Chapter ten

Harry and Charlie had their arms around each other, but Harry also held Hermione's hand while Ron's arm was around Hermione. The four of them walked through the atrium to lots of stares, lots of people calling out to the golden trio and Harry Potter and lots of others coming up to them to shake their hands and thank them. It took the four of them over an hour to get to the lifts and to the minister's office. The older woman sitting behind the desk instantly showed them in.

'Sorry we're late, got surrounded in the atrium,' Harry said as he stared at the four people in the minister's office.

'Yeah, they wouldn't let us through,' Ron said.

'Understandable, it's the first time the golden trio has been seen. So let me make introductions, you know professor McGonagall, this is Brian Steel, head wizard of the Wizengamot and Arnold Presten head wizard of the governors, this is Harry Potter, Charlie Weasley, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley,' Kingsley said then the four friends shook hands with the two men they didn't know and even shook McGonagall's hand before sitting down.

'If I could, Mr. Potter, I understand why you asked for miss Granger and Mr. Weasley to be with you, they are you're best friends who could be returning to Hogwarts with you, but can you explain why you wanted the other Mr. Weasley with you for this meeting, he is over age to be a student at Hogwarts?' Arnold Presten asked.

'Charlie is my partner, it's to do with him why I thought about all this and sent you that letter. He left Hogwarts years ago, naturally, but as my partner I do not want to be apart from him for a whole year. We've just decided to live together, so we would like to work something out so we could see each other.'

'I see, that is news, the last we heard you were dating a Miss Ginevra Weasley.'

'I was, before Dumbledore died. But I only realised I was gay right after Voldemort died. Ginny actually had a suspicion before I did, we're just good friends now, like I am with all the Weasley family.'

'Very well, let's get started shall we. We have been meeting a lot trying to incorporate all the students that will be returning to Hogwarts. There will be two lots of first years, the ones that start this year and the muggleborns that could not go last year. The first years from last year will be second year and so forth, so the ones your age will be known as eighth years. It has never been done before, so this has needed a lot or organisation,' Arnold said.

'As you would know, there are only enough dorm rooms in each house to accommodate up to seventh year students. So the first thing is the eighth years will have their own separate dorm rooms. You three are in Gryffindor's, so you will still be part of Gryffindor, but you're rooms will be separate to the rest. You will have your own common room, bathrooms and dormitories. We've been working on how many of you will return, so at the moment you will either be two to a room or have your own room,' Minerva said.

'Actually I never thought of that, but yeah, first up to seventh years, there'd be no room for the eighth years,' Harry looked at Hermione, 'You thought about it though, didn't you Hermione?'

'Naturally she did, that's just Hermione,' Ron smirked.

'Yes, I did, exactly like professor McGonagall said, two lots of first years and all the rest, it would mean more students than Hogwarts has ever seen before.'

'It will Miss Granger,' Minerva gave her a smile, 'At the moment we have received letters from students from the four houses that are your age. After receiving your letter Mr. Potter, we sent our own letters to any student that wish to return. So far I'd say three quarters of your age will be returning, naturally a lot of the Slytherin students either died or were arrested, there are about fifteen that is your age that we know wanted nothing to do with them or showed proof that they were forced.'

'So like Malfoy, I know he didn't want to, he was threatened by Voldemort, so will he be returning?' Harry asked.

'Yes, he is one of the Slytherin's that wish to return.'

'I think he should, he deserves a second chance and he did help us. Harry also gave his statement about what happened the night professor Dumbledore died,' Hermione said.

'Yes, that is why he is being allowed to return along with some of the others.' Brian said.

'Some letters we received were from students wishing to return that are now married, and some are living together. They said they would only return if that could be taken into consideration, one that I will not name but he did help students that had been tortured last year, he is married now and wishes to share with his wife who is also one of the returning eighth year,' Kingsley said.

'Yes, so married couples will have a room to share,' Minerva said.

'So only married couples, not couples living together?' Ron asked but glanced at Hermione and Harry.

'No, legally they are not married, so they would not be able to share at Hogwarts.'

'Well it seems we won't be returning,' Harry said as he saw Ron and Hermione agree with him.

'I don't see why you would say that Mr. Potter, your partner won't be at Hogwarts.'

'No, but Hermione and Ron are together, living together and don't want to be separated. I get that because after all of us could have died over the last few years, we want to be with our loved ones. I was going to ask if it would be possible to stay outside Hogwarts, with Charlie, then come in to do my studies every day, go home every afternoon, but I thought that might be a bit hard to work around. As long as I can see him quite often, that would be fine, but I'd rather be living with him. If we're not, after a few weeks I might realise I would rather leave than be apart.'

'So if Hermione and Ron can't share, you wouldn't return either Harry?' Kingsley said but glanced at the other two men in the office, that didn't go unnoticed by Harry, Charlie, Hermione and Ron, they wondered what was going on and if it had something to do with them.