Unofficial Portkey Archive

A/N: Well, my lovely readers, this is the last chapter. I am working on the epilogue/sequel now and will post as soon as I can. Many, many thanks to all my readers and especially my reviewers. If it were possible, I would throw a party for all of you because you have made my day so many times. If anyone's interested, I will begin posting a D/G fic this week called Caught Off Balance.

Chapter Twenty-Five

The next few weeks passed quickly. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had gone home along with Ginny but Ron and Hermione stayed at Grimmauld Place with Harry still training with Remus, Moody, and Tonks. Remus finally taught Harry and Ron how to ride Sirius' motorbike the `normal' way and Harry was able to pass the test to get his license. At night, Remus taught them to ride the motorcycle the magical way performing a Silencing Charm along with a Disillusionment Charm to hide them. Hermione watched the lessons with her heart in her throat and wondered if she'd ever learn to feel comfortable without Harry's feet firmly on the ground. The magical way of riding the motorbike was much easier for Harry to learn-not so many traffic rules or objects to avoid. Hermione and Ron went home a few days before they were to leave for school to spend time with their parents and pack. Remus managed to locate the twin of the mirror that Sirius had given Harry last Christmas and Harry sent it home with Hermione since he could always floo to Ron if he needed to speak with him.

The night before they were to leave for school, Ron, Harry, Hermione, Ginny, and Luna were sitting together in the drawing room after dinner, all but Harry having arrived back at Grimmauld Place that afternoon. Ron and Harry sat on either side of Hermione with their feet propped on the ottoman and their faces to the sky watching the gathering clouds move across the stars. Luna and Ginny sat in the armchairs and chatted with Hermione. Luna had flooed back with the Weasleys as her father had to work on a special issue of The Quibbler the next day and couldn't see her off to the train.

Ron leaned forward to speak to Harry. "Looks like we may be in for some rain."

"Yeah…hope it will be over by tomorrow before we have to leave for the station."

"Yeah…" Ron leaned back and rested his head on the cushions behind him again. "Oi, did y'see that?" A streak of lightning had traveled across the sky briefly brightening the room. "Looks like we'll be in for a little more than rain tonight." A low rumble of thunder sounded for a few seconds and a gust of wind rattled the window.

Ginny shivered. "I hope this one moves through quickly. I don't fancy storms."

"I always like to imagine Thor thundering through the heavens with his chariot, throwing his magical hammer in a burst of lightning and then catching it back in his hand," Luna said comfortingly to Ginny. "My mum told me about him when I was younger and scared in a storm. It still helps sometimes."

Ginny smiled at her as Ron said, "I'd forgotten about that myth. I used to imagine that too when I was younger and a storm came through."

Ron and Luna had grown a bit closer during his days at home but Ron still seemed unsure of his feelings where she was concerned. As usual, Luna appeared to be unconcerned about this and just drifted along normally. At least, normally for Luna.

Ginny and Dean were still corresponding on a regular basis and she had been on pins and needles looking forward to seeing him the next day on the Hogwarts Express. She had confided to Hermione and Luna that she and Dean hadn't shared their first kiss yet and that she was hoping for some "alone" time with him on the train to school.

Hermione and Harry had decided to keep their new relationship private at school and had asked their friends to not let on to anyone that they were a couple. Remus had warned them that the public would very likely be interested in Harry's love life just like before and Hermione was keeping her eyes peeled for any beetles that hung around suspiciously as Rita Skeeter's year of exile from the writing world was over.

Ron yawned then stretched and said, "I'm really tired. How `bout you, Harry?"

"Yeah, I'll be up in a minute," Harry replied glancing sidelong at Hermione then started a bit as lightning flashed again.

Ron looked up. "Bit disconcerting having that going off above your head inside your house. Well, I'm going on up, then," Ron got up and bade them all good night. Ginny and Luna decided to get some sleep as well and went across the hall. Hermione had given up her bed to Luna, volunteering to sleep in Harry's bedroom again since he wasn't using it.

When the others had gone, Hermione snuggled closer to Harry and took his hand in hers. "I missed you," she said softly.

Harry turned to wrap Hermione in his arms and whispered, "I've been waiting to do this for several days now." And he captured her lips with his. After a bit, he shifted her so that she was sitting in his lap. Hermione hummed her approval against Harry's lips and her hands slid up into his hair as his hands crept just under the hem of the back of her shirt. He felt Hermione jump just a little in surprise but then she relaxed back into his embrace as his hands rubbed circles in the small of her back. She moved her lips from his gliding them gently across his face to his ear.

