Time-skip: 3 months later…
Sirius helped Susan pack her things as she was to leave for Hogwarts today.
"He's still not back," she said stopping for a minute and looking at Sirius.
"He will be at the platform," said Sirius. "I received his letter last night."
It had been three months since Voldemort's defeat and Harry leaving the manor saying he was going to live with Draco for a few days. Those few days had changed into three months as Sirius realized Harry must be having pretty serious training with Draco considering how he never once came to the manor. Instead, Harry wrote Sirius letters once a while but there were no words about his training with Draco. The letters were plain and simple – about how everyone was doing and all.
"Are you ready?" Sirius asked.
"Yeah, I am," Susan said closing her trunk and shrinking it before keeping it and her other belongings in the pouch she was carrying.
"Let's go," Sirius said as they headed for the floo from where they flooed over to the magical side of the King's Cross Station – at platform 9 ¾.
Arriving at the platform Susan began looking for her friends and she immediately recognized Hermione's bushy hair amidst the crowd as she dashed for her before Sirius could stop her. The man looked around as well; wondering when was the last time the platform had looked so lively. When Voldemort was first believed to be gone after he'd tried to kill an infant Harry people were still doubtful that he wasn't truly gone but this time he was as there was proof of his decayed body which Draco had publicly dropped in the middle of Diagon Alley for everyone to see.
He saw and smiled as Susan hugged Hermione before waving back at the bushy haired girl who waved at him first as he looked around wondering if Harry had arrived yet. He hadn't seen his godson in three months apart from the regular mirror calls and letters wondered how he was doing when he heard a familiar voice from behind and turned to see it was Augusta with Neville. He wished her a good morning before the two began to talk on random topics while Neville joined Hermione and Susan who were joined by Luna soon after that as they all acquired an empty compartment on the express waiting for Harry.
"He's not here yet?" asked Augusta. Sirius shook his head. "He even missed the Wizengamot hearings that took place during these holidays."
"I know," Sirius said. "I was there."
"I heard your cousin Dora is finally an auror now," said Augusta.
"She is and that's making me nervous," Sirius said making the old lady chuckle when the train gave its final whistle as Sirius looked around. "Where is he?" he said when he noticed something in the crowd and his eyes widened in surprise as a smile came up on his face.
Through the crowd walked Harry towards them. He looked taller…a lot taller than three months ago and he also looked rather healthy. His face's shape had changed as it looked more angled and like an adult man than a thirteen year old boy.
"Missed me?" Harry said hugging his godfather before looking at Augusta. "Madame Longbottom," he said with a slight bow.
"Lord Potter," Augusta responded back, looking at him from top to bottom. "You certainly changed a lot during the summer, Harry," she said reverting back to the informal way of talking once the greeting was done.
Harry smiled scratching his head as he looked at the crowd behind him. "Oh, they're already on the train," Sirius said realizing Harry was looking for his friends. Harry patted Sirius' back. "I would talk more but it looks like the train's about to leave."
"We didn't see each other for over three months," Sirius said. "I guess I can manage with a few more days."
"Thanks for covering for me at the Wizengamot," Harry said. "Well, I'll see you guys soon."
"Take care," Sirius said as Harry boarded the train as it began to move.
"I can't believe how much he's changed," Augusta said looking at the train as it left the platform.
"You should've seen Draco when I first saw him," Sirius said. "I wonder what sort of training he and Harry went through. Does this have something to do with hormones because they both sure changed a LOT."
"He, Susan, Neville and others are only a few months away from teenage-hood," Augusta said. "They'll all have a real hormonal blast once that happens and trust me looking after them will be a nightmare. I know how it was when Frank and you guys were of that age."
Sirius blushed hard at Augusta's words before his expressions changed back to normal. "Yeah, but these kids…they're different than the rest…than what we were when we were of their age," he said.
