The Way Home

19th June 1992

The Great Hall

The End-of-the-Year feast was just as lavish as the one at the beginning of the term. The Great Hall was decked out in Gryffindor colours of scarlet and gold. A huge banner showing the Gryffindor lion covered the wall behind the High Table. Since in this timeline, Gryffindor didn't lose 150 points because of the Dragon dilemma, and won the final match because Harry wasn't lying comatose in the infirmary, the lions were in the lead for the House Cup for the first time in 6 years.

I had asked Dumbledore not to award us any last minute points for the whole debacle with Quirrel. Even though it was supposed to be a secret, somehow the entire school knew some version of what had happened. My money was on the ghosts blabbing. Even death cannot cure some people from the affliction of gossip. Getting publically rewarded for breaking rules would set a bad precedent and encourage further reckless behaviour.

Soon Dumbledore arrived and all the chatter died down. "Another year gone!" The headmaster said cheerfully. "And I must trouble you with an old man's wheezing waffle before we sink our teeth into our delicious feast. What a year it has been! Hopefully, your heads are all a little fuller than they were...you have the entire summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts..."

"Now, as I understand it, the House Cup here needs awarding, and the points stand thus: In fourth place, Hufflepuff with 382 points; In third, Ravenclaw with 475 points; Slytherin has 481 and with 486 points, Gryffindor wins the House Cup!"

Yeah, Hermione and I earned a lot of points for Ravenclaw this year, not that I cared. Professor Snape looked like he was in physical pain as he shook McGonagall's hand to congratulate her. The noise in the Great Hall was deafening as not just Gryffindor, but even Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff celebrated the downfall of the Slytherins.

I don't really hate Snape for favouring the Slytherins over the rest of the students. From my point of view, he's just defending his flock. There was always a stigma against Slytherin because of Salazar leaving the castle. But, due to the actions of the previous generation of Slytherins, the recent atmosphere of the school is very hostile to everyone in the House.

And that's not fair, because these children have done nothing wrong. Many of these 11 year olds must have come with hopes of making friends and having fun. Only for those dreams to be crushed when kids of the other houses gave them the cold shoulder because 'Slytherins are evil'. Worse, even the teachers subconsciously label them as the 'problem students' because of their own losses in the war at the hands of Death Eaters, who were mostly Slytherins.

11 year old kids aren't evil, but they are impressionable. Faced with derision from classmates, bullying from seniors (who like to prank firsties) and indifference from teachers, it's no wonder that most of them develop a similar antagonistic attitude towards the other 3 houses. Thus furthering the great divide in school and society. Hopefully in the coming year, I will be able to do something about it.

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20th June 1992

Hogwarts Express

Soon it was time to say goodbye to the castle for the summer holidays. Our packed trunks were left for the house elves to put in the train, while we went down to the fleet of boats to return to Hogsmeade, thus completing the symbolic journey of our first year. Just like months before, Harry, Hermione, Neville and I shared a compartment. The only difference was instead of strangers, we were now friends.

"I can't believe our first year is over just like that," Hermione said, looking out the window at the fields passing by.

"You know what they say: time flies when you're having fun, or solving puzzles to fight evil Dark Lords," I replied, looking up from 'Dragon Breeding for Pleasure and Profit' by Herbert McDuff. It was quite an interesting read; might come in handy if I acquire a dragon someday.

"Speaking of evil Dark Lords," started Harry, "Are you sure Voldemort will be really taken care of? He's not coming back, is he?"

"Well, nothing's ever truly certain, is it? However, if there are no unexpected developments, then yes, within 2 years Voldemort will be well and truly gone." I assured him.

"That's good," he said, going back to playing Exploding Snap with Neville.

"By the way, I couldn't find any books on Occlumency in the library, so I asked Professor Flitwick. He give me a brief summary. Does it really take months of practice to achieve the first step on your own? asked Hermione.

"Without any proper books or guidance, yes." I said. "The first step is to clear your mind before going to sleep every night. It takes time and practice. No other way about it."

"Is that what you did?" she asked.

"No, I didn't want to waste so much time and effort. So I made these," I said, pointing to my glasses. "These are enchanted with farsight, magnification, night vision and Magesight. Also they have this nifty little effect of scrambling any legilimency probes directed towards my eyes, thus protecting my mind."

"Blimey, that's amazing!" exclaimed Neville. "What's Magesight, though?"

"A spell that allows you to see the flow of different magical particles and their interactions." I answered.

"Wait a minute!" said Hermione after a while with a thoughtful expression. "Is this how you have been doing so well in potions? Because you could see how the ingredients reacted to one another and made adjustments accordingly?" she said, instantly connecting the dots.

"Got it in one, Hermione," I said, with a little smirk. It was fun watching her go spare in potions, trying to figure out how I always knew what to do.

"How could you?!" she started fake-hitting me on the shoulder. "That's it! You're making me one of these before school starts," she said, crossing her arms with a determined expression. "And that's non-negotiable."

"Fine, fine," I said, raising my hands in mock surrender. "I'll have them ready by the time we meet again. Happy?"

"I'm not unhappy," she said imperiously.

"Well maybe this will make you happy." I said, getting up and taking out four small diaries from my trunk. I handed one to each of them.

"Er....thanks, I guess? What is it?" Harry asked, opening the diary and finding it empty. Neville and Hermione were similarly confused.

