A More Familiar Stranger

Chapter 5

Heart Is Where Hogwarts Is

Cling to time

to rapid falling moments

that weave together

the tapestery of all things

bright and beautiful

to hand on our walls.

- Claire Rodgers.

~~ ~~~ ~~

Harry dressed careful on Tuesday, trying to keep the rustling of his clothes down to an absolute minimum, aware for the fact that Draco was still fast asleep - and snoring.

He grinned to himself, straightening his collar for the thousandth time, giving his reflection a nervous smile...he'd never been so jumpy before in his life.

"Don't worry, you'll be fine." came a groggy voice from behind him.

Harry whirled, and breathed a little easier to realise it was just Draco, propping himself up on his elbows.

Harry turned back to the mirror with a shrug. "I know," he brushed the invisible lint off his jacket sleeve and strolled out of the room faux casually, turning only to blow a kiss to Draco from the open doorway.

Draco leaned back luxuriously into the pillows. "Liar."

~~ ~~~ ~~

Hermione and Harry popped up in the middle of the relatively quiet Main Street of Hogsmeade, preparing to walk the short distance to Hogwarts. Hermione, as they walk in silence, noticed Harry becoming more and more apprehensive. Even more than he had been before calling Sirius, or seeing the Weasley's. He was radiating fear.

"Harry," Her pretty tone was still in the air. "Stop worrying, you'll be fine."

"I'm not worried," The look Hermione shot him was nothing short of patronising. "Okay, so maybe I am. It's just...well...this is Dumbledore, y'know, Dumbledore."

"Yes, yes, I know perfectly well who he is, Harry, but the question remains...why are you so nervous about him? I mean, you weren't even this nervous with Sirius, and he's family."

"That's exactly it, 'Mione, he's family. Him and Remus, you and Draco, The Weasley's...you would all accept me back no matter how long I was gone, or what I've done in the past...well, short of going into the Darks Arts that is! But with Dumbledore...he's the one person I've looked up to ever since I became a Wizard...God, I don't know how to explain it 'Mione. Well, I suppose to put it simply, and please don't be offended by this-" Hermione raised an eyebrow. "He's the one person that I think that I really let down by disappearing. He's the one that I tried to push as far away as possible, because he is who he is, simply Albus Dumbledore. The most feared and most loved man that I think I've ever been graced to be in the same room with."

"Christ." Hermione swallowed deeply. "And they say I've got issues...I now bow down to the King of Complex."

Harry laughed half-heartedly before resuming his worried thoughts, trying to keep them from all tumbling out of his head at once.

"But Harry, no wait Harry, stop a minute okay?" Harry turned to face his once best friend and she gathered her thoughts quickly. "Look, Albus won't be angry with you. If anything, he'll be relieved...to see you alive and well, just like me and Dray were...he's been one of the only people who never gave up hope of seeing you again...because god knows everyone else did at one stage or another...but Dumbledore? His belief is you extended past everything...he's believed in you since the first day you walked into Hogwarts...through all our mischief and troublemaking, through all our fights and rule breaking, he still believed. And I can remember a certain green eyed, black haired boy I used to know once tell me that this certain silver-bearded old man was his hero - and I always used to think that maybe that wasn't just the case. I liked to think that the other way around as well...that heroes, real ones, really do come in all shapes and sizes. Harry...you were so used to being the hero that when you didn't have anything else to fight you had to go out and find yourself...in Australia - of all places! And I think Dumbledore understood that...right from the beginning, and he will be the most understanding out of all of us. Because I know that if I hadn't of hugged you in that Supermarket on Saturday, I most surely would've slapped you senseless!"

Harry smiled at her, all the way through her heartfelt speech, and then wrapped his arms around her, whispering in her ear. "I just realised, Hermione Granger, why I missed you so much!"

When they broke apart, Hermione rubbed at her eyes furiously, took Harry's hand and swung it casually, pulling him along behind her. "Come along Potter, we have old friends to catch up with."

~~ ~~~ ~~

The whole of the entrance hall went so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. The many students mingling around the staircase had gone stock-still and silent, all eyes on Harry, who had just walked in.

Many of the students, especially the ones who haunted the rows of books in the library, were used to the sight of Hermione, who was still recognised as one of the smartest witches ever to grace the walls of Hogwarts (and then there was her encyclopedic knowledge of Hogwarts: A History)...but Harry Potter. Now there was something else entirely. Harry looked around, his expression caught somewhere between uncomfortable and amused.

"Well, nice to see the old place hasn't changed." he observed, letting his eyes wander across the walls.

"Mmm...including the looks that students are still given you!" grinned Hermione, teasing her best friend about the fame that he had found so annoying in their years here at Hogwarts. They ignored the gathered students, who were all starting to whisper behind their hands, huddled together in loose knots, or rushing off to find their friends, and walked up the stairs, walking though the familiar halls, saying hello to the paintings, most of whom, waved, or greeted them accordingly.

Three teenagers, obviously in a hurry, scrambled past the pair suddenly, muttering apologies as they skidded to a halt in the front of, as Harry remembered it, the Transfiguration classroom door. A few seconds later, Harry's suspicions were proved to be correct.

"Mr Richardson, Miss Carlton, Mr Jamieson, you should have all been here five minutes ago, am I right? Take your seats please, or I shall be forced to take points...and yes, Mr Richardson, I would take them from my own house, now sit please." A familiar voice could be heard.

Hermione leaned over to Harry and whispered quietly. "Another in-famous trio from Gryffindor...but they haven't been able to come anywhere near rivalling us yet!"

Harry laughed quietly, and then an idea sprung up quickly in his head, and he hurried to explain it, Hermione giggling like a first year.

~~ ~~~ ~~

Minerva McGonagall, aged slightly, but still as sharp looking as ever stood in front of her Fifth Year Gryffindors and sighed inwardly. Jack Richardson, Andy Jamieson and Ally Carlton sat in the front row, giggling and cracking jokes with each other, reminding her very strongly of another certain Gryffindor Trio that had caused her so much joy and pain and sadness. We're down to just one of them now, she mused, before reminding herself it was Tuesday, and that Dumbledore had invited her to take tea with Hermione and himself.

"Now then class, today we will be-" Minerva was suddenly cut off by a light, but impressive, roar.

Most of the class jumped, some of the girls screamed, and she stared down her glasses to take in the sight of this very impressive lion stalking through her classroom, shaking its lovely, golden mane at the students, padding to the front of the room on its massive paws.

Jack Richardson was awed. "Cool lion Professor McGonagall."

Professor McGonagall spoke, her clipped voice was softened. "That, Mr Richardson, is no mere lion. That is a Griffin...a Golden Griffin to be precisely correct." She gave the Griffin a rare smile, before continuing. "And can you tell us the difference between a Griffin and a Golden Griffin, Miss Carlton?"

"A Griffin is a cross between an eagle and a lion, and a Golden Griffin is a cross between a griffin and a lion...making it mostly a lion, but with wings and the ability to fly." parroted Ally.

The Golden Griffin, as if it had heard this and understood, suddenly spread its huge wings, carefully avoiding knocking anyone out.

"Correct Miss Carlton, correct. Five points for Gryffindor. Now, can someone tell me what else is unusual about this particular creature in front of us?"

The entire class looked completely stumped, and even Ally Carlton's hand was down, sharing blank looks with her friends.

"Remember class, things are not always what they appear to be at first." The class mulled over this some more, as the Golden Griffin paced the floor, flicking it's beautiful tail, and watching the class with beautiful emerald eyes. Minerva McGonagall came to the front of her desk and did not take her eyes off the creature pacing in front of her class.

Suddenly, Katie Sheffield, in the back row, gasped, her hand stretching for the sky. "Professor McGonagall...it's an Animagus isn't it?"

Suddenly, the Golden Griffin was replaced by a tall, black haired wizard, with very green eyes and a very, very unusual scar. The class went into dumb shock, jaws dropping at every table. Harry smiled at Katie Sheffield before turning to Minerva, his smile getting even wider. "I think you were caught out on that one Professor...even Hermione wouldn't have got that!" his sharp ears picked up the squawk of righteous indignation from outside, presumably from Hermione.

Minerva folder her arms and looked so serious that after a few seconds, Harry became increasingly nervous. Finally, she spoke, not directly to him, but to the rest of the class. "Children, this is Harry Potter...yes, yes Mr White, The Harry Potter...Defeater of Voldemort, Winner of the Triwizard Tournament, registered Animagus, legendary Gryffindor Seeker, and, with the help of certain friends, one of the worst trouble makers that have ever passed through the Hogwarts walls."

"Why Professor," grinned Harry casually, leaning on the edge of her desk, arms folded. "I never knew you cared."

"Potter, Potter, Potter...I have always, always cared...despite what some people may, at this very moment, think." Minerva scolded him gently, smiling all the while.

"I stand corrected." Harry mocked bowed, graciously.

Suddenly, Andy spoke up from the front row, breaking out of his star-struck awe. "My older sister told me that you were dead."

