Chapter Seventeen
The Coming
The next morning Harry, Ron, Draco, Miley, Susan, Neville and Hermione sat promptly in the front row of the apparition class. The morning had been quiet easy. Everything had been down with magic, Harry and Neville made breakfast and made all their beds. Being the oldests of the group and it being their 17th birthday, he could legal use magic. Harry was awed by it and Molly Weasley talked his ear off of all the crazy things her sons did on their 17th birthday.
But now they were here, sitting rank in the last day of class. "As it is," Cameron started, "I am but a teacher, not a Ministry worker. You all shall report to the Level Six. Now, Harry, Hermione, receiving top credit will take you tests first. Report their quickly and report back here when you are finished."
"So is that it?" Draco snapped as Hermione and Harry stood to leave. "We have been competing just to get to take our tests first, that's a loud of crap!"
Hermione sniggered, and then stopped when Harry looked at her. "That is kind of a let down," she covered.
Harry and Hermione stepped quietly into the elevator, cramming beside a frumpy old witch with silver-blue hair and a tall boney man lacking the natural amount of hair.
"...and didn't you hear about that uproar?" the man cackled, slowly inhaling precious air.
"Fudge being dragged out like a baby, wailing for his mom." The witch replied.
"Excuse me, but where you actually there... I mean in the court room?" Hermione asked.
"Of course not deary, it was packed court room, I didn't even plan on going. I was getting my cousins wand scanned for curses, he's a little shady, and the Ministry workers where dragging him right out to the visitor's exit."
The man hooted as though the spectacle still amused him as though it was the first time he heard it. "Oh, and I was there when Dumbledore announced Weasley would be Minister."
"Level seven, Department of Magical Games and sports, incorporating and British and Irish Quidditch League Headquarters, Official Gobstones Club and Ludicrous Office." Said a cool female voice.
"I yelled and cheered the loudest I did." The man went on after the voice died.
"I'm so sure you did," the witch splat, "65 years of bones and flesh screaming the loudest... come on. "
"Harry Potter wasn't there," he croaked, ignoring her comment. "I heard that Weasley's youngest son is best mates with him..."
"Level six, Department of Magical Transport, incorporating the Floo Network Authority, Broom Regulatory Control, Portkey Office, and Apparition Test Control." Harry pressed his hair over his forehead as Hermione dragged him off the lift.
"Bye dears," the witch called, "Good luck on your test."
"Yeah, and say hello to Harry Po..." but the door closed before he could finish.
"Harry, did that scar you?" Hermione asked innocently.
"Maaaabeeee," Harry exasperated.
Hermione giggled and tucked her arm under Harry's. "This is just... wonderful. We're all coming of age; we are about to take our apparition test and next June..."
Harry gulped thinking about the next school year. What would be there for him this year? What next death or birth would he live through? What will his young aged eyes witness?
"...school will be over and we will be starting our lives, really starting. Going out, having a jobs, responsibility..."
He never though of it... what was after Hogwarts? Where would he live? Where would he work? Would Voldemort still be after him? A cold chill ran up his spin.
"...Harry, are you listening to me?" Hermione asked.
"What? Oh yeah, I'm listening." Harry messed with his hair. "We're here."
Harry pushed open the last door on the left. A window was blowing frost bitten air and snow at them. "Harry, we're underground...and it's... JULY!"
Harry chuckled, reminding Hermione that she should read, "Ministry, the History."
"Honestly Harry," she sighed.
"Wait just a moment... wait, hang on..." a tiny little wizard ordered, hiding behind a larger desk, digging for something.
"Ah, yes, yes, Potter Harry and Granger Hermione... odd names." The name showed his face. It was small and wrinkled with big round specials thick as ice. His hair was fading and his robes bright blue. His shoes graced the wrong feet and his socks didn't match. "Oh, that's right, the last name is put first... so it would be... let's see... Hermione Granger and... no don't tell me, you're Harry Potter." The wizard flashed them a toothless smile before the name sunk in. "Harry... Harry Potter."
"yessir," Harry slurred.
"Well, don't think I'll pass you just for your name," the wizard chuckled and said no one. Harry grinned. "My name is Dr. Rowling Order of Merlin Fifth class and leader of the Diplopic Laughing Club. First part of the test is to identify the safety procedures that must be taken each time you apparate."
Hermione raised her hand, but Harry answered, "Have your wand with you, don't change destinations midway, and don't eat while apparating and..." Harry numbered them off on his fingers.
"And never into someone." Hermione finished for him.
"Very good, I never have trouble with my first two. Now, I am going to give you Hermione, Harry's certificate and Harry, you Hermione's. I want you to apparate to the Leakey Caldron. When both of you are there, give the other their diploma and treat yourself to a nice lunch on the Ministry."
Hermione grinned, her stomach rumbling softly.
"Okay, Hermione, ladies first... your fellow class mates should join you for lunch soon."
"Bye Harry," Hermione disappear in a second.
"Harry, you next... I'll 'send you' back down to get the others." Dr. Rowling flicked his wand and almost real looking Hermione and Harry's appeared out of then air. "Go back down to see Cameron." He whispered to the dummies. They walked, softly taking to each other about chocolate frogs. They acted like the real Harry and Hermione, walked everything.
