Authors Note: Chapter Five is finally here. I said that I thought it would be difficult to publish, and I was quite right. It has taken me a terribly long time, and it wasn't just school that delayed this. Some of you may know what is going to happen, and although I really don't want to do this, I have to say that this story will be ending here. I have other writings which I have to attend to. Sorry for this decision.
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Chapter Five – Friends and Family
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Wednesday afternoon came around quickly for Harry, and once the guests started appearing early, his Uncle Vernon had immediately pushed Harry out the back door and helped him to scramble over the fence. Dudley was watching from the back porch with what could only be described as amusement, and Harry scowled at him, even though he knew his cousin would ignore it. Uncle Vernon's eyes darted around, and he told Harry to disappear. Harry thought it would be somewhat rude to enter Mrs Figg's through the back door, so he made his way over to the sidewalk, glad that the next door neighbours were not home. He walked along until he came to Mrs Figg's, his eyes darting around as he went. As soon as he had knocked on her door, it swung open, and Harry jumped back a good two feet in alarm.
"Sorry Harry!" exclaimed Mrs Figg. She grabbed his arm and pulled. "Come in, come in. Ron and Hermione and Ginny are very eager to see you."
As it turned out, Hermione had his arms around him before he was half-way down the hall.
"Harry! How are you? Are you OK? You know, it really is nice to see you again!"
Harry laughed. "Hello Hermione. Yes I'm fine, don't worry." He rubbed her back until she pried herself from him.
"I see that Hermione has got to you already," said a grinning Ron, as he walked down the hall towards Harry. "I was planning to get to you first and protect you, but sorry mate; she is faster than I thought."
Ron had grown over the short time they had been apart. It wasn't much, but Harry was definitely sure that he was taller. Maybe it was just his thick red hair. Harry suspected that Ron wouldn't be growing much taller though. The space between the top of his head and the ceiling was beginning to run out.
"Hey Ron, you don't have to worry about Hermione too much. I am sure that I can survive her hugs."
"I guess you're right. I mean, who has ever heard of someone being hugged to death."
Harry laughed, but was cut short by the voice of Ginny.
"Oh I wouldn't laugh Harry. Doesn't Hermione always seem to surprise us? Doesn't she always pass all expectations? Who knows? Perhaps she will be the first ever to hug someone to death."
"Hey Ginny," said Harry, shuffling his feet. "You've been growing too. But I don't know if you'll ever be as tall as Ron."
"I hope not!" she spluttered. "I don't want to walk into any doorways."
"I've never walked into a doorway Ginny!" argued Ron.
"Well you hit your head last year when everyone was carrying you on their shoulders," announced Hermione.
"That has nothing to do with my height."
"Course it does!" retorted Ginny. "If you weren't so tall, your head would have slipped under the doorway instead of into it!"
Ron just rolled his eyes and let out a sigh, deciding not to argue.
"So what have you all been doing over the holidays?" asked Harry.
"Well," started Hermione, taking a deep breath, "We were at first trying to find out what was wrong with you, including trying to sneak into Order meetings and hope that they would mention something. Remus and Tonks left us completely in the dark. But they gave in eventually, and we got some information, so we stopped worrying about you slightly and decided to go work with Fred and George. Ron has been making some money there so he is quite happy about that."
"That's right!" interrupted Ron. "This school term, I am going to buy myself some proper school robes and some brand new books instead of second-hand junk!"
Hermione grinned at Harry. "He has said that about a hundred times this summer."
"I have been mainly studying," said Ron, getting back on track. "That has taken up so much of my time."
"Don't sound so disappointed," scowled Hermione. "I bet Harry has been studying hard too, and you don't hear him complaining, do you?"
"Well no one has asked me yet," answered Harry. "I am not exactly pleased with the studying I have been doing either. It is interesting I guess, but you know..." Ron understood.
"Harry and I have a reputation to keep. We are supposed to not work on the holidays, and leave everything till the last minute."
"Yes well, it's your own fault," replied Hermione. "If you had both worked harder, you wouldn't be going through this right now."
They both scowled at her, but said nothing. They knew she was right. The four moved into the living room, sitting down on the chairs. Harry could still detect a faint smell of cats.
"How exactly were you planning to sneak into the meeting anyway?" asked Harry curiously.
