The canonical characters from the "Harry Potter" books and movies belong to Joanne K. Rowling, as does the Wizarding World and all associated concepts. Ms. Rowling is utterly unaware that I or my stories exist, and is probably happier for it. This story is written to serve as nothing more than an outlet for one of my hobbies. I'm doing it because I felt like it and am not planning to realize any sort of monetary award for it.

The plot for "Harry Potter & The Search For Peace" is mine.

The journey from Platform Nine and Three Quarters to Hogsmeade had been uneventful. Hermione had felt miserable without Harry and Ron. She couldn't imagine being at Hogwarts without them. To make things more difficult, neither Parvati nor Lavender were returning to Hogwarts. Padma Patil told them that both of them were going to join the Auror Department. Padma herself was retuning as she wanted to work under Madam Pomfrey.

Hermione sat with Ginny and Luna and Demelza Robins. Demelza had been in hiding for the past year and was eager to gather as much as she could. It must have been difficult for her, Hermione thought, to stay in hiding when her friends were at Hogwarts. "Will you be repeating the year?" Hermione asked her. Demelza shook her head and talked about how she had covered most of the course during the break. "My mother is a witch. I gave the OWLs just two weeks back." she told.

Hermione wondered about the muggle-born students who had been in hiding. How many of them would return? She had not thought about the impact of the war on education. But now, as she thought about it, she wondered what solution had Professor McGonagall thought of.

Hermione looked at the group of first years, standing together waiting to be sorted. She could see wonder and curiosity in their eyes. She wondered if this is what she had looked like when she was a first year. Had they been so young when they had gone through the trap door? It seemed such an old memory now. She had seen things more horrible than a three-headed dog now.

Hermione turned her attention to the High Table as the Sorting Hat started its song. In the centre sat Headmistress McGonagall. The chair beside her was empty, Hermione assumed it was for the Deputy Headmaster Filius Flitwick. She could also see Horace Slughorn, Rubeus Hagrid, Rolanda Hooch, Pomona Sprout, Septima Vector, Aurora Sinistra, Neville Longbottom (Hermione smiled at him) and three new faces. "Do you know them?" she asked Ginny and Demelza. Both of them replied in negative.

As the Sorting Ceremony came to an end, Professor McGonagall stood up to speak. "The past year has shown us horrible things. We all have fought hard against the Death Eaters and the Lord Voldemort. It is because of the sacrifices of many warriors that we are here today, alive and safe. In view of the events of the past years, I have made few decisions. To begin with, bullying of any sort will not be tolerated. There will be no discrimination between students based on their parentage or House."

Hermione smiled. This rule was needed or the Slytherin students would have faced a lot of trouble in the school. "The students will sit with their House members during dinner. During other meals, you are free to sit wherever you want." She looked around waiting for anyone to challenge her. When no one said anything, she continued, "I must introduce to you our new teachers. Professor Janet Hope for Defence Against Dark Arts, Professor Ethan Williams for Muggle Studies and Professor Mary Macdonald for Transfiguration. We have an Assistant Professor for Herbology, Professor Neville Longbottom." All the teachers stood up when their name was called. Neville was the one to receive the loudest applause.

"Professor Slughorn shall continue to be the Head of Slytherin House, while the responsibility of Head of Gryffindor will be shared between Professor Longbottom and me," McGonagall concluded. Hermione wondered why the Headmistress herself was sharing the responsibility when she obviously had more important matters to take care of. But then the food was there and everyone tucked in.

Ron paced around in the Headmistress's office at Hogwarts. Professor McGonagall had asked him to wait for her when he had refused her offer to join the dinner. The day had been exhausting. Robards, who was the senior Auror under whom Harry and he would be training, had explained to them the basics of the Department and then had made them duel each other. He had insisted that they use spells which were not normally used in a duel. The duel had been a tiring one and Robards had prohibited them to duel against each other. "You both know each other too well," he had said. Ron grinned at the memory.

Later, they had practiced the Patronus Charm with everyone. Robards had made it clear that once all of them were comfortable with the charm, they would be joining the senior Aurors for the rounding up of the Dementors. Kingsley had managed to convince the Giants to guard them (or whatever, Ron didn't exactly care). It had been like the DA, Harry teaching them. McLaggen and his partner were the only two people having problem with the Charm and it was because they were not listening to Harry. Others could manage at least the silver mist.

That was when it had happened and Ron knew he had to talk to Hermione about it and Professor McGonagall, if he could manage. When they had reached home, Harry had asked Mickey to serve them the dinner. Over the meal, Harry had asked Ron to go to Hogwarts, "I know what you are thinking, Ron. Go there, talk to McGonagall and Hermione, even Ginny or Neville. They will be meeting her after dinner. McGonagall will explain." Ron wondered why he wanted to talk to McGonagall. He just wanted to. It was a stupid question he wanted to ask but it had bothered him since that incident.

The door opened and McGonagall entered followed by Hermione, Ginny and Neville. "Is everyone alright?" Ginny asked as soon as she saw him. Ron nodded, "It's actually a very stupid thing I have come here for." And then he told them – how Harry had been teaching them the Patronus Charm, how everyone was finding it difficult to choose a happy memory. "And then Parvati asked Harry what memory he used. He told us that it was not a memory but…" Ron paused, "He said that the mere thought of us," he gestured towards himself and Hermione, "was strong enough for a corporeal Patronus. And he proved it. He looked at me and the stag was there."

"Why does that surprise you?" Ginny asked.
"It's not even a memory, Ginny…" Ron began. He could see the surprise he felt in Hermione's expression.
"Ron, you know better than anyone else, how much love Dursleys had for Harry. You both are the family he has always wanted. You walked with him through that trap door in your first year and to hell last year. He associates your presence in his life with happiness."

Ginny's words made sense but the thought that his best mate had no happy memory made him feel miserable and angry at the same time. He looked at Hermione and then turned his attention to McGonagall, "Was James Potter like this?"

The expression on McGonagall's face was unreadable and her voice trembled, "James could do anything for his friends. He became an animagus for Remus, he provided Sirius with a home. But James Potter was never without happy memories. I don't know what memory he actually used for his Patronus but…" She did not finish what she was saying but Ron understood. He nodded his head at her and Neville, hugged his sister and girlfriend and left.

McGonagall gestured everyone to settle down and told them about Mary MacDonald and her history with the Potters. As she finished, she observed their faces – Neville's was unreadable, Ginny was thoughtful and Hermione looked revolted. "Did she know my parents too?" Neville asked. McGonagall nodded, "She has expressed no desire to meet you but that maybe because she knows she can find you here."

"I don't think Harry should meet her. He will just be furious and that is never good," Hermione mumbled.
"Some might say she deserves it," Ginny spoke, "Sirius broke out of Azkaban, lived on rats so that he could protect Harry. Remus tried everything he could so that he could meet Harry. He might have been able to meet if not for the laws against Werewolves. What was she doing all that time? And now she is back when Voldemort is gone. Now she wants to meet Harry, for what?"

"That is what I thought," McGonagall said, "I am sure she is not a dark witch but I still want all of you to be on your guard around her. Specially you, Miss Granger."

All of them nodded, bid her good night and left.