Chapter 14 Returning Home

(King's Cross, at about 10, 40am)

It was time to leave. The members of the Orders, and the Weasley family were assembled at the entrance to the special gateway to number 9 ¾.

"All right" Tonks said, now dressed as she usually were. "I think Harry should go first, and then the the resr of the Order members, to be followed by Mr Weasley's family. Any one who might disagree can walk away."

No one said a word. Ever since they had returned from Darvitar Tonks had been completely more bossing and less cheerful. She took her failed mission quite seriously.

Harry took his trolley and wheeled it through the barrier. He didn't run as he usually did, now after so many years he had gotten so used to it he was no longer afraid of it. He walked through and soon found himself at the platform of 9 ¾. The members of the Order soon appeared, closely followed by Ron, Hermione, Ginny, who was starting her fifth year and the rest of the Weasley's family.

"Let's go find you four a compartment." Lupin said leading them to the very end of the train where they found an empty one. While Alastor and Tonks helped the four students with their trunks, Lupin took Harry aside as he wanted to give him something.

"Harry" he said as soon he was sure no one would listen to them. "I want you to have this."

In his hand lied a small turf of brown wolf hair.

"What for?" Harry asked bewildered.

"This is a paw from a young werewolf I met, once in transformation. It was an old friend of mine, even if he's dead now. He gave me this, when he lived. It's a kind of communicator, but it only works between the one holding it and the Werewolf who gave it. Now listen carefully, now that the Dark Lord has returned I want you to give me a report, at least once every month. If any suspicious things occur tell me, I'll promise to keep my mouth shut, but since last year and the years before I wan't to know exactly what you are up to, understand."

"I understand" Harry said. "Don't worry Professor Lupin, I'll be a good boy and keep my nose out of trouble, at least as long as the trouble doesn't find me."

Lupin laughed. "Concerning the things James did, it's hard to imagine you out of trouble. You're very much like him, do you know that."

"I'll take that as a reminder. It's something to think about, not only look like my father, but also end up in troubles like him."

"Yes, James and Sirius usually ended up in detention. I'll just hope you'll behave and don't get yourself thrown out."

"I'll try" he said thinking about last year where he had lost his temper so often over professor Umbridge. Luckily he didn't need to behave in front of her as she now had been taken down so low, she was the cleaner at the ministries.

"Harry, hurry up the train will soon leave!" Mrs Weasley called as the steam of the engine grew.

Lupin trusted the small paw into Harry's hand. "Good luck this year." he said.

Getting hugged of Mrs Weasley he stepped into the compartment. The doors were shut. Inside he found Hermione and Ron discussing the grades she had gotten.

"Look at this" she said. O's in everything except Astronomy. There I received an E."

"What... And me who only received five O's, in Defence Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Charms, Care of Magical Creatures and Potions. The rest were mostly E's, except for Astronomy and History of Magic and Divination there I got A's."

"Well congratulations Ron, that's pretty good marks! How about you Harry?"

"O's in Potions, Transfiguration, Charms, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, Care of Magical Creatures and Duelling."

"How on earth did you get that Mark?"

"They must have considered about the periods of time I have duelled Voldemort and managed to escape alive. Yet I don't know how long I'll be able to stand against him."

"You should really get starting training, I mean... OWL O in duelling. What's next." Ron said.

"I don't know."

"Well I know" Ginny said fuming over the copy of the Daily Prophet she had taken from the Headquarters.

"What! Speak out, you're a seer or something?" Ron said confused.

"No dear big-brother. I'm just someone reading Rita Skeeters new article."

"Of course. She's able to write whatever she wants again. Typical, I'll miss her 'nice' articles." Harry said.

"Well, this one is actually not bad, I think last year must have affected her writing stile. Hear this...

'Minister causing trouble

After the mysterious attack at Diagon Allay, and also the attack at Rosengard up in the North our Minister of Magic has deciding that high security will be placed at all Wizarding areas around England, But is that enough to stop the fear ad fates that awaits us? Many sources can tell that the fear, not only lies over the building at the Ministry's but also over all magical areas around the world. War will awaits us as the Dark Lord not only has risen, but also seems stronger than ever. At this midnight, Headmaster Albus Percival Brian Wulfric Dumbledore admitted the truth about a seventeen-year-old Prophecy foreseen by the current Divination teacher at Hogwarts, Sybill Trelawney. Though he wouldn't speak much, we all received information that the only person, being able to defeat the Dark One is the one and only Boy-Who-Lived. Hard to understand and see, I fear we must trust him this time. The Ministry, angered with this news has threatened Dumbledore, about putting him in Azkaban prison, yet by the hundred of Witches and Wizards protesting, he had to eat his words. We can now only send wishes and hope for this sixteen-year-old teen, whose shoulders are heavier than most others. Good luck Harry, The World and I are counting on you.'

Rita Skeeter

Silence...

Harry was silent. Hermione stared at the red haired girl. Ron had fainted. Did those words really come from Rita Skeeter? The answer was yes.

"Well" Hermione said. I don't know what you think, but I think that tomorrow we'll have to clear the table from letters to Harry.

The time flew, yet the journey wasn't boring. Hermione and Ginny were discussing the OWL's, in Ginny's case she was wondering about how the exams were like and such. Ron and Harry were chatting with Seamus, Dean, Neville, Luna and some more of the old DA members.

"D'you think Dumbledore will let you continue?" Neville asked.

"Hope he does. Thanks to all the training we all managed O's in DADA. Even Neville, that was his second O he received."

"Can't believe I got so good grades after what I am. All the rest of the grades I received E's. Even in Potions."

"Congratulations Neville, good job!" Harry and Ron said.

"Grandma cried a great deal when she saw my Marks, even if it wasn't as good as dads. Still, from an Half Squib, that's pretty good."

"It sure is..."

After some hours the DA members went back to their compartments, in order to get changed. Harry and Ron waited outside their compartment to let the girls start. After ten minutes, the sound said...

"Well shortly will arrive at Hogwarts. Please leave your luggage behind, as it will be transported directly to your dorms. Have a nice evening."

"Ha" Ron said grinning. "I'm already dressed, even before that bloody signal"

Harry shrugged his shoulder, wondering what Ron had meant. Stepping outside into the cold, moist hair looking at the castle he thought. 'I'm back, I'm home.'

TBC