Chapter 6
The prophecy had been fulfilled. Voldemort was gone forever. There were celebrations all around the wizarding world. The Daily Prophet wanted an interview with Harry but he refused. However he said Hermione deserved more credit than him for being the greatest friend any person had ever had. Hogwarts held a huge formal reception for Harry and Hermione. Everybody enjoyed themselves. Before they knew it the term was finished. All Harry's housemates and friends had passed their examinations with flying colours. Since Voldemort was no longer alive Harry wondered if it was necessary for him to stay with the Dusleys. Dumbledore said that he should stay at least till the first week of August since this would be the last time he would be staying with them. Harry didn't mind this too much. On the thirty first of July he would be turning seventeen so he would be able too use magic. In fact he looked forward to having some fun with Dudley.
The day had come. It was Harry's seventeenth birthday. As usual the Dursleys didn't remember it. As he went down his aunt asked him to cook breakfast. Soon there were noises of pots and pans from the kitchen. All the three Dursleys rushed to the kitchen. On the table they saw a breakfast fit enough for a king.
"What! How did you do this?" shouted Uncle Vernon.
"Like this", said Harry waving his wand towards an ashtray which instantly turned into a big bowl of porridge. Uncle Vernon blinked. Aunt Petunia whispered in his ears that it was Harry's seventeenth birthday and he could use magic. Dudley however rushed to the table to grab a chocolate pastry.
"Don't touch any of that", screamed Aunt Petunia. Dudley dropped the pastry to the floor. The Dursleys were at loss to what to say to Harry. Treating him badly would only lead to disaster while treating him well would be against their principles. Harry sensed their dilemma.
"You are lucky that I'm here only for another week. But in that week you'll do as I say or there will be trouble. I don't think it'll be a good enough compensation for eleven years but that's okay. Since you don't like the breakfast I prepared so Dudley could you prepare some bacon and eggs", he asked looking away. Aunt Petunia went towards the fridge, but Harry stopped Harry.
"If you didn't hear me I asked Dudley to make breakfast", he said loudly. Dudley burned the bacon while frying. Harry made him redo it again and again till he got it right. The following week passed like this. Harry was the king. He usually never took advantage of his powers. But he had to pay back Dudley for ruining his childhood. He spared his uncle and aunt since they were elders. On the eighth of August he bid them goodbye for the final time and set off for The Burrow where he would be spending the rest of the summer. Hermione and Luna would also be coming.
The holidays passed happily at The Burrow. They spent a lot of time playing quidditch. Even Hermione and Luna had their started playing since they were the only ones left out. It became a routine that every evening they would have a match where `Harry's team' took on `Ron's team'. Ginny got her OWLs results in which she did very well. Harry and Hermione filled their auror training forms. They had to be submitted a year in advance. Mr. Weasley had kindly agreed to help them with the process.
The day had arrived for them to head back to Hogwarts for the final time. It seemed only yesterday that they were eleven year olds trying to find an empty cabin in the Hogwarts Express. Ron and Luna were sitting together which left Harry and Hermione in a cabin alone. They started chatting.
"So Harry your love life seems stagnant for a long time", said Hermione in an attempt to tease him.
"So what!! I'm not dying for any girl. After killing Voldemort I've had plenty of offers but I don't think I could love any of them", he replied.
"If you go on like this you'll be eighty by the time you choose someone", she said laughing.
"What is the problem in that? I'll always have you. Didn't you say that you'd be my shadow?" he replied.
"Me??" asked Hermione confused.
"Yes. What else does a person need when they have a friend like you", he said hiding a laugh.
Hermione understood. She continued, "That's not the point Harry. I was asking about you love life. You cleverly avoided the question".
"Being in love is a totally different feeling Hermione. I can't describe it to you here. I haven't had that feeling for anyone", said Harry.
"Hmm…Being in love…So what happens then?" she asked.
Harry thought for a while before replying, "I don't know Hermione. Something Happens When You Are In Love".
Just then there was a knock at the door. It didn't wait for them to reply. The door opened and there stood a girl who was about their age. She was about five feet six. She had long black wavy hair. Her eyes were blue. She had an awesome figure and wore high heeled shoes, which was quite strange for a Hogwarts student. In short she was very beautiful. She smiled at both of them and spoke.
"Hi, my name is Caroline White. I've transferred from Beauxbatons. I was wondering if you could tell me which way the sweats trolley went?" she asked.
"It went that way", said Hermione politely, pointing her finger. Caroline smiled again and walked off. Harry was still staring at the door. Hermione tapped him on the shoulder but still didn't get any response. Hermione smiled mischievously.
"So did `that' Something Happen?" she asked. Harry seemed to get out of his trance. But before he could speak, Caroline was back.
"Hi again. I thought we could share these sweats. England certainly has good variety of these. Do you mind if I sit here? Actually I was sitting in cabin with green robed students. They are the most horrible people I've ever met', she said.
"Sure. What a horrible first experience of Hogwarts for you. Those were the Slytherins you were sitting with. And we agree with you. They are as nasty as one can get. Especially be careful of a boy called Draco Malfoy. By the way I'm Hermione Granger", replied Hermiome in a friendly manner.
"And you?" Caroline asked looking towards Harry.
"I'm Harry. Harry Potter", said Harry shaking hands with Caroline.
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