The three portkey travelers land on the platform of the Hogwarts Express. The train was, of course, not there since it was not needed at the moment. One lands gracefully while the other two land slightly awkward.
Harry feels his feet slam into something solid but can't catch himself before his knee's buckle from the pressure. He falls flat on his face. Getting his all black clothing dusty from the platform.
Hermione stumbles to keep her balance once her feet touch the solid platform and she succeeds. She manages to grab a nearby bench to keep from going down.
Remus Lupin, former Professor, lands gracefully. He raises a thin gray eye brow at the two teenagers and can't help the grin tugging on the corner of his mouth. It was a funny sight to say the least. "Let me help you there, Harry" He walks over and hauls Harry to his feet. "All right then?" He then motions for the two to follow him after he checked to make sure the coast was clear.
Harry snorts as he begins to again brush his clothing off. He lets out a groan seeing that the dust was refusing to brush off. "I'm fine" He mumbles and follows Remus. Walking side by side with Hermione. "What are you doing, sir?"
Lupin glances back at Harry and blinks. "I'm making sure that there aren't any deatheaters around. Several were spotted on the outskirts a few weeks ago. We've not sure why." He says with a shrug as he continues to walk.
Hermione shakes her head and reaches over to help Harry brush himself off but gives up seeing that the dust was being stubborn. "It's no use Harry. Black is not the color to wear if your going to get dirty."
Harry frowns and runs a hand through his red hair. "I didn't know that I was going to get dirty today, Mione. I can't help it that portkey's knock me off my feet." He mumbles.
Remus stops walking and looks back at the two. "Why are the two of you wearing all black?" He eyes them from head to toe.
Hermione looks down at her feet. "Well, it's kind of a funny story actually." She rubs the back of her neck. "Maybe we'll tell you it sometime" She says quickly and walks passed him.
Harry lets out a throaty laugh. "Black is not our prime pick in clothing color but we had no choice in the matter." He says with a shrug and follows Hermione.
Lupin shakes his head. "Kids" He mutters but follows after them. "You don't seem to afraid of the fact that deatheaters might be lurking around here."
"What is there to be afraid of?" Harry asks but continues to walk. "I've never been afraid of anything that dealt with Vol..Lord Voldemort so why start now. Besides, I think we can take care of ourselves."
"All deatheaters are not bad. Some of them are just misguided or even forced into serving. They can't help it so why fear them?" Hermione asks.
Remus blinks. "All deatheaters are bad. No one can be forced into joining that snake. Most people would rather die than serve in his ranks." He says with a frown.
Harry snorts again. "You don't know anything about them, sir. So I suggest that you keep your opinions to yourself and his name is Lord Voldemort. To fear a name is to give satisfaction to the one who created it." He says simply.
The werewolf sighs. "Ok. I get your point. Are you excited to be going back to Hogwarts?"
Hermione shrugs. "Not really. Before we left I was nothing but a bookworm trying to deal with the death of one of my best friends. Not to mention the fact that I was one of the school Prefects. Being out in the real world opened my eyes to new possibilities and relationships." She shots a glance at Harry. "I've accepted Ron's death but I do not accept the fact that we are being left in the dark about what happened. We were his best friends. We did everything together and Dumbledore is denying us the closure that we need. My trust in the headmaster is wearing thin." She says quietly.
"I once backed Dumbledore one hundred percent. I never asked any questions and I did what I was told. But he has kept so many things from me over the years that I had the right to know from the get go. He then tried to force me into caring for a sister that I never knew I had. He acted childishly by placing her in Snape's care. It was a ploy to get me jealous but it didn't work. I left instead and I bet he believed that I would return on my own accord but I proved him wrong. I have no reason to trust him anymore." Harry says.
The former Professor nods. "I agree with both of you. I'm beginning to question some of his orders. Maybe he is to old to be running a school. It's time for him to step aside and let someone younger take the role. It might be for the best." He says hesitantly.
