Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter, or any of the Potter-verse. Everything you recognise belongs to the magnificent Ms Rowling. I do, however own any characters you don't recognise.
A/N: Right, here's the full chapter. It took me quite a while to write in the end - and the chapters are getting longer, and I hope I managed to get the characters right and not too ooc. If they are, let me know how, and I'll try and work on it for future chapters :)
Thanks to everyone who reviewed – particularly Lord of the Ubergutens who left a nice long review! (Interesting name too!)
Fulfilling Prophecies
Chapter eight
October 29th, 2000
Wind buffeting him, Harry stood on a rocky peak overlooking Hogwarts. The lake below was being affected by the same wind; the surface was choppy, the waves lapping the castle end of the lake strongly.
I wonder what everyone will be like now? Harry mused as he looked out; it's been so long since I've seen them all. I hope Dumbledore explained everything properly so they won't be annoyed. He said they would understand, but you can never know for sure how someone feels. Like Ron, I never expected him to act the way he has in the past.
Harry began to become more reluctant to face his old life. He was always going to go back, just not straight away. Yet, here he was, being thrust back into the middle of everything he had lived back at school, complete with the living, breathing villain who wanted him dead. The raven-haired young man sighed into the wind, the sound lost amidst the noisy gale. If everything had happened like it was supposed to, he wouldn't have come back until Dumbledore and the others had found a way to safely destroy the soul-stone – and Voldemort along with it. The headmaster had always made sure Harry understood that Voldemort wouldn't really be dead until they found a way to accomplish this – and that it would probably take several years to find the solution.
I guess the research team will be able to get back to their regular jobs now, thanks to Ron, Harry thought as he lapsed back into the anger which had slowly been calming into a grudging acceptance.
Picking a rock up off the ground, Harry threw it as hard as he could out towards Hogwarts' lake. As he watched it arc through the air another shape caught his gaze. The flap of wings made his breath quicken as he thought of his own owl, Hedwig, who had been staying at Hogwarts while he had been away. Could it be that his faithful owl had realised he was here?
The owl came closer and Harry could tell it was her by the pale colour and the way she flew, which was never the same after Draco Malfoy had broken one of her wings in too many places for it to be fixed completely. His anger forgotten, Harry held his arm out to allow Hedwig to land.
"Hello girl, I've missed you." He said with a wide grin on his face. The snowy owl hooted in response and nipped at his fingers. "I guess this means you told Fawkes, and as a result Dumbledore, that I was here?" She let out a short hoot and bobbed her head once in affirmation, and Harry stroked her head. "Well, then, I suppose I better get going then?"
With a quiet pop Harry appeared at the gate to Hogwarts, Hedwig still on his arm. "You ready girl?" She gave a supportive hoot and flapped her wings once. Harry, taking a deep breath, prepared himself and began the walk up to the large castle doors.
Placing his hand on the old wooden doors, Harry felt a rush of magic welcome him back and the doors swung open, granting him entry. Thanks, Harry said to Hogwarts, receiving another touch of magic in response. The castle was glad to see him back.
As he walked through the large doors, Hedwig nipped his ear once more gently – a reminder to see her again before he left – and flew off, back to the owlery. Looking around the entrance hall, Harry surrendered himself for a moment to the memories that came rushing back. His reminiscence was soon interrupted, however, as he locked eyes with his old head of house, Minerva McGonagall.
The transfiguration professor looked much different to what he remembered from his first years at school. She had aged suddenly – as many had – over the years, stress adding extra weight to her shoulders and a greater weariness to her eyes, though she seemed to have regained a little of her youth in the past years of relative peace. Harry had always thought of her as a slightly stern grandmother, she had looked out for him in his years in Gryffindor, making sure he didn't get into too much trouble, and allowing him a little leeway when he did. Now she was looking at him with eyes brightened in greeting, and Harry hated to think how she would cope with the news he brought.
"Hello Harry, Albus said you would be down here. He's waiting in his office for you." She smiled softly at him before turning and walking in the direction of the gargoyle statue. Harry fell into step beside her, eyes searching the walls, ceilings, floors, and everything else, to make sure nothing had really changed. It was still the same worn stones lining the floors, and curious paintings peering around frames to get a better look at the two passers-by.
Reaching the gargoyle statue that guarded Dumbledore's office, Harry reached out to Hogwarts with his magic and the castle allowed him to proceed without the password. It had been the best part about finding out he was Gryffindor's heir, knowing and acknowledging the bond had granted him special access about the school, and the affections of the old castle.
"I still find it strange when you do that Harry," Minerva said kindly.
