Thursday 2 April, 1992 Headmaster's Office

Dumbledore was furious and cursing a blue streak that had many of the former headmaster portraits shaking their heads in disgust. He repeatedly cursed the day that Harry was born and Harry himself for surviving the attack on that fateful Halloween evening. Yesterday, he had to undergo a psychological evaluation to determine his fitness to continue being headmaster. He scoffed at that. Who should ever doubt that he, Albus Dumbledore, would be anything BUT fit to be Headmaster? The nerve of them! He continued along this angry rant that it was all Harry's fault especially after he had politely, in his view, that the information that they had discussed should remain confidential. The brat had gone behind his back and released information that other people he believed were incapable of understanding. It was for The Greater Good that he used the Philosopher's Stone and Harry Potter as bait to capture and attempt to redeem the Dark Wizard Voldemort, or as Dumbledore knew him, Tom Riddle. Everything that had happened two days ago went against and wrecked most of his plans.

He would get even with them…The Greater Good demanded it.

Later that evening at dinner, it was discovered that for some reason, Professor Quirrel had a psychological break and jumped to his death from the Astronomy Tower. Class was canceled for the next day to sort out the events. The students in their OWL and NEWT years were told that the DADA classes would be covered by Professors Flitwick and McGonagall, everyone else would just have a self-study period.

Thursday 30 April, 1992 Grounds in front of Potter's Place

Beltane. The Spring Festival. Harry had gathered the necessary supplies and informed Professor Sprout that he would like her assistance again to lead the school in the ceremony. Word spread quickly amongst the students that the traditional Beltane ceremony was going to be held all day starting in the morning as soon as the sun rose above the mountains followed by various games and activities to promote the spirit and blessings that were evoked by the ritual.

Harry had cleaned out the studio in preparation and moved all of his best work onto display tables laid out on the porch facing the ritual circle. The students too were busy preparing themselves and their surroundings for the festival. The castle was scrubbed clean and aired out, personal belongings were mended and washed. A feast to end all feasts was prepped by the elves. Everyone was in high spirits.

Finally, the time came and Harry, along with Professors Sprout, Babbling and this time, Hermione moved to their arranged places at the cardinal points of the ritual circle. Harry spoke in a loud and clear voice:

Source of Being, Mother of all,

We come with joy and gratitude,

To celebrate the power of your

Life-giving love. Draw us gently

Into the rhythms of your dance,

That we may know ourselves

To all be your children.

We honor you. Blessed be.

As the Maiden, Hermione lit the ceremonial fire and tossed in the sacrificial herbs: Almond, Ash, Cinquefoil, Frankincense, Marigold, Meadowsweet and Woodruff.

The four of them were decorated with a garland of flowers that included: Angelica, Bluebells, Daisy, Ivy, Hawthorne, Lilac, Rose, Primrose and Wildflowers. Throughout the castle, students would find little tables in alcoves burning various incense like: Floral, Woodsy scents, Lilac, Secret Garden and Forest. Gifts were given out such as Baskets containing flowers, candles and eggs. There was a Maypole that students were encouraged to dance around; lanterns were lit when darkness began to fall.

At the end of the day, everyone was tired but satisfied by the cleansing of their magic, the raising of their spirits and a general sense of accomplishment. Many students and surprisingly, many of the conservative Slytherin members, praised Harry and Hermione for accomplishing a very successful Beltane Blessing.

Friday 1 May, 1992

Harry was going through his mail while having his breakfast noting who had sent what. He received several Account Statements and a large portfolio that appeared to contain the listings of his family's properties and business holdings. Additionally, there was a letter from his Account Manager, a Goblin by the name of Sharpclaw, requesting that Harry come in as soon as school let out to go over everything that should've been discussed when he turned eleven. There was also a letter from Mr. Tonks outlining what was going to be accomplished in the coming months regarding the lawsuit against the publisher of the "Harry Potter and the…" book series, a request to meet face to face regarding Harry's request for an injunction and restraining order against Dumbledore (he guessed they were going to strategize for the legal battle of the century on that one.) Harry had also floated the idea that Mr. Tonks look into what would be required for him to be legally emancipated as a fall back of last resort.

His relationship with Hermione had grown something wonderfully. Later during that weekend, Harry was in his studio working on another vase when Hermione came in to watch him work. Tummy-tickling thoughts and images rose up in her mind as she watched him manipulate the clay into the shape he desired. She imagined his hands holding hers, his eyes gazing into hers, their lips gently brushing…

Harry cleared his throat and smirked at the startled reaction he got from her.

"Galleon for your thoughts, my Love?"

"A Galleon, Harry? Are my thoughts really worth that much?" she queried.

"To me, your thoughts are priceless but etiquette demands that I offer something to you in exchange." He said chuckling, "What has you blushing madly? Your eyes were glazed over and it looked to me as if you were drooling a bit."

Hermione outwardly scoffed at the idea that she would ever drool. Inwardly, she was mortified that he caught her daydreaming about her feelings towards him. Harry watched the emotions play across her face and gently smiled.

"Hermione? It's okay to admit that you were daydreaming. About what, I don't care. As long as you're happy, so am I."

"Harry, why are you so good to me?" she dreamily said, "What did I do to deserve such a wonderful person?"

Harry smiled at her and asked her the question that she had subconsciously desired since Valentine's Day.

"H-Hermione? W-would you like to be my girlfriend?" he stammered nervously.

