"Potter, Granger, Weasley." Snape says, a deep frown etched upon his face. "The headmaster wishes for me to escort you three to his office."

The three glance at one another, before following behind Snape. Neville starts to follow them, but they wave him away, towards McGonagall's classroom.

He feels Hermione slide something into his hand. Looking down he sees it's a calming drought. He gives Hermione a small nod of his head in thanks before swallowing the drought.

Immediately a warm feeling spreads throughout him, calming his racing heart and squashing his anxieties.

With a small flick of his hand the vial disappears. Just as they arrive at Dumbledore's office. "The headmaster will see you now." With that Snape stalks away, seemingly eager to be out of their presence.

"Greasy git," Ron mutters to left of Harry, right before Harry pushes the doors open.

Dumbledore is sitting behind his desk, hands folded across his lap as he waits for them to near. "Mr. Weasly, Ms. Granger, Mr. Potter, it's good to see you three again." The old man smiles and leans forward, gesturing for them to have a seat. "I'm sorry to have called you away from, Professor McGonagall's class, but I'm afraid I have to discuss your absences as of late."

Ron glances at the other two before looking back to the headmaster. "What about them, sir?"

"I know what happened at the ministry was hard on the three of you, it was something no child should have to witness. But you have missed everyday of class since the incident. I'm worried you won't pass your OWL's if you continue with this behavior." His gaze roams over the three of them. "You three are meant for great things, but you must have the OWL's so you may continue advancing your education."

Harry can't look at him. "It's my fault, headmaster. I can't bring myself to go to class." Honesty would save them from this situation. "It's too soon to act as if everything is normal. I need time, so Hermione and Ron have stayed with me, we've been studying together that way we don't fall behind, and Neville takes notes for us."

Dumbledore leans back in his chair and takes Harry in. Slumped shoulders, wrinkled robes, messy hair, all added to the truth he spoke. "Very well." He says finally. "In that case, I will have your teachers prepare notes and assignments for the three of you to complete, when finished you will send them back and await your grades."

Harry's shoulders slump in relief, "Thank you, Professor."

He smiles, "Of course, my boy." He looks to Ron and Hermione, I owled your parents about your absences, I recommend the two of you send them a letter explaining the situation."

"We'll do it right away, sir." Ron answers for the two of them and rises. The other two follow.

"Very well." Dumbledore nods. "You're dismissed."

They file out of the room, and the moment they're out of sight, Harry grabs both Ron and Hermione's hand. Trying to breathe. Ron helps him sit on a bench while Hermione casts a privacy charm around them. "Easy mate, it went well." He says soothingly, rubbing his back. "We're all fine. You're safe."

Harry nods, looking to Hermione for assurance. "He's right, Harry. We're at Hogwarts, nothing is going to hurt anyone here. And Dumbledore isn't coming after us." She gives him a reassuring smile. "It's all okay."

He closes his eyes and takes several deep breaths, grounding himself with their touches. After a little while he opens his eyes and gives a small nod.

At that, Ron helps him stand. "Let's head back to our room, yeah? We can play some wizard's chess."

Harry gives a small smile. "Maybe I'll finally beat you."

Ron grins at him. "Never gonna happen, mate."

Hours later, after several rounds of chess, in which Harry managed to lose every time, Neville entered the room, struggling to carry a large stack of papers. Which Hermione helped him stack on the table. "Most of the professors only gave each of you a few assignments, but Snape didn't show any mercy." He tells them, "There's seven potions you have to brew and 13 plants you have to write essays on."

Ron groans from beside Harry. "That Git!"

Hermione rolls her eyes, "Ron, we get to make the potion here. Which means I can help you both with your potions." She looks over the potions list. "Some of these you won't even need my help on."

"Either way," Harry says, "We just have to be ready to get an O on our OWL's so we can advance to next year's class." He looks to Neville. "How's Ginny?"

The boy sits in front of the fire beside them. "Katie is helping her see sense. I think she'll come around in the next couple days." Ron sighs in relief at that. "We've already started spreading the word. We got dozens of applicants for you all to meet at the meeting."

Hermione nods. "Good, we'll have to be selective. The stakes are higher than it was last time. We can't have anyone telling Dumbledore."

"I know." Neville tells her, "It's why I advertised the meeting as defense lessons, but some of them have a pretty good idea of what the truth is."

"We can obliviate the ones who don't sign up on the day of the meeting." Ron pipes up. "And have the ones who do swear an oath."

"I'll look into magical oaths and see which type will be best." Hermione says, then yawns. "I think it's time for us all to sleep, we can start working on our assignments tomorrow."