A/N: Thank you to all those that have been reviewing. I'm going to try to update about twice a week so are there any recommendations on days that they would prefer me to update. Also could somebody tell me how long it is for to update a story with the exception of those with a direct link? Please continue. I'm open to suggestions to the story so please R/R.

Disclaimer: I wish I could be as good as JK Rowling but I'm not. This is her stuff and not to mention the influence that this story took from various fanfics.

Chapter 8
Return to Hogwarts

Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Remus, Tonks, Mr. Weasley, and Mrs. Weasley were gathered in the kitchen of Grimmauld Place talking about the security detail that will escort the kids to Kings Cross two days prior to the start of the new school year. Ginny was distracted during the entire conversation because she was unable to mirror call Harry all day. Ginny zoned out again when Hermione nudged her in the ribs to bring her back to reality just when Mrs. Weasley said, "Remus will be shadowing Ron, Tonks will be following Hermione, and I will be following Ginny."

Remus continued off where Mrs. Weasley let off by saying, "Arthur, Bill, and Charlie are going to be the advance guards that will make sure everything is safe before we arrive. This leaves Mad Eye, Emmeline Vance, and me as your rear guards to make sure nobody follows you three."

Tonks said, "This is similar to what we did when we escorted Harry here last year. It may seem a bit much but it's better to be safe."

Hermione asked, "What about Harry? How is Harry getting to school and is there going to be anybody to protect him?"

The room was quiet for a short while than Remus said, "We don't know anything about Harry's travel plans. We'll be ready to help protect him if he shows up at the train station but right now Harry is on his own."

At that moment, the fireplace in the kitchen roared with green flames and out came George in a hurry and out of breath. Shortly after George came through the fireplace, the flames roared again and Fred came through. Both of them were leaning on each other and looked very tired like they had been running for an hour.

Mrs. Weasley jumped up from her seat and asked, "What's wrong? Why are the two of you here and out of breath?"

George threw a sheet of parchment onto the middle of the table and panted, "Read that out loud. Harry is in trouble."

At hearing that, Remus took hold of the parchment. He only looked at it for two seconds and turned white. Mr. Weasley and Mrs. Weasley leaned over to see what Remus was looking at and were shocked at what they saw. Mrs. Weasley bursted into tears and Mr. Weasley rushed to the other side of Remus to comfort his wife. The kids were confused at what was going on, all the adults looked heart broken and Remus and Mr. Weasley looked like they were trying to hold back tears. Fred and George didn't seem like there was any joy left in their body. The two of them were still breathing hard while collapsed into chairs next to the kids. Hermione took the parchment away from Remus who was still in shock and didn't seem to notice Hermione taking the parchment away.

Hermione looked at the parchment and gasped. She started shaking her head and said, "No. This can't happen."

Ron took a look at what Hermione was holding and fell back down into his seat. He and Hermione were finding it hard to breathe as Hermione dropped the parchment. Ginny slowly grabbed the parchment from the table and tears immediately formed at what she saw.

The parchment had an enchanted picture on it. There were ten figures dressed in black robes wearing white masks celebrating. Two of the figures in the middle were holding up what looked like somebody who was dead. It was Harry. His body was beaten up and bruised with blood covering his robes. The Deatheaters were celebrating because they managed to capture and kill Harry Potter. There was a note at the bottom of the picture that said, "One of your heroes is now dead. Harry Potter was easily killed and soon enough your last hero, Dumbledore, will join Potter."

Ginny dropped back to her seat and cried as everybody just stared at the parchment as tears started to fall from Remus and Ron. Ron went to pull Ginny into a hug to comfort her as the flames from the fireplace continued to roar as more and more Order members arrived at Grimmauld Place with copies of the parchment in their hand. Shortly afterwards, Dumbledore showed up with the assistance of Fawkes in the middle of the kitchen. He had no twinkle in his eyes, looked much rundown, and aged.

Professor Dumbledore asked, "Am I safe to assume that these fliers are all over England?"

Everybody in the room nodded and he continued to say, "We need to call an emergency Order meeting."

