A/N- It's about time I finally acknowledged those who have helped along with this story. First off, is to CreativeQuill. Great writer- read her stuff. She helped me get off my bum and start writing again. A twenty-five year lapse is a long time. I wish I had spell check back then. Next are my Betas- Veronica and Teri. Without them, this story won't make much sense. My grammar is so good; I should be a sports bum instead.

This is also the time to say BIG THANK YOU to those who have reviewed. You really are important to any writer. Whether they are simple thanks to this story stinks. It makes a difference. A writer writes to be read. Individual notes to the reviewers are at the bottom.

Chapter 7

Welcome Home

'Apparating when you're dizzy is not the smartest think to do,' thought Harry as he dry heaved onto the ground. He could feel Ginny rubbing his back. Looking up, and blushing with embarrassment, he saw everyone looking at him.

"Let's get him up the bedroom," Ron said, grabbing him by the arms. Several Aurors were standing around watching them. Clearly, the Ministry was still guarding the house.

Harry was dragged up the bedroom, and was lying down. Everyone was sitting around him expecting some sort of explanation. Alastor Moody had cast as silencing spell around the room.

Harry really didn't feel like talking. Ginny grasped that thought and started to explain while holding Harry's hand.

"It's like this, we all know that Voldemort is less than human. We also thought it was because of what happened 16 years ago when he tried to kill Harry. Well, that's sort of right and sort of wrong. You see, when Voldemort was our age, he attended Hogwarts as a student named Tom Riddle. While there, he got really big into the dark arts, found out he was the heir of Salazar Slytherin, and then opened the Chamber and started his band of DeathEaters. While there, he learned about something called a Horcrux. It is the means to separate part of your soul into another item. This way if part of him died, parts of him would still be alive and he could use those to come back to life."

"So that's what this is all about. These Horcrux thingy's." Ron said with a perplexed look on his face.

"Don't interrupt. Now where was I? Oh yes, we think he separate his soul into seven parts. The first one to go was the diary that Harry destroyed. There was a ring, that Dumbledore destroyed and the necklace that Harry and I chucked into the volcano." She stopped for a brief period, allowing everyone to contemplate before continuing.

"Well, that's three down. We think another is a goblet, that I think I know where he put it," Everyone, including Harry stopped to look at her, "I think he hid it in the house of the lady he stole it from." She looked so proud of herself.

"Two more are his snake that is always around him and himself. What the last one is? I'm not sure, but I have my suspicions. Dumbledore thought it was something that belonged to either Godric Gryffindor or Rowena Ravenclaw. But after what happened in Iceland, I think it was hidden in Harry." She said looking proud and at Harry.

Everyone was looking between her and Harry.

"Very good" said Dumbledore as he floated into the room. Everyone gasped but Luna and Ginny. Harry just smiled. The problem of explaining Dumbledore no longer existed. "Have you thought of how to test your theory?"

"No, not yet. But I'm certain there's a way to do it. I notice he changed a lot. His presence changed."

"What do you mean his presence changed" Neville asked. "He looks the same to me," he said as everyone turned their heads back to Harry.

It would have been comical to watch if the topic hadn't been so serious. Their heads moving back and forth for some reason, reminded Harry of a tennis match he had seen on Dudley's television.

"I know how to test it," Hermione explained. She ran from the room and re-entered carrying her copy of Hogwarts, A History. Turning to the back of the book, was a drawing of the house crests. In the upper right hand corner was the crest for the House of Slytherin.

"Harry, say something." She said excited as she pushed the book in his face.

He looked perplexed at her. "What do you mean say something?"

"She wants you to say something in parseltongue," Ron said moving closer to her. Moody kept a close watch on Harry, while Dumbledore smiled.

Harry tried and tried, but all that came out was English. Luna stepped forward and looked into Harry's eyes. "I think she is right. Look at Harry's eyes. They've changed from green to blue. I think I like them better this way."

"Ah yes, very good. Yes, yes very good observation Miss Lovegood. If we were still in school, I would have to award house points to all three of you. Now if you would Miss Weasley, explain what you meant by his presence changed."

Ginny turned to Harry as though asking a question. "Well, for a long time, I could sense Harry, sometimes his moods, other times his thoughts. I could even see through his eyes, if he was really upset. The worst were his dreams. They could get dark, or sad and sometimes…" she started to blush.

"Intimate," Harry said very timidly while watching for Mr. Weasley reaction. To his surprise, Arthur smiled, while Ron looked like he was ready to hit him.

"It seems we can talk to each other now, but without speaking. I'm very aware of her feelings and stuff. It's really sort of neat," he said grinning at everyone. Hermione beamed at them, as she wrapped her arms around Ron.

