The last week before Hogwarts was a blur. Tonks was away on a new assignment so there was no chance that their relationship would come out in the open. While it may had been suitable for Dumbledore, Harry knew for a fact that it had been an order from the ministry.
Ginny had yet to ask him out or react to her feelings and that was ok with Harry. He didn't want to deal with that too at the moment.
Ron was appalled at Harry's new study-habits. He was studying from the morning till the evening and only then he would take some time to spend with his friends.
In the beginning Hermione was enthusiastic about it but after two days of trying to follow his schedule even she gave up and began to worry, especially as she noticed that he was working on the seventh year text in potions already.
Harry had joked about that, "You know, we have to prepare for our NEWTS, Hermione."
She shook her head at this and smiled proudly at him.
Remus and he had overcome their grief now and redecorated the most house. Since he had bend the magic of the house to his will, they even could change some of the cruel snakes and skulls to nicer structures like lions and tigers and eagles.
And before they noticed, it was September 1st and they were on their way to Kings Cross.
Of course Harry was the only one, who was ready in time... no wonder, he could use magic for packing and shrinking.
But they made it like every year on time to board the crimson train.
As Harry passed the barrier to the hidden platform, he had a hard time to remember the words of Joe, "They will stare at your scar if you hide it or not."
And that they did. His new hair style showed it perfectly and now every one stared at it, well maybe the girls after they had examined the rest of his body.
Hermione took it smiling, maybe she was thinking he would now be interested in that kind of affection and now look after a girlfriend.
Ron took it partly laughing and partly jealous.
Harry had filled out even more because he had continued his workout in Grimmauld place. His equipment had been placed in a room at the basement during his stay there and now he had it with him in his trunk, shrunken like all his other things.
And lastly Ginny took it scowling and shot all the girls a glare which stated "Don't touch him! He's mine!" not that they cared.
So under the scrutinizing stares of the female population of Hogwarts they made it on the train and found an empty compartment. Hermione and Ron had to go to the front to the prefect meeting, this year joined by no other than Ginny so Harry was alone.
He read more in his Warlock-book about duel-tactics.
In the last duels with Tonks he had come near to beat her even if he took enough hard hits and was bruised every time. He even fought against Tonks and Remus together, because the Deatheater's also didn't care about fairness and could hold a good stand against them.
The compartment door opened and Neville and Luna entered.
"Hi Harry. May we join you?"
"Sure."
Luna looked at him with her dreamy expression.
"The summer was good for you, Harry. You look good and got a nice motto there." she said pointing to his arm.
"You can read it?"
"Sure, I am a Ravenclaw."
"Yeah, sure." Harry smiled.
"Harry, what did they feed you and where can I get it?" Neville asked joking.
"Normal food but I trained every day in the gym."
"Wow."
"It was hard but it pays off." Harry said grinning, "How was your summer?"
"I got a new wand. Firstly my granny was fuming but then she was proud that I stood by your side fighting. She said it was just like my father would have done."
"That's nice. I'm sure you'll fare much better now, that you have a suiting wand, Nev."
"I hope so."
"And you Luna? Did you find the snorkacks?"
"No we didn't. We'll try it another time again."
"Give not up hope. There is more out there than even the wizards know, I am sure."
"Thanks, it is nice, that you aren't joking about me."
"Why should I? You are a good friend and as I said, there may be no snorkacks but surely there are unknown species. So keep up looking."
They bought some snacks and were joined by Hermione, Ron and Ginny soon after.
The yearly visit of Malfoy was bound to happen, though.
But as Malfoy opened the door an began his usual speech: "Ah the mudbl..."
he could never finish this sentence because Harry gave the door a hard kick and it slammed shut while hitting Malfoy in his face. He was flung to the floor with a bloody nose and Harry locked the door with a spell without even looking.
His friends looked shocked at him.
