PART SIX

The celebrations began as soon as the exam finished. By the time, they reached the entrance hall, Harry was feeling decidedly mellow and brave, when Remus joined them, looking particularly sexy. Harry felt his spirits deflate slightly though, when he noticed Tonks with him.

"Oh Good, you're here. Professor Dumbledore says it okay to go to The Three Broomsticks but no wandering. He has also organised for us to floo directly from here to The Three Broomsticks. "

"Thanks professor."

"Well let's go."

Arriving they found the place brimming with people and after a bit, managed to get some seats. It was hard to hear what everyone was saying with the noise, but Remus eventually felt fairly clear on what they wanted and went to the bar to get it. Harry used the opportunity to hiss at Hermione "What's Tonks doing here?"

"Dumbledore probably insisted that an auror accompany us and she is a member of the order. I doubt it means anything!"

"I'm sure it doesn't mean anything," said Ron, "Look."

Sure enough Ron was right, Tonks, at least, was not trying for Remus's affection even if he was interested in her. Neville appeared to be much more her type.

"You know, I am starting to feel a like bit of an oddity in our year!"

"How do you mean?"

"Hermione and Snape. You and well."

"Yeah?"

"And now Neville and Tonks!"

"I see what you mean. You are happy with Lavender, right?"

Before he could answer, Remus was back, hands full.

"Everyone all right?"

"Yeah."

"Well I hope I got this order right."

"Thank you Professor." Chorused the trio together.

"Please, you all finished your exams today. I think we can dispense with the professor, at least, as far as I am concerned. Remus is just fine. The other professors may disagree so don't take it as permission on their part."

Even though, Tonks had turned out to be interested in Neville ( who they would have to interrogate later for information), her presence had dampened his confidence somewhat and he felt stupid for letting Hermione get his hopes up. He felt completely tongue tied, Ron was no help since he had attached himself to Lavender. Hermione ended up carrying the conversation.

"Harry."

"What?"

"Prof.. I mean Remus was just asking about our plans?"

"Surviving Voldemort sounds good to me!"

"I reckon, that sounds good to all of us but what about career plans?"

"If I get the grades, I'll probably try for auror training. I think I'd learn some valuable skills and maybe I'd finally have access to information. If I survive the confrontation with Voldemort, then I think I'd like to do something different maybe even travel for a while. I've never been on a holiday you know. I think I'd like to get a map, just stick a pin in it and go there."

"As far as auror training, Tonks is really the one you should talk to. That might have to wait til we can pry her away from Neville though," Said Remus, with a laugh, "at least I know why she volunteered to come now."

"She volunteered?" asked Harry.

"Yeah, when I asked Dumbledore about you going out tonight. He called a small order meeting and she offered to come with me."

After that the talk turned to Hermione's plans for the future, Harry wasn't exactly sure how many degrees she planned on taking, or where she would find the time or energy but then when had Hermione left a small thing like time get in her way. Harry hoped that she would at least make enough time for Snape.

"Have you ever thought about playing quidditch professionally?"

Harry realised that he had been so lost in thought that he had not noticed Hermione finishing and startled he struggled to answer Remus's question.

"Professor Hooch asked me that question as well. I'm not sure I answered her any better. I enjoy playing quidditch and flying is just the greatest experience ever. I'm just not sure that it's something I want to make a career out of. Anyway I don't know if I'm good enough."

"The youngest seeker in a century."Scoffed Ron.

"Oh you're back in our conversation!" Said Harry.

"Yeah, it was the word Quidditch that did it." Answered Lavender.

"Sorry!"

It's ok. I love you anyway."

"Professional quidditch is a different league altogether. In addition, how would I know that my status as the "boy who lived" hadn't influenced the selectors. Then, there's the press, you know how they make a big thing out of everything I do. I'd only be asking them to pry in my life and imagine if I was crap."

"Harry, I think there's...." Remus's voice trailed off as it became apparent, that the noises outside might not merely be the result of high spirits. Tonks also looked alert.

"Gather the students together and get them back to Hogwarts." Remus quickly gave instructions regarding an emergency route to Hogwarts. When Harry tried to resist, Hermione grabbed him by the arm and began dragging him in the direction they were told to go. Tonks had her wand out as did several other students.

"No I want to help." Struggling out of Hermione's grasp, he turned to follow Remus who had gone to check out the situation and found himself face to face with a death eater. Before the death eater could attack, Remus despatched him and returned to the trio.

"Didn't I tell you to leave? "

"We're going"

"No, we're not."

"Harry, this is not open for discussion, the safest place for you, right now, is Hogwarts."

"So more people get hurt and I, run back to Hogwarts like a coward."

"It's not like that, please, lets just go!" Urged Hermione.

"Harry, a wise man learns to choose his battles, this is not the time or place."

Reluctantly, Harry agreed with their points and they began to make their escape. Luck proved not to be on their side, as they ended up wandering straight into the path of a band of death eaters, which included Bellatrix. For the first time in ages, Harry felt that unreasonable rage fill him and he started firing spells at her which left the others with no choice but to attack also.

"Oh, if it isn't little Harry, feeling all brave tonight are we? My lord will be very happy to have a little talk with you"

The exchange of spells was rapid and Bellatrix seemed surprised by his spell casting ability. Noticing her gaze move slightly from him, Harry managed to stupefy her, the cry from behind alerting him to the fact, that a death eater had been about to attack him.

Before he could thank Remus, Remus gave a cry of pain and went down. Peter Pettigrew looking jubilant behind him. A weird white noise in his head, Harry attacked with everything he could muster, Peter, like the rat he was, transformed and ran.

When the aurors arrived, Harry was sitting next to Remus, apologising for fighting with him and begging him to wake up and be ok because he cared so much for him and he couldn't imagine life without him.