Chapter 9: Home again

Harry had to admit; it felt good to be home. Even after all the things that had happened to him here he still considered Hogwarts home. He's been back in England exactly one week now and in that short time he's learned more about himself than he had in the last five years at Hogwarts. He'd found out that he is the only known living Potter left. So everything that had belonged to a Potter now fell to him. He had real estate all over Europe and other countries. He had vested interest in many muggle affairs and a ton of money at Gringotts. He was one of the wealthiest wizards around and he didn't even know it. Just one of the many things Dumbledore thought best to keep from him no doubt. Harry was beginning to distrust the old wizard. Just how much did he know that he hadn't told him? He had been so upset when he'd learned about all the things Dumbledore have been keeping from him that he decided to stay away longer than he'd planned. He just couldn't have faced the headmaster in the state he was in. He had planned on telling everyone where he's been and what he's been up to before they went back to school. But after visiting Gringotts he realized that he couldn't face Dumbledore yet he had to calm down or he would probably trash more than his office this time. But that was not going to happen, after he left Gringotts he decided to visit the Potter family home. Not that place in Godric's Hallow this place was in Yorkshire called the Phoenix Perch. It was at the Phoenix Perch that he and Amelia uncovered a few things that he hoped the Headmaster didn't know about and was keeping from him. He didn't want to fight with Dumbledore but the way things were happening it seems inevitable that he and the man he looked up to like a grandfather was going to have a lot to say to each other. It was Amelia's idea to stay away until now. She said that there had to be a very good reason why Dumbledore would have kept all these things from Harry, and he should take some time to calm himself and not to approach Dumbledore while he was upset.

So here he was staring at the man he had so blindly admire in the past. He could feel his anger at the man making its way toward the surface. It was Amelia's hand on his arm that stopped him from just loosing it completely. Harry didn't know what he would have done without Amelia? She had helped him in more ways that she could possibly know. She had been the one to help him take control of his life and she had been the one to help him find out about his family and his role in life. It was Amelia who had suggested that if he wanted to find out about his family he should just walk into Gringotts and inquire. It never occurred to him that he could just asked the goblins. Why not? They didn't really care about wizard's rules anyway, and if there were anything there that concern him they wouldn't keep it from him. And so he and Amelia had just walked right into Gringotts and asked to be taken to the family vault. He was taken by surprise when the goblin asked him which one since there were three. Three bloody vaults plus his that's four and Dumbledore thought it better not to mention this to him. He was getting tired of the old man's constant interfering and he was going to put a stop to it once and for all. Harry removed the hood he was wearing so his face could be seen. He had shoulder length hair and his skin had that rich golden color one gets from being outside all the time but it was him. It was Harry Potter.

"Hi Ginny, how'd you know it was me?" he asked smiling at the petite redhead staring at him.

"Hedwig" she replied pointing to the snowy owl on his shoulder. At that moment Harry found himself surrounded and being hugged by his friends.

"Where have you been mate?"

"We've been worried sick."

"Why haven't you written?"

"Mum almost had kittens when you disappeared"

"I'm just happy you're home"

Harry was having a hard time untangling himself from his friends. "I'll tell you everything later but now there are a few things I need to discuss with the headmaster." He looked over at Amelia who was kneeling whispering to the animals. They must have been startled by his friend's outburst. "Is everything okay?" he asked her telepathically.

"Everything's fine, just a little startled is all. What about you?" She ask, "you seem to have your hands full so to speak." She continued with a hint of humor.

"Are you laughing at me?"

"Nope."

"You know you're not helping right?"

"Yep, but if you must know you look so cute when you're flustered."

"Ha, ha very funny. I can't believe you're laughing at me, I hope you know I'm going to get you."

"Yes, well how do you know I'm not looking forward to it?"

Harry turned bright crimson at that last remark he was saved having to respond by Dumbledore addressing him.

"Harry my boy, it's good to see you are fine."

Harry turned cold eyes towards the headmaster. "Sir we need to talk. Now would be best if you don't mind." He continued as he turned and strode out of the Great Hall followed by Amelia and the animals, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, and Luna. They were almost to the staircase when Dumbledore joined them.

"You should go back to the feast, I'm sure Harry will update you as soon as he's done." He said addressing the five friends.

It was Hermione who spoke first. "We are not letting Harry out of our sights until we know exactly what happened." Professor Dumbledore was about to protest when Harry stopped him.

"These are my friends and I think it's best if they know what's been happening. Besides there has been way too much deception already."

They went the rest of the way in silence. When they got to the stone gargoyle that guard the entrance to the headmaster's office Dumbledore shouted "Strawberry worms" and the gargoyle jumped out of the way revealing the moving staircase leading to his office. They entered the office and Dumbledore motion for everyone to take a seat while he conjured up a tea set and started pouring everyone tea.

"Ah Harry so what do you want to talk about?" Ask Dumbledore as he poured himself some tea.

"Before we begin there are a few more people that I believe should be here since this is going to concern them too."

"And who might these people be?" Inquired Dumbledore.

"I would like you to get Remus, Professor McGonagall, the Weasley's, wait a minute. Ron is Percy back in the family?

