybe Harry Potter had different needs. Dobby heard from the other house elves that it is called the Come and Go Room, or Room of Requirement! "

"Brilliant! How does it work?"

Dobby then explains what he knows about using the room of requirement, which has Harry grinning widely.

"Now that sounds like a plan! Could you do me a favour and try to tell Hermione Granger about me coming back, in private?"

"Dobby can do that, yes, sir! Dobby will find the Hermione Granger girl and tell her about Harry Potter's return when nobody is listening."

"Oh, and also tell her that Harry Potter says she's pretty."

"Dobby will do that too!" The elf now disapparates back to Hogwarts while Harry sits back and smiles.

But his joy is interrupted by a pang of regret in being unable to contact Fleur at all. Since she's back in France, it's far too tiring and risky to send an owl to her. Fire-calling is also a no-go due to the Ministry keeping watch on the Floo network. And Harry would rather not place her in danger by alerting others to his ever-present affection towards her.

With nothing else to do, he continues doing practical revision with Sirius' wand (yielding quite mixed results) as the afternoon moves on. By late evening, Sirius has Harry side-along Apparating to the Dursleys' place where Harry hands over the money.

"Now this is more like it! Yes, sir, I do say!" exclaims a chuffed Uncle Vernon, while counting out the many £100 notes.

They may not be overwhelmingly warm towards him, but Harry smiles in knowing that things are at least... pleasant from here on out.