"Harry…" she breathed, "I want to just stay right here."

"Me, too," Harry whispered back, pressing his cheek against Hermione's, his fingers skimming just a bit further up the slight valley in the middle of her back, enjoying it when she shivered. "Do you think they'd miss us at school?"

"Don't care."

Harry snorted and leaned back a bit, his eyebrows raised at Hermione. "Did you just say you don't care about school?"

"Uh oh, now you know how absolutely gone I am over you," she replied with a smile but then grinned mischievously. "So, would you give up Quidditch for me?"

"Well…hmmm, I'll have to think about that," Harry said, feigning deep concentration.

Hermione punched him on the arm.

"Hey!" Harry yelped rubbing his arm just below his shoulder.

"You deserved that…" Hermione said, with a fake pout.

"I was just kidding and you know it. Quidditch is great but I'd rather have you." He gathered her closer in his arms.

Hermione smiled into his hair but then jumped a bit as another bolt of lightning streaked across the sky followed closely by a sharp clap of thunder. They both quickly lifted their faces to the sky above then laughed nervously.

"We'd better get some rest," Hermione sighed, sliding off Harry's lap and standing up.

"Yeah…" Harry stood up. "One more…" He leaned in slowly and gently moved his lips against hers, savoring this last moment. Hermione wound her arms around his neck and pressed herself against him. Harry's hands slid into her hair, gently pulling her head back to deepen the angle of the kiss as their tongues glided around each other's. Their lips and tongues began to move more heatedly against each other and his hands shifted down her back-urging her closer but finding that he couldn't without almost crushing her. He growled in frustration and began to shift them back to the couch. Hermione lowered herself back onto the cushions and Harry followed, now pressing kisses along Hermione's cheek and neck. He could feel Hermione's hands running her fingernails gently up and down his back as he lowered his body onto hers. Their eyes locked and Hermione's lips curved into a smile as she slid her hands in his hair and pulled his head towards hers. He caressed her lips with his slowly until their tongues began to slide languorously together but soon the dance became heated again and swept them both quickly along as lips and hands explored. Mindless with passion, Harry unconsciously began rocking his hips against Hermione. When she moaned his name softly against his lips, clutching at his lower back while pressing her center closer to him, he felt something like an electrical jolt move through his body that took his breath and left him dizzy. When the kiss had ended and with sanity slowly returning, Harry wound his arms under her in an embrace and slid his face so that his cheek pressed against hers.

"Hermione…" he said raggedly, "even after that, I still can't get close enough to you."

He felt her nod as she wrapped her arms around him then heard her whisper, "Yes, I love being with you like this, but I'm not sure I'll ever be close enough to you, either. I've wondered about that. Even later when we…when we make love with each other. I know it'll be wonderful with you but I'm not sure that anything will ever be enough for me where you're concerned."

Harry was sure that he felt an endearing warmness creep into Hermione's cheek as she spoke. He lifted his head a bit to look in her eyes and tried to appear serious as he said, "Well, we can certainly keep trying," but couldn't help himself. His mouth twitched into a grin.

Hermione laughed softly. "I'll hold you to that. But we'd better get up. I don't think the door's locked and I would hate for Mrs. Weasley to walk in on us right now."

Harry grimaced and nodded. "Yeah, then the whole house would think that we'd…" He smiled mischievously down at her then gave her one last gentle kiss. He got up gingerly, held out his hand to Hermione and helped her up, pulling her into his arms.

"I hate that we're not going to get to be together this way so much at school," he grumbled.

"I know. But just think how even more special the times will be when we can." Hermione lifted her eyes to his. "I love you, Harry Potter."

"And I'm so glad you do. I love you, too, Hermione Granger."

~>^<~>^<~>^<~>^<~

The next morning, it was nearing time to leave and for once, most people had gotten up on time, had breakfast, and were pretty much ready to go. This year, Mr. Weasley had been able to get two ministry cars to drive them all to King's Cross Station. Ron, Harry, Hermione, Ginny, and Luna had their trunks along with Hedwig's, Pig's, and Crookshanks' carriers waiting in the entrance hall. Mrs. Weasley was quickly doing one last walk-through to make sure no one left anything.

"Well, it looks like everything's set," she said coming down the stairs from the second floor. "Is Arthur here with the cars yet?"