Mrs. Weasley ushered the children out of the room. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny went into the girls' room and sat there in silence. Ron was sitting on the ground between Hermione and Ginny who were sitting on their respective beds. After about half an hour of sitting in the dimly lit room, Hermione and Ginny were startled by Ron jumping up, punching the wall, and yelling, "Why did he have to do that? Why the bloody hell did Harry have to go off and get himself…?"

Ron couldn't finish what he wanted to say. Hermione went to hug him and the two collapsed onto the floor hugging each other with her mumbling comforting words into his ear that Ginny couldn't make out. Before they knew it, the three of them fell asleep from emotional exhaustion with Ginny sleeping on her bed and Hermione and Ron sleeping on the floor.

The next day, Grimmauld Place was extremely sedated. There were hardly any talking except for the occasional hellos and goodbyes. Dobby and Winky were also sad and were barely able to get their chores done. Dobby and Winky were setting the table for dinner when all of a sudden they looked at each other very startled and disappeared with a snap of their fingers. The Grangers, the Weasleys, Remus, Mad Eye, Tonks, and Dumbledore were at the table when the house elves disappeared. Everybody caught the odd expression on the two house elves but only Ron commented on it. He said, "That's weird. Why did run off like that?"

Professor Dumbledore seemed to be deep in thought with a hint of a twinkle returning to his eyes as everybody else seemed to shrug off what just happened including Ron. That night, everybody turned in early but everybody seemed to be lying awake in bed just staring at the ceiling.

The next day, the Order along with the Grangers and the Weasleys arrived at Kings Cross station with no problem. When they arrived onto platform 9 ¾ it did not seemed as crowded as in years past. The platform was quiet as there wasn't the same excitement as years past of friends meeting each other again after their summer break. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny ran into Luna and Neville in one of the train compartments to put their stuff away before they went off to the prefects meeting. Hermione was telling Ginny about prefect duties because Ginny became a 5th year prefect.

Hermione said, "Hi Neville. Hi Luna. How was your summer?"

Everybody said gave their greetings and Neville responded, "It was great until a few days ago." Nobody said anything because they knew that Neville was talking about the incident with Harry.

Luna followed up by saying, "It's good to see you all again," in her usual airy voice.

Ginny asked, "Can the two of you watch our trunks until we get back from the Prefects meeting, please?"

They bid each other goodbye and Ron, Hermione, and Ginny went off to their meeting near the front of the train. The meeting ended when they had completed ¾ of the journey to Hogwarts. Ron and Neville spent the rest of the train ride playing wizards chess, while Ginny and Luna were exchanging stories about their summer, with Hermione reading a book.

Just before the train arrived at Hogsmeade station, the slide door to their compartment was slammed open and appeared Draco Malfoy with Crabbe and Goyle at his side. Draco said, "Aww, look it's the squib, weasels, a mudblood, and loony. What are you going to do now since Potty isn't here to protect you anymore?"

Before the Slytherin trio knew what happened, they had four wands pointed directly at them with a few more pointed at them from various DA members that were standing by when Draco made his appearance know.

In a low and jarringly calm voice, Ron said, "You better run or we'll finish you off right here right now." Draco's eyes went wide and the three Slytherin made a hasty retreat to the comfort of the area of the train mainly occupied by other members of their house.

There were no other incidents on the train ride. The four Gryffindors bid farewell to Luna who made her way over to the Ravenclaw table as the rest of them headed over to their own table. The Great Hall did not have its usual splendor of color from the various houses and the professors seemed very tired and sad with the exception of Professor Snape. Instead of where the house banners would've flown, there were black banners floating under a completely black ceiling with the exception of the words, "In Memory of Harry James Potter."

When everybody was settled at their house tables, Professor McGonagall led in the first year students. They were huddled together with students that had fear shown on their face to others with a sense of awe at the beauty of the Great Hall. Ginny were among the students that felt sorry for these first years, as they were walking in, she said, "These kids are in for a rough year. Just look at them, they are full of fear with everything that has been going. They're just so innocent. They should be enjoying their childhood."

Hermione, Ron, and Neville nodded their agreement. Than Hermione pointed and said, "Look! It looks like Professor Lupin has returned and Tonks is on the staff now. I bet you they're our new Defense teachers."

