Chapter eleven

After Harry visited Gringotts, he wandered around Diagon alley. It was the first time he could do that and just window shop or take his time. Even though he did love muggle clothes like jeans and hoodies, he was a wizard and he would be spending almost all his time from now in the wizarding world so he decided it was time to get trousers, shirts, jackets, and even dragon hide boots. He did wonder if a place like Madam Malkin's could make their own version of hoodies then you could wear robes or hoodies, maybe even a wizard version of jeans.

One thing Harry noticed straight away while he was wandering Diagon alley, the people. They were all relaxed, happy and just going about their business without the threat of being attacked.

'What's got you so happy mate?'

Harry turned to see Neville smiling at him, he hugged his friend which made Neville laugh.

'It's just knowing it's over Neville, and seeing how everyone is. They are relaxed.'

'Yes, it's been like that since Minister Bones announced his death. I wasn't sure you were going to return if he was gone.'

'Sirius and I discussed it after we got a letter from Minister Bones. I actually just came from a meeting with her, along with two new teachers and the new headmaster. There is going to be changes at Hogwarts and asked my opinion. As they said, they might not be able to do everything I suggested but they will definitely change things around.'

'So McGonagall isn't going to be head?'

'No, but let's continue talking over lunch and a butterbeer.'

Harry and Neville ordered their meals and drinks then sat in a booth at the back of the pub.

'Because she supported Dumbledore even when students were in danger, she also never stopped Snape when he was harassing us. So she's not deputy head anymore either, just a teacher. The thing is, Sirius said if she doesn't like the changes that's going to happen then she might leave.'

'She is a good teacher, but she was never there for us. You're right about the danger and how she never helped. So who is headmaster?'

'Arthur Weasley. He's a good bloke and since he sent seven kids to Hogwarts he knows what it needed. Bill and Charlie are also going to teach.'

'What about Ron, Ginny and Hermione?'

'Hermione and her parents were killed by Voldemort. Ron, Ginny and Molly Weasley had some type of accident, they completely lost their memories. But from what Sirius found out, they killed Muriel Prewett for her money, using a poison. I would say they got infected or something.'

'Then we don't have to put up with them anymore, even if I feel sorry that happened. They should have been punished, but to lose their memories is terrible. Since you won't have to put up with them anymore, you can finally do what you always wanted, get to know other people.'

'True, but now they can't force you to stay away Neville. You proved to be a great friend and I feel terrible that it took me a few years to realise that.'

'It wasn't you Harry, it was them, manipulating you. Well, since we are good friends I should tell you my news. There's two lots.'

'You're smiling, so it must be good. If I was more like Sirius I would say something like you shagged some girl.'

Neville blushed brightly making Harry chuckle, 'Um, no, but I am dating Hannah Abbott.'

'She's nice Neville, but I didn't know you knew her.'

'We got to know each other a bit during the DA, but she often asked for help on herbology and we got to know each other during those times. She explained about the heir of Slytherin thing and what Ernie said.'

'Yeah, I get it though. They didn't know me so they believed someone they did know and spend time with. I forgave most of them ages ago, not Ernie though. So you'll probably see a lot of Susan since she's Hannah's best friend.'

'Some, but it seems Hannah likes being alone with me,' Neville blushed again making Harry laugh.

'Shows she really wants to know you, and probably shag you.'

'Harry,' Neville squeaked.

'Sorry, but I shagged a lot. Me and Sirius would go out to clubs, then allow the girls to pick us up. I did have one night with a bloke, it was okay. Even though I know I'm bi, I prefer a woman's body, especially naked.'

Neville blushed again but he couldn't help shaking his head at his friend, 'Anyway, off shagging and to my big news.'

'Go on then, tell me.'

'Just after we got that visit from Fred and George, we organised a lot of plans. But gran worked it for my parent's to be taken to Rome. We have a house there and that's where we planned to go if we had to escape. Well, we found out that the potions they had been given from the time they were cursed was actually keeping them in that state. The healers in Rome flushed out their system, gave them new potions, nerve regeneration potion and a heap of others. They woke up properly Harry. Their minds still have a bit of damage but nothing that stopped them coming home.'

Harry ended up pulling Neville to his feet and hugging him. He couldn't believe it, Neville got his parent's back.

'I hope you are going to feel me up mate, I don't swing that way.'

Harry laughed, then kissed Neville on the cheek making him blush, 'No, but I am happy for you. I'll let Sirius know, he got to know your parent's when they were all in the order,' Harry and Neville sat, 'Do you think it was Dumbledore?'

