ONE YEAR LATER: PART 2
"Welcome back to Hogwarts, everyone!" Professor, and new Headmistress, Minerva McGonagall called over the Great Hall after the Sorting. "It's lovely seeing that so many of you have returned. It can't have been easy. Much has passed and much has changed. There was much debate among the staff on the subject of reopening the school. The main thing we focused on was if any students would return." McGonagall paused and gazed at everyone. Her eyes landed on the trio.
"Some of us have gone through more than others. I'm not saying anyone was hurting more than someone else. I'm simply saying some experienced things others didn't. We all went through hardships and pain, that much is clear. It's also clear that each and every one of you sitting in this hall is brave and strong. You all returned despite all the horror and evil that took place inside these walls." She paused again.
"We have all moved forward. Whether any pain we've endured has subsided or not, we've moved on. We've accepted what has come to pass." McGonagall looked at Harry and gave a small smile. "Many in this room believe there is but one hero of the war. This is not true. We are all survivors. We are all fighters. We are all true war heroes." The Great Hall erupted in applause. McGonagall began the feast and sat down.
"That was a great speech," Hermione said.
"It really was," Ginny agreed.
"You know what the best thing is about this year?" Harry said. They all looked at him. "No trouble. No mysteries. No three-headed dogs or giant spiders. No danger. The only thing we have to worry about is homework and being late for class."
"Absolutely," Ron nodded. As usual, he was loading food into his mouth.
Suddenly a transparent head came through the table. "Hello. Welcome back, Gryffindors."
"Hello, Nick. Thanks. We're glad to be back," Harry said to the ghost. It was the ghost of Gryffindor house, Nearly Headless Nick or, as he preferred, Sir Nicholas.
"Great to see you again, Harry and Ron, and Hermione, of course," Nick smiled.
"Thanks, Nick," Hermione said as he floated away. An hour later, McGonagall stood and the Hall quieted.
"Bedtime. Tomorrow, classes begin. Good night."
Everyone stood. "I'm going to bed. Good night, you two. Night, Harry." Ginny kissed his cheek and left.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione were waiting at Gryffindor table for Remus, Sirius, Kingsley, and Tonks. "You three should be heading to bed with the rest of the school," Remus said, placing his hands on Harry's shoulders.
"We were waiting for you four." Harry turned around and stood with Ron and Hermione.
Remus put an arm around Harry. "You can see us tomorrow and everyday until school ends. Right now, bed."
"You're no fun," Harry grinned.
"Unless you three want detention the first day," Remus joked.
"You wouldn't," Ron gasped.
"Maybe," Sirius smirked.
"See you tomorrow, Harry. Night, Hermione." Ron kissed her quickly then took off running.
Kingsley raised an eyebrow. "That boy can sure move."
"Yeah." Harry and Hermione laughed.
"All right. We'll go to bed," Harry said.
Remus gave him a one-armed hug and kissed his head. "Have a good night. Love you, pup."
"I love you too," Harry said and hugged Sirius.
"Good night, kiddo. Love you. Sleep well."
"You too. Good night, Kingsley. Tonks. See you all tomorrow. Come on, Hermione." Harry headed for the Grand Staircase.
"It'll be interesting having those four as professors," Hermione said.
"Definitely." Harry grinned.
"Incoming call from Sirius Orion Black. Accept or decline call?" a familiar holographic voice said from Harry's pocket.
"I thought I turned that off." Harry frowned, pulling it from his pocket.
"I thought you weren't supposed to turn it off," Hermione replied.
"About a week after I got home from the hospital, I wasn't allowed. But having it on, Remus and Sirius kept calling in the middle of the night to check on me. One night I turned it off and they freaked out. I told them I was turning it off at night now because the only thing that's keeping me awake at night is them. They eventually agreed," Harry explained.
"Incoming call from Sirius Orion Black. Accept or decline call?" the Communicator spoke again.
"Shouldn't you answer? Won't he think something's happened if you don't?" Hermione wondered.
"No. Now that there's no Death Eaters or anything, they're not too concerned if I don't answer," Harry told her. "Accept," he said.
"Call accepted."
"Sirius, we talked not four minutes ago." Harry raised an eyebrow. He followed Hermione through the portrait door into Gryffindor Tower's common room.
"I'll see you in the morning, Harry," Hermione said.
"Good night, Hermione," he answered as she headed to the girls' dormitories. He turned back to Sirius.
"I just wanted to tell you that you can come see me or Remus at any time," Sirius told him.
"Sirius, I haven't woken up in the night for a year."
"I know. I'm just saying-"
"Let him go to sleep, Padfoot. He'll be fine. He knows he can come here if he wants," Remus said behind Sirius.