The sorting hat began to sing its song as Hermione finished her statement so the other three couldn't say anything about Remus returning but all of them had smiling faces at the prospect that it might be true.

With another year another class arrives,
'Tis my burden to sort each class,
This year brings with it another trial,
Fear not for a hero will rise,
For this hero will it be one of you,

If it is Slytherin,
Than cunning and power he prides,
For true to Hufflepuff,
Than loyalty and equality will rise,
Into Ravenclaw,
Only a sharp mind and books are prized,
Or is it Gryffindor,
Where brazen courage can't hide,

In order to survive than this hero decides,
For he belongs not in one house or two,
It may be a boy or a girl of truth,

For warnings of the past were not heeded,
The dark days are here,
Within the dark a light will appear,
It will be bright for all hopes to fill,

Remember now a hero will rise.
It is now time to sort one and all,
Come and be called to witness the scene,
For the sorting is done for one and all.

There were some light clapping for most of the students were confused at what the sorting hat was talking about. After the little bits of clapping died down, Professor McGonagall went to stand by the sorting hat on the stool and said, "When I call your name come forward and sit on this stool to be sorted into your houses."

She looked around at the first years, sighed, pulled unrolled part of the parchment that she held in her right hand and said, "Anderson, Faith."

A short girl with curly brown hair slowly made her way up to the stool and sat on it. Professor McGonagall placed the hat on the girl's head and after some light murmuring from the sorting hat, it yelled out, "Ravenclaw!"

The girls face went from fear to relief as she hopped off the stool and joined the table that was clapping joyfully for her. This process continued on for the rest of the first years. Than there was a taller young lady standing alone facing Professor McGonagall. She was about 5' 9" tall, had blonde hair that curled near her shoulders, brilliant blue eyes, and had a light tan on her skin. She looked very confident as she stood there.

McGonagall stopped calling out names and turned to look at the headmaster. Professor Dumbledore stood up and said, "We have an exchange student this year from America. Her name is Kayla Rapp. While Miss Rapp will be studying at Hogwarts, Miss Pear from Hufflepuff will be studying at The American Institute of Magic. Please make her feel welcome for she will be placed in with the 6th years." The Great Hall erupted with the sound of clapping to welcome the new girl with some whistling from the male population. After the clapping died down, Dumbledore motioned with his right hand for Kayla to walk up and be sorted. Many of the guys were drooling over her beauty with many girls trying to knock some sense in their boyfriends or friends for making a fool of themselves.

Kayla took her seat on the stool and the sorting hat was placed on her. The sorting hat was debating between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor just loud enough that the rest of the hall was hearing it debate with itself. It paused and than yelled out, "Gryffindor!" The Gryffindor table erupted with excitement to welcome Kayla to their house. Kayla went down from the table and sat herself between Ginny and Hermione due to Hermione calling the girl over to join her. Kayla shook hands with all those around her and everything quieted back down as Professor Dumbledore stood up again and raised his hands to signal for silence.

When it was silent in the hall again, Dumbledore said, "I want to first start of welcoming everybody back to Hogwarts for another year." There was a pause for clapping. He than continued, "As you all have noticed, the house banners have been removed and black banners are floating under the bewitched ceiling, will everybody please bow your heads for a moment of silence to remember a great wizard named Harry Potter who passed away two days ago."

There was absolute silence in the hall and amazingly enough, half of the Slytherins were also bowing their heads and observing the moment of silence. After about half a minute, everybody lifted their heads and Dumbledore continued on by saying, "We have a surprise this year for everybody. Just this morning, I received a formal letter from the Headmaster of Durmstrang. Because of what happened in the Triwizard Tournament two years ago, Durmstrang has issued a challenge to Hogwarts to determine which school is best based on three different arenas." The solemn quiet that came with Harry's moment of silence disappeared as there were cheers from students and many yelling out, "We accept."

The Headmaster raised his hand again to calm the students than continued on by saying, "I see that Hogwarts have many students that will stand and defend the honor of this school." He took a deep breath and said, "The first arena lies in knowledge. There will be a written and practical during this part of the competition in three subjects as follows: Potions, Charms, Transfiguration, DADA, and any related fields. The second arena deals with athletics. The competition will be with the all star team from Durmstrang versus the all star team from Hogwarts." Many students became excited which included Ron and Ginny who started yelling, "We'll crush them."

