Dear Mr Potter,
I hope this letter finds you in good health. As I was informed from my youngest Son, Ronald, you accepted our invitation for a visit at our home over this summer. Please be assured that we will not force you to come at all, but we will gladly host you for a week at the Burrow. Please tell us how and when you would like to come over, as soon as possible.
Kind regards
Arthur Weasley"
Harry had read the letter multiple times that day, forming his answer on parchment for Hedwig to carry it, as the old owl from the Weasley family had left after it had rested enough to fly back once more. He decided against it to give the letter to Ron or his brothers, as a book about wizarding culture told him that when a head of House was contacting you a certain way that you should answer alike, to show respect. So, he was sitting on the table and thought about the wording that would sound polite, as he had every intention to visit them to help the youngest child of the house, as according to Ron, his sister could have problems in the future when she could not socialize when Harry was around.
He still could not understand how that should happen, but if he could advert it before it happened, he would do it. He could just talk to her, making her comfortable around him so she could find friends even when he was in the same room. For how long it would take, he thought a day or two should be enough, after that he needed to train again back home. As the time in school was ending, they began to pack their trunks and Harry walked off to the Owlery after he finished and sealed his letter. Cindy was once again in his pocket and looked around in her cat form that was given to her by the headmaster and asked Harry when they would begin their return exactly. Harry told her that the train would leave the next day from Hogsmeade Station, so she didn't have much longer to wait.
"*Sorry Harry if I seem to stress you about it, but I miss the castle back home. Not that I don't like it here, it is nice and roomy when you could leave whenever you like. But something is in this castle, calling for me and I am afraid it would try to control me. So, it would be better when I would be away for a while until we know what is hiding down in the depths of the castle. *" Cindy was nervous, Harry understood that much. If something could control her, it could order her to hurt anyone in her path. He thought if he could do anything about it, but he could not get any idea as he needed to know what was causing it and he did not want to put her in a cage. The only thing he could do right now to close the dorm when they left for classes and that was not a solution, he was happy with. He would also inform the headmaster that Cindy was afraid of something. Maybe he could find out what it was and tell him how he could evade it.
As he arrived in the owlery, he was looking around for Hedwig as a small owl flew by his head and almost stopped midair before it turned around and landed on his shoulder. Harry was watching it with surprise at it did lift his leg and presented him a letter, while Hedwig flew down and landed on his other shoulder. Harry first bounds his letter to Hedwig's leg and let her fly with a smile as he grabbed the other letter and looked at the sender.
"What wants Daphne's father want from me?" He opened the letter on his way back, reading it with growing wonder how he found out to what he was capable in the political game. He told himself that he would have to speak with his account manager in Gringotts as he and the king of the Goblin nation were the only ones who knew who his ancestors were outside of Kear Mohen. He also decided to tell Yen and Geralt, as they had experience with politics thanks to their past with Ciri and her father.
When he arrived back in the Gryffindor common room, he witnessed the small storm form all the students searching their possessions that they thought were lost somewhere. Neville was once more looking for his toad while Ron tried to stuff his rat back into his pocket. Fred and George did not try to prank their fellow housemates as they knew how stressful it could be when everyone was running around. Hermione was looking over a list of books, checking if she had all she brought with her. As her trunk was almost full, Harry asked himself how the rest of the school supplies could fit into it. Then he remembered that his own trunk had a featherweight charm on it, so maybe hers had an extension charm on it for more space, but if it didn't have a featherweight charm on it would be rather heavy. He would try to carry it for her to see if his assumption was correct when they arrived back in London the next day.
While all the students were busy packing, John was cleaning his office, as for the next few weeks he would return to Kear Mohen and even to the In Amber Clad II for a small debriefing with Captain Lasky on this school year and what would be expected of him in the future. Of course, he heard that he could be replaced soon enough due to a duty rotation, but he hoped that his query would be permitted and his stay prolonged until he decided for himself to go back. Cortana was on the lookout for the order to inform her partner as soon as possible. She also checked up on the students and their progress of their packing. She then got an idea and wrote a query to Captain Lasky directly if they could loosen up the secret for Harry as he could use the distraction from this incident. Callie had told her that this was harder for Harry as the other incident with the troll last year, and she was sure that he could do his homework fast enough with her and Callie's help. Also, it could be beneficial to Harry's training if they could go there and train all the different situations that Harry could find himself. As she thought that, she stopped as she fell in the old mindset, they had in the war over 10 years ago. She had to banish that thought process, even if it was for the betterment of Harry as he was not a soldier or something similar. So, she put it in her digital drawer, just in case.
