Authors Note :

As is customary, I would like to begin by thanking all those who took the time to review. It's really encouraging to see that your story is appreciated by others. Thanks to : shdurrani, WolfMoon, Lady Phoenix Gryffindor, icedrake, Golden Eagle, Deritine (I know, most of my mistakes are typos. I sometimes read old chapters and only notice them then. I'll update with the corrected chapters eventually.), crab (I don't have any stories of the top of my head. Next time I find one, I'll note it's id, and put it somewhere.) and chochang913 (no typo mistake this time ;) ).

To everyone : enjoy !!!

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After a good nights sleep, Harry got up to a beautiful Sunday morning. Through the window (that gave onto Hagrids hut and the forbidden forest), Harry could hear the songs of the morning birds as they flew around in the sky. Getting up slowly, blinking away the last vestiges of sleep, he got dressed in light clothing, for the day promised to be warm.

Making sure his disguise was in place, he made his way down to the great hall for breakfast. Since it was Sunday, people would come down to eat at times varying from 7 o' clock to 10 o' clock. Entering the hall, he saw that most of the students were present. A quick glance told him that all his friends were there. Malfoy was also there, speaking with Blaise Zabini, a sixth-year Slytherin boy like Malfoy was. Harry didn't know much about him. He might ask Snape about him later. He could be useful in helping Draco deal with his father.

That was something Harry had had no news about. Whatever Dumbledore and Snape had thought about for Draco hadn't reached his ears. Legally, there was little chance that they could get custody of Draco, not unless Fudge, and the ministry in general, was convinced of Voldemorts return, as well as putting in prison the

death eaters that were free.

But Harry didn't want to spoil his day with dark thoughts. The day shone brightly, and he didn't have any lessons to teach. He would have his friends over for private combat lessons that evening, as well as Sirius and Remus. They might even stay for the evening for rest and relaxation, and Harrys chambers were the safest place for that. When Harry ahd placed the wards, he had placed more protection wards, spalls and runes on his chambers than on any other chamber. However, he hadn't been partial for the common rooms and other teachers quarters, which had recieved the same protection measures as the others.

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The rest of Harrys' day went calmly by. He didn't have any papers to grade since he hadn't had enough classes yet for work to be handed in. So he spent the day reviewing his lessons for the following week and making sure everythink was okay. Afetr dinner, he had his friends over for their private combat lesson.

After a good warm up, everyone was sweating. Thankfully, they had remembered to wear something more comfortable compared to the usual school uniform. They were all in t-shirts and shorts. It was rather funny to see Remus swinging away in a pair of shorts. Only Sirius wasn't wearing shorts, since he insisted he was as much teacher as student.

Cho decided she would rather have a sword-fighting lesson this week, as opposed to her knife lessons of last week. She had been practicing, either alone in her dorm of against Ron or Hermione. They both wanted to advance, Ron since he was rather gifted and Hermione since she realized the usefulness of it. Plus, it wasn't something you could learn from a book, you could only learn if you practiced and experimented by yourself, either alone or with others. Cho was getting better. She was almost up to Hermiones level, but they were both behind Ron. Remus was holding his own, but Harry estimated that Ron was better than him. Remus only beat Ron because Ron couldn't get over the fact his adversary was a teacher.

It was now 9 o' clock. Harry had just finished completing the cooling-down session, so everyone was still sweating and breathing slightly heavier than usual. Sirius had been a student this time, and while the 4 others worked on some more basic sequences that Harry showed them, Harry had worked Sirius a bit harder. He saw that he was actually very good. That is to say, he held his own against Harry for a while. Harry got through, though, with a few well-placed blows.

Ron and Hermione were now busy doing their homework. They had decided to take up Harrys' offer of help, so they worked on their assignments, asking him for help every so often. On, obviously, asked more often than Hermione, who usually just asked him to clarify some obscure point in the book. Hermione wanted to keep her grades up, although it could hardly get any higher. And Ron just didn't want to have to endure her constant nagging. Cho was sitting on the couch next to Harry, leaning on his shoulder. He had is arm around her waist, drawing her even closer to him. They just stared into the fire,not saying a word (except Harry when Ron or Hermione asked him a question). They were just content to be next to each other.

Ron and Hermione soon finished their essays. Harry offered to read them, to see if anything could be added or if anything needed to be corrected. They both refused. Seeing Harry and Cho there, just sitting next to each other, they both understood their need for privacy. Bidding them a good night, they went back to the Gryffindor common room, leaving Harry and Cho alone. Cho had already finished all her school assignments, surpriosing Harry since the seventh years had a lot of work due to their NEWTs.

They stayed like that for several minutes, being warmed by each other as much as they were warmed by the fire.

