After the Storm.

'Hey Harry, you awake?'

Actually Harry had been awake for quite some time. The idea that the Ministry of Magic could consider him evil had not been conducive to sleep. He sat up and put on his glasses. 'Morning Ron.'

Ron was sitting on the edge of his bed putting on his slippers. Time to take the bull by the horns then, thought Harry. 'Ron. I was wandering around last night. when I couldn't sleep. I overheard that your dad was under "Suspension" from the Ministry.'

'Yeah, that's right,' said Ron proudly. 'The wallies tried to suspend him without pay and that was when we found out how popular dad is. All sorts of people objected, even Neville's gran. So right now he's "Suspended", on full pay, the Department is falling apart without him and Fudge looks even more of a prat than usual.' The grin got wider. 'He's had to offer dad a promotion and a pay increase to get him to go back. And in the meantime he and the twins have been busy placing magical protections on the homes of Hogwarts' Muggleborn students. You know, Dad's spent years dealing with people misusing muggle artefacts and he's far worse than the ruddy twins in the "dirty tricks" department. Fred and George had to sell out to Zonko's after the Ministry went after them for trafficking in Non-Tradeable Substances. Zonko's, being a "respectable" and long established firm have all the Licences they need and they've retained them on a "Consultancy" basis.' He paused. 'You know the muggles really seem to take to my dad. Although there's nothing like a portable swamp to discourage unwelcome visitors. Even Bill's been lending a hand. After "The Burrow" was hit, or perhaps that should be after a few Death Eaters were hit by "The Burrow", we're getting all sorts of requests for assistance. The only bad news is that Percy's back.'

'And Mrs. Weasley . . .' began Hermione who had appeared in the doorway.

'And mum thinks the sun shines out of him again.'

'But we do get to hear all sorts of things,' said Hermione. 'Percy's in a ideal position.'

'Yeah, after last year, most people think he's not very bright.' Ron smirked. 'Talk right in front of him.'

'I hate it that these things are happening to you because of me,' said Harry.

'Harry, wake up!' scoffed Hermione 'I'm a Muggleborn witch and I'm in the right place to maybe make a difference. What makes you think I'd want to change that?'

Harry put his head into his hands. 'The Ministry think I'm evil,' he murmured.

'Which tells us more about the Ministry than it does about you,' said Hermione. 'Well I'm hungry. See you at breakfast.'

'The hat wanted to put me in Slytherin.'

Harry looked up to see concern and disbelief on his friends' faces. 'If I hadn't met Ron on the train and then fallen out with Malfoy, I might not have argued. I might have been in Slytherin.' Harry swallowed painfully. 'Just luck.'

'But Slytherin are . . .' Ron trailed off, unable to finish the thought.

'Evil?' said Harry.

'Well obviously not,' said Hermione. 'Are you saying that a quarter of the school are evil? That's silly. Some of them are alright. They must be.'

'But . . .' said Ron.

'Breakfast,' said Hermione, heading out of the door. Ron followed her and Harry heard a whispered argument start up in the hall.

Harry closed the door and got dressed.

Hermione and Ron's acceptance helped a lot. That didn't stop Harry tackling Snape at his next Occlumency lesson. With Snape sitting on the opposite side of the desk, watching him thoughtfully, Harry reported his progress with "Astral Projection" and then related the conversation that he had heard. 'You told me that if I had a problem I should tell you sir,' said Harry warily.

'I did.' Snape's response was grudging.

'Do you think I'm dangerous, sir,' prompted Harry.

'Unquestionably.'

To my friends, thought Harry. It wasn't necessary for Snape to expand upon his reply. 'And evil?' he asked quietly.

Snape leant back. 'Very few people are truly evil. Most are merely arrogant and mistaken. Unfortunately, this is generally sufficient.'

'They were talking about me as if I were about to become the next Dark Lord,' said Harry.

Snape sneered. 'While you may possess the arrogance Potter, you lack the application.'

