"Are we there yet, mum?" asked Ginny, the smallest Weasley. "I'm starving!"

"Just a little further, dear," said Mrs Weasley. "We'll be at the station in about 10 minutes. So be patient. Anyway, why are you so desperate to get to Hogwarts?"

Ginny turned red and looked out of the window, very embarrassed. Fred, one of the Weasley twins spoke for her.

"She wants to see Harry, that's why!" said Fred, in an excited but mocking whisper. Ginny turned ever more scarlet and kept staring out of her window of the Ministry car that were taking her, Fred, George and Ron to Kings Cross to catch the train to Hogwarts. All of them were extremely excited, as big things were to be happening, or so they thought. There was far too much secrecy, but the children were to be assured of an explanation when they arrived at school.

Harry was not with them; he had had to go back to the Dursleys (for at least a night). No explanation was given but Harry thought it something to do with his safety. Harry was already at Kings Cross when the Weasleys arrived at about 10.45, ready to catch the Hogwarts Express at 11am. When their trunks were loaded on to the trolleys, they met Harry near the enchanted barrier.

"Harry!" cried Ron and pushed his trolley towards his best friend. "How are you, mate? The Muggles were all right weren't they?" Harry smiled and replied with a chuckle.

"Yeah, they're fine! Mrs Figg must of put a spell on them or something, as they actually nice and treated me OK! Very strange if you ask me." He said seriously and gestured for Ron to follow him through the barrier, without attracting attention. When they got through to the other side, Ginny was talking to a group of friends. She spotted Harry and blushed and muttered "hello" and her friends all giggled uncontrollably. Harry couldn't see what the big deal was. The only girl he was interested in was… "Cho?" said Harry when he saw her. She was very pale, but still pretty; Harry couldn't help noticing. She smiled at him.

Harry was at once reminded of Cedric's death at the end of the last term. That was why Cho looked so, well, not herself, thought Harry and he felt guilty. Guilty that he should have feelings for girl who's boyfriend had only recently died. Ron took a different view as they boarded the Hogwarts Express, which was guarded by extra wizards and witches they had never seen before.

"Harry, it wasn't your fault he died, you weren't responsible. You-Know-Who was and there was nothing you could've done. Besides you can't help how you feel, mate. Don't beat yourself up about it, you'll only feel worse. Just be yourself when you talk to her. She won't want you to act funny around her, she'll just want things to be normal, yeah?" said Ron and Harry felt a little better. A sudden thought had struck him.

"Ron, where's Hermione? The trains going to leave any minute. Bye Mrs Weasley!" called Harry, waving out of the window. Ron did the same.

"Have a good term and behave! Arthur and I will probably be at Hogwarts tomorrow; we've got a meeting with Dumbledore. See you soon!" she called and was gone when she kissed Ginny good-bye and ruffled the twins' hair, to their disgust. At the last minute, Hermione jumped on to the train, looking very harassed.

"Hermione! Where have you been, we were worried," cried Ron, a little more anxiously than he had intended. Hermione laughed and said, "Oh, we only got back from Brittany this morning, I came straight here from the airport. Ron you shouldn't worry so much, I can look after myself, you know."

"Well that's what friends are for, mate," said Ron. "Hermione I –"

"So Harry, how are you doing?" Hermione interrupted before Ron could finish. " I hope your not having those nightmares, you know, about Cedric?"

Harry looked at the floor, he felt bad, ashamed that nightmares still plagued him when he slept. Lord Voldemort killed Cedric Diggory and he wasn't going to let Harry forget it, to remind him how easy it could be to just kill him…

"Harry, are you all right? You went all pale," said Ron, looking concerned. Harry felt angry, he was sick of his friends treating him like he was made of glass.

"Look, for god's sake you two, I am fine! I AM FINE, ALL RIGHT?"

"Harry, we're just concerned about you-," said Hermione.

 "Just leave me alone and just act normal. Just because Voldemorts' come back doesn't mean the world has to end and that you have to treat me like I'm going to snuff it any minute!" snapped Harry and turned his back on them as the train pulled them into misty fields and tiny villages.

After about an hour, Harry's mood had subsided and he found himself looking for something.