As the evening arrived, all the students were told to gather in the Great Hall for the end of year feast were also the winner of the House Cup would be announced. All the students already knew who won, as the counter with the different house colors showed proudly the red rubies were the highest up, no small thanks to the wins Harry helped to achieve in their Quidditch Cup as the youngest seeker in a century.
"Ah, how fast the time has flown by as it seemed to be only yesterday when I welcomed you all back into these halls, and now we are already at the end of the school year. I hope you all learned many things, so you can use the summer break to air out your head and almost forget everything again." At this sentence the students laughed, as Dumbledore did make a little break in his speech. "Now to the matter at hand, the ceremony for the winner of the House Cup will now commence. As for the fourth place, it is the Hufflepuff with 352 points. In third place, Ravenclaw with 426 points. In second place, is Slytherin with 432 points. And the winner, is Gryffindor with 478. Congratulations." The last word was drowned out form the celebrating Gryffindors, as Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff also cheered to congratulate them too. Only Slytherin was silent, as the rivalry with Gryffindor was too hard to overcome, even for Daphne and Tracey who could not cheer as much they wanted as they feared that some of their housemates would punish them before they would return home the next day. And even if John would come to another visit into their common room, it could be too late for them when he arrives.
"Now, I want to wish you a good feast and a happy holiday with your families and friends and await your return for the next schoolyear, well except of course those who now are finished with school, to those I wish that you try your best to still better yourself and much luck in your chosen path. So, that was enough of me, dig in!" Dumbledore sat back down and shortly afterwards, the hall was filled with the smell of good food and the noises of happy children talking with each other. Dumbledore looked around in the Great Hall, smiling at the red and golden decor, as it was tradition that the house colors of the winning house would be displayed at the end of year feast. It was a long time for the Gryffindor to come back up on top, as the last 7 years it was Slytherin who won the House Cup. So, this right now was a nice change in the Great Hall. Now he hoped that the other houses would pick themselves up and try harder to win the House Cup too.
While Harry was eating, Cindy lifted her head up and bumped Harry for some food, which Harry just gave her. Hermione was watching them and then noticed something. "Harry, is there a reason your kitten stayed this small? It did not grow up even a little bit." Now Lavender and Parvati looked too, still finding it cute how it behaved with Harry. Cindy meanwhile was munching at some chicken Harry gave her before, not thinking about her looks.
Harry had to think fast on his feet, as even Callie could not help him with that. He looked over to the headmaster, asking himself if he could ask him for some help after the feast. Harry said that he would tell them later why, as it was common for a cat in this castle to be magical and living longer because they did not age as fast as normal cats. But there was another reason, or Hermione would not have asked in the first place, Harry knew that. But Hermione was seemingly happy with his reply and decided to enjoy the feast once more, while Lavender and Parvati were looking at each other. They shrugged and began to eat, that did relax Harry just a bit.
On the other side of the hall, Malfoy was angry that they did not win. He was sure that it was only because of Potter, as the teachers would favor him and give him extra points only because he was famous for defeating the Dark Lord. As far he was concerned, he was a mediocre wizard at best power wise and his premaintenance for his bodily training was still disgustedly primitive. They were wizards for crying out loud. That said, he still thought about it how he should get the complete control of his house while Greengrass was against him. One way was an old way for wizard to join families together, but he does not know how successful that would be as the head of the Greengrass family was not really in a good standing with the Malfoy family. And as far he knows, his father has already begun his negotiation with David Greengrass to make a marriage contract with him and one of his daughters. But until now it was fruitless, as Mr Greengrass was stalling for time. If his opinion would count, he would take Daphne over her younger sister, as this would cause his power in the Slytherin to rise. He knew, he had to wait but was already imagine how distraught she would look as soon she would become his wife. His smile was getting creepy while he watched Daphne, but no one was looking at him right now, so he did not mind.
