Chapter 5: A busy morning

Disclaimer: All characters belongs to J. K. Rowling!

5- A busy morning

Sitting on the living room couch and looking at Hogwarts' unopened letter in his hand, Harry's brain was boiling with questions and theories. He couldn't understand how the school had managed to locate his exact address. He remembered that his first letter was incredibly directed to where he slept, the cupboard under the stairs, but now Harry was in another country, and undercover as Jean Martan. But if Bill and Fleur could find him (and the death-eaters too) he concluded that Hogwarts could do it too.

With his head working intensely, he looked out at the window where the owl had landed, which had already gone. Night had long since fallen, and only the sound of the leaves of the trees and the squeaking of the crickets could be heard. A cold breeze came in through the still open window. Instead of a nice night view, now he only could see a cold darkness.

He rose and closed all the windows. Not because of the cold, but because he suddenly felt very exposed. He did not think that closing the windows would prevent unwanted and potentially dangerous guests from visiting, but he still closed them and drew the curtains while making a mental note about improving the protective incantations around his house (if he could do so, due the problems with his magic) the next day.

He turned the letter over and looked again at the sender, touching the red wax with his fingers. For some reason he kept remembering the first time he received his letter, actually several letters because his uncles wouldn't let him read it. He smiled nostalgically remembering Hagrid bursting into that cabin on the island, scaring the Dursleys to death, handing him the letter personally and changing his life forever. What would his life been like if his uncles would manage to hold him and not let him go? He could not even imagine it, the magical world was "his" life, "his" reality, and at Hogwarts he had discovered his family and met all his friends.

"Hogwarts." Harry muttered.

What was the meaning of that letter? Hogwarts was going to open that same year? Impossible, thought Harry shooking his head and remembered the state of the school after the final battle. If he remembered correctly some corridors had been almost completely destroyed, as well as an entire side of the castle (during that specific attack that Fred lost his life). The damage caused by acromantulas, giants and death-eaters was general and many walls and halls had been left in very bad condition.

He also remembered Slytherin's emeralds scattered on the floor and a great deal of furniture, armour and portraits damaged. The Great Dining Room was covered of debris, wounded and rows of lifeless bodies. Harry continued to mentally tour the castle and its pitiful condition after the battle, and he did not remember any area of the castle that had not been damaged, at least the places where he had been. After Voldemort's death at dawn and his last visit to the Director's office, he had stayed with Hermione, the Weasley and the other survivors all day, partly sleeping a few hours to recover the two longest days of his life, and partly talking to his friends and teachers, mourning the dead (especially over the bodies of Fred, Lupin, Tonks and Colin) and visiting the hospital wing to heal his injuries and support the many wounded.

Harry was surprised to see himself sitting on the couch again. His eyes were still lost and unfocused, immersed in his painful memories. Every time he remembered the bodies of those people killed during the battle, or the large number of wounded (some of whom he never knew if they had healed at all), a deep pain arose from inside and destroyed the weak defenses that time was building inside him. It was like starting over again feeling in part guilty for so many losses.

He looked at the envelope again and shook his head again; he didn't think it was possible to reopen the school so soon. Maybe they were inviting him to some kind of meeting or commemoration.

He sighed. A part of him did not want to open it. That part that led him to the south of France to escape from everything and everyone and to get a new life. A new life that he was managing to build with a new place, new friends and away from problems. The part of him who wanted to try to forget his sorrows and his guilt and be in peace for the first time in his life. The part of him that wanted to be happy.

But it was a letter from Hogwarts.

He took the envelope and opened it. He would allow his other side to prevail for the moment but only out of curiosity, to see what it said or why it had been sent to him.

Dear Mr. H. Potter:

We are pleased to contact you to invite you to the memorial and ceremony of partial reopening of Hogwarts Castlen on August 20. We expect your owl to confirm your presence before the 10th of the same month.

We also inform you that classes will begin on September 15. The two-week delay in the start of school responds to force majeure causes, due to the known events at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Please note the list of equipment and books needed for the school year on the next page, and answer with an owl as soon as possible.

Very cordially

Minerva McGonagall

Headmistress

Well, what Harry considered impossible now seemed like a reality. Only three and a half months had passed since the end of the war, he couldn't find any explanation that would give him a satisfactory answer about how they had done to restore and make the castle habitable, even if it is only a part of it.

He remembered the donations, where wizards and witches contributed with galleons, material, works of art and even physical efforts to the reconstruction of the castle and surroundings; he himself donated a lot of galleons a couple of days before leaving (running away) to France. It was not enough too, reasoned Harry.

Even with his mouth open with surprise, Harry read the letter over and over again. More than a year ago during Dumbledore's funeral he had decided not to attend his seventh year to devote himself fully to the search for the horcruxes, besides being the most wanted person in the magical world at that moment. Since then he had not thought about finishing school again, and now he had in his hands an invitation to finish his studies.

