Sorry about the name, I couldn't think of anything else to name it.
The morning after
The sleep had come as easy and as fast as the death that he had to face just a few hours before. His scar remained placid for the duration; his mind however would not - flitting from person to person, and place to place - Ginny, Tom Riddle, Hermione, and Ron to Dumbledore, the Hallows and to Hogwarts; his mind never settling on one place or person for more than a few seconds - Ginny being the obvious exception to this rule; never managing to disappear for long. The sleep took Harry to places he had never dreamed of, and to places and people he thought he would never meet again; Privet drive and the Dusley's, the cave that Voldemort had hidden the locket of Salezar Slytherin and Dobby, each entity drifting seamlessly into the next. Despite this, the sleep wouldn't release its relentless grip on Harry, and despite Harry's almost constant tossing and turning throughout the night, the sleep was mostly pleasant.
He slept through daybreak - only to be awoken by a soft tapping coming from the window. Carefully sliding on his glasses; to avoid causing any more damage to them having not been repaired from the night before. Looking towards the window he noticed a small, smart owl perched a few inches away from the glass, gently tapping at the window with its small dark orange beak. Harry couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt as his mind went to Hedwig - which only worsened when he realised that this was the first he had thought of her since she had died. Pushing himself off the bed, Harry got up slowly - his limbs stiff and heavy, and his body quite hot and sticky. It took him a few moments to realise that he was still wearing the clothes he was last night; stained with some of his blood. The sleep had taken Harry before he had managed to get a chance to change. Letting himself have a quick glance around the room; the rest of the beds were unmade, and he was the sole person in the room.
Making his way across the dormitory, he opened the window where the owl had been waiting patiently. Along with a cool breeze, the bird hopped into the room confidently on one foot - its other held out towards Harry with a large A4 envelope attached. Removing the package, the bird took off back through the window. Turning the package over in his hands, he noticed a golden 'M' embossed just above the envelope seal. Deciding that the envelope could wait for the time being it was chucked onto his bed, and Harry proceeded to get changed - the fresh clothes making him feel slightly better as he turned to leave the dormitories.
The first two that entered Harry's vision were Ron and Hermione; both on the couch beside the unlit fire, Hermione laying down with her head in Ron's lap re-reading The Tales of Beadle, the bard. Glancing over his shoulder, Ron's ears turned the familiar shade of bright-pink as he saw Harry, which also happened to bring about a small coughing fit. When Ron had calmed down, with some curious glances from Hermione, Ron was the first to speak.
"Howja sleep?" his voice trying to play it cool and nonchalant, but doing it badly, causing a smirk to appear on Harry's lips. The question made Hermione take note and finally realise that Harry was in the room, and gave a soft smile at him.
"Morning" Her voice a lot calmer than Ron's - even if her cheeks had a slight tinge of pink to them.
"G'morning" Harry replied, scratching the back of his head a little as he moved towards the seat "and like a log" he continued as he looked towards Ron.
It took Harry a few moments to observe the room, and a few moments more to realise that Neville was at the centre of a circle of people - some of whom had noticed Harry, and couldn't help but glance over towards him.
"Hi Harry!" Neville's voice called through the throng of people, some of whom hadn't been aware of Harry's presence, and turned to look before turning back to listen to Neville recounting how he decapitated Voldemort's snake; which had in turn allowed Harry to finish Voldemort off once and for all. Harry returned the acknowledgement with an appreciative nod; to avoid interrupting the story and drawing more attention onto himself.
"Oh, Harry" Hermione started "You should go to the medical wing; Madam Pomphrey will want to make sure you're alright. I think she was a little annoyed that you didn't go directly to her last night" she said, glancing up from the book once more.
"Alright" Harry nodded. He considered asking about Ginny; but quickly decided against it, unsure of how Ron would react to such questions considering the promise he made. Making his way out of the Gryffindor common room, the fat Lady's portrait swung shut behind him, just before Harry had been able to continue down the hall, it swung open once more with Hermione standing in the entrance.