The evening ended with Gryffindor still celebrating their victory while they walked up to their common room. Especially Harry was celebrated, as Fred and George forced him to accept that they carried him up the stairs like the trophy that he holds before he would give it to McGonagall so she could place it in her office. All in all, it was a good year for Gryffindor, and Harry was proud to be in this house.
The next day, it was the last big rush to get everything they needed to return home, as Harry was carrying his trunk and an empty cage down. Neville asked him where Hedwig was and if he had seen Trevor, who once more was hiding from his owner. Harry just pointed to the corner where Trevor usually hides, and lo' and behold he was there. Once more looking angry at Harry, Trevor was then placed into his cage, to which Harry gifted Neville a new lock to secure its door, so Trevor could not just jump out again. Harry then saw Hermione and her struggle to carry her trunk, something Harry changed as he approached her and lifted it up for her.
"Damn Hermione, did you pack the whole library? It weights almost a metric ton. You know, maybe next year you could buy a trunk with a featherweight charm imbedded on it like mine? This way, it would be easier for you to carry."
Hermione looked at him with wide eyes, ashamed that she didn't have that idea before, even when she saw him buying one of those. Also, as heavy the trunk was for her, Harry seemed to have almost no problem carrying it, showing once more that his training had its benefits. As they left the common room to go outside to the carriages which would carry them to the train station, some prefects took it upon themselves to levitate the trunks from those students who had problems carrying them down the stairs. Lavender and Parvati where happy that they also received help form Fred and George, who against their normal behavior did not make any pranks and ran multiple times up and down the stairs, helping other students together with Percy and the older Gryffindor and Hufflepuffs. Never say that those two houses do not know how to help others. Harry noticed that another third year from Hufflepuff especially was running himself ragged, almost sprinting up and down the staircases with the trunks from his housemates and leaving some girls blushing behind him when he took their trunks with a smile. Harry remembered that this student was also a frequent visitor on the obstacle courses, going over the very advanced courses like it was nothing.
As he passed them, he was looking at Harry and Hermione asking them if they needed help. He then noticed that it was Harry he was talking to and then smiled apologetically.
"Please excuse me mister Potter for not introducing myself, but it is always in the end of a school year where the others remember that they should be packed already. My name is Cedric Diggory, nice to meet you." Cedric held his hand out for Harry to shake, where Harry just shook his hand smiled at him, showing him that he was not angry at him for trying to help the others. Maybe he would do it too if he had enough time to go up once more, when he noticed that Malfoy was coming up from the dungeons without any trunks, just like his friends. Daphne and Tracey meanwhile had also some problems with carrying their trunks, so Harry asked Hermione if she would be all right if he would go over and ask if they needed help. Hermione just nodded, as Cedric took the hint and walked over with Harry to the two Slytherin girls.
Dumbledore was watching this exchange with a smile on his lips, seeing it with happiness as the meaning of this school was finally seen by some students too as they made friends over the boundaries of their respective houses. On the forefront of this movement that started this year was Harry, judging a person not by the House they were in, rather by their own character and how they treated their fellow students when they were in their group.
While he smiled, McGonagall was making sure if every student from her house was finished packing and now traveling back to Hogsmeade to catch the train back to London. As it seemed that the castle was empty off any students, she walked out to the grounds and watched them get into the carriages and leaving Hogwarts for the summer. She was glad that everything worked out as it did, no student was hurt seriously or even, God forbid, killed. But she had to speak with Dumbledore about some things, like who the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher should be. She was of course all for it to appoint Yen or Triss for the post, but she doubted at least their capability to teach many young students at once, as she was not certain how they would act when they caught a young student not paying attention. This was also the reason why she was against it for John's lessons becoming mandatory for all the classes, not just the first one. Maybe she could convince Dumbledore to take a real teacher first and appoint them to an assistant role, just in case it would happen once more that the teacher for de Defense classes last only one year, as it was over 30 years.
