Updated version of Chapter 4 has been posted. It's not much different; just a few words here and there have been changed.
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"Happy New Year, Kreacher!" Harry called out.
He entered Grimmauld Place holding a package and a bag, followed by three Weasley men.
"Happy Christmas, Master Harry." The house-elf appeared before them holding a package of his own which he handed to Harry.
Before opening the package, Harry examined the front hall of the house. Kreacher did a great job of keeping it clean and it was such a wonderful thing to not be greeted by Mrs. Black's screeching voice.
"Thank you," said Harry after opening the box to reveal Kreacher's homemade treacle fudge. It was a much better present than the gift he had received two years ago.
"Master is wanting to free Kreacher?" The house-elf asked in a shaky voice while his round eyes filled with tears.
"No," Harry began. An image of Hermione pointing a finger at him popped into his head. "Unless you want to be free?"
"Master is thinking Kreacher is bad house-elf." The tears ran down Kreacher's cheeks as he flopped to the ground.
"Stop, Kreacher!" Harry ordered.
The tears stopped flowing and Kreacher raised his head from he was about to bang it on the floor. Harry sat down next to him.
"I didn't mean anything. If you don't want to be free you don't have to be. That was not my intention. I did not think getting you a new towel to wear constituted as clothes. The elves at Hogwarts are even given special uniforms."
Kreacher looked up at Harry with a quizzical look.
"Master Harry is right. Master Harry is also not educated in house-elf knowledge. Hogwarts elves is wearing uniforms. Some elves accept special items as clothes. Other elves is expecting uniform to be given by house-elf."
Harry thought about it. Each house-elf was different. What each thought of as clothes was apparently not the same.
"I'm sorry. It was Master Harry who was bad. I should be the one banging my heads on the floor."
Kreacher stared at Harry wide-eyed.
"You're not really going to do that?" Ron whispered.
Ignoring Ron, Harry continued. "Do you like the gift?"
Kreacher looked confused.
"Don't answer that. Kreacher, my friends and I are here to change for the Memorial the Ministry is hosting tonight. We shouldn't be too long."
Kreacher took the box and headed for his room.
Ginny and Harry were treating the Memorial as a date since they had had so few. They planned on arriving separately and meeting at the Ministry. Harry decided it best to change at Grimmauld Place and brought along the three Weasley brothers who were staying at the Burrow—Charlie, George, and Ron.
"I'm not going!" Harry heard George shout from the sitting room.
"Yes, you are!" Charlie shouted back.
Tentatively, Harry picked up the bag containing dress robes and followed Ron into the room. George sat on the couch with his head in his hands while Charlie paced the room.
"You tell your git of a brother he's attending the Memorial tonight!" Charlie shouted at Ron.
"George," Ron began.
"Don't you start, Ron! I can't do this."
Charlie pulled George's robes out of Harry's bag and threw them at him.
"You're going!"
Instead of staying to watch the argument, Harry took the bag and went upstairs with Ron behind him.
"He's getting worse and worse," Ron said closing the bedroom door. "He just sits in his office all day. He only comes out to let me have lunch and to leave. He won't even flirt with Verity anymore."
George had stopped living in the flat above his shop since Christmas Eve. Mrs. Weasley was the only one who saw it as a good thing since it gave her the opportunity to make sure he ate.
Silently, Harry and Ron changed into their robes. Harry was glad he convinced the twins to buy Ron new ones. Wearing antique robes to a Ministry party might feel like a travesty to Ron.
"D-do you think Hermione will be happy to see me?" Ron asked while pulling a bottle out of his regular robes on the floor.
"Why wouldn't she be? You are her boyfriend?" Harry worried what Ron would say next.
"What happened at her parents' house. She'll realize I'm not right for her." He handed the bottle to Harry.
"Sleekeazy's Hair Potion," Harry read. "What's this for?"
"Hermione gave it to me, although if we're no longer together she'll probably want it back."
Harry opened his mouth to continue the discussion when Charlie opened the door.
"Hair potion, Harry?" He asked pulling his robes out of the bag.
"I thought he could use it to get his hair to lie down." Ron's ears turned pink. Charlie laughed.
"Er—thanks." Harry handed the bottle back to Ron.
"I got George to change. He can't just sit here all night. It's unhealthy." Charlie stared in the full-length mirror adjusting his robes. "Least I can do is force him to Side-Along-Apparate with me."
