Chapter 10: Harry's story

"I'm sure everyone here knows about what happened last year at the Department of Mysteries. Well what you don't know is that after I returned back here I was informed of what it was Voldemort was after." There were the usual gasping and flinching at the mention of Voldemort's name but Harry just ignored them and went on.

"Like I was saying Voldemort was at the Department of Mysteries that day because he was trying to find a prophecy. A prophecy that involves both him and myself."

"Oh no, you don't mean?"

"Yes Mrs. Weasley." Harry continued before she could finish her sentence. "There is a prophecy about Voldemort and myself which explain why he's been trying to kill me. I was told about the prophecy by Professor Dumbledore himself whom it was told to originally." Everyone was looking at Dumbledore in disbelief; they have never heard anything about a prophecy before. But Harry continued before anyone could voice this to the headmaster.

"Before I tell you the reason I left I want you all to hear the prophecy and what it entails. Professor could you please put that memory in the pensieve so everyone can see it?"

"Harry I don't think that is such a good idea, you don't know what you're asking." Replied Dumbledore rising from his seat.

"I know exactly what I am asking," answered Harry facing his Headmaster. "I've thought about it long and hard over the fifteen years I've been away and I've decided this is the right thing to do. You've been asking these people to risk their life to save mine and I believe they should know why they're doing it. So professor I would prefer if you show them because if you don't then I will."

Professor Dumbledore stared at Harry for what seemed like a long time but all he saw in those vibrant green eyes were determination.

"Very well Harry if that's what you want I will do as you've asked, but I still think this is a bad idea." He said as he went to fetch his pensieve.

"That may be sir but I believe it's the best thing to do." Everyone was silent watching the exchange between the two men. It was Hermione who broke the silence.

"Harry did you just say that you've been gone for fifteen years?" She asked looking at him incredulously.

"Yes Hermione, I did say I've been gone fifteen years and no I'm not losing my mind. I'll explain everything in time." He replied raising his hand to stop all the other questions. Just then Professor Dumbledore returned with his pensieve, which he placed on his desk. After everyone except Harry had gathered around he placed his wand on the side of his head and pulled a silvery thread, which he placed in the pensieve. He poked it around a few times then instructed everyone to lean forward.

Harry didn't want to visit the memory again he knew the whole thing by heart. He had played it over and over in his mind since he found out about it and it didn't make any difference how he looked at it. It still stated kill or be killed. He walked over to where Amelia was sitting with the animals.

"Are you doing okay?" He asked her coming to sit next to her.

"I'm fine, how are you holding up?" she asked looking at him.

"I'm holding up okay, but this is going to be harder than I thought. There are so many things that I need to discuss I'm afraid it's going to take all night."

"You'll be fine besides it's not like they have classes tomorrow or anything. You heard Professor McGonagall classes don't start for three days. So if it takes all night, so be it, this is something that needs to be done." She replied stroking his hair. She always seems to know just what to say to put his mind at ease.

Harry leaned into her hand he didn't know what he would have done without her.

"I'm really lucky to have you here with me Amelia and I want to thank you. You've helped me more than you can possibly know."

"We've helped each other, and there is no place I'd rather be at this moment." She replied gently stroking his cheek.

He kissed her palm gently and walked over to where the others were still watching the memory in the pensieve. Harry watched as everyone recovered from what they've just seen. They were all looking at him as if it was their first time seeing him.

Molly walked over to where he was and with tears rolling down her face she pulled him into a fierce hug. Harry could hardly breathe, but he didn't complain. This was her way of dealing with what she'd just seen. Harry looked over her shoulder and saw Ron. He looked as if he was in some sort of daze. Even the twins were in a somber mood. Hermione and Ginny both looked at him with tear stained faces. Bill and Mr. Weasley both had their backs turned and Professor McGonagall and Madame Bones where dabbing at their eyes with their hankies. Remus looked ready to strangle Dumbledore. Moody just retreated to a corner of the room by the door and leaned against the wall. Even Snape seem to be affected by the revelation even though he covered it up as soon as he caught Harry looking at him. Professor Dumbledore looked as if he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Harry didn't want to think about Dumbledore right now. Frankly he didn't really care how Dumbledore felt, he was still pissed at him.

