I do not own Harry Potter. This is my own idea. All rights are reserved
to JK Rowling
Ok, Ok! Since I know everyone is disappointed with the delay in the reunion I am straying from my routine and posting another chapter now. There was just so much I want to get across. This is not the reunion chapter but the boys will be told that she is still alive. I hope this will hold off all you Remember junkies for a little while.
PLEASE KEEP REVIEWING!!
Chapter 9: The Peace Offering
The torch lit corridor was suddenly full of people. Eighteen people, to be exact, all had their eyes trained on the back of Snape who stood in front of them. Harry could make out the statue of an extremely ugly gargoyle around the side of the surly wizard, one that he recalled quite well. This was the entrance to Dumbledore's office, where he had been taken to on numerous occasions. Not that he was repeatedly 'in trouble' while at Hogwarts; he was just constantly in danger. Snape spoke the password, "Chocolate Frog," causing the Grangers to nearly jump out of their skin as the gargoyle hopped to the side and the wall behind it split in two. A spiral staircase that was concealed by the wall was moving smoothly upward, similar to a muggle escalator. Snape motioned for the family to pass him with a movement of his arm and a nod of his head. Ron and Harry stepped onto the staircase first and rose upward in circles, higher and higher, until at last, slightly dizzy, they saw a gleaming oak door ahead, with a griffin shaped brass knocker as a finishing touch. Before they could knock on the door they heard a thud and the stifled scream of Angelina who, along with Snape, was the last onto the flight of stairs. It dawned on Harry that the wall that had opened to let them enter had closed once everyone was through leaving no trace of the hidden staircase.
Ron raised his right hand hesitantly to the griffin and lifting it, rapped lightly on the door. It opened silently of its own volition and Harry and Ron entered cautiously. Harry noted that it was the same large and beautiful circular room that he remembered; complete with the same funny little noises. This office was still the most interesting one he had ever entered at Hogwarts, or elsewhere for that matter. Little puffs of smoke and whirring noises emanated from a number of curious silver instruments propped on many spindle-legged tables. The snoozing portraits of prior headmasters and headmistresses still covered the walls. Dumbledore had the same enormous, claw-footed desk under the shelf that held the shabby and tattered Sorting Hat. The very one that had placed him in Gryffindor his first day there and had saved his life in second year when he extracted Godric Gryffindor's sword to use against the basilisk. Speaking of which, the sword was also placed on the shelf next to the old dilapidated wizard's hat.
Harry and Ron turned around when they heard the girls cooing. They were fussing over a crimson bird the size of a swan with a glittering golden tail as long as a peacock's and gleaming talons that gripped the golden perch that stood behind the door. It was Fawkes, Professor Dumbledore's pet phoenix. The phoenix ignored the girls around him and rose from the perch, floating over to land on Harry's shoulder. "Hi, Fawkes," Harry said. "It has been awhile, hasn't it?" He slowly stroked the soft plumage of the handsome bird that, with the help of the Sorting Hat, was the reason he lived to see thirteen. Fawkes opened his beak to emit the most exquisite music imaginable, it was distinctive but uplifting and Harry could feel it vibrating inside his own ribs.
Dumbledore and McGonagall appeared on the balcony above them and started to make their way down the steps against the wall and into the main office area where the Weasley family, the Grangers, Sirius, Harry and Snape were waiting. They both had not changed a bit from the years following Harry and Ron's days at Hogwarts. Dumbledore still had the long flowing silvery- white hair, beard and mustache. McGonagall had her black hair pulled back in the usual tight bun and both were still wearing their trademark spectacles.
"Alicia, please have a seat," Dumbledore said to the very pregnant woman as he pointed to one of the few chairs in front of his desk. There were not enough chairs for everyone, but most of them wanted to stand anyway. Ginny, Angelina, Penelope, and Fleur all took the remaining seats. McGonagall stood behind Dumbledore who eased himself into his own chair, leaned his folded hands on his desk and took time to look at each person before him. Most of them had at one time been under his tutelage, whether he was just a professor or the headmaster. Severus Snape, Sirius Black, and Molly and Arthur Weasley all had been his students while he taught at Hogwarts. He had been headmaster for every one of Molly and Arthur's seven children along with Harry, Angelina, Alicia, Penelope, and Hailie. Fleur, he had met when she stayed at Hogwarts during the Tri-Wizard Tournament that cost Cedric Diggory his life and restored Voldemort to full physical strength. The only two that he had never guided were the Grangers, not surprisingly considering they are muggles, but he had taught their exceptionally talented daughter, Hermione.
The guests in the office began to fidget nervously as the awkward silence filled the room and Dumbledore's eyes glided from face to face. Harry was the first to break the stillness, "Snape said that he had a peace offering to give to us. I am sure I speak for everyone when I say that we would like to get whatever it is and return to our Christmas Eve festivities. No offense meant." When it came to Snape, Harry wanted to get everything over and done with quickly. Dumbledore raised an eyebrow at the mention of a peace offering and had his attention redirected to Snape who looked uncomfortable being the focal point of the old man's interest. The family nodded to show their agreement with Harry's assessment of the situation.
Returning his gaze to Harry he said, "Harry, I believe you are old enough to start calling Professor Snape, Severus." Snape's eyes grew large but his demeanor did not change, he was still in an astonishingly agreeable mood. "I am sure Professor McGonagall would want you to feel free to call her Minerva, and please call me Albus or Dumbledore, whichever feels more comfortable. The rest of you can as well as we are all full-fledged witches and wizards," looking towards the Grangers, "or adults, and the three of us are no longer your professors." Most of the people had a subtle blush creep over their faces with the idea of losing the long- established formalities with the lively and extremely important wizard. "As for the reason Severus asked you to come here we will be discussing that in great detail and there is no doubt in my mind that you all will be here for quite some time, some longer than others." His gaze lingered on Ron and Harry. Ron could see the familiar twinkle in those eyes that he recalled from his youthful days at Hogwarts. However, the reason they would be there at all eluded every one of them.
"Professor, I mean, Albus," Harry started. It felt weird for him to be calling the wizard he considered his role model by his first name, it would definitely take some getting used to. "Why have we been asked here?"
Before Dumbledore could respond, Ron interjected with what Harry had planned on questioning next. "Yeah, and why were we allowed to apparate? I know full well that is not allowed!"
"Did you read that in a book, Mr. Weasley?" Dumbledore asked with half of his mouth turned up into a crooked smile with obvious amusement.
Ron looked down at the floor, "No, Hermione read it in a book and told me." Dumbledore had already known that Hermione had given him that tidbit of information but this was the perfect prelude to the news he would give them. The people in the room were clearly avoiding eye contact with Ron after the direction the discussion turned.
"You miss her terribly, don't you?" His eyes were caring and his expression was composed.
"Yes," he replied wiping the stray tear off his cheek. He looked up at the wizard and quickly reverted the conversation back to the original one, "So, why were we allowed to apparate?"
"That is fairly simple," Dumbledore mused. "I suppressed the spell on Hogwarts for the occasion because getting each of you here quickly was of the utmost importance, as I am sure Severus already told you."
"What is this peace offering Snape, er, Severus was talking about?" Harry inquired as he glowered in the potion master's direction.
Dumbledore turned to look at his colleague, "Severus, since you told them you had a 'peace offering' why don't you tell them why they are here."
Snape left his position in the back of the room and swept to the front next to Dumbledore's desk. His cloak made it look like he was floating. He took a deep breath before he began. "It all started yesterday when the three of us were spending the day in Diagon Alley examining the books to find the ones the students would be required to buy for the various classes next term. We had stopped in for an early lunch at The Leaky Cauldron and had a pleasant conversation with the bartender there. He was very inquisitive about our schedule for the day. After lunch we returned to Flourish and Blotts to continue our research."
"As fascinating as this is," Ron said sarcastically. "It does NOT answer Harry's question!"
"Please be patient, Ron," Snape replied sweetly. "This background information is of great consequence."
"Fine," Ron muttered, his face twisted crudely in frustration. Harry snorted with irritation. The Weasley men were all standing with folded arms anxiously waiting for Snape to get to the point. Harry was looking around the room at all the portraits of the wizards trying to keep his attention away from the potion's master. Sirius was, as always, glaring daggers at his old school mate. The women, although they were not fond of the professor, were overcome with his change in attitude and along with the Grangers were hanging on the greasy-haired man's every word.
"As I was saying," Snape smiled. "A few hours later the bartender came rushing into the bookshop babbling on about someone we had to come and see. That she had come into The Leaky Cauldron and was asking questions about Hogwarts and her identity." Harry's head snapped back to Snape and then onto Ron who had turned absolutely pale. "He said she had a Hogwarts 1998 class ring and a necklace with the charm HRH." Ron's breathing became irregular and Mr. and Mrs. Granger were leaning on the chairs in front of them for support. Angelina and Penelope rose to let the Grangers take a seat confident they would collapse at any moment. Harry's hands felt clammy and as the room around him began to spin he felt the weighty phoenix leave its roost on his shoulder.
"The three of us made our way to the tavern and approached the young woman. Minerva looked at her charm and was certain it was whom we thought." Snape paused for effect. "We found Hermione, alive!"
Ron felt his legs give out and two arms grab him firmly around the waist. He was aware of Charlie's reassuring words in his ear but he could not make out what he was saying; there were too many thoughts running through his mind. Charlie and Bill maneuvered Ron into the chair Fleur had previously occupied. He looked from face to face and his eyes remained on Harry who had Fred and George on either side guiding him to the seat next to Ron with Sirius bringing up the rear. Harry was as white as a sheet. Ginny was behind the chair with her arms around his neck, a smile covering her lips. Percy was kneeling in front of the Grangers trying to revive Hermione's mum who had been the one to pass out at the news. His mum was crying into his dad's shoulder. Angelina, Penelope, Fleur and Hailie were all around the seated Alicia whispering back and forth to one another looking in high spirits.
Ron decided that he needed to know more. He had to know if this was real and not a dream, a marvelously wonderful dream. "W-w-w-where h-h-has she b- been?" he stuttered.
McGonagall was the person to answer his inquiry. "Hermione has been through quite an ordeal. From what we have found out she was attacked in the alley next to The Leaky Cauldron. She was in a muggle hospital for four months, in a coma." Ron gulped and McGonagall continued. "When she awoke she had no idea who she was or anything about her life before her accident. Since the people in the hospital did not know her name they called her Hollie because of her charm and being found right before Christmas. After going through extensive physical therapy she got a small flat in London and a job at a bookstore. Hermione was having foggy dreams about her assault every night and then just two nights ago she saw the whole attack clearly. From what she told us we believe we know the identity of her assailant."
Harry turned his head to see Ron's reaction; it was a mixture of happiness, guilt and anger that mirrored his own emotions. Happiness because Hermione was alive, guilt for all that she went through when he felt he should have been there to help her, and anger focused at the person who took her away from him in the first place. The rest of the people who were in the office were also experiencing a variety of feelings. "Who?" was all Harry as able to utter, but it was enough. Again, he was able to vocalize what the rest of the room desperately wanted to express.
Dumbledore sighed, "That is not important at this time." He looked like he would not budge on the issue so there was no point in continuing the discussion on that course. "The important thing is to help Hermione remember her past. I have done my best to answer the questions she had earlier today. She took to drawing certain images she had from her past and I was able to tell her the significance of those things. Hermione is very eager to regain her memory."
"When can we see her?" Mr. Granger asked his arm draped around the shoulders of his weak wife. He looked as if he could have jumped up at that very moment and run a mile at top speed to see his daughter again.
Dumbledore answered, "It is now eight-thirty, I told Hermione to expect you at nine so for the time being you all should decide what you are going to do when you see her. I know you all want to spend time with Hermione, and I do not blame you. Once each of you has visited her I will ask that only a small group stay behind. She has been through much and I do not want her to feel overwhelmed."
The group nodded to show they understood and began to discuss who would be the ones to stay. Ron and Harry were, without a doubt, top on the list and guaranteed the right to remain. To the amazement of all, Mr. and Mrs. Granger decided that they would leave once they saw and spoke to Hermione for a short while. They explained that although they missed their daughter they had not played a large role in her life for some time. Both felt that they were simply happy to know she was alive and well and would be able to get their first full night's sleep in a year.
Fleur, Penelope, Angelina, Alicia, and Hailie all agreed to be among those who would leave since they were not as friendly with the young witch as were others. Bill, Charlie, Percy and Sirius also decided to leave with the women. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were both up in the air about which way they were to go. They wanted to see and speak with Hermione who was like a second daughter to them but felt weird since her real parents were not going to stay. In the end they settled on going home as well. Ginny, Fred and George were the only other people who wanted to linger at Hogwarts a while longer, but after discussing it they thought they would give Ron and Harry time alone with their best friend.
Dumbledore abruptly interrupted their conversation, "I believe it is time for you to make your way to the Gryffindor common room."
Ok, Ok! Since I know everyone is disappointed with the delay in the reunion I am straying from my routine and posting another chapter now. There was just so much I want to get across. This is not the reunion chapter but the boys will be told that she is still alive. I hope this will hold off all you Remember junkies for a little while.
PLEASE KEEP REVIEWING!!
Chapter 9: The Peace Offering
The torch lit corridor was suddenly full of people. Eighteen people, to be exact, all had their eyes trained on the back of Snape who stood in front of them. Harry could make out the statue of an extremely ugly gargoyle around the side of the surly wizard, one that he recalled quite well. This was the entrance to Dumbledore's office, where he had been taken to on numerous occasions. Not that he was repeatedly 'in trouble' while at Hogwarts; he was just constantly in danger. Snape spoke the password, "Chocolate Frog," causing the Grangers to nearly jump out of their skin as the gargoyle hopped to the side and the wall behind it split in two. A spiral staircase that was concealed by the wall was moving smoothly upward, similar to a muggle escalator. Snape motioned for the family to pass him with a movement of his arm and a nod of his head. Ron and Harry stepped onto the staircase first and rose upward in circles, higher and higher, until at last, slightly dizzy, they saw a gleaming oak door ahead, with a griffin shaped brass knocker as a finishing touch. Before they could knock on the door they heard a thud and the stifled scream of Angelina who, along with Snape, was the last onto the flight of stairs. It dawned on Harry that the wall that had opened to let them enter had closed once everyone was through leaving no trace of the hidden staircase.
Ron raised his right hand hesitantly to the griffin and lifting it, rapped lightly on the door. It opened silently of its own volition and Harry and Ron entered cautiously. Harry noted that it was the same large and beautiful circular room that he remembered; complete with the same funny little noises. This office was still the most interesting one he had ever entered at Hogwarts, or elsewhere for that matter. Little puffs of smoke and whirring noises emanated from a number of curious silver instruments propped on many spindle-legged tables. The snoozing portraits of prior headmasters and headmistresses still covered the walls. Dumbledore had the same enormous, claw-footed desk under the shelf that held the shabby and tattered Sorting Hat. The very one that had placed him in Gryffindor his first day there and had saved his life in second year when he extracted Godric Gryffindor's sword to use against the basilisk. Speaking of which, the sword was also placed on the shelf next to the old dilapidated wizard's hat.
Harry and Ron turned around when they heard the girls cooing. They were fussing over a crimson bird the size of a swan with a glittering golden tail as long as a peacock's and gleaming talons that gripped the golden perch that stood behind the door. It was Fawkes, Professor Dumbledore's pet phoenix. The phoenix ignored the girls around him and rose from the perch, floating over to land on Harry's shoulder. "Hi, Fawkes," Harry said. "It has been awhile, hasn't it?" He slowly stroked the soft plumage of the handsome bird that, with the help of the Sorting Hat, was the reason he lived to see thirteen. Fawkes opened his beak to emit the most exquisite music imaginable, it was distinctive but uplifting and Harry could feel it vibrating inside his own ribs.
Dumbledore and McGonagall appeared on the balcony above them and started to make their way down the steps against the wall and into the main office area where the Weasley family, the Grangers, Sirius, Harry and Snape were waiting. They both had not changed a bit from the years following Harry and Ron's days at Hogwarts. Dumbledore still had the long flowing silvery- white hair, beard and mustache. McGonagall had her black hair pulled back in the usual tight bun and both were still wearing their trademark spectacles.
"Alicia, please have a seat," Dumbledore said to the very pregnant woman as he pointed to one of the few chairs in front of his desk. There were not enough chairs for everyone, but most of them wanted to stand anyway. Ginny, Angelina, Penelope, and Fleur all took the remaining seats. McGonagall stood behind Dumbledore who eased himself into his own chair, leaned his folded hands on his desk and took time to look at each person before him. Most of them had at one time been under his tutelage, whether he was just a professor or the headmaster. Severus Snape, Sirius Black, and Molly and Arthur Weasley all had been his students while he taught at Hogwarts. He had been headmaster for every one of Molly and Arthur's seven children along with Harry, Angelina, Alicia, Penelope, and Hailie. Fleur, he had met when she stayed at Hogwarts during the Tri-Wizard Tournament that cost Cedric Diggory his life and restored Voldemort to full physical strength. The only two that he had never guided were the Grangers, not surprisingly considering they are muggles, but he had taught their exceptionally talented daughter, Hermione.
