Chapter 10

Take It or Leave It

Problems abounded as the three friends developed their plans. Every time they felt they had all angles covered, a new one arose. Perhaps most difficult was the knowledge that the plan hinged entirely on the willingness of Fawkes to assist them. It did not seem proper, however, to call the magical creature solely for the purpose of asking. The plan needed to be in place in all respects, and as the plan currently stood, one indispensable element needed to be resolved: veritaserum.

Veritaserum understandably was highly regulated in the magical world. The truth-telling potion could not be purchased from just any apothecary. Permits needed to be obtained, a process that would take far too long even if legitimate grounds to acquire the potion existed. Brewing it themselves did not prove practical due to the length of time required and the difficulty in obtaining the necessary ingredients. Surely the potion could be purchased on the black market, but Harry, Ron and Hermione were hardly the types to know where the black market might be. The obvious location would be Knockturn Alley, but in which shop? How could they ask for it without word being transmitted to Voldemort?

They gave thought to amending the plan to eliminate the veritaserum, but this proved to be impossible. Veritaserum must be obtained. Though averse to stealing it, they finally accepted that theft may be the easiest route, if they could nip the potion without revealing themselves. Once again, Harry called on his secret weapon.

"Harry Potter called Dobby?" the house elf asked as he arrived with a soft pop. House elves apparated much more quietly than most wizards.

"Dobby, I hate to ask you this, but we have a big problem," Harry began, "We need to obtain some veritaserum, the truth-telling potion, and we were wondering if you knew whether Professor Slughorn has any in his office." If the question surprised the house elf, Dobby did not show it.

Instead, he quickly responded, "Dobby does not know about Slug's office, Dobby did not have to clean that office. But Dobby knows how to find truth potion."

The ears of the three conspirators perked up at this statement. Harry asked Dobby to explain.

"Dobby knows many house elves, Harry Potter. Dobby has a cousin, his name is Corky. Corky is a slave house elf. The master of Corky is a wizard, a bad wizard. Dobby thinks the name of the bad wizard is Livingstone. Livingstone makes bad potions and sells to bad wizards. Master Malfoy sent me many times to take potions to Malfoy Manor. Very secret. Bad potions."

"Do you think you could get some veritaserum for us, Dobby," Hermione asked kindly, for she had become extremely fond of the diminutive elf.

"Dobby thinks so. Dobby must see Corky. Dobby has not seen Corky for a long time because Dobby is not a slave of Malfoys now."

"That's right, Dobby, you are a free elf now," gushed Hermione, "and someday we'll try to free all of the house elves."

Harry forced his face to remain impassive at Hermione's assertion, and Dobby shuffled his feet nervously, but house elves are excitable by nature, and Hermione did not seem to notice anything unusual.

"We would be very thankful if you could check with Corky about the veritaserum," Harry said to Dobby. Harry now realized just how wise it had been to enslave Dobby and enlist him in the cause. A house elf could do so much that they could not. "If we need to pay for it, we can."

"Yes Harry Potter, Dobby can check. But Dobby needs to be careful, must not be seen by bad wizard Livingstone and bad wife. They do not like house elf visitors." Dobby explained. In an instant he disappeared, and Harry held out hope that Dobby would succeed where they could not. Save the potion, the plan to contact Severus Snape was completed.

xxxxxxxxxx

Hermione brought Harry the Daily Prophet every day, as Harry did not want to risk divulging his location by subscribing to the daily. Having already read it cover to cover, Hermione pointed out the articles of interest. Of late, by mid August, a number of articles reported on the status of Hogwarts, and Professor McGonagall's name appeared in the news frequently. The Prophet did not overtly attack her, given her close relationship to Dumbledore. The deceased Headmaster was now revered by the press and the public. Death is the best way to improve one's approval ratings.

The Prophet did subtly suggest that McGonagall may not be up to the job of headmaster, going out of its way to emphasize the word "interim" and the plans of Hogwart's Board of Governors to find a permanent headmaster. Whether Hogwarts would open on September first had not yet been decided, and every day they expected an announcement to be made. As it turned out, Harry did not need to read it in the newspaper, as one morning after breakfast Hermione arrived earlier than usual bearing two large Hogwarts envelopes. She had already opened hers and gave the other to Harry.

Along with the routine contents of the mailing, Harry found a form letter from Professor McGonagall informing students and their families that Hogwarts indeed would open on schedule. She described in detail the various protections and procedures the school had adopted to ensure the safety of those students electing to enroll. Between the lines, Harry understood that many students, or better said their parents, would choose not to return to Hogwarts.

Professor McGonagall also sent a short personal letter to Harry:

Dear Mr. Potter:

Given the protections you have placed on your residence, I trust you will not object that I have sent your Hogwarts letter to Miss Granger, whom I have asked to hand-deliver it to you. As you can see, after much deliberation and preparation, Hogwarts will in fact open on September first.

I very much need to speak with you regarding your return to Hogwarts and related matters. Given your unusual circumstances, I believe that certain arrangements need to be made. Please contact me promptly so that we can determine a time and place to meet.

Professor Minerva McGonagall
Interim Headmistriss
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

McGonagall's letter forced Harry, Hermione and Ron to decide once and for all whether they would return to Hogwarts for their final year. They well knew the importance of seventh year during normal times. NEWT exams presented at the end of the year often played a decisive role in determining a wizard or witch's career. Harry frankly had not given career options a second thought since Dumbledore's death, as quite reasonably he doubted that he would have a career. His friends did not seem amused by his off-handed comment, "Not many jobs for someone six feet under. Worm salesman, maybe."

Ron and especially Hermione still assumed that they would live past the next year, so the decision not to return to Hogwarts proved especially difficult. They had promised Harry that they would help him, but somehow in the back of their minds, they believed that one way or the other Harry and they would return to Hogwarts.

Harry made his intentions quite clear however, "The only way I could return to school is if McGonagall allowed me to come and go as necessary, to skip classes and exams as necessary. She'd never agree to that. If I were her; I wouldn't agree to that."

Hermione felt especially conflicted, as she had been named Head Girl, a tremendous honor in the magical world. Over the centuries, past head boys and girls at Hogwarts had gone on to important and successful careers, including a number of Ministers of Magic. For a muggle-born witch to be appointed would be especially noteworthy, having occurred only a handful of times. Ron and Harry congratulated her warmly and sincerely, and Harry felt a wave of pride flow through him. He could see, however, the pain in her face when they discussed their options. She desperately desired to return to Hogwarts.

As for himself, Harry did not care a bit. He considered writing to McGonagall to inform her of his decision not to return, thereby eliminating the necessity of what promised to be an uncomfortable meeting with her. By his reckoning, a lot of students would not return, so why should his refusal to return cause any special concern. When he expressed this opinion to Ron and Hermione, they burst into laughter.

"Harry, you are so thick sometimes," chuckled Ron.

"Why?" asked Harry, puzzled. "I know they want me to be there, but they want everyone else too. The Patil twins won't be back, I'll bet."

Hermione's laughter reduced to a grin as she explained the situation in easy terms, as if explaining it to a third grader, "Harry, you are special! You are not the Patil twins, or Hannah Abbott, or Ernie McMillan, or Ron Weasley, or Hermione Granger. You are Harry Potter!" Harry shrugged his shoulders, failing to see the point.

"Sure, I know I'm different. I'm famous and all that. They won't be happy about it, I know. But what's the big deal?"

"The big deal," Ron explained, "is that the wizarding world doesn't care if Hermione, or Ernie or I don't return. That won't make the Prophet. If Harry Potter doesn't return, here's the headline: HARRY POTTER REFUSES TO RETURN TO HOGWARTS. FEARS FOR HIS SAFETY, or some rubbish like that. It would send shockwaves through the ministry and the public, not to mention what it would do to Hogwarts." As a pureblood wizard, Ron had a more instinctive feel for the reactions of the magical world, much like an immigrant never quite understands the nuances of an adopted country as well as a native born.

"Don't you see, Harry?" continued Hermione. "If you don't return, probably half of the students who have decided to return, however small that number may be, will leave Hogwarts for good." Harry sat dumbfounded. Did people really care that much about what he does?

Finally he asked, "Do you really think so. I mean, it just doesn't make sense to me."

"It doesn't have to make sense, Harry." Ron replied. "People are weird sometimes. Whether you are at Hogwarts or not shouldn't make any difference, I agree. Not logically. But people are not logical all of the time."

Truthfully, Harry never once considered returning to Hogwarts after Dumbledore's death, but the information about the effect his "defection" would cause the school deeply troubled him. He loved Hogwarts. Never would he do anything to harm the institution, but what options did he have? If he did not defeat Voldemort, then what did it matter anyway? Hogwarts would either be destroyed, or more likely would be placed under the control of Voldemort to serve his evil plans. No, he could not return to Hogwarts, and he explained his reasons to Ron and Hermione.

