Disclaimer: JK Rowling, not me, owns Harry Potter, and she is the one who makes profit off the characters. The characters are not mine, and I'm fine with that (even if I do wish that I owned Remus and Sirius ;-)

Author's Notes: Thank you to everyone who reviewed! Your comments are very much appreciated, especially considering that this is the first multi-chapter story I've written. Molly Morrison, you mentioned that you were a bit surprised with Harry's behaviour. I plan to address this later on, hopefully in Chapter Five, which should be from his point of view, but I'm very happy that you mentioned it anyway. It's great that someone is showing interest.

Also, I'm sorry about the delay in updating. I've been quite busy with school work.



Chapter Four

Back Home

The sun was just visible over the horizon, but Hermione was already awake and fully dressed. The previous day had been one of the most eventful in her entire life.

Trying to explain everything to Harry Potter had not been an easy task, but she, Ron, Ginny, Neville and Luna had managed to convince him of the existence of the Wizarding World. They didn't even have to resort to using magic to do so.

Hermione truly hoped that now that they had accomplished their task, their lives could get back to normal. As normal as any member of the Order's life was, anyway. The past week had been exhausting, both mentally and physically. The entire group was on edge, and very moody. She hoped that once they were back home, and well-rested, things would be fine again.

The group had spent the night in a tiny hotel. Hermione shared a room with Ginny and Luna, while Ron and Neville slept in the next room.

Hermione went over to Ginny's bed and shook her lightly.

"Just a minute, mum..." Ginny mumbled, eyes still closed. "We'll still have time to catch the Hogwarts Express..."

Hermione rolled her eyes, and continued to nudge Ginny. Hermione had learned long ago that very few of the Weasleys were morning people. "Come on, we've got to get up. It's important."

Finally opening her eyes, Ginny got out of bed, and yawned.

Luna, it seemed, had heard Hermione and was also getting out of bed, though she was far more awake than Ginny. "Lovely day, isn't it?" She said happily.

"Yes." Hermione agreed. "Anyway, I'd better go make sure Ron and Neville are awake."

She strode across the room, and opened the door into the hallway. Hermione knocked lightly on Ron and Neville's door. No answer. She tapped a little harder, and Neville finally came to the door, dressed, but looking thoroughly exhausted.

"Isn't Ron awake yet?" She asked him.

When Neville shook his head, Hermione just sighed, and entered the room.

"Ron wake-up. Ron..." Hermione said, ignoring the blush she felt creeping up her cheeks when she noticed Ron was only in his pyjamas.

"What's going on?" Ginny asked. She had just entered the room, with Luna in tow.

"Ron's still asleep." Neville replied.

Luna eyed Ron carefully, but didn't say anything.

Ginny, on the other hand, made her way to her brother's side and began shaking his shoulders.

"Wake-up!" Ginny exclaimed. Ron opened one eye, mumbled something, but Hermione couldn't make out what it was, and then closed his eyes and continued lying there.

A few more minutes passed, before a smile filled Hermione's face, and she went to stand beside Ginny.

"Ron..." Hermione said lightly. "You're missing a big victory party. The Chudley Cannons finally won..."

Ron sat-up quickly, eyes wide-open, and exclaimed, "What? They won?"

Beside Hermione, Ginny dissolved into a fit of giggles at her brother's excitement.

"That isn't funny." Ron groaned. "You got my hopes up."

Hermione smirked. "At least you're awake."

Ron tried to look upset, but Hermione could see that he was struggling to hold back a small smile.

"Anyways," Ginny said. "We'll meet you down by the car, all right?"

Ron nodded as Hermione left the room with the others.

The silence in the car was both nerve-racking and peaceful at the same time. Nerve-racking, because it allowed Hermione to dwell on the Death Eaters that were probably trying to locate them. Yet, it was also a peaceful and welcome change from the excitement of the previous day.

As she turned a corner, Hermione saw Harry's apartment building, though the sunlight cast a different look on it. She could now see that the neighbourhood looked friendly, but it was obviously lower class. Clearly, Harry hadn't made very much money at his job. Money, however, was not the only thing he had been deprived of, and certainly not the most important.

It had broken Hermione's heart to see how Harry had spent his life. Not knowing the truth about his parents, or Voldemort, or how many people truly cared about him.

She quickly parked, and made her way out of the car, and to the building along with Neville, Luna, Ginny and Ron.

When they reached Harry's apartment, Ron knocked on the door, and Harry quickly opened it.

The change in him was drastic and obvious.

The smiling young man that Hermione had seen come into the pub yesterday had been replaced with a weary-looking person, whose eyes were red, dark circles hanging under them.

"Hullo." He said dully.

Hermione exchanged a quick glance with Ron, and knew that he was thinking the same thing. It had not been a good idea to leave Harry alone overnight. It would only have given him time to dwell on a history he never knew of.

"Hi, Harry." Ginny replied, trying to sound happy and failing miserably. "How are you?"

Harry said, not meeting her eyes, "Fine. Anyway, I'm going with you now, right...?"

Hermione nodded, then lead them to the car.


It had been three days already, and Harry had barely spoken a word. His only comment had been one of amazement when Hermione had shrunken the car, and slipped it in her pocket before they boarded a boat. Other than that, he kept silent, with a far-off look in his eyes, only talking when he was spoken to. Hermione had even asked Ron to keep an eye out every night to see if Harry was still in his room at whichever hotel they were currently staying at. This trip had definitely taken its emotional toll on Harry, and she was beginning to worry that they had told him too much, too quickly.

Nervously glancing in the rear-view mirror, Hermione saw Harry staring out the window, absently fiddling with his seat-belt. She secretly thought he looked as if he would suddenly pull it off, and jump out the window.

