Christmas and New Years passed. Harry stayed at home for both, but sent out letters to Ron and Hermione that he was going to return to Hogwarts in January. He got immediate replies of excitement, but they refrained from asking questions and just wished him a good holiday and a safe trip.
On the day of the Hogwarts Express, an envoy arrived and parked in front of Number 4. Harry was inside – all packed and ready to go – when he saw they arrived. There was a knock on the door and Harry went to answer it. Standing on the stoop was Arthur Weasley and his son Bill, and Aurors Moody and Tonks.
"Hi, Harry. Are you all ready to go?" Mr. Weasley said.
"Yes," Harry said and smiled at them all and reached forward for a hug from Mr. Weasley, who hugged him right back.
"Harry," Bill said, holding out his for a shake, and Harry took it firmly.
"Let's get a move on. Say your last goodbyes now." Moody said but he sounded rather cheerful compared to most days, and Harry noticed that even his magical eye was looking firmly at him, taking him all in.
Bill followed him in and took his trunk easily. Harry walked up to his family.
"Thank you so much, all of you…" he was losing his voice he was so emotional. He felt tears prickle behind his eyes.
Petunia leaned forwards and touched his shoulder as she kissed him on the cheek. Harry kissed her back.
"See you in the summer," she said.
Vernon held out his hand and Harry took it. Vernon crushed it badly in his beefy hand, but Harry wouldn't have had it any other way. "Thank you for Smeltings," Harry said, staring him right in the eyes.
"It's a place for men, remember that," Vernon said sternly.
"I will." Harry nodded and took his hand back, only to shove it right into Dudley's equally beefy hand, but was rewarded with a soft shake. "Bye, Dudley. I'll never forget what you did for me."
"Bye, Harry," he said with a shrug.
That was about it for goodbyes. Harry went to the door and gave them a last small wave goodbye, and they nodded and followed him to the door to see him off.
Harry got in the back seat of a dark sedan between Moody and Arthur. Bill and another Auror were already inside, and it was obvious the space was magicked for them to fit. The others piled into the similar cars on the street, most likely as a diversion. They set off with all the other vehicles a short way behind or in front. Harry looked behind at Number 4 until it was out of sight.
"You okay, Harry?" Arthur asked, patting his knee gently.
"Yes, I'm okay. I'm sorry I was gone for so long."
"You have nothing to be sorry for," Arthur said.
No one talked, and that was the most uncomfortable part of the whole thing. Towards London when they were nearing the end of their trip, Harry turned to Moody.
"Can I ask you something?" he said.
"What is it?" Moody said in his gravelly voice.
"I know that you probably had – agents – at Smeltings. Was the therapist one of them?"
Moody pursed his lips and shook his head. "No. She wasn't one of them."
Harry nodded, and then after a moment asked, "Was Peter Cosset?"
Moody tipped his head forward, and Harry blushed.
"Who was he, really? Was it Polyjuice Potion?" He would have just killed himself if it was Polyjuice. Well, maybe not actually killed himself over something like that, but he would have done something in protest.
"No!" Moody said to Harry's relief, but hesitated before he said, "It was Tonks."
Harry licked and pursed his lips, remembering how he'd kissed him – her – in the bathroom. He still felt the pressure of kiss there, but couldn't help thinking it was still a good kiss. He liked Tonks. She was young and always good intentioned, not to mention her mask was her real face in a lot of ways…
He nodding, face still stuck at being serious. "Okay, then," he whispered.
Moody, Arthur, and Bill probably knew what had transpired at Smeltings, but they didn't comment. They were just very pleased he was back.