"That…is true," Augusta said as the train left the platform and disappeared through the barrier, becoming invisible so it wouldn't be noticed by anything muggle. "Would you like a cup of tea? I hear the cafés in the area serves amazing tea."
"Right after you," Sirius said as the two left.
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Hermione, Susan and Luna were indulged in deep conversation while Neville was settled on the opposite berth looking outside the window at the passing fields when their compartment door opened making them all look up. As their eyes widened in surprise Harry just stood there looking at their surprise-filled faces.
"Hello, everyone," he said walking inside and closing the door behind him. He looked at Neville who moved a little so that Harry could sit as the girls all kept looking at him like he was a stranger.
"Wha…What happened to you?" Hermione asked.
"Stop it," Harry said. "You guys are acting like you've seen a completely different person."
"We…Yeah, we have!" Susan said.
"Why are you acting so surprised," asked Hermione. "Didn't you say Sirius and you talked to him regularly on the communication mirror?"
"Yeah, but looking at him in reality is a very different experience," Susan said. "You should've come to meet us at least once, Harry."
"I know but things got real hectic and serious with Draco…and Snape."
"Snape was there, too?" Hermione said, her eyes and mouth open wide just like Susan.
"Well, it makes sense that Snape will be there as he was the one who taught everything to Draco in the first place," Harry said.
"But it's not complete yet," Luna's words caused everyone to look at her. Harry looked into her eyes knowing already that Celia must've sensed his progress. He then turned to look at Neville who hadn't talked once to him since Harry had entered the compartment.
"What do you think?" Harry asked.
"You heard it from her," Neville said, still looking out of the window.
"Wait, you're not telling me that three months were not enough for you?" Susan asked.
"It was and it wasn't," Harry said. "I know you guys really have lots of questions but I really don't want to dive into them right now. My training was 'over' today morning and I am still a little bit exhausted from practicing my magic to its limits."
"You were training till today morning?" Susan asked.
"Which is why I said I will meet you guys directly at the platform," Harry said. "When I told Snape and Draco about teaching me everything they could in these three months they didn't want to spare any minute of it and they certainly didn't." He then stood up and opened the door to look out into the corridor. "Did you guys see Daphne?" he asked looking back inside the compartment.
"Yeah…about that…" Hermione said as Harry winced visibly.
"It's that bad, huh?" he said.
"Well, you were the one who broke all contacts with all of us for three months so I say you deserve it," Susan said.
"I think I do," Harry said before taking a seat next to Neville again.
"Wait a minute, you're not going to look for her on the train?" asked Hermione.
"To be honest I am scared of facing her," Harry said. "Judging from what you all said I can tell she is angry with me. Perhaps I should've talked to her…" he stopped as their compartment door slid open as everyone turned to look at who had come. "Astoria?" Harry said looking at Daphne's sister. She was starting as a first year since this term.
Astoria looked at him before walking over. "I only came to tell you that she's very angry with you, Harry," she said in a low volume but everyone inside the compartment heard her clearly as Hermione and Susan chuckled while Luna smiled. Even Neville couldn't help as his lips' corners twitched into a small smile while Harry gulped wondering what was going to happen once they arrive at Hogwarts. He wondered if he was going to sleep outside his quarters tonight…and probably for a few more as he turned to look at Neville.
"Hey, can I ask you something?" he asked Neville who didn't reply but simply kept looking at Harry who took it as a 'yes'. "You still have a spare bed in the dorm, right since the time I left?"
Susan and Hermione burst into laughter as Neville also broke into a chuckle. "You can always sleep in the common room if the dorm doesn't have a spare bed," Luna said.
"I think I will," Harry said as the train honked and sped towards the castle blowing off a white cloud of steam.
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The train arrived at Hogsmead station and everyone boarded off before Harry and group headed towards the carriages. All this time he kept looking for Daphne in the crowd but couldn't find her. He did spot Astoria with the rest of the first years going towards Hagrid but not Daphne. If Astoria hadn't told him Harry wouldn't guessed that Daphne wasn't even on the train.
