Chapter Thirteen- Resuming

Harry couldn't help smirking as he walked away.

Keeping to the shadows, Harry swiftly made his way back to the headmaster's office. He was well trained in remaining unseen, could do so at will, and none he passed had a vague notion he had been near them. As he skirted the edge of the front hall, his steps faltered, his expression shuttered, and he took in a deep breath.

Forcefully he made himself turn and continue through the school, leaving behind him so many of the people he had once thought not to see again. He heard laughter and gossip running from student to student, as they made their way to the Great Hall, and heard the teachers calling warnings to the loudest. Rubeus Hagrid's voice sounded loudly, and rather than think of his friend, Harry quickened his pace.

Travel became easier when he got to hallways that had already cleared of people, and he sighed as he slowed his footsteps. He ran a hand along the stone wall, feeling the cool stone that was at once so familiar and so forgotten. When he reached a large window facing the front lawn, Harry allowed himself to halt. Gazing over the shaded grounds, a bitter smile quirked his lips. Home.

Finally he turned from the view and walked somberly to the stone guardian and up the spiral stairs. He had barely raised his hand to knock on the thick door when it swung open. Walking in, he was greeted cheerfully.

"Well, my boy!" called Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling. "And how was it, as dreadful as expected?"

Harry raised an eyebrow and offered a wry grin. "Of course, Headmaster."

"Yes, well, I'm sure you did just fine. I see you are still in one piece. Your godfather was rather worried about that." Albus chuckled as he took a sip from his teacup.

Glancing at Sirius who sat with a miffed expression, Harry grinned. "I'm sure if I was in more than one part, it would be only because of my terrible grasp of Potions. Despicable things, really. Slimy."

Sirius nodded whole-heartedly, his face clearing of all negative emotion. "Quite right, Harry."

Before Sirius could go on, the fireplace flared and Remus Lupin stepped out slightly unsteadily. Regaining his balance and brushing soot off his robes, Remus smiled at them.

"Doing better, Harry?" he asked, clapping a hand to the younger wizard's shoulder.

Harry nodded with a lift of the lips, and Remus squeezed his arm before letting go. The werewolf dropped into a chair close to Sirius with a casual grace. He reached over and took Sirius' teacup, downing a long sip from it. Handing it back to the Animagus, he smirked widely at his partner's vexed look.

"Everything is set, Albus," Remus stated, turning to the headmaster.

"Excellent," responded Dumbledore. Then to Harry, he explained, "I felt that for the next few days, while you took your placement exams, you would stay at Grimmauld Place with Sirius and Remus. They're living there anyway, for the time being, since the person that is substituting for them is remaining until the end of the week. Is that acceptable? Might give you more of a chance to catch up, without resulting in major injuries." Albus smiled, and Harry raised his brow in a playful petulant expression, before it changed to a grin.

Harry then nodded, recognizing the headmaster's gesture for what it was- a way to ease back in to school, and get used to everything.

Dumbledore nodded once and looked at each of the wizards before him in turn. "Wonderful. Now, Harry, the other teachers have assured me that the exams will be ready tomorrow or the next day, so if you would merely Floo in here in the morning," he said, and Harry nodded again.

"Great," said Sirius, standing up. "Since that is set, Remus, Harry, why don't we head to Grimmauld Place? I, for one, am rather hungry."

"You're always hungry, Padfoot," groused Remus, but he stood as well, placing a hand at the small of Sirius' back.

Harry met the headmaster's amused gaze with his own, and shook his head. After a quick farewell, the three younger wizards moved over to the fireplace. Remus and Sirius swiftly went through. Albus halted Harry as he reached for the powder canister.

"Just a moment, my boy," he called. "Harry, would you mind releasing the stasis spell? As much as I've loved the rare quiet, I find myself bereft of company, and actually missing the annoyance of the sounds."

Flashing a slightly sheepish look, Harry quickly said, "Of course, Headmaster. Slipped my mind." Pulling out his wand, he muttered, "Consistere Finite."

Dumbledore looked thoughtful. "What is the incantation for the spell itself? I find I could definitely use it."

Harry grinned. "Consistere Adhuc Mora. Wave the wand in an arc to encompass what needs it."

"Curious. Very curious."

Harry blinked. "Are you friends with Mr. Ollivander?"

Albus refocused on him. "Yes, but why do you ask?"

"No reason. What's curious?"

