Madam Pomfrey demanded that Harry rested after his experience with the troll. Between her, Harry and Professor Flitwick they decided that the best place to achieve that would be at his house. If he went back to Hogwarts he would have to be confined to the Hospital Wing, whereas at home he could have the run of the house provided he didn't do too much. About four days after the incident Harry decided to go back to Hogwarts to pick up his possessions. Charms was the only subject he truly enjoyed in Hogwarts and he was sure that Griphook or Professor Flitwick could find him teachers if he asked. He was incredibly sad to be leaving his friends behind but he was sure that they would still be able to visit him, like they had been doing this week. He portkeyed into his dorm during the middle of the night, managed to wake no-one up shockingly, shrunk and pocketed his belongings and left again.

To the rest of Hogwarts, Harry was in the Hospital Wing with no visitors allowed. Poppy was very stringent about enforcing this no-visitor policy and not even the Headmaster could convince her to let him in to see Harry. Harry was supposedly suffering from blood loss and magical exhaustion (which wasn't too far from the truth) and only uninterrupted natural sleep would be the most effective healing. Harry chuckled when Poppy told him that. It seemed like Poppy and Flitwick were enjoying themselves.

Unfortunately the following day, when it was found out that Harry's possessions had vanished, the school was in uproar. The boy hadn't been seen by anyone except the school nurse for five days and now somehow his possessions had gone. This culminated in five Ministry Aurors, their scarlet robes swishing with authority, striding into the Hospital Wing demanding to see Harry Potter. When Poppy denied them, a dark skinned auror reached into his robes and pulled out a thick wadge of parchment.

"This here is a warrant to search the entire Hospital Wing and if necessary the rest of Hogwarts Castle to find one Harry James Potter" the deep booming voice of Kingsley Shacklebolt said. "We also have a warrant to arrest any individuals trying to impede this search so I would suggest, Madam Pomfrey, that you stand aside and let us get on with our jobs."

Poppy anxiously twisted a ring she wore before she reluctantly stood aside. She had no idea if Filius was with Harry or even if he had received her signal, but if not then she was going to explain everything to these people, Dumbledore be damned.

"Very well I can see I have no choice. If you will follow me, I will take you to him. I must stress that you make no noise as unplanned awakenings are the worst thing for an exhaustion patient to be subjected to. Due to the severity of his condition, there must also be no magic cast in his presence. Do I make myself quite clear?"

There was a flurry of nods. "Let me just add that I know Director Bones very well and if any of you cause any harm to my patient, she will be informed of this. Director Bones takes any bad performance by her team as a personal insult to her. The unfortunate member is not often given a chance to do it a second time. Understood? Do not agitate my patient. No noise, no magic."

Poppy hoped that by now, she had given Filius and Harry enough time to prepare themselves. She started walking slowly away from the Hospital Wing, beckoning the aurors to follow. After several minutes Poppy held up her hand to stop the group and motioned everyone to be silent. With a gentle twist she opened the door to reveal a sleeping raven haired boy.

Harry looked every inch as ill as he was supposed to be. He was pale and looking swamped in the bed whilst various machines were attached to him. They all gave different numbers or lines but not one made a sound. The silence in the room was deafening and one by one the aurors started to leave. Poppy walked with them back to the main hospital wing.

"So are you happy now you have seen him? Can I go back to my job now?"

"Do you know what happened to Mister Potter's belongings?" Kingsley asked, his dicta-quill hovering in mid air next to him.

"Why should I be concerned about his belongings? Professor Flitwick has probably removed them to make sure no harm comes to them whilst Harry is recovering. Now are you quite finished?"

The lead auror had the grace to look somewhat embarrassed. "Yes I believe that was it. Thankyou for your time Madam Pomfrey. Good afternoon."

After seeing the aurors out Poppy went back to Harry's room, where she found him sitting up in the bed and grinning. "That was awesome!" he said.

"For you perhaps Harry. I was nearly wetting myself in fear that you wouldn't be here!" Poppy replied. "Facing down an on duty Kingsley Shacklebolt I can do without!" She ruffled his hair before she spoke again. "You are going to have to tell people something Harry, you just need to decide how much you want to give them."

A head suddenly appeared, quickly followed by the rest of Professor Flitwick. He tucked the invisibility cloak under his arm before he addressed Harry.

"We can phrase it as "Harry Potter's legal guardians said..." " he said. "Technically since you are a Lord, that's you. You make your own decisions. But you do need to tell people that you are leaving. People will also want to know why. It is your choice whether you tell them or not. We can say that Madame Pomfrey released you to recover at home and your relatives will get all the press to deal with, whilst you get left in peace!"

"Tell me why I got involved with this hairbrained scheme of yours again?" Poppy asked with a chuckle and a slight shake of her head.

