A/N: This should be the last chapter with the formatting and grammatical mistakes. Thank you for pushing through them and continuing to read the story. General disclaimers and all that jazz...blah...blah...blah.
The three wizards reappeared just outside the gates of Hogwarts and Harry looked at Draco with questions in his eyes. Draco shrugged his shoulders, but their attention was diverted to the gates as heavy footsteps approached. Hagrid lumbered over to the gates and clapped his hands upon seeing Sirius, Harry and Draco.
"Yer just in time! The headmaster is expectin' you. Blimey, it's so good to see the three of you in person. Been readin' about all of you in the paper. Come in, come in."
Hagrid pulled a large set of keys out of one of the numerous pockets on his jacket and unlocked the gates. He pulled the giant, heavy gates open with ease and waved the other three wizards in. Harry shook Hagrid's hand as he walked past but didn't say more than a few words of greeting and Hagrid fell into conversation with Sirius. Hagrid pushed open the doors leading into the Entrance Hall and led them through the open doors to the Great Hall. Harry's eyes narrowed as he saw all the heads of the school houses sitting at the staff table and a small team of Ministry officials sitting there as well.
"Good afternoon headmaster, Minister. I'm deliverin' my charges as directed."
"Thank you Hagrid. Lord Black, thank you for coming and bringing your wards as well."
"Headmaster Dumbledore."
Harry watched the even exchange between Sirius and Dumbledore with calculating eyes but couldn't fathom why Sirius had brought him and Draco here. Dumbledore stood up and held his arms out in greeting.
"Harry, Draco, you both were brought here today because you have graciously decided to return to Hogwarts for your final two terms of formal schooling and there are those that are curious about your level of skill and aptitude. In anticipation of your decision to return to Hogwarts, Lord Black, the Minister and myself have discussed how to fairly assess your skills in returning to Hogwarts and have come up with select written and practical re-entrance exams. In order to return to Hogwarts, I ask that you complete these exams and depending on how your scores will let us best know how to continue your formal education here at Hogwarts."
Harry forced a neutral expression on his face and kept his mental barriers up at full strength. He looked to Draco, but Draco's expression mirrored his own and both turned to Sirius. Sirius looked at Dumbledore and everyone else and held up a finger.
"Please give us a few moments to discuss this."
Sirius waved his wand to erect privacy wards and the three wizards huddled close together. Sirius took in the neutral expressions and grinned.
"Let's get down to the brass tacks, shall we? This is a power play by all parties involved. Dumbledore is a mostly well-intentioned old man who likes to rule his little fiefdom of Hogwarts with as much control as possible. The Ministry is desperate to curry favour with both House Black and House Potter but will gather and file any scrap of information that we give them."
"And this is where we run counter-surveillance and see what happens when we play our hand. Why all this pomp and circumstance though?"
Harry grinned and shook his head at Draco's assessment and question. Sirius chuckled and clapped both of the younger wizards on their shoulders.
"Draco, you know the wizarding world and especially our dear Ministry can't wipe their arses without making a big deal about it. Besides, it makes for much better writing when the story hits the papers tomorrow."
Harry laughed under his breath and as one, the three of them turned to the others in the Great Hall. Sirius took down the privacy wards and took half a step forward.
"The Heir Apparents of both House Black and House Potter have agreed to taking the ordered testing's and upon their high marks, their re-admittance into Hogwarts."
"Excellent! Shall we begin the process with an opening practical examination?"
Sirius stepped back and took Harry and Draco's robes when they held them out to him. Harry rolled up his sleeves to his elbows, ran a hand through his hair and pushed his glasses up. Draco scoffed at him but had his shirt sleeves rolled up as well.
"Let's do this, then shall we?"
Albus Dumbledore sat in his throne-like chair at the staff table and gazed down at Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy. Both young wizards had completed the written and practical exams and Dumbledore had seen brilliance in both of them throughout the process. Sirius had not shirked his duties as Lord Black it would seem and Dumbledore not only wondered what House Black and House Potter were planning but why the headmaster hadn't been included in the planning process. Dumbledore shook his head to clear his thoughts and waved his hand at a box on the table.
"I think the both of you are familiar with the Sorting Hat. Over the past few hours both of you have shown that you have changed and that you've grown. I speak for everyone here that you have proven that you haven't missed a step in your education during the year you weren't studying here at Hogwarts and that it would be an honour to have both of you return. That being said, I believe a change of scenery and pace would be fitting."
At another wave of his hand, the box opened and the Sorting Hat floated out. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled and a grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. Harry looked at Draco, but Draco stepped forward and waved a placating hand at Sirius who looked affronted. The hat settled on Draco's head and after a few moments Draco stood up with a surprised but pleased look on his face.