"Well," started Hermione once more. "It all began when we discovered the grate in the wall in the male bathroom. The grate led into the kitchen, and you are able to crawl along it. Bill told me that some of the magical communities had passages such as that to get from room to room. It looks small enough from the outside, but when you get inside, you find that it has been magically enlarged. We planned to climb down there, and use an extendable ear through the grate in the kitchen."
"And how exactly did you discover this."
"Oh, well that all began with Ginny, who was kissing Dean in the male bathroom." Ginny blushed scarlet and Hermione grinned mischievously. "Anyway, Ron walked in on them, and Dean fled, fearing his anger and all that. Ginny was furious with Ron, and the two were having a huge row, in which Ginny kicked the grate. It fell from its position. Later on that night, we were eating in the kitchen, and Ron spotted the second grate in the kitchen. He went and checked it out next time he was in the bathroom, and when he found out that the two were the same, he told us. There wasn't a meeting for us to try it out on however."
"I am curious Ginny," murmured Harry, feeling the need to embarrass the youngest Weasley, "Why exactly were you and Dean in the male bathroom. I mean, why not in a bedroom, or in the food pantry, or in the attic?"
Ginny blushed, but refused to take her eyes away from Harry's sparkling emerald windows.
"Well, I had never kissed anyone before, and we were walking in the hall, and it just sort of happened."
"Ginny!" scowled Ron. "I don't want the details. If you and Harry want to discuss them, fine, but at least do it somewhere private."
Harry laughed, but Ginny was glaring at him.
"Now look what you did Harry! Made my brother mad at me. I think that someone ought to teach you a good lesson. You don't know what it is like to have a brother against you do you?"
"Well, no, but I have a cousin who would beat me up at every opportunity. Surely that comes close?"
"Hmm, well I must admit that my brothers have never hit me. I mean we have our scuffles once again, but that was mainly when we were little."
"So Hermione is the odd one out," grinned Ron. "No brothers to scuffle with and no cousins that beat her up."
"My parents can still yell though," argued back Hermione.
"For doing what? Getting an acceptable on your school report?"
Hermione scowled.
"You seem to spend an awful lot of time away from your parents Hermione," started Harry with his brow creased in thought. "I mean, they don't you see much at all anymore. There have been many years when you haven't even stayed with them all summer."
Hermione nodded guiltily.
"That is what we argue about most. They would love to be able to see more of me. Remember when they met your Dad for the first time Ron?" He nodded. "Well, after that they keep saying that they want to be like him. To be mostly one group, but still know something about the other. And I have sat down with them and talked them through some things. I've told them that there are broomsticks, that there are curses that can kill before you can blink, that we can change into animals, and so much more, but they still want to spend more time with me."
"They are your parents you know," spoke Ginny quietly. "Maybe we all are angry at them at one stage, or want to do things without their help, but they do love us, and they just want what's best for us. That means spending time with one another."
"I know that, but well, I think that sometimes I really need to be here…"
"Which of us is important enough to drag you away from your parents?" asked Harry. He didn't really need an answer. The looks that Ginny, Hermione and Ron were giving him were an ample answer enough.
"Oh…" he murmured. "Look Hermione, I don't want you cutting yourself off from your family because of me. I mean, I love seeing you during the holidays and all, but I will see you at school soon enough anyway. And it isn't like anything has ever happened to me during the summer holidays anyway." Hermione raised her eyebrows and Harry had the distinct feeling that she was thinking of his third and fifth year, when he had blown up Aunt Marge and the Dementors had attacked him. She let it lie though.
"Well, it doesn't matter anyway," replied Hermione. "They are staying with us these holidays anyway. I thought it about time that I showed them into our world that little bit more. They don't seem to mind."
"That is probably because they are with you," said Ron as he idly played with the stitching of his ripped shirt.
"Anyway, we went off topic a little," reminded Ginny, feeling that the current subject was coming to a halt. "We were talking about Harry making Ron mad at me."
"He doesn't look mad," argued Harry. Ron was in fact tying together frayed stitching from his shirt to try and cover the rip.
"I don't care! I am going to have to get you back twice. Once for laughing at me when I wrote about Dean and me in Ron's letter, and secondly for making Ron mad at me."
"But he isn't mad," protested Harry. "And how do you know I was laughing."
