Chapter two

Harry did speak with Ginny and she wasn't happy when Harry told her they wouldn't be resuming their relationship. He explained he wasn't interested in starting any relations, that he wanted time to himself. From that moment on, every visit to the Burrow after that was a little frosty.

Over the next month, Harry helped the staff and magical builders repair Hogwarts. They were all working nonstop to try and get Hogwarts ready to open by September. Harry did donate some money to Professor McGonagall so they could buy books that had been destroyed, also to buy new brooms for the school and anything they needed. At first she tried to refuse, but when Harry showed her the amount Sirius left him, she finally agreed but only when she said that she would have a small plaque placed in the trophy room stating that Harry Potter and Sirius Black donated the money to help Hogwarts rebuild. Harry wanted just Sirius' name on it, but McGonagall refused and it was the only way she would accept the money, so Harry relented.

On Harry's birthday, he did have a nice dinner at the Burrow with all the Weasley's along with his friends. Then the following day, Harry started looking for his own home, his first home. It took him two weeks, but ended up buying a nice house in Godric's Hollow. He always knew he wanted to live where his parents did and was lucky he found a house. It was a muggle house, so Harry decided to get rid of all the power except in one room. Then found a spell in one of his new books on how to block magic from entering that room. So over the next week, Harry furnished his home, he wasn't sure about style, he just went with things he liked the look off.

Harry was sitting at the Gryffindor table eating lunch when Minerva McGonagall sat beside him.

'We will be open on the first of September, which is only three weeks away. So I'm working on a few things. I need to know if you plan to return as a student and do your last year, but also if you plan to play quidditch?'

'I am returning Professor, I want to get my N.E.W.T.s, but I'm not going to play quidditch. I want to study and get the best grades I can now I will be able to concentrate on them. So if you asking about that, was the reason because you were going to give me captain again?'

'Yes, you were an excellent captain and a great player. I have someone else in mind, but I would like your opinion on that?'

'Ginny Weasley, she helped me a lot when I was captain and she does want to play professionally. She'll do a great job for Gryffindor.'

'That is who I had in mind. What do you think Ron will say about having his sister as his captain, if he decides to play that is?'

'I haven't spoken to Ron about any of that, but he knows Ginny's good and wants to play professionally, so I think if he does play, he'll be fine with it. I wasn't sure if we could come back and finish, you're going to have a lot more students here than ever before. Will the staff be able to cope Professor?'

'I have been able to get a few more staff members, so that will help. I spoke to the governors and Kingsley, we realised all of you should be allowed to return as we all know it wasn't really your fault you couldn't before. But we will have twice as many first years, the muggleborns that weren't allowed to attend. Everyone else will need to redo their last year, nothing that was taught by the death eaters could be considered proper lessons.'

'So Ginny and all the ones their age will still be in sixth year?'

'Yes, we did consider letting all the students start a year up, but they missed too much to ever try to catch up. One thing though, we will have a lot less Slytherin's as a lot of the children of Slytherin's were considered his supporters. So only those we know wanted nothing to do with him will be returning, but also Slytherin's from fifth year and below will return. Hopefully now that his is gone and most of their parents are not involved in the dark arts, they will settle down. I will tell you this though Harry and I'm sorry, this was Kingsley's idea. He is having aurors here when it opens. He just wants to let the parents know their children are safe, but he was also worried about you if the children of the ones that died decide to take their revenge out on you. It's not like when you needed to be guarded, they won't be with you all the time, but they will be keeping an eye on you.'

'When you said some of the Slytherin's will be returning, I did think about them, wondering if they would want to get back at me as we all know a lot of their parents did die or their locked up. So it's fine and like I said, I'm only going to be studying. I really need to get my grades back up and it's been over a year since I've revised for anything.'

'Do you wish to still be an auror?'

'Yeah, I think because of my life, it's what I'm suited for, so I need top grades for that. Luckily I will have Hermione to help me if I need it, but I don't think I will actually. Before it was all Voldemort, now I don't have to think about what he's up to. So when are the letters going out?'

'Everyone will receive them next week, so even though you are here through the day helping, it will still be owled to you.'

'I'll work on going shopping with Hermione and Ron, I need everything again. Most of my old stuff was left at the Dursleys and I know they would have burnt it all or made sure it was thrown out.'

'You've also grown taller and are finally looking healthy, so new robes will be needed as well. Anyway, I should get back to work, I'll talk to you later Harry.'

'I'll be here Professor,' Harry gave her a smile then got up and went outside to work on the castle again. It was almost fixed, but there were still a few things that needed repairing and with only three weeks left before it opens again, they needed to get Hogwarts finished.

When Harry woke the following Monday, an owl was sitting on the back of one of his chairs and it had a large envelope in its beak. Harry gave it a pat, took the envelope, then gave it a bit of food he always kept for Pig. Harry made himself some breakfast and a cup of tea before opening the envelope and got a surprise. It was his list of everything he needed for his seventh year, but he was also made head boy. Harry figured that would have gone to Ron since he'd been prefect, then Harry wondered how Ron would take the news. He would have his letter now and if Hermione got head girl and he never got the badge, then he might realise who did.

So after Harry cleaned up his dishes, he apparated to the Burrow and saw Hermione sitting there reading her letter, but Ron wasn't beside her.

'So did you get head girl?'

Hermione smiled, then showed her badge, 'Yes, do you think Ron will be head boy? His letter's here but he's still asleep.'