The guests in the office began to fidget nervously as the awkward silence filled the room and Dumbledore's eyes glided from face to face. Harry was the first to break the stillness, "Snape said that he had a peace offering to give to us. I am sure I speak for everyone when I say that we would like to get whatever it is and return to our Christmas Eve festivities. No offense meant." When it came to Snape, Harry wanted to get everything over and done with quickly. Dumbledore raised an eyebrow at the mention of a peace offering and had his attention redirected to Snape who looked uncomfortable being the focal point of the old man's interest. The family nodded to show their agreement with Harry's assessment of the situation.
Returning his gaze to Harry he said, "Harry, I believe you are old enough to start calling Professor Snape, Severus." Snape's eyes grew large but his demeanor did not change, he was still in an astonishingly agreeable mood. "I am sure Professor McGonagall would want you to feel free to call her Minerva, and please call me Albus or Dumbledore, whichever feels more comfortable. The rest of you can as well as we are all full-fledged witches and wizards," looking towards the Grangers, "or adults, and the three of us are no longer your professors." Most of the people had a subtle blush creep over their faces with the idea of losing the long- established formalities with the lively and extremely important wizard. "As for the reason Severus asked you to come here we will be discussing that in great detail and there is no doubt in my mind that you all will be here for quite some time, some longer than others." His gaze lingered on Ron and Harry. Ron could see the familiar twinkle in those eyes that he recalled from his youthful days at Hogwarts. However, the reason they would be there at all eluded every one of them.
"Professor, I mean, Albus," Harry started. It felt weird for him to be calling the wizard he considered his role model by his first name, it would definitely take some getting used to. "Why have we been asked here?"
Before Dumbledore could respond, Ron interjected with what Harry had planned on questioning next. "Yeah, and why were we allowed to apparate? I know full well that is not allowed!"
"Did you read that in a book, Mr. Weasley?" Dumbledore asked with half of his mouth turned up into a crooked smile with obvious amusement.
Ron looked down at the floor, "No, Hermione read it in a book and told me." Dumbledore had already known that Hermione had given him that tidbit of information but this was the perfect prelude to the news he would give them. The people in the room were clearly avoiding eye contact with Ron after the direction the discussion turned.
"You miss her terribly, don't you?" His eyes were caring and his expression was composed.
"Yes," he replied wiping the stray tear off his cheek. He looked up at the wizard and quickly reverted the conversation back to the original one, "So, why were we allowed to apparate?"
"That is fairly simple," Dumbledore mused. "I suppressed the spell on Hogwarts for the occasion because getting each of you here quickly was of the utmost importance, as I am sure Severus already told you."
"What is this peace offering Snape, er, Severus was talking about?" Harry inquired as he glowered in the potion master's direction.
Dumbledore turned to look at his colleague, "Severus, since you told them you had a 'peace offering' why don't you tell them why they are here."
Snape left his position in the back of the room and swept to the front next to Dumbledore's desk. His cloak made it look like he was floating. He took a deep breath before he began. "It all started yesterday when the three of us were spending the day in Diagon Alley examining the books to find the ones the students would be required to buy for the various classes next term. We had stopped in for an early lunch at The Leaky Cauldron and had a pleasant conversation with the bartender there. He was very inquisitive about our schedule for the day. After lunch we returned to Flourish and Blotts to continue our research."
"As fascinating as this is," Ron said sarcastically. "It does NOT answer Harry's question!"
"Please be patient, Ron," Snape replied sweetly. "This background information is of great consequence."
"Fine," Ron muttered, his face twisted crudely in frustration. Harry snorted with irritation. The Weasley men were all standing with folded arms anxiously waiting for Snape to get to the point. Harry was looking around the room at all the portraits of the wizards trying to keep his attention away from the potion's master. Sirius was, as always, glaring daggers at his old school mate. The women, although they were not fond of the professor, were overcome with his change in attitude and along with the Grangers were hanging on the greasy-haired man's every word.