"Cool," Harry muttered.
"A simple little spell Dumbledore taught me my seventh year. Go on Potter, you and Miss Granger have passed, no go on."
"Thanks," Harry said and he was gone from the small little office in a second, landing on two shaky feet second later on a dusty wood floor in the Leaky Caldron.
"Here Harry," Hermione jammed the parchment into Harry's hand and ripped another roll from his robe pocket.
"OOOO, we can apparate now... wait a minute..." Hermione stated reading the bottom. "'We are please to info you that you have passed the Ministry of Magic course and test for Apparition and Disapparition. Please note that Appariting and Disappariting is considered magic therefore may not be used, besides getting home after your exam, till you of the legal age of seventeen.' That sucks!" Hermione yelled.
"Hermione," Harry gasped laughing at her.
"Oh shut up Harry, it doesn't effect you, you're seventeen today, but my birthday isn't till November." She collapsed down into the chair closest to her.
"Hello 'Arry Pott'r," Tom said. "Whom might this be?"
"I'm Hermione Granger," Hermione huffed.
"I pleased," Tom jarred. What can I get you for lunch, it's on the Ministry.
Harry and Hermione ordered as Ron and Susan dropped in.
"This is lovely!" A Ravenclaw squeaked, "I can apparate everywhere now!"
Ron nodded nicely, ripping a meat off a chicken leg fiercely. "Are you seventeen yet?"
The girl turned to Hermione, her smile fading fast, "Not till the end of September... why?"
"You can't apparate till you turn seventeen." Hermione jeered.
"DARNGIT!" the girl cried, a group moaning at these words.
"I turned 17 last May," Ron said with a grin, moving on to his chocolate pudding.
"Why haven't you been doing magic then?" Harry asked, feeling guiltily for just now learning his best friends' birthdays. They knew his... obviously, everyone who every read a book did. But it had never hit him to ask what their birthday was. He patted his robe pocket for his coin pouch. Nothing but a knut.
"I don't know any spells that could help. I have lit a few fires and hexed Draco a time or two... but mom says if I don't take advantage of my age then she wouldn't make me do much work... I listened well. Besides, what else could I do to top the Charlie and Bill seventeen birthday stories she has. You heard her." Complete a total humiliation and failure filled his freckled face.
The Leaky Cauldron slowly thinned. Hermione, Ron, Harry, Draco, Neville and Susan all left at different times.
It was a beautiful day outside. They got home just in time to see everyone leaving the house from the Order meeting. "Happy Birthday" was strung across the entrance. Mrs. Weasley had made a muggle barbeque in the kitchen. There was a big cake reading, "Happy seventeen Harry and Neville."
All that night they ate (some more), talked, laughed and all the stress and worries that have been storming over the house since it was reclaimed last year after ten years of nothing was lifted.
"Harry," Sirius said, a cup full a fire whisky in his hand and Harry under his arm. "I have a present..." he hic-upped. "For you... come on."
Harry and Sirius escaped the downstairs part to Sirius's room. "It's over there..." His pointed a shaky hand to the corned. Sirius, unable to stand on his own, leaned against the wall.
Harry drew a big hat box toward him. It wasn't wrapped but dusty, like it's hadn't been moved for some time. Sirius encouraged him to open it, so, slowly he did. Inside was a set of robes with a ruby and gold embalm on them. He expected them to be Gryffindor robes, but instead of a G it was a P.
"They were his dad's... I mean your grandfather's. James wore them when he married Lily, I mean your mom. But James didn't like the family name once he found out... it didn't mean much to him but a name after that."
"After what?"
"He packed them up and hid them up in a closest. After... that night, I got everything I thought James would want you to have and hid it here." Sirius ignored Harry's question.
Harry laid the stack of robes aside and looked in the bottom of the box. There was a family photo, James about Harry age, 17 standing with his parents in front of the house. His arms where crossed and his dad had his arm around James's shoulder's.
"That house burnt down..." Sirius hic-upped again, "A year after that picture was taken."
Harry nodded. His life was in the past... his parents, his family... his heart, all in the past. The only connection with the past he had now was the drunk behind him and some half man half animal outside somewhere howling at the moon. No... Harry thought to himself, no... that's not right... why... why am I thinking that?
He dug deeper past plastic and tissue; a set of plates with the Potter symbol and a big deep ruby ring. It seemed to big for Harry's ring finger. He slid it to try. "SIRIUS!"
"What?"
"The ring... it... shrunk!" Harry tired to pull it off but it wouldn't move.
"That's a boy Harry," Sirius grinned wider, his cup was now empty but he seemed more sober at the moment. "That is the Potter Family ring. You are the last heir... well, not the last... but the eldest son of the Potters."
"But Patrick is older than me..." Harry started.
"But you're grandfather is the eldest son... not Patrick's. You see?" Sirius said. "James wore that ring... only for awhile... right after his father died. I... I took it off of him." Sirius said, wrapping his hands. "That's how I first knew he was dead... the ring was back to the huge ring size... it fits only to the one who should be wearing it... and you can't take it off till you die... or you pass it on to your eldest son."