Harry smiled. He would not attend. He already knew that, even if it was an attractive idea. He didn't need it, he could be Auror if he wanted to. He had earned it in his own right after defeating Voldemort, and he also felt that having discovered the horcruxes (with the invaluable help of his friends Ron and Hermione) and the deathly hallows made him more than capable on his Auror aspirations.

Hermione.

He imagined her at that very moment reading her letter, enthusiastic and euphoric to be able to complete his studies. He knew she would want to attend and smiled again as he imagined her buying her equipment and books at Diagon Alley, holding hand with Ron.

His smile evaporated from his face, though he didn't care. The two of them would be Head Girl and Boy (if Ron were to attend) without any doubt, and without the dangers of previous years or the worries of dementors or attacks from death-eaters, their performance would be outstanding, especially those of Hermione. He smiled again: after all she did for him and all the times she put her life at risk just for following him or trusting him, no one deserved more than her to enjoy a quiet year doing what she enjoyed most: studying. Erasing the memory of her parents at the risk of losing them forever to ensure their safety (in Australia) and following Harry and Ron throughout the whole country was something he would never forget.

No, she couldn't be reading his letter right now. It will have reached her long before it reached him. But he still wanted to keep that image, because it somehow did him good and filled him with warmth.

After a few more minutes Harry got up from the couch and went up the stairs to sleep. He literally threw himself into his bed with clothes and immediately fell deeply asleep, after a day where everything had happened to him. An atypical day for him in his new life, but nothing strange for the "old" Harry.

***HP***

The next morning, he was having breakfast in the kitchen illuminated up by a warm and comforting morning sun, before going out for his morning exercises. He was still with the letter, this time re-reading the first part that he had not paid attention to because of the impact the news about the start of classes had on him the night before.

The reopening was within four days and the deadline for sending his confirmation owl had expired (either way he could not have respond since he hadn´t got an owl). He didn't know what that meeting would be about, but he was sure there would be a lot of assistants, not only related to the school but to the whole magical community. Hogwarts historically was always a symbol and emblem of knowledge and magical power, founded by the four most powerful witches and wizards of all time and a bastion of the fight against evil and darkness that became the last hope of the magical world and a stronghold for its defenders.

"Well, you will miss my presence." He muttered sarcastically. He didn't think he would be able to deal with that so soon. Not after so many bitter fights with some of his friends and with his ex-girlfriend, or the frictions with the press and with some members of the Ministry.

Besides, he did not feel ready to return to Hogwarts. He would suffer greatly from just being there, and being forced to remember all the dead during the battle and all the horrors experienced that dreadful night. He was aware that he wasn´t the only one with those traumas and nightmares though, and didn´t really know how the hell the other survivals would do or feel inside the Castle.

He realized that he had deceived himself into believing that the horrors of his past were slowly giving way. If only a letter gave him nightmares and stirred up his memories, what would happen to him if he dare to go to Hogwarts?

"Perhaps later, perhaps I need more time." Harry thought as he rose to the door.

Although he would like to see his former companions and friends again, he did not know how he would react to them, especially Hermione, Ginny and Ron, and how they would react to him. But there was something else, a very deep and personal desire that was fixed inside his mind since he went to the forbidden forest to meet Voldemort that he could only satisfy there at Hogwarts.

He left his house and breathed the clean morning air. The freshly cut grass aroma put him instantly in a good mood. The sun was rising behind the mountains, and the golden rays gave the landscape an idyllic, dreamy appearance. He looked at the place where Bill and Fleur disappeared the night before and remembered that he had to try to reinforce the security enchantments.

The neighborhood was in silence except for a few neighbors who came out to pick up the newspaper or were maintaining their gardens. He greeted Jean-Luc's wife as he ran at a good pace down the street, ready to reach the edge of the village and then climb back up. He loved to exercise at that time of the morning enjoying the beautiful and fragrant surroundings, but a few minutes ago a doubt afflicted him and occupied his brain.

He thought about his exile for almost three months, and how in one day two death-eaters, Bill, Fleur and the owl of Hogwarts had located him. He felt stupid and childish for having believed that he could hide indefinitely from everyone, and his failure filled him with uncertainty and insecurity. Yes, he would definitely try to strengthen the defenses of his home, though he didn't know if he would be able to do it with his shattered magic; he felt his wand shaking with the movement inside the inner pocket of his sports jacket and realized he felt kind of disconnected from his magic core.

More than half an hour later, Harry was running uphill in direction to his neighborhood. The exercise was more demanding, but he was in good condition and wasn´t so demanding as before. The sun had already appeared behind the mountains and was hitting his face a little more tanned than his usual paleness. The same sun that was blinding him didn't let him see a woman walking towards him until he was a few meters away.

"Fleur?" shouted Harry worried.

"Bon jour Hagy!" answered. When he got to where she was, he stopped and crouched to catch his breath.

"Did you go out for your morning excegcises?"

Harry nodded and stood up. The rays of sunshine shone around Fleur and again he had the impression that a beautiful golden aura was surrounding her. His breath was cut off again and he shook his head.

"I'm sorry, did something happen?" asked the boy.

"No, I went to look for you at your house and since you wegen't there, I remembered you told us about your excegcises."

Luckily Harry was able to get used to the beautiful girl's vision and felt safe to look at her again.

"Bill went very early to the French Ministry, but told me to come looking for you. Let's go back to youg house and I tell you."

"Ok." Harry replied and frowned.

The girl took Harry by the arm and they walked up the street to their home.

"Fleur, why didn't you or Bill tell me yesterday that Hogwarts would open this year?" asked, remembering that fact at that moment.

"You got the letter? That´s good!" Fleur said, adding with a faint smile, "He thought we shouldn't ruin the surprise, though he didn't know if Hogwarts would be able to find you!"

Harry nodded, knowing that not only Hogwarts had been able to find him. A few minutes later he saw the small forest that surrounded his house.

"Fleur, yesterday I forgot to ask Bill. Do you know how Ron and... Hermione are?"

Harry noticed how the girl smiled slightly.

"You know Ron was untreatable fog a while. He is fine now, wogking with his brother."

"Time can fix anything." He said to himself, while Fleur continued.

"They have a weird relationship." She said, more thoughtful. "You know, with Hegmione."

Yeah, he knew that. One way or another they always found reasons to fight or argue. Sometimes Harry enjoyed listening to his friend try to defend himself against Hermione's overwhelming logic, but other times he did not tolerate that and ran away from them. He even tried sometimes to avoid being with them, one of the many reasons why Ron began to get angry with Harry.

"The gigl was very sad since you left. Sometimes I saw her crying without any greason. I saw her a couple of times lately, a little absent or indiffegent. Ron wasn´t being comprehensive about it. If you ask me..."

Fleur interrupted her story because Harry had taken her by the arm. She looked at him and quickly realized that something was happening.

"What's wrong, Hagy?"

He looked through the trees around the house, tense and with the wand in his hand. "I have visitors."

***HP***

Fleur took Harry by the arm and left the street to hide behind the nearest tree. She was frightened but strong-willed too, and very talented.

Harry looked through the trees. He saw shadows moving around his house but couldn't tell how many, although he assumed they had already discovered the weak defenses against unwanted visitors around the house. He looked around and fortunately saw no neighbor nearby, then whispered to the girl:

"Fleur, stay here."

"Where do you think you're going? Let's get out of here like Bill told us!" she said obfuscated, holding him with her hand.

"No way. It's my house," Harry said. "Are you sure it's not Bill?"

"No, Bill is in the Ministgy yet. They're the bad guys, Harry. I can feel them fgom here."

"I'll try to stun one of them from here. Cover me!"

"No!

"Bloody hell, Fleur! I'm not going in there, just cover me!"

Harry came out from behind the tree and took a few steps trying not to make any noise, aiming his wand firmly at a small clearing between the trees in front of him.

He stood motionless like a statue, waiting for his chance. As soon as he noticed a shadow passing by he mumbled: "Stupefy!"

A beam of red light struck the stranger's body, but far from collapsing the subject cast a counter-spell that passed close to where Harry was, and forced to take refuge again. He peeked out from behind the tree again, and as he saw him running towards them firing curses into them, he shouted, "Stupefy!"

His spell only stumbled the subject, and as soon as he resumed his race Fleur struck him down with an accurate stun spell.

They hid behind the tree again. Harry cursed himself for having forgotten the "little" problem with his magic.

"What's the matteg with you, Hagy? Why didn't you stun him?" the girl asked alarmed.

"I don't know! I forgot that I've had problems with my magic lately!" The boy was furious, obfuscated and impotent.

"Foolish boy! Very bad timing to kidding like this!" the girl spiked at him. They heard footsteps a few meters away and Fleur peeked out of the hiding place throwing another stun spell, this time missing the enemy. Harry went after her just in time to throw her to the ground dodging a green curse that struck the tree where they were a couple of seconds earlier.

Enraged by the killing curse that had been thrown at Fleur, Harry aimed from the ground at the cloaked wizard and shouted with all his fury:

"Reducto!"

The spell exploded on the opponent's chest and threw him several meters into the trees. Harry stood motionless waiting for him to rise or for another wizard to appear, but neither happened. After several seconds Fleur said softly with a hint of humor:

"Don't ever do that joke to me again, Hagy!"

"Let's go." Harry stood up and helped the French witch stand up. "What are we going to do with these two?"

"We must warn the Ministgy to come and agest them. Tie them up and take them to the backyard of youg house, whege no one can see them. Then we'll leave as I told you before!"

"Incárcerus" murmured Harry pointing his wand at one of them. Nothing.

"You better do it." he said confused.

After she tied them tightly, Fleur took them levitating to the clearing behind the back of Harry's house, away from the curious glances and away from the weak protections. When she returned he said to the girl:

"Let's go inside. I'll get some things and we'll get out of here. Now I'll listen to you."

As Fleur entered he looked at him and muttered "Vas à la merde" loud enough for Harry to hear. He smiled, closing the door, knowing what it meant.

***HP***

"Well Hagy, tell me what is happening with youg magic."

Half an hour later, both Harry and Fleur were in the hotel room in Toulon where the couple stayed for the last few days. It was large and spacious, with a spectacular view of the Mediterranean coast and its beaches. The king-size bed was located on the opposite side of the room where they were sitting.

The girl had served tea on a small table near the balcony window, and looked worried.

"I don't know. I started having problems a couple of days after arriving to France." He replied, and after a sip he continued, "It must be something psychological."

Fleur nodded. "In Beauxbaton a professog once taught us that our magic core is sometimes sensitive to oug psyche." The girl spoke with raised eyebrows and lost sight at the table, absorbed in her memories.

"She was the teacheg of Etiquette and Pgotocol of oug sixth year. She taught us that spells change depending on oug state of mind, and that those who change most are those whose power are based on oug inside."

"The patronus." Harry said dryly, recalling his useless attempt a few days ago.

The girl nodded again. "Yes, but is not the only one, there are othegs. I remember she said that if you are angry, the spells tended to increase in intensity and unstableness and even depended on some things like experience or poweg."

"If one is very sad, its spells and enchantments are weakeg since its magical core is affected. Only the occlumens can remain unaffected to their inner changes."

Harry nodded, thinking of the three most powerful wizards he had seen who were now dead. But he didn't say anything, because he imagined something like that.

He looked up and realized that Fleur was looking at him, thoughtful.

"You must have had a very bad time, Hagy."

He couldn't look at her anymore and lowered his eyes, embarrassed. He didn't know anyone who had been affected like that. He only remembered the change in the Patronus of Tonks a couple of years ago when she was in love with Lupin and he rejected her because he was a werewolf.

"I am so sorry Fleur. I risked your life unnecessarily by not remembering my ... problem." He said in a very low voice, still looking at the table, sorrowful.

The girl rested her hand on top of his. "Look at me, silly boy!"

Harry smiled. Not only because he liked to be called that (he didn't find it offensive at all) but because he felt a wave of understanding that Fleur radiated; it must have had something to do with her part Veela. He looked up and saw that she was smiling.

There were no words, only understanding and mutual smiles.

"Thank you Fleur." whispered, feeling less embarrassed and a little more animated. He got up and went to the window to look at the scenery.

The French witch smiled and said, "You are very receptive, fighting with youg friends must have affected you very much... especially with youg friend."

The boy frowned as he had his eyes fixed on the distant and perfect horizon. What did she meant? When he turned to ask, a slight "pop" preceded Bill's appearance near the door.

"Hello Harry! I see you listened to Fleur and came! Wow, I didn't expect you to give in so fast!" he commented cheerfully as he shook his hand.

"Not exactly." Harry thought, as he watched Fleur roll his eyes.

"I just got back from the Ministry, I was with your father, Fleur. He told me not to worry and that the Bureau of Investigation would take care of the two death-eaters we caught in Gap. But they think they've detected traces of dark magic that can't be related to just two wizards. That's why I told Fleur to pick you up, they probably know now where to find you and... sorry, why are you both grinning?" He ask as he looked at the smile of the two of them.

"We algeady know that, my love!" Fleur said giggling.

"Yes," Harry added, "You were right, they managed to find me."

Bill was alarmed, "What? So fast? What happened?"

"This morning. Don't worry, Fleur immobilized and gagged them. They're hidden in the back of my house."

"We have to go and see my fatheg, Bill. They algeady know we got the two othegs either, and they surely want to meet the famous Hagy Potter!" said the girl hugging her husband.

"Of course, and the cause in only two days of more trouble here in this part of France than in the last whole decade!" Bill added with a smile. "You've locked those two with an anti-apparition spell, haven't you, Fleur?"

The girl nodded in a mischievous gesture as she hugged him around his neck and kissed him.

"Well done!" Bill said as best he could, his mouth very busy. This time it was Harry who rolled his eyes. He thought of telling them to get a room, but remembered they were already in one so he decided to shut up.