A/N: The Ministry found Hermione's parents. Her parents are safely back at their house. I didn't feel like writing a whole thing about it.

Chapter 6: Decision Time

"It'd be really hard to become an Auror without a full education," said Hermione as her first arguments came pouring out.

"You know I've never asked you, Hermione, what do you want to be?" Harry asked her suddenly.

"Oh, don't change the subject Harry."

"This is the subject!"

"I don't want to go back," added Ron.

"Oh, stop it you three!" yelled Mrs.Weasley dissaprovingly.

"I'm going to go outside. I need to think about this," said Harry as he walked out the back door. Not suprising Harry at all, Ron and Hermione found him a few minutes later.

"We just need to think about it," said Hermione after a couple moments of silence. "Let's think. Harry, you want to be an Auror? Ron, you want to be-"

"I want to work for the Ministry actually." interjected Ron.

"Right. So all we have to think about is whether a final year at Hogwarts would help improve our chances of getting those jobs."

"What do you want to be Hermione?" asked Ron and Harry basically at the same time.

"I... I want to work at St.Mungo's."

"As what?" asked Ron. Harry noticed his interest wasn't fake.

"Well, I'm not sure really-"

"You were really good with Ron when he was injured. You could work in the department of creature-induced injuries. Or any injuries for that matter," added Harry.

"Well that's what I've been thinking-"

"Yeah you basically memorize textbooks. You'll be able to heal anyone," said Ron enthusiastically. Hermione blushed.

"Thanks you two," she said quietly, but then started again loudly, "So. An Auror. You definately should go back. Not only would it help, training might not have to be as long. Ministry of Magic employee. You'd want to consider going back, too, Ronald. You'd have a better chance of getting the job with a full education. Healer. I needn't even think about being one without another year at Hogwarts."

"So it's settled I suppose?" asked Harry.

"Sure seems like it," said Ron.

"Excellent. We're going back to Hogwarts," said Hermione cheerfully. Harry had the slightest hunch she had wanted to go back before they had even been offered.

XxxxX

Mrs.Weasley had been ultimately pleased when they walked back into the kitchen and told them the news.

"Oh, that's terrific!"

"That means you'll be in my year!" exclaimed Ginny. Harry walked over and hugged her.

"Well, I suppose we can go to Diagon Alley today and get your things. It's only nine o' clock right now," said Mrs.Weasley. She hurried off to tell the rest of the Weasley's. At about ten o' clock they were fed and ready to go. They all gathered around the fireplace and finally they were all at Diagon Alley. It looked exactly as it had the very first time Harry had gone. Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny all found everything they needed in less than 2 hours. Harry went and got more gold from his vault at Gringotts. Luckily for him, they had forgive him for his, er, theivery. They next went to Fred and George's joke shop. Well, Harry thought, it was technically George's now. Outside the usual sign was gone and instead was a moving picture of Fred and George with their arms around each others shoulders, laughing. It said underneath in loopy handwriting.

FRED WEASLEY

NEVER FORGOTTEN

They walked in and it looked just like it had the last time they had visited. It was full of cheerful customers. George pushed through with a huge grin on his face.

"Business is still great! Have a look around."

After Harry had bought some more things he went off to find Ginny. He finally found her by a display of bewitched, minute Quidditch brooms with different players riding them.

"I'll buy you one if you'd like," he said, putting his arm around her.

She looked up at him and smiled. "Thanks," she said as she picked up the seeker for the HolyHead Harpies. "I like this one."

He led her to the counter and bought it for her. After they had all bought what they wanted, they went back to the Burrow. Over dinner Mrs.Weasley invited Hermione's parents to stay at the Burrow until their term started ("This way you won't have to leave us and you can still be with your parents before you leave again.").

"Thanks Mrs.Weasley!" said Hermione brightly. After dinner Harry went outside and sat on a bench in the garden. He was pleased to see the garden was still in its overgrown state.

"Pssst," he heard someone in front of him say. It was dark and he hadn't realized anyone else was in the yard.

