--In Memory of Harry Potter--
Author's Notes: [waves at everyone] Please review!! I really could use your feedback!
"Potter, why, are we at Kings Cross?" An invisible Malfoy asked as he looked around the crowded station.
"Because we're catching the train to Hogwarts." Harry said as though it was completely obvious what they were doing at the station.
"Oh great" Malfoy muttered before he had even thought about the answer he received. "WHAT!" Malfoy cried causing a muggle who was walking past to look back at the empty space where the shout had came from,
Harry sighed and shrugged at the passing muggle. "Today is the day that the students return to Hogwarts from the Christmas break, we're going to get on the Hogwarts express with everyone else" Harry explained, struggling to make it look like he wasn't talking at all as he walked through the crowd searching for the entrance to platform nine and three quarters.
"You've had it all planned, haven't you!! This isn't a spur of the moment thing, is it?" Draco whispered, suddenly suspicious of his old rival and good friend.
"What makes you think that?" Harry asked slightly distracted
"This cannot possibly be all one big coincidence" Draco said trying to follow Harry's gaze.
"Perhaps it is, perhaps it isn't, either way it's handy"
"Either way it's handy" Draco mimicked as he lingered behind Harry who had stopped a few platforms down from where they wanted to be. "As handy as it may be, you do realise that they are not going to let you on the...." Malfoy started but stopped as Harry drank the entire contents of a vial. "What is... Oh" Malfoy muttered as Harry turned into a fifteen year old boy. Draco gaped at the boy who had been Harry for a few minutes then asked "I thought that potion-making wasn't your strong point."
"No it isn't, but I've had practice with Polyjuice" Harry grinned mysteriously.
Draco thought about this as Harry walked towards the station. "Hold on," He cried flying after Harry "When exactly did you get this practice" He asked silently knowing that there was more to this than he probably wanted to know.
"That story can wait" Harry said knowing that Malfoy would not be pleased with what he was going to say. "Now if you would kindly stop talking, some of the muggles are giving me strange looks"
"Don't worry, you naturally look like someone that belongs in a mental institution"
"Yeah, I love you too Malfoy" Harry muttered rolling his eyes
"Sorry Harry, even if I was alive, I don't swing that way"
Harry grinned and shook his head, then walked through the barrier. It didn't take long before Harry had slipped onto the train unnoticed. Much to Malfoy's disappointment no one questioned who he was everyone assuming that he was just a student. Harry realised that the whole ruse may not have been so easy had the war stopped years ago. As it was, though, there were hundreds of witches and wizards, both adults and children, boarding the express all seeking refuge from the harsh, war-stricken life that most of the magical world was suffering from.
Harry slipped into a compartment that was empty apart from a pretty little girl who was sleeping peacefully in the corner next to the window. After a few minutes observation Harry decided that she could not be any older than about four years old, and he couldn't help but smile at the sight although he pitied her for being born into such a cruel world.
Harry chose the seat that was diagonally opposite her in hope that she wouldn't wake because of his presence. "Well that, unfortunately, was surprisingly easy" Malfoy said clearly disappointed.
"Quiet" Harry said motioning towards the girl in the corner. He was used to Draco's obsession with trying to reintroduce the fact that Harry Potter was alive and well to the magical world so he let the comment go with a small smile.
"Oh your joking, your going to make me be quiet because there's a little girl asleep in the corner." he objected.
"That and I'm getting a migraine, its unbelievable that you have not once not had something to say in four years" Harry whispered still watching the little girl.
Malfoy glared at him, and sat down making it clear that he was offended.
Harry yawned "I think I'm going to sleep, these nightmares are driving me mad, I'm not sure I know what a proper sleep is anymore"
"What are they about?" Malfoy asked, Harry never talked about his nightmares.
"I'm not sure you want to know, but you should be grateful that you can't sleep, because you'd probably get something similar" Harry said closing his eyes and leaning back into the seat.