Harry nodded, looking at the ring in admiration. He did feel a little... well, girly, but he felt power, somehow connected to something, something much bigger than the seventeen year old boy standing in his shoes.
"Harry you coming of age," Sirius said suddenly.
"I thought I was of age..." Harry said, grinning. He felt power in himself now, he was 17... no more shying away from using magic at any time... this was him... magic was part of the muggle and the wizarding world now. Not a wizard in training or a muggle in the summer but Harry James Potter, the wizard.
"Well, yes... you are but... you learn a lot more... in you seventh year, you most of all." Sirius said nodding.
Harry knew his godfather had a deeper meaning but didn't push to know it. It seemed Harry had learned to respect people when they told him he didn't want to know... the horrors he knew now he wished he didn't know... if only he would have listened, stop playing hero... now he was forced to playing hero.
Harry woke the next morning earlier than anyone. He pulled on his new Potter robes that fit him perfectly and stuffed his money bag and wand into his pocket. He was about to shut the dormitory door when Hedwig flew to his shoulder.
"Good morning Hedwig," He whispered, walking out the door with the owl on his shoulder. "Have a nice night?"
Hedwig hooted and pecked Harry's ear. She stuck out her leg. "Thanks," he took the letter and walk out of the house with her on his shoulder. It was his Hogwarts letter.
He pocketed it and walked down to Neil's house. Hedwig flew from his shoulder and circled around the roof tops in the riding sunlight.
He scribbled a note to Sirius that he was going to Diagon Alley to get his school stuff. And Hedwig picked it up, on her way back to 12 Grimmauld Place.
First day of freedom," Harry grinned and disapparated to the Leaky Cauldron.
"Good mornin' 'Arry." Tom said, cleaning the cup. "What can I get you? You can have a fire whiskey now that your seventeen."
Harry was shook but shook his head, just buying a butter beer and a pumpkin cake to go.
He disapparated to Diagon Alley, not wanting to ask how to get there the muggle way, he had forgotten. Everyone was just starting to opening up their shops. He waved to Fred or George, who, with messy hair, waved to him with a big yawn.
"Where's mum?" they asked
"I came by myself," Harry said brightly.
"That's right, you turned 17 yesterday. Congrates on your freedom. Come by later for a free joke." Fred winked.
Harry nearly skipped down the paved road eating his cake and sipping his butter beer. He was finished when he got to the leaning Bank at the end. He collected half of what was left in his vault. It was almost six hundred gallons, six hundred still there.
Harry decided that once everyone was awake and got their own letter that everyone would come to Diagon Alley to join him, so he was off to get birthday and head boy and girl presents first. He bought Ron quidditch supplies; his own moving model of the field, a magical whistle that only team mates could hear, new cuddle cannons practice robes and bag of one hundred chocolate frogs. Harry bought Hermione "So you want to know everything?" wizarding almanac, a pair of diamond earrings that change colors to match your outfit and a new collar for Crockshanks. Neville would get a Herbology set to take care of his plants and Ginny... she was more trouble to shop for. He ended up buying her a heart necklace that changed colors like Hermione's earrings. He walked out of the magical jewelry shop with his ears bright pink.
He checked him money pouch, he had more than enough for supplies and to have during school. He sat down and ordered an Ice cream as Hermione Ron ran to him, their faces bright red and smiling widely.
"Congratulations Hermione," Harry said when she opened her mouth and nothing came out.
"I... but... but...." Hermione stuttered.
"Everyone knew you would be Head Girl," Harry said, patting her hand and looking at Ron with a grin. He wasn't supposed to know.
"HARRY!" Ginny came running at him and threw her arms around him, "Ron and Hermione got Head Boy and Girl! Ron hasn't said a word all morning!" She smiled at her brother and then back at Harry, "Mum's mad that you left, she kept saying something could have happened to you."
"Four more ice creams," Harry shouted as the three of them and Neville sat down.
"I have some stuff for you all," Harry said grinning.
"Is that why you came early?" Hermione asked, calming down slowly.
He pasted out everyone's presents and watch as Ron got even more excited. "This is for all the birthday's I've missed and for you two becoming Head Boy and Girl."
He breathed deeply once Hermione didn't say anything about how he knew Ron got Head Boy, but she looked at him with suspicion.
"Harry, how could you, with all this mess going on? Leave and not tell anyone? Five more ice creams." Mrs. Weasley said.
Sirius, Susan, Draco, Miley and Mrs. Weasley all joined in for the early afternoon ice cream party.
Harry escorted the rest to get their books, finding it amusing that they only need their last spell book, year seven. Ron kept himself back away, knowing that the torn school book laid waiting for him at home.
"Are you alright Ron?" Hermione asked.
Ron blushed, nodded and hurried down the now crowd path to the robe store. He, like Harry, had grown and needed new robes.
Draco, Hermione and Harry all got measured while Ron waited with his second robes watching. "I don't think I've gone a year without new robes..." Draco said smartly.
"Do your old robes fit?" Sirius splat.
"Well, yes they do, I did all my growing when I was sixteen."
