Home Again

Despite the apparent calm during the final week of my Holiday, the 18th was mass panic. It was the day their hero fell, The-Boy-Who-Lived and although I avoided most of the panicking citizens by playing Quidditch with the others, I couldn't help but notice the forlorn expressions worn by everyone throughout the remaining summer break. I didn't know the grim details of the supposed death, just the date. My friends even stopped playing the next day because everyone knew that their hope was gone. I only found out then that I had become the hero of the wizarding world again and was looking good in the public eye. My funeral must have been the largest ever held. I wouldn't know as I didn't attend.

It was only that day that I realized how much I was needed, even without the prophesy my life was key in this war. As September 1st neared I dreaded seeing my friends and seeing their hurt faces; yet at the same time hoping that they were upset about my supposed death. I knew what it was like to lose someone close to you and felt guilty about putting them through it.

I asked around and discovered that it was Bellatrix Lestrange who had killed "Harry Potter", something Voldemort can't have been very happy about. Apparently Voldemort had gathered his top killers and attacked Privet Drive and therefore he himself had witnessed my demise. Everyone said that the worst part was that he took my dead body with him, and had yet to return it. He had probably wanted to torture me properly first and instead was going to take my body , kind of like a trophy. Mad-Eye informed me that the second the Death Eater was killed the potion would keep him in my likeness, he wouldn't change back. For all I cared, he could keep it! This action really pissed me off, it was so dirty and underhanded!

All in all I found my self looking forward to the day when I could let the dye run out of my hair and smile as I point my wand at Trixie's face, say something suitable to my hate for the woman and put a rather large whole in that hollow head. I really do hate her more than Voldemort. It's personal now.

In any case it was common knowledge that Harry Potter had died, even to the muggle borns. Remus helped me pack my things up and we Flooed into London to get on the train. We would have gone with Dean but we were running a bit late as usual. Besides, all Dean wanted to talk about was how he had been Harry Potter's dorm mate and about how weird it was going to be without him. He truly was going to miss me. Or, rather miss who I was or something. Ow, headache.

Once again I stood facing the platform between nine and ten. Me and Remus walked on in casually pointing at different trains as if to figure out which was ours, common place behavior at a train station. Once on the other side one particular pair of people immediately caught my attention in the corner. We were separated by a small crowd of 3rd years but there was no mistaking it. Ron was hugging Hermione, patting her back as her head leaned against his shoulder. Were they going out? No, it didn't look that way. Then they would be kissing, right? But Ron looked pretty comfortable. These thoughts were tossed out quickly as Hermione broke the embraced and wiped her hand across her eyes, she had been crying. I tried to convince myself that maybe it had something to do with the Order but I knew it was my fault, truly and entirely. They were upset over Harry Potter's death, their best mate. The sight filled me with guilt and suddenly I wasn't so enthusiastic anymore.

I set my face and moved to go to them, tell them I was Ok. I had to convince them. I couldn't stand seeing them like this. I only made it one step before Remus grabbed my eldow and turned me around to face him, about to give me a warning something like "nobody can know" or "you can talk to them later" but I silenced him with a glare. Any anger I should have felt at the stupid plan last week was emerging now. About to let off a very loud objection I was cut short as well as Remus recognized the situation (clearly he was very aware of my temper) and hit me with a whispered silencio. That's one way to end an argument.

This only served to piss me off further and the results were these, all of which happened in quick succession. Two of the nearby third years were sent flying (much like Dudley was only they were lighter and thus went farther), the wind picked up and the lights went out, suddenly causing more people to topple and fall over. The whistle on the train blew signaling everyone to get on and a spell went off from one of the guards supervising the platform creating a very loud "Bang!" much like a muggle firecracker. The sudden noise only served to frighten students into thinking that they were being attacked by Death Eaters and in simple terms, create wide spread panic. Remus and I, with a lack of any other ideas, boarded the train. Having set an example we were soon after followed by everyone else, that is once it was clear they were safe and not about to be slaughtered or something otherwise undesirable.

