Lily and James Potter.
Harry spent a lot of the next few weeks watching his best friends closely. Harry could almost swear they liked each other. He heard Ron muttering in his sleep that night.
"She doesn't like you Krum. Don't you get? it she likes me... Hermione your hair is so pretty, and your smile is..." The rest of Ron's constant muttering was drowned out by a loud snort from Neville. Over the last couple weeks, Harry and the Weasleys spent a lot of time in Diagon Alley. The main reason was because Ron's dad had been appointed as the new Minister Of Magic, because Fudge resigned. This recent raise meant that Ron's family now had the amount of money they needed. Ron didn't need second hand school supplies anymore. He got all new robes and books. He gave Pigwidgeon to Ginny, and got a handsome barn owl, named Zeus. They even got a set of Quidditch balls so they could play before going back to school. Hermione was a good beater, and cho was a good chaser, but she still liked chasing Harry to the snitch, when he least expected her to. The summer went very well as far as Harry could tell. He spent a lot of time with Cho, and to his amazement her and Hermione were getting on very well. But Ginny on the other hand was hardly talking again. She was going threw a stage that made her very moody. She yelled at a chicken for getting in her way, and began banging on the ceiling every time the Gaul in the attic made any sound. No one really wanted to talk to her much. Harry tried his hardest to be nice to her, but when ever he said anything, she just looked at him and said "whatever."
When the day before they returned, was upon them Harry almost dreaded the thought of leaving the only place he could really call home. The Weasleys were like family to him. They had gone into Diagon Alley for ice cream, and anything they might have missed, when Harry noticed something that shocked him more then all the events of that summer together. Hermione, as Harry noticed before but took no notice of, was attracting a lot of stares, mostly from boys. Harry noticed Ron clenching his fists together so his hands were pure white, and Harry could see the veins in his wrist popping. After a while, Harry too, was very annoyed with the constant staring. He yelled at a tall boy, with bright blue eyes, in the Quidditch shop. Ron yelled at about ten. Even Ginny yelled at a few because they stared at Hermione, and then proceeded to point from across the room. Mrs Weasley walked in and got them each a Chocolate Cherry Fudge ice cream from Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour. Harry didn't want this day to end. He felt like he had never felt before. This was his family. He had never had a real family with a mom and a dad, and he had no siblings. Just then he remembered when Mrs. Weasley and Sirus were having an argument about Harry, and Sirus told her that Harry wasn't her son. Mrs. Weasley told Sirus he was as good as one of her sons. Before he knew it, Harry was being shaken awake by Ron.
"Get up mate were gonna miss the train." Harry dressed at top speed, and threw his stuff into his trunk. The Weasleys now had a new car, that looked like the same car Uncle Vernon drove. They piled into the car, and set off, and were there in no time. They went up to the barrier that separated platform nine and ten. Harry was supposed to meet Cho here. They hadn't told anyone but Ron that they were dating. So he didn't want to look to suspicious. Ron, however, knew who he was looking for, and kept pointing in odd places and whispering 'Here she comes Harry' just to watch him whip around, and look absently around. Finally she showed up, and Ron looked almost disappointed. Harry looked at Cho, then asked "Do you want to walk threw with me, and Ron?" Cho smiled brightly and nodded. They all went threw the barrier together, and said their goodbyes to the Weasleys. They found an empty compartment and sat down. Ginny joined after a while, but just sat in the corner. When the train started to move, Neville and Luna Lovegood came in to the compartment.
"Mind if we sit here? Every where else is full."
"Yea sure sit down." After a few minutes of complete silence, Neville cleared his through loudly.
"Er- I wanted to- er- let you all know that- er- well... Luna and I are going out."
"Wow that's great Neville."
"Yea you two look-er- cute together." Ron looked over at Hermione, who just turned her head away. "Anyone else dating that we know?" He looked at Harry and Cho. Harry put his hand on Cho's.
"Yea. Cho and I are together now." he smiled. Everyone else tried to look surprised, but Harry knew they were expecting them to get together. He secretly felt relieved. They sat and talked about the summer break, as it seems, Neville had been reading some old herbology books of his Gran's, and he found a recipe for a old potion. He began talking about it, when Hermione started shaking.
"Neville, the properties of that potion are very complex. Its used to cure cursed people-"
"Yea like my parents." She just stared at him.
" Oh. Neville I'm sorry I forgot." He just waved it away and nodded.