Soon Hogwarts castle looms in front of them. All three of them stop at the large oaken doors that lead inside. Remus raises his hand and grips one of the large brass knockers. He pounds it three times on the door and steps back.
Harry and Hermione both flinch at the three large bangs. And this does not go unnoticed by Lupin. The a series of noises can be heard from inside and the door swings open. They are greeted by the withered face of Professor McGonagall. Her eyes light up seeing Remus, one of her former famous students. "What brings you here?" She asks
Remus clears his throat. "I must speak with Professor Dumbledore, immediately." His voice is serious.
"Well..Albus..The headmaster is in a very important meeting at the moment and he left direct orders not to be interrupted. Your just going to have to wait, I'm afraid." McGonagall says trying to get a peak of the other two figures hovering behind Remus.
"I think the cat had her tongue there for a moment, sir." Harry says from behind Lupin. "She stuttered trying to make up excuses for him." He says in a mocking tone.
Hermione places a hand over her mouth to stiffen the laugh that was bubbling up her throat. "Oh be nice, Harry. We wouldn't want to lose points from Professor Kitty Cat now would we." She smirks at her own joke.
Remus blinks and turns to look at the two teens. "What are you two doing?" He was trying to stop the smile that was creeping across his lips.
Minerva McGonagall narrows her eyes at the two teenagers. "Well. Such ill mannered children you have brought with you this time, Remus. If they were to attend this school they would be duly punished for their rude comments." She huffs. "You may come in and wait for Albus." She says moving out of the doorway.
Harry and Hermione push in before Remus can even take a step. "Duly punished? Well punish away, Professor McGonagall. I would hand in my prefect badge but that was confiscated a number of months ago." Harry says.
McGonagall eyes the two figures now identified as one male and one female. She frowns before setting her lips in a tight line. "Are you telling me that you attend Hogwarts?"
Hermione rolls her eyes. "Give the lady a prize. She got it right with only one clue." She claps her hands, lazily before she feels a hand being placed over her mouth. She looks over and see's the same being done to Harry.
"You must excuse them. It's been a long journey and I'm sure they are exhausted. All will be explained as soon as we speak with the headmaster." Remus says keeping his hands firmly over the two loose jawed teenagers mouths.
Minerva huffs again but makes no movement to leave. She was sizing up the two teens trying to get a feel for them. She didn't recognize them. She nods her head briskly. "It's alright. I understand. Albus has been in the meeting for several hours now. I still can't believe it." She mumbles.
Remus blinks. "Believe what?" He was confused.
"Oh my. You don't know. We got a shock several hours ago. Lily and James Potter appeared on our doorstep. I about fainted but managed to get them ushered up the headmasters office before anyone saw them not that anyone would know them." McGonagall says.
Remus feels Harry and Hermione go rigged and can almost spell the anger coming off of them. "Lily and James are here, right now? I can't believe it. How are they alive? What about Harry?"
The elderly deputy headmistress holds up her hands. "I do not know. Albus would not let me stay for the meeting. But he did have be bring that dreadful little child in before hand."
"Now now, Professor. That is no way to speak about a child." A silky, sarcastic voice says from the shadows. It belongs to Severus Snape who shows himself. He eyes the two teenagers carefully.
Harry narrows his eyes at the greasy haired Professor and contemplates bitting Remus's hand to speak. But he stays silent and still.
McGonagall gives a small snort before retreating up the stairs. She did not like to be told that she was wrong and would not stick around to hear anymore.
"So you've heard all about Potter and his miraculous return from the dead. Come for a reunion, then?" Snape asks, sneering at Remus.
Remus sets his lips into a tight line. "I've come to speak to Professor Dumbledore about an important issue concerning these two." He removes his hands from their mouths not caring if they tore into Snape.
Severus raises a black eye brow. "What would the headmaster want with a pair of muggles?"
Harry growls. "We are not muggles and keep your unnecessary comments to yourself." He says with a sneer.
"I think you've over done yourself this time, werewolf." Snape says sarcastically. "Next your going to be trying to tell me that these insufferable children are our own missing Gryffindors." After the words leave his mouth his arm begins to burn. He places a hand over it and squeezes trying to get the pain to subside.