The headmaster watched him for a moment with a furrowed brow. Finally shaking his head, he answered, "Only that I had heard of part of that spell from long ago, but can't remember ever learning it."

Harry nodded. "It was found in an old text, something from before Hogwarts' founder's time, I think. The Academy was one of the few places anywhere to teach it."

"Ah." Albus stroked a hand down his beard. "Well, I've held you up long enough. Good evening."

"Good evening." Harry stepped into the hearth, the green flames whipping him away as he heard the confused portraits questioning the sighing headmaster.

Landing readily in the other grate with a smile, he stepped out to see the concerned faces of the others.

"Harry!" Sirius exclaimed, sighing in relief. "What took so long? I knew you should have gone before me."

Harry fought down a flash of annoyance. "The headmaster wanted a quick word, that's all."

"Oh. Okay, well, just be careful."

Harry pasted a smile across his lips and nodded. As he turned away, he gave in to the urge to roll his eyes. He moved over to the table and only then, looked back at the other men. Remus walked over and sat down, gesturing for Harry to as well.

"Ignore him, he's just . . ."

"Over-protective? Smothering?"

"Worried." Remus shook his head. "You know, it is hard for any of us not to be, what with you only coming back yesterday. Not to mention our little trip's abrupt ending." He turned to Sirius. "Speaking of which, I can't remember everything about it. It's kind of hazy. Is it to you?" Harry maintained an innocent expressing, also looking at his godfather.

"No," Sirius answered, his mood clearly disgruntled.

Remus sighed. "Sirius, get over it. Come on, let's make dinner. No Harry, you relax, we'll do it." He pushed Harry back into his seat.

Fortunately, Lupin dropped the subject of the fight. Harry knew that memory charms only worked so well on magical creatures, even werewolves, and wasn't in the mood to make up another story to appease Remus' curiosity.

Dinner was an amiable affair, none of the group wishing to continue with any irritation toward one another. Conversation remained light, and for the most part, awkwardness was avoided. After supper, the group retired to a drawing room, and the two older wizards regaled Harry with stories from the past couple years, and even a few from their school days. Refusing to let in melancholy emotions, Harry was free to enjoy the time. Before they realized it, the clock struck ten.

"Blimey, I didn't know it was so late," Sirius muttered, glancing at the large grandfather timepiece near the mantel. "You really should get some rest, Harry. Considering your exams."

Harry sighed in exasperation, but agreed and bid the others good night. Once he was back in the room he had woken up in earlier, as that was the one Sirius told him to use, he pulled the bind from his hair and ran a hand through it. He wasn't used to being parented, he really wasn't. While he could understand that they meant well, Harry knew that he was going to have a time putting up with it.

Quickly, he discarded his robes and pulled off his shirt. Clad only in his trousers, he walked over to a large looking-glass.

"Well, you are a nice little thing, aren't you?" teased the high pitched voice of the mirror.

Raising an eyebrow, Harry waved his hand with a muttered spell. Instantly the giggling the thing had started, ceased. Shaking his head, he sighed again. Then he ran a hand over the slight white scar across his chest, tracing it over his ribs. Glancing behind him, he flicked his wrist, incanting a warding spell over the door, windows, and mirror. Once sure no one would see, he muttered another incantation.

Swiftly the Glamour charm fell away, a touch of blue light running down his body. Behind it left a number of equally light scars, barely noticeable unless one was rather close. His eyes trailed up his reflection to his tattoos, the phoenix showing especially bright. He found himself very glad he had done a full body concealing spell, so that he didn't have to explain just where the marks came from to anyone who had seen him unclothed. And that the variation was one which did show any wounds received after putting it on, otherwise, that really would have been difficult to explain. Considering besides myself, the only ones that have a hope of dispelling the charm are a little far away, Harry thought.

Turning away from the looking-glass, Harry quickly recast the Glamour, making sure it would remain until taken off. Taking down the wards, but leaving the silencing charm on the mirror, he finished getting ready for bed. He fell asleep, though it was only by forcing himself that he was able.

A/N: A major 'Thank You!' to all my reviewers. The fact that you deem this worthy to review makes writing it that much more enjoyable. Your comments are much appreciated, as I think my Muse has become addicted. ;-) Thank you.

And of course, to all my readers- Thank you kindly, and I hope you continue to enjoy.

Shameless Ploy- if you like darker one-shots, read my new very short one, Surrendering To Shadow. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Original Spell Latin:
Consistere- to stand fast
Adhuc- still
Mora- stoppage