"I know a lot about you Harry. But don't worry. Your time will come soon enough."
"Could you please not make it sound like my death is around the corner?" He had wanted to say it jokingly, but his voice had not cooperated. Hermione was looking at him suspiciously; the doubt and fear in his voice had come through clearly. Even Ron was looking at him with question. Ginny was still frowning.
"But maybe it is Harry."
"Shut up Ginny!" snapped Harry. He saw the shock and hurt in her face, the slight anger on Ron's as he walked past him, and the strange wondering look from Mrs Figg in the kitchen as he walked out into the back garden.
"Hey Harry!" he heard a whispered voice say. He turned and saw Dudley peering over the garden fence.
"Dudley? What are you doing here? Why aren't you at the party?"
"It is rather boring," he drawled, "but they say I have to stay outside and make an appearance. Why couldn't I go to Mrs Figg's?"
"They wanted to show you off probably."
Dudley rolled his eyes. "Well that would explain why Dad was bragging about my boxing titles."
Harry nodded, keeping lower than the fence just on case his Aunt and Uncle decided to come looking for Dudley.
"So are your friends here than?"
"Hmm, they're inside at the moment."
"Why aren't you spending time with them?"
"I just got a little upset with one of them," he muttered truthfully, not proud of it, and still feeling a little put out that he had been unable to hide his concerns from them.
"Oh," said Dudley not really understanding. Harry just shook his head. He couldn't talk to Dudley about it. Maybe they were spending more time together, but that didn't make things much different. True, Harry felt fonder of Dudley than he had in a very long time, but there was still fear and hate between them. Harry couldn't just forget what Dudley had done to him, and Dudley wasn't just able to change his beliefs. He still feared Harry, still despised him at times, and still believed that he was abnormal. Harry guessed he couldn't blame him…
"Dudley! What are you doing over there?" Harry recognised the voice as Uncle Vernon's, and could hear his stomping footsteps as he moved down the side of the neighbour's house towards his son.
"Just getting away from the noise," Dudley lied easily. "I was going to say hello to Mr George, but he isn't here, so I came to see what Harry was up to. You know, making sure he was working."
Unfortunately, Hermione, Ron and Ginny, chose that time to walk from the house looking for Harry. He saw them look around the yard, spotting him behind the fence, whispering to each other, and then walking over to him. Harry saw Hermione glance upwards over the fence, probably towards Uncle Vernon.
"Who are you?" asked Uncle Vernon of Harry's friends, as they reached the fence. "Haven't I seen you before?"
"I don't think so," replied Ron quietly. Harry got the feeling that he was angry, though he couldn't tell which of them it was aimed at. He could almost hear his Uncle's thoughts turning over.
"Yes," he said slowly. "You're friends of the boys, aren't you? What are you doing here?"
"We were…uh…in the neighbourhood," said Hermione glancing down at Harry nervously. "Harry spotted us and…ah…called us inside."
"Oh really?" said Uncle Vernon menacingly. "Is that so?"
The three nodded rather lamely.
"Right, so where is the boy?"
There was a silence for a while, the three a little shocked that Harry's Uncle had changed the subject. Harry saw their eyes look towards his. He just shrugged idly, guessing that perhaps his Uncle was a little fearful of standing up to two witches and a wizard, even if they were just children.
"Dishes, inside," said Ginny carefully. "Mrs Figg says that Harry is there to do chores, and that he can only talk to us when he is finished."
She glanced down at Harry, and he nodded. He could feel the relief washing over her, and the two beside her, knowing that she had said the correct thing.
"Right." Peering through the gap in the fence, Harry noticed Uncle Vernon mobbing away.
"Uh…well I think that I can hear my wife calling…come on Dudley."
Harry heard two sets of heavy footprints heading back towards the street, and he sighed with relief. His friends looked down at him, and Ron smirked.
"Close call huh?"
"Tell me about it," groaned Harry, as he pulled the rose thorns from his left leg. He stood, and began walking towards the garden shed. The sun was getting lower and lower in the summer sky, and Harry was eager to get into the shade of the nearest tree. He heard a set of feet running towards him across the grass, and felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned and found himself staring into Ginny's shining eyes.
"Look…Harry…I'm sorry about before. I know I shouldn't joke about things like that, what with –" Harry shook his head and lifted his hand.
"Don't worry about it Ginny. I was over-reacting." She bit down on her lip, not meeting his eyes.
"Were you?" He stared at her for a moment than, but looked away, walking towards the garden shed.
"It is fine, Ginny."
He opened the shed door, deciding to do a little gardening. Maybe if they were all working they wouldn't have so great a chance to talk to him. He just wanted to think, to remain silent, or talk about things that wouldn't result in talk of his death. As he scanned the shed, and avoided spider webs, he wondered why he feared death so much. Maybe it wasn't death. Maybe it was the fear of how he died. He remembered how painful it had been in the Ministry of Magic when Voldemort had possessed him. He doubted that Voldemort would make his death quick. I will give him his chance. He will be allowed to fight, and you will be left in no doubt which of us is the stronger. Harry clenched his fists, losing control for a second and throwing a pot to the ground with a loud smash.
"Harry?" called out Hermione. Harry scolded himself angrily.
"Tripped," he called out to her. He grabbed a pair of gloves and some gardening forks, also fumbling with a watering can on his way back out. He knelt beside the nearest flower bed, which was home to nothing but withered flowers. Peering into one of the gloves, he located a large spider, obviously making a nest. He grasped it around the middle, shuddering slightly as it twisted and squirmed, remembering Moody and the twitching spider back in his Defence class.
"Look, are you sure you are okay?" he heard Ginny voice, as he walked from the shed. "Harry?"
He turned to look at her, nodding slowly and letting a smile creep over his face.
"Yes Ginny. I am fine." She smiled back, but he could tell she was not going to believe him. He brushed past her, watering can in one hand, heading towards the tap to fill it. The can was half full when Harry heard Ron begin to splutter and choke.
"Sp-spider," he yelped, backing away from Ginny carefully, one of his long pale fingers pointing at her hair. The great brown spider was slowly making it ways across and through Ginny's red locks of hair. Ginny was screaming and jumping around.
"Where is it?" she yelped, glaring at Harry while looking desperately at Hermione. Harry was trying his hardest not too laugh.
"It's in your hair," Hermione laughed. "Just above your left ear." Harry turned off the tap, and Ginny reached up, taking a wild swing and flicking the spider off. It latched onto Hermione's shirt, who screamed herself, flicked it to the earth, and rose her foot to step upon it. Harry caught her descending foot two inches above the frightened creature.
"Hermione!" he scowled. "Be nice." He picked it back up, heading back towards the glove where he placed it back inside. Ron was goggling at him.
"What if it bites?"
"I'd be in pain. It isn't poisonous." He returned from inside the shed and found himself staring into the face of an angry Ginny. She started shouting, and Harry was amazed at the resemblance between her and her mother when she yelled.
"YOU DID THAT ON PURPOSE DIDN'T YOU? IT WAS NOT FUNNY! IT COULD HAVE BITTEN ME!" He saw her shudder at the thought. Harry just nodded, seeing Hermione come over to back up Ginny. Ron stood back, eager not to take any sides.
"Look, I'm sorry," murmured Harry. "I haven't been myself lately. I have been acting differently, and I know that. But I feel that little is helping me at the moment. One minute I think I am fine with Sirius and with Voldemort, but next minute, someone says something, and I lose it all over again…" He trailed off, letting out a deep sigh. Hermione gently patted him on the shoulder. He smiled down at her, glancing over at Ron, who was staring at his feet, brow creased in thought. He looked back over at Harry, still frowning, but Harry thought he saw sadness in his eyes. Next second it had disappeared though, and Ron was marching towards the gardening forks.
"How about you teach me a little about gardening Harry?" he asked. Harry nodded at him gratefully.
"Yes. Yes, I'd love to."
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The remainder of the afternoon passed quite quickly. Harry was grateful to his friends. The four talked of anything and everything that was not connected to Voldemort or Sirius, and Harry was able to laugh with the rest of them when Ron told his joke of the day. The sun was getting quite low by this time, but Harry knew it would be a while before the guests left from the Dursley's. As his eyes had been doing constantly all afternoon, they had once more become latched upon Ginny's hair again. He loved the way the sun would shimmer from it every time she moved her head. He didn't notice he was drowning the plant until Hermione called out to him.
