New Beginings

Disclaimer: I unfortunately do not own Harry Potter or any of the other characters.

A/N: I had only planned to do three chapters to this story but I have been asked to continue with it so here we go. I hope it is what everyone wants.

Chapter 4: A New family

The first week back at Hogwarts was already gone. Harry, Ron and Hermione tried to enjoy it as much as posibble but it just wasn't as easy as that.

"I can't believe all the homework we have so far"
Ron hadn't stopped complaining for the last ten minutes about how much homework they had for their first weekend back.
"Ron will you stop complaining. It won't help and you don't have to tell us how much work we have. Harry and I both know how much homework we have."

The trio were making their way up to the Gryffindor common room. As they entered Ron took the closest and most comfortable chair infront of the fireplace. The common was nearly empty except for a few second year students sitting together on the other side of the room. Harry took a seat on the couch and just tried to relax.

Harry had mixed feelings about being back at Hogwarts. Every time he had a happy moment he felt like he was being disrespectful to the memory of Sirius. He also hadn't been able to talk much to Professor McGonagall unless it was about transfiguration. He missed being able to talk to her and spend time with her. He now knew how students felt to be away from their families and loved ones.

"Harry are you ok? You've been extremely quiet today"
Harry looked over at Hermione and knew that she as been wanting to talk to him about Sirius, but he was just not ready to talk about it.
"I'm fine. Just thinking about all this work we have been assigned for the weekend"
Hermione gave Harry an uncertain look but dropped the whole conversation.

"Maybe we should start with our potions essay"
Ron and Harry looked at each other and said at the same time.
"No"
Hermione tried to persuade them but with no luck. Hermione took a seat at the table and started her homework. She knew that even if she now told them that she wasn't going to help them with their work that in the end she would.

A hour had passed and the common room was now empty. It was about 11:30pm in the evening and nothing could be heard through out the castle. Hermione had packed up her things and said goodnight as she made her way up to the girls domitory. Ron was making his way across the room towards the staircase to the boys domitory when the entrance to the common room opened and Professor McGonagall entered.

"You boys still awake then"
"We were just about to go to bed now"
McGonagall looked over to Ron at the staircase and noticed that Harry was still seated infront of the fireplace.
"Good night Professor, Night Harry"
Ron made his way up the staircase and dissapeared through the domitory entrance.

McGonagall sat in the chair that had just been vacated by Ron. "Having trouble sleeping"
Harry wasn't sure what to say. Harry wanted to be able to talk about what he was feeling but he also felt that by doing so he was being weak.
"Just sitting here for a little longer before going to bed. "
Professor McGonagall took a seat next to Harry on the couch.

"Harry, you know it's alright to talk about what is bothering you. Tell me whats wrong"
"Nothings wrong." Harry had considered talking to her about how he felt but didn't want to ruin things with his terrible feelings.

"Harry, I would have hoped that by know you knew that you could talk to me about anything. I know that I said this summer that when we are here at Hogwarts I am the Professor and you are the student. Well I made the biggest mistake by saying that"
McGonagall looked at Harry to make sure she could continue with what she was saying. "The bond I think we formed over the summer is not the type of bond you can just have at certain times. I feel this bond is the type of bond that continues and grows every minute of every day"
Harry couldn't speak, listening to what McGonagall said Harry started to get this feeling that he might just cry. As Professor McGonagall finished talking he nodded and looked into the fireplace not entirely sure how to start.

"So, have you been having trouble sleeping"
Harry nodded still not sure how to start. McGonagall just sat quietly and waited till Harry felt he was ready to talk. It took a while but McGonagall didn't push him.

"It's just ...well...since Sirius's death...well it's just"
"You feel you shouldn't feel happiness anymore"
Harry looked over at McGonagall, happy that he didn't have to finish that sentance.
"Harry, just because you have been able to start enjoying life again doesn't mean your betraying Sirius memory. He would have wanted you to be happy and enjoy your time here at Hogwarts just like he did."