"Then don't get any new ones, your mother didn't leave you much money and I'm sure you'll want some change for Hogwarts and after Hogwarts for your start."
Draco's eyes widened and Ron grinned. No more of Draco calling him poor. Hermione giggled and skip off to collect her three new Gryffindor robes.
"Harry..." Ginny whispered.
"Yeah," he answered off handedly, ignoring the silence in her voice.
She was unspoken for a moment then opened her mouth to a new sentence. "Hermione has a secret... she wanted me to tell you."
"What kind of secret?"
"You can't tell Ron..." Ginny warned. "She doesn't want him to know."
"What is it Gin?" Harry pressed.
"Hermione and...." Ginny shut up. There was a loud yell from out side and both of them ran from the small shop.
"Hermione, what did you do?" Ginny asked.
"I... I didn't do anything..." she was flushed red.
"This... this is too much... first Ginny and Harry and now... Hermione and... Herm..."
His voice softened as he looked at Hermione, his eyes dried red. He looked at Harry and lowered his head. "What happened Ron?" Harry asked softly.
"It doesn't matter... It just doesn't matter." Ron sighed.
"Ron, let's go back... to the house."
Sirius and Molly were exiting with all their robes bundled down.
"MRS. WEASLEY," Harry yelp, thinking up a plan. "Can I take all those back to the house, Ron doesn't feel good and I was going to go back with him."
"Ron honey..." Mrs. Weasley started.
"I think it's more than that Molly, go on Harry." Sirius said, handing him his bundle.
Harry disapparated soon after Ron.
"Done with our fun shopping day are we Harry Potter?" Kreacher asked gleefully taking the robes and bags from Harry and Ron fiercely. Kreacher was just cleaning when he heard a pop and found Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley standing here at home. Can I get you anything?"
"No Kreacher." Harry said, side glancing at Ron moving unevenly in his shoes. "Is anyone else home?"
"Oh yes sir, someone always here. Today workers are down stairs in the Order working... they kicked me out. Mistress Angelica Sirius says that Kreacher is misunderstood and that when ever someone heard my feelings to clean... and that is what Kreacher is doing. Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning; Kreacher was just cleaning when he heard a pop and found Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley standing here at home. Can I get you anything?" Kreacher repeated flashing a yellow toothed smile.
"Um, no Kreacher, just leave us alone right now..." Harry said kindly.
"Yes sir Harry Potter, I will make yous some tea when ever you are finished with whatever Kreacher can not witness." Kreacher smiled again and vanished.
They sat down on the stairs, Ron a few down from Harry. Neither said anything for a moment.
"What happened Ron?" Harry asked with caution.
"Nothing... and then everything at once." He sighed.
"I don't get it."
"Ginny always had a crush on you and sure she's dated a few guys but she finally got you... you two are well... kinda... you know." Ron stumbled over his ill-placed words. "Then Hermione had Krum... and Malfoy had all his Slytherin bim-bo's... but... I'm just so screwed up right now."
"Ron, is Draco and Hermione like Ginny and me?" Harry said, understanding.
"Yeah," Ron breathed sadly. "I don't know how we missed it but I walk out of the shop and the were huddled together and Malfoy was whispering something to her and he kissed her cheek and she blushed like she enjoyed it and then she saw me and looked at me with those eyes and... I felt betrayed in the worse way. Like it should be okay for Malfoy and Hermione to be together, Malfoy good now I guess and it's not like Hermione and I are well... kinda... you know. But at the same time it hurts that my best friend is falling for my enemy and that she should have asked me... us what we thought but then again it's her life and it's her choice and it just... hurts." Ron gasped for air.
"Ron..." Harry said after his long silence, "You like Hermione don't you?"
"Is it that obvious?" Ron sighed burying his head in his hands.
"Yeah, it kinda is." Harry said patting his friend on the back. "How long?"
"Forever I guess. I don't know when it started. Every time Hermione smarts off and acts better than me I realize how out of my league she is... and I just want to push her away from me, just put my unreachable away. Then again she dazes me with her wit and smarts and I just feel like... everything that my life that is missing is within her... like everything wrong with me and everything that hurts in me she somehow makes up for and corrects and fixes."
"Ron..." Harry started.
"Harry, don't tell anyone, please. Not Ginny or Hermione or anyone... no one... please. You're my best friend and I need to work all shit out for myself."
"Ron, I'm sorry about what I said." Harry said, nodding. "About Hermione not wanting to snog you or anything, I was just mad I guess."
"I found you in your weakness, I understand. You felt kinda naked didn't you, like I was seeing everything you every thought and felt... like I was their to observe you."
"I always feel like that thought, that's my life." Harry sighed.
"Well, that's how I feel now."
"Ron, let's go get that tea... in a month we will be on the Hogwarts express on our back to Hogwarts and everything, somehow will work out... you'll be Head Boy and Quidditch Captain. If Hermione can't see how great of a friend and a guy and a person you are then she deserve to waste her time with the slime ball that always called her a Mud... you know." Harry said, leading his friend to the kitchen.
"You know what Potter, you are a hero. I believe that... that your dad WOULD be proud of the person you are."