"Harry. I couldn't say anything back there, but what are you going to do about Ginny?" she asked; glancing back into the common room to make sure Ron wasn't eavesdropping.
"Er...I dunno, I hadn't really thought...I doubt Ron woul-" Harry replied; but was cut short mid-word as Hermione stepped forward; the portrait closing behind her.
"You still care what Ron thinks about you and Ginny? She obviously doesn't! She stayed up in your dormitory all night making sure you were alright - much to Ron's annoyance." she started; the tone making it clear she had no patience for another excuse. Harry's expression of puzzlement obviously caused more annoyance as Hermione let out a sigh.
"You really don't understand women, do you?" Although she wasn't wanting nor expecting a reply, Harry agreed with her.
"I better get back...Ron might get suspicious. You, on the other Hand should get to the medical wing - that's where Ginny said she was going as well." Hermione finished before moving back towards the fat lady's portrait before turning to face Harry once again.
"And Harry..." she sighed once more as she pulled out her wand "Oculus reparo."
Harry felt the glasses heat up and bend back into shape, and saw the cracks on the glass disappear. Thanking Hermione as she re-entered the common room he turned away, heading in the direction of the medical wing - the thought of being able to see Ginny once more causing Harry to walk a little faster.
Stepping into the room that smelled very faintly of Polyjuice potion, Madam Pomphrey was attending to one student who was obscured from Harry's view as they (like all the other students) had been hidden behind a cloth divider. Harry guessed the student couldn't have been badly hurt; their shadow appearing as if they were sitting up. Looking around at the numerous beds, each hidden behind its own divider, it was only now Harry realised just how far the school and it's students went to help him find the last of the hocruxes and defeat Voldemort once and for all.
A fleeting glimpse of long, flaming red hair told Harry all he needed to know about the student that Madam Pomphrey was healing. A few more moments later, and the hair came into view once more; facing away from Harry as she still spoke to Madam Pomphrey. There wasn't anyone else who Harry knew who had their hair as red as hers. Walking up behind her, Harry reached out and gently grasped her arm causing her to jump slightly, before looking over her shoulder to see who had taken hold of her arm. A look of genuine relief spread over her face, followed by a wide smile.
"Harry!" Ginny said; obviously surprised to see him.
"Can I talk to you...in private?" Harry asked, his voice dropping a little in case Madam Pomphrey would be listening in.
"Potter!" The new voice was of Madam Pomphrey "Where did you sneak off too last night?" she asked; not caring about the conversation she had just interrupted.
"I'll meet you outside." Ginny whispered back whilst leaning closer towards him before Harry had a chance to respond to Madam Pomphrey. It was only now Harry noticed Ginny's eyes were somewhat bloodshot; but she had already moved to the door, quickly walking out of the medical room before Harry got a chance to ask her about it.
"Do you know if this will take long?" Harry asked, looking over to Madam Pomphrey, relishing the warmth of Ginny's face near his ear that had started to fade - sooner than Harry would have liked.
"It will take as long as it needs Mr Potter." Madam Pomphrey replied as she began to peer at his cuts, "...And you will stay as long as you need." she added as she began to twist Harry's head roughly to the side. "...Even if you are here longer than she is prepared to wait." she finished with a sigh - evidentially still annoyed about Harry taking it upon himself to determine if he was healthy enough to sleep in the dormitories.
It didn't take Harry long to get checked over and drink a vial of a green liquid, which looked to be as thick as treacle, but ran down his throat as if it were just water, and for a few seconds afterwards the cuts around his body began to hurt again before calming into a dull throbbing. Getting up from the bed he had been sat on he made his way to the medical room door, guessing that as Madam Pomphrey had moved onto another patient he was free to go. Leaving the room, Harry felt a huge wave of relief sweep over him as he noticed Ginny's hair standing out from the crowd, turned away from the main body of the corridor and staring out of the window, only turning around when the door to the medical room shut behind Harry where she gave him another warm smile.