Sighing he climbed aboard the carriage as it began to be pulled by the thestral. Harry had come to know about them in one of the books in his manor and was expecting to see them when he came to Hogwarts for his third term as he'd seen quite a lot of people die at the Riddle Manor's raid over three months ago. Same as him Neville and Luna could also see them although for Neville it was the first time just like Harry and so he was a little surprised. For Luna Harry knew she could see them as she'd told him so on the train since she'd seen her mother die at a very young age.
They all remained quiet, having nothing in particular to talk to as the carriage moved for the castle where they all got off and saw some new security at the entrance. Surprised they wondered what was that all about as they all headed for the metal gate.
They were stopped by Flitwick who was checking every student's name and identification from a list that he was carrying and they couldn't help but notice there were a few aurors standing next to him.
"Alright, names?" said the tiny professor.
"Professor, what is all this?" Hermione asked.
"You will be told everything at the feast, Ms Granger," said Flitwick. "Now, names?"
Hermione blinked a few times looking at Flitwick seeing that he'd just called her name but seeing that he wasn't going to budge she repeated her full name. Flitwick checked her off the list before going for the others and a few minutes later they were all 'verified' and allowed to enter through the gate.
"What was that all about?" Harry said.
"No idea," said Susan. "But I guess it won't hurt with some new security seeing not all of Voldemort's followers have been caught and tried yet."
"I still don't have a good feeling about all of this," Hermione said. "I mean with the aurors and all. With them stationed here at the castle it still feels like we're under some sort of threat."
"We are," said Harry. "Well, seeing as it is Grindelwald is still at large with the aurors searching for him everywhere and because he is an international criminal the other magical nations have also lent hands in order to look for him."
"He hasn't done anything as of yet apart from taking over that one divine beast that you guys felt, right?" Susan asked looking at Luna and Neville.
"The manticore," Neville said. "You're right. He hasn't come after more of the divine beasts but he's not sitting quite either. I can't shake off this feeling that he's up to something nasty and that thing is going to happen soon."
"Same here," said Luna.
"Me too," Harry said having everyone's attention.
"You can feel the divine beasts now as well?" asked Neville, surprised.
"I was away training for three months, remember?" Harry said. "There are a few things that I learnt."
"Can you control the Yayu's powers or its influence on you?" asked Luna.
"No, unfortunately," Harry said in a low tone. He figured the question came from Celia and not Luna since Celia cared very much about Luna as Luna had once told him. "But the next time he tries to take over me I will be ready."
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"Whoa! You look a lot different, Harry!" Sir Jaime, Harry's quarters' portrait said as he saw Harry arrive.
"Three months is a long time," Harry said with a smile. "It's good to see you again, Sir Jaime."
"Good to see you too," replied the portrait.
"Did Daphne arrive before me?" Harry asked nervously.
"Is it about that angry look on her face?" the knight asked. Harry winced.
"So she did," Harry said.
"Yes but she's not here right now," said the knight. "She left for the great hall just before you arrived."
Harry nodded wondering about it since he hadn't seen her on his way here. Regardless he said the password before entering his quarters and looking around. It definitely felt a lot better knowing that there were no longer any more of Dumbledore's spying equipment scattered across this place but still to be sure enough he cast the revealing spell and sighed in relief when it didn't reveal any spying objects or spells inside the quarters.
He saw Daphne's things were in her room as he came back to the living room after placing his things in his own. He really felt tired since he'd had a very early morning today. Snape and Draco both wanted him to do an entire day's worth of training today morning since he wouldn't be able to do them later on as he would be spending almost half of the day on the train so he felt pretty exhausted and really wanted to get out of the school uniform and into something comfortable as he felt he would sleep the moment he closed his eyes for too long.