"Oh," he said, realising his mistake and looking down guiltily at the little plant. "I wasn't paying attention."
"That was obvious," muttered Hermione with a roll of her eyes. "What could possibly distract you? Everything in this garden is half-dead."
"Ginny's hair isn't. It is beautiful."
Ginny blushed at this. "So you do like it then?"
Harry grinned. "Of course I do. Every time you move, your hair reflects the sun. It looks amazing."
Ginny blushed farther and laughed. "Well at least some boy noticed it Hermione." She noticed Harry's confused expression and turned to explain.
"Dean hasn't said anything yet…"
"Good reason to get rid of him," murmured Ron hopefully so that only Harry could her him. Harry turned to him and grinned. Hermione seemed to notice the grin, and she shot the two an accusing look, as if she knew very well what they were both discussing.
"What did you get up to in Diagon Alley?" she asked. Harry sighed silently in relief. When she had opened her mouth, he had been expecting an accusation of some sort.
"Well I bought all my school books and new equipment. Tonks dragged me through the Muggle clothes department store and went on a shopping spree." He lifted his hand and started ticking things off on his fingers. "We got Sirius' will sorted. I have possession of Buckbeak, who I am giving back to Hagrid, and Sirius' motorcycle, which Remus said Hagrid has. I'll let him keep it. Uhh…I visited the twins shop too. I think that was everything…"
"You got possession of a flying motorcycle?" asked Ron in awe. "Seriously cool."
Harry grinned and nodded. "Not bad huh?" Ron frowned, suddenly, as if remembering something.
"What?"
"Oh, sorry. I was just thinking of how strange Mum and Dad have been acting lately. They bought me a brand new cauldron."
"And me an owl," said Ginny, a thoughtful expression spreading over her face.
"Weird," spoke Harry. "I thought you said..."
"That they don't have any money? Yeah that's what I thought. Maybe because Fred and George make their own money now. I mean it is like a four person family, and everyone chips in when Mum cooks a big meal now."
"That would be it," nodded Hermione looking at Harry and winking. "I mean two people leaving can bring in a lot more money."
Ron nodded, putting the thoughts out of his head. "Well I don't care or mind. I quite like having a new cauldron. The other one was a little old and run-down."
Mrs Figg chose that very moment to come outside and herd them back into the house. They all sat at the dinner table and she brought out pizza. She beamed at Harry, and he smiled back. Much better than what he was usually given here. While they were eating, he quizzed her on what she had been doing. Apparently her house served as a travel destination. It was where Order members would appear before going to watch Harry. She admitted that she wasn't told much, only what she really needed to know, and Harry slouched down in his chair with disappointment.
"Am I still being watched?" he asked. She nodded.
"But not as much anymore. The Order has been trying harder than ever to find out all they can about Voldemort and his Death Eaters. They are also working to discover how so many of them managed to get into a place like the Ministry unnoticed. You have been writing to tell them you're being treated correctly yes?" Harry nodded his head, wondering what would happen to the Dursley's if he didn't write. Would Moody come in and curse them, or would he go up to Harry's room first and check to see if he was alright. He decided that he could probably hide beneath the stairs, and make it look as if the Dursley's had disposed of him, but than remembered that Moody has his magical eye. Once again, he sighed silently, and returned to the pizza. Before long, it had been devoured, and Harry was feeling quite full and drowsy.
"I am going to have to send these three back Harry," said Mrs Figg. Harry stood and stretched.
"Ok than."
"Well, see you on Friday mate," he said to Ron, who slapped him on the back.
"See you than."
Hermione and Ginny both gave him a good-bye hug, explaining that they wouldn't see him until he arrived at the Burrow. He nodded in acknowledgement, and watched as they walked to the fireplace to return home. He held his hand up in farewell as each of them stepped into the fire, and disappeared as quickly as the last rays of sunlight.
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The next morning Harry awoke feeling quite nervous. His test was the very next day. He sat upon his bed, breathing in and out, slowly, trying to calm himself. He decided that he should make sure everything was packed, so he moved around his room, taking books from beneath the bed, and placing the letters from his desk into a chest. He had found an old biscuit tin in the Dursley's cupboard, and was currently using this to store money and letters and such. He placed all his old clothes, which had belonged to Dudley, into the bags from the Leaky Cauldron, and decided to take them down to his Aunt. He looked around, wanting something to do. Walking over to his window, he decided that it was a rather cool day. He decided to go ask his Aunt if she needed any gardening done. As he walked from his room, he noticed the pile of books besides his chest. He had left them there in an effort to do some last minute revising, but he didn't really feel up to it. He felt a pang of guilt pass over him, but ignored it and prayed he would just do well instead.
