Chapter nine
After their first date, Charlie and Harry went out a lot, some nights Charlie stayed at Harry's, some nights he didn't. They did talk a lot and realised they were very different men, but it seemed to be working and their feelings for each other were growing.
Two weeks after Harry and Charlie admitted they liked each, a large barn owl flew into Harry's while he was eating breakfast with Charlie. Harry took the letter, gave the owl a piece of his bacon then read.
'Dear Mr. Potter, in regards to your letter, we, the chief wizard of the wizard of the governors, the headmistress of Hogwarts, the minister for magic and the chief wizard of the wizengamot have been discussing exactly how we will incorporate the older of aged students such as yourself. So I would like you to come speak with us at a time of your convenience, maybe between all of us we can work out what will happen when you return to Hogwarts. Could you please let us know when you could make it in to the ministry of magic? Yours sincerely, Arnold Presten, chief wizard of the governors.'
Harry looked up at Charlie, 'What do you think Charlie?'
'Seems they are trying to work things out, if they didn't, maybe some your age won't return.'
'I would like you, Hermione and Ron to be there, I think between the four of us we could work it out with them, we'd have to wait for them two to get back though. Hermione's smart and logical, she's with Ron and if know them two, they are fully together now. You're my partner, so I would like them to hear your input as well.'
'Partner, blimey, mum and dad said you had something to tell us Harry,' Ron grinned hugely, 'You like to shock me, don't you?'
Harry got up and hugged his two friends, 'I'm glad you're back, so did you find them?'
'Yes, they are staying with my aunt until they buy another house. But they would like to meet you, so Mrs. Weasley is going to get everyone over for dinner soon,' Hermione beamed, 'So you and Charlie?' she raised her eyebrows.
'Yeah,' Harry smiled sheepishly, then they all sat down again.
'Now you have to get used to me snogging Harry, not to mention feeling him up,' Charlie chuckled.
'Charlie, will you stop that. You can't keep our personal life private can you?'
'Nope,' Charlie chuckled again then kissed Harry.
'Okay, stop that and tell me what you were talking about when we walked in but I'm glad you two weren't doing anything we shouldn't see,' Ron said but with humour in his voice.
'Oh okay,' Harry smiled, 'See, Charlie and I were talking about Hogwarts, if I go back to get my N.E.W.T.s, which I haven't decided one way or another, not yet. But I know I want to see Charlie, I'm not going to be stuck there for a year and only see him on the Hogsmeade weekends,' Harry looked at Charlie.
'I was telling Harry that I've heard how a lot of people have been rushing to get married or living together. So if they were like you lot, wanted to return to get their N.E.W.T.s, then how will that work at Hogwarts.'
'So I sent a letter to the governors and I mentioned that, how are we going to be treated, we're adults now and some are married, so they have to do something,' Harry picked up the letter and handed it to Hermione, he watched as Ron and Hermione read, 'So I was saying I would like Charlie and you two there as well. I think between the four of us and them, some arrangements could be made.'
'Actually Harry this is good, we've seen the papers. It seems the same thing happened after the first war, people running out to get married or living together. We are adults now, so even if we are students, I'm sure something could be done so we're not treated as children,' Hermione said.
Ron smiles, 'Yeah, we should have a bit more freedom, as long as we do our work and don't do anything we shouldn't in front of the younger kids, something should be worked out.'
Harry and Charlie glanced at each other, both smirked then looked back at Hermione and Ron.
'So if I write back, will you three come with me?'
'I'm in, I want to be able to see you as well, not to mention shag you as often as I can.'
Harry rolls his eyes, 'I might as well give up trying to get you to keep our lives private babe.'
'Yep, see, you're finally getting to know me Potter.'
'So how many arguments have there been about that?' Hermione asked.
'Lots, so how about it?'
'We'll go with you mate, because it concerns us. But is that why you haven't decided yet?'
'One of the reasons, I'm still not sure what I want to do. I kept thinking about before, the last few years and an auror would have suited, but now, I just know I don't want to fight anymore, I'd like something a little calmer. So if I do go back it'll only be to give me time to work out what I want to do and maybe I will need good N.E.W.T. Grades for whatever I decide on.'
'You've still got time and I have no idea what I want to do.' Hermione said.
'Okay, let me write back, but which day so we can all go?'
Harry, Charlie, Hermione and Ron sat discussing days, they had to work around the days Charlie works especially since he just started, he couldn't just take a day off so soon. Harry was fine with any day, Hermione and Ron seemed the same. So they worked out which day, Harry replied to the letter than handed it to the owl that was still sitting on the table, blinking at them. They watched the owl fly away before the four of them went into the living room so Hermione and Ron could tell them about their trip to Australia, how her parents were when she told them and how did reversing the memory charm go. Hermione ended up having to get a healer to help her because reversing the memory charm was a lot harder than taking the memory. But all was good and the Grangers knew everything now, well, almost everything that Hermione and Ron could explain in the time they had before they returned to England.