"Are you alright?" he asked; the first question that had popped into his mind, being obvious that she had been crying, no matter how much Ginny tried to hide it behind her smile.
"I was...just thinking" Ginny replied hesitantly "about..." she gave another pause - unsure if she should, or could complete the sentence.
"...About Fred?" Harry finished for her after a few seconds of silence; she gave a swift nod in reply. Placing his hand onto her back, Ginny leaned in against him.
Harry sighed; "I'm sorry about what happened - I wish there was something I coul-" Harry wasn't able to finish the sentence before Ginny interrupted.
"No. You've done a lot. More than most people." she started; a little unsure of where she was going what point she was actually trying to make. "You don't need to wish for that, he died helping you." she finished with a soft sniff, closing her eyes as she relaxed against Harry's chest.
"Hey, would you want to go to Hogsmeade? To get a butterbeer or something?" Harry suggested - trying to fill the silence with something. Ginny nodded slowly; "In memory...of Fred?" she suggested.
"Yeah, in memory of Fred" Harry repeated.
As Ginny looked up at Harry, he noticed fresh tears had sprung up in her eyes.
"How can we both go though? I'm o-only allowed to go on set d-days" Ginny reminded him as she wiped the tears off her cheeks.
"I think" Harry started - pausing only when Madam Pomphrey exited the medical room before dashing off down the hall, "I'm sure that we'll think of a way to get you out" Harry finally replied - remembering his own escape to Hogsmeade years before; even with Harry's encouragement, Ginny looked ever-so-slightly doubtful for a second or two before reasoning
"Well...Voldemort is gone for good...isn't he?" Ginny asked; her voice lowered. Even with her voice lowered, Harry could detect some hint of nervousness in it, and as far as Harry could remember; it was the first time he had heard any hint of fear in her voice.
"Yeah. He's gone for good" Harry confirmed, prompting Ginny to let out a short soft sigh of relief
"Well then, I'm sure there's no danger in going outside then...you bring the cloak and meet me-"
"Wait...how do you know about the cloak?" Harry questioned
Ginny sighed; "You don't live with Fred and George...and Ron I suppose...and not know the tricks you have up your sleeve Harry. Anyway, meet me beside the statue of a humpbacked witch...alright?" Ginny finished
"Sure...but why bring the cloak?"
Ginny shrugged; "Not sure really; it might come in handy" she replied, "Anyway, I've got some stuff to do before we go, so... see you by the witch?" Ginny said.
"Alright, see you" Harry responded - only to receive a wink from Ginny as she walked down the hall, stopping to talk to a friend, who had obviously also noticed her bloodshot eyes, and was checking to make sure she was alright.
Deciding there was no other reason for him to stay in the corridor aside from getting in other students way, Harry turned down the hallway; walking in the opposite direction of Ginny, making his way towards the Gryffindor common room. It didn't take long for Harry to reach the entrance - but as he, Ron and Hermione had been away from Hogwarts for most of the school year; he had no idea what the password was - and guessed that the other two wouldn't have either - he was briefly annoyed with himself for not asking Ginny as he was reminded by the Fat Lady: you couldn't enter the common room without a password; not even the headmaster was exempt from this rule. Harry was sure he could detect a slight hint of arrogance in her voice.
Footsteps behind Harry made him turn around - a new Gryffindor was making her way to the entrance as she noticed Harry looking at her. It took her a moment or two to realise just who was looking at her; before she turned red and started stuttering "You're H-Harry P-potter!"
Harry nodded; "Yeah. But you wouldn't happen to know the password...would you?" he asked, "I wasn't at the start of year feast" he explained - not that it was needed. The girl nodded shyly "Yeah... um s-sure, it's Carpe Diem" her voice sounding a little bit more confident; but not enough to shake her slight stutter.
The fat lady began to mutter something as she swung forward; revealing the hidden entrance to the Gryffindor common room.
"That's just how the Carrow's got students - polyjuice potions and trusting students-" the rest of her rant was blocked out as both Harry and the girl climbed into the common room, and the portrait shut behind them. Turning to the girl, Harry smiled, "Thanks."
