A/N: I am back! I meant to post this up a little sooner but ah well. I have an extremely urgent message: This story will end up being HarryHarem (Harry in a relationship with more than girl at a time). It will only be two, and I won't be going in to detail sexually but I want to give warning about this. It won't happen for a couple chapters, but I wanted you guys to be aware. Review!!!!

The candles of the Great Hall twinkled and bathed the entire room in a comfortable yellow glow. Students laughed and talked happily, as they returned to the place that many of them called a second home. The teachers were seated in the front of the room, conversing about various school topics and current politics. More than one conversation hovered around the questionable claims of fourteen months ago, that Voldemort was back. It didn't help matters that the main source of that information, Harry Potter, had completely disappeared for that time. The majority of the people in the hall had fallen in to an easy disbelief of Voldemort's return.

Ginny sat leisurely next to an older girl with bright pink hair, and across from her brother Ron and his girlfriend Hermione. Ron and Hermione had finally talked about their feelings and started dating during the Christmas break of the year prior. Ginny looked across the room at the Ravenclaw table, smiling weakly at her boyfriend of 4 months, Michael Corner. She sighed to herself, thinking that her attraction to him had lessened significantly since the summer began. He was handsome, but arrogant and constantly made veiled insults towards her brother Ron. She knew that she had to break it off soon, before she led him on too much. She just hated breaking up with people, she had had far too much experience with it in the past year. In just a single school year, Michael was her third boyfriend and all of them had ended with Ginny breaking it off.

"Ginny, stop staring at the Ravenclaw boy and lets talk about how we are going to get rid of him." She said the last part in a low voice, with a slight snigger at the end. Ginny smiled and turned towards the girl next to her. Nymphadora Tonks was a few years past the Hogwarts age, but had come back to take additional classes and take the NEWTs. Ginny suspected that Dumbledore had helped convince her to come back as added security for the castle. She was in Ron's year, but she quickly became very close with Ginny, as she hung out with them anyway and had few girlfriends in her own year. Ginny had bonded with her easily as she usually hung out with Hermione and Ron, but they had been spending more time snogging towards the end of last year. Tonks had been a loner, as she avoided the most of the guys as they just wanted to snog her since she was older, and most of the girls were a bit harsh to her, due to her "advanced" age. Tonks' voice brought her back to reality.

"Ginny c'mon. Talk to me here. Earth to Ginny." Ginny shook her head to clear her thoughts. She turned and began to hush Tonks, before someone gossipy, such as Lavender happened to overhear. As Ginny spoke, her eyes wandered up to the white bird perched on the back of the Headmaster's chair. She sighed sadly as she saw the snowy owl. Hedwig had been perched there ever since Ginny and Hermione had informed her of Harry leaving fourteen months ago. She had flown off, and perched there, watching the Great Hall doors since then. Tonks followed her eye-line towards the bird, and quietly put her arm around the young redhead's shoulders.

"He'll come back soon Ginny. You'll see." Ginny nodded and shook her head, wiping the tears out of her eyes wit the back of her hand. She still thought of Harry almost daily, though he had seemed to slip out of Hermione and Ron's mind as soon as they started dating.

The students quieted as the Transfiguration teacher led the group of scared first-years down the center of the room. Ginny looked at the frightened students, and smiled to herself. She had been so scared on the first day. She had managed to catch Harry's eye, and even though it was a momentary smile and nod she received, she calmed down and relaxed. That's what he did to her. McGonagall placed the tattered Sorting Hat on the stool and stepped back, and he burst in to song.

You know about the Houses

I shan't repeat them here

If you do not know them

Seek help from a friend near

My only message this time

As we open this Welcoming Feast

Is that: to welcome back an old friend

Who may finally give us peace

He certainly has changed

He may scare off a few

But he must still have his friends here

'specially a particular two

So welcome back my old friend

Enjoy your remaining years

I pray that you live long enough

To enjoy more than a few butterbeers

I once tried to place you in Slytherin

But you convinced me the other way

Now you return to dear Hogwarts

I hope you enjoy your stay

The Hat smirked and fell silent. The Great Hall burst in to whispering as even the teachers looked confused.

"Hermione, what did that mean?"