"Moony, I was just telling him-"
"And I'm telling you to go to bed and let Harry do the same," Remus said. Harry grinned at them. "Good night, Harry."
"Good night."
"No. Remus-" Sirius protested and the call was cut off. Harry shook his head and turned his Communicator off. He went up the stairs to the boys' dormitories and smiled. Ron and Neville's snores were filling the otherwise quiet room. Dean Thomas was sleeping silently next to an empty bed. It had belonged to Seamus Finnegan. Harry got changed and crawled into his own four poster bed beside Ron's.
"Not yet, Mum. I'm tired," Ron mumbled. It was the next morning and the first day of classes. Harry and Hermione were at Ron's bedside, trying to shake him awake. All of Gryffindor Tower was awake but Ron.
"Did he just call me 'Mum'?" Hermione asked.
Harry grinned. "I think so."
"Hmph." Hermione pulled out her wand. "Aguamenti," she muttered. A jet of water came from her wand tip and hit Ron in the head, jerking him awake.
"What the-? Harry!" Ron shouted.
"No. It wasn't-ahh! Ron!" Harry cried. Ron had jumped at him and had him pinned to the floor. "It wasn't me!"
"Then who was it?"
"Hermione, you git. Now, get off me." Harry pushed his best friend off of him just as Tonks walked in. They all stared at her and she stared at the scene before her. Hermione had her wand out and was holding back laughs. Ron was dripping wet and getting up off the floor. Harry was still sitting on the floor and a little went from Ron being on him.
"Umm-" Tonks said.
"Morning, Tonks," Harry said, standing up.
"Should I ask what happened?" Tonks asked as she cast drying charms on the boys.
The trio looked at one another then back at Tonks. "No," they answered in unison.
"I'll take your word for it," Tonks stated. They grinned. "You need to get to the Great Hall. McGonagall is handing out timetables and you know how Remus and Sirius get when you don't eat." She pointed at Harry.
"I know. I'm coming." Harry walked past her and left the dorm.
Tonks turned back to Ron and Hermione and opened her mouth as if to say something. Then she closed it. "Never mind. Hurry up, you two." She shook her head and walked out.
"We've got Potions, History, Defence, and Astronomy." Harry read their timetable.
"We also have NEWTs this year," Hermione said. They looked at Ron as he groaned loudly.
"I knew there was something bad about coming back," Hermione and Harry rolled their eyes.
"Well, we've got Kingsley and Remus today." Harry looked at the staff table. Remus was talking to McGonagall. Sirius and Kingsley were deep in conversation. Tonks was talking with someone on her right. She was young but wasn't a usual professor. "Who's Tonks talking to?"
"New Flying Instructor," Hermione replied.
"Who is she? She looks young," Harry said.
"Harry, of course she's young. It's Angelina," Hermione told him, an incredulous look on her face.
"Angelina?"
"Yes, Harry. Angelina Johnson. She got hired to be the Flying Instructor. Weren't you listening when Fred and George told us?" Hermione frowned.
"When did they tell us?"
"At your birthday."
"Oh. I don't remember that." Hermione rolled her eyes and continued eating. Harry looked back to the Staff Table. Angelina met his eyes and waved. He returned it. After about twenty minutes, the bell rang.
"Come on. We have to get to the dungeons." Hermione stood up with Ron and Harry, all grabbing their bags.
"It'll be weird, won't it?" Ron said.
"What will?" Harry asked, walking down to the dungeons.
"Not having Snape teach us."
"He didn't teach us Potions in sixth year," Harry stated.
"Not just Potions, at all. He won't be anywhere. No more evil professor breathing down our necks," Ron answered, walking into the Potions room.
Harry stopped in the doorway as the memory of Snape falling to the ground dead crashed into him.
"Harry, are you all right?" Kingsley had appeared behind him. Harry nodded slightly. "Everyone, please take a seat. We'll being in a moment," he said to the class then led Harry to the corridor. "Are you sure you're all right? Should I get Remus or Sirius?"
"No," Harry said quickly. "I'm fine. Just a flashback."
Kingsley looked at him sceptically. "All right. Come on. Inside." Harry walked to the table his friends had chosen and sat on the end. Kingsley walked to the front of the class and looked out at the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor seventh years. "Welcome to Potions. I am your new professor for this year, Professor Shacklebolt. I would have been your Defence professor if Professor Lupin hadn't swiped the job." The class laughed. "We will be working extra hard this year because this is your NEWT year. I hated those. Worst thing about seventh year." The class laughed again.
"Remus," Kingsley called when he saw Remus passing the library.
Remus walked to him. "What's up?"
"Where's Sirius?"