Professor Dumbledore continued on, "The last task will be dueling. There will be a dueling tournament with five students from each school. For the nature of this competition, there is a possibility of a tie due to the possible results in each area. If there is a tie, there will be a random drawing where the two people representing their respective schools will duel to determine the winner. This competition is only opened to fifth years and up and a ten slot All-Star team will be selected to represent the school. Only half of the members of the team will be competing in each event except for quidditch which will have seven people for obvious reasons."

The students began to talk amongst themselves about the competition when the students quieted down again when Dumbledore said, "Selection for the team will be random. If you wish to compete than please submit your name with your head of house and a drawing will be conducted at dinner tomorrow night. Well, think about it tonight and tomorrow. I have one more announcement. I would like to introduce to you your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks. Due to the recent events, the ministry found it wise to have an extra defense teacher to help prepare students better."

There was a loud roar of cheering and clapping to welcome back Remus and welcome Tonks who were both blushing due to their welcome while they were standing and bowing to greet the students. With a wave of his hand, the tables filled with food from carved turkey to mashed potatoes with gravy to corn on the cob to cheesecake. There was so much food that it was inconceivable that the entire school would be able to finish all of the food. After the food appeared Dumbledore said, "Tuck in," than sat down and the feast began.

A hooded figure stood outside the Great Hall thinking, 'Looks like I'm going to have to do this. It seems like everybody lost their hope. Something big must be done to bring back people's hopes.'

There was lots of noise in the Great Hall now as most of the students were talking about who would be good and who would not be good for representing Hogwarts. Half way through the feast there was a loud noise heard through out the Great Hall. Everybody was alarmed and confused at what was happening. Than it happened again, there was a loud, "Boom!" shaking the large wooden doors to the Great Hall. After the second boom, Dumbledore and the teachers stood up with their wands drawn.

At that moment, a girl yelled, "Look, at the ceiling!"

The ceiling slowly changed as the night sky started to show through with stars shining brightly in its backset. The words, "In Memory of Harry James Potter," slowly disappeared. Then clouds could be seen floating across the ceiling and a crescent moon appeared over the eastern part of the sky. The words, "Tom Riddle, it is time for you to run and hide for I have returned, do not think that I can be killed that easily." The words were scrolling around the bottom edge of the ceiling in various colors for everybody to read. After the message to Riddle appeared, all of the black banners in the great hall started to flutter and wave as if a wind was blowing it. The banners reappeared with the crest of their respective houses over each table but every other banner was completely white. The Hogwarts banner that hung behind the head table changed from black and silver back to its varying colors and rising higher towards the ceiling. All of the floating candles through out the Great Hall started to shine brighter.

The large doors to the Great Hall slammed open against their respective walls and revealed a figure dressed in all black battle robes with their wand out. Nobody knew who it was because they were wearing their hood up which shielded most of its face. The figure walked forward into the Great Hall and made it half way towards the head table standing next to where Ginny, Hermione, and Kayla were sitting when Dumbledore, with a twinkle in his eye, yelled out, "Hold it. Who are you and reveal yourself."

The figure whistled and a blue and white phoenix flew into the Great Hall and landed on its shoulder. At that moment, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny were holding their breath with wide eyes hoping that the phoenix that just landed was Nightlight. The figure lowered its hood and revealed a green eyed, raven haired boy, with a lightning bolt scar on his forehead. It was no other than Harry James Potter.

Smiling mischievously, Harry said while lowering his hood, "In the words of an old enemy, 'Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts."

Harry raised his wand and made a simple flick and all the white banners changed to that of banners with the Potter Family Crest on it.

Ginny and Hermione jumped up to hug him as Ron jumped over the table to give Harry a manly one handed hug. Ginny asked with tears in her eyes, "Harry, we thought you were dead. There was a picture that was sent throughout England that showed that you died."

Harry leaned into her with a smile and said, "Pictures can be misleading. That was me but I didn't die yet. Obviously you can see."

