Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all related names and places are the legal property of J.K. Rowling, Bloomsbury, and AOL Time Warner and have been used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended.

A/N: Well, here we are! I told you guys it might take some time to get things up and running. Before I start, some things have to be said. First, this story is going to be different from LP as in the style of writing. One way, I am not going to solely portray everything through Harry's point-of-view. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny will have a chance to tell their sides. Some chapters will switch between all of them and some may have just one person's sole view. Sounds confusing, but trust me, I think things will be much easier this time. I actually have a behind-the-scenes collaborator this time and we've talked about doing things this way ever since before LP was finished (hence why this story has taken so long to appear!)

Second way, I actually went back and read LP just as you guys did. I was shocked at how much I censored myself. I wanted it to be a lot more edgy than it was, but for some reason I held back. Therefore, after once again holding a pow-wow with my semi-sane collaborator, I've decided to spice things up. There will be lots of strong language and some sexual innuendo. If this offends you, I'm truly sorry. These kids are 16-17+ now so I figure they should act like it. In addition, the world they live in now is turbulent.

Thirdly, I have no idea how long this will be, when I will be done with it, or when each chapter will be posted. This is a WIP and I don't want to rush it. More than likely it won't be done before HBP comes out, so I'll decide after reading that whether I actually want to continue. Sorry for such a long delay, but I'm finally to the point that I can start writing on this. Enjoy!

What happens when the world around you is divided? Can true love exist during a war fueled by hate? How far would you go to protect the people you love?

During their next year at Hogwarts, Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione, will discover the answers to these questions. They will not only fight for freedom from the most evil wizard to ever walk the earth, but they will each have to fight for their own freedoms.

Hermione will fight to be no longer seen as a "mudblood". She's tired of being labeled as low-class simply because her parents were muggles. She'll prove that she's a witch if it's the last thing she does; and it very well may be.

Ron is determined to prove that he's more than just "Harry Potter's ever faithful sidekick". He's determined to prove his worth to the Wizarding world, but what will it cost him?

Ginny has finally realized that caring for someone doesn't mean weakness. She's proven that she can face down Voldemort and live. Now she must find freedom from her greatest enemy—fear.

Harry Potter has spent the past six years building a life for himself in the wizarding world. He's found friendship, family, and love. He's lived with the constant fear of Voldemort swooping down and destroying everything he holds dear. When the time comes to stand and fight, he's going to give everything he has for the greatest freedom of allthe freedom to live.

In just one short year, the wizarding world will be divided by evil, families will be ripped apart, love will be crushed, and friendships will end forever.

Rain thundered against the window. Harry Potter pressed his forehead against the glass, welcoming the cooling sensation on his skin. He had spent the past few hours under the sweltering sun. Vernon had wanted the lawn mowed before he returned home for the evening, so Harry had been saddled with the task. A lighting bolt forked across the sky causing Harry to jump back in alarm. The storm had been threatening for the past half hour and Harry hurried to finish before it hit.

Falling back onto his bed, Harry began to wonder if he had somehow managed to link the weather to his moods. The day had started fair enough; the morning sky had been clear and bright. Harry had awoken in a good mood, having slept the entire night with no menacing nightmares. As the day wore on, however, Harry's mood had darkened and so had the sky. Finally, only moments ago, his temper had broken and so had the storm clouds.

It had been another one of his usual rows with Vernon. (He had stopped referring to him as Uncle after his return from school.) They had the same one every evening for the past two weeks. Harry would do (or in today's case not do) something, Vernon would shout, and Harry would storm to his room. Harry no longer saw a point in arguing. It had never gotten him anywhere before. Besides, he always risked the chance of doing accidental magic when he lost his temper. Ad he wasn't sure if he was in the ministry's favor these days. It would be very stupid indeed to be disciplined for underage magic one week before he came of age.

Since entering the wizarding world, Harry had found himself looking rather forward to his birthdays. Even last year, with the gaping Sirius-shaped hole in his heart, it had felt good to be surrounded by his friends when he turned sixteen. This year was different. He wasn't able to get excited about turning seventeen. He would finally be allowed to use magic outside Hogwarts, he could learn to Apparate, and he could finally leave the Dursleys forever.