He headed for the bathroom and splashed some water on to his face to feel a little bit refreshed before heading towards the great hall as the sorting ceremony was about to begin. He wondered what house Astoria was going to be sorted in. Hopefully it wasn't Slytherin because then it would speak trouble…for everyone.
Arriving at the great hall Harry's eyes looked for Daphne whom he spotted at the very front of the Gryffindor table sitting all by herself. Seeing she didn't have any empty seats around her Harry headed for where Hermione and the rest were sitting.
"She definitely looks angry," Susan said as soon as Harry sat beside her. He sighed as Hermione mock-glared at Susan. "What? It's somewhat interesting…" she then turned to look at Harry, "…and deserving if not anything else."
"How many times do I have to apologize?" Harry asked in a tired tone.
"If she forgives you then we will, too," Susan said referring to Daphne.
"Don't drag me into this," Hermione said.
"I said 'we will, too'," Susan said looking at Hermione who rolled her eyes.
Harry sighed as he looked at the head table. There were no new faces amongst the faculties while McGonagall sat in the middle, taller seat, one meant for the headmaster/headmistress of the school. It somewhat felt weird and relieving at the same time not seeing Dumbledore sitting in that chair. Harry knew it was going to be a ride for McGonagall as she was the first ever headmistress of Hogwarts but he had complete faith in her. She was just and fair and not to mention strict as well.
He also looked at Snape who, just like him, looked tired. They both along with Draco spent the early morning of today training Harry hard as the new DADA teacher looked back at Harry with an expressionless face. Slughorn was also there. From what Harry had heard he'd been kept as the potions' professor and as Slytherin house's faculty head since Snape was handed the DADA post. Harry wondered how the Slytherins felt about it but it seemed that this term will no longer be a continuous win for them for the house cup as he looked above and saw those green flags hanging over the candles which floated in thin air below the hall's roof.
As everyone chattered the doors to the great hall opened as everyone saw the first year students arrive. Harry saw as Astoria looked at him and called his name loudly while waving with a huge smile on her face. Harry felt awkward but smiled and waved his hand slightly towards her.
"She must not be sorted into Slytherin," Hermione said seeing everyone was looking at Astoria and Harry one after the other. "Did you tell that the hat provides the students with a choice if they ask for it?"
"I did," Harry said as he looked at Daphne who was looking flabbergasted at her sister when her eyes fell on Harry and she immediately turned away. "Let's just hope things go a little bit in our favor tonight."
To everyone's surprise McGonagall stood from her seat carrying the list of names for the first year students as she walked down over to the small stool where the sorting hat was kept. Everyone thought some other faculty; most probably Flitwick was going to do the sorting since he was the new deputy headmaster now.
Harry smiled looking at their new headmistress as she explained it to the first years how the sorting will take place before she began calling their names one by one and soon enough Astoria's turn came as she walked over to the stool while looking at both Daphne and Harry.
Harry felt like a parent looking his child about to be sorted as he felt so nervous and worried, hoping from the core of his heart for Astoria to not be sorted in Slytherin and when the hat said 'Ravenclaw' Harry almost stood up shouting. He clapped loudly as Astoria got off the stool with a huge smile on her face before running over to hug her sister and then much to Harry's surprise – him as well.
"Did he give you the choice?" he asked.
"M-hmm," she said nodding her head. "Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff."
"He didn't give you Slytherin?" Harry asked, surprised.
"Ahem," McGonagall's voice distracted him as he looked up. "The sorting isn't over, Mr Potter," she said looking at him and Astoria.
Harry nodded before looking at Astoria. "Come to our quarters after the feast," he said to her. "We'll talk there."
Astoria nodded before walking over to the Ravenclaw table where she sat beside Luna before engaging into a conversation with her.
The sorting ended after a few more students before McGonagall walked over to the head table and remained standing.
"Can I have your attention please?" she said as everyone looked at her. "I am sure you all are aware of the things that have happened in the past few months. You might also have questions regarding the aurors stationed at the entrance of the wards around Hogwarts and while it hadn't been deemed necessary before…seeing the things that took place in the past few months called for such a step to be taken.