Harry whirled towards him, his eyes blazing a little, before searching Andy's face, as if it were slightly familiar. His eyes flicked to the front of his Transfiguration book, which bore, on it's front, the name 'Andy Jamieson'. The name clicked. "My god, you must be Anna's little brother..." he spoke, dazed.

Andy's eyes widened. "You remember her?"

"Of course! She started in my Seventh Year..." he shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. "I helped train her for Chaser that year...trying to build up the team before I left...how is she?"

"Fine...fine." stammered Andy, awed at being addressed to in such a casual manner.

"Well, Harry...as much as my class has enjoyed your little interruption, maybe it would be best if you wandered off and occupied your time elsewhere...I'm sure a certain gargoyle would be welcome of your attention. I'm sure if you gave it a Fizzing Wizzbee or two it would be most grateful." Professor McGonagall gave him a stern gaze. "But I'm sure I'll catch up with you later...lunch perhaps? I'm sure you would be most welcome."

"I'm sure," Harry replied delicately. "Sorry for the interruption, Professor, I will see you anon."

And with that, he changed back into his Animagi form and padded out, flicking his tail behind him.

Minerva shook her head, and then turned back to the class. "Now, who can tell me..."

~~ ~~~ ~~

Harry recounted everything to Hermione that had happened in the Transfiguration classroom, who was laughing so hard that she had to stop several times to catch her breath, and found himself, quite by accident, standing in front of the stone gargoyle. He sighed.

"May as well get it over and done with."

"Jelly whips." Hermione said confidently, and recoiled when the gargoyle didn't budge an inch. "But that was the password last week!" she said in desperation to Harry.

Harry stared at it resignedly. "Fizzing Wizzbee."

And the gargoyle jumped aside. He stepped through the entrance and went up half a dozen steps before realising Hermione wasn't following him.

"'Mione?"

Hermione's face came around the corner, gapping.

"McGonagall." Harry explained, relieved to see Hermione's face relax.

They continued up the stairs in perfect silence, half way up, Hermione took his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. They stood outside the door together before Harry turned with a pleading look on his face.

"Do you mind, 'Mione, if I just go in alone. I think I need to do this...y'know, by myself."

Hermione looked at him with complete understanding. "I'll just go shall I?" she whispered. "I'll come back in say...half an hour?"

Harry nodded and she leaned up to kiss his cheek, waving goodbye as she wandered down the stairs again. Harry took a deep breath, prayed to what ever happened to be watching over him at this very second, and knocked.

~~ ~~~ ~~

"Enter!"

Harry pushed open the door and had the opportunity of setting eyes on Albus Dumbledore, who was facing the window off to the side of his desk with his eyes closed, long before Albus Dumbledore could observe him. Harry had never known Dumbledore as a young wizard...he had been old when Harry had been a student, but he was still shocked to see how much the great wizard had aged over the past eight years. The wrinkles on his brow were finer, the hands seemed thinner and his skin appeared to be almost transparent.

"So, how are you Hermione?" Dumbledore sighed, flicking his wand to make cups and saucers appear on his desk, eyes still closed. The only thought that Harry could grasp from the messed up muddle in his mind was He's loosing his touch.

"She's fine...and so am I." Harry's voice sounded like it came from very far away when he finally spoke, and he could hear a faint ringing in his ears, along with the drum like beating of his heart.

Dumbledore turned in his seat, his eyes opening slowly, the sparkle returning to them as he laid eyes on someone, or so it would seem to a casual observer, that he was undoubtably very fond of. He stood up slowly, and made his way around the desk, never taking his eyes from Harry's own.

"Harry. Dear boy...Harry," Dumbledore walked towards him, arms spread.

"Prof-Professor," Harry suddenly felt his resolve crumple, and suddenly he was in the arms of the greatest wizard still living, being rocked back and forth gently, crying like a six-year old. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

~~ ~~~ ~~

"Hello Professor Longbottom."

"Hello Sarah."

"Morning Professor."

"Good morning Michael!"

"Hi Professor."

"Hello Claire...how is that assignment coming along?"

"Well, thank you. Its due tomorrow isn't it?"

"Yes, indeed-"

"Neville!" Professor Longbottom turned, and smiled at Hermione racing down the stairs to greet him. The students twittered around him, unsure of how to handle their Professor being refereed to by his first name.

"Hermione! Gosh, is it Tuesday again already?"

"It must be if I'm here!" laughed Hermione.

Neville looked at her curiously...there's something different about her today, he thought to himself. "What's going on?" he asked suspiciously.

"What ever do you mean?" giggled Hermione, trying to act innocent.

