Friendship and Beyond 7/?

Rated: R contains mentions of rape and torture, although not actual scenes. Possible HP/SS in later chapters, also HG/RW.

Authors Notes: I do not own Harry Potter or it's characters, that would be JKR. Subject matter not for children, although nothing too graphic, but be careful when reading just to be on the safe side.

The Great Hall

The trio had just picked up Harry's wand from the boy's dormitory and were making their way out of the deserted common room when they bumped into Neville Longbottom entering through the portrait hole.

"Where have you three been?" Neville asked worriedly, a small line creasing his brow. "The other boys and I were going to report you missing to Professor McGonagall at breakfast if you haven't arrived by then."

"We were just staying in Hogsmeade." Hermione explained. "We ended up renting a room at the Three Broomsticks for the night."

"You three rented a room for the night?" Neville squeaked, his face turning red, causing the three Gryffendors to stare at him blankly.

"Oh!" Ron exclaimed, blushing himself. "Not like that you great ninny."

"Well, good then." Neville blustered. "It's a good thing you arrived when you did. I saw the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall heading towards the Great Hall on my way up here."

"What are you doing up here anyway?" Harry asked. "Since everyone is already down at breakfast."

"I forgot Trevor." Neville answered, as if that explained everything, and in Neville's case it did. Neville had that frog since first year and always manages to loose it at the most inopportune times.

"Alright, well we'll probably see you down in the Great Hall. We need to speak to the Headmaster, so we'll see you later on." Hermione said as they parted ways, leaving Neville to look for Trevor.

They walked the hallways in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. As they stepped in front of the door of the Great Hall they could hear the hustle and bustle from within. This only reminded them how far removed they were from having that same comfort and security only the day before.

"So we're really doing this." Ron commented sounding bone tired rather suddenly.

"Yeah." Harry acknowledged, trying to get his breathing under control.

"Durmstrang here we come." It was said with a sigh.

"If you guys don't want to, I can talk to Dumbledore alone." Harry suggested.

"We're coming." Hermione and Ron answered simultaneously, straightening their slouched posture resolutely.

"Besides if we're not at your side, you're liable to do something down right Slytherin." Ron joked weakly.

"Too right." Harry agreed with a small smile, before letting his face fall into the expressionless mask that he perfected during his stay with Voldemort. Hermione and Ron quickly followed suit, and before long the inner-conflict and fear no longer showed on their faces.

Where mere seconds before stood three battered and nearly broken students, now three determined young people, completely in control of their reactions, took their place. This is what the students and faculty saw when the Gryffendor trio strode through the entrance of the Great Hall, the doors hitting the wall as they entered.

Only someone well acquainted with them would have realized the tenuous hold they had on their emotions. As they walked up the aisle between the Hufflepuff and Gryffendor tables, students whispered in their wake, while a few of the Sixth Year boys were just relieved that they had arrived back safely at Hogwarts.

As he made his way up to the teacher's table flanked by Ron and Hermione on each side, Harry noticed that one or two other teachers looked especially thrilled to see both of them at Hogwarts. Obviously the other teachers who were members of the Order, with the possible exception of Snape who looked as dour as ever, knew about what had happened to them.

This just made Harry even more furious, and as his eyes finally met with Dumbledore's they flashed menacingly. With a quick glance at his comrades to see if they had noticed their teacher's reaction proved that they had indeed. As one they lengthened their stride, while Harry did his best to hide his limp and keep his fury under control.

"Mister Potter, Mister Weasley, Miss Granger, how lovely to see you at breakfast this morning." Dumbledore said casually, his eyes twinkling merrily. "I trust everything is well?"

"We need to speak to you." Hermione answered hoarsely.

"Of course. If you will just sit down for breakfast, I will see you in my office afterwards."

"You will talk to us right now, Headmaster!" Harry snarled harshly, gripping his wand in his right hand. "Unless you would like to have it out right here. Frankly I don't particularly care."

The sudden quiet in the Great Hall was startling, but Harry paid no attention as he continued to stare down the Headmaster, the very air around him strumming with barely-controlled magically energy.

"Very well, Mister potter." Dumbledore responded quietly, for once looking extremely serious, with no eye twinkle in sight. "Severus, Minerva, if you will join us."

So saying, Albus Dumbledore stood up regally and lead the two heads of house out of the Great Hall in silence, followed a step behind by the three Gryffendors.