Chapter eight

'Now to the reason I called you here. But first a bit of back ground.'

'I knew he would do this the long way,' Sirius said making a few chuckle.

'There was a prophecy about a boy who was the only one who could defeat the dark lord. As most of you would have guessed, Harry is that boy. What only a few of you know, Harry fulfilled the prophecy last night, by killing Voldemort. This time he cannot return.'

The whole order sat in shock as they stared at Harry before some began to laugh, others began to cry. Harry ended up being hugged or having his hand shook. Normally he wouldn't like this kind of attention, but this time he would take it. But Harry would make sure that Dobby would get credited for his part in the death of Lord Voldemort.

Before Remus went to tell Albus about what Harry and Dobby did, they agreed, and so did Albus, that no one would know exactly how Harry was able to kill Voldemort. They did not want any dark wizards to use magic on muggles to find these poisons. Only a select few will know the truth. Harry, Dobby, Sirius, Remus, Tonks, Albus, Minerva and Amelia Bones.

As the order was ready to leave, Minerva moved over to Harry, 'You will not need those lessons now.'

'Um, no, but I would still like to see you and spend time with you. If you want to that is,' Harry shrugged.

'I would like to spend time with you Harry and not as a teacher and student. You one of only a few students who got past my defences and I came to care about you, very much. Apart from visiting, I also would like to give you some extra lessons in transfiguration. I know your marks were only average in my class but I also know that due to who you are and what was going on, I was surprised at how well you did. I believe now you could go on to become a master in transfiguration, along with Charms. Think about it, then let me know when we do see each other. As you know, I spend my time during the holidays at the castle but I do visit Hogsmeade occasionally. Send Hedwig to me when you wish to visit. I will do the same when I wish to visit you.'

'I will and I would like to see you away from Hogwarts but I would also love to learn from you,' Harry gave the woman a hug before she gave Harry another smile. When she left, he sat back next to Sirius.

'We'll give it a few days then we'll begin to look for a home, one that isn't dark and dreary.'

'Something with land so I can fly,' Harry said making Sirius and Remus chuckle. Harry might be a lot more serious than James was, but right now, he was exactly like James, who always wanted to fly.

It was known by the following morning that Voldemort was dead at the hands of the boy from the prophecy, Harry Potter. It also mentioned that he had help from his loyal friend, Dobby the house elf. Not only was that story on the front page of every newspaper and magazine around the world, there was also a broadcast every hour on the wizarding wireless network. This time they made sure everyone knew that he was dead for good this time, there was no coming back. And just like last time when baby Harry defeated Voldemort, the wizarding world celebrated. They celebrated not only the fact that Voldemort was dead, but they celebrated the teenage boy who had once again defeated the worst dark wizard in history. Harry Potter's name was being shouted in celebration by almost everyone but this time, many were also praising Dobby, the house elf.

It didn't take long for Sirius and Harry to find the perfect house. Then they had fun buying everything they needed to make the house into a home.

During this time, Amelia bones had her aurors arrest Severus Snape. He would stand trial for multiple crimes. Severus believed Albus would get him off like he did the first time. It wasn't until his trial that he realise that Albus was behind his arrest and this time, he would end up in Azkaban. Albus had the memory played of when he used his new and improved veritaserum on Severus. He admitted everything. Severus Snape was sentenced to life in Azkaban.

It was right after they finished furnishing their home that Harry sent Hedwig off to his professor to see if he could visit. She replied straight away so Harry would know to go see her that evening. He could floo straight into her office at eight o'clock.

Harry was a little awkward at first because he was told to call her Minerva and also try to forget he was her teacher. After a while, Harry relaxed and they began to talk and he really opened up to the woman. They spoke about the extra lessons Harry would have in transfiguration. It was yet to be decided where those lessons would be held. Harry brought up something that had been on his mind for a while.

'You are right, the students who earn a lot of points do end up being punished when others lose points. Your idea of individual points would work and the student with the most points would still mean their house wins the house cup. So far, I do not see anything wrong with implementing this and it would not take long to set up. But as you know, Albus would have to approve then it would need to be discussed with the governors.'

'I know and it might not happen. I just hate seeing people like Neville and Hermione get punished when some of us lose the points they've won. I know most of our losses came down to Snape, so it shouldn't happen again.'

