Harry woke up pretty late on next day as it was a holiday for him. He remained seated on bed for a long time still coming to terms with the fact that war is over. Such was the trauma of last year on the poor boy that he couldn't believe there was no one waiting to kill him the moment he steps outside or that he is not the undesirable number one anymore. Chuckling to himself he thought that never even in his wildest dreams he believed to become the most wanted person by the government at some point in his life.

He quickly got freshened up and was eating breakfast with Kreacher when a brown owl flew through the open window and landed on the table. It was carrying the daily prophet newspaper which Harry subscribed to just yesterday after the ministry visit. He took the paper and put 5 sickles in the pouch attached to one of the owl's legs and it took off back through the window. Unsurprisingly, he was everywhere on the front page with many headlines:

Harry Potter spotted at the Ministry yesterday

The famous wizard Harry Potter arrived yesterday evening at the ministry. Though he didn't reveal the purpose of his visit, insider information says that he had an hour long meeting with minister. More details about this on page 2...

But one headline in particular caught his attention:

One more reason to admire Harry Potter

The boy who lived is said to be able capable of wandless magic now. This places him among the likes of powerful wizards Albus Dumbledore and You-know-who who were said to be masters of this rare skill. An insider from ministry divulged details of the same to us on condition of anonymity. More details about this on page 5...

Wow so now I am a person who can be admired. I remember not long ago the daily prophet running dirty propaganda against me for telling the truth about Voldemort's return. They should change their name to Daily Chameleon instead of Daily Prophet, thought Harry while sipping on his pumpkin juice.

"I know exactly who leaked this information out. I need to be careful from the next time before speaking anything at the ministry", mumbled Harry to himself as he was angry on the receptionist for leaking this piece of information to the media.

After finishing his breakfast, he was just going through the newspaper when a black owl flew through the window and landed on the table infront of the sofa. It turned it's head to look into the green eyes with it's own green eyes. Harry didn't know but he felt calm after looking at the owl and stroked it's feathers lovingly. He noticed a letter that was tied to it's leg, which he removed and began reading.

Dear Harry,

Where have you been yesterday? I and all the others were so worried when we couldn't find you anywhere until McGonagall told us that you had met her and then went somewhere on your own. I know you must be disturbed by the events of past one year and the deaths in the war. If you ever feel low, just speak to us (not that I need to tell you that as your best friend). We all are there for you and will stand with you through your ups and downs.

Did I forget to mention that I have been offered position of Transfiguration professor which I have accepted. It is a dream come true for me to be teaching at the same school where I was (and am) a student. I will be teacher-cum-student for next one year as I will take private classes with professors and attend examinations due to my missed 7th year. McGonagall also told us that she had offered you DADA professor post but you declined. I was so disappointed when I got to know that, as I hoped that we both could be professors together. But I know you must have planned something else for your future, so I am really curious to know what will you do for a living.

What's with the news I received that you met with Kingsley at his office? Is it something so secret that we can't know? Just kidding, I know you won't keep secrets from us but still how come you never told us that you can do wandless magic, which I found out through the daily prophet?

Anyways, I sent you this letter to let you know that I am going to Australia with Ron today to get back my parents. I wanted to go alone but Ron insisted on accompanying me. Kingsley is also sending an auror and a healer with us. We will be travelling through portkey as apparition is not possible for such large distance. We expect to stay here for around one week, as my parents' memory needs to be restored gradually and then we need to monitor their health for one week as the memory charm that I placed on them was a powerful one and can cause side effects when reversed instantly. Also as they cannot take portkey to get back, we will be coming back through Aeroplane which would take another day.

Yesterday I went to diagon alley to get some money from Gringotts that I would need in Australia. There I saw this beautiful black owl. Though Hedwig was just the opposite color of her, I don't know why she reminded me so much of Hedwig and her green eyes reminded me of you. I just bought the owl as a present for you as I couldn't give you any birthday present this year and also as a token of thanks for finishing Voldemort and saving the world. She doesn't have a name yet so you need to decide her name. Send me a reply as soon as possible to all the questions in this letter and let me know if you liked my gift.

Love, Hermione

Harry was looking at the owl with tears in his eyes. He really missed Hedwig and still blamed himself for being unable to save her, just like he was unable to save many others. He got Hedwig as a birthday gift from Hagrid, and now got this new owl as a gift from Hermione. His heart overflowed with more love for Hermione as he stroked the owl's feathers.

"So you are going to be my companion from today. Let's think of a name for you... hmm... how about Onyx?"

The owl hooted it's approval of the name and nibbled on his fingers affectionately, just like Hedwig. Harry held Onyx in his hands and began dancing as if he was in the Yule ball. He was genuinely happy for the first time in last one year.

He set the owl down on the table after a long dance and began dressing up. He had to visit diagon alley to purchase some books to help in auror training and owl stuff for Onyx.

He apparated outside the leaky couldron and went through it to diagon alley. On his way many faces turned to look at him but he was too used to it now to be bothered anymore.

