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Chapter 10 - September 1^st Part One

Normally the morning of the 1^st of September meant one thing to Harry.

Chaos.

Complete and utter chaos to be exact, but thanks to the fact that Hermione had insisted that they all packed their trunks the previous night it was a lot less frantic than usual (Although Harry had a suspicion this might also have something to do with the fact the twins weren't about to just `help things along'). The only real problems occurred after breakfast when it came to round up the various pets and whilst Hedwig went into her cage and Crookshanks into his carrier without any problems the other three animals weren't so co-operative. In took Harry's seeker skills to capture Pig who just wanted to whiz around chirping madly whilst Hermione, Ginny and Luna took nearly half an hour to coax Smudge out from under Ginny's bed.

And then of course there was Trevor who'd escaped from his container overnight and had to be tracked down again. Luckily Trevor had merely decided to relocate to the slightly damper atmosphere of an old wardrobe that resided in one of the bedrooms not being used and was easily recaptured and returned to his container which Hermione then secured with a sealing spell which would keep the wayward toad secure until they reached Hogwarts.

With all the animals now secured they and the trunks were transported downstairs just as the cars from the Ministry arrived along with Bill and Kingsley.

"Alright you lot, let's go," said Bill with a grin whilst Kingsley stayed outside and kept watch. Harry and the others all now carried their trunks outside where the drivers took them and loaded them into the cars. Tonks, Charlie, Luna, Ginny and Neville climbed into the first one whilst Mr and Mrs Weasley, Bill, Ron and Hermione got into the second one. Harry was about to join his girlfriend and best friend when he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Kingsley grinning at him.

"Hang on a sec Harry," said the Auror before turning to look at the others in the car. "Mind if I have a word with Harry Arthur?"

"Not at all," said Arthur. "We've got plenty of time." Kingsley now nodded and then led Harry away from the cars until they were out of earshot. Harry could now see Hermione and Ron looking out the back window at him with curious expressions before he turned to see Kingsley reaching into his robes and then pulling out a small bundle, which he handed to Harry. "This arrived from Remus this morning."

"You've heard from him?" said Harry looking up from the package. "I only got a brief letter from him just after I got back to Privett Drive telling me he had to go away for a few weeks but he didn't say where!"

"Well I guess he didn't want to worry you too much seeing as what had happened," said Kingsley with a grim smile. "Fact is he's been at Azkaban since a week after the battle."

"Azkaban?" cried Harry in alarm. "What's he doing there?"

"SSShhhh!" hissed Kingsley quickly glancing towards the cars worried that Molly might come over and start her usual fretting! Harry meanwhile grimaced and looked at Kingsley sheepishly.

"Sorry," he murmured. "It's just…well it was just a bit of a shock that's all! What is he doing there though?"

"Well with the Dementors gone we needed to put some guards on Azkaban and so Remus volunteered along with thirty or so Aurors," explained Kingsley. "Whatsmore, seeing as I'm Head of the Aurors I made him Chief Warder!"

Here Harry couldn't help but grin. Kingsley's decision to make Remus, a half-blood who also happened to be a Werewolf, the Chief Warder was a deliberate insult to Lucius Malfoy and the other pure-blood Death Eaters. Then however a slightly trouble look crossed his face.

"But what about the Dementors? Isn't Voldermort going to use them to get Lucius and the others out of there?"

"Oh, you can count on it!" said Kingsley with a snort. "And we know when that happens we won't be able to stop him but we're not going to make it easy for him either. Remus's main job is to oversee the re-enforcing of the Anti-apparition and Anti-portkey wards. Once they've done that the only way to get off the Island will be by boat and seeing as Remus and the guards will be taking the last boat when they leave the only way off will be for either Lucius and his cronies to spend a month at least using wandless magic to break the wards or to swim at least five miles until their out of the range of the wards!"

Here Harry gave a chuckle at the thought of Lucius Malfoy having to swim to escape whilst Kingsley cast a look toward the cars.

"Come on," he said resting a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Time we get you back to Hogwarts." The two now made their way back over to the cars and Harry now climbed in beside Hermione, who along with Ron looked at Harry curiously whilst Kingsley turned to Mr and Mrs Weasley.

"Now remember Arthur, you and Molly…"

"Can't go through to the platform," said Mr Weasley with a nod. "I know Kingsley."

"Good," said Kingsley before turning to the three teenagers. "Well, have a good term you three!"

"Thanks Kingsley," said Harry. The Auror merely grinned and gave a wink before closing the door.

"What was all that about?" asked Ron with a frown while Hermione looked at him curiously.

"I'll tell you later," said Harry quietly nodding towards Mrs Weasley who was sitting in front of the trio with her husband. Hermione and Ron both nodded back and the three settled back as the cars moved off and out of Grimmauld Place.

***

The journey to Kings Cross was uneventful in itself although as they pulled up outside the Station Harry and Hermione shared an excited smile and soon the trio along with Ginny, Luna and Neville where pushing their trunks down Platform 9 until they came to the pillar that lead to Platform 9