When the Roses Bloom Again by TheBlack'sResurgence

Chapter 24

To Familiar Shores

It had been less than half a year ago that he'd left the castle, but as he looked up at the building he had first called home, it was a bittersweetness that filled him. Here, he had met Ron, Hermione, and many other people who were a part of some of his happier memories, but there were so many unpleasant ones to go along with them.

He had been only a small boy, defenceless, and clueless to how the world worked when he had first crossed the threshold into Hogwarts, and his years here had been full of suffering.

Harry found it almost laughable that he'd had to travel back over sixty years in time to enjoy two relatively peaceful years of schooling here. Though they had not been without incident or trial through his own endeavours, they had been his easiest years at Hogwarts, and that alone saddened him.

Yes, he had met other friends, had even connected with his family, but feeling so maudlin about the life he had been born into was not what he wanted.

Things had been bad, but there were good times, just so few of them.

Shaking his head of his musings, he entered the castle, the warmth within a welcome change from the chill of the November air.

He'd arrived late enough that the students would be in their common rooms, but not so late that the hour was indecent.

The headmaster was expecting him, so he headed in the direction of Dippet's office, simply enjoying not wearing a disguise as he had to whilst working.

"He knows that I am coming," he explained to the gargoyle who sprung aside to allow him entry.

Reaching the top of the staircase, he knocked and waited to be bid entry.

"Come in," the familiar voice of Professor Dippet called.

Harry had barely crossed half the room before the headmaster reached him, an expression of relief adorning his features.

"It's good to see you, Harry," Dippet declared.

"And you, Professor," Harry returned sincerely.

He had grown to respect the man before him. Armando Dippet had proven to be one of the few genuine people Harry had met, and he had come to value his dedication to his students.

It had been Dippet who had tutored him when Harry had first arrived, and the younger man would never forget all that had been done for him.

"Well, you don't seem to be missing any limbs, or any worse for wear," the headmaster chuckled.

"Not yet at least," another familiar voice spoke.

Peering over Dippet's shoulder, Harry was greeted by the sight of the woman that had mentored him, her arms folded and a single eyebrow raised in his direction.

"Professor Nott," Harry said with a grin.

The woman hummed as she approached, and much to his surprise, pulled him into her arms.

"What kind of trouble have you been getting yourself into Harry?" she sighed.

"What do you mean?"