"D-don't mention -mention it."
Just as Harry turned to walk off, he heard her voice pipe up again, "I'm Phoebe - Phoebe Blake." Her voice had become a little more timid once more, meaning Harry almost didn't hear her. Turning back around "Harry. Harry Potter - I'm running a bit late, so I'll have to thank you properly later." he replied before continuing towards the boys dormitories as Phoebe looked quite elated to have spoken to the Harry Potter.
Grabbing the cloak from on top of the canopy of his bed, where he remembered placing it last night he made his way out of the dormitory; trying to think of a way of concealing the cloak until it was needed. Balling up the cloak, he shoved it into the pocket of his trousers; figuring that if it was one of the deathly hallows, then it could survive a few minutes of crumpled transportation. Making his way through the common room once more; he noticed Phoebe Blake chatting excitedly between a group of similarly aged girls who stopped talking the instant he reappeared. They all glanced at him, before turning back to their huddle, talking faster than before, and with a lot more giggling. Shaking his head, Harry left the common room; and as the portrait closed behind him, he heard the fat lady mutter "Still, you could have been a Carrow you know..." as he walked away; venturing down to where he had arranged to meet Ginny.
Even though they knew each other, and he had convinced himself that this was to respect Fred, and not a date, Harry still felt somewhat nervous - and just wished that he had some Felix Felicis with him. Turning a corner, he saw the statue of the witch - nobody else was in sight; and no matter how much he checked, Ginny wasn't either beside, or in the statue.
"Harry!" the familiar voice called; making Harry's head shoot up, as if to make sure it actually had been Ginny who had spoken.
"Did I keep you? Sorry...Dean wanted to talk to me" she explained quickly, "Anyway, ready to go?" she continued - despite Harry's curious expression when she mentioned Dean.
Shaking off any possibilities of what might have happened, "Yeah...but why are we here?" he asked, pulling out the cloak; which had managed to remain devoid of any crumpling or creasing, and still was as smooth as silk. "I thought this passage collapsed?" he added as he handed Ginny the cloak, which she took with a delicate wonder.
"It did." she confirmed, "But it still seemed like a good place to meet" Ginny replied, with a knowing smirk on her lips.
"How did you-?" Harry began, before he was interrupted once more by Ginny; "Ron" as if that word would answer pretty much any question he had. "Anyway...shall we?" she asked again; throwing on the cloak and vanishing before Harry's very eyes. "I'll...hold your arm - so you know where I am...okay?" Ginny asked - glad she was under the cloak as it was hiding the blush that had invaded her face.
"Uh, yeah, alright" Harry replied - before feeling her fingers clutch around his arm lightly as they set off, trying as hard as he could to make sure that Ginny was always on the side with fewer people.
Harry had come up with a plan during the time between them setting off, and them arriving at the main school doors; and once out in the open, Harry took a right. After several more minutes passed, he heard Ginny's voice whisper "Where are we going? Hogsmeade is back that way". Harry didn't respond; lest he wanted to appear as if he was talking to himself.
It only took several minutes for them to reach the quidditch pitch; the air above it devoid of any students; and despite Ginny's silence, she still didn't understand where they were going.
"Do you have your wand?" Harry asked; when he was sure there were no other students around.
"Yes...why? Harry...please tell me" she couldn't hide the curiosity in her voice.
"I forgot my own" he answered; as they made their way up to the broom cupboard. "And I haven't tried doing side-along apperation yet, so this way will probably be easier" he continued as Ginny finally made a noise of understanding.
The cloak shifted noiselessly behind Harry as Ginny took out her wand; pointed it at the thick metal lock; holding the cupboard door closed, and muttered "Alohamora" - the lock clicking open as her wand lowered. Opening the broom-shed, Harry entered inside, quickly picking out one of the better school brooms as Ginny waited outside.