"I've studied it in every book possible. I know what I need, and I know how to make it. I just need help for Professor Sprout, and Professor Snape." He gave a small sigh. Harry knew very well how Professor Snape felt about Neville's performances in his class. Snape detested all Gryfindores, especially Harry. After a deep discussion about Luna's summer in Ireland, they heard the food trolley come to a halt in the corridor. They all bustled out to buy sweets. Then sat down, swapping sweets, and laughing merrily. They had a half a dozen games of Exploding Snap, and two games of Gobstones. After they took turns waiting in the hall as the others changed, the train began to slow. Then stopped at the Hogsmeade Station and got off the train. They were met by the large voice called over the crowd.
"Firs' years over here. Firs' years ter me please." Harry's heart leapt. "Alright yer three?" As usual, they didn't get to say anything to him because of all the pushing, and shoving around them. As they were pushing towards a small clearing where they normally found their carriages, they saw them. Harry had never seen anything like these before. Almost out of force of habit he looked at Hermione. She just shook her head. Luna walked to his side and said;
"Crystal Horned Silk Dragons. They are normally found in Bulgaria, but Dumbledore got some of Charlie Weasley. A bit of a surprise for the sixth years, I suppose." She just smiled. Harry had just noticed something... odd. Her eyes, once a misty grey, were now a vibrant blue. She looked sane. Her prominent eyes used to give her a look of surprise all the time, but now she looked calm, and relaxed. Noone sounded surprised that Luna knew what kind of animal this was. It was true, she really did know her magical creatures. When they had all pilled into a carriage, Luna began telling them how she wanted to become a care of magical creatures teacher. She had just finished telling them about this, when the carriage came to abrupt halt. Cho almost flew forward off her seat, and Ron's ears had turned bright red, because Hermione had fallen on him. She blushed bright red also. Harry was helping Cho out of the carriage, when Professor McGonagall hurried towards him. She stopped at the top of the steps. Harry didn't understand. She didn't look angry. He hadn't done anything on the train, or at Hogsmeade. Why was she looking at him like that?
"Potter. The head master would like to see you please." She strode away, with a confused Harry in pursuit. Hermione and Ron said goodbye to Cho and Luna, and went to sit down. Meanwhile, Harry was standing beside Professor McGonagall, in front of the stone gargoyle that blocked the secret passage to the office of Albus Dumbledore. Professor Mcgonagall cleared her throat and said "Chocolate Frog." The stone wall split in two and the moving spiral staircase appeared. He stepped on after Professor McGonagall. At the top of the staircase was a large door with a brass knocker. Harry had just reached for it, when the door opened silently. He entered. Dumbledore was sitting behind his desk, with his fingertips together, resting his chin on them. He looked at Harry, like a father looks at his favorite son.
"Welcome Harry. Please, do sit down. I have some shocking news for you. About your parents." Harry couldn't say anything. Dumbledore had never told Harry much about his parents. He couldn't begin to wonder what he was about to say. He just walked over to the chair on the other side of the desk, and sat, waiting. " Over the summer, while you were enjoying a wonderful time with the Weasley family, Voldemort made a very large mistake." Harry sat and said nothing. So he continued. " he tried a spell, a very old spell, that has never been done before. Its called the Venicus Numbradus spell." He smiled at the look of confusion on Harry's face. " young Miss Granger would know of this no doubt. Its been in Moste Potente Potions. Anyways. Its to bring back the dead. He was using it to bring back his dead Death Eaters. But it went horribly wrong. For him anyways. He brought back all the people he ever killed. And, what's most surprising, he didn't manage to bring back a single Death Eater. So, Harry, I would like to introduce you to your parents." From the far side of the office, where Harry hadn't noticed, was his parents. He couldn't breath. He was shaking. A mix of fear and happiness was advancing on him. He had his parents back. His dead parents were standing there. He had seen them many times before. In the Mirror of Erised, in wizard photos, and last year he say a vision of them. A misty cloud that had erupted from the end of his and Voldemort's wands. His mother walked over and bent down so she was eye level with him. She had long red hair, and almond shaped eyes. Bright green in color just like his. This was how she looked in the last picture, before she was killed. She wrapped her arms around him, his dad also came over and put a hand on his sons shoulder. He was tall and gangly like Harry. Jet black hair that grew where ever it wanted, and the same nose, his mouth was the same, he was even had the same build. The build of a true seeker. He had a family now. Everything was perfect. And with out warning, a large black dog came bounding into the room. Harry was sure he was dreaming, because he had seen Sirus die. He watched it. Sirus didn't come back threw the curtain. But them the dog formed back into a man. A very well groomed man. The same mad that was in the picture of his parents wedding. Harry pinched himself hard, and it hurt. This was reality. But, this didn't add up.
