Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter 1

Who says you can never go back home again?

It was the first time that Harry Potter had returned to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry since the downfall of Voldemort, some 14 years earlier. As he stepped inside the entrance way into the Entrance Hall he was shocked by the great marble statue of Albus Dumbeldore that had been placed in the center of the room. Though Harry had been invited to see it unveiled, he had passed. This was the first time he had seen it. The monument was in honor of the only Headmaster of Hogwarts to have given his life while protecting his students. As emotions weld up in Harry, tears began to fill his eyes and blur his vision; he could almost swear that he saw the stone eyes twinkle at him. As had become his custom when walking in populated areas of the wizarding world, Harry put his eyes to the ground and marched forward to the Great Hall. Always trying to go unnoticed was hard, though his appearance was starkly different from what most people remembered of him. Gone were the glasses, which were always a dead give away. The unruly school boy hair had thinned, just a bit, which allowed it to sit long, straight and relaxed at shoulders length. Of course the tell tale scar was still there, but now it had faded appearing almost healed. He had filled out well and was stared out now as much for his general good looks, then for peoples immediate recognizing of him.

Headmistress Minerva McGonagall stood by the doors to the Great Hall, the warm memory of his first day at Hogwarts, waiting to be sorted into a house, forced a smile onto Harry's face.

"It's good to see you Professor….er Headmistress McGonagall" Harry stammered out.

"Since we are at school I will let that slide Harry, but I told you, I would really be pleased if you were able to call me Minerva."

It was McGonagall's letter that had brought Harry out of peaceful seclusion 3 months ago. Harry was possibly having the best day in his life. Ginny, his wife of 12 years and he were at her family home announcing that they were expecting their third child, their first girl. As the Weasley Men were pouring Fire Whiskey Shots, a large dark grey owl pecked at the windows. Molly Weasley, Ginny's mother rushed to open the pane. The Nobel bird had an envelope in its beak.

"It's from Hogwarts?" Molly said with a note of mild surprise. "And it's addressed to you Harry." She passed him the letter and frowned "I thought the family would be the first to know? That better not be congratulations from Remus."

James Albus Potter age 10 and his brother Charlie Sirius Potter age 8 ½ ran up to their father excited. "School letters Dad? I thought James had to wait another year? Is it for us dad? "

The letter had been for Harry from the Headmistress and it was a request to meet and discuss a small favor. And now Harry was here back at the school going to the Great Hall for a feast.

"How is Ginny, Harry? And the boys?" Minerva asked. "The boys are a bit anxious to get to school and start doing magic actually, a Hogwarts letter alone made them go crazy. You're going to have your hands full with them. Ginny couldn't be better and the baby is due sometime next month." Harry beamed.

Minerva placed her hand on Harry's arm, "I know the timing could not be worse, Harry, but you presence here means a lot to me, well to everyone for that matter. Please thank and apologize to Ginny for me again. Ah, and I'm sure you have a way for her to contact you here at the school if the baby comes?" Harry reached into his robes and retrieved a small hand held mirror. The Headmistress nodded her approval. "If you want to bring the boys with you anytime this year Harry you know they are welcome."

Harry smiled, "We will see how they are behaving, Prof…Minerva when are the students due?" Harry asked.

"We still have about 30 minutes before they arrive I'll walk you back to the antechamber, I believe you will remember that room form your 4th year. The delegation from each ministry is there already." As the Headmistress began to lead Harry, her hand still kindly on his arm, Harry slowed the pace, "Would it possible to wait in the staff room, maybe visit with Remus?"

"I have never objected to you wanting to avoid the Ministry, Harry, and I'm sure all our teachers would enjoy your company for a while. But unfortunately you will be with-out Remus' company this is not a good night for Professor Lupin."

Harry looked up at the enchanted ceiling and noticed the full moon. He also noticed for the first time how immaculate the Great Hall looked. Long silken banners extended down from the ceiling representing each house, the finest gold and silver dinner ware were out. Harry turned to the Headmistress,

"Headmistress McGonagall you look lovely with your hair not in a bun…I mean look very nice."

Looking a bit perturbed and a bit flush at the same time Minerva smiled, "Very nice of you to notice Harry, at least you didn't say I look good for my age, almost 80 you know."

Harry smiled a bit out of embarrassment and bit out of how nice it was to be walking through Hogwarts peacefully with the Headmistress.

"Now I will leave you in the capable hands of our Professors, for the feast you will be seated to my right with Minister Scrimgeour on your other side." As Harry began to speak he was cut off, "Please Harry it is just for an hour at most, and I think you will be fine."