"Well, let's see...usually at this time you're upstairs having tea with Dumbledore, but instead, you're down here, talking to me, and...Hermione...you're glowing! What's up with you? Have you found a new man or something?"

"Well," she started, batting her eyelids prettily. "You could say that...or you could say that I found an old man...and to go with your first point...Albus is otherwise engaged, he's having tea with foresaid old-slash-new man."

"What?" Neville looked confused, and seemed entirely natural to Hermione, who had seen him go through most of their years in this very building confused. "What? Wait, do you mean that you're new man is old, and having tea with Albus, or your new man is someone you've known a while, perhaps had a whirl with before, and is having tea with Albus?"

"The latter...minus the whirl." Hermione sent smile over his shoulder suddenly, probably one of the cute seven years she's always checking out, chucked Neville to himself.

"Right...well, I'm glad that's all cleared up." Neville looked relieved. "So...who is this mystery man, who's having tea, as we've already established, so it may seem, with Albus?"

"Um, well, how do I put this?" Hermione giggled again, and then put both hands on Neville's shoulders, turning him around. "Why don't you see for yourself?"

Neville felt like he'd been punched in the stomach when he saw, what could quite possibly be, a sight that he would not forget until his dying day. Two of the greatest wizards alive, one old and wrinkly, one fresh and young, walking down the steps towards him, emersed in conversation. One was Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster and founder of The Order of the Phoenix. The other was Harry Potter, Defeater of Lord Voldemort and presumed dead by those who thought they knew him best, but being, as it were, very much alive.

"Harry?" Neville stared blankly up, thinking he was seeing a mirage, a ghost, an apparition.

Dumbledore saw him first, and smiled kindly. "How were your morning lessons, Professor Longbottom? Did the Ravenclaws try to outdo you again?"

Harry turned, a huge smile on his face. "Heya Nev!"

Professor Longbottom, Master of Herbology and devoted gardener, fainted clean away.

~~ ~~~ ~~

Neville was still inclined, in later years, to laugh at fainting at the sight of Harry again, and always offered up the same explanation. "I thought I was hallucinating!"

Hermione and Harry, on the other hand, found it hilarious from the beginning, and were forever teasing their old classmate and friend about it. And the students, of course, teased Professor Longbottom about it so much that he was still inclined to blush like an over-ripe radish when anyone mentioned anything remotely related to fainting.

"But at least we managed to revive you quickly!" giggled Hermione, as the three old friends ambled into the Great Hall together, with Dumbledore following close behind. The Great Hall went completely silent when Harry walked in, and he looked around nervously.

"Y'know, 'Mione...I think this whole staring-at-Harry-Potter thing has actually managed to get worse." Hermione laughed and Neville perked suddenly, his tone edging slightly.

"Oh-oh, red alert, Snape approacheth."

Harry could almost feel the backs of his neck bristle at the sight of the Potions Master sweeping towards them.

"Oh my, this will be interesting." grinned Hermione, falling back in line with Dumbledore.

"Indeed, indeed." chucked Albus.

"Potter," spat Severus Snape as he came to stand in few feet away from Harry, the students on all sides tuning into the conversation. "I see you have returned to grace us with your esteemed presence."

"So it would seem, Snape. And I notice that you're health and temper have yet to-" he coughed sarcastically. "-improve. But please, feel free to correct me...after all, you so did like to do so in my time here, and I would hate to deny you your simplest of pleasures now."

Severus sneered. "You know, Potter, one day your sarcasm will get you into a great deal of trouble, or kill-"

Harry interrupted him quickly. "-Killed? Mmm...I'm sure Professor Trelawney would be absolutely delighted in agreeing with you Professor, after all, she was the one who spent five years predicting my imminent downfall, and yet here I am...still waiting for the punch line." he shrugged, still smirking, an eyebrow raised. "Maybe you two should get together and plot to kill me...then both your dreams would come true."

Snape glared at him furiously, and stalked past him, muttering under his breath.

Harry watched him go with an amused expression on his face, as whispers and giggles broke from the students on all sides, not including the Slytherins, who were all staring at Harry contemptuously. "Ugly git." pronounced Harry pointedly. Everyone within hearing distance exploded into laughter.

Hermione raised an eyebrow, and said "Y'know Harry...if you had done that as a student, Severus would have taken so many points from you Gryffindor wouldn't have won the house cup for four years running!"

Harry laughed. "Hey, once a Gryffindor, always a Gryffindor!"

"So it would seem," smiled Dumbledore, gesturing for the three young people in front of him to move across the hall to the staff table. "So it would seem."

~~ ~~~ ~~

TBC

~~ ~~~ ~~