Hey all

Disclaimer: I am not J.K Rowling, therefore I do not own Harry Potter. And if I did I would be making a killing this Saturday and not be wandering around on writing Fan Fiction to what clearly is mine. The only thing I own would be my own characters and the plot of this tale. Thank you

:D

The sixteen year old boy lay in his bed, his eyes transfixed on the ceiling. Harry Potter hadn't changed a bit. Well, as far as physically goes. Same messy jet black hair, along with his round spectacles and emerald orbs behind them. The scar, wasn't going anywhere either, much to Harry's disapproval, but he should've been used to that by now, shouldn't he?

He had been waiting for twenty minutes, only five more to go until his best friend Ron Weasley and his father, Arthur Weasley showed up. He was going to stay for the remainder of the summer at the Burrow, with the Weasley's (It was what they had called their home). Well, with what was left of them, anyway. The only two children that remained in the house was of course, Ron and Ginny. The twins had set themselves up, Lord knows where, according to Ron's informative letter a few days ago. Harry just grinned at the thought. He knew those two would make a killing with their useful inventions. Ron even said that he received a package for himself and Harry of goods to set off the new year at Hogwarts without them, more than likely to Hermione's stress. Although, Harry doubted highly Ron would even let Hermione near the package--If she had been there when it was delivered.

It's really hell, here, Harry. Hermione won't stop asking me all this rubbish about O.W.L's! I don't know how many times I've told her that I don't know. I don't even think she's listening to me, anymore. And here she comes now, to rant and rave on and on till my ears pop. Well, I suppose I'll wait for your response. Don't let that bit encourage you to change your decision about coming, though! I'm sure we're much tolerable than your over sized cousin, eh? Well, hope to hear from you.

Harry smiled as he reread the letter he had received from his friend, he put in back on his desk and glanced down at his watch.

4:15

Harry grabbed his truck and Hedwig's cage. He figured it would be wise to head downstairs, now, so he didn't have to leave the Weasley's to suffer with the company of his uncle, who more than likely felt threatened by their presence, anyway. He made his way down the steps and settled his things by the door. He looked around to see Dudley must have gone off with his friends, more than likely to hunt down the innocent children of the streets. Not to his surprise, but much to his annoyance, he spotted his uncle coming out of the kitchen and giving him a menacing look.

"What are you still doing here?" he snarled.

"They're not due here for another two minutes," stated Harry.

"Well, they had better not be popping through the chimney like it's Christmas," snapped Uncle Vernon.

"They won't be," assured Harry, "it'll be by car and not a flying one."

"And none of those... Dementy-whatsits..." he mumbled.

His uncle gave him a look of irritation and stalked off into the living room.

Harry sighed as he was going to go join him, but heard the doorbell. He beamed and rushed a few steps over to the door. "I got it!" he yelled, before Aunt Petunia or Uncle Vernon decided to get it, which he doubted anyway.

He nearly yanked open the door, forgetting to unlock it. He scowled at his stupidity, unlocked the door, and then proceeded to jerk it open. In front of him were three figures. Ron Weasley, Mr. Weasley, and Remus Lupin.

Ron looked just as he did about a month ago. His freckled features and that hat of red hair, irreplaceable. Tall, pale boy, but rarely the gangling look to him that he possessed in the previous years Harry befriended the boy. It was beginning to fade away, much to Ron's joy, more than likely.

Mr. Weasley, also looking quite the same, a broad smile on his face and a familiar olive green cloak on his back.

Remus Lupin changed slightly. His hair, growing a little more grey every time Harry saw him. He was in fact getting slightly older, but it was probably stress caused of his curse, as people referred his state to.

"Harry!" grinned Ron.

"Hello, Ron," he smiled. "Hello, Mr. Weasley, Remus!" Harry felt a little awkward calling him by his first name, but after all, he wasn't Professor Lupin, anymore, and Mr. Lupin sounded a bit weird.

"Hello, Harry," the adults chimed.

"Do you have your things, ready to go?" questioned Lupin.

"Yeah, all set," he nodded. "Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon! I'm leaving! ... If you care," he mumbled the last part, as he dragged his stuff over to the door. Mr. Weasley took a hold of his trunk, while Lupin grabbed a hold of his cage.

"C'mon, let's go." said Ron, nodding his head, towards the car.

Harry saw his Aunt Petunia, stand in the doorway, nodding for him to go. Harry gave a half smile towards her. "See you," he said, with a light wave, as he closed the door and followed Ron.

His eyes scanned the car ahead of him. Harry couldn't recognize the model, but it looked rather fancy, to his surprise. Too bad it couldn't fly, besides, that would probably only cause trouble, if people had watched a disappearing car. He made his way inside, behind Ron and fastened his seat belt.