Once Harry had found one, he made his way outside and straddled the broom. Kicking off and steadying himself instinctively before descending slightly and hovering just a few feet on the ground. Harry shifted a little forwards - more so than he was used to; letting Ginny close the broom cupboard, and climb onto the back.
"Is this safe?" she asked, a little nervously.
"Should be...just hold onto me if you want." He replied.
"No, I mean...can it hold both of us?" She corrected - not doubting Harry's flying skills in the least.
"Seem to be doing that so far...so I don't see why not..."
"Alright" Ginny finally said, before slipping her arms around Harry's waist; blushing ever more furiously - and ever more thankful that she had the cloak on.
Coughing slightly to disperse any awkwardness (as well as direct his own thoughts away from how tightly Ginny was holding onto him), Harry kicked off the ground - the broom rising into the air. It didn't take long to notice the sluggishness and dampened reaction time that he had become so used to on his brooms; he was unsure if it was because he was riding with a passenger, or if it was actually the brooms age showing through. Despite this fault, it didn't take that long for them to be up in the air – Hogwarts slowly disappearing behind them - as they rose further into the sky Harry was sure he felt Ginny hug his waist a little tighter.
"You alright?" Harry asked; glad that the broom wasn't able to go fast enough for them to need to raise their voices too much.
Ginny nodded before remembering that Harry wouldn't have been able to see her even if he was looking around.
"Yeah – I just don't want to fall...you don't mind, do you?"
"You do remember that I've been the youngest seeker in a century?"
"Yes, and you do remember that I'll be harder to catch than a snitch, especially with this cloak on."
Ginny rested her head against Harry's back – a small smirk on her face as she watched the scenery slip passed.
It only took several minutes for them to arrive in Hogsmeade; albeit with a slightly bumpier landing than Harry expected. Harry had chosen a deserted alleyway, allowing him to wait for a moment or two for Ginny to slip off the broom before he dismounted himself.
"It doesn't look like there are many teachers or even students here just yet." Harry started; looking where he assumed Ginny would be standing. "You really need to wear the cloak here?" realising just how foolish Hermione and Ron must have felt when they talked to him under it, and silently glad they never complained too much about it.
"Only when we're in the Three Broomsticks, alright?"
Harry gave a small nod. If they were being observed; nodding whilst seemingly alone, along with flying into an alleyway wouldn't have seemed like the most normal thing in the world to do. Moving into the main street, they left the broom resting against the wall in the shadows as they made their way down Hogsmeade – which was as deserted as it looked from the sky. Harry guessed that the Daily Prophet mustn't have found out about Voldemort's demise, or the Death Eaters were still in charge, unless the newspaper hadn't managed to print the newest edition as of yet; Harry was thankful for this lull in information – allowing them to walk around virtually unnoticed.
Pushing the door open, Harry let Ginny slide in before he did, they made their way over to a quiet corner. As Ginny had predicted, the pub wasn't crowded at all; the hastily-repaired building (probably with magic) certainly wasn't doing any favours. Harry could only assume that it had been forced to be fixed-up by the Death Eaters. There were a small number of people sitting at tables; mostly mourning parents who had stopped by for a pick-me-up when they saw it was open.
A few moments after Harry and Ginny had sat down, Ginny removed the cloak, and smiled towards him – the smile didn't appear to convey much sign of happiness, even Harry was able to see that – and he could only assume she was still in shock over the loss of her brother. Rosmerta walked up to the table. "Harry Potter! And a friend?" she asked curiously, "I must thank you for letting the teachers know about the curse – thankfully the Death Eaters haven't returned yet; so they probably have no idea that I'm 'free' as it were" she smiled blissfully ignorant of the events. "I shan't go down so easily next time they visit. But I guess we're open for business until then! So what can I get you m'dears?" she asked.
"Two butterbeers please Rosemerta." Ginny responded before Harry could; Rosemerta had sensed the moroseness in her voice and decided just to nod and retrace her steps back to the bar as Ginny shuffled a little closer to Harry; now sitting side-by-side, almost touching.
Ginny placed her hand in Harry's own; letting her slender fingers slip between the gaps in his.
