Harry woke up the next morning and he felt a warm, comforting feeling come
to him when he remembered the previous day. It had been the happiest day in
his eventful life. He had received so many presents yesterday, and yes they
were all good and he could tell a lot of thought went into buying every
single one. But the thing Harry couldn't wait to do was open his presents
from the Weaslys and everyone else. He hadn't gotten around to opening them
yesterday, and he was glad. He would much rather open their presents in
private.
So with his mind focused on his presents he just managed to pull his tired body out of his bed. He already knew Ron was downstairs because he remembered hearing him go down just before he had woken up. He hastily pulled on some clothes, thinking he might change his mind and jump back into bed any second, and hurried downstairs.
As he stepped into the kitchen, without looking up from reading the Daily Prophet, Lupin asked, "Sleep well, Harry?"
"Slept great, thanks!" He replied enthusiastically as he took a seat at the table next to Ron, who had his face buried in his cereal. Lupin went back to reading the paper. Ron noticed Harry sitting next to him.
"Morning, Harry. Cereal?" he asked as he held up the cereal box.
"No thanks, not real hungry, still full from yesterday," Harry said rubbing his stomach. Ron grinned.
"Yeee', yesterde ous weal goud!" Ron choked out, his mouth stuffed full of more cereal. He saw Harry's puzzled look and swallowed, "Sorry, I said Yesterday was real good!"
"Yeah, thanks mate," Harry said as he gave Ron a hard pat on the back, causing Ron to choke on the new spoonful of cereal in his mouth. Once Ron stopped choking he spoke.
"I'll take that as a, 'Ron, you're the bestest person in the whole wide world' then." Harry was just about to reply when someone else did for him.
"Get over yourself, Ron," Ginny exclaimed, giggling as she and Hermione walked into the kitchen. Ron rolled his eyes and went back to eating his cereal. Harry noticed how both girls were giggling and looking wide awake as they sat across the table from Harry.
"How can you guys be so awake," Harry groaned at them as he, deciding he was hungry, poured himself some cereal. Hermione immediately narrowed her eyes at Harry, it always made Harry feel as if he had committed some terrible crime.
"Well, us, unlike some people, Harry Potter, didn't stay up all hours of the night playing Quidditch!" she said in her best matter-of-factly tone. Harry was about to retort when he remembered that he didn't go to bed until around three in the morning.
It was true. Harry, Ron, Fred, George, Bill, Charlie, Ginny (for a little bit), Tonks and even Lupin had been playing indoor Quidditch all last night in the massive hall, they thought they might as well make use of it since the hall would change back into the kitchen of Grimmauld Place at five in the morning. Harry found that he really liked playing indoor Quidditch and he wondered why there wasn't a league of it being played. It had a whole different feeling to it, but he still preferred normal Quidditch to playing it indoor.
"Er.. Oh- yeah," was all Harry managed to say back to Hermione. Hermione smiled at Harry and Ginny was now rolling around in her chair, giggling. Harry could even tell Lupin was trying to hide his smile by covering his face with the daily prophet.
"Harry! I was only joking, seriously..." Hermione laughed out. Harry couldn't believe Hermione had fooled him with a joke, that was a first.
"Oh, sorry," Harry muttered as he fed himself some cereal. Hermione and Ginny both rolled their eyes and sighed.
"Boys."
"Oh dear. what have they done now?" Mrs Weasly asked in a long, drawn out voice as she entered the kitchen with three small parcels in her hand, all bearing the Hogwarts crest. But no one answered her question, they all stared at the packages Mrs Weasly was holding. It seemed like the silence went on forever before Mrs Weasly broke it, "Oh, alright!" she sighed and handed the three parcels to Ron, Hermione and Harry, who all took them with shaking hands. "Oh, Ginny, Dumbledore also gave me your Hogwarts letter," she said as she handed Ginny her letter. Their OWL results were finally here.
Hermione wasted no time and opened the large envelope, filled with sheets of parchment. It seemed that the result for each subject was on a separate piece of parchment, with a comment on each one. Ron, more reluctantly than Hermione, tore his open and started to read. Harry slowly rose from his chair with his OWL results in his hand still, he started pacing the room, still not opening the envelope, but looking at it, as if considering it like animals did with unfamiliar food. Lupin was watching Harry over the daily prophet, with an amused look on his face, "Harry, you remind me of myself." he thought out loud. Harry jumped out of his little daze.
"Huh? Oh. yeah.," Harry replied, still looking at his unopened envelope. Inside contained the difference between being an ordinary wizard, and being an Auror. It was the most nervous he had been his whole life, even though he had already taken the exam, getting the results was the hard part.
"You know," Lupin continued in an amused voice, "I, too, discovered that they don't open themselves."
Harry blushed, "Yeah I suppose I better get it over with." And with that he went over and sat down in the corner of the room, resting his back where the two walls joined. With trembling fingers, he slowly opened the envelope. There were roughly ten small pieces of parchment, stapled together at the top left corner. Harry read the first page:
Dear Mr Potter,
We are pleased to inform you of the results of your examinations. You will find all the books and supplies you will need for your sixth year on the last page of your results.
As usual the term begins on September the 1st with the Hogwarts Express leaving platform 9¾ at 11am. Please make sure you arrive with all the necessary books and equipment.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Harry turned the page, more nervous than ever then read his Astronomy result:
__________________________________________________
ASTRONOMY - Examiner: Professor Tofty
Grade: Acceptable
Examiners Notes:
Mr Potter displayed understanding of the planets and the things taught in Astronomy during the year and completed his theory paper to a normal standard. But he didn't complete his exam due to allowing himself to be distracted with other things when he should have been concentrating on his examination.
I also regret to inform you that you have not been accepted into NEWT level Astronomy.
__________________________________________________
Harry wanted to jump up and shout. He couldn't believe he had passed his Astronomy exam, but he also couldn't believe his professor had said he should have been concentrating on his exam rather than being distracted with other things.
For that had been the unfortunate night that Professor McGonagall had been stunned many times to the chest and Hagrid was forced to flee. So Harry's mind wasn't exactly on his exam. But without another thought on it.
Harry happily turned the page and read his next exam result, they seemed to be in alphabetical order.
__________________________________________________
CARE OF MAGICAL CREATURES - Examiner: Professor Catherine
Grade: Exceeds Expectations
Examiners Notes:
Mr Potter has shown a thorough understanding of various magical creatures in his examination. He is above the average class member and handled the creatures and all situations faced in the exam with confidence and care. I feel that the grade I have given is fair and would like to say that Mr Potter showed exceptional skills in his exam for a fifth year and he was only upped by one person in his class. Keep up the good work!
It is my pleasure to inform you that you have been excepted into NEWT level Care Of Magical Creatures.
__________________________________________________
Harry honestly didn't know how to feel, overjoyed or worried. He swallowed a big lump in his throat. NEWT level Care Of Magical Creatures? He was extremely happy with his grade, but he couldn't help but think, although he wouldn't admit it to anyone, that Hagrid had been lucky no one had died in his last three years as a teacher. And that was only the normal class, Harry thought about Hagrid's NEWT classes. Harry saw pictures form in his mind of him flying around on dragons and trying to teach giants table-manners. Well, at least he knew he had Hermione in his class, as he was sure she was the person who had beaten him with his grade. He hoped Ron would be joining them too, he then turned the page and read his next grade.
__________________________________________________
CHARMS - Examiner: Professor Tofty
Grade: Exceeds Expectations
Examiners Notes:
Mr Potter preformed his practical examination with confidence and preformed all the required tasks well, minus a few mix-ups. He showed exceptional use of his wand movements and if he had just preformed a few of the charms differently, I feel Mr Potter would of achieved an Outstanding. He also completed his written exam well and answered questions in-depth and was able to describe uses of some certain charms as if out of personal experience. Well done, Mr Potter!
It is my pleasure to inform you that you have been accepted into NEWT level Charms. Good luck next year and I hope to have the pleasure of examining you again!
__________________________________________________
Harry was barely able to contain his glee, Yes! he screamed mentally. He had passed one of the requirement classes for being an Auror, and at the same time he had achieved a good grade. He smiled as he read Professor Tofty's comments again then feeling two times better, flipped the page.
__________________________________________________
DEFENCE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS - Examiner: Professor Tofty
Grade: Outstanding
Examiners Notes:
Mr Potter completed both his practical and written examination with one hundred percent accuracy. In fact, Mr Potter, due to bonus points accumulated through the summoning a full-fledged Patronus, achieved a record one hundred and five percent on his Defence Against The Dark Arts examination. The highest score ever achieved at Hogwarts. Mr Potter showed exceptional skill, confidence and experience, that I feel were, well above OWL level and would of still fetched him an Outstanding in his NEWT level exam! Excellent work Mr Potter!
It is my absolute pleasure to inform you that you have been excepted into NEWT level Defence Against The Dark Arts.
__________________________________________________
Harry had always thought he would go good in his DADA exam, but one hundred and five percent. wow.. As he read through his result again he found that he really liked Professor Tofty and he secretly found himself hoping that the Professor would get to examine him again one day. Harry turned the page and found his Divination results staring him in the face.
__________________________________________________
DIVINATION - Examiner: Professor Marchbanks
Grade: Poor
Examiners Notes:
Mr Potter displayed below average skills in his Divination examination and had to resort to guess work to try and scrape a good mark.
You have not been accepted into NEWT level Divination.
__________________________________________________
Harry wasn't even mildly phased by his grade or the examiners results, in fact, he felt extremely happy as he now didn't have to take Divination anymore. Harry, feeling even better after his fail in Divination, turned the page.
__________________________________________________
HISTORY OF MAGIC - Examiner: Professor Binns
Grade: Acceptable
Examiners Notes:
Mr Potter answered his questions to a satisfactory standard, although not displaying thorough knowledge on some things he did have a general idea.
Mr Potter, you can either choose to take NEWT level History Of Magic or decline.
__________________________________________________
I'll decline, thanks, Harry thought happily. He now didn't have History of Magic, Divination or Astronomy. He was feeling great, with luck, the only lessons he would have to take this year were Defence Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Transfiguration, Potions and Care of Magical Creatures, with luck.. Harry took a deep breath and turned, only to be disappointed, he had forgotten all about Herbology.
__________________________________________________
HERBOLOGY - Examiner: Professor Goldstreain
Grade: Acceptable
Examiners Notes:
Mr Potter completed his examination to a satisfactory standard. He handled his plants well and demonstrated proper care and handling of them. A few more marks higher and he would of improved a grade.
You have the choice to partake in NEWT level Herbology or not.
__________________________________________________
Harry didn't know if he wanted to continue to do Herbology or not, the only reason he gave it any thought was that he remembered Moody tell him that a good Auror needs to know how to make potions and antidotes, and the ingredients don't always happen to be in a bottle. Sometimes you have to find them yourself. But Harry came to the conclusion that he would think about that if he even got into the classes he needed to be in to be an Auror.
__________________________________________________
TRANSFIGURATION - Examiner: Professor Marchbanks
Grade: Exceeds Expectations
Examiners Notes:
Mr Potter completed his written exam with great results, definitely above the majority of the class and preformed well in the practical exam and showed a perfect method of the vanishing spell. Good work, Mr Potter.
You have been accepted into NEWT level Transfiguration.
__________________________________________________
Harry couldn't help but laugh out loud at the comment about the vanishing spells. He remembered spending several nights practicing the vanishing spell for homework. And Harry could hardly believe Professor Marchbanks had written good notes about him. Very unlike his Divination notes. Harry's heart tried to leap out of his chest when he realised that this next page contained his final result. The difference between an office job and an Auror. He needed an Outstanding and, somehow he thought he might of just scraped one. He took a huge breath and turned the page.
__________________________________________________
POTIONS - Examiner: Professor Marchbanks
Grade: N/A
Examiners Notes:
N/A
We regret to inform you, that due to reasons beyond our control we cant inform you of your result.
__________________________________________________
"WHAT?" Harry yelled at the parchment, in disbelief. Had his grade been so bad that they couldn't even give him his mark back?
"Is something wrong, dear?" Mrs Weasley asked with concern in her face, she was looking at him from over the top of Ron, as she read his OWL results over his shoulder. Hermione looked to be on her second read through of her results, mouthing each word silently, as if trying to discover the secret meaning behind each one. But Harry didn't answer Mrs Weasley's question, instead, he jumped out of his spot in the corner and franticly rushed over to Lupin, who was still reading the Daily Prophet.
"Look, look!" Harry exclaimed while he shoved his Potions result in Lupin's face. To Harry's utter bewilderment, Lupin grinned. "Look at the Potions mark!" Harry yelled franticly, thinking the page Lupin was looking at might have been his Divination result.
"Well look at the bright side, you don't have to put up with Snape now," Lupin said simply. Harry was shocked, had he, Remus Lupin, a former Hogwarts prefect, just said that?
"Err. Do you have any idea what that means!??" Harry exclaimed, now getting considerably louder, he was also hysterical, "In case you haven't realised, this means I cant become an Auror!" Lupin simply nodded his head in understanding, looking into Harry's eyes. Harry found himself becoming frustrated with Lupin, acting as this was one little game. "Oh! I've had enough of this, I'm going to Dumbledore to see what's going on!"
Harry turned quickly and started to make his way to the door. "Harry, I know what's going on." came Lupin's, now more serious voice. Harry noticed the seriousness too, and this was the only reason Harry turned back around and sat down in the chair opposite Lupin. Mrs Weasley, Ron, Ginny and now Hermione, who had finally looked up from her OWL results, were looking at Harry and Lupin, with puzzled expressions on their faces.
"This better be good," Harry warned, as if daring Lupin to act like he did just moments before.
"Well. I actually promised I wouldn't say anything." Lupin stated, but then saw the look Harry was giving him and thought he ought to elaborate further, "Well, you should know that Dumbledore will explain it to you back at school, and don't worry, its nothing bad," Harry was about to open his mouth to speak when Lupin, knowing what Harry's question would be, quickly answered it, "It's far more important than completing NEWT level Potions, Harry. Dumbledore has fixed everything and he will explain it to you, in detail, back at school."
Harry breathed a sigh of relief, Lupin's words had made him feel a lot better. He thought he had gone so bad in his OWL that he wasn't eligible for a grade, that the people who made the grades were in the process of thinking of a special grade, just for Harry...
And now Harry didn't have to complete NEWT level Potions and, he assumed, from Lupin's words, that he could still become an Auror. Then Mrs Weasley's voice brought him back to the present, "Harry? Remus? What's going on?" she asked with concern in her voice. Lupin started to answer.
"Well, Harry's Potions mark wa-"
"Hold it, how did you know?" Harry asked Lupin suspiciously.
"Err. Know what, Harry?"
"Know about my Potions mark before I even did!"
"As I said before, I promised I wouldn't say anything. Sorry Harry, but your just going to have to wait until school returns," Lupin spoke, with a voice that said that he didn't want to talk about it anymore. Harry believed Lupin and quickly broke the tense silence.
"So, how did you guys go?"
He looked at Ron first, who quickly replied, "Still reading mine," before turning back to his results. He then looked at Hermione, who looked happy beyond reason, but Harry knew Hermione too well.
"Hermione, something wrong?" he asked as he got out of his chair and knelt behind Hermione's, so he could rest on the back of her chair and read over her shoulder at the same time.
"Hmph." she sighed as she handed Harry her results before crossing her arms. Harry sat back into his chair with the results and quickly flicked through them. He found that Hermione had gotten all Outstandings and didn't know what she was in a bad mood about.
"Hermione, you got all Outstandings, what's wrong?"
"I was soooooo close to the record of getting top marks in all OWL's, but some inconsiderate, filthy rotten git beat me at Defence Against the Dark Arts! Harry, I got one hundred percent!" Harry would have been rolling on the floor crying from laughter in any other circumstances, but, he was sure Hermione wouldn't hesitate to hex him into the next dimension if he even attempted to make a joke at this moment. He had never seen her so mad in all his years knowing her. And knowing full well who beat her, he asked, in his best mock-serious voice.
"Wow, who would have beaten one hundred percent, Hermione?"
"I bet anything it was that filthy, rotten Malfoy! I swear to god I will wring his neck next time I see him! I bet his father threatened the ministry into giving him good marks!" she answered furiously, and to further add to Harry's amusement she was sub-concisely moving her hands as if she was choking someone that very moment, when she realised this, she quickly stopped.
"Hmmmm. So this means I'm an inconsiderate, filthy rotten git that will soon be having his neck wrung?" Harry asked, still using his mock- serious voice. Hermione eyes widened and she shot up out of her chair and hugged Harry, patting his back.
"I'm so sorry, Harry! I was just mad, I didn-" she started apologizing before Harry, thinking hard of what Hermione had told him earlier, said.
"Hermione! I was only joking, seriously..." Hermione quickly lifted her head from his shoulder and looked at Harry's face, seeing his grin. She took her right hand from behind his back and slapped him on the chest, half playful, half serious.
"Harry Potter! You had me worried there! Congratulations on your mark!"
"Girls." sighed Harry as he lightly hugged Hermione again.
"Oh, shut up. Let me see your results then," she said, pulling away from Harry. She walked to the table and grabbed Harry's results and started reading, not even waiting for an answer. He was about to tell her off when his thought was interrupted by Ron.
"Ohhhhhhhhhhh! Not again! This is so unfair, don't I have a say in this Mum?" Ron groaned, his face screwed up, Harry wondered what was wrong.
"What's up?" asked Harry as he sat down at the table again.
"They've made me prefect again!" Harry laughed, he knew Ron didn't like his duty as a prefect. Ron was more for breaking the rules, not enforcing them, "Mum, tell Professor Dumbledore I don't want to be a prefect anymore!" he pleaded.
"I most certaintly will not, Ronald Weasley! You act as if being a prefect is a crime!" scolded Mrs Weasley, who was now cleaning the table up from their short breakfast.
"But mummmm-" Ron began.
"But nothing! Your going to be a prefect weather you like it, or not!" she was now angry.
"Fine," muttered Ron quietly, knowing he couldn't reason with his mother when she was determined. Ron went back to finishing off reading the last page.
"Harry, what the-?" Hermione started, still reading Harry's results, before Harry was quick to remind her that his Potions result is what he and Lupin had talked about before. When Harry asked Ron's results he found that Ron had done nearly the same as Harry, though some of Ron's marks were a bit lower. They sat there for a while, talking about their OWL results before Mrs Weasley interrupted them.
"Come on, you three, you have to be out of here by eight thirty! Hurry up, hurry up." Harry seemed to be the only one out of the four children that didn't know why.
"Er.. Why do we have to be gone by eight thirty?" Harry asked Ron, who just shrugged and replied.
"Dunno. they don't tell us. But they say we will find out before we go back to Hogwarts, so we have to stay out of the house during the day and work at the shop."
Harry wondered why as he followed Ron upstairs into their room to change. As he was changing he remembered Mrs Weasley say, two nights ago, that there were plans going on inside the house. He mentioned this to Ron as they made their way downstairs to head for a days work at Diagon Alley.
*
This was the routine for Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny for numerous weeks. They would drag their tired bodies out of bed early in the morning, go to the kitchen and force themselves to eat some decent food, because eating the sweets at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes wasn't exactly healthy. Then they would go and work at the shop during the day, not that they minded this, in fact they found it really fun. They got to see friends from Hogwarts regularly, some even helped them out. Harry tried to refuse, but Fred and George insisted that the four were paid, quite well, for their 'work', although Harry didn't see it as work he eventually excepted.
Harry sometimes went to see his snowy white owl, Hedwig, who was staying somewhere in Grimmauld Place, although Harry didn't know where because Harry and the other three were forbidden to go anywhere in the house apart from their bedrooms, the kitchen and the bathroom, so when Harry wanted to see Hedwig he was blindfolded, then stunned (so he couldn't remember the way there) and brought to Hedwig, who seemed quite happy and understanding, considering the circumstances.
None of the four had any idea why there was so much secrecy, but they knew that they would find out on the night before returning to Hogwarts. Which was tonight.
*
"Hermione.." Harry pleaded. Hermione had been in the bathroom of Grimmauld Place for three hours, crying, and Harry had been sitting down on the floor, leaning his back against the bathroom door, for three painful hours, "Hermione come out, you've been in there for three hours. We're gonna miss the big news," Harry pressed, hoping maybe that would get her out of there.
"N-No," she started through a sob, "H-Harry, you go without me."
"Herms, we've been through this, I'm not leaving until you come out of there."
"Harry, I-I-I'm not coming out of here, so j-just go!" she sobbed.
"Well if you don't want to come out of there, can you at least let me come in there so we can talk?" Harry pleaded desperately, he didn't care if he had to spend the night here and miss the big news, which was being announced in around an hour, he just hated seeing Hermione like this. Harry waited and there was no response.
After a minute or two Harry felt the door give way and he fell onto his back, he looked back and saw Hermione was lying on a couch that she must have conjured. Harry got off the floor and closed the door. He looked at her lying on the couch, she had her legs wrapped in a ball, she was in a bright pink blanket, sobbing into it. Harry hated seeing her like this, she looked so helpless and vulnerable.
Without saying anything, Harry walked to the end of the couch, where her head was rested. Hermione knew what Harry was going to do and she lifted her upper body off the couch for a second, so Harry could sit down, then she rested her head into Harry's lap. She was on her back, looking up into Harry's brilliant green eyes and saw so much caring and understanding in them, so much that even words wouldn't be able to describe.
"Harry?"
"Yes, Hermione?"
"Harry. I-I-I'm not g-g-good enough t-to have a friend l-like you!" Hermione broke down and started crying, even louder than before.
"No, no, don't say that Herms. It's I who is not good enough to have you as my friend," he cooed as he moved his position so her head was now rested on his upper chest, his feet lay on either side of her. Hermione cried into his chest now, Harry hated seeing her cry, "Hermione, please don't cry." he soothed as he tilted her chin up so she was looking into his eyes, he wiped her hair from her eyes, "Please don't cry."
"B-But Harry, y-you heard Ron. I-I-I'm jus-" Hermione sobbed harder now.
"No, Hermione. That's not true and you know it! Don't you think it for one second Herms, your smarter than that. Ron was just being a git, but after I'm through with him Ron will have trouble being alive." Hermione smiled, looking into his caring eyes.
"Harry, you don't have to do that just for me."
"Hermione, stop putting yourself down! I would do anything 'just for you'! Hermione sighed and leaned back into Harry, who put his arms around her, in a caring way.
"Harry?"
"Yes.?" he asked as he rested his chin on her shoulder.
"Why aren't all guys like you, Harry?" she sighed as she leaned back on Harry so that they were both lying down on the couch, Hermione was leaning on her side, facing Harry, Harry then turned over so that they were both staring into each others eyes and he replied.
"Well, I guess all guys don't have my manly charm," Harry replied, in a teasing voice.
"Harry!" Hermione laughed out as she playfully pushed him, "I was being serious." Hermione trailed off, looking at the ceiling.
"Herms. Hermione look at me," Harry said softly as he tilted her head so they were again staring into each others eyes.
"Harry. Why are you. so good to me?" she asked as she stared deeply into his eyes, searching for something.
"What do you mean, 'why am I so good to you'?"
"Harry, I mean that you have been there for me whenever I needed someone, you were something I could lean on when I was down, confide in when I was in doubt, someone that was there, listening when I needed company. and. and I've never been there for you when you really needed it. I was never anything for you to lean on, for you to talk to and express your feeling to." she replied, her fingers lost in Harry's messy hair. Hermione saw tears forming in Harry's eyes.
"You have no idea of how much you were to me," Harry said reassuringly, as he took her hands from his hair and held them, softly, he squeezed them, "Hermione, if only you knew."
"Harry, I want to know, I want to understand," she said softly as she squeezed his hands back. Harry looked deep into her eyes.
"You. you were so much to me these past years, you still are. Without you, Hermione Granger, I wouldn't be here right now, confiding in you. No- Hermione, don't." Harry pleaded as she began to open her mouth, how did he know? she thought, "Hermione, why did you try to put yourself down?"
"You say you wouldn't be here without me? Please. Harry, its you who has been protecting me, I've been nothing except a nuisance."
"Hermione. You were my happiness when I was sad... you were my reassurance when I was in doubt... you were my guidance when I was lost... you were my comfort when I was afraid... you were my light when it was dark... you were my heart when I stopped believing... you were the person I could lean on when I needed support... you were there to pick me up when I fell down... you were my light at the end of a tunnel of darkness... y-you were my hope when t-there was n-n-none... y-y-you were my courage when mine ran away... you were my f-f-friend when no one else b-believed in me... y-y- you w-were." Harry choked through his running tears, "Y-Y-You were m-m-my everything."
*
"Doesn't it ever get better?" Harry choked out, he was doubled over in front of a fireplace, wheezing.
"I was thinking the same thing," Hermione said as she straightened up her robes. They had traveled by floo powder to get the place where the news was being announced. Harry knew the place they were now was in Grimmauld Place, but no one was allowed to walk anywhere. So people had to floo to the room by saying, 'The Big News!'. It had been in the Daily Prophet yesterday and Harry and Hermione could hear lots of people talking in a room off to the left, "Come on," Hermione said as she helped Harry up to a standing position. He looked like he could be sick any second.
"Er.. Thanks. Shall we be going?" Harry asked as offered his arm to Hermione.
"Why thank you, Mr Potter," she said in her most posh voice as she linked his arm with hers. They walked slowly down a long hallway lined with portraits of important wizards and witches. They entered the massive hall and both gasped.
"Wow." Harry trailed off, looking at the room. They were standing in a brilliantly lit hall that had a look of power and authority to it, but was also welcoming. The roof had massive chandeliers hanging from it, beautiful decorations hung from them. The walls were painted a stunning creamy-white color and also had beautiful decorations on it aswell. The room was full of posh-looking wizards and witches. Talking and generally mingling with others, champagne glasses in their hands. Harry noticed that instead of waiters walking around with trays of champagne, the trays were flying around the room on their own accord, "Fancy some champagne, Hermione?"
"Harry, don't be stupid. Them things only give alcoholic drinks to people over eighteen, its like a portable age line. No way to cross it," Hermione stated matter-of-factly.
"Awww. Hermione your no fun. If I was to get us some, would you drink it?" Harry asked, eyeing his friend curiously.
"Sure, but there's no way your getting any. Remember what happened to Fred and George when they tried to cross an age line?" Hermione laughed out. Harry remembered only too well, when Fred and George Weasley had tried to cross the age line Dumbledore drew around the goblet of fire in his fourth year, they had grown big, white beards and had to have them removed by the school nurse. Harry laughed and walked close to where a tray would soon be passing. He slipped his wand into his sleeves of his robe so he was only holding a little bit of it, so people wouldn't notice, and just as the tray past his whispered.
"Accio!" He concentrated all his thoughts on the two champagne glasses and spun around slowly as they flew into his hands. He looked at Hermione, who was now was smiling with both hands of her hips, "I believe this is yours," Harry said as he offered Hermione a glass of champagne. Surprisingly, she took it.
"Very nice, Potter." she admitted as she took a sip of her drink.
"Why, thank you, Miss Granger," Harry said, grinning, and now also using a posh voice as he offered Hermione his arm again. She took it and they continued walking. Harry saw quite a few familiar faces and noted that just about everyone from the DA was there. Hermione turned to the left to see the other side of the room, but Harry saw Ron over there, talking to Seamus and Dean. Harry quickly turned Hermione back around.
"Harry, what's wrong?" she asked, alarmed.
"Er- I just thought we could go say hello to. Ginny and the others?" Harry said as he looked around the room for an excuse, to his surprise Hermione smiled.
"Ok, sure. Have you given any thought to continuing the DA this year?" she asked Harry curiously as they started walking towards them.
"Err.. Now that you mention it, I forgot all about it- But, if Dumbledore lets us. sure, why not?" Harry answered truthfully. Hermione just smiled and took another sip of her drink. They were soon standing in front of their fellow Dumbledore's Army members, who seemed to all be good friends now.
"Hey guys," they both said at the same time. The others all looked around, they were all sitting at, and on, a circle table.
"Hey you guys." Ginny trailed off as she saw Harry and Hermione arms linked, "You guys aren't. you know?" she giggled. Everyone else now turned their attention to their arms, still linked.
"Nah, we just thought we would need to act posh so people didn't get suspicious of these," Hermione answered smoothly as she raised up her glass of champagne so they could see, Harry followed suit.
"HOW DID YOU DO THAT!?" Fred and George both asked at once. They were talking to their friend, Lee Jordan. Harry also noticed that they were both decked out in fancy wizarding clothes and jewelry.
"Ask Harry," Hermione answered, while she playfully jabbed Harry in the ribs with her arm.
"Well??" Both twins asked, looking at Harry as if he was some kind of god. Harry quickly whispered into Hermione's ear with a big smile on his face, soon, a mischievous grin spread to Hermione's lips. They both turned around, everyone was watching them with apprehension. Just as a tray full of champagne glasses passed, Harry shouted.
"Accio!"
All the champagne glasses came flying towards them and then Hermione acted.
"Wingardium Leviosa!"
And with that all the champagne glasses separated and one flew into everyone's eager hands. They all looked as if Christmas had came early.
"Wow! You two are legends!" Fred shouted in awe. Harry looked as George, grinning, was about to take a sip of his drink but he saw the grin rapidly fade from his face. Slowly, all the champagne in everyone's glasses turned into a red liquid.
"Cordial!?" Lee shouted, tasting his drink, he looked and sounded completely lost. Hermione also looked completely lost, she was tapping her glass and saying all sorts of spells that were meant to make it turn back into champagne, then Harry felt eyes on his back. He turned around and laughed.
"Hey. Hey guys, look over there!" Harry laughed out. They all looked across to where Harry was pointing and saw Moody, Tonks and Lupin, all mischievously grinning and waving at them. Harry waved back, hardly able to stop himself from busting into laughter. The others also waved. Harry saw Tonks whisper into Moody's ear, a pleading grin on her face. Moody looked as he was about to tell her off before Lupin started talking to him. Then, Moody nodded in defeat and then flicked his wand in the DA's direction.
Harry gasped as he saw his glass full of cordial turn back into champagne, but there was considerably less in his glass this time. Harry mouthed a quick 'Thanks' to Tonks, she just grinned back. Everyone else must of noticed before Harry did because they were quickly gulping it down. But, Harry noticed Fred looking at his champagne, shocked at how much was gone from before. He then shrugged.
"Can't win 'em all," he sighed before he quickly gulped his down. Harry, feeling sorry for him, walked over to Fred and handed his glass to him. Fred looked shocked, "What's this for Harry?"
"Well, lets just say it's repaying you for allowing me to work at the store," Harry answered, knowing it was the only way Fred would accept it.
"Thanks mate," he said gratefully as he slapped Harry on the back before quickly drinking down his drink. Harry stayed and talked with Fred, George and Lee about Quidditch and their shop for awhile before Harry walked back over to Hermione, who was now talking with Ginny and Cho, who Harry was now not drooling over. Ginny and Cho had shocked looks plastered to their faces as Hermione spoke.
"Ladies." Harry said in his posh voice, Ginny burst into a fit of giggles. Hermione threw her arm around Harry's shoulder and said happily.
"We were just talking about you!" Harry quickly remembered the looks he had seen on Ginny and Cho's faces and got worried.
"Oh were you now, nothing bad I hope?" he asked in his best playful voice. Ginny giggled again.
"Who are you and what did you do with the real Harry!?" Cho asked in an amused tone, with a big grin plastered to her beautiful face. Something clicked in Harry's mind.
"Oh. You were talking about that," Harry said as he eyed Hermione, Harry was now a bright shade of crimson. Hermione and Cho giggled.
"Don't worry. We like the new you, he is soooo sweet, so you tell the old Harry to stay away!" Ginny assured him. All three girls laughed and Harry found himself turning an even brighter shade of crimson.
"If any of you mention what you heard to anyone il-"
"Nope. got my hopes up. it's still the old Harry," Ginny sighed. All three girls broke down into a fit of giggles and Harry saw tears welling in their eyes from the laughter. Harry was about to retort before he was interrupted by movement all around him.
Everyone in the hall was rushing to the front of the hall, where a big stage was, a speakers desk stood in the middle of it, an official looking logo on it. Harry saw that a nervous-looking Cornelius Fudge was standing and talking intently with Dumbledore, who just nodded his head and whispered out the side of his mouth. Fudge held papers in his trembling hands.
Harry then saw a flock of reporters and journalists at the front of the crowd, firing questions at Dumbledore and Fudge, who just ignored them. The only two papers or magazines Harry was familiar with, The Daily Prophet and The Quibbler, were both present among the big crowd of loud journalists. Both Dumbledore and Fudge stepped forward and the massive hall full of people fell into silence quickly.
"Welcome all! Its great to have you here tonight," came Fudge's magically-amplified voice. Then Dumbledore spoke.
"What we are about to tell you has been happening since a certain incident that occurred not too long ago involving Lord Voldemort-," The crowd gasped and started to whisper loudly, but Dumbledore simply continued as if the hall was still silent, "Many great wizards and witches agreed with what I proposed, so here we are, not much later. You are all standing in the new and the massively improved." Dumbledore trailed off, the crowd held their breath. Then Fudge spoke.
"Ministry Of Magic."
So with his mind focused on his presents he just managed to pull his tired body out of his bed. He already knew Ron was downstairs because he remembered hearing him go down just before he had woken up. He hastily pulled on some clothes, thinking he might change his mind and jump back into bed any second, and hurried downstairs.
As he stepped into the kitchen, without looking up from reading the Daily Prophet, Lupin asked, "Sleep well, Harry?"
"Slept great, thanks!" He replied enthusiastically as he took a seat at the table next to Ron, who had his face buried in his cereal. Lupin went back to reading the paper. Ron noticed Harry sitting next to him.
"Morning, Harry. Cereal?" he asked as he held up the cereal box.
"No thanks, not real hungry, still full from yesterday," Harry said rubbing his stomach. Ron grinned.
"Yeee', yesterde ous weal goud!" Ron choked out, his mouth stuffed full of more cereal. He saw Harry's puzzled look and swallowed, "Sorry, I said Yesterday was real good!"
"Yeah, thanks mate," Harry said as he gave Ron a hard pat on the back, causing Ron to choke on the new spoonful of cereal in his mouth. Once Ron stopped choking he spoke.
"I'll take that as a, 'Ron, you're the bestest person in the whole wide world' then." Harry was just about to reply when someone else did for him.
"Get over yourself, Ron," Ginny exclaimed, giggling as she and Hermione walked into the kitchen. Ron rolled his eyes and went back to eating his cereal. Harry noticed how both girls were giggling and looking wide awake as they sat across the table from Harry.
"How can you guys be so awake," Harry groaned at them as he, deciding he was hungry, poured himself some cereal. Hermione immediately narrowed her eyes at Harry, it always made Harry feel as if he had committed some terrible crime.
"Well, us, unlike some people, Harry Potter, didn't stay up all hours of the night playing Quidditch!" she said in her best matter-of-factly tone. Harry was about to retort when he remembered that he didn't go to bed until around three in the morning.
It was true. Harry, Ron, Fred, George, Bill, Charlie, Ginny (for a little bit), Tonks and even Lupin had been playing indoor Quidditch all last night in the massive hall, they thought they might as well make use of it since the hall would change back into the kitchen of Grimmauld Place at five in the morning. Harry found that he really liked playing indoor Quidditch and he wondered why there wasn't a league of it being played. It had a whole different feeling to it, but he still preferred normal Quidditch to playing it indoor.
"Er.. Oh- yeah," was all Harry managed to say back to Hermione. Hermione smiled at Harry and Ginny was now rolling around in her chair, giggling. Harry could even tell Lupin was trying to hide his smile by covering his face with the daily prophet.
"Harry! I was only joking, seriously..." Hermione laughed out. Harry couldn't believe Hermione had fooled him with a joke, that was a first.
"Oh, sorry," Harry muttered as he fed himself some cereal. Hermione and Ginny both rolled their eyes and sighed.
"Boys."
"Oh dear. what have they done now?" Mrs Weasly asked in a long, drawn out voice as she entered the kitchen with three small parcels in her hand, all bearing the Hogwarts crest. But no one answered her question, they all stared at the packages Mrs Weasly was holding. It seemed like the silence went on forever before Mrs Weasly broke it, "Oh, alright!" she sighed and handed the three parcels to Ron, Hermione and Harry, who all took them with shaking hands. "Oh, Ginny, Dumbledore also gave me your Hogwarts letter," she said as she handed Ginny her letter. Their OWL results were finally here.
Hermione wasted no time and opened the large envelope, filled with sheets of parchment. It seemed that the result for each subject was on a separate piece of parchment, with a comment on each one. Ron, more reluctantly than Hermione, tore his open and started to read. Harry slowly rose from his chair with his OWL results in his hand still, he started pacing the room, still not opening the envelope, but looking at it, as if considering it like animals did with unfamiliar food. Lupin was watching Harry over the daily prophet, with an amused look on his face, "Harry, you remind me of myself." he thought out loud. Harry jumped out of his little daze.
"Huh? Oh. yeah.," Harry replied, still looking at his unopened envelope. Inside contained the difference between being an ordinary wizard, and being an Auror. It was the most nervous he had been his whole life, even though he had already taken the exam, getting the results was the hard part.
"You know," Lupin continued in an amused voice, "I, too, discovered that they don't open themselves."
Harry blushed, "Yeah I suppose I better get it over with." And with that he went over and sat down in the corner of the room, resting his back where the two walls joined. With trembling fingers, he slowly opened the envelope. There were roughly ten small pieces of parchment, stapled together at the top left corner. Harry read the first page:
Dear Mr Potter,
We are pleased to inform you of the results of your examinations. You will find all the books and supplies you will need for your sixth year on the last page of your results.
As usual the term begins on September the 1st with the Hogwarts Express leaving platform 9¾ at 11am. Please make sure you arrive with all the necessary books and equipment.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Harry turned the page, more nervous than ever then read his Astronomy result:
__________________________________________________
ASTRONOMY - Examiner: Professor Tofty
Grade: Acceptable
Examiners Notes:
Mr Potter displayed understanding of the planets and the things taught in Astronomy during the year and completed his theory paper to a normal standard. But he didn't complete his exam due to allowing himself to be distracted with other things when he should have been concentrating on his examination.
I also regret to inform you that you have not been accepted into NEWT level Astronomy.
__________________________________________________
Harry wanted to jump up and shout. He couldn't believe he had passed his Astronomy exam, but he also couldn't believe his professor had said he should have been concentrating on his exam rather than being distracted with other things.
For that had been the unfortunate night that Professor McGonagall had been stunned many times to the chest and Hagrid was forced to flee. So Harry's mind wasn't exactly on his exam. But without another thought on it.
Harry happily turned the page and read his next exam result, they seemed to be in alphabetical order.
__________________________________________________
CARE OF MAGICAL CREATURES - Examiner: Professor Catherine
Grade: Exceeds Expectations
Examiners Notes:
Mr Potter has shown a thorough understanding of various magical creatures in his examination. He is above the average class member and handled the creatures and all situations faced in the exam with confidence and care. I feel that the grade I have given is fair and would like to say that Mr Potter showed exceptional skills in his exam for a fifth year and he was only upped by one person in his class. Keep up the good work!
It is my pleasure to inform you that you have been excepted into NEWT level Care Of Magical Creatures.
__________________________________________________
Harry honestly didn't know how to feel, overjoyed or worried. He swallowed a big lump in his throat. NEWT level Care Of Magical Creatures? He was extremely happy with his grade, but he couldn't help but think, although he wouldn't admit it to anyone, that Hagrid had been lucky no one had died in his last three years as a teacher. And that was only the normal class, Harry thought about Hagrid's NEWT classes. Harry saw pictures form in his mind of him flying around on dragons and trying to teach giants table-manners. Well, at least he knew he had Hermione in his class, as he was sure she was the person who had beaten him with his grade. He hoped Ron would be joining them too, he then turned the page and read his next grade.
__________________________________________________
CHARMS - Examiner: Professor Tofty
Grade: Exceeds Expectations
Examiners Notes:
Mr Potter preformed his practical examination with confidence and preformed all the required tasks well, minus a few mix-ups. He showed exceptional use of his wand movements and if he had just preformed a few of the charms differently, I feel Mr Potter would of achieved an Outstanding. He also completed his written exam well and answered questions in-depth and was able to describe uses of some certain charms as if out of personal experience. Well done, Mr Potter!
It is my pleasure to inform you that you have been accepted into NEWT level Charms. Good luck next year and I hope to have the pleasure of examining you again!
__________________________________________________
Harry was barely able to contain his glee, Yes! he screamed mentally. He had passed one of the requirement classes for being an Auror, and at the same time he had achieved a good grade. He smiled as he read Professor Tofty's comments again then feeling two times better, flipped the page.
__________________________________________________
DEFENCE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS - Examiner: Professor Tofty
Grade: Outstanding
Examiners Notes:
Mr Potter completed both his practical and written examination with one hundred percent accuracy. In fact, Mr Potter, due to bonus points accumulated through the summoning a full-fledged Patronus, achieved a record one hundred and five percent on his Defence Against The Dark Arts examination. The highest score ever achieved at Hogwarts. Mr Potter showed exceptional skill, confidence and experience, that I feel were, well above OWL level and would of still fetched him an Outstanding in his NEWT level exam! Excellent work Mr Potter!
It is my absolute pleasure to inform you that you have been excepted into NEWT level Defence Against The Dark Arts.
__________________________________________________
Harry had always thought he would go good in his DADA exam, but one hundred and five percent. wow.. As he read through his result again he found that he really liked Professor Tofty and he secretly found himself hoping that the Professor would get to examine him again one day. Harry turned the page and found his Divination results staring him in the face.
__________________________________________________
DIVINATION - Examiner: Professor Marchbanks
Grade: Poor
Examiners Notes:
Mr Potter displayed below average skills in his Divination examination and had to resort to guess work to try and scrape a good mark.
You have not been accepted into NEWT level Divination.
__________________________________________________
Harry wasn't even mildly phased by his grade or the examiners results, in fact, he felt extremely happy as he now didn't have to take Divination anymore. Harry, feeling even better after his fail in Divination, turned the page.
__________________________________________________
HISTORY OF MAGIC - Examiner: Professor Binns
Grade: Acceptable
Examiners Notes:
Mr Potter answered his questions to a satisfactory standard, although not displaying thorough knowledge on some things he did have a general idea.
Mr Potter, you can either choose to take NEWT level History Of Magic or decline.
__________________________________________________
I'll decline, thanks, Harry thought happily. He now didn't have History of Magic, Divination or Astronomy. He was feeling great, with luck, the only lessons he would have to take this year were Defence Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Transfiguration, Potions and Care of Magical Creatures, with luck.. Harry took a deep breath and turned, only to be disappointed, he had forgotten all about Herbology.
__________________________________________________
HERBOLOGY - Examiner: Professor Goldstreain
Grade: Acceptable
Examiners Notes:
Mr Potter completed his examination to a satisfactory standard. He handled his plants well and demonstrated proper care and handling of them. A few more marks higher and he would of improved a grade.
You have the choice to partake in NEWT level Herbology or not.
__________________________________________________
Harry didn't know if he wanted to continue to do Herbology or not, the only reason he gave it any thought was that he remembered Moody tell him that a good Auror needs to know how to make potions and antidotes, and the ingredients don't always happen to be in a bottle. Sometimes you have to find them yourself. But Harry came to the conclusion that he would think about that if he even got into the classes he needed to be in to be an Auror.
__________________________________________________
TRANSFIGURATION - Examiner: Professor Marchbanks
Grade: Exceeds Expectations
Examiners Notes:
Mr Potter completed his written exam with great results, definitely above the majority of the class and preformed well in the practical exam and showed a perfect method of the vanishing spell. Good work, Mr Potter.
You have been accepted into NEWT level Transfiguration.
__________________________________________________
Harry couldn't help but laugh out loud at the comment about the vanishing spells. He remembered spending several nights practicing the vanishing spell for homework. And Harry could hardly believe Professor Marchbanks had written good notes about him. Very unlike his Divination notes. Harry's heart tried to leap out of his chest when he realised that this next page contained his final result. The difference between an office job and an Auror. He needed an Outstanding and, somehow he thought he might of just scraped one. He took a huge breath and turned the page.
__________________________________________________
POTIONS - Examiner: Professor Marchbanks
Grade: N/A
Examiners Notes:
N/A
We regret to inform you, that due to reasons beyond our control we cant inform you of your result.
__________________________________________________
"WHAT?" Harry yelled at the parchment, in disbelief. Had his grade been so bad that they couldn't even give him his mark back?
"Is something wrong, dear?" Mrs Weasley asked with concern in her face, she was looking at him from over the top of Ron, as she read his OWL results over his shoulder. Hermione looked to be on her second read through of her results, mouthing each word silently, as if trying to discover the secret meaning behind each one. But Harry didn't answer Mrs Weasley's question, instead, he jumped out of his spot in the corner and franticly rushed over to Lupin, who was still reading the Daily Prophet.
"Look, look!" Harry exclaimed while he shoved his Potions result in Lupin's face. To Harry's utter bewilderment, Lupin grinned. "Look at the Potions mark!" Harry yelled franticly, thinking the page Lupin was looking at might have been his Divination result.
"Well look at the bright side, you don't have to put up with Snape now," Lupin said simply. Harry was shocked, had he, Remus Lupin, a former Hogwarts prefect, just said that?
"Err. Do you have any idea what that means!??" Harry exclaimed, now getting considerably louder, he was also hysterical, "In case you haven't realised, this means I cant become an Auror!" Lupin simply nodded his head in understanding, looking into Harry's eyes. Harry found himself becoming frustrated with Lupin, acting as this was one little game. "Oh! I've had enough of this, I'm going to Dumbledore to see what's going on!"
Harry turned quickly and started to make his way to the door. "Harry, I know what's going on." came Lupin's, now more serious voice. Harry noticed the seriousness too, and this was the only reason Harry turned back around and sat down in the chair opposite Lupin. Mrs Weasley, Ron, Ginny and now Hermione, who had finally looked up from her OWL results, were looking at Harry and Lupin, with puzzled expressions on their faces.
"This better be good," Harry warned, as if daring Lupin to act like he did just moments before.
"Well. I actually promised I wouldn't say anything." Lupin stated, but then saw the look Harry was giving him and thought he ought to elaborate further, "Well, you should know that Dumbledore will explain it to you back at school, and don't worry, its nothing bad," Harry was about to open his mouth to speak when Lupin, knowing what Harry's question would be, quickly answered it, "It's far more important than completing NEWT level Potions, Harry. Dumbledore has fixed everything and he will explain it to you, in detail, back at school."
Harry breathed a sigh of relief, Lupin's words had made him feel a lot better. He thought he had gone so bad in his OWL that he wasn't eligible for a grade, that the people who made the grades were in the process of thinking of a special grade, just for Harry...
And now Harry didn't have to complete NEWT level Potions and, he assumed, from Lupin's words, that he could still become an Auror. Then Mrs Weasley's voice brought him back to the present, "Harry? Remus? What's going on?" she asked with concern in her voice. Lupin started to answer.
"Well, Harry's Potions mark wa-"
"Hold it, how did you know?" Harry asked Lupin suspiciously.
"Err. Know what, Harry?"
"Know about my Potions mark before I even did!"
"As I said before, I promised I wouldn't say anything. Sorry Harry, but your just going to have to wait until school returns," Lupin spoke, with a voice that said that he didn't want to talk about it anymore. Harry believed Lupin and quickly broke the tense silence.
"So, how did you guys go?"
He looked at Ron first, who quickly replied, "Still reading mine," before turning back to his results. He then looked at Hermione, who looked happy beyond reason, but Harry knew Hermione too well.
"Hermione, something wrong?" he asked as he got out of his chair and knelt behind Hermione's, so he could rest on the back of her chair and read over her shoulder at the same time.
"Hmph." she sighed as she handed Harry her results before crossing her arms. Harry sat back into his chair with the results and quickly flicked through them. He found that Hermione had gotten all Outstandings and didn't know what she was in a bad mood about.
"Hermione, you got all Outstandings, what's wrong?"
"I was soooooo close to the record of getting top marks in all OWL's, but some inconsiderate, filthy rotten git beat me at Defence Against the Dark Arts! Harry, I got one hundred percent!" Harry would have been rolling on the floor crying from laughter in any other circumstances, but, he was sure Hermione wouldn't hesitate to hex him into the next dimension if he even attempted to make a joke at this moment. He had never seen her so mad in all his years knowing her. And knowing full well who beat her, he asked, in his best mock-serious voice.
"Wow, who would have beaten one hundred percent, Hermione?"
"I bet anything it was that filthy, rotten Malfoy! I swear to god I will wring his neck next time I see him! I bet his father threatened the ministry into giving him good marks!" she answered furiously, and to further add to Harry's amusement she was sub-concisely moving her hands as if she was choking someone that very moment, when she realised this, she quickly stopped.
"Hmmmm. So this means I'm an inconsiderate, filthy rotten git that will soon be having his neck wrung?" Harry asked, still using his mock- serious voice. Hermione eyes widened and she shot up out of her chair and hugged Harry, patting his back.
"I'm so sorry, Harry! I was just mad, I didn-" she started apologizing before Harry, thinking hard of what Hermione had told him earlier, said.
"Hermione! I was only joking, seriously..." Hermione quickly lifted her head from his shoulder and looked at Harry's face, seeing his grin. She took her right hand from behind his back and slapped him on the chest, half playful, half serious.
"Harry Potter! You had me worried there! Congratulations on your mark!"
"Girls." sighed Harry as he lightly hugged Hermione again.
"Oh, shut up. Let me see your results then," she said, pulling away from Harry. She walked to the table and grabbed Harry's results and started reading, not even waiting for an answer. He was about to tell her off when his thought was interrupted by Ron.
"Ohhhhhhhhhhh! Not again! This is so unfair, don't I have a say in this Mum?" Ron groaned, his face screwed up, Harry wondered what was wrong.
"What's up?" asked Harry as he sat down at the table again.
"They've made me prefect again!" Harry laughed, he knew Ron didn't like his duty as a prefect. Ron was more for breaking the rules, not enforcing them, "Mum, tell Professor Dumbledore I don't want to be a prefect anymore!" he pleaded.
"I most certaintly will not, Ronald Weasley! You act as if being a prefect is a crime!" scolded Mrs Weasley, who was now cleaning the table up from their short breakfast.
"But mummmm-" Ron began.
"But nothing! Your going to be a prefect weather you like it, or not!" she was now angry.
"Fine," muttered Ron quietly, knowing he couldn't reason with his mother when she was determined. Ron went back to finishing off reading the last page.
"Harry, what the-?" Hermione started, still reading Harry's results, before Harry was quick to remind her that his Potions result is what he and Lupin had talked about before. When Harry asked Ron's results he found that Ron had done nearly the same as Harry, though some of Ron's marks were a bit lower. They sat there for a while, talking about their OWL results before Mrs Weasley interrupted them.
"Come on, you three, you have to be out of here by eight thirty! Hurry up, hurry up." Harry seemed to be the only one out of the four children that didn't know why.
"Er.. Why do we have to be gone by eight thirty?" Harry asked Ron, who just shrugged and replied.
"Dunno. they don't tell us. But they say we will find out before we go back to Hogwarts, so we have to stay out of the house during the day and work at the shop."
Harry wondered why as he followed Ron upstairs into their room to change. As he was changing he remembered Mrs Weasley say, two nights ago, that there were plans going on inside the house. He mentioned this to Ron as they made their way downstairs to head for a days work at Diagon Alley.
*
This was the routine for Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny for numerous weeks. They would drag their tired bodies out of bed early in the morning, go to the kitchen and force themselves to eat some decent food, because eating the sweets at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes wasn't exactly healthy. Then they would go and work at the shop during the day, not that they minded this, in fact they found it really fun. They got to see friends from Hogwarts regularly, some even helped them out. Harry tried to refuse, but Fred and George insisted that the four were paid, quite well, for their 'work', although Harry didn't see it as work he eventually excepted.
Harry sometimes went to see his snowy white owl, Hedwig, who was staying somewhere in Grimmauld Place, although Harry didn't know where because Harry and the other three were forbidden to go anywhere in the house apart from their bedrooms, the kitchen and the bathroom, so when Harry wanted to see Hedwig he was blindfolded, then stunned (so he couldn't remember the way there) and brought to Hedwig, who seemed quite happy and understanding, considering the circumstances.
None of the four had any idea why there was so much secrecy, but they knew that they would find out on the night before returning to Hogwarts. Which was tonight.
*
"Hermione.." Harry pleaded. Hermione had been in the bathroom of Grimmauld Place for three hours, crying, and Harry had been sitting down on the floor, leaning his back against the bathroom door, for three painful hours, "Hermione come out, you've been in there for three hours. We're gonna miss the big news," Harry pressed, hoping maybe that would get her out of there.
"N-No," she started through a sob, "H-Harry, you go without me."
"Herms, we've been through this, I'm not leaving until you come out of there."
"Harry, I-I-I'm not coming out of here, so j-just go!" she sobbed.
"Well if you don't want to come out of there, can you at least let me come in there so we can talk?" Harry pleaded desperately, he didn't care if he had to spend the night here and miss the big news, which was being announced in around an hour, he just hated seeing Hermione like this. Harry waited and there was no response.
After a minute or two Harry felt the door give way and he fell onto his back, he looked back and saw Hermione was lying on a couch that she must have conjured. Harry got off the floor and closed the door. He looked at her lying on the couch, she had her legs wrapped in a ball, she was in a bright pink blanket, sobbing into it. Harry hated seeing her like this, she looked so helpless and vulnerable.
Without saying anything, Harry walked to the end of the couch, where her head was rested. Hermione knew what Harry was going to do and she lifted her upper body off the couch for a second, so Harry could sit down, then she rested her head into Harry's lap. She was on her back, looking up into Harry's brilliant green eyes and saw so much caring and understanding in them, so much that even words wouldn't be able to describe.
"Harry?"
"Yes, Hermione?"
"Harry. I-I-I'm not g-g-good enough t-to have a friend l-like you!" Hermione broke down and started crying, even louder than before.
"No, no, don't say that Herms. It's I who is not good enough to have you as my friend," he cooed as he moved his position so her head was now rested on his upper chest, his feet lay on either side of her. Hermione cried into his chest now, Harry hated seeing her cry, "Hermione, please don't cry." he soothed as he tilted her chin up so she was looking into his eyes, he wiped her hair from her eyes, "Please don't cry."
"B-But Harry, y-you heard Ron. I-I-I'm jus-" Hermione sobbed harder now.
"No, Hermione. That's not true and you know it! Don't you think it for one second Herms, your smarter than that. Ron was just being a git, but after I'm through with him Ron will have trouble being alive." Hermione smiled, looking into his caring eyes.
"Harry, you don't have to do that just for me."
"Hermione, stop putting yourself down! I would do anything 'just for you'! Hermione sighed and leaned back into Harry, who put his arms around her, in a caring way.
"Harry?"
"Yes.?" he asked as he rested his chin on her shoulder.
"Why aren't all guys like you, Harry?" she sighed as she leaned back on Harry so that they were both lying down on the couch, Hermione was leaning on her side, facing Harry, Harry then turned over so that they were both staring into each others eyes and he replied.
"Well, I guess all guys don't have my manly charm," Harry replied, in a teasing voice.
"Harry!" Hermione laughed out as she playfully pushed him, "I was being serious." Hermione trailed off, looking at the ceiling.
"Herms. Hermione look at me," Harry said softly as he tilted her head so they were again staring into each others eyes.
"Harry. Why are you. so good to me?" she asked as she stared deeply into his eyes, searching for something.
"What do you mean, 'why am I so good to you'?"
"Harry, I mean that you have been there for me whenever I needed someone, you were something I could lean on when I was down, confide in when I was in doubt, someone that was there, listening when I needed company. and. and I've never been there for you when you really needed it. I was never anything for you to lean on, for you to talk to and express your feeling to." she replied, her fingers lost in Harry's messy hair. Hermione saw tears forming in Harry's eyes.
"You have no idea of how much you were to me," Harry said reassuringly, as he took her hands from his hair and held them, softly, he squeezed them, "Hermione, if only you knew."
"Harry, I want to know, I want to understand," she said softly as she squeezed his hands back. Harry looked deep into her eyes.
"You. you were so much to me these past years, you still are. Without you, Hermione Granger, I wouldn't be here right now, confiding in you. No- Hermione, don't." Harry pleaded as she began to open her mouth, how did he know? she thought, "Hermione, why did you try to put yourself down?"
"You say you wouldn't be here without me? Please. Harry, its you who has been protecting me, I've been nothing except a nuisance."
"Hermione. You were my happiness when I was sad... you were my reassurance when I was in doubt... you were my guidance when I was lost... you were my comfort when I was afraid... you were my light when it was dark... you were my heart when I stopped believing... you were the person I could lean on when I needed support... you were there to pick me up when I fell down... you were my light at the end of a tunnel of darkness... y-you were my hope when t-there was n-n-none... y-y-you were my courage when mine ran away... you were my f-f-friend when no one else b-believed in me... y-y- you w-were." Harry choked through his running tears, "Y-Y-You were m-m-my everything."
*
"Doesn't it ever get better?" Harry choked out, he was doubled over in front of a fireplace, wheezing.
"I was thinking the same thing," Hermione said as she straightened up her robes. They had traveled by floo powder to get the place where the news was being announced. Harry knew the place they were now was in Grimmauld Place, but no one was allowed to walk anywhere. So people had to floo to the room by saying, 'The Big News!'. It had been in the Daily Prophet yesterday and Harry and Hermione could hear lots of people talking in a room off to the left, "Come on," Hermione said as she helped Harry up to a standing position. He looked like he could be sick any second.