Finally everything was settled and the train was moving. I of course was still silenced as Moony had forgotten to cast the counter curse and, go figure, had to suddenly go to the bathroom. Quite fed up of this from everyone I strained my voice trying to fight the curse off. I did succeed after a few minutes of embarrassment and odd looks from students passing by. Having made a mental note to myself to hex Moony into oblivion I made my way through the compartments, grumbling to myself as I went (not advised with a throat that sore let me tell you) in search of Dean, supposedly the only person I knew on the train.

The ride to Hogwarts was shockingly uneventful and highly aggravating. I had to be introduced to everyone in 6th year, clearly Dean was more social than I realized. The only people I didn't meet were the Slytherins and my immediate friends. We did pass their compartment but we moved on, it was pretty full of girls crying and boys looking peeved off or not all there. Everyone I met seemed interested to know that I was related to their former Professor and pretty much everyone asked if I was a werewolf too. Thank Merlin I hadn't met up with Draco, with my magic he'd probably get thrown halfway to Mars, not that that was a bad thing but it would raise a few questions. Maybe he wasn't here, maybe his mom let him go to Durmstrang!

Hours later we reached Hogwarts. As instructed previously I went in to the castle with the older students but once I was in I went straight to the room where I knew my Professor would explain the sorting process. Many of the eleven year olds stood close to me as if I could save them from an attacking troll, which technically I could. They were just as I had been, scared, nervous and slightly nauseous. I ignored most of the explanation (it wasn't exactly riveting) and we moved into the Great Hall. The hall was not as full as usual and I could only assume some students were not allowed to attend, rather than dead.

To my complete confusion, I looked to the staff table interested to see who the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher was and found Moony sitting there. Nobody had mentioned that! Sheesh, I was supposed to be his nephew and yet I didn't know where he worked? Taking in the rest of the Hall my mood darkened; the hall was draped in black. The school banners were even replaced with solid black cloth, symbolic no doubt.

Dumbledore stepped in and like when Cedric died, asked for a minute of silence for those who were lost over the summer break He read off a list of names, most of whom I didn't know and some who I had heard of. Nobody I loved. The numbers were to high, how many had died because I sat around and played Quidditch all summer? My name was among those, and I swear I had a few extra sobs directly after my name! The nearby chairs started shaking, with the students still in them and I forced myself to be neutral. Next Dumbledore listed the new year notices including that the school was welcoming a new transfer student, nephew of their Proffesor Lupin, me.

Names were called and I was I'll admit more than a little nervous. It didn't bring me any confidence standing with the first years as some of them were tall for their age and therefore were embarrassingly close to being taller than me. My name was one of the first in the alphabetical order and so all too soon the Sorting Hat called "Everson, Darian" more loudly than I would have liked. The whispers began. Oooo a new 6th year boy o replace Potter. Yippee. It never even occurred to me that some students might be thinking more of my looks but they most likely were. That and this sort of thing was a strange occurance. Hopefully Hermione would be to distracted to assume anything other than they simply needed more students.

I walked to the stool feinting confidence (or snobbery) and placed the hat on my head. The noise in the hall was louder than when I got sorted last time, fewer people felt the need to pay attention. Cause I'm not famous now. At least there was one upside. I made the conversation short "Please don't pick at my brain, just put me in Gryffindor." To my great surprise the hat seemed to have no to problems with this and did just that.

"Gryffindor!" It rang out and McGonagall lifted the hat from my head after which I continued the confident walk to the Gryffindor table. The hall clapped politely, like it had for the first years. It was weird having so little attention. Glancing around I saw Malfoy clapping politely and looking right at me. It was so weird seeing him be so respectful and polite! Passing it off as a freakish never going to happen again incident I made my way over to the end of the table. I caught one or two girls watching as I sat down next to Dean, why I have no idea.

Kids were sorted, food was eaten, Hermione had cried some more and the boys in my dorm wouldn't shut up. For example: "That was the most depressing meal I have ever sat through." Seamus commented to nobody in particular.

"Because this has been the most depressing summer we've ever had you git." Ron shot back, clearly not in the best mood. I had noticed he hadn't eaten a whole lot at the feast; I had kept glancing at all of my house mates, curious to see how they were, or if they were all there. I suppose it must have looked like I was simply in a new place and trying to get to know the people but was shy or something.