The next morning Harry, Ron, Draco, Miley, Susan, Neville and Hermione sat promptly in the front row of the apparition class. The morning had been quiet easy. Everything had been down with magic, Harry and Neville made breakfast and made all their beds. Being the oldests of the group and it being their 17th birthday, he could legal use magic. Harry was awed by it and Molly Weasley talked his ear off of all the crazy things her sons did on their 17th birthday.
But now they were here, sitting rank in the last day of class. "As it is," Cameron started, "I am but a teacher, not a Ministry worker. You all shall report to the Level Six. Now, Harry, Hermione, receiving top credit will take you tests first. Report their quickly and report back here when you are finished."
"So is that it?" Draco snapped as Hermione and Harry stood to leave. "We have been competing just to get to take our tests first, that's a loud of crap!"
Hermione sniggered, and then stopped when Harry looked at her. "That is kind of a let down," she covered.
Harry and Hermione stepped quietly into the elevator, cramming beside a frumpy old witch with silver-blue hair and a tall boney man lacking the natural amount of hair.
"...and didn't you hear about that uproar?" the man cackled, slowly inhaling precious air.
"Fudge being dragged out like a baby, wailing for his mom." The witch replied.
"Excuse me, but where you actually there... I mean in the court room?" Hermione asked.
"Of course not deary, it was packed court room, I didn't even plan on going. I was getting my cousins wand scanned for curses, he's a little shady, and the Ministry workers where dragging him right out to the visitor's exit."
The man hooted as though the spectacle still amused him as though it was the first time he heard it. "Oh, and I was there when Dumbledore announced Weasley would be Minister."
"Level seven, Department of Magical Games and sports, incorporating and British and Irish Quidditch League Headquarters, Official Gobstones Club and Ludicrous Office." Said a cool female voice.
"I yelled and cheered the loudest I did." The man went on after the voice died.
"I'm so sure you did," the witch splat, "65 years of bones and flesh screaming the loudest... come on. "
"Harry Potter wasn't there," he croaked, ignoring her comment. "I heard that Weasley's youngest son is best mates with him..."
"Level six, Department of Magical Transport, incorporating the Floo Network Authority, Broom Regulatory Control, Portkey Office, and Apparition Test Control." Harry pressed his hair over his forehead as Hermione dragged him off the lift.
"Bye dears," the witch called, "Good luck on your test."
"Yeah, and say hello to Harry Po..." but the door closed before he could finish.
"Harry, did that scar you?" Hermione asked innocently.
"Maaaabeeee," Harry exasperated.
Hermione giggled and tucked her arm under Harry's. "This is just... wonderful. We're all coming of age; we are about to take our apparition test and next June..."
Harry gulped thinking about the next school year. What would be there for him this year? What next death or birth would he live through? What will his young aged eyes witness?
"...school will be over and we will be starting our lives, really starting. Going out, having a jobs, responsibility..."
He never though of it... what was after Hogwarts? Where would he live? Where would he work? Would Voldemort still be after him? A cold chill ran up his spin.
"...Harry, are you listening to me?" Hermione asked.
"What? Oh yeah, I'm listening." Harry messed with his hair. "We're here."
Harry pushed open the last door on the left. A window was blowing frost bitten air and snow at them. "Harry, we're underground...and it's... JULY!"
Harry chuckled, reminding Hermione that she should read, "Ministry, the History."
"Honestly Harry," she sighed.
"Wait just a moment... wait, hang on..." a tiny little wizard ordered, hiding behind a larger desk, digging for something.
"Ah, yes, yes, Potter Harry and Granger Hermione... odd names." The name showed his face. It was small and wrinkled with big round specials thick as ice. His hair was fading and his robes bright blue. His shoes graced the wrong feet and his socks didn't match. "Oh, that's right, the last name is put first... so it would be... let's see... Hermione Granger and... no don't tell me, you're Harry Potter." The wizard flashed them a toothless smile before the name sunk in. "Harry... Harry Potter."
"yessir," Harry slurred.
"Well, don't think I'll pass you just for your name," the wizard chuckled and said no one. Harry grinned. "My name is Dr. Rowling Order of Merlin Fifth class and leader of the Diplopic Laughing Club. First part of the test is to identify the safety procedures that must be taken each time you apparate."
Hermione raised her hand, but Harry answered, "Have your wand with you, don't change destinations midway, and don't eat while apparating and..." Harry numbered them off on his fingers.
"And never into someone." Hermione finished for him.
"Very good, I never have trouble with my first two. Now, I am going to give you Hermione, Harry's certificate and Harry, you Hermione's. I want you to apparate to the Leakey Caldron. When both of you are there, give the other their diploma and treat yourself to a nice lunch on the Ministry."
Hermione grinned, her stomach rumbling softly.
"Okay, Hermione, ladies first... your fellow class mates should join you for lunch soon."
"Bye Harry," Hermione disappear in a second.
"Harry, you next... I'll 'send you' back down to get the others." Dr. Rowling flicked his wand and almost real looking Hermione and Harry's appeared out of then air. "Go back down to see Cameron." He whispered to the dummies. They walked, softly taking to each other about chocolate frogs. They acted like the real Harry and Hermione, walked everything.
"Cool," Harry muttered.
"A simple little spell Dumbledore taught me my seventh year. Go on Potter, you and Miss Granger have passed, no go on."
"Thanks," Harry said and he was gone from the small little office in a second, landing on two shaky feet second later on a dusty wood floor in the Leaky Caldron.
"Here Harry," Hermione jammed the parchment into Harry's hand and ripped another roll from his robe pocket.
"OOOO, we can apparate now... wait a minute..." Hermione stated reading the bottom. "'We are please to info you that you have passed the Ministry of Magic course and test for Apparition and Disapparition. Please note that Appariting and Disappariting is considered magic therefore may not be used, besides getting home after your exam, till you of the legal age of seventeen.' That sucks!" Hermione yelled.
"Hermione," Harry gasped laughing at her.
"Oh shut up Harry, it doesn't effect you, you're seventeen today, but my birthday isn't till November." She collapsed down into the chair closest to her.
"Hello 'Arry Pott'r," Tom said. "Whom might this be?"
"I'm Hermione Granger," Hermione huffed.
"I pleased," Tom jarred. What can I get you for lunch, it's on the Ministry.
Harry and Hermione ordered as Ron and Susan dropped in.
"This is lovely!" A Ravenclaw squeaked, "I can apparate everywhere now!"
Ron nodded nicely, ripping a meat off a chicken leg fiercely. "Are you seventeen yet?"
The girl turned to Hermione, her smile fading fast, "Not till the end of September... why?"
"You can't apparate till you turn seventeen." Hermione jeered.
"DARNGIT!" the girl cried, a group moaning at these words.
"I turned 17 last May," Ron said with a grin, moving on to his chocolate pudding.
"Why haven't you been doing magic then?" Harry asked, feeling guiltily for just now learning his best friends' birthdays. They knew his... obviously, everyone who every read a book did. But it had never hit him to ask what their birthday was. He patted his robe pocket for his coin pouch. Nothing but a knut.
"I don't know any spells that could help. I have lit a few fires and hexed Draco a time or two... but mom says if I don't take advantage of my age then she wouldn't make me do much work... I listened well. Besides, what else could I do to top the Charlie and Bill seventeen birthday stories she has. You heard her." Complete a total humiliation and failure filled his freckled face.
The Leaky Cauldron slowly thinned. Hermione, Ron, Harry, Draco, Neville and Susan all left at different times.
It was a beautiful day outside. They got home just in time to see everyone leaving the house from the Order meeting. "Happy Birthday" was strung across the entrance. Mrs. Weasley had made a muggle barbeque in the kitchen. There was a big cake reading, "Happy seventeen Harry and Neville."
All that night they ate (some more), talked, laughed and all the stress and worries that have been storming over the house since it was reclaimed last year after ten years of nothing was lifted.
"Harry," Sirius said, a cup full a fire whisky in his hand and Harry under his arm. "I have a present..." he hic-upped. "For you... come on."
Harry and Sirius escaped the downstairs part to Sirius's room. "It's over there..." His pointed a shaky hand to the corned. Sirius, unable to stand on his own, leaned against the wall.
Harry drew a big hat box toward him. It wasn't wrapped but dusty, like it's hadn't been moved for some time. Sirius encouraged him to open it, so, slowly he did. Inside was a set of robes with a ruby and gold embalm on them. He expected them to be Gryffindor robes, but instead of a G it was a P.
"They were his dad's... I mean your grandfather's. James wore them when he married Lily, I mean your mom. But James didn't like the family name once he found out... it didn't mean much to him but a name after that."
"After what?"
"He packed them up and hid them up in a closest. After... that night, I got everything I thought James would want you to have and hid it here." Sirius ignored Harry's question.
Harry laid the stack of robes aside and looked in the bottom of the box. There was a family photo, James about Harry age, 17 standing with his parents in front of the house. His arms where crossed and his dad had his arm around James's shoulder's.
"That house burnt down..." Sirius hic-upped again, "A year after that picture was taken."
Harry nodded. His life was in the past... his parents, his family... his heart, all in the past. The only connection with the past he had now was the drunk behind him and some half man half animal outside somewhere howling at the moon. No... Harry thought to himself, no... that's not right... why... why am I thinking that?
He dug deeper past plastic and tissue; a set of plates with the Potter symbol and a big deep ruby ring. It seemed to big for Harry's ring finger. He slid it to try. "SIRIUS!"
"What?"
"The ring... it... shrunk!" Harry tired to pull it off but it wouldn't move.
"That's a boy Harry," Sirius grinned wider, his cup was now empty but he seemed more sober at the moment. "That is the Potter Family ring. You are the last heir... well, not the last... but the eldest son of the Potters."
"But Patrick is older than me..." Harry started.
"But you're grandfather is the eldest son... not Patrick's. You see?" Sirius said. "James wore that ring... only for awhile... right after his father died. I... I took it off of him." Sirius said, wrapping his hands. "That's how I first knew he was dead... the ring was back to the huge ring size... it fits only to the one who should be wearing it... and you can't take it off till you die... or you pass it on to your eldest son."
Harry nodded, looking at the ring in admiration. He did feel a little... well, girly, but he felt power, somehow connected to something, something much bigger than the seventeen year old boy standing in his shoes.
"Harry you coming of age," Sirius said suddenly.
"I thought I was of age..." Harry said, grinning. He felt power in himself now, he was 17... no more shying away from using magic at any time... this was him... magic was part of the muggle and the wizarding world now. Not a wizard in training or a muggle in the summer but Harry James Potter, the wizard.
"Well, yes... you are but... you learn a lot more... in you seventh year, you most of all." Sirius said nodding.
Harry knew his godfather had a deeper meaning but didn't push to know it. It seemed Harry had learned to respect people when they told him he didn't want to know... the horrors he knew now he wished he didn't know... if only he would have listened, stop playing hero... now he was forced to playing hero.
Harry woke the next morning earlier than anyone. He pulled on his new Potter robes that fit him perfectly and stuffed his money bag and wand into his pocket. He was about to shut the dormitory door when Hedwig flew to his shoulder.
"Good morning Hedwig," He whispered, walking out the door with the owl on his shoulder. "Have a nice night?"
Hedwig hooted and pecked Harry's ear. She stuck out her leg. "Thanks," he took the letter and walk out of the house with her on his shoulder. It was his Hogwarts letter.
He pocketed it and walked down to Neil's house. Hedwig flew from his shoulder and circled around the roof tops in the riding sunlight.
He scribbled a note to Sirius that he was going to Diagon Alley to get his school stuff. And Hedwig picked it up, on her way back to 12 Grimmauld Place.
First day of freedom," Harry grinned and disapparated to the Leaky Cauldron.
"Good mornin' 'Arry." Tom said, cleaning the cup. "What can I get you? You can have a fire whiskey now that your seventeen."
Harry was shook but shook his head, just buying a butter beer and a pumpkin cake to go.
He disapparated to Diagon Alley, not wanting to ask how to get there the muggle way, he had forgotten. Everyone was just starting to opening up their shops. He waved to Fred or George, who, with messy hair, waved to him with a big yawn.
"Where's mum?" they asked
"I came by myself," Harry said brightly.
"That's right, you turned 17 yesterday. Congrates on your freedom. Come by later for a free joke." Fred winked.
Harry nearly skipped down the paved road eating his cake and sipping his butter beer. He was finished when he got to the leaning Bank at the end. He collected half of what was left in his vault. It was almost six hundred gallons, six hundred still there.
Harry decided that once everyone was awake and got their own letter that everyone would come to Diagon Alley to join him, so he was off to get birthday and head boy and girl presents first. He bought Ron quidditch supplies; his own moving model of the field, a magical whistle that only team mates could hear, new cuddle cannons practice robes and bag of one hundred chocolate frogs. Harry bought Hermione "So you want to know everything?" wizarding almanac, a pair of diamond earrings that change colors to match your outfit and a new collar for Crockshanks. Neville would get a Herbology set to take care of his plants and Ginny... she was more trouble to shop for. He ended up buying her a heart necklace that changed colors like Hermione's earrings. He walked out of the magical jewelry shop with his ears bright pink.
He checked him money pouch, he had more than enough for supplies and to have during school. He sat down and ordered an Ice cream as Hermione Ron ran to him, their faces bright red and smiling widely.
"Congratulations Hermione," Harry said when she opened her mouth and nothing came out.
"I... but... but...." Hermione stuttered.
"Everyone knew you would be Head Girl," Harry said, patting her hand and looking at Ron with a grin. He wasn't supposed to know.
"HARRY!" Ginny came running at him and threw her arms around him, "Ron and Hermione got Head Boy and Girl! Ron hasn't said a word all morning!" She smiled at her brother and then back at Harry, "Mum's mad that you left, she kept saying something could have happened to you."
"Four more ice creams," Harry shouted as the three of them and Neville sat down.
"I have some stuff for you all," Harry said grinning.
"Is that why you came early?" Hermione asked, calming down slowly.
He pasted out everyone's presents and watch as Ron got even more excited. "This is for all the birthday's I've missed and for you two becoming Head Boy and Girl."
He breathed deeply once Hermione didn't say anything about how he knew Ron got Head Boy, but she looked at him with suspicion.
"Harry, how could you, with all this mess going on? Leave and not tell anyone? Five more ice creams." Mrs. Weasley said.
Sirius, Susan, Draco, Miley and Mrs. Weasley all joined in for the early afternoon ice cream party.
Harry escorted the rest to get their books, finding it amusing that they only need their last spell book, year seven. Ron kept himself back away, knowing that the torn school book laid waiting for him at home.
"Are you alright Ron?" Hermione asked.
Ron blushed, nodded and hurried down the now crowd path to the robe store. He, like Harry, had grown and needed new robes.
Draco, Hermione and Harry all got measured while Ron waited with his second robes watching. "I don't think I've gone a year without new robes..." Draco said smartly.
"Do your old robes fit?" Sirius splat.
"Well, yes they do, I did all my growing when I was sixteen."