Harry knew all of these new freedoms should excite him, but he just couldn't. Too many things plagued his heart and mind to be happy right now. It was as if the events of the past six years had finally caught up with him. He felt very old and very tired now. His mind was constantly turning; going in seven different directions at once.

He thought about Sirius quite a lot. Often, Harry would replay that horrible day's events. If only he had listened to Hermione. If only he hadn't rushed off to be the hero. If only someone had gone to help Sirius take on Lestrange. If only… There were a million if onlys, but Harry knew that none of it mattered now. Sirius was dead.

Moreover, with Sirius's death came the loss of another parent. Harry's mind began to dwell on his parents a lot recently. He truly hadn't thought about them much over the past few years. Several times, he had found out bits of information about them, learned of their days at Hogwarts, and even heard their voices on several horrible occasions. Now though, he wondered what they would think of him. Would they find him smart, funny, an all around good son? Would they be proud of his accomplishments or horrified at the number of reckless things he had done? Would they like his friends? Would he have had brother and sisters or would he have remained their only child? Would they give him the words of wisdom and comfort he so desperately needed about his future?

The future was something that plagued Harry daily. He tried to stretch his mind to think of the possibilities of his life after Voldemort. Whenever he tried though, he came up blank. Was it possible that he would get to live? Ever since his return from Hogwarts, Harry felt that, his time to fulfill the prophecy was coming closer. It was as if there was an hourglass somewhere counting down the remaining days of freedom and Harry could feel the sand slipping rapidly away. The thought of death didn't frighten him anymore, but thinking about the things he wouldn't experience did.

Harry hated the idea of leaving behind the family he had built around himself. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had taken him into their already overflowing brood, no questions asked. Ron and Hermione were the two greatest friends he could have ever dared hope for. And Ginny…

Harry couldn't stop the blush from rising. Thinking about Ginny always did that to him and he was always thinking about her. The moment they had shared at King's Cross seemed an eternity ago, but at times, he swore he could still feel her…

Blimey, it was starting to get uncomfortably warm in his bedroom. He got up and opened the window far enough to allow a cool breeze to flutter the curtains without letting the rain in. Lying back on his bed, he closed his eyes. His strange new relationship with Ginny was a welcome surprise. He'd never imagined becoming more than friends with her. He'd certainly never planned to kiss her…well in public at least.

Just as his mind slipped back to that embarrassing, but really rather nice moment, Harry froze in horror. He'd been sabotaged! Again! First Cho and now Ginny; this wasn't fair! His first kiss ever had happened before he even realized what was happening. It had ended even worse, what with Cho bursting into tears all over him. Now Ginny had gone and done it! He grabbed the pillow behind his head and pressed it over his face. Couldn't he ever be the first?

"Do that and you'll miss out on all the fun of being a seventh year."

At the sound of the voice, Harry tumbled off the bed and groped for his wand. Finding it, he pointed it in the direction of the person who was now laughing.

"Relax Harry, it's just me! I swear sometimes you're as jumpy as Mad-Eye."

Harry lowered his wand and stood up, shaking slightly. "Bloody hell, Tonks! Can't you ever knock or something?"

Smiling from the doorway, Tonks shook her head. "Now where would the fun be in that?" She crossed the room, shoving dirty laundry to the side with her foot. "You know, I think you're becoming a right slob. This place is worse than it was on Sunday."

Harry grinned sheepishly. "Yeah, sorry. Petunia won't step foot near here anymore and I just haven't felt like cleaning up."

"Obviously," Tonks said as she looked around the room. Then, clapping her hands together, she gave a cheerful sigh. "Right then, I've come for your usual update session."

Harry scoffed. "You don't have to bother. I'm sure it's all the same. Everyone misses me, can't wait to see me, and says to keep my temper in control."

Tonks nodded. "Yeah, you've pretty much got it all."

Harry walked around her, picking up his laundry, trying not to get angry.

On the evening of the day after his return from school, Harry had sat wishing for all the promised letters to start arriving, especially the ones from Ginny. However, Tonks had arrived that night and ruined that idea.

"Sorry Harry, but there won't be any post for you. Dumbledore doesn't think it's safe to put anything in writing these days. The chance of someone getting hold of important information is just too great. I promise, though, everyone is together and perfectly safe."

Harry tried to refrain from throwing something. "So are they at the Burrow or Grim…er London?"

Tonks smiled sadly. "You know I can't tell you that. I'll be by every few days to let you know what's going on. I'm not sure when you'll be getting out of here, but I don't expect it will be too long."

Harry growled in frustration, but Tonks patted his shoulder. "I know it's frustrating, but he does everything for a reason. The reasons might not always make sense, but they're there."

There was something in Tonk's voice that made Harry wonder what sort of restrictions Dumbledore had placed on her life.

As Harry threw the last pair of socks in the hamper, Tonks spoke again. "Now that that's done, I can give you your birthday present." She pulled out a small, but thick book of parchment.

Stifling a snort, Harry looked at the book. "This has to be from Hermione. She's the only one who buys me books."

"Actually, this is from me. I picked it up when I left work today." She pressed the book into his hands.

Harry looked down at the cover. In the center was the official Ministry of Magic seal. Above it, in large curly silver letters was:

Department of Magical Transportation

Apparition Division

Smaller words under the seal read:

Official Apparition Examination Study Manual

413th Edition

Eyes wide, Harry looked up at Tonks. "Apparition study guide?"

"Well, yeah. Thought you might want to study in your spare time. You can only study the theory part now; can't go Apparating wherever you please. Don't look at me like that! First, it isn't safe. B, you aren't seventeen yet. Third, you can't Apparate freely anywhere near this place without getting splinched."

Ignoring that fact that Tonks was trying to be funny, Harry snapped at her. "You do it all the time!"

"Yes, but I'm a highly trained Auror," she said, giving him a sly wink. "Trust me; you'd better study that theory stuff. The written part of the exam is about a hundred and fifty questions. Do you know that Hermione has the thing memorized, cover to cover? She's only had it two weeks! Girl's a bloody genius, or something. She keeps going around quizzing Ron; I think he's on the verge of doing something drastic to shut her up."

Harry couldn't help but laugh at the thought of Hermione chasing Ron around, bombarding him with questions. He stopped shortly when he thought about the fact that they were having such a fun time together, wherever they were.

Tonks smiled at him as though she realized where his thoughts had gone. "Don't get into a foul mood. Besides, I've got something else to tell you, and I think this will be even better than your present."

Harry crossed his arms over his chest and tried to keep his expression neutral.

"I have it on good authority that you will not be spending your birthday here. I can't tell you where you're going mind, but I promise it will be a load better than here."

Without thinking, Harry had launched himself at Tonks. He hugged her with all his might, feeling his heart swelling. He would be away from here in less than a week. Even though he missed his two best friends deeply, it was the thought of seeing Ginny again that made him happier than anything.

"Hermione, I swear if you ask me another question I'm going to…" Ron stopped. He didn't know what he was going to do, but it was going to be something.

Hermione placed her hands on her hips and gave him the look. "You're going to what?"

The pair stood facing each other, Ron weighing his options. If he didn't make just the right threat she would either keep pestering him or, worse, give him the cold shoulder from now until Merlin knew when.

Foot tapping, Hermione stared him down. "I'm waiting."

"I…well…I'll…" Ron floundered. Then an idea struck him. "I won't kiss you for a whole week!" Even as the words were coming out of his mouth, Ron knew it was a bad idea.

Brown eyes narrowed, and their owner took a step closer to her target. "Well, that's just fine by me. Just remember that when you sneak out of your room tonight!" She turned on her heel and flounced away toward the pond.

"Damn it, Weasley!" Ron smacked himself in the head. He set off at a run for Hermione. She had already dropped down under the tree, nose stuck in the study guide. Dropping down beside her, he plucked the book from her hands. "I'm sorry. I just…I just get tired of going over that stuff constantly."

"Ron, I'm just trying to help you." Her voice was slightly cool, but still carried its usual concern.

Ron dropped the book in her lap and looked out over the pond. He felt her warm hand rest on his arm. "This isn't really about the exam, is it?"

Shaking his ginger head, he continued to stare out over the water. She was right, of course, but he wasn't sure how to put his concern into words. Still without speaking, he lay down and settled his head into her lap. He closed his eyes as she began to rake her fingers through his hair. Eyes still closed he finally spoke. "I just…I don't know, things feel strange."

