On the morning of September 1st, the Potter household woke up early. Michael was sitting in a high chair eating baby cereal while Harry chuckled at his antics. After breakfast, Harry played with Michael for a while, until he needed to get ready for the train ride back to Hogwarts. Dobby and Winky were taking Michael and all their trunks to Hogwarts using their elf magic. Then they were going to get settled before Harry got there.
After a shower Harry got dressed in his school robes and pinned his Head Boy badge in place. Harry went and kissed Michael goodbye and told him that he would see him soon. The elves and baby, with the trunks, disappeared before Harry's eyes. Harry used the back door in case the front was being watched. He paused briefly to place additional wards and protection on the house. He reached the corner and looked around and saw that Remus and Tonks were trying to get in quietly. He shook his head and wondered if they were ever going to stop and leave him alone.
Harry apparated as quietly as he could but he thought that Remus had seen him. He had apparated himself directly onto the platform, avoiding Kings Cross Station all together. Seeing that there were not that many people around yet Harry did a sweep of the train. He carefully checked each compartment. By the time that he was done it was a quarter til eleven. The platform was full of students and parents saying goodbye. Harry saw Hermione standing near the entrance, greeting everyone as they passed through the barrier, particularly the first years. Harry made his way towards her.
When there was a pause in the flow of people, Hermione turned her attention to her best friend. "Harry James Potter! Where have you been?" She wanted answers. Harry sighed.
"Taking care of something that happened over the summer and trying to stay low."
"You disappeared Harry. I've been worried sick. If there hadn't been a reported sighting of you at Gringotts on your birthday, I would have thought that someone had kidnapped you."
"I had to leave the Dursley's. It was too dangerous for me to stay. I'm sorry that I made you worry but I didn't want anyone to find me. I found out a few things that I was very angry about and still am."
Hermione took a closer look at him. Something had happened that made Harry grow up faster that necessary. His anger was evident in his actions, but only to someone who knew him as well as she did. His face never showed a single emotion. "Mrs. Weasley was very upset that you didn't come to the birthday tea that she put together. I suspect that when she gets here you'll get an earful."
"She sent a howler, Hermione, and there was no mention of a birthday tea. I was busy."
There was no more explanation. Whatever had happened had made Harry more withdrawn than he had ever been. Then the Weasleys arrived. Harry stiffened like a board. Something about the Weasleys had got Harry very upset. Hermione was going to keep her eyes and ears open.
"Harry Potter! I would like a word with you" screeched Molly Weasley. She quickly grabbed his arm and pulled him aside.
"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?" she whispered furiously. "We have been worried about you. Where have you been staying? We know that you left the muggles house shortly after you arrived. You should have stayed until one of us came for you. How could you have missed you own birthday party?" She finally ran out ran out of breath.
"I'm sorry that you were inconvenienced Mrs. Weasley, but I had some things that happened that I had to deal with on my own. As to where I am staying, that too is my business. It's safe from wizards and muggles alike. By the way I didn't appreciate the howler."
Molly Weasley blanched. It was as if Harry knew that they had been paid to pamper him. "I only sent the howler because you refused to communicate with anyone. I simply wanted you to enjoy your birthday with your 'family'."
"I did Mrs. Weasley."
That answer made no sense to her since Harry had no family. She was getting ready to yell some more when the warning whistle from the train sounded and Harry left to board the train. Waving to her children she noted that Harry didn't wave back. In fact he turned his back on her. Something wasn't right. She needed to send a letter right away.
Harry made his way towards the Head's compartment. Ron and Ginny had tried to talk to him but he brushed them off. Hermione was already there when he entered the compartment.
"The prefects will be here in about ten minutes. I have out lined their duties and made a patrol schedule for both the train and the school."
"I'm glad that you did. Any surprises as to who some of the prefects are?"
"We won't know until they get here. Each Head of House chooses their prefects. The Headmistress only gives her approval. I have no idea who the Slytherin prefects will be."
Harry only nodded his head in acknowledgement while staring out the window. The compartment door opened and various prefects filed in. Ron and Ginny arrived and tried to draw Harry into a conversation. He said nothing. Last to arrive was someone that Harry believed that he would never see again. Draco Malfoy.
