First of all, I realize I forgot to put a disclaimer at the beginning of the last chapter, so here it is for this chapter. I don't own Harry Potter, so please don't sue me. I write because I enjoy it. Please note that Niyat, Ptah, Nur-Rahl, and Reginald and Rodenbacchus Troy are mine. If you would like to use any of these characters, please notify me. That's all I ask. :) AND PLEASE REVIEW!

They had long since left the quiet spaces of Ottery St. Catchpole. There would be no going out and taking apples from the orchard, no Quidditch games in the open yard. No more sounds of her father's tinkerings from the garage, and very little of the delicious smells of her mother's cooking from the kitchen. No, instead there would be the open grounds of Hogwarts and the towering stone castle itself. What once had seemed so alive to her, now seemed as shadowy and dark as a tomb. The halls were empty of laughter and her fellow classmates, and the Quidditch pitch seemed to house more ghosts than usual, the banners of the four houses swaying in the wind. Even though Hogwarts seemed like the forgotten, it was the pristine eye in the midst of a terrible, raging storm.

While the wizarding world brooded within their sealed homes and crumbling streets, she was forced to stare at the place that was Hogwarts, realizing that this was the only place that the war had not truly managed to touch yet. The grass grew, the breeze tickled her cheek and whispered in her ear, and Hogwarts proudly stood blatantly defying the one that dared to call himself Lord Voldemort; Tom Marvolo Riddle. Hogwarts was a pockmark in his line of sight, almost as if the castle were mocking him, and Ginny enjoyed that it enraged him so. If there was one thing that Tom always attempted to bring down, it was Hogwarts. Hogwarts, and the wards that surrounded her.

She pressed against the grass with a hand, and it sponged beneath her palm as she settled down on the lawn. It was gently misting, a slow and sweet breeze cooling the air. Water gathered and slid down her face in tiny drops, seemingly crystalline tears against her white skin. Her red hair danced upon the soft currents, wisping about her shoulders and her face in an almost angelic way. Chocolate brown eyes surveyed the peace before her and attempted to take it into her weary soul. An attempt that had failed to work thousands of times before, and was failing now. Her black robes touched upon the ground like an ink blot, even as she sat and waited. Harry had promised to come soon, and she was waiting. She was still waiting.

She had always been waiting.

At first, she thought that she'd merely been obsessed with a name: the famous Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived. Yet, as time went on and they became friends, Ginny had begun to see Harry as a person, and not a hero. Not someone who was famous, but the young man that strived to set his world free from the opression that was Lord Voldemort. The man that tried his best to soothe the arguments between his two best friends, who was 'Dumbledore's man through and through', who had looked at her with such sorrow the day before he left...

It hadn't taken her long to realize that not only was he her friend, but that she loved him. It was like a blow to her skull. She'd been staring at him one moment, and the realization had hit her like a hammer to the back of her head. She was in love with the tall, green-eyed, slim, self-sacrificing Harry Potter and there wasn't a thing she could do about it. So, for the last two years, when she wasn't on a mission with her brothers, or helping Madam Pomfrey make healing potions, she was here on the front lawn watching, and waiting for him to return. The chances had seem practically nil, until the veil had been delivered, along with a precise note, to the Great Hall of Hogwarts Castle.

Since the veil, things had started looking up, and they knew that with the return of Albus Dumbledore the tide of the war would be changed. Now that Harry was coming back, they also knew that they could win this war and be rid of Voldemort forever. She knew that she would be happy when she could finally look at her world and realize that at least for most of her lifetime, they could live in peace. Her mother would stop crying, a smile would fix itself on his face again, and the rest of her family would be safe.

"Knut for your thoughts, eh Gin-Gin?"

Ginny looked up and smiled at the duo that had stopped just behind her. "Hello Fred, George."

She heard the grass rustle slightly as they settled down on the grass, one on each side of her. Ginny pulled her knees up to her chest, folding her arms on top of them and resting her chin against her arms. For a few moments, they all sat in comfortable silence, staring out over the lawn, welcoming the feel of the rainy mist upon their faces. Fred and George were notorious tricksters, well-known for their pranks and good humor, but Ginny was one of the few to see a side to them that even their mother rarely saw. The twins were extremely protective of Ginny, and while they had one another to help the other out if they were feeling down, Ginny had only had her friends, her mum, and the twins. Her mum was wonderful, and her friends were great, but Fred and George could usually sympathize with what she was going through. What's more, they usually knew exactly what was on her mind. Today was no exception.

"Dumbledore says he's supposed to be here tomorrow. What do you think Gin?" came Fred's quiet voice after a moment.

"I'm going to kill him," Ginny said, without hesitation, her fists clenching.

"Want some help?" George tuned in merrily, and Fred grinned and nodded. "Yeah Gin, we've got a score to settle with him too. We could help you out if you like."

Ginny laughed. "He'd probably end up with shrinking undies and pink robes. Let's save that until Sirius gets back, yes? I'm sure he'd appreciate the humor. That is, if he comes back..."

Fred bounced his head back and forth, apparently bobbing to some merry little diddy within his head. "He will, Gin. Wrongfully murdered and all that. He's still got quite a life to live and make-up you know. Twelve years in Azkaban doesn't constitute as tying up lose ends. Besides, he owes Harry that much at least, don't you think?"

Ginny shrugged. "I dunno. Do you..."

She paused, staring down at the ground as if she could burn a hole in it. If they were going to attempt to bring Sirius back, that probably meant they were going to bring back Remus, and Harry's parents. Fred and George shared a glance with each other over Ginny's head, before George piped up again. "Do what Ginny? You have to finish the sentence before we can give you an answer. We're not as all-knowing as Dumbledore."

Ginny giggled suddenly at the thought of her brother's growing twin white beards and hair and wearing the outrageous robes Dumbledore was known for. "I know I know. Do you guys think that Dumbledore will bring back Remus too? And Harry's parents?"

Fred nodded. "Dumbledore said he was bringing back any that were part of the Order of the Phoenix at one time. That means Remus, Sirius, and Mr. and Mrs. Potter."

Ginny shook her head. "It sounds weird to hear that. I'm used to hearing Mr. Potter, just not in that context. What do you think they'll be like?"

George shrugged, picking the lint off of his blue robes. "Harry's probably nothing like them. Well, I mean, he looks like them, but he hasn't exactly grown up around them now has he? I think they'll find themselves surprised at how quickly Harry's grown up, and not just in age either. He's...what do they call it Fred?"

Ginny answered instead, unclenching her fists. "An old soul. I think things are going to be difficult for the Potter family for awhile. I dunno if I could handle dying and coming back to see my baby boy all grown up, now that I think about it. I'm pretty sure the Potters are strong people though. From what I've heard, they don't let anything get in their way."

Fred grinned, wrapping an arm around Ginny's shoulders. "Well, then again, maybe their more alike than any of us thought."

Ginny smiled at the thought. "I hope so. Harry, even if he is nineteen, needs them. Now, more than ever."

"Quite right, my dear," George said, doing his best to imitate Dumbledore. He ended up looking more like a fish and sounding like a decrepit house elf.

The grounds of Hogwarts rang with their laughter, a pleasant change in the otherwise solemn mood.

Gone were the insecurities of his school years, when meeting Dumbledore face to face left him nervous and wondering what was going to happen. Gone were the sweaty palms, the running about frantically, and attempting to find solutions that did not exist for a problem that was larger than life. At least, that was what he was telling himself at the moment.

Currently, Harry Potter was sitting on his bed, pulling on his boots and a pair of robes, his hair messy and streaming about his face, and his green eyes darting about nervously as he attempted to make sure his bags were packed. He doubted he'd be coming back to his flat for a very long time, and as such he had packed everything that he could stuff into several trunks and shrink down to size.

I can't believe I'm doing this...why did I say that I'd be back? Oh, yes...the dead are rising. That's right.