"Hold on, if your going to sleep this whole trip, what am I going to do?"
"Stay invisible, hopefully," Harry muttered
Malfoy glared, "You're so considerate of the little girl, making me talk quietly, but when it comes to the one who can't sleep you don't give a damn."
"Malfoy if I didn't give a damn, I wouldn't have nightmares" and with that Harry fell asleep.
-o-
Harry awoke suddenly and found himself staring into a pair of questioning emerald green eyes. Harry didn't move and let himself get used to his surroundings. The polyjuice potion, he felt, had worn off about half an hour ago and the girl that had been sleeping in the corner was now standing on the seat next to him with her face directly in front of his, so close that their noses were touching."Hello" Harry said gently. She gasped as she realised he was awake then ran out of the room.
"And there I was thinking that you only had that effect on Voldemort" Draco laughed as he made himself visible for the first time during the entire trip.
Harry laughed. "She's cute"
"She's also far to young for you"
"I didn't mean it that way and you know it. She didn't see me change back did she?" he asked looking for her through the crowd of children who were playing out the front of the compartment next to his.
"No she slept right through it, did you have a good sleep?" Malfoy asked obviously making conversation.
"One of the better ones" Harry said "You didn't terrorise the train did you?"
"No, not really, no, well sort of, but not really"
Harry frowned knowing that he didn't really want to know what Malfoy had to say. "What have you done Draco?"
Draco suddenly had a look of innocence on his face, "Well you see, I got really bored with you sleeping and all, and well..."
"Draco?" Harry warned
"Well let's just say that the Hogwarts express is now officially haunted." Draco said with a mischievous smile. "I didn't show myself, I just whispered a few things here and there" Malfoy said quickly after he noticed the disapproving glare Harry was sending his way.
Harry shook his head. "Why me" he muttered.
"I told you that you'd regret making me change sides" Draco said looking pleased with himself.
"I don't regret it" Harry said sincerely.
"Why not?" Draco asked, suddenly looking extremely disappointed in the fact that he had not completed his life long goal to make Harry's life a living hell.
"Because without your friendship, I don't think I'd still be here now" Harry said. Draco just stared at Harry knowing that like Dumbledore, he was never going to understand Harry Potter. They both were thrown forward slightly as the train came to a stop at Hogsmede station. "Come on, I've got to see Dumbledore." Harry said standing up.
"As Harry, or James?" Draco asked
"James, of course" Harry grinned causing Malfoy to sigh.
As Harry got off the train, he received a few questioning glances from both adults and students. 'Probably because I'm unfamiliar' Harry thought to himself. Draco had once again made himself invisible to the eyes of the others, but he was still talking, although he did have the sense to do it quietly.
"They are jumpy aren't they" Draco said
"Hmm, they probably think I'm a death eater" Harry whispered, silently considering the irony of that assumption.
"Yeah well I'm not surprised, I mean you are talking to yourself" Malfoy grinned. Harry rolled his eyes in response.
They reached the entrance of the old school without any problems, then asked McGonagall where Dumbledore's office was. Malfoy had gaped at him, "You knew where Dumbledore's office was! What'd you ask for?" he asked as soon as they were far away enough from McGonagall.
"No, Harry knew, not me. If I'm going to do this right Malfoy, then I have to make sure I don't slip up anywhere, Dumbledore is not fooled easily, if at all"
Malfoy just shrugged in response then followed Harry up the stairs to Dumbledore's office disappearing as soon as they entered the room. The old office had changed little since the last time Harry had been here. There were still strange little bits and pieces and books were piled everywhere. A gentle cry of recognition brought his attention to the phoenix that sat perched on the back of Dumbledore's chair. He smiled at Fawkes, as Hermione's words echoed in his head. 'You can't fool a phoenix' She had told him in their sixth year when he and Ron had tried to sneak in to er- borrow the sorting hat.
