Chapter 24
Remembrance and Renewal

Harry sat in Dumbledores office seething. "Why did you let him go? He cast the bloody killing curse! Now he will run back to his master, receive the dark mark and become an even bigger pain in my arse!"

Dumbledore looked over at Harry calmly and explained, "Harry it was necessary to send him back to Voldemort. His failure to kill the real Professor Snape will be dealt with harshly by his master. In addition, I have placed a tracking charm on young Malfoy. Hopefully he will lead us to his masters lair."

Harry just sputtered "Now we have set a deadly precedent for any remaining Death Eater wanna bees in Hogwarts as well as in the rest of the world. If they think, they can get off with simple expulsion what's to stop them from committing more heinous acts?"

Dumbledore just nodded and explained, "I understand your concern Harry, it is a concern I share myself. However, this was the best opportunity to get Voldemort's current base of operations. It is a gamble to be sure, but I believe the risk is worth the potential rewards."

Harry looked at his aged head master and sighed, "Very well but I hope your right."

Dumbledore replied, "As do I Harry, as do I. However I have another matter I wish to discuss with you."

Harry looked at him and asked, "What would that be?"

Dumbledore stated, "After looking over your magical combat class, I believe you are spreading yourself too thin. With your current knowledge level and ability, I would like you to take your N.E.W.T.'s as soon as possible and become a full professor. This way you could set your classes during the day and go by years, thus giving more attention to individuals."

Seeing Harry about to protest Dumbledore added, "You will still have your Apprenticeship studies with me in the evenings and can receive any extra tutoring then." Looking proudly at his student Dumbledore finished "Harry it is my belief that you have learned all you need to know to go beyond the normal seventh year studies. Anything else you need to learn cannot be taught in the classroom anymore."

Harry looked shocked for a moment, "But Albus I'm only sixteen!"

Dumbledore looked sad for a moment and answered, "Harry you may be only sixteen in physical age, but your experience and knowledge has surpassed most fully grown wizards. I blame myself for your lack of a childhood, but you have taken the role life has thrust upon you and it is time you were treated as an adult. Not given the burden of an adult and treated as a child."

Harry said, "I'm not sure about it, but I will accept it. Can I take the N.E.W.T.'s soon?"

Dumbledore replied, "As soon as you think you are ready."

Harry just laughed and said, "I'm ready now"

Albus smiled and said, "Very well allow me to contact the testing commission and we can have you tested on Monday."

Harry just smiled and replied, "Very well Albus, Monday it is."

Dumbledore just laughed, winked, and said, "Very well Professor Potter."

Harry looked a little sad at first and asked Dumbledore, "When do you think we will get causality reports?"

Dumbledore shook his head and replied, "I am not sure. Alastor Moody will bring the report as soon as the Aurors have completed the clean-up and investigation."

Harry just sighed and said, "This is the part I hate. Even though many were saved, I hate to think about how many died, even my enemies."

Albus nodded in sympathy and added, "There was nothing you could have done differently Harry. Now go be with your friends and classmates they need you now."

Harry went to check in on Ron, Hermione, and Ginny and found them sitting in the Gryffindor common room. "Hey guys, how are you doing?"

They looked at him in excitement and began to bombard him with questions. Harry tried his best to answer them all. Ginny suddenly looking at Harry asked, "How many are dead from the attack?"

Harry replied, "We don't know yet Gin. The Ministry is still working on it."

Ginny nodded and said, "I hated what we did today. You were a one-man army out there Harry. Doesn't it bother you to have to kill people even Death Eaters?"

Harry looked thoughtful for a minute before answering her. "It does Gin. Nevertheless, at the same time I know I have a job to do. I'm sorry you all had to be blooded like this today. I've told you before what being my friend or companion is likely to encompass."

Harry looked at them seriously and continued, "This was just a taste of what's to come. Things are going to get a lot worse before they get better. I've had my youth taken from me and now it seems I'm taking yours. If you don't want to continue on this path with me then I will find a way to send you all to a safer place."

The three looked heavily at Harry for a moment before Ron spoke "I can't speak for the others Harry, but we've been through thick and thin together, hell your like my brothers, only better. I won't leave now even though I may get hurt or worse. This is the time it REALLY counts to stick together."

Hermione and Ginny looked at Ron in awe, "When did you become so eloquent Hermione asked him?"

Ron just grinned and replied, "Looks like my girlfriend rubbed off on me."