It was with a horribly sore head, but an easier heart, that Harry bid Snape goodnight.

&

The scruffy van that Tonks had hired finally stopped outside Kings Cross Station. Harry climbed out of the crew cab and stretched.

Unfortunately Tonks herself was back at work after the recent escape, from Azkaban, of the Death Eaters captured at the Ministry. Instead 'Mad Eye' Moody had driven, happily crashing gears, cutting up taxis and generally terrorising the London traffic. Despite being assured that charms were in place to prevent collision, Harry noticed that Hermione had shut her eyes after the first half mile. It had been decided that this was the safest way to travel from Grimmauld Place to King's Cross Station. By whom was unclear, although Harry was inclined to wonder if the spectacularly misinformed individual responsible for that particular decision had not been the Order's revered leader. Privately resolving never again to go anywhere near anything driven by Moody, Harry went around to the back to collect his luggage. Moody helped him to lift his trunk onto a trolley. As he followed the others into the station, Harry turned to the old Auror. 'I just though I'd let you know that I've decided against becoming the next Dark Lord,' he said.

Moody was clearly startled. Both his magical eye and his normal one fixed on Harry. 'In that case . . .'

'Constant vigilance?' said Harry.

'Constant vigilance,' said Moody. 'It can be easy to . . . Harry . . . never mind, keep up.'

Harry hurriedly followed the others to Platform 9 3/4. As he came through the barrier he realised immediately that there was a problem. The black robes and silver masks surrounding him were convincing enough. 'The "Expelliamus!" aimed at him was entirely superfluous. Harry dropped to the ground and the curse struck his trunk, which seemed to explode in a fountain of socks and nether garments, and then Harry found himself being dragged back through the barrier.

He looked up to find Moody and the White Queen from the snarky chess set, now entirely life size. 'Stay!' said the Queen, heading back through the barrier to Platform 9 3/4. Harry rolled to his feet, easily evading Moody, and followed her to find, in place of Death Eaters, only a number of peculiarly horrible red splashes. 'What happened?' asked Harry.

'The pawns,' said the White Queen, 'were enthusiastic enough, however it seems that your attackers were still able to apparate.' She sounded distinctly miffed.

'I didn't realise that you could become life-size,' said Harry.

'Oh we couldn't, but you gave us permission to clear up and so we did. Every loose bit of dark magic in the house,' said the White Queen. smugly. 'The Guardian was pleased to be rid of it. Apparently it itched.'

Harry's grin faded at the look on Ron's face. 'Ginny's been hurt.'

'I've warned Dumbledore,' said Tonks suddenly appearing at Harry's elbow. 'Pack!' she said, and Harry's trunk reordered itself. 'You need to get to Hogwarts.' The Queen had disappeared, presumably back to the chess box. 'Styles,' yelled Tonks, and a blonde man in Aurors robes turned towards her. 'We should get them to Hogwarts as soon as possible.'

'This way,' said Hermione. They found Ginny in a compartment having her hand clutched by Neville as Luna held a cold compress to her head..

'Hi,' said Luna brightly.

'I'm fine,' protested Ginny pulling her hand free. 'I was pushed and fell over my trolley. That's all. You'd be ignoring it if I'd done it playing Quiddich.' She looked up at Harry. 'That was your chess set, wasn't it?'

'Yes,' said Harry.

'Well it might be better if you didn't tell anyone,' said Hermione. 'I don't imagine the Ministry would be to pleased about you owning something like that, even if it's not actually illegal.'

'How can it be illegal?' demanded Ron. 'Dumbledore gave it to him.' Hermione just looked at Ron and Harry thought about Time Turners and various other transgressions against Ministry edicts. 'Oh, right then,' said Ron, bouncing down into a corner seat. 'Any dodgy plants this year Neville?'

'Not this year,' said Neville solemnly, 'but I do have a new wand that works a lot better than my old one. Oh, and my dear old uncle Algie fell off the pier.'

'How come?' asked Ron.

'Someone put Weasleys' self-retying laces in his shoes.'

The train left the station at eleven o'clock as scheduled. After the first three people had approached him to apologise for not believing him, Harry pretended to sleep. He woke up at Hogsmeade Station to the sound of heavy rainfall drumming on the carriage roof. Hermione cast a rain deflection charm and they scrambled to the carriages.

It was with a enormous sense of relief and homecoming that Harry entered the Great Hall. Behind the enchanted ceiling clouds scurried across the stars. Candles floating in midair threw soft radiance onto familiar, darkly gleaming wood. Harry sat down with Neville on one side of him and Hermione on the other. A shuffling along the bench made room for Ron on Hermione's other side. He looked around, ignoring the odd looks he was getting from various groups of people scattered amongst the tables. Malfoy met his eyes for a moment and then looked away. There was the expected new face at the staff table. A rather small woman with feathery looking blonde hair was deep in conversation with Madame Sprout. The new Potions Mistress, thought Harry. Snape looked as unpleasant as ever and curiously self-satisfied. As well he might be, thought Harry, having finally achieved the official "Doing Away with Harry Potter" position. Harry had baulked at that description when Ron had used it, but Remus has just smiled ruefully and wondered aloud if Snape would be proof against the DADA jinx that had prevented anyone lasting more than a year since Harry had first come to the school..

The great doors to the Entrance Hall opened and Professor McGonagall, carrying the Sorting Hat and stool, lead in the new first years. Harry noticed Jane amongst a small group of older students, near the back of the line, a slightly bemused look on her face. She gave no sign of recognising him. He avoided looking at Snape, instead watching as McGonagall placed the hat onto the stool. After a moment the rip near the hat's brim opened and the hat began:

The sorting hat am I, and I will not fail to sort.

But once again I'll warn you, for time is getting short.

And deadly foes surround us desiring our downfall.

Open your eyes! Understand! Look around this hall!

In Slytherin ambition and cunning may be seen.

Yet many a brave and loving heart beats beneath the green.

While loyalty and wisdom may be clothed in red and gold.

Those who are called Gryffindor are more than merely bold.

A lifelong love of learning may be found in Ravenclaw.

For all have bright enquiring minds, yet all are so much more.

Though Hufflepuff, she drew no lines but took in all the rest.

Amongst her house are frequently the fairest and the best.

Since Hogwarts first was founded, there have been houses four.

Yet that which cannot change must fail, for this is a natures law.

Do not misjudge the danger, you all must know the score,

Of Slytherin's old enmity with rival Gryffindor,

Of Hufflepuff disparaged and aloof Ravenclaw.

If Hogwarts is divided, soon Hogwarts may be no more.

There was absolute silence. Not even the rustle of clothing disturbed the hush of the Great Hall. Not so much as a whisper was heard as Professor McGonagall picked up the hat. 'Cassius Arkwright,' she intoned and a small boy found the courage to approach the hat and be rapidly sorted into Gryffindor. Applause sounded thunderously as, blushing, the boy joined his new housemates and the sorting continued. Snape was staring at the hat with an expression that promised a late night assignation with steaming Bubo-tuber pus, and had been since the line about "brave and loving" hearts. Two of the late entrants, a brother and sister of perhaps twelve and thirteen, were sorted into Slytherin and sat amongst the first years earnestly discussing something that could well have been the first train back to London. Two boys of about Ginny's age became Ravenclaws and Jane, apparently to her own satisfaction as well as the hat's, was proclaimed 'Hufflepuff!'

Finally the sorting was finished and Dumbledore rose to his feet. 'Welcome all of you, students old and new, to Hogwarts,' he said jovially. '"Brave and loving" hearts indeed. Although it occurs to me that it would perhaps be unwise to allow Professor Snape to have the little chat with the hat that he so clearly desires.' This was greeted with laughter and applause from all of the houses while the hat contrived to appear terrified. Snape turned his dark regard from the hat to the headmaster, his expression not altering one whit, and Dumbledore raised his hands in a mock placatory gesture. 'Tuck in.'

As ever the feast was excellent and even the Sorting Hat's dire warning could not put the students off their food for long. Feeling replete and relaxed Harry turned as Dumbledore stood up. 'Welcome, as I have said, to our students, old and new. Times change and, this year, we all must face new challenges. And this year may prove particularly challenging for many if us. The Sorting Hat has spoken of the danger of Hogwarts being divided against itself.' Dumbledore sighed. 'Well, let me speak of what we may achieve together with knowledge, ambition, courage and tenacity. We can change the world.' He looked around. 'Some things, however, never seem to change. There is still to be no magic in the corridors. The current list of objects forbidden inside the castle has been bound into a little booklet, available from Mr. Filch. The Forbidden Forest is still forbidden to students, as is the village of Hogsmeade. Again to all students. As you know the wizard who calls himself "Lord Voldemort" has returned.' Dumbledore waited as the whispering quickly died away. 'A great many people have found it necessary to change their plans and to rejoin the struggle, and so we have some new older students. I trust that they will be made welcome. I hope that you will also welcome Madame Karnstein, our new Potions Mistress.' There was applause that quickly grew stronger at the Slytherin table and briefly faltered amongst the other houses as the ramifications of that were realised. When it quietened Dumbledore continued, 'I am very pleased to tell you that Professor Snape has taken on the vacant Defence Against the Dark Arts position.' There was even louder applause from Slytherin, spreading slowly to the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables. As Gryffindor sat appalled, Snape turned his attention to Harry and smiled a malicious smile. 'And on that happy note,' concluded Dumbledore, 'off to bed, the lot of you.'

&

As Harry finished his breakfast the following day, Draco Malfoy walked up behind him. 'A word, Potter,' he ground out and left the hall.

'I think I'd better find out what's up with Malfoy,' Harry said, rising from his place. 'No need . . . '

'We're finished,' said Ron, grimly. He and Hermione got up and, noticing this, so did Ginny.

'In here,' said Malfoy. Harry and his friends followed him into an empty room. There was a sudden metallic crash as a heavy bag hit the ground. 'You can't buy me. I don't need it.'

Harry didn't move. Something was very, very wrong.

He stared at Malfoy and realised that behind the boy's grey eyes was something much older than his Slytherin rival. 'Ron, no!'

Too late. Ron had bent down to pick up the bag of galleons and disappeared the moment that his fingers had touched it. Harry turned to the thing that was now wearing Draco Malfoy. 'It's not Ron you want. Let him go.'

Malfoy's features contorted into a sneer.

'Wizard's oath,' said Harry, 'Hogsmeade crossroads, ten minutes. You don't hurt him. Let him go, unharmed, and I'll come quietly.'

'Agreed.' Suddenly the young Slytherin collapsed and Harry watched as he was violently sick.

'Nor your fault,' Harry told him quietly. He turned to Hermione. 'Get all of the houses together if you can. If I don't come back. Riddle's really not all that strong. Ginny,' he murmured with affection, 'if Ron's not back here in fifteen minutes, tell Dumbledore anyway.'

'We should tell him now,' said Ginny.

'He'd try to stop me,' said Harry.

'No,' whispered Hermione with tears dripping from her chin and her fists tight in his robes.

'Just like first year,' said Harry, pushing her tangled hair from her face. Now that there were no more choices he felt oddly peaceful. Pulling her hands free, he smiled gently at Hermione and then turned to find that Ginny had helped Malfoy up. She too had been possessed by Riddle he remembered. Draco was standing, swaying, looking at him as if he had never seen him before. Harry spun round and ran out of the castle. 'Accio broom, accio chess set,' he called. There was a bright scatter of falling glass from one of the windows of Gryffindor tower and Harry seized his broom, tucked his chess set into his robes, and flew off towards Hogsmeade.