"Where's Hedwig?" he asked the others.

"Didn't you bring her with you?" asked Ron, timidly. Just then a tapping came from the window of the train and Harry's owl was hooting to be let in. She had a letter from Sirius.

Harry was very relieved to hear from his godfather, it had been so long without a word from him.

Dearest Harry, (he wrote)

I'm so sorry that I have not been able to write to you sooner, things have been difficult. I hope your are all right, that Mrs Figg looked after you well and that you haven't been too unhappy these past few months. Dumbledore told me that Hermione and Ron came to stay with you, which was good for you. I hope you enjoyed yourself. Things, as I said have been difficult, the alliance is recruiting more members, but we still need more help. Voldemort, as far as we know has not planned to strike as yet, but I want you to be on your guard at all times. You were very lucky last term, I was afraid I could've lost you. I won't give you a lecture as you did everything you could that night and I am so proud of you. Also, try not to feel guilty about Cedric; you couldn't have known what would happen when you touched the portkey.

Anyway, cheer up if you can and you'll be seeing me sooner than you think. Dumbledore is there if you need him and me, I care about you and I will do as your mum and dad asked and look after you.

My regards to Ron and Hermione; and Crookshanks if he is around.

Love Sirius

"I do hope that's true then," said Harry.

"What's true?" asked Ron, looking up from his book about broomsticks, and how Muggles don't appreciate them.

"That I'll get to see Sirius again. I hope he does come," said Harry, he felt better after reading Sirius's encouraging words and he decided to apologise to his two best friends.

"That's OK, mate, really," said Ron. "Everyone gets a little edgy and I think that you have a right to be, after all you've been through. So don't worry about it." chuckled Ron.

"Yeah, Ron's right, Harry, we should be more understanding of you, and if you need to talk, we'll both listen. We're your friends after all," said Hermione and she gave Harry a warm smile and went back to reading her book.

The hours rolled on by and Harry was quite glad when the train stopped at the station, he clambered out of the carriage with Ron and Hermione and followed the bustling crowd towards the castle in the coaches. Things seemed quite different to when he had last seen the castle although he was glad to be back, he only wished that the worry in his heart would leave him.

The school hurried out of the cold into the Entrance Hall and they made their way into the Great Hall to sit at the House tables. Some were still subdued, even a little miserable, it seemed some didn't want to be there at all. Draco Malfoy, Harry could see, was being particularly cruel to some of the other Slytherins. He was telling them how the Dark Lord was going to get them while they slept. Harry didn't find it very funny, even if it was Slytherins that were being bullied. Malfoy seemed happy that the student body was feeling nervous, many wished to return home, regretting they ever came back.

"Well, more food for the rest of us, Goyle, my lad," he said and laughed at how pissed off Goyle looked.

Harry turned to Dumbledore, who looked weary and tired; he stood up and addressed the school.

"Before we have our feast, can I inform you that mostly certainly guests will be arriving tonight and tomorrow so be on your best behaviour. But before I tell you of more tidings, eat and feel welcome in our most humble school. Please don't afraid," he said and smiled at his students and sat down to eat along with the rest of the school.

They had a wonderful feast; the Gryffindors' all talked, laughed and eat a lot. Harry felt a lot better, in fact better than anytime on the train. He talked to Ron and Hermione about the guests that Dumbledore had spoken of.

"Do you reckon it's to do with the alliance, then Harry?" asked Hermione. "I mean, I know Sirius knows about it all, he did say much in his letter about really."

Harry frowned in thought. "Well, I guess he can't really talk about it. It is meant to be secret, but by judging how tetchy Charlie and Bill were when they were in charge at The Borrow, it seems really serious. And what your mum said, Ron, about having a meeting with Dumbledore. It's all got to be connected with this stuff with Voldemort." Ron scowled at the mention of the name; Harry quickly changed his wording. "Sorry, I mean, You-Know-Who."

"Yeah, probably. But I am not too worried, we'll find out soon enough. Jam tart, Harry?" said Ron and grinned. Harry accepted and helped Ron munch his way through several more dishes. It was Hermione's turn to frown.

