Authors Note: Hey everyone! Well, the first chapter was very short. I wanted it that way. I am going to try to do couple more chapters before I go to bed tonight.

Chapter 3

Harry walked through Hogwarts' grand doors astonished. Standing at the front was Professor McGonagall. 'Who would be better to replace Dumbledore?' Harry thought happily.

Harry looked around. There were less than 100 students walking amongst him. The Great Hall was practically empty. The usual four tables had been reduced to one. Harry searched the expressions on Hermione and Ron's faces. Both were confused.

"Welcome back to Hogwarts." McGonagall spoke. "I am amazed that this many even showed up."

"What do you mean? There are so few of us." Hermione's upset expression spoke better than any words.

"With a war going on I knew many would not come back to Hogwarts."

"What does this mean?" Harry asked as he took a seat across from Hermione and Ron. "Will Hogwarts remain open with so few people?"

"Please, I will explain all in good time. First, we eat. You all look hungry." She waved her hand and a feast appeared.

Although the food tasted good and looked fabulous, it did not seem to compare to when Dumbledore would start the feasts. The room seemed larger now that its only occupant was one table.

"What do you think will happen?" Hermione looked at Harry.

"I don't know." Harry looked very nervous.

Luna turned to him, "It will be okay." She smiled.

Harry turned to her. She had kind, warm eyes. He nodded.

After feasting McGonagall started to begin the regular speech that Dumbledore would usually make. "No entering the Forbidden Forest, etc"

Harry ands the others looked confused.

"Wait." Hermione started, "Hogwarts will remain open?"

"Why, yes." McGonagall said very matter-of-factly. "Take a look at your classmates for the next year."

Harry took a quick look down the table. The faces were all familiar. All were Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff. No Slytherins remained.

McGonagall began again, "We are amongst a war. Hogwarts must remain open. We must remain teaching you for as long as possible."

"We?" asked Neville. "McGonagall, you are the only teacher left."

"I am here." A deep familiar, voice was heard. Harry looked back.

There, leaning against the wall, was Remus Lupin. Harry's heart jumped. McGonagall smiled and nodded her head as he walked to the front of the room.

His voice was not cheery. He looked very upset. "We are amongst a war. You all need to learn to defend yourselves. Unfortunately, we don't possess half as many students as we usually would." Lupin paused thinking about his next choice of wars. "The House rules are still intact. I hope you will apply yourself to your studies."

"Is Hogwarts safe anymore?" Said a young girl, probably 2nd year.

"If we are all very careful and we stick together, yes." Lupin looked at Harry, "The school grounds are forbidden. Do not leave the school. Not even for a morning stroll." He was still looking directly at Harry.

Ginny, sitting beside Harry, put her hand over his. Harry spazzed and ended up bumping into Luna.

"Sorry, Luna."

"That's alright. I am stronger than I look." She smiled. Ginny took her hand off of Harry's.

Harry's eyes went to his now empty hand. 'Was he being stupid? Should he just left Ginny back into his life?' Just then Luna took his hand.

She smiled at him, "Your hands are cold."

Harry grinned as she let go. Lupin had been talking continuously about the importance of not leaving the grounds.

"Alright. Considering that we have no first years, we will show you to your common room. Oh, that reminds me. You will all have the same common room. We must all stay close."

They all stumbled up and followed Lupin and McGonagall. Harry chatted with Ron.

"It's odd. No one has been treating me awkwardly." Harry shifted in his shoes.

"Why would they?" Piped up Neville.

"Well, I give dark wizards reasons to come here- I give Voldemort reasons to come here." He looked down.

"No one is going to say anything, Harry. Look around. Few people here we don't know." Hermione pointed out. She put her arm around him. "We are all friends."

"I can't believe we are going to be taught with only two teachers." Hermione then said very disgruntled.

"Don't worry, Lupin knows what he is doing." Harry said.

Hermione shook her head. They finally reached their destination. They were told the password 'Boggart' and told where to find their rooms.

Harry practically ran up the stairs. He was finally home. He didn't care that everything was different, he was still happy.

He swung open the door. He saw Hedwig's cage and his trunk. Once he had unlatched the lock on the cage and let Hedwig spread her wings he then flopped down onto his bed. He closed his eyes and relaxed. Neville came racing in jumping onto the bed closest to the door. Dean then sat himself down on the last unoccupied bed. Ron looked into the room.

"I am in the room across the hall." He said.

"That's good. We are still close." Harry said with his eyes still shut.

"Let's go check out the common room" Neville said moments later.

Harry flopped off the bed. "Okay."

The four of them walked down. It looked similar to the past common room. Some of the furniture was different, but it still felt like home to Harry.

Just then Luna and Ginny walked in.

"We got different rooms." Ginny seemed very upset.

"It's alright. I really don't mind." Luna said.

"we didn't get the same rooms either, Gin. So stop complaining." Ron smirked.

"Ron, you are such a jerk." She stormed away.

'I really meant what I said," Luna started, "I actually prefer my space from the people I like the most."

"I think we all feel like that sometimes." Harry smiled.