Chapter 1 – The Long Ride Back
The sun was beginning to set when the Hogwarts Express pulled into Kings Cross station. As far as some of the younger students who were disembarking were concerned it could well be for the last time that they ever rode this train. The headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, possibly the most beloved of all Hogwarts heads had been murdered by one of his own colleagues, and the school may never open again. Of course many of the students hoped that the school would stay open as they still felt; despite the recent breach of school security by a band of death eaters aided and abetted by one of their fellow students that the school was still the safest place to be in the wizarding community at the present time. Of course some of them would have a great deal of difficulty in convincing their parents that this was the correct thing to do. Those that remembered would recall the words Dumbledore had said two years ago about choosing between what was right and what was easy and returning to school was definitely the right thing to do and certainly would not be easy in these dark times.
As the students who had stayed at school to attend Dumbledore's funeral the previous day began to disembark from the train and slowly make their way into muggle London from platform 9 ¾, four nervous teenagers were waiting in a compartment towards the back of the train waiting for the platform to clear sufficiently and for the rest of the guard to appear. For Harry Potter this trip home from Hogwarts had been the worst in the six years he had been attending Hogwarts.
As soon as the formalities of Dumbledore's funeral were over and Harry had managed to evade the Minister from further pressing him for information about where Harry and Dumbledore had been on the night Dumbledore was killed, Harry, Ron and Hermione returned to the castle in order to make sure that all of their belongings were packed and nothing had been overlooked in their rush to pack earlier in the morning before the funeral. They knew they would most likely never be returning and didn't want to leave anything behind.
Harry was very grateful that Ron and Hermione were going to stand by him through his mission even though, for Hermione especially it would mean giving up on some of her dreams. Harry also felt like he was losing out on something by not returning, the slight possibility of following his father and being head boy, NEWT exams so he could become an Auror and just generally enjoying his final year of school but he held to his resolve. He had a mission to finish and he would finish it not for himself but for his headmaster and mentor. They had had their disagreements, some of them quite major, but the relationship between them was still strong.
Harry, Ron and Hermione made their way back to Gryffindor tower to relax before lunch and the trip back to London. The trio had only been sitting in their favourite chairs around the fire for about 10 minutes when the portrait hole opened and in walked Ginny. Neither one met the gaze of the other for fear of breaking down over the events which transpired after the funeral. Instead Ginny took off towards the staircase leading to the girl's dormitory.
"What was that all about Harry" Hermione quietly asked as Ginny took off. "Why did Ginny take off like that and not come over here and why did neither of you look at each other?"
Suddenly it was as if Professor McGonagall's voice had been amplified all over the school. "Attention please all staff, students and others: the Hogwarts Express will not be leaving today after a band of Death Eaters and Dementors attempted to waylay it on its way here to take you home. The express will now depart tomorrow in order to ensure student safety. All students are advised to remain in their common rooms. Meals will be brought to you in your common rooms. Sorry for the delay and inconvenience."
"Guess we have one last night here after all hey guys."
"Ever the optimist aren't you Ron" replied Harry sarcastically. "I think I'll just go up to our dorm and lay down I feel exhausted."
As Harry climbed the stairs to the dormitory that had become his home for the last six years his mind filled with thoughts of Ginny. He knew that he had had to break up with her ever since the death of the headmaster, but that did not mean that he wasn't hurting from the pain that the decision caused him. How could he not be hurting? He knew now that he was in love with Ginny, perhaps even soul mates. He was sure that if he had Ginny at his side then nothing too terrible could go wrong. Harry stopped himself from following this train of thought. The reason he broke up with Ginny was to keep her safe, for something for him to fight for, to survive and something to come back to at the end of the battle. Maybe he should have given Ginny a chance to speak when he had told her but it was just too painful. Harry also made sure that he had retrieved his potions book. Even though it had ended up belonging to that traitorous, murdering, former teacher whose name absolutely made his blood boil, it had still been interesting and might prove helpful, after all even though he had never agreed with the man he had recognised him as a master in the craft of potion making. It was just his teaching method that he had never agreed with. Harry thought it would be extremely ironic if he could find something in the book that would bring about the downfall of that nemesis. When he reached the dorm he went over to his four poster and lay down drifting off into a fitful sleep filled with distorted memories of the tragedies he had witnessed in his short life.
