Part 10

End of year four…Again

The train journey home had been a peaceful one. Ginny had been nervous about getting on the train and being around all the students she had spent an entire year tormenting once. This prompted Hermione to act as the lioness to Ginny's cub, and prevented anyone from saying anything or even giving Ginny a funny look. Harry still hadn't gotten all the details of what Hermione and Draco had been up to in his absence, but from what he understood, Hermione had gone through some changes of her own. So far, Harry liked all of them.

He had taken the time to tell Hermione and Draco about Neville being in Nurmengard. They were just as surprised as he had been but were oddly accepting of Neville's fate. It had become an agreement among the three of them that should they ever find themselves face to face with their old friend again, killing him would be the last resort. Hope was strong among the three and the new addition to the group only enhanced the positivity among them.

Ginny was deliriously happy when Harry told her that she would be allowed to come back to Hogwarts after the summer. Even more so was her joy of knowing she'd be going to classes with Harry, Draco and Hermione. Hermione, who Ginny was now completely in love with, was pleased with this news as well. Draco accepted it with the same casual air he accepted anything. There was one topic of discussion that had come up when Harry and Draco were alone in the compartment, after Hermione had decided to introduce the new Ginny to Lavender and Parvati.

"I've been meaning to ask you about Cedric," Harry said. He didn't know how to even start this conversation and was surprised by how easily Draco was willing to have it, "I'm sorry that I couldn't…"

"Harry, when I saw his body on display at the funeral, I knew that the soul reason that he was there, was because you had sent him back," Said Draco, reaching out and taking Harry's hand, "I cared about him and yes, I missed him, cried over him, Hermione had to put up with a great deal of outbursts and temper tantrums, but I am able to cope with losing him or in this case, never knowing what could have been. I just have one request is all."

"Which is?" Harry asked, curious to know what Draco could want from him.

"When the time comes…" Replied Draco, his voice turning dangerous, "I want Wormtail for myself,"

"I would imagine there is a small line waiting to get at him," Harry said, "But it's a deal. So long as you stay out of the fight against Voldemort."

"That's not fair!" Draco shouted, "I want a crack at the dark lord, I never get to fight dark lords!"

"Nope!" Harry grinned, "You want the rat, I get to fight the big cheese!"

"Fine! But the next dark lord is mine!"

"You're expecting another one to pop up sometime soon, are you?" Snorted Harry.

"At one point there were 3 plus a god, knowing our luck another one is going to show up any second now,"

"Maybe," Said Harry. He let out a relaxed sigh, "Have you kept in touch with Bella?"

"Letters mostly, Hermione speaks to her more than I do. She wasn't there the night you came back with Erica and the rest of the Ilvermorny fighters."

"I didn't want her to come along," Harry explained, "I didn't even ask Erica to check if she were alright, I thought that seeing me would…"

"She doesn't blame you," Draco told him, "She was sad that Cedric was dead, but they hadn't been the same since Cedric found out he was gay, she lost a friend, not a boyfriend. You should write her a letter, with Angela gone, she needs more friends."

Harry had taken the time alone to write this letter. He had enough time to ponder over what exactly he would say and what it was he could offer to thank Bella for all her help last year. He had just given it to Hedwig and sent her off for a long trip to America when Hermione and Ginny returned.

"Lavender gave me this!" Ginny announced the moment she walked through the compartment door. She excitedly held up a red and yellow ribbon, it was one that Lavender had bought to show her support for Gryffindor. Harry felt it was a sweet gesture.

"And if you hold still, I'll put it in your hair for you," Hermione fussed, grabbing Ginny and stopping her from bouncing up and down excitedly.

"Parvati is really nice, and Dean said he liked my hair, oh and Seamus made his birthday card catch on fire and we all laughed because it was really funny!"

For the rest of the journey, Harry and Draco sat back and listened to every detail of Ginny meeting her new friends for the first time. Harry was sure that there would be problems somewhere down the line involving Ginny and the Hogwarts students, but he was content with knowing that she would be safe in Gryffindor. By the time they had reached the train station, there was one last hurdle where Ginny was concerned, before Harry could fully relax. Thankfully, he had planted the seeds just perfectly so that by the time he was off the train and being greeted by Lily and Hestia, it was too late for either of them to even discuss the idea of letting a girl who was technically now a homeless orphan, former possessed servant of the dark lord, daughter to the most dangerous dark family in the world and has a temper that could literally destroy half the country, live with them.

It was also made easy by the fact that Ginny was so easy to love. She had talked constantly on the way back to Ottery St Catchpole about how much she was looking forward to living with Lily and Hestia and learning about gardening and curses and meeting Dobby and doing her homework for school and wanting to study Care of magical creatures that when they reached the front door of Harry's home, Lily and Hestia were already discussing how best to decorate Ginny's room.

This departure had not been easy though. Before making this trip, Harry had one thing to do and he made sure to do it in private.

"I just feel like we're saying goodbye too soon," Hermione had told him. The three days they had spent together wasn't enough to make up for the months in which they were separated. Harry didn't want to let her go any more than Hermione wanted to stay with him, but he knew she had to go and see her family.

"They had no idea you were in Hogwarts this whole time," Harry whispered to her, "They don't know about Grindelwald or that I was missing, as far as they were concerned you've just had the best year of your life and they're going to want to know all about it,"

"The best moment of my whole year was when you pulled me out of the way of that killing curse,"

"There aren't words to describe what having you back means to me," He promised her, pressing his lips to her nose, "I'm never going to let anything like that happen again, understood?"

"Nor will I," She whispered back to him, "This time we're going to keep each other safe,"

"I love you," He whispered to her.

"As I love you," She replied.

It would have been impolite to describe the kiss that was shared between them before their sweet goodbye. With promises of letters every day and that Hermione would come to join Harry on their 4th week of the summer, he could rest easy knowing that she would be going home and would be coming back to him very soon.

Returning home had been a strange thing for Harry. Erica had been pardoned by the Ministry with proof that she wasn't in league with Neville, Voldemort, Grindelwald or responsible for anything that had happened last year. She was now living with Sirius and this made life a little easier for Harry, knowing he could speak to someone who knew the full story of what happened this year. He had attempted to keep to himself for a bit, but no one was going to allow it. Lily was constantly worried about him and always checking to see if Harry was still in his room and hadn't disappeared. Hestia had taken the same stance and spent a great deal of time asking if Harry was adjusting to being back home again. Ginny was in her element, she spent all of her time in the garden or with Dobby to an extent that one night he found the two of them asleep in the vegetable patch beneath the kitchen window. Occasionally, his thoughts would linger on Neville and even after speaking to Augusta about her grandson, he still could never explain to her what had happened. Thoughts of Voldemort were so far from his mind that it was almost as if the dark lord had never returned. Voldemort had done exactly what Dumbledore had expected him to do and retreated into shadow. The entire world was alerted to his existence and the Ministries of the world were rallying behind the UK Ministry to prepare for the coming war. Harry on the other hand was simply trying to enjoy the peace, knowing full well that Voldemort would make his move eventually and when he did, Harry would be ready for the fight when it came. Eventually, after the first week, Harry settled into a new routine of studying more advanced magic, probing Severus and Erica on their knowledge of defence against the dark arts, duelling practice daily with Sirius and spending time with Ginny, learning all she knew about Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Though, on occasion, this new hobby of Harry's took a backseat and he remembered to be a teenager again. Sirius happily helped with this.

It was a Sunday afternoon when Sirius and had invited Harry along to go and meet Teddy Lupin. Harry had only found out that Remus was going to be a father on the night of the Gala and so much had happened after it that Harry was only now going to get to meet the young boy. Remus and Tonks had bought a house in the village, which suited Harry because it meant that more of the people he cared about would be closer to him. He pondered the idea around convincing the Grangers to move closer, but Harry felt it was selfish to go that far just so he could see Hermione every day.

"So, you're never going to tell me what happened while you're gone?" Sirius asked, "Not even the action bits?"

"Mum knows enough to deal with it, Draco and Hermione know enough to get over it and Dumbledore knows everything as per usual." Replied Harry, giving a small chuckle, "It's better that everyone doesn't know because I've got friends to protect. You understand."

"I do," Sirius nodded, "But you went to Italy, you stood in front of the Volturi, Harry…" Sirius was lost for words. He had no real way of expressing to Harry how amazing he thought this was and yet, he tried anyway, "Aro of all vampires, come on, a little detail?"

"To be honest, all you have to do is picture Severus as a vampire, but completely insane and you've pretty much got Aro."

"Sounds like a stand-up guy," Sirius joked, "But you're alright, yeah?"

"Not you as well," Harry sighed.

"You can act all calm and cool, but I know that something like all you've been through is going to leave scars," Sirius said in a wise tone. He placed a hand on Harry's shoulder and smiled, "come on, give the old dog a bone, please?"

"Fine, I can tell you about the…"

But before Harry could get into the story, an owl that wasn't Hedwig flew over and dropped a letter. Harry reached out and caught it between his fingers, turned it over and instantly recognised the exquisite handwriting. Looking at Sirius and smiling, he tore the letter open and unfolded it.

Dear Harry.

I know I'm risking a great deal in sending this to you, but I think that one last little break of the law is worth it to say goodbye to a friend. Carlisle, Esme, Jasper, Emmet, Rosalie and especially Alice, all thank you for showing them the means to living a far better life than the one they knew. We've decided that while we can't interfere in wizard business, we can work harder to protect the humans of this world. What form that is going to take I can't say but from what I understand, Dumbledore is now fighting to make it easier for me and my family to help.

There is no gift I can give you that will match the friendship you've given me but know that if you ever need anything, I will be ready and willing to come to your aid. We're moving to a place called Forks Washington, it doesn't sound like a remarkably interesting town to be in, but I wanted you to know in the hope that we'll see each other again. I wish that I could be there to help you fight the dangers you are going to face, for now though, I know you will beat back the darkness and stand tall.

Goodbye my friend.

Edward Cullen.

P.S the plane tickets weren't my idea. She just really wants to meet Hermione and they'll last a full year before they expire.

"Who is she?" Sirius asked, admiring the letter with some interest.

"Alice," Harry replied, holding up the plane tickets and giving a small chuckle.

"They do know we don't need planes, right?" Sirius was amused by the thought.

"I think it would be because Hermione is muggle-born. Alice would want to make her feel as normal as possible," Harry replied, smiling as he folded up the letter and tickets, putting them in his jacket and started walking again.

"Alright, you're friends with vampires, that adds to your cool points some more but what was it you were going to tell me about?"

"Why werewolves aren't as good as vampires," He grinned.

"Did I mention I love you?" Sirius asked him, giving Harry a pat on the shoulder.

"It's obvious,"

Laughing, joking and describing a story in which Harry woke up in a fancy house, heard a fight outside and found himself rushing to the aid of a coven of animal eating vampires, he ventured off into the unknown future with his godfather at his side, his family safe and sound, and knowing that no matter what was going to come next, He would not have to face it alone.

Epilogue

Deep beneath the city of London where tunnels that are unknown to wizards and muggles alike, two men met to discuss in whispers, something that both pleased them greatly. Beneath their whispers, the sounds of growling, scratching, snarling and hissing could be heard, but they both ignored it, accepting those noises as if they were gentle music.

"A remarkable feet, you managed to keep them from seeing the real danger."

"It wasn't difficult, they're all blinded by their weaknesses, it's only a matter of time before they see the mistake they've made and then, they'll rip each other to pieces."

"Tom Riddle still has no idea where my Mistress is?"

"He does not,"

"And the boy, Neville, is firmly locked away?"

"For the time being, we'll keep him there as a last resort."

"With him out of the way, Potter and Riddle can focus on destroying each other."

"Dumbledore is beginning to notice how easily everything has fallen into place, he's started to look for the Horcruxes already. It won't take him long to find the rest."

"This is good, if not him then Harry will have to be the one to track them down. He is aware of them or at least, should be."

"I believe that Grindelwald made sure that Hermione Granger would know of them, once the pieces fall into place, she'll let Harry know and they'll likely start a hunt."

"In which case we must be ready for when the fighting begins. Potter and Riddle are going to make the history books."

"You truly believe that Potter will be a match for him?"

"Time will tell, we must work together to ensure that the boy has time to discover his true potential. We cannot afford for Riddle to be alive when our Mistress returns, he has too much knowledge and far too great a power. In fact, it would be prudent to inform Riddle of the prophecy."

"Now?"

"No, give it some time. A war cannot simply be started with the blast of a pistol, we learned that lesson when we freed Alucard."

"Then tell me, what is it you ask of me?"

"I wish to create a connection between Riddle and Potter. Should Riddle fail, we will need someone to take his place. If Harry fails, we will need someone to keep Riddle in line. Their separate minds and values must clash to create a whole new being in each other. Make them realise how alike they are."

"Very well, but what of the Blacks, they're so determined to fight for Potter, if they were to learn of what is going on, they might attempt to find you."

"If they become too much of a problem, see to it that they are removed."

"Of course."

As one man turned from the other, the hood of the obedient man fell when his long black cloak swept round like bat wings and he headed briskly down the tunnel.

"Oh, one more thing," The other man called, hidden in a hood.

"Yes, Ethan?" the other asked, turning to face the hooded man.

Behind the one named Ethan, several disfigured creatures with grey skin, burning blue eyes, broken horns and wings, fat bodies, skinny bodies, limbs missing, and vicious teeth bared appeared, all of them intimidating the man with their mangled presence.

"Be a good man and kill Albus Dumbledore at some point. I grow tired of his interference."

"It will be done." The man bowed.

"Thankyou…Severus."

End of Year four