Chapter 2: Making Amends

Harry waited till the day when he would be returning to the Dursleys to take a stroll down to the Dungeons underneath his invisibility cloak. He slipped into the classroom and entered Professor Snape's office unnoticed.

Harry, placed an envelope addressed to Professor Snape, on the desk.

'Dear Professor Snape,

I owe you an apology sir, I was under the illusion that you were trying to steal The Philosopher's Stone for Voldemort. I was a fool and I admit that I acted rather rashly in doing so, I placed not only my life, but the lives of my friends in jeopardy and not only endangered the school, but the whole wizarding community.

I stuck my nose in where it wasn't wanted or in this case needed. I was curious and attracted by the mystery, as certain events began to unfold that led up to my confrontation with Quirrelmort down in the underground chamber. I should of exercised caution after what happened in the forbidden forest, during the Quidditch game and at Halloween, but I didn't. I honestly thought that you were trying to kill me, when in reality you were trying to save me despite our mutual animosity for one another.

I let my hatred blind me, and for that I am sorry. The evidence that I and my friends had gathered pointed to you, as the culprit and at the time I was unwilling to look for another suspect who had motive, opportunity and the means to obtain The Philosopher's Stone. It wasn't until I found out what the final obstacle was that I knew that Quirrelmort would never have been able to acquire it. It was then I came to the realisation that I had been lured into a trap that Quirrelmort had set up for me to retrieve the stone for them. And I fell with it. Had I just stopped to think. None of the events that took place would have occurred. But, in my defence, I genuinely thought that the stone was in danger and had gone to Professor McGonagall and informed her that someone were trying to steal the stone.

Anyway, that is besides the point. I just wanted you to know that I made a grave error of judgement and wish to apologise for making unfounded presumptions about you. And the reason I'm not telling you in person is because I know you, well enough, sir, that you will not accept my apology nor will I be forgiven for acting the fool in your eyes therefore I will not make a bigger dunderhead of myself by going on a fool's errand.

P.S Whatever old score you have yet to settle with a dead man. I shall not let you settle it with me. I'm not James Potter reincarnated. I'm sure you have your reasons, but please bare in mind, sir, that I cannot and will not allow you or anyone else for that matter to replace me with my parents. All I ask is that you try to reserve judgement on me. I want this childish feud to end between us or at the very least to find some common ground. So, that we can be somewhat civil to one another. Like it or not, sir. We're stuck with each, for the next six years.

Sincerely,

Harry Potter'.

Harry left the office and made his way back to the Gryffindor tower where Ron and Hermione would be waiting for him.

With their wardrobes empty, and their trunks packed, the golden trio went to meet Hagrid, who was there to take them down to the fleet of boats that sailed across the lake.

When they got to the platform students were walking around and boarding the train.

"Come on, hurry up. You'll be late. Train's leaving. Go on. Go on. Come on. Hurry up".

Harry handed Hedwig to a trainman, and walks to an open door of the train with Hermione. Hermione waves Hagrid, who waves back. Hermione boards the train.

"Come on, Harry".

"One minute" He walks over to Hagrid.

"Thought you were leaving without saying goodbye, Didja?" Hagrid takes a red album out of his pocket and hands it to Harry. "This is for you".

Harry opens the album and smiles fondly at the moving pictures of him as a baby with his parents. They were smiling and waving at him.

"Thanks, Hagrid. You have no idea how much this means to me" He said as he threw his arms around Hagrid.

"Aw, it was nothing" Hagrid said as he engulfed Harry in a hug. Harry pulled back and smiles up at the friendly half-giant.

"Go on...on with you".

Harry walks away, back to the train door where Hermione and Ron are waiting for him.

"Feels strange to be going home, doesn't it?".

"I'm not going home. Not really," Replied Harry.

The train whistles and the train started to leave the station, Harry waved out the window to Hagrid, who waved back.

Later,

"Are you alright, Harry. You seem distracted" Hermione questioned concerned for her friend.

"I'm fine, Hermione, I'm just reflecting back on the unexpected turn of events" He sighed."Voldemort is still out there somewhere. All we've done is merely delayed him from returning to power. One day, he will and I will have to be ready for him. He will not stop coming after me, until I am dead or I vanquish him once and for all. Who's to say that next year will be any different than this year?. I'm determined now more than ever to be better prepared for whatever comes my way" He turned his head, gazing out of the window "this might come as a surprise, Hermione, but I'm going to turn over a new leaf, and take more of an initiative in my magical education".

Hermione placed a hand on his shoulder in a gesture of comfort "Oh, Harry, that's a wonderful approach to take".

Ron nodded "We're with you, mate, no matter what".

"Thanks, Ron. I don't think I would be able to face what's to come without you, guys" He turned to Hermione "Is there any books you, can recommend that would be worth my while reading?" He asked reluctantly, knowing that Hermione, would end up talking his ear off for the rest of the journey.

By the time, the Hogwarts Express had pulled up to Kings Cross Station. Hermione had recommended at least twenty books after giving a detailed review on each one and even going so far as to make a study schedule for Harry.

"You must come and stay this summer," said Ron, "both of you – I'll send you an owl".

"Thanks," said Harry, "I'll need something to look forward to". People jostled them as they moved forward toward the gateway back to the Muggle world. Some of them called:

"Bye, Harry!"

"See you, Potter!"

"Still famous," said Ron, grinning at him.

"Not where I'm going, I promise you," said Harry.

He, Ron, and Hermione passed through the gateway together. "There he is, Mom, there he is, look!".

It was Ginny Weasley, Ron's younger sister, but she wasn't pointing at Ron.

"Harry Potter!" she squealed. "Look, Mom! I can see-".

"Be quiet, Ginny, and it's rude to point".

Mrs. Weasley smiled down at them. "Busy year?" she said.

"Very," said Harry. "Thanks for the fudge and the sweater, Mrs. Weasley".

"Oh, it was nothing, dear".

Harry smiled lightly at the bashful Ginny, who stood pinned next to her mother's hip "Hello, I'm Harry".

He stretched out his head towards her.

Ginny, let out a small squeal as her eyes went big. She placed her hand in Harry's who bought it up to his lips and gave a small chaste kiss "It's nice to meet you, Ginny. I'll look forward to seeing you, next year at Hogwarts, hopefully in Gryffindor House".

Ginny, blushed profusely as she hid behind her mother trying to shield her redden face.

Ron smirked and elbowed Harry "Oi, that's my little sister, mate. Don't make me set Fred and George on you," He said jokingly.

Harry rolled his eyes and clapped Ron on the back "See you over the summer, then".

"Sure, thing".

"Ready, are you?" It was Uncle Vernon, still purple-faced, still moustached, still looking furious at the nerve of Harry, carrying an owl in a cage in a station full of ordinary people. He ordered in no mood for waiting around for his nephew to bid goodbye to his freakish friends. Behind him stood Aunt Petunia and Dudley, looking terrified at the very sight of Harry.

"You must be Harry's family!" said Mrs. Weasley. "In a manner of speaking," said Uncle Vernon. "Hurry up, boy, we haven't got all day". He walked away

"I better get going, both of you have a good summer" He said bidding goodbye to his friends.

"Hope you have – er – a good holiday," said Hermione, looking uncertainly after Uncle Vernon, shocked that anyone could be so unpleasant.

"Oh, I will," said Harry, and they were surprised at the grin that was spreading over his face. "They don't know we're not allowed to use magic at home. I'm going to have a lot of fun this summer…".