It was late, but Harry was still awake. Ron's snores filled the room. Harry grabbed his glasses and sat up, looking across at his friend. Being careful not disturb anyone, Harry crept down to the kitchen, grabbing a mug, he made himself a hot chocolate. He'd not been sitting at the table when the light flicked on, blinding him.
"Harry, what are you doing down here?"
As Harry's eyes adjusted to the light, he could see Mr Weasley standing in the doorway.
"I couldn't sleep."
"Any particular reason?"
"I keep thinking about what Bellatrix said in the churchyard."
"Sirius' death wasn't your fault, Harry, we all make mistakes."
Mr Weasley had found out about the battle between Harry and the Death Eaters.
"I know, but it doesn't make it any easier to think about. I never thought I'd miss him so much, even now."
"I know it's hard, but at least you have friends and family to help you cope with it."
"Yeah. Is Hermione coming?"
"Sometime in the next couple of days I think. She'll be glad to know you're back safely."
Harry grinned, remembering something Ginny had said to him earlier. At Mr Weasley's questioning look, he explained.
"When Ginny found out there was no Floo powder at Grimmauld Place, she told me she wondered how I'd managed two years without Hermione to keep me on track."
Mr Weasley laughed. Harry sighed contently and looked at the remains of drink in his cup.
"Harry, I know you love my daughter."
The grin slid off Harry's face. Mr Weasley noticed and smiled reassuringly.
"Molly and I could not have wished for someone better for her to be with. I know you'll take proper care of her, and I hope you listened to Molly at Grimmauld Place."
"Which bit?"
"The bit where she said we'll all be with you at the last battle, Ginny included. She was right. There is no way any of us would be able to stop Ginny from being with you at your time of need."
"I know. She was with me the day you found out about the prophecy."
"I'm glad there is someone out there that you are willing to talk to."
Harry grinned again, remembering what he'd said to the Death Eaters in the churchyard this time. He knew Mr Weasley had found it slightly funny when he'd been told of the events that had taken place in the churchyard, as well as telling Harry it had been rather risky to go there alone. He stifled a yawn as he stood up and dropped his empty cup into the sink.
"Goodnight, Mr Weasley."
"Night, Harry."
As Harry was digging through his trunk the following morning, looking for something decent to wear, he came across an old Daily Prophet. He unfolded it and read the article on the front page.
Is Hogwarts really closing?
There have been rumours flying around the last few days that Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is to close after the unfortunate death of Albus Dumbledore. I can now confirm these rumours are true. Hogwarts will not be re-opening to students in September as the threat to all of us increases with the activity from Death Eaters and You-Know-Who. Many families have chosen to flee to other countries, where magical schools are remaining open to students, however, we all wonder what will happen to The-Boy-Who-Lived.
It is common knowledge that You-Know-Who targeted the Potters while Harry was just a year old. Many still wonder how he managed to make Him disappear. Some suspect Dark Magic was involved, and that Mr Potter will become the new enemy once You-Know-Who has gone for good.
Harry screwed the paper up, not wanting to read any more. He wondered himself how people could think he was involved in Dark Magic after all the things he had done where Voldemort was concerned.
A knock at the door brought him back to the present.
"Harry, dear, is everything all right?"
"Yes, thank you, Mrs Weasley."
"All right, don't keep Hermione waiting too much longer, she's desperate to see you again."
Harry hit his forehead with his hand. He'd completely forgotten Hermione would be arriving today.
"Ok, Mrs Weasley, I'll be down in a minute."
Harry grabbed a pair of jeans and a t-shirt that had seen better days. He'd not yet been to a muggle shop to get some new clothes. Half and hour later, he descended the stairs and followed the voices to the living room. The moment he pushed the door open, Hermione had thrown herself on him.
"Welcome back, Harry. I was really worried when you didn't reply to any of our letters."
"Yeah, the owls were attracting too much attention."
"Oh, I didn't think of that." She said, standing back.
"You didn't think of something? Wow, what happened?" Harry asked, teasing her a bit. He'd seen the way Ron and Hermione had looked at each other over the year they had been hunting for Horcruxes together.
Hermione blushed.
"Don't worry, I didn't want you to tell me anyway. I hope you and Ron are happy together."
She blushed even deeper causing Harry to laugh.
"Ah, come on, Potter, leave the girl alone."
Harry looked at Ron, who had an equally large grin on his face. He saw Ginny roll her eyes behind Ron.
"So, been up to anything interesting over the last couple of years?"
"Erm…well…yeah, I guess." Hermione stammered, still very red.
This time it was Ron who blushed.