She opened the door to the staff room, which was full. Harry was greeted by a room full of surprised faces; part of Harry's agreement for participating was secrecy leading up to today. Narcissa Malfoy (Potions) looked Harry straight in the eye and walked past him and out of the lounge. Professor Nymphadora Tonks (Transfiguration), shoved her way through the teachers, and grasped Harry firmly by the shoulders.

"Wotcher Harry, Gin mad she's not here?"

"Actually Tonks it's the boys who were upset to get left at home. How is Remus?"

"He is doing fine Harry, after dinner you should be able to hear him in the Shrieking Shack. As soon as this all over with, I'll be changing, if you know what I mean, and visiting him. I'll make sure he knows you asked after him."

Before Harry could get a word out he noticed a nearly trampled diminutive Professor Filius Flitwick, Charms, stand in front of him.

"Good to see you Harry, how is Ginny, and the boys?"

"She is doing great thank you, she was disappointed she is too far along to come tonight as well. I think you will be meeting the boys soon enough, James next year and Charlie the year after that."

"Actually Harry this is my last year, I've wanted to retire for quite awhile now."

"Well, you'll be sorely missed Professor."

Before Harry could inquire about a replacement he was swamped by the rest of the room. Everyone greeted him warmly. Professor Wihelmina Gruppy-Plank, (Care of Magical Creatures), was thrilled that Harry remembered her, and asked how Rubeus Hagrid, her predecessor, and his brother Gwarp were doing at Beauxbatons School in France. Alicia Spinnet, (Flying), an old Quidditch teammate of Harry's greeted him with a big hug, and inquired into the boys flying skills considering their parents talent and all. Augustus Pye, school healer, mentioned how many notes regarding maladies he had suffered had appear in the margins of books in the infirmary. Harry was warmly hugged by sweet Professor Pomona Sprout, (Herbology) who remarked to Harry that she was looking to retire soon, & was hoping to solicit his help in finding a replacement. Harry tried to say as quick a hello as possible to Professor Sibyll Trelawney, (Divination) she smelled a bit of sherry and if he never heard another prediction, prophesy or vision, it would be too soon. This was followed by some very quick and gracious greetings with Professor Sinistra (Astronomy), Professor Vector (Arithmancy), Professor Tofty (Librarian) who reminded Harry that she had given him many of his OWLS and his NEWTS, and Professor Binns (History of Magic).

"Neville is that you?" Smiled a pimply bald man with a heavy cockney accent. "Low dare 'Arry, jobs going great, thanks a lot Arry."

Harry firmly shook the man's hand "Glad your happy here Stan, sorry that the appeal didn't work, you doing ok with-out magic?"

"Was never all that good at it any way."

Stan Shunpike had been falsely imprisoned as a Death Eater, though he had been finally

released, his wand had been snapped and he would never be allowed to practice magic again.

In the spirit of second chances and righting Ministry wrongs Minerva with some proding from

Harry had placed Stan as the new Care Taker for Hogwarts 5 years prior. There were still two

people remaining in the room. Firenze was a magnificent centaur who taught Divination along

with, or somewhat in spite of, Trelawney.

"Professor it is a pleasure to see you, how are you?" Harry asked. "Nice to see you Harry Potter, I was not always sure that I would have the chance to see you again." As Harry was about to inquire as to the meaning of the cryptic greeting, Firenze chuckled. "I'm well Harry, but alas I miss the Forest." Once again Harry was interrupted before he could speak.

"I'm not sure if you remember me Harry, we went to..."

"Of course I remember you, Justin. Congratulations on the new post as Professor of Muggle Studies."

This of course was Justin Finch-Fletchley who was a student at Hogwarts in the same year as Harry.

"Thanks Harry, good to see you, how is Ginny and your boys?"

Before Harry could reply the Headmistress open the staff room and reminded the staff it was time to be in the great hall. As Harry got to the door she asked,

"Not too bad I hope Harry?"

"Not bad at all, no detentions and of course Malfoy left, just couldn't get a word in edgewise."

Harry and the Headmaster didn't see eye to eye as far as Narcissa Malfoy was concerned. Harry headed up to the long table at the head of the room. After all the teachers were seated there remained 4 seats open at the High Table. The room was teaming with students filling into seats at each of their houses tables. Harry smiled and waved at the small collection of red heads at the Gryffindor table, and the lone blond haired and blue eyed Weasley at the Ravenclaw table. Once he had received a wave from Cornelius Weasley at the Syltherin table he waved back. The Headmistress got up to speak.

Please feel free to review, criticize and correct as much as you want. This is a first for me and just some fun.