He shrugged, "What? I was reading and he disturbed me. Besides we aren't to use magic and I didn't want a silly argument with the ferret so I shut the door. His bad luck that he was in the way of the door."
They laughed all, even Hermione.
"So was there anything new at the meeting?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, security measures are increased. We have to patrol the corridors at night and we are not to give any lenience anymore. And Malfoy lost his prefect status because of his siding with Umbridge last year."
"That was bound to happen." Harry shrugged and continued reading.
"Harry! Stop reading already and get some fun!" Ron groaned and Ginny laughed.
"Give me five minutes to finish the chapter." He said without looking up.
Ron rolled his eyes and said to Neville: "He was like that the whole summer. Never stopped reading and learning."
"Did you check him on polyjuice?" Neville asked and Hermione and Ginny laughed again.
"We have been here with him now for over an hour, you know?" Luna asked seriously.
"I know, it was a joke." Neville replied smiling fondly.
"I knew that." Luna said and took her Quibbler out.
They laughed even harder. Harry cast absently a silencing bubble around him and the others only gaped at him.
"Hermione what did you do to Harry? Is that infectious?" Ron asked and moved away from her.
She punched him on his arm.
Harry needed ten minutes to finish his reading. He putted his book away and countered his spell.
"So how about a game of chess?" he asked.
He beat Ron to the astonishment of the others in twenty minutes.
"Go back reading!" Ron scowled and the others laughed again.
"Why thanks." Harry said, took his book out and continued reading.
They gaped at him but he only laughed and putted the book away again.
"Very funny!" Ron groaned.
They arrived shortly after that and were finally back at school. Harry looked fondly at the castle.
As they entered the Great Hall Harry stood glued to the ground and stared unbelievingly at the high table of the teachers.
"What?" his friends asked.
Then they looked to it too and gaped.
Harry locked his gaze with one woman at the table, the one and only woman of his heart sat there and looked at him smiling but with a touch of uncertainty.
"Is that Tonks?" Ron asked.
"Yes she is." Harry answered and broke his gaze away from her and continued his way to the Gryffindor-Table. His face betrayed no emotion.
"There was one seat free. But all teachers were there." Hermione stated a fact.
"Yeah, that let one wonder." Ron said as they sat down.
As the first years entered and the sorting began, Harry couldn't help but look at Tonks again. As he looked her in the eyes this time he could clearly feel her emotions.
He felt, that she was happy to be here at the same place as him but more prominent was the fear that she may have hurt him and that was clearly visible in her eyes.
He decided to act maturely and concentrated on her happiness. His eyes lit up slightly and he gave her a small short smile. All he could feel now was happiness and love.
He broke his gaze away again to keep their secret.
After the sorting they ate the tasty feast and after that Dumbledore made his yearly announcements.
"Welcome to another year of Hogwarts. We entered dark times with the resurrection of Voldemort. So we have to put more effort on security this year. I warn all students to obey the rules. The punishments this year will be severe without lenience.
To the new students and some of the older ones, the forbidden forest is just that, forbidden. Please take a look at the list of banned items at the office of Mr. Filch too. I believe there you will find many products of the Weasley Twins. Now up to your beds. Mr. Potter I would like to meet you in my office."
Harry groaned but then his eyes lit up again, "I had to discuss my quarters with him anyway."
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.
"Normally I would not consist on such things but I am still pissed off at him and now I will demand my birthright."
"What is that?" Ron asked.
"Well... as heir of Gryffindor, I have my own quarters here. Dumbledore forgot coincidentally to mention it to me."
Ron's eyes showed jealously for a moment but then he grinned.
"As long as you invite us some time. I think he deserves it after what he did to you and Tonks."
"Harry is that necessary?" Hermione asked.
"I think it is. It will also give me more peace to study."
"Well that was a word I didn't need to hear." Ron groaned.
"I have to go." Harry said and grinned, "Ron, you said I should have some fun. Now I will."
Ron grinned and nodded.
He was in the office ten minutes later with McGonagall and the Headmaster.
"Now, what do you want to talk about?" Harry asked politely.
"Lemon drop?" the headmaster asked with twinkling eyes.
"No, thanks. I have to pay attention to my figure." he replied smiling even if he was inwardly cool and reserved.
"Yes. You caused quite the riot to the female population of our school." the headmaster chuckled.
"Now, Mr. Potter, I wanted to inform you, that your Quidditch-ban has been lifted. You broom is awaiting you at your dorm."
"Well, that are two things I have to talk about with both of you." Harry said seriously.
"As I am aware now of my inheritance I would like to use my family quarters."
"What do you mean?" McGonagall asked shocked.
Harry locked his piercing gaze with the headmaster daring him to make the wrong move.
"He is speaking of course of the quarters of Gryffindor, Minerva. As the heir he is entitled to use them whenever he wants. I will show them to you after this chat. What is the second thing?"
"Well, you see, I have to study hard because I have to prepare for the war. I have no time for Quidditch anymore. I am sorry about that, Professor McGonagall, but I am sure, Ginny is a suitable replacement and already proved herself too."
"But... but... I wanted to make you captain." McGonagall stammered.
"Ron would be the better captain anyway. No one knows more about Quidditch and he is an excellent tactician too."
"I will consider it. I must admit, that is a shock to me, Mr. Potter."
"That is certainly a surprise, Harry. I can understand you but you should not forget to live." Dumbledore said sadly.
'If he only knew why I really don't have enough time' Harry thought inwardly grinning.
"You know as well as me that if I want to have the chance to live, I'll have firstly to ensure, that I can survive the final confrontation."
Dumbledore swallowed at his serious tone, but nodded.
"Again you are right. Can we help you in some ways? Maybe Minerva could assist you to achieve the Animagus transformation."
Harry smiled solemnly and replied, "That would not be necessary."
Both teachers stared dumbfounded at him.
"Harry... do you want to say, that you have already begun to learn it?" Dumbledore asked.
"Me? I didn't say anything. But you should not forget, that not everybody has the gift to do it." he stated as a matter of fact.
"But you surely do?" McGonagall asked unconvinced.
"I can't tell you more. Sorry. Should I ever have questions regarding that, I would like to ask you for advice though, Professor McGonagall." Harry stated politely.
She smiled fondly at him.
"What about Occlumency?" Dumbledore asked and shrunk back under the again piercing glare of his student.
"Well that comes a little bit late, doesn't it? You ignored me and my welfare the whole summer and that after the whole fiasco in the last year too. So I had to help myself. I already mastered this feat." His tone was much colder now.
"Are you sure?"
"I am."
"Would you allow me to test it?" Dumbledore asked.
"Sure. Do your best!"
Harry didn't need to hide his abilities for him and hadn't to use the finer ways of misleading his thoughts so he brought his shields up to full force with a mere thought.
He felt the probing of the ancient wizard and later a full fledged attack on the wall but it held without problems.
The old wizard beamed proudly at him and chuckled.
"What is so funny?" McGonagall asked.
"Well, he is using a nice mental image for his shields. A wall of steel with menacing spikes. But the funny thing is... there is a sign at the wall which states: 'Keep Out!'"
Harry chuckled now himself.
"What about Apparition?" McGonagall asked, eager to help her favorite male pupil. The female and overall was of course Hermione.
Harry grinned and tossed her his license.
She blanched and handed it to Dumbledore.
"Who trained you?" McGonagall asked.
"I learned it by myself."
"That... that is dangerous."
"No more as an insane dark wizard after ones ass. Sorry about the language." He added sheepishly.
Dumbledore handed it back to Harry.
"How about dueling?" Dumbledore asked.
"Well, that is worth a thought. You have a trained auror as teacher for DADA. I am sure she could teach me a thing or two." Harry said pensive, not betraying his real reasons.
Dumbledore scrutinized him for a moment but McGonagall beamed, "That is a nice idea. I am sure, Miss Tonks would agree. She seems to be fond of you."
Now Dumbledore had no choice anymore and agreed to arrange lessons for him.
"Would you like to continue the DA, but as Defense Association?" Dumbledore asked.
Harry thought about it and mused: "Every student should be able to defend himself so it is important. If you want to make it official, you would have to put a teacher in charge. By the way, who was the missing teacher?"
"That would be Remus. He will teach the first to fourth years in DADA while Nymphadora will teach the upper years and overtake the lower during full moon. The two teachers were necessary because we increased the number of hours for DADA."
"That is nice, so you have two competent teachers for that. Professor Snape would be proficient enough too, but you would do me and the others a favor if you would leave him out of that."
"Your attitude has certainly changed Harry. I am proud of you. You are grown up, but it makes me sad on the other hand."
"I know. But I know that someone has to bear the burden. My bad luck, that it has to be me in this war but I will do my best."
Both teachers beamed at him.
"As I said, I would run the DA again but I don't know, if I will have enough time for that regularly. So you should put a teacher in charge, me and my friends could teach the students and the teachers could help us. So the workload doesn't lie by the teachers alone. Should I am not able at times then my friends can take over."
"That is well thought of Harry. Again you amaze me. I will talk about it with Remus and Nymphadora."
Harry frowned, "You know, if you would really respect Tonks, you would stop to call her with that name. She hates it and you embarrass her with it. I bet she asked you to call her Tonks. Why don't you do her this favor?"
Dumbledore looked stern for a moment, but then smiled, "You really stand up for your friends, don't you?"
"Yes I do, for all my friends because they will do the same for me too."
"You are again right of course. I will try to honor this and I hope you will forgive me slip ups."
"I am not the person to forgive you this, but I am sure, Tonks would and she will like it, if you make the effort to call her Tonks." Harry said friendly and smiling.
"Then I shall lead you now to your new quarters. BANKS!" Dumbledore called and a house elf popped up."
"Would you be so kind and take Mr. Potters belongings to the quarters of Gryffindor?"
"I will see to it instantly." He disappeared with a crack.
McGonagall asked eagerly, "Could you take me with you? I didn't even know of them and would like to see them."
"It would be my pleasure, Professor. I have to admit, I am curious myself." Harry smiled.
"Then, let's go!"
Dumbledore led them to the Gryffindor tower but passed the portrait of the fat lady.
"By the way, the password is 'Dragonscale' Harry. I am sure, you would like to join your friends in the common room." McGonagall explained.
"Sure. I didn't want to move there to avoid them. I had other reasons." He shot Dumbledore a glare and his voice was once again laced with power and hardness.
"You should stop that, Mr. Potter. One day you will really scare someone with that tone of yours." McGonagall said chuckling.
"I will consider it." Harry chuckled as well.
Dumbledore led them around the next corner where a tapestry with the coat of arms of Gryffindor, the golden griffin on a red ground.
"All you have to do is to say that you are the heir and if you are, it will shimmer and you can walk through. It will sense, if you want people to follow you or not. You can also set a password for your friends, if and whenever you like."
"I am the heir of Gryffindor! I demand entrance!" Harry said full of confidence.
The tapestry shimmered and he entered followed by the professors.
They all stared in awe at the magnificent circular living room. There was a round table of oak wood artfully carved and some comfy arm chairs around it. There was also a couch and a big fireplace again artfully designed. At the walls were paintings of moving griffins and phoenixes and some shelves with books. There was also a huge window with look to the lake and the forest. There was even a perch for his bird.
"Professor, did you ever see another phoenix beside Fawkes?"
"I know, that my friend Nicholas had bounded to one and him I have seen. He was the spitting image of Fawkes. I know of no other phoenix and I have also seen no other."
