Harry Potter stuck to his decision to drop out of school because of Dumbledore's death. He was desperate to finish what was left in their task, to find the remaining Horcruxes, and definitely kill Lord Voldemort. The locket found in the cave was proven to be a fake Horcrux, and the initials R.A.B. were still a mystery to everyone.
Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, however, were continuing their studies at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for their seventh and final year, instead of the previous year's decision. The school ruins from last year's battle had been immediately restored, and everyone was curious on how the staff would manage the school now that a new Headmistress was to replace Dumbledore. Many students were reported to have been taken out of school because of great fear from their parents, including the Patil twins. Snape and Draco Malfoy, along with other Death Eaters, were still in hiding, although in separate places. Aurors and other Ministry of Magic people had not yet stopped searching for them since Dumbledore's death.
Harry, Hermione and the Weasleys were at the Burrow, just after Bill's wedding with Fleur Delacour. Everyone stayed at the Weasley's after the event, including Hermione and Harry. Ron and Hermione bombarded Harry with questions on why they can't go along with Harry.
"I already said this; I don't want anybody in danger again. What if something happens to Ginny? Ron, haven't you thought of that? And Hermione, I'm really sure you are going to be the Head Girl, so if you come along with me, no one can replace your standards," Harry explained sternly.
"But that's not so important to me, Harry! It's not as important as you going alone!" Hermione protested.
"No, you're staying at Hogwarts. I've thought of that for weeks already," Harry said. "And, Hermione, what will your parents say about you when they find out that you dropped out of school?" he added. Hermione wailed silently in defeat.
"But mate, Ginny can take good care of her self. She's at Hogwarts, she'll be safe there for sure," Ron tried to say, persuading Harry. Unfortunately, Harry shook his head.
"I'm sure Mr. and Mrs. Weasley are against your decision, Ron," Harry said. Ron sighed and placed his arm under his chin. He saw his parents look at each other. Mrs. Weasley seemed to agree on what Harry said, while Mr. Weasley looked okay with it.
"Harry, dear, are you sure you don't want to continue at Hogwarts?" Mrs. Weasley asked him for the umpteenth time. Concern was written all over her face. Hermione and Ron were very worried for him too, seeing that he only had a year left to fulfill at Hogwarts.
"Yes, Mrs. Weasley, I'm sure. I want to continue what Dumbledore left for me to do, and I won't be able to study at Hogwarts anymore," implied Harry, feeling a horrible stab on his insides.
"Well, if you really want it that way, then I cannot do anything further, dear. But if you're looking for some place to stay, you are more than welcome here," Mrs. Wealsey replied.
"If you want, why don't you just stay here? What do you think?" Mr. Weasley asked from the kitchen.
"Thanks for the offer but Dumbledore made it clear that I have to stay at the Dursley's for a short while. Then I'm going to move to Godric's Hollow for good. I told Hermione and Ron that during Dumbledore's funeral. But thanks so much, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. I'll definitely drop by here often," said Harry, smiling gratefully.
"Finally, you smiled. C'mon, let's go help Fred and George pack their new stocks for their shop," Ron suggested. Hermione was beside him, smiling too.
"Yeah, let's go, Harry," Hermione added cheerfully. Harry stood up and they went upstairs to help out the Weasley twins.
When the three were out of earshot, Mr. Weasley sat with his wife at the dining table. "I'm worried for him, Arthur," Mrs. Weasley sighed, frowning.
"Molly, don't worry about that kid. He can manage himself now, I'm sure of that. Besides, many Aurors, take Tonks and Moody for example, won't leave his side. Stop worrying, dear," Mr. Weasley assured.
Harry, Hermione and Ron entered the twins' room and were amazed to find dozens and dozens of boxes packed up and sealed, ready to go to be sold.
"Blimey, Fred, George, are these new inventions?" Ron asked, flabbergasted.
"Most of them, some boxes are stocks of the famous items in the shop," chirped Fred, rather very happily. "Want a new invention each?" he asked.
"No thanks, you'll just make me pay you," uttered Ron, stubbornly.
"Well, 'lil bro, we're giving you, along with your two little friends there, one of each new item for free," George grinned, appearing from behind a pile of boxes.
"Yep, that's right," Fred added. Ron's eyes bulged and he got every invention he could reach.
"How 'bout you Harry? Hermione?" asked George, offering them a box to choose from.
"No thanks, George. Ron might steal mine, look at him," Harry joked. George was amused when he looked at Ron, because he was pleading to get another one of the mug.
"No can do, Ron. We promised one only," Fred noted out. "Ah, Harry, congratulations, your old cheerfulness is coming back." Harry smiled and looked at some items with a curious look.
"Fancy a new and improved love potion, Hermione?" George suggested. He held a small magenta-colored bottle in front of Hermione.
"Erm, no thanks, George," said Hermione. "I confiscated many of those last year because they used it wrongly," she recalled apologetically. "Give it to Ginny, perhaps?" Fred and George looked at each other and they chuckled.