"Hey Ron do you still fancy having my life?" Harry asked his friend who was now looking a bit green around the collar.

"Harry, don't even try to joke about this. This is serious, you do realize what this mean don't you?" Ron asked his friend still trying to process what he'd just learned.

"Oh Harry you poor dear" began Mrs. Weasley finally releasing him from her embrace but not away from her. "I can't even begin to imagine how you must feel. But I want you to know this you are not in this alone Harry, we are all standing behind you and we will help you in anyway we can." She said gently hugging him to her again before turning to face the headmaster. "Albus Dumbledore how could you? Why didn't you tell us what was going on? How could you have known this and still sent him to live with those horrid creatures? And not only that you continued to send him back year after year even though we begged you not to."

"Molly it was for his own good like I've said before he has to return there because of the protection it offers."

"And who was protecting him from them? God only knows what they have done to him. I thought we were fighting the same battle here, but I guess we are not. How do you expect us to trust you when you keep secrets from us?"

"Molly please calm down" began Mr. Weasley holding his wife. "I'm pretty sure Albus wouldn't deliberately deceive us, I'm pretty sure he has an explanation for what he's done. Don't you Albus?" He asked looking at the Headmaster.

Harry didn't want to hear Dumbledore's explanation right now. To tell the truth he was sick of them.

"Don't worry Mr. Weasley I'm sure Professor Dumbledore will be more than happy to explain everything but for now I would like to continue with the reason I left. As I was saying after hearing my fate last year I was a mess. I couldn't function, I kept asking myself why me? What did I ever do to deserve this? And there was always one question coming back. Why not? After walking around lost for a few days I made a decision. I decided to accept my destiny because as bad as it was I wouldn't have wished it on anyone else. Besides if it wasn't me then who?

"Me." Replied a soft voice.

Everyone turned toward the direction of the voice. It was Neville.

"It would have been me. Harry if he hadn't attacked you it would have been me." Neville continued visibly shaking. "The whole content of the prophecy pointed to you or me but he chose you. I'm sorry Harry but I promise you this. Whatever I can do to help I will. And I will be beside you no matter what." He finished with so much confident even Snape looked at him with respect.

"Thanks Neville I know I can count on you." Harry replied. "Neville brought up an important fact just now. Why did Voldemort come after me when he had two of us to choose from? I think it's because he and I have something in common." Harry held up his hands "please no questions right now. I promise everything will be explained. Now let's continue with the story. As I was saying before I had made up my mind but I needed training. Voldemort had years of experience and what did I have? Nothing I couldn't even duel properly, for someone who was supposed to save the wizarding world I was greatly lacking." At this everyone looked at the headmaster who in turned looked down. "I needed someone to train me in all different aspects of fighting and that's when I met Amelia."

"Amelia? Who is Amelia?" Mrs. Weasley asked looking at Harry.

"Amelia is the person I've been with all this time." Replied Harry moving toward the purple clad figure sitting on the other side of the room. They had been so excited about Harry's return that they hadn't noticed someone sitting there. Harry went over to Amelia and offered her his hand. He led her towards the center of the room.

"Everyone I would like you to meet Amelia." He said removing her hood and revealing her for the first time. There was a collective gasp around the room as everyone stared at her trying to figure out who and what she was.

It was Professor Snape who broke the silence. "Well, who is she and what could she possible teach you that we couldn't or that you don't already know?" He sneered. Harry was about to tell the man something impossibly painful that he could go do with himself but Amelia stopped him before he could.

"My name is Amelianddra Dina Emrys daughter of Nicholas Ambrosius Emrys and Llanderia of Gwrythrn but you can call me Amelia." She finished with a smile. All the adults seemed to have lost their voice at the names mentioned. Professor Snape's mouth kept opening and closing without any sound and Professor Dumbledore looked as if he'd seen a ghost. Dumbledore was the first to regain his voice.

"You should have been here six years ago. What happened?" He asked looking at her. "The registry said you should be here but the owls couldn't find you. And all of our attempts to find you came up with nothing. We know about the attack on your home, and we're sorry about your father. No one knew what happened to you and your mother. Sometimes you would show up on the registry as being somewhere but by the time we would get to the address you wouldn't be there. It would be as if you'd just vanished. At least now I know the registry wasn't malfunctioning." He finished taking a seat still staring at her.

"Emrys," murmured Hermione "that would mean that you're, but it can't be. Can it?"

"Hermione what are you on about?" asked Ron looking at her "will you just spit it out already?"

"Shut it will you Ron? Can't you see I'm trying to concentrate?" She asked poking him in the ribs.

"You were right about those two. Are you sure they're not together?" Amelia asked looking at Harry. All of a sudden everyone seem to be coughing except Ron and Hermione who had both gone scarlet. Harry suddenly found Amelia's hair very interesting, Ginny suddenly had to talk to Bill, the twins where pointing out something to each other on the ceiling, Remus found the fire place very interesting, and Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were trying to find something in Mrs. Weasley's purse. "Amelia honey" Harry replied telepathically "you and I have got to talk later"

Hermione having recovered her composure squared her shoulders and continued. "All I was saying is if your name is Emrys does that mean you are related to Merlin?"

"Yes He is my Great Grandfather many times removed." Smiled Amelia.

"No way" exclaimed Ron.

"Wicked" chorus the twins.

Neville just stared at her opened mouth while Luna got one of he dreamy expressions.

Harry cleared his throat and everyone quieted down. "Now that that's out of the way let's continue. As I was saying, I met Amelia one day and we started talking. Then after meeting up a few times I decided to ask her if she knew of anyone who would be able to train me. She did and so we left and for the next fifteen years that's what I've been doing. Training to fight my toughest fight yet."

"Harry dear." Mrs. Weasley called. "You've been gone three months not fifteen years dear." She said softly.

"Mrs. Weasley trust me, I have been gone fifteen years. It may have been only three months here but it has been fifteen years where I've been."

"Where pray tell have you been Potter. Do you honestly expect us to believe that wherever you were fifteen years have past but only three months have gone by here? If so where is this amazing place and how come we've never heard of it before? Sneered Snape.

"I was in Alfheim more specifically Gwrythrn. Is that enough explanation for you Professor or do you require more proof? Is that a place that you've heard of before or do you think I just made it up to give you something to feel superior about?"

"But Alfheim is a myth" stammered Snape "You can't have gone there no one's been there before."

"Just because no one you know of have been there doesn't mean it don't exist. You of all people should know that nothing in magic is impossible and that there are no myths." Harry replied scornfully to the hated Professor. "As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted." He continued looking coldly a Snape. "I've been in Gwythrn for the past fifteen years and I have learned a lot of things. I've not only learned about magic I've also learned swordplay, martial arts, archery and meditation. I've also acquired some very useful and special talents there. I've learned to become an animagus and a metamorphmagus. I'm proficient in both wand and wand less magic, occlumency and legilimency. And I also learned how to apparate and teleport." Everyone was staring at him as if he'd grown a second head but no one said a word. So he continued.

"We arrived back in England about a week ago, at which time I paid a visit to Gringotts." At this Professor Dumbledore looked up. Harry was looking right at him.

"Tell me Professor, do you know anything about my family home? Not that place in Godric's Hollow, I mean my real family home." Harry was looking Dumbledore straight in the eyes. He continued not waiting for an answer. "Did you also know about the additional vaults at Gringotts? Did you know about the properties? Uhmm Professor just how much have you been keeping from me?" Harry felt his anger rising to the top he had tried to control it but sitting here looking at Dumbledore and seeing that he was right, Dumbledore did know everything and had deliberately kept him in the dark. Was enough to make him lose it entirely. Everyone felt the change in the air. It felt as if the air was electrically charged. They knew it was Harry's magic. You could feel it like a million tiny insects marching on your skin. Just then it lashed out and bottles started exploding everywhere. Harry was unaware of all that was happening around him. He was too upset at the man sitting across from him. Why did everything have to be a big secret with him? Why couldn't he just be open and honest with him? At first Harry blindly believe everything Dumbledore said. The man could do no wrong, but now he just didn't know anymore. And the more he thought about it the more upset he became. Merlin knows he didn't want to fight with Dumbledore, he'd considered the man his mentor for crying out loud. Why did everything have to go so wrong? Why did his life have to be so complicated? He didn't ask for any of this all he wanted was a normal life, but even that was asking too much.

