Chapter 13: New Beginnings

Hogwarts was silent even the stairs seemed to be asleep Albus sat in his office looking at all his instruments which had all stopped working when Harry died. "How am I going to monitor him now?"

"You won't have to Albus" Amelia Bones said from across the desk "The time for monitoring is over the time teaching is on us and we are woefully behind." A snort from the corner reminded them both Severus Snape was with them.

"We may not have enough time" Severus spoke plainly he also noted Amelia's puzzled look "Earlier when all was said and done after Miss Delacour fell asleep I was speaking with Mr. Potter telling him stories about his mother. I tried a passive legillimency scan and got nothing. When I spoke to him of this the young man proffered a theory that chilled me to the bone. He is convinced that he was carrying a piece of Voldemort's soul around his scar."

Amelia stiffened and Albus seemed to shrink in on himself Severus knowing the old man well hissed "You knew all along and you did nothing." He spat as he paced the office "What was your grand plan Albus have the boy walk up to the dark lord untrained?"

"No that was not my intent. However this last year did put a decided crimp in my plans. Damn Fudge, Malfoy and Umbridge to the fifth layer of hell." Albus said hollowly "Now I do not believe he will ever truly trust me again."

"Give him a chance Albus and I think young Mr. Potter may well surprise you." Madam bones said with a yawn "Now if you both don't mind I must head home and prepare a room for Harry." She turned and walked toward the floo. Once she was gone Snape gave Albus a long look.

"If the boy had the connection to the dark lord like you thought having me teach him Occlumency was a mistake, a criminal mistake as until recently all I could see was the son of a rival had by the woman I love."

"I am somewhat disappointed in you Severus but more so in me" The elderly wizard said "What will you do now?"

Severus looked thoughtful for a moment "Try and undo five years' worth of abuse." He said softly as he turned and walked toward the door "Lily may be able to forgive me, but I don't think I can forgive myself."

As the door shut Albus Dumbledore the rock that the British wizarding society had clung to for nigh unto fifty years broke down and wept for those long dead and gone and those left behind. He wept until finally he fell asleep at his desk.

Chamber of Secrets

Salazar was livid "I will have the head of the one who killed my familiar." To which Godric laughed while the other two ghosts tried to lend comfort to the distraught founder. "Godric this is not a laughing matter the Castle has lost its last defender."

Godric knew he was right "Summon the rest of the ghosts let us find out what knave left the castle defenseless"

Helga was about to summon the ghosts when an annoyingly whiny voice interrupted them as moaning myrtle manifested "It was Harry Potter your excellencies. He fought the basilisk when it was commanded by your heir to hunt and kill him."

"Bugger me" exclaimed both Godric and Salazar with Salazar continuing his rant "Had to be one of yours any intelligent person would just have gotten into one of the smaller tunnels and back to the surface. But no the bravery that runs in your blood seems to have run true in the Mr. Potter."

Godric smiled "Well he is one of my line after all it seems the apple has not fallen far from the tree. Still it is regrettable that he slew your familiar old friend. Perhaps in time he can install a new protector."

More of the resident ghosts began to filter into the chamber until at last the bloody baron, the grey lady, Sir Nicholas and the fat friar finally manifested and took a knee before the founders of the school.

It was Godric who addressed the ghosts "Thank you for answering the call we do not have much time so I will be direct I need your takes on inter house relations and also need to know everything my heir has done since coming to the castle."

The word brought a gasp through the assembled spirits the Bloody Baron growled "Who exactly is your heir Godric?"

"Harry Potter" was all he had to say and the bloody baron started laughing.

"Baron Aeric" Salazar snapped his ghostly eyes narrowing the irritation plain on his face "Pray tell what is so amusing."

"Well Salazar which do you want to know more of Mr. Potters exploits or inter house relations?" the baron said settling down a bit "in the case of Godric's heir it would be more of a case of what has he not done" Godric had the sense to look ashamed, Salazar looked smug.

"I want to know how he killed it" Rowena and Helga said a breath apart before Rowena continued "well the eyes were damaged, but it does not look like spell damage. I cannot see any visible way Harry killed the basilisk."

"We could always ask him later" Helga suggested "as one of two living descendants of we will need to discuss some things with him. Now a let's talk about inter house relations."

