Chapter nine
Harry sent word to Professor McGonagall that he was returning to Hogwarts, then he let Hermione and Ron know as well. So they were due to arrive at Harry's place to go into Diagon alley with him so he could get his Hogwarts things. He also needed to head to Gringotts first and thankfully Kingsley had spoken to them on his behave and sorted out for Harry to pay for the damaged, then he would be allowed back in. Harry had Kreacher take care of that when he first organised to have his house built.
So Harry finished his shower, dressed and sat down to have his breakfast when Hermione and Ron stepped out of the fireplace.
'Hi,' Harry smiled at them and they both smiled back as they sat down.
'Do you realise that you're going to get a lot of attention the moment anyone sees you,' Ron smirked at Harry.
'I know, you two will as well. Everyone knows we were together and you two helped with everything.'
'Yes, but it was still you that finished him, so it will be you that get the most attention.'
'I know Hermione, but I'll get used to it. Ron, I did want to tell you something thought. Don't bother packing your broom for Hogwarts. I'm going to buy Gryffindor all new ones, get rid of those old Cleansweeps.'
'That will cost a fortune Harry, will McGonagall let you?'
'She let Malfoy remember, so she'll have to and about cost, I've got a fortune, but you know I love quidditch. This way all of us will have decent brooms. I'm going to get the new Nimbus' for the school, but a Firebolt for me. I have to go up to Gringotts first, so are we ready?'
'Let's get all the staring out of the way,' Ron laughed and the three of them all left and apparated to London. They walked towards the Leaky Cauldron and Ron noticed Harry hesitated, 'The sooner you do this, the better Harry.'
'Yeah, I know, let's go,' Harry sighed, then the three of them stepped into the Leaky Cauldron. Harry kept his head down, but was instantly spotted and heard his name circulate the room. They hurried towards the back and tapped the bricks, then headed straight up to Gringotts.
Harry, Hermione and Ron went down to Harry's vault, he grabbed a heap of money, then quickly left Gringotts to nasty looks from all the goblins.
'Robes first, get them out of the way. And what's with the formal robes we have to have?'
'No idea, McGonagall never said, just that all the students had to have them this year.'
'So did you get new ones Ron, you don't have to wear those other's do you?'
Ron grimaced, 'No, mum paid so I could have new ones.'
Harry, Ron and Hermione stepped into Madam Malkins and she came straight over to the three of them.
'Since I already have done Miss Granger's and Mr. Weasley's robes, I take it your here for yours Mr. Potter.'
'Yeah, I am, I only just decided to go back.'
She led Harry through to the back and started to fit his school robes, then Harry asked her for emerald green dress robes for whatever McGonagall was planning. After they finished there, they went into the apothecary and grabbed everything Harry needed for potions. Then to Flourish and Blotts for all his books he needed.
'So there's a new defence against the dark arts teacher?'
'Yeah, well we had to get the books, so we must have. What else do you need?'
'Quills, ink, all that, so let's do that next, then we can go to quality quidditch supplies.'
Harry, Hermione and Ron got all Harry's things he needed, then headed up to get the brooms. Harry looked around and spotted the new Firebolt and thought he'd get that one.
'Hi, I want to get seven of the new Nimbus' along with two of the latest Firebolt's.'
'Merlin Mr. Potter, are you starting your own quidditch team or something?' the young man behind the counter asked looking surprised.
'No, just donating some, but on the Nimbus', could you have Gryffindor printed on them for me?'
'So Gryffindor is the ones receiving those brooms, no problem, I'll just be a minute.' he took the nimbus' into the back while Harry kept looking around.
'Why two Firebolt's Harry?'
'I want to have a spare,' Harry shrugged not telling them the real reason he wanted the second one.
When they finished in there, they stepped out to a crowd of reporters waiting for him.
'Harry, Harry, tell us how you feel now you know who's dead?' a woman yelled from the front of the crowd.
'Great, and he's name was Voldemort. It's okay to say it now you know,' Harry smiled at her.
'Harry, can you comment on what Skeeter insinuated in her book about you and Albus Dumbledore?'
Harry stared and thought why not, 'He was my mentor, helping me so I could defeat Voldemort. You all heard rumours about a prophecy, well it was real. It was going to be one of us that would kill the other. So Dumbledore was getting me ready so I could face him. That was the extent of our relationship. I happen to be straight. I have nothing against gay people, but I'm not.'
'Do you have someone special in your life, rumours were you were dating your friends sister.'
'We were dating before I had to leave with my friends.'