Harry was brought out of his musings by a voice in his head.

"Harry, Harry you have to calm down." It was Amelia pleading with him.

"Uh, what, what's going on?" he asked shaking his head.

"Look around honey, you are losing it."

Harry looked around the room, there were broken bottles everywhere, portraits were ripped off the walls, and all his friends were staring at him in shock. This was not what he wanted he didn't want his friends to be afraid of him. He sat heavily in his chair and put his head in his hands. Sighing heavily he stood and waved his hand and everything was back to where the belonged. Then facing his friends once more he tried to explain what just happened.

"I'm very sorry about that everyone. I promise it won't happen again. It's just that there has been so much deceit and half-truths that it is getting on my nerves. All I want right now is the truth and why it's been kept from me."

Everyone was in awe of Harry. They knew Harry possessed great power but none of them had expected anything like this. They've never experienced anything like what just happened. The power seemed to just pour out of him. It was as if you could reach out and touch it.

Dumbledore knew from the beginning that Harry would be powerful but this display far surpassed his expectations. He only hoped Harry would understand why he'd kept some things from him. He had wanted him to enjoy his childhood as much as possible before the weight of the world was placed upon his shoulders. But he should have known that wouldn't be the case. From the very beginning he had seen that Harry would not have a normal life and yet he'd continued to hope. He had known after the very first year of school that he should reveal the prophecy to him but he'd kept quiet hoping that the next year he would just enjoy the school year but that wasn't going to happened. The end of the second year after the chamber was the opportune time for him to let the boy know what was in store for him, but he couldn't bring himself to destroy his world. And now it seems he'd waited too long and now the boy he'd considered a grandson was furious at him. He just hopes it won't be too late to mend broken fences. Dumbledore stood and cleared his throat; it was time he revealed all that he knew.

All eyes turned expectantly towards the headmaster.

"Firstly I want to apologize to you Harry. I want you to know I had your best interest at heart when I decided to withhold certain information from you. I only hope you'll find it in your heart to forgive a foolish old man. Secondly I want to apologize to everyone I shouldn't have kept you all in the dark about what's been going on. I just thought that until Harry knew no one else would know. And I wasn't prepared to end his childhood just yet. Now to answer your questions Harry yes I do know about the other three additional Potter vaults. Yes I do know about the Potter family home. And yes I know about the many properties you own. There are also a few more things that I know of that I will tell you shortly but first thing first. I didn't tell you about the vaults and the properties because they weren't important at the time. I didn't tell you about the family home because I knew if I did you would want to go there and it isn't safe."

"What do you mean it's not safe? Harry interrupted. "I just spent a whole week there and nothing happened. The Phoenix Perch is a hundred percent safe Professor."

There was a collective gasp around the room even Dumbledore sat up straight in his chair.

"Harry my boy the Potter family home is called Lion's Gate."

It was Harry's turn to look surprise.

"Lion's Gate? What are you talking about Professor? I was at the Phoenix Perch, they knew who I was, I was welcomed home, so what is this about the Potter's home being Lion's Gate?" Harry was confused now what in the world was going on. He didn't have time to contemplate because Professor Dumbledore was speaking again.

"Harry what I'm saying is that you weren't at your family home you were at Godric Gryffindor's castle. And now it seems I have made a bigger blunder than I've thought."

"Albus Dumbledore." It was Professor McGonagall and she wasn't looking very happy. "What have you done? I told you to tell him about that after what happened in the Chamber of Secrets. Don't tell me you haven't yet, you gave me your word you would. What were you waiting for? It was obvious at that point was happening so what were you trying to prove you doddering old fool."

Dumbledore was speechless this wasn't happening, it wasn't suppose to happen this way.

"Told me what?" Harry asked looking between the Headmaster and his Head of house.

It was Hermione who answered. "Don't you see Harry? You are the Heir of Gryffindor. It all makes sense now why Fawkes brought you the sorting hat in the Chamber and also how you were able to pull Gryffindor's sword from the hat."