"Then don't get any new ones, your mother didn't leave you much money and I'm sure you'll want some change for Hogwarts and after Hogwarts for your start."
Draco's eyes widened and Ron grinned. No more of Draco calling him poor. Hermione giggled and skip off to collect her three new Gryffindor robes.
"Harry..." Ginny whispered.
"Yeah," he answered off handedly, ignoring the silence in her voice.
She was unspoken for a moment then opened her mouth to a new sentence. "Hermione has a secret... she wanted me to tell you."
"What kind of secret?"
"You can't tell Ron..." Ginny warned. "She doesn't want him to know."
"What is it Gin?" Harry pressed.
"Hermione and...." Ginny shut up. There was a loud yell from out side and both of them ran from the small shop.
"Hermione, what did you do?" Ginny asked.
"I... I didn't do anything..." she was flushed red.
"This... this is too much... first Ginny and Harry and now... Hermione and... Herm..."
His voice softened as he looked at Hermione, his eyes dried red. He looked at Harry and lowered his head. "What happened Ron?" Harry asked softly.
"It doesn't matter... It just doesn't matter." Ron sighed.
"Ron, let's go back... to the house."
Sirius and Molly were exiting with all their robes bundled down.
"MRS. WEASLEY," Harry yelp, thinking up a plan. "Can I take all those back to the house, Ron doesn't feel good and I was going to go back with him."
"Ron honey..." Mrs. Weasley started.
"I think it's more than that Molly, go on Harry." Sirius said, handing him his bundle.
Harry disapparated soon after Ron.
"Done with our fun shopping day are we Harry Potter?" Kreacher asked gleefully taking the robes and bags from Harry and Ron fiercely. Kreacher was just cleaning when he heard a pop and found Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley standing here at home. Can I get you anything?"
"No Kreacher." Harry said, side glancing at Ron moving unevenly in his shoes. "Is anyone else home?"
"Oh yes sir, someone always here. Today workers are down stairs in the Order working... they kicked me out. Mistress Angelica Sirius says that Kreacher is misunderstood and that when ever someone heard my feelings to clean... and that is what Kreacher is doing. Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning; Kreacher was just cleaning when he heard a pop and found Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley standing here at home. Can I get you anything?" Kreacher repeated flashing a yellow toothed smile.
"Um, no Kreacher, just leave us alone right now..." Harry said kindly.
"Yes sir Harry Potter, I will make yous some tea when ever you are finished with whatever Kreacher can not witness." Kreacher smiled again and vanished.
They sat down on the stairs, Ron a few down from Harry. Neither said anything for a moment.
"What happened Ron?" Harry asked with caution.
"Nothing... and then everything at once." He sighed.
"I don't get it."
"Ginny always had a crush on you and sure she's dated a few guys but she finally got you... you two are well... kinda... you know." Ron stumbled over his ill-placed words. "Then Hermione had Krum... and Malfoy had all his Slytherin bim-bo's... but... I'm just so screwed up right now."
"Ron, is Draco and Hermione like Ginny and me?" Harry said, understanding.
"Yeah," Ron breathed sadly. "I don't know how we missed it but I walk out of the shop and the were huddled together and Malfoy was whispering something to her and he kissed her cheek and she blushed like she enjoyed it and then she saw me and looked at me with those eyes and... I felt betrayed in the worse way. Like it should be okay for Malfoy and Hermione to be together, Malfoy good now I guess and it's not like Hermione and I are well... kinda... you know. But at the same time it hurts that my best friend is falling for my enemy and that she should have asked me... us what we thought but then again it's her life and it's her choice and it just... hurts." Ron gasped for air.
"Ron..." Harry said after his long silence, "You like Hermione don't you?"
"Is it that obvious?" Ron sighed burying his head in his hands.
"Yeah, it kinda is." Harry said patting his friend on the back. "How long?"
"Forever I guess. I don't know when it started. Every time Hermione smarts off and acts better than me I realize how out of my league she is... and I just want to push her away from me, just put my unreachable away. Then again she dazes me with her wit and smarts and I just feel like... everything that my life that is missing is within her... like everything wrong with me and everything that hurts in me she somehow makes up for and corrects and fixes."
"Ron..." Harry started.
"Harry, don't tell anyone, please. Not Ginny or Hermione or anyone... no one... please. You're my best friend and I need to work all shit out for myself."
"Ron, I'm sorry about what I said." Harry said, nodding. "About Hermione not wanting to snog you or anything, I was just mad I guess."
"I found you in your weakness, I understand. You felt kinda naked didn't you, like I was seeing everything you every thought and felt... like I was their to observe you."
"I always feel like that thought, that's my life." Harry sighed.
"Well, that's how I feel now."
"Ron, let's go get that tea... in a month we will be on the Hogwarts express on our back to Hogwarts and everything, somehow will work out... you'll be Head Boy and Quidditch Captain. If Hermione can't see how great of a friend and a guy and a person you are then she deserve to waste her time with the slime ball that always called her a Mud... you know." Harry said, leading his friend to the kitchen.
"You know what Potter, you are a hero. I believe that... that your dad WOULD be proud of the person you are."