"Oh! There you are Harry dear! It's good to see you!" said Mrs. Weasley embracing him
in a very motherly hug. She quickly pulled him inside and closed the door.
"What's going on?" Harry asked, indicating to the party of witches and wizards suddenly
in the Dursley's house.
"Ah well, Dumbldore finally found it suitable of a time to come and get you. We
couldn't leave you with these... people for the whole summer, now could we?" said Mrs.
Weasley, trying to smile. Harry could see her eyebrow twitch at a rather loud rant from Uncle
Vernon.
"GET OUT! OUT I SAY! We've done nothing harmful to the boy!" shouted Uncle
Vernon in a towering rage, his arms were waving above his head. Aunt Petunia was standing
behind him, looking around at the visitors with a look of pure disgust. Dudley was beside
Petunia trying to look as small and insignificant as possible, which for Dudley, wasn't going to
happen.
"Well, it's about time-" Harry began.
"Ah Harry! Great to see you. This fat thing of a muggle hasn't been disrespectful toward
you, has he?" asked Mad-Eye Moony, hoping for Harry to say yes.
"They've been better than usual..." admitted Harry sourly.
"WE'VE DONE NOTHING TO THE BOY. WE-" Uncle Vernon gave a small gasp and
a whimper as Mad-Eye took out his wand a pointed it threatingly at his head.
"Now you see here you half-witted muggle! Keep your voice down! I have no problem
blasting you fat ball of a head off if you don't shut that bloody trap of yours!" said Moody in a
voice that made your toenails curl. Uncle Vernon sputtered at the sight of his wand and began to
cower.
"Moody! I think that is enough now," said Mrs. Weasley gently, putting a hand on
Moody's wand. Mad-Eye grumbled something that sounded like, "Yes Molly, as soon as I blow
off the bloody muggle's head."
"Anyways... I think you should go get packed, Harry. We have to shove off here soon,"
said Tonks who was standing in the background, watching the scene with some amusement.
"Erm...right." Tonks hurried Harry upstairs. The two off them haphazardly put all of
Harry's belongings in his Hogwart's trunk and headed back downstairs. The scene had improved
since Harry had left it. Moody was talking to Lupin and Mr. Weasley while Mrs. Weasley had
the Dursley's in the other room, explaining something to them.
"All ready Harry?" asked Lupin, spotting the two coming down.
"Yeah. Hi Professor."
"Hello Harry. You don't have to call me 'Professor' anymore, you know?" said Professor
Lupin. He still looked pretty bad for his age. His young face was tired and weary and more gray
hair could be seen. "Mad-Eye, is it safe to go?" Mad-Eye had his bowler hat on, but Harry knew
that his magical eye was swerving in all the directions at once.
"Yeah, we better get going. Dumbldore said the portkey would only last for awhile. And
I don't exactly fancy finding another way to travel," Moody growled.
"Alright, let's get going now," said Lupin. They all began to gather around a pair of
glasses set on the counter in the drawing room.
"Here, let me take that," said Tonks, taking Hedwig's cage and placing it under one of her
arms (Hedwig was flying off somewhere to stretch her wings). Mr. Weasley took Harry's trunk,
so all he was left with was his Firebolt (and very glad to have it back and away from the toad
Umbridge).
"Everyone ready?" The group of witches and wizards all nodded. Harry could see the
Dursley's in the back of the room from the corner of his eye. "One, two, three!" Harry made
contact with the pair of glasses and felt himself jolt upward. Flashbacks of Harry clinging to
Cedric's dead body suddenly filled his mind. He shuddered and pushed those painful memories
away from his mind.
THUD
Harry made contact with the floor. His glasses were askew, making the room around him
blurry. But, he knew where they were nonetheless.
Harry felt his heart stop. He hadn't seen this place since the fire from Umbridge's office.
Harry felt a sting in his chest. There he was... falling. He could see Sirius face so closely. His
foot as it disappeared from sight, from Harry's life. If he could only pull back that curtain. But,
Harry now understood, even if he did, Sirius wouldn't be there.
"Harry!" Harry felt arms embrace him tightly. A small teenage girl with mousy brown
hair was hugging him.
"Hermonie!"