"He just drove up," Remus replied, turning away from the peephole, as he got ready to help with the luggage. "Tonks and Shacklebolt were right behind him with the other car. Moody's supposed to be meeting us there."

"Good," nodded Molly. "I'm so glad the clouds seem to be breaking up-that was quite a storm last night. Hopefully, it'll stay dry until we can get everybody on the train. I think Bill, Fred, and George were planning on Apparating to the platform so we'll see them there."

They quickly stowed the luggage in the backs of the cars and everyone was preparing to get in. Harry gently placed Hedwig's cage in the back seat of the first car and turned to help Hermione with Crookshanks when he heard Remus calling to him. He looked and saw Remus standing in the doorway holding onto the motorcycle.

"Would you like to go on this?" He asked with a grin.

"Yeah!" Harry returned the grin then looked at Hermione and Ron. "You don't mind, do you?"

"Of course not, but are you sure that's safe?" she said a bit anxiously.

"Nah, mate. Just try not to take out any pedestrians!" Ron said smiling as he climbed in behind Ginny and Luna.

"Honestly, Remus!" Molly said, her hands on her hips. "Is that really a good idea?"

"It'll be okay, Molly. I'll be riding with him and we'll go in between your cars."

"We'll be all right, Hermione. Be right behind you," Harry said softly and gave her a quick kiss. "See you there."

He went quickly to Remus and put the helmet and jacket on while Remus rolled the bike carefully down the steps to the street. Harry looked to make sure everyone was in the cars then closed the front door. He walked over to the bike, slung his leg over the middle and kicked the motor to life. Remus climbed on behind and Harry began to follow the lead car.

It was a relatively short trip to the station but Harry enjoyed every minute of it. He waved at Hermione who had turned around every few seconds to check on them. She nudged Mrs. Weasley who also turned and waved with a grudging smile. Too soon, they arrived at the station. Harry parked close to the cars and he and Remus got off. He removed his helmet and jacket and placed them in the car that Hermione had been in then extracted Hedwig's cage and hurried to where his trunk was sitting on the curb. Moody arrived with some trolleys just then and soon they were making their way through the barrier to the platform where the scarlet engine awaited them.

With about ten minutes to spare, they hurried past the ticket guard who nodded to them as he polished one of the three whistles hanging around his neck with his sleeve. Ron, Harry, and Remus managed to get the trunks stowed in a compartment and came back out to the platform to say their goodbyes. They found Bill, Fred, and George standing with the rest of the group. Bill was congratulating Ginny on being a prefect while Fred and George were pulling horrendous faces behind him, making Ginny laugh.

"Don't worry, Fred and George. I'll send you a toilet seat by owl as soon as I can," Ginny teased.

"Don't you dare, Ginny Weasley," her mother hissed.

"Mum, I was only joking. Good grief!" But she winked at the twins after he mother had looked away.

Mrs. Weasley moved around the circle of people giving out hugs and advice as she went. Remus hugged Harry swiftly and said, "Keep working hard and let me know how things are going. I'm looking forward to having you back at Christmas."

"Thanks, Remus. Take care of Tonks." Harry said, realizing that this was the first time he actually had someplace to look forward to going at Christmas.

Remus smiled and nodded. "I will. You take care of Hermione."

"I'll try but she's the one who usually takes care of me," he said, grinning at Hermione and reaching out to pull her into their hug.

"Best get going, then," Remus said looking at this watch. "Only a few more minutes." He looked up at the sky, which had darkened considerably since they left Grimmauld Place and Harry heard a rumble of thunder in the distance. "Looks like we're in for some more nasty weather," Remus added.

Harry nodded and gave a departing smile. "You may want to get the motorbike home, then. See you soon." He turned and followed the group onto the train and sat next to Hermione in the compartment.

Ron looked out the window to wave to his brothers and sat up suddenly as he noticed them gesturing urgently to him. "I think we forgot one of the trunks-looks like Ginny's!"

Harry jumped up. His scar had begun to prickle just before Ron spoke but before it really registered in his mind, they were hurrying out the door. He quickly followed Ron to the platform. As they bent to pick up the ends of the trunk, Harry noticed that many of the families had already Apparated away likely due to the building storm. Just as they stood, several cracks sounded through the air behind them. Harry turned around quickly to see people in black cloaks with masks on appearing on the platform. Some of the people who were left began Disapparating from what was obviously going to be a bad situation.

