I'm not sure where my Beta Reader (a fine chap by the way, known as daywalkr82) is, I sent this chapter to him about five day's ago and I have not heard back...he might be on vacation though, and if that's the case I can't hardly blame him. In any case, I'll repost when he gets corrections back to me, so until thin please disregard all my awful misspellings and dropped words.

I'd like to thank everyone for their fine reviews from last chapter and do so hope you'll like the rest of my tale as it unfolds. It may take a while, like I said, work does not stop just so I can write.


Chapter Two Harry the Wizard

"So George, we talked earlier about school and all, have you any idea what you'd like to do once you graduate?" Harry asked from the comfortable armchair he occupied in his living room. A little while earlier, after the kids had calmed down a bit, Harry had slipped back out of the room and removed the disillusionment charm he had on himself. Once done he had re-entered, claiming to have just finished all his cleaning. The three teens acted as if they had just been talking.

"Well sir, depending on what I got on my exams from this past year, I'd like to become a special type of police officer." George replied a little cryptically, giving a glace towards Amy, who smiled.

"That sounds interesting." Harry replied. "What kind of 'special police officer' will you be?" He pressed further.

"Well you see it's kind of like a special detective, they are trained like FBI agents and can go undercover or do SWAT team type stuff. Not all police departments have them, but they are called Aurors." He replied with a slight grin towards Amy, who giggled. Obviously they thought they were pulling one over on Harry, and were banking on him being oblivious to magic and magical society like most muggles (and most wizards were to muggle society). Harry just gave a slight smile and took it in stride.

"Hmmm….sounds like it will be interesting. It seems to require a lot of special training like the FBI and SWAT." Harry said, adopting an innocent, but interested look onto his face. George grinned and nodded.


Harry stood in the entrance to the great white chamber, its round walls shown with a glowing ethereal light, and the high domed ceiling glittered with blue and white, mimicking a bright sunny day. On the floor of the great chamber was a star in the center, around it an image of the night sky, and on the outer ring were figures that looked like every magical creature known to exist, and some Harry had never even seen until he had first come here. Around the outer edge of the room sat 68 gilded chairs which were upholstered all in the same regal blue; directly across from the door was a higher chair, obviously the 'leaders'. Along the shining white walls behind the chairs, hanging from the ceiling behind each were long pointed banners each a different pattern or color with a variety of symbols emblazoned on them. This was the Elders chamber, and despite having been here many times before it took Harry's breath away every time he entered.

There were a number of wizards and magical creatures milling about. Each one of them was an elder, and in the past four years Harry had met every one of the 68. The majority of Elders were wizards or witches, about half of the council actually, and the other half was made up of a number of other magical creatures including: goblins, elves, one centaur, veela, one werewolf, and some that Harry could not precisely remember what they were. The point was they were powerful, good, magical creatures and wizards; otherwise they would not be here. Harry had some things on his mind, though, so he began to cross the room towards the seat just left of the speaker's chair. Behind the seat was a long crimson banner, emblazoned on which were a mighty silver stag inlayed over a great golden phoenix. This was Harry's own seat.

Along the way he said 'hi' to several of the elders milling about in conversation; however he never slowed his progress until he neared the seat. In the seat immediately to the left of his sat a man with a long beard and head of pale red hair, behind which sat a smiling face that held bright blue eyes shielded behind a set clear half moon spectacles that nearly looked like they would fall of the end of his nose. He wore robes of pale silver, embroidered with an array of moon and star symbols, and looked perfectly content to be sitting by himself waiting.

"Good afternoon, Harry!" The man greeted Harry as he approached. Harry smiled, and grinned as he replied.

"Good afternoon to you as well, Albus." Professor Dumbledore stood up and shook Harry's hand as they greeted, and then returned to his seat. Harry took his own seat.

"You've come early today; you usually like to show up just in time for the proceedings." Dumbledore commented as Harry settled himself.

"Well…there were a few things I wanted to discuss with you before everything started. I didn't know if we would have time afterwards because of my other meeting, and then I have to be back when the kids get in, you know." Harry replied, his face concerned, but not lined with the gravity it hade been when he had first come to this place four years ago.

"You know you can talk to me anytime, sleep and time don't really matter much to the dead." Dumbledore smiled and chuckled, and Harry grinned back at him.

"Well they may not matter much to you, but I still have to deal with them"

"Too true….now; tell me what is on your mind." Dumbledore replied with a grin, turning towards their business.

"Well, I guess there is no beating around the bush. I told you last time, I had that mounting feeling again, and now I know. It's time." Harry said with a sigh, he looked down in his hands in his lap. Dumbledore couldn't help but think how old such a young man looked, but it was understandable…with all the man had been though as a boy.

"So it is. Why do you worry though? You said last time we spoke, that you knew it was coming."

"Yes, I know, but…" Harry paused and gave a week grin to the man that he considered his surrogate grandfather.

"I'm afraid." He simply stated. "…I know it's silly. I owl to Ron and Hermione once in a while, and they keep me pretty well updated…I just don't know though. I guess I just hope it's not like it was when I left."

"Well, Harry, I can't assure you of everything. It may be hard at times, some things may have not changed since you left, but others have. You have made this old man proud, Harry; you have dealt with you demons…its time to return home." Dumbledore smiled at this, a far off look coming to his eyes, as if fondly remembering things. Harry supposed that may be what he was doing; he gave a small smile himself.

"Yes…home…that will be nice." Harry said wistfully. Returning to the only home he had ever known would be nice, it would be very nice to see Hogwarts again.