The cry from Fawkes not only brought back happy memories in Harry's mind but had also called Dumbledore's attention away from the bookshelf on the upper level of the office. He walked down the old staircase watching Harry carefully, "Good Evening? Can I help you?" He asked suspiciously.
"Yes actually, I have heard that Hogwarts has been opened for people to stay during the war, I was wondering if I could inquire about staying here."
"Its very late in the war to be moving into Hogwarts, where have you been staying up until now" Dumbledore questioned as he sat down at his desk not once taking his eyes off Harry.
"I lived in Scotland and stayed with the underground resistance for a long time, I'm actually here looking for a lost relative, we were separated during the attack on Diagon Alley a few years ago. I haven't been able to look for her up until now, I really would like to know what happened to her."
"I see" Dumbledore said his blue eyes softening slightly although his tone gave away that he was still incredibly suspicious. "Well you will have to do your part for the cause,"
"Of course" Harry said
"Well there are a number of choices. You can either help teach, work in the war effort in many different roles or if you have reasonable experience in healing charms we always need more helpers in the infirmary with the wounded"
"I don't think my knowledge of healing charms would do much good, and I have already played a big role in the war effort," Harry paused as he watched the old headmaster register this piece of information, "So perhaps, if I may teach?"
Dumbledore nodded, "We need a defence against the dark arts teacher," He said looking at Harry carefully,
"My best subject" Harry, or James grinned.
Dumbledore nodded, "What was your name then" He said putting on his half moon glasses and pulling a long piece of parchment out of his draw.
"Mr James Saven"
Dumbledore regarded him suspiciously for a moment then he added the name to his list. "Very well Mr Saven, welcome to Hogwarts, if you will follow me I will show you where you can stay"
-o-
The room Harry was given wasn't huge but it was nice and Harry had no complaints whatsoever. As Harry fell back onto the bed Draco made himself visible again. "He's going to watch you, ever so closely"
Harry looked up at Draco. "I couldn't care less, as far as I'm concerned I'm home!"
"Just a question, I never asked, but where'd you get that name from?"
"James was my fathers name and Saven is just the letters in Evans mixed around."
"Where'd Evans come from?"
"It was my mothers maiden name"
"Oh" Malfoy said
Harry was one of the first people to wake the next morning which he decided was the result of a good sleep mixed with the excitement of being back at Hogwarts. For one of the first times in his life Malfoy wasn't there to greet him which Harry was thankful for because it meant he could explore the school where he had spent the most part of his young life with out the ghost interrupting his thoughts. Not too much had changed in the school, the classrooms were not exactly how he remembered them but he expected that was to do with the fact that different teachers now worked there. By the time he reached the great hall some students had awoken and made there way to the old hall. Of all the rooms in the school, the great hall had changed the most. It looked as if it had been re-sized quite a few times to fit in the increased number of tables to cater for the extra people living at the school. Harry couldn't help but wonder how many extra house elves had been hired.
Harry smiled as he saw a few familiar sights, and some unfamiliar. McGonagall sat at the professors table in her usual seat next to the headmasters reading the daily profit quietly like she had every morning during his time at the school and the little green eyed girl from the train sat at the Gryffindor table talking happily with some of the older students whom all had seemed to have accepted her into their little group. She looked up at him and giggled as he walked past. He smiled and winked at her, then sat himself next to McGonagall at the professors table.
It felt odd sitting in front of the gryffindor table rather than at it but Harry decided he would have to get used to it. He smiled as the memory's of the great hall floated back to him, although his thoughts were interrupted by McGonagall who had looked up from the profit to see who had sat next to her
"Oh you're the one who arrived last night, James wasn't it?"
Harry nodded surprised that word had passed so quickly.
"I'm Minerva McGonagall, the Deputy Headmistress and the Transfiguration professor here at Hogwarts."
"Pleased to meet you," Harry said shaking the professors hand, "So how long have you been teaching here at Hogwarts?"
"Too long" She laughed
Harry laughed along with her and decided this was a good time to get any advice and information he may need in the next few weeks, "So is there anyone in particular I should watch out for?"
