Hero

What makes a man a hero? Is it defending people against something that would do them harm? Is it their courage under fire, their ability to show bravery in the face of death? Or is it something... words can't describe? An indescribable trait that sets them apart from everyone else?

- An Excerpt from the Diary of Hermione Granger

Prologue

The Hogwarts Express pulled to a stop, letting its lone passenger disembark before it returned to the station to await the next year. The man stood, staring at Hogwarts, not moving a muscle. Hogwarts held so many memories for him, and so many more still in the making. The loud whistle of the departing train broke him out of his reverie and he put a cigarette to his mouth, taking a long drag on it. He quietly exhaled the smoke and then threw the cigarette aside, stamping on it before moving towards the castle.

It had been over a year since he had last seen it, torn away by the Ministry of Magic for "his own good". Torn away from his soulmate, his friends, and his life. Torn away to prepare him for "training" against He- Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. In that year away he had aged more than his years, inside and out. He had been forced to do things no sane person should ever have to do.

The walk to the castle seemed shorter now that he was older, now that he was strengthened from the vigorous exercise programs forced upon him. As he neared the front entrance he noticed guards, alert and with wands drawn. Smirking he walked forth and suddenly stopped. An invisible barrier of some sort blocked his way. As he prepared to take it down, his senses went haywire as an invisible magical alarm sounded, alerting someone to his appearance at the castle. In less than a second he was surrounded by no less than ten armed wizards. Shaking his head in amusement he raised his hand and they were all lifted up into the air, their arms pushed against their sides.

"No one shall stop me until I see who I came here for," he said.

With a wave of his hand they were released and they collapsed to the ground. Nearing the entrance doors he waved his hand again and the opened. He dimly noticed the bewildered look on the guards' face and smiled. Looking at the castle closer up he lifted his head.

"I'm back..." he whispered.

On the other side of the castle in the seventh year girls dormitory of Gryffindor tower, a girl awoke, as if sensing his words. Her heart skipped a beat and she quickly threw on some clothes before running to meet him.

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Inside the headmasters office, past all the silver instruments and magical paintings sat an old man. An old man of immense power. As he sat there, reading a book, he felt a tug in the back of his mind. One of the magical alarms had been tripped. He focused his mind on the wards and saw a somewhat scruffy young man sending all of his guards flying. He smiled. Then laughed. The man whom he considered a son, the man whom he would die for, had come back.

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Far away on the other side of Britain another person noticed the man's arrival. Outside of the Ministry's wards, including those upon the Hogwarts Express, the man was easy to spot. That much magical power in one place, it was a brilliant light in a group of dim ones. The lipless mouth of the man's face split into a grin. His red eyes narrowed in glee. The game was afoot.

Harry Potter had returned.

A/N: I hope this story will be my best work in the world of fanfiction and perhaps a triumphant return from the curse of writer's block. The first chapter of the story is well on its way and hopefully by chapter two or three, I will have the average length per chapter up to 7500 words or more. I do not currently have a beta so anyone who would be willing to help can e-mail me at HeeroFanfictionhotmail.com. If you are actually serious about beta-ing let me know, because the last beta I had couldn't help me at the last second and I had to post the story without having it beta-read. This was after she had been given the draft a month before and never gave any indication she was even working on it. I will be honest because I always like to have clearly defined ships most of the time. This will be H/Hr and probably Ron/Luna. I'm not sure as of yet but it might have D/G or Neville/Ginny later on, but I hope to focus mainly on Hermione and Harry's relationship this time. This is the first time I've actually written a story with a heavy use of the main relationship in it so constructive criticism will be welcome. Please review!