'Gran and I discussed it, and the prophecy. Yes, he wanted them out of the way in case he needed the backup prophecy boy. The trouble is gran, she would never have allowed him to control me, so we're wondering if he planned to deal with her.'

Harry sighed, 'He probably would have if he realised he'd lost me. Sirius and I worked a lot of plans, and one was to make sure no one picked up anything to make them suspicious. The few I did talk to, apart from you, they said they understood why I stopped being friendly towards the git, and since Hermione stuck with him, they knew why I refused to forgive her. If they believed they lost me, I know they would have done something to Sirius, so we worked that into our plans. I'm sure they would have done something to get your gran out of the way. At least we don't have to worry about the old man or his minions.'

'No, we don't, which means we might get a normal year at Hogwarts. It might even be boring.'

Harry chuckled, 'You know what Neville, I hope you are right.'

Over the next couple of weeks, Harry would spend time with Sirius of an evening, when he wasn't working. Through the day he did go to places like Hogsmeade or Diagon alley. He did get to visit his parent's graves, and he did go into the house. Harry wanted a few of their things, especially pictures. He had a home now, it was time he put things in his home that he wanted.

Harry would also spend time with Neville, which meant spending time with Hannah. Harry found the girl to be a lot like Neville, very nice and very shy. There were times that Susan was with them, so again, Harry got to know her like he was getting to know Hannah.

By the time the students were due to return to Hogwarts, Harry was dating Susan Bones. He had spoken with her aunt, who was the minister for magic. He wanted Susan's aunt to know that even though the danger was past, he would do his best to make sure Susan wasn't placed in danger. He also wanted the minister to know he wasn't like some boys that just want have as many conquests as possible, especially in their last year. He said he really liked Susan and even though he couldn't say if they would stay together, he thought there was a big possibility they would. Amelia gave them her blessing, but naturally she warned Harry what she would do if he ever hurt her niece. She said it in a friendly way, but Harry knew if he did hurt Susan, Amelia would make sure he paid, in some way.

The night before Harry was due to return to Hogwarts, he got a surprise. Sirius explained that Minerva did not like the changes being made, so she retired from teaching. Sirius was offered her job and decided to take it. He said he wasn't sure if he was suited to teaching, so for now it was just for the year, then he would make the final decision. That wasn't the only surprise though, Sirius explained that he was now dating Aurora Sinistra, the astronomy teacher. They got talking because they felt that the younger students should have astronomy on a Friday night which meant they wouldn't have to get up the following morning. The fourth years and up would still do astronomy through the week. It was during those meetings when Sirius and Aurora began to get close.

Harry said goodbye to his godfather, then took the floo to platform nine and three quarters. That was one change the minister did straight away. They felt it would be safer for all witches and wizards if they could arrive with their kids without having to go through the muggle side of Kings Cross station. Also, there would now be someone waiting for muggleborns to show them how to get through the barrier, and how to do it safely. But there were now more muggle repelling charms around the area of the barrier to stop the muggle's noticing anything strange. The person who would be guiding the muggleborns and their parent's through the barrier would cast a charm on the parent's so the muggle repelling charm would not affect them.

Harry met Susan, Neville and Hannah on the platform, they found a compartment and got themselves settled.

'I'm glad I don't have to worry about patrolling or anything this year. Studying for newts is going to take a lot of my time, but I also want to spend time with Harry,' Susan said. 'Who's idea was it to have that duty changed from prefects to private security?'

'I mentioned it at the meeting I was at, then Sirius said they talked more about it over the following weeks. They mainly had to work on funds. But they found out that a lot of the funds for Hogwarts was being diverted into people's pockets. It's why the school brooms weren't updated, which now they have been. It's why I didn't bring my Firebolt, the quidditch teams all have Firebolt's, and there are the new Cleansweap 7's for flying lessons.'

'Has the library been updated?' Hannah asked.

'Yes, since McGonagall, Flitwick, Sprout and many others continued to use the same books there hadn't been a lot bought, now they have. Flitwick and Sprout can still use the same books, but now the students can borrow others on those subjects which would help.'

The friends continued to talk but they also got visited by many others. Harry finally got to actually meet other students, even some Slytherin's. The one visit he was used to getting was from Malfoy, but this time he didn't. Even though he was responsible, he didn't feel guilty, but Malfoy had taken the dark mark and had been at that big meeting when he and Sirius blew up Malfoy manor. Now that some of the Slytherin's were being friendly, Harry realised that it was Draco Malfoy and Severus Snape that caused the majority of the problems and they probably kept the other Slytherin's from being friendly to those from other houses.

Yes, Hogwarts was going to be very different this time around and Harry was looking forward to it.

The end: