- CHAPTER TWO -
Decisions for Harry
Ginny was right. The castle was still busy with people, young and old, helping to clear the debris and destruction the fight had left. Ministry officials in purple robes flitted around as they worked ("Morning, Mr Potter, watch your back" one said as they levitated a large pillar down the staircase). They were stopped by many others. He shook countless hands; some he recognised like Simpson, a Ravenclaw beater they had played against in his third year, others he had no idea. They all said the same thing; thank you and congratulations for defeating You-Know-Who.
"No, it's you that need thanks," he tried to say to each of them. "For staying and helping out."
None would hear it. They shook their heads and continued to smile in admiration at him before moving on to continue their tasks.
The four long tables remained in the Great Hall, the enchanted ceiling now a perfect blue echoing the clear day outside. Harry spotted Professor McGonagall with Kingsley at the top table, Percy Weasley at their side vigorously taking notes with his quill and parchment. Each table was filled with students, families, Hogsmeade residents who had remained to help out. He smiled as he noticed Mr and Mrs Weasley seated at the Gryffindor table at the far end of the hall.
"HARRY!" Mrs Weasley exclaimed, running forward to meet them. Tears were in her eyes and she enveloped him in a warm hug.
Harry's own eyes now stung with tears as he clung to her. Everyone in the hall had turned to look at them but Harry was lost in the hug. Mrs Weasley's were the best he'd ever known, as he couldn't remember the hug of his own mother. Ron, Hermione and Ginny joined the table. He and Mrs Weasley parted so she could get a better look at him.
"You still look very tired, dear," Molly said, examining him. "I said for them to let you rest. Poppy still recommends you should be in the Hospital Wing for at least a few days under her care?"
"I'm alright, Mrs Weasley," Harry answered, smiling at Ginny. "Honestly. I don't need the Hospital Wing." He and Mrs Weasley took their seats. "How are you? And you, Mr Weasley?" He looked from one to the other.
"Oh, don't worry about us. We're fine, dear," She looked anything but fine in Harry's opinion. Her usually bright and warm face was drawn. Her eyes were red and puffy, now constantly filled with tears. Mr Weasley took her hand and smiled at Harry. He looked as old as Harry had ever seen him.
"We are getting there, Harry." he said softly, patting Molly's hand. "Once the boys have finished today, we're going back to the Burrow. You'll be coming too, I hope?"
"I-" He hadn't really thought about home now. Privet Drive where he usually returned to seemed a lifetime away, the Dursleys gone. He thought of the empty rooms of Twelve Grimmauld Place with only the screams of Mrs Black's portrait to fill the silence.
Ron broke his thoughts. "Course you are, mate. Hermione is staying with us too."
"Mr Weasley has managed to use his contacts in the Ministry so I can get my Mum and Dad home!" Hermione said brightly. "I would go myself but I'm not exactly sure where they've ended up. The pamphlet we got from the Apparation Test Centre also warned against such long distance trips so soon after your test anyway."
"Kingsley will want to speak to you, Harry, before he leaves," Mr Weasley said, nodding in the top table's direction. McGonagall and Kingsley now stood, saying their goodbyes. McGonagall was joined by Professor Slughorn and they both walked in the direction of the Entrance Hall. Kingsley, with Percy following behind, came to the Gryffindor table.
"Arthur, Molly," he said in his deep voice, nodding in acknowledgement at all of them. "Harry, if you can join me for the walk out. There's no need to record this, Percy. I'll see you back at the office later."
"Uh, yeah, no problem," Harry replied, looking from Ron, Hermione and Ginny; their expressions as curious as he was himself. "I'll be back soon."
Kingsley didn't speak until a long time after they had went through the front doors. People stopped to stare and muttered excitedly to each other as they passed. Harry Potter and the acting Minister for Magic, together.
The grounds were as busy as the inside of the castle. Groups were moving fallen pieces of battlement across to a heap they had created. Harry saw Neville Longbottom walk to the greenhouses with his grandmother on one side, her vulture-peaked hat easily distinguishable, and the short Professor Sprout on the other. Harry noticed he was walking taller than he had ever seen him do.
"I imagine you've had this a lot already but I want to pass my thanks to you personally on behalf of the Ministry and the wizarding community," Kingsley said. "Last night will be talked about for decades to come. What you have given will be respected beyond everything."
Harry didn't know what to say. "I-, thank you. I just want to make sure everyone is seen to that needs our help. That we can put things back to how they were." As he spoke, he noticed his friend Hagrid towering beside the flaming haired Charlie Weasley on the edge of the Forest. From what he could make out, it looked like they were talking to Bane the Centaur.
"I want to go beyond that, Harry" Kingsley replied. "We need to rebuild, yes, but also reform. Too long has the Ministry mired in corruption, Galleons switching from vault to vault to avoid change. I have set up a Task Force to overhaul how we do things. I want you and Ron Weasley to join us at the Auror office. From what I have been told, your leadership like you showed with Dumbledore's Army is exactly what I need."
