Harry walked all the way to Hogwarts knowing full well he couldn't get in. He got further than he expected, but sure enough, he ran into the invisible barrier that protected the grounds.

McGonagall said grand opening, but he could see from here the castle still was very much broken- each tower destroyed, large chunks and holes gaping, it's jagged edges visible against the darkness.

Just as he pulled out his wand, he paused, thinking. Why? Why did he have to go?Here he was, the wards were up, and he was blocked out of Hogwarts. Whoops. He's here, made a go of it, and now he can't get in. SO, he could just leave… couldn't he? But a new emotion crept in: annoyance. He came all this way, summoning the last bit of energy he had, and now he was blocked from entering. All that build up, all that dread, just to be denied. The castle loomed in the distance under the stars, torn apart, looking more sinister than it ever looked.

With a shuddering sigh Harry shut off his bad thoughts like a well-practiced light switch and resolutely cast his Patronus, watching it gallop upwards in the dark until it was just a light dot, disappearing inside the castle. He waited.

Sooner than he expected, a small sliver of light from the door cracked could be seen.

The dark dot from the door looked… annoyed… if that was even possible for dark indiscernible dots. Harry's mouth twitched. The black dot descended down, getting lost in the darkness, re-emerging as a larger black dot that grew into a black billowing shape. Oh no. And that shape grew into a dark figure strolling down into the grounds to meet him.

Harry wasn't ready to see him, and here he was heading straight for him. Memories inside the Pensive flooded back, private memories, and then the last moments in the shrieking shack. But with those also came every thought since then, including the well-rehearsed speech Harry told himself he would say if he ever saw Snape again. And as the angry black cloak got closer and Harry could see pale skin and the whites of his eyes, furious, building up steam with each step, every chance of a civil relationship swished away with the slash of Snape's wand, tearing down the castle's invisible barrier.

"SAVE IT, Potter!" Snape rounded on him, guessing everything he was thinking and feeling. He redid the wards with a set of complicated flicks that took him only seconds as if he did them 10 times a day. He probably did do them 10 times a day.

Gaining entrance, they turned to head up. "So kind of you to join us again Potter, and here I thought it would only be Miss Granger gracing us with her presence." Harry swallowed. After everything that happened, after everything he knew, nothing had changed.

"You'll be delighted to know, our headmistress has instructed the students to not so much as speak to you about your 'heroics.' As much as you will miss the endless praise and congratulations, she has decided you are too, uh, fragile to handle the attention or pressure."

Harry didn't take the bait. So, the students were instructed to leave him alone. This was more than welcome news. "Is Malfoy here?" Harry asked simply, refusing to look at him.

"Yeeeesss. Unlike you, he has returned to learn, and not to delay reality."

"Glad to hear it," Harry said in a false neutral tone although his heart was beating like mad having to walk alone with him in the dark, never feeling easy around him- never.

"I will have you know Potter, your presence here is ill-advised. The Minister of Magic rolled out the red carpet for you, as usual, rewarding you with an illustrious position, giving you the special treatment you 'deserve.' You fool no one. Your attempt to return to this school is just preventing the inevitable. You are neither a good student or capable in any class that doesn't include Hermione Granger."

"I know that sir," Harry said, still not taking the bait.

Although they were climbing the steep hill completely in the dark, Snape only had eyes for him, bombarding him with eye contact that drilled the side of his head, incensed by his audacity to come back. It was all Harry could do to keep his footing, keeping his eyes fixed resolutely at the castle's lit windows to calm himself.

"I argued with our headmistress for weeks- this is not the right place for you. You would be in much better hands starting your career with Kingsley to guide you. I dare say you have outlived your usefulness here, and are a distraction to other students."

"And teachers."

"Yessss… and teachers..." Snape confirmed with a sinister smile. "How are we going to conduct our classes with the famous Harry Potter, 'Savior of the Wizarding World,' in our midst?"

Well, the joke was on him then, wasn't it? Harry didn't even want to be here. But… he probably would have come tomorrow. Perhaps if he didn't show up tonight Hermione would have sounded the alarm, Mrs. Weasley coming to get him. But he was here now. At this point he didn't know what else to do or where else to go. He was at Hogwarts, and that was that. This was where he ended up in this moment.

"Potter, I admit you are not as immature as you used to be, nor as impulsive, but students are here to learn, and you are here to dawdle. You at least had enough sense to skip the Special Services Ceremony and the Sorting. I am impressed- forgoing the opportunity to accept your trophy."

Snape still did not remove his eyes from him, losing his footing several times. When they got close to the doors Harry had nowhere else to go and finally turned, forcing himself to face him. Snape looked livid, as disgusted as he did on the Astronomy Tower. But Harry felt no fear. Snape had no power over him anymore. He wasn't going to hurt him anymore, or intimidate him anymore, not now that he knows. These were all just words, weren't they?

"Potter. This is your last chance not to embarrass yourself. You have never accepted my advice, but heed it now: you are in no shape to be here. You almost died, you look dirty, and you're not fooling anyone. Leave Hogwarts immediately and send an owl to the Minister that you'll start on Monday."