"Now, you said you have some other business?" Dumbledore asked, shaking himself from his revere and resumed their conversations. Harry sat back again.

"Yes. I got the message on this terms meeting topic, and I just wanted to know your thoughts before the council starts discussing it." Harry stated matter of factly.

"The anointment…yes. I thought you might want to talk about that. You know how great an honor it is, only done every few years, you remember the last one, just after you ascended; and I dare say you might have been a little lost and overwhelmed during it all. You really don't have the vantage point we do, so I'm assuming you don't have any nominees?" Harry shook his head 'no' confirming he had no nominees he wished to have the honor.

"Nor do I, or many others; there are usually only a few nominated each time. But I supposed you've heard this all before, haven't you?" Harry nodded again in conformation.

"You know Merlin asked me to tell you his nomination." Dumbledore said quietly, Harry just looked at him confused.

"Why would he ask you to tell me?" Harry asked, a bit perplexed at why Merlin would ask Dumbledore instead of telling Harry himself.

"That has to do with who he is nominating. He just thought it might be better coming from me is all, since I'm closer to the family." Harry nodded, and Dumbledore took the signal to continue. "He will be nominating Ron and Hermione's child." Harry was a bit shocked at first, this was a great honor, and his very own friends were being considered for it.

"That is a bit of a shock…though I can see why he would want to do so. She and Ron will raise a bright one." Dumbledore smiled and shrugged a bit. Harry was certainly right. If any couple were to produce another 'brightest witch (or wizard) of the age' it would be Hermione and Ron Weasley.

The room began to fill as Elders continued entering and many began taking their seats. Harry and Dumbledore soon spotted a tall brown haired wizard walking towards them. As the man approached you could tell he held himself with a sort of regal-ness, a power that emanated from him. He has sparkling blue eyes and a face that, while physically looking young, spoke of countless unageing years. His face was clean shaven, and he wore dark blue robes embroidered with a twisting silver vine pattern. This was the councils head, their leader. This was the ageless Merlin.

"Albus, Harry, It's good to see you both." He stated in his mild, calming voice as he approached.


"Elder Potter, you have been unusually absent in this discussion. I think the council would benefit from your insight into the matter, you might be able to clarify some of the arguments for and against the anointment of the Weasley child." Merlin addressed Harry. The elders had been discussing each nominee for anointment for the last two hours and had finally settled on two candidates. One was an infant boy from America, and the other was Hermione and Ron's yet to be born child. Harry slowly nodded his head, collecting his thoughts while the other elders surrounding the room murmured.

"As many of you well know Ron and Hermione Weasley are very close friends of mine. Due to that fact I have been rather reluctant to speak on one side or another, however, if I must speak on the qualifications of the Childs parents I will only say this: Ron and Hermione Weasley are my friends, and they are my family. They both have shown me immeasurable kindness and love since I met them during my first year at Hogwarts, and they are the reason I was able to vanquish Voldemort. If anyone can raise a child with the love and support it needs, and teach it right from wrong; those two will be able to do it." Harry nodded his head at the others resolutely once he was done and murmurs once again enveloped the room.

"Well put Harry." Dumbledore nodded from his chair. Merlin agreed, giving Harry an approving look and nodding at well.


To say Harry Potter was a powerful wizard would be akin saying the ocean had a lot of water in it – an immense understatement. This was the main reason Harry now found himself entering a familiar room surrounded by five other elders. Three, including himself, were wizards, two of them were witches, and the last was a short, but stoutly built goblin. Now usually at room full of wizards, witches, and a goblin all chatting about something or another was not a strange occurrence (at least in the Wizarding world); but that would be until you knew who these six beings were. The tall wizard sitting in a navy blue chair in front of the fireplace, looking serine, was of course Merlin. Off to one side were a witch, a wizard and the goblin talking animatedly. The witch was Circe, an attractively built Greek sorceress from the ancient world, the wizard was Godric Gryffindor himself, and the goblin was Gornack, as in Gornack Gringott, the powerful goblin that founded Gringotts bank. Beside Harry, giving him a look from a seated position in the chair she was occupying was the last member of this council was Cliodna, a witch who was once worshiped as the Irish goddess of beauty.

"Well look who decided to pop in for a visit." Cliodna sarcastically commented to Harry as he plopped down in an armchair beside her.

"Yes, yes, I know, Clio, I haven't been 'round lately." Harry responded, rolling his eyes, but flashing her one of his best smiles. She gave him a giggle and leaned over giving Harry a peck on the cheek and a small hug in greeting. Harry couldn't help but think she lived up to her status as 'a goddess of beauty'. She had long flowing flame red hair, skin that was like ivory, smooth and silky, and large bright green eyes that shown with an inner light….and…other assets. Maybe it was Harry's weakness for redheads, but in many ways Clio reminded him of Ginny Weasley, except for the green eyes….Ginny. The one person he tried his best not to think about anymore, and try as he might, it never worked.

"Well it's good to see our youngest again." Merlin spoke from his chair across from them, giving Harry a grin. Merlin took great joy in reminding Harry of the fact that he was youngest person on the council, and the youngest amongst this group as well. .

"Well now that everyone is here why don't we start our meeting? I know Harry has to be back in an hour or two to meet his young house guests, so let's not keep him waiting." Merlin continued, getting everyone's attention and motioning towards the armchairs that were located on the edge of the room. Every one took their seat, waiting patently for Harry to speak.


Harry had been sitting up in bed reading by the lamp at his bedside table. It was around one in the morning and everyone in the house should have been in bed….the key word was should. Harry could feel the presence again. It had been getting stronger for the last few minutes as he had sat there reading, and while Harry was certainly not Amy's father he could not let his young friend get away with this while her parents were away. While Harry knew that George was a perfectly honorable young man, he was still a teenager…and teenagers sometimes did stupid things driven by hormones. So with a sigh he slipped out of bed, put his robe on over his blue flannel pajamas and made his way down the hall.

"Geoooorge….giggle…shh….Harry's asleep, he won't know you're here."

"Amy….quit that….ok…don't quit that." Harry heard the giggling and shuffling before he even got to the door. If they thought they were being quiet they were sorely mistaken. He pulled his lips tight, giving a sort of rueful smile at what he had to do next. He knew if it had been him on the other side of the door he would have been mortified, but at least he wasn't her father, so George had some chance of living. He let out a breath and gave a firm, but quiet knock on the door.

"Amy, is everything alright?" Harry asked trying to sound innocent, but smirking at the fact he had caught them. Everything on the other side suddenly stopped, he could hear hurried whispers and shuffling.

"Everything is fine Harry….just a minute." Amy called from behind the closed door. Harry grinned…they knew they were busted…they just didn't know how bad Harry heard a 'crack' from behind the door in Amy's room and Amy quietly opened the door two seconds later.

"Harry…sorry, I didn't wake you did I?" She said with an innocent smile. Harry leaned himself on the door jamb, and folded his arms in front of him and glared down at his young friend. With another 'crack' George fell with a thump onto the floor behind them, his attempt at disapparating foiled.

"Busted Kiddo." Harry said raising an eyebrow as Amy turned around, mouth open, to see her boyfriend lying in a heap on the floor. She turned her head looking between the two men.

"I…I…he was….ahh…." She started to stammer not sure how to explain this. Harry broke out into a smirk a second later and crossed the room to help the confused young man up, who was still lying on the floor looking between his girlfriend and Harry.

"Well George, it seems you've met my anti-apparition wards." Harry said as he pulled George from the floor. Things seemed to click for George, and his eyes widened as he jerked his head to look at Harry. Harry knew what he looked like, but it was time they knew the truth. He had taken out his contacts before bed and was now wearing a pair of thin black wire rimmed, rectangular framed glasses, and also had taken the glamour off of his scar. Any wizard in their right mind would recognize him.

"Your….your….." George stammered, went pale, seemed to lose his voice and footing and started falling. Harry caught him under the arms, keeping the young man upright.

"Wait a minute…just wait a minute." Amy said looking at their exchange, and putting two and two together. "…anti-apparition ward…Are you a wizard!"

"In answer to both questions, Yes." Said Harry. George completely fainted.


"Well now, here we go." Harry huffed as he placed George down, sitting on the couch in the living room. Amy was looking confused and angry with her arms folded in front of her sitting in one of the wingback chairs next to the couch. Once Harry had positioned George, he took the other one on the other side. Harry had told her a few minutes earlier to hold all her questions until they could get George downstairs on the couch and awake again, and she didn't seem too happy about it.

"Now…why don't I wake up George here and we'll get all this sorted." Amy nodded. Harry extended his hand toward George and gave a loud snap with his fingers, and immediately the young man's eyes began to flutter open. George rolled his head as he opened his eyes again, groaning, he focused on Amy.

"Amy? You wouldn't believe it, I had the strangest dream. I thought I met Harry Potter…not the one you know but the 'real' one." The angry look on Amy's face seemed to slide away, replaced by a look of wide eyed confusion.

"It wasn't a dream George." Harry said from his chair. George whipped his head around towards Harry and stared at him wide eyed, becoming a little paler once again, however not fainting this time. Harry could see his eyes flick up to his scar and study it for a minute, then down his face to his glasses hidden eyes. Amy had returned to her angry stare and refocused her attention back on Harry.

"So what is all this about you being a wizard…and why didn't you tell me?" Amy began angrily towards her friend; she felt slighted that she had not been included on his secret before. Harry shifted his attention to her, and frowned. She was angry, but also trying to throw him off at the same time, but she wouldn't be getting off the hook that easily.

"We will talk about that in a minute. What I want to know is why George was in your room at this hour without my knowledge?" Amy and George immediately both looked ashamed, and seemed to find the floor interesting. Harry continued. "I don't take very kindly toward the two of you breaking rules set by both of your parents as well as me while you are staying in my house." Harry paused to think for a moment before he went on (which also had the additional benefit of making the two teens sweat a little bit more).

"Here's what's going to happen: first, no dates and no outings for the remainder of your visit with me. Second, when George is visiting you will be supervised by either myself or Mark while you are here. And finally, both of you will be helping out doing chores around this house and yard for the next two weeks, and, George…no magic. Now, the good news is this time I'm not going to tell either of your parents, however if I catch so much as one toe out of line I will pick up the phone and tell them. Understood?" Both seemed relived by the fact that Harry was not going to tell their parents and nodded, but still did not make eye contact with him.

Now, before any of you go yelling, Harry had thought he should tell their parents because it was for their own good, however he knew everyone made mistakes, and sometimes teens just needed a good reminder. Harry also wanted them to trust him, and if either teen felt that Harry would go to their parents as soon as they told him anything in confidence than not only would he not be a very good friend, he would also be someone they could not trust when they needed a confidant.

"Now, to answer you're other questions." Harry let out a long sigh…this might be a long night. "I am a wizard; and yes George; I am 'The Harry Potter." He held up his hand towards George to stop the barrage of questions from the young man for the time being and continued addressing Amy.

"As to why I didn't tell you, can you honestly think that you would have believed I was a wizard had I just sat down one day and said 'Hey, did you guys know I am a wizard?'…you would have thought me loony. Besides, I rather like not having to deal with questions about magic and wizards on a day to day basis." Harry grinned and gave a chuckle at the thought, and the act seemed to ease the tension in the room because both Amy and George smiled. After a moment of thought, Amy broke in.

"Well you must not be a very good wizard. I've never seen you do any magic, and you don't carry one of those wand thingies' like George does." Amy finished with a proud smirk and look towards George. Harry smiled and chuckled, and the small smile George was wearing slid off his face and paled again.

"Amy…you shouldn't have said that. This is Harry Potter….'The Harry Potter'…." George whispered to her nervously, glancing at Harry afraid the man would get angry.

"What are you talking about George….it's just Harry; I've known him for seven years." Amy replied giving a confused look towards her boyfriend and back at Harry, who sighed.

"You don't know what I would have given to hear that when I was your age. Amy, in the Wizarding world I am one of the most famous people you could ever meet. I would wager that just about every wizard alive knows who I am." Amy looked at Harry and blinked, wide eyed and confused; she turned and looked at George who nodded in conformation to her, and then back to Harry. Despite his apparent fame he did not look too happy about it, she thought.

"So what exactly are you famous for?" Amy asked, trying her best to sift through her memories of the last seven years trying to find clues as to Harry being a wizard, and what he might be famous for.

"Well….several things actually." Harry said, pausing to sort out what he should tell her and what he should keep to himself. While most of his story was known to the world several parts were not, however as much as he wanted to he could not leave out the part about how he had actually killed Voldemort and many Death Eaters…George would fill her in if he skirted around that topic.

"The first thing I am famous for is my scar. You and Mark have asked about it several times, and I usually just change the subject or distract you, however the truth is not nearly as good as Mark speculates." Harry took a deep breath and continued, despite the years and as many times as he had explained it, despite the fact that he had dealt and come to terms with all that had happened in his life he still did not like talking about some things.

"You see about the time I was born there was a war going on between wizards. A dark wizard who called himself Lord Voldemort had risen to power and he and his followers were trying to rid the Wizarding world of people they thought were unfit to practice magic. My parents were some of the people fighting the evil wizard and eventually Lord Voldemort discovered my family's whereabouts and came to kill us. That night both my parents died to protect me, but when Voldemort tired to kill me using a curse it backfired and because my mother had died trying to save me her love protected me from his curse. When the curse backfired it destroyed the Dark Lord's body and he lost power for a time. That is what my scar is from; it is where Lord Voldemort tried to curse me. Later I would learn that this scar also connected me to the monster, allowing each of us to sense each other and to invade each others minds. It also gave me some of his abilities. After that day I was known as 'the boy who lived', because I was the only person known to have survived once Lord Voldemort decided to kill them." Harry finished and let the explanation hang in the air a moment, Amy needed to process it and it was getting late. He figured they could stop here for the moment and let the explanation continue again tomorrow. Mark could be present then as well and he deserved to know as much as his sister did. Amy herself seemed to be oscillating between ashamed looks for her questions and comments the other day to wide-eyed wonder towards Harry.

"It's getting late you two, and while I know you are particularly eager to find out more about me and all I think it's time we all went to bed. We can continue this discussion tomorrow afternoon after everyone has had some sleep. I think Mark should also join us, since he knows about wizards already as well. Why don't you show up for lunch tomorrow, George, then we can take it from there." Harry's tone was such that it seemed he did not want any more arguments at the moment, and that they would do well to comply. Harry then walked them to the foyer where he left the two teenagers to say their goodbyes in peace; however he paused just beyond the kitchen doorway, where he could hear their hushed conversation.

"Amy…you shouldn't have said that about Harry not being a very good wizard." George began plaintively.

"Alright George I get the point, he's famous, but that doesn't man he's very good at magic…"

"Amy! He's not just famous..." George continued, and then lowered his voice enough that Harry could barely hear it. "…he's the most powerful wizard in the world."


The next day dawned bright and sunny, and Harry Potter was up with the dawn, sitting in his study. He was trying to figure out what to say to his two young friends. Now that the word was out, not doubt they would have many questions, even some that he did not feel comfortable answering. Harry also had a lot else on his mind as well. With his return to the Wizarding world soon, his move back to England, and his return to Hogwarts he had a lot to do.

After he had first sent his acceptance letter back to McGonagall he had thought briefly about writing Ron and Hermione, however the thought occurred to him that he might just like to surprise them upon his arrival. It would be good, their baby was due soon and with the arrival of Harry he thought it might make a pleasant surprise for his friends. After all they had been hoping he would return for the baby's christening so he become its godfather. The one hitch in his plan, however, was Ginny. Oh how he missed her….but she didn't miss him. Not after all that had happened. Ron and Hermione had kept him somewhat updated of Ginny's life, not nearly in as much detail as he had secretly wanted, but they kept him abreast of general things…and one of those general 'things' was that Ginny was now working at Hogwarts as the Transfiguration Professor, and had been for the last few years. Harry figured that may just be something he would have to deal with when he came to it; there was no use in fretting about it now.

Around noon George showed up for lunch as he had been asked, and once everyone was fed and settled Harry sent then on into the living room to wait for him for a moment. After a few moments he joined them, and in his hands were two items. The first he held was his familiar Holly wand, which of course none of the children had seen before, and in the other he held a long slender shallow black box, on the top of which were carved intricate silver runes.

"Well now…I believe we can start moving on since we got Mark up to speed at lunch and all." Harry said as he sat himself down in one of the wingback chairs in the living room while Amy and George were on the couch and Mark was seated in the other wingback chairs.

"Since you asked yesterday, Amy, why I don't carry my wand around, I thought I might bring it out to show you that in fact I do have a wand and do use it from time to time." Harry said with a grin holding up his wand for them to see, he then gave it a swish towards the three of them which sprayed a fine mist of water. Amy cried 'hey', and covered her face, while mark laughed at the display, and George looked in awe that he was getting to see Harry Potter himself do magic. Harry just grinned, and then continued with a chuckle.

"Now the reason I don't carry a wand around much anymore is because I can do most of the magic I need on a day to day basis without it…that is I can do magic wandlessly." George looked shocked, but it didn't seem to faze Amy or Mark, which wasn't a surprise.

"Amy, that's an enormous feat, only the most powerful wizards can do wandless magic, and even they can only do simple spells without a wand." George whispered, noting her 'nonplussed' look. Amy seemed to understand and blushed slightly, and mumbled a 'sorry for that comment yesterday' towards Harry, who just laughed.

"No harm done Amy...now lets continue, this is a long story and it will probably take most of the afternoon to relate." Harry shifted in his seat and looked thoughtful for a moment, the smile that was one his features only a moment before it faded to a slight frown and the sparkle that his eyes had recently seemed to acquire faded a bit as well.

"Some of this is hard for me to talk about. In the last seven years that you have known me I have learned to put much of the past behind me, and it has taken a lot of time for me to be comfortable sharing some of this with you. I want you all to understand that much of what I tell you may sound like a great unbelievable and wonderful adventure. Like a movie or good book perhaps, but the reality of it is that my life before these last seven years was not easy. I told you earlier that I am the most famous wizard alive today, but I have never enjoyed being a famous, and I take no joy whatsoever in the things I am famous for." Harry gave another sigh, and look down towards the black box in his lap, running a hand across its surface; his face took on a dark look and his frown deepened a bit.

"After my parents died I was sent to live with my mother's sister and her husband; my Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon, along with their son, Dudley Dursley. The Dursleys, you see, were my only living blood relatives, and while they provided me with a place to stay and provided for my living needs they did not believe I should know about magic, or the magical world, so until I was eleven years old I had no idea that I was a wizard or how my parents actually died. However when I turned eleven I received an invitation to attend Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It was then that I learned how my parents died and who killed them, and about the Wizarding world in general. At that point I didn't know much at all about magic, Lord Voldemort, my parents…or anything really. It was all new and wonderful." Harry smiled at the memory and paused for a moment, letting everything sink in with his young friends.

"That first year was wonderful and exciting. I learned about the magical world, did magic myself for the first time, and met my two very best friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. I also got to join our house quidditch team that year and found out I was a natural player. Have you told them about quidditch George?" Harry asked, pausing and receiving a nod from the young man.

"Smashing game, it's even more fun that playing football…or what you Americans call soccer. That year wasn't all good though, I had my first encounter with what was left of Lord Voldemort when he attached himself to our Defense against the Dark Arts teacher, professor Quirrell. He tried to get to the Sorcerer's Stone, a powerful magical object that produced the elixir of life, which would have let Voldemort live forever, as well as regain his body. In the end Ron, Hermione and I found out what he was up to and defeated him, but that wasn't the last we would see of Voldemort. The next year came along and I returned to school after a long and boring summer with the Dursleys. Once again the year started wonderfully, however very soon after we returned a monster was released in the school… "

Harry continued telling them about his years at Hogwarts for most of the afternoon. His stories got darker as the years went on and he tended to leave the worst parts out, however Amy, George, and Mark seemed to understand the seriousness of it all. Harry had to pause a lot after his explanation of the Tri-Wizard tournament, collecting his thoughts on just what to tell them, and what to leave out. He found it hard to convey just how horrible things had come for the Wizarding world during his fifth and sixth years at Hogwarts.

"…once we had finished with Bill and Fleur's wedding it was time to set out on our quest. The next year was hard, and brutal. All three of us, Ron, Hermione and I took part in many battles and spent a lot of time training and researching. Each day seemed worse than the next, entire villages and towns were wiped from the earth by Voldemort's Death Eaters and Dark Army. Each day we would see entire families were found dead. When I first encountered Death Eaters I always thought that they, along with the dark creatures that supported him were Voldemort's only supporters, but during that year we found out that the Death Eaters we had all fought were just the tip of the iceberg. Voldemort's Death Eaters were his most trusted servants, his inner circle if you will, each of them served as the leaders or 'generals' for the rest of his servants that called themselves the Dark Army. You see during most of the war we had focused on just what was happening around us in England, only during that summer when we were training and gathering information, did we realize how far his influence had spread. All around the world there had been attacks and battles, thousands, upon thousands died at the hand of Voldemort and his servants. The final battle came on October 3rd of that year; we were finally prepared to face him. The entire Order of the Phoenix and many of my friends joined us on a desolate moor in the north of Great Britain; and we fought for our lives. Many good people died that day, but in the end we won. We confronted the dark lord himself in the entry hall to the old mansion he had set up his base there on the moor; in the end I destroyed him." Harry finished quietly, a dark and troubled look struck across his face.

To Amy he now looked much older than his twenty-seven years, his mouth pulled back into a well worn frown and the tortured depths of his emerald green eyes; his lightning bolt shaped scar offset against his forehead. She wondered how much he had left out of his explanation, what other horrors Harry had seen or been tortured with that he had not been willing to share with them…it was all so unimaginable. George seemed to confirm most of it, however, adding here and there that he had read about this or that in some book about Harry, his life, and/or the war.