As the students arrived at the station, the train was already waiting for them and their luggage as Harry lifted his trunk into one carriage and looking for a compartment that he and his friends could occupy. He soon found one, with Ron already sitting inside and waving at him. Harry lifted his trunk up to place it above them, as Ron pulled a stack of cards out to play some game's while they traveled. Soon after, Hermione and Neville found them and asked if they could also sit down. While Ron did not pay any attention, Harry let them in and sat back down opposite from Ron, so they could finish the one game. He wanted to read some of their Homework while they were traveling back to London and if Neville wanted to play, he could take his place. Hermione had already one book out they needed to read over their break, causing Ron to snort when he noticed the other two sitting with them.
How she could begin the break with reading was still incomprehensible to him, as he just wanted to relax after all this studying they had done.
"Ron, you were always a bit behind us in schoolwork. Maybe it would be good for you to get a book open too and begin to study before you forget what we learned. And if you look at it that way, after you have done everything, you have the time to relax with an easy mind. Otherwise, you still would think about that your homework was not done and you need to work on it." Hermione tried to get through the lazy mindset Ron had, but he just told her if his plans would work out, he would be a pro in Quidditch and there no one would ask him about his grades in school as long he did good work there. And when he then got on a team with a big budget, he even would earn enough so he would not have to work anymore after he would have to retire due to age.
Hermione just huffed, as this plan had many logical holes as, for example, it would mean that he would have to be picked in a professional team and she did not know how good he really was.
The train soon began to move, signaling to the four in the compartment that the year was really finished. As Harry finished his game with Ron, he made space for Neville to take over while he climbed up and grabbed another book to read for his homework as the door opened and their least favorite blond boy stood inside the door together with his two bodyguards. Harry just glanced for a moment and then proceeded to take out his book, ignoring the snide comment fromm Malfoy about how the losers gathered.
"Tell me Malfoy, how high was your end results in the exams? Because I am pretty sure that Hermione had a higher score than you." Daphne and Tracey were standing in the corridor of the carriage with their arms crossed, as on the opposite side from them were Lavender with the Patil twins and Susan Bones, completing the quartet of houses. All were glaring daggers at Malfoy and his entourage, daring him to try something stupid with these many witnesses.
"Greengrass, Davis, just wait until I tell my father what you lot did. It would surprise me if all of you would come back next year. Crabbe, Goyle I had enough, let's go." Malfoy smiled wickedly and pushed Daphne out of his way and left the carriage. Daphne and Tracey huffed angrily while Lavender investigated the compartment Harry, and the others were seated.
"I hope you all can relax now that Malfoy has left us. Do you still have space for us?" Lavender walked into the compartment, which grew magically to have enough places for everyone that came into it. Ron looked up and smiled until he saw Daphne and Tracey.
"Oh, for you and the others is enough space in here, but those snakes should leave before I will hex them to next week." Ron placed one of his hands into his robes, where he stored his wand.
Harry was getting a bit angry at him, standing between him and the girls.
"Ron, Daphne and Tracey never did anything bad to us. The complete opposite in fact, all they did was studying with us and helping us when we did not know something they did. For example, some of the essay's you glanced at for your homework I wrote because Daphne could explain some ingredients better than Snape did. And Tracey is almost as good as Hermione with Transfiguration. So why do you hate them so, is the only reason because some hat has placed them into another house? Please explain." Harry had enough of Ron's narrow mindedness, everyone could hear it from his tone in his voice. Hermione and Neville looked at him with wide eyes as Harry crossed his arms over his chest.
Ron was getting angry and red-faced, wanting to explain that every evil wizard that ever operated in Great Britain was in the house of snakes and in that mindset, every Slytherin had the potential to become evil too. But right before he opened his mouth, it hit him. It was not that all the students were naturally evil just because they were in a different house, he now saw that his view was too narrowminded to give the others a chance like Harry did. He closed his mouth once more and now looked ashamed, telling them that he was sorry as he made space for the six other students outside, as the compartment made itself bigger due to its magic to accomodate all the students. Ron asked them too if they could be patient with him as his mindset could not change overnight and he my say something bad when they were near.