"You don't know that. No one knows that. He is not here to tell anyone now is he"
By this stage Harry had gotten up from his seat and started pacing up and down infront of the fire place.
"He would have wanted to be here. He even asked if I wanted to come and live with him. He didn't want to die. "
"You're right he didn't want to die. Yes he wanted to be here, be able to get to know you like your your parents never did"
McGonagall stood up from her seat and stood infront of Harry.

"Harry, the pain is going to take time to heal but that doesn't mean that you have to stop living your life"
Harry looked at McGonagall and felt the tears starting to build up in his eyes.
"He died becuase of me. I was stupid enough to believe the visions that Voldemort showed me. Not only did I put my friends lives in danger, I was also the reason Sirius died that night"
"It was not you fault"
"Yes it was. If I did not go to the ministry that evening Sirius would still be alive."

McGonagall grabbed Harry by his shoulders and made him look her in the eyes.
"Sirius's death was not your fault. He was a grown man who knew what he was doing. He lived for your safety. He knew the danger involved with going to the ministry that evening. Harry, by not continueing on with your life is a way of saying Sirius died for nothing. He died so you could live. Live with sad times but hopefully also with more good times."

Harry turned towards the fire while trying to hide his tears. Professor McGonagall turned him towards her again and took him into her embrace.
Harry started crying and wrapped his arms around her. McGonagall hugged him as he cried. Harry's crying continued for a few minutes longer as McGonagall continued to hug him.

Harry took a step away from McGonagall and wiped away the last of his tears with the back of his hand. "I just sometimes feel so alone. I feel that anyone who ever loved me or started loving me gets taken away from"
"What are you talking about. Look at Ms Granger and Mr Weasley. They love you for who you are and yet even after all the danger you three have faced together, they still stick with you. They are your friends and they always will be. If a fight against death eaters can't scare them away then nothing will. Then you also have the Weasley family who feel that you are part of their family. Don't forget the most important person, ME."

McGonagall smiled as he looked at her with so much emotion in his eyes.
"Harry, I had never had the chance of having a family of my own. Since this holiday I have nothing but felt that you are family to me. If I ever had a son I would've been the happiest mother on earth if he even turned out to be 1/2 as brave and caring as you. Don't ever think that you are alone. You have so many people who care and love you."

Harry noticed a tear roll down McGonagalls cheek. Harry smiled and hugged her like a son would hugg his mother after a long periode apart.
As Harry was about to take a seat on the couch again he was stopped.
"Not so fast mister. It's almost two in the morning. It's time for you to go to bed"
Harry had not noticed how time had past. He started to make his way toward the staircase but quickly turned around and went to McGonagall and hugged her again.

"Good night...Minerva"
McGonagall smiled at the use of her first name.
"Shhh. Remember no one else knows my first name"
Harry smiled at this and made his way to the boys dormitory.
"Good night Harry and sweet dreams,"

As Harry climbed into bed he could feel how tired he was and knew that tonight he was going to have a good nights rest. He wasn't sure if it was because he got to bed so late or if he finally got to talk to someone about his feelings.
At that moment Harry didn't care, he was just looking forward to a good nights rest.

Another week had rushed past and again they had a large amount of homework. Harry and Ron knew that they would have to start on their homework as soon as possible becuase that Saturday they would not have the chance of doing it.
That Saturday was the first Quidditch match of the year and unfortunately the match happened to be Gryffindor against Slytherine.

For Harry this match was very important. It was his first as the Gryffindor team captain. He wanted to be able to prove that he was picked because of his good playing skills and not because he is being called 'The one that lived' or 'The chosen one'.

It was Friday night, the night before the match and Harry was really nervous. Propably even more nervous then Ron but that was up for debate.
"Harry will you please eat something. You have to eat something"
Harry was sitting with Ron and Hermione in the Great Hall for dinner.
"Ron you also need to eat"
"I'm not hungry"
"Ron, Harry, really! You have to eat."