'Does that mean you're not dating anymore Harry?'
'At the moment, no, but I really have to go, still have things to do.'
'So are you heading back to Hogwarts to do your final year?'
'Yep, that's why I'm here, buying everything I need.'
'One last thing Harry, what about what Skeeter said about you having no real friends. I think we all know that's not true, but like to hear it from you.'
'I'll tell you,' Ron stepped forward, 'Harry has more real friends that most of you, and I'm talking about people that care about him, that have known him and supported him for years. Skeeter is a lying piece of filth and nothing she said should be listened to.'
Harry smiled at his friend, 'Thanks Ron,' he turned back to face the reporters, 'I do have a lot of friends and like Ron said, most I've known for years and have always stuck up for me or supported me. Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley are my oldest and closest friends and always will be. But I really have to go,' Harry gave them a smile and they let the three of them through but slowly followed behind them. Photographers taking heaps of pictures of the three of them as they went about shopping. Then when they walked back through the Leaky Cauldron and into muggle London where they gave everyone a way before apparating away.
'That wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I thought Skeeter would have been around.'
'I really don't think she'd want to get on your bad side Harry. Before she could get away with it, now, I think she realises no one will believe anything she writes about you.'
'I hope your right Hermione and you usually are. So with trying to catch up on everything, you are going to help us right?'
Hermione scowled for a minute then smiled, 'Of course I will as long as you both study as well.'
'We will, we both want to pass so we can be aurors. From what Kingsley has said, they need more, so we have to do everything we can to get our grades up. It's mainly potions though, too bad you don't still have that book Harry.'
'Yeah, it would come in handy. Those adjustments Snape made should have been put in the proper books, they work better.'
'I have to admit they did, but we can't do anything about it now.'
'Well let's have some lunch, then I'll pack all this stuff. Merlin that trunk is going to be heavy this time,' Harry placed everyone on the couch, then the three of went into the kitchen, 'So has Ginny said anything about me at all?'
'No, and when your name is mentioned, she usually leaves the room. But mum did say you have to come for dinner the night before. You and Ginny will just have to put up with each other.'
'It might be awkward for her, I don't want her upset in her own home Ron.'
'She'll be fine and mum insisted. She even said if you don't come, she come here and make you. So you might as well give it up and just say you're coming, you know what mum's like when she wants something.'
'Alright, but I won't stay late. We all have to get used to getting up early again. I've been like Ron lately, sleeping in a lot. I think it's just knowing there's no danger out there anymore, so I'm more relaxed.'
'We said the same thing Harry, we've all being sleeping a little later than normal.'
'I did want to ask you if you told Ginny I'm going back and that I will be the quidditch captain?'
'We mentioned it, she never said anything. So I don't even know if she's going to play.'
'She has to if she wants to play professionally. That's when the scouts come looking. Oliver told me that's how he got picked up. They saw him playing at Hogwarts. Do you think I should try talking to her, let her know I'm letting her play if she wants to, no try out and I'm not expecting anything from her, well just to play her best?'
'You could mention it Harry, whether she'll listen I couldn't tell you. She's a lot like you in that way, stubborn. Do you still want to get back together with her?'
'I do, but it's up to her now. She has to make up her mind if she can accept me and what I did. But I will tell you this though, if she goes out with other blokes, than I will start seeing other girls, which means it won't work with us.'
'Harry, she thinks you didn't really love her to do what you did.'
'After what I wrote and all those roses I sent her. I even wrote that I wanted us to get married eventually. I don't know what else I can say to make her believe I love her, so it's up to her now. But I'm not going to just sit around and mope about it anymore. I've finally got a life without Voldemort and I'm not going to waste it.'
'We know, give her some time, but I can't see her dating anyone else though. She loves you, even if she's mad at you.'
'She's got time, I think we all need that.'
Harry, Ron and Hermione kept talking while they ate lunch. Hermione started on their lessons, which made Ron and Harry roll their eyes, then laugh as they realised that even though they all could have died, Hermione will never change when it came to learning. That was just her way, like Ron with his eating, he was always hungry and Harry still wanting to make sure his friends were safe. The three of them knew each other so well, they never had to say anything to know what the others were thinking. So they enjoyed being together without any danger and just talked about what their futures might be. Hermione still didn't know what she might want to do when she did finish Hogwarts, but was going to discuss it with McGonagall during their seventh year careers advice. They also discussed what the new defence against the dark arts teacher would be like and the three of them agreed with one thing, as long as he knew what he was doing and taught them what the needed, then they were happy