Meanwhile in the girl's dormitories, Ginny was trying to console herself with logic. This however was not doing her any good as Harry's decision just did not make any sense. He wants to protect me, but I can protect myself. He just cares about me, then why did he hurt me so much by breaking up with me. Then why did he break up with me? I'm, sure that he loves me just by the look in his eyes and the way that he kisses me. Suddenly things began to click for Ginny. The battle at the Department of Mysteries, the prophecy, the Daily Prophet naming him the Chosen One, his mysterious lessons with Dumbledore and that mission the night of the attack on the school. Oh Merlin he isn't returning to school and plans to go off on his own. Wait no not on his own if I know my brother and best friend they won't let him go on his own. They know what his mission is and they are going with him. She rushed into the next dorm in the hopes of finding Hermione who could confirm some of her theories. However this was prevented by the message from Professor McGonagall and the fact that she couldn't seem to find either Hermione or her brother when she went looking for them.
For the rest of the day Harry and Ginny preferred to keep to themselves trying to heal themselves of the hurt of both the break-up and Dumbledore's death. Ron and Hermione were also conspicuous by their absence. They decided to leave Harry and Ginny be for the time being to let the sort out whatever issues were upsetting them. This only happened of course once Hermione talked some sense into Ron to give them space.
All too soon for the four teenagers it was time to say goodbye to the castle and head towards Hogsmeade station to catch the train home. Slowly everyone made their way to the entrance hall with their belongings to take the thestral drawn carriages to Hogsmeade station. As Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny began to head out they were stopped by Professor McGonagall. "When the four of you arrive at the station you will need to ride the train home together. There will be a guard waiting and they will give you instructions for your safety for the ride home. This was the main reason for the delay in the Express leaving. After the attempt yesterday the Order thought it would be best to have a guard on hand in case of another attack".
As they arrived at Hogsmeade station they were gathered together by several order members including Tonks and Lupin.
"All right you four this is how the security arrangements are for this trip will work" started Lupin who seemed to have silently been elected the spokesperson. "We shall be travelling in the train with you to London and Tonks and I will be in the compartment with you while the others generally patrol. When we get to Kings Cross we shall all stay on the train until the rest of the students have gotten off the train and the rest of the guard are spotted on the platform. In addition, the Ministry decided to assign Aurors to fly along on broom with the express in case of an aerial attack after the attempt made yesterday."
Having a guard made Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny think at the start of the journey that it was going to be impossible to enjoy the ride home the way they usually would by playing exploding snap, gossiping, and just fooling around generally in the last glorious moments of being able to do magic for the summer. Harry was especially irked by this as he had no way of carrying on any further discussion of his plans as they would surely be shot down by the order members if they were to find out. Ginny was also irked by these arrangements because being this close to Harry was too hurtful on her broken heart after his break-up at the funeral but there was nothing that she could do about it.
The train left slowly giving people a final scenic view of Hogwarts and the highlands it was located in. Harry tried to fix the image in his mind of what it looked like thinking it would possibly be the very last time that he looked on the school and the beauty of the area. Hermione was affronted that she could not do prefect duties because of the security measures. That was until Remus assured her that there were the other prefects as well as the other Order members who had taken the train to give it extra security.
Part way through the journey though Harry got brave enough to ask Tonks and Remus whether it would be possible for the four of them to have a private conversation. This caused raised eyebrows especially from Remus. Harry simply said, "I know that you are protecting us, but there are things that I know and need to discuss with the other three that absolutely no-one else can know. This is just the way that it has to be Remus. It was the absolute last thing that I promised Dumbledore, I owe it to him to keep my promise, although Ginny was not included in my secrets there are other private things I have to discuss with her too and I think that Dumbledore would not mind her knowing. I'm not asking you to go far away just to stand outside the door you can even be looking into the compartment through the glass to make sure nothing happens one of us will just put a silencing charm on the door." This was eventually agreed to and the two made their way to just outside the door.
Hermione cast a silencing charm. First Harry wanted to clear things up with Ginny. He felt he owed her more of an explanation. "Ron please don't get into the protective older brother mode and punch my lights out before I finish explaining everything okay." Ron cautiously nodded his head. "I broke up with Ginny at the funeral. I can tell she is heartbroken because I am too."
At this Ginny looked very surprised. "I know that she can take care of herself quite well because I have seen her in battle often enough and because your family are considered blood traitors your whole family is a target. I just have to look at your mm's clock to know this. However my feelings for her would increase that risk. I can't afford this. Ginny will you please let me finish explaining properly what I didn't finish at the funeral."