"Don't know," Remus shrugged. "He was free second period. He probably went to Hogsmeade. He might be having lunch now. Why? Is something wrong?"
"No. Nothing huge. At the beginning of class, Harry looked in the room and stopped. He said he was fine, that it was just a flashback. He seemed to calm down a bit through class, but he was edgy. Very quiet," Kingsley explained.
"How were all the others acting? Were they staring at him or whispering?" Remus asked.
"No. They treated him like any other student." Kingsley shook his head.
"Hmm," Remus thought. "I'll go see him. Thanks, Kingsley. Tell Sirius if you see him."
"Will do," Kingsley agreed and turned in the direction of the Great Hall.
Remus didn't move for a bit. He knew Harry wouldn't go to the Hall if something was bothering him. He'd go somewhere to be alone. The Room of Requirement. He headed to the seventh floor. He found the right painting and made the door appear. He slowly and quietly opened it and walked in.
The room had transformed itself to look just like the old cottage. There was a roaring fire and a sofa in front of it, occupied by Harry. "Harry?" Remus said. Harry turned and spotted his uncle.
"Oh, hi." Harry turned back to the fire.
Remus walked to the sofa and sat on the other end. "Kingsley told me what happened this morning. What he thinks happened anyways."
"Nothing happened. I'm fine."
"Were others staring at you?"
"Not that I know of," Harry shook his head.
"What's wrong, pup?"
Harry sighed. He didn't speak for several minutes. "I looked in the Potions classroom and I had a brief flashback. All I could think about was when Snape hit the ground. I just can't get it out of my head," he finally explained. "Just like how every night when I go to bed, there's an empty bed between Dean and Neville. I hate having all these pictures in my head. All these memories."
"You could use Occlumency," Remus replied.
"I've tried. I can't concentrate."
"Think of different memories of these people. Think of how they looked when you saw them in the border line."
"I just want them back," Harry sighed. "Even Snape."
"I know you do, Harry. I thought you had accepted what happened to everyone who lost their life?" Remus moved closer to his nephew.
"I did too. I guess it's harder to accept when I'm somewhere I saw them every day. Everything reminds me of them."
Remus ran his fingers through Harry's hair. Harry looked at him. "It'll get easier. You'll have fun this year." Harry smiled. "Sirius and I will help you."
"I know. I love you, Remus."
Remus hugged him. "I love you too."
Nine Months Later
"Here we are! At the end of a wonderful year. The Quidditch Cup, for the fourth year, has been awarded to Gryffindor." The Hall erupted in applause and cheers, the Gryffindors being the loudest. Professor McGonagall raised a hand and the Great Hall grew quiet. "It's time to award the House Cup."
"You may have taken the Quidditch Cup, Potter, but we're taking the House Cup," Draco Malfoy muttered to Harry behind him.
"I'm sure, Malfoy. Gryffindor's won the House Cup the past six years. We're not about to break that streak," Harry grinned.
"-which leaves Gryffindor to go home another year with the House Cup," McGonagall finished announcing. Gryffindor table jumped up, cheering loudly.
Harry turned to Malfoy. "I don't want to say I told you so, but-"
"Shut up, Potter." Malfoy crossed his arms. Harry laughed.
"Graduation party outside, Gryffindors!" Dean Thomas and Ron yelled. All the Gryffindor seventh years ran outside.
"I need to stay here with the other years," McGonagall told Remus. The seventh years from the other houses had left as well to have their own celebrations. The other years remained to finish the feast.
"Me, Sirius, Kingsley, and Tonks will watch the Gryffindors," Remus smiled and stood up.
"Thank you, Remus," McGonagall said gratefully. Remus nodded his acknowledgment and went to talk to the others.
"You three," Remus pointed to Sirius, Kingsley, and Tonks, "come with me."
"Yes, Mum." Sirius raised an eyebrow.
"Sirius, shut up." Tonks slapped his arm.
"What's going on, Remus?" Kingsley asked.
"We have to watch the Gryffindor party. I told Minerva we would," Remus replied.
"Good. Let's go see Harry." Sirius jumped up. They all headed outside.
"It's not like you haven't already seen him. He was just in your class," Tonks said.
"So I want to see my godson. Last I checked, that was legal," Sirius argued.
"Sirius! Remus!" Harry called and ran to them. He hugged Sirius.
"See? He wanted to see me too," Sirius told Tonks as Harry hugged Remus.
Tonks rolled her eyes. "You are such a child."
"What's up with them?" Harry whispered to Remus who had placed an arm around his nephew, pulling him close.
"They've been like this all day. It's a bit irritating really," Remus whispered back. Harry laughed.
"You and Sirius sound like that sometimes," Harry said.