Just about three fourths of the school tried to make their way over to Harry to see if it was really him and to welcome him back by shaking his hand which was mainly done by guys or girls who pulled him into a tight hug. Those girls that pulled him into a tight hug received glares from Ginny which Harry did not notice. Hermione, Ron, Neville, Dean, Seamus, and Ginny were trying to shield Harry from the mob that was forming and escort him to the head table.

The mob was slowly breaking up as the Professors were making their way down from the head table in an effort to restore order in the Great Hall. It took about ten minutes to get everything settled and calm. Dumbledore and Harry made their way to each other and Dumbledore said happily, "I see you've made it back Mr. Potter."

Harry smiled and said, "They're going to need much more than ten Deatheaters to take me down." There was a slight pause and Harry continued on by saying, "I guess you want to know what happened that day."

Dumbledore replied, "You are right, Mr. Potter. I would also like to verify that you are him."

Harry nodded and said, "Would you like to do this in your office or over in that room?" Harry was pointing to the room by the head table where two years ago the school champions were assembled after the selection for the tri-wizard tournament.

Dumbledore said, "I believe my office will do. Will you follow me please?"

It was more of a command than a request but Harry made to follow before he asked, "Professor, can Remus, Tonks, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, and Luna come also?"

Dumbledore thought about it for a second and said, "Bring them along if you like."

The group made their way to the Headmaster's office accompanied by McGonagall. When in the office, Harry sat in a chair directly in front of the desk with everybody else sitting in other chairs or sofas or standing somewhere around Harry. Moments later, Professor Snape showed up with a bottle that contained clear liquid in it.

Dumbledore said, "Harry, this is Veritaserium. Will you please drink the entire contents of this bottle?" He handed the bottle over to Harry.

Harry took the bottle and looked at it for a moment, and said, "Sir, I would like this to happen without the presence of Professor Snape."

Snape and Harry glared at each other for a moment but were than interrupted by Dumbledore saying, "Harry, you can trust Professor Snape. I have the utmost confidence in him."

Harry replied, "Professor, you may have that confidence in him but I don't."

Dumbledore took a breath and said, "Alright, will you please leave us Severus."

Snape turned to the Headmaster, nodded, and left the room. After the door was closed, Harry drank the contents of the bottle and the questioning began.

Dumbledore asked, "What is your name?"

Harry said, "Harry James Potter."

"Who were your parents?"

"James and Lily Potter."

"Who was your godfather?"

"Sirius Black."

"Who is your current guardian?"

"Remus Lupin."

Dumbledore nodded his approval and the tension in the room disappeared but was replaced by the anticipation of what happened during the day that Harry supposedly died. It took another five minutes for the potion to wear off and Harry came back to reality with every eye in the room staring at him. He felt a bit self-conscious of himself with all the eyes on him like that than asked, "Did I pass the test?"

All the girls in the room minus McGonagall gave Harry a hug and all the men gave him a pat on the back with the exception of Remus who took him into a tight hug. Everybody was smiling and than Professor Dumbledore smiling with all the happiness evident in his eyes cleared his throat which caught everybody's attention. He told Harry, "It's good to have you back Harry. Can you tell us what happened two days ago?"

Harry nodded and took a deep breath and said, "This can take awhile. Everybody should sit down for this one."

A/N: Here are the responses to my reviewers from chapter 7.

Socalstephy: Well, I hope that you're happy with this chapter also and I'm setting it up right now for much more interaction between Harry and Ginny with a Hermione and Ron and a Remus and Tonks twist. There's possibly a Luna and Neville coupling but not sure how to work it all yet.

Dancerrdw: Thanks for your reviews. I hope this chapter was just as good for you.

Apatel37: Thank you. I've been working from a rough outline that I've written so far that will last up to Christmas in the Harry Potter time frame. At least, I hope that it will last up to Christmas. Don't worry; I plan on finishing this story.

Whitefish: Thank you for your review. The Dobby and Winky part is going to become important later on in the story. I just really hated Kreatcher so I had to finish him off. If you have recommendations when good days and times to update are please let me know. I think it might be good to update when there's not much updating so there's something new to read on

Everpresent: I realize that Harry is becoming increasingly powerful but don't worry. I don't plan on making it easy for him. At least when the story continues after Christmas in the story. The three phoenixes do make it harder to believe but that will play an important role later on.