"Good morning, Kingsley," Harry said with a grin as he walked into Kingsley Shacklebolt's office at the Ministry.

"I do believe 'Minister' is more appropriate, you are here for a meeting after all," Kingsley replied with a chuckle.

"Right, how about I try entering again? Is that alright with you, Minister?" Harry questioned innocently as he made to turn back to the door.

"No, no, it's fine, Harry. Take a seat," Kingsley instructed.

Harry, who seemed to always be happy, after the initial grief of deaths had worn off some and he was able to fully realize that his life was finally and irrevocably Voldemort free, plopped down into one of the seats in front of Kingsley's desk in his newly occupied Minister for Magic office

"As I'm sure you are aware, The Ministry is currently in the process of rebuilding itself. However, presently, I am bit more concerned with the state of my Auror department," Kingsley paused allowing the words to in sink to Harry's head. "As I am sure you are aware there are still numerous Death Eaters and supporters who have yet to be captured. Therefore I am hoping that you will take the initiative to join the Auror Department."

"I'm sorry, sir," Harry interrupted, "did you just say 'join the Auror Department?' You are aware that I never received the required N.E.W.T.s?"

"Yes, I'm aware. However I like to think that fighting in a war and defeating Voldemort is qualifications enough. Moreover, I've decided that anyone who fought in the war is capable of joining the Auror Department, effective immediately. Harry, I really want you on board."

Harry opened his mouth and closed it again, unsure of how to respond.

"I'll give you some time to think it over. This here is the official contract, look over it and let me know." Kingsley concluded handing a file to Harry.

The younger wizard accepted the papers and shook the minister's hand. "Thank you," Harry said before departing.

He apparated to Number 12 Grimmauld Place, his current place of residence. Harry didn't want to be a burden to the Weasleys and therefore had moved officially into the house that Sirius had left to him. Hermione was currently living with him as well since she had nowhere else to go and he was more than happy to have the company, and quite honestly she was afraid of leaving him alone. Hermione was worried that Harry would blame himself for every death that had occurred and would slump into a horrible state of depression, which admittedly was very possible. Though being extended an invitation as well, Ron had opted to stay with his family while they were all grieving Fred's death.

"What did Kingsley want?" Hermione asked Harry as he entered the kitchen.

Harry sat down and slid the papers toward her, "He wants me to be an Auror."

"What? What about school? McGonagall is offering us all the chance to have a 7th year."

"I know, but shouldn't I just jump on this opportunity. I mean what if I go back to Hogwarts and I don't get the NEWTs and then he doesn't let me join the Aurors. This might be my only chance, and this is what I've wanted for a few years; I want to help get rid of all the Death Eaters."

Hermione nodded. "Just think on it?"

"Yeah, of course."

Harry looked at the several pieces of paper that were spread across the table. The letter from McGonagall was present.

Mr. Potter,

Under the unusual circumstances revolving around what should have been your final year of studies, Hogwarts is extending to you an invitation to return for what shall be considered your "eighth" year at Hogwarts. Should you choose to return you will be accompanied by other students from your year who also did not have the opportunity of properly complete their previous year.

Should you choose to accept this offer, please send your owl by the 31st of July.

Best Wishes,

Professor Minerva McGonagall

Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Hermione and Ron had also received this opportunity, along with others from their year whom they had recently come back into contact with after their year on the run. Even though Hogwarts had been Harry's first real home, he wasn't sure if he could return there after everything that had happened. It seemed as if it would be too depressing and emotionally difficult to be in the school where so many of his friends and allies had died.

There were also several letters on the table from various quidditch teams begging him to sign on and be their new seeker. These offers were certainly very tempting to Harry since he longed to just have fun and let loose for once in his life.

Looking at all of the possible futures literally laid out before him, Harry suddenly felt overwhelmed and unsure of what he wanted to do next. In all honesty Harry had never expected there to be a next, he had never imagined a next, and now that he was faced with it he was utterly clueless. It was times like this that Harry hated being an orphan, hated that his godfather had died too, hated that even Remus was gone now. He needed someone to go to and ask for their advice, someone to help him sort out his life, someone to direct him to the right future. He had lived through the war, but at a horrible cost.

Harry buried his face in his hands trying to figure out what Sirius would tell him to do. This was no easy feat since he had only known him for two years.

"What do I do, Hermione?" he mumbled through his hands.

"I don't know, Harry. It's up to you, whatever you feel is right." She replied softly, placing her hand on his shoulder. She then got up from the table, placed her mug in the sink, and disappeared up a couple of levels into her own bedroom.

Later that day Harry and Hermione visited the Burrow, like they did almost every day. Everyone chatted amicably for a while. Harry divulged that he had been offered an Auror position and everyone congratulated him as they had with the pleas to join the quidditch teams when he'd told them about those. All of the Weasley siblings seemed to have a vague opinion on the matter. Bill told Harry that he would be great at whatever he chose. Charlie said quidditch was the way to go and that he almost regrets not pursuing it after Hogwarts. Percy said that a stable Ministry job was good, especially since they were getting their feet back under them again. George said to stuff it all and work at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Ron was too proud of his best mate to actually form a helpful suggestion. And lastly Ginny said he should accept the highest paying job and then winked at him.

After a while everyone broke into groups of two or three to discuss various matters. Harry however ventured into the kitchen away from the Weasley children.

"Harry, dear, is there something you need?" Mrs. Weasley said warmly when she spotted him. She ushered him forward and patted his cheek affectionately. Harry pulled Mrs. Weasley into a hug, instead. Mr. Weasley smiled as he watched his wife and Harry embrace.

"Can I talk to you guys?" Harry asked uncertainly.

"Of course you can," Molly told him as they sat down at the table with Arthur. "What's on your mind?"

"Well, everyone has given their opinions on what I should do, but I'm still not sure. I'm afraid that I'll make the wrong decision. I just… I need your advice… I need your parental advice…"

Harry looked at the two adults in front of him. Other than Sirius, Molly and Arthur were the closest he had ever had to parents, people who loved him and cared about him. He could see the tears forming in Molly's eyes at his words.

Arthur was the first to speak, "The real question isn't what you should do; it's what you want to do. The decision comes from what you think will give you the greatest joy at the end of the day, what will make you happy in the long run. Every possibility obviously has its pros and cons from a logical standpoint, but choosing your future isn't always logical."

"So if school is really important to you, then you may want to consider Hogwarts a little more closely," Molly said.

Harry couldn't stop himself from rolling his eyes. "I guess it's sort of obvious that I've never been a huge fan of school, at least not the actual learning part, or the essays, and such. I never really expected to go back after sixth year anyways, so why bother now?"

Molly smiled at him. "Okay, so you don't want to go back to Hogwarts that much seems pretty obvious. Now you're just left with two options: Quidditch and Aurors."

"If I choose quidditch then I'll be playing a sport that I love, doing something that makes me happy. On the other hand if I choose to be an Auror, I'll be risking my own neck to save others," Harry chuckled at this as did Molly and Arthur. "Sounds pretty familiar doesn't it?"

"I think I speak for both of us," Arthur started, looking to his wife then back to Harry, "when I say that you seem to get in harm's way quite a lot, much to our chagrin, but you always do it for the right reasons and you believe in protecting others."

"Thanks, Mr. Weasley, Mrs. Weasley," he said smiling at them.

"I think it's about time you start calling us by our first names, dear. Families don't usually use all of those stuffy formalities," Molly told him kindly, pulling him in for another hug.

Harry beamed at them, beyond happy to be considered part of their family.

00000000000

Professor McGonagall started when there was a knock on her office door; she wasn't expecting anyone to be stopping by today. "Come in."

A young man with glasses and messy jet black hair entered and her lips twisted into a small smile.

"Mr. Potter, what a pleasant surprise. What can I help you with today?"

"I wanted to stop by and see how the renovations are coming along, Professor," Harry said as he sat in one of the offered chairs in front of her desk.

"Quite well, as you've no doubt seen on your walk up here," she replied. Harry smiled; he had seen that most of the rubble had been swept away and that mostly it was architectural renovations that remained. He was quite impressed with the amount of work that had already been accomplished in just a mere month.

"Yes, it looks better already."

"Is there something on your mind, Harry?"

"Earlier this week Kingsley offered me a position as an Auror."

"He did? That is very good news."

"It is. And I think I'm going to accept."

McGonagall kept silent, unsure of how to respond.

"Do you think I should, Professor?" Harry asked.

"Two years ago this is exactly what you wanted, but you seem unsure now."

"I think it's just still sinking in that this is the rest of my life. Before, being an Auror seemed like the obvious choice since training to be a dark wizard catcher would help prepare me for when I finally faced Voldemort, but I've already defeated him. So now it seems a bit different, but it still seems right. Hunting down his remaining followers seems like the right thing to do, but is that how I want to spend the rest of my life?" Harry paused. "What made you decide to become a teacher?"

McGonagall was thrown off guard when he asked this question; she had expected him to ask her if he should be an Auror, but she definitely didn't expect to be asked about her own career choice. "I didn't immediately become a teacher. I actually worked for the Ministry for two years in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. However, the job did not suit me. I had always dreamed of being a teacher, so after I quit at the ministry I came to Hogwarts. It was a natural decision for me, it just seemed right, as if I was destined for it, and you know that I only half believe in destines," she told him.

"I think that's what this is like for me, with the Aurors. It just seems natural." Harry fully admitted for the first time since he had received the job offer.

McGonagall nodded, "You will be a great Auror."

Two days later Harry returned the Auror contract to Kingsley, signed.

A/N: Next chapter: Hermione