"Oh Harry! It's so good to see you! I've missed you so much! I just got here a few days
ago. Ron's said he's been here awhile. Oh Harry!" said Hermonie quickly. She let go of Harry
and began to talk nonstop. Tonks and Mr. Weasley put down Harry's things and followed Lupin
and Mad-Eye into the kitchen. The portkey transported them all right inside the drawing room
next to it.
"Hiya Harry. Sorry we didn't get you out of that rat hole sooner. Hope those muggles
didn't treat you too bad. Would have got you myself, but Mum started screamin' and... yeah,"
said Ron giving Harry a quick hug.
"Hiya Harry. It's good to see you," said Ginny, her bright red hair in a long braid.
"It's good to be back here..." said Harry quietly.
"Ron, help Harry carry his stuff up to your room," ordered Mrs. Weasley. She started to
walk in the other direction. "I'm sure everyone is getting hungry, so I'm going to start dinner."
Mrs. Weasley seemed to be talking to herself rather than Harry, Ron, and Hermonie.
"Ginny darling, can you help me?"
"Yeah..." drawled Ginny rolling her eyes, but nonetheless following her mother.
The three made their way put the stairs at least halfway before the twins Apprarated right
in front of their noses with a loud pop.
"Harry! Excellent to see you've finally made it!" said Fred (at least Harry thought it was
Fred).
"Would you be interested in buying our lastest product?"
"It's top of the art."
"Very reliable."
"Well, there was that one test subject who had a fairly bad reaction-"
"But we're sure it was just a fluke." Harry gave them both a very uncertain look.
"We're just jokin' with you Harry!" said Fed slapping him on the back.
"We wouldn't give our benefactor less than perfect products!" The two twins laughed
heartily and gave him a wink.
"Leave him be. He just got here," said Ron.
"Yes sir!" said both of the twins systematically as they snapped their heals together and
saluted Ron.
POP
They were gone. Ron's ears were starting to turn pink.
"Stupid gits," murmured Ron under his breath while his opened the door and sat
Hedwig's cage on the floor.
"What was that all about?" asked Harry.
"Ron's a prefect again. The twins are a little less than supportive," explained Hermonie,
carefully setting Harry's Firebolt on his bed. "I've made it again, too," said Hermonie rather
gloomily.
"Oh... congratulation to both of you!" said Harry as cheerfully as he could. He didn't
seem to care that much now. He had bigger worries on his mind. A part of him longed to tell
Hermonie and Ron about that talk he had with Dumbeldore. But he kept his mouth shut.
"Yeah, thanks. Say Harry, did you choose your lessons for this year yet?" asked Ron.
Harry had gotten his scores from his OWLs back at the Dursley's. Vernon and Petunia weren't
the happiest of people when a huge barn owl came crashing through the kitchen window in the
middle of dinner. They also weren't too happy when their household copy of Elementary Self
and House Defense from the Dark Arts landed in their chimney. Harry snatched it up quickly
before the Dursley's could ask too many questions.
"No, not yet..." Harry admitted.
"I have. I'll be taking Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts,
Arithmacy, Ancient Runes, Herbology, and Muggles Studies. A little less than last year I'm
afraid... but-"
"Mum wasn't too happy about some of the scores I got. I failed Astronomy rather badly.
Didn't do all that well in Potions either," admitted Ron, ignoring Hermonie. From the sound of
it, he had already heard her go over her classes more than once.
"Yeah, same here... Did really well in Defense Against the Dark Arts though," said Harry
dagging his trunk to the side and sat down on his bed with a smile on his face. He was able to
perform every hex, jinx, and counterattack aimed at him perfectly. Plus, he got additional points
for producing a fully developed Patronus.
"I got Outstanding in all my results," said Hermonie in a offhanded way. Harry and Ron
both rolled their eyes. "Oh, don't give me that look. Well, did you both at least read the
additional part about Potion's NEWT courses? For some reason, Snape has lowered his
requirements."
"Yeah, thought that was a bit odd," said Ron. They all gave each other the same
meaningful look. Although Snape was apart of the Order and had proven his loyalty despite what
they thought, they couldn't help themselves. They still couldn't trust him, defiantly Harry.