"I tell you who would love this story Harry - Griphook. It is a plan almost worthy of a goblin. Make sure you tell him about it and ask his advice. He knows how to deal with the press, Griphook does."

"Thanks Professor. Will you still teach me wandless magic?"

"One thing at a time Harry. But yes, I will help you control your magic."

"OK, so I can go to school at home with my friends?"

"We'll sort something out Harry, now portkey out before you alert the whole castle that you're not asleep!"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It took only two days to get everything sorted. Flitwick gave a wicked smirk as he read the headline of the Daily Prophet over breakfast.

BOY-WHO-LIVED QUITS HOGWARTS

Medical reasons from troll attack claimed

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is widely claimed as being the most well protected building in Britain. However reports that last week a troll managed to breach its defences and seriously injure one of its students have been confirmed. It is believed that Harry Potter, the boy responsible for the downfall of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named ten years ago, was injured whilst rescuing one of his classmates. He is said to be receiving excellent medical care in the castle's infirmary. Potter's guardians released this statement yesterday: "It is obvious now that there are some serious security concerns in the castle. Due to the fact that Harry felt he had to save the student himself and the injuries he sustained we believe that Hogwarts is no longer the right place for our boy to learn and grow. If a troll can get in, what else can?"

The Hogwarts Medi-Witch, Madam Poppy Pomfrey, responded to our request for an interview with a statement of her own. "Mr Potter suffered severe trauma, blood loss and magical exhaustion after having to battle a troll with less than a month's magical training. It is a miracle that no injuries were fatal. He has responded well to treatment and will shortly be released to continue his recovery at home."

It is not known where Mr Potter will continue his education.

The reaction in the Great Hall was priceless. Flitwick made a note to show it to Harry and Griphook later. There was not a sound to be heard. Every single pair of eyes was riveted on a newspaper, staff included. Sprout seemed to become nauseous and Hagrid visibly sank further into his chair - quite a feat for a half giant. Albus had snatched the paper out of Minerva's hands as he read the headline, forcing her to read it over his shoulder. Minerva's lips pinched together and colour flooded her cheeks. Severus on the other hand looked positively gleeful.

Suddenly there was a resounding crack in the air and as one all eyes turned from the newspaper to the Head Table. If possible, the Hall went even quieter. A pin dropped now would make quite a loud thud, Flitwick thought mischievously. However, the entertainment Minerva and Albus were providing was excellent enough on its own. There was a hand print clearly showing on the Headmaster's face, and Minerva shaking her hand out gave no ambiguity as to who had caused it.

"As much as I am sure I deserved that, perhaps this is a discussion better suited to my office?" Dumbledore stated calmly.

"You'd better fix this Headmaster. If Harry goes-" Minerva started.

"I will talk to him as soon as I am able. I will keep you informed. Come Professor, the first class starts in fifteen minutes. I expect all of your work to be as excellent as usual" Dumbledore efficiently stopped whatever his deputy was going to say; they weren't alone after all.

"Yes Headmaster."

Much as she wanted to tear the old man a new one, Minerva conceded that the Great Hall filled with students at breakfast time was neither the time nor the place. Plus she prided herself on not being a hypocrite. How could she ask her students to concentrate if her own mind was elsewhere?

As the two Professors left, Flitwick thought about how Harry and Griphook would take this. His cousin would definitely enjoy the chaos caused, especially if Flitwick could get himself into some of the meetings. He was the boy's Head of House after all. Harry? Harry would probably be happy that it was happening around him and he could get on with his life. Flitwick had never met someone quite so intent on telling people what they wanted to know whether they liked it or not. If you asked him a question, Harry would answer it as honestly and as bluntly as possible. That was probably why he got on so well with the goblins, Flitwick thought, well as well as the gold he threw around for their services. Dumbledore was going to have a hard time getting Harry to reconsider.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Ah Poppy good morning" Dumbledore greeted the medi-witch cheerfully as he stuck his head round her office door. "How's Mr Potter doing today?"

"Currently he's still sleeping Headmaster. He normally wakes around eleven or so. I trust this isn't a social call?"

"No I'm afraid not. Have you seen the Prophet this morning? I need to talk to Harry as a matter of some urgency."

"I have read the article Albus yes. If you're going to try and persuade him to stay I think you may be too little, too late. From the little I've spoken to him, he seems pretty determined to go."

"He can't go Poppy! The Wizarding World needs him."

"That, I think, is most of the problem." Poppy held up a hand to stop Albus's protests. "However when I go and see him, I'll ask if he's feeling up to a visit after lunch. It's up to him though Albus, he is still quite unwell."

Albus backed down with good grace. "Of course, thankyou Poppy."