The car started and they made their way down the street and up a road, more than likely to cross the town. He sighed, as he leaned back and looked over at Ron, who grinned at him.

"So, how are things, mate?" the freckled boy, questioned.

"Okay," he shrugged, lightly, "how are things with you and Hermione?" he grinned.

"Oh, hush up." Ron snapped.

Harry grinned, as he saw the red head, frown and cross his arms. Ron had confessed to Harry at the end of the year that he had began to grow feelings towards Hermione, but wasn't going to act on them, for he was deathly afraid as to Hermione's reaction to this sudden news. Although, Harry wasn't so sure the feelings were sudden, and he disagreed and tried to assure Ron, that Hermione had felt something for him, too. He soon began to stop this, just incase his assumptions happened to be false, he didn't want to boost Ron's ego and then have Hermione smash it into pieces, so he figured he'd wait this out with Ron. See how things turned out this year, he had to make his move, sometime. It was after all, their seventh and final year at Hogwarts.

Harry shook this thought out of his head. He didn't want to have to think about the final face off with Voldemort. That was the last thing he needed plaguing his thoughts at night. He was just glad Cho was gone and he didn't have to deal with her glaring or on the verge of tears every time Marietta had whispered something unknown to Harry in her ear. More or so less about what she had felt for him that one time. Probably offended her more than anything, to the point of tears-- and sadly, Harry didn't blame her.

Harry's thoughts then traveled to if he would meet anyone someday... Well, it wasn't right of him to get into a relationship these days, anyway. He couldn't be sure whether or not he was to survive this final encounter. It wouldn't be fair to start a relationship, if he indeed lost his life. How terrible he would have felt, yes even in the after-life. He assured himself that when the time was right, and if he was meant to have a certain someone, she would come into his life right when needed.

-:-

"Harry! We're here, c'mon, mate, get up!"

Harry opened his eyes, he hadn't realized he had fallen asleep in the middle of the ride. Poor Ron, he must've been rambling on about something and he just went silent. Oh well, if he were talking, he was sure he would fill him in on it, later. Harry made his way out of the car and looked up at the Burrow, in glee. He loved it here; Oh how he wished he could call it home.

"Oh, Harry! Harry! You're here!" squeaked the voice of Hermione Granger.

Harry smiled as he saw her run over to him. She gave him a hug, which Harry returned, which started Ron to grumble. Hermione then proceeded this with a kiss on the cheek.

"How are you feeling? You all right?" she questioned, looking up at him.

The girl hadn't changed a bit. Well, more or less so. He could still recognize her, and that was good. Her hair was slightly poofy now, rather than big and bushy. It wasn't obnoxious, looking that was for sure. More of a tamed look to it. She had seemed to grow a little, but still had to tilt her head up to gaze at Harry, and of course for Ron.

Harry glanced over at Ron and smirked slightly and nodded down at Hermione. "Yeah, I'm all right. You should give Ron a greeting hug, I think he feels left out," he suggested.

Hermione looked over at Ron, who was crossing his arms and leaning against the car. Hermione smiled as she made her way over to him. "Ron? Want a hug?"

"What? Um..." he blinked down at Hermione, a curious look upon his face.

Hermione rolled her eyes as she pulled him into a hug. "There, cheer up, won't you?" she said, smiling at him.

"Er... Okay," said Ron awkwardly, his ears glowing pink.

"Let's get inside, I'm sure Mrs. Weasley will be delighted to see you," said Hermione, heading back inside.

Harry nudged Ron, who grinned a bit and followed Hermione. Once Harry set foot in the door, Mrs. Weasley ran over to him, he smiled weakly at her, expecting the usual.

"Oh, Harry! Wonderful to see you!" exclaimed Mrs. Weasley, giving him a small hug. "You hungry, dear? I've got some pie in the kitchen, if you want any, feel free to take some."

"Thank you, but I'm fine Mrs. Weasley." smiled Harry.

"Okay, why don't you get settled upstairs, I'm sure you three have lot's to discuss," said Mrs. Weasley smiling at the threesome.

The three grinned as she walked back to her spot in the kitchen and they made their way up the stairs and into Ron's room. The bright shade of orange and Chudley Cannons obsession had not ceased, since last he was here. Much to Harry's surprise, his stuff had already been placed in here. He smiled and walked over to his trunk, going through a few things.

"What are you looking for?" asked Ron, narrowing his eyebrows.

"Homework," he replied, continuing to search.

Ron stared at his best friend, baffled. "Hermione... Get dad and Lupin, this is not Harry."

Hermione laughed, "Oh, yes, it is! I have taught you well, took you six years to pick up my habit! Now, Ron, if only you would be like Harry and do your work, then--"

"But he just bloody got here, Hermione!"