Hermione just looked at Harry and said, "Ron speaks for me as well Harry, I will not leave either it's too important to stay."

Ginny just ran to Harry and threw her arms around him holding him tightly. Harry just looked down into her eyes and said softly, "I guess I know your answer."

Ginny just nodded at him tears shimmering in her eyes. Harry suddenly said, "I have an idea. Lets go home to the Burrow for the rest of the weekend. I'll just clear it with Dumbledore first so go pack a few things together."

The others were delighted with the idea and Harry went to floo Molly and Arthur as well as to tell Dumbledore that they were going for the night. After receiving permission Harry opened a portal to the burrow and stepped through for some well deserved rest. Molly Weasley ran forward and engulfed her children in a bone-crushing hug fussing over Harry and Hermione.

Harry just grinned at Ginny and asked, "Do you want to tell her about us, or should I?"

Ginny just grinned and replied, "The scion of The House of Gryffindor can take on an army of death Eaters and Dementors but is afraid of my mother?"

Harry just laughed and said, "That's about it. Nevertheless, your right I will ask your parents permission to date you."

Ron just grinned and laughed saying, "You think its bad that Godric names your future children? Just wait till Mum gets going."

Harry just groaned and gathered his courage. "Ummm Molly I wanted to ask you something."

Molly just looked at Harry and said, "What is it dear your looking a bit pale. Have you been eating all right? Let me just fix us a bite to eat and..."

"Mum! Ginny interrupted coming over to take Harrys hand in her own Harry wasn't going to ask about food."

Realization suddenly dawned on Molly and she turned to look expectantly at Harry trying her best to hold her back. Harry continued, "I wanted to ask your permission to date Ginny. I really care for her and about her."

Molly just ran forward and hugged both her daughter and surrogate son and gushed, "Of course you can see her silly boy. I've been waiting for this for ages."

Molly went on and on while Ron was making gagging noises in the back ground at Harry and his sister. Molly sensing this just shooed him off with her kitchen towel walking away dabbing at her eyes muttering about wedding arrangements.

Ron and Hermione just laughed and Ron said, "See told ya mate"

Arthur came home and molly made a big dinner to celebrate her children coming home for a few days. After eating a huge dinner which both Ron and Harry both had thirds under the approving eye of Molly they went to sit outside while Arthur gave Harry the reports of the attack.

Harry sighed deeply after reading the reports, "So even with all our careful planning over one hundred dead and thirty seven wounded"

Looking at Arthur he said, "It just doesn't seem fair. So many Deaths so far and how many more to come."

Arthur just looked intently at Harry and replied, "I don't know Harry, son, that is the way of war. People die and people as if you try to save as many as you can. Just remember this Harry; you have been fighting this war since you were eleven years old. Most of the wizarding world just woke up to the realities of it."

Harry looked at Arthur nodding at his words. Arthur continued grinning, " Besides Harry if Molly has her way you will have a Gryffindor heir by the time your twenty."

Harry just groaned as the family spent the rest of the evening together enjoying each other's company. Ron and Harry bid good night to Hermione and Ginny and made their way up to Ron's room to go to sleep.

Sometime in the middle of the night, a loud explosion awakened them. Harry heard yelling and curses being fired back and fourth. Harry shielded himself and Ron and went to find the rest of the family. Looking up Harry saw Ginny shielding herself and her parents on the balcony as she sent waves of energy to destroy the invaders. Harry just shouted to gain the attention of the attackers and flew at them like a bullet. Slamming into the front attacker Harry gained his footing quickly and yelled, "Ginny! GET EVERYONE OUT OF HERE NOW! GO TO THE CASTLE!"

Harry held off the attackers as the family made their way to the fireplace and flooed to safety. The Death Eaters seeing their prey escaping turned their wrath on the Burrow itself and Harry. Harry could not unleash his power without destroying their home, suddenly without warning, the roof of the building began to fall, and the walls exploded in a fiery shower of sparks. That was it, it was over, and the Burrow was destroyed. Voldemort had taken his parents, his Godfather, and now the Home of the only family he ever had. Harry's rage burned out of control. Turning to face the Death Eaters, Harry unleashed a wave of energy that vaporized his enemies like a miniature nuclear explosion.

Harry looked around and began to cry. Barely summoning enough energy to open a portal to the school Harry stepped into Dumbledores office and looking at the faces of his family said, "I'm sorry." And collapsed unconscious.

A/N Thanks for reading and reviewing. I hope you are liking reading it as much as I enjoy writing it. Ben