"I agree," said Ron, "Don't think I'm trying to change your mind. I haven't changed my mind; I'm staying with you. It's just weird not going back, and I haven't told my parents yet. My mum will blow the roof off the Burrow. You'll probably hear it all the way from here."

Glancing at Hermione, Harry noticed her biting her lower lip, which Harry had seen her do thousands of times.

"You want to go back, don't you Hermione?" he asked, stating the obvious. Embarrassed, she nodded her head.

"I do want to go back. I mean, I know they'll let us take seventh year later, after you defeat Voldemort, but it would never be the same as doing it this year, with our own group. And I know it shouldn't matter, but this year I would be Head Girl, and I won't be if we go sometime in the future." Hermione considered this last statement to be self-centered and quickly added, "But what we have to do is so much more important. We all have to make sacrifices."

Harry now felt truly upset about this whole issue, which before had been among the least of his worries. A meeting with McGonagall was arranged. Harry would meet Hermione and Ron at the Burrow the next day, where they would have dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, and Ginny. Afterward, McGonagall would arrive.

Molly Weasley had tried to convince Harry to have all of his meals with them at the Burrow, since he could floo over anytime, but other than acceding on one occasion, Harry turned down the invitations. He needed to keep his distance from Ginny. When at Grimmauld Place, he only occasionally thought of Ginny, as he had many other preoccupations. At the Burrow, the "Ginny Problem" became painfully unavoidable.

All day prior to dinner, Harry rehearsed his comments for his meeting with the interim headmistress, and more importantly for Ginny. For some reason he felt more worried about this encounter with his former girlfriend than the earlier one (and he felt plenty worried that time as well). He had barely spoken with her after awakening from his coma, and he recalled her terse words to Hermione while he remained in the coma: This is the way it's going to be, isn't it? Harry and you two are going to go around doing Merlin knows what, and then Harry comes back like this. . . . . Just do whatever you have to do. The more he pondered it, the more pessimistic Harry become.

As agreed, Harry arrived midafternoon, well before dinner, to have time to visit. Being the weekend, Mr. Weasley and others would not have to work. Harry hoped that a huge crowd would occupy the Burrow, but when he arrived, only Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Ron and Ginny occupied the house. After a brief conversation with Arthur and Molly, the three teenagers stepped outside. The wind had picked up and blew briskly through the leaves, but otherwise the day was warm and comfortable, and Harry would have enjoyed the open air if he had taken a moment to consider it. Instead all of his attention focused on the beautiful younger sister of his best friend.

After a few minutes in the yard and removing several gnomes from their squatted homes, Harry knew that Ginny was steaming mad and barely keeping a lid on it. Better get it over with, Potter, he told himself, and silently he motioned for Ron to leave. Feeling the pea-soup-thick tension, Ron happily departed. Ginny and Harry walked silently to a secluded area of the yard so as not to be seen or heard.

Harry made no pretense that all was fine, and he at last turned to Ginny and asked, "What is it?"

Likewise, the red head did not pretend to be content. "You are it, that's what it is."

"All right then, tell me," challenged Harry, who found that he wanted to confront this once and for all, for better or worse.

"You've shoved me out of your life, Harry," Ginny almost shouted. "You meet with Ron and Hermione every day; you almost kill yourself doing who knows what. Then you wake up like nothing happened."

Harry responded gently, for he could not feel that Ginny was being unreasonable.

"I told you my life would be complicated, Ginny. This is what I'm talking about. Maybe complicated is not the right word. Dangerous is the right word."

"Danger is one thing. Getting yourself almost killed is another." Ginny retorted, perhaps not thoroughly analyzing her statement.. The wind was blowing Harry's hair relentlessly, and several strands of Ginny's hair had escaped their bindings, blowing across her eyes and face. Every so often Ginny had to reach up to pull the hairs out of her eyes. Harry found it to be a most attractive movement, but he forced himself back to the matter at hand. He decided to lay it on the line.

"Ginny, let me be perfectly clear." Harry paused, for he did not enjoy speaking these next words, though he had thought them to himself often. "What I have to do is extremely dangerous. It has to do with Voldemort, and I have to do it! I have no choice! If I live until my next birthday, Ginny, it will be a miracle. Do you understand, I am going to be killed. I just don't know when yet."

Harry expected Ginny to be dismayed at these blunt words, but she did not appear phased at all, as if she did not truly believe them. She considered her next words for a moment, as they seemed to be important to her, as if she had rehearsed them at great length.

"Harry, I will not go on this way. Either we get back together, or we each go our own ways. I'm not afraid of the danger. I'm not afraid of dying. I'm not afraid of fighting. But I will not be treated like I am nobody. I deserve to be a part of what you need to do, and you need help. You can't do it all on your own. I will help you, Harry, if you'll let me. But if you feel that I am too big of a 'distraction,' then let me know. Just don't expect me to come running back to you when it's all over."

Ginny's words gradually sunk in, and Harry remained silent for a long time. Doesn't she understand that I'm going to die, Harry asked himself. Why should we get back together just so that it can be torn apart by my death? Or by her death. True, It would be a great comfort to have her by his side, but Harry also felt that Ginny overestimated her value to the operation. This is a war, Harry reminded himself for the millionth time. Personal desires must be set aside. You must do what makes the most sense strategically. She will be a distraction and will not greatly enhance the war effort. Yes, Ginny was a talented witch, great with the bat bogey hex and a talented flier, plus tough as nails, but he did not consider her extraordinarily talented like Hermione.

Underlying this rational consideration rested a layer of anger at Ginny's comments. Why can she not understand what I have to do? Is being together more important than killing Voldemort? A coldness inside of Harry began to grow; a coldness he had rarely felt before. Forget her, it told him, She doesn't understand you. She's putting you on the spot thinking you'll cave. She thinks you are weak. Harry's eyes narrowed as he locked out his softer side. Soft is not for warriors. I must be hard. His mind made up, Harry tried to open his mouth but could not for several more seconds.

Finally he let the coldness take over, and he spoke, "I'm sorry then, Ginny. We can't be together. If this is the end, so be it. I wish you only the best."

Shock registered on the red head's face as she recognized what Harry said. She knew it was a risk, but she felt confident that Harry would not be able to leave her behind, not if she gave him an ultimatum. But now she could see that this was not the Harry Potter of two months earlier. She had misread him.

Despite her shock she asked, "Are you sure, Harry? Truly certain?"

Was he sure? Yes he was. He would not show weakness; he would not do anything to damage his chances for success in his struggle. If this had to end, so be it.

"Yes, I'm certain," he replied softly.

The two gazed at each other in sadness, and Harry saw tears begin to well up in Ginny's eyes. She did not want to give Harry the satisfaction, or so she perceived, of seeing her cry, so she turned and began to walk back to the Burrow. Harry watched her first slow steps, then a trot and finally a sprint across the patchy lawn. What have I done? he asked himself. As he turned to walk slowly along the edge of the forest, he answered, What I had to do!

xxxxxxxxxx

Mrs. Weasley's dinner tasted delicious as usual, though Harry had to admit that Dobby's cooked every bit as well. The table overflowed with Weasleys, Arthur and Molly, Fred and George (sans female distractions), Ron and Ginny. Hermione, Harry and Remus completed the list. Remus often ate with the Weasleys when possible, as Molly knew he could not eat so well anywhere else. Harry noted that Remus was noticeably thinner than a few months before.

Ginny obviously had been crying, despite her attempts to mask the puffy red eyes. Molly and Hermione noticed immediately, even if the other men did not. Ginny barely said a word, and Harry only spoke when spoken too. Hermione moved her gaze from one to the other and quickly enough pieced two and two together. Harry happened to look at Hermione when she gazed at him, and their eyes locked. She knows, Harry thought. Of course she knows. She always knows. Harry tried to read her face, but it remained inscrutable, though she did not seem upset.

Molly also appeared to understand what had happened, and when Ginny abruptly left the table after supper, Molly did not ask that she help in the kitchen as she normally would. She let Ginny climb upstairs to her room. There would be time to comfort her only daughter later. Professor McGonagall arrived shortly after they had finished eating, and after exchanging pleasantries with Molly and Arthur, she asked for a quiet place for her meeting with Harry.

"Ron and Hermione need to be there too, Professor," Harry interjected, "This concerns them as well."

Bill's old bedroom was deemed the most appropriate site, and after McGonagall conjured a few chairs (comfortable enough, but not as nice as Dumbledore's), the four settled in for what Harry expected to be a most unpleasant conversation.

"Thank you for arranging this meeting so promptly, Mr. Potter," Professor McGonagall began, "and I am pleased that Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger are also here."

Only a month had passed since McGonagall visited Harry at 4 Privet Drive, yet she seemed to have aged ten years. Harry could not help but feel sympathy for the woman. He could only imagine the whirlwind of concerned parents, demanding governors, manipulative ministry officials, and devious reporters hounding her.

"I would like to discuss your seventh year at Hogwarts. But firstly, I must congratulate Miss Granger on your appointment as Head Girl. You are indeed most deserving, and I can tell you that for the first time in many years, the advisory vote of the faculty was unanimous in recommending you. Of course I heartily agreed.. I look forward to working with you this year." Hermione smiled ever so slightly, dreading where this conversation must end.

A response was required, and Hermione kept it simple, "Thank you, Professor. I'm very grateful to all of you."

"You are quite welcome, Miss Granger. Now as for the coming school year, I will not attempt to deceive you. It will be a difficult year for all - students, teachers, and parents. Surely you have been following the saga in the Daily Prophet, about one fourth of which has actually been accurate. As we feared, a good many students will not be returning, and our incoming class will be the smallest in memory. Yet Hogwarts WILL open, and WILL have a successful term."

Harry felt admiration for his former Transfiguration teacher. While not a person of great affection, Harry knew that she was sincere, good-hearted (beneath the gruff exterior), and hard working. He hated to say what he must say, but it had to be done.

"Professor, I think I should inform you of something now, before we go any further." Professor McGonagall nodded her head, almost as if expecting this. "Well, as you know, Dumbledore . . . I mean Professor Dumbledore and I had a number of meetings last term, and as a result of his death, I, uh, I have to finish the work that he started."

The words did not flow from Harry's mouth as he had wished. He felt nervous and still suffered the aftereffects of his break-up with Ginny. Taking a deep breath, he looked at Hermione, who gave him an encouraging smile.

He continued, "This work is extremely important, and well, I don't think I can do the work if I go to Hogwarts this term." Harry noted that his statement drew no reaction from McGonagall; he had expected her at the least to show some sign of displeasure or surprise. "Of course, I would very much like to go if I could, but this work will definitely require me to travel to different places at different times, probably on short notice. I can't see how I could do justice to my studies if I attended Hogwarts and tried to complete these tasks. I am very sorry, Professor."

The headmistress merely gazed at Harry silently for several moments, so Hermione took the opportunity to speak, "Professor, Ron and I have promised to help Harry. What Harry has to do is of greatest importance, and though I am honored to be named Head Girl, I am afraid that we also will not be able to attend Hogwarts this term. We truly are very sorry." Ron nodded his head in agreement, thankful that he need not speak.

Professor McGonagall, instead of losing her temper or demonstrating some sign of disappointment, merely smiled as she said, "I think that what I have to say to you may have some bearing on your decision. Mr. Potter, you are not the only recipient of correspondence from Professor Dumbledore. I too received a long letter of instructions from the headmaster, who as I told you at your uncle's house was a man of great foresight. He correctly predicted that you would not elect to return to Hogwarts in the event of his death; however, he clearly indicated in his letter that he desires for the three of you to attend school this term."

The three students dropped their jaws in shock. Harry especially could not believe his ears. How could he possibly do his job while stuck in school? Dumbledore must have known better. Harry would have to disagree with his mentor on this issue. Before Harry could speak, however, the headmistress resumed her dialogue.

"No doubt you are thinking that you will not be able to complete your task if confined to the school grounds and occupied with classes and exams. Professor Dumbledore has also foreseen this problem and has strongly advised me to make special allowances for you, Mr. Potter." She looked directly at Harry, who stared right back, dying to know what Dumbledore suggested. "Indeed he indicated the seriousness of your task, though he did not inform me of its nature. He instructed me not to inquire this of you. Instead he has indicated that I should allow you, Mr. Potter, to have the right to leave the school grounds at any time you should deem it necessary for your task. While he did not mention Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger, I believe that the same rules should apply to them, so long as they are with you, Mr. Potter, or are leaving at your direction."

The three friends looked at each other in astonishment. The idea seemed preposterous. Harry remembered telling the others that he could only go to Hogwarts under these very conditions. He did not intend to go through the motions of asking for such concessions, the idea being blatantly ludicrous. Hogwarts students cannot leave the grounds - the most basic rule of the school. But what about classes and exams? Harry needed clarification.

"Professor, I must admit I am extremely surprised by your agreement to those conditions, since that was the primary reason I could not return. But there is also the matter of classes and exams, as we'll be spending a great deal of time on our task, even if we are at Hogwarts. Hermione can pass all of the courses anyway, but Ron and I will never be able to keep our scores up."

"Ah yes, well Professor Dumbledore has foreseen that issue as well. Though you may not believe it, the headmaster also indicated that you should not be required to do course work or take exams if you feel unable to do so competently. Again he mentioned this only for Mr. Potter, but the same should apply to Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger as well, though I agree that Miss Granger can quite probably pass all of her NEWTS today."

Harry should have felt ecstatic. He could go back to Hogwarts, his true home, the place he loved above all others. Yet disappointment filled him, for he had assumed for weeks that he would not attend. His mind swirled in confusion.

On the other hand, ecstasy filled Hermione's heart.

"I can present the examinations if I want to, right, Professor?" Ron and Harry had to chuckle at their friend.

"Of course, Miss Granger," replied McGonagall with a thin smile, which immediately left her face. "It should not be a surprise to you that I am most reluctant to agree to Professor Dumbledore's advice; however, I have given the matter a great deal of thought and have reread the Professor's instructions many times. I will agree to these freedoms for you. In return I ask only that you treat these freedoms with due responsibility. You are not to leave the grounds merely to drink butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks. You are not to inform other students of your special privileges, for obvious reasons. You should do your assignments and exams to the greatest extent possible. I believe you can understand the delicacy of my position if this arrangement became public. To put it bluntly, the Governors will have my head. Can you give me these assurances?"

"Of course," responded Hermione immediately, and Ron also grunted his assent. Harry remained silent.

"Mr. Potter, do you have any concerns?" asked the Professor, noting Harry's reticence.

"I'm just so surprised," Harry sputtered, as he looked at the bright faces of his friends. He could not disappoint them, and he now had no reason not to return to school. Nevertheless, something inside of him tried to pull him away, advising him not to return. Ultimately, the anticipation on the faces of his best friends won him over. "I have no concerns, Professor. I will be pleased to attend Hogwarts this term."

xxxxxxxxxx

Harry's reservations were removed by the enthusiasm of the Head Girl. Hermione hugged Harry so many times that evening, that he hoped his ribs would not bruise too badly. I'm going back to Hogwarts, Harry told himself over and over, convincing himself that it was true. How did that happen? The old man at work! Harry gave a weak smile.

Later that evening, shortly before Harry and Hermione planned to leave, for each of them insisted on returning to their homes, Hermione had calmed enough to notice Harry's distinct lack of enthusiasm. She recalled their supper and the tension between Harry and Ginny, and the fact that Ginny had been crying. Harry sat in the sitting room staring at Mrs. Weasley's clock, not paying attention to the ongoing conversation and laughter in the room. Hermione approached Harry, reached for his hand.

"Come with me, Harry. I need to talk to you."

What now? thought Harry, Haven't I had enough for today?

She pulled Harry by the hand out the kitchen door into the cool evening air. The coolness revived Harry, who had not realized how stuffy the Burrow had become.

Hermione went right to the point, "What happened between Ginny and you?" Harry did not want to talk about it, but there was no use avoiding the issue.

"We broke up. For good."

Of course, Hermione already knew this, but she needed Harry to say it so that she could continue her probe.

"Why?"

"Ask her," spat Harry bitterly, "she forced it on me."

"She what? She forced it on you? How?"

"Take it or leave it. She said either I get back together with her and include her in on what we are doing, or that it was over for good. She won't be ignored, that's what she said." The more Harry thought about it the more irritated he became. "I told her that was that then. It's over." Harry tried to sound unconcerned and nonchalant, unconvincingly.

"I'm so sorry Harry," Hermione said sympathetically, "that must have been hard." Harry thought that Hermione would reassure him that Ginny would get over it eventually, that it would all work out in the end, but Hermione said nothing of the sort. She still exuded happiness over the news that she could return to Hogwarts.

"Yeah, well, it's all over now. But it will be hard seeing her at Hogwarts. I didn't think about that." Harry again rued his decision to return to Hogwarts. Why did he not feel happy? He decided that it had been a long, terrible day, and he quickly took his leave, returning to his bed at No. 17 Grimmauld Place.