A/N: Sorry for the delay! I got distracted as I was rereading The Goblet of Fire and have now finished it and now moving on to The Order of the Phoenix! Thanks for everyone's amazing, and encouraging, feedback, and I'm so grateful to have you on this journey with me.

Chapter 10: The Return to Hogwarts

Today was finally the day. The day Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione had been looking forward to for so long. This day though was more than just going back to school for Harry; it was the day he was going home.

Harry had never considered Privet Drive his home since his first year of attending Hogwarts. It was a little over six years ago when Hagrid had found him and told him the truth about everything; wizards, his parents, and who he really was. Nothing had ever felt so right after seeing the castle for the first time. He finally belonged somewhere and he had friends for the first time ever!

"Alright there, Harry?" said Ron after seeing Harry's mind wander off when they were supposed to be finishing their packing.

"Yeah," said Harry, coming back to focus. "Just thinking about Hogwarts and the upcoming year."

"It's going to be nice being in the castle once again," Ron agreed, "and eating that delicious food!"

Harry couldn't stop himself from laughing. "I bet Dobby is more than excited to be cooking again—all the house elves probably are."

"You guys haven't finished packing yet!" Hermione barged into the room. "You're going to make us late!"

"Settle down, Hermione," said Ron. "We're almost done, plus we still got a whole hour until the Ministry cars show up."

Harry had learned yesterday that the Ministry insisted on sending cars to escort Harry and his friends for 'their safety.' Harry knew it was for his safety due to all the tension because they had officially recognized that Voldemort, has indeed, returned. Additionally, it didn't help that there were rumors being published that Harry was also the 'Chosen One.'

"Harry," Hermione turned to face him now, "remember, Ron and I are Prefects again this year so we won't be able to ride with you until half-way through the trip."

"No worries," said Harry. "Ginny will be with me and I'm sure we'll find Neville and Luna as well. I'll also have my 'security personnel' not far away either."

"It will be so nice to see Remus and Tonks around the castle this year," said Hermione, who suddenly remembered the fact that this year Harry had his own security detail alongside the countless other Aurors that would be stationed around the castle.

"Yeah, lucky me," Harry grumbled at the thought.

Harry never liked the idea of people risking their lives for the sake of his own but knew better than to argue. If Dumbledore thought it was necessary then he could agree with him this once. Harry trusted him as much he did to Sirius and his friends.

"It makes me feel a lot better—that's for sure," Ginny's voice appeared in the room, Harry turning to see her coming through the door.

"At least it's people I know," said Harry. "I know they'll give me my space."

"They better," said Ginny, rushing behind Harry and wrapping her arms around his waist. "I still expect my alone time with you."

"It will be hard," Harry admitted. "But... I think we'll manage. We always have my Invisibility Cloak as well."

The group spent the next few minutes gathering Harry and Ron's things around the room and packing their trunks. Ginny helped Harry and Hermione did the same for Ron. With the combined group effort, they had finally finished packing their trunks just in time for when the Ministry cars arrived.

"They're here!" Sirius called from the bottom step of the stairs. "It's time to get moving!"

"Make sure they don't see you, Sirius," said Harry as he came trudging down the stairs with his trunk and Hedwig being dragged behind. "The Ministry still has you out for murder."

"Of course... nothing to worry about," he said. "I'm just a dog, remember?"

Seconds later, where Sirius had just stood moments ago, now was replaced by the four-legged black dog, Snuffles.

"Why hello, Snuffles," Ginny smiled at the sight of the dog and scratched him behind the ears.

"Children," Mr. Weasley's voice came from the front door, "best get going now. Come on!"

Harry, Ron, Ginny, Hermione, walked outside with their trunks to see two ministry cars were awaiting their arrival. Harry also noticed there would be a small company of Aurors accompanying them to Kings Cross Station, much to Harry's regret.

"Ron and Hermione with me," Mrs. Weasley had appeared from inside and began ushering the children into the two cars. "Ginny and Harry in the other car with Dad."