"Ms Granger is right Mr Potter, Mr Weasley. You need you strength for tomorrow." Professor McGonagall had appeared from no where and happened to hear the argument Hermione was having with the boys about their dinner.

"We're not really hungry Professor"
"I know you're both nervous but it will do you no good by starving yourselves. By doing that you are already giving the Slytherine team a way of winning. I don't know about you three but I like the Quidditch cup in my office"
Harry, Ron and Hermione smile at Professor McGonagall's mention that the last thing she wants to see happen is Slytherine team winning the quidditch cup.

Harry and Ron took plate full of the wonderful food that appeared infront of them not long ago. Hermione looked on with a satisfied smile as she watched the boys start to eat their dinner. It didn't take long before Ron was getting his appetite back and was eating faster then anyone else. As the dessert arrived Hermione and Ron helped themselves to a nice healthy portion of ice cream and pumkin pie. Harry only felt like he could stomach one scoop of ice cream and he even had a trouble with that.

The trio made their way up to the Gryffindor common room to find the room empty. Most of the students were still at dinner and didn't feel a need to rush becuase it was a Friday night. Harry took a seat infront of the fireplace and watched as Hermione and Ron each took a seat on the couch next to him.

"What do you think our chances are of winning tomorrow"
Harry looked at Ron he wanted to be positive but then again he also wanted to realistic.
"Well, we haven't lost a game against Slytherin yet, so I'm hoping tomorrow will be the same"
"Yeah, but those other games where different. It was a total different team then. You at Woods as a Keeper and Fred and George on the team aswell"
"That and Woods was Captain. Not me"
"Will you two please stop worrying. I don't know why your so worried. You are both great players and you have a great team. Will you stop worrying"

Ron looked over at Hermione and gave her a smile that made her blush. Harry and Ron took their school bags and each took a seat at the table to start work on some of their essays.
"What, why are you looking at us like that"
Hermione was stunned for a few minutes before she could even think of saying anything to Ron's question.
"I'm just surprised at you two. I'm normally then one having to get you two to even think of doing your work"
Ron and Harry just smiled at her as she joined them at the table to start on her work aswell.

The three friends didn't work to late in the evening as the boys thought it best to get a good nights rest before the big game.

The day of the big game had arrived and again Hermione had to force Ron and Harry to eat some breakfast. Ron was of course more nervous then Harry. Harry had been playing since his first year at Hogwarts. The Gryffindor team had been receiving their threats from the Slytherine team since the begining of the week.

The whole team knew that this was not going to be a friendly match so they were all ready to do their best moves. The team got together and was about to fly out onto the pitch when Professor McGonagall arrived.

"I just wanted to wish you all good luck in this first match. I know you'll make us proud"
Harry smiled as Professor McGonagall patted him on the back as she wished them all well.
Madam Hooch had already made her way onto the pitch as the two teams started to gather. "Now I want a nice clean game." Harry looked over to Malfoy and the rest of the Slytherine team and new that they didn't plan to play a clean game.

It wasn't long before the game was full on. Bludgers flying everywhere. Ginny was even nearly knocked of her broom when two of the Slytherin team members tried to knock her off before she scored a goal. Harry tried to concentrate on the game as well as try and find the snitch before Malfoy did but it was easier said then done.

It had already been 25mins of play and still now sign of the snitch. As Harry tried to warn Ron that he should stay infront of the middle hoop he spotted it flying just behind Ron's head. Unfortunately Draco had spotted it at the excat same time as Harry did. The chase was on. As Harry tried to grab for it he noticed that one of the Slytherine team members had join Draco and where trying to knock Harry off his broom.

"Your not going to win this time, Potter! Your time is up"
Harry tried to outfly them but it was becoming more difficult. Just as Harry flew past the tower where the Professors were seated, Harry spotted the snitch.
He flew as fast as he could. He had the snitch in sight. As Harry grabbed for the snitch he felt a hard knock against his head and the last thing he saw was the ground moving closer and closer.