"Okay I'll buy that for now." Replied Harry rubbing his temples. "But how did you know?" He asked facing both his professors who by the looks of it were still arguing.

"Well Potter we figured it out after your second year the same way Miss Granger just did." Replied Professor McGonagall sighing. "After your little adventure in the Chamber we started examining certain traits you possessed and we came to the conclusion that you were indeed the Heir of Gryffindor. You see Potter many people are brave but not many would disregard their own life for someone else's. That trait is very rare indeed, and also even though you hadn't notice it at the time, and judging from what happened a moment ago you still haven't. You do possess great powers. And also the recent revelation about the prophecy indicates the same thing. You-know-who is the Heir of Slytherin so it makes sense that you are the Heir of Gryffindor." She finished taking her seat.

Everything seemed to make perfect sense except for one tiny detail. He could understand the Sorting hat and the sword but what didn't make sense was Fawkes. Why did Fawkes come to him, he belonged to Dumbledore and didn't Dumbledore say it was unheard of to call on another's familiar. But he did, so how could he have done it, unless. Then it hit him, at the castle he'd seen a portrait of Godric transpose over a phoenix and he'd thought the phoenix looked familiar and now he knew why. The phoenix was Fawkes so that means Fawkes is Gryffindor's animagus form and instead of dying he became his animagus form. And a phoenix never dies they are reborn from the ashes. Harry turned and looked at Fawkes then back at Dumbledore. He was about to ask Dumbledore about the possibility but was stopped by Amelia in his head.

"I don't think he wants everyone to know who he his."

"Who? What are you talking about?" he thought back to her.

"Fawkes." She replied. "Just look at him."

Harry looked and Amelia was right the phoenix was staring at him with an intensity he hadn't seen before. The phoenix gave him a slight nod, which he in turn returned. Then turning his thoughts back to Amelia he wondered how did she know? He decided he would ask he later. But now he needed to get back to the discussion.

"Okay Professor." Harry turned back to Dumbledore "I take it this little discussion we just had is the few other things you had to tell me." At Dumbledore's nod Harry continued "Since everything else seem to be out in the open I have one more question for you."

"What is it you wish to know Harry?" Asked Dumbledore.

"Where is the Lion's Gate located?" Dumbledore was expecting this.

"It's in Edinburgh." He replied. "But as I've said before it's not safe. The Death Eaters have set up monitors and wards around the place because they expect you to want to come home at some point. As soon as you entered they would know and then you won't be able to leave. So Harry I'm asking you not to go there." He finished looking Harry straight in the eyes.

"I won't go there Professor, not alone anyway." Stated Harry standing.

"What? Didn't you hear what I've just said?" Asked Dumbledore coming to his feet as well. "There are ward all over the place not to mention the place is being watched."

"All I'm saying Professor is Remus and I could pay the place a visit an do some monitoring of our own. You know check how often they change the guards and what type of wards they have in place and things like that. Kind of like us spying on the spies. But it would just be the two of us." Harry continued looking at Ron, Hermione, Neville, Ginny, Luna and finally Amelia to whom he add telepathically. "I mean it Amelia, please just go along with this for now. Will you?"

"Well since you asked so nicely and you are so cute when you're serious I guess I can this once." She replied then added seductively "But you're going to owe me and I hope you're prepared to pay."

Harry knew exactly what she meant and he had to fake a cough to cover the color that was quickly rising to his face.

"What do you say Remus? Are you up to it? He turned to face Remus

"I think that's a great idea and I'm up to it" replied Remus chuckling softly.

"I'm up for some of that action count me in kid." Added Moody from his spot by the door. Constant vigilance always.

Dumbledore was almost his usual self. Now that everything was out in the open he felt as if a great weight has been lifted from his shoulders. He was observing the rapport between Harry and Amelia and he was sure there were more going on between those two than they were letting on. He was pretty sure Amelia was telepathic also. He had seen the color that rose to Harry's cheeks and he knew they were communicating with each other. He was happy to see Harry with someone; she seems to agree with him. He was looking better than he has in years. Harry had changed a lot he'd gotten taller and he had filled out a lot too. His shoulders had gotten wider and he was lean and muscular and more athletic. Harry was no longer a boy he was a young man with a purpose. He seemed to have accepted his faith and have made a resolution. Dumbledore just hope that Harry would forgive him for what he'd put him through. Harry calling his name brought him out of his musings.