"Well, back to where I was. I could sense Harry's excitement as he raced from the volcano, but then it suddenly stopped. When I looked back, he was lying facedown on the ground; blood was spilling out of his head. I really thought he was dead. Then I could feel him glowing in my arms, and could sense his presence again. We were together, and it was… wonderful. I really can't describe that feeling any better. There was no feeling, nothing physical, nothing but together. I wish I could have stayed with him like that forever." She said tearfully as she leaned into Harry. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her to him.

"So, what do we do about the Horcrux? Do you know where this place is that he stole the goblet? All of the items you have listed so far didn't really fight back, other then maybe the diary." Moody said as he turned to the group "So we'll still have to get rid of the snake before we can get to Voldemort."

"Then Harry has to kill Voldemort, just like the prophesy said" Ron interrupted.

"No, that's not true" Dumbledore interjected. "The only reason Harry has to kill Voldemort is that Voldemort believes it," he said as though teaching again. "The prophecy was said, but Voldemort was the one who made it real. Think about it. If the prophecy was said, but no one heard it, would it still come to pass? Voldemort picked Harry, only because he heard that someone born at the end of July in 1981 would be his downfall. He had no idea who it was. It could have been Neville. No, the only reason Voldemort wants Harry, is because he believes in what he heard of the prophecy.

"It was Snape who told him." Harry said. He was not surprised when no one corrected him by saying 'Professor Snape'. He didn't care, no matter what deal he had with Dumbledore, he felt Snape had turned on them.

Mr. Weasley bore a new concern upon hearing this. "Albus? Do you think Voldemort has figured out what is going on then? If so, then we need to get out of here. We will need a new home for the Order and a new hiding place for these kids and my family."

"What about Potter Manor?" Harry said turning to Arthur. "A manor implies that it is big, right? It's a pity that Mad-Eye hasn't had a chance to check it out yet. We were going to go the other day, but then with everything happening, we just never got around to it. We could go now, but if there's trouble, I won't be much help." Harry said, getting excited again at the prospect of another adventure. Ginny pushed him back down into his pillow.

Speaking with authority, "You're not going anywhere, Harry Potter other then to sleep."

Ron chuckled "I guess I know who will wear the pants in that family" he exclaimed smiling.

Hermione popped him upside the head "And whose going to wear them in your family Ronald Weasley?"

Arthur snickered while Neville covered his mouth turning away.

"If you would like Harry, you could give permission to Arthur, Alastor and myself. We could go on your behalf to verify security, check the wards and make sure it is presentable. We could return in an hour. That would give everyone time to pack up. That is strictly up to you of course."

"I think that's a marvelous idea. What do I do?"

Simply say while placing your hand out in front of you, 'I, Harry James Potter, give you permission to enter Potter Manor on my behalf,' then state the names of who can enter. The three of us would have the authority to act as if your there."

"Like a power of attorney" Hermione said.

"What's a attorney?" Ron asked.

"I'll explain later", she said patting his hand.

Harry gave his permission and everyone left to start packing. Arthur met briefly with Molly, Bill and Fleur, explaining what was happening. Sure enough, within the hour, Moody returned to escort everyone there.

"I want to know what happened to him. Madame Pomfrey said he was still there and the front desk shows he hadn't checked out." The minister was pacing his office. He was not happy. Once again, Harry Potter had gotten away before they could talk. He was getting anxious to have him present a pretty picture to his public that all was well, "You said he was staying at your fathers house. Maybe he knows where he is. Check with him," said the minister turning to his assistant. "How does a underage wizard get away all the time without being detected. That young man is going to be the death of me yet."

Percy Weasley raced out of the Office of the Minister of Magic. He had a mission and he'd be damned if he wasn't going to succeed.

Surveying the room around them, Ron whistled, "Wow, you call this a manor? Hell, this room's as big as a house."

"Language, Ronald Weasley," Molly said turning in circles with everyone else.

The room was very big. A long highly polished wooden table sat in the middle with place settings for 20-30 people. The room was all white. Red and gold drapes hung upon the walls. These too were adorned with living oil paintings depicting different eras and suits of armor stood every few feet. 10 sets of doors led into the room, with the largest set standing 10 meters high. Slowly they opened to reveal seven house elves neatly dressed. They entered and stood in line. Harry stepped forward with Ginny at his side. In unison, the elves bowed. It was the eldest who addressed Harry "Welcome home, Master Potter."

A/N- Well another chapter gone. I wonder what they will find. Big room, lots of doors, well dressed house elves. I won't be typing as fast since I messed up my thumb with killer cooking utensils, but I will try and keep up a good pace.

Iwin Ulose- Thanks- Constructive criticism is what I need big time. I do find it hard to keep in first or third person, but I'm trying. Keep letting me know when I'm off.

QueenTigress- You're right. They are mad for each other, but then as we saw, a little more too.

Metalmark- I really don't want them much longer.

Honorable Mentions go to: Weasley's Gal, DawnRising, and IrishEyesAreSmiling. I am happy you are enjoying the story.

To the rest of you- Enjoy