Jean Sebastian Delacour was conflicted in his mind his little Gabrielle was exactly that a little girl. However his eyes told him something much different she looked now to be a middling teen of great beauty and they would have to see to her immediately if not sooner. Then he turned his head to look at the boy who had captured his daughters heart 'looks underfed, not at all the vision I had in mind for my daughter' he was broken from his internal monologue when a hand turned his head and Aimee Delacour frowned at him 'Damn I must be in trouble'

"Jean Sebastian you will not" she emphasized not by poking him in the chest "investigate the boy, we will get to know him. Gabrielle has chosen him now we will find out why! Now it is time to sleep .come to bed love tomorrow will arrive all by itself."

Jean Sebastian sighed and got into a magically enlarged bed 'she is right' sleep claimed him almost immediately.

Minerva looked at her students with a measure of dismay all seven were passed out in their chairs head down on the table books on Defense, Charms, and Transfiguration, most were out of the restricted section. She gathered herself and without saying the word silently transfigured all the chairs into fluffy mattresses. As she turned away she noted that that Hermione and Luna had rolled toward Neville and Ronald respectively. She then turned right into the storm cloud that was Irma Pince.

'Well I never "was all the Library Matron got out before Minerva cut her off

"Irma it has been a long night and I for one am quite tired leave children be they are researching something that may save all of us." the elderly transfiguration said "Dear god woman what happened to you, you are not the same girl I remember catching in the stacks with Rhodri Mcglachlan in sixth year."

"Minerva you promised never to mention that," Irma Pince stuttered for a moment before spitting out the word "Man"

"Leave them be and I will speak no more on that subject" Minerva smiled knowing that the torrid details of Pince's tryst with Rhodri embarrassed her to no end "Please Irma just for today and maybe tomorrow stop being a librarian let the children be I highly doubt Miss Granger will let anything untoward happen to your library."

For the rest of the week the children looked for answers helped by and helping Madam Pince, the adults went about their business each day checking on the children everyone watched Gabrielle and Harry as the two were never far apart. For her part Gabrielle had moved a bed next to Harry's making a double bed situation where often she would end up in his bed snuggled

Harry slowly opened his eyes letting the dreams he had really settle in . then he went to stretch. It was then he felt something flop over and hit his bicep he turned and looked down and saw Gabrielle snuggled into his side and then realized he was naked in bed with a girl , A very beautiful girl whose parents were sleeping right across the way 'oh crap how am I going to rectify this' he thought to himself 'Gryffindors forward'

He bent down and kissed her forehead "Gabrielle I need you to use the loo,."

For Gabrielle the stress and excitement of the weeks had finally caught up with her. She snuggled up to Harry and had fallen asleep She didn't know how long she had been sleeping but she first felt Harry stretch dislodging her head causing it to roll she smiled and snuggled in. Then she felt him kiss her forehead and heard what he said and she pouted a little "What if I am comfortable right where I am?" She said in a low voice and a wicked grin on her face before straddling him memorizing how he felt as she did until she was face to face with Harry staring into the jade orbs that had until very recently been only a poster on her wall. She watched as his mind freeze, took pity on the poor boy she leaned in and gave him a soft kiss on his lips not one filled with passion but a kiss filled with love and promise then she crawled off the bed and walked toward the female bathroom at the end of the ward. Her hips swaying as she walked for Harry to watch. Harry dressed quickly the kiss rerunning through his mind and he could not quite get the picture of her walking away out of his head either.

A chuckle brought Harry out of his fugue his head snapped toward the laughter seeing Remus his back against a wall and Tonks sleeping curled up on his chest. "Comfy Remus?" he said in an ultra-urbane tone he had heard others use over the years. noting Moony stiffen he kept on "It would seem I am not the only one sleeping with a beautiful woman it would seem, but really Padfoot's cousin you dog you" he said with a grin then he sobered up a little "Moony, Life is to short find your happiness where you can."

Remus smiled "I will take that under advisement Harry. Now where do you think you're going?"

The smile on Harry's face dimmed some "Well First I need to use the loo then I need to go for a walk or better yet a good flight Remus. I need to think, and I cannot do that here everything is to close, and I cannot make sense of any it here."

Remus looked at him with a frown "Harry maybe if you talked with us we might be able ..."

"Do what Remus offer me advice as to how I am supposed to off Voldemort?" Harry said cutting the man off "Or maybe how I should try to be a kid and leave this to the adults or maybe just maybe you won't tell me anything at all, maybe you might not have noticed but that did not work so well last year." he was about to continue ranting when he felt the overwhelming need to get out "Accio Firebolt" he chanted the summoning spell. Although he was surprised when the broom materialized in his hand. He strode toward the window mumbling the unlocking charm the window opened and he felt a hand soft and warm on his shoulders.