"Honestly, you two. Anyone would've thought you didn't get fed in this place. In fact I'd say, if I didn't know you, that you've been starved over the summer!" said Hermione. Ron laughed and controlled the spray of chocolate from his mouth, unlike on many occasions.

"My dear, we are growing men. We need twice as much food as you ladies do." Hermione snorted.

"So you acknowledge- finally- that I am indeed a lady?" she said with a sly grin at Ron, who went a tiny bit red in the face.

"Well, I don't know sometimes, Hermione. Hey," he said with a sudden thought. "Did you actually see Krum, over the summer. Oh sorry it's Victor!" he said, seeing the raised eyebrows from Hermione.

"I did, he came to stay with us while we were in Paris. Don't look so alarmed Ron; his parents came too, nothing happened. We are just friends. My heart belongs to another…" 

Ron looked even more startled but said nothing more as the Headmaster stood up.

"I say that was excellent nosh! Now to more serious business. Our guests, or shall I say my guests are arriving shortly. You must all be in bed by the time they arrive, so I will make this quick. You are to carry on as normal, or as normal can be in these dark times. I ask you not to worry; it is my responsibility to look after you. I have made promises to many of your living and deceased families that I will let no harm come to you while you dwell here at Hogwarts. How off you go, for I know you will have much to talk about, but please remember to get plenty of rest. The Sorting will be done tomorrow morning, while the rest of the school go to their lessons. May I also remind you that the Forest is as always out of bounds to every one. Goodnight."

That night Harry slept well. He was looking forward to seeing Sirius as he had a suspicion that he would be one of Dumbledores guests.

Meanwhile a carriage had pulled up in front of the entrance to Hogwarts. Dumbledore came out to greet the stranger. The small but graceful lady clambered out of the carriage and looked up at the large castle before her. She smiled. But she also felt a little sad. But seeing the Headmaster, she smiled more broadly and embraced her old friend.

"Elise, how lovely it is to see you. I might have guessed you'd want to come early, hoping to see someone, were you?" Dumbledore chuckled.

"Well Albus, I wanted to make myself at home, if I may?" said the witch. "I trust all is well since we last spoke?"

"As far as I can see, my dear but lets talk more inside. We don't want our special guest to catch a cold, do we?"

With that, the two made their way into the doors and wandered to Dumbledore' study. Elise sat down opposite the Headmaster and they talked for a while about the important details of the Order of the Phoenix, the alliance against Voldemort.

"So you see, Elise, that I did not bring you out of early retirement for no reason. He is a really threat to us, he needs to be stopped, I just don't know how as yet. That's what the meeting is for tomorrow. I hope everyone comes. Are you sure you're up to this, my dear?"

Elise looked pained, still sad. But she smiled. "Albus, you can rely on me. I am not weak. He killed my son and others whom I loved. He will not get the chance to do it to the rest of my family, or what is left of them. Tell me, Sirius still around?" she said sharply

"Yes, he will be joining us. I do hope you won't-,"

"What?" said Elise. "My grandson should-," Minerva McGonagall, who had just knocked at the door, interrupted her.

"Yes? Asked Dumbledore.

"More guests are arriving, they wish to speak with you, Albus." Then she saw Elise and laughed. "My dearest friend Ellie! I did not know of your presence here. It's so good to see you. Albus should I show her the room she will be staying in, while you see to the others?" asked Minerva.

"Of course, excuse me ladies. We will talk tomorrow." With that he left the room to go down stairs. Minerva showed Elise her room, which was on the sixth floor, which had been arranged to accommodate the extra numbers.

"Breakfast is at 7 till 9am. There is an extra table for the guests; you will be seated there along with the others. The meetings will commence throughout the day. Also Ellie, please don't make yourself known; you are just an auror here, helping Albus. Things will be revealed later. I will bid you goodnight." McGonagall swept from the room and closed the door silently.

Tap Tap, tap tap tap

"Newt! There you are, I've been wondering where you got to. Come here and have some oats and some tea. I'm certainly famished."

Elise ate her supper and went to bed. Meetings throughout the day, she thought, what have I got myself into? So secretive about things, was Albus. Elise blew out her candle and went to sleep, hoping for pleasant dreams.