"Anyways," said Hermonie obviously keen on changing the subject, "what have you
marked off so far Harry?"
"Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Charms, erm- Arithmacy-"
"You're going to take Airthmacy Harry? That's great!" exclaimed Hermonie right away
with her eyes glittering. "But, if you don't mind me asking, why?"
"Well... um, you see-" began Harry. "Hogwarts is going to be over soon. After all that
stuff about jobs last year that they made us go through. I want to become an Auror." Ron's eyes
lit up.
"You too Harry? Well-of course I knew you would! All the things you've done an stuff,
with...Voldemort," Ron flinched as he said it, "and stuff. I've always thought you would. I...
well, with the Order and all. I'm not very brave or smart. But... I think I could do it. We could
train together. I want to be a Auror too Harry," said Ron a little embarrassed. The tops of his
ears were tinged pink.
"I'm going to pursue the profession of an Auror too," stated Hermonie suddenly. Her
cheeks were flushing. "We know so much about the Order, and well, our whole lives have been
influenced already. Plus, someone's got to look after you two out on the field," said Hermonie
with a wink. They all started to laugh.
"We'll be at team!" said Hermonie.
"Yeah," said Ron, a little reluctant.
"A team..." said Harry playing with the image of the three of them out in the wizarding
world fighting who-knows-what together. But before Harry's imagination develop the fantasy
any more, an owl swooped in from an open window. It was Hedwig. In her beak was the Daily
Prophet. Since the death of Sirius, Harry didn't care to read the Prophet anymore. All it was
filled with were "guides of elementary home and personal defense" and how Harry's title had
changed from the crazy attention seeking loon to the Boy Who Lived. He didn't know why he
just didn't unsubscribe from the Prophet, he just threw the paper to side anyways, not even
bothering to read it anymore.
"Hey Harry..." said Hermonie watching him throw the paper on the floor. "Could I
borrow that?"
"Yeah sure. I don't read it anymore," said Harry picking up the paper and handing it to
Hermonie. She gave him a disapproving look but started to flip through the pages, found one, sat
down by Ron, and began to read.
"Oh... look at that. I knew he wouldn't last much longer..." said Hermonie to herself.
"Fudge seems to have had enough. He's retiring from the Ministry."
"What?" said Harry.
"About time. Didn't care too much for him anyways..." smirked Ron.
"Listen to this:"
MINISTER OF MAGIC STEPS ASIDE
According to the recent event held at the Ministry of Magic at 9 A.M. this morning, our
former Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge is stepping off the pedestal of power to give way to a new leader. At the seminar Fudge stated that, "I'm sorry to announce that from this moment
forward, I will be giving up my title of 'Minister of Magic'. It has come to my belief that I am
not best suited for the job of Minister of Magic, brought in to perspective of recent events. It is
my humblest and deepest regret that I leave the Ministry and the wizarding world in such a sour
time. However, I give way to a new Minister of Magic whom, I am certain will better manage
the harsh times to come..." The speech and acts of Fudge have-
"It goes on talking about more of what Fudge says. They portray him as a coward. Then,
they begin to talk about this Alastor Sparrow. He is one of the prime candidates for the Minster
of Magic. He seems to be quiet popluar. They will be having an election of some kind later
during the week," finished Hermonie, looking up.
"A new minister..." said Harry thinking of the idea. Harry never really thought that Fudge
was 'Minister of Magic' material really. He never seemed sturdy enough for the job. And since
the episodes of the last school year, Harry felt a cold hatred toward Fudge.
"Alastor Sparrow. That name sounds familiar," said Hermonie to herself.
POP
Fred and George had entered.
"Is it really necessary to do that!" said Ron shoving Fred off his lap in which Fred
conveniently Apparated himself onto. "We already know you two can do it!"
"Yes, my dear little brother, it is necessary," said George.
"Just as necessary as it is to eat."
"Which is now."
"Ah, see you've heard the news about Fudge," said Fred looking at Hermonie with the
paper. "Can't say we'll miss him much."
POP
They were gone. Harry, Ron, and Hermonie began to walk down the hall giving their
opinions of Fudge's retirement all down the way. Hermonie's face was still buried in the
Prophet.
