Well, thanks again people for all the great reviews. You know, I never would have expected such a great response to my first ever fan fiction but you've all been so nice!! Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter and a special thanks to Yoshi who I know is still reading but can't review.

I would have posted this a lot quicker but there have been problems on FF.net. Still, here it is at last! Enjoy!

Chapter 23 - Choices

It was four days after the eventful trip to Hogsmead. Professor McGonagall remained at Hogwarts, in a special room Dumbledore had made up for her. Fudge had visited Hogwarts to demand to know what had happened although he was told nothing. He had then insisted that McGonagall be taken to a special unit of St Mungos, where she would receive special treatment. Dumbledore had refused this and Fudge had informed him that the Ministry still held the true power of the wizarding world and Dumbledore should be more careful. In reply to this, Dumbledore had blasted Fudge's bowler hat to smithereens with a very well aimed spell. Fudge had left the school soon after that and Harry was told that he wouldn't be going anywhere by a satisfied looking Dumbledore.

Harry had already been to see McGonagall with Hermione and Neville. He had taken her some flowers but didn't know what to do or say. Hermione had told him that what happened wasn't his fault but he couldn't accept that. Why did he have to go out that day? Why couldn't he have done as Dumbledore had told him to do? He felt sick every night before he went to sleep and again as soon as he woke up. In his dreams, McGonagall begged him for help. He pulled free of Peachy, grabbed his wand and banished Voldemort once and for all. Everyone was then safe and Harry had saved the world. Harry knew his dreams were just tormenting him. There wasn't going to be any happy ending, not for McGonagall anyway and certainly not for Sybil Trelawney.

It had been Professor Trelawney's rememberence service the day before. The whole ceremony had been hell for Harry. He felt the entire schools eyes on him and knew they were blaming him. He sat next to Hermione, his head bowed. She kept hold of his hand all the way through. Ron sat the other side of Hermione. They had slowly started talking again and Ron had even tried to be civil to Harry a couple of times. Harry couldn't worry about Ron at that time though. Ron could wait.

Harry was now sat in the Library. He had been allowed out of his "cell" and back into normal school life, which Dumbledore had agreed with very unwilling Fudge. Dumbledore had stressed to Fudge that keeping Harry locked away was not helping the situation. Everyone was better off when he and his Professors or Harry's fellow students had their eyes on him. At least that way, they could know how he was and what he was doing. Which unfortunately meant for Harry that now everyone stared at him all day long. The Professors, students, even Filch and his bloody cat. Harry had no privacy at all. He had to smile at the irony of that. One week he is kept totally alone, the next, he doesn't get a minute to himself. Hermione was sat beside him, furiously writing. Their end of year exams were fast approaching and this meant more panic for Hermione than most students. Harry had never understood this, especially because Hermione always finished top of the class. Hermione's answer to comments like this usually was - "Yes Harry, but I have to work extra hard to stay now I'm there don't I? Especially with the NEWTS coming up next year - ". Hermione also always liked to remind Harry how much work he had to put in if he really was serious about being an Auror, which he knew he was. He heard some noise from other at the door and looked up to see what was happening. Hermione had done the same, with a slight frown on her face for the interruption.

Ron and Ginny were stood together, arguing. Both their faces were red and Ginny was close to tears. "You don't understand Ginny, you don't know!!" Ron was shouting at her. Hermione and Harry both got their feet and headed over, together with the Librarian. Ron and Ginny didn't noticed then, they just continued their argument. "I know something is going on with you Ron, I'm not a little kid anymore. Tell me what you are going to do." Ron glanced round now, saw Harry and Hermione and turned around again, glaring at Ginny. "Shut up," he hissed. "It's none of your business." He pushed past her then, heading out to the corridor.