Out of the blue Ron asked "Did you know Harry than?" not meeting my eyes. I looked at him startled; I hadn't had a chance to even introduce myself yet.

"No" I replied. "Uncle Remus told me about him though, did he teach 'im?"

I tried to stay interested, but it was old news. The only thing I found interesting was Ron's claim to be the best Quidditch player ever. I "forgot" to mention my own abilities and soon after rolled over to sleep. I would have to be careful tomorrow, I still didn't know them yet.

Next morning I woke up early as was now my usual and laid there for a good hour. I was doing to much thinking lately. My thoughts that morning were full of uncertainty. Ron didn't seem to warm up to me much the night before, the main concern was what if they don't like me? Sounds childish, yes, but the pressure was there.

The bathroom was still free so I claimed it and had a shower and put in the blue contacts. The blond hair wasn't weird anymore, I had gotten used to it. I seriously doubted that I would ever adjust to the blue eyes though, green was way better, but it was part of the disguise. My best friends hadn't even recognized me, there was no chance anyone else would. Dumbledore's plot may just work out after all.

"Ahhhhhh, I can't find my wand!" Neville complained loudly once everyone had awoken.

"Well suck it up, nobody can exactly lend you one." Ron replied, just as grumpy as yesterday. He was not being himself, he's not the friend I remember. Apparently my confusion showed on my face as Ron asked angrily "What's your problem?" Completely taken aback I chose to say nothing and instead slipped on my boots, discreetly made sure the dirks were secure and headed down to breakfast, stuff suddenly exploding all the way.

After a short breakfast (spent alone as most students were still in their dorms) I was heading back to the common room when a large heavy object came darting out from around the corner and collided head on with me, sending us both to the floor in a tangle. Getting up and collecting the books that fell from my bag I looked up and met Hermione. She appeared to be in a better state now, although she had dark circles under her eyes. She's upset 'cause I'm dead, because I am not here. This castle must be a constant reminder, like Blacks house was for me. I had been staring at her while these thoughts troubled me, the last glazing my eyes. "You all right?" I asked.

"Ya, I'm fine. Um, your Darian right?" She replied shyly. I on the other hand was perfectly comforable, and excited to see her. She was my friend after all. She had grown up over the summer and even looked pretty, this however, did not make me think of her like I had Cho Chang. Hermione was a friend, or rather, about to become one.

"Yep." I confirmed. In order to make her a friend I had to show her we had common interests so I asked "Hey, my uncle showed me where everything is but the library, do you think you could help me out?" This was going to kill me.

"Oh, of course! It's this way." Hermione said. Turns out she had been on her way there, big surprise. She launched into a guided tour of Hogwarts, explaining in detail every aspect of the castle. By the time we got to the library, breakfast was over and we proceeded to our class. McGonagall had handed me my table already for the week when I walked in to the Great Hall. Why she was up was beyond me. First was Charms class, which Hermione had with me.

"That's not a spell it's a speech impediment!" Harry growled angrily, quite fed up with the charm. He couldn't for the life of him pronounce it right.

"Darian, really it's not that hard look. Colleketitagro" Hermione said. The spell was meant to neatly put things where you wanted them. You could pack you suitcase in a second, with everything folded. Hermione's towels all folded and stacked neatly on top of each other.

Harry turned back to his pile to try again and focused hard on what he wanted them to do. Stack, stack, stack. AHHHHHHH! The towels had caught fire, for no reason. He hadn't even cast the spell yet. "watjura." Harry shot at the burning towels, extinguishing the flames before anyone else had a chance to even make a good loud scream. Course everyone was looking at him funny, and Ron said from the left of Hermione "Way to cool down mate." This made everyone laugh, but Harry who was busy calming himself down, as the last thing he wanted now was to break the nearby ink well. Dean on his other side clapped his back reassuringly, but his face cracked in a smile. He was aware of his friends habit of accidental magic.

"Mr. Everson! I want you to work on that spell for your homework. Class dismissed." Apparently everyone thought he had cast the spell on purpose, except Hermione who hadn't heard him cast one. Luckily she didn't say anything about it.