"You mean about us?"

"Sort of."

"You're not still worried about what Harry thinks, are you?"

Ron's tempered flared. He roughly pushed himself up and started to walk away from her.

"Ron! Ron, what…?"

He turned to find her standing, also. Her face was screwed up, halfway between tears and anger.

He tried to choke back the words, but they came forward. "No! For once, something isn't about Harry! Can't something just be about us for a change?" He tried to stop, but the words continued to spill forth. "He's my best mate, but can't we just be…I don't know...us…for awhile? It's as if our whole world revolves around him and this stupid war. For five minutes, I'd like to just be a normal teenager and not have to worry about death and destruction. I want to just sit under that tree and snog my girlfriend senseless! Is that so wrong to ask?"

Ron stopped and caught site of Hermione's face. Tears were streaming and she was shaking. "Stupid prat!" he thought. "Just throw her parents death in her face, why don't you?" "Gods, Hermione, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have blown up like that." He went over to her and gathered her into his arms.

She gave a sniffle and looked up at him. "No, don't apologize. You're right, about everything. I'm sorry about badgering you to study. I just thought that if we had something to occupy our time we wouldn't have to think about it so much."

"I know, and I'm really not mad at you for that. I guess I'm still not used to being like this with you. I keep thinking that one morning you're going to wake up and realize that you're way too good for me."

Hermione swatted his arm. "Don't you ever say that again, Ronald Weasley. Your mum was right; we are made for each other."

Ron smiled at her. "Yeah, who else could put up with a nag like you?"

"Only a lazy, selfish prat like you." She buried her head in his chest, again. "What if we do it?"

Ron stiffened and pulled away from her slightly. "Wh…what?"

Hermione looked up and rolled her eyes. Ron was pleased to see a deep blush rising across her face."Oh don't be daft. I didn't mean…that. I meant what if we did act like normal teenagers. You know, for the rest of the summer. It's our last real bit of freedom before we have to start worrying about jobs and the future. We should just enjoy it."

"You really think you could handle it?" Ron had to admit that he felt a bit deflated now. For a wild second he'd thought she'd really meant… "You know it would mean no constant studying. Just days of endless laziness."

"Well, you're the expert at that; you could show me how."

"Alright, that's a deal. Now, first lesson." He took her hand and pulled her back under the tree. Dropping down, he pulled her into his lap. "Give me this." He took the book from her hand and tossed it far away. Curling his hands in her chestnut hair, he kissed her soundly.

Pulling away for air, Hermione actually gave a giggle. "I could get used to this normal teenager stuff."

Ron smiled. "Have I told you how much I love you?"

Hermione beamed and kissed him again. It was strange still; saying those words and hearing them in return. It had been barely a month since they'd admitted to being in love.

Ron remembered every second of that night perfectly. They'd been at St. Mungo's, keeping vigil over Ginny, who seemed to be hovering somewhere between life and death. If Ron was completely honest with himself, it had begun long before that. The time Hermione was laying Petrified in the hospital wing, when Ron had been dragged into the tree by Sirius, the night after the Department of Mysteries fight…every single time Ron had thought he would never see Hermione again. Each time, though, they always came back together. It had been Christmas, last year when Ron became very frightened. He had crept into her room and watched her sleep. Her parents were dead and she lay there so pale and small. Ron realized how close he had come to losing her. Nevertheless, as with all the other times, he became scared and didn't tell her what he should have. He believed that she would laugh at him and their friendship would be ruined. It was easier to believe that she would want someone like Harry, instead of a poor, lazy slob like him.

When the giants attacked, Ron found he could wait no longer. Terrified that he had lost his chance forever, he struggled to get back to the school. When Hermione had launched herself into his arms, he knew. News of Ginny had driven the thought from his head, and they rushed to her side. Later that evening, the two had been left alone and Ron found he could shy away from it no longer. Without a thought in his head, he'd walked over to her. Words wouldn't come out, so he did the only thing he could think of. He kissed her; wonderfully and completely. Every thing he felt for her came out in that kiss. When he pulled away, he expected to see anger or confusion. Instead, Hermione's chocolate eyes were shining and she was smiling.