"Cho, is there something you want to ask ?" Harry asked. He could … sense … feel … her wanting to ask a question. He didn't know how, he just knew.

"Well, there are several things I'd like to ask. First, when will you reveal yourself ?"

"To be honest, I don't know. I was thinking of soon. Since Voldemort is thinking of attacking soon, his rebirth will be known. And while I despise fame, and as much as I hate to say it, my 'coming back' would bring people hope, as well as directing his attacks against me and not some other defenceless target."

"That sounds logical, I suppose. My second question is : when will you reveal about us ? As a couple, I mean …"

"That's an even better question. You do realize that since I am Voldemorts main target, if he knows I'm going out with you, you will, in turn, become a target. Things could get very dangerous. And I don't want anything to happen to you." Harry looked at Cho straight in the eye, and she could see the love and care he had for her. It looked almost like a flame burning in his eyes.

"I know all that. But I don't want to stay in the shadows. I love you Harry. I want the world to know that."

"And it will. If you want the world to know, the world shall know. But you will have to defend yourself. I want you to be extra carefull, to keep your wand and your knives on you at all times. I can get you a paper from Dumbledore authorizing you to keep them at all times. I don't want you to takes risks. All this, because I don't want to risk losing you. I've had my share of sadness and misery, enough to last me the rest of my life. I don't want my future to be made of more sadness. I want it to be filled with happiness, and I want to share that happiness with you." Cho just looked at him, thinking of the words Harry had just said. "I might only be 16, but there are several things I'm sure of. And what I want for my future is one of them."

Cho just nodded, and snuggled closer to him, soaking in the warmth he radiated and the love he had for her, just as she had for him.

She didn't stay much longer, however. Tonight was the full moon. Remus would soon be leaving to get into a clearing about half a mile into the forbidden forest. As usual, Sirius would be accompanying him. Harry had insisted to do likewise. After bringing Cho back to her common room, Harry joined Remus and a disguised Sirius near Hagrids hut, at the border of the forbidden forest.

"Ready to go, Harry ?" asked a already weary Remus. Full moon was tiring on werewolves, it's influence felt even if they weren't directly exposed to its rays. The moon was behind a think patch of cloud, and Harry estimated they had about 15 minutes before it appeared. Nodding his head, they swiftly made their way towards the clearing. They arrived with still a couple of minutes to spare. Not wanting to take any chances, Sirius stayed in his dog anumagus form, while Harry transformed. With a small 'pop', where once stood Harry stood a magnificent dark-furred wolf. It was black, with a few grey streaks in its fur. The eyes were a bright, emerald green, and a small, lightning-shaped patch of white sur stood on its brow. Remus smiled, seeing that he was a wolf.

"A wolf form. That's a good form Harry." He gave the wold a small smile, while Harry looked at him. With another 'pop', the wold became a big golden griffin. Remus was, to say the least, surprised, and fell of the stone he was sitting on with a small thump. Sirius, who had been sitting and watching, fell to, but being a dog, it looked like he had suddenly slipped on something. Another 'pop', and the griffin became a wolf again. Harry gave a small yip, while Remus continued to look at him wide-eyed.

"Well I never. A dual-animagus. And with a magical form. Very good, Harry." With these last words, a beam of moonlight shone through the clouds, hitting Remus spot on. With a growl, he transformed, and became a wolf. Giving a small yip, followed by a friendly growl, the 3 friends ran deeper into the forest, leaving Hogwarts well behind …

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A week later, and still Voldemort hadn't moved. Harrys week had been relatively hectic, compared to his first week as a teacher. He had given lessons, gave or removed points to the different houses, spoken with the teachers and talked with his friends. Just a normal week. It was this that worried Harry more. Voldemort hadn't attacked anything. He hadn't made any moves against anything. If he had, at least they would know where he was, what he was up to. But instead, they were faced with a total lack of information. Snape hadn't even been called to meet him.

It was now Sunday. Everyone was assembled in the great hall for dinner. Students were chatting away, talking about the week of schoolwork they had had, the assignments they had recieved, and the imminent start of the quidditch season. The first match scheduled was Hufflepuff vs Ravenclaw. Harry had no doubts as to which team he would be cheering for. He did have an interest in a certain someone on the Ravenclaw team, after all. The match was scheduled to take place in a months time, leaving both teams with plenty of time for training and whatnot.

Dinner was almost over when a hawk came streaming through the window. It was a little late for normal mail, so Harry supposed that it was a special happening. The hawk went straight to Dumbledore, dropping a letter straight into his outstretched hand before seating himself on the back of his seat. Everyone was watching Dumbledore as he swiftly opened the letter and read it. As soon as he had finished, he stood up.

"Prefects, lead your students to your common rooms. Students are not to leave until a teachers comes to tell them they are allowed to do so. Severe punishments will be dealt to those who do not adhere to this rule."