Next of the day was Potions and then Transfiguration. Harry's teacher from summer had told him that potions should be easier now; apparently all that was needed was a little bit of encouragement and a lesson on the basics of potion making. Dumbledore had placed him in the Potions class with an E score on his owls, a score that he now had to live up to. Out of the Gryffindors only Darian, Hermione, and three others had passed the course and chosen to take it. On the way down they met Malfoy and his followers, who sped past Hermione and his surrounding Gryffindors. Malfoy approached him while his "friends" stayed politely out of the way. He shook Darian's hand vigorously and said "An Everson, right?" At Harry's nod he continued "I'm Draco Malfoy, course you probably know that." Malfoy smiled broadly and took his shoulder in an embrace and continued down the hall to the dungeons, half dragging him. Malfoy probably did not realize this fact however as he went on to say "Shame you got Gryffindor, pureblood's like us do better in Slytherin, away from all that muggle trash. Stick with me and you'll do fine. I remember Harry Potter, now he really should have stayed away from them." He stated indicating the Gryffindors. "Make friends like that and the Death Eaters will come after you." Malfoy smiled again, the way he said the last bit sounded like a muggle referring to the boogey men, so Darian laughed as if remembering a part of his own childhood. Malfoy's friends joined in and the only people in the hall no amused were of course, his friends.

About then they reached the class and Darian went to sit with Hermione, unsuccessful as Malfoy steered him towards the nearest table and sat down, clearly expecting him to do the same. With a nervous look to Hermione, who returned a glance of absolute betrayal Harry sat, deadly aware of how cruel Malfoy was. By the end of the class, however, all Harry was aware of was that Malfoy was excellent at potions and good to his friends, or rather who he wanted to be friends.

Malfoy did most of the work, leaving Darian to chop up and grind the ingredients. He didn't even have to add them. Or wasn't allowed to, Malfoy didn't appreciate others help in this area. This did not make him a good person by any means. Malfoy did most of the talking, and the conversation spun entirely around mudbloods and how inappropriate it was to have to share the school with them, he seemed intent on making Darian a friend though.

Snape was basically his usual self; Harry did have to note that Snape had given him a glance once which scared him as it wasn't full of hate and severe and total loathing. His enemies couldn't recognize him and were even trying to befriend him! While Ron was being a prat and now Hermione thought he was all for the Slytherins. He hadn't met any of his other friends yet.

Gryffindor lost only five points that lesson, a new record for those of his year. Class finally ended and he looked for Hermione in the exiting crowd. He spotted her halfway down the hall and ran up to her, ready to apologize profusely for having to leave. It was Hermione who had promised to sit with him and he had essentially ditched her.

"Hey, Mione!" He called from behind her. She turned and looked at him, clearly more than a little peeved. "Sorry I had to leave you there, Malfoy just wouldn't shut up! Are you ok?"

Hermione's lip was trembling and she said, her voice shaking "You sound just like him." Taken aback by this statement he could find nothing to say. He knew exactly who she meant. So instead asked "Come on, let's go eat lunch. Okay?" hoping that she would let it slide, like she had in charms that morning.

Lunch a very social affair for Darian. As the new guy, everyone wanted to get to know him and not just the Gryffindors. Begging for a way out he looked at Moony up at the staff table. Moony was completely unhelpful as he only waved happily and continued eating. It was okay though, at least he wasn't judged, at least he wasn't famous. Harry saw Luna and Ginny sitting together who looked even worse than Hermione. Maybe Luna had a crush on me? Dean, who was with him, saw where he was looking and frowned. "You don't want to go there. They're still upset over Harry. We all are, but they were with him when he went to the Ministry. The names were all in the paper and everything, kind of embarrassed themselves at an interview too. Claimed Sirius Black was on their side, which didn't go down well with anyone. Come on." Nobody wanted to hear that Sirius was a good guy, people like a mass murderer better. Fudge had ignored the facts again. We went to transfiguration where I got to sit next to Ron, Dean, Seamus and Neville. Neville talked with Dean and Seamus, leaving him to talk to Ron.

"So where did you grow up?" Ron asked.