Fortunately, he didn't do that, so she kept on driving, listening to her friends' feeble attempts to help Harry. Neville and Ron had already both tried to engage him in some sort of conversation, about anything and everything from Quidditch to Muggle technology. Ginny, like Hermione, seemed to realize that he didn't want to talk, though they were both constantly asking him if he was all right. Luna appeared to be the only one that was content with leaving Harry alone to think about everything that he had learned.

Harry, however, was not the only one that was dwelling on Voldemort, and the tragic fate of James and Lily Potter. Hermione tried to concentrate all her thoughts on driving, but the road was almost entirely deserted and there was nothing to hold her interest. So, her mind kept drifting back to Hallowe'en, 1981, when Harry had miraculously survived the Killing Curse.

How he did it, she didn't know, but she was willing to bet that Professor Dumbledore did. Or, at least that he had an idea. While his eccentric ways may have fooled many, Hermione knew that the old man was very wise and had gained much knowledge that most of the other Order members didn't not have.

She hoped that he would share this knowledge with Harry. If anyone deserved to know the truth about things, it was certainly him. He should know why Voldemort was targeting his parents in the first place, why the Killing Curse hadn't worked, and, most importantly, why Professor Dumbledore thought that it was vital for him to return to the Wizarding World.

However, above all, even more important than the knowledge Harry deserved, was a chance for him to be a proper wizard. A chance to be part of the Wizarding World. A chance to make new friends. A chance to meet his parents' friends. A chance to meet people who had cared for him long ago.

A chance to feel as if he belonged.


The sun was setting, but Hermione continued driving, through the outskirts of London, right into the center of town. Neville and Ginny were both leaning back on their seats, sleeping quietly, while Ron and Luna were engaged in some bizarre conversation about the Chudley Cannons. Hermione didn't even want to know how Luna had gotten the idea that they were all Kelpies in disguise.

She was looking around for the meeting place that had been agreed upon. Professor Dumbledore had told Hermione privately, before they left, that he would have an Order member stationed at the London meeting place at all times, to be on the look out for them when, not if, they arrived with Harry.

A small Muggle clothing boutique came into view, and Hermione remembered that they were supposed to meet in the alleyway next to it. She parked the car near a clump of other ones, so as not to draw attention to herself.

Ron and Luna fell silent, and Hermione nudged Neville awake. Harry seemed to realise that they were getting out here, so he gently tapped Ginny on the shoulder.

The six got out of the car, and headed for the alleyway, trying not to look suspicious. It probably didn't look good, Hermione reflected, that six young adults were entering a dark alleyway, just as night was approaching.

Hermione glanced side ways, looking for some sign of a witch or wizard. A man was standing in one corner, though she couldn't make out his face, as it was covered from the shadow of his hat.

She did, however, recognize his ginger-coloured hair.

"Mundungus." Ron said loudly, coming-up to greet him.

"Shh." Hermione warned.

"Nah, s'all right." Mundungus Fletcher said, smiling. "'Doubt anyone'll 'ear us."

Hermione decided it was best not to voice her apprehension, and just get right to the point. "What did Professor Dumbledore say we're supposed to do now?"

"'E gave me a portkey." Mundungus replied. "'E said it went to 'ogmeade station-"

Mundungus stopped abruptly, and Hermione followed his eyes to notice that he was staring at Harry.

"Er-" Harry began. "Hullo. I'm Harry Potter."

"O' course you are." Mundungus smiled. "Now, you wouldn't by chance fancy buying a new cauldron, would you? Special price, I tell you..."

Ignoring Ron and Ginny's muffled laughter, Hermione interrupted.

"Mundungus! This is no time for peddling stolen cauldrons!" She reprimanded.

"All right, sorry." He replied, though Hermione got the feeling that he didn't really mean it. He removed a tiny quill from the inside of his coat, and she took it from him. "That's the portkey."

"Are you coming with us?" Hermione asked.

"Sorry, I can't." He said, not meeting her eyes. "'Got a meeting with- er, with a fellow businessman."

Hermione wasn't sure she wanted to know what type of business people Mundungus interacted with.

She waved good-bye, as he Apparated away.

"This is a portkey." Hermione explained, turning to Harry. "If we all hold onto it, and one of us says the activation spell we'll be immediately transported to a pre-determined location."

Harry nodded, eyeing the portkey suspiciously, and grabbed hold of it.

Ron, Ginny, Neville and Luna also touched the portkey, and Hermione said clearly. "Transportio!"

The landscape changed, and she breathed a sigh of relief as the familiarity of Hogsmeade station came into view. No one was there to greet them, as Hermione had expected, so they made their way to the carriages.

Hermione entered the closest carriage, with Ron, Ginny, Neville and Luna following closely behind.

Harry was still standing outside, looking very nervous all of a sudden. Hermione couldn't tell exactly what he was staring at, but his eyes seemed to be focused on the front of the carriage, where invisible horses stood (according to Hogwarts, A History).

"Coming, Harry?" Ginny asked gently.

Harry gulped, and replied. "Er- right, of course."

He entered the carriage, eyes still occasionally glancing toward the spot where the horses stood. As he sat down, between Luna and Ginny, the carriage began to move.

Hermione was excited that she'd be able to see Hogwarts again after such a long time. She desperately missed the castle's tall turrets, and its magnificent architecture.

Ron, Ginny and Neville's eyes were all sparkling as the Hogwarts castle came into full view, illuminated by the moonlight.

"Wow." Harry breathed. He smiled for the first time in a while.

And Hermione couldn't help but do the same.


Thank you all for reading! Please review; comments and constructive criticism are very much appreciated.