DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter and my work could never do justice to the world JK Rowling has created. I offer my writings as a tribute to the brilliance of JK Rowling.

Chapter One: The Letter

"Avada Kedavra!"

"Expelliarmus!"

Harry awoke with a start. Grabbing his glasses from the bedside table, he quickly looked around. He saw Ron, across the room from him, snoring quite loudly, and, through the open window, he could see the moon shining brightly in the night sky. It had only been a dream. Well, a memory, Harry thought to himself. Wide-awake, Harry crept out of Ron's room and downstairs to the kitchen to grab a glass of water and perhaps make a small midnight snack. As Harry fumbled through the cabinets looking for a glass, his mind wandered back to the memory that had woken him. It had been nearly four months since his duel with Voldemort in the Great Hall of Hogwarts. Since his disarming charm and Voldemort's death curse met. Since the wizarding world was finally rid of the most powerful dark wizard of all time. Since so many people Harry had known and cared about had paid for the peace that now reigns with their very lives.

"Why did they have to die?" Harry whispered aloud, taking a deep breath.

But before the usual waves of guilt and regret could wash over Harry, he heard a sound behind me. Reflexively, he spun around, wand drawn, and said, "Who's there?"

Ginny stepped out from the shadows, her wand also drawn. Everyone currently living the Burrow knew better than to sneak up on Harry after he accidently stupefied Ron a month after the Battle of Hogwarts, when Ron decided to try and scare Harry from behind.

"It's okay, Harry. It's me, Ginny. Can you put down your wand now?" She asked quietly.

"Oh… Right. Sorry, Ginny. I guess… I guess I still haven't let me guard down… I'm really sorry." Harry stammered quickly, stuffing his wand back into his pant pocket. "What are you doing up?"

"I was about to ask you the same thing," Ginny retorted with a slight chuckle.

Harry smiled. He and Ginny had been officially dating since the Battle of Hogwarts had ended. Ron was not too thrilled with it at first, but eventually he gave his blessing to his best friend and his little sister. The rest of the Weasley's were happy, but not all that surprised, to hear that Harry and Ginny were together. Though Bill had secretly told Harry, "I always thought you and Hermione would end up together. Nothing against Ron, I'm glad they are happy together, but you always just seemed more of Hermione's type." Harry thought back to the images that had come out of the locket horocrux. Though Harry had always maintained that he loved Hermione as a sister, deep down, did he wish Hermione was his?

"Hello? Earth to Harry Potter." Ginny said in a raised whisper.

Harry, giving his head a slight shake, focused his eyes on Ginny. "Sorry! Um, I needed a glass of water and thought about making a midnight snack. Care to join?" Harry asked with mischievous smile.

"Thought you would never ask," Ginny replied, with a mischievous smile of her own. "You get the waters, I'll make the snack."

So as Harry pulled down to glasses from the shelf and began filling them with water, Ginny walked over the pantry and grabbed some bread, peanut butter, and jelly. She set them on the counter and, with a few flicks of her wand, the bread bag opened and four pieces of bread zoomed out, circled around Harry's head, and landed on the table.

Harry laughed, "Hold on! Hold on! I want to make them by hand, without magic."

He reached into a drawer and pulled out two butter knives.

"You spread the jelly and I'll spread the peanut butter," he told Ginny, that mischievous smile back on his face.

Giving Harry a suspicious look, she took one of the butter knives and began spreading the jelly on two of the slices of bread. Harry, innocently enough, began spreading the peanut butter in a similar fashion. Then, when Ginny wasn't looking, he dipped his finger into the peanut butter and smeared it on the side of her face.

"Oi!" Ginny shouted, before clasping her hand over her mouth, while Harry was doubled over, trying laughing silently.

As quickly as Harry had gotten her, Ginny dipped her hand in the jelly and smeared it, with great satisfaction, all over the wizard's smiling face. Harry was reaching for the jar of peanut butter to begin the second round of battle, when he saw a figure in the doorway of the kitchen. He and Ginny froze on the spot, fearing it was Mr. Weasley or worse, Mrs. Weasley. However, their fears soon subsided when Hermione walked into the kitchen.

"I swear, I'm surprised you two didn't wake up the whole house." Hermione whispered.