"That no good, pompous, slimy git." Ron and Ginny said at the same time.

"I guess I should take that as a no. Okay professor the Weasley's except for Percy, Snape, Moody, Kingsley, and Madam Bones. I'll discuss everything once everyone is here."

"Very well Harry give me a minute and I shall have everyone you requested."

After Dumbledore left Harry turned to his friends. "So what have you all done over the holidays?"

"Nothing we were too worried about you to do anything." Hermione answered.

"Yeah mate everyone has been really worried about you," Ron continued "Mum just kept going on about the poor dear is in no condition to be by himself after everything that had happened. And she went off on Dumbledore even called him an insensitive old boot. Dad had to drag her away from him, we thought she was going to hex him right there." Harry had to try hard not to laugh he could just picture Mrs. Weasley going off on Dumbledore and he wished he could have seen it firsthand. "So what about you Neville, anything interesting happened over the summer?"

"Well I got a new wand 10 ½ inches redwood with tail feather from a King Phoenix. Grams was so proud after the incident at the ministry and after she saw my O.W.L results. I got eleven O.W.L's with an O in DADA thanks to you."

"That's great Neville, well what about you and Ron?" He asked turning to face his two best friends.

"Well as you've probably guessed Hermione got all O's and I scored eleven with O's in DADA, charms and COMC, what about you mate, what did you get?"

Before Harry could answer Hermione was already speaking.

"Don't be ridiculous Ronald of course he don't know what he's gotten yet he hasn't been here." She said looking at Harry through slits in her eyes.

Before Harry could respond Professor Dumbledore handed him an envelope saying, "here are your O.W.L results. I took the liberty of obtaining them and all the necessary books and supplies you will need for this year."

"Thank you professor," he said as he eagerly opened the envelope.

"Wow, I've got twelve O.W.L's" he exclaimed scanning the piece of parchment. Hermione quickly snatched his results out of hands so she could see for herself.

"Wow Harry these marks are great, you have an O in DADA, a EE in Transfiguration, an O in Charms, an O in Potions, A in Herbology, O in COMC, and an A in Astronomy. You did get a T in History of Magic though and a D in Divination but that doesn't matter I can't believe you got a O in Potions how did you pull it off?"

Harry was smiling he hadn't dreamt he'd do so well.

"Good show Harry, an O in Potions I bet the Dungeon Bat isn't going to like that." Ron exclaimed patting his friend on the back.

"Dungeon bat is it Mr. Weasley? We'll see just how clever you are when I deduct one hundred points from Gryffindor for that remark."

"Professor Snape" Ron gulped, but before he could come up with an excuse they heard another voice behind Snape.

"Oh stuff it Severus, you can't deduct any house points. School doesn't start for another three days. And Mr. Weasley must I remind you to show respect to your teachers?" She asked Ron peering at him over her spectacles.

"No Professor." Ron replied staring at his feet.

"Good I should hope not. Now back to the business at hand. Potter it's good to see you alive and well, so where have you been and what is the meaning of you running off and worrying us half to death."

"Lay off Minerva, I'm pretty sure the boy has a good explanation for his actions." Answered Kingsley Shacklebolt, who was right behind her.

"Looking good Harry", he continued slapping him on the back. There was a knock on the door and in walked Remus and Moody.

"Good to have you back Harry." Said Remus as he reached out his hand.

"Glad to be back." Replied Harry grasping the outstretched hand.

"Where have you been boy?" asked Moody now shaking Harry's hand as well.

Just then everyone's attention was drawn toward the next room and the many voices coming from there. The door opened and Harry found himself in a bone-crushing hug that almost stopped his breathing.

"Oh Harry dear I'm so glad you're okay. I was so worried; I thought something terrible had happened to you. But you look just fine dear you've grown a lot taller, even filled out some."

"Thanks Mrs. Weasley", but before he could say anything else he drawn into another breath-stopping hug.

"Molly let the boy breath will you." Said Mr. Weasley pulling his wife off of Harry and saving him from another hug.

"You're looking good son, is everything alright? You gave us such a scare running off like that." But before Harry could reply the twins ambushed him.

"Good show old man." Fred said slapping him on the back. "Bloody brilliant" exclaimed George slapping him also. "Why didn't you tell us? Asked George.

"Yeah, you know we would've helped." Agreed Fred while Mrs. Weasley glared at them.

"Mum would've killed us if we'd try something like that." Continued Fred.

"Yeah mate, she almost had kittens when you disappeared." Added George.

Everyone was trying hard not to laugh at the look on Mrs. Weasley's face. Luckily Bill decided to step in before the twins said anything else and cause their mother to hex them right there.

"Good to have you back Harry, that was quite a scare you gave us."

"Thanks Bill, I promise I'll explain." Replied Harry.

"Harry I'm glad you're safe." Said a voice behind Bill. It was Madame Bones. In all the excitement Harry hadn't heard her come in.

"Thank you Madame Bones" he replied and with that he turned to face everyone. "First of all I would like to apologize for worrying everyone, I promise you that it was never my intention to do so. I am going to explain the reason behind my actions and also what I plan to do now."