The morning of September first arrived and proved to be a very busy one. Harry and Ginny bustled about putting last minute things in their trunks. Ron dropped by to see his sister and best mate off, having been given the morning off when Lee Jordan stopped by the joke shop to help George out. Mrs. Weasley cooked up a big breakfast and Mr. Weasley went to the Ministry to obtain a car for the trip to King's Cross.
Harry closed his trunk. Ron was downstairs waiting for him. He could go downstairs without his trunk and decide not to go or he could give in and just go. Deep in thought, Harry jumped at the sound of tapping on the window. He opened the window, untied the letter from the tawny owl, and allowed the bird to rest on the bed while he read the letter.
Harry—Thank you for responding. We understand your willingness to start Auror training right away. Certainly, it would benefit us, but do trust me when I say it would not benefit you. The importance of school is not just about grades; it is about knowledge. When you begin training you will understand this. I strongly recommend you return to Hogwarts. We will not accept you with the required N.E.W.T.s. This is for your benefit. I am sure you know this. You know where your heart lies.
Kingsley Shacklebolt,
Temporary Minister of Magic
Harry re-red the letter. He did know where his heart lied. Hogwarts was his second home. Of course he wanted to return. How could he have thought otherwise?
Harry patted the owl on the head and let him fly out the window without a return letter to the Ministry. He grabbed his trunk and started pulling out the door and down the stairs.
"'E'i'yed 'o 'oh 'ack 'aff 'oo." Ron spoke with a mouthful of scrambled egg.
"Ronald Weasley!" His mother scolded as she magicked a plate for Harry. "There you go, dear."
Ron swallowed.
"Sorry," he replied nonchalantly. "Decided to go back, have you? Hermione get to you?"
"You are returning to Hogwarts!" Ginny squealed, bringing in her own trunk and pygmy puff cage. She ran over to Harry giving him a quick peck, turning pink realizing her mom was watching.
"Yes, well, it is like a second home." Harry said.
"I knew you would." Ron said, looking a bit downcast.
"Ron, you can come back, too. I'm sure McGonagall can work things out."
Mrs. Weasley looked hopeful as they spoke.
Ron shook his head. "I got work at Weasleys."
Harry could sense a dissatisfied tone in Ron's voice, but he did not press the issue.
"Oh, I wish you had considered." Mrs. Weasley said. "Who would've thought my three youngest sons wouldn't finish school? Especially, my ickle prefect Ronniekins."
Ron's ears turned pink. The three ate their breakfast and when Mr. Weasley returned with the car, they loaded up and headed to the train station.
Harry stared at Platform 9 ¾ remembering the first he'd laid eyes on it. Back then he did not know how to cross it. He decided it was a good idea he didn't. Had he not needed anyone's help he might not have met the Weasleys.
"C'mon, Harry, don't want to be late." Ginny woke Harry from his daydream.
Harry smiled, remembering Ginny as a 10 year old as he pushed his cart past the brick wall. Smoke billowed around him as the Hogwarts Express came into view. He watched students run about meeting old friends, pulling parents along, and full of energy. How could he ever think he didn't want to come back?
"I'll go get us a compartment." Ginny said dragging her trunk towards the train.
Harry nodded.
"Harry!" Harry's other best friend, Hermione, ran towards him. "You've decided to come!" She eyed his trunk. "I knew you would."
"Yes," Harry replied. "Ginny's getting a compartment."
Hermione nodded and went off to join her other friend.
Harry looked at the three Weasleys. He looked at Ron.
"It's going to be a funny year without you."
"You'll manage, mate. Blimey, you've my sister."
"Yeah, well…" Harry didn't know what to say.
"Harry!" Ginny called out.
"I guess I better go." Harry turned to walk away when Ron pulled him in for a hug.
"I'll miss you, mate." Ron whispered in Harry's ear. "If you tell anyone about this, especially George, I'll kill you."
Harry stepped onto the train and into the compartment, his trunk having already found it's way there. He saw Hermione's trunk and wondered where she was. He sat down next to Ginny and gazed out the window to see Hermione heading towards the train.
Hermione began up the steps slowly, when something tugged at her shirt. Losing her balance, she fell backwards. Instead of hitting cold, metal stairs and hard concrete that something had broken her fall. He turned her around and planted his lips on hers.
Harry turned away from the window pretending he hadn't seen anything. A few seconds later, Hermione joined them.
"I have to go to the front." She said quietly, pointing to her badge.
Harry knew that was not what she wanted to do and was not surprised when she returned before the train rolled out of the station. She sat down opposite Ginny and Harry, sliding to the other end. She looked out the window as the train departed King's Cross. A big fat solitary tear slid down her cheek.
Harry wanted to ask why she did not stay with the prefects and Head Boy, but her eyes were closed and he knew better than to bother her.
Halfway through the ride, Luna joined them.
"Hello, Harry, Ginny, Her—" She stopped when she saw the bushy haired girl asleep.
"Hello, Luna." Harry greeted the Ravenclaw.
"Oh, are you two back together?"
Harry smiled, his arm around Ginny.
"Oh, exciting."
The rest of the train ride was pretty uneventful. After a few minutes Luna went back to the compartment she shared with Dean Thomas and a second year Gryffindor, Mary Johnson, who lived near Dean. Ginny and Harry spent the time talking and snuggling quietly so as not to disturb Hermione. When they got closer, Harry woke Hermione to change into her school robes.
"Thanks, Harry." She replied.
As soon as Hermione changed she slumped back into her seat.
"I wonder who the new Transfiguration professor will be." Ginny spoke absentmindedly.
Harry shrugged.
"It will be different not having McGonagall teach that class." Harry said.
Hermione sighed.
"Loads will be different." She mumbled.
"No Snape." Ginny stated.
Harry looked out the window as they approached Hogsmeade Station. No Snape. After years of loathing the man, Harry might truly miss having a class taught by Snape.
"No random detention to try to keep us from winning the Quidditch Cup." Ginny laughed.
Or maybe not.
Climbing off the train, Harry noticed a lot more people were in wonder as they stared at the carriages. He felt a pang in his chest remembering all those who died in the war and all those who witnessed it.
The three rode a silent carriage to the newly reconstructed Hogwarts.
Harry stared at the school as they got closer. The big chunk missing had been replaced. It looked truly magical. Stepping inside, he could not have imagined a great battle had taken place inside and outside these walls last May if he had not been here to witness it himself. He followed Ginny and Hermione to the crowded Gryffindor table, which had been magicked bigger.
"Hey, Harry," Neville greeted as the trio sat down. "Ginny, Hermione."
Harry spied a piece of silver gleam at him.
"You're Head Boy! Congratulations!"
"Thanks. Gran reckons she doesn't know if she can be any more proud of me than she already is." Neville beamed.
"Hello, Nick." Harry greeted the Gryffindor ghost, Nearly-Headless Nick.
"You're red-headed friend is missing."
Harry tried to cut him off but it had been to no avail. Hermione sighed. Harry watched her firmly place her hands in her lap and stare at them. He knew she was upset Ron was not here, but he didn't think she'd take it this hard. If they had made up before they left, maybe she would be feeling better.
"I see." The ghost glided to the other end of the table.
Harry looked up at the head table. McGonagall sat in the headmaster's chair. He smiled at Professor Jones who waved back. He spotted two new professors, a witch and a wizard, Muggle Studies and Transfiguration. The empty chair, he presumed, was for Hagrid, waiting until he came in with the first years. Harry's stomach grumbled as he realized sorting would be extra long tonight.
The doors of the Great Hall opened and Hagrid led the first years to Professor Flitwick, who had taken over deputy headmaster duties with McGonagall's new position. He placed a stool on the floor before the crowd and on top, an extremely old, patched, and now singed wizard's hat. The hat opened its brim and began to sing:
I told all houses to combine
We've had such things to fight
Together we could combat all
Divided we would fall
All houses they did come together
And battle evil forces
And once again we find ourselves
Here for another sortin'
Many years, a thousand or so ago
Four wizards came together
And created Hogwarts with four houses, lo
Gryffindor, the brave do dwell
Ravenclaw, for those full of wit
Hufflepuff, the loyal lie
Slytherin, the cunning dare
Place me snug on top your head
I've never yet been wrong
I'll take a peek inside your mind
And tell where you belong!
The Great Hall rang with applause, much louder this year. Harry stopped paying attention at this point. He had thought, just a mere thought, that the houses would be demolished or combined or something, but with Quidditch and the like, the houses did serve some sort of purpose.
With the extra large first year, thanks to the Muggle-borns not allowed to attend last year, Gryffindor made way with 13 new students most in awe as they got to sit at the same table as the great Harry Potter.
"Tuck in!" McGonagall announced as the last had been sorted and food appeared at all four tables.
Harry filled his plate with his favorites and was about to chow down when he happened to glance up at Hermione, who had barely touched anything.
"I'm fine, Harry." She tried to reassure her friend, but her tone told otherwise. "I'm just not hungry. Don't worry about me."
Harry would worry for he loved Hermione like a sister. She was going through a difficult time and he wanted to make sure she was okay.
"Have some treacle tart." Harry offered when the pudding appeared, but Hermione politely shook her head.
"She'll be okay, Harry." Ginny reassured him.
"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts." McGonagall began her speech. "Mr. Filch, our caretaker, has asked me to remind you of the list of forbidden items located in his office, which includes items from Weasleys Wizard Wheezes. Also, the Forbidden Forest is understandably forbidden.
Students," She began in a different tone, "last year we did our best to rid the world of an incredibly dark wizard. While we succeeded that does not mean we have rid ourselves of all evil completely. I must remind you to be careful and always be prepared.
"I would like to introduce you to our three new professors; Hestia Jones, Defense Against the Dark Arts; Wilhelm Bullaviri, Muggle Studies; and Sara Travante, Transfiguration." Each professor rose as his or her name was called.
"Let's have a good year." McGonagall finished her speech and the students got to their feet to exit the Great Hall. "8th years, I'd like to speak to you."
The so-called 8th years stayed seated while the rest of the school left.
"I'll wait for you in the common room." Ginny kissed Harry before leaving.
"I am pleased you all decided to return to finish off your schooling."
Harry looked around at the very small group of students remaining.
"I would like to congratulate our Head Boy and Girl, Neville Longbottom and Hermione Granger."
The nine remaining clapped. Neville's face turned red and Hermione looked at her feet.
"These two rightly deserve the position. I'm sure you all agree.
"You will be attending classes with the 7th years. For any who have not passed their Apparition test, the ministry is offering special lessons and testing starting in October for 8th years and older only. Misses Brocklehurst, Bones, and Granger, you will be rooming with the 7th year girls in your respective houses. Mr. Nott, you will with the 7th year boys. Misters Boot, Goldstein, Thomas, Potter, and Longbottom, you will be in the 8th year male dormitories. Good night."
McGonagall handed out the timetables and the students departed for their houses.
"Harry, I'm surprised you weren't named Head Boy." Neville said as they walked the long corridor toward Gryffindor.
"You deserve it more than I." Harry replied, making Neville blush harder than he had in the Great Hall.
"I had the option of taking my N.E.W.T.s over the summer at the Ministry, but I missed so much time hiding out in the Room of Requirement that I felt it best to return."
Harry peeled away from Dean and Neville and walked slowly with Hermione.
"I always imagined a year where Ron and I were together. When I received that letter I thought my dream had come true." She looked at Harry, shuffling her feet. "I sound so stupid."
"No. No, I think I understand."
"Ron is such a prat. But, but, I—"
"You still love him."
Hermione nodded ever so slightly.
"Hermione, he's not doing this to hurt you."
"I know," she wiped a tear from her cheek, "I knew that when we got into our fight. Why do I have to be too proud to say I'm sorry?"
Harry was surprised to see Hermione open up to him about this. He could not remember another time when she had done so.
"Harry, I don't want to do anything to lose Ron."
He wanted to say the kiss looked like she wouldn't, but Harry didn't want her to know he'd seen it. He didn't have to say anything as they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady.
"Victorious." Hermione said and the Fat Lady swung open, allowing the two to go inside.
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How do you like the sorting hat song? I now know why Rowling made ways for Harry to miss out on so many sortings!