"I don't know. He's just supposed to talk about the Houses and welcome everyone. That seemed like he was welcoming someone back from a long trip." The whispering continued as the Sorting began (Allen, Jared to Hufflepuff) and didn't abate until it was finished, with Vengas, Christina to Slytherin. As the new students were acclimated to their houses, the whispering finally died out.

"Now, I have information that to tell you. But you are hungry I know," Ron's voice called an affirmative, bringing giggling from his house. "Thank you Mr. Weasley." As Dumbledore began to speak, wanting to begin the feast, a majority of the candles lighting the Hall were blown out by a swift wind. The only ones remaining were the ones lighting the entrance doors and that end of the tables. It truly was a spooky sight. Dumbledore fell silent at the interruption, and all heads turned towards the great oak doors. A quiet creaking was heard as the doors opened and the teachers all jumped up at the cloaked figure entering the hall.

"Halt where you are. Reveal yourself or I will be forced to expel you from this Castle." Dumbledore's voice rang out through the hall and all the teachers could feel the power radiating off of him. The figure stood solidly at ease, but anyone could see this was not someone to mess with. His cloak was a dark green, almost black, and went all the way to his ankles. Two cylindrically shaped objects stuck out of his neck in the back, pointing diagonally away from his head. His arms hung relaxed at his side. The cloaked figure didn't move, but a soft whistling could be heard.

More figures stalked in to the room and a few of the students screamed in terror. Two huge wolves stalked to the figures side. One of the wolves was all black, dark as a starless night, the only color on his body the bright green of his eyes. The other wolf was the opposite. Her coat was all white, clean with no specks. Her eyes were also bright green as she mirrored her fellow canine. A large snake slithered in between the cloaked figures leg. The snake was a fiery red, leading up to its head, which was a dark black. Its eyes were a bright emerald as well. Two birds swept through the room. Both circled for a second before settling on opposite shoulders of the cloaked figure. The bird on his right shoulder was a shocking phoenix. Her feathers alternated black and white very beautifully and her eyes were a green just like the rest. The other bird settled lightly on his left shoulder. Much smaller than the phoenix, the falcon was a dark red, with white tail feathers. Her eyes matched the rest of the group.

The entire room was quiet until a loud hooting brought everyone's attention back to the front of the room. Hedwig hooted again and launched herself in to air before hurtling through the air towards the figure.

"No, he's going to hurt her. Hedwig, no!" Hermione stood up with a shout. The bird paid her no mind as she flew full speed towards the figure. At the last moment, she banked her wings and settled on the silent outstretched arm of the man. She hooted softly, and the figure raised his head slightly before his voice slid smoothly through the room.

"Oh it is so good to see you girl. I missed you more than you can know. They been treating you alright?" The owl hooted happily to him. She nudged his unseen face with her head before hopping up and settling on his shoulder next to the falcon. Both birds looked at each other; they seemed to nod and settled in.

"But…" Hermione's voice was heard. "She would only react that way for… Harry?" Everyone's head shot back towards the figure.

"She isn't the smartest witch of our generation for nothing. ''Mione, Ron, Ginny." The figure chuckled to himself and waved his hand and the lights came back on in the Hall. The students looked on in amazement at this impressive display of magic. The figure reached up, and dropped his hood.

The intake of breath in the hall was quite loud. Harry Potter stood at the entrance of hall. But this wasn't the same Harry Potter that had lain upon the grass after the TriWizard Tournament. He had an air of power, and a relaxed caution that allowed him to be at ease, but was quick to react to sudden movements. His hair was longer, almost done to his shoulders and no longer completely jet black. He had a streak of pure white straight the middle, and two thinner streaks of red towards the side. One could only assume the state of his eyes was the same, as even though it was quite late at night, he wore a stylish pair of black sunglasses.

"Professor Dumbledore, I am sorry about this entrance. I just couldn't resist. How often in life does one get to return from a mysterious fourteen month absence, eh?" Harry smirked before striding towards the Staff Table with his animal escort around him. The students were quite silent as Harry quietly conferred with Dumbledore. He handed him a few slips of paper. "My OWL results, and class requests sir. I believe you will be able to slot me in with the rest of the Gryffindors."

After a few nods towards McGonagall and Hagrid, he turned on his heel towards the Gryffindor table. Ginny and Tonks quickly made room for him. He smiled towards them before taking his seat. The two wolves turned and sat guard on either side of him, facing the rest of the hall. The snake slithered partially out of sight, but could be seen resting under his seat. However, there was no room for the three winged creatures on his shoulders.

"Alright guys, Pro, can you just head to my room? Hedwig, will you show Athena where you stay? The phoenix lit from his shoulder and disappeared in a flash of flame. Some of the students oohed and aahed at the display. Hedwig lifted off, but the falcon screeched.

"Alright, alright. Calm down Athena. You can stay in my room too. Hedwig, girl can you show Athena where my room is?" Both birds quickly flew through the open doors and out of the hall. The hall remained silent. Harry waited a moment, and looked expectantly around him. After a moment, Harry looked around, and turned towards the Headmaster.

"May we eat? It has been a long journey." Dumbledore smiled, and with a clap, the food appeared on the table.

"Harry, your robes? May you go change in to Gryffindor?" Harry looked down, and realized what it was.

"Sorry Professor." Harry stood, and took off his traveling cloak. This revealed the dual sheaths crossing down the center of his back. With a wave of his hand, the robes under the sheaths quickly turned in to fresh Gryffindor robes. He laid his cloak down carefully, and a few students noticed it didn't lie flat. Finally he sat down and began to eat.

The students reluctantly started to eat, almost every conversation centered on the young man in the strange robes.

The Gryffindor table remained mainly quiet. Harry sighed and looked up. "Hermione, ask your questions. You might explode if you don't." A few of the Gryffindors, including Ginny and Tonks sniggered.

Hermione glared at Harry for a moment before taking a deep breath. "Harry, where have you been? What have you been doing? Who were the animals? What are their names? What are those things on your back? What happened to your hair? How is your… problem going??" The words came out so quickly that Hermione started coughing loudly until Ron handed her some water.

Harry smiled and chuckled a bit. "Ah Hermione. Great to see you too. Lets see. I was in Greece, on the top of Mt. Olympus. I can't really tell you what I have been doing, but its safe to say I have been training. Extensively. Magic, martial arts, physical conditioning. Etc. The animals are my friends and familiars. The two lovely wolves you saw are mates. The black one is Apollo, and the white one is Artemis." He reached back and ruffled both of their heads in affection. "The gorgeous phoenix who flamed away is Prometheus, which is a mouthful so I call her Pro. The falcon who put up quite a huff earlier," Harry was cut off as Athena clearly coughed at that. He smiled and turned to her. "Stop Artemis. You get in just as bad moods." The other Gryffindors were open-mouthed in shock. He seemed to be able to freely talk to and understand the animals. "Before I was rudely interrupted, the falcon you saw earlier is Athena. And the snake currently coiled around my ankles is Ares. And Hermione, before you ask, I know people are only supposed to have one familiar. My answer to that is, I don't know. When I was training, I bonded with all of them and while Athena was the first, I love all of them the same. They have been my family for the past year plus." He smiled and scratched both wolves behind the ears as they whined softly in pleasure. He also reached down and ran a finger along the top of Ares' head. He hissed and more than a few Gryffindors shuddered at the noise.

"But Harry, how can you have a snake as a pet? That's too… Slytherin. Can't you just leave her somewhere else? I don't want a creepy snake following you around." Ron asked through a mouthful of food. Harry sighed in to his glass, and took a moment to inspect his plate.

"Ron, I know you have some trouble with this. So I am going to say it once and not repeat it. Ares is not my pet. He is my friend and family. Secondly, just because he is a snake, doesn't mean that he is "Slytherin-y. Secondly, do not insult Ares like that. If you do it again, I will make you pay for it. I do not take threats or insults of my family lightly." Ron colored slightly, and started muttering under his breath but lessened up on the questions.

Harry paused to slide some chicken on to his plate, and grinned as he was the only person with food on their plate yet, even though they were well in to the meal. "Where was I? The things on my back? Well, let's take a look." With that, Harry reached up and with a flash of silver, laid down two silver swords on the table. Everyone backed away instinctively from the arms. Both blades were pure silver, but while one had a pure black handle and the other had a pure white. On the black-handled sword, the word Hades was etched in to the blade in gold. The other sword had the word Poseidon etched in to the blade in gold as well. "These are my swords and I would highly recommend that one else touch them. You won't like the result." Both blades were carefully honed, and definitely looked dangerous. Of course, Ron couldn't resist and reached out and tried to grab the handle of the blade marked Hades. A loud OUCH was heard as Harry shook his head. "As I said, you won't like the result. Ron!"

As the students ate, and Harry held up the swords so everyone could see, a hissing voice could be heard through the hall. "Mr. Potter, please put away your blades before we are forced to confiscate them. Your attempt to show off is not appreciated. And while you are at it, remove those pathetic sunglasses. It is highly disturbing to wear sunglasses at night." Snape stood at the staff table, staring at the returning boy. Malfoy could be heard laughing uproariously at the comments.

Harry chuckled slightly before reaching, grabbing both blades off the table and tossing them high in the air. Everyone in the area tried to move away besides Tonks and Ginny, who just sat there and watched them spin. He stood and faced the teachers table, a smirk on his face. The swords spun lazily through the air, before falling down and neatly each landing in the scabbards attached to his back. Harry hadn't looked at them once. "Sniv-, Professor Snape. How have you been? I am sorry for interrupting your dinner. I was asked about them, and answered the question. As for the sunglasses, I am afraid that my glasses aren't for my protection, rather they cloak my eyes. And my eyes tend to…affect people in different ways."

Snape's eyes widened at the near slip, before slamming his goblet on the table. "Remove your glasses right now Potter. Before I am forced to place Gryffindor in negative house points before the year starts." Snape's eyes bugged out of his head. McGonagall sighed to herself and Dumbledore just watched the exchange intently. The Great Hall had fallen silent again as they watched the interplay. The only person who had been standing up to Malfoy and Snape recently had been Ron, and he had been quickly beaten in to submission by spending a large number of evenings scrubbing cauldrons.

Harry mockingly bowed to Snape before removing his glasses and staring intently at the potions professor. Snape stumbled backwards and fell in to seat, as he seemed to be locked on to the eyes of Harry. And what eyes they were. The green that had marked him before had intensified and seemed to glow. The eyes seem to make his face ever paler, and the smirk that adorned his face made Harry quite the sight to behold. Harry chuclked to himself before turning and scanning the hall. Malfoy's actions mirrored Snapes. The Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs felt him scanning them and wilted a little. As he turned towards the Gryffindors, their reaction was much different. Hermione and Ron sat taller and smiled proudly at Harry, who winked at them. Finally his gaze settled on Ginny and Tonks, both of whom seemed to blush and would agree later that they felt as if they were falling in to those eyes. And neither of them really wished to stop. They glanced at each other, and began giggling uncontrollably. Harry laughed and placed his glasses in his pocket.

"Potter! Whatever trick you have placed upon your eyes, I demand you to remove it. It is unnatural and disturbing."

Harry smiled. "Sadly Professor, that is not possible. And I believe my friends would disagree on the unnatural quality of it. Ginny? Your pink-haired unnamed friend?" Both girls laughed.

Ginny looked at Tonks, before responding. "I do not know you speak of Professor Snape. I love Harry's eyes." Ginny realized what she said, and quickly dropped her head in a bright blush.

Harry laughed loudly. "Please, Ginny, it is a very nice compliment. Now, Professor Snape. During my… absence, my eyes were changed slightly. This may actually interest you. Would you like to know how this happened? It concerns a very well known potion…" Despite his hatred for Harry, Snape's curiosity won out. He nodded slowly.

"I had precisely three drops of Veritaserum placed in each eye. The result is that my eyes affect people differently, depending on how they relate to me. Makes sense doesn't it? The truth is revealed in my eyes you can say. Wouldn't recommend it though, hurt a bloody hell lot." The Professors ignored his language, except for McGonagall who raised her eyebrow at Harry. Harry laughed, and nodded in apology. Snape visibly paled. He quickly sat down and began to eat quickly. Harry sighed, and sat back down.

He turned his attention back to his bushy-haired friend. "Now Hermione. My hair. It was part of my training, it is just normal colors, no powers or significance. But it is natural, in the sense that I do not need to dye it. It just started growing like that. And my problems? You can talk about them. Honestly, I am not worried." Harry addressed the rest of the table that was listening. "At the conclusion of my fourth year, I was bitten by both a vampire and a werewolf." Eyes started flitting to the two distinct bite marks of the right side of his neck, and others towards the scars marking his right arm still. Gasps were heard up and down the table, and the news quickly spread up and down the table, and passed to the rest of the Houses.

"It really isn't a problem. I am still Harry. And before you all ask, no. I do not transform at the full moon. I am perfectly capable in the sunlight, though I still do not tan. I do not need blood to survive, though I am a bit ashamed to admit that I have acquired a taste for it. But I eat just like the rest of you, well not Ron. No one eats like Ron." Some of the people whitened as he mentioned his liking for blood. But the majority of the table laughed as Ron glared at Harry, but quickly lost his resolve and chuckled along. "I do have some qualities of both a vampire and werewolf. But I'll keep those as a surprise. I do love surprises."

Ron put down his food for a minute and, looking at Hermione, swallowed. "Harry? How did you train so much in one year?"

Harry nodded at Ron and swallowed his potatoes before answering. "I see our girl Hermione has affected you Ron. Well, where I was, time is slightly different. My body only aged a year, but mentally, it was about 5 years there. So I had more than enough time. It is very intense training. Katie, this would have made Wood seem like a breeze." The chaser gaped at Harry, before responding.

"Well then Harry, you can keep it. I hated Wood for all of Quidditch season." The table laughed as they remembered their former Captain and Keeper.

The rest of the table burst in to conversation as everyone discussed the revelations. The conversations relaxed a bit before Harry turned to Ginny. "Now Ginny, introduce me to your friend here."

"Wotcher Harry. I'm Nymphadora Tonks, but you will call me Tonks. I hate my first name." Harry's eyes widened in surprise before smiling at her.

"I'm Harry Potter, but you knew that. I've heard of you. Metamorphmagus right? I take it this isn't your regular self. Can you show me?" Tonks smiled at him. Asking to see her real form earned him points. Most people just wanted her to change in to celebrities. She quickly changed form, showing long soft brown hair and blue eyes. Harry's stomach trembled a bit when it happened, but he hid it well.

"I am an Auror and a bit older than the rest of these guys. I came back for some extra studies, and some added security for the school." Harry nodded at her and turned and talked to Ginny. As he saw the red of her hair glinting in the candlelight, his stomach did the same little flip flop as before. He didn't know what to make of it, but a soft hiss from Ares gave him his idea. Harry ignored his snake friend.

"Well Ginny, how are you? As Ron looks a bit busy with Hermione at the moment, so tell me EVERYTHING that happened in the past year. Ginny quickly filled him in on the Wizarding World at large. She also gave him information from the Weasleys. He rolled his eyes and added a "finally" when she informed him of Ron and Hermione's blossoming relationship. When she mentioned that she was going out with Michael, he nodded and smiled at her, but inside, a great beast was roaring in anger. He wasn't completely sure why, though Ares seemed to have an idea, and Artemis agreed with him. Harry quickly shushed the snake and wolf.

The conversations flowed rather easily and the food was almost consumed when Artemis barked and Apollo was on his feet and growling at a cowering Dean Thomas. Harry turned to him and grabbed the two wolves back. "Calm down guys. He didn't know." Turning back to Dean, he said, "that really wasn't a good idea. They don't really let anyone else touch them besides me. Same goes for Pro, Athena and Ares. They tend to be a bit protective of me, as we went through a lot together when I first met them. Sorry Dean." Harry clasped his hands together in apology and did a short bow in his seat. Dean nodded fearfully and quickly turned back to his food. The students finished eating quickly and they returned quietly back to their dorms.

Harry went quickly to his room and returned with both birds accompanying him. The majority of Gryffindor house watched as he threw his cloak across the back of the chair, sat down in his old familiar chair, setting both avians on an armrest. Ares slithered up and arranged himself on the backrest of Harry's chair, navigating carefully between the noticeable hills in the material. The two wolves circled the chair once and lay down silently at Harry's feet.

"Alright listen up. While I am here in Gryffindor Tower, there are a few rules for my animal friends here. Number one; do not be afraid of them. All of them are harmless unless provoked. The only thing you have to worry about is Athena tends to be a bit grumpy in the morning." A loud screech echoed from the falcon and she buffeted Harry lightly with her wing. He chuckled at her response. "Secondly, as Dean can attest to, while they are adjusting to living here, they may be a bit touchy. Do not try to pet and stroke them. You may lose your hand. This applies to all of them, not just the wolves. As they settle in, they will relax. If you brush against them in the hallway, do not worry. But they tend to be protective of me and in the case of Apollo and Artemis, their mates. Other than that, just be respectful. A word to the wise, as far as you all are concerned, they all understand English, so if you insult them, they will retaliate."