"Get down!" Harry yelled. As he went for his wand, he saw the ticket guard running from the side blowing one of the whistles that hung around his neck. What happened next stopped him in his tracks and the world around him seemed to move in slow motion. The Death Eaters stopped too and were staring at the train in spite of themselves. Harry heard the doors on the train compartments begin to lock sounding almost like a drum roll moving down the length of the train. Several of the Death Eaters ran at the train and tried to open the doors but to no avail.

The ticket guard quickly blew a second whistle and the Hogwarts Express began to glow with a red light and Harry thought he heard a faint humming noise. The Death Eaters that had been trying to open the doors were now thrown back from the train and landed on the platform with a noisy thud. They lay still having apparently been rendered unconscious. Harry looked quickly at the remaining Death Eaters who were now looking from the train to their fallen friends in astonishment. He glanced at Ron who was gripping his wand but frozen in place, also gaping at the train. The guard blew his last whistle and the entire train began to rise above the tracks. Harry's attention was caught by Hermione and the others desperately trying to open the compartment door to get out, but with no luck. Their eyes met briefly as the train continued to hover and Harry could see the stricken look in Hermione's eyes as she struggled with different spells trying to break through the charmed locks then resorted to ramming the door with her shoulder. She suddenly disappeared as thought having been jerked back and Neville appeared in the door's window and began throwing himself hopelessly against it.

The train began to move picking up speed much more quickly than usual and this seemed to break everyone out of their reverie. Harry felt people stepping up beside him and knew that Remus and the others were preparing to fight. Lucius Malfoy threw the first spell at Harry who immediately shouted, "Protego!" and was pleased to see the rebounded curse fly directly back at the bastard who'd sent it. Malfoy fell backward almost comically in his haste to avoid the red jet of light. Other curses and hexes were flying colorfully through the air now as the Light fought the Dark. Harry heard a bang to his right and turned to see parts of Moody's wooden leg flying in all directions apparently having been hit by a Reducto curse from Bellatrix Lestrange. Harry sprinted across to shield Mad Eye who had ended up in a heap on the platform was struggling to shift his body into a better position so that he could continue the fight from where he had fallen.

"Get out of the way, boy!" Moody bellowed.

"No!" Harry yelled back, training his wand on Bellatrix whose eyes were alight with a kind of frenzied anticipation. "Can you get to the trunk over there?"

"Yes!"

Harry felt Mad Eye moving behind his legs and side stepped a little at a time to keep in front of him. He could hear Fred and George yelling to Bill to get their mum off the platform. Lupin and Tonks were also shouting in the background. Harry wondered fleetingly about Ron…

"So, Potter," came Bellatrix's voice from behind her mask as she kept her wand pointed at his face. "Still rescuing, I see. Care to take up our little duel where we left off last time?"

"If you're ready, then so am I," Harry responded coolly, trying to maintain control of his emotions.

"But little Harry," Bellatrix taunted in her nasty voice, "there's no Dumbledore to save you now…whatever will you do?"

Harry felt the side of his leg collide lightly with Ginny's trunk and knew that Mad Eye was now in a safer position behind it. Jets of light were still streaking around the platform but from the corner of his eye he saw two Death Eaters lying face down on the concrete and confidence swelled inside him. He stepped away from Moody.

"I guess we'll just have to find out, won't we?" Harry answered in a deadly calm voice but then bellowed, "Chordateah!" as he flung his wand at her.

Bellatrix disappeared before the spell reached her and Harry knew a moment of panic. He suddenly heard her voice behind him begin to speak a curse but before Bellatrix could finish the incantation, she was hit by a white jet of light and fell to the platform. Harry's eyes shot in the direction the spell had come from and saw Mad Eye grinning maniacally using the Ginny's trunk for leverage as he got to his feet, his wooden leg apparently fixed with a Reparo charm.

"Thanks!" Harry grinned back then quickly turned around to see how the rest of the Order were doing and heard a combined shout of "Chordateah!"

"Lucius Disapparated!" Remus bellowed from the other side of the platform. "I couldn't stop him. Let's get these others bound before they come to."

Harry turned to help when his eyes fell on a sight that nearly caused him to lose his legs. Fred and George were kneeling next to a body on the edge of the platform.

"RON!" Harry yelled sprinting over to the brothers then threw himself on the ground beside them. "Ron-"

"Harry! It's all right!" George said quickly turning to Harry. "He's only stunned."

"Thank God Bill Disapparated with mum, though," Fred said fervently. "She'd've had a cat if she'd seen that!"

