The Grand Return

The skies over Hogwarts were an oppressive gray as Harry and his companions approached the castle. Their coordinated outfits—sleek black robes trimmed with silver, accented by matching silver pendants in the shape of a phoenix rising from ashes—gave them an air of undeniable unity and purpose. Together, they looked less like students returning to school and more like a formidable team stepping onto a battlefield.

"Well," Tracey remarked dryly as the imposing towers of the castle came into view, "it doesn't exactly scream 'welcome home,' does it?"

Daphne, always sharp-eyed, nodded toward the castle's windows. "Look at that—no lights in the upper towers. That's not just neglect. It feels...wrong."

Fleur's expression darkened. "The air is heavy. Something is not right."

Harry's eyes narrowed as he stretched his magical senses outward. He inhaled deeply, feeling the sharp tang of foreign magic tainting the wards of the castle. It didn't take long for him to identify the source: Death Eaters, crawling through the hallowed halls like rats in the dark.

"They're inside," Harry said grimly. His voice was calm but carried an edge of fury. "A lot of them. The school's mood reflects the people in it—these bastards are draining Hogwarts of its life."

The group tensed, ready for action. Then, without warning, Harry vanished, leaving a faint ripple of energy in his wake.

In an instant, Harry reappeared in the shadows of a deserted hallway inside the castle. The Death Eaters were spread out, their dark magic permeating the air. Through the telepathy spell he cast earlier, Harry's voice reached his companions' minds.

"There are four clusters of them. Tracey, you take the Astronomy Tower. Daphne, head to the library. Fleur, the dungeons. Hermione, the courtyard. I'm handling the Great Hall and the strongest ones I can sense. Make it quick—no magic that Voldemort can detect."

There was no hesitation, only nods of affirmation before the group moved into action.

The Great Hall was unnervingly silent when Harry entered. Five Death Eaters stood near the staff table, their wands drawn, muttering among themselves. They didn't notice Harry until he was upon them.

With a blur of motion, Harry closed the distance between them. The first Death Eater's wand was snapped in half before he even realized someone was there. Harry's fist connected with the man's chest, sending him flying into the wall with a sickening crunch.

The others turned, but Harry was already on the move. A sharp kick disarmed one, sending her wand clattering to the floor. Another tried to cast a spell, but Harry caught his wrist, twisting it until the wand dropped. The last two barely had time to scream before Harry incapacitated them with swift, brutal efficiency.

Standing amidst the unconscious bodies, Harry surveyed his work with cold satisfaction. He could feel Voldemort's wards stirring faintly—likely triggered by the small amount of magic he'd used in teleporting here—but the response would be too slow. Hogwarts would be purged before the Dark Lord could act.

Elsewhere in the castle, Harry's companions were just as ruthless.

In the Astronomy Tower, Tracey ducked and weaved through spells with snake-like precision, delivering devastating blows that left her opponents crumpled on the floor.

Daphne moved through the library like a ghost, her strikes swift and silent, leaving no trace of the Death Eaters she dispatched save for their unconscious forms.

Fleur's Veela magic radiated an aura of fear in the dungeons, paralyzing her enemies before she dismantled them with precision and grace.

In the courtyard, Hermione's strategic mind and quick reflexes made short work of her targets. Each move was calculated, efficient, and decisive.

Once the final Death Eater fell, Harry reached out through the telepathic link. "It's done. Meet me in the Great Hall."

Moments later, the group reassembled, their expressions steely but triumphant. Harry extended his hand, and with a surge of magic, he summoned every student and teacher in Hogwarts to the Great Hall. The sudden influx of people startled the crowd, but before panic could set in, Harry raised his voice.

"Everyone, listen to me!" he called, his presence commanding immediate attention. "You're safe now. The Death Eaters that infiltrated Hogwarts are gone. They won't return."

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd as realization set in. Professor McGonagall stepped forward, her expression a mix of shock and gratitude. "Mr. Potter...what happened? Where have you been?"

Harry met her gaze with calm determination. "I've been hunting Voldemort's Horcruxes and dismantling his forces. What happened here was just another step toward ending him for good."

The room fell silent as the weight of Harry's words sank in.

Harry continued, his voice steady. "There are two Horcruxes left. I know where they are—or at least where they should be. With your cooperation, we'll destroy them and take the fight to Voldemort himself."

Professor Flitwick stepped forward, nodding. "You have our support, Harry. Tell us what you need."

Harry allowed himself a small smile. "Then we have a lot to do."

As the students and teachers began to organize, Harry and his companions stood together, their bond unshaken.

"Back where it all started," Daphne said softly, her voice carrying a note of nostalgia.

"Not quite," Tracey corrected with a smirk. "We're stronger now. Smarter. Together."

Harry glanced at them, his heart swelling with pride. "We've come too far to fail now."

With that, they turned their focus to the challenges ahead, knowing that their journey was far from over—but their determination burned brighter than ever.