"As long you are honest with us Ron, I do not see any reason to be mad at you. I know that the Slytherin has a bad reputation, but on the same coin did many of my house good work in the magical world and were even credited with those achievements. Of course, I understand you, it is not easy to see that when someone like Malfoy walks around the grounds as he would be the next Minister of Magic." Daphne sat down next to Harry, as Tracey took her place next to her. Hermione looked up from her book on the opposite side, looking just a bit jealous of Daphne. Susan noticed this, while the boys were oblivious as they could be, with Harry concentrating on reading and Ron playing with Neville some Exploding Snap. Daphne looked at Hermione with an apologetic look on her face, deciding to write her reason to her when she arrived back home. Susan sat down next to Neville, as it was the only place left after Lavender and the Patil twins sat by the entrance to the compartment. They enjoyed their trip in peace and talked with each other. Somewhere in the middle of it, Fred and George visited them with a little prank in mind when they spotted the Patil twins already in their muggle clothes.
"Wait, Parvati has a double? Why were we not notified of this?" Fred asked, looking at his brother and Harry with wide eyes. The Patil twins were laughing loudly at the faces Harry and Ron showed, as Harry told the older two boys' if they would have listened by the sorting, they would have known that Parvati had a twin sister in Ravenclaw. George did hit his brother on the head as Fred was almost screaming that they were no longer the only twins in the school and that they should have known. George then introduced himself to Padme, Parvati's sister with a smile on his lips as he took her hand and kissed her knuckles, causing the girls in the compartment to giggle. After this little intermission, the journey has quietened down once more.
As they arrived back in London, the sky began to turn red as the sun was setting behind the horizon. Harry helped the others to carry their trunks out of the train, at least to those who had some difficulties because of the weight they had. Ron and Neville did not need any help, as Neville was surprisingly strong naturally as he was not training as often as Harry did. When they left their carriage, they noticed that some parents were talking with each other, some with a high attitude that Harry did not like as he recognized Hermione's parents and how they were looked at. Harry, well knowing how much of an impact the action he was to would take to made, but he did not care. He lifted the trunk from Hermione once more and walked with her to her parents, who were talking with Daphne's parents, as they even had her sister with them. It was her who noticed the three coming closer first and she squealed from happiness as she ran to her sister and hugged her fiercely, showing them how much she missed her sister as Daphne's mask of the ice queen cracked just a bit as she too was smiling. Hermione did the same as she ran to her parents, glad that they made friends with a good wizarding family.
Harry carried the trunks to the parents of his friends, placing them to the side of each family. Greeting the Grangers first, he heard some old wizarding families scoff at him for befriending muggles while others were amazed on how open he was.
"Mr. and Mrs. Granger, I am happy to see you once more. I still need to thank you in person for allowing Hermione visiting me during the winter break and I hope we can repeat that once more. Mr. and Mrs. Greengrass, the same counts for you too of course, as your daughter is a real boon to your house and a good friend for me. If you would excuse me now, I still need to say goodbye to Ron and Neville, but we will see each other again. I wish you a safe trip back home." He shakes the hands of every adult, as he grabbed his trunk and moved over to Neville, meeting his grandmother for the first time.
"I have to say, Harry is a courageous one for making this move Daphne. Greeting muggles while being in the presence of such old wizarding families is not usually seen in our circles. And as he is the heir of the ancient and noble house of Potter, his behavior could influence many people for what is seen by some of the purebloods as a decline of our civilization. But be assured Mr. Granger, as long you are with us, you stand under our protection." David Greengrass looked serious, as he noticed the Malfoy family looking at them with disgust. He had of course heard that the young Miss Granger made full marks in every subject and with that proved that she was better than the son of Malfoy, something that he was almost laughing about as it meant that the young Malfoy boy could not tell anyone that he had it too easy to be the best only because he was a pureblood.
Samuel and Janet Granger were just happy to have their daughter back happy and healthy. They were secretly watching out for any dangers as thanks to the Greengrass family telling them that some people were racist to a degree that they would attack them only because they could. Samuel then noticed John walking down the platform towards them, seemingly thinking the same thing as he also watched for any other muggleborn witch and wizard to be safe. With his imposing figure he surely told anyone who would try something to leave it better be.
"Good day Mr. Granger, Mr. Greengrass. Nice to see you all in good health. Do you know where Harry is? We must leave soon." John asked Samuel, who pointed to a large family full of redheads, as Harry now was with the Weasley family and discussing the finer details about his visit later in the summer break. When he was finished, he saw John and ran over to them with a smile, being ready to return to Kear Mohen.