Chapter II: Heroes Return...
September 1st
It was hard to believe. Ron and Hermione sat in a compartment on the Hogwarts Express, making their way back to the castle. They had finished up with the prefect meeting and just sat their in silence. It just didn't feel right not to have the complete Golden Trio there. Shortly they were joined by Neville, Ginny, and Luna.
"How are you holding up?" asked Neville.
"I still can't believe it. Why would he do something like that? Why would he just kill himself like that?" said Ron.
Hermione thought for a minute. "Think of all he's lost. Sirius was the closest person to family for Harry. Everything he's been through, I supposed he just snapped."
"I really can't blame him." chimed in Ginny.
The others couldn't help but agree. They settled back in uncomfortable silence for the rest of the trip. All too soon they reached their destination, and made their way off of the train and towards the waiting carriages. They all seemed to stop at the same point, and just stared up at the school.
"It just won't be the same without him." commented Neville.
After making their way up to the castle, they took their seats at the Gryffindor table, parting ways with Luna. Ron and Hermione symbolically left a seat between them open. The First years were quickly sorted, with the hat giving the usual song about house unity and such. All too soon it came time for Dumbledore's speech.
"To quickly dispense with the necessities, I must remind all students that the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds, and that Caretaker Filch has posted an updated list of all banned items outside of his office. Now, more importantly there is one subject I'm sad to say I must discuss. I am talking about the passing of one of our own, Mr. Harry James Potter.
All attention was given to the Headmaster, which meant no one noticed the slowly darkening of the enchanted ceiling. It was almost as if a storm was brewing.
"Mr. Potter lost his life at the end of term last year, when he and others with him launched a rescue mission to the Ministry of Magic. Also dying on that fateful day was Harry's own godfather, Sirius Black."
There were several gasps at his name, with many believing he was still an escaped murdering convict.
"The two went out as they would have wanted, as fighters, doing their best to protect the ones they loved. No words can magically heal the emotional wounds caused by their passing..."
At this point there was definitely a full blown thunderstorm raging above them.
"Let us all raise our glasses, and toast... to Harry and Sirius. True fallen heroes."
As several hundred goblets raised at once, several peculiar things happened. The thunderstorm had reached its crescendo, and massive lightning bolts were striking out. However, instead of stopping well above their heads like the ceiling effects usually did, the bolts actually hit several points around the Great Hall, specifically the house banners hung around. The banners when hit changed from their usual symbol to a new one. The new symbol was of a black phoenix with stripes majestically rising in front of a bright golden lightning bolt. The crowd was speechless.
Not expecting this recent change of events, they were even more surprised to see the entrance doors open, seemingly of their own accord. Standing in the doorway was a big, grim-like black dog, and a huge dark grey wolf. The most stunning feature of the wolf wasn't its size, but the brightest green eyes. Looking into those eyes made you feel like you're soul itself was being pierced in their gaze. It was almost too much for the students, and even the staff themselves when the animals transformed. Standing in their place were two hooded men. Most startling about the men was the aura they gave off, almost as if they radiated pure power. The aura gradually disappeared as the enchanted ceiling cleared to sunny weather, and after several moments of stunned silence the men slowly pulled off their hoods.
"Well Sirius, I do believe this is the longest I've seen Ron sit at a table and no ask about food."
"As observant as always Harry. I also don't recall ever seeing Ms. Granger going this long without asking a question."
"I really don't get what's wrong with them, Padfoot. It's almost like they've seen a pair of ghosts."
This was too much for the men, they fell into a fit of laughter. So amused at themselves they didn't notice the pair of blurs before they were tackled by two separate Molly Weasley-esque hugs.
"Can't breathe!" squeaked out Harry.
"Losing feeling!" added Sirius.
Ginny and Hermione lessened the pressure, but would not relinquish their hold on the two. Ron had managed to come up to Harry's side, and after sharing a glance, pulled Harry into a back-slapping manly hug. His eyes were slightly misted, a definite contrast to the girls' tear-streaked faces.
"What happened, Harry?" asked the always inquisitive Hermione. "We all thought we had lost you. And you too, Sirius."
"Well..." Harry started while looking up towards the Head table. "That is a conversation that should take place in private."
Dumbledore seemed to agree.
"Lets take this to my office, Harry. For the rest of you , tuck in."
The feast appeared for the students as the reunited Trio plus Ginny, Sirius, and Dumbledore made their way up to the Headmaster's office. It was almost too much for Harry to believe Ron was missing out on food.
They reached the stone gargoyle and followed Dumbledore up the steps. Ginny held a vice-grip on his arm all the way up, half-convinced if she were to let go Harry would not really be there. He hadn't realize how hard this had been on his friends, not with so much other stuff going on.
"I'd suggest everyone finding a comfortable seat, this is a long story." stated Sirius.
Harry conjured a comfy-looking couch, to Hermione's amazement. They all found a seat and faced the two returnee's.
"I'll start then, shall I?" muttered Harry to Sirius. "I guess the last any of you saw of me was me disappearing into the Veil. And of course you all assumed I was dead. Which in all actuality is true, I was in fact dead."
A gasp came from Hermione, who clenched Ron's arm a little tighter.
"Sirius and I reunited on the other side, in spirit form I guess you could say."
"Almost frightened me to death when I saw him, until I realized I couldn't die if I was already dead."
They two shared a chuckle at this.
"We were greeted by two people I never thought I'd see again...my parents. They were shocked to see us both. Shocked because according to them, it wasn't the time yet. For either of us. After getting over the initial surprise, we had to figure out what to do. They summoned someone to come talk to us, and it turned out to be one of my earlier ancestors, Godric Gryffindor."
"Godric was very informative. It turns out to come back, we had to pass through a portal and figure out a way through the obstacles contained within. The task is said to be impossible, which is why no one had ever returned before." added Sirius.
"If its said to be impossible, how are you here?" asked Hermione.
"That, my dear, is all thanks to Golden Boy over here."
"Stop with that, you mangy mutt." muttered Harry as Sirius continued.
"We had to wait for the portal to open, which meant a five year wait in their time. Here, it would have only been about a month and a half. Many things were discovered during that time. Such as the contents of the prophecy you had the Order protecting, Albus. But more importantly, we also discovered the power of the Boy-Who-Lived."
Looks of astonishment were on all of their faces, and the twinkling in Albus' eyes seemed to grow. He had a look of amusement on his face.
"The power has finally been unlocked." the Headmaster stated.
"Yes, and it wasn't easy." Harry said. " Much of my time there was spent training, physical and magical. My Dad and others could be real slave drivers. I don't know how he had the time for him and Sirius to pull half the stunts they did the way he was working me. I spent a lot of time learning how to control this power, and as much knowledge as I could. But it all paid off in the end."
"I can see that it did."
Appraising him up and down as if he were a piece of meat, Ginny's comment served to break the tension that had grown in the room. And yet wrong she was not. Harry had definitely filled out, no longer the scrawny boy he had been. Long black hair hung loose on his head. On his body muscle was clearly defined, more lean and ripped then bulky, and it was hard to name anyone that seemed to be in the kind of physical shape he was. No longer did the term "boy" fit him, he really had become a man. And yet despite the physical change, Ginny could still see in his eyes all the emotional baggage he was carrying. Beneath the piercing gaze, the mental anguish was still easy for her to spot. Almost as if he caught on, Harry quickly averted his gaze.
"To sum it up, the time came for us to attempt to pass through the portal. Defying the impossible, we made it. Returning back to our time, we chose to remain hidden and collect ourselves. We made our way to Potter Mansion, the home of my parents before they hid away at Godric's Hollow. We've been there for the last month, preparing ourselves for when we had to make our eventual return to 'the Land of the Living'. And now here we are." Finished up Harry.
"I am truly amazed, Harry. Let me say once again how proud I am of you." Dumbledore said.
"Albus, we've had a long day. Let Harry go up to the dorms. I'll stay and fill in the finer details." said Sirius.
"Thanks Padfoot." Harry thought to Sirius.
"Don't mention it. I'm used to dealing with the old man, and know to keep some details private. Go, enjoy being back in the company of friends."
"Well then, off we go." And with that, Harry got up and made his way out. Ginny still stayed attached to his side. They had just passed on the gargoyle when Hermione suddenly rounded on him.
"Harry James Potter! Don't you ever do anything like that again. Do you know what you put us through! You ever pull a stunt like that again, you better stay dead because I'll kill you myself!" He couldn't help but laugh.
"I missed you too Hermione. All of you. Even you Ron and you Ginny."
Harry fell asleep that night with only one thought.
"It's good to be back."
A/N : While the events of my story are already planned out, I have left some squiggle room to fit in any changes, and am always open to good ideas.