"Thanks" she said, her head turning towards him, but her eyes staying focused on the ground.
"For what?"
"Doing this – being here with me...I really appreciate it Harry." Her eyes eventually lifted up and met his gaze for a second, before a pale blush spread onto her cheeks; which deepened only further when she realised she wasn't wearing the cloak.
Rosmerta came back and put the two foaming tankards down onto the table before walking off, muttering something about the butterbeers being on the house.
Using his free hand, Harry raised his tankard. "To Fred." he said – in what he thought must have been an appropriate toast-giving type of voice.
Ginny sniffed once more and picked up her own tankard; nodding once. "To Fred." she repeated – her voice softer, almost impossible-to-hear made ever harder by her being on the verge-of-tears.
She moved the butterbeer higher; taking a large swig of the warm drink – using the glass to try and cover the tears that had finally broken through, also hoping that the butterbeer would help stop the crying. Harry raised his own tankard; only taking a gulp of the butterbeer.
"He wouldn't have wanted us to – to be moping about it" Ginny said; placing the tankard back on the table with a soft thunk; whilst not letting go of the handle. "He'd – he'd probably said something to cheer us up – I just...why did it have to be him?"
Harry almost contemplated responding with 'I have no idea', but decided against it – it didn't feel right, so he just nodded in agreement; placing his arm around her comfortingly, letting Ginny slump against him a little.
"Harry?" The voice was certainly female, but remarkably un-Ginny like, causing a few moments of confusion for Harry before realising that Hermione and Ron had entered. "Someone told us they thought they saw you flying to Hogsmeade Hermione stopped for a few moments, only noticing that Ginny was beside him. "Ginny? What are you doing...Oh if the teachers knew you were – If MOLLY knew you were here!"
Ginny glanced up towards Hermione from Harry's chest before taking another sip of the butterbeer.
"We felt we had to get out of Hogwarts and...y'know, give a toast to Fred" Harry explained; hoping that Hermione would understand, however it wasn't Hermione who spoke first.
"Without me? He was my brother too y'know"
Ron sat down at the table opposite Harry and Ginny and called for a butterbeer of his own. Hermione looked towards Harry and Ginny somewhat annoyed, but her gaze moved to Ron – her expression changing to one of slight astonishment before settling on acceptance and sitting down beside them all – they were doing a good thing, even if it was breaking rules.
"How did you two get here? Ginny wouldn't have known the way – not only after one visit, and Nick never said anything about Ginny on the broom." Hermione questioned, to which Harry pulled up the cloak – visible as nobody was wearing it.
"But the tunnel to Honeydukes collapsed, didn't it?" Ron asked; and before Harry could tell them how they had managed to escape undetected, Hermione had obviously worked it out.
"Yes Ron, but Harry obviously flew Ginny tandem on the broom – which I must say Harry was a bloody dangerous thing to do – even for a professional on the best broom"
Hermione..." Ron started as Harry opened his mouth to reply back. "Lets just drink to Fred, okay?" as Rosemerta came back to the table holding two new butterbeers, and Hermione fell silent.
""I think George should be here too" Ron added; looking towards Ginny; as if seeking her approval.
"Uh – sure, I suppose you're right..." she responded; a tone of sadness in her voice that obviously lost only on Ron as he stood up.
"Ron!" the short sharp annoyed barely-more-than-a-whisper word came from Hermione. "And where do you think you're going?"
"To...get George?" bewildered by the sudden outburst. Hermione sighed – and Harry couldn't decide if she was more lost for words, or just surprised by Ron's tactlessness.
"Fine., but I'm coming with you." Hermione eventually replied to the still-confused Ron.
"But what about Harr-"
"They'll be fine for a few minutes Ron" she cut across – ending the conversation by quickly nudging him towards the door. Harry made a mental note to thank her for that.
Minutes after Ron and Hermione had left, Ginny moved to rest her head against Harry's shoulder.
