Ron is woken up about eleven by Harry.

"What?" asks Ron.

"Gia and I are heading out. We will be back this afternoon." says Harry.

"And you couldn't leave a note?" replies Ron.

"You are oversleeping." says Harry.

"Unless we have class, I intend to oversleep some more." says Ron.

"Suit yourselves then." says Harry, he exits.

Ron falls back to sleep.

* * * Apologies * * *

Harry and Gia return to the Grangers about seven. Hermione and Ron had chatted with Linda Granger for the afternoon.

Harry says, "Ron, you did promise your Mum that we would return today. Besides, we have yet to properly explain things to her."

"I'll let you know how things turn out Mum." says Hermione.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Gia use the fireplace. They say "The Burrow!" as they step in.

"Hi Mum!" says Ron as he steps out of the kitchen fireplace in the Burrow.

Harry, Gia, and Hermione say "Hi!" as they too emerge from the fireplace. There are more people than just Molly present.

"Dad has to work late on a weekend again." says Molly.

Dumbledore, Lupin, and Sirius are seated around the table.

Harry says, "Funny, I was under the impression that I was being expelled. So, it's done by committee?"

"You are." says Sirius.

"Not funny Padfoot." says Lupin.

"I've come here to apologize to the four of you." says Dumbledore.

"We know about your conspiracy." says Ron.

Dumbledore says, "Mr. Weasley, that does not excuse my behavior. As teachers, parents, and humans, we erred. We have reason to suspect that something has been troubling Mr. Potter. We also suspect that Mr. Weasley is the closer to the truth than anyone, except Mr. Potter. We want to know the source of the trouble so we can render assistance. We were poking our noses into matters that were not ours to mess with. For that I apologize."

Harry's and Ron's jaws drop.

Dumbledore continues, "Friday's crash of the Hogwarts Express made us realize how stupid we have been. Our plan to extract information nearly killed you and left serious doubts to your willingness to return. As you apparently heard, the suspension and expulsion threat was a ruse to get you to divulge.

"Assuming that you are willing, the four of you may return to Hogwarts or we can accept your resignations. No punishment or restrictions will be imposed. We can work the details of your missed classwork later. Do you accept?"

Harry, Gia, and Hermione say "Yes."

"And Professor Snape?" asks Ron.

"We will work something out before your next lesson." says Dumbledore.

"Snape's authority and Harry needed isolation." says Ron.

"Ron, you are being given a free return pass and still you want to negotiate?" asks Sirius.

"Yes Sirius. You saw the last confrontation and that was not staged. Snape and Harry must be kept apart. If that's done, I accept the return." says Ron.

"Can we figure the details out tomorrow?" asks Lupin.

"Certainly." says Ron.

"Then you shall return. Given the hour, you should use the Floo Network." says Dumbledore.

"That seems the safest." says Ron.

"It still amazes us that you weren't killed by the train wreck. We were worried until Molly wrote." says Lupin.

Harry and Ron explain the incident.

"Those Firebolts have paid off. I'm glad you found them useful." says Sirius.

"Sirius, we really did give a UHP membership to Voldemort." says Harry.

Sirius asks, "Need I remind you how dangerous that was to get that close?"

"Give them a break Padfoot. They were under the impression of pending expulsion. Severus mentioned how ticked Voldemort was by it. It seems impossible to cancel a UHP membership." says Lupin.

"It is. They hound when somebody tries to quit." says Molly.

"Voldemort didn't appreciate Friday's special edition of HPQ." says Lupin.

"Here's a copy Harry." says Molly, shoving her HPQ into Harry's hands.

Harry and Ron leafs through it. The entire thing is devoted to his romance with Gia. There are plenty of glossy photographs.

Harry says, "Oh look Gia, should I wear boxers or briefs? We can make an informed decision."

Gia groans.

Harry says, "Somebody really dug for these. There's a grainy photo of the dodge ball and here's one of the dance."

Ron says, "Here you are, snogging in that department store last Christmas."

Dumbledore says, "Speaking of publicity, I will be issuing the press release to the Daily Prophet about you returning to Hogwarts. The line to everyone else is that we reached a negotiated compromise. This will keep the pressure off of Ron."

"Sure." says Harry and Ron. They're still thumbing through the hundred or so pages.

"I need to tell my folks." says Hermione.

"Use the cell-phone." says, Gia.

"That doesn't work here. It's out of range and all this magic jams it." says Hermione.

"You can borrow Hedwig if she consents." says Harry.

Hedwig flies down. Harry strokes her while Hermione scribbles a quick note.

Harry says, "Hedwig, I'll be at Hogwarts when you're done delivering the letter."

Hermione ties on her letter. Hedwig flies off.

"Speaking of which, we should be heading back." says Lupin.

"I have other business to attend to. I'll be at Hogwarts later in the week." says Sirius.

"Do you have your things?" asks Molly.

Harry and Ron grab their backpacks.

"Yes." says Ron.

"Your trunks?" asks Dumbledore.

"In the packs." says Harry.

Dumbledore takes a peak inside Harry's backpack and remarks, "So I see, very useful."

"We'll head for the Three Broomsticks. We can walk if the carriage isn't waiting." says Lupin.

"Or fly." says Harry.

Ron hugs Molly and says, "Mum, it was nice seeing you and Edward."

"Well, we did get a nice weekend out of all this." says Harry.

The teens walk into the fireplace with Floo Powder and yell "The Three Broomsticks!"

* * * Transportation, etc... * * *

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Gia emerge from the fireplace into the Three Broomsticks. Dumbledore invites them to sit at a table with Butterbeer.

