Chapter 5: Return to Hogwarts.

Albus collected his grandson just after breakfast the next day. Harry was excited to be returning to the first place that made him feel as if he belonged. Albus chuckled at the boy's enthusiasm as he stumbled out of the floo and into his office ending up on his rear covered in soot from the fireplace.

Albus quickly banished the soot from the boys robes with a flick of his wand. Silently he assisted the boy back to his feet, as Harry silently looked around the office he had all but destroyed not too long ago. It appeared that his granddad had been able to repair majority of the things that had fallen victim to Harry's rage. Feeling ashamed of his previous behavior Harry looked at his feet and mumbled an apology.

"Not to worry lad, your reaction was quite understandable." Albus responded with a grin and the ever present twinkle in his eyes. "How about we get you settled into your room?"

Harry gave a small nod of his head and followed Dumbledore. Dumbledore lead him out of the office and down the staircase. Once they exited from behind the gargoyle Dumbledore approached a portrait of Merlin that was to the right of the gargoyle, which Harry had not noticed before.

Merlin in the portrait looked at the pair curiously as they approached, while stroking his long white beard. "You've finally told him that you are family, have you Albus?" The portrait asked knowingly.

Harry looked at the portrait gobbed-smacked, "You know who I am, sir...and that the Headmaster and I are related?"

"Of course lad, what kind of wizard would I be if didn't keep tabs on my descendants?" Merlin chuckled. "I've been keeping any eye on you since you were sorted."

"Merlin is my grandfather Harry, and now the portrait guarding your room. The password which I hope you don't mind that I have already selected is Grodric Gryffindor." Albus stated. Harry looked at the portrait closely and could see a resemblance between the two, right down to the spirited twinkle of the eyes.

The portrait gave another chuckle as if he knew what Harry was thinking and then with a soft click, popped open. The Headmaster laid his hand gently upon Harry's shoulder and ushered him in through the door.

What waited for Harry on the other side was more than he expected. The room was decorated in reds and golds with the Gryffindor House crest brilliantly painted upon the wall behind a large four-poster bed. A large desk made of Holly was placed in front of a window which consisted of the perfect view of the Quidditch pitch. The room had two doors leading to adjoined rooms, which upon closer inspection ended up being a personal bathroom and a large closet.

"I will leave you here to get settled Harry. One of the Elves will bring your trunk. I will see you in the Great Hall for lunch."

Harry gave a silent nod as his eyes roamed around the room taking in all of the unique design. Inside Harry was stunned at the room, no one besides Sirius had every given him anything similar. Harry knew it was only a room, but couldn't help but feel pride and warmth knowing that it was his and from his granddad.

Harry spent the time alone sorting all of his belongings. Once that was completed he sat at his desk and decided to send an owl to Daphne.

Daphne,

I know it was only yesterday when we last saw each other, but felt like I would send the owl as I had promised. I hope things are well with you and your family. Granddad asked me to spend the remainder of the holiday with him, which I am excited about. I just arrived at Hogwarts and the place is just as amazing as it always is. I suppose we will be getting our owls soon hope you did well enough to pursue the courses your interested in. Well I suppose I will hear from you soon.

Harry.

Harry folded up the letter and sat it on his desk to have Hedwig deliver later once she arrived. He then stood and stretched as he figured it must be time for lunch and decided to head to the Great Hall.

Upon entering the Great Hall Harry noticed that only a few of the teachers were present besides the Headmaster, those being Professor McGonagal and Snape. All eyes widened in confusion as Albus motioned for him to join them at the head table. Upon reaching the table Harry observed a place set up to the right of the Headmaster and assumed it was for him.

"Professors Snape and McGonagal, I believe I explained that I would be having a guest for the last two weeks of holiday," Albus said as he gave Harry a nod as he took the seat beside him. "Well I guess I have some explaining to do as it is common knowledge that students may not stay at Hogwarts during the summer holiday unless they are related to the member of the staff."

The last comment caused McGonagal to give a sudden gasp as her eyes widen with shock and she absently brought a hand to her mouth. Snape on the other hand had regain his control of his facial features but couldn't stop as he arced an eyebrow as he had already heard this little fact at the reading of Blacks will.

"Harry is my grandson and I have decided that he will be staying with me from this point." Albus finished and then went back to his meal. While Professor McGonagal just gaped at the pair, loosing her trademark stern facial features for those of a fish out of water.

"Nice to see you Professors." Harry greeted quietly as he began dishing some food onto his plate. Snape acted as if he didn't hear anything as he continued to eat his food in silence.

"Welcome back to Hogwarts Mr. Potter," McGonagal greeted as she finally was able to overcome her shock. "Perhaps if the Headmaster agrees you could meet me in my office this after lunch. There is a few things I would like to talk with you about."

Albus gave a curt nod of his head while Harry responded, "Of course Professor."

After they had finished eating Harry followed Professor McGonagal to her office. Upon entering she directed him to take a seat in a soft looking armchair in front of her desk while to took a seat behind the desk.

"I know that a lot happened last year Harry, and that you were banned from Quidditch. I would like to inform you that the ban was lifted as soon as Umbridge had been removed from the Castle."

"Thank you Professor, would you happen to know where my firebolt is?"

McGonagal gave a soft sigh as she responded, "Unfortunately it appears that Umbridge made sure to destroy your broom Mr. Potter. While I would gladly welcome you back and offer you the position as Gryffindor's Captain, I have another proposal for you. One that I think will benefit yourself and the other students. As you will find out soon enough every member of Dumbledore's Army scored well beyond those who were not members during last years exams. I would like to offer you the position as a Perfect and have you continue Dumbledore's Army."

"But Professor, Ron and Hermione are the sixth year Perfects for Gryffindor." Harry stated with a confused look upon his face.

"I am aware of that Mr. Potter as it was I who assigned them the position. The Slytherin sixth year Perfects Mr. Malfoy and Miss Parkinson have been stripped of the tittle, and while Professor Snape would normally be responsible for finding their replacement I decided that I would see to it that at least one of those replacements were worthy of the position, and after all you endured and were still able to motivate and instruct those both above and below your year to achieve passing exam scores, I feel you have earned this opportunity."

"Thank you Professor, but what about Quidditch?"

McGonagal chuckled, "I forget your James' son sometimes Harry. I do not see why you could continue to play, and as both Mr Fred and George Weasley have decided to returned to finish their seventh years I have decided that they would co-Captain the team. Thus leaving their seeker with plenty of time to focus on his other duties."

"Can I think about it Professor?" Harry asked quietly. "It's not that I don't appreciate the faith you have in me. I just want to make it's the best option for everyone."

"Of course Harry, but I will need your decision by the end of the week," McGonagal informed as she fished out a envelope from her desk, "Meanwhile as you are already here I see no harm in giving you this so, maybe it will convince you."