CHAPTER 13: ON TO HOGWARTS

13.1

"Now," James said as the three of them apparated together to Grimmauld place. Immediately, Sirius opened the door and welcomed them in. Harry looked round at the house while Sirius and his parents exchanged pleasantries. The house seemed bright and clean. Apparently, Kreacher was doing his duties properly. Then he realised that the portrait had not spoken up. He glanced that way. A veil covered it.

"She is grieving," Sirius said, with a twisted smile, as he saw Harry look that way. "Her dear son has gone away."

For a minute, Harry was nonplussed. Why was Sirius addressing himself in such a manner? Then he realised that Sirius had referred to his younger brother.

"Gone away?" Lily enquired. "Where?"

"Dunno, on the continent somewhere." Sirius shrugged. However, the gesture wasn't as casual as he tried to make out. "Said that he wanted to see the world."

"You've received any owl from him?" Lily continued her questions.

"Yes one, to inform me that he had reached Paris safely." Again that forced gesture.

Further conversation was curtailed by the entry of Kreacher bearing tea and snacks. The elf bowed at the three guests as he placed the things on the table.

"Here's another one who is grief-stricken." Sirius remarked as the elf made sniffing noises.

"Kreacher is concerned about Master Regulus. Master Regulus loves him…"

"Yes, yes, yes," Sirius said impatiently. "I've heard it a thousand times."

Kreacher sniffed even more.

"Get out." Sirius shouted and the elf scurried out.

"Really Sirius, you should not get so hyper about this elf." Lily said as she poured out the tea.

Sirius sighed. "Lily, this elf tried to kill me. I'd like nothing better to wring his neck."

Harry thought of what Hermione would make of this statement. She'd, of course, talk about poor deluded creatures and how they were more to be pitied. Well, this elf had taken pretty good care of them.

"Actually, I'm surprised that you haven't killed him as yet." James remarked, handing Sirius and Harry a cup each, even as Lily admonished him.

"Oh well," Sirius shrugged. He seemed about to say more but then abruptly changed the topic. "So Harry, all set for the new term?"

"Yes," Harry said brightly. "It will be fun."

"So what's the programme?" Sirius asked, sipping his tea.

"First of all, we go to Diagon Alley." Harry answered excitedly, putting down his cup. he was really looking forward to his last year at Hogwarts. For the first time, he'll enjoy school as it ought to be enjoyed. No megalomaniac dark lords waiting to kill you. No cruel DADA teachers. Best of all, your parents near you. "Hermione and Ron would meet us there and we will make our purchases."

"Good." Sirius replied. "I was thinking of getting you the new broom in the market. The Firebolt Ace. It's supposed to be the fastest. But you could have a look about and choose for yourself."

"But Sirius," Lily protested, "it must be real expensive and…"

"Please Lily," Sirius said, looking at her straight, "I know Harry has got you two now but I am also his godfather and wish to indulge him."

"Hey not two," James remarked, looking at all of them, "but three. Sirius you more than the two of us."

In the silence that descended, Harry stood up and hugged his parents and then Sirius. "Three."

"What's wrong with us," Sirius remarked, after a pause, " we are behaving like bloody Hufflepuffs."

"Well actually, I think it ought to be four by now." Lily said. "Isn't it time, Sirius, to get an aunt for Harry?"

"Merlin forbid witch," Sirius exclaimed, "let me enjoy my freedom in peace."

"And just what is the meaning of that wizard?" Lily asked, glaring at Sirius.

"No seriously, Sirius," James said. "Look at Lily and I, Remus and Tonks, you are the grouchy curmudgeon."

"Hey hey," Sirius threw a cushion at James who ducked and it hit Lily instead, splashing the tea from her cup on to her robes. She wailed and then it was a free for all.

Harry watched as his parents and Sirius had a battle royale involving cushions, tea cups, biscuits, cakes, plates, everything they could lay their hands on. He imagined himself with Ron and Hermione indulging in such carefree behaviour years hence. No, he'll have Ginny by his side too. He felt a tingling sensation in his body. Soon he will be in Diagon Alley and meet her. A piece of cake splattered on his glasses and with a roar he too joined the battle.

13.2

"Harry, you must have been real perplexed by the platform number, the first time. Did Tuney explain it to you?" Lily asked, as they made their way to the platform Nine and Three-Quarters, the next day.

Harry gulped. He remembered well how his uncle and aunt had laughed maliciously, leaving him stranded at the station. Had he not heard Mrs. Weasley would he have been able to find his way to Hogwarts? But how was he supposed to tell this to his mother who, despite her protestations to the contrary, continued to hope for some nice gesture from her sister?

"Er, actually there was no need. Hagrid had explained it to me and anyways I met the Weasleys and they took me along. Aunt and uncle always came to pick me up though." He finished brightly. His mother's face perked up a little.

"Lily," a voice called out from the crowd as they went thru the pillar to the platform. Alice Longbottom waved them over to where she stood with her husband and son. Lily hugged her even as Frank shook hands with Sirius and James. Harry and Neville after greeting the adults, clamped each other on the back.

"So ready Harry?" Neville asked.

"Absolutely." Harry replied, wondering whether he too looked as ready to burst from joy as Neville did.

"It's a miracle, isn't it?" Neville asked rhetorically as he looked at their parents talking to each other animatedly. Harry couldn't agree more. In many ways, his and Neville's lives were intertwined. Both could have been the boy whom Voldemort deemed his death. Voldemort had come for Harry and taken away his parents while Voldemort's followers had taken away Neville's parents away from him.

"Sometimes I can't believe it." Harry whispered. Neville nodded, his chin wobbling a little and for a moment he looked the insecure, unsure, under confident boy that Harry well remembered.

"Harry!" Ginny exclaimed as she came running over. The next moment, she had placed her lips on his cheek. Harry reddened. Yesterday also at Diagon Alley, she had greeted him in the same manner. Of course, he too loved her lips pressing against his cheek, her body pressed against his but it had led to a lot of leg-pulling and jokes by James and Sirius and some concerned questions by Lily. He was sure today also it would lead to the same. He refused to look in the direction of the adults though he could feel their eyes pressing on his back. He was sure it was a chuckle that was quickly turned into a cough and he could visualize Sirius' lips puckering themselves to blow a whistle before James' elbow jabbed him in the stomach.

As he disentangled himself from Ginny, Neville gave him a broad wink. Harry blushed and looked down. Neville and Ginny greeted each other.

A crowd of red-hair made its way to their side of the platform. Apparently the entire Weasley family had come to see Ron and Ginny off. To Harry's relief they all had huge smiles on their faces. Along with the Weasleys were Hermione with her parents. Now that he had found his parents, Harry was really thankful that Hermione's parents had recovered their memories. What would have been Hermione's life, had they failed to do so?

"Harry."

He looked up to meet the smiling, handsome face of Cedric Diggory, flanked on both sides by his parents.

"Harry," Cedric continued, his honest face shining with emotion, "I am really very grateful to you."

"What for?" He asked in perplexity.

"You brought my body back." Cedric said simply even as his mother's hands on his shoulders tightened.

Harry didn't want it but the entire scene in the graveyard flashed before his eyes. "Kill the spare," Voldemort had ordered and Pettigrew had done so. It was the first time that he had seen somebody die. He had also realised how easy it was for life to be snuffed out. One moment you are alive, the other moment you simply are not there. But then here was Cedric, alive and warm, in front of him once more. How had this occurred? It was too immense, too colossal to comprehend. Perhaps one should be simply thankful for it rather than going into the whys and wherefores of it.

"Please," Harry murmured.

"No seriously," Cedric said gravely, "I wanted to thank you sooner but dad and mom," he looked affectionately at his parents who were hovering near him anxiously, "would not let me out of their sight."

"Cedric!" exclaimed a joyful voice as Cho came running over to their group. Harry looked at her and almost gasped out. He had forgotten how beautiful Cho was. Her face glowed, her eyes sparkled, she was no longer the sullen, weeping girl who had so confused him.

"Hi Harry!" She said but her eyes were fixed on Cedric.

Harry looked at the girl who had come along with Cho and was now standing silently beside her. The hateful word shone on her forehead. He remembered how she had tried to hide that word with her makeup but had been unable to do so. Now there was nothing on her face to camouflage that word and she confronted the world with that word distinctly emblazoned on her face.

Her eyes met his and he flushed She had caught him scrutinizing her face. Her eyes stared at him without blinking and it was he who turned away uncomfortably. At his side, Ron shuffled his feet awkwardly.

"How disgusting," he heard somebody murmur. "She should have the decency to cover it up at least."

Perhaps Cho heard it too because though she seemed to be busy with Cedric, her arm came out and wrapped itself around Marietta's shoulders. Quietly, the three of them walked away a little.

13.3

"Ohhhh look who has come." There was a dangerous note in Sirius' voice that diverted everybody's attention from Marietta. Coming towards them were the Malfoys. Lucius and Narcissa with Draco between them. Harry's mind flashed back to the International Quidditch match when Draco had walked in the same manner, between his mother and father. Today, he had seen the Diggorys do the same, and understood it as a protective gesture.

"Merlin, Malfoy's son is exactly like him. Pointed and pale." James exclaimed.

"And as much a bastard." Arthur Weasley supplied.

"Arthur!" Molly admonished. "Don't…"

"Don't worry Molly," Arthur assured his wife. "I'm not going to start anything. In fact, I along with Amos and Frank and the Aurors that you see around have been especially deputed to see that no untoward incident occurs."

Any further exchange was cut short as the Malfoys neared them. There was a moment of awkwardness as they all looked at each other and didn't know what to say or do and the Malfoys would have passed on had not Sirius stood in front of Narcissa, effectively blocking her way.

"Hello dear cousin," he drawled.

"Hello to you too cousin," Narcissa said. Though her voice didn't waver, she certainly didn't look well. Her eyes looked haunted and there were dark circles underneath.

"Black," Lucius Malfoy said officiously, stepping forward. "If you would excuse us, we…"

Sirius looked at him insolently. "Excuse what? My murder that you planned."

There was a gasp from the crowd. Draco Malfoy seemed to press closer to his parents. He too didn't look too well. There was something wild about his eyes.

"We don't have to hear this." Lucius Malfoy said and stepping forward, he held his wife's arm to steer her away from Sirius.

"Shut up you murdering scoundrel," Sirius said, his eyes blazing. "Cannot bear the truth now …."

"My husband had no role in it." Narcissa said, standing up tall. "Don't drag him into it." Harry was reminded of the time at Madam Malkin when she had put her hands on her son's shoulders as though keen to shield him from the world.

"Yes, your husband is only capable of killing small children." Molly Weasley had apparently forgotten the advice that she had given to her husband a few minutes back.

"I can vouch for that." The crowd parted to reveal Richard Granger, Hermione's father. Harry had never seen the man looking as incensed as he did at that particular moment. The man walked towards Lucius Malfoy. "You bastard, you stood over there while my daughter was repeatedly inflected with some pain inducing curse, what do you call it, crunch…no…no..crucio yes crucio." He poked at the wizard's chest. "Consider yourself lucky that my daughter is such a generous and forgiving girl, otherwise I'd have handed you to the authorities myself." He shoved the tall wizard.

"That's enough," Narcissa shouted as her husband stumbled.

"Father," Draco cried out. He was white-faced and trembling.

Lucius' eyes blazed fire. In one swift movement, he took out his wand.

"One moment Malfoy," Arthur Weasley's voice checked Lucius' movement. "If I were you, I'll use that wand judiciously. Otherwise I might be forced to confiscate it."

"Confiscate?" A voice inquired.

"Yes." Arthur Weasley said smoothly, taking obvious pleasure in the discomfiture of Lucius Malfoy. "By a special decree, those in the council of the Prime Dominie have been authorized to confiscate any wand that is being misused."

"Cool." George Weasley's voice floated out from the crowd.

"What's going on over here?" Shacklebolt who too was on duty came forward.