The Aurors were already carefully loading their trunks into the cars' storage compartments while the children took their seats into their assigned cars. Like before, Harry noticed that the backseat of the car had been magically enlarged, giving he, Ginny, Snuffles, Arthur, and Hedwig plenty of room and space. The driver, however, did not look so excited to see that he would also be driving a rather dirty looking dog as well.

"Everyone comfortable?" Mr. Weasley asked, signaling for the drivers to take off towards the train station.

"Yes, thank you, Mr. Weasley," said Harry. "I'm guessing we have you to thank for this as well?"

"Nah," said Mr. Weasley, waving his hand dismissively. "This was mostly the new Minister."

"Great," Harry moaned; he knew exactly why the new Minister of Magic was being so helpful. "I'm guessing he expects a meeting with me because of this?"

"It wouldn't surprise me," said Mr. Weasley. "Best be on your guard there, Harry."

"Why is he so interested in Harry?" Ginny asked.

"They want Harry to come out to show support for the Ministry," her father explained. "After a whole year of Fudge denying that You-Know-Who was back, and now that the truth has come out, people don't trust the Ministry like they used to."

"And being the supposedly 'Chosen One' doesn't help either," said Harry distastefully.

"Hey..." Ginny leaned into Harry's shoulder, sensing his uneasy feelings about the subject. "Everything is going to be okay. We're going to have a good year at Hogwarts like always."

"Like always?" Harry laughed. "I don't know about you, but every year Voldemort tries to kill me in some way, shape, or form."

"But this year you got me," said Ginny, gazing into his emerald eyes, "and I'll be by your side the entire time."

"Well... when you put it that way..."

"Not to worry, Harry," said Mr. Weasley reassuringly. "Everything will be alright. You all just focus on your studies."

"Thanks, Mr. Weasley," Harry smiled at the man he always had seen as a father to him. "I am looking forward to my private lessons with Dumbledore this year as well."

Mr. Weasley looked shocked. "Indeed! Those will be interesting."

"Yeah, how many people can say they've gotten private lessons from Dumbledore!" Ginny added excitedly.

"Er... no one I believe," said Harry.

"Exactly!"

Harry was surprised to find that Kings Cross was not nearly as busy as it usually would be. Harry walked through the barrier between platforms nine and ten alongside Remus and Tonks, who had met them there at the station.

There stood the brilliant Hogwarts Express, all bright, shiny, and red. Students filled the platform, hustling about to get aboard the train before its departure that was due in ten minutes.

"Weird," said Harry, noticing the fewer students about than there usually was.

"Some people don't feel safe sending their kids back anymore," Lupin commented. "Not with Voldemort running about."

Harry found his thoughts interrupted by the barking of Snuffles, who was letting everyone know that he and the rest of them had made it through the barrier.

"I see that Snuffles," Tonks bent down and spoke to the dog. "Thank you." Harry noticed her tone was more childish though.

"Now hurry along dears," Mrs. Weasley ushered them to the train, but not before stopping Ginny to talk to her.

"What is it, mum?" Ginny asked fearfully after her mother had taken her to the side to talk to her in private.

"Watch after him," she spoke sternly to her daughter. "He's going to need you more than ever."

"Us, mum," Ginny reminded her, giving her mother one last hug. "He's going to need all of us."

"I'm so proud of you," Mrs. Weasley finally let her daughter go. "Now go on! And make sure you write to us!"

"I will, mum!" Ginny yelled over the train's whistle, rushing to catch up with Harry.

"Everything okay?" Said Harry; Ginny, Hermione, and Ron stepped on the train alongside him.

"Everything is fine," Ginny smiled and took Harry's hand. "Let's go find a compartment."

The group bid their farewells to Snuffles and watched him bark while chasing the train excitedly like he had the previous year. Harry was going to miss him, but Sirius had promised to come visit as much as he could. Hopefully, his name would be cleared one day and he would walk again as a free man.

Ron and Hermione departed for the Prefects cabin while Remus and Tonks helped Harry and Ginny find an empty compartment.

"We'll be in the compartment next door," said Remus once Harry and Ginny had their things settled in the compartment.

"Thanks, Remus," Harry smiled before the two Order members disappeared next door.