"I did at first, but Hogwarts welcomed me so warmly that she was insulted if I didn't ask her." Said Harry, smiling as he thought of Hogwarts' slightly eccentric personality – it was much like a familiar headmaster's.
Reaching the wooden door, Minerva knocked once before opening it and stepping aside to allow Harry to enter first. There, sitting at his large desk covered in strange instruments, was the old wizard Harry cared for, and had come to burden once again with the troubles of the wizarding world.
Albus Dumbledore smiled at Harry, blue eyes twinkling in their familiar manner, and stood, walking around the desk as the younger man waited just inside the door. Reaching Harry, Dumbledore embraced the boy-who-lived, whispering into his ear, "it's been too long, my son."
Embracing him back Harry closed his eyes for a moment, thinking about all that he had come to love at the school, all that he had lost, and all that he might come to lose still. "It has." He said back, just as softly. With his back to the door, Harry couldn't see her, but Minerva McGonagall was smiling and dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief decorated with the Gryffindor crest.
"Now," Dumbledore said, pulling away from Harry and gesturing for him to take a seat, "I assume there is a reason for your unannounced visit?"
Taking a deep breath, Harry looked Albus in the eye, "yes, unfortunately there is." Glancing at McGonagall, he continued. "Perhaps it would be better if a few more people were here before I explained everything?"
Harry, used to deciphering Albus' moods through the small hints he gave, saw that he was curious, and a little worried, but as usual his eyes just twinkled and he smiled, "very well then, who should I call up here?"
Thinking for a moment, Harry said, "Besides Professor McGonagall, I think you should get Snape, Flitwick and Shacklebolt – if he's still here that is. Is anyone else you keep in close confidence who would be available?"
Nodding, the headmaster said "I think there is one other, he is in the castle, assisting with the research – Remus Lupin. I will send for them now." In saying so, a familiar house-elf appeared quietly next to him. "Winky, would you please find Professors Snape, Flitwick and Shacklebolt and Mister Lupin, and ask them to come to my office for a meeting?" Nodding enthusiastically, Winky quickly looked around the room, her large eyes widening at the sight of Harry. "Thank you, Winky. Could you please arrange for some tea and biscuits to be brought up as well? That is all for now." He dismissed her before she could talk to Harry.
While not as enthusiastic as Dobby, Winky had become a fan of Harry's as well. She had often greeted him with a shy hug when he had visited the kitchens. Undoubtedly she would tell Dobby of his arrival when she reached the kitchens. I wonder which eccentric, sock-loving house-elf will be bringing the tea? Harry thought with a fond smile.
"While we wait for the others to arrive, would you care for a lemon drop?" The quirky older man asked. Minerva accepted, but Harry declined. He was feeling more nervous now that he was going to have to face the situation. He didn't really want to explain it to his former teachers and friends, it would take away so much of the hope and peace they had achieved since the final battle.
"Perhaps, Harry, you could tell me what this is about before the others get here, so I know what we are dealing with?" Albus asked. He just doesn't like being caught by surprise with anything, Harry thought wryly.
"All I will say is that I got a visit from Ron yesterday," Though it feels like much longer. "He brought me some news which isn't exactly good." That's an understatement. "Since he hadn't told you, or anyone else, and I don't think he will, I thought it best to share it with you."
"Very well then, I shall wait for the rest to hear any more." Dumbledore was about to speak again when, with a slight pop, a small blur appeared and attached itself to Harry's leg.
"Mister Harry has come back! Dobby has missed Mister Harry!" The enthusiastic elf was speaking so rapidly that it was all Harry could do to quietly pat his back in greeting.
Eventually Dobby eased off, and Harry managed to get a word in. "It's nice to see you too, Dobby. I missed you as well." This, however, was not the most prudent thing to say as it set the house-elf into another stream of praises and exclamations that was only interrupted by the sound of someone knocking on the door.
Without waiting for an answer from the smiling headmaster, Severus Snape walked in – or rather, stalked as he always did. Harry always got a little bit of pleasure from surprising his former potions master, it didn't happen very often (although less often than Albus, Harry thought, but I'll surprise both again soon.).
"Harry," Severus began, both eyebrows raised for a moment before he got over his surprise, "this is unexpected. To what do we owe the pleasure of your gracious company?"
"You're still the same, that's good to see Sev." Harry said fondly, smiling at the man, who smiled back. "As to why I'm here, you will have to wait for the others to get here."