Harry sensed thanks to his gift, that Dumbledore was telling the truth. So his blue one wouldn't give him away.
They entered the next door and there was a well equipped bathroom with a large tube and even a shower.
The next room was study with a small personal library with rare books even from Godric himself. They again stared in awe at this.
The next was a comfy bedroom with an attached closet for his wardrobe where his trunk, Hedwig's cage and his broom already waited for him.
There were two other rooms which were guest rooms and another closet for his things. The last surprise was a full equipped potion lab even if it was small.
Harry's eyes lit up again. That was perfect for his purposes.
"Well, I like it here." said Harry grinning.
"That is an understatement if there ever was one." McGonagall said smiling and Dumbledore chuckled.
"We will leave you now alone, Harry. I am sure, your friends are waiting for you."
They all left the room and parted at the entrance of the common room.
Harry decided to try something, as they were far enough away and he looked at the fat lady.
"I am the heir of Gryffindor! I demand entrance!"
The lady bowed and replied, "As you wish, Milord."
Then she opened.
"That is good to know." Harry grinned.
As guessed his friends were eagerly waiting for him.
"What's up?" he asked coolly.
"HARRY POTTER! Stop teasing us!" Hermione scolded.
"Your trunk is away, so you got your wish. Now show us or face our wrath!" Ron said threatening.
"I yield!" Harry laughed, "Come with me!"
Ginny, Ron and Hermione followed him and he led them to his rooms.
He didn't set a password yet.
"That is awesome!" Hermione said.
"Uhm, Ron if I were you and would like to spend some time with my girlfriend today, I would keep her out of that room." Harry said grinning and pointed to his study.
Ron looked irritated at him but he passed his chance as Hermione stormed to the study and a second later they heard a loud: "WOW! Such rare books!"
"Damn!" Ron swore while Harry and Ginny laughed.
He showed them the other rooms after he managed it to drag Hermione out of the room and after that sat down in the living room.
"That is a nice flat, Harry." Hermione said approvingly.
"Yes it is and it provides much peace and room to study too." Harry said seriously.
"You are joking, right?" Ron asked.
"Do you think I am?" Harry asked with twinkling eyes.
"As long as you have time for Quidditch." Ron replied groaning.
"Sorry. I got my broom back and my ban was lifted, but I won't play for the team. I have not enough time for that."
They stared incredulously at him, "You're kidding us right?" Ron asked.
"No I am serious. I declined the post at the team and captainship too."
"But, Harry! You... you love nothing more than flying." Hermione said worried now for her friend.
"Yeah, but I love to survive too and we enter war now."
"But you are only a teenager!" Ginny said.
"But one at the top of Snakeface's hitlist and not without reason too. The final battle will be between him and me."
"Are... are you sure?" Ginny asked afraid.
"Yes. That was in the prophecy which was destroyed in the ministry. Better you keep it secret tough."
The mood was heavily subdued now.
"Look at it from the bright side!" Harry joked, "I will get much better notes. Who knows maybe I will even overtake the top of the class from Hermione."
"Don't even think about that!" she replied with a determined look.
"That I want to see." Ron laughed.
"Hey! You are to support me, not him." Hermione scolded.
And all laughed after that.
"Sorry, but I will head now to bed. With our luck, we will have potions tomorrow first and I can't bear Snape if I am tired."
"You can't bear Snape anyway!" Ron joked, "I am pleased that I don't have to anymore."
"Well, have a good night then." Hermione said friendly and the others followed suit.
AN: Sorry, as I shortly in the AN said, I received no answer from my beta until now and so I upload this un-betaed for now. When or If I get the beta-ed Chap, I will replace this chap.
I am going to do the same with the next chapter. If I don't get an answer until next saturday, I am going to post chapter 9 then.
Thanks to all reviewers, I am going to make it short today as it is already late now.
An meine deutschen Leser: Ich habe bisher nicht geplant, diese Story in deutsch rauszubringen!