Harry stopped and leaned into the touch "Gabrielle I need some time to myself, I need to make sense of my life and all of this." he looked at her pleadingly "Please just an hour I promise will come back."

Gabrielle looked at him sadly but nodded knowing he was not ready to let people in. She watched as he climbed up onto the sill of the window mounted his broom and let himself fall out the window and Remus shook himself from his own shock "Harry Wait!" but it was too late Hogwarts suicide alarm went off like a bronze gong waking everyone up except those in library.

Albus Dumbledore started at the gong like noise and looked out his east facing window and saw a body falling from the hospital wing. His heart stopped 'oh no it overwhelmed the poor boy' and then just as he was sure all hope was lost he saw the boy pull up performing a perfect Wronski Feint. and he sighed in relief before turning to his familiar "Fawkes could you look after young Harry?" Fawkes trilled a response. Albus opened a window and Fawkes took to wing. Albus turned and descended from his office to return to the Hospital Wing.

Madam Pomphrey was not happy "That boy when I get my hands on him I am going to strap him to that bed we did not fight so hard, so he could almost kill himself again" she ground out looking at him fly "Remus why did you not tell him to stay in bed"

Now it was Remus's turn to look irate "Well Poppy when you figure out how to deal with a mage class magic user I will gladly do something about it"

Gabrielle looked at the adults with thinly veiled disgust "He asked for an hour to himself is that so much to ask? All he wants to do is think and if flying helps him who are you to take that from him?"

"Quite right young Lady" Albus Dumbledore said as he strode into the Hospital wing. "I am not opposed to Mr. Potter taking a flight, though I would have liked to check his broom for errant curses left over from Madame Umbridge's time at Hogwarts. I must also explain to him not to jump out any window in the Hospital Wing ever." He paused and looked at everyone and seeing Poppy's obvious irritation he chose to speak quietly with her first. "Madam Pomfrey while I understand this is your Hospital Wing. I would like to impress upon you that Mr. Potter is not a normal wizard. If he were to feel like he is a prisoner his magic could cause grievous harm to everyone around him. We will meet later today with Harry and I am sure he will be embarrassed at the fuss.

Madame Pomfrey nodded and then returned to her office.

Tonks looked to Remus for a moment before pulling him back into bed where she used his shoulder as a pillow and went back to sleep.

Jean Sebastian approached his daughter gingerly "Gabrielle, I realize you might think you are older now, but I must insist you sleep in a different bed at least until Harry asks for your hand in marriage" he then turned to right into hurricane Ami.

"Jean Sebastian Delacour of all the low vile despicable things you could say to your daughter. I know for a fact you had not even thought to marry me before trying to seduce me into bed"

Gabrielle looked mortified "ewwww I did not need to know that I am still getting used to this body please do not put the cart before the horse. "She huffed and then turned back to the window

Harry pulled out of his dive it had felt good to be his broom again he stalled and for the first time in his life he took in the view of Hogwarts and its environs at dawn a light mist covered the verdant morass that was the forbidden forest both inviting and deadly all at once. At the edge of the forest he could see the faint wisp of smoke curling up from Hagrid's primitive hut the castle was peaceful as if each stone yearned for the new day it woke for the day there was a whisper on the wind. So tantalizingly close yet barely audible. Harry closed his eyes as the sun rose letting its warmth embrace him . It was then he felt rather than saw a form approaching from above and heard the trill of Fawkes as the phoenix lit upon his broom . Harry cracked an eye open " 'Lo Fawkes, Did the headmaster send you to bring me back?" He said bitterly.

Fawkes chirped indignantly and the pecked Harry on the top of the head gently and then looked deep into Harry's eyes conveying all the love his master held for the young man and sent a vision of them flying together before taking to wing once again. Together they romped around the environs of the castle even passing over the forbidden forest. Until at last the sun was well into the sky rising and Harry's stomach growled reminding him he needed to eat. Together they flew back to Main entrance to the castle.

Dumbledore who had been watching Harry and Fawkes at play smiled before turning to the floo and throwing the powder into the fire he called out "Bones Manor" after a moment a very tired Amelia came to the floo.

It had been six days since will reading and Amelia had finished remodeling the rooms she was making ready and upgrading the wards of her family home. Sleeping soundly on the sofa she was awakend by the sound of the floo activating.

Susan Bones "Auntie what are you doing to our house" she asked noting that at least two rooms worth of furniture was lined up along one of the walls"

Amelia cracked an eye at her niece "I am doing a favor for some friends who have long since passed. I am taking guardianship of their son."