"….um…what do you mean when you say you 'destroyed him'?" Amy asked in a whisper, fearing the answer she knew was probably coming.

"I killed him…that was my destiny…that was what I was prophesized to do. In the end the prophecy did not matter, it was my choice, and I chose to end the suffering and death caused by that monster."

Amy and Mark looked at him with wide eyes, seeing their friend in a new light. Harry couldn't blame them, they had known him for seven years and now they learn that he had killed another human before, it was a sobering thing…and a terrifying thing to many, even if it had been for the good of the world. In truth Harry had killed before even that day on the moor, killing Death Eaters to save his friends and loved ones during battle, and he had done so after that day. Hunting down every last Death Eater that had escaped and ensuring either that they went to Azkaban or to the grave. He would leave those parts and the rest out…they need not know the full truth about the troubled three years that followed that final battle and why he had left the Wizarding world seven years earlier.

"Three years after that battle I ended up here in West Pines and chose to leave the Wizarding world for a time. That's when I met you two and your mum and dad, and I've been here ever since." Harry finished and they sat for a while in silence letting it all soak in. George seemed the first to recover, nobody really knew what to say, but he thought he would ask what the entire Wizarding world had wanted to know for the last seven years.

"Are you going to return...to the Wizarding world I mean?" George asked tentatively, prepared for Harry to get angry or offended.

"Yes." Harry answered; a passive look coming to his face…the he smiled a slight bit. George let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. He didn't really want to raise the powerful wizard's ire again…what with the stunt he and Amy ha pulled the night before.

"Actually very soon, my friends Ron and Hermione are having a baby, and I'm to be the godfather." Harry continued proudly, his slight smile breaking into a complete grin. Amy and Mark suddenly looked sad while George looked pleased; Harry gave them a puzzled look.

"Does that mean your leaving us?" Amy asked after a moment…Harry sighed and understood. His young friends did not want him to leave.

"Yes, unfortunately during this summer I will be moving back to England. I've accepted the position at Hogwarts School as Professor of Defense against the Dark Arts. Don't you two worry though; since I'm a wizard visiting won't be a big problem as I can just apparate over every now and then." He tired reassuring them with a smile, however they still seemed subdued. So Harry decided to change the subject.

"So George, you were telling me the other day of your aspiration to become an Auror. Well now that you know who I really am, what do you think?" Harry said turning his attention to the other young wizard in their mists.

"Well, Sir, I still very much want to become an Auror…though I don't know about fighting another Voldemort. I guess it just all depends on what my NEWT scores come back as in a few weeks. Then if all goes well I'll start Auror training near the end of summer." George replied, lighting up at the fact that Harry Potter himself was taking an interest in him.

As an aspiring Auror he had been dramatically influenced by Harry's deeds, to be honest this was a dream come true for the young wizard. Harry Potter was in many ways his idol, and he had studied any and all information about the Wizard he could get his hands on. The books, history papers, and interviews he had seen and read, all made it sound like a fairy tale: a young man rising up to defeat evil for the good of all and in the in the name of right. Hearing about his life strait from the source…from Harry Potter himself was a bitter sweet experience. He was truly awed to be in the presence of one the greatest wizards of all time, but it was sobering to hear about the true experience of his life…how hard it had been…how painful. Harry had left out a couple parts that were publicly known to wizards: How the public had treated him after he had warned of the return of 'he-who-must-not-be-named', and how he had been tortured with the Cruciatus Curse at the Battle of Privet Drive. George knew he must have done so for the benefit of tempering things for Mark and Amy who were just now learning about Harry's past.

"Yes…I can understand not wanting to fight another old 'Voldy'." Harry said with a chuckle. Then picked up the long black box in his lap again, examining it surface again before continuing.

"Now George…I brought this in here with me because as an aspiring Auror, I thought you might find this interesting. What I'm about to show you has not been seen by anybody other than myself in ten years, and is still very dangerous. So please look, but don't touch." Harry said holding up the box for them to see. Running a hand over the surface he mumbled a sing-song incantation that none of them understood. The silver runes on the top of the box glowed white, and a ripple seemed to emanate from the seam around the side of the box, then it lay still and Harry carefully opened it and held it out for them to see. Lying in the box on black formed velvet was a bone white Yew wand, broken into two pieces. George gasped, and Amy and Mark just looked confused.

"Is that what I think it is, is that 'you-know-who's wand?" George stammered, wide eyes looking at Harry. Harry grimaced.

"Yes. It is. The last memory I have from the final battle is picking this up and breaking it. It is all that is left of Voldemort." Harry replied, eyeing the wand himself. They studied the wand for a moment or two more, George seemed very interested, but Amy and Mark, with what they had heard seemed a bit apprehensive about the object which had been the instrument of so much evil. Harry understood their feelings, he did not have the gripping desire to look at the thing for more than a few moments himself, yet sometimes he did take it out and look at it; just to remind himself of everything; the fact that it was really over and there was no chance of the evil man coming back again. Harry closed the box again, and with another mumbled incantation the box was sealed again with a flash of silver light.

"Well….I think that's enough history for now. It's getting late, and we've been talking all afternoon, so why don't we make some dinner and talk about more pleasant subjects? How does that sound?" He asked with a sigh, leaning back, once gain in the chair and surveying his charges. Everyone seemed tired and hungry, not least of all Harry himself.