It was mid afternoon by the time Albus was allowed to meet with Harry. The Headmaster was also given the same dire warnings that the aurors received: upset him and face the healer's wrath.

"Harry my boy, it's so good to see you" Dumbledore started.

"Hello to you too sir" Harry replied.

"Have you seen today's Daily Prophet?"

"Yes sir."

Dumbledore waited but nothing more was forthcoming. He cleared his throat in attempt to make Harry talk more.

"If you're here to try and make me change my mind Headmaster I'll save you the breath. A long winded speech about why I should stay would just waste both your time and mine."

"Harry, if you go, then many other students will follow you."

"That is my problem how sir?"

"Wizarding Britain depends on you Harry. You are their light, their hope, their saviour. They look up to you. If you leave people will be upset. They will think you don't care for them."

"I don't. Well except for Susan, Hermione and Neville of course."

"You don't care that you will cast hundreds of people into despair and ruin the reputation of Hogwarts?"

"Not really, no. The teaching speaks for itself. Potions is crap if you're not Slytherin, Transfiguration has a very tense atmosphere which makes things go wrong more, Herbology is taught by a woman who never seems to have disciplined anyone in her life and nobody can make out a word of what the Defence professor is saying because of his stutter."

"I notice you didn't mention Charms."

"Oh Charms is wonderful. I really enjoyed Charms. That's one thing I'll miss."

"There's a way to avoid feeling that loss Harry. Your parents had your name down here before you were born, did you know?"

"I did."

"What would they think of you throwing away your education like this?"

"I don't know, they died when I was one, remember?" Harry bit back sarcastically.

"They would be incredibly disappointed in you Harry. They sacrificed their lives for yours, don't throw it away."

"Don't you ever do that again" Harry said fiercely sitting up in bed. "Don't you ever say what they would be like because you don't know! No-one will ever know what they think because they're dead! They did as you said and it got them killed! Not forgetting your supposedly safe school nearly killed me as well! Forgive me if I take advice from other people on what to do. People I actually care about."

Harry was breathing hard and he knew he didn't have to go much further before Poppy would come storming in. He was supposedly still quite ill.

"You are famous Harry. You need to be taught how to use that fame."

That would do nicely.

"Oh yeah and who's fault is that? Mum's? Voldemort's? If a dark wizard's after you then a dark wizard's after you. If their spell rebounces then it's their own bloody fault. If you survive because someone died instead of you, then why is it me that's famous and not my mum? Oh yes because I'm alive and she isn't! Thanks for reminding me Headmaster." The bitterness hung in the air.

Poppy had come in as Albus finished his last question and heard the whole last rant. Brandishing her wand she approached the bed.

"I gave you strict instructions not to upset him and you go and do just that! Get out." When Albus opened his mouth to retort Poppy flicked her wrist and the Headmaster was propelled through the open door and the door shut with a bang. "Well that sorted him" she said with a smirk.

Harry smiled slightly. "Can I go home now?" he asked quietly.

"Of course Harry, are you alright?" Poppy asked in return.

"Yeah I just want to be on my own and do normal things again. Perhaps Professor Flitwick would teach me on Saturday mornings?"

"I'll ask him for you. You go on home now. I'll officially release you tomorrow so you can stop having to play around."

"Thanks Madam Pomfrey" Harry said sleepily. "Home."

Safely back in Wales Harry fell asleep without even getting under the covers of his bed. Poppy, Griphook and Flitwick would sort everything.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The following evening Harry saw his two best friends from primary school Jack and Rich playing football out in the park. He went out to see them.

"Harry!" they exclaimed. "You said you were going to boarding school!"

Harry shrugged. "Didn't like it" he said. Then he brightened. "Want to play penalties? I haven't practised my keeper skills since I left."

"Sure!" Jack replied with a grin. "Maybe we'll beat you this time!"

They played for an hour or so until the boys had to go back for dinner.

"You staying around then?" Rich asked.

"Hopefully" Harry replied.

"See you at school then?"

"Got plans for tomorrow but I'll try for Monday."

"Cool. See you soon Harry!"

"Bye Jack, bye Rich!"

"Wonder what's left in the house" Harry mumbled to himself as he felt his stomach rumble.

Pasta, pesto and tinned tomatoes were the best things he could find in his cupboards but it made a rather delicious meal. He would need to buy more food tomorrow though and get his life back on track now he was home again. He wanted his fireplace connected to the Floo so that Susan, Neville and Hermione could visit him easily and he needed a room where he could have his magic lessons. Perhaps Neville would like to join in those too. He also wanted a mobile phone so that he could keep in contact with his non-magical friends - he'd seen Jack showing his off just a week before he went to Hogwarts. A trip to Gringotts was high on his list for tomorrow. Then he could go shopping.