Harry took a long breath and uttered the words he promised to say if he only had the chance, back when he thought it was too late.

"Thank you, Professor. For everything."

The light in Snape's eyes turned off and he went cold.

After a few moments his cloak spun, the door opened, and they headed into the Great Hall.

One quick spell and no one turned around or even noticed they entered. Row after row, everyone focused on McGonagall walking up to the podium. Snape billowed down the rows, Harry in toe. They marched past all the sitting students until he noticed the bushy hair glued towards the direction of the staff. Snape kept walking and Harry ducked and squeezed in next to her, frightening the second year beside her.

"Harry!" Hermione yelled too loudly, calling the attention of most of the Gryffindors. Harry avoided Ginny's eyes who whipped to him immediately. "You're here! I didn't think you were going to come! I was going to send an owl tonight."

"I think McGonagall would have Flooed in herself if I didn't show up." Harry was suddenly hungry, looking at all the food. He hadn't eaten since his breakfast at lunchtime. "She's not the only one, am I right? I had a feeling people were going to start showing up at Grimmauld Place if I didn't come tonight."

"You're not wrong," Hermione admitted.

"Well, it would-"

"Shhh!" she snapped at him.

McGonagall steeled herself, grasping her hands so tight she could have broken her own fingers. "To our new students, welcome. To our old students…" she left the phrase open, something unspoken in her eyes. "Now, I could start this year off by saying I am hoping for a more normal year than last, but that might be foolhardy. This will be a year of challenges, as you have seen the state of the castle and its continued repair. Let me address the Hungarian Horntail in the room. You may be… surprised by some of the staff retention this year."

Snape was staring intently at his goblet.

"We did not expect war to touch Hogwarts so harshly. Our former headmaster, Albus Dumbledore foresaw this, and although last year was devastating, confusing, and many of you are hurt and angry, as you should be, Professor Severus Snape remains on staff as deputy headmaster." There was a great deal of muttering. She allowed disgruntled voices to mumble while others looked shocked and angry. She took a long breath. "If any of you would like to address these concerns with me personally and privately, you may do so, but it will make no difference in the appointment."

"With the Carrow's departure and Voldemort defeated, deplorable treatment of students will not be repeated, and Professor Snape will continue… to be as …reliable as years previous…" Some of the students actually let out an angry laugh. "To our muggle born students who are now a year behind as they were not invited back last year, please understand this was for your protection. You are Hogwarts students, all of you, and you have the right to be here. The easiest way to protect you last year was for you to be with your families. We regret your lapse in education, but we are happy you are here now."

She took a breath and straightened. "A few new appointments. Madam Hooch will now be teaching Muggle Studies. She has muggle relatives like many of you do, and is no stranger to fairness and rules. Your new Flying Instructor will be arriving soon, and that announcement will be made in the upcoming weeks. Finally, Firenze will be your full time Divination teacher and…" McGonagall's lips thinned… her face squashing with such unpleasantness, she could have been doing a great impression of Professor Umbridge. "Transfiguration will now be taught by Madam Trelawney."

Mouths collectively fell open.

"Trelawney as Transfiguration teacher!? For our certifications?" Hermione squealed.

Harry was lost for words. Looking at the staff table, Trelawney looked like she was just as likely to enjoy daily libations as in his sixth year. "Maybe it was Dumbledore's instructions to keep her here?" he suggested.

"OH Noooooo. Nooooooo… Harry…."

McGonagall looked like she swallowed Bubotuber pus as she let the Great Hall talk darkly to themselves. "Furthermore, Hogwarts will be under repair for the duration of this school year. These are not your standard repairs… the protections cloaking Hogwarts for hundreds of years have been compromised. We aim to not only rebuild the stones, but improve its protections. There are many areas of the castle that are completely off limits- almost every tower besides dormitories, and Astronomy will now be taught in the grounds."

"Finally, to those who were present last year, you have all shown bravery I would have never dreamed of from students. Hogwarts has always been a safeguard, and the houses of Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, and Slytherin displayed fortitude, daring, and selflessness that helped topple Lord Voldemort. I commend you!" The pregnant pause washed over the Great Hall and Harry felt hostage in the tension, not ready for the memories of students fighting and screaming. Squirming, he suddenly wanted to be anywhere else. Hermione went rigid too, looking how he felt. Many students put their heads down or stared teary eyed at McGonagall.

"There is work to be done. On the castle, and in our hearts. Please, whenever you feel lost, lean into your fellow student. Every Saturday morning at 10 o clock, there will be a gathering of students to share, discuss, and to process the events of last year. All students are welcome and those present last year are strongly encouraged to attend." She gave a final sweep of the room and read off the usual start of term notices. But Harry wasn't listening, he was looking at every doorway, desperate to leave, planning his escape route.

McGonagall was leaving the podium. Dessert came and Harry now could not be less hungry. Other students dug in, talking and muttering about Snape and Trelawney. Sensing his panic, Hermione got up quickly to leave with him. Two abandoned blocked off corridors later, they were able to escape through a hole in the castle stones for some fresh air.