"Let me show you!" I said, opening my own and writing 'To All' above the margin, followed by 'Hello There!' in the line below. I then tapped the 'Date' portion on the upper corner of the page and watched with satisfaction as my greeting disappeared. Their gasps told me that they had received my message.

"Introducing 'Messenger Diaries', the answer to letter delays," I said, theatrically holding up the diary. "These diaries are linked with Spatial Magic. To send a message, write the name of the person on top, or 'to all' if it's a general message, write your message in the lines below, and then tap the 'Date' on the upper corner of the page. Your message will be sent instantly. Go on, try it."

They looked disbelievingly at me for a while, before they started writing messages to one another.

"Ben, this is brilliant," praised Hermione. "Now I don't have to worry about not being able to contact any of you because I don't have an owl."

"This is amazing, Ben." Neville commented. "Now I can talk to you guys anytime I want, and not just send a letter and wait for days."

"Thank you. And don't mention it, I'm actually working on something even better. It'll just take a little more time. In the meanwhile, these will do." I said.

We replaced our school uniforms with jackets and coats and soon the train arrived at platform 9 3/4. Even through the chaos that was a couple of hundred students disembarking from the train, we managed to stick together. Once our trunks were loaded into a trolley each, we set off to the apparation point on the station.

"Hello, Neville," Madam Augusta Longbottom greeted her grandson.

"Hi, Gran!" Neville beamed.

"Mr Carter, Mr Potter, Ms Granger," Madam Longbottom inclined her head. "I trust your year went well."

"Yes, thank you," Hermione replied.

"Indeed," answered Harry.

"It's nice to meet you, madam," I said.

"Well, have a great holiday, guys. I'll send you a message in a couple of days," said Neville.

"You too, Neville," said Harry.

Hermione and I both wished him well and soon it was just the three of us.

Together, we went through the barrier that separated the magical world from the muggle side of King's Cross station.

"Look, Mum, there he is, there he is! Harry Potter!" a squeal spun us around.

It was Ginny Weasley, standing there with the rest of her family. Curiously, my parents were with them, and Rachel was standing beside Ginny.

"Be quiet, Ginny, and it's rude to point." gently rebuked Mrs Weasley.

We made our way to them as Rachel rushed forward and hugged me. I gave out a short laugh as I returned my sister's enthusiastic greeting.

"Hello there, buttercup," I said to the little rascal, breaking the hug and greeting mom, while Harry shook hands with Dad.

"And you must be Hermione," mum said, shaking her hand. "Ben's told us so much about you. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too, ma'am." Hermione said.

"Hello, Mrs Weasley," I greeted her. "Thanks for the fudge and the sweater. That was really nice of you."

"Oh, it was nothing, dear." she replied with a kind smile.

"Ready, are you?"

I spun around to see Vernon Dursley, standing there looking furious for some reason. He must've spotted Harry and came forward to make his presence known. Behind him were Petunia and Dudley Dursley, who were looking terrified at the large number of witches and wizards.

I turned to Harry, who looked resigned to his fate. Well, time for him to receive his reward for being a hero.

"Actually no, he's not." I said to Vernon. "He's not going back with you today. In fact, he's never going back to your place." I informed the shocked Dursleys.

"Ben?" sounded a very surprised Harry.

"I talked to Dumbledore," I said, turning to him. "We both agreed, now that Tom wasn't a problem anymore, there was no reason for you to stay in Privet Drive." I explained.

Harry looked too shocked for words. I continued, "But you did need a place to stay for the holidays. So with my parents' permission, I offered mine. What do you say?" I asked with a smile.

For a moment, he just looked at me with wide eyes, before he rushed forward and captured me in a bone-crushing hug. Oh my, did I just get the first hug Harry ever gave out on his own. Imagine that!

"Thank you, thank you...." he kept saying.

I patted his back and we separated. He turned to my parents to thank them, but mom just hugged him next. Hermione and the Weasleys were looking on with happy smiles. Finally, we turned to the Dursleys.

Vernon had been struck speechless by the news, as had Petunia and Dudley. Slowly, the gears in his brain started working again.

"Well, this is goodbye then, boy." he said, swinging his right arm upward to shake Harry's hand. Harry gave it a brief shake, and then without another word, the Dursleys made their way to their car.

Everyone stood flummoxed at this unusual farewell. Finally, the Weasley twins broke the spell.

"Well, have a great summer, you all," said Fred (or George).

"Make sure you get into lots of trouble," continued George.

A whack on the back of his head from his mother saw him change his tune. "I mean, make sure that you don't do anything we wouldn't do."

A second whack changed his advice once more. "Be good, you all."

We laughed at their antics, before saying goodbye to the Weasleys.

Hermione then made a beeline for a slim woman who looked like an older version of her daughter, and a tall man with thinning hair. After greeting them, she introduced us to her parents. Soon, we exited the station and made our way to the car. Harry was surprised by the spacious interior, but I explained it had the same expansion charms as our trunks.

An hour later, we were standing in front of Carter residence. Mum and Rachel went inside first, while Dad began levitating our trunks. The car was automatically entering the garage when Teddy came bounding outside and give me a sloppy welcome. I greeted my old friend, and looked at Harry, who was staring at the house with a disbelieving expression. I rose up from the ground and patted Harry on the shoulder as he looked at me.

"Welcome home, Harry."