"Ravenclaw!"
Murmurs broke out amongst those gathered but Draco didn't make a big deal about it and Harry took his spot with the hat on his head. Just like when Harry had first entered Hogwarts, the Sorting Hat had a lengthy conversation with Harry but then Harry stood up and floated the Sorting Hat back to its box.
"Hufflepuff!"
More murmurs broke out again and Dumbledore noticed Professor Sprout looking shocked but extremely pleased. Sirius stepped forward and had a hand on each of the younger wizards' shoulders.
"Thank you again Headmaster and Minister. We shall see you soon. Good day."
Before anyone could say anything, Sirius led Harry and Draco out of the Great Hall and excited conversation broke out amongst those still in the hall.
Platform 9 and 3/4
"William do not run off. Stay here next to me."
"Is it just me or are there more people here on the platform then normal?"
The hustle and bustle of Platform 9 and ¾ washed over Harry and he closed his eyes for a moment to let the feelings seep into him. A year had passed since Harry had stepped foot on this fabled platform and everywhere he looked memories popped up from years past. Harry, Draco, Sirius and Remus stood heads and shoulders above most of the people on the platform and Sirius and Remus's official House robes stood out even in the black drab of Hogwarts robes. Harry and Draco stood side by side, Narcissa standing next to them and trying to keep young William from scampering off. Harry smiled as the little boy didn't leave Abbottsford often and every time he did it excited him.
"It looks like the Ministry and/ or Hogwarts didn't keep their word about not leaking Harry and Draco's return to Hogwarts."
"Shocker. Are you really that surprised Moony?"
"No, but I could really do without being overrun by what looks like reporters, well-wishers and busybodies in a moment."
Harry grinned at the Sirius's discrete wand jab and swirling motion at the ground at Remus's words. Harry knelt down until he was eye-to-eye with William and took his godson's hands in his. William looked at him pouted like he sensed the somber atmosphere and innately understood that Harry was leaving by the pout on the little boy's face.
"No need to pout William. Draco and I will be back before you know it."
"No bye-bye. No, no."
Harry ruffled William's hair and stood up. He hugged Narcissa, ignored her not so subtle remark about "witches with purple eyes" and shook Remus's hand next. The older wizard and werewolf had a few quiet words with Harry and then turned to face the growing crowd. The crowd slipped on a near invisible patch of ice and then collided with the invisible wall Sirius had created.
"Remember to have some fun this term Harry. You are a seventeen-year-old bloke with power, money and good looks which definitely come from your mum, not your dad. Study hard but party harder you hear?"
"Will do Sirius. Don't get in too much trouble while I'm gone."
"I will keep him in check Harry. Don't you worry."
Harry smiled when Annabelle Celeste walked over and ran a hand down Sirius's arm. His godfather smirked but remained silent and motioned for Harry and Draco to get on the train.
"Remus and I will keep the vultures at bay. Get your arses on the train."
Harry rolled his eyes at Sirius's language and smirked when Annabelle Celeste smacked his arm chidingly. Harry and Draco walked onto the Hogwarts Express and found an empty compartment. They stowed their trunks and hung their robes on the hangars underneath the shelves. The door to the compartment opened before either of them could sit down and Penelope Clearwater, Daphne, Tracey Davis and Neville hurried into the compartment. Neville shut the door behind him with a little more force and eagerness then necessary and the Gryffindor wizard leaned back against the door with a sigh.
"Every compartment is almost full, both the front and the back and it would seem the middle of the train has the last empty compartments. We heard the rumour that both you and Draco would be returning to Hogwarts and we wanted to speak to you first before everyone else descended."
"And what? You just happened to meet with the others along the way here?"
Neville chuckled and crossed his arms across his broad chest. Harry raised an eyebrow, waiting for the other young Heir Apparent to answer but Draco answered as he sat down.
"I don't think that's the whole truth Potter. Longbottom is of age as well and since he finally decided to take his lordship training seriously, interested parties have taken notice. Interested female parties."
"Are the witches of Hogwarts too much for you Neville?"
Credit to his lordship training, only Neville's cheeks dusted a faint pink, but he cleared his throat and rolled his eyes good naturedly. Harry turned his attention onto the others gathered in the compartment and for a brief moment locked gazes with Penelope Clearwater. Due to a family crisis, Penelope Clearwater had been taken out of Hogwarts for two years and although she had kept up with her schooling, she still had to complete her seventh year at Hogwarts. In a political move to stabilize their slight fall from power, the once growing and upcoming House Clearwater had approached House Potter with a proposal of a marriage contract. Remus had entertained Lord Clearwater, but Remus held all the power and had asked Harry how he felt about Penelope Clearwater over supper one night a year ago. Harry had been shocked and wanted no part in the hasty marriage proposal and Remus and Sirius politely declined Lord Clearwater but not before taking the mickey out of Harry.
"Lady Clearwater."
"Heir Apparent Potter."
Still, the thought of marrying a witch four years his senior embarrassed Harry and being around Penelope Clearwater made him uncomfortable. From the look on Penelope Clearwater's face, she felt the same and Harry looked at the other two witches in the compartment. Tracey Davis remained somewhat of a mystery to Harry because he often wondered why the Davis family didn't make a power play for higher status and take their rumoured fortune higher. Instead, the Davis family remained just on the cusp of the elite of the elite and networked with everyone and anyone.
"Oh, looks like I found the party. Hello everyone."
The compartment door slid open and Susan Bone's cheerful tone preceded her entrance into the compartment. One of her hands trailed behind her and she tugged on a green and silver coloured tie. The tall, solid form of Blaise Zabani followed behind her and Harry's eyes widened for a second at the apparent coziness between Susan and Blaise. Susan had failed to mention this at Harry's birthday party but the buxom, red headed Hufflepuff witch sat down in the middle of one of the seats next to Tracey and Blaise sat down next to her.
"Why hello to you too Heir Apparent Bones and Heir Apparent Zabaini."
"Oh, pish tosh. I think here in private we can forgo proper titles and procedures between us friends, right?"
Harry grinned at Susan's forwardness and leaned back in his seat. Tracey reached across Susan and punched Blaise in the chest. The dark-skinned wizard grunted and raised an eyebrow at his fellow housemate.
"That was for being a prat this summer Blaise. I knew that you were dating someone!"
"Despite your need to know absolutely everything about everyone, I do like my private life to remain private Tracey."
"And we didn't tell everyone because we needed to prove to nosey, overbearing busybodies that Blaise and I were serious in our desire to pursue a romantic relationship. The fall term could not come fast enough if you ask me."
The exchange between Tracey and Blaise amused Harry but he latched onto Susan's last comment and raised an eyebrow at her. Susan sighed and played with her nails.
"My auntie is not overly impressed with my choice in boyfriends and has been rather severe in her attitude and comments these past few weeks. Hannah hasn't been particularly gracious either."
Blaise reached down and covered Susan's hands in one of his. Harry cleared his throat and grinned to dispel the saddened atmosphere that had fallen over the compartment.
"Well let me be the first to congratulate the both of you. Cheers."
Murmurs of congratulations and acknowledgement filled the compartment and Harry quickly winked when Susan shot him a grateful look. The compartment fell into many separate conversations after that and Harry used this chance to catch up with his friends.
"Harry!"
Harry turned his head as he left the Hogwarts Express and saw Hermione briskly walking towards him. The tall, lanky form of Ron followed behind her and behind Ron, Ginny half jogged to keep up. Harry grinned and stopped walking as he waited for his friends to catch up to him. Once she stood in front of him, Hermione grabbed Harry's arm just above his elbow and looked up at him with wide eyes.
"When we couldn't find you on the train we thought that you missed it. Where were you?"
"Breathe Hermione. I'm here, safe, alive and in one piece. I was simply visiting with friends that I didn't get the chance to catch up with at my party and time passed us by. Is everything okay?"
Hermione flushed at Harry's words and also that those that had shared a compartment with Harry were gathered around as well. Ginny wiggled her way around Ron and stood between Hermione and Harry. She reached up and moved Harry's robes aside so his vest and button down were fully visible.
"Harry, why are you wearing a Hufflepuff tie? You were in Gryffindor before Sirius pulled you out of Hogwarts."
"I think a better person to ask that question to Ginny would be the Sorting Hat. Hello Harry. I'm sorry that I couldn't attend your big reveal birthday party."
The arrival of the dainty Luna Lovegood spared Harry from answering Ginny's pointed question and he took half a step back so the red-haired witch wasn't quite so close. He turned to Luna and grinned.
"Well I will admit that I was slightly hurt by you not being at my birthday and I understand. Spending quality time with family is important after all. It's good to see you Luna."
Luna returned Harry's grin and squeezed his bicep. At the continued silence and unrelenting glare coming from Ginny, Ron and Hermione, Harry turned back front and did his best to affect an air of aloofness.
"Draco and I had to prove to the Headmaster, the heads of the school houses and a select few Ministry officials that we were qualified to return to Hogwarts and take up our seventh-year studies. Apparently, once we passed the tests, the Headmaster wanted us to be re-sorted and the Headmaster did not share his reasoning with us. Draco and I have been re-sorted into different school Houses."
When the attention turned to Draco, Harry flagged down a carriage and opened the door. He helped Daphne and Tracey Davis in and climbed in after them. Draco brushed past everyone and climbed in next. Susan skipped forward and Blaise helped her in to sit next to Draco before taking the final seat in the carriage. Susan leaned forward and waved at the flabbergasted expressions on Ron, Ginny's and Hermione's faces.
"We will see you at the feast!"
The carriage door closed and Harry leaned further back into his seat with a near inaudible sigh. Blaise chuckled and Harry looked at him.
"Well, let it never be said that you don't create the best drama Potter. This term has started off wonderfully already."
"Oh, the witches in the Hufflepuff dorms are going to go absolutely mental when the news that you are now a Hufflepuff becomes general knowledge. I can't wait!"
"I'm glad my re-sorting amuses the both of you."
Daphne laughed quietly beside him and Harry's apprehension lessened somewhat. Draco closed his eyes and sighed this time.
"At least you have friends in your new school House there Potter. I have no one and every one of my new Housemates are going to be as suspicious as hell."
"Assumptions are dangerous Draco."
"Shut it Potter. Don't quote Remus at me right now."
Harry chuckled but didn't comment further and turned to look outside of the carriage as it rounded the bend and Hogwarts came into view. The majestic castle made Harry smile, like a long-lost friend had finally returned and Harry helped Daphne and Tracey down from the carriage when they arrived in the courtyard in front of the castle. Harry smiled as he looked across the courtyard and saw the soon to be first years standing huddled in a nervous group behind Hagrid. Daphne stood next to Harry and scoffed.
"Half of them look like they are about to faint."
"Were we any better back then?"
"Hmm."
The doors to the Entrance Hall opened and Professor McGonagall walked out into the courtyard. The students stopped talking and looked at the stately witch.
"All students' except the first years please take your seats at your House tables in the Great Hall. The welcoming feast will start in ten minutes."
Harry followed Daphne into the castle and grinned as he walked into the Great Hall. Nothing had changed except his new seat. He made his goodbyes to his friends and followed a chatting Susan over to the Hufflepuff table. The witch took her usual seat and Harry scanned the table. He stumbled when Susan reached up and yanked him down to sit down next to her.
"Sit down Harry. The feast won't start if you're standing up and attracting too much attention."
"Potter what are you doing here? The Gryffindor table is over that way."
"Ernie, open your eyes and see what colour tie Harry is wearing."
Susan beat Harry to the punch to respond to Ernie Macmillan's question and he squeezed her leg under the table. Susan rolled her eyes but didn't say anything else and Harry cleared his throat as most of the Hufflepuffs gathered around.
"Upon my return to Hogwarts, I have been re-sorted into the Hufflepuff House. Good evening everyone."
The gathered Hufflepuffs broke out into chatter and Harry closed his eyes for a moment to block out the incessant noise. When he re-opened his eyes the other Hufflepuff had fallen silent and Harry saw Professor Sprout standing next to him. She held out the Head Boy's badge and Harry took it.
"The Headmaster and the Heads of Houses agreed that you and Ms. Granger should be the Head Boy and Head Girl respectively Mr. Potter. Congratulations and do Hufflepuff House proud."
"Thank you professorThank you, professor, and I will."
Harry looked up at the staff table and saw Dumbledore nod his head at him. Harry nodded back politely but wondered how and why the Headmaster hadn't let Harry know his appointment to Head Boy ahead of the first night of the term.
"You've been away from here for a year and yet you still get preferential treatment. Unbelievable."
Ernie stood up and walked away further down the table. Harry frowned as many of the other Hufflepuffs followed him, but Susan giggled and Harry looked at her.
"Blaise said it correctly in the carriage. This term is much more dramatic than the past year years and is so much more entertaining as well."
"Har dee har. I'm glad my continued torment still amuses you Susan."
The noise in the Great Hall lessened as Professor McGonagall walked in and began the sorting for the new first years. Harry clapped as each new young wizard and witch was sorted into Hufflepuff and he stood in front of the table to high five each one. He could feel the numerous eyes on him for his actions, but he ignored them and sat back down as the last witch was sorted into Ravenclaw. Susan batted her eyelashes at him and cooed at how cute he was. Harry swatted her shoulder and turned to look at Dumbledore when the elderly wizard stood up.
"Yes, welcome all new and returning students' to Hogwarts…"
Dumbledore's voice lessened as Harry tuned him out and looked out across the Great Hall. It felt weird not sitting with his other friends at the Gryffindor table and he nodded when Neville and Hermione waved at him Neither of them beckoned him over and Harry surmised that he would need to apologise for his earlier actions. Ginny glared at him like he had betrayed her, but Harry returned his attention to Dumbledore who was winding down his speech and was introducing the yet again new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor.
"Please welcome Professor Weasley and make sure to greet him in the corridors."
Bill Weasley stood up and waved as Dumbledore introduced him and Harry's brain worked overtime to figure out the angles and power play Dumbledore was pulling. Bill Weasley was a respected curse breaker and human liaison between the Ministry and the Goblin Nation. What would cause him to leave his prestigious post at Gringotts and become the DADA professor at Hogwarts? Harry came to the tentative conclusion that Dumbledore was solidifying his power base and security both at Hogwarts and for his secret watch group the Order of the Phoenix.
"…and now I have rambled on long enough. Please, tuck in."
Dumbledore sat down and the feast appeared on the tables. Harry stood up and waved Susan off when she went to stand with him.
"I just realised that I need to have a conversation with Draco. I'll be back."
Harry walked around the table and over to where Draco sat at the Ravenclaw table. Draco's earlier assessment in the carriage held true as he had an empty seat on either side of him and Harry took one of the available seats.
"Come to sit with the other social pariah eh?"
"Give it time Draco. We need to write a letter to Sirius and Remus."
"Yes, yes we do."
Throughout the feast, Harry and Draco worked on compiling and writing down all their thoughts and observations in a lengthy letter to Sirius and Remus. Once both felt that they hadn't missed a single item Harry folded the piece of parchment and sealed it. He put on the inside pocket of his robes and had a quiet conversation with Draco until the feast ended. Professor McGonagall walked up to them and both young wizards looked up.
"Yes, what can we do for you professor?"
"I am wondering why the two of you chose to eat supper alone."
"That is a question you will need to bring up with the other students' in both Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff I think professor."
Professor McGonagall sighed and nodded. She motioned for them to stand up and follow her. She led them over to the doors that led out of the Great Hall and Harry saw that Hermione, Neville, Parvati, Daphne, Blaise, Susan, Ernie and Luna stood waiting for them. Professor McGonagall clapped her hands and smiled.
"I am happy to report that all of you have been nominated for the prefect positions for each of your respective Houses. This is going to be a trying year and the staff felt that each one of you would be able to help monitor and lead the students' safely and effectively. Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger have been nominated to lead this group as Head Boy and Head Girl and I expect unity and cohesion from this group. Understood?"
"Yes professor."
"Good. Now, I believe that it is time for the students to retire to their dorms. Please advise and escort your respective Houses. Good luck and good night."
With her parting comments Professor McGonagall walked away and Harry looked at Hermione. She nodded her head and Harry motioned for the other witches and wizards to move in closer.
"Congratulations to each and every one of you. This is an excellent group to lead the student body, but I'm knackered so let's make this quick. I'm sure your head of House has given you the passwords and protocols for what they want done over the next two terms. If you have any questions come find me and/or Hermione. Hermione and I will work on a private communication system for us as a group. Good luck."
With a few parting words from everyone Harry watched as the prefects led the students' out of the Great Hall. Hermione stood by his side and Harry could feel the multitude of questions and emotions radiating off the Gryffindor bookworm. He sighed and turned to walk out of the Great Hall with his hands in his pockets.
"Come on Hermione. Why don't we walk and talk at the same time?"
"Okay."
The two teenagers walked out of the Great Hall, but Harry stopped at the foot of the grand central staircase because for the first time Harry wouldn't be making the long trek up to Gryffindor Tower. Hermione looked back over her shoulder when Harry stopped, a confused look on her face but then she sighed.
"Why couldn't you have asked to be kept in Gryffindor there Harry? You did when we were first sorted."
Harry grinned and shook his head at the fond memory Hermione referred to. He hoped that the several years between him first stepping into Hogwarts and now would have prepared him for what he needed to do and make him a better man overall.
"I had another long conversation with the Sorting Hat there Hermione and asked it to judge me fairly and accurately. The Sorting Hat pretty much told me the same thing that it had told me during our first conversation. The Sorting Hat made the decision for me this time around."
Hermione's brow furrowed but she nodded and Harry waved two fingers in farewell as he stepped off to the kitchens. He tapped the barrels in a specific pattern and walked into his new common area room for the first time.
A/N 2: Thank you to acmcnabb for pointing out the time-continuity error and that has been fixed.