"We do not," Remus replied.
"Yeah, you do. I should know. It's usually while I'm there." Harry grinned. Remus chuckled and hugged him again.
"Where's Hermione?" Remus asked.
"Probably making out with Ron somewhere," Harry said offhandedly. Remus raised an eyebrow. "Last I saw, she was talking to Lavender."
"Okay. I'll be right back." Remus walked to the large group of Gryffindors.
"Hey, Harry." Kingsley went to his side.
"Hey. Do you argue like this with her?" Harry pointed to his uncle and Tonks. They were still arguing.
"No, but that's because I usually give in right away. She always wins so there's no point trying. It must be a cousin thing with them." Kingsley shook his head.
"Must be. Remus and Sirius argue like this too," Harry agreed.
"Harry!" Hermione yelled. Harry turned and began walking towards her. She reached him first and flung her arms around him.
"Whoa. Hermione, let-let go! Let-ahh!"
SPLASH!
Harry had lost his balance and fell into the Black Lake with Hermione. They broke the surface, both spitting out water. Harry glowered at his female friend.
"Sorry, Harry." Hermione smiled. Harry pushed down on her head and dunked her underwater. She came back up, spluttering. "Harry!"
"Hermione!" Harry said. "What did you jump on me for anyways?"
"I wanted to tell you that Remus hired me," Hermione answered.
They swam to shore. "Why didn't you jump on Remus then? He hired you, not me," Harry replied.
"She already did that. I just have more stability apparently," Remus' voice came from above. Harry looked up. He accepted the hand Remus was offering. Remus pulled his nephew from the water then helped Hermione.
"I wasn't expecting her to attack me," Harry said, casting a drying charm on himself.
"Sorry, Harry. Thank you again, Remus," Hermione smiled and walked to Ron.
"You saw her jump on me, didn't you?" Harry assumed, staring at his uncle.
"Maybe," Remus grinned. Harry rolled his eyes and shook his head. Remus laughed and kissed Harry's temple.
"Remus. People are watching," Harry told him.
"The only thing they're seeing is how much I love you. You amuse me," Remus stated.
"But still-"
"I think it's sweet. I'll never be able to care for him as much as you and Remus do," Ginny said as she came up behind Harry who hugged her.
"I think you're pretty close," Harry said.
"That just proves that you don't realize how much they love you," Ginny said.
"Why does everyone say that?" Harry frowned.
"Because it's true. I don't think you'll ever realize how much we care," Remus said.
"I might have an idea," Harry stated.
"Sirius, I have to talk to you," Kingsley said as the argument between Sirius and Tonks finally ended.
"What's going on?" Sirius wondered.
"Here." Kingsley handed him a piece of paper.
Sirius frowned and looked at it. He looked up at his second-in-command. "Resigning? Why?"
"It's nothing personal. I've loved being an Auror. It's all I've known and done since I graduated. I'm ready to take it easy. I'm going to teach Defence here at Hogwarts," Kingsley explained.
Sirius sighed. "I understand. I'll miss you at the Ministry, mate."
"I'll miss it too." Kingsley nodded. Sirius clapped Kingsley on the shoulder then walked towards Remus who was talking with Harry and Ginny.
"You don't look too happy, Sirius. What's going on?" Remus asked.
"Kingsley just resigned. He's going to teach Defence instead," Sirius sighed.
"Sorry, Sirius." Harry gave his uncle a one-armed hug.
"Thanks, kiddo, but it's not all bad."
"Why's that?" Harry asked, keeping his arm around Sirius' waist and Sirius' arm stayed around Harry's shoulders.
"Because you now have a job," Sirius smiled. "I've decided to hire Ron and Ginny as well."
"Really? I'm on the team?" Ginny stated
"Yes, you are," Sirius nodded.
"Yes! Thank you! I'll go tell Ron he made it too!" Ginny ran off.
"Sirius, did you say I'm your second-in-command?" Harry wondered.
"That's what I said."
Harry slipped out from under Sirius' arm and looked at him. "I told you not to hire me just because I'm your nephew, Sirius."
"That's not why I hired you, kiddo. You're amazing at fighting. You're amazing at figuring out puzzles and mysteries. You'll make a spectacular Auror," Sirius told him.
"Why second-in-command though? If not because we're family."
"Like I said, you'll make an amazing Auror. I want you on the team, Harry. Not because you're my nephew, but because you have skill," Sirius answered.
Harry gazed at his godfather's face, trying to see a hint of humour. There was nothing. He was being literal. "You really mean it." He didn't say it as a question, but a statement.
"Of course I mean it."
Harry smiled and hugged Sirius tightly. "Thank you so much."
A/N: One more chapter and this story is over! :P