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Later that evening, Harry Apparated to the Ministry with Ron, Charlie and George. Charlie and George hurried inside. Ron and Harry stayed outside to wait on their dates. They wanted to use the Floo Network, but not being Ministry employees they were not allowed.
"Good evening, Ron." Hermione appeared before them putting her hand out for Ron to take. "Oh, hello, Harry," she said as if just realizing he was there. Harry smiled.
"You—you look beautiful," Ron spoke. Hermione's cheeks turned pink.
Hermione wore the same periwinkle blue dress robes she wore to the Yule Ball in her fourth year. There were seldom chances to wear dress robes they often got used until the witch or wizard grew out of them. Her hair was not done exactly the same as back then. Instead of being slick straight, it was twisted into a bun with loose curls framing her face. Yes, Harry had to agree. She was beautiful.
"Let's go inside," Ron urged noticing the cold reaching under Hermione's periwinkle dress cloak. "We'll save you seats, Harry."
Watching them enter through doors open especially for the event, he missed the appearance of someone else.
"Ginny," Harry breathed.
Standing before him was the most beautiful girl, no, woman he had ever seen. Her brown dress robes accented her red hair, which was pulled back from her face with a silver clip. She also wore the silver bracelet and necklace.
"Harry," Ginny smiled. He smiled back.
"Shall we?" He reached his hand out for hers. The touch of her hand caused his arm to tingle.
"We shall."
He pulled her close as they entered the Ministry breathing in her familiar flowery scent.
The couple entered the Atrium to find it set up remarkably different. Gone was the statue of all the creatures praising the wizard. In its place was a big, empty stage with tables around. Harry spotted Ron and Hermione at one of the round tables near the stage.
"You look nice," Hermione said to Ginny. Ron had a look on his face as if he was finally seeing Ginny as more than just his little sister.
Harry pulled a chair out for Ginny. He did not know where this gentlemanly side came from, but he felt it was good it was there.
The foursome had only been together for five minutes when Temporary Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt rushed over to their table.
"Good evening, Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione." He sat down in one of the two remaining empty chairs. "Quigley could not stop talking about you, Hermione." Hermione's cheeks turned slightly pink. "He can't wait for you to join the Ministry and I do have to say neither can I."
"Thank you, Minister." Ron looked at Hermione expectantly.
"And Harry, I've got a team from the Department of Magical Creatures working on removing the Dementors from Azkaban to a small island that shall be heavily guarded with charms and spells. You'll never have to worry about those cloaked guards coming after you again."
"That's great." Harry did not really know what to say. This meant he would never have to relive the horrible things that happened to him, like hearing his mother scream.
"Have a good evening. Order whatever you fancy." Kingsley motioned toward the menus in front of them as he stood up.
"What's this about Quigley?" Ron asked excitedly as Harry began to look through the menu.
"Robert Quigley, Head of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. I told you I had a meeting with him yesterday. It went really well. He can't wait for me to start and neither can I…" Hermione trailed off wistfully.
"Hermione," Harry put down the menu after requesting roast chicken. "You want to start soon, don't you?" He asked quietly.
"Wha—" Ron began to shout but Hermione cut him off.
"No, I will finish my studies. N.E.W.T.s are important," she said sounding rehearsed.
"This job at the Ministry is much more important than silly old N.E.W.T.s," Ginny said. Ron sent her a death glare.
"Honestly, yes I would like to start soon. It's important to get in as soon as I can, but the job will still be here when I finish school. Robert assured me of that."
Robert, Ron mouthed.
After the group had been joined by Bill and Fleur and finished eating, Kingsley Shacklebolt went up to the stage in the middle of the room.
"Tonight I stand here and you sit here due to some brave people. They risked their lives so we could be free. There is no price too high to pay for freedom. When evil comes, we have to combat it. I would like to recognize those who fought in the Battle of Hogwarts and in the entire war against the darkest wizard of our time.
"Two groups came together in times of crisis, putting everything aside, risking life and limb for what they believed in. They believed everyone was equal no matter what blood ran through their bodies.
"I would like to recognize the Order of the Phoenix. This group was put together many years ago and rejoined a few short years to fight Voldemort as well as to insure the safety of everyone in the wizarding world. You may not have known they were there, but they were there for you.
"The other group started, I am told, as a resistance group to make sure every student at Hogwarts who wanted to was taught defensive skills. Without those lessons many more people would have died in battle. Later, the group became a hiding place from wrong doing when evil was in control. Not only did they allow students to hide, they taught the students to fight back. I would like to thank the leader of Dumbledore's Army—Neville Longbottom!
While this went on at Hogwarts three young adults went on a mission to do the ultimate fight. They were on a journey to defeat everything Voldemort had and in the end Voldemort himself. They risked more than anyone else. I would like to recognize three heroes—Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and HARRY POTTER!"
The crowd erupted in cheers. When they quieted down, Kingsley continued.
"The reason we are here tonight is not only to recognize those who lived, but to remember those who died. May we never forget the true heroes of the war. I unveil to you one of the memorials. This plaque will stand in this Atrium illuminating the name of every person who gave their live in the first and second war. The other memorial will stand at Hogwarts near Professor Dumbledore's tomb with the names of those who died in the Battle at Hogwarts. We have consulted everything and believe we have all the names. If anyone is missing please contact us and it shall be added."
Kinglsey waved his wand and the sheet fell off the memorial, a big, black square block with names carved into it. He placed his wand on one of the corners and the names illuminated one by one.
"Everyone is allowed to have a look. It has an unbreakable charm on it. And now, for your pleasure, The Weird Sisters!"
Harry turned his attention from the dance floor opening up in front of the stage to the table full of other Weasleys. Mr. Weasley led his wife to look at the memorial. The Weird Sisters played one of their fast tunes to start out the night. A girl with long blonde hair asked Percy to dance. To Harry's surprise, he said yes. Verity came over to ask George, but he just shook his head, so Charlie accompanied her.
"Instead of watching my family, why don't we dance?" Ginny put her arm on Harry's shoulder. He slowly pulled it off intertwining his fingers with hers and headed to the dance floor.
"Ask him to dance," Harry whispered to Hermione. Ron still looked put out at her even thinking about not going back to school after the guilt trip she put him through.
Harry enjoyed dancing with Ginny. She was very good and he was surprisingly not so bad. But, he still stole glances at George. He sat there downing two Firewhiskies and probably feeling drunk. One glance surprised Harry when Angelina Johnson sat down next to him. From what Harry could tell they were talking.
Slowly, the flowery scent drifted Harry back to the reality that he was dancing with Ginny. He leaned in and gave her a kiss on the lips.
"I love you," he said through the slow song.
"I love you, too," she replied, placing her head on his shoulder.
Harry smiled. Being with Ginny was the only place he wanted to be.
"Can we take a break?" She asked when the song ended.
Harry obliged leading her back to their empty table. Ron and Hermione danced slowly in each other's arms even though it was a fast tune.
"Oh, it's Seamus and Lavender," Ginny said pointing out the couple on the dance floor.
Lavender, wearing appropriately lavender dress robes danced with the sandy haired Gryffindor wearing dark robes. Lavender looked much better, almost completely healed.
"Hey, you two." Bill and Fleur joined them at the table.
"All zees doncing eez tiring." Fleur sat down rubbing her ankles.
Ginny smiled. She was getting better about it, but Fleur was not her favorite person.
"Ees okay. Soon midnight weel be here and we can go 'ome," Fleur said.
"Harry, let's get back on the floor," Ginny said abruptly.
"Can we mingle instead?"
Ginny accepted. Harry knew she didn't care what they did as long s they weren't at the table with Fleur. The two made their rounds talking to former Gryffindors and even a few professors. He caught Oliver Wood about to go to the dance floor with Katie Bell having just danced with Alicia Spinnet.
"Have a thing for Chasers, do you?" Harry asked slyly.
"I would ask Angelina, but she's been busy the entire night." He nodded his head toward the table where George and Angelina were still talking. "But, no matter, I've Katie now." He pulled the girl onto the floor causing Harry and Ginny to laugh.
"I wonder where Neville is?" Harry asked, having talked to all the males from his dormitory except him.
"I saw him come in with his grandmother."
"Hope everyone is having a good time!" The lead singer screeched at the end of the song. "It is now almost midnight, so let's begin the countdown. Everyone with me…"
"10…9…8…7…6…5…4…3…2…Happy New Year!" The entire party shouted.
Harry leaned in to kiss Ginny. Opening his eyes upon finishing the kiss he noticed most people doing the same thing except for two people still embraced in a kiss—Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood.
So, that's where Neville is.