"Professor Dumbledore, are you okay?"

"Oh yes, I'm fine just thinking is all. What is it you were saying?"

"Okay" replied Harry. "I was saying that due to the recent revelations I decided I want to become a full member of the Order Of Phoenix, and not only that I want my friends to be members also."

"Wait a minute there Harry." cried Mrs. Weasley. "You are all still too young to be involve in this?"

"Mrs. Weasley I understand and respect your point of view, but do you honestly think the Death Eaters care how old we are? We know that they want to kill me and we also know that they will use whatever methods necessary to do so. Now consider all this and tell me who do you think is more vulnerable."

"The circle of heroes." Commented Snape causing everyone to look at him. "Much as I hate to admit it the boy is right for once. We can't take any chances of the Dark Lord using his friends against him. Given the circumstances I say they be allowed to joined."

Harry and his friends were staring opened mouth at the Potions Master. They would never have guessed in a million years that Snape would be the one to agree.

"I suggest you all close your mouths before something decides to move in there." Continued Snape with his usual sneer.

"Did Snape just stand for us?" Asked Ron looking at Hermione who still hadn't regained her ability to speak.

"Harry I'm scared." Complain Neville. "Professor Snape just stood up for us what is going on?"

"The universe seems to be out of balance." Continued Luna in her usual dreamy voice.

Harry heard a snort and turned to see Professor McGonagall fighting a losing battle against her laughter. Kingsley and Madame Bones seemed to have lost the battle entirely, they where leaning against each other holding their sides. The twins were holding each other up, Mrs. Weasley was wiping tears form her eyes from laughing so hard, while Bill and Mr. Weasley just held their stomachs. Harry returned his attention to the Headmaster who was also chuckling, the twinkle in his eyes had returned. The only person who did not find this funny was Professor Snape who was looking at everyone as if they'd lost their minds.

"If you are all done giggling like school girls. I would like to continue with this meeting. It is already very late and I for one would like to get this over with so I can go to bed."

"Ah, of course Severus." Replied Dumbledore still smiling. "You are completely correct. We should get this matter settled so we can all get some much-needed rest. Well Harry seeing as you have managed to convince Severus far be it for the rest of us to object. We will induct you all into the order as full members as soon as possible. Is there anything else?"

"Yes Sir, there is. I also want to have full head privilege." Harry answered.

Dumbledore seemed to think about it for a while then finally he nodded.

"Very well, I can't say that I blame you. After all you are the one expected to dispatch Voldemort, so it's only fair that you be involve in everything having to do with this battle."

"Thank you Sir." Harry replied he was relieved he wouldn't have to fight Dumbledore on this.

"Now does anyone have any questions for me?" He asked facing everyone. It was Ginny's hand that shot up first.

"Yes Ginny"

"Where did you meet Amelia?"

He knew sooner or later someone was going to ask that question.

"I met her in the park by my house. I will tell you all about it later." He told her with a smile.

"Harry how did you find the Phoenix Perch?" Asked Remus.

"It was kind of weird. We went to Gringotts and ask to speak with the person in charge of Potter Affairs. We where taken to an office and the Goblin behind the desk asked who we were and why were we asking about Potter affair. After I told him who I was, I was told to place my finger on this thing that pricked my finger and let the blood fall in this bowl thing containing a silvery liquid. When my blood fell in the liquid it started swirling and changing colors. Then finally it changed to bright green and then back to silver. After this he told us that I was who I said I was and asked which vault I would like to visit first. That day we went through the first two vaults. The first had galleons and gold and things like that. The second had a whole bunch of things. There where things like vases, pottery and other things that I've been told are suppose to be priceless heirlooms. The next day we went back and visited the third vault. This one had all different types of books. It looked like a huge library inside the vault. There were also many paintings and scrolls. It was in one of these paintings that I saw the castle. It was as if it was calling to me, and the more I looked at it the more I felt as if I knew it. After we left the vault I just knew where to go it's as if I was being led there. Next things I know we were standing outside the gates. I reached out to open the gates but they opened on their own. So we walk in, that's when we met Godfrey."