"They have been insulting us." Lucius Malfoy spoke. His lips were white with fury.

"Need I remind you Mr. Malfoy," Shacklebolt remarked in a polite voice, "who has really been an insult to the wizarding world."

There was a deafening silence and then hoots and laughter filled the air.

"Come on move please," Shacklebolt said, clapping his hands and turning his back at the Malfoys who stood as though turned into stone. "Respect the orders of the Prime Dominie."

"It's only because of the Prime Dominie that we are letting these scumbags go scott free." Somebody spat out from the crowd.

"Then continue to respect his wishes." Shaklebolt said.

As if one cue, Dumbledore's voice echoed in the platform:

"ATTENTION, NOBLE WITCHES AND WIZARDS AND HONOURABLE MUGGLES. AS YOUR CHILDREN START ANOTHER YEAR AT HOGWARTS, PLEASE LET GO OFF OF PAST AMNOSITIES. TODAY IF YOU HURT A FELLOW WIZARD, YOU HURT ME. KINDLY CONSIDER THIS AS THE REQUEST OF A MAN IN WHOM YOU HAVE REPOSED SO MUCH FAITH. HELP ME TO LEAD THE MAGICAL WORLD TO A BETTER FUTURE."

Loud cries proclaiming the greatness of Dumbledore filled the air even before the voice died down. Grim faced, Lucius Malfoy collected his family and moved onwards, Sirius' bark of insulting laughter following them.

Yesterday in Diagon Alley it was the same scenario, Harry mused. There were a few Death Eaters who had been purchasing things for their children. The scene had turned pretty ugly and there would have been bloodshed had not the Aurors present over there intervened. At that time too, the voice of Dumbledore, proclaiming a similar message had been heard by all. Still the wizarding world was showing remarkable restrain in the handling of the followers of Voldemort. Whether it was because of Dumbledore or the miracle was anybody's guess. Perhaps the two things were intertwined.

Harry's musings were cut short as his mother gasped suddenly. Startled, he looked up to see his mother gazing at a figure coming towards them. For a moment, he felt his heart stop. He would recognise that black, billowing cloak anywhere. Of course, he knew that one day his mother and Snape would meet but he had not thought it would be on this platform. Just the day before, they had received an owl from Professor McGonnagall citing the latest developments. Dad had not been pleased though and had damned Slughorn to hell. Harry suspected his mother was rather pleased at the tantrum that James had thrown.

"Isn't that Severus Snape?!" Lily exclaimed.

13.4

He stopped suddenly. His feet simply refused to move forward. He would recognise that red head anywhere. And the eyes, those green eyes looking at him. He simply could not breathe. He stood over there stupefied. He had not expected this. Despite all his preparation, he was not ready for this. How was he supposed to face her? No this was beyond him.

As he got ready to disapparate, his mind suddenly filled with different flavours and aromas. The various ingredients of diverse potions. The comfortable smell of potions – to him the most relaxing thing in the world. Even without looking, he knew the blond was somewhere close by. He felt himself relax. Lucius had sent him the message. The blond wizard was there to see that he did not fall. He walked onwards.

"Severus," Lily said, stepping forward.

In Severus' mind the the calming draught was being prepared. Two spoonful of crushed cinnamon…

"Professor Potter," he said, bowing gravely. Stir in a handful of lavender…

"Severus!" Lily laughed, a tinkling sound. He felt himself falter. A pinch of mace….

"Why be so formal? It is I Lily."

"It's wonderful to see you. Never did I imagine that one day I'll see you again." The words fell silkily from his mouth. Mouthing platitudes, wasn't he?

"Hello Snape," James said, putting an arm across Lily's shoulder and drawing her close to himself.

"Potter," he acknowledged. "Black." He said as the other man stepped forward too. A well-mannered way of greeting.

"Heart broken to see me back?" Sirius drawled.

"If you remember correctly, I asked you specifically not to go." Polite reminder. Give it a clock-wise stir before putting in a teaspoon of basil…

"Sorry," Sirius said, shrugging his shoulders. "But you see I could not leave my godson in danger."