Hermione fidgeted noticeably on her seat on the couch, as Ron's arm was casually draped around her. Finally she spoke up. "Harry, before you seem to be able to communicate with them… we know about the Parsletongue, but what about the others?"

Harry smiled at her. "Well as my familiars, I can communicate with them, though it isn't a language in the sense it is normally thought of. It isn't easy to explain, but all familiars can do it with their human counterparts. You've seen Dumbledore talk to Fawkes like that." Harry waved his hand, and his robes quickly changed in to casual muggle jeans and a green t-shirt. He also turned and lowered the roaring fire with a wave of his hand. He ignored the stares of the other Gryffindors.

Neville shuffled forward, and seemed like he wasn't sure what to do. Finally he said, "Harry. Whats with the cloak? I get a feeling that's not just a traveling cloak." Harry smiled at Neville and, notcing the lack of confortable seating, waved his hand and conjured a think light blue chair which Neville sank in to.

"Right in one Neville." Harry reached and poked Ares off of the cloask before sliding it and opening it up. Gasps were heard all around the room as over twenty knives were arranged in various slots throughout the insides of the coat. All of them glistened in the firelight. "Again, don't touch them. Thank you…"

With that, Harry settled in and reconnected with Hermione and Ron. He couldn't help but notice that Ron was a bit stand-offish and Hermione, outside of her questions, seemed to reluctant to talk to Harry for more than a few words.

Harry frowned when he saw it. He quietly called Ginny and Tonks over and asked them about it. Ginny sighed and looked for a minute at Ron before answering.

"Well Harry, since you've left, Ron has sort off taken on the role of the Gryffindor leader that you were. He played Keeper last year and was very good. I don't think he is happy that you are back, because he is going to be shoved back in to the sidekick role. And your magnificent entrance didn't help things." Ginny smiled slyly at Harry and Tonks laughed. "And Hermione, well I don't know. She's so close with Ron and I think that she's just reading off his feelings.

Harry smiled at both of them, and his stomach became unsettled again at the thought of them. Harry had been used to the fact that he had advanced smell because of the werewolf DNA, but he noticed a distinct one wafting from Ginny and Tonks. It seemed to be a flowery scent, mixed with a earthy scent, like freshly grown grass. "Now. You two lovely ladies must sit with me and continue informing me on all the gossiping. Oh and Tonks, I know about Dumbledore's little… bird-watching group that you are no doubt a part of." He winked at her, while she laughed at him. Both girls moved to sit on the armrests on either side of Harry, but stopped. They both looked nervous. They sent a questioning glance towards the birds perched on the armrests and they waited for their decision. Both birds looked carefully at the girls before looking at each other. Both birds seemed to nod, and chirped happily before fluttering up to Harry's room. The girls sat down next to Harry on the armrests, and he unconsciously encircled his arms around them both.

Ginny's breath caught, and she met eyes with Tonks over Harry's head. Both girls grinned when they felt Harry's well-muscled arms encircling their lower back. They both continued grinning as they talked to Harry for a couple hours, before he bid them both goodnight with a double hug and led his entourage up the stairs. Both girls sighed and stared after him, before giggling and heading upstairs together. Tonks had requested, and was approved for, a move to Ginny's dorm since the dorm she shared with Hermione was a bit crowded, and Ginny's room had an extra bed. Ron gave Hermione a goodnight kiss and headed upstairs slothfully in Harry's wake. Hermione ran up the stairs and joined Ginny and Tonks for a bit of gossiping. Neither of the two particularly enjoyed Hermione's entrance and patiently waited until she left before flying back in their talk of Harry's return.

A/N: Well? What do you guys think of Harry's entrance? I particularly enjoyed the interaction with Hedwig. Also, let me know what you think of Tonks' portrayal, as this is the first time I have written her in to a story. I am worried that she a bit too girly and childish, but she always was youthful and she is hanging with Ginny all day. Let me know what you think. I will update the next chapter within a week, but it can be sooner if I get some reviews…