Chapter One: A Summons

It was three months since the Battle of Hogwarts and the reconstruction of the ancient castle was virtually complete. It was two weeks ago that the rebuild had been declared completed enough for those who had been staying in the castle to return home and travel as and when needed. As a result Harry, Ron and Hermione had moved to Grimmauld Place for the time being. Kreacher had consented to return and they were enjoying a cool salad when and owl swooped down the chimney into the kitchen. It was an eagle owl that Harry recognised as one that the now Headmistress McGonagall preferred. The owl deposited its letter on the table, screeched and took off, shooting up the chimney with remarkable accuracy. Without a glance at his friends Harry picked up the letter and slit it open with a flick of his wand. He unfurled the parchment and began to read aloud.

Harry, Ron and Hermione,

I'm writing to request your presence for the upcoming year at Hogwarts. It is common knowledge that you have not completed your education and while the Minister for Magic has offered to grant you a pass on your newts and allow your study to become Aurors to begin immediately, I implore you to reconsider. Not only is Hagrid bugging me to let him know whether you are returning, I have received countless letters from parents asking the very same question. You see they hold you in such high regard, close to that they held Dumbledore and they all want their child to go to school with Harry Potter and his two friends. While this is not reason enough to convince you, our new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher has asked if the three of you would be prepared to tell your story of the last year and help him in his teaching. I am sure you would not object to returning to the castle you hold so dear for one last year. Alas, I have said too much. Please let me know your decision as soon as you reach it.

Regards,

Minerva McGonagall.

Harry looked up from the letter and held the gazes of his friends as excitement built in the pit of his stomach. He had been praying for this moment ever since he had watched Voldemort's body strike the floor dead. A chance, at last for an ordinary school year, free of worrying about who was going to kill him next. Also, and he would not have admitted this to anybody, not even those people he loved the most, he wanted to tell his version of events and more importantly pass on all he had learned in the last year.

"Well?" he asked, barely able to keep the excitement out of his voice. "What do you think?"

Ron and Hermione glanced at each other before grinning.

"I must be mad," said Ron wryly. "Go on then. Let's do it."

"I'm in too," said Hermione beaming from cheek to cheek. It was decided. They were going back to Hogwarts.