CHAPTER FIVE
New Homes and New Heads
Suddenly struck with panic, Harry was at a loss as to what to do. He was only safe in the house for another five minutes, then the Death Eaters could storm in with no problem.
He had to think quickly. He wished the real Lupin told him of a back up plan, so he wouldn't feel so helpless. He couldn't take his broom, because it was at Grimmauld, along with everything else. He had his wand, but he doubted he could take all four Death Eaters on at once. Harry figured only one solution, to Apparate.
He knew he was underage, but the situation was dire, and he had no other option. As he started to focus on Grimmauld, the television gave a roar, and Harry remembered the Dursley's were inside. Even though he was worried about himself, he couldn't abandon them to be killed by Death Eaters. He decided to Apparate to backyard, hopefully to surprise the Death Eaters outside, then Apparate quickly to The Burrow to get help. He did not know if he could Apparate inside the house, so he figured to use the front door. As he started to move forward, the Death Eater Lupin seemed to start wondering.
`Harry? What's going on? We have to hurry' he said impatiently. Harry made a quick look outside the kitchen window, and saw the four of them were looking anxiously at the door, taking glances around the lawn periodically.
`I'll just be a second, I have to get my stuff from my room, then I'll be right down' falsely assured Harry. The Death Eaters couldn't know about Dobby, since the real Lupin sent him. He looked out the kitchen window again, and saw the Death Eater Mad-Eye whisper to the fake Lupin, the fake Lupin shaking his head. Harry quickly made his way to the front of the house, and looked out the window of the door.
Privet Drive was empty, and Harry quietly opened the door and exited. The instant he was outside, he closed the door, locked it with his wand, and quickly thought of the backyard and turned, Apparating with surprising ease. He seemed to have aimed very well. He stood in the shadows of the trees in the backyard, and none of the Death Eaters noticed him. He slowly pointed his wand at the fake Lupin.
`STUPEFY!'
The fake Lupin fell over rigid as a board, and the rest of them charged at the shadows, raining spells in every direction. Harry dodged the first three, thought quickly of the front yard at The Burrow, and turned, feeling the usual siphoning of Apparating, and hearing the enraged yells of the Death Eaters as he left.
The second his feat hit the ground, he knew something was wrong. Harry arrived at The Burrow, but it looked deserted. The windows were dark, and only the sound of the front door swaying eerily on its hinges filled the air. Harry looked around the house, and found no one. Harry slowly entered through the kitchen door, and the sight made him cringe with fear.
It was just as his dream. Food sat uneaten on the table, and was still warm like his dream. Harry looked around, and felt he still had to check the house. As he went up the stairs, he found no one home, with the house creaked slightly in the darkness. When he reached Ron's room, he hesitated to look out the window, but moved towards it. He looked out on the garden, and breathed a sigh of relief seeing no snake. He moved down the stairs, and back out into the lawn, still perplexed on were the Weasley's were. Just as he exited the kitchen, a noise from the behind made him jump. He turned around quickly to see men in black cloaks in the doorway.
`He's here!' shouted the taller one, and both shot Stunning Spells at Harry. With his Quidditch reflexes, Harry was able to dodge them, but one spell from a Death Eater leaning out of Ron's room knocked Harry over unable to move.
As the two Death Eaters slowly made their way to Harry, shouting others to their position, he quickly summoned his non verbal spell, and was freed. He was relieved to see he still held his wand. Harry took no time in thinking quickly of the front lawn of Grimmauld, and made a quick roll Apparating away.
After the third time Apparating, Harry felt queasy, and still very concerned. He looked up, and was relieved to see the front of Number Twelve and One Third. He got up from the ground, and ran quickly to the doorway and entered. Once Harry closed the door behind him, he was surprised to see the real Lupin coming towards him, along with Mrs. Weasley and Mad-Eye. All looked worried, except Mad-Eye who wore a disturbing smile.
`Good work Potter! Constant Vigilance!' he barked, giving Harry a gruff pat on the shoulder, and limping back to the kitchen where he came from. Harry explained the situation that happened at Privet Drive. Mrs. Weasley quickly went, and got the real Kingsley, Tonks, and Mr. Weasley to go and see if things at Privet Drive where alright, while Lupin explained why the guard didn't show up.
`You see Harry, we had a feeling Death Eaters would try to either attack you tonight, or try and get you, so I sent Dobby to warn you and get your stuff. We had him placed in your backyard to make sure things were OK. When we would turn up, we would tell him to go back to Hogwarts. So, when those Death Eaters showed up and didn't get him, Dobby Apparated back here to warn us. We figured you would stay inside until midnight, and we were just getting ready to leave, since it's still before midnight. I should have known you wouldn't sit around and wait. How did you get out?'
Harry told both Lupin and Mrs. Weasley about his trek to The Burrow, and asked why it was abandoned. Mrs. Weasley smiled, and explained.
`The Order decided that tonight You-Know-Who would probably try and get you. We already had Privet Drive watched, still there was a chance he might think you were coming to The Burrow.'
'After the dementor attack, it was definitely possible' Lupin added.
'So just in case, we came here. From what you said, we were lucky we did. Once everything is settled at Privet Drive, we'll have some Order members go to The Burrow' said Mrs. Weasley. As Lupin, Tonks, Kingsley, and Mr. Weasley were about to leave to check Privet Drive, Harry felt a wantingness to go with them and make sure the Dursley's were alright.
'Mr. Weasley?' Harry called, making the group turn around.
'What is it Harry? Mr. Wealsey asked.
`I need to go with you. It's my fault Death Eaters were there; I need to make sure they're alright' he explained. Inwardly, he laughed at his desire to make sure the Dursley's were safe-considering they never thought that way towards him-but he stopped short remembering Aunt Petunia protecting Harry by keeping him at Privet Drive. She took risk at doing that, and he owed both her and the Dursley's the same respect.
Mr. Weasley, turned to Lupin, and looked back at both Harry, and his wife. He must have seen the determination in Harry's eyes, because he nodded his head, and motioned Harry closer.
`Alright, you're an adult now, so you can choose. Just stay close to one of us please Harry. I don't know what we might run into, if anything' he said, wiping his brow. Harry agreed, and smiled when his watch beeped twice, signaling that Harry was now seventeen. He stood forward, and the group Apparated to Number Four Privet Drive.
His feet landing on the backyard grass, Harry was surprised he was here again; more so that he wanted to be here. Only a few hours before-one hour actually-he was reveling in the fact that he would be gone forever. Now, he returned in less than three minutes.
Looking around the dark backyard, the small group advanced slowly towards the back door. Nothing was moving around the back, and looking in through the windows, Harry found the scene much like he left it. The television was still blaring some particularly annoying show that was-of course-one of Dudley's favourites, and most of the lights were off.
`We should check inside, just in case' Lupin stated quietly, Kingsley agreeing. Mr. Weasley unlocked the back door, and entered the house, followed closely by Lupin, and Harry afterwards.
The kitchen was dark, but just the same as Harry saw ten minutes prior. It seemed things were alright, but the group was insistent in checking the entire house. Harry walked in to the sitting room, and startled Dudley a bit, since he had his wand out.
`What are you doin'? I thought you left already?' he asked shakily, his eyes focused on Harry's wand tip.
`I did. We needed to come and make sure things were alright.' Harry looked up out the window, and saw the cool summer night made the window foggy. It felt strange to Harry, because before he left, there was no fog in the window.
`Yeah well, you made enough noise leaving the first time. Made Mum and Dad wake up, thinking it was the neighbors fighting again' Dudley remarked, getting back into his show. Harry heard footsteps coming down the stairs, and found Lupin at the base.
`Looks alright. Death Eaters must have left after you did. Mr. Weasley is getting caught up in Muggle things, but Kingsley and Tonks are coaxing him down.' Lupin glanced out the front window, and did a double check at it, wiping some fog away from it.
`Harry . . . how long has this fog been here?' he asked worriedly.
`I dunno . . . couple of minutes. It wasn't here when I left' he explained. Lupin looked at Harry, and he realized what was going on.
`We need to get the family down here together, so we can protect them better. You stay with the boy' Lupin instructed hurriedly. Harry nodded, and Lupin bound up the stairwell yelled for the others. Harry re-entered the sitting room, and Dudley looked scared.
`What is it? What's going-oh com'on! Why does the power need to go off now!' he spat, smashing the controller to the television, which just turned off. Harry could feel the coolness fill his chest, and shivered as the all-too familiar feeling entered his soul.
A yell from upstairs snapped Harry's attention, as he heard Lupin's voice shout out his Patronus, followed by Tonks and Mr. Weasley. The entire house was blanketed by darkness, and Harry had a hard time even seeing Dudley, who was no more than two feet from him. He lit his wand tip, and moved it around the room, which was frosting on the surfaces.
`What are you doing? Harry, what are you doing!' Dudley yelled, getting up from his chair.
`It's dementors, not me. Just stay close, and try to think happy thoughts' he advised. A loud bang came from the front door, and Dudley whimpered and hunkered down on his seat as a coldness best associated with a winter storm surged through the sitting room, and cast Harry's mind into evil and painful thoughts.
Harry tried to remain standing, and moved closer to the front door. The coldness increased ten-fold, and he tried desperately to maintain focus. In the darkness, he saw the eerie hood of a dementor enter the house, and he thought back to his hug with Hermione.
`Expecto Patronum!' Harry yelled, casting a white cloud that pushed the dementor back into the doorway. It came forward again, followed by numerous others, and Harry dropped his wand, and clutched his head as memories of his parent's death began echoing in his mind.
Soon enough, his mother's screams filled his head as if she was right next to him, and the coldness seeped through his very veins as he lay on the sitting room floor. The dementors moved closer to Harry, and stayed away from the shadows were Dudley was sitting.
Opening up his eyes briefly, Harry saw Dudley, and desperately pushed his wand towards him. Harry could feel the dementors closing in, and with the Order members upstairs, Dudley was his only hope.
Dudley picked up the wand, and looked petrified at Harry. Harry pushed as hard as he could against the onslaught of horrible memories, to try and instruct Dudley.
`Think happy . . . Expecto . . . Patronum' he breathed, hoping Dudley could do it. Dudley looked at the wand horrified, and closed his eyes.
Harry clutched his neck as a dementor's long and cold hands wrapped around his throat. Harry could feel the dementor's putrid breath on his nose, and hope was gone from his mind.
`Expecto . . . Expecto Patronum!' came from the side of the room, and a large, silvery-white Grizzly bear came charging through the room. The dementor let go of Harry's neck, and escaped through the front door along with the others. Harry fell to the floor panting heavily, clutching his chest as the coldness subdued slightly. He looked over to the other side of the room as the bear dissolved, and found Dudley looking baffled at the creature.
`Good . . . work' Harry panted, trying to stand up, but failing. Dudley didn't bother coming to help, but instead fell back into his chair with Harry's wand still pointing outwards in his right hand. A thunder of footsteps came down the stairwell, and both Lupin and Mr. Weasley came in and helped Harry up.
`Harry, sweet Merlin, are you alright?' Mr. Weasley asked. Harry nodded, and motioned to Dudley, who still looked beyond shock and confusion. Lupin let go of Harry-since he could stand easier now-and tried to talk to Dudley, but was failing.
`What happened with him?' Lupin asked, turning back to Harry. `And why does he have your wand?'
`He saved me. He made a Patronus' Harry informed. Dudley's stare into empty space finally ceased, and he slowly turned his head towards Harry.
`A what?' he asked distantly.
`A Patronus. That was what you made. Must have been a good memory' Harry explained. Dudley slowly nodded, and looked at the group around him.
`My first win at boxing' he said. Mr. Weasley looked to ask a question-more than likely what boxing was-when both Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon entered the room, and were about to hug Dudley, when they noticed the wand in his hand.
`Duddykins, why do you have that in your hand?' Petunia asked. Dudley dropped the wand instantly, and it fell with a clatter on the floor.
`Your son performed the Patronus Charm. You saw the spells we were performing, creating those silvery creatures; your son did that. Quite a feat from a muggle; you must have some magic in you' Mr. Weasley declared with a smile. He must have thought the Dursley's would be proud, but they were far from that.
`My Dudley . . . did . . . magic?' Petunia questioned disbelievingly, making it sound like she was surrounded by police, and being told Dudley robbed a bank. She was looking at Dudley for an answer, but he was in no condition to respond.
`He did. His Patronus was a Grizzly Bear' Harry explained. Vernon was about to retort, when Kingsley interrupted him.
`Enough, we need to get Harry back to Grimmauld. We can keep a guard or two to watch the house, but it should be alright. Should we Obliviate their memories?' he asked to Mr. Weasley.
`After Harry's back to Grimmauld. Remus, can you take him back? Don't worry Harry, everything will be fine' he reassured. Harry agreed, and bent down to pick up his wand when Dudley grabbed hold of his arm, and looked at him.
`Thanks . . . for telling me what to do. I didn't want to relive that memory again' he muttered. Harry picked up his wand, and knelt down close to Dudley. Both Petunia and Vernon were watching worriedly, as the Order members were working out who would be staying.
`What memory?' Harry asked. He did wonder what was Dudley's worst memory was, considering he was a bully, and probably had few that a normal person would consider bad.
Dudley moved forward, and shakily whispered into Harry's ear his worst memory, and Harry was surprised by the answer. Dudley sat back after his admission, and Harry stood up and gave him a smile.
`Eat some chocolate, and you'll feel fine' he insisted. Dudley nodded, and giving a smile to Petunia and Vernon, Harry, Lupin, and Tonks moved back into the back yard.
They all quickly Apparated back to Grimmauld, and as Harry was entering the house, he thought about Dudley's worst memory, which was in fact a memory from his first year at Smeltings.
He explained to Harry, that he, Dudley Dursley, was beaten up by some upper year students. Teasing and taunting all t he while, they ragged on him, then made him eat raw lunchroom food, and stuck his head into a toilet. It was, as Harry could tell, a horrible experience for an eleven year old, but more so for Dudley, since he was always the top bully around. Being put on the bottom rung of the bullying latter on the first day of school would be a horrible memory for a bully years later.
Being greeted by a thankful Mrs. Weasley, Lupin and Tonks went back to Privet Drive, and Harry entered the kitchen; finding Hermione, Ron, Ginny, and Mad Eye sitting at the table. Hermione quickly ran from her chair, and gave Harry an immense hug muttering `thank god, thank god!' Harry returned the hug, and heard the beeping of his watch. He was now seventeen.
`We were so worried when Dobby came. Are things alright at Privet Drive' breathed Hermione, as she moved away, allowing Harry to regain his balance, and sitting back down in her chair. Ginny got up and actually looked at Harry, giving him a very light hug.
'It's good to see you Harry' she put simply, giving him a smile. He thanked her, glad she was up to talking to him now, and sat down next to Ron, who patted him on the back. Harry went ahead and told them what happened at Privet Drive, The Burrow, Dudley's Patronus, and the horrible news about Terry Boot.
`We heard about it in the Evening Prophet. Put the Ministry into chaos. Now all the muggleborn wizards and witches are worried' said Hermione, showing Harry the paper that had the same pictures of the car wreck from the newscast. Mrs. Weasley made an impromptu meal for Harry, and he was just finishing when Lupin and the others returned.
`We checked The Burrow' said Mr. Weasley, giving his wife an affectionate kiss on the cheek and coming to the table. `Things were messed about a little, but no one was there luckily. It was fortunate you Apparated so Death Eaters saw you. Chances are, since you Apparated away, they knew you wouldn't come back. But we should take extra care and wait until tomorrow to go back. And don't worry about the magic you did tonight Harry, I made a quick trip to the ministry with Tonks, and we settled everything.'
Now everyone sat around the table. Mrs. Weasley made a few sandwiches for everyone, and brought up a pitcher of butterbeer. The group went ahead and grabbed a sandwich and glass of butterbeer, and ate, talking about things going on in the wizarding world.
Harry was glad to hear he would be in no trouble with the ministry, and overwhelmingly happy to be away from Privet Drive forever now. The fact that this was his house, and his home, was too huge to comprehend at the moment. He enjoyed the company of his friends and continued to eat.
Harry asked Hermione and Ron when they arrived, and found out they arrived only minutes before Harry. Just as everyone finished, Lupin, Mad-Eye, Tonks, and Kingsley left for the night. They all promised Harry to return the next day to celebrate Harry's birthday, in what Tonks said `the proper manner.' Harry, Hermione, and the Weasley's went ahead to sleep, and Harry relished in his new surroundings.
By morning, Grimmauld Place was bustling with activity. Mr. Weasley, Harry, Mrs. Weasley, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny sat at the kitchen table having breakfast planning their day. Mrs. Weasley was staying at Grimmauld to prepare for the party for Harry to happen later that night, with Ginny helping. It was going to be a small, with only Order members. Hermione also planned to tell some members the new address at the same time, which would work nicely.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione planned to go and get Apparation tests done at the Ministry, and were escorted by Mr. Weasley, since he had to go to work anyways.
The tests took a long time to actually get to. The waiting line was very long, and by time Harry and Ron got to their tests, it was mid afternoon. The three of them understood that it would take a long time, since many people where looking to get proper licenses, but they did not expected this many people. Harry begun to worry if he failed the test, it would make the whole trip a waste of time. When he entered the testing room, he received a thumbs up from Ron, and a good luck from Hermione.
The actual test was very simple. Harry had to first see a red X marked on the floor next to an old, bespectacled examiner. Then he would walk down a few hallways to a second examiner, and Apparate back to the X. He took careful examination of the X, and went down the hallway. Harry lost track of how many turns he had made, but came to the second examiner, who was sitting next to another X, this one blue.
The second examiner, another old man with wild white hair, who looked to have Apparated too many times, appearing somewhat transparent, motioned Harry to stand on the X. Harry did so, and the old man flipped a paper on his clipboard.
`Alright Mr. . . . Mr. . . . Potter?' he said while searching for Harry's name on the sheet. He looked up, his eyes lingering on Harry's forehead, and smiled.
`Alright Mr. Potter, simple enough, just Apparate back to the beginning, on top of the red X.' Harry concentrated very hard on the red X at the beginning, and hopingly gave a turn. The siphoning of Apparating funneled around him, and just as his breakfast began to turn, he landed on solid ground again. He kept himself standing, and was overjoyed to see he was standing directly on the red X.
`Very well done Mr. Potter, congratulations. Now, let me have a quick look here' said the first examiner, taking a quick look over Harry to make sure he did not leave any part of himself behind. He finished his search and found all of Harry had indeed arrived back at the beginning. He smiled at Harry, and motioned to the doorway. When Harry exited, he could not hold off his grin knowing he had just passed his Apparating Exam.
`I knew you would do it Harry!' grinned Hermione, as both her and Ron came up and greeted Harry when he came out. Ron's name was called next, and his smile was instantly upturned to a look of worry. Harry told him it was going to be fine, and only after a light kiss from Hermione, did he give a short smile, and entered the testing area.
Less that two minutes later, Ron came out of the room beaming widely, having a skip in his step. Both Hermione and Harry laughed as he explained how he passed. The three made their way happily out of the busy corridor, filled with other Apparating hopefuls, and went to the certificates office, where both Harry and Ron were given a small blue card that said they could Apparate.
Excited to try it out, much like how Harry imagined a muggle is when getting a car license, the three of them decided to go to Diagon Alley to see Fred and George and tell them about Harry's party later that night.
Once they finished in Diagon Alley, hearing that the twins were making great business, although Diagon Alley was more barren than usual, the three Apparated back to Grimmauld Place.
Harry's birthday party was something he could never have dreamed of. Order members such as Lupin, Tonks, and Mad-Eye came, as well as all the Weasley's, including Bill and Fleur who just finished their honeymoon, and even some Hogwarts Professors such as Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick came. The night was filled with laughter and joy for Harry's coming of age, and reminded him of how people were at Bill and Fleur's wedding, before the Dementor attack of course.
Harry received presents from many people, and they varied in all styles. From the Weasley's, he received a charms book on cooking and housework, while Hermione got Harry something very practical, a new traveling cloak. When he opened it, she leaned in closely and whispered `since we'll be doing a lot of traveling in the next while' with a wink.
After finishing with the gifts, Harry felt a tug on his arm, and looked to see Ginny beckoning him to a side of the sitting room where everyone was. Harry was worried about another outburst, but found she looked relaxed, and gave him the idea that it would be OK. He moved over, and they stood next to the window, a little distance from most other people.
'Harry, I'm sorry about how I acted at the wedding. I told my mum about me and you, and she said I should try and talk to you about it. I planned to, but when I saw you again . . . I don't know, I just wanted what we had back so much, that I went to thinking we never broke up. I shouldn't have yelled at you, I wasn't thinking with my head' she said sadly.
'It's OK Ginny, I know it's tough, but things will be alright' Harry reassured.
'I know, but still. I mean, you were the first guy I liked, so it's hard.'
'I know, but it'll be alright. And who knows, maybe you'll find a guy even better than me' Harry suggested, only realizing the second he finished what he was saying. Harry was beside himself, considering he was basically telling Ginny to try other guys. He found, however, that it didn't pain him as much as he thought.
'Always the optimist, that's you' she chuckled lightly. Harry laughed, just being glad that Ginny was no longer upset at him.
'Friends?' she asked, holding out her hand. Harry smiled.
'Always' he responded, opening his arms, and giving her a hug. They stayed there for a few moments, then let go, smiled again, and returned to the party.
Once the festivities finish, and the guests left, Harry went ahead to sleep. Hermione, Ron, and the Weasley's decided to stay one more night, since it was already late by time everyone left. Harry's dreams were filled of events from the night, and hope for the coming months.
In the morning, Harry moved downstairs to find everyone again eating breakfast. Mr. Weasley already left for work, and Hermione was reading the Morning Prophet, with Ron holding her hand. Harry moved to the other side of the table, and helped himself to some toast. Ginny was talking to her mother, sounding very worried.
`Don't worry Ginny, we will see when we go home later today' Mrs. Weasley said sympathetically, as she took another bite of her breakfast. Ginny continued to look worried, and Harry asked what was the matter.
`Hogwarts letters. I asked the professors last night about it, and they said they didn't even know if school was going to be open. The governors are sending the professors notice along with the students, so I want to know if we have letters waiting at home, but Mum won't let anyone go and see' said Ginny, giving her Mum a mutinous look.
`I'm sorry Ginny, but Aurors and some people from Misleading Magical Objects Division have to go and make sure there isn't anything wrong at the house. They assured me they would be done today, and any post that comes in will be put on the table for us, alright?' said Mrs. Weasley. Ginny did not look anymore convinced, and got up from the table, put her dishes in the sink, and sauntered upstairs. Mrs. Weasley reassured Harry that it wasn't him, and walked upstairs too. She obviously hadn't talked to Ginny about them not going out. Once she left the room, Ron looked to Harry.
`Are you guys still recovering from that row on the wedding day, `cause you two haven't snogged or anything since the funeral' asked Ron. Hermione rolled her eyes, and looked at Ron.
'Ron, they broke up! I thought even you would see that!' she expressed. Ron looked back at Harry.
'When did you two do that?' he asked, sounding slightly agitated.
'At Dumbledore's funeral. And no, before you ask, we're not getting back together. She's at too much risk if we're going out. We're still friends, but we can't go out. It's for the best' he said, getting up from the table, and putting his dishes in the sink, where a bewitched sponge was washing Ginny's dishes. He made a mental note to learn that spell so he wouldn't have an overflowing sink.
`We understand Harry, but you do realize it's going to take a lot more to get us away from you' said Hermione, Ron nodding afterwards, however still not looking too happy with the new revelation.
Harry had wondered what Ron's reaction would be. When he and Ginny started dating, he seemed happy at the pair, however Harry never considered what would happen if he and Ginny split. Harry hoped Ron wouldn't hold it up against him for long.
Just as Harry was walking back to the table, four owls came swooping down into the kitchen from the only open window, located high above the fireplace wall. The four, two barn owls and two horned owls all carrying envelopes, landed on the kitchen table, and deposited their loads. Once they dropped their packages, the owls then quickly flew back out the window, leaving Harry, Ron, and Hermione bewildered.
`What was that all about?' asked Ron, as he looked at one of the envelopes. He turned his head and called for Ginny, while Hermione examined one of the other letters.
`Harry' she said looking surprised, `this one's for you,' handing the envelope to Harry as he sat down at the table again. Ginny quickly entered the room, followed closely by Mrs. Weasley, and asked what was going on.
`Letters' said Ron, as he picked up the other envelope, and found it had his name on it. The last letter, Hermione picked up and started opening it, being careful not to damage it. Ginny quickly ran, and stole the letter out of Ron's hand, and very hastily opened it, and let out a shrill of happiness.
`Yes! Our Hogwarts letters!' She tipped the envelope, and a gold badge fell out. Mrs. Weasley let out a cry of happiness.
`Oh Ginny! You made Prefect!' she said, dabbing her eyes. Ginny looked at her mother.
'Mum, I was a Prefect last year' she informed.
'I know dear, but I'm so very proud of you. Next year you might even be Head Girl!' she expressed. Ginny smiled, and Mrs. Weasley gave her daughter a huge hug, which was very happily returned.
Back at the table, Hermione finished opening her letter and was surprised to find her Hogwarts letter, a small booklet and a gold badge. Her eyes opened in shock, and she quickly got up, and started jumping up and down excitedly, saying `Yes! Yes! Yes!.'
`What's got into her?' Ron asked Harry, looking over with his envelope halfway opened. Hermione stopped jumping for a second to show her Head Girl badge, and Ron quickly got up and gave her hug. Harry, also halfway into opening his letter, got up and shared in the hug, telling Hermione congratulations.
Ron hastily sat back down as Hermione started reading her letter, and opened his envelope, and was happy to see a gold badge come out with his letter as well. When he flipped it over, his face became puzzled and he slumped on his chair. Hermione, after receiving a hug from Mrs. Weasley, asked what was wrong.
`I'm still a ruddy prefect' said Ron, showing his gold badge with an engraved P, looking as if he lost the final of the Quidditch Cup. Hermione looked sorrowfully for him, while Mrs. Weasley looked saddened.
`I'm sorry dear, I guess they have someone else to be Head Boy. Maybe they didn't want both Heads to be in the same house' said Mrs. Weasley, trying to console Ron. In the mean time, Harry had opened his letter, and was shocked at the contents.
Inside Harry's package, was his normal Hogwarts letter, followed by a small booklet, and a shiny gold badge with the initials HB engraved on it. He could not believe the school would make him Head Boy, especially since he had not been a prefect. He did not know whether to be happy or not. He was not going to Hogwarts anyways, so he guessed the school would need to find another one; so a chance still stood for Ron.
Hermione asked what Harry was thinking about, and he stowed away the badge and booklet in his pockets, showing only his letter. Hermione smiled, and went back to reading the booklet.
After a few moments, Harry got up, and went to his room quickly to put away the badge and booklet. He decided to send both back later in the day, making a letter stating he was not coming back. Just as he took out the badge, and was looking for a place to put it out of eyesight, and knock came at the door. Harry quickly put the badge back in his pocket, and told the person to come in.
Hermione opened the door, and walked in to Harry's room. It was the master bedroom, since he was the master of the house now. It was large, bigger than most living rooms in regular house, with a big four poster bed, a desk, bookshelves, and a nice paneled window. Hermione closed the door behind her, and Harry motioned for her to sit down, asking what was up.
`I just wanted to ask if things where OK. I mean, are you still planning on not going to Hogwarts?' she asked tentatively.
`Well, I can't go after the Horcruxes and go to Hogwarts too. I mean, you and Ron can go. I know you want to finish, and Ron would want to be with you. Besides, he could still end up Head Boy' said Harry.
`What you mean he could still be Head Boy?' asked Hermione, giving Harry a confused look. Harry pulled out the shiny Head Boy badge and showed Hermione. She gasped, and gave Harry a quick hug.
`Oh congratulations Harry. I mean, Ron will be upset, but you deserve Head Boy. I know your parents would be proud. Do you still plan on not going? I mean, being Head Boy will allow you access to the entire library, you're allowed to leave Hogwarts when you wish, and Madam Pomfrey will be there incase you get hurt' she said politely, but promptly. Harry could tell she wanted him to still go to Hogwarts, even though he could not see it being a possibility. Finding the Horcruxes would take a lot of time, and would leave little time to be doing classes. This was something that needed his total attention.
`I know you want me to go back Hermione, but I can't. I have to find the Horcruxes, and I won't have time for classes' he said, putting the Head Boy badge in a drawer in the nightstand, along with the booklet. He turned around and sat on the bed to see Hermione still sitting, looking somewhat dispirited by Harry's response.
`OK Harry, but do think about it please. You need somewhere to keep a base. You could use Grimmauld, but Hogwarts has more resources. The professors can help you, and the library too. Besides, I think Dumbledore wanted you to come back for this year, and the school needs you' she asserted, getting up from the chair.
`I'll see you downstairs. Give it some thought, OK Harry?' she said with a smile, a hint of hopefulness in her voice. Harry nodded, and before Hermione left the room, Harry stopped her.
'Thanks for talking to Ginny. We're friends now. What did you tell her?' he asked. She turned and smiled.
'It was nothing Harry. I just told her that she shouldn't cling on to you, and that when she goes back to Hogwarts, she'll feel better. Being stuck in a house with only your brother and parents would drive anyone crazy, especially if your brother is Ron' she smirked. They shared the laugh across the room.
'Just think about it' she added, turning and closing the door behind her.
Harry was sure of himself only one day ago that he would not be going back to Hogwarts; now he doubted his reasoning. He trusted Hermione's reckoning before with choosing a secret keeper, so her thoughts now affected Harry a lot.
Finding the Horcruxes was above everything else, nevertheless Hogwarts did offer some aids that could help Harry. He knew Hermione and Ron would want to go to Hogwarts, and the professors could help him immensely with spells and such. The library would help, plus Dumbledore's effects where probably still there, and, Harry just remembered, the late Headmaster's portrait would be there and could probably help too. Harry just did not want to be bound by the school to do classes and homework. He decided to sit and read the booklet that came with his letter to see what Head Boy was to do.
He went ahead and got the booklet, which was stamped with the Hogwarts crest.
Duties and Responsibilities: Head Boy
Harry went ahead and moved directly to the section on class participation.
The Head Boy and Girl are expected to attend all classes, and show an example to the rest of the students. They may receive exemption from a class or classes from the Headmaster/Headmistress if needed.
Harry understood that if he decided to go to Hogwarts, he would have to tell Professor McGonagall that he would need to miss classes. He would have to tell her anyways, since he would need to leave the school at certain times, and would need access to the Headmistresses Office. Harry pondered over this decision, weighing all the options.
After a few minutes, he stood up, put the booklet and letter back in his pocket along with the Head Boy badge, and went back to the kitchen. When he arrived, he found Ginny, Hermione, and Ron writing letters quickly. Harry asked what they where doing, and Hermione explained.
`Didn't you read your letter? It says to write an acceptance or rejection letter back to Hogwarts. They want to know how many students they are going to have' she said, finishing her letter, and folding it.
'Yeah, and lucky me, I have to still write my OWLs. I have a week, then I go to write them at the Ministry' Ginny put in, with a hint of unhappiness. Harry felt for her. Having to write OWLs was tough enough, let alone writing them over a month after classes ended, and in the middle of the summer.
Ron finished writing his response well, and Ginny stood, and asked if Hedwig could bring the letters. Harry agreed, and she quickly left the kitchen, and ran up the stairs. Harry moved to the table, and Hermione asked if he had thought it out.
`Well Harry? I mean, you'll have a lot of access at Hogwarts, and everyone will help you, especially us. We will go where you go, but Hogwarts looks like the best place' she said, Ron nodding along the way.
`She's right mate. I mean, I'm sure McGonagall will let you get at anything you need, and Hermione can get the bloke who's Head Boy to give you some slack. I just hope it's not Crabbe' said Ron comically, looking to Hermione.
`Yes, well, Harry wouldn't have to worry about the Head Boy if he goes' said Hermione, motioning Harry to show his badge. Ron gave a puzzled look to Hermione, and looked to Harry, who reluctantly pulled out the Head Boy badge, and showed Ron.
Harry could tell Ron was wrestling with his emotions. He felt terrible that Ron did not get Head Boy, remembering what he saw in the Mirror of Erised. The fact that Ron just found out about himself and Ginny probably made this all the worst. Ron looked at the badge for a second, then gave a smile Harry knew was forced.
`Well, that settles that. So, are you going to take it?' he asked, still trying to remain composed. Harry knew it hit Ron hard, but Harry had thought it through enough to answer both Ron and Hermione.
`Well, I've thought about it, and yes, we're going back to Hogwarts.'
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