'No, it will not. I already spoke with Filius about a way to charm the points system. We agreed that there should be standard points given and taken for certain behaviour. After you explained how Severus took points for breathing loudly, I realised we would need to do something. This charm will prevent any staff or prefect from taking points from the student when they did not deserve it. They also cannot receive points they did not earn. Even though all this information is meant for the staff, I believe you will keep it to yourself until we find out if things can change. But I have to say, I like your idea of utilising the portraits to act as witnesses. No one will be able to dispute their punishment when the portraits are charmed to tell the truth to the headmaster of Hogwarts.'

'Even if the headmaster approves of using them, will he do anything. He's seen how Malfoy and Parkinson acted, yet they never got punished.'

'He always hoped that spending so much time here and seeing how the headmaster would not punish them, they might begin to see the other side of things. He wanted to give them a chance.'

'I get that but if they don't get punish then they will always believe they will get away with anything, no matter what they do. Having Snape always supporting them made them worse. I know Malfoy was arrested, along with many that was his age or older, so they won't be back. But all students, they have to have some punishment for the things they do. Dudley was praised all the time by his parents, even when they knew what he was doing was wrong. I can see him ending up in muggle jail with the way he is going. He's already drinking a lot, doing muggle drugs, causing damage and stealing. Sooner or later he will be arrested and they won't be able to blame me. Dudley will end up shocked at how real people will treat him.'

'Yes, he will and I agree with you. I believe it's time I spoke with the rest of the staff before talking to Albus. It is time that students realised just how much trouble they could get into if they do something wrong. They need to see just what the consequences of their actions can do. So, Harry, tell me, have you decided to return or stay away?'

'I've been doing a lot of thinking about that. I would like to return now Snape is gone and people like Malfoy is locked up. I'm still worried though. If there could be some type of ward placed around Hogwarts to prevent portkeys from working, then I will return. If not, then I won't. I just can't take the chance that there will still be some supporters at the castle that could slip me a portkey as we pass in the corridors.'

Minerva smiled, 'That ward has already been activated. Albus did it after you were kidnapped from the maze. It was one that he did not think about and it hadn't been activated for more than one hundred years. Sometimes Albus does not think to explain these types of things to the people that need to know.'

Harry couldn't help smiling. He was pleased the ward was now around Hogwarts, which meant he could return to Hogwarts. But he also smiled before it was something Albus Dumbledore would do then forget to tell anyone. At least now he knew that he could not be kidnapped from Hogwarts by use of a portkey.

From that day, their first get together, as friends and not professor and student, Harry and Minerva got together at least once a week during the holidays. They weren't going to stop spending time together when the students returned to Hogwarts. Minerva and Harry wanted to keep meeting, so they would. They would set aside one evening a week where Harry would join her in her room. They would have some tea, cake and talk. It would be on those nights that Minerva would teach Harry one new spell. By the time he left Hogwarts after his newts, Harry would know as much as she did.

On the first of September, Harry stood with Sirius and Remus on platform nine and three quarters. Almost everyone that walked past yelled out thank you to Harry, who just smiled and nodded. When Hermione walked through the barrier, she threw her arms around Harry, hugging him tight, then she began to cry.

'Hermione, what's wrong?'

'You did it, you...killed him. I've been so scared.'

Harry just rubbed his friends back as he held her, 'We were all scared Hermione. But it's over, completely over. You know, I might get a normal year at Hogwarts. It might even be boring.'

Hermione ended up sniffing and chuckling at the same time before she finally released Harry. They went to move towards the train before Ron ran up to them, hugging Harry. He hugged his friend back but he was pleased that Ron didn't cry. He would not know what to do if Ron cried.

The three friends couldn't help laughing before they finally said goodbye to Sirius and Remus, along with Ron's parents. Before Harry took two steps, a blond girl grabbed his face and kissed him.

'Thank you Harry Potter,' Sally said before she walked off.

Before they could get onto the train, it happened a dozen more times, there was even two Slytherin girls who kissed him.

Harry, Ron and Hermione could finally get onto the train. But Harry was in a daze, making Ron and Hermione laugh. Their friend was a hero and girls were kissing him but Harry couldn't work out why. Harry Potter was humble, he didn't do anything for praise, he did it because it was the right thing to do. But now, Harry was seeing just what type of thanks he was getting, snogged by dozen of good looking girls. Yes, this year would be different, better, but also, it could mean Harry along with his friends might end up doing a lot of snogging somewhere in the huge castle. They would probably end up in detention when they got caught by one of the teachers.

Harry just hoped if he was caught snogging some girl, it wouldn't be Minerva who caught him. Now that would be embarrassing.

The end: