Chapter 14 – The Decision

Ron sat across from Harry - his feet up on his desk. Ron's desk was much messier than Harry's but somehow he could find any paper without a second thought. They'd been let off early for Ginny's party but made it a point to be on time that morning.

"They shouldn't be too difficult on you Harry. It wasn't your fault. Zacharias bolted as soon as trouble arrived. He's always been that way. You remember at Hogwarts when he slipped out with the First Years?"

I know Ron. It's not that. What bothers me is I could have saved Lucius if I'd only remembered to levitate him out of the water. I could have at least charmed him to breathe in water. I froze," complained Harry.

"At least you didn't freeze when that Auror was struck off her broom. I'd rather you save an Auror than a ruddy git like Mr. Malfoy. Have you seen her?" Ron loved Hermione and Harry knew his eyeing of other women was innocent but it was still annoying. He was even worse around Seamus.

"Of course I saw her Ron. She had her fingernails buried in my chest the entire flight back. She kept whispering in my ear about how thankful she was and if I ever wanted anything..."

"Anything? Harry, you have to. You have to! If just for me...I can't do it but you could. If not for me then for all of the other blokes in the world. Think about it. She's Cracking!" Ron was like an excited puppy. Harry could see the opportunities play through his best mate's head.

"Really Ron? And how would my best mate feel if I happened to step out on his dear sister to take advantage of this 'Cracking' opportunity?" Harry watched Ron's face go white as he reconsidered.

"You really do have to ruin anything that passes as true fun, don't you? Hermione, are you in there? Maybe some Polyjuice as a joke? Ha Ha! Brilliant prank Hermione." Ron sat quietly for a second as if he were considering a really difficult chess move. Harry had already returned to his text when Ron declared behind him. "I'd congratulate you for your good taste and ask you how it was." When Harry turned around to ask what he was talking about he found Ron smiling devilishly, "And then I'd pummel your sorry arse for stepping out on my sister."

Before Harry could respond Ewan had pushed Ron's feet off his desk with a quiet spell and announced to Harry, "Head Auror Robards is waiting for us in his office. He read your report and is ready for the debrief."

Soon, Harry sat with Aurors Robards and Duncan and gave a short account of what happened from the time the first Death Eaters were seen by Angelina to the moment that they met the beach of Scotland. Robards would occasionally raise an eyebrow or look through part of Harry's written report. Harry could tell by the Spartan feel of Robards' office that he was very to the point. Little hung on the walls and all that sat on his desk was Harry's report and the Head Auror's wand.

"Auror Potter, it says here you felt you should have been able to save Mr. Malfoy but it also says that his hand went limp and you couldn't keep hold. Are you placing blame on yourself because you didn't remember a spell once you reached the water?" Robards was still looking at the report.

"Yes."

"How much time from when you reached Malfoy and when the 'waves came crashing down?'"

"Enough time for him to shout 'Get me out! Please get me out!'" answered Harry in disgust.

"I want you to think carefully. Where was your wand?" asked Robards.

Harry thought for a moment. He ran those moments through his head again and again. "I was racing to Mr. Malfoy as quick as I could. I was at full speed and braking hard. The wand was clenched against the broom with my right hand."

Auror Robards smiled for the first time since they'd entered the room. "I suspected so Harry. How could you could have saved Mr. Malfoy? Even if you'd thought of the spell you were in no position to cast it. Too often we beat ourselves up for what we think we should have been able to do when there is no physical way we could have carried out the action. Auror Duncan, I'd like you to pull Auror Potter's memory of the event just in case the media causes us problems. I'd also like you to take a good look at it so we can see which Death Eaters he took down. It appears we are only seven or ten short from our list of Wanteds. We will soon be able to wrap this event up and move on."

Harry and Auror Duncan made to stand. Robards looked up from his desk one more time before excusing them, "And Harry, nice job keeping Auror MacGreggor in one piece. Her father is a member of the Wizengamut and made a special trip into the Office this morning to tell me how thankful he was."

Once Ewan and Harry had stepped out of Robards' office Ewan gave Harry the rest of the story, "Be careful Harry," he teased, "What Auror Robards didn't tell you was that Elder MacGreggor asked about your availability." Ewan could see Harry had no clue what he was talking about, "Liza didn't just tell her dad that you saved her. She has fancied you for some time. She's only a few years older. Don't think there is a shortage of fathers looking to marry their daughters off to a young hero who's rich beyond comprehension. It's no secret you inherited the Black fortune and your parents weren't poor. You could have nearly any witch you want just by asking."

Harry was speechless. Ewan walked him to his cubicle with a look of mischief to him, "Think about it Harry. Any lass. Think about the possibilities. The most beautiful, the smartest, the funniest, the most famous. You might even rate Gwenog Jones herself..."

Ron cut in, "Actually, Gwenog was at the Burrow last night for my sister's birthday. She came back to Harry's with a few of us and the witches from Witch's Brew."

"What?" Ewan's eyes went wide.

"Oh yes. Gwenog had a bit too much firewhiskey and she slept over. Purely by accident of course. Harry set her up in one of his guest rooms." Ron was winding his Captain and trainer up now that he knew he fancied the Harpies Beater. "She even called Harry back in to tuck her in."

Ewan glanced at Harry and then back at Ron. He repeated the process. "Well, that's...Really? I can't believe...You really had Gwenog Jones at your place? And you put her to bed? And you?" Ron had to swallow hard to place the final piece of bait on the hook, "Oh yes, and my sis' is a big fan of Gwenog Jones. You know she and Harry are together, right? She mentioned to Harry as soon as he tucked Gwenog in that they might have to have Gwenog over again sometime...you know?"

Ron had to dig deep for that last comment. He and Ewan made a go at each other regularly and usually Ewan got the best of him. This time Ron could see that Ewan had images swirling around in his head. The Auror took one last look at Harry. Harry watched Ron smirk as the Ewan grumbled something under his breath and trapesed off.

Once out of earshot Harry grinned, "That wasn't how it went at all and you know it."

"He was winding you up about your prospects. He knows you are with my sis'. I left him with a memory that he'll have a hard time getting out of his head any time soon."

"All the same, 'tucked her in? I'm shocked you were able to get the last part out. That was bad."

"Yes, but well worth it. Besides, the real story wasn't too bad either," Ron reminded him. "I'll straighten him out later once he's good and wound up."

The real story was pretty good. The party ended early at the Burrow. Angelina convinced George to take her to Harry's and George convinced Bill to bring Fleur. Bill had been in Greece handling an important find and had ported in for the event. Fleur hadn't seen him since Harry's birthday and wasn't planning to see him for another month. Bill had promised to return as soon as the party was over so Fleur took the opportunity to remind him that as long as the party was going strong at Harry's he was still a free man. The moment they reached the front door Fleur took hold of Bill and pulled him up the stairs uttering promises that it would be long before he forgot this night. The poor man shrugged as the boys began whooping and the girls began berating the boys.

George had an arm around his sister, "I've heard stories, Miss Jones, about your ability to drink any man under a table. I've got two bottles of firewhiskey if you don't have anything too pressing early tomorrow."

Gwenog eyed Ginny, "This is the one you warned me about, right? You have so many brothers I can't keep up."

"Oh yes."

"Then he's on. Curfews off until Tryouts," she said to Ginny. "George, you may want to ask Harry to place a pillow next to your chair. It'll be softer that way."

Everyone watched as George and Gwenog got started. Harry had switched out the formal dining table for smaller tables and chairs. Angelina sat in for good measure although Hermione made it a point to remind them all it would be Wednesday morning soon. Hannah and Neville sat at a nearby table and watched while sipping on Butterbeers. By drink three George had convinced Hannah to pour the drinks so there'd be no "spillage." Ron was the official score keeper and kept a running commentary.

Harry and Ginny slipped up stairs in the sitting room with Hermione and a few other guests. Luna sat with with Ginny, Seamus and Dean and discussed how great it was that Gwenog had dropped in while Hermione and Harry talked about her and Ron. "We are doing brilliant. We argue of course. But then we make up. Making up is the best part."

Harry tried to steer the conversation away, "How are your Mum and Dad?"

"They are well. Still surfing. Still travelling. I believe they only work three days a week. They are learning a new dance. Mum told me I should bring you back so you can go dancing again." Hermione smiled, "I don't think Mum was ever this happy in her life. She has asked me to take Ron back with me once they release all of you for Hogwarts. We've already done all of our shopping and packing for school so we plan to spend the week there. Hopefully Ron won't burn on the beach."

Luna cut into Harry and Hermione's conversation, "Harry, nearly everyone has made a decision to return next term. What are your plans?"

Harry's eyes moved around from Ginny to Hermione to Luna and Percy and Charlie who were looking up from the chess set across the room. Several of Ginny's s from Sixth Year were even curious it seemed. Harry took a breath, "I'm not sure yet."

"But Harry, I've already received my Head Girl Badge and Ron was made Captain of the Quidditch Team. You can't just wait until the last minute. Do you not plan to continue on as an Auror?" Hermione was beside herself. She couldn't even fathom the idea of waiting until two weeks to Term before making a decision.

"Hermione, it's hard. On one hand I will miss Ginny if I don't go. On the other, I don't feel like I belong there any more. Granted, it's as much my home as any other place. It's just that after spending the last year actually living...I can't see going back to school."

Hermione was incredulous, "Living? You call what you and I did living? We ran Harry. We ran for our lives. True, we chased the Horcruxes and we had adventures. Eventually we fought Voldemort. But that wasn't living. If you don't go back you will regret it. You still have so much to learn. I mean, what will you do without your NEWTS?"

"I don't know. I can do anything I want. I have an unlimited amount of Galleons and I can always learn what I need to later."

Ginny and Hermione shared a genuine look of concern. This was a subject Harry had always avoided with Ginny. She didn't know what to say so she just shrugged to Hermione. Hermione pursed her lips, "Harry, you have done so much. You can't just close yourself off and live like a hermit. Soon you'll grow bored and then what?"

"Then what?" repeated Harry. "Do you know how wonderful it would be to be able to just stop doing anything for a while and not have others depend on me? Do you know what happened today? Has any one told you what happened this morning? I just watched Lucius Malfoy fall to his death along with Zacharias Smith. I watched when I should have been able to do something. I knew Zacharias wasn't fit for this assignment but I was so excited to be able to fly my Firebolt that when they offered to have him take my place and me to fly as escort I was ecstatic." Harry sat there in silence as now everyone's eyes were on him. No word had been released to the media by the time they'd left the Ministry and all of Ginny's mates s in the Auror's Office had agreed to keep it quiet so Ginny could celebrate coming of age on a high note.

Harry stood up, "I'm sorry Ginny, it was a long day today. I didn't mean to bring things down. I've just been going over this in my head all day and it just kind of came out. I love you but I need some time." Harry stepped out and made his way up to his room to lie down and think.

"A half hour later Harry heard a soft tap on his door. Ginny peaked in the open door, "Can I come in?"

She lied down next to him and rested her head on his shoulder, "It seems you had a much busier day than I was aware of. That's terrible about Zach and Mr. Malfoy. I didn't care much for them but to drown? Ron says you saw the whole thing."

"The whole thing was my fault."

"Bollocks!" She lifted her head up and looked at Harry, "I heard the story. Zach went the wrong way. You tried to help. He was hit with a killing curse. Lucius deserved to die but you still tried to save him. Blimey, Harry, you can't do bloody everything. Ron said you dropped five Death Eaters and saved an Auror. If you keep up with this self pity rubbish I will send a hex your way that will make you truly unhappy."

"Bats?" asked Harry with a smirk.

"Bloody Bats...", Ginny grumbled. "You use one ruddy spell a few times and you get a reputation. I'll learn that bird spell Hermione used back Fifth Year on Ron and you'll be picked clean. And you bring that ruddy Bat Bogey Hex up again and I'll be sure to use it on you too. You'd think you lot would come up with something original. Bloody Bats..." she spat.

Ginny decided on a different tactic, "Now, I know what will cheer you up. Let's take the lift. I always like lifts." She ran her finger along his ear as she said it and he began to consider.

"Is this something we plan on seeing or doing?"

"Oh, seeing," she purred, "and if you like what you see we can think up something to do. I am of age now. You can't feel guilty any more. Mum and Dad did it hundreds of times before they were married."

"Hundreds?" he asked sceptically.

"If not thousands..." she answered mischievously.

Harry'd been told this would come up by Hermione. Not that it was any surprise. He really wanted to wait until after she finished school because he had every intention of marrying her. Each week she'd made greater and greater inroads in her quest to get him to reconsider his options. He knew it best to take her up on her offer to get out of the bedroom for now if anything else.

They headed down the hall to the lift. Harry tapped his wand on the door as he was instructed to do. After a few moments nothing happened. Harry tried again. Nothing happened. On the third try he heard a noise as the lift finally reached the third landing. The door began to open but it immediately stopped and closed. "Erm...the lift is...I'm checking it out. It seems it is not in working order?" Harry could have sworn it was Bill's voice. He was certain the giggle that followed Bills explanation belonged to Fleur. Ginny covered her mouth but the tears of laughter told everything. Harry turned around and took the stairs without so much as a word but he too exploded in laughter once they'd made it halfway down. Harry had to sit down and he just roared. Ginny laughed so hard her stomach began to hurt. Finally they regained their composure and she guided him to the dining room.

George was sitting next to his chair on the floor. He had Angelina in one arm and Gwenog in the other and the girls were trying to teach George the Harpies fight song. George was singing parts and trying to hum out the rest. Gwenog was the first to notice Harry and Ginny, "Thish was a wenderfell purty bet I weally need to be going. I theenk George heer hash made me thrunk. Bet I wund. Hee was under thee teble feerst." She began laughing loudly and Angelina and George joined in. Gwenog swayed out of George's hold and faced Angelina dead on, "You arr a gret Chesser. You sheld cem to dee clubhowse end try owt. Yeh probly only get Reesurve spet but yewd be gret on deh teem. End yew got a gret boyfriend."

Angelina wasn't much better off. "Hee izn't meh boyfrind, I sed. Hees a mate and we get along. We keep eech ether compney. Bet I luvv him. Yess, I luvv hem." Angelina had used the last of her energy on that last exchange. Her head fell on George's shoulder.

"We need to get this lot to bed," Harry was now all smiles and had long forgot his troubles. Ginny looked concerned and she explained why, "We can't let the lot upstairs see Gwenog like this." She rushed upstairs and got Ron and Neville back down. Once Ginny had returned with the two boys Harry asked Gwenog, "You are in no shape to go home. Would you be ok sleeping in my bed?"

Gwenog sniggered, "Arry, dun't you theenk Geeny wuld be cross? Don't teck thish thee wreng way bet Geeny ees a gret girl and I culdn't do thet to her."

Harry turned bright red. "No Gwenog. I'm going to sleep in a spare room. You can have my bed to yourself."

"Ok, Arry," she smiled, "Bet no fenny bisness. Ay like Geeny and I'll tell 'er if you so mech as kiss me g'nite."

Harry felt it would be insulting to levitate Gwenog up the steps so he had Neville and Ron take her by the shoulders and he used a light hover charm to keep her dead weight from bringing down the two blokes. They carried her up the steps where Ginny helped the Beater change into some pyjamas and put her to bed. Before she went to sleep she insisted on calling Harry back in. Ron and Neville gave Harry piss from just outside the door as Ginny insisted he go. She wasn't slurring as much now, "Arry, thanksh for letting me shtay in your room. You and Ginny are...are...are brilliant. Will you tuck me in?" Harry could hear guffaws coming from the boys who were obviously eavesdropping from just outside. Harry asked her as he began to push the covers under her at the edges, "Ginny put you up to this?" The Harpy's smile said everything.

By the time they'd finished with Gwenog the party began to wind down. Fortunately they got Gwenog out of the dining room just before people began leaving. Ginny played the hostess and began seeing people off as Harry finished putting George and Angelina down in the spare room adjacent to the sitting room. Because they were out cold Ginny thought it'd be humorous to have Ron take off his George's shirt and wrap them up in each others arms.

Neville agreed to share a room with Hannah again so that Luna could use Hermione's room and Harry again shared Ginny's room after everyone else was safely in bed. Once she'd changed into her pyjamas and slipped into bed, Ginny purred into his ear, "I know you've had a long day but I have a surprise for you." Instead, she was the one surprised, as he was already deep asleep.

ZZZZZ

"Harry!" Ron was waving his hand in front of his best Mate.

"Yeah?" Harry bolted up straight in his chair.

"You really should go home early today. I'm sure they wouldn't mind. Yesterday was bloody hell on you. I don't know how you got your clothes on this morning," observed Ron.

"I agree," Ewan called out from nearby. "You are useless here today. Besides, I got word that Professor McGonagall wishes to speak with you at Hogwarts. I want you to meet with her and then take the afternoon off when you are done." He paused, "Did you hear me Potter? Shove off!"

Harry bolted out of his seat. He didn't understand the hurry but he wasn't going to argue with Auror Duncan when he raised his voice. Ewan had once transfigured Seamus into an Irish Setter when he didn't report to him quickly enough. Ron and Dean even played fetch with him in good fun. Ewan finally transfigured him back after Seamus sat begging on his hind legs for a good ten minutes.

The Floo to Hogsmeade was easy enough – he chose the Hogs Head because he'd grown fond of popping in on Aberforth when he could. Aberforth was the closest thing he had to Dumbledore and since their talk in early June he'd grown fond of thinking of him as family. He'd never admit this to Aberforth as the barkeep would probably belt him in the face but it made him smile to think of the old man. Harry nodded to the old man as he walked through.

The barkeep called out to him as he walked out of the tavern, "You better buy a drink on the way back out. No free loaders boy!" Harry promised himself he'd be sure to drop back in. As Harry stepped out of the tavern he noticed that Honeydukes had moved to a larger building and had placed a new sign with a message saying "Grand Opening First Hogsmeade Weekend!" He looked further down to see George's new shop with a similar sign. The two new signs made the rest of the village look old and run down. He decided to speak to Gringotts about opening lines of credit for the other owners to update their stores. He might even do the same for some in Diagon Alley now that he thought of it.

Harry soon reached the gate and once he was sure the wards wouldn't stop him he entered the school grounds. Hogwarts for the most part had recovered from the Battle in May. Harry noticed that several non-essential buildings were still visibly damaged but the Keep and the Towers were now mostly intact. "Arry! I din't know yuh'd be 'ere today. Yeh 'ere fer a meetin'?" called out Hagrid from his cabin near the forest.

"I was asked to meet with Professor McGonagall," called Harry back. "I think she wants to know my plans for next term."

"T'd better be tuh return 'ere 'Arry. Ay miss'd yeh visits last year and it'll be right boring without yeh 'ere." called Hagrid. "Arry, ken yeh drop by fer a lil' while on yer way 'ome?"

"I'll try Hagrid," as Harry walked on. "I'll see what I can do."

Soon Harry was standing in front of the gargoyles, "I don't know the password."

"None needed" groaned the hapless ward. "But you'd know it if you needed it."

"Grey Tabby?" guessed Harry. The entry opened and the stairs began to open up to Harry. He stepped on the first one and it carried the young wizard up to the chambers he'd grown so accustomed to. "Harry!" called out the Minister as he stood up from he chair in front of the Headmistress. Harry stepped up to the Headmistress's desk before shaking the Minister's hand. He and Kingsley sat when the Professor motioned to a chair.

The Professor scowled, "Why haven't you responded to your Hogwarts letter?"

"I don't think I will be returning to Hogwarts this term," replied Harry.

"You don't think you'll be returning? You don't think you'll be returning?" the Professor threw up her hands and looked at the Minister. "Don't you look at me like that. I don't care what he says. He's returning to Hogwarts." Her eyes returned to Harry and they had a fire in them he hadn't seen for quite some time, "Mr. Harry Potter. You are returning to Hogwarts for your NEWTS. What about becoming and Auror?"

The Minister intervened, "Minerva, if the boy doesn't want to return don't you think he's done enough?"

"Bloody Hell! No!" Harry had to hold in a snigger and did everything he could not to grin. The look on the Professor's face was priceless. She'd immediately covered her mouth. Harry had never in his time at Hogwarts heard anything near a swear word uttered by Professor McGonagall. The Minister apparently hadn't either because he had the audacity to laugh. The laugh was booming and broke the silence. This only put her over the edge. She had a look he'd seen many times on Mrs. Weasley. The speech was more of a rant:

"Mr. Harry Potter! In all of my years I have never swore once! But the nerve! Have you done enough? Have you suffered enough? This has nothing to do with suffering! I spent the greater part of six years teaching you...grooming you...to be the man that you deserve to be! I will not tolerate the flippant attitude you have for your studies! I do not care what you've gone through! If you don't owe it to anyone else you owe it to me and owe it yourself! And if you think you aren't returning then so help me I'll show you what can be done! So help me..."

"All right...all right..." Harry finally stopped her. Shacklebolt had tried to interrupt her at least three times during her rant but each time she gave him a venomous look that made him reconsider. It had reminded Harry of Arthur trying to calm down Molly when she took on a full head of steam. The Professor was now flushed and winded, "All right, what, Harry? Really, you must learn to be more specific."

"All right. I'll return for the term," responded Harry glumly as he shook his head. "I never really had no choice, did I?"

"No," replied the Professor, "and watch your grammar. You never had 'a' choice. What courses will you be sitting NEWTS for?" the Minister grinned as she moved right into the arrangements for the year.

"Erm, whatever I need for Auror? Or do I have a choice of Professions?" grumped Harry.

"You'll be sitting NEWTS for Auror," confirmed the Professor.

"Then why did you even have me come here? You've already made the arrangements yourself," Harry's voice was raised and he was now visibly flustered.

"So that you might retain the illusion that you had a choice in the matter," remarked the Professor as she completed his list of necessary books and supplies. Shacklebolt, grunted out a laugh. "You will be Head Boy."

"The Hell I will!" The Professor looked up at him. Like Minerva, Harry never swore, "No, I'll return. I'll sit my lessons and I'll sit my NEWTS but I will not be Head Boy!"

"But Harry. You deserve it. It's an honour. There are many privileges associated with it. You will have your own room and your own study quarters. You get access to the Restricted Section in the Library..."

"Give it to someone else. I don't want it. Give it to someone who'd actually been a Prefect. Give it to Ron, at least he'd want it."

"You don't have a choice."

"Then I'm not enrolling. Curse me, hex me, jinx me. So help me I will not come if you make me Head Boy."

Shacklebolt was shocked when Minerva sighed. Usually when she got a thought in her head it was to be, "Very well then." She looked back at her notes, "You are excused Mr. Potter." Harry noticed she didn't offer any kind regards or pleasantries. He got up and left. As he headed down the steps he heard Shacklebolt, "At least he agreed to return."

"Kingsley, he didn't agree. He only did it because I made him do it."

"Minerva, he agreed to allow you to make him. You and I both know that no-one makes that boy do anything."

"Maybe, but I worry about him, Kingsley."