Chapter 3: Archibald Hemming.

The man walked down the streets of Hogsmeade. It was heart-warming to see all the pupils of Hogwarts hurriedly walking down streets chatting or gossiping about the latest scandal that hit their school. He smiled as he saw Honeydukes filled to the brim with pupils, in awe with the new flavour introduced to Berty Botts Every Flavoured Beans. He headed towards the Owl Post Office and saw over a dozen owls waiting to be of use. He sighed a little. He had left his own beloved owl behind. She was now becoming a bit too old for the long journeys for his letters.

Dear Albus,

I've finally managed to get back to Britain. I'm sorry that I couldn't contact you earlier but I had no owl and I barely have money to send this owl to you. I'm starting to get suspicious looks around here, so I doubt I can stay here long. I have much important news that can't write here, so I would like to meet with you. I know it is dangerous for me to even be near Hogsmeade, but this is really important.

Archie.

P.S: Please give Hagrid some warning. Cuthbert told me that Hagrid nearly shot him when he wandered on to the grounds.

 

The man called Archie sent the small tawny owl off. Under usual circumstances, he wouldn't have written the letter so blatantly because there was every chance that the owl may be intercepted. But it was a highly unlikely chance that the owl would even be noticed flying from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts.

Archie stepped out of the Owl Post Office and apparated to a little cave on a hill, where some years ago a dog named Snuffles lived.

***

It rained, rained some more, and rained yet again. If anything, Christmas looked as if it was going to be quite dismal this year. The wind whistled through the trees and brought it cold sub-zero temperatures, a little gift from Siberia. Archie sat warmly by a fire he had conjured. His gloves were holey and he wasn't the best at repairing cloths. Repairing bones, maybe, but clothes was a big no no.

Dumbledore still hadn't got back to him. Archie didn't blame him though. The aging warlock was always swarmed with owls from the Cornelius Fudge, the bugger. He still has no idea about what to do and with the slowly increasing power that Voldemort was gaining; he was more than a little worried.

But finally it came.

Dear Archie,

My apologies for not replying sooner. I hope you are in good health! And that your journey here wasn't too strenuous. But I wish to go straight into business. I must insist that you come to Hogwarts immediately. Best come tomorrow as a vast number of pupils are going home for the holidays. You are of course; welcome to stay at Hogwarts and rest. I realise these past few years have been very hard for you, and it is my wish that you stay here and catch up on our news also.

Might I also suggest that you come to Hogwarts as Archie, and leave as Harry Potter to more than just Sirius, Remus and myself?

Albus.

P.S: Cuthbert really did bring that upon himself!

Archie folded up his letter and sighed. 'And here I was thinking that it was going to be a peaceful Christmas, if such a thing ever exists.' Truth be told, Harry was utterly terrified of being reunited with so many friends. He had of course had the company of Cuthbert, but he was often staying in Britain while he was roaming other places which were possibly going to sink into Voldemort's side.

He really could tell which was worse; Voldemort's wrath, or Ron and Hermione's.

***

Archie shivered as he stepped out of the cave. It had snowed overnight and he was absolutely freezing. Cursing his luck, he apparated to Hogsmeade station. He then started to trudge through the knee deep snow. He couldn't believe it was such a heavy snowfall last night. But he continued. He must have been quite a sight. A human-sized version of Hagrid wading through the snow. He climbed the steps carefully as they were really slippery. And the last thing he wanted right now was to trip and twist his ankle. Even though he had been through much worse situations before.  

Finally Archie reached the door and pulled it open. He wiped his boots on the mat and took off his hood. Some snow had managed to settle on his messy long hair, and he shook it off. If you looked, it was strangely reminiscent to a dog. He made sure, that his hair covered the majority of his forehead, and made sure that his glasses weren't the usual round shape.

"Excuse me, can I help you?" asked a voice from the stairs. Archie looked up and saw Hermione looking down at him.

"I'm here to see Professor Dumbledore." Archie replied hoarsely. Hoping he sounded as un-Harry like as possible.

"Professor Dumbledore is currently at a meeting. You are welcome to wait Mr…" Hermione trailed off.

"Hemming. Archibald Hemming."

"Well Mr Hemming, I'll take you to his office. You can wait there." Hermione replied. She turned and indicated for him to follow her. Archie followed but at a notable distance. He kept his eyes mainly on the floor and refused to make eye contact with anything else in the hallway. Even the paintings and the suits of armours were ignored. He didn't notice when Hermione would glance back at him. She was more than a little suspicious of him. She had seen him before at The Three Broomsticks. What business could he possibly have with Dumbledore?

They finally reached the front of Dumbledore's office and Hermione uttered the password: 'mint imperials.' A stair case was revealed and she loved so that Archie would have space to enter. As soon as he was standing on a step, he started moving upwards on the stairs like and escalator. Archie looked up, his hair moving slightly to the side. Hermione's head snapped up at him just before he disappeared up.

'Those eyes, they're so green.'

Archie started to breathe again. He had been so tense with Hermione around.  He waited outside the door and lit a cigarette. That was a bit too close to his liking. Sure, she'd find out soon, but that would be later. Or if he could get away with it, she wouldn't ever have to know that he had returned to Hogwarts. He waited outside the door and continued smoking on his cigarette. Until the door finally opened. Out of instinct, he hid in the shadows and stumped out his cigarette.

"Thank you very much for your time Albus." Came the voice of Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic.

"It was my pleasure. I only hope that I have helped but a little." Albus replied.

"Well, I must be off. Goodbye Albus."

"Goodbye Minister." Albus replied. The two men watched the Minister off down the staircase. And heard him mutter to himself 'rather smoky in this corridor.' Archie sniggered once he was out of sight and stepped into the light.

"Welcome home, Harry Potter."

***

A/N: Hiya all! I hope you liked that chapter! I'm sorry it was so short, but I'm trying to make this easier for both me and you by not putting too much in one chapter! And I want o finish this before the 5th book comes out and whatnot (I linger on fics a bit to long for my liking)! Please R/R!