AN : Hello everyone ! Happy new year and all that. I'm sorry i didn't post anything for those of you who were actually interested. I'll try to publish another chapter next week. No promises tough.

CHAPTER 2 : Old Friends and New Ones ?

"You know what name you want to give her, asked Dumbledore as they exited the Owl Emporium."

On Harry's right shoulder stood a beautiful snow white owl. The moment he laid his eyes on her, he knew. He knew he would buy her, even if it was just to set her free the minute they got out of the shop. But apparantly, the magnificient creature liked him too. She straight out refused to go back in her cage so the young man let her enjoy her new found freedom.

"Not really. I feel like she need a name that will fit her perfectly, but I can't think of one. Maybe it'll come with time."

"I think I know what you're feeling. When I met Fawkes, my phoenix, I could not think of one either. Then I saw him die for the first time and it just felt right. You know, gone with a bang."

"That's both incredibly lame and awesome. How do you manage to do that is still beyond my comprehension."

"Duncan is right. You are an ass."

Harry fake-gasped.

"Albus Dumbledore just called me an ass ! How could you insult one of your student ?"

The old Headmaster threw his hands up in the air, and headed straight to the Leaky Cauldron.

Duncan and his family were waiting for them. Annabelle and Duncan were sipping tea and Astoria was playing with her empty Butterbeer bottle.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, said Albus. We are all set now."

"Actually I just have to pay for my room and I'll be right back"

Harry extended his arm toward Albus.

"You still owe me 20 Galleons."

Dumbledore sighed and took out a golden coin from one of his pocket.

Harry smirked and ran toward the innkeeper to pay his room.

"Did he just extort Albus Dumbledore, asked Astoria incredulously."

"You have now idea what he made us do. This man is a demon, said Duncan with a shiver."

"Please don't talk about it, replyied Albus while he shook his head. I can still feel the bugs crawling in my bed..."

"Who the fuck is that guy, thought Astoria out loud."

"Language Tori, scolded her mother."

"I ask myself this exact question everytime I see him, said Duncan. Each time I think I have him figured out he just do something completely unexpected..."

Harry came back with a smile on his face.

"I'm ready. Lead the way guys !"

They apparated to the Greengrass Estate. And as usual, Harry ended up on his butt, to the amusement of everyone.

"Yeah, laugh all you want. I don't care anymore..."

He dusted himself off after he got back on his feet.

Before him stood a wonderful villa.

The villa was two stories tall and had a classy vibe to it. There was a lot of windows all around the building. There was no sign of other habitation in the area. In fact, the house was in the middle of a clearing, inside a forest.

Harry whistled.

"Damn, Duncan. That's a real nice place you got here !"

"Thanks mate. But the credit goes to my dear wife. She did all the decorating while she was pregnant of our first daughter, Daphne."

"Thank God I did, added Annabelle. Duncan has absolutely no sense of fashion whatsoever."

"I'll drink to that. He wanted to bring a giant spider corpse in camp !"

"Hey, it was my first kill ! The damn thing was 2 meters long !"

They kept chatting mindlessly as they walked toward the entrance of the villa.

Inside, an house elf came to take their coats. Annabelle and Astoria let out a loud gasp at the sight of Harry's heavily scarred arms. He just shrugged in response.

They gathered in the dining room. There was a long table with a dozens confortable looking chairs. The walls were filled with huge windows that let the sun shine trough the glass.

"It really is a beautiful house, complimented Harry. I'm quite jealous honestly."

"Thank you Harry. But it was really empty without Duncan. Daphne was at Hogwarts and Astoria was in school most of the time. I'm glad he is back. Thank both of you for keeping an eye on him."

"Don't worry my dear, said Albus in his grandfatherly voice. He took care of us sometimes too. We love to make fun of each others but in fact, none of us would be here without the other two."

Harry nodded.

"I agree with Albus. Without our friends we wouldn't have made it."

"Let's eat while we talk, shall we, declared Annabelle. Anny !"

Another house elf appeared with a loud crack.

"What can I do for you Annabelle, asked the house elf with a warm smile."

"Our guest and us wanted to have lunch. Could you bring us the food ?"

The house elf snapped her finger and the table was suddenly filled with food.

"Here you go. We will need to make some grocery shopping soon. There is not many ingredients left in the kitchen."

"Thank you, my friend. You are free to buy whatever you want, I trust you on this matter."

"Actually, added Duncan, could you buy the ingredient for the cake I mentioned yesterday ? I really want to bake something since I'm finally back."

"Sure, I'll do it this afternoon. Enjoy your meal everyone."

Then she disapeared with another crack.

"This looks really tasty, stated Harry. What interesting little beings."

"Indeed they are, answered Annabelle. Anny and Sally are part of the family. They were really worried when you left honey."

"I will have to make it up to them then. I'll bake more cake so they can share it with their friends."

"Could you tell me more about them ? Are they really elves ?"

"Honestly we don't know that much about House Elves, explained Duncan They have always been part of our world since as long as I remember. Unfortunately, some wizards treat them like they are object. Like the Malfoys for exemple. We went in their manor once, for a social gathering. That poor Dobby."

"It seems like they are forced to obey their master's orders, added Annabelle. But it doesn't mean we are meant to treat them like trash."

"You mean that they are some sorts of slaves ?"

"I honestly don't know. Personnally we let them have vacations and free time. If they want something we give it to them at their birthday or at christmas, but it never occurred to me that they were basically forced to obey us."

Harry nodded. He seemed lost in thoughts.

"I'll have to research on that but I might have found out something."

"Can we eat ? I'm starving, whined Astoria."

"Tori, you're almost 16, it's time for you to grow up."

"No she is right, we should dig in. I'm sorry I was just daydreaming."

So they ate while maintaining good conversation. It wasn't about the War or anything related. More like a group of friends who met for lunch. It was so refreshing for Harry.

"Tell me Harry, asked Annabelle with a mischievious smile. Do you have someone in your life ?

A fiancé or a girlfriend. Or boyfriend maybe ?"

Astoria perked up when she heard the question. She loved to hear about others relationships.

However, the older men winced. That was not a good subject.

"Honey, Duncan began, let's-"

"No, I don't, said Harry. He looked like all happiness left him. Not anymore. It's part of the reasons I came back here."

Feeling the conversation was quickly changing into a very painful one, Albus spoke. But it was definitely not english. Actually except for Harry and Duncan, no one else understood what he said.

"She didn't meant to hurt you, he said in ulcidian. I'm sure she would have not spoked about it if she knew..."

Duncan nodded

"It's fine really, Harry deadpanned. While we're speaking in a language they can't understand,he added with his face now back to it's normal cheerful self, how was your first night back home Duncan ? You must have been quite "happy" to see your wife after ten years."

"You have no idea mate. We had to use privacy charms in order to not wake the whole house."

"Gentlemen, it is quite impolite to speak in a language we cannot understand, said Annabelle."

"I apologize Annabelle, replied Albus. But it was a rather touchy subject."

"Then why did it looked like you were talking about something inapropriate dear husband ?"

"Absolutely not darling, said Duncan, looking rather distressed."

Harry snickered.

"Oh don't laugh, I may have not entirely understood, but I know it was you who asked the question, Mr Potter !"

Astoria dropped her fork. Everyone looked at her. She was gaping and her eyes were looking straight at Harry.

"Potter, she asked incredulously, as in Harry Potter ? But... You're the Boy-Who-Lived !

Oh my god, how could I not realize that !"

"Yeah, Harry replied while rubbing his neck, it kinda slipped out of my mind when we were introduced. Sorry about that."

"You're a Soldier too ? But you're the same age as Daphne ! You never went to Hogwarts ! And you were missing-"

"Astoria, stop pestering him, scolded Annabelle. He's enjoying his meal, not in an interrogation room."

"No it's okay, replied Harry lifting a hand. You can ask your dad about all the details later, but I wasn't in England during my childhood. In fact I wasn't even on Earth at all. I got taken by an angel to Ulcide and I grew up there. So when the wizards came to the rescue, I was already fighting. That's how we met your father and I."

"So not only have I been eating with Albus Dumbledore, but also with Harry Potter."

"Don't forget your dad. He's a war hero too."

"He may be a war hero, but it's mum who calls the shots here, Astoria said with a smile"

"Of course not. Your father has a word in this house too, replied Annabelle."

Duncan looked at his brother in arms and mouthed " I don't. Save me.".

They laughed.

They left the villa after lunch with the promise to come back again. Astoria excused herself to her room shortly after saying goodbye.

"That was unexpected, said Harry as they sat down in Albus' office. I hoped to see him soon but it was nice to finally meet his family."

"Well you still have to meet Daphne, she's in your year. Now that we are here, we will use the remaining time to study a little. Depending on your house, you will have a different schedule. But let's cross that bridge when we get there. Take out your charms book and let's review some spells. I hope you did not forget everything I taught you back there."

"Fine. It will be weird to call you Professor in public."

"You chose to come and study here. Now you got to follow the rules. In public."

"One more thing, what exactly is this Sorting you told me about ?"

"Don't worry it's harmless. You will just have to put the Sorting Hat on your head and it will do the rest for you."

"Oh that's weird. But whatever, your school, your rules."

"Oh and you will be sorted in front of everyone as per usual."

Harry gulped.

"Ev... Everyone ? As in in front of every teacher ?"

"More as in in front of the whole school."

"You did it on purpose didn't you ?"

"Indeed I did. That's for talking about my hands and what I do with them in front of my Deputy."

"I fucking hate you Professor."

Everyone was seating in the Great Hall of Hogwarts. The second they entered they saw Dumbledore waiting for them. He was smiling broadly and his eyes were twinkling brighter than ever.

The Headmaster stood up and every conversations stopped.

"Good evening to you all. It is so heartwarming to see you all again. The sight of this hall filled with students smiling is without a doubt my most precious memory. During my time with the other Soldiers, it was one of the few things that kept me moving."

He used one finger to wipe a single genuine tear that was rolling down his cheek.

"So as you know, the Soldiers are back. And as I said, there was few things to keep me alive during this hell. One of those things is actually a man. We fought side by side together and he saved my life and countless others more time than I can count. However during that time, this young man was unable to enjoy his childhood and was forced into battle with all of us. He never got to be a student and was never taught our way of magic."

The hall broke out into whispers. Dumbledore let a few moments pass before he continued his speech.

"Tonight I would like to introduce you to my fellow Soldier and friend. He will be joining the second year starting from tomorrow. Everyone, meet Harry Potter."

Time seemed to stop for a second. Did he just said Harry Potter ? As in the Boy-Who-Lived ?

A single figure entered the Great Hall. He was wearing simple black robes over clothes no one could see. He was well built, had messy raven hair, emerald green eyes and a very handsome face.

He walked toward the staff table while waving awkardly.

Albus walked up to him to shake his hands.

Some student could see his lips moving but none could hear what he said to the old Headmaster but it made the esteemed professor laugh.

"Professor McGonagall, the Sorting Hat if you please."

The stern woman brought the famous old hat on his stool. She looked oddly at the young man in front of her. She gestured toward the stool.

Harry sat down and felt a little scared when he saw everyone looking at him.

Their was too many different emotion on their faces to get a general feeling. Interest, shock, doubt to name a few.

Then his vision was blocked by the Hat.

"Oh. That was not what I expected Mr Potter, said the Hat in his head."

"Can you hear me, asked Harry in his mind. I'm sorry I don't really know what i'm supposed to do. Do I have to think about something or..."

"No don't worry, I will see your memories and decide wich House is the most suited for you."