Hermione had been staying at the Burrow since her parents were still somewhere in Australia and no one had been able to locate them yet. Kingsley Shacklebolt, as the new Minister of Magic, had promised Hermione that as soon as he was able, he would assign some Aurors to go looking for them. Hermione was not so much worried that Death Eaters had found her parents, but that, once their memories are restored, they might be angry with Hermione for what she did to them and not want to come back. Ron and Harry had reassured her many times that her parents would understand her actions were only to protect them and that they would want nothing more than to come back and be reunited with their daughter. Hermione would always give a slight smile, eyes starting to fill with tears, and say, "Yes. Yes, you're probably right," before excusing herself and going to the bathroom to wash away the tears that had begun to fall.

"So, what are you two doing up so late?" Hermione asked curiously.

"Just getting some water and a late night snack." Harry replied innocently.

"Right… And the food smeared across both of your faces? Forgot how to eat did we?" Hermione said with a giggle.

"Oh shut it Hermione." Harry shot back, with a grin.

Ginny, feeling a bit left out, said, "Care for a sandwich, Hermione? We promise, none of it will end up on your face."

"Why not, I'm up anyway," Hermione said, pulling up a chair.

Ginny pulled out two more slices of bread while Harry grabbed a couple of towels for he and Ginny to clean their faces with and a glass of water for Hermione. Hermione took over the job of spreading the peanut butter and within a few minutes, the three of them were sitting quietly at the table, eating their sandwiches, and becoming lost in their own thoughts. When they finished, Hermione took everyone's plates and glasses and began washing them. Ginny put up the bread, jelly, and peanut butter and Harry dried the dishes that Hermione had just washed. Then, making sure everything looked the way they had found it, the three of them snuck back upstairs and went to bed.

The next morning, Ron asked Harry, "Did you notice my bedroom smelled like PB&J this morning?"

Harry glanced over at Hermione and Ginny, who were trying to hold back their smiles.

"No," Harry said slowly. "Are you sure weren't dreaming about PB&J?"

Ron threw a confused look at the two girls, who were trying, and failing, to repress their laughter. "Well, I guess I could have been, though if I was dreaming of food, I would be dreaming of something better than PB&J. I mean, that's more of a late night snack than a proper meal."

And at that, Harry, Hermione, and Ginny all burst out laughing.

"Oi! What's so funny?" Ron demanded but the three were laughing too hard to hear Ron, much less answer him.

As the laughter finally died down, with Ron sulking in his chair, a snowy white owl flew into the kitchen through the open window with a envelope in its mouth. Harry stared at the owl for a second, his heart beating faster. Could it be, Hedwig, he thought to himself. However, as Harry stared, he realized it was not. This owl was slightly bigger than Hedwig, and the face was not the same. Harry's heart dropped at the realization and began to feel those familiar pangs of grief that tore at him like a knife. Hagrid had offered to get Harry a new owl for his 18th birthday, but Harry had not been ready to replace Hedwig, who had been his faithful companion since he was 11 years old.

"Harry, it's for you." Hermione said, handing Harry the letter.

Harry took the letter and examined it. It was from Professor McGonagall, who had recently been named the new Headmistress at Hogwarts. Surprised, and feeling somewhat nervous, Harry opened the letter and began to read.

Dear Mr. Potter,

I hope your summer holiday is going well. I need to speak with you about some private matters. If you would kindly inform Mr. and Mrs. Weasley that I will be opening the Floo Network to Hogwarts from their fireplace tomorrow morning at 9am. You will be provided breakfast here and, please, bring all of your books on Defense Against the Dark Arts that you have in your possession. Bring whatever books on the subject Miss Granger may have as well.

See you at 9am sharp.

Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall
Headmistress
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Harry read the letter two more times, confused as to what Professor McGonagall could possibly want to speak with him about and why she would want him to bring all of his and Hermione's books on Defense Against the Dark Arts. Was there another dark wizard rising? Was she expecting Harry to lead the way? The look of fear that went across his face did not go unnoticed by his friends, who had been watching him closely.

"Harry, what's wrong?" Hermione asked, concerned.

"Yeah, mate. You look like you just saw Voldemort's ghost." Ron said.

Ginny placed her hand on Harry's arm and read the letter out loud as Harry tried to find his voice. When Ginny finished reading, they sat in stunned silence.

"Why, why would McGonagall want our books on Defense Against the Dark Arts?" Hermione asked, clearly just as confused as Harry.

"I… I don't know." Harry muttered. "I guess I'll find out tomorrow," he said, choosing not to share the questions that brought the look of fear that concerned his friends. "Are our books still in your beaded bag, Hermione?"

