Disclaimer- JKR owns Harry Potter, I'm just playing around with her characters

Chapter 7- The Choice

A few days after Harry's birthday while Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione were playing monopoly, a muggle board game, Hermione and Harry had been teaching the two Weasley's a lot about muggle entertainment. Ginny was particularly good at this game and it was funny to Ron get mad whenever he had to pay her money. They had been playing for about an hour when a lynx patronus appeared.

"The minister of magic will arrive shortly" the patronus announced and disappeared.

The four teens sat gaping at where the patronus had been until Hermione spoke. "We need to get this board game cleaned up and Ron go get your parents and George." Everyone did what Hermione said. The board game was put away and as the four Weasley's entered the living room when bright green flames appeared in the fire place and Kingsley Shacklebolt emerged.

Mrs. Weasley was the first to speak "Minister would you like something to drink or eat I have not had time to prepare something but I can whip something up if you would like."

Kingsley laughed "Molly please call me Kingsley, that applies to everyone in this room, I have known you all too long and too well to ask you to call me by anything but my given name."

Now George spoke, this would have been surprising but they had gotten used to George popping into conversations at very random times. "it's good to see that being minister of magic hasn't gone to your head, anyway I have been wanting to talk to you I have been working on some new things for the shop and some of it has turned out to be much more useful then I originally planned, and I think that it might benefit the Auror department. For the right price that is."

Mrs. And Mr. Weasley gasped, but Kingsley just laughed. "Well I would have to know more about it but I'm sure if you think that it is good enough for auror's to use then it is."

George smiled "good, I wouldn't want my inventions to fall in to the wrong hands."

"I will set up a meeting, look for my owl" Kingsley replied before turning to harry. "Harry, I have been meaning to talk with you for a while now but I have been very busy cleaning up after Voldemort. I would like to offer you a job as an auror."

"but Kinsley I haven't taken my newts I can't become an auror." Harry said obviously confused.

"I have decided to make an exception for everyone who fought against Voldemort in the battle of Hogwarts." (A/N- I know this has been done tons of times but I like it)

Harry seemed to be speechless and when he did not reply Kingsley continued. "Now I know that you might decide to finish your seventh year at Hogwarts instead."

Harry seemed to find his voice at that moment and spoke, "actually Sir- I mean Kingsley I'm not sure if I will be allowed to return to Hogwarts."

"Oh that's right you have not received your letter yet, Minerva informed me that you will be receiving them this afternoon." Kingsley stated simply.

Harry though shocked by his last statement responded quickly, "I don't think I can make a decision right now. I need some time to think about it and talk to everyone." He gestured to the Weasley's while saying the last part.

"I understand I did not expect you to choose right now. Please send me your owl when you have reached a conclusion" with that Kingsley took out some floo powder from a small pouch and threw it into the fire place. "good bye I hope to see you all very soon" he said before stepping into the fire place and stating "Ministry of Magic Atrium" and with that he was gone.

It took them all a few minutes to wrap their heads around what had just happened, but soon the five Weasley's, Harry, and Hermione were sitting talking about the events that had just passed. Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Ginny began wondering about when their Hogwarts letters would arrive when they heard a tapping on the window they turned to see that it was one of the school owls. Harry opened the window and untied the letters. The owl quickly flew away. Harry gave the other three teens their letters before reading his.

Dear Mr. Potter,

Due to the events of last year the Hogwarts faculty is allowing any students who missed the last year of school to return to Hogwarts and take it during this school year. Should you choose to return you will be head boy, and Hermione Granger will be head girl. You have demonstrated the qualities expected in a head boy. If you choose not to return to Hogwarts please send me an owl as soon as possible. If you do decide to return please make your way to the prefects compartment when you board the Hogwarts express on September first to receive further instructions. I hope to see you there.

Sincerely,

Headmistress of Hogwarts Minerva McGonagall

Harry just stared at the letter gaping. He knew that he looked like an idiot but at the moment he didn't care. Head boy, almost every head boy had been a perfect. He knew that his father had been one of the few exceptions. By this time Harry had gotten over his original shock and looked up from the letter. Hermione's expression was priceless it was a mixture of shock and pure happiness. Ron seemed was looking at the paper as if he was imagining it and it was going to disappear any second. Ginny was the only one who did not look at all surprised, She was beeming. She looked up from her letter and turned to Harry, smiling brightly the entire time.

"I'm the Gryffindor quidditch caption and a prefect" she said.

"that's amazing Ginny" Harry said hugging her.

Their exchange seemed to remove Ron from his trance. He looked up at them before he spoke "I'm a prefect again"

"That's awesome Ron." Harry clapped him on the back as he spoke.

The three of them turned their attention to Hermione. Who was still staring at her letter smiling though she looked like she was about to cry.

Ron was instantly worried "Hermione what's wrong?" he asked confused

She looked up at Ron "nothing is wrong I made Head Girl, I have dreamed about this since my first year" she said happily, eyes still glistening.

Ron looked confused "If you're happy why do you look like you're about to cry?" Ron asked in a tone that matched his expression.

Hermione laughed, "Have you never heard of tears of joy?" Ron seemed to understand but did not have a chance to respond because Hermione continued. "and Harry made head boy. The two Weasleys looked surprised, but they quickly regained their composure. Ginny hugged Harry and Ron congratulated him.

It was Ginny who spoke next "so does that mean that you three are coming back to Hogwarts" she kept her eyes on harry the entire time she spoke.

Hermione answered first "of course I have to finish my newts to get any respectable job."

The boys rolled their eyes of course Hermione would want to go back. Ron's answer was quite a bit more surprising. "I guess if Hermione is going back then I will as well" Hermione beamed obviously happy with Ron's answer.

Harry looked at the three of them. As much as he wanted to be an auror, he wanted to earn it, and to be honest he didn't think he could bear to spend another year away from Ginny who looked very anxious to hear his decision. "I guess I will go back the school." Ginny let out a breath obviously relieved and Harry continued "The attention I attract in public would be twice as bad as whatever I would have to deal with in school."

The rest of the night passed quickly. The foursome talked about their plans, and classes. They also made plans to go to Diagon ally that week to get their supplies. They were very excited to start the new year. Harry hoped it would be a lot less eventful then the previous ones.

A/N- ok some people might be wondering what's going on with Percy. The answer is I don't care, I don't like him so he will not be in this story. He can go take his annoying self over to his nice ministry job far far away from my story. And yes harry does spend time with teddy but so far there hasn't been a good place to include him. Obviously I went with harry going back to school but all the people who wanted him to become an auror don't worry his year at Hogwarts will be quite eventful. Also I haven't been able to find anything about the head boy and girl so im going to make up stuff, if I get something wrong I'm sorry. The next chapter is going to be the train to Hogwarts and Ginny's story (if you have been paying attention you should have realized that something is a little off). Anyway please review good or bad I need input, I'm not sure if I like my writing in this chapter. :)