"You're not going to talk about what you will see aren't you ?"

"No I will not. In fact I can't. If I could do so, many problems could have been prevented."

"That's a relief. But I must warn you. Some things are not pretty."

"Let's see then."

For about ten second the Hat stood still. Then he/it moved.

"Mr Hat, asked Professor McGonagall. Are you okay ?"

"In all my life, I have never been that sorry to intrude in one's mind. I am so terribly sorry Mr Potter."

What did the Hat saw, thought everyone.

"It's not your fault,said Harry in a whisper. You job is to sort people. Sort away then."

"You have all the qualities of the founders. You are capable of being cunning. You are deeply loyal to your friends and loved ones. You are not interested in knowledge for the sake of knowledge tough. But after everything I saw, your bravery is without a doubt your most pronounced trait."

"Better be Gryffindor !"

Harry's robe now displayed the emblem of Gryffindor on his chest and his tie was now red and gold.

The Gryffindor table erupted in cheers. They chanted "We got Potter !". The other Houses clapped respectfully.

"Now that our late student is sorted, let's enjoy our school's food."

As soon that Harry sat down, he was assaulted with people who wanted to either introduce theirself or ask him question.

He tried as much as he could to answer everyone but there was so much students he couldn't even eat.

"Sorry everyone. I really appreciate your welcome but I'm famished and I'm sure we'll have enough time to get to know each others."

It seemed like it did the trick as they got the hint and started to get back to their seats while saying things like "Talk to you later !" or "Nice meeting you !"

Harry let out a long sigh. He did not like getting unecessary attention. And Albus knew that. That's why he introduced Harry during the feast and not discreetly.

"I'll get you back for that, old fart, Harry muttered under his breath."

He heard someone clearing her throat.

He turned toward the sound, and he saw two people standing side by side.

One was male. Tall and thin, had red hair and freckles all over his face. He wore a small badge proudly displayed on his torso. The badge had a "P" on it and nothing else.

Behind him, stood a young woman with bushy brown hair and brown eyes. She seemed a little anxious for some reason.

"Sorry to interrupt your meal, Mr Potter, said the red haired boy. But I was told to give you a little introduction on how to proceed from now on. I'm Percy Weasly, the Gryffindor prefect. After your meal, you will have to go to the Gryffindor's common room. I suggest you follow another student. The password to the entrance is "Wattlebird". Here is your timetable you will be expected to every class."

"Thank you, Mr Weasley. I assume you are related to Bill and Charlie ?"

"Absolutely. We are brothers. I'm very glad they are back, even if some things they told me were... Unsettling."

"You bet. Tell them I said hi in your next letter, will you ?"

"I will."

"And who is this charming young lady, asked Harry while looking towards the girl."

"I'm Hermione... Hermione Granger. Professor McGonagall asked me to give you a quick review of what you will need to know, as you are in my year."

"Ah. Thank you very much then. I think there will be quite a lot you will need to tell me. All of this is so foreign to me. I feel really out of place."

"I will leave you two, said Percy. Have a nice evening."

He turn on his heels and walk away.

Harry gestured toward the seat next to him and waited for Hermione to sit down before he resume his meal.

"So you did not went to any magical school before Hogwarts, asked the young woman."

"Nope, replied Harry. Not in this world anyway. I mean, I had a teacher but I kind of was the only student he had. And we didn't use wands."

"You know wandless magic, asked Hermione while nearly shouting. But that's extremely advanced ! Most of the 7th years can't even cast Lumos without a wand."

"Calm down Miss Granger, replied Harry. It's not that simple. The truth is, this world magic and the magic in Ulcide works differently. Here you use wands and incantation and all that. Back there, there is magical foci but there are to use less of your magic to cast spell rather than to enable you to use them. It's quite complicated and I would need more time to explain how our magic work but that's for another day."

"Okay, answered the young woman. I'll ask you about that later then. Now tell me where you are in your studies in our magic..."