Harry and Hermione both raise their hands to their arms and begin to rub. The burning was painful and there was no way to stop it but answer the call. They knew that the burning meant that Voldemort was calling for his deatheaters to assemble but they didn't know how they knew. They had never been to any of the meetings before and this was the first time that the pain was actually something other than a dull throb. The two teens look around wild eyed. What were they going to do?
Remus watches Harry and Hermione's movements after looking away from Snape. He frowns. "Are you two ok?" He asks quietly.
Harry swallows and blinks back the tears. "Ya. It's just a muscle spasm. We get them sometimes at the same time. Do you think that he will take much longer? I want to get this done and over with." The pain was making him irritable.
Hermione grits her teeth and continues to rub. "I really hate these spasms. Remind me to boil my arm off next time we have potions." She mumbles.
Severus narrows his eyes at the two teens. They were up to something but the pain in his own arm needed to be answered. "I must take my leave." He turns and heads down towards the dungeon with his robe bellowing out behind him. Making him look like a oversized bat.
Lupin watches as Snape hastily retreats. "I wonder what he is up to? Tormenting someone or something, I'd imagine."
Harry shakes his head. "No. He is being summoned to a deatheaters meeting. I still don't see how Lord Voldemort doesn't know about his treachery. He is very obvious."
Remus sighs. "Can you two do me a favor? Take off the charms that you have in place and let me see the real Harry and Hermione." He asks, tiredly.
Hermione appears to think for a moment before taking her wand out of it's hiding place. She points it at Harry before she mutters the counter charm. She then does the same for herself. Both revert to their originals selves except for a few minor changes.
Harry had the most change. He now stood over 6 feet tall and was no longer lanky. He looked as if he spent all his free time working out in a muggle gym. His hair returned to it's original unruly state. Black hair now replaced red and green eyes now replaced brown. But his eyes no longer held an innocent within. They held an empty look. And he no longer looked to be seventeen. He could easily pass to be twenty-five.
Hermione hardly changed at all. Her hair went back to brown but was no longer frizzy. It now hung straight and to her shoulders. Her eyes were back to their original cinnamon brown color. And she no longer had the innocent look. Her look was as empty as Harry's. She was also taller but nowhere near Harry's height. She was about 5 foot 7 inches tall and well built. She also had curves in all the right places. "Happy now, sir?" She asks with a amused tone of voice at the ex-Professor's shocked expression.
Lupin swallows and nods. "Sorry bout that. I couldn't help it. You two have really grown up. Especially you, Harry. You've turned into a fine young man and Sirius would be proud." He says quietly knowing that the subject of Harry's godfather was touchy.
Harry nods. "Thank you. It's an honor to no longer be compared with my father." He spits the last part out with venom. "Sirius was more of a father to me than James Potter ever was." He says honestly. The burning in his arm was fading.
Hermione places a gently hand on Harry's arm. "I'm very proud of you, love" She says in a whisper. "Things will be different now. I promise."
Remus can't help but smile at the scene in front of him. It was obvious that Harry and Hermione fancied each other and it was also obvious that they knew about each others feelings. He is very proud of Harry.
Harry looks over at Remus. "Sir. I need to ask you a favor. Whatever happens tonight I will need a place to stay. Since I'm only seventeen and even if I get my wizarding papers...I still won't be old enough to live on my own. Since going back to the Dursley's is not an option, I was wondering if you would like to take over Sirius's role as my godfather?" He says, shyly.
Lupin stands in shock. He never thought that Harry would ask this of him. "B..But what about me being a werewolf. You can't live with me days of the full moon. And now with your parents alive.." He trails off.
Harry crosses his arms over his chest. "My parents died sixteen years ago. I don't care if they come marching down those stairs right this instant..I will not forgive them for what they put me through. Even Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon were more of a family to me than them. Sirius trusted you and I think he would want this."