Ginny gave chase; catching up with her brother and pulling him round to face her. Other students had now gathered, including a gang of Slytherins, enjoying this family row. "How many more Ron? How many more people have to get hurt or worst before you see the light?" Ron scowled at her. "What happened to McGonagall wasn't my fault." Ginny scoffed. "No? That's not what other Gryffindors are saying." Ron gaped at her at this. He didn't know he was being talked about. "What are people saying?" Ginny shook her head in disgust. "I think you can guess Ron - or have you lost what's left of your brains too? I don't know how you can behave as you have done. To Harry, Hermione, Mum, Dad, everyone. They are all ashamed of you Ron." Ron gave her a nasty smile. "I don't care Ginny". She smiled back. "I know that's a lie. You're my brother. I know you too well. Change your attitude Ron, please. Before it's too late." Her voice lowered. "Before you're disowned by the family for being a Death Eater." Ron was visibly shaken at this and looked down at the ground. Harry and Hermione were both looking at him, wondering if Ginny had got through to him. Harry glanced around and saw Malfoy and Selina. Malfoy was looking closely at Ron, saw Harry was eyeing him and stared back, a small smile on his lips. What power do you have over Ron you git, Harry thought to himself? I'll make you pay for what you've done to him Malfoy. Ron looked back up at Ginny and that blank, determined look was back on his face. "It's already too late Ginny. I'm sorry, but it was too late a long time ago. Tell the others goodbye for me." He started to walk away but Ginny grabbed his arm again and he sighed in frustration. Ginny completely lost her temper. "You're a coward! Percy would have been ashamed of you Ron!" Ginny said this a little to loudly and Ron leapt back as if she had slapped him. He gave her one long look, and then backhanded her sharply across the face. Ginny cried out in pain, the on lookers gasped and Harry ran for Ron, who was still yelling at his sister. "Don't you ever, EVER talk about Percy again, you stupid little bitch!" He raised his hand to strike her again but was sent flying by a punch from Harry. Ron slammed into the wall, hand over his cheek. "Don't you touch her," Harry had his wand out now, aiming it straight at Ron's head. Ron just gazed back at him and Harry was shocked to see a single tear fall down Ron's face. "Harry," he gasped and held his hand out to his ex best friend. "Help me." Harry hesitated but his heart went out to Ron. At that moment, Malfoy and Selina appeared at Ron's side and shoved Harry back. "I saw you!" Selina was screaming at Harry and pointing at him accusingly. "You big bully! Stay away from Ron!" Malfoy gave Harry a quick wink then he, Selina, Crabbe and Goyle pushed Ron away, leaving Harry, Hermione and Ginny to stare after them, all three of them shocked and confused.

Malfoy had hold of Ron's arm as he dragged him along. "We need a little chat Weasley. Firstly, about what was going on there and secondly, we have a new job for you." Ron pulled free of Malfoys grip. "You know what Draco, you can shove your job where the sun don't shine, got it? I'm not going to be your slave any more." He then shoved Crabbe out of his way and set off. Malfoy watched him go, calling after him- "One more job Ron, that's all I'm asking for. After that, it'll be finished and you'll know who attacked Percy. It will all be over, you'll be free. But it's up to you. I'll be in the Slytherin Common Room, in case you change your mind." They all walked away, not looking back. Ron slammed his fist into a wall in anger. He then leant against the wall for support, breathing heavily. He knew he had a big decision to make but he had no idea what that was going to be.

Harry, Hermione and Ginny were back in the Library but they could no longer concentrate on their work. All of them were talking about Ron. Although Harry was mad at Ron for hitting Ginny, he couldn't forget the desperation in his voice as he had begged Harry for help. Harry was arguing with Hermione about whether they should go and find Ron. "He asked for my help Hermione. I can't just ignore that. If he needs me -". Hermione interrupted him. "Harry, you have to let Ron sort this out for himself. I saw something in him just then, something like the old Ron. I think we are getting through to him. The go you had a him certainly got his attention Ginny. Will his Mum and Dad really disown him?" Ginny frowned. "To be honest with you guys, I don't know. They are really worried about the route Ron seems to be taking. What happened to Percy changed all of us, but Ron most of all. He seemed to lose himself." She looked down. "I just hope you are right Hermione and what I said has made some difference. I just want my brother back." Harry put his arm round Ginny and smiled at him. "I know Ginny, I want my best friend back. We just have to hope that Ron really is in there somewhere. He'll sort his head out, you'll see." Ginny smiled at him. However, the look Harry gave Hermione when Ginny wasn't looking showed that Harry was really thinking the complete opposite. "Lets stop talking about Ron now," Harry said with a sigh. "He really has turned into Jekyll and Hyde and its too depressing to talk about him for to long." Ginny turned enquiringly to Harry. "Who are Jekyll and Hyde anyway?" She asked him. "Students?" Harry and Hermione both laughed. "No Ginny," Hermione told her with a grin, we'll tell you later." Ginny shrugged and nodded, then turned back to her studies.

Just at that moment, Neville walked into the Library, spotted Harry, Hermione and Ginny and strode up to them. He signalled for them to join him outside and they got up and walked to him. Neville looked furious. He turned to Ginny as soon as they got outside. "Is it true," he snapped. "Did Ron hit you?" Ginny looked upset and stared at the floor. "Who told you?" she whispered. "Does it matter?" he replied. "Tell me if it is true?" Ginny looked into Neville's eyes, surprised at his anger. "Yes, he slapped me. It was nothing through Neville." Neville had turned away from her. "That bastard!" He yelled. Harry and Hermione gazed at him in shock. "Who does he think he is? When I see him I'll -". Neville thumped his fist into his other hand - and a jar on a table beside him exploded. Students standing nearby screamed whilst Harry and Hermione jumped back. Neville had his eyes tightly shut and he was panting. Ginny had hold of his arm and was looking at him in shock. Hermione was the first to recover. She got out her wand and murmured "repairo" and the jar became whole again. She then turned to Neville. "You know, your magic powers are really coming along now Neville." Harry and Ginny laughed, despite themselves and Neville stole a smile. "Yeah, I know. No ones more surprised than me! After my meeting with Bellatrix Lestrange last year, I've just felt stronger and I can, you know, do more. All the Professors are impressed, even Snape! He reckons I've gone from utterly useless to just plain rubbish!" All of them laughed at this.

They headed off together out into the school grounds, chattering happily. The mood changed when they thought about their Head of House and her condition. "I overheard some Slytherins discussing her earlier, they think it's great, what's happened." Neville said. "I got angry then too, gave them all quite a shock!" Ginny grinned. "Good!" Harry smiled at her, then looked down. "I can't forget that look on her face. Before it happened, she said she had promised my Mum that she would protect me with her life. Everyone who tries to help me ends up in a hospital bed, or worse." Harry choked on his words and looked away quickly. Hermione put her hand on his shoulder. "It wasn't your fault Harry. None of it was your fault." Harry smiled gratefully and felt better at her touch. He reached out and took her hand and she kissed his. Ginny had noticed all of this and she was smiling to herself. She didn't notice that Neville was smiling at her. Harry then turned to Neville. "Neville, you said that that Death Eater was your Aunt." Neville glanced at him and the girls went silent. "I knew you'd ask me eventually and I guess I can tell you the story."

Neville got to his feet and began to speak softly, so only his small group could hear what he was saying. "Aunt Peachy was my Mum's sister. She was the youngest of the family and everyone loved her. She was kind and good and clever. My Mum adored her, they were more like best friends than sisters. Unfortunately, when she went to Hogwarts, everything changed. The family were delighted when she was sorted into Hufflepuff but then things started to go wrong. She got in with the wrong crowd, the Slytherins. Even dated one of them, Lucius Malfoy." Ginny gasped and Harry's face darkened. Hermione gestured for Neville to continue. "We always believed that she had refused to join Voldemort, it just didn't seem possible. My family were told a couple of weeks after she disappeared that she was tortured and killed by her friends." Harry looked up at this. "Who told them?" Neville shrugged. "Peter Pettigrew, I think. He's dead now, isn't he?" Harry and Hermione exchanged glances. They had never told anyone about Pettigrew being Ron's rat, to protect Sirius. Harry was wondering whether to tell Neville when Neville started talking again. "Of course, I know now that Auntie Peachy did join Voldemort and she must have been in hiding all these years." Neville then turned back to his friends, a strange look on his face. "I really hope she didn't have anything to do with what happened to my parents." No one knew how to answer this. Hermione looked at him sadly and Harry mumbled something. Neville gave his friends a small smile. "I think I'll head back to the school and do some revising. I'll see you later." Harry and Hermione nodded but Ginny got up. "I'll go back with you Neville, I've got some assignments to do myself." Neville grinned at Ginny and the two of them walked away, Ginny linking her arm through Neville's. Harry raised an eyebrow. "You think there is something going on there?" Hermione glanced up. "I reckon Neville wants there to be but I don't know about Ginny." Harry shrugged and stretched. Hermione was watching him, concern on her face. "You look tired Harry." Harry nodded. "I've had a quite a week." Hermione grinned. "Shall we go and visit Hagrid, I've heard that he's been doing OK this week." Harry brightened at once. "Really?" He pulled her up. "Lets go then." She smiled and they set off, hand in hand.