"Who's Godfrey?" Interrupted Ron.

"Oh yes" continued Harry. "Godfrey is my phoenix, he's over their with Fawkes." Everyone turned to look at the phoenix sitting next to Fawkes on his perch. They've never seen anything like it before. It had silvery blue feathers on it's back. And its wingspan was scarlet tinge with blue around its wingtips. And it's tail feathers were scarlet tipped with dark green. Its whole body seems to be made up of all the colors of the rainbow and it had a crown of scarlet feathers on its head.

Moody was the first to comment.

"You seem to have gotten yourself a King Phoenix there Potter." He said as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Godfrey flew out to meet us and landed on my shoulder. Then he welcomed me home."

"What do you mean he welcomed you home?" It was Hermione's turn to interrupt now.

"I mean he spoke, at least I understood him. He said welcome home Master Potter we've been expecting you. Trust me I was as surprised as the next person, but the funny thing is I did feel as if I'd come home."

"What do you mean we've been expecting you? Who else was there?" It was Hermione again this time she was looking at Harry suspiciously.

Harry knew what was going through her mind, she wasn't the smartest which of the time for nothing. So he went ahead and answer the question he knew she was about to ask.

"Yes Hermione there were house elves there, and yes I plan to keep them. And no I am not supporting slavery. If you'd let me finish here I'll explain a few things to you later." Harry had had his fill of S.P.E.W and he knew a lot more than he did before. He also knew that Hermione didn't have the full story on house elves. "We explore for awhile and I must say that we've found a lot of interesting things there. You all should visit sometime I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised. So if there are no more questions"

"Actually Potter I have one but it's for miss Emrys." Professor McGonagall motion toward Amelia.

"Yes Professor" she answered standing.

"Since you were suppose to have been here years ago." Professor McGonagall replied clearing her throat. "I was wondering if you plan to stay seeing as how you've showed up with Potter and all."

"Yes Professor I do plan to stay if it's okay."

"Of course it's okay I just ask because you will need to be sorted." Continued McGonagall as she went to fetch the sorting hat. She returned shortly with the tattered hat and placed it on Amelia's head.

Once on her head the sorting hat started to talk.

"Ahh it's you, I see you've finally made it. It took you long enough to get here. Now let's see where to put you, oh this is an easy one." "Gryffindor." Shouted the hat as all the friends applauded. Harry let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. He had been pretty sure she would be in Gryffindor but when the Sorting hat took so long he started getting nervous. He didn't want her in any other house. She was his anchor and he needed her close even if it wasn't as close as they'd been in Alfheim. Harry stood and thanked everyone for coming. Then he collected Amelia and the animals and turned to leave with his friends. When he got to the door he turned and looked at the Headmaster.

"Professor you and I still have some details to work out but we can take care of that tomorrow."

"Yes Harry we'll do that it's already late and we've covered quiet a lot in a short period of time. And we are all exhausted, so until tomorrow then." He replied and Harry noticed a small twinkle in his eyes.

Professor McGonagall offered to walk them to their dormitories just in case Filch was on the prowl and tried to give them detention for being out of their dorms. She decided that Luna should spend the night in Gryffindor since it was extremely late and she was pretty sure that the friends needed to talk. She left them at the portrait hole after warning them not to get loud and disturb their housemates.

The seven friends were surprisingly wide-awake when they entered the common room. Godfrey was staying in Dumbledore's office with Fawkes, the two cats had gone into the forbidden forest to hunt and Hedwig had taken the falcon up to the owlery.

Everyone took a seat around the fire and Harry cast a silencing charm so they wouldn't wake anyone. Just then Ron stomach started to growl causing everyone to laugh and his ears to turn pink.

"I'm starving what do you expect I missed the feast." Cried Ron holding his stomach. "Now that you mention it I'm kind of hungry too." Added Harry.

"Me too." chorused the others.