"But I haven't completed my NEWTs, Minister"
Kingsley stopped walking. "Harry, it's Kingsley." he said, smiling. "Look at what you have done these past years. Your talent and attitude have shown me that those results are only a snapshot of someone's quality. I've set out that anyone of age who fought here will be able to apply to start training. Will you come?"
This was overwhelming, Harry thought. Yes, he had always wanted to be an Auror but things had never allowed him to see a life past Voldemort.
"I need to speak to Ginny. I haven't thought of my plans yet."
"Of course," Kingsley nodded. "I understand you'll want to discuss this with those close to you. I will be all over the country for the next few weeks sorting things out. You can send word with Arthur or Percy with your decision. I will be attending Fred Weasley's funeral as well, of course."
Harry looked beyond Kingsley who stood awaiting an answer. In the distance was the Whomping Willow which twitched in the summer sun.
"Minis-, I mean, Kingsley" Harry said quickly. "Severus Snape's body is still in the Shrieking Shack. Voldemort had him killed before the end. He was working for us all along. I want him to be recognised for what we did for the Order. I think he should be buried here if we can."
Kingsley knew there was no love lost between Snape and Harry but he nodded in agreement. "I'll need to speak to the board of Governors but I'm sure, as he was a Headmaster, that it can be arranged."
"And what about him? What about Voldemort?"
Kingsley eyed him closely. Harry wasn't sure what his reaction to this question would be.
"He's still in the back chamber from the Great Hall. I have Balthazar McGregor guarding the room right now. We're still to arrange the body to be moved to a suitable end site."
"No, what I mean, Min-, Kingsley, is, I think he should be buried here too. This was the only place he considered anything like home. But not as Lord Voldemort. As Tom Riddle as Hogwarts knew him.
Kingsley still continued to watch him closely, his expression unreadable. Harry felt almost vulnerable as if the Minister was trying to read his thought process.
"It's a strange thing. Dumbledore said the same thing this morning," Kingsley finally replied. "I'll talk to the board about Severus. For him, I think it's best to keep it between us."
They had reached the Entrance Gates, one of the winged hogs missing from its pillar.
"It's goodbye for now, Harry, but I will see you soon." Kingsley replied, stowing some parchments in his robes. "Please consider my offer carefully and let me know when you can."
"I will Kingsley, thank you again."
Harry watched as Kingsley disapparated amongst the hustle and bustle outside the school. He turned to walk back to the castle, nodding and smiling at those who passed. Hagrid and Charlie still stood at the edge of the Forest with Bane.
"HARRY!" Hagrid roared just as Mrs Weasley had and he was soon wrapped in the giant man's arms. Fang jumped excitedly at them both. They parted and Hagrid's bright beetle-like eyes shone in the sun. "We were jus' talking about' yeh!"
"Habit of a lifetime," Harry said, grinning.
Charlie shook his hand and then pulled him into a hug. His forearms were covered in large cuts and bruises, a scar now lay over his right eye as well. "Still fighting those dragons, eh Harry?" he said. "Reckon even the Horntail wouldn't face you if she knew what you had done last night."
Hagrid and Harry laughed. Bane remained quiet, his focus on Harry. His black hair and beard rippled in the light breeze.
"Harry Potter - the Man who Lived." he said solemnly. "You have earned our trust and respect. Even for a wizard. We had forseen that this was your path. Mars burned bright as of late but this has now come to pass. Pluto shone as clear as we've ever seen it last night." Bane looked to the sky and was silent
Hagrid looked up as if expecting to see what Bane was referring to, raised his shaggy eyebrows at Harry and shook his head. "Ah, well, best be gettin' on now, Bane. Ah'll be seein' you."
"Goodbye Hagrid. We shall see you again, Harry Potter" He turned and disappeared into the Forest.
"Bloody centaurs!" Hagrid said angrily, picking up a wheelbarrow, full of rubble, with one hand. "Still with their head in the clouds, talking nonsense about Saturn and spotting Uranus!" Harry and Charlie stifled a laugh. "Anyway Harry, how you been? Charlie was tellin' me you're goin' again, to the Burrow. I was hopin' to catch up with yeh all and hear about ev'rything."
"I'll be back soon," Harry said, following Hagrid and Charlie to his hut. "I want to help with getting this place sorted."
"That's grand, Harry," Hagrid replied with a grin. "I'll make some rock cakes for yeh comin'." Harry looked apprehensively to Charlie. "Ah'm only jokin' yeh!"
McGonagall had allowed use of the fireplace in her old office for Harry, Hermione and the Weasleys to get home that day. Floo Powder still wasn't Harry's preferred way to travel. He stowed his glasses safely in his pocket and felt the rush as he was zoomed to his destination.
He arrived at the Burrow safely and lifted himself from the floor. He put his glasses back on and brushed the light soot from his jumper as Mrs Weasley near-attacked him with a large clothes brush.
The fire flashed again and Ginny came through next. Harry reached to help her up. She took his hand and smiled as he now held her in his arms.
"We're home." Ginny said. Harry knew this was true. The Burrow, now more than ever, felt like home with his family around him.