Harry and Hermione soon arrived in the Hospital Wing and headed towards Hagrids bed. Four beds had been pushed together for the half giant. Harry sat down next to him and took one of Hagrids huge hands in his own. "Hagrid, please wake up. We really miss you." Harry glanced up at Hermione whose eyes were wet. He looked back at his unconscious friend. "If only we knew what had happened to you out there Hagrid." Just at that moment Madam Pomfrey swept into the room, a potion vial in her hand. "Well Mr Potter, Miss Granger, what can I do for you? No problems I trust?" Harry smiled at her. "No, we're fine, thank you. We came to see how Hagrid is doing. Is there any change?" Her face became softer and she seemed to hesitate. "There is no point lying to you Mr Potter, you aren't a child. It is very unlikely that Hagrid's condition will ever improve." Harry gazed at her, his smile fading as he turned back to his friend. "He sustained huge brain damage when he was attacked that night. I can keep him comfortable with these potions but no, he'll never get better." Harry got slowly to his feet. He looked at Hermione who had her head in her hands. She looked up, silent tears running down her face. Madam Pomfrey gave them both sympaphetic looks, said "I'm sorry." She then went to tend Michael Corner, who was in a bed at the end. Hermione moved closer to Harry, who held a hand out to stop her. "I'll be ok," he whispered. "Lets get out of here."

As they went to leave, Hermione said in passing, "How's Michael doing Madam Pomfrey?" Pomfrey looked up at them and shook her head. Harry froze at the door. "What's that mean?" She glanced at him. "Well, Michael was hit by a very dark curse. I'm not sure how to cure him. The curse that did the damage must be very old and there is no counter-curse that I or any of the other Professors have been able to find." Harry turned on Pomfrey, his eyes blazing. "What do you mean, no counter curse? He isn't dead is he? There has to be something you can do. You can't just give up!" Madam Pomfrey swung around to face Harry. "Of course I haven't given up you idiot boy! I know that emotions are running high but I must remind you that this is a hospital. I think you should both leave here - now." Hermione nodded to her and took Harry's arm. He pulled away from her and stormed out, slamming the door behind him. Hermione opened the door again and grabbed Harry. "You are not the only one suffering you know Harry!" Harry swung round. "Yes, I'm aware of that but I'm the only one who CAUSED their suffering." Hermione shook her head fiercely. "No, Rosenna and Voldemort caused their suffering, using you as their tool. None of this is your fault Harry. You've done so much for everyone in this school Harry, you mustn't feel like this." Harry laughed then and started counting his fingers. "Is that right? Ask Hagrid, ask McGonagall, ask Cedric, ask Luna, ask SIRIUS!" He spun away from her then. "Harry, please!" Hermione yelled after him desperately but he kept walking and didn't look back. He knew where he needed to be, he needed peace. He needed to go back to the beginning. He walked down the main staircase and headed straight to Lupin's office.

So, why do you reckon Harry wants to see Lupin? I hope you enjoyed that chapter! Please let me know!! Any thoughts/ideas? I'll take anything on board! Thanks guys.