Harry managed to toss on his robes, stumbling to his feet, ignoring the angry hisses on the asp currently following him about. He had been thinking about this for a week, and at first, he'd been quite happy to return home. Or at least, to Hogwarts. Now, he wasn't so sure. Hermione, Ron and especially Ginny were bound to be furious, as the letters he had received at first were Howlers, Hermione's being among the loudest. He hadn't thought that his know-it-all friend had it in her. Molly had sent him one as well, though hers had broken his heart as it had ended with tears and much pleading. Still, Harry had had a job to do, and he had wanted to see it completed. Now, it seemed, it would have to wait.

He was going back to Hogwarts to face his demons. To see his godfather, who he'd effectively murdered in his fifth year because of his stupidity, to see Remus and welcome him back, and most importantly, face his parents. He paled at the thought. What would his parents think of him? Would they still expect a child? Would they see someone who had been forced to grow up before his time? Would they refuse to see him as a man? Would they be revolted by the things he'd done, and the lives he had caused to be lost? His stomach churned as he tapped his trunks and they shrunk to a small enough size to be jammed into his pocket.

He whirled to face Niyat, who had taken perch on the back of an overstuffed armchair, as his perch had been promptly packed away by Harry. "Niyat...I can't do this. Why did I ever convince myself that I could do this?"

Niyat took in the panicked look on his human's face and gave a sigh and a rustle of feathers. As sparks danced across his wings, he bobbed his head at Harry, poking his beak at him in an irritated fashion. Are you, or are you not Harry Potter? Get yourself together Harry! Think about this...your friends will be angry because they care. As for those returning, they will love you just as they have always loved you, and they will accept you. Did you think your mother died because she wanted to have a nice eternal picnic on the other side of forever? No! Now get yourself together. And pick up that eel on the floor so we can go.

From his place on the floor, Ptah hissed. I am not an eel, you overgrown goosssssssse! Masssster, pleassse pick me up from the floor. It'ssss freezing down here, and I agree with the ssssstuffed turkey over there. Let'ssssss get out of here!

Harry reached down and picked up Ptah from the floor, allowing the snake to curl about his neck. He tapped his wand to the collar of his robes, setting the same charm on it that he had on the rock that Ptah used for warmth. "Where we're going isss quite cold. Hopefully, that will keep you warm. I will warn you, however, that if my friendsss get to me firsssst, one of them or more may end up throwing a punch. Sssso no biting, underssstoood?"

Ptah sighed. Underssstood, my massster.

Harry sighed and looked around. His small flat now looked empty, and Harry knew that he'd miss it, but it couldn't be helped. He had a war to fight, battles to plan, prophecies to demolish, and people to face. Finally, he placed his hand on Niyat and nodded. "Get us out of here, Niyat."

A short trill later, there was no evidence that Harry Potter had ever resided in the city of Cairo.

As the trio winked into existence, Harry took a moment to regain his balance. Niyat had taken to flying, as there was nowhere for him to perch upon without actually going into the castle. Stretched out before Harry were the grounds of Hogwarts, a place he had often missed but had never dared to come back and see. Entering the gates, he shut them behind him, letting the feel of magic tingle over him as the wards recognized and welcomed his presence. That probably meant that Albus knew that Harry was already here.

He shivered as he made his way across the grounds. It was misting, and it was far colder in Britain than it was in Cairo. Even the warming charm did not keep the snake coiled around his neck from hissing in discomfort. Harry quickly cast a full warming charm over himself, and promised Ptah that he would pull out his 'sunning rock', as soon as they were allowed to settle into quarters. It had taken awhile for Harry to get the nerve to leave for Hogwarts, and as such, the sun had already begun to set, casting a darker grey hue into the bleak sky.

Upon reaching the Entrance, the doors began to creak open, and Harry was met with the most welcome sight he'd seen in years. Standing there, dressed in sky blue robes and hat, with twinkling stars dancing around them, was Albus Dumbledore. Forgetting all manner of etiquette, Harry moved forward and embraced the Headmaster, tears filling his eyes. His embrace was returned strongly, and Harry only stepped back when Ptah hissed his discomfort at being squished.