"His he going to be alright Professor, Madam Pomfrey"
Harry could hear the voice of Hermione but it sounded distant. He tried to talk but could not. All Harry could see was fog all around him with nothing else.

"He'll be alright won't he. He's been injured before. He's a fighter"
"He'll be alright Ms Granger. It's like you said he's a fighter."

Harry could now hear the voices of Hermione, Ron and Professor McGonagall. He wanted them to know he was there and that he was alright. Why could they not hear him.

Hermione was seated next to Ron. Professor McGonagall had also joined them next to Harry's hospital bed. It had been hours since Harry was knocked off of his broom yet he had showned no signs of waking up. Professor McGonagall had tried to get Hermione and Ron to go and get some dinner but they had been just as reluctant as she was to move from his bed side.

The match had ended as soon as Harry was knocked off of his brrom. Unfortunately for Malfoy and his team mate who knocked Harry off of his broom, they didn't count on him clutching onto the snitch just before he was knocked to the ground. Gryffindor had won because of Harry.

As Hermione and Ron sat next his bed they tried to talk to him in the hope that he could hear them. Hermione was really worried. Madam Pomfrey was the best healer in the wizarding world yet she had not been able to awake him. At one stage Professor McGonagall at to reluctantly leave to go and make her rounds in the school corridor.

"Ron what will happen if Harry doesn't wake up. He as to wake up"
"Hermione he's going to be fine. It's Harry we are talking about. He is stronger then both of us combined"
Hermione started crying at the thought of losing one of her best friends.
"Hermione don't cry"
Ron took Hermione into his arms and wiped her tears away gently with one of his fingers. Ron did not let go and neither did Hermione move away from him. As they sat next Harry's bed they both prayed for their friend to return to them.

A hour had passed and no chance had happened in Harry's condition. McGonagall had return a half an hour ago. She did not move from his bed and planned to stay there till he awoke and returned to them. "Do you mind if I have a moment alone with Harry"
McGonagall said it so softly that Ron at to look at Hermione to make sure that she had also heard it. "Ofcourse Professor"
Ron and Hermione left their seats and made their way to the exit of the hospital wing.

"Harry. Harry can you hear me. Please give me a sign that you can hear me"
McGonagall looked but received no sign from Harry. "Harry it's not right if you leave us now. You have too many people who need you and who love you. You can't leave us...you can't leave me. I love you Harry. I love you like you were my own family..."

McGonagall couldn't continue for the tears started to flow. McGonagall took one of Harry's hands into hers as she bowed her head and cried some more.
She wasn't sure how long she was crying for but she suddenly felt a tug on her hands. As she looked up she saw Harry opening his eyes.

"O my gosh. Your awake. Thank merlin, your alright"
Before Harry could do or say anything he was being attacked with hugs and kisses from McGonagall. "Your alright"
"Yeah, I think so. What happened"
"You gave us the biggest fright ever. You were knocked off your broom during the match and we were unable to awaken you. Madam Pomfrey tried everything she could think of. Nothing helped. I was so worried."

Harry noticed as more tears rolled down McGonagalls face. Watching the tears roll down her cheeks Harry started to remember what he heard when he was surrounded with all the fog.

"Did you mean it when you said I was like your family. That you loved me like you would your family"
McGonagall was taken aback with the question not realising he had heard but wasted no time in answering him.
"Of course I meant it. Now and forever."

Harry hugged her and felt tears starting to roll down his cheeks.
Suddenly the doors of the hospital wing opened and Ron and Hermione came walking in. They were so happy to see their best friend awake and well.

After Madam Pomfrey came to do her inspection of her patient Harry had insistent to hear all about the rest of the match. So together they all sat like one big family recalling the wonderful victory that had happened the day before.

Alright. I know it is really alot of emotional stuff but I hope you like it. Please someone let me know what you think. I hope I did the right thing by writing a 4th chapter to this story as that had not been the plan at the begining.