"Oh, yes, they are. I hadn't thought of taking them out since, well, you know." Hermione said. It was still hard for them to reference the Battle of Hogwarts. Though they rejoiced at the death of Voldemort, the pain of those they lost was still fresh. "Come on, Harry, let's go get those books and pack them in your rucksack so you're ready for tomorrow."

Harry nodded, got up, and followed Hermione up the stairs to Bill's old room, where Hermione was staying. Rummaging through her truck, Hermione pulled out the familiar beaded bag that had been a saving grace for them over the past year. Pulling out his wand, Harry pointed it at the bag and said, "Accio books," before Hermione could tell him to stop. Suddenly, dozens of books soared out of the bag and on top of Harry. Harry toppled to the floor, his arms held over his face, and was soon buried under what felt like hundreds of books.

"Oh, Harry, I'm so sorry! I forgot how many books I packed! Are you okay?" Hermione said, as she frantically tried to pull Harry out form underneath the pile.

Laughing, Harry said, "I'm okay. I should have known better than to use a summoning charm, or at the very least, I should have been more specific about what books I wanted."

Once Harry was on his feet again, he and Hermione started sorting through the books. After 20 minutes of sorting, stacking, and packing into his ruckstack, Harry had 10 Defense Against the Dark Arts books to take with him.

"Blimey, I didn't realize we had so many," Harry pondered aloud.

"Well, I had ordered some of them shortly after school got out 6th year, though I guess we didn't end up using them as much as I thought we were going to," Hermione explained.

Harry smiled, "Hey, at least I'll have an impressive showing of books for whatever it is McGonagall wants to talk to me about."

Hermione sat down and began to put the other books back into the beaded bag. "Harry, what are you afraid of?"

Harry had not been expecting such a question. "What… What do you mean, Hermione?"

"When you read the letter, I saw the fear in your face. After all we've been through, Harry, I know when you're afraid."

"Oh…" Harry said, unsure if he should tell Hermione his fears. "I… Well…" Sighing and running his hand through his hair he said, "When I saw that McGonagall wanted me to bring all of my Defense Against the Dark Arts book, I thought… I thought that maybe there's another dark wizard coming and McGonagall was going to ask me to lead the fight… or something like that…" Harry's voiced trailed off and he began to fidget with this hands. "It's not that I wouldn't want to help," Harry quickly said. "I just… I'm tired of fighting. I'm tired of losing people I love… I… I don't know that I can do it again."

Harry fell silent as he fought back the tears that were beginning to form. Looking down, he grabbed another book and began to place it into the beaded bag. Hermione stared at Harry, unsure of what to say. Her heart broke for her best friend, who had suffered so much over the years. She wanted to comfort him, to tell him that everything would be okay, but okay seemed like such a pathetic term. How would things ever be okay after they had all lost so much? Is okay even possible? Still, Hermione wasn't going to just let Harry be alone with his fears, his pain. Getting up from the bed she had been sitting on, Hermione went over to Harry, put an arm around him, and laid her head on his shoulders.

Surprising both of them, Harry began to cry. It was the first time he had cried since Dobby had died. Though Harry had attended many funerals, including ones for Tonks, Remus, and Fred, he had not cried at them. He wasn't sure why because he had always felt that typical tightening of the throat and burning of the eyes. Yet, no tears ever fell. Why am I crying, he thought to himself. Suddenly, Harry felt a warm wetness on his neck. Hermione was crying as well. Twisting sideways, Harry pulled her into a hug and together they sat for a few minutes, silently crying into the shoulder of the other. It seemed as those all of the pain, the loss, and the fear of the last year, last few years, was held in each tear that fell. When they finally pulled away from each other, they both felt as though an invisible weight had been lifted. Wiping the last few tears from their faces, they smiled at each other.

Sheepishly, Harry said, "Thanks, Hermione."

"Anytime, Harry. Sorry for crying the Thames on your shoulder," Hermione replied, her cheeks red from crying and slight embarrassment.

Chuckling, Harry gave Hermione a quick hug. Mrs. Weasley shouted from downstairs announcing that breakfast was ready. Harry helped Hermione up from the floor and together they headed to the kitchen. As Harry sat down next to Ginny and Hermione next to Ron, they both were silently wondering what exactly their moment upstairs meant.

Author's Note: This is my first time trying to write fanfiction so I appreciate any comments or suggestions, as long as they are given respectfully. Enjoy! :D