"I wonder what Dad will say about all of this," said Ron. "Fudge has been inking to
firing him at any chance he got before the-" Ron went silent.
"Before what, Ron?" said Harry.
"Ah, Potter, Weasley, and Granger. Nice to see that you've all made it safely," said a
cold, sneering voice Harry knew all-too-well.
"Professor Snape, it's nice to see you," said Hermonie quickly, standing in between Harry
and Snape. "Are you not going to stay for dinner?" Snape turned his icy start to Hermonie.
"No. I have other important things to attend to," Snape's eyes caught Harry's and held
them in a battle of glares.
"Will I have the pleasure and amusement of having the three of you in my N.E.W.T.
class? It was to my surprise that the two of you actually made it up to standard," said Snape
turning to Harry and Ron. "Was it possible that maybe some of my lectures penetrated the thick
skulls belonging to the pair of you? Please let me stress that, if you decide to further your pitiful
knowledge of the mastery of Potions, it will be, by no means, as easy as my last classes," said
Snape sneering over them. "But, atlas, I must be going. Good day Potter, Weasley, Granger."
"Good bye Professor," said Harry, spitting out the words. With a last nasty
look at Harry and the bellow of his black cloak, Snape was gone.
Harry, Ron, and Hermonie entered the kitchen. Harry was feeling rather hostile after his
encounter with Snape, but that didn't last long. The whole Weasley tribe, including Percy who
had made up with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, was present including himself, Hermonie, Lupin,
Tonks, and Mad-Eye. Dinner was one of the best that Mrs. Weasley had prepared, all in
celebration of rescuing Harry.
"So Mr. Weasley, do you know anything about Alastor Sparrow?"asked Hermonie.
Ginny was giggling something into Ron's ear that was making his face flush.
"She said what?" said Ron in another conversation.
"Ah, Sparrow. Good fellow that man is. He'd make a good Minister of Magic if I do say
so myself. He's been in the Ministry awhile. He has a lot of influence. He was one of the only
wizards who openly supported Dumbeldore before..." Mr. Weasley glanced at Harry.
"Anyways, he reminds a lot of Dumbeldore if you ask me."
"Has a good name too," said Moody winking with his normal eye.
"Sparrow is a good leader. He'll do well if he's elected. I don't think he'll have much
competition though," said Lupin. "Not many are willing to put themselves up as a leader with
You-Know-Who back and reining chaos." They all nodded in agreement.
"Now now Remus. The dinner table is not the place to discuss such things," said Mrs.
Weasley in a hushed tone. "Harry dear, more potatoes? It looks like you haven't had a good
meal in a while."
"Erm... no thanks," said Harry looking down at his plateful of food. Ron was giving him
a funny look. Hermonie and Ginny suddenly burst out in laughter as Tonk's transformed herself
to resemble a toad like woman while making over exaggerated expressions.
After dinner, Mrs. Weasley insisted they all go up to bed, much to the dismay of Harry
who wanted to ask more questions about the Order and what was happening now. However,
Mrs. Weasley proved to be too much of a match.
"Hey Harry..." Ron said while changing into his pajamas.
"Yeah?" Harry pulled back the covers to his bed.
"Are you going to be the new Quidditch captain? That band Umbridge gave you has been
abolished. We all know you are going to be Seeker again. No one is as good as you. But- I
mean. Angelia is done with Hogwarts. We need a captain," said Ron with a hopeful glint in his
eye.
Harry hadn't thought about Quidditch at all. Last year Griffindor had barley won the
Hogwart's Quidditch Cup. Harry wasn't able to play many games before he was banished from
Quidditch forever. He didn't know who he would survive. He didn't know how he still did.
"Yeah..." said Harry seriously considering the idea. "Maybe I will."
"I kinda talked to Angelia about it last year... before she left. You just have to go and talk
to Dumbeldore," Ron said, getting into bed.
Harry imagined himself captain of the Griffindor Quidditch team. He was being handed
that wonderful silver Quidditch Cup, his team mates all around him smiling, calling him captain.
Truly, the this was something he would have to consider. After last year's banishment, getting
on a broom again and feeling the rush and excitement of the game was more than Harry could
bare.
"Yeah, I think I'll do that."
"Good. 'Night Harry."
"'Night Ron."