"So? It's better you get it done, earlier so you can play Quidditch, later on."

"Oh, no, we're playing, now." demanded Ron, pulling Harry away from his trunk.

Harry sighed. That was indeed why he wanted to get a start on it, so they didn't have to worry about it, later on. He figured one game of Quidditch wouldn't hurt him, though. But not right now, besides, he was in the mood to just discuss things with his friends. Perhaps go out somewhere.

"Ron, can we play a little later? I'm still a bit beat," he said, taking a seat on Ron's bed.

"Oh, all right..." he groaned, also taking a seat.

"So, what are we to do, now?" questioned Hermione.

"How about we talk," suggested Harry.

"I s'pose that works..." said Ron, disappointment in his voice.

"Oh, Harry! Have you seen this morning's Daily Prophet?"

"No," replied Harry, "why you ask?"

"There's been a new Minister of Magic elected," she beamed. "But, hence... There's no name, yet released... Some protection policy. They have to go through a few things and they might have to do some background search... Although, I've been hearing lot's of rumors that he used to attend Hogwarts and was in Slytherin house,"

"That's not good," said Ron.

"Yeah, prolly a friend of good ol' Lucius," sneered Harry.

"I don't know, I say we try to sneak in with your father at work, we could possibly get a glimpse at him," suggested Hermione, looking over at Ron.

"Hey, sounds good... Although, mum might object. Dad doesn't need anymore distractions, nonetheless underage wizards running all over the Ministry offices trying to search for the Minister," said Ron.

"Why don't we ask Lupin?" suggested Harry.

"Ooh, he might know who it is!" said Hermione.

The three rushed downstairs, in high hopes Lupin hadn't departed the Burrow just yet. They dashed around the corner to see Lupin sipping tea, alone as Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were outside in the garden.

"Remus," called Harry.

Lupin looked away from the table and looked over at Harry, Hermione, and Ron and smiled at them. "Have a seat," he offered, at the chairs around the table. They all nodded, briskly and made themselves comfortable around Lupin.

"Quick question..." said Ron.

"Shoot," smiled Lupin, wearily.

"Well, we were wondering if you could tell us about the supposed new Minister of Magic," said Hermione.

Lupin grinned and shook his head. "You three do not need to worry about him, he's a fine lad."

"Did you go to school with him?" questioned Harry.

"Yes, he attended Hogwarts," answered Remus, "Although, we barely noticed each other, seeing as he was a Slytherin and I, a Gryffindor,"

The three exchanged dark looks. "Then, how exactly do you know if he's a fine lad?" questioned Ron.

"Because, I've had a few encounters with the man in my years beyond Hogwarts, he has himself a nice family. Six girls and one boy, they attend Hogwarts as well."

"Do they now?" questioned Hermione.

"What are their names?"

"That information remains in the Ministry of Magic." nodded Lupin.

"Why?" asked Harry.

"Because they're protected and for good reason."

"What good reason?" asked Ron.

"Stays in the Ministry."

"Is there anything you could possibly tell us?" asked an irritated Ron.

"For fear of breaking a law, nope, sorry," he said, taking another sip of his tea. "You three shouldn't worry about all this political nonsense."

"I think we do," said Hermione, "we aren't getting any younger, you know, we'll be out in the Wizarding World on our own, I think we should have the right to know a few things about the Minister."

"In due time," stated Lupin, "For now, focus on your studies you only have a few good weeks when you look at it before school starts up again."

"Thanks for the reminder, Lupin." groaned Ron.

"I hear the O.W.L results should be coming in about a week or two." said Lupin, finally finishing the last of his tea.

"Oh?" questioned Hermione, her eyes brightened.

"Yes," said Lupin, standing up to put his cup into the sink. "I'm sure you all did a fine job."

"I hope so..." mumbled Ron.

"Can we please start at least a little bit of our holiday homework, Ron? I really don't need it coming back to bite me in the backside later on, when we forget all about it," said Harry, standing up.

Ron sighed, in disapproval, "All right... I s'pose... You two need to help me, though, because Snape really laid that essay rather thick, didn't he?" he questioned, following his friends up the steps.

Harry shook his head a small smile on his face as he heard his best friend ramble on about his many complaints the work provided for him and how much he loathed it. Only to hear Hermione make another remark towards his lack of enthusiasm for work and then another quarrel arrived seconds later. Oh, how he was going to miss it. But alas, it all just began.

So? What do you think? Should I keep writing? Hmm, what to do, what to do? Ooh, I know. You can review and tell me! -winks- ;D

Much appreciated, thanks in advance, and thanks for reading!

-Vikki-