As he spoke, the door opened once again, this time it was the former auror – Kingsley Shacklebolt. Once Sirius had been found innocent and awarded the Order of Merlin – posthumously – Shacklebolt had left the ministry to teach at Hogwarts, and apparently had managed to stay here since then, an impressive feat considering the schools track record with DADA teachers.
Shacklebolt's surprise at seeing Harry sitting calmly (or as calmly as one could with a house-elf on their leg) in front of Albus' desk was much larger than Severus'. "Harry!" The large man strode forward to Harry and reached for his hands, shaking them in a warm welcome. "What trouble have you gotten yourself into now?"
"Why would you assume I had gotten myself into trouble Kingsley?" Harry asked, his hands still trapped within the other man's larger pair.
"If I recall correctly, you once told me that a whopping two-thirds of your visits to this office were as a result of some sort of trouble on your part." Severus snorted from his position against the wall, Harry shot him a glare.
"As much as I would like to deny that statement, I have a feeling it might not be too far off the truth." Harry sighed wearily. "It is unfortunately too true on this occasion."
This statement caused every person in the room to grow much more serious, and looking around, Harry saw that they all wore pensive frowns. "I'm sorry that I have to bring you this news, but I had no choice. We're just waiting for Remus and Filius to arrive, then I can tell you why I am here."
Dumbledore had already conjured up a couple of extra seats and was about to magic up some more, but Harry got in first. "I see you haven't lost your touch on your magic, Harry." The elderly headmaster said, examining the fine detail on the seats, before turning to the still excited Dobby, who had by now let go of Harry's leg, and settled for simply standing as close to him as he could. "Now, Dobby, shall we see about finding that tea you were bringing." Dobby's attention snapped to Albus, and the small elf's face formed into a most comical expression of embarrassment before he popped away. Harry was wondering where exactly the elf had managed to lose the tea, obviously not too far away, he thought as Dobby popped back in again, this time holding a large silver tray bearing a silver and porcelain tea set and biscuits.
Those that were waiting were making small talk and drinking a cup of tea when the last two people arrived. Filius Flitwick and Remus Lupin came through the still open door together; seemingly talking about something rather interesting by the way their attention was focused.
"Hello Professor Flitwick." The short charms professor turned and squeaked in an uncanny imitation of himself in Harry's first charms class ever, Harry smiled softly as he picked himself up off the ground. Turning to the other person, Harry's smile grew.
Here was the last Marauder, his father's last surviving friend. Remus and Harry had become incredibly close after his fifth year. The werewolf had moved into a spare suite of rooms at Hogwarts and had been one of Harry's private tutors in defence. Their relationship hadn't been the same as the one Harry had had with Sirius, but it had grown to be something Harry cherished just as much, if not more simply because it had lasted for longer. Now, seeing his friend again, Harry was pleased to see the pale-haired man looking in good health. Nobody had looked their best during the war, but Remus had suffered the loss of one of his pack – for the second time – and occasionally had had to suffer the full moon without the wolfsbane potion. Now, though, Harry thought Remus looked better than he had ever seen him – except for when he looked at photos from before that fateful Halloween night – and once again Harry wished that he didn't have to give them the awful news.
"Harry?" Nodding at Remus, the twenty-year-old was unprepared for the emotions that showed in the werewolf's face. Rushing forward to envelop him in a hug, Remus had mixed emotions about Harry's early return. He was, of course, happy to see the young man. The years in which he hadn't seen him had been filled with research into the final destruction of Voldemort's soul. With such reminders every day as to what his dead best friend's son had gone through before he left, Remus often thought about him.
But despite his pleasure at Harry's return, Remus knew there must be some reason other than a social call. That was one thing the werewolf wasn't happy with Harry over, the no contact deal he had made Dumbledore enforce. Harry had sent Remus a grand total of two letters in the two years he had been away, and he knew that Molly Weasley had received the same number. Remus was definitely going to have a long chat to Harry about not running away from family. I suspect that talk won't be happening for a while, Remus thought as he realised that the business that brought Harry back in such a mood had to be serious.
Pulling apart, Harry held his friend at arms length, examining his face as if searching for an answer. "I'm sorry, Remus. I just couldn't take the chance that speaking with you was going to make me want to stay."
He really gets right to the heart of what's bothering people, Remus thought as he nodded his understanding. Aloud, he said with a small smile, "I know Harry. It doesn't mean that I can't lecture you on the virtues of proper communication."
"Sure, Remus, how about we make a time so you can do that later?" The two shared a smile and were about to continue their conversation when a polite cough from the headmaster reminded them of the supposed meeting.
"If you would be good enough to tell us why we are here, Harry?"