"Do you want to go see Hagrid?"

"No, I don't think so, not right now. Maybe next week."

"Alright Harry. It's really good to see you. I know you've been awfully busy."

"You know I've not been busy."

"You've been going to trials every week! That's busy."

"I stopped. I can't take them anymore. I don't know what I'm doing here! How am I going to face the Slytherins when I'm putting their parents and relatives in jail. I'm mad for coming back, can't believe I'm actually here."

"I can't believe you're here either Harry, but I'm glad you are. We've really missed you."

She, like Snape, couldn't take her eyes off him. Like if she stared at him hard enough, she could gauge how well he was doing. "Well, you look alright. I thought you'd be thinner."

"I've been eating, just not good."

The night was beautiful with dark swirling clouds and a backdrop of stars. They took a long stroll around the castle, looking up at the half-done towers… the gaping holes… the torn walls. "I thought they would have made more progress over the summer," he mentioned.

"I thought so too. It looks like the castle is cleaned up, but not rebuilt. But it's huge, isn't it? And they don't want to just rebuild it, they want to make it stronger. Do it right, so it can't be easily destroyed next time. It's not exactly simple to fortify the castle against the Dark Arts, is it?"

They continued walking around, every corner revealing countless injuries to the school. Looking up into the darkness, surveying the extent of the damage, their memories flashed back to a few months ago- Acromantula attacking, giants, screaming, bursts of light, and students falling where they fought.

"Soooo…" Hermione started unsteadily, feeling the same flashbacks. "No longer Quidditch Captain."

"You heard?"

"Ginny's Captain now. She's furious with you."

"I know, I know, don't bring it up. I don't want to talk about it. And you, what about you, where's your Head Girl Badge?"

"I was Head Girl last year. I didn't show up, remember? It was a trick to capture me, I think. And this isn't even my year."

"Still should have given it to you."

"I'm not complaining. It's less work, I don't need the extra responsibility. I'm still a Prefect. That's work too, but at least I get to use the Prefect bathroom."

Harry didn't even consider this. How was he supposed to go from using the Prefect bathroom to the regular bathroom? The privacy and luxury of a private bath was a lot to give up, now that he was more famous than ever. Maybe Hermione would give him the password. He defeated Voldemort, surely they would let him use the prefect bathroom. At this point it was the only perk he wanted for being 'Harry Potter.'

"When are you going to write Ron?"

"Hermione, please don't bother me about this. About anything. I am close to hopping on a broomstick as it is."

"Don't say that!"

"I am!" Harry ruffled. "I don't want to be here. I don't want to be anywhere. Do you know how close I was to not coming today?"

"Yes, I was!" she snapped back at him. "Harry, I don't care if you're here or not, I care that you're healthy and okay. But I think you should be here if the other option is being shut up at Grimmauld Place."

"It's loads better now. I've got the hallway cleared out so no one can trip on anything, and the elf heads are down. Mundungus stole everything of value, and I threw everything else out, so it's quite empty. Needs some paint."

"That does sound good, Harry…" She quieted, something else on her mind that she wasn't saying. They were almost halfway around the castle now. "Believe it or not, I'm struggling too." He looked at her, surprised. "Everything is terrible, Ron is freaking out at work because, let's face it, he's not good with new material, and everyone is worried about you. They're talking about demoting him from Auror to Jr. Auror."

"Ron will be fine," Harry said defiantly, but this was not welcome news. "He can make his own way, he does well when his back's to the wall. It's the day-to-day stuff he struggles with. Once he's on the field they'll be happy he's on the team."

Hermione pursed her lips. "Maybe. …Harry, are you going to be able to… handle this year? You know, with everything?"

"You're right," he said quickly, hearing the truth from her mouth. "Snape had a go at me for 15 minutes telling me I'm wasting everyone's time by being here."

"He didn't!"

"He's right though, isn't he? I'm wasting everyone's time, including the teachers. I know I shouldn't be here!"

"Of course you should!" she moaned. "It's good to have some normalcy after last year. And we all could use more education. And Hogwarts is the best! I can't believe Snape treated you like that!"

"Can't you though? But how about that? Thought he was dead for a month. McGonagall didn't even tell me."

"Yes, it was quite a shock. He looked terrible at St. Mungo's."

"WHAT!?" Harry stopped walking and gaped at her.

"I sent you an owl. Didn't you read it? I invited you."

"I only read your birthday letter," he admitted.

"He was really ill. In the long-term ward, stuck in bed. Pale, didn't even insult me. Asked how you were doing. I told him you were going to trials and nothing else, shut up in your house."

"Couldn't you have made me sound cooler than that?"

"Snape... ASKED me… how you were doing..." she emphasized. "Do you know how weird that was? I answered honestly."

Harry pictured the whole scene in his head, Hermione showing up at St. Mungo's to see Snape with some gift like a potted plant or a book. Didn't even insult her. If he read the letter, would he have gone?

They were almost back to the hole they crawled out of. Before going in, they looked up one final time, surveying the broken castle against the sky.