"So, when did you figure out our plan?" asks Lupin.

"Thursday night." says Ron.

Harry says, "It's amazing how liberating expulsion can be. After Dumbledore suspended us indefinitely, we took the Firebolts for a spin around the castle."

"They eavesdropped on your office Headmaster and your teacher meeting." says Hermione.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention." says Dumbledore.

"So the resignations?" asks Lupin.

Ron says, "They were easier to write, but they were still genuine. I would have done it regardless."

"As teachers, we still want to help where we can." says Dumbledore.

"Professor Snape? Monday's Potions was not a part of the plan." says Ron.

"Our latest plan was hatched as a result of Monday." says Lupin.

"As much as you may hate to hear this, you still need to learn Potions. In that area, Severus Snape is the most qualified." says Dumbledore.

"Still, Harry and Snape need to be kept apart. Or, someone they both respect could referee. Hey, Professor Dumbledore, you could sit in on Potions. You know, mitigate the hostile tensions between Snape and Harry. The other Gryffindors would appreciate that too." says Ron.

Lupin says, "Albus, that's the sanest suggestion I've heard. Harry and Severus are usually civil in your presence."

Dumbledore says, "Babysitting a teacher and a student is not what I had in mind."

Ron says, "Action needs to be taken or you WILL be expelling Harry in a matter of weeks. Forcing Snape to be civil is needed and sitting in on Potions would do that. You did mention you wanted to help."

Harry looks at Ron.

Ron says, "Harry, I know this isn't your preferred solution. However, you might actually be able to finish a Potions lesson."

"We'll give that a try." says Dumbledore.

They get up and board the carriage waiting for them.

Harry says to Ron, "How will we get to Hogwarts next time? We've taken the train, flown a car, used the tunnels, used Portkeys, flown on the Firebolts, and Floo Powder. Want to try Apparation?"

Lupin says, "Don't Apparate without a license. There is a course for seventh years. So, which mode do you prefer?"

"Portkeys are definitely the fastest, but I think the car was the most interesting." says Ron.

"Hedwig would not agree." says Harry.

"I nearly expelled the two of you for it." says Dumbledore.

"For stealing the car and being seen by Muggles, I recall. Crashing into the Whomping Willow didn't help." says Ron.

Harry says, "If instead, we had secured permission to borrow the car, not been seen, and parallel parked when we arrived; then there wouldn't have been an issue."

Dumbledore says, "Students should take the train. It gives you time to socialize and make friends."

Ron says, "The important ones occurred the first year. I remember Harry coming back into the compartment with an armful of candy and insisting on sharing."

"I met James on the train." says Lupin.

* * * Back Home * * *

The carriage pulls up to the front doors. They disembark.

Lupin says with relish, "I'm breaking this news to Severus."

"The four of you will follow to my office. Then, I will escort you to Gryffindor Tower." says Dumbledore.

"Your office?" complains Ron.

"I assume you want your wands. They are located in my office." says Dumbledore.

Hermione and Gia are amazed by the things in the Headmaster's Office. They study the Gryffindor Sword. Harry comes over to them.

"See? I pulled that sward out of the Sorting Hat." says Harry.

"So that's the one you used on that Basilisk." says Hermione.

"Funny. I recall wondering if I had to pull a rabbit out of it my first year." says Harry.

Hermione snickers. "A rabbit?" asks Ron.

Hermione explains about Muggle magicians and how pulling a rabbit out of a hat is a favorite trick of theirs.

Harry shows Gia the Sorting Hat.

"It looks a bit old an ragged." says Gia.

"I am over a thousand years old. Will you hold up as well?" says the Sorting Hat.

Harry explains, "Gia, at the start of the first year, each student puts on this Sorting Hat. It tells us which House we'll belong to for our stay at Hogwarts. Harry demonstrates by putting on the Sorting Hat.

"You're in love Potter." says the Sorting Hat.

"I know that." says Harry.

"Normally, the students accept whatever the Sorting Hat decides." says Dumbledore.

"Except Harry." says Ron.

"He is the first in a long time to do so." says Dumbledore.

"Like somebody else in this room." says the Sorting Hat.

"You?" asks Harry. Dumbledore smiles.

Dumbledore says, "Like you, I protested the choice that the Sorting Hat was about to make. I'm proud to say that I'm a Gryffindor."

Dumbledore returns the wands. Red sparks emit from Harry's wand.

"Cool." remarks Ron.

"It's excited to see me." says Harry.

"I'll be happy to give you a full tour at a later time. You do need to be well rested." says Dumbledore.

Harry removes the Sorting Hat and places it back on the shelf. They exit the office.

They approach the Fat Lady and Dumbledore says, "The password has been changed. That is always done after suspension or expulsion."

"Password?" asks the Fat Lady.

"Sex" says Dumbledore.

"Set by our Prefect, right?' asks Hermione.

"Yes." says Dumbledore. He leaves.

The four enter the Gryffindor Common Room. The room is deserted but heavily littered.

"It's so nice being home." says Harry.

"Home?" asks Ron.

"We spend most of our time here. It's much better than the Dursleys. So yes, it is home." says Harry.

"Hermione, Gia, our dorm?" asks Ron.

Hermione and Gia follow up to the fifth year boys' dormitory. Neville, Seamus, and Dean are fast asleep. The curtains are drawn about all the beds.

"Unpack in the morning." whispers Harry.

They strip, climb into the beds, and fall asleep.


Author's Note:
As I post this chapter, I have received three reviews on this story. I appreciate all feedback, even the negative critiques. Yes, this story is long and about halfway done. However, I hope that some readers find it interesting.