"Excuse me. Professor?" Dumbledore smiled. He knew what Harry was going to ask.
"We had to fake Sirus' death. Until the ministry found out that Peter Petigrew wasn't dead we couldn't risk them, or Voldemort getting a hold of him. Voldemort lured you away once, and it almost killed you. We knew he was getting into your head. If he saw that Sirus was, apparently, dead, then he couldn't use Sirus to get you. We created the seen. Sirus apparated just before he fell in behind the curtain." Harry turned his head so noone could see the one tear falling down his cheek. Lily had thrown her arms around him and muttered
"My boy. My baby boy. I missed you growing up. If I only knew that you were going to destroy the Dark Lord. If I had only knew. I'm so sorry Harry."
"Mum, its not your fault. You saved me. I have the best of friends, and I kind of have a- er- girlfriend." He blushed. James clapped a hand on his back and said;
"That's my boy. The ladies man." He looked down at his watch. "The feast will be almost over if you don't hurry." With one last look at his parents and Sirus, he went straight to the great hall, that was full of chattering students. He looked up and say Hagrid, and Dumbledore talking. He told Hermione and Ron everything. Hermione was sitting in complete shock, and Ron was looking very pale. Harry had just finished eating, when he stood up. The chatter ceased immediately.
"Welcome back, welcome back. What a wonderful feast we have had. I have just a few new announcements. Mr.Filch the caretaker has requested me to inform you, that there has been a few new objects added to the list of objects that are banned from the corridors. Dr Dribbles Magic Mice, Fred's Forgetful Powder and Ton-Tongue-Toffee. Also the D.A. will be meeting every Wednesday and Saturday. For more information please see Mr Harry Potter. And last your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers. Mr. And Mrs. Potter." With a large group of muttering, Lily and James appeared threw the small wooden door behind the staff table. Their were shrieks, and muttering. Girls crying. People fainting, and most of the Great Hall stood up to get a better look. Then, with out warning, there was a burst of applause. Ron was one of the people that had fainted. He was laying on the floor, and when he came to he was speechless. Hermione was whooping on top of her chair when Dumbledore began to speak again. Harry was also shocked. The D.A. was on again, and his parents were now his teachers.
"Another thing, before we head of to bed. I would like to read a notice that has just arrived from the ministry.
' Innocent Man Convicted For Another's Crime.
Sirus Black. We are proud to inform you that the true person behind the killings of those thirteen people, has been caught. Peter Petigrew was believed to be dead, but has indeed been seen. He plotted his own death and ran to hide from Lord Voldemort. The Minister of Magic said today " Yes indeed. Sirus Black had been cleared of all charges and is taking up the position of Magical Ailments Teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Also he has been awarded the Order of Merlin First Class, with a full pardon."
So I would like to introduce another new teacher. Mr.Black will be teaching a new position. Magical Ailment, in hopes we have a turn out of Healers." With this another chair was added to the ends of either ends of the table. Professor McGonagall was now whispering something in Dumbeldore's ear. "Ah yes another notice. Thank you Professor McGonagall. Yes another position became available, unfortunately, last year as well. The new divinations course has been removed due to the fact that we have not been able to fill it. Instead, we have added practical course that will be taught by Mrs.Weasley. She is taking on a course to prepare you for future life. So any of you that have been learning Divination, you will now be in her class." Harry looked over at Ron, whose face was pure white with shock. His mother was a teacher. "Another thing I feel I should tell you, is Professor Lupin has been asked to come back. He will be helping Professor Hagrid, in teaching you Care Of Magical Creatures. I heard he taught a lot of you about Dark Creatures. So I have asked that he come back, and teach some more. He, as you should know, is a werewolf. So that should bring some interest in to the class. Now im sure that is everything. So off to bed." He stood up and began talking to the group of new teachers. Harry went to meet Cho in the hall, when he caught sight of his mother walking towards him. She looked at him and said;
"We will be helping you with the D.A. if you want. We could also show you some spells, and incantations, counter-curses, jinxes, you name it and we can help. I want to be there for you. I love you." She kissed him on the head, and sent him to bed. He walked out to see Cho, waiting at the bottom of the marble staircase. They walked up the staircase. They normally parted at the edge of the Ravenclaw corridor. They said goodbye and Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville walked back to the Gryfindore common room.