He stepped into Flourish and blotts where he purchased NEWT level books for transfiguration, potions, DADA, herbology and charms which he was supposed to have read in 7th year. He also bought some books on dueling, wandlore and magical creatures which he found interesting.

Harry then went to eeylops owl emporium for getting a cage and a large box of owl nuts for Onyx. He applied for getting all items parcelled to his home from both shops and then went quietly to knockturn alley.

Harry noted that there were less people in knockturn alley now than previous times when he visited. It might be that people don't want to associate themselves with dark arts for now when ministry is rounding up anyone with suspected links to death eaters, thought Harry.

He was getting more curious looks from the people here as Harry Potter was the last person anyone would expect at a place associated with dark arts. But Harry only had Snape's statement from his 6th year DADA class on his mind: Fighting dark arts is like fighting a many headed monster, which each time a head is severed, sprouts a head fiercer and cleverer than before. You are fighting something that is unfixed, mutating and indestructible.

Harry had given it a good amount of thought yesterday and it totally made sense. Till now Harry had strictly stayed away from dark arts due to it's perceived evil nature. But now he understood that dark arts is not evil, most wizards who practice it are.

He also connected it with muggle equivalent: both criminals and police have guns but they use the same thing for different purposes. So Harry had also decided to do the same: fight against dark arts is a long term fight and he needed to learn dark arts himself to fight against evil wizards fiercely.

Harry entered the shop wizarding supplies that sells various stuff including books related to dark magic. He shuffled through various books and though he found books, particularly on necromancy utterly disgusting, he chose some beginner books as a starting point along with the book Secrets of the Darkest Art, which was the only book with detailed information about horcruxes. After paying for the books, he apparated to Grimmauld Place where his other purchases were already delivered.

Harry placed a bowl of water and owl nuts inside the cage and Onyx flew into the cage to have her meal. He then arranged new books on the bookshelf and went for lunch.

After having lunch and sleeping for few hours to overcome his tiredness from last one year, Harry took out a parchment and a quill sitting on the study table and began writing a reply to Hermione's letter:

Dear Hermione,

I am currently at Grimmauld Place and have permanently shifted here. Don't worry about me, I am fine. I was just feeling tired so came back early after some essential talk with McGonagall.

Congratulations on your appointment as transfiguration professor. McGonagall told me that she would offer you that position. Though it would have been excellent if we could work together at Hogwarts (which is the reason I didn't accept professorship, thought Harry), I have other plans and so I rejected offer of DADA professor.

Nothing secret in meeting Kingsley, I just wanted to get started with my Auror training from tomorrow (yes, I will become an auror soon). I myself didn't know that I can do wandless magic till yesterday, the fact just slipped out through someone else before I could tell you guys.

That's a fantastic news. All the best to you guys! Hope to see your parents soon with us fit and fine (though Harry was feeling jealous that Ron and Hermione are going together, he thought it's nonsense to feel so as they are together now and would do many more things together other than just travelling, which Harry doesn't want to think about).

Thank you so much for the gift. It's the best gift I received after my 11th birthday, when I got Hedwig. I really liked the owl. I cannot express all my feelings for you on this letter but just want to say that I am really lucky to get you as my best friend Hermione.

Love, Harry

P.S: I am sending this reply with Onyx, that's what I named her :)

Harry tied the letter to Onyx's leg and said "take this to Hermione. She would be in Australia so it will be a long and tiring journey. Hope you won't be angry with me for this".

Onyx hooted as if telling him that she doesn't mind at all and took off into the sky. Harry watched her disappearing into the horizon which was now red in color due to the sunset.

Harry cannot avoid sending letters to his acquaintances like he was going to avoid meeting them. Though he will make sure to reduce the frequency and content. His main focus is to become an excellent auror, kill Bellatrix and remaining death eaters as soon as possible and keep away from Hermione so that he doesn't give away his feelings and ruin his friendships with both Hermione and Ron.

Just then an owl came into his room and he took the letter it was carrying in it's beak. It was from the ministry:

Mr Harry Potter,

We are pleased to confirm that you have been appointed as a Junior Trainee Auror at Auror office. Your training would start from 6AM tomorrow so kindly ensure that you are present at the auror office atleast 10 minutes before the time. Rest of the details would be conveyed to you in person. Thank you for choosing to work with the Ministry of Magic.

Elizabeth Jennifer

Head, Auror Office

Ministry of Magic

Harry was excited for the next day. After putting the letter in his drawer, he picked up one of the books on Dark Arts from the bookshelf and began reading it. He found it so enthusiastic that he even forgot about dinner and Kreacher had to call him for that after a couple of hours of reading.

Only if I could read this much in my school, I would have been among the toppers and could've saved more people during the war. I bet anything, my impatience and anger during school life were because of Voldemort's soul inside me. I should offset that now during my free times by reading loads of books to gain as much knowledge as I can.

He kept the book in bookshelf again and after having a light dinner went straight to the bed, as he had an important day ahead.