As soon as he had finished, the students got up and swiftly left, leaving the hall empty except for the teachers. Everyone was looking at Dumbledore, who's face was set in a grim mask.

"The Beauxbatons Academy of Magic had been attacked." Several of the other teachers gasped. "A large group of death eaters attacked one hour ago. They were, for the most part, driven off thanks to the efforts of the older students, but they did sustain damage, not only to th actual building, but also concerning the students and teachers. Of the students, 50 died, and about as many injured." A few of the teachers were silently weeping at hearing this, while the others had horrified looks on their faces. "Furthermore, 2 teachers died facing Voldemorts followers. According to the letter, sent to me by madame Maxime, Voldemort was not present."

Teachers were shaking their heads. Snape had a horrified look on his face. Despite being a spy, he had had no idea that this was going to happen. Voldemort must suspect him of being a spy, and hadn't let on any more information than the absolute minimum, not enough to act upon. It's even possible that Voldemort had somebody here in the school, spying on them. If that was the case, the person probably also knew that he was back.

"Whatever the case, we have to be very careful so as no repel any attacks that Voldemort may do against us. Sucurity had recently been improoved, with additionnal wards and protections being placed on the school grounds. I think that it would be best if we recieve the students here, if only for a little while, the time for them to get things organized once again. Any objections ?" No one raised a hand. "Very well. I will write back immediately to extend a hand of friendship. I will also report to the ministry of magic, although they have doubtlessly already been made aware. I would like one teacher to go to Beauxbatons now, to check on the situation." Remus raised his hand. "Yes. You will be accompanied, as usual." It wasn't a question. "Now, would each head of house speak to their houses. And James, I would like a word, if you please …"

The teachers stood and left, the heads of houses to the common rooms, the other teachers to their own private quarters. Harry wondered why the headmaster had called him 'James', but reasonned that if anyone was watching, calling him Harry would be too suspicious. Harry suddenly remembered : the Marauders' map. That could tell him if someone was around. Removing his wand, he muttered "Accio Marauders Map". Dumbledore just sat there, watching. A minute later, the small piece of parchment appeared from inder the doors to the great hall and flew straight to Harry. He grabbed it out of the air and touched it with his wand, murmurring "I solemny swear that I'm up to no good." The lines appeared, and soon he was holding a complete map of the school.

"Hmmm. Interesting," Dumbledore remarked, looking intently at the map. They saw that all the students were in their common rooms. The teachers were all in their private chambers or offices (Hagrid was in his hut), except for Harry and Dumbledore. Filch and his cat were roaming the hallways, as were several ghosts. Peeves the poltergist (spelling???) was currently in the trophey room. Harry noticed a name that didn't belong there, on the edge of the map and moving away from Hogwarts : Peter Pettigrew.

"Dammit ! Wormtail !" Harry said, his voice bitter. "He was here, probably spying on us. And we could have caught him ! Damn him !" Harry ranted, as angry against Pettigrew as he was against himself. Had he thought of the map earlier, he had had a chance of catching the traitor, and by doing so, more than probably granting Sirius his freedom.

"What's done is done, Harry. Doing mistakes isn't a bad thing if we learn from them," Dumbledore said gently. He was probably having the same thought concerning Sirius' freedom. But he was right. You can't change the past, not without consequences. It was just too risky. But they had to learn from their mistakes. "Now, Harry, that was one reason I wanted to see you. You placed extra wards, yet they didn't sound any alarms. Do you now why ?"

His tone wasn't accusing, but Harry took it personnaly. After all, he was the one who had placed the runes. "The runes I placed were set to trigger if someone arrived from outside the school. If he was on the premises, which is more than likely, he could be considered as originating from the school. After all, he could have spent days here, and no one would have thought about a rat." He sighed. "However, since he's now out of the bounds set by the runes, it shouldn't be too hard to reset them." Harry closed his eyes and started to chant in a low voice, while Dumbledores gaze went from Harry to the map and back continually. After 2 minutes of chanting, Harry opened his eyes again. "There. Once someone from outside arrives, I'll be warned."

"Good. Now, this map Do you think it's possible to have a copy, for me ?"

"I honestly don't know. It was created by the Marauders, as you must have noticed when I activated it. I don't know if casting a simple copying spell will copy the map and its abilities or just the parchment. You'll have to ask Sirius or Remus for that."

Dumbledore nodded, giving it some thought. "Well, Harry, I'll ask one of them tomorrow. In the meanwhile, I'll keep the map till tomorrow." Harry nodded. Standing up, he bid the headmaster a good night before leaving the hall. Just as he exited the doors, he head Dumbledore call out : "And don't take things to heart. You wouldn't be human if you didn't make mistakes, James …"

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