Disclaimer – The world of Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling and various publishers. I make no claim to ownership. I'm just here, living in her world.

A/N: Sorry it's short! This is just an inbetween chapter. I should call it Chapter 4.5...

The Founders Return

by blackrhino

Chapter 5

Sometime during James' apology, Dumbledore strode back into the hospital wing. After James' had finished he beckoned to the four teens.

"Tomorrow, I shall introduce you four to the school. I have sent a message to the heads of house to make sure everyone is present at breakfast. I will introduce you four as the Founders. It will quell any questions from the ministry and others. You came here by a portkey accident. You do not know how to get back either. If the ministry found out that four students returned from the dead, a lot of complicated questions will be asked. Tonight, I shall find you some quest rooms. I expect you are tired?" he asked a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

"Very! And, thank-you headmaster." laughed Ron.

"For what?" asked Albus, confused.

"For showing us such hospitality. We are truly sorry for dropping in like this. Think of all the lessons that have been disrupted!" said Hermione.

"Do not worry Miss. Granger. Or is it Miss. Ravenclaw?"

"I think we should use our new names all the time. We, the four of us, are used to using our newer names. It will be easier for you too. That way you are less likely to make mistakes when talking to us." finished Rowena.

"Hang on," started Ginny.

"Yes Miss. Hufflepuff?" answered Dumbledore

"You said we were all dead. Did we… die here?" choked Ginny.

"Yes. I'm afraid all four of you died. Harry, you were just a babe when Voldemort murdered you and your baby-sitter. Ron, Hermione, you were mauled to death by a mountain troll in your first year at Hogwarts and Ginny, your body was pulled out the Chamber of Secrets. You were killed by the fangs of the basilisk. The basilisk was never found." finished Albus. Harry's eyes lit up at the last bit.

"But…" started Ron, "Harry helped me and Hermione with the troll. And he saved Ginny from the basilisk."

"I never knew I was so important" mused Harry, his face in a thoughtful pose and his hand on his chin. Ginny hit him round the back of the head. The four burst into giggles.

"Very well. I suppose you four will want to go to your rooms now. I will introduce you tomorrow at 7. Don't be late! Ditzy!"

"Yes master?" squeaked a house-elf as it popped into existence.

"Please show our four guests to their rooms."

"Of course Master. Follow Ditzy! Ditzy shows the young masters the way!" squeaked the excited house-elf.

Harry yawned loudly and the other 3 laughed while pulling him out the door, after the house-elf.

After the 4 had left, Poppy turned to Albus.

"I never said I'd finished treating them. Who gave you the right to discharge them?"

Harry awoke early. He cast a quick tempus spell.

3.30. Great. He thought. Might as well get up. Seeing everyone alive and Hogwarts in one piece made his dreams decide to play a medley of some of his subconscious' greatest hits. He dragged himself out of bed and staggered into the common room.

Each of the 4 rooms off the main common room was painted in one of the 4 house colours. So obviously, each teen took the room that represented their house. The common room, on the other hand, was painted in plain colours, with a massive roaring fire in the middle of it. Above the fire place was a painting. The painting was of the four Founders. The scary thing was though, the founders looked practically the same as the four teens. There were a couple desks and 3 long sofas opposite the flickering fire.

After looking around, Harry noticed that there was someone already sat on the sofa. He crept over, silently, just like he had been taught to do.

"Nightmares, 'Mione?" Hermione jumped a mile and dropped the book she was reading. She spun around and held a dagger to the intruder's throat. Soon as she saw Harry's shining emerald eyes, she dropped the dagger, rapidly stuttering apologies.

"S'ok Hermy. It's a defence mechanism. Don't worry about it."

"Merlin, I'm sorry Harry. I… I was just reading because… because…"

"You couldn't sleep?"

"I… I just can't believe it! Hogwarts in one piece and everyone alive! The war never happened here and… and I bet all the Weasleys are fine! And your parents! You've finally gotten to meet them! I just can't believe it!" said Hermione, her excitement showing.

"I know. I really think the 7 of us can finally settle down here. We can all make a new start!" murmured Harry, looking deep into the fire.

Hermione picked up her book and settled down close to Harry. The two of them were like brother and sister and confided everything in each other. 'Mione rested her head on Harry's shoulder and in no time, she was asleep. Harry just sat there, watching the fire flicker and dance.

Somewhere, a clock chimed 6 o'clock and Ginny and Ron pulled themselves out of bed. All four of them got dressed in their battle clothes (which had been cleaned of any blood and mud by house-elves that were only too happy to help).

About an hour later, the four travellers stood in the entrance hall, waiting to be introduced to the school.

Ginny and Hermione were whispering to each other, Ron re-arranged his weapons and Harry was having an animated conversation with Lae (who was wrapped around his torso). The clatter and chatter from the hall died down. The four looked at the grand oak doors. Dumbledore's voice echoed around the hall. The four glanced nervously as one another.

"Stick to the plan" Harry murmured.

"This should be fun…" mumbled Hermione, apprehensively as the doors creaked.

"Now for our grand entrance" whispered Ron as the great wooden doors silently opened inwards.

A/N: Chapter 5. Sorry it's been a wait. You see, at first, I was really stuck on what to write (damn writer's block!), then I was grounded because I got an F in Product Design at school (damn parents and damn teachers!), after that I was ill (cough, cough) and then I was revising in all my spare time because of damn GCSE maths and science mock exams (soooo boring! I sat in my maths exam for an hour and planned out the next chapter!). So as you can tell, I've been a tad on the busy side. The next chapter should be out very soon since I have no homework! Yay!

blackrhino :D