Then as if hearing their cries the table by the fire filled up with food. There were roast chicken and rolls. And pumpkin juice and cakes, they were just wondering where'd all that food come from when Harry called out.

"Thank you Dobby."

Just then there was a pop and Dobby appeared wearing a shirt that was too big for him and mis-matched socks bouncing up and down on his heels.

"Master Harry Potter sir is welcome. Dobby knew that Master Harry Potter didn't have any dinner so Dobby saved some dinner for Master Harry Potter and his friends sir. Dobby is so happy to see Master Harry Potter back at Hogwarts where he belongs. And master Harry Potter has even brought a most honorable guest with him." Dobby added looking at Amelia.

Harry had to admit he was happy to see Dobby.

"Thanks Dobby it's good to be back," replied Harry smiling at the house elf.

"Will Master Harry Potter be needing anything else sir?"

"No Dobby, everything is great and thanks again." And with that Dobby disappear with a pop. Everyone was busy eating except for Hermione who was glaring at Harry.

"Leave it alone Hermione." Harry warned helping himself to some chicken.

But Hermione wasn't about to let it go just yet. She wanted to know about the house elves Harry had mentioned. And to know if he planned to set them free.

"Harry." She began.

"Leave it alone Hermione, now is not the time." He answered looking at her.

"But Harry you realize it's wrong don't you? You can't plan to keep them. It's slave..."

"Drop it Hermione, you don't know as much as you think you do about this. So just let it alone. Okay?" He grounded out taking a bite of his chicken.

"Okay fine I'll let it drop for now but we will talk about it."

"Fine Hermione we'll talk about it. Just not right now." He agreed.

After they had eaten their fill they began to talk about everything that had happened over the summer. Then Ginny asked the question everyone wanted to know.

"So Harry how did you and Amelia really meet?"

Both Harry and Amelia started laughing, then soon everyone was laughing as they told their friends about their first meeting.

"You really called her a twelve year old know-it-all?" Asked Ron between chuckles.

"Yes I did, and you should've seen those pretty eyes turned mean it was scary. At first I thought she was going to hit me but instead she called me an insufferable, ungrateful, unthinking, irrational prick. At that point I wished she had hit me." He finished.

They were laughing so hard at this point that they were holding their sides. Then Neville asked what was it like in Gwrythrn. And Harry went on to tell them about is time in Alfheim and all the things he'd seen and all he'd learned there. It was Luna's question that had everyone quiet.

"So" she began in her usual dreamy voice. "Are you two a couple?"

Everyone stopped what they've been doing and looked from Harry and Amelia to Luna. Then Harry moved on the coach were he was sitting with Amelia so he could place one leg behind her. Then he pulled her into his chest and kissed her. After which he turned to Luna and replied. "Yes we are a couple and plan to stay that way."

Ron let out a snort and they all started laughing. Then he turned to Harry.

"I never knew you had it in you mate." He laughed slapping him on the back.

"So what about you Ron did you ask Hermione out yet?" Harry asked his friend watching them both turn pink.

"They are way beyond that." Replied Ginny dodging her brother and Hermione. "I caught them snogging in the garden at the Burrow. Most disgusting thing I've ever seen. Ugh."

"Wow." Exclaimed Harry laughing and patting Ron on the back. "I never knew you had it in you mate." Harry hadn't thought it possible but Ron had colored even darker and Hermione was pink all the way to her roots.

"Harry where are your glasses?" She asked changing the subject.

"Oh those, I don't need them anymore I can see perfectly now thanks to a little Elvin magic."

They talked and laughed for a few more hours then Ginny announced she was going to bed and Luna left with her to the girls dormitory then Neville retired to the boys. Leaving just Ron and Hermione, and Harry and Amelia. They talked for about another hour then they decided to go to bed also. Inside the boy's dormitory Ron shook his best friends' hand. "It good to have you back Harry, and don't ever do that again." Then he added "she's beautiful Harry I'm really happy for you."

"Thanks Ron you don't know what it means to hear you say that. And I am happy for you and Hermione too. I'm just glad you two finally saw what everyone else did."

"Thanks mate" replied Ron as they drifted off to sleep.