"Oh, all the Weasleys are trouble, and the first year Slytherins can be right little pains"
Harry laughed while mentally noting to watch both the Weasleys and the Slytherins. He shivered, suddenly feeling that he was being watched and he searched the crowd that was growing in front of him. He caught the eye of the little girl from the train who was sitting at the Gryffindor table.
"Who's the little girl?" Harry asked,
"Which one?" McGonagall asked looking out over the crowd that was present in the great hall
"The one with the green eyes"
"Oh that's little Miss Jessica Granger" McGonagall said without even finding her in the crowd. Harry froze at the mention of his old friend. "There's a sad story behind that one, poor little thing. Well I better get going, I've got a few classes to prepare" The professor said frowning
Harry nodded, still getting over the shook of the little girls last name. 'Did she remarry' Harry thought sadly. 'She thought you were dead, you didn't expect her to stay alone forever did you' a little voice in his head said. As he grabbed a piece of toast he promised himself that he wouldn't dwell on the thought, he had more important things to worry about.
It didn't take long till the entire hall was filled. "Good Morning Students and Guests" Dumbledore's voice bellowed over the noise of the crowd. The whole hall became silent. "Just as an introduction, we have another guest among us. "Meet James Saven." He said
Harry grinned causing some of the students to smile. "Professor Saven here will be taking Remus Lupin's place as the new Defence Against the Dark Arts Teacher, I do hope you welcome him respectfully, and Mister Weasley that means without the use of dung bombs," Dumbledore said with a small smile, then a serious expression crossed his face "Also I'm sure many of you may have noticed but the war is no closer to ending now than it was four years ago when Voldemort was first defeated. Thus I must remind the new year of students and new guests to stay within the grounds of Hogwarts. Please remember that rules were made for a reason and at this time it is best that you abide them. Take care all of you"
Then the old headmaster, suddenly looking older than he ever had before sat down and served himself some cereal.
"Whatever happened to the Remus character?" Harry whispered to Dumbledore
"He's right over there, I need his help in the war effort so I've been needing a new Defence Against the Dark Arts Teacher, you did turn up at a convenient time"
Harry relaxed as he saw Remus fine and well, but he was completely shocked to see who he was talking to. "SIRIUS BLACK!" Harry threw a hand to his mouth as the name echoed through the hall.
"Nice show Potter" He heard Draco whisper in his ear. 'And just when I thought I'd got rid of him' Harry thought.
Almost the entire population of Hogwarts was now looking at Harry. "Err… last time I heard, he was err, a convicted murderer" Harry said rather embarrassed.
"Mister Black was falsely accused of his crimes, but a trial has been postponed till after the war has finished" Dumbledore said calmly
"Oh," Harry said, although every now and then he looked suspiciously in Sirius' direction. Of course Harry knew that Sirius was innocent, but he had to keep up the act.
Breakfast finished quickly and Harry had just made his way to the classroom when he ran into a young woman. "Damn" She cursed as she dropped all the books she was carrying.
"I'm sorry, here let me help" Harry said bending down. She looked up at him and Harry had to use everything he had to stop himself from screaming her name and pulling her into his arms. It was Hermione, and she was as beautiful as ever.
Harry helped her with her books then introduced himself. "I'm James Saven."
"Oh you're the new one"
"How does everyone know that already?" Harry thought out loud with a smile,
Hermione laughed, "Well you are at a school of witchcraft and wizardry you know" She said grinning. "I'm Hermione Granger"
"Oh, you're the one with the little girl" Harry said carefully hoping to find out the story there.
She suddenly looked sad "Yes, my daughter"
"Is something wrong?" Harry asked
"No" She said shaking her head. "Nothing at all, I'm sorry but I'm going to have to excuse myself, I have a mountain load of work to do."
"Oh right, I have a class to teach!" Harry cried and left Hermione before she'd even got the chance to leave herself.