"Er.. Thanks. Shall we be going?" Harry asked as offered his arm to Hermione.
"Why thank you, Mr Potter," she said in her most posh voice as she linked his arm with hers. They walked slowly down a long hallway lined with portraits of important wizards and witches. They entered the massive hall and both gasped.
"Wow." Harry trailed off, looking at the room. They were standing in a brilliantly lit hall that had a look of power and authority to it, but was also welcoming. The roof had massive chandeliers hanging from it, beautiful decorations hung from them. The walls were painted a stunning creamy-white color and also had beautiful decorations on it aswell. The room was full of posh-looking wizards and witches. Talking and generally mingling with others, champagne glasses in their hands. Harry noticed that instead of waiters walking around with trays of champagne, the trays were flying around the room on their own accord, "Fancy some champagne, Hermione?"
"Harry, don't be stupid. Them things only give alcoholic drinks to people over eighteen, its like a portable age line. No way to cross it," Hermione stated matter-of-factly.
"Awww. Hermione your no fun. If I was to get us some, would you drink it?" Harry asked, eyeing his friend curiously.
"Sure, but there's no way your getting any. Remember what happened to Fred and George when they tried to cross an age line?" Hermione laughed out. Harry remembered only too well, when Fred and George Weasley had tried to cross the age line Dumbledore drew around the goblet of fire in his fourth year, they had grown big, white beards and had to have them removed by the school nurse. Harry laughed and walked close to where a tray would soon be passing. He slipped his wand into his sleeves of his robe so he was only holding a little bit of it, so people wouldn't notice, and just as the tray past his whispered.
"Accio!" He concentrated all his thoughts on the two champagne glasses and spun around slowly as they flew into his hands. He looked at Hermione, who was now was smiling with both hands of her hips, "I believe this is yours," Harry said as he offered Hermione a glass of champagne. Surprisingly, she took it.
"Very nice, Potter." she admitted as she took a sip of her drink.
"Why, thank you, Miss Granger," Harry said, grinning, and now also using a posh voice as he offered Hermione his arm again. She took it and they continued walking. Harry saw quite a few familiar faces and noted that just about everyone from the DA was there. Hermione turned to the left to see the other side of the room, but Harry saw Ron over there, talking to Seamus and Dean. Harry quickly turned Hermione back around.
"Harry, what's wrong?" she asked, alarmed.
"Er- I just thought we could go say hello to. Ginny and the others?" Harry said as he looked around the room for an excuse, to his surprise Hermione smiled.
"Ok, sure. Have you given any thought to continuing the DA this year?" she asked Harry curiously as they started walking towards them.
"Err.. Now that you mention it, I forgot all about it- But, if Dumbledore lets us. sure, why not?" Harry answered truthfully. Hermione just smiled and took another sip of her drink. They were soon standing in front of their fellow Dumbledore's Army members, who seemed to all be good friends now.
"Hey guys," they both said at the same time. The others all looked around, they were all sitting at, and on, a circle table.
"Hey you guys." Ginny trailed off as she saw Harry and Hermione arms linked, "You guys aren't. you know?" she giggled. Everyone else now turned their attention to their arms, still linked.
"Nah, we just thought we would need to act posh so people didn't get suspicious of these," Hermione answered smoothly as she raised up her glass of champagne so they could see, Harry followed suit.
"HOW DID YOU DO THAT!?" Fred and George both asked at once. They were talking to their friend, Lee Jordan. Harry also noticed that they were both decked out in fancy wizarding clothes and jewelry.
"Ask Harry," Hermione answered, while she playfully jabbed Harry in the ribs with her arm.
"Well??" Both twins asked, looking at Harry as if he was some kind of god. Harry quickly whispered into Hermione's ear with a big smile on his face, soon, a mischievous grin spread to Hermione's lips. They both turned around, everyone was watching them with apprehension. Just as a tray full of champagne glasses passed, Harry shouted.
"Accio!"
All the champagne glasses came flying towards them and then Hermione acted.
"Wingardium Leviosa!"
And with that all the champagne glasses separated and one flew into everyone's eager hands. They all looked as if Christmas had came early.
"Wow! You two are legends!" Fred shouted in awe. Harry looked as George, grinning, was about to take a sip of his drink but he saw the grin rapidly fade from his face. Slowly, all the champagne in everyone's glasses turned into a red liquid.
"Cordial!?" Lee shouted, tasting his drink, he looked and sounded completely lost. Hermione also looked completely lost, she was tapping her glass and saying all sorts of spells that were meant to make it turn back into champagne, then Harry felt eyes on his back. He turned around and laughed.
"Hey. Hey guys, look over there!" Harry laughed out. They all looked across to where Harry was pointing and saw Moody, Tonks and Lupin, all mischievously grinning and waving at them. Harry waved back, hardly able to stop himself from busting into laughter. The others also waved. Harry saw Tonks whisper into Moody's ear, a pleading grin on her face. Moody looked as he was about to tell her off before Lupin started talking to him. Then, Moody nodded in defeat and then flicked his wand in the DA's direction.
Harry gasped as he saw his glass full of cordial turn back into champagne, but there was considerably less in his glass this time. Harry mouthed a quick 'Thanks' to Tonks, she just grinned back. Everyone else must of noticed before Harry did because they were quickly gulping it down. But, Harry noticed Fred looking at his champagne, shocked at how much was gone from before. He then shrugged.
"Can't win 'em all," he sighed before he quickly gulped his down. Harry, feeling sorry for him, walked over to Fred and handed his glass to him. Fred looked shocked, "What's this for Harry?"
"Well, lets just say it's repaying you for allowing me to work at the store," Harry answered, knowing it was the only way Fred would accept it.
"Thanks mate," he said gratefully as he slapped Harry on the back before quickly drinking down his drink. Harry stayed and talked with Fred, George and Lee about Quidditch and their shop for awhile before Harry walked back over to Hermione, who was now talking with Ginny and Cho, who Harry was now not drooling over. Ginny and Cho had shocked looks plastered to their faces as Hermione spoke.
"Ladies." Harry said in his posh voice, Ginny burst into a fit of giggles. Hermione threw her arm around Harry's shoulder and said happily.
"We were just talking about you!" Harry quickly remembered the looks he had seen on Ginny and Cho's faces and got worried.
"Oh were you now, nothing bad I hope?" he asked in his best playful voice. Ginny giggled again.
"Who are you and what did you do with the real Harry!?" Cho asked in an amused tone, with a big grin plastered to her beautiful face. Something clicked in Harry's mind.
"Oh. You were talking about that," Harry said as he eyed Hermione, Harry was now a bright shade of crimson. Hermione and Cho giggled.
"Don't worry. We like the new you, he is soooo sweet, so you tell the old Harry to stay away!" Ginny assured him. All three girls laughed and Harry found himself turning an even brighter shade of crimson.
"If any of you mention what you heard to anyone il-"
"Nope. got my hopes up. it's still the old Harry," Ginny sighed. All three girls broke down into a fit of giggles and Harry saw tears welling in their eyes from the laughter. Harry was about to retort before he was interrupted by movement all around him.
Everyone in the hall was rushing to the front of the hall, where a big stage was, a speakers desk stood in the middle of it, an official looking logo on it. Harry saw that a nervous-looking Cornelius Fudge was standing and talking intently with Dumbledore, who just nodded his head and whispered out the side of his mouth. Fudge held papers in his trembling hands.
Harry then saw a flock of reporters and journalists at the front of the crowd, firing questions at Dumbledore and Fudge, who just ignored them. The only two papers or magazines Harry was familiar with, The Daily Prophet and The Quibbler, were both present among the big crowd of loud journalists. Both Dumbledore and Fudge stepped forward and the massive hall full of people fell into silence quickly.
"Welcome all! Its great to have you here tonight," came Fudge's magically-amplified voice. Then Dumbledore spoke.
"What we are about to tell you has been happening since a certain incident that occurred not too long ago involving Lord Voldemort-," The crowd gasped and started to whisper loudly, but Dumbledore simply continued as if the hall was still silent, "Many great wizards and witches agreed with what I proposed, so here we are, not much later. You are all standing in the new and the massively improved." Dumbledore trailed off, the crowd held their breath. Then Fudge spoke.
"Ministry Of Magic."