"Looks like it's not going to be as cosy as we had expected." Harry said as he finished his butterbeer; the warm comforting drink had been something he had dearly missed on his adventure with Ron and Hermione – along with the weird sense of relaxedness – having been under near complete terror for quite a bit of the year, it was something he had become used to, and now expected.
"How do you do it?" the soft words coming from Ginny almost went unheard.
"Do what?" Harry asked in return.
"Manage to keep going – you've been around a lot of people who have...who have died and you continued" she gulped some more butterbeer.
"I dunno, I guess the people died for a reason – to help defeat Voldemort – and I've always had friends – you, Ron, Hermione – to help me see what was more important at the time – I guess I always thought I'd be able to mourn later."
There was a lull in the conversation as Ginny nodded slightly and continued to drink her butterbeer.
"Later...could we go somewhere on our own? Just us I mean?" she added, emphasising the last part of the question as she lifted her head away from his shoulder to look at him.
Although Ginny had calmed down a lot, it was still obvious she was upset and distressed – dried tears had marked her cheeks.
"Sure. Just us"
Just as Harry had responded, the door opened once more, and a torrent of people came in; some with bandages, others with bloodied bumps, and Harry was sure he even saw a teacher or two.
A few minutes later, the Weasley family walked in – getting condolences from friends and teachers. Rosemerta looked somewhat confused by the sudden increase in customers, but dutifully went around serving drinks.
Ginny stood up and gave her a fake smile at the people who swarmed around her -expressing their apologies and deep regret about what had happened. Harry assumed in Ginny's normal state, she might have spoken up by now, about how Fred wouldn't have liked this; unless he was able to cause some chaos, Molly however seemed in no mood for such an outburst. A few spaces of time emerged where everyone settled down a little, Ginny leaned over to Harry (who was receiving congratulations about what had happened). "Can we stay for just a few minutes more? I'd want to talk to you...in private." her voice barely a whisper. Harry nodded in response as some mourners passed close by. "Just say when" he added; when he was sure most people were out of earshot. Glancing over towards Hermione, he shot her a questioning look. She responded with a frustrated, fed-up look towards Ron before mouthing a 'Sorry' back.
The mourning had continued for several more hours, until the Three Broomsticks closed and people moved onto the streets; while Harry and Ginny had spoken privately during that time, there were too many people about to talk openly. Leaving the pub, he watched a tipsy Molly support a drunken Arthur out, before they dissaperated, and he felt a sharp tug on his arm before being dragged out of the crowd and around the corner of the building by Ginny.
"Sorry...just wanted some space" she sighed, giving a small feeble smile to Harry. "Mum was crying...and dad..." she said suddenly, when the noise of the crowd had lessened slightly. "I...I kept thinking that I'd see him standing somewhere in the room" she continued, adding a sigh – as if she thought herself less sane now.
"Just how I had felt with Mad Eye...and Dobby" Harry replied, having sensed Ginny's tone.
"Really?" she asked; having not heard to much about what happened while he was away, but a smile passed onto her face – it didn't take Harry long to note it was a genuine one.
"Really." a small smile passing onto his own face.
As Harry nodded, Hermione bustled into the area. "There you two are! Come on! You certainly shouldn't be out of Hogwarts this late Ginny" she scolded – the teachers being in the pub with them had calmed her worries a little, but Hermione wasn't going to let it rest. Harry assumed that he would now get his own punishment and accusations for keeping Ginny out so late, but it never came. "And Harry – McGonagall said she needed to speak with you in private – and she said it can't wait until morning" Harry opened his mouth to ask what about, but Hermione replied first; shaking her head. "No idea what it's about. Although the teachers are going to be a little more lenient about the rules tonight, they're still not going to remove them completely – not for Ginny anyway; and Ginny should go under the cloak again".
Ginny made a slightly hesitant movement – not wanting to leave quite yet, but she followed Hermione after throwing the cloak over herself, and Harry followed Ginny. As they began walking down Hogsmeade they decided that walking would be better for all of them; and less conspicuous than trying to get the broom once more, so they made their way up the path towards the lights of Hogwarts – so warm and welcoming, despite the chaos that was there just hours ago.