"So George, now that were all fed and rested a bit what would you say to a duel?" Harry said with a smirk lined across his face. George looked up from his conversation with Amy to stare at Harry with wide eyes.

It had been a couple of hours since they had taken a break for dinner. It had been pizza since Harry had been too tired to cook, and during the eating Amy and George had got to discussing his carrier choice again. Amy, who had been very supportive of it, had come to understand just how dangerous it was after hearing about Harry and was now having a small tiff with her boyfriend about the danger while George was holding his ground that 'it was his choice and he knew full well the risks involved'. Harry had noted, with a bit of interest, that George cited that he had been a member of the dueling club at his school before he had graduated and that he had several older friends who were already Aurors for the American Congress of Magic. He decided, after hearing about George's somewhat limited experience dueling only wizards his own age and experience level that maybe it would be fun and a bit enlightening to have a duel themselves. Harry hadn't had a good duel in ages, though he kept in shape with physical and magical training, and George would probably benefit from some more experience. Besides Harry might be able to use the experience to help form his lesson plans for the next year, something he had no clue how to do.

"Waa…..what?" George asked, and dazed shocked.

"I asked if what would think of us two, as in you and I, having a duel. Nothing to hard mind you, just something to test your skills and see if I've still got the old spark. What do you say?" Harry asked again, his smirk still ever present. George just sat for a moment, his mouth hanging open as if Harry had broken something with his question. Amy looked nervous at Harry's request but, like most girlfriends, did not like his mouth hanging open like that and elbowed George in the ribs to get him to close his mouth.

"Uhh….uhh…that would be great Mr. Potter." George said finding his voice again.

"Very good, let's go out to the back garden for this, we'll have more room and I'd rather not break anything if I can help it. Oh…and George please just call me Harry." George just nodded in response, still looking in a daze from Harry's invitation to duel.


"Alright George, the rules for our dual are as follows. First, you may use any magic you want in this dual, no unforgivables, though. I assure you I won't be harmed by anything you can throw. Second, be mindful of your surroundings. I'm going to shield the surrounding area from any errant destruction, but as you may expect some more powerful curses can break the shields, so be careful where your curses land. I'm sure Mark or Amy won't be too happy if you hit them with one." Harry instructed as two got to the backyard, each having their wands in hand. George just managed a nod; however he looked frightened to say the least. Harry smirked and noted to himself that they would have to work on that. If George wanted to be a good Auror he'd have to learn how to at lest hide any fear he had.

"Alright you two, why don't you stay on the back porch while we dual? You'll get a better view and I can shield the area better." Both Amy and Mark nodded and took a seat on the chairs that occupied the porch. Mark looked excited, as anyone might expect a young boy to be before watching an exiting magical battle, however Amy looked nervous. After hearing a little more about what an Auror actually did and the dangers involved her opinion of the job had dropped dramatically over the last twenty-four hours.

Harry and George took up positions on opposite sides of the yard. Harry then proceeded to drawn and elaborate patter in the air with his wand, emitting a silver whip of light after a few passed he began to draw runes into a circle he had formed in front of him. After a moment of drawing, a wave of silver light passed from the circle outward outlining roughly a rectangular area of the yard before disappearing, indicating that the shield was up and working.

"Aright George we are ready to begin. Show me what you can do!" George nodded, and gulped before brining up his wand in front of his face and bowing. Harry returned his bow from across the yard and both assumed dueling stances. Harry could tell George was nervous, however he seemed to hold himself well enough, at least for this time and he decided to let the young man strike first. George seemed to study him, or be waiting for him to make a move first, before he took the initiative and struck.

"Stupefy!" George yelled and a red jet shot from the end of his wand. Harry didn't even move as the jet collided with the shield he had erected wordlessly, and with the barest flick his wand as he assumed his stance at the outset of the dual. George would have to do better than that if he wanted to win this dual.

Harry took this opportunity to start his offensive, and with a quick flick of his wand he cast two charms, first a tickling charm which George easily deflected with a quick 'Protego' shield, however the second charm an 'Expellramus', caught him off guard and effectively sent George's wand flying off towards the porch. Both were wordless and nearly motionless, and left George looking befuddled.

"Well, that was quick. Possibly a little quicker than I expected." Harry chuckled, summoning George's wand as he walked towards the young man. George looked ashamed, he knew he could do better than that, but his nerves were getting to him, and he was not used to such quick spells done wordlessly.

"Sorry…I wasn't ready for that quick of a counter." George mumbled, averting his eyes away from Harry as the older man handed his wand back. He glanced at the porch where he saw Mark looking disappointed, and Amy still looking apprehensive. George was startled when he felt a hand on his shoulder, and looked up to find Harry grinning his famous lopsided grin at him.

"Now, now, George. I didn't really expect you to last long…honestly; those spells were Auror grade as far as wand movement, and being silent. That was just a test to see where your dueling skills are at, and although it only lasted a moment, I think you we have a fine base on which to start." Harry comforted the young adult standing with him. George just looked back at him confused. Harry just started pacing and talking seriously in front of him.

"Now George, listen up. I think you'll make a fine Auror, but we need to get you prepared to do well on you entrance emanations for the Academy. To do that were going to need to practice, not only dueling, but all forms of magic as they apply to being an Auror. By the end of the summer, I'll bet we can have you ready to breeze through Auror Academy, as well as give fully trained Aurors a run for their money. So what do you say?" Harry said stopping his pacing and looking intently at George.

"What do you mean? You want to train me!" George asked confused and excited at the same time.

"Well, yes! What do you think I've been talking about?" Harry asked chuckling, his eyes sparkling at George. George just looked like he was going to have a coronary.