"As I was saying," Snape smiled. "A few hours later the bartender came rushing into the bookshop babbling on about someone we had to come and see. That she had come into The Leaky Cauldron and was asking questions about Hogwarts and her identity." Harry's head snapped back to Snape and then onto Ron who had turned absolutely pale. "He said she had a Hogwarts 1998 class ring and a necklace with the charm HRH." Ron's breathing became irregular and Mr. and Mrs. Granger were leaning on the chairs in front of them for support. Angelina and Penelope rose to let the Grangers take a seat confident they would collapse at any moment. Harry's hands felt clammy and as the room around him began to spin he felt the weighty phoenix leave its roost on his shoulder.
"The three of us made our way to the tavern and approached the young woman. Minerva looked at her charm and was certain it was whom we thought." Snape paused for effect. "We found Hermione, alive!"
Ron felt his legs give out and two arms grab him firmly around the waist. He was aware of Charlie's reassuring words in his ear but he could not make out what he was saying; there were too many thoughts running through his mind. Charlie and Bill maneuvered Ron into the chair Fleur had previously occupied. He looked from face to face and his eyes remained on Harry who had Fred and George on either side guiding him to the seat next to Ron with Sirius bringing up the rear. Harry was as white as a sheet. Ginny was behind the chair with her arms around his neck, a smile covering her lips. Percy was kneeling in front of the Grangers trying to revive Hermione's mum who had been the one to pass out at the news. His mum was crying into his dad's shoulder. Angelina, Penelope, Fleur and Hailie were all around the seated Alicia whispering back and forth to one another looking in high spirits.
Ron decided that he needed to know more. He had to know if this was real and not a dream, a marvelously wonderful dream. "W-w-w-where h-h-has she b- been?" he stuttered.
McGonagall was the person to answer his inquiry. "Hermione has been through quite an ordeal. From what we have found out she was attacked in the alley next to The Leaky Cauldron. She was in a muggle hospital for four months, in a coma." Ron gulped and McGonagall continued. "When she awoke she had no idea who she was or anything about her life before her accident. Since the people in the hospital did not know her name they called her Hollie because of her charm and being found right before Christmas. After going through extensive physical therapy she got a small flat in London and a job at a bookstore. Hermione was having foggy dreams about her assault every night and then just two nights ago she saw the whole attack clearly. From what she told us we believe we know the identity of her assailant."
Harry turned his head to see Ron's reaction; it was a mixture of happiness, guilt and anger that mirrored his own emotions. Happiness because Hermione was alive, guilt for all that she went through when he felt he should have been there to help her, and anger focused at the person who took her away from him in the first place. The rest of the people who were in the office were also experiencing a variety of feelings. "Who?" was all Harry as able to utter, but it was enough. Again, he was able to vocalize what the rest of the room desperately wanted to express.
Dumbledore sighed, "That is not important at this time." He looked like he would not budge on the issue so there was no point in continuing the discussion on that course. "The important thing is to help Hermione remember her past. I have done my best to answer the questions she had earlier today. She took to drawing certain images she had from her past and I was able to tell her the significance of those things. Hermione is very eager to regain her memory."
"When can we see her?" Mr. Granger asked his arm draped around the shoulders of his weak wife. He looked as if he could have jumped up at that very moment and run a mile at top speed to see his daughter again.
Dumbledore answered, "It is now eight-thirty, I told Hermione to expect you at nine so for the time being you all should decide what you are going to do when you see her. I know you all want to spend time with Hermione, and I do not blame you. Once each of you has visited her I will ask that only a small group stay behind. She has been through much and I do not want her to feel overwhelmed."
The group nodded to show they understood and began to discuss who would be the ones to stay. Ron and Harry were, without a doubt, top on the list and guaranteed the right to remain. To the amazement of all, Mr. and Mrs. Granger decided that they would leave once they saw and spoke to Hermione for a short while. They explained that although they missed their daughter they had not played a large role in her life for some time. Both felt that they were simply happy to know she was alive and well and would be able to get their first full night's sleep in a year.
Fleur, Penelope, Angelina, Alicia, and Hailie all agreed to be among those who would leave since they were not as friendly with the young witch as were others. Bill, Charlie, Percy and Sirius also decided to leave with the women. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were both up in the air about which way they were to go. They wanted to see and speak with Hermione who was like a second daughter to them but felt weird since her real parents were not going to stay. In the end they settled on going home as well. Ginny, Fred and George were the only other people who wanted to linger at Hogwarts a while longer, but after discussing it they thought they would give Ron and Harry time alone with their best friend.
Dumbledore abruptly interrupted their conversation, "I believe it is time for you to make your way to the Gryffindor common room."