Harry felt a huge wave of relief roll dizzily through him. In a few seconds, Ron started to stir then tried to sit up quickly but Fred and George quickly reassured him that the fight was over.

"Going to be all right, mate?" Harry asked.

"In a bit…" Ron tried to smile but it turned into a grimace.

Harry looked over his shoulder as a shadow fell across the group.

"Is he okay?" Lupin asked quickly.

They nodded. "Just stunned-some bastard attacked him from behind," Fred replied. "He'll be good as new in a moment."

"Speak for yourself…" Ron muttered rubbing the back of his head where it had hit the concrete.

"Here," said Lupin as he waved his wand over Ron's head and muttered an incantation. "That better?"

A smile broke over Ron's face. "Loads…thanks, Remus."

Remus turned to the other three. "Looks like we've got Rodolphus, Rabastan, and Bellatrix Lestrange along with Rookwood tied up over there. Malfoy got away. Tonks is contacting the Ministry and I'm sure Dumbledore will be here any second."

In a few moments Harry stood as he heard the rustling of cloaks and Aurors began Apparating to the platform to take custody of the Death Eaters. He then saw the unmistakable form of Dumbledore as he too, appeared not far from Harry. He went to the ticket guard first and as Harry walked to Dumbledore, he could hear him congratulating the guard on his quick thinking that had gotten the Hogwarts students out of harm's way.

"Professor Dumbledore," Harry said.

Dumbledore turned quickly. "Harry! Everyone all right?"

"Ron was stunned but I think he's better now. Everyone else seems fine but Lucius Malfoy escaped."

"I'm just glad everyone's safe."

"Er, Professor, there's just one problem." Harry looked around to the empty train tracks. "How will Ron and I get back to school? And Ginny's trunk?"

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Yes, that thought had crossed my mind as well. I could just create a Portkey but I think I've come up with a better idea. If you'll wait while I speak with Remus?"

Harry nodded and walked back to where Ron was squirming in the embrace of a sobbing Mrs. Weasley.

"Mum! I'm all right!" Ron said, awkwardly patting her on the back. Fred and George were standing nearby in conversation with Bill. They stopped as Harry approached.

"So how're you getting back to school?" Fred asked.

Harry shrugged. "Dunno…Dumbledore's talking with Remus about something. I guess he'll be over soon to let us know." He glanced at the sky and was surprised to find that the leaden storm clouds had apparently abated and fluffier white clouds now drifted in their place.

Just then Dumbledore and Remus joined the group. Harry could tell Remus was trying to suppress a grin and wondered why. Ron and Mrs. Weasley joined them.

"It seems we have the slight problem of how to get Harry and Ron back to school since the Hogwarts Express is well on its way already," Dumbledore began, his eyes twinkling merrily. "I will send Ginny's trunk by floo but I think I've come up with a better idea for Harry and Ron." He turned to the boys. "I understand Sirius' motorbike is parked outside the train station."

Harry nodded, puzzled, but then his eyes widened in dawning comprehension. He looked at Ron and a grin spread across Harry's face as he saw Ron realize the purpose of Dumbledore's statement.

"No way…" Ron whispered grinning back as Mrs. Weasley's brow furrowed in confusion at this exchange.

"How would you like to go back to school on Sirius' motorcycle?" Lupin asked Ron and Harry with a grin to match theirs.

"YES!" They chorused.

"Cool!" said Fred and George.

"No!" Mrs. Weasley had a thunderous look on her face. "Absolutely not!"

"Mum, please!" Ron said, his face scrunching up a bit as he pleaded.

"Molly, Shacklebolt and I will be escorting them on brooms," Remus said quickly. "We'll use both a Silencing and Disillusionment Charm for the bike. We can follow the railroad tracks-everything'll be okay. Really."

Mrs. Weasley looked at Dumbledore who nodded at her encouragingly.

"Well, all right, then, if Remus and Kingsley will be with them the whole way." Molly said resignedly.

Ron and Harry grinned at each other again barely containing their excitement.

"Ron will need a jacket and a helmet." Mrs. Weasley said firmly.

"No problem. He can borrow my helmet," Remus replied.

The twins looked at each other then turned to the rest of the group. "Hang on just a bit. We'll be right back," They said and Apparated away with a crack!

In just a moment they were back with a parcel wrapped in brown paper. "This was supposed to be for you for Christmas, Ron," Fred said and George continued, "But now's as good a time as any, so Happy early Christmas." And he handed Ron the package.

Ron opened it and lifted out a black leather dragonhide jacket. "Wow…thanks!" He said looking up at the twins with a silly grin on his face. "Perfect!" And he gave them each a hearty thump on the back before he swung the jacket over his shoulders and put his arms in the sleeves.

Harry heard a noise behind him and looked to see Shacklebolt and Tonks coming through the barrier with the motorbike, helmets and Harry's jacket. Tonks reached under her cloak and brought out two brooms, which she handed to Remus.

"Be careful, okay?" Tonks whispered to Remus and he smiled gently as he nodded to her.

Soon they were on their way following the tracks but there was no sign of the Hogwarts Express. The tidy fields below with their neat hedgerows gave way to wilder countryside and soon rolling hills began to grow into mountains as the sun began to make it's way to the horizon.

"They must've made really good time today," Ron said craning his neck trying to catch sight of the red engine.

Harry nodded. "The train left the station pretty quickly. Wonder if they went faster than usual today because of what happened?"

The sun was beginning to sink below the mountains as Harry and Ron finally caught a glimpse of Hogwarts. The black carriages appeared to have just rolled to a stop in front of the castle. Harry turned and saw Kingsley and Remus had become visible again. Harry removed the Disillusionment and Silencing charms and the sound of the motorbike suddenly roared in their ears. The students began scrambling out of the carriages. At the sound of the engine, their heads jerked skyward. As they saw the black motorcycle begin to descend to the ground some of them began backing away in fear, some turned and ran for the castle.

Harry began to scan the crowds for Hermione but then had to turn his attention back to the motorcycle to land it. They touched down and Harry swiftly brought them to a stop, quickly putting out the kickstand and swinging his body off after Ron. He looked up at the students again, some of whom had drawn their wands, and saw Hermione running full out across the grass at him, with Ginny, Luna, and Neville not far behind. Harry tore off his helmet and ran to meet her, lifting her into his arms.

"You're alright!" she sobbed into his shoulder. "You're alright!"

Harry put her down gently and leaned his forehead against hers. "I'm fine, Hermione. We're all fine."

Hermione wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "I was so frightened all the way here…you have no idea." Her voice hitched a bit. "No one had any idea what had happened-no one knew anything. I thought…I hoped…oh, Harry, I just had to stand there and watch. I couldn't get to you. It was horrible!" She sobbed against him.

Harry folded her in his arms. "Everything's okay now." He kissed her cheek and then his lips found their way to hers. Hermione responded to his lips with the fervent emotions brought by six hours of terrible uncertainty. Harry heard gasps and suddenly remembered they were not alone. He looked up in time to see Ron and Luna in a passionate embrace just before they, too, realized they had an audience. Most of the students were now smiling, some were clapping and a few wolf whistles were heard. Harry saw the smirks on some of the familiar Slytherin faces but he didn't care one bit. He looked back at Hermione and knew that he had exactly what he wanted.

"Well, so much for keeping our relationship to ourselves," Harry grinned quietly.

"Hmm, well, it's all for the best, I guess," Hermione returned his smile. "I think I'm going to like people knowing we're together."

"You're sure you want to be known as my girlfriend?"

Hermione playfully batted his arm. "Or maybe you'll be known as my boyfriend."

"I don't care how other people see us just as long as I'm with you." Harry smiled down at her then turned toward the bike. "I guess I'll take this to Hagrid's hut. He can put it where he hid it before, for the time being, I guess." They both walked the motorcycle to the small wooden house and Harry parked it by Hagrid's front door. He'd let Hagrid know what he'd done at the feast.

Harry and Hermione turned and began to walk hand in hand up the grounds, taking a good look at the castle for the first time this year. Memories of the last time he'd seen it rushed through his head. Sirius' death had been so close then-would always be in some ways. Other memories of the end of fifth year and the summer ran through his mind like a mountain stream. So many changes. These thoughts threatened to overwhelm him so he mentally shook it off and concentrated on the here and now. Harry turned to smile again at Hermione and felt her squeeze his hand as they walked up the stone steps to the large wooden doors that opened to the Entrance Hall.

"Ready?" She whispered, looking up at him with anticipation shining in her eyes.

Harry smiled at her and nodded as they walked through the huge oak doors together. They had been through so much since the last time they walked through these doors. Beginnings and endings. Tears and laughter. Terrible sadness and unmatched joy. And all the places in between.

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