It did not take long for Neville and Luna to find them, taking their seats together across from Harry and Ginny. Harry could tell there was something unease with the two of them.

"What is it?" Ginny asked, clearly noticing the same thing Harry was. "Is everything okay?"

"It's just... everyone's been staring at us," said Neville timidly. "When we were on the platform and on the train."

"Oh yes," Luna agreed; her usual, mysterious voice had not changed. "It was quite unusual."

"Probably because of everything that happened at the end of last year," said Ginny. "You'll be famous now at school. Everyone will be talking about it—for sure."

"You'll all be as famous as me now," Harry laughed. "Maybe..."

"And when did this happen?" Luna observed Ginny and Harry's clasped hands.

"Oh..." Ginny began nervously before Harry came to her rescue.

"Towards the end of summer. We started dating a couple of weeks ago."

"Congratulations!" Neville beamed at his two friends. "I knew it would happen one day. I could see how the two of you looked at each other towards the end of last year."

"Really?" Ginny asked nervously.

"I saw it too," Luna agreed. "Everyone did. Everyone except Dean I guess..."

"Does anyone else know?" Said Harry, wondering if the news would spread as fast as all gossip did about him.

"Not yet—I think," said Luna. "It will not take long though, especially if people see you roaming around the castle holding hands."

"Maybe we should..." said Harry, thinking about all the publicity Ginny would now be getting because of him.

"Not at all," said Ginny, clearly having read Harry's mind and knew what he was thinking. "I will not hide us, Harry. I'm not afraid."

Ginny's determination and loyalty was something that Harry had admired about her for so long. She was not the little girl in the Chamber anymore. She had become more fierce and brave; it even scared Harry at times, especially those Bat-Boogey Hexes she had perfected.

"Then we won't," said Harry while Ginny squeezed his hand tighter.

"Good," she grinned back.

"And what the hell is this!" Dean's voice entered the cabin; he clearly had seen everything and stared sternly at Harry and Ginny's conjoined hands. "So this is why you broke things off! To be with... him!"

"Even if it was..." Ginny began, clenching her fists in anger, "it's none of your business!"

"And here I thought I was coming to find you to get back together," he scoffed.

"Even if I wasn't with Harry, I would still have told you no," said Ginny; her frustration and irritation clearly reflected in the tone of her voice.

Ginny looked over at Harry and could see how uncomfortable and uneasy he felt with the whole situation. Ginny was a fighter but Harry had always been more of the caring type. He and Dean had been roommates since their first year, and now he was taking it out on Harry. Something that was clearly only between him and Ginny.

This made her even more infuriated.

"So if you have nothing nice to say—Dean—then you best get going along!" Ginny snapped.

Dean opened his mouth to say something but then closed it quickly, clearly at a loss of what words to say and stormed off from the cabin.

"What was that all about?" Said Ron, staring down towards where Dean had stormed off as he and Hermione entered the cabin.

"Just Dean being a child," Ginny hissed disapprovingly. "He wasn't too happy seeing Harry and me together."

"Foul git he is," said Ron, glaring towards the compartment door as if he was expecting him to come back any moment.

"A shame really," Hermione sighed. "I rather thought Dean was nice."

"I guess his true personality has come out now," Ginny grumbled. "I'm just afraid he's going to give Harry a hard time now this year because of it."

"You don't have to worry about me, Ginny," said Harry, moving closer to Ginny and wrapping his arms around her. "If I can fight off and survive dark wizards, I think I can handle Dean."

"And I'll be there too," said Ron. "Nothing's happening to Harry while I'm there."

"And there will be security wherever he goes," Hermione reminded them. "I doubt anyone will try to do anything to him while they're around."

"Bet that right," Tonks said, appearing in the doorway alongside Remus. "Now come along you all. We'll be at Hogwarts soon."

"They're really there, aren't they?" Ginny asked nervously as the group approached the carriages that were pulled by the Thestrals.

Harry and Luna could see them, of course, but the rest of the group only saw what appeared to be magical, horseless, carriages that pulled themselves up to the castle.