"Malfoy! What the hell are you doing here!" shouted an angry Harry.
"Why I'm attending the prefects meeting like all good little prefects are required to do. I can understand how the Mudblood got to be Head Girl but you? Head Boy? McGonagall has finally cracked."
Harry took a threatening step towards his arch enemy when Hermione stopped him.
"Gentlemen, we are representing our houses and as such should set an example on how to get along." Both looked at her like she had lost her mind but she ignored them. "Can we please start the meeting now?"
Both nodded their heads yes but continued to watch each other. Hermione quickly explained to the new prefects the rule and procedures. She also set the assignments of patrols for the train ride and for the first month of term. She had made Harry's and hers the last patrol so that they could help the first years.
When the train stopped Harry helped several first years off the train and pointed them in the right direction. To him there seemed more first years than normal. Catching the last carriage to the castle, Harry sat in silence while Hermione and Luna made quiet conversation. Once they reached Hogwarts both Harry and Hermione began directing people into the Great Hall, making sure that no one lingered.
Harry sat down between Neville and Hermione, ignoring the space next to Ron. The redhead looked a little upset at Harry's snub but Harry figured that he deserved it and more. The silent treatment was the least violent thing that he could have done to his 'best friend'.
To everyone's surprise Professor McGonagall led the first years into the Great Hall towards the stool and the sorting hat. The song that the hat sung was similar to the previous year's one. United houses were needed, divided they would fall. But it did say that 'not all was as it seemed'. As soon as the sorting was done Professor McGonagall addressed the school.
"Many of you are aware of Professor Dumbledore's death at the end of last term. We are all saddened at this loss. Dumbledore was a very talented, gifted, and beloved wizard. We are fortunate enough to have known him. He will be missed. But circumstances have taken place that have allowed the return of Professor Snape to the position of Potions professor. Professor Sheffield has graciously accepted the post of Defense Against The Dark Arts professor. I will be remaining as the Transfiguration professor and Head of Gryffindor House. Now let us enjoy the feast."
Harry had lost what appetite he had. Snape, the traitor was back as if nothing had happened. First Malfoy and now Snape. He couldn't stand it anymore. Mumbling an apology to Hermione, Harry stood up and walked out of the Great Hall. All talking stopped as his went out the doors. He made his way to where his room was now located. He was not going to be in the same room as Snape. The man was a murderer and now was allowed back as if nothing had happened. The more Harry thought about it, the angrier he got.
Harry stood in front of the portrait that guarded his room. A pleasant scene was before him in the painting. A picnic scene that had no people present. Harry saw a small snake coiled on a rock.
"Hello" hissed Harry. The snake looked surprised at being addressed in his own language.
"Hello" hissed the snake in return.
"Are you the only one in the painting?"
"No the people went off to visit another painting. They were not expecting you to be here so soon. Is the feast over already?"
"No, I left early. Can I set another password with you? You alone?"
"If you wish. If anyone tries to enter with the regular password they must also give me a password that I will answer to in human as well as snake."
"What is the regular password?"
"Unity."
"Then your password will be 'Betrayal'."
"As you wish" hissed the snake and the painting swung open.
When Harry entered the room, Michael was wide awake. The room was cozy like the Gryffindor tower's common room only smaller. A door led off to reveal his bedroom. Harry noticed two doors off the bedroom. One was the bath. It rivaled the prefect's bath. The other door surprised Harry. It was a nursery for Michael. He looked to the elves for an explanation.
"Hogwarts knows that Harry Potter has a little one now and it wishes to make little Potter happy" said Dobby. Harry returned to his common room and took over feeding Michael. When the elves asked why he was there so early, Harry explained that he left the feast because he was angry that Snape was allowed back in the castle. Both elves understood the anger, but Winky scolded her master for missing his dinner and went to fetch something from the kitchen for him to eat. It wouldn't do for him to get sick and not be able to care for his son.
After putting Michael down for the night, Harry returned to inspect something in his common room that he had noticed earlier. A plaque, with the four house colors, stood above the mantel of the fireplace. Each color seemed to stand out away from the plaque, almost wanting someone to touch it. Curious, Harry touched the red part. It suddenly collapsed into the wall, opening a secret passage behind the bookcase. "Just like in the movies" thought Harry.