"We're not going to do that. Ginny might just use it on some bloke," George refused, grinning. "You better get back downstairs, mates. We're going to test each item here and things might get a little out of control," he added.
"Okay. Thanks a million for these," said Ron, carrying a bunch of things in his arms. They went downstairs and the twins were right. There was a loud explosion from their room soon after they left and they heard Mrs. Weasley shout and scold them from the living room. Ron was so surprised with the loud bang that he practically threw all of the inventions outside the window.
"Fred, George! You clean up that mess or you're going to be in a lot of trouble!" cried Mrs. Weasley.
Some time later, they were all eating lunch when four post owls arrived, each carrying a letter. Mrs. Weasley stood up to take the letter and handed each of them to the recipients. Unsurprisingly, there was none for Harry, but there were two for Ginny.
"Did you tell anyone else?" asked Hermione, holding her letter. Ron and Ginny were already reading theirs.
"I told McGonagall about it, she was disappointed," said Harry, helping himself with shepherd's pie.
"Ginny, how're your O.W.L.'s?" Mrs. Weasley asked Ginny.
"Not bad, Mum. I got an 'O' in Defense and Charms," replied Ginny proudly. Suddenly, Hermione gasped and everyone looked at her.
"I'm Head Girl!" Hermione said, overwhelmed. She took out a red badge from the envelope and held it. Everyone congratulated her. "Harry, could I borrow Hedwig? I'm going to write to Mum and Dad," she said, turning to Harry.
"Okay, sure. She's in Ron's room. I told you you'd be Head Girl," Harry replied, as Hermione went upstairs. Everyone resumed to eating their meals and chatting with everyone.
"Molly, is it alright to purchase their books next week? I'm quite busy at the Ministry this week," asked Mr. Weasley, reading the list again.
"Alright, there's still a little less than month before school starts," Mrs. Weasley replied. "Harry, when are you going back to the Dursleys? Where are you going to celebrate your birthday?" Mrs. Weasley asked Harry.
"Two days from now, but I'll be going back here for the rest of the month to celebrate my birthday, then, stay at Godric's Hollow. I'm just going back to the Dursleys' for a day to get the rest of my things. I'll start locating---er, I mean, I'll be searching for the other Death Eaters, and Malfoy," said Harry, mumbling the last sentence.
"Harr, you need to be careful, very careful with what you're going to do. Do you want me to send Tonks with you? She's also on the same task, you know," Mr. Weasley reminded him. Hermione joined them again and asked what she missed.
"No, no, I'm better off alone. I don't want anyone in trouble," Harry insisted. Hermione and Ron looked at each other, getting more worried for him. "Hermione, Ron, don't worry, I'll be fine," assured Harry. He finished his lunch and stood up, as well as Hermione and Ron, and they went upstairs.
"Harry, I'm really scared for you. Why don't you just continue studying at Hogwarts? I mean, it's our last year there, and it won't be the same without you," Hermione pleaded, frowning, when they sat down Ron's bed.
"Yeah, mate. Hermione's right, you know. You were the one who told us you wanted to be an Auror, and when we take our N.E.W.T.'s, then you can be one and continue looking for the Horcruxes and the Death Eaters," Ron reminded him.
"I can't delay looking for the Horcruxes, Ron. I want to finish off Voldemort once and for all," Harry said determinedly. And Hermione, it'll always be the same there, even without me," Harry assured them.
"How're you going to find the remaining Horcruxes?" Ron asked again.
"I've no idea. But Dumbledore left me his Pensieve so that'll help me at least. I'll need both of your help here. Hold on," said Harry, as he went to his trunk to get something. It was a pair of mirror and Harry gave one to Hermione and Ron.
"How did you get the other mirror?" asked Hermione. Harry's business-like posture diminished and he slouched.
"I got it out of his pocket when we found his body," Harry told her. Hermione bit her lower lip and quietly said sorry to him.
"What does this mirror do, Harry?" asked Ron.
"This," said Harry, holding the mirror, getting back to being business-like, "was owned by my dad and Sirius when they were young. Sirius gave me this and he kept the other during our fifth year. He said that the mirrors were used as means of communication by saying the name of the other owner. Now, you two need to take turns keeping that mirror and say my name whenever you find clues or information about the Horcruxes. The same goes for me, I'll be calling either of you whenever I need you to look up something." Hermione and Ron were a bit hesitant at first, but they saw Harry's stern look of determination in him.
"Ron, promise me you'll do this," Harry urged Ron.
"I promise that," Ron replied.
"But Harry, you can just stay at Hogwarts and---,"
"Do you promise to do this, Hermione?" asked Harry, cutting her off.
"Well, it's pretty easy if we---,"
"Do you promise me, Hermione?" repeated Harry. Hermione finally gave up.
"Yes, Harry. I promise," Hermione sighed.