Ginny slowly nodded her head. "Before he died Dumbledore told me lots of things about Tom Riddle. By the way I think we should all start calling him this rather than his other name. Not because we are scared of it but for tactical reasons. He can't abide this name, which is after all why he changed it. If we start using it then his chosen name loses its power and in a confrontation it will anger him and may lead to him making a mistake."
At this Ron looked very impressed. "Harry how did you come up with this your are, no offence mate, hopeless at chess, this is strategy and tactics." Harry continued "at the Battle at the ministry, this was what Dumbledore did and I was the only one that witnessed it apart from Bellatrix, it seemed to work so I think it would be useful. I looked up to Dumbledore and think it would be a good strategy to think how would Dumbledore handle a given situation. While he made mistakes and admitted this even to me I still think it is a good strategy for our mission. Now back to why I broke up with you Ginny. The three of us are not returning to Hogwarts next year, this mission is too important. The longer I delay the more attacks will be committed and more people will die each day. It would just make me feel too guilty to delay the mission to continue school. I can't tell you exactly what the mission entails because of my promise to Dumbledore. He made me promise to tell only Ron and Hermione."
At a look from Ginny Harry continued, "It's not that I don't trust you it's just that he must have had his reasons and I trust his judgement in most things. Apart from the fact that your mum will not let you come, it is going to be hard enough convincing her about Ron coming, but apart from the most evil wizard being after me, the ministry is extremely interested in finding out my mission. If you come with us then it might make it easier for them to find us and find out what we are doing."
After this Harry was silent long enough for Ginny to ask "are you done now Harry?" At a nod from Harry Ginny continued "I understand Harry how deeply you care about me I've seen it in your eyes and felt it in the way that you kiss me." Ginny glared at her brother are he glared at Harry menacingly "but don't you think that Tom already knows, or can at least find out, first Snape and Malfoy both knew do you think that one of them hasn't told him already, second how can you hide it, you know how skilled a legilimens he is and face it Harry how good exactly are your occlumency skills?" Harry looked crestfallen at this. "Harry you may go off without me I understand your reasons for doing that but let me be your true love like you want me to be and let me help you. I'll be at school and have access to the library I can research for you and I promise not to ask questions please Harry".
Harry considered what Ginny had said and mentally kicked himself from stopping her from replying at the funeral. Hermione was right he did tend to have a saving people complex and it was true she might be a big help to him. "Okay Ginny you are right I do love you and wanted to keep you safe to give me something to fight for. I feel that I need to know that I can come home to you to keep me going giving me a reason to survive the final battle. I don't know how we're going to work this out but yes I love you more than I love life itself."
Ron looked dumbfounded at what his mate had just admitted. Ginny just couldn't keep her glee inside of her any longer launching herself at Harry causing Tonks and Remus to come racing back into the compartment and stopping suddenly as Ginny captured Harry's mouth in a full, all out snog. Harry was fully aware of the joy he had just given Ginny as her lips sank onto his. As the kiss went on, Harry moved his head to deepen the kiss and Ginny nibbled at his lower lip her tongue seeking entrance. A battle of tongues ensued resulting in an exotic dance that only came to a stop when both felt a need to draw breath.
Once they had finished a voiced spoke out "what is it about Potter men and red-headed women?" At which everyone burst into laughter.
"I don't know Remus. But I don't ever want to let this one go again. Speaking of women, have you come to your senses yet?" With this comment both Tonks and Remus began to get a pink tinge to their faces that would rival that of any Weasley and the four teenagers burst into laughter. While observing this Harry decided to add "and as for you two, when are you going to stop dancing around each other. The rest of Gryffindor tower has been betting on when you two would get it together. Let me tell you there has been a lot of money already lost. I mean everyone knows that you only argue because of all the sexual tension that you refuse to act on." Now it was the turn of Ron and Hermione to turn pink while Harry, Ginny, Tonks and Remus burst out into laughter.
"I will have you know that if I did have feelings for Hermione that I would tell her in private thank you very much" pouted Ron.
"Oh is that where the two of you were yesterday when nobody could find you. I was looking for Hermione to talk about Harry breaking up with me and couldn't find her."
The rest of the journey continued in a relatively normal fashion after that with Tonks and Remus joining them in games of exploding snap until they slowed down arriving in London and waited for the others to leave and the rest of the guard to show up.