"Yes! A million times yes!" she squealed.

Harry wiped off his hands and gave her a gentle hug and a kiss on her cheek. Hermione practically swooned and immediately hated herself for doing so. Why was she behaving so irrationally around Harry? What was wrong with her? She resolved to write home to her parents about this.

By the time June rolled around, Harry was too busy studying for his end of the year exams to work in his studio. He wanted to finish up his latest work before they left to go home. Several non-magically raised students as well as a few of the poorer magically raised had found out that he knew of a legal way to earn some money so he had held meetings in an abandoned classroom and gave several presentations of how the scheme worked. All of the students who came to these meetings were sworn to secrecy that they wouldn't tell the teachers, the purebloods, the press and especially not the Goblins about what was discussed.

Harry had written a letter to his aunt and uncle to remind them to pick him up from the train station on 26 June at approximately 5 pm and requested that they take him over to Charing Cross Road so he could stop in at Gringott's for a previously scheduled meeting and to retrieve some Galleons to further their scheme. He mentioned that they would not have to stay after they arrived at the Leaky Cauldron, that he would be happy to take the Underground back to the station in Surrey then walk from there. In reality, he would take the Knight Bus and just have it drop him off about a block from home but felt there was no need to tell his aunt and uncle about that.

The end of year exams were finally upon them and Harry lined up with the rest of his year mates and started with Charms; first the written theory then after an hour, the practical. He had studied hard and felt he did quite well on both sections. Next came Transfiguration then Herbology, History of Magic, Defense and finally Potions. Potions were, in his opinion, an enjoyable experience especially when they got to the practical work. He took his time and prepared the ingredients as he had learned then brewed it for the specified amount of time. When he filled up his phial, he was confident that the potion was the right color and consistency. He wrote his name on the tag and handed it to Professor Snape.

In the evening, he was sitting in the common room talking with Susan, Hannah and Neville as they were discussing their upcoming summer vacation plans.

"I plan on visiting the London Museum of Art to see their pottery collection. I want to find out if any of my family's artwork is on display. I've heard from other artists I've written to this past year that if there are any pieces that have the Potter maker mark, they should glow a bright blue when in the presence of a family member."

"What will you do if you find out that the museum has your family's artwork?" Hannah asked.

"Dunno, probably introduce myself via my lawyers. Something official no doubt." He replied, "What about you Hannah? What do you have planned?"

"Nothing really, I'll probably be hanging out with Susan here and do "girly" stuff." She giggled.

Neville stated that he was going to be working in his greenhouse and utilizing the knowledge he'd gained from this past year. He wanted to set up a fountain and maybe even a small pond. Harry offered his time and services should Neville want help and company.

Friday 26 June, 1992 Great Hall

It was a scene of organized chaos. The students were handed their report cards and given a hurried breakfast so they could be transported to the train station on time. He had sent Hedwig on ahead so she wouldn't have to be stuck inside the train. He suggested that she wait in the tree near the Dursley's house and he would call for her when he got home. She nodded, gave him a nibble on the ear and took off.

He gulped down his breakfast and used a travel cup he had crafted to take along some tea. He tapped the Runic array to keep the tea hot and spill-proof with his wand and got in line to take one of the carriages down to the station. He figured that he could read his test scores later when he had the time. Hermione found him and Neville and joined them talking animatedly about her scores. She had received Outstandings in Charms, Transfiguration and History of Magic. She received Exceeds Expectations in Herbology and Potions. Neville replied that he had received an Outstanding in Herbology and Exceeds Expectations in Charms, Transfiguration and History of Magic. He got an Acceptable in Potions.

Harry mentioned that he hadn't had time to look at his scores but would do so once they got settled on the train. He asked Hermione what her plans were for the summer and she replied that her family were planning on going to the south of France then take a leisurely drive back through the country and end up taking the ferry to Dover then continue their drive home. She in return asked him what his plans were and he told her what he had told Neville, Susan and Hannah the previous night. He was also thinking of getting a summer job in a local pottery studio so he could learn more about his chosen craft.

Once they were on the train and underway, Harry remembered to look at his test scores. He pulled out the parchment and read:

Name: Harry James Potter, First Year Hufflepuff

Passing Grades: Outstanding (O) Exceeds Expectations (EE) Acceptable (A)

Fail Grades: Poor (P) Dreadful (D) Troll (T)

Charms: O

Transfiguration: EE

Herbology: EE

Potions: O

History: EE

Students please note that your grades are the average between the Written and Practical tests.

He showed his grades to Hermione and Neville. They were both impressed and then started discussing their thoughts and feelings about the events of the past year.

Epilogue

Eventually, the train reached King's Cross Station and everyone started disembarking. Some found their family on the platform, others left to head through the barrier to find their parents or to head home. Harry shrunk his trunk and put it in his pocket. He stowed his wand in his wrist holster that he had made himself. He then set off, passing through the barrier and looked around for his aunt or uncle. He spotted Uncle Vernon and approached. His uncle was in a rather gruff mood and just turned to lead Harry back to the car. Harry stayed quiet on the trip over to Charing Cross Road but did politely and quietly thank his uncle once they had reached their destination. Vernon asked him what time Harry planned on arriving. He didn't know but promised to keep quiet when he did arrive and that he would take care of his own dinner and for them not to wait up for him. Harry completed his business and took the train back to Surrey. He was hoping for a quiet summer…