They split up at Hogwarts' entrance – Hermione and Ginny heading towards the Gryffindor dormitories, and Harry towards the office that Dumbledore once ruled Hogwarts in. Harry felt a slight relief when the password hadn't been changed from 'Albus', and Harry was soon stood on the rotating stairwell – climbing higher and higher. Knocking on the solid wood door once it had stopped, there was a slight delay before McGonagall's voice instructed from inside the room.
"Harry? Come in."
"Harry Potter..." she said with a slight air of mystery and intrigue – as if she were seeing him for the first time.
"Yes professor?" Hermione said you needed to see me?"
"Indeed I did...and I'm sorry to keep you from your bed – especially considering how late it is, and how hard you've worked. After all, you've not only been a help to this school ion more than one occasion..." Harry noticed that all the headteachers portraits nodding in agreement – all except Dumbledore, who seemed to be listening intently. "...but also a hero – if you will – to the wizarding world...Because of recent events, we have been assuming you will not be staying for your NEWTs – and although being a teacher, I do not like to let people walk away from education so easily, your acclaim will be worth more than any qualification – although, if you want to take the NEWTs, we have some spare seats available. And if not, then we wish you the best of luck in your future career, and although you are not of the right age – we feel that as rules have been bent before – if you are willing to accept out offer..."
"Offer?" Harry interrupted curiously, noticing that the headmasters had now started listening intently, and Dumbledore was nodding.
"Yes Harry, but please try not to interrupt – I am sure you are fully aware that Hogwarts doesn't have the best of luck in...acquiring new teachers to fill out defence against the dark arts post..."
"Wait...Professor...you don't seriously mean..."
If any of the portraits had been making any noise previously, it had not become deathly silent.
"Yes Harry – you have more than proven yourself competent in -"
"But I'm no teacher! Everything I've done was luck -"
McGonagall began to look slightly annoyed by the constant interruptions, and decided to try her own hand at it, cutting Harry off before he could finish.
"Or someone helping you – I am not stupid Harry – I do know about Dumbledore's Army – and the dramatic increase of certain students defence marks – I think you have proven yourself as a capable teacher".
Harry could have sworn he had heard one of the portraits mutter "He must have got that from Lilly.", but decided not to pursue it.
"What about Professor Slughorn?" Harry asked.
"He has returned to retirement – moved to the Caribbean I believe. While he is an accomplished Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, he obviously felt a break was much needed." McGonagall shrugged; as if this was an unimportant matter. "We are not expecting you to answer straight away! We do realise this is an important decision for you to make, so we will be sending you an owl over summer. But for now, I think it is best if you return to your dormitory – I was expecting to talk to you earlier than this, but you can be a hard boy to track down at times."
"What did Dumbledore think of the idea?" Harry asked, looking over towards his portrait.
"He is the one who suggested the idea Harry" Dumbledore's portrait gave a small smile towards Harry before speaking himself.
"Goodnight Harry" Harry recognised the tone; the same tone he had used before to indicate the end of the meeting, and Harry didn't try and fight it.
"Goodnight Dumbledore. McGonagall."
McGonagall gave a small nod, and Harry left; making his way to an empty common room – guessing that Ginny and Hermione must have already gone to bed.
The dormitory was as almost as quiet as the common room had been – Seamus' bed was no longer made, and his trunks were no longer by his bedside. Ron's snores caught Harry's attention, and he noticed both Ron and Neville asleep on their beds – Neville with several bandages around his head – brown, dried blood visible on the surface of the material. Madam Pomphrey would have been able to heal the wounds in a heartbeat – forcing Harry to assume that Neville was enjoying the new-found attention he received from not only helping in the Battle of Hogwarts, but killing Voltmeter's snake and lifeline. Quickly and quietly undressing, Harry made his way into his own bed – his mind reverting back to the offer McGonagall had made to him, musing on the idea as his mind began flitting into a dreamless sleep.