Finally they were allowed to leave the train and make their way back into the muggle world where both Ron's and Hermione's families were waiting for them. Harry found it a little strange that Ron's family had not just got the Hogwarts Express with the students as it seemed many families were travelling home together, but then with the attempted attack on the express yesterday maybe they were busy on other Order business. Harry's eyes swept Kings Cross station searching for signs of the Dursley's and was not disappointed that they had not showed up. Of course, the Dursley's knew nothing about the school closing early so why should he have expected them to show up. Harry thought that it made things a little easier that he wasn't going to have to have a screaming match here in the station about Ron and Hermione staying part of the summer in his house.
As soon as they reached their families Ron and Hermione went to explain their decisions, at least as far as going to Surrey with Harry were concerned while Harry hung back with Moody, Lupin and Tonks. Ron looked as though he was having a heated argument with his parents while Hermione seemed to be having no trouble convincing her parents. Suddenly Harry had to look away as Ginny gave him a very lustful look all too clearly saying how she would love it if she could go with him and what she would love to do away from the spying eyes of all her family except Ron. As Harry painfully tore his eyes away from his friends and their families he became aware of a conversation in which his name appeared to be cropping up quite a bit.
"…shouldn't be left alone!" Growled Moody to the others who nodded their heads in agreement.
Suddenly Harry interrupted them stating "I will not be alone Ron and Hermione are coming with me they told me after the funeral and are now arguing with their families in order to do so. Don't feel that you have to worry about me all the time. I can look after myself pretty well and so can Ron and Hermione before you say anything else. Besides I don't think anything good can come of any of you staying with me. It will just take someone away from being able to hunt down and deal with the Death Eaters, Dementors, Giants and other beings in Tom's army."
They just looked at Harry dumbfounded before Lupin asked Harry "and how were you planning on getting to Surrey when only Hermione can apparate. No Harry this will not do at least let us get you there and explain things to your aunt and uncle."
Harry considered finally hedging claiming that he couldn't and wouldn't make any decisions without consulting with his friends first.
"Finally the boy is showing some sense and not going off half-cocked all the time" expressed Moody. Harry was embarrassed by this compliment but realised he deserved it. He came to realise that the death of Dumbledore had been a turning point. He would not mope and be depressed as he had been in the past over Cedric's death and Voldemort's rebirth at the end of fourth year or Sirius' death last year. There was nothing to be gained by being depressed. In fact he realised that he was less effective when he was in that state. Harry wondered how Dumbledore's death had made him gain such a wise and mature outlook on life.
Just then Ron and Hermione approached with satisfied grins on their faces. Harry looked up and saw Mrs Weasley looking very tearful. It was soon arranged that Harry, Ron, Hermione, Lupin and Tonks would take a taxi to Surrey. It was agreed during the journey that Harry would try to stay until his birthday since it really was the safest place for him to be. It was also agreed that Hermione would send her patronus if their plans changed at all so that by the time they arrived at Harry's aunt and uncles house the whole party appeared to be in good spirits. Harry knew this could not last when his aunt and uncle found out he was home early and his friends would be staying with him.
It took a while for uncle Vernon to calm down once he had been informed of the new arrangements for the summer and still seemed to be smouldering like a bushfire that hadn't quite been extinguished and could flare up again at any moment. Things only quieted down when Hermione found enough courage to put her foot down and say that all they were asking was to be allowed to stay in Harry's room with the curtains drawn so the neighbours wouldn't notice anything and they wouldn't even have to feed them. This seemed to shoot down the worst of the Dursley's arguments and so the three were installed in what had once been described as the smallest bedroom, 4 Privet Drive, Little Winging, Surrey. It would have been enormously cramped had Hermione, Tonks and Remus not made some interesting adjustments. Before they left Remus and Tonks showed them how to send messages with their patronus. It was simple. While conjuring the patronus you simply had to think of the message you wanted to send as well as the person you wanted to send it to. They had Ron and Hermione practice since they were of age. Satisfied they made to leave.
Before they left however, Harry realised all of the magic that had been occurring. "Hey Tonks I better not get a notice from the Improper Use of Magic Office for all of this. I am the only known wizard in the area. Dumbledore told me they can't identify the individual who did the spell. Therefore I will get all the blame for this."
"Sorry Harry, we didn't think about that one. No worries when I check in with the office as soon as I leave here I will make sure that everything is okay."