Disclaimer: The characters and world of Harry Potter belong to J.K. Rowling. I wrote this fan fiction as a complement to her. All fan fics are because if we weren't fans, we wouldn't be writing them.

Chapter 5: Hogwarts Letters

            In the days following his birthday, Harry spent a lot of time wandering around his new home. He explored every room thoroughly. It was not a very large house, but for one person who never had much space, it was gigantic. Next to the living room was the kitchen. Harry had fun playing with all the cooking utensils. Mrs. Weasley actually thought he would be cooking the muggle way. The kitchen was done in all black and white. Checkered black and white tile complemented the white cabinetry and black counters. The kitchen table was butcher-block (A/N: a type of wood), as were the chairs. The only "color" was the walls, which were the same burgundy as the living room. Actually, the whole first floor had burgundy walls because Mrs. Weasley thought that the color would remind Harry of Hogwarts.

            The stairs to the second floor were in the entry hall, and had a closet under them, which Harry kept locked and empty at all times. The bedrooms were on the second floor. The stairs and hallway had the same carpeting and walls as the living room. Ron and Hermione thought that they would be the ones staying over most of the time, so each took a bedroom and decorated it themselves. They had to share a bathroom, though, which Harry found humorous, because they argued over everything. Harry's room was a lot larger that the one he had at the Dursleys. It was green and gold. The carpet was dark gold, like the hallway, and the walls were a dark emerald green. Harry felt very much at home in his room. His bed was just like the one in his dormitory, although much larger. He had a closet were he put all of his Hogwarts things and Quidditch supplies. Quidditch posters were all over the walls, Ron's doing. One whole wall had shelves of books, ranging from Quidditch to How to Cook. Hermione was so excited when she showed him, that Harry had a shrewd suspicion that she had picked out every book on the shelves. He actually spent a lot of time reading on the little balcony off his bathroom that overlooked the pond at the edge of his yard at night after Ron and Hermione left for the Weasleys.  There were also pictures peppered around the room. There were many pictures of Ron, Hermione, and him together for their every year at Hogwarts and at his birthday. The picture he treasured most was of his parent's on their wedding day. It showed them as young and happy, with their friends surrounding them.

            Ron and Hermione did spend a lot of time at his house, just talking and reminiscing. Every night, Ron came with dinner from Mrs. Weasley. "I don't know how she expects to live on your own if you never learn how to cook," Ron always said. Harry just laughed and replied, "I live 15 seconds away, I could always floo over." He was grateful for their company because he had never lived alone and it was somewhat daunting. They spent most of their time near the pond, walking around it, as they did at the lake near Hogwarts.

            One day, while finishing homework by the lake, their letters from Hogwarts arrived. Ron tore his open, looked at the supplies list, swore, and said, "This year is going to be expensive; we need twice as many books than any other year. We need four Defense against the Dark Arts books. We have a new teacher." Ron was always worried worrying about money because his family was somewhat poor.

            "When don't we have a new Defense teacher," Harry supplied.

            "Well, we do have our N.E.W.T.s this year," Hermione answered, looking at Ron's list. "That explains the amount of books we need." N.E.W.T.s were Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests that all seventh years had to take to determine what field they could pursue.

            Hermione turned to her letter, and a looked of terror filled her eyes.

            "Go on then, Hermione, open it!" Ron said to her.

            She looked from Ron to Harry, "What if I am not made Head Girl?"

            Ron snorted and rolled his eyes. "Hermione, please, you were down for Head Girl the second the hat sorted you."

            Hermione turned to Ron with a scalding look. "What, exactly, is that supposed to mean?"

            Ron turned red. He knew he said something wrong. "I-it means tha-that you have been trying for Head Girl since first year. You want to be the best. I mean, look at you, first in the class, prefect for two years, and now Head Girl…" He trailed of as he saw the look on Hermione's face. She looked as if she could cry.

            "Hermione, I didn't…"

            "Ron." Harry had to stop him from digging himself a deeper hole. "What Ron means, Hermione, is that you have worked very hard for six years. Harder that anyone in our year to become Head Girl, and if you don't get it, then we would be very surprised."

            "Thanks Harry," Hermione said sarcastically. "Well, here it goes." She broke the seal on the envelope and opened it very carefully. She let out a little squeak as she read the third letter enclosed. She looked up from the letter with a huge smile on her face. "I got it! I am Head Girl!" She held up the badge.

