About Harry

Chapter 27 - I'm leaving England, for good.

Harry left his chair letting Sunrise down. He was ready to go for what would have been a very difficult visit.

Hermione had given the last touch to his face to make sure the incantation was going to last as long as possible and there was nothing else to be done but going to Hogwarts. The anonymity was indispensable. He couldn't run the risk to be recognised, only the thought filled him with dread.

It was already days he was hardening his mind against this task that was surely going to be challenging; Albus reminding him of Ginny in every feature and James in his endeavours to punish him for her death.

Once in front of the Hogwarts' gate he was debating on how to make his presence noticed. A Patronus was the best solution but addressing it to McGonagall there was the risk of announcing himself in front of some other people other than her and he couldn't take the chance. Pondering on how to work around the problem, he took his wand from the pocket.

He smirked as an idea was taking form, steadied his arm, concentrated every thought on the feeling of embracing his daughter again and, before he was aware, a huge silvery phoenix was shooting out from his wand in a powerful dart. Flapping energetically her long and graceful wings was soon out of sight.

Only a few days before he wouldn't have been able to cast one, perhaps he wouldn't have been able to cast any magic at all.

As he was opening to the fact that his Patronus hadn't changed shape again despite he had had strong emotions enough, the caretaker, a middle-aged man slightly limping, appeared. He told him he needed to speak with the headmistress.

'Who do I have to announce?' he asked with a gravelly voice.

'Romulus Lupin' he said stern on the outside and sniggering in the inside.

Only a few minutes later he was sitting in her office, all the portraits were looking enquiringly at him who hadn't opened his mouth, only Dumbledore had evidently recognised him as smiled and winked as soon as he went in, but they didn't exchange a word.

McGonagall stormed in the office seconds later flushed and raging madly.

'If this is a joke, it's not funny! I won't allow this lack of respect' boomed once inside.

'Who are you?' she added eyeing him suspiciously, her hand ready close to the folding of her cloak, to grasp her wand.

'It's me professor' he simply said standing up. His voice hadn't changed unlike his appearance.

'P-P-Potter?' she stammered, the colour draining fast from her face.

Harry nodded as the portraits around the room whispered excitedly, all besides Dumbledore who was still smiling serenely.

She gaped and didn't move for a second. Then her eyes filled with tears, she walked swiftly toward him and pinned him tightly in her arms.

Harry was so taken aback that for a moment stood still, stunned, incapable to move. Then, touched by this unexpected outburst of emotion from a woman usually so severe and composed, returned the hug feeling more than ever how difficult it was going to be to say goodbye to all those people who in the course of his life had showed him a sincere affection.

When McGonagall broke the hug up, she tapped her tears composedly with a handkerchief tugged from an invisible pocket in her robe.

'I'm sorry Potter' she mumbled returning to her severe self in a blink, turning around the desk and sitting on her chair only slightly sniffing, her eyes rimmed red.

The portraits in front of this excess had been brought to silence, all gawking round eyes.

'It's quite all right, professor'.