Harry stepped back to take in Albus' appearance. The man looked as if he were in his sixties again, which was quite young for a wizard. Albus himself had been over one hundred and fifty when he'd died. Apparently, there were some benefits to dying and then coming back to life. He still wore half-moon spectacles and there was that damned twinkle again. His hair looked like a mix between salt and pepper almost; an odd mottle of grey and white that somehow suited the man. He was wearing a bright smile, and a highly pleased look on his face.

Much as Harry was surveying Albus, Albus was also surveying him. The boy had gained quite a good bit of height, standing just short of his rather tall friend, Ron. His black hair was long, and he could see that it had been hastily banded back. His green eyes seemed solemn behind silver rimmed glasses, and he suspected a slight shining of tears. It seemed that Harry had finally acquired a bit of a tan, as well as growing into his once-awkward frame. Albus clasper his hands behind his back and smiled at Harry.

"My dear boy, I must admit, I did not expect to receive an answer to my letter. Imagine my surprise then, when your phoenix showed up after Fawkes had disappeared, just to make sure the letter was authentic, it seemed. A storm phoenix. Quite an honor then. And who is your other companion?"

The ebony snake lifted its head lazily, and stared at Albus with a round, black eye. Thissss human issss odd, Massster...

Harry gave a slight snort and shook his head. "Uh...this is Ptah, and..."

Harry glanced around, searching for his phoenix. After a moment, he realized that the phoenix had flown to perch on Albus' shoulder, staring at the Headmaster with his blue gaze. I think I shall steal his shoulder. His lacks the sliminess left behind by that black worm of yours.

Ptah hissed. Come closer, and I'll tell you a little secret, feather-brain.

Harry sighed. "Enough you two. And the one perched on your shoulder is Niyat, sir."

Albus' eyes twinkled with amusement. "Indeed. Well then! Come, Harry and we'll get you settled in."

Harry followed after Albus, and scratched at his head nervously. "Well, actually...I wasn't going to answer your letter, but when I saw that it was from you, and the veil was working, I couldn't just let that lie. After all, it was part of the reason I went after the veil to begin with."

Albus nodded solemnly. "As it was my intention for you to. I was hoping that you would find it sooner, but that you found it at all is a blessing. You must know by now that Severus was acting under orders?"

Harry gave a slow nod as they rounded a corner and started up a staircase. "I suspected after I began hearing reports from my sources that Severus Snape had gone missing, and not just from the Order circle and Hogwarts either. It wasn't until I managed to run into Draco Malfoy that my suspicions were concerned."

"Ah, and how is young Mister Malfoy?"

Harry raised a brow, but otherwise did not comment on Albus' cheerful remark. "He's well, actually. It took a hell of a lot of convincing for me to keep from killing him on the spot. He's one of my informants now, but I don't have a clue where he is. He shows up at the most inconvenient times."

Albus said nothing, but stopped in front of a portrait of a man dressed as a bard, playing the lute. Albus turned to it and smiled pleasantly. "Hello Algernon. How are you this fine day?"

The man in the portrait gave a jolly grin to the Headmaster. "Quite well, Headmaster. Welcome back. You're the current talk of all the portraits you know. I believe that only Phinneas seems rather discouraged at your reappearance."

Albus chuckled, while Harry muttered under his breath, "He would be."

"Would you mind letting us in, Algernon? These are to be Harry Potter's new quarters. Oh, and of course, tiddlywinks."

Algernon saluted them and swung inward, allowing Albus and Harry to step into the rooms. The sitting room was done up in dark blue and silver, complete with fireplace, three chairs and a couch, a small table, a rug, and some bookcases. There were two doors: one leading to the bedroom, and one leading to the bathroom.(I'm American, can you tell? ;-) ) Albus turned to Harry and smiled. "I hope you will find these to your liking. They were Filius' quarters last, but he moved into another suite so as to be closer to the infirmary. He often helps with the wounded, and did not want to be running back and forth quite so often. Of course, the colors can change quite easily. All you must do is tap the wall with your wand and think of what you would like, and it will happen at will."

Albus turned to leave, but a hand on his arm stopped him. "Are Hermione and Ron here? And the Weasleys?"

Albus nodded. "Quite, but I think you would rather them only come to see you once you are settled in, am I correct?"