Harry walked from his room and down the stairs, hearing the television and guessing that Dudley was sitting in front of it. Aunt Petunia was standing in the kitchen, preparing something or other for dinner.
"Aunt Petunia?" She looked over at him. "These are some of Dudley's old clothes I no longer need. Thanks for letting me use them. I was wondering if you needed any gardening done. I have nothing better to do at the moment." It was true. He didn't feel like revising at the moment, and because they had just had OWLs, they had not been given any summer homework. They would be starting to learn about new spells next year. Aunt Petunia nodded, and pointed to a corner of the kitchen, where he placed down the bag.
"You know where the tools are."
Harry walked out into the gardening shed. He found a glove and a gardening trow, and saw a nice pair of boots in the corner. He peered inside, finding another spider nest. They were good boots, only new, hardly worn by the looks of things. Harry guessed that they had probably been a present to Dudley, who was not exactly interested in gardening, and had been stored there. He picked them up, emptied them of spiders, finding a few he was not interested in touching, and set about cleaning the webs from within. The boots had a steel cap he found and crept up the ankles a fair bit. The sole was thick with strong cut grip upon the bottom. He tried them on. They fit quite well. He guessed that they were a very old present for Dudley. Then again, Dudley didn't have the biggest feet. Harry welcomed the warm sunlight, enjoying the feel of it as it scorched his neck. The soil was dry and hard and dusty, and Harry wondered how the plants were still managing to do so well, even if they were a little wilted. He did not water them, having been yelled at by Aunt Petunia long ago about the consequences to plants if they were watered while the hot sun was shining upon them. He moved on to other tasks, such as mowing the front and back lawns, and as the sun began to set, finally turned on the hose and began watering the plants. To finish off he swept down the dusty driveway, though his Uncle pulled in half way through, scattering most of the dirt as he did so.
"What are you doing boy?" he asked as he jumped from the car.
"Just helping out Aunt Petunia a little," he shrugged. He didn't have to sweep the path if his Uncle didn't want him to. Uncle Vernon nodded at him and walked inside. Harry waved to a few people as they closed their windows to stop the evening bugs from flying in, and he wondered if they were still scared or unsure of him. He was after all, apparently, a hardened criminal. He was surprised when he got a few greetings back. He was wearing some of his newer clothes, and guessed that people liked a good impression.
Emptying the grass clippings onto Aunt Petunias newest compost pile and pulling the mower back into the garage, Harry finished up his day of work. He made sure he had brushed himself of before he walked back inside, looking forwards to a nice cool drink and than perhaps a chance to sit in front of the television and watch the news, while pretending he was reading of course. However, just as he had put the jug of water back within the fridge, his Aunt Petunia pounced.
"Go look for Dudley," she commanded. "It's getting dark and I need him to come home for dinner."
Harry groaned.
"Don't groan like that! Unless you go and get him, there will be nothing for you to eat tonight."
Harry started muttering under his breath, not missing the wince Aunt Petunia gave when he mentioned the word 'mistreatment.' Harry had nothing against getting Dudley, but he knew very well that Dudley would probably be with his friends, and he had no misgivings that Dudley would treat him completely different while around them. He suspected very much that his advice had gone through one ear and out the other. He was about to walk out the front door, when an idea suddenly appeared in his mind. He grinned wickedly.
"Just let me grab my coat," he called to Aunt Petunia who was making sure he didn't sneak off and avoid the job. He ran up the stairs, darting through his belongings and pulling out the plane he had bought in Diagon Alley. He grabbed a coat, wrapped it around the now unboxed item, and jogged back down the stairs, trying to look casual, and therefore peeved, that he had to do this job. He let out a sigh of relief as he closed the door behind him, his Aunt not suspecting anything out of the ordinary.