Harry took his hand out of his pocket to show Hermione the badge, 'Do you think he'll be upset?'

'Oh Harry, that's wonderful, but maybe. We never spoke about that so I don't know how he will feel.'

'Yeah,' Harry put the badge back in his pocket just as Mrs. Weasley stepped into the kitchen, 'Morning Mrs. Weasley.'

'Harry dear, morning, are you here because you also received your Hogwarts letters?'

'Yep, I thought we could go get fitted for robes and I need to buy everything again.'

'I want to go Harry, so let's hope Ron and Ginny will as well.'

'As you are now all adults, I won't need to come with you. So just be careful, the four of you.'

'We will Mrs. Weasley,' Harry sat beside Hermione as Ginny walked down stairs.

'Are they our Hogwarts letters?'

'Yes Ginny dear. Hermione and Harry want to go shopping for everything today. So you can go with them and Ron if you want, I won't be coming.'

'If you two don't mind, I'll come with you.'

'We don't mind Ginny.'

Ginny opened her envelope but noticed something, then she looked up at Harry and showed the badge that said she was quidditch captain.

'Professor McGonagall asked me Ginny, but I'm not playing this year. So I told her you would make the best captain.'

'Thanks, but why aren't you player, you're a brilliant seeker Harry?'

'I want to study and get my grades up, I need top grades to be an auror. You want to play quidditch, so you deserve that.'

'Thank you, but I'll seem strange without you on the team. Let's hope I can find a new seeker.'

'You could always take that position, you are good and won the cup for Gryffindor.'

'If I can't find anyone as good as you, then I might.'

'Oh Hogwarts letters,' Ron mumbled then dished himself up some breakfast.

'I'm quidditch captain Ron,' Ginny smirked at her brother.

'What?!' Ron yelled then looked at Harry, 'Why?'

'I'm not playing this year, I told Professor McGonagall I want to concentrate on my studies then told her Ginny would make the best captain.'

'So I will have my little sister as my captain,' Ron grimaced, 'Well, if you let me back on the team that is?'

'You are, I wouldn't make you try out Ron. But you will need to practice a lot, well we all do. We're all out of shape for quidditch.'

'Thanks Gin and I will,' Ron finished his breakfast then opened his envelope and started reading.

'I got head girl Ron,' Hermione said tentatively.

'Congratulations Hermione,' Ron kissed her cheek, 'I never got head boy, I wonder who did?'

'Um Ron,' Harry showed his badge, 'You're not mad at me, are you? I didn't know until I opened my envelope.'

Ron stared at the badge, then sighed, 'No, I'm not mad, it just means you and Hermione have to spend a lot of time together.'

'We do anyway, won't be much difference except when you two want to snog. So we're all heading out to buy our stuff.'

'Yeah, I better as well, none of my old robes fit anymore,' Ron turned to his mother, 'Can we afford all this mum?'

'Yes, thanks to what Harry gave us. I still don't like the idea of taking his money, but it is helping and he will get it back.'

'I know Mrs. Weasley, but everyone needs a hand sometimes and this was one time I could help.'

'I'll just get my bag,' Hermione said then went upstairs. Ginny headed upstairs as well.

'So you're really not going to play quidditch?'

'No, I've got time now to get my grades up and that's what I want to do. But I'll still go to the games and cheer you lot on.'

'You better.'

'Alright, we're ready. One thing though Harry, if it's alright that is. Since I'm captain, would you be able to lend me some money for a good broom?' Ginny asked tentatively.

'I can if you want, but I donated money to Hogwarts, so they now have the brand new Nimbus. But if you want your own broom, I can lend you some.'

'No, if they have those, then they'll be perfect, thanks.'

'Alright, let's go get this over with especially the amount of stuff we need.'

'Here you go,' Molly handed a small bag each to Ginny and Ron, while Harry handed a small one to Hermione. Then the four of them headed into Diagon Alley and it wasn't long before they bumped into some of their friends who were all doing the same thing, shopping for their Hogwarts stuff. As the group went about their shopping, reporters turned up and started shouting questions at Harry, but naturally, Harry ignored them until they got surrounded.

'Fine, just a couple, we're really busy right now.'

'We know Ron and Hermione are now a couple, is this young lady your girlfriend?'

'No, Ginny's my friend and Ron's sister. I'm not seeing anyone and have no intention of getting involved with anyone.'

'Rumours were you two were an item at one time.'

'We did date, that was before Dumbledore died. But I've come to think of Ginny as a sister, just like I do with Hermione and Ron as a brother.'

'So are all of you buying your Hogwarts things?'

Harry glanced at Ron who answered, 'Yes, we all want to finish our last year.'

'Do you think you will get a safe year this year?'

'We think so especially with aurors being placed at Hogwarts,' Harry said.

'When did you find that out Mr. Potter?'

'Professor McGonagall told me last week. As you all know I've been there helping repair the castle. She told me that the minister wants all the parents know that their kids will be safe and there's no danger, especially after last year.'

'Then we're sure you will finally have a normal, if not boring year at Hogwarts.'

'That's what we're hoping, well apart from studying,' Hermione said.

'We really need to finish our shopping,' Harry said.

'Just a couple of pictures then.'

'Alright,' Harry nodded to his friends and they all grouped together and stood for dozens of pictures, then the friends went off to finish their shopping.