Remus licks his dry lips and pulls Harry into a hug. "It would be my honor, Harry. You've really grown up and when Sirius said that you were less like your father than he thought..he was right. James was a dear friend of mine but you've faced monsters that even grown men would of cowered from..That makes you and him different. He had the courage but you have the heard and soul." He releases him and gives his shoulder a squeeze.
Hermione watches the two of them with a small smile on her face. "I'm glad everything is back to being relatively normal. Or as normal as it back get when you're a witch and wizard." She says, jokingly.
"Don't worry about the full moon. I'm sure I can find something to do, out of the house, that night." He eyes Hermione with a sly smile.
Hermione blushes and runs a hand through her hair while looking up the stairs. "This is going to take forever." She whines and plops down onto the bottom step with a sigh. "I can't believe this. They treat us like children. Harry has saved our world more than six times so far and I've risked life and limb for it. And yet they insist upon leaving us in the dark about everything. I'm not complaining for me..I'm complaining for Harry. He should be up in the meeting flipping out on those people in the room. It's his right." She crosses her arms over her chest.
A noise at the top of the stairs draws Harry's attention. He see's a tuff of black hair hovering around the top banister leg. It must be Emma. He frowns and sits down beside Hermione with his back to the child. He was still fuming about her. He didn't care if there was a logical reason to why she got a childhood and he didn't but he wouldn't hear it. He stares at his hands.
Hermione doesn't bother to turn around either. She knew that if it was important Harry would tell her. She reaches over and takes on of his hands in hers and interlaces the fingers together. "Everything will be ok. Just keep telling yourself that, ok?" She says looking into his empty eyes that lit up when looking at her. Hers were the same way. Empty unless looking at Harry. She cared for him. No. She loved him deeply.
Remus looks up the stairs at the small child and frowns. "This is no place for small children." He mumbles as he leans against the bottom portion of the banister railing.
Harry chuckles. "Since when did the Potters..or the Porters, as they are now known as, care for anything but themselves. They replaced me without a second thought so I'm sure she..um..Emma is also replaceable."
Lupin nods and looks down at his hands. His outfit was uncomfortable since he was on accustom to muggle clothing. "I still can't believe it." He mumbles.
Hermione again hears the noise from atop the stairs. She looks at Harry with an amused look in her eyes. "Want to have a little fun, love?" She asks, quietly.
Harry raises an eyebrow and smirks. "I think you read my mind." He stands and hauls Hermione to her feet. He steps closer to his former Professor. "Do you have an suggestions on which prank would suit this occasion?"
Remus shakes his head. "Sorry. I've been retired from the pranking business for..what am I saying. Of course I know of a prank but are you sure you want to do this? All of us are probably going to get into a lot of trouble."
Hermione chuckles. "This is his fault for being to busy to see us. And if we were worried about trouble we would've never asked."
Lupin removes his wand and looks up at the stairs. "Stand back then." He mutters something under his breath and the stairs turn into a giant sliding board. The child at the top screams her whole way down.
Harry's gentle face twists into a sneer as he watches the child land at their feet rather hard. "You really shouldn't of been snooping kid." He says, clearly amused.
The little girl begins to sob. She didn't understand everything that was going on. Several of the Professor's disliked her along with the entire Gryffindor and Slytherin house. Now the boy that was her brother was laughing at her instead of acting brotherly. "Why...do...you...hate...me?" She asks between sobs. She was very smart for only four years old.
Harry crouches down. "You really want to know? Why should I keep the truth from you? I hate you because you got the childhood that I've always dreamed of. You never had to spend even a second in a locked cupboard or go without food because your cousin was on a diet. You never had to live with the fact ,for seventeen years, that your parents died to save you. You never had to go through the loss of a loved one or see anyone murdered right in front of you." He hisses out then stands with his eyes blazing. He swallows hard and takes a step back away from the child who was looking at him in fear.
Remus pulls Harry into a hug and pats his back. "It's ok, Harry. Everything will be ok. Just like Hermione said." He pulls out of the hug and steers him over to Hermione who takes him in her arms and holds him.