As Harry walked down the street towards the park, he tried to ignore the feeling that he was being watched, but it wasn't much use. Reminding himself that it was probably just the Order members, he sped up, feeling more confident when nothing jumped out to attack him. Surely if it wasn't an Order member, they would have attacked as soon as he was away from his house. As the park slowly came into view, he darted around behind some trees, scanning the play area for Dudley and his friends. He spotted them, just entering the park from the other side, some of them throwing down the butts of cigarettes into the grass. Harry removed the coat from around the aircraft, tossed it aside, and placed the aircraft gently upon the ground. Remembering the instructions, he lightly pulled his wand from his jeans, and tapped the plane lightly. He heard a soft fluttering of the engine.
"Is that cousin of yours still around Big D," he heard someone ask, as he was preparing for take off. "Herbert wasn't it?
"Err…Harry actually. He's still there…unfortunately."
"Maybe we could go teach him a few lessons?" Harry winced as he heard a few knuckles crack.
"We could, but my Dad says I shouldn't encourage him to fight back. He is going to St. Brutus' you know."
"Still, I wouldn't mind making him squeal," he heard a voice pipe up. There was laughter.
"Remember how we used to taunt him about not having any parents? About how they abandoned him?"
Harry felt a wave of anger then, remembering those days very well, and he turned back to his task. Concentrating hard upon the upper bar of a swing, Harry saw the plane moved forward and lift itself from the ground. Elated that he had managed to get it into the air, Harry concentrated upon the group of boys, who were looking around for the source of the noise. He saw Pier leap aside and cry out in fear as the plane zipped by his left ear.
"What is it?" he asked, peering through the gloom at the dark shape. He dove to the ground as the aircraft did a loop and headed back down towards him very steeply.
"It's a plane!" Dudley called, diving to the ground as the plane flew spectacularly low across their heads. "I bet it's that Peter kid. He had one of these!"
"But not the guts to do it," argued another. Harry noticed a particular large and stupid boy stand up to try and grab it when it came back around. Harry veered it up sharply then, and back around so it zoomed past the boy's chest. Dudley stood up then, and dealt the plane a heavy blow to the left wing. There were cheers of approval from the boys, but Harry was determined to get it back within the air before Dudley could trample upon it. He couldn't help but laugh as a boy dived at it, missed, and then had Dudley land atop of him. Knowing how big Dudley was, Harry couldn't help but think that it was quite uncomfortable. Deciding that he had had caused enough havoc among the group, Harry had the plane fly over one last time, watched the boys scatter, and deftly caught it as it flew past his tree. Deciding he didn't want to go introduce himself to all Dudley's friends again, he yelled out to Dudley instead.
"Dudley! Your Mum wants you home! Now! But watch out over here; someone is trying to attack people with planes!"
He started jogging back home, eager to get there before Dudley did. He doubted his Aunt and Uncle would yell at him too much if he was home late, with the threat at the train station and all, but he didn't fancy giving them the chance. As he started walking back up the garden path, he noticed a dim light coming from his window, and he frowned, wondering who was up there. He opened the door to the house, still quite curious, and saw an anxious Aunt Petunia standing in the hall.
"Is he coming home? It's quite dark and it isn't safe." It suddenly clicked in Harry's mind that she must be worried about there being Dementors or other such evil creatures. She was worried about his safety, so he decided to reassure her.
"He should be here very soon. I didn't notice anything unusual on my way back, so he should be fine." She nodded, and resorted to looking anxiously out the window. Harry climbed the stairs, narrowly dodging Uncle Vernon who was walking down, and opened the door to his room. He jumped as he saw the three sitting there. Tonks was sitting at his desk, Remus upon the bed, and Dumbledore was staring out the window humming a soft tune.
"What are you all doing here?" asked Harry, a little taken aback at having the headmaster within his bedroom. Dumbledore ceased his humming, turned, and gave Harry a warm smile.
"Good evening Harry. I won't be here long. I just have some news to tell you. There has been an increase in Death Eater attacks recently, so I am unable to let you stay at the Weasley's place at this very moment, but –"
"But sir, I have to go to the Weasley's! I don't want to stay here any longer."
Dumbledore raised his hand, and Remus laid a hand on his shoulder.
"Let him finish Harry," he scolded gently. Dumbledore coughed slightly, and continued, Harry's eyes locked with his once more.
"For the time being you will be