"I don't know….well, yes. Yes, I'd love to train under you." He stammered out, which made Harry wonder if he was just pushing the boy too hard, three monumental surprises in the past two day's couldn't be good for his heart.


Harry grumbled indignantly as he sat down to his morning toast. Most of the summer had passed since he had asked George to start training under him, and the young man was coming along nicely. George had mastered everything he had learned in school and was getting better by leaps and bounds at his basic Auror training. He was much quicker and much more decisive in a dual, and while he still had a long way to go before he was good enough to give the best a run for their money he was going to ace his Auror Academy no-sweat. Over the summer Harry had re-discovered the joy of teaching, something he had missed since his days in school when he had taught the DA during Umbrige's year as their Defense teacher; and he was now actually finding himself looking forward to, not only going back to see his friends and Hogwarts itself, but to teaching new students. With George's help and input he had refined is plan of study for the year and each class and had even worked with the young man on a few advanced lessons he thought he might put on for his upper level students. Overall it had been a very productive summer. However it wasn't the summer Harry was unhappy about.

Today was Harry's Twenty-Eighth birthday, today was July 31st, and while normally people were happy on their birthday Harry was never really one much for his, especially after the war.

"Happy Birthday!" Three voices startled Harry from his brooding as two young adults and one pre-teen bounded in through his back door. George, Amy, and Mark were all three standing on the other side of his table smiling wildly at him, as if they were the cats who ate three proverbial canaries.

Harry just grumbled and shot them all a glare. Not that this was an unusual occurrence.

Since George had started his training he had been at Harry's house, promptly as per their schedule each morning at 9:00 a.m. Now Harry knew why he agreed to that time, since it gave them an early start most mornings however he never quite understood how George, and particularly Amy and Mark could be so prompt and so chipper in the morning. Most mornings he was fine with it, however after having spent so much time with Ron he never knew how some people could always be on time or even be that 'awake' in the morning, when he had set the time he counted on then being late at least some of the time. He usually just sighed and reasoned that is was just in some people to be like Hermione, always on time and always ready. Today however he was not in the best of moods, and cringed as George turned to his girlfriend and her brother.

"You know, I've always wanted to say this to Harry, but I had to wait until today to do it!" He proclaimed excitedly. Harry just grimaced to himself, knowing what was coming.

"Happy Harry Potter Day!" George proclaimed with a grin, his arms thrown wide, above his head.

"Please don't say that." Harry fiercely said to the three, his voice conveying that he didn't want any argument over it. George just looked crestfallen. After the war had ended an international Wizarding Holiday was declared on October 3rd. It was known as Victory day for the forces of good over evil, and many of the wars greatest hero's were remembered on that day, especially Albus Dumbledore and of course Harry Potter. That was the only holiday relating to himself that Harry would even remotely recognize, and he did not like that one very much either. However, over the last ten years many wizards all over the world had taken to celebrating Harry's birthday in remembrance of the 'greatest hero of all' among wizards. Ever since it had been unofficially known as 'Harry Potter Day' and many people was exchange the greeting just as if it were the Christmas holidays or new years.

Despite that fact Harry felt bad about ruining George's birthday greeting for him and was moved to explain himself.

"Look George, it's not that I don't appreciate the sentiment, and thank you all for my Birthday greeting it's just that…. My birthday has never been a very good day for me." Harry started looking slightly agitated, then sad as he continued.

"My birthday has not been a good day in a long time. During the war it was a day that Voldemort took to especially try and hurt me, that was the day of the battle of Privet Drive…and it's not something I like to remember." Harry said in explanation. George apologized for it and Harry cuffed the young man on the shoulder in acceptance as he moved to put his dishes away.

"Like I said, thank you for your greetings for my birthday, though I usually don't like to celebrate it." He smiled thinly at them, breaking the tension somewhat, and they moved to get on with training in the backyard. Sometimes he hated the fact that his past got in his way, but some memories just couldn't be erased, he'd have to deal with them for the rest of his life.


"Well George, I mean it when I say I'm proud of you. You did really well this summer, and you better do well in the academy! Harry said with a grin, shaking the young man's hand. George smiled back, but looked torn between being sad that his new friend and teacher was leaving, and happy at the complement from the great wizard.

"Were going to miss you…you better come back and visit!" Amy said, tears streaking down her face as she moved in to embrace Harry. Harry Potter was standing in the middle of the living room of his West Pines house getting ready to leave early on August fourth, just a few days after his birthday. Today was the day he was leaving to go home, back to England and face all that he had left behind. The house was empty, and his trunks and bags had been packed and portkeyd back to Grimmauld Place awaiting him, and now he stood in the bare living room in full, long black with white trim, regal looking wizard's robes saying goodbye to his young friends. He had already said goodbye to Amy and Mark's parents several nights ago, and while they were sad to see their friend go, they understood his need to go back 'home'. He was closer to Amy and Mark however, so he had opted to wait on saying goodbye until now.

"You know I won't miss your birthday, and you better not forget to have George help you send me some Owls." Harry said with a smile as he hugged her back. Harry then turned to mark and shook the boy's hand giving him one of his famous lopsided grin's.

"Now Mark, you take care of your sister, and if George over there does anything you don't think he should you just find an owl and send me a letter." Harry said throwing a grin at George at the same time. Mark laughed and Harry couched down and gave the quite young man a hug.

"Alright guy's wish me luck on my next great adventure. I'll be sure to write and I'll be back for your birthdays!" Harry said with a grin. With a flash of light and a turn on his heal, Harry Potter was gone.