Hey, just finished the 3rd chapter. Oh and by the way, this story will seem like it's going on for a while lol but bear with me because I'm planning on making it quite long so it should kick into action soon. Still only had one review so I don't know whether to carry on… anyway, on with the story. Phil.

Home, Sweet Home

The house woke early the next morning to wish Harry and Dobby a safe trip. Harry thought this weird as he was only going to Hogwarts but accepted the gesture happily. After several rounds of toast, thanks to Mrs Weasley, they gathered there stuff and were soon standing in front of the fire ready to apparate to Hogsmeade.

"Goodbye Harry, dear. Have a good time and say hello to Minerva for me." Mrs Weasley said, hugging Harry and to his surprise, Dobby. "Don't forget, dinner will be on the table tomorrow evening, ready for when you get back."

"Ok Mrs Weasley. Thanks" Harry said. "Goodbye everyone"

A chorus of 'goodbyes' came from the room as Harry and Dobby apparated to Hogwarts together. Harry felt the familiar feeling of being squeezed and compacted as though trying to fit through a hole the size of a pin head. He was used the sensation now though, and as soon as it had come, it disappeared as Harry's feet hit the floor with Dobby landing just next to him.

He looked around; they were outside the Hog's Head. Sadness filled him as he remembered the last time he was here. I was the night that Dumbledore had been killed by Snape. Harry blinked, stopping his eyes filling with tears in case Dobby were to look. They set off up the steep road to Hogwarts. As they reached the gates they were faced with a problem they had not anticipated. The gates were locked.

"Of course" muttered Harry, more to himself than to Dobby. He was ready to turn round and set off to the Three Broomsticks when he caught a glimpse of a familiar large man trudging up the grounds of the castle.

"HAGRID!" Harry bellowed, hoping his friend heard him. 'Ah!' he thought, he knew just the spell that would work. He remembered the spell Ludo Bagman had used four years back, at the Quidditch World Cup as he pointed his wand to his throat.

"Sonorus" he said and when he next called to get Hagrid's attention he only had to whisper as his voice had been magnified so much that people back in Hogsmeade could have heard him.

Hagrid paused and looked round. "Down here Hagrid. At the gates!" Harry squeaked. Hagrid looked down and upon seeing Harry let out a cry of utter joy and ran down towards the gates, causing the ground around him to shudder violently.

"'Arry! Wha' are you doin' here? Ain' seen ya in ages! An' ya brough' lil' Dobby too." Hagrid said when he reached them, a huge grin breaking his puffing face.

"Quietus" Harry mumbled, his voice returning to its normal volume. "Uhm… hey Hagrid. I'm here to see Professor McGonagall. She said that the governors where thinking of bringing Snape in to be headmaster! It can't be true can it Hagrid?" Hagrid faltered slightly as though disappointed that Harry wasn't here to see him but continued as though it hadn't fazed him.

"'Fraid so 'Arry. Found ou' t'other week. I was jus' as 'orrified as you, mind. 'Ya can' do this!' I told 'em, bu' they'd already made up their minds 'adn't they? Ruddy fools." Hagrid said, his anger over the news clearly showing. "Oh an' I'm sorry 'Arry, Professor McGonagall left this mornin'. Didn' say were she were goin' tho'. Jus' said she'll be back t'morra, 'fore breakfast."

"Oh" said Harry, disappointed over the wasted journey. "Right well, I'll be seeing you around Hagrid." He said.

" Don' be stupid 'Arry! Ya comin' in fer some tea wit' me an' Fang an' I'll ge' Filch ter fix ya up a bed in the Gryffindor tower. The school's empty ova the summa'." Hagrid insisted, clearly not allowing Harry to decline.

"Are you sure? I don't want to cause any bother. I could just come back another time." Hagrid obviously didn't hear Harry as he was already unlocking the gates and shuffling Harry and Dobby into the grounds. Together, they walked past the huge lake and up to Hagrid's cabin, bringing back many memories for Harry.

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Harry had yet again had another dream-ridden sleep that night. With the severe memories of his time at Hogwarts, especially when he had come to the Gryffindor tower, his mind was racing with what had happened. He stood up; thinking one of his usual wanders was what was needed. He wouldn't need his old map or invisibility cloak tonight as the castle was empty. As he climbed out of the portrait hole he wondered where he could go and he suddenly realised of the one place he had wanted to visit since he last left the school.

As Harry reached the familiar statue of a gargoyle, he paused. He no longer knew the password for Dumbledore's new office since McGonagall had taken over. He stood wondering what to do when the gargoyle suddenly came to life.

"Name?" it said roughly.

"Erm… Harry Potter" said Harry not knowing where to speak to.

"Do you have an appointment with Headmistress McGonagall?" the statue asked, reminding Harry of a muggle secretary.

"Well, no I just though I would come up to see this office again. It's ok though, I'll be off now" said Harry, feeling defeated.

"Harry Potter, you say? Well, my previous master thought extremely highly of you. I seem to remember him allowing exclusive entrance for you. I suppose that's good enough for me. I'll let you in just this once, Mr Potter.

"Uhm… thanks" said Harry.

With that the gargoyle stepped aside revealing a large spiral staircase moving upwards, like an escalator. Harry waited, surprised and curious of the statues willingness to let him past. Nevertheless he stepped onto the staircase and was taken up to a large oak door.

Harry opened the door and stopped as distant memories crashed over him like a wave of ice cold water. As Harry looked around he noticed the office had hardly changed since McGonagall had moved in. The only difference was the absence of Fawkes, Dumbledore's pet phoenix and his many obscure objects littering the place, bringing it too life. The office seemed dead and uncomfortable, much different to the days when Dumbledore was master.

There was also something else. Something Harry had completely forgotten about, but its presence brought a sensation of hope and joy like no other. It was the portrait of Dumbledore.

The old Professor was sleeping, snoring softly in the portrait and had a look as though a happy dream was filling his sleep. Harry studied the portrait and it was only then that Harry noticed an envelope in Dumbledore's hand which had not been there last time. An envelope addressed, in Dumbledore's own smooth writing, to a 'Mr Harry Potter'.