A/N: I know it's been ages since I last updated and probably quite a few of you thought that I would not continue this story. To be honest I didn't (and still don't) really know where to go with this story. I mean I do have a general idea how I want it to continue, but no real ideas for the "near future". So if you have any ideas feel free to tell me :)

Disclaimer: As it's been so long I'll just repeat it again: Harry Potter does not belong to me!

Return to Hogwarts

The rest of the summer passed in a blur and soon it was time to return to Hogwarts. Normally Harry was really anxious to return "home", but he couldn't help feeling a bit sad this year. Who would have thought at the beginning of the holidays that this summer would turn out to be the best summer of his life – well, at least since Voldemort had murdered his parents and he had been only a baby back then so honestly he barely remembered spending time with his parents.

The four of them had even celebrated his birthday together at McGonagall Manor and even Albus, who spent quite a bit of time away from the manor, had taken the day off from his "Hogwarts business"

Flashback:

On the morning of his birthday Harry woke up by his door suddenly being thrown open with a lout bang and a cheery voice singing "Happy Birthday, Harry". For a moment Harry was confused as to where he was and he had to blink several times. He obviously had forgotten to close the curtains last night and the bright Scottish morning sun was shining in through the window. Then he was tackled down by a mop of brown hair as Hermione threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly while she whispered another "Happy Birthday" in his ear.

When he came down for breakfast that morning Harry was surprised to find Albus and Minerva already sitting at the dining table that was loaded with presents and a big birthday cake with candles. For a moment he was so astonished that he stood in the doorway without moving. He had never had a real birthday cake before.

Minerva who seemed to sense somehow that he was quite overwhelmed with the Situation hugged him and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek and for a moment Harry thought that this was probably how all of his birthdays would have been like if he had had a real family.

Then she took his hand and said "Why don't you sit down and open some of those presents!"

And Albus added a "Happy Birthday, Harry!"

Harry sat down and looked at the enormous amount of presents on the table. Hermione, who had sat down on her customary place next to Harry, pushed a rectangular present wrapped in blue wrapping paper towards him while Albus put a big stack of chocolate chip pancakes on the already loaded table.

"Here, that's from me!" Harry took the present form Hermione and sighed inwardly. It sure felt like another book – hopefully not another one of those oh-so-practical time planners.

He opened the present and was surprised to find a thick leather-bound photo album. He opened the first page and found a snapshot of the "Golden Trio" in their first year.

There were pictures of Ron, Harry and Hermione, of quidditch and of their holidays at the Burrow. When he came to a picture of him and Sirius taken at Grimmauld Place last Christmas Harry had to fight the tears that were threatening to fall. They were standing in front of the Christmas tree .Sirius had his left arm around Harry's shoulder and they were both smiling brightly at the camera.

Quickly he blinked away the tears that had started to form at the corners of his eyes. Today was a day for happiness.

On the last page was a photo of him, Hermione, Albus and Minerva. Hermione had Twiggy take the Picture only last week. They were standing on the green lawn in front of McGonagall Manor. It was a beautiful picture. If one didn't know it better, you might have thought that it was a happy family of four. Harry and Hermione were standing in front of the adults. Each had one arm around the other. Minerva had one hand on Harry's shoulder while the other one was entwined with Albus' left one. His other hand mirrored Minerva's posture and had come to rest on Hermione's shoulder.

Harry looked up from the picture. Hermione had blushed furiously "Well, I thought … you, well, might like that …" She was cut off by Harry throwing his arms around her mumbling "Thanks, Mione." None of them noticed Minerva taking a photo of them in the background.

Yes, it had been a nice birthday – probably the best ever. He had spent a wonderful day with Hermione, Minerva and Albus and had received so many great presents. From Albus and Minerva he had received some books, new quidditch robes and a beautiful old pensieve ("Might be useful you know to sort through the chaos in your head sometimes" was all that Albus said his eyes twinkling merrily)

From Ron he had received a package from Romania with colourful sweets of which Harry strongly suspected that they were part of Fred and George's Skiving Snackboxes, but he wisely kept that to himself as he was sure that neither Hermione nor Minerva would really appreciate that kind of present. Neville had sent him a book on plants and how they are used in Defence and from Luna he had got some sort of talisman on a leather chain that he was sure he would never ever wear. But nevertheless he appreciated the thought. Some other members of the DA had also sent him cards and smaller presents and all in all Harry was quite surprised that so many people had remembered that today was his birthday.

All in all it had been a good summer. He had even studied a bit with Minerva this summer and sometimes even Albus had joined their small study group. He particularly liked the practical Defence lessons with Albus (the manor was so heavily warded that they could even use magic without worrying about underage magic), although they'd been scarce because Albus was absent so often.

On their last evening at McGonagall Manor Twiggy prepared a wonderful meal for them. After dinner Albus and Minerva told Harry and Hermione to come down to the living room.

When everyone was seated on the two couches Albus started "We think it might be better if you two didn't tell anyone where and more importantly with whom you spend your summer."

For a brief moment Harry felt disappointed. It had felt like for once he, too, had a family to be proud of.

"Because it would be awkward you two being our teachers and everything" guessed Hermione.

Albus and Minerva nodded "Yes and it could be dangerous for all four of us". But nevertheless Harry couldn't help feeling slightly betrayed.

Curtly he stood up and without further comment he went up the stairs to his room.

Without much care Harry threw all of his birthday presents in his trunk that was already filled with his books, robes, firebolt, and the Muggle clothes Minerva had bought him when she first discovered Dudley's old hand-me-downs. The last item was the photo album Mione had given him for his birthday. When he threw it into his trunk it opened on the last page. The picture of the four of them smiled up at him taunting him with what could have been.

Suddenly he heard a soft knock at the door. Thinking that it was Hermione he just called "Come in!" without even looking up. He was startled when he felt a hand on is shoulder. Looking up he looked directly into Minerva's eyes. Carefully she sat down next to him on the floor, stretched out her arm and took out the open album.

"It's a beautiful picture" she said slowly touching the photo with her thumb.

After a long moment of silence Harry timidly opened his mouth and confessed in a voice so small it was nearly inaudible "I just thought … well …. this was the closest thing to family I've ever experienced and …" at the end his voice broke.

"Harry" Minerva said lifting up his chin so that he had to look her directly in the eyes "I wish I could give that to you, be your family, but it's difficult. But I can promise you one thing I'll always be there for you if you need me." And somehow Harry understood.

She pushed away one last tear blew her nose and took out her wand. With one flick of it his trunk was packed tidily, all clothes placed in perfect stacks, the books in a neat pile. By hand she took out one last T-Shirt that was slightly crumbled at one end and folded it perfectly before putting it back into the trunk.

Then she turned to Harry and smiled "Why don't you help an old lady up from the floor!"

Quickly he stood up and stretched out his right arm to pull her up. At the door she turned around once more and said "Goodnight, Harry! Sleep well, my dear boy!"

The next morning Minerva again transformed into her Katherine persona to accompany Harry and Hermione to the Hogwarts Express.

When Minerva came down stairs in her black jeans, curls down, Albus wolf-whistled loudly and when she came to a stop directly in front of him he kissed her right on the mouth.

Hermione giggled loudly while Harry screeched "Ehw". Minerva stepped away from her husband and audibly mumbled "Boys!" under her breath.

They said goodbye to Albus who promised them that they would see him at dinner in the Great Hall that evening. Then he shrank both of their school trunks with a swish of his fingers and hugged first Harry and then also an astonished Hermione.
When they arrived at King's Cross Harry again felt like he was going to be sick – he would probably never get used to apparating. Hermione on the other hand had landed a lot more elegantly. Minerva in the meantime was already pulling their trunks out of her bag and unshrinking them while at the same time putting a feather-light charm on the heavy trunks.

As soon as they arrived on the platform Harry was surrounded by a large group of students – most of whom he had never even talked to before. However Harry couldn't spot the Weasleys' red hair anywhere. Soon Neville joined them Trevor in hand. Hermione again introduced Minerva as her aunt Katherine. Harry was surprised to see the normally so shy Neville chatting animatedly with her. He smirked at Hermione as he thought about Neville's face if he knew who he was really talking to and Hermione had to turn away to stop herself from laughing.

Before long it was time to board the train. Minerva helped the teenagers lift their trunks aboard before kissing Hermione on the cheek and giving Harry a firm hug. "So behave yourself, you two!" she scolded slightly and with a devilish smile she added "And be good for your teachers!" Harry had to fight very hard to keep himself from laughing out loud.

The train started to move and Harry quickly turned towards the nearest window to wave at Minerva until the train turned around a corner. Together the three teenagers set off to find an empty compartment. Not long into the journey they were joined by Ron and Ginny, the now only Weasley children at Hogwarts, Luna in tow, the ever-present dreamy smile plastered on her face.

Ron plopped down on the seat opposite of Harry and put Pig's cage onto the seat next to him.

"Did you have a good summer, mate?" Harry, unsure of how to answer, exchanged a quick glance with Hermione.

To everyone's surprise it was Luna's dreamy voice that replied before Harry could figure out how to answer "Oh, I do think Harry had quite a good summer, didn't you?"

She looked up at him over the cover of the latest edition of The Quibbler her strange earrings moving slightly with the rhythm of the train. Somehow Harry couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that Luna knew exactly what she was talking about.

Obviously Hermione's thoughts had taken the same direction as she quickly changed the topic. Looking at Ginny and Ron she asked "So how did you like Romania?"