"Hello, Ginny! I didn't see you there."

"It's okay. I didn't hear you come out." She sat down next to him and folded her legs. "So I heard Hermione say you wanted to be an Auror. I thought you'd be over the whole 'putting-myself-in-danger-hunting-down-dark-wizards' thing."

"Oh well, I don't think anything's worse than Voldemort. But I don't know, I've just always liked the idea. How about you? What do you want to be?"

"Oh me? Well I've always wanted to be a Healer at St.Mungo's. I really like helping kids."

"Sounds suiting. I saw you with that girl during the battle."

"You saw that?"

"I was under the cloak."

"I thought I had felt someone watching me."

After a long silence Ginny finally said, "I'm glad you're going back to Hogwarts."

"Me, too. I'm not taking the chance of spending another year without you," he said as he took her hand.

She sighed and said sarcastically, "That was cheesy."

Harry laughed. "Yeah? Well get used to it."

"Oh okay, I'll try and manage."

XxxxX

"Hurry up! Hurry up! You're going to miss the train!" yelled Mrs.Weasley as she, Harry, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Mr.Weasley, Bill, Fleur (who had come after getting over a sickness), Charlie, Percy, and George all made their way to platform nine and three quarters. Once they were all onto the platform and had gotten their luggage on the train, they made quick good-byes.

"Now we've arranged for you to come back for the Christmas holidays,"

"We know mum," said Ron.

After last minutes hugs and reminders, they found thier way onto the train and started searching for a compartment. People found him in the aisles and shook his hand or clapped him on the back. Ginny looked as though she was enjoying the evil stares from Romilda Vane and her friends. He grabbed Ginny's hand and brought her into an empty compartment. Ron and Hermione went in after them. Ginny and Harry sat down on one side and Hermione and Ron on the other. Harry put his arm around Ginny and she layed her head on his shoulder.

"Tired?" he asked.

"Very." He kissed her on the forehead. Ron rolled his eyes.

"Oh stop. They had to spend a year apart they can be as mushy as they want. And besides, you can't say anything, you went around with Lavender Brown all your 6th year snogging each other every chance you got," laughed Hermione. She seemed to find this much more funny now that she was with him.

"Fine," said Ron. He abrubtly kissed Hermione.

Luna and Neville had just passed the compartment hand in hand. They stuck their heads inside.

"Hello, Harry. Ron, Hermione, Ginny." said Luna in her familiar serene voice.

"Hey Luna!" said Ginny, lifting her head off of Harry's shoulder.

"Harry," said Neville, putting out his hand.

"Neville," said Harry, shaking it.

Neville, Harry, and Ron had a long talk about Quidditch as Luna told Ginny about what had happened after she had been taken from the Hogwarts Express last year.

"Of course you're Quidditch captain again I suppose?" asked Neville.

"Yeah, I am," said Harry "I can't say I'm looking forward to try-outs, though."

"Yeah they're always a pain," agreed Ron.

Later Luna and Neville left to change into their school robes. Ron, Hermione, Harry, and Ginny did the same. Not long after the torches were lit and Harry felt as though he could have gone straight to sleep, but the rumbling in his stomach made him long for the start of term feast. The train started to slow down.

"We better get going," said Hermione. "Ginny!"

"Wha--?" said Ginny. She had been staring out the window and hadn't noticed the others leaving the compartment. "Sorry," she said airily as she got up and followed them. They found there way to an empty carriage and climbed in.

"So that's what they look like..." said Ginny, looking at the thestral pulling the carriage. "Can't exactly say I'm glad I can."

"Ugly creatures, really," said Ron with a twisted look on his face.

"Yes, I wish they were still invisible," added Hermione.

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Okay, well I know a few people didn't want them to go back, but here's my proposition. I'm thinking of fast-forwarding a year and a half, so they've graduated and gotten jobs. Let me know you're opinion. Next chapter will be up soon. Thanks to those who have reviewed. Keep clicking the button!