"I love you, Hermione. I have for a long time, and if you don't feel the same way then that's fine, but I had to tell you."

"I love you to." She didn't say another word, but kissed him back.

"What are you thinking about?"

Ron smiled at his girlfriend. "You, actually. And the night we finally…how did Harry put it? Oh yeah, pulled our heads out of our rear ends. It seems so long ago."

"I'm glad we did, though." Hermione reached up and kissed her boyfriend again.

"That's disgusting."

"What's disgusting, dear?"

Ginny snapped her head around. She hadn't meant to say that aloud. Closing her curtains quickly, Ginny gave her mother an innocent smile. "Oh, there was a big ugly bug on the windowsill. It's gone now."

Molly raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. She placed the folded clothes on her daughter's bed, and walked over to her. "Are you feeling alright, Ginny? You didn't eat very much at lunch."

"Mum, don't fuss. I'm fine, I swear."

Giving her daughter an appraising glance, Molly nodded. "Alright, well, why don't you go and tell our happy couple that we'll start on the wards again in about fifteen minutes." Walking out the door, Molly stopped and smiled slyly. "That is unless what they're doing is too disgusting to get near."

Ginny stood with her mouth agape. Her mother never ceased to amaze her.

The redhead smiled to herself and set off for the couple down by the pond. She stopped a good distance away and cleared her throat. "Mum says that they'll be starting the work on the wards again in a few minutes."

She watched as the pair disentangled themselves. Walking hand-in-hand past her, Hermione gave Ginny an embarrassed smile and Ron ruffled her hair affectionately.

One couldn't help feeling jealous watching those two. Merlin knew they both deserved to be happy, but it's hard to be happy for a couple when you're on your own.

Ginny took up the spot under the tree and looked out over the pond. Truthfully, she didn't know whether she was alone or not. It had been three weeks since her emotions had gotten the better of her. Her face still turned crimson when she thought of that day. What had she been thinking? Kissing him right out in the car park for the whole of London to see! And his family standing there watching!

Groaning, Ginny banged her head back into the tree trunk. What must Harry think of her, now? Hopefully, he didn't find her a slag that just went around kissing blokes. Well, she would know soon enough. Just this morning Dumbledore decided to announce that Harry would be leaving his uncle's and come to stay at the Burrow for the remainder of the summer holidays. Ginny had at least hoped she would be able to ease into this new relationship with Harry through letters. That idea had been crushed almost instantly. She'd seriously considered writing a very long letter and trying to convince Tonks to deliver it. After eleven crumbled bits of parchment, two broken quills, and many words she wouldn't dare let her mother hear, Ginny'd given up. What she felt simply couldn't be put into words. No, she'd be a woman and tell him face to face.

Of course that had seemed very simple until she found out his arrival was only days away. Now, she tripped over the words in her own mind. How could she ever say them aloud? Moreover, (and this thought had only occurred this morning) what if he didn't feel the same as he had at King's Cross? What if he still just saw her as a friend?

Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes. "Come on, you know better than that. Remember what he said at the hospital that night. He likes you more than just his friend."

"Yes, but what happens next?" she asked herself aloud.

"You'll figure that out when the time comes. Worry about today, not tomorrow."

Ginny smiled and took a deep breath of the fresh summer air. Yes, she'd worry about it all later. For now, she would think of a messy haired-boy with lovely eyes, and the feel of his lips on hers. Of course, she had no idea that the boy was thinking the same thing about her at that very moment.

A/N: Alrighty, first chappie is up! A few things I need to get out of the way, before I get bombarded with questions. Hermione's age is a bit confusing. In LP, she was underage. This is because it was written before JKR cleared up how old she was. Now that I know she turned 12 on Sept. 19 1991, I had to tweak this story a bit.

Essentially, The Weasleys' signed to be her guardians when she was 16, because her parents didn't want to take chances. As she is now 17, going on 18 se no longer needs them legally. She and Ron are of legal age to do magic outside of school, so they have been drafted to help with wards being placed around the property for their protection.

Next chapter, Harry will come to the Burrow. The place will be buzzing with two celebrations, so it should be a fun time for all! Thanks for reading!