Harry nodded, thinking it would be nice to give himself some time to prepare. "Yes, sir. Why didn't they meet me at the Entrance?"

Albus chuckled. "I sent them on an errand. After all, a dead man cannot go into muggle London after his own lemon drops, now can he?"

At the mischievious sparkle in Albus' eyes, Harry had to laugh. "It's good to have you back, Albus."

Once Harry had settled in, and Ptah was now comfortably resting on his sunning rock, Harry moved to tap his wand against the wall. The color scheme shifted from blue and silver, to sand and dark brown, the colors his flat had been dressed in. It allowed him the slight feel of his flat in Cairo, while still managing to look like a room one would definitely see in Hogwarts. His days of obsession over red and gold were long gone. Ron and Hermione were due back from London at any moment, and it would likely be a long night for Harry. First he had to see to his two best friends, and then there was the rest of the Weasley clan to deal with.

A knock sounded at his door, and Niyat ruffled his feathers from his perch. It is better to meet doom sooner, rather than later.

"Thanks Niyat," he said with a touch of sarcasm. "Nice to know you care about my well being."

Pointing his wand at the door, he simply commanded, "Open."

As the door swung open, his two expected guests entered the room. Harry took a long moment to glance at the changes in his friends, even as they obviously were doing to him. Hermione's bushy hair that had seemed so out of place on her when she was younger, had managed to be tamed enough to fit the woman that was standing before him. Her brown eyes were filled with tears that spilled over and slipped down her cheeks in soft rivers. She was wearing emerald robes that somehow went nicely with the darker blue that Ron was wearing. As for the red-head, he was about six foot tall, and his own form had filled out quite well. In fact, Harry thought distractedly that Ron looked as if he should've been a bouncer at the local bar, not someone working for the Order of the Phoenix.

After a moment, Hermione rushed forward and threw her arms around Harry, nearly choking him in her exuberance. "Oh my God! Harry! Where have you been?! We've been so worried! Are you okay?"

Harry hugged her back, but after a moment attempted to pull away. " 'Mione...need...air..."

Blushing, she released him and stepped back, smiling even through her tears. "Sorry, Harry. But...do you have any idea how worried we've been?"

Harry sighed. He felt like he was in school again, being scolded in the worst way, and the bad thing was that he really did deserve it. In fact, it almost tempted him to grind his toe into the floor and glare at it like a school kid would do.

"Harry?"

Harry shook himself and gave her a smile. "Sorry, 'Mione. Uhm...I've been in Egypt actually. And I'm fine, but I have a lot to tell you. Still, that can wait for later."

Harry turned to see Ron practically glaring a hole through his head and winced. After a moment, Ron strode confidently up to Harry, hauled back his fist, and punched him square in the face. As stars danced before his eyes, he briefly thought he heard Hermione exclaim - "Ronald Bilius! You've broken his nose! And on his first day back too!"

LOL. Sorry for the slight cliff-hanger, but I really do have to end it here. I wanted to add more, but time isn't going to allow it if I'm going to get any sleep tonight. Also, let me reply to a few reviews here. I don't often reply to the ones that say, "Great job!" or "Write more really soon, okay?" But occassionally I'll respond to people who leave me interesting reviews, so let me do this now. Also, everytime I get a review, I go immediately and write a little more on whatever bit I've written, because it inspires me. So please leave me reviews? Ones suggesting what you'd like to see in the story, whether it's big plot ideas, little ideas, or just a lot of things in general. Please, tell me. Also, I will be looking for a beta reader within the next week or two, so if you're interested and you think you can handle the responsibility, please let me know. I would also like a beta reader who isn't afraid to toss ideas back and forth with me, or tell me when something doesn't sound right. Thank you!

Nat Bumblebee - I actually think you have amazing english skills, and it was quite easy to read your review. :) Thank you so much for taking time to write me a review!

Child-Of-The-Dawn - Hopefully I can continue to spark your interest. Anything in the story you'd like for me to consider adding?

Thanks guys! Please leave a review! I really honestly truly lack the encouragement to write if I can't get reviews!