"Uhhh, we moved, a lot. So pretty much everywhere."

"Oh lucky, I have lived in the same house all my life."

"No way, you get to keep your friends; I always have to make new ones."

"I'd be easier not knowing they died then…" Ron said distantly. Ouch, I really had to watch what I said. Behind me the shelf fell over for no reason but I caught it with some quick wandless magic before all the books fell out and made a mess, something Ron failed to notice at all. Hermione made a note of it though, she saw what happened from a nearby table.

In an attempt to cheer him up Harry asked, knowing full well the answer "Is there Quidditch at this school?"

It worked and Ron replied "Course! I am actually the Keeper. Didn't I tell you last night?"

"I fell asleep, sorry but I had a long day!" Darian said lamely.

Ron laughed "Got that mate. Hey look I did it!" He said pointing at his pin cushion. We were doing revision as Professor McGonagall thought we could use some time to get used to it again. Harry had gotten it on his first try; he had been using my magic all summer so this was a small task especially compared to dueling with Mad-Eye. That had been a nightmare but he had gotten better at it before the end, even beaten once or twice. "Anyway, do you play or something." Ron asked, willing to continue the conversation.

"Ya, pretty much Beater or Seeker." The Quiddich chat went to the end of class. Ron suggested that I try out for the team as a Beater, but didn't say anything about a Seeker. Turns out, Ron was the team captain. Something I'm sure Ron was proud of, he had found out before his best friend kicked the can so he couldn't think he got it just because I didn't which would make it better for him. He said he was planning tryouts in about two weeks, so I had till then to practice.

When class ended McGonagall asked to see Darian after class. He approached her desk where she sat and she said simply "Good work today Mr. Everson." It felt so weird being called that! "Your uncle would like to chat with you. He's either in the Defense Against the Dark Arts room or the Staff room. Do you know where that is?"

"Ya, thanks." I left the room and found Dean next to the door looking apprehensive.

"What did she want?" He asked

"Just to tell me that my uncle Remus wants to see me."

"Oh, I didn't know his first name is Remus. You know where to find him?" I said yes and we parted. I found Remus in his class room. He was sorting through papers.

"Hey Moony!"

The Werewolf looked up and said happily "I've been meaning to ask you, how was your trip?"

"It was fine. Except some jerk went and silenced me, throat was sore for the rest of the day." I hinted.

Moony's eyes widened in realization and he said "Oh, sorry about that. I forgot! You were so quiet…" having been reminded of that spell Remus cast one around his office, incase we said something we shouldn't.

"Actually, Malfoy was nice to me in Potions, why would he do that? I'm still in Gryffindor." I asked, still confused at the mere thought.

"Oh, should have warned you about that. The Everson's are not only pureblooded but also very wealthy. Course, they don't exactly share the wealth." Now that I thought about it, Remus wasn't looking like his usual shabby self. Anticipating my question Remus said "Sirius left me most his money, said I could use it. The rest goes to you. He gave you some interesting things too, I wanted to tell you earlier but I wanted it to sink in first." That just ruined my day.

"Like what?" Harry asked, trying to keep his voice even. Moony pulled a trunk around from the corner, shrunk it and gave it to him.

"Open that later, whenever you're ready. You can always call me with your mirror, I know you bring it every where." He was right too; it was always in his pocket. The only other thing he always had with him was his time turner, it wouldn't do to have someone find that, it was illegal for him to have one. They talked for a while mostly about his friends and how important it was for him to stay a secret. To his embarrassment Remus passed on a message from Dumbledore. He was to write down all the magic he accidentally did and the circumstances for each everyday and give it to Remus, who would them give it to the Headmaster. Regardless that the magic may have had nothing to do with what he was doing. Basically Dumbledore wanted to keep track of him. In all, it was something like a diary, only someone else would be reading every entry and thus not very personal.

On the way down to diner in the Great Hall all the suites of armor they past shook and fell down, and the lights flickered. It was actually quite disturbing if one didn't know what was going on. Remus commented that it was "quite the display of attitude" which lightened the mood and Harry couldn't wait for his first Defense class tomorrow; he missed Remus as a teacher.