"That is nice of you to do" Susan pause wrinkling her nose a bit as she thought 'great I am going to have to share the bathroom with someone I don't know' before she bit the bullet and asked, "Is it anyone I know?"

"Oh, I think you might have met him at Hogwarts a time or three, maybe even watched him play quidditch" Amelia smiled at her niece's obvious confusion. " I am of course speaking of Harry Potter."

"Good one Auntie who are you really taking in?" Susan asked.

Amelia was about to answer when the floo roared to life "Amelia its Albus Come to the fire please."

Amelia bustled up to the fire looking for all the world that she had not really slept at all Susan trailing behind her curiosity written on her face.

"Albus do you have any concept of time" she exasperation evident in her voice. Dumbledore smiled at her after a couple of awkward moments she "Well you called me what is it now?"

Albus chuckled "We have had an incident involving your ward this morning to put it delicately he jumped out of a window in the hospital wing." before he could continue Amelia screamed

"He did what? Never mind step aside I will be coming through" with that the call ended. He turned and walked to the window in time to witness harry land and begin walking back to the castle. he heard a whoosh and turned to see Amelia and Susan Bones.

"How badly hurt is he?" Amelia asked and Albus smiled gently.

"Come see for yourself!" The old man said as he pointed out the window

Amelia Approached the window and sighed in relief as she saw Harry and Fawkes Flying toward the main entrance. "You said..."

"Amelia you did not let me finish you immediately disconnected and stepped through."

Susan peered around the two adults and saw Harry walking up the path from the pitch "Hey that's Harry .. but what's that on his shoulder?"

"That Ms. Bones is my companion Fawkes. Harry has had a very rough couple of weeks Lord Voldemort very nearly succeeded in killing him yesterday. and there were some complications that resulted in Harry being a patient in hospital wing overnight. it appears that harry has recovered enough to want to fly. However his choice of sites to take off from left something to be desired."

"Oh?" Susan said Albus reading her face answered.

"He summoned his broom from wherever Madame Umbridge had it hidden. and then opened one of the windows in the Hospital Wing and then jumped out the window into a steep dive into a perfect Wronski feint. "Albus said with terse smile on his face "However in his haste to fly he set off the suicide alarms in the castle. Needless to say Madam Pomphrey is extremely displeased with young Harry."

"Yes, I can understand why she would be displeased" Amelia nodded she then looked at Susan who she noticed was holding back a laugh "I suppose you think this is funny young lady well it's not for all we knew he might have tried to commit suicide"

Susan recognized the tone her aunt was using and sighed inwardly "Auntie, you obviously do not know Harry Potter very well.." as they descended from the Headmasters office They made their way to the great hall.

Harry was walking into the castle as Mr. Filch was directing the elves about their tasks. "Potter what are you doing here Students are not to be here during the summer without special dispensation and with the headmasters Phoenix to boot no doubt up to no good." the old caretaker looked to his own pet "Oh precious what punishment should we give the lying boy now that Madam Umbridge is not here to keep him in line"

Harry stared at the caretaker for a long moment the anger at the reminder of what that hag had done to him reared its bestial head and the castle to rumble ominously. Fawkes began to sing and Argus Filch heard for the first time in his long life as the phoenix's song which should have given him a feeling of peace and happiness instead instilled a fear he had never known he began to back away. When he heard the last voice he wanted to hear that day.

"Argus what exactly do you think you are doing threatening Mr. Potter" Albus asked calmly while seething at his very core "Never mind do not bother to answer I can see from my companion's demeanor that you were thinking of doing something wicked. Argus it is my fervent hope that you realize that Delores Umbridge would have done far worse things to you has she succeeded in her plans. There is no room for anything but Pureblood Ministry supporting Wizards. Squibs, Half-blood and muggleborn would quietly begin to disappear. Oh No doubt at first, she would use you and your devices, yes, I know of them and yes, we will be discussing them but that is for later. However at some point you would have outlived your usefulness. Surely you must see this."

Harry had not seen Dumbledore this angry ever and was thankful the headmasters ire was not pointed in his direction

Amelia beckoned for Harry "Harry could accompany me back to the hospital wing need to talk about some things you have some choices to make."

Harry fell into step on the left side of Madame Bones as Susan was on her right as they moved away from the scene that unfolded between the headmaster and the caretaker.

Amelia pulled Harry into an unused classroom "Harry last night your parents will was read"

Authors Note: I am reworking several chapters and adding a new chapter in short order but i need to change the scenes just a tad. As a result chapters 11 and 12 have been shortened and had some content shuffled from one chapter to another. It is my hope to have Chapter 14 in place sometime in the next week.