Snape nodded. Polite agreement. He wanted to get out of their presence quickly. Thank Merlin for the aroma of the draught…

"Severus," Lily spoke again, "Harry told us of how you helped him. We are very grateful."

Dark eyes looked at Harry who was busy watching this interplay. How much had the boy told his parents? "I was merely doing my duty. Now if you'd please excuse me…"

"How have you been Severus?" Lily asked softly and he wanted to rave and rant. Did she need to ask him?

"I have survived," he answered, somehow dragging out the words past the lump in his throat and then because he simply could not go standing in her presence, he nodded once again and left. All that remained was the doffing of the hat. A civil, polite encounter.

"Merlin, he is still as greasy as ever." James exclaimed.

"James," Lily said, moving out of her husband's arms and glaring at him. "I told you I'll not have those childish quibbles again."

"Relax Lil," James soothed her. "I am not going to start anything. This was just an observation. Surely he could have got himself a decent shampoo in all these years."

"James! He worked as a spy all these years and you are bothered about his hair."

"Dear Lady, I'll not be very certain about that." Amos Diggory who had been watching closely, spoke up. "I had a talk with Alastor regarding this very thing, last evening."

"I'm sorry, I don't understand." Lily's bewilderment was obvious. "Surely you too must have heard Professor…I mean Prime Dominie's Dumbledore's statement that Severus had been working with the order all along and that he himself had asked Severus to cast the killing curse at him."

"Yes, I heard, but then dear lady, the Prime Dominie has always wanted to save people, to look at the good in them."

"He wouldn't lie about such a thing." Lily's voice had risen. "Had Severus really been a Death Eater, he would not be continuing as professor at Hogwarts. He'd be wherever the Death Eaters are."

"I am not saying that the Prime Dominie is lying, for Merlin's sake," Amos Diggory spoke in an agitated voice, "but he could very well be mistaken. What proof do we have that Voldemort didn't ask Snape to kill Dumbledore and all this…"

"I saw his memories. Professor Dumbledore did ask Snape to kill him." Harry said, cutting Diggory short. It took him a moment to realise that except for those close to him, he hadn't revealed this to anyone. And to them too, he hadn't spoken about all that he had seen in Snape's memories.

Diggory didn't seem convinced. "Still, I…"

"Oh stop it Diggory." Nobody had noticed Remus' entry in the circle but apparently he had been listening to their conversation. "Lets get over the paranoia. Whatever Snape did for whatever purpose is history now. We have to move ahead. Surely we can all just rejoice in the miracle that has happened."

"True." Harry chipped in while Remus turned round to greet his friends.

"Where is Tonks?" Lily asked, looking at little Teddy who was sleeping snugly in his father's arms even as Diggory sounding like Moody grumbled under his breath about vigilance.

There was a cry somewhere on the platform ahead. "There," Remus said smiling. "I guess she has overturned some poor guy's luggage." A moment later, a pink and purple head became visible and Tonks came hurrying over to them. Harry wondered how Tonks was able to carry Teddy or take care of him. Given her habit of being clumsy, he hoped that she knew a lot of healing charms.

"Where are Andromeda and Ted?" Remus asked his wife as she winked and grinned at everybody assembled.

The winks and grins disappeared from Tonk's face. "Mom saw Narcissa Malfoy and simply had to meet her."

"WHAT?" Sirius shouted. "What's wrong with Midi, why would she want to meet those dastardly Death Eaters?"

"Search me," Tonks said, shrugging her shoulders. Her hair had turned brown. "She has been harping about her growing up years for days now and today when she saw Narcissa, she couldn't control herself."

"Great!" Sirius exclaimed in annoyance. "Has she forgotten how they opposed her marriage to Ted? How she was thrown out of the house?"

"Ask them," Tonks replied. "She is full of the need to move on and forgive the past. Dad also seems to be in a forgiving mood. I, of course, put my foot down and refused to go and greet that Malfoy family."

Harry was distracted by the sound of a camera's shutter. Colin Creevey, mouth stretched in a grin, was clicking photographs. Ginny held on to Harry's arm as she posed for the photos. Colin seemed keen to get Harry's photos from every angle and with each and everybody. He especially wanted Harry and Neville to pose together. The Two Heroes of Hogwarts as he proclaimed. Harry who had seen the small still body didn't have the heart to refuse him. The area became full of purple smoke.

13.5

Severus quickly made his way towards the Malfoys, feeling grateful about Lucius' presence of mind. Had he not supported him, he'd have come apart at the seams. This technique of mental support had been devised by the three of them: Lucius, Rosier, and himself when they had joined the service of Voldemort. For a moment, he wondered whether Evan was fine or not. Perhaps after his miraculous return, he had enrolled for Dumbledore's programme. If so, Lucius'd be able to meet him since both Lucius and Narcissa were going to that place after dropping Draco.

At the back of his mind, he knew that he was thinking of all these things because he simply didn't want to think of his encounter with Lily or how difficult it had been to stand and talk over there as though it was just a casual meeting between two acquaintances. What he had wanted was to be held in her arms, her hair falling over his face, her cheek pressed against his…he gave himself a mental shake. Merlin he was thinking like an adolescent. A dream that was never going to come true. He was here for another purpose, to look after his snakes. Ah! There was Draco

"Professor Snape." There was so much happiness in Draco's voice as Severus approached that for some absurd reason, he found a lump in his throat.

At his son's remark, Lucius who had been talking to someone turned around and looked at him. Their eyes met and Snape communicated his thanks. Lucius acknowledged it with the briefest of nods. Severus' eyes wandered to the woman standing next to Lucius. Bella? But hadn't Lucius' letter said that she had already gone to Dumbledore's place with her husband. As far as he knew, nobody was allowed to leave the place or even communicate with anybody outside for the entire duration of the program. So how come Bella was over here. However, when Lucius spoke, he realised his mistake. "Severus you are acquainted with Andromeda and Ted Tonks, aren't you?"

He nodded at the couple. Of course, Narcissa's other sister.

"Severus, I never did properly thank you for what you did for Draco." Narcissa, who was leaning against her sister, addressed him. She certainly did not look fine. Her eyes were red-rimmed and her skin looked splotchy.

"Don't mention it Narcissa," he replied, giving her a small bow. "It is over and done with."

"But you'll have to take care of him once again, Severus. I don't know how he is going to cope." To everybody's horror, Narcissa's eyes filled with tears.

"Mother please don't cry," Draco said in an anguished whisper. "I'll be perfectly alright."

"Did you see how they behaved today? They will not let you…" Whatever else Narcissa was going to wail out was stifled as Lucius barked out, "Narcissa! Control yourself!!"

Andromeda put a hand on her sister's shoulder. "Don't worry Cissy. Dora is going to Hogwarts with her husband, I'll ask her to take care of Draco."

"Oh Midi," Narcissa exclaimed, collapsing on her sister's shoulder.

The men exchanged an uncomfortable glance and then to everybody's relief, the express rolled in.

Severus took a deep breath, another stage of his life was to begin.

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Thanks to Sally, Rainbow2007, duj, callie258, cardigrl, Amanda Cruz, Fizzpop17, excessivelyperky, Oxymoronic, HpReWritten, and goagainstthegrain for their reviews.

To my Anonymous Reviewers:

Sally thanks a lot for your comments. As long as I've readers like you, I needn't worry about people like Tasteless, need I? It wasn't the criticism that I minded actually - everybody has his/her preferences – it was the patronizing attitude. Thanks once again for your encouragement.

Cardigrl: Yes, the plot has been moving a little slowly. However, things will pick up once they all reach Hogwarts. Thanks for your interest in the story.

Amanda Cruz: Thanks for your review and I am glad you like the characterization. I can't reveal much of the plot but this story doesn't have super heroes as such so you needn't worry about Dumbledore or Harry being these great saviours.

Fizzpop17: Thanks for taking the trouble to review the story. Harry and Ginny do play significant roles in the story but since this story has a huge cast, the focus wouldn't always be on them. I hope though you continue to read the story and encourage me.

Waiting for your comments regarding this chapter.