A/N: Warning! Extreme sappiness at the end of this chapter. Might leave tear-tracks on your face, as well as ruined make-up (for that one reviewer...) Also, thanks to my beta: azntgr01.

Chapter Fourteen: Return to Hogwarts

Harry had decided that he was going to return to Hogwarts looking as he did now. He didn't wish to hide anymore, he wanted to have his aunt near him, and he really didn't know how to keep his illness from other students. Harry knew that he was tired much more easily than before, and it would be hard to explain to both the DA and SL, as well as the younger students, why he would need to rest more often. Besides his friends were acting differently around him, even though he tried to make them behave like always. Hermione did say to him that she couldn't help feeling all motherly over him. Ginny had agreed.

So after talking about it with Professor Snape, his aunt and Dumbledore, they had decided to let the story get out in the open, even though it would make Voldemort more active. After all the news of having a very ill enemy would make him happy.

Professor Snape also had to make some changes to his life. He was now also on the hit list of Voldemort. The man (or what went around for a man) had started dropping hints in meetings, stating there was a traitor in their midst, and he was closer to finding out who it was. Snape knew the tactics. It had worked several times before actually. Voldemort would start saying he knew about a traitor, until those persons got so nervous, they betrayed themselves in one way or another. After talking about it with Dumbledore, it was decided Snape wouldn't respond to the Dark Mark anymore. So now Voldemort knew who his traitor had been, and Snape was to be kept safe in Hogwarts (which had him in quite a horrible mood for a few days, until Harry pointed out he rather liked having an alive Potions Master around, instead of a decidedly dead one. Snape had cooled down after that and had even apologized. Though he later denied that part).

So two lives were different upon the return to Hogwarts. Although, two...?

Petunia had agreed to come to Hogwarts as well. She would be staying in the guest rooms. Harry wanted to stay in the dorms for as long as possible, until he would be more trouble than fun for the rest of the boys. His aunt had been quite happy to go back to Hogwarts; she had agreed to sometimes help out the Muggle-Studies professor. Harry had also noticed the glances she had kept shooting in Remus' direction and knew the man had some feelings for her as well. After all, Remus had been the one bringing Harry to his aunt the entire time. And they had even started chatting and drinking tea with each other. Harry knew, because he had caught them at it several times. He only smiled at them, which encouraged his aunt and 'uncle' to keep interacting. He was still brooding on a plan to get them together.

Draco had handed over the finished list to Harry, who had told him to keep it for now, as he might know more about who could fix everything in the house. Draco understood the underlying message of 'I won't likely be here by the time the orphanage is going to be built.' This had resolved Draco into making another decision. He had asked the Headmaster to see if he also had a spell cast on him to make him look like his father. Dumbledore had just given him a look, and quickly cast a spell to see if it were so.

Draco was pleased, and unnerved to find out he was indeed put under an appearance changing spell. After thinking it over, as well as talking about it with both Harry and Snape, he asked if it could be removed. Dumbledore was quite happy to provide the services.

What came out under the charms was really more Draco. His hair was still blond (which he rather liked), but it was darker, and much longer too, nearly falling to his butt. His eyes were a deeper shade of blue, and didn't look so cold. He really looked more like a mix between his father and mother now. Draco was so fond of his new look, that he also pushed forward a procedure to make him an emancipated minor, seeing as how his father was back in Azkaban, and his mother didn't have much of a say over him. Besides he still had Voldemort looming ahead. He'd rather be emancipated and being able to control his own life, than his mother ordering him around to take the Mark. Dumbledore and Mr Weasley arranged all the paper work and managed to get it past several Order members who worked in the right departments, and just before the holidays were over, Draco was an emancipated minor, with Snape as his sort of backup guardian.


Now they were waiting in the Great Hall for the students to return. They had decided against using the Hogwarts Express, since Harry would be feeling too weak. Besides they would be way too vulnerable there. So, when the students came walking in they were quite surprised to see an obvious muggle woman sitting at the head table, talking animatedly with Remus and Snape, while Draco was talking to a boy with very short red hair on his head, and very green eyes, while being surrounded by the two Weasleys and Granger. Surprised, most students wondered where Harry Potter had gone to and why the group didn't use the train to come to Hogwarts, but they settled in their places, and waited for the Headmaster to open the meal.

Dumbledore rose out of his seat, and smiled down (a little sadly) at the students. Everyone quieted down. "Welcome back everyone. I hope you have had an enjoyable Christmas and gotten the chance to empty your minds a little over this break. As you might have noticed we have some changes in here. I would like to introduce Mrs Evans to you, who is Mr Potter's aunt. For different reasons she is going to stay here at Hogwarts for now. I hope you will all treat her with respect and kindness, as she will also be helping in Muggle Studies classes from time to time. Even though she is not able to use magic, she has her own ways of getting her way." His eyes were twinkling full time now, and Harry had a hard time keeping in his laughter, especially because he knew that he would be in the spotlight not long after.

"Also, some of you might have noticed that Mr Potter seems to be missing. I can assure you he is not. However, I ask you not to ask him too many questions of his change in appearance, nor why his aunt is with us. If you still do not know where Mr Potter is, I suggest you look between Mr Malfoy and Ms Granger, as he is sitting right there."

All heads in the hall swerved towards the small boy with short red hair sitting between the two students. Surprised and worried whispers were going round. Dumbledore quickly added in his other words, before the students would break out in louder chatter. "Then I wish you a very pleasant meal, and a good night afterwards, as lessons start again tomorrow." When he sat down, he was bombarded with questions from teachers who weren't in the Order.

The students were wildly speculating about why Harry would look so different, and eventually the first year students didn't care about keeping everything secret, and rushed towards Harry. At first it was only the Gryffindor first years, but when the other first years saw them flocking Harry, they joined the group as well. Surprised, the older students stopped talking, and looked at the large group (and it was growing with second and third years) of students who were talking and gesturing to Harry. Harry's friends were just as surprised, and the only ones who knew anything about this were Petunia and Severus, who smirked knowingly to each other.

Harry had turned around in his seat, and hugged several younger students to him, while trying to answer questions. But the group around him was growing so large, he couldn't make himself heard. Finally Hermione had enough, and she put up a handy spell that kept the group from closing in. The other effect it had was that it made the group mute for a short while, so Harry assured the students he would tell them everything after dinner. They agreed, and left for their own tables, were they were being watched by the older students.

Harry had a hard time concentrating on the rest of the meal, since his head was already working on how he would tell his students (Yes, he thought of them as his, even as a big family of younger brothers and sisters) what was going on. Draco (who nobody had even dared to tell he would need to sit with the Slytherins) noticed he was getting tired, and signalled to Severus, who in turn relayed the news to Dumbledore. When not even two minutes later the tables cleared of all food, Harry smiled gratefully up at them. He really wasn't feeling up to staying up late, even though he had slept in later, and had taken an afternoon nap.

Slowly the students cleared out of the Great Hall, even though the first, second and most of the third year students stayed seated. Also, the teachers and Harry's friends remained. When the doors closed, signalling the other students had left, Harry slowly rose up. He had been able to walk periods, if not going to fast, and he thought he could manage the walk to the Room if someone supported him.

Several of the first years seemed to take his standing up as a sign to flock him, and they surrounded him, taking his hands, or just plainly keeping him upright a bit more, because they flung their arms around his waist. They didn't know what was going on exactly, but they could tell Harry was feeling sick. Their move surprised even the teachers, seeing as how it was a mixed group of first years that helped Harry.

"Thank you Annabela, Alwyn, Sally, Cynric and Yf, I really appreciate you being so ready to help me. Let's lead the way to our Room then, won't we?" They grinned up at him, and allowed him to sort of, lead the way. The rest of the students followed, with the teachers closing ranks. Petunia and Severus smiled at each other, confusing Remus, who was trying to find out what was going on. Dumbledore, who walked just behind them, was also trying to listen in, as he didn't know it either. However, Petunia and Severus kept their mouths tightly shut.

The teachers and Harry's friends became more confused when they stepped into hallways that clearly hadn't been used in a long time. Harry had learnt a neat little spell that would make the hallways look dusty and unused, while really, students would walk over the floor quite regularly.

Eventually they reached the wooden door, and Harry placed his hands on it, stating 'Home'. The door opened immediately even surprising Harry, who never had such a big reaction from the castle. They stepped into the room, and the students gathered around the large fireplace automatically, and they positioned Harry in front of it. Hermione did get him a large chair though. The students sat on the floor, and the couches, and the adults took the chairs. They looked around in surprise at the large room, the portrait hanging above Harry, drawing much attention as well.

Harry cleared his throat lightly, and had everyone's attention.

"I am not sure what to tell first. Should I tell the teachers and my friends what this room is first, or should I tell you all why my appearance has changed?"

Petunia helped him out with this one. "I believe you should start with the Room. It will not take as long as the other part."

Harry nodded, and cleared his throat again.

"Well then, I had always thought something should be done to unite Hogwarts, but I wasn't sure how to go about it. After all, Malfoy and I were ranting against each other as well, so it wasn't as if I was going to give a good example. However, this summer I decided to lay out plans to really make my ideas work. I befriended Draco, and felt other students would be able to do the same. I just needed a good place in Hogwarts. When I was wandering around, I accidentally stumbled upon this room, and felt it would be perfect. I asked the house elves about it, and they told me this used to be Lady Ravenclaw's rooms. The portrait above me is all the Founders together on a picnic. It doesn't really look as if they are fighting, now does it?" he grinned lightly.

The teachers grinned a little as well, and most sounded intrigued. Some of the third year students hadn't heard this story either, and so they too were listening interestedly.

"I rounded up all the first years, and showed them this room, telling them they could arrange the interior, and together we would be responsible for keeping this a secret for now. This room is used for studying, reading, gardening, sleeping, playing games, and generally it's a Common Room for everyone. Eventually the first years were so close that we decided to invite others too. So far we have all the second years and most third years here as well. I have placed wards and alarm spells on this room. If anything happens in here, I will be warned to come here, if someone has a nightmare, if a fight broke out, just about anything. Of course, during the weekends I couldn't be here, so several of the students were appointed to handle problems during that time. They have been great with it. Frankly, we were slowly spreading the news of this room to all of the years in Hogwarts, but it was hard as we needed to keep it a secret for now. However, we're not going to keep it a secret anymore, since everyone noticed all students gathering around me in the Great Hall."

He mock glared at the students in front of him, who had the decency to blush slightly. The teachers were stunned, and started asking several questions to Harry, who answered without problems. Eventually though, the students had enough of it, and interrupted by asking Harry why his looks had changed.

Harry closed his eyes for a moment, and took a deep breath. Everyone was quiet again.

"When I was nine I got leukaemia. For those of you who don't know about that, it's a muggle disease, cancer in the bloodstream in this case. It makes you very ill, and can cause you to die. However I received treatment and it was successful. I had to stay in the hospital for nearly an entire year though. During that time my hair fell out because of the treatment. It returned red and curly." He laughed when some students snickered, but he could see some of them working things out. "My aunt found it safer if I changed my appearance back to how it was before though, and so I used my magic to change my looks. I have kept this look ever since. Once in Hogwarts I found out that my appearance had also changed because the muggle medicines had broken through a spell my father had used on me. It was a spell to make me look very much like my father. As you can tell, Draco had that spell on him as well, and it has now been taken care of."

The heads swivelled to Draco, who even blushed slightly by all the attention.

"Anyway, each year I had to return to the hospital for a safety check up. This summer was to be my last time for several years. However, the news I got back wasn't good. The cancer had returned and treatment was very much necessary. We made up the story of my aunt being sick, as we didn't want anyone to know, not even my friends, out of fear for Voldemort finding out. So instead of visiting my sick aunt, I was the one being sick, and getting treatment."

Several of the girls had tears dripping down their faces, and they crept closer to Harry.

"This holiday I received my last treatment. It wasn't working anymore, and if it weren't for the fact my doctor didn't want to give up, treatment would have stopped some months ago. There is nothing that can be done anymore, and so I decided to reveal the truth. I'm not going to get better, and at most, I will only have several months to live. My friends found out when they came to the hospital to celebrate Christmas with me and my aunt, and most people only find out right now. It is also the reason why I dropped the glamour. I've decided you can all see that I look more like my mum, even though I'm pretty much bald now." He tried to make it into a little joke, but most of the first years were climbing onto his chair, crying and hugging him. He hugged them back as tightly as he could, and comforted as many of them as possible.

The second and third years had taken to sit at his feet, and were comforting each other, or some of the first years. The teachers that hadn't known were crying as well, with Hagrid nearly knocking over Dumbledore in his hurt.

Mathilda gathered enough breath to mutter, "that's why your aunt's here, isn't it Harry?" He just nodded, and gathered her close for a hug, knowing they needed it. When everyone was just hiccupping, or sniffling, Harry added, "We don't keep this room a secret anymore. It will be fun to see the others react when you're going to sit together. Also, my friends will help as well if there are some problems. As I'm sure the teachers will be doing. Besides Professor Snape has known about it for a while already, so you all know it will be fine."

All the teachers turned to stare at Snape, who looked decidedly smug. The teachers started rounding on him, but Petunia walked forward to help Harry, as he looked decidedly tired and probably needed his painkillers again. When she came forward, the younger students stood up, to allow her access. However, Harry wasn't able to get himself out of the chair because he was so tired, so Remus came and lifted him up.

Harry smiled down at the tear-stained faces, and murmured; "Now, you all need to go to bed and sleep it over. Tomorrow is a new beginning for all of us. I will expect to see you at breakfast, sitting wherever you please, as long as it isn't on the ground. You all understand me? No more crying for now, you will be making me very proud to keep your heads up, and to cheer each other up now."

They all nodded at him, willing to do everything for their big brother. And so they silently went to their own common rooms, leaving through the short-cut doors. But not before being given a good night kiss, or hug from Harry. He had taken to doing so every time they left, and it was so comforting for them, that even Remus had to wait, until all 75 students had been given attention. And then, finally, it was time for Harry himself to retire. Not even out of the room, Remus noticed the small boy was asleep, with a smile on his face.


A/N: told you so!