"They are, Gin," said Harry and lead her up to the carriage. "I hope you all will never have to see them."

Once they had all filled the carriage, the Thestrals began to pull them up towards the castle which stood as beautiful as ever against the night, starry sky.

Remus and Tonks had left them before to check in with the other Aurors who were stationed at Hogwarts this year and would meet up with them later in the Great Hall.

"One good thing did come out of all this security," Ginny tried to lighten the mood.

"And what is that?" Harry asked.

"Malfoy didn't even bother to stop by your compartment," said Ginny, everyone laughing at her comment.

"Probably sour about his father ending up in Azkaban," said Ron.

"You best be careful around him this year, Harry," Hermione cautioned. "I mean it."

"You know me," Harry grinned. "I like the quiet life."

"But the quiet life doesn't like you," Ginny wrapped herself around Harry's arm. "Remember that."

Upon entering the Great Hall, Harry noticed that many of the students had already taken their seats at their respective House tables. The group said their goodbyes to Luna as she went to go join the Ravenclaw table; everyone else took their seats at the Gryffindor table.

Soon later, Professor McGonagall entered the Great Hall, leading the small first-year students to the front where they would be sorted by the Sorting Hat.

"Far less than there usually is," Ginny pointed out sadly.

Harry did not comment but only wished things would go back to normal one day. They deserved a future where they could come to school without the fear of being attacked... or killed.

"With Dumbledore around, Voldemort wouldn't dare attack the school," said Harry, looking upon the seated Dumbledore, his black hand looking worse than it did a few weeks ago.

"Who's that?" Ron pointed out the new figure seated amongst the staff table; Horace Slughorn.

"That's the teacher Dumbledore had me help get out of retirement," Harry spoke quietly so only Ron, Hermione, and Ginny could hear him.

"So he'll be the new Defense professor?" Ron looked confused.

"Can't remember," Harry shrugged. "I don't remember asking him what he taught."

The Sorting Hat had now finished its very worrying song, and sorting, and was now being carried away by Professor McGonagall. Dumbledore then rose his hand and the plates before them now magically filled with food of all types.

Ron was the first to dig into the feast, causing Hermione to shake her head at him in annoyance.

"Some things never change," she smirked.

"And you're the one dating him," Ginny laughed as she began to eat her own food.

Dumbledore had stood up and made his way to the center of the stage once he noticed that many of the students had finished their helpings of dessert.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts!" His voice echoed throughout the hall. "But first, I think introductions are in order."

"The moment of truth," Ron muttered lowly to the group.

"Firstly, please give a warm welcome to our new Potions Master, Horace Slughorn."

Everyone looked at each other with shocked faces. No, that must mean...

"Meanwhile," Dumbledore continued. "The Defense Against the Dark Arts position will be held by none other than our very own, Professor Snape. Good luck professors."

"No!" Ron grunted as the Great Hall roared with applause; the most eccentric coming from the Slytherin table.

"Well this is..." said Ginny with the same level of disgust on her face as Ron, "disappointing."

"For sure," Harry agreed. "But if Dumbledore is doing it, he must have a good reason for it."

"He must have something larger planned out," said Hermione.

"Well... the position is cursed anyways," said Ron, a glimmer of hope filling his eyes now. "Maybe this year we'll get another death."

"Ron!" Hermione slapped his arm with a book she had been carrying.

Harry had never liked Snape—and that was no secret. He did not, however, wish the death upon the man who had caused him so much pain and irritation these past five years. He knew that Snape—somehow—had convinced Dumbledore that he could be trusted. Dumbledore always told him that Severus Snape was the man he trusted the most in his life.

Ever since his torturous Occlumency lessons with Snape last year, he had grown to despise the man even more; something he thought would never be possible. Harry was convinced that he would never come to terms to like Snape, but Dumbledore entrusted him, just like he did in Hagrid. He trusted Dumbledore—and if that meant giving Snape another chance—Harry was reluctant to do so.

"Well, one thing is for sure," said Harry, thinking out loud.

"And what's that?" Ginny asked, studying Harry curiously.

"It's going to be an interesting year."