            Ron rolled his eyes. "Congratulations."

            "Thank you very much. Harry, open yours."

            Harry didn't want to open his letter because he was afraid of what might be inside. He did not want to be Head Boy. It was a lot of responsibility, and he wanted to have fun his final year. Harry tried to wrangle his way out of it. "It's the same as yours, Hermione, well, without the badge. I'll open it later."

            She sighed, "Oh, Harry, just open it."

            "Really, I will…"

            "Harry, open it!" Harry was startled. Ron and Hermione had yelled at the same time.

            "Harry, open it before Hermione has a heart attack."
            Hermione opened her mouth to say something back, but Harry, not wanting to hear them argue, said, "Fine." He tore the envelope and pulled out the letter. No badge. Harry felt relieved. He turned to Hermione. "See, I knew it, no badge."

            She looked disappointed and stammered, "I thought for sure that Dumbledore would make you Head Boy. I mean, after all, he made you prefect last year."

            Harry laughed. "I didn't ask him to. I don't want to be Head Boy." Hermione looked shocked. "I want to have fun my last year, not have all of the responsibilities…what was that?" Harry rubbed his forehead where something had hit him moments before.

            "Here, Harry this hit you." Ron handed him an envelope.

            "Harry," Hermione's eyes widened on the sight of the envelope, "it's from Hogwarts. It's your badge!" Ron started laughing. "Shut it Ron!" He stopped, only to lunge for the letter.

            "Let me see." He tore it open, and while reading it, his mouth dropped open. "Harry, you've been expelled!"

            Harry looked at him. "What?"

            "Give it here, Ron!" Hermione took the letter from him and let out a shriek.  "I knew it! Harry, you are Head Boy! Two Gryffindors as Heads." She paused. "That hasn't happened since…"

            Harry finished for her. "My mum and dad."

            "Well, yes, I mean, I was reading…"

            Ron interrupted. "Let me guess, Past Heads and Their Futures."

            "For your information," snarled Hermione, "I read it in Hogwart's Head Boys and Girls of the Past."

            Ron rolled his eyes for the third time that day. "Same thing."

            "Actually, Ronald Weasley, it is not the same thing."

            "Yes, Hermione Granger, it is."

            "It's close."

            "No, the book I read does not mention their futures, only what they did for Hogwarts."

            "Basically the same thing."
            "NO…"

            Harry tuned them out as he had on so many other occasions. He read, than re-read the letter.

Dear Mr. Potter,

            We are terribly sorry for the delay of your letter. We are pleased to inform you that you have been chosen as Head Boy for your seventh year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Enclosed is your badge, which is to be worn on the front of your school robes. This is a very prestigious honor and not one to be taken lightly. Your duties will start with a meeting on board the Hogwarts Express at 11:05 a.m. with Head Girl, Hermione Granger of Gryffindor, the school prefects, the Deputy Headmistress, and the Headmaster. We will be discussing this year's upcoming events. Again, congratulations, and enjoy the rest of your summer.

             Albus Dumbledore                                       Minerva McGonagall

                    Headmaster                                               Deputy Headmistress

            Harry could not believe he was chosen for Head Boy. He had the most detentions out of everyone in his year. Despite this, Dumbledore chose him to be his year's Head Boy. Now that he had been named Head boy, all of the reasons he did not want to be flew out the window. He was thrilled! His dad was Head Boy. Then an evil grin spread across Harry's face as a thought ran through his head. Wait until Malfoy hears, Harry thought, thinking of his worst enemy at Hogwarts. Revenge is going to be sweet this year. Malfoy will not know what hit him. Harry turned to tell Hermione and Ron this, but they were still arguing. He was getting a little fed up with their constant bickering. He was just about to tell them this, when a movement in the trees near the pond caught his eye.

            "Ron. Hermione. Could you please stop?" Harry whispered, but his words went unnoticed.

            A cloaked person walked out of the clearing, pointing something at them. Harry jumped up and pulled out his wand, but not fast enough. A jet of purple light shot towards them and hit Ron and Hermione.

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A/N: Cliffhanger, I know, but I love them. Well, please review, I really want to know what you all think!