They spent the rest of the train ride chatting amiably munching on the sweets Harry had bought from the trolley. Ron as usual spent the last hour of the ride hastily completing his summer assignments – much to Hermione's horror – and was surprised that Harry had already completely finished his.

Soon it was turning dark outside of the train windows and the boys briefly left the compartment while the girls changed into their school robes.

While Harry put on his new robes that he had bought in Diagon Alley this summer Ron suddenly turned to him and asked "So you and Mione, you finally realised …"

Harry nearly fell over his own feet and blushed beet red. Even Neville who was just tying his right shoe stopped mid-action shoe-lace in hand.

Harry nearly stumbled over his own words when he replied "No, why'd you think that?"

"Just thought … well, since you stayed with her at her aunt's house this summer."

Neville hastily turned back to tying his shoes when he saw that Harry had discovered him staring.

"I'm going to say that once and for all. Mione and me are just friends, nothing more" somehow he couldn't help sounding slightly irritated "and the last thing I need now is you two" he pointed towards Ron who had turned nearly as red as his hair and Neville who was studiously tying his right shoe now "turning into another Rita Skeeter". And with that he marched off back into the train compartment.

When he entered the compartment all the girls looked up immediately. Hermione as usually seemed to sense his uneasiness and arched a questioning eyebrow at him. He however just shook his head slightly and Hermione knew that it wouldn't do any good to ask her friend any further questions.

Behind Harry a still rather red-faced Ron and Neville who looked quite ashamed entered the compartment. However Harry didn't look up, but continued reading the book entitled Animagus Transformation he had "burrowed" from Minerva's library at the manor.

When they finally arrived at the train station in Hogsmead it was pouring. Ron and Hermione left their things with the others to deal with the unloading of the backage.

Harry briefly waved at the big dark shape on the platform that could only be his friend Hagrid, the groundskeeper here at Hogwarts.

Then he quickly followed the others to one of the thestral-drawn carriages. Harry had always been able to see those horse-like creatures as he had witnessed death. But none of his friends had been able to see them before – with the exception of Luna.

Deep on thought Harry nearly ran into Neville's back when he suddenly stopped dead. Ginny next to him looked like she'd seen a ghost.

"What's the matter, Nev, Ginny?"

Neville and Ginny however were unable to respond. They just kept on staring at the carriage in front of them. Finally Ginny muttered "So that's what they look like."

And suddenly Harry understood. Neville and Ginny were now able to see those thestrals because they had been there when … Sirius had …. died."

This fact put another damper on his already not-so-bright mood and he had to choke back the tears that were threatening to spill over.

Quickly he climbed into the carriage before Draco Malfoy who was in queue right behind them could see the tears shimmering at the corners of his eyes. Had Harry not been so caught up in his own thoughts, he might have seen that Draco himself looked paler than usual (if that was even possible) and seemed to shrink back from the thestrals a horrified look on his face.

Ron and Hermione rejoined the group of friends at the Gryffindor house table in the Great Hall, Ron mumbling something about "those first years being more and more impertinent every year". Hermione just rolled her eyes before turning to Harry and asking worriedly "Everything ok?"

He just nodded and briefly squeezed her hand the table his eyes never leaving the Head table.

As if sensing Harry's gaze Albus quickly looked up and winked at Harry discreetly. Immediately Harry felt better.

The seat directly next to Albus where Minerva normally set was still empty. Minerva was of course still with the first years that she would lead into the Great Hall to be sorted. As if on cue the big double doors swung open and in strode Minerva in her usual Professor McGonagall–teaching–attire, a queue of terrified-looking first-years behind her.

She passed the three-legged stool with the sorting hat on it and unrolled the long list with the names of the new first-years waiting to be sorted and for a moment Harry would have sworn that her eyes had met his before her gaze turned back to the list.

After the feast Albus stood up and held his usual welcome-back speech. Then he turned to introduce the new Defence teacher. The small woman with dark brown hair stood up and promptly stumbled over the leg of her chair.

"Tonks!" exclaimed Harry, Hermione and the Weasley children in unison and immediately the witch's hair turned to its usual bright pink colour. She stood up from the floor and sat back down not without knocking her goblet over in the process. Minerva quickly disposed off the mess with a flick of her wand.

That night Harry found himself lying in his four-poster bed unable to fall asleep even though he was beyond tired. In the bed next to him he could hear Ron snoring loudly, opposite of him Neville was mumbling something in his sleep.

Nevertheless the feeling of security and home he normally associated with Hogwarts just wouldn't come. He missed the seclusion of his room at McGonagall Manor and he dearly missed spending the evening in front of the fire talking to the other inhabitants.

Finally however exhaustion took over and he fell asleep at last no longer able to see the small tabby cat sneak in through the slightly ajar dorm door curling up at the foot of his bed.