"I know everyone here was shocked to hear about our former headmaster Albus Dumbledore's somewhat involvement in the rise of…Lord Voldemort…" some students gasped when they heard her say his name. "…and I assure you that saying his name is no longer something to be afraid of as finally and for good he's now gone…forever!"
Some students from Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff shouted and clapped when she said that as she smiled a little before waving her hand, telling them to stop. "I always knew that being the deputy headmistress of this castle meant that I would one day have to take over Albus' place but I never really thought about it because I knew that before it could ever happen I would be retired. Personally, I didn't want to take over something as big like this but seeing the things that have come to unfold…while I am a bit nervous about this position that was entrusted to me by the education board I assure you that I will be doing my utmost best into making this place safe and better than what it was before but I can only go so far without your help so I ask this of you – let's work through this together and I am sure it will turn out for everyone's best."
The entire hall save for a few students at the Slytherin table erupted in shouts and claps as even the faculties also clapped for their new headmistress before they all quieted down. "I guess I gave a rather long speech so without wasting any more time," McGonagall raised her hands, "let's eat!"
The plates and goblets got filled with mouth-watering food, pumpkin juice and water as everyone began to fill their plates.
"Hey, is it really true what they said about Dumbledore?" Seamus leaned in towards Harry to ask.
"I know as much as you guys do," Harry said.
"But aren't you part of the governing body of the ministry until a new minister is elected?" asked Seamus.
"I am but I wasn't here the entire summer so I wasn't present when they declared Dumbledore a criminal," Harry said, lying about his involvement. "Although, I know that he was spying on me."
"What?" Seamus almost screamed causing the nearby students to look at them. "It's nothing guys," he said as they all continued on with their eating and talking. He leaned in even closer. "He spied on you?"
"He did," Harry said. "I found a few listening devices inside the quarters that has been given to me and when I go them checked before the school was closed due to Voldemort's threat I found out that they were indeed listening devices and do you know who can access the private quarters here at Hogwarts apart from the people whom they've been assigned to?"
"The headmaster," Seamus said as his eyes went wide. "So he really wasn't someone we all thought him to be."
"No he was not," Harry said.
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"So I forgot to ask you about this on the train because there were others around us," Harry said as he and Hermione took the turn towards the Gryffindor tower leaving Susan and Luna behind, "when did it start between you and Draco?"
Hermione stopped and looked at him before she realized he was there that day she'd kissed Draco. She blushed slightly as she tucked her hair behind her ear. "It happened all of a sudden, if I'm being honest," she said before she paused and thought for a while. "Would it be okay if I don't talk about it now?"
"Yeah…totally," Harry said realizing talking something like this might be uncomfortable to her so he let go as they arrived at the corridor where Harry's quarter was. They stopped as they both looked at the portrait of Sir Jaime. He was polishing his sword like always. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow," Hermione said hugging him as Harry hugged back but then remained standing as Hermione chuckled seeing his nervous expression. "Aren't you going to go in?" she asked.
"Just waiting for Astoria to arrive," he said. "I told her to meet me and Daphne in our quarters after dinner."
"She already should be inside as the first years were made to eat a little early compared to the rest," Hermione said. "She left ten minutes before we did."
"Damn it!" Harry cursed under his breath causing Hermione to laugh as she put her hands on his shoulders, making him look at her.
"It's not going to be that bad, you know," she said.
"You don't sound so sure yourself," Harry said.
Hermione pressed her lips before looking at him with worried eyes as she removed her hands from his shoulders. "I will see you tomorrow," she said before leaving him standing there.
"That look you gave me isn't making me feel any good, Granger!" Harry said loudly as Hermione laughed before leaving him there on his own as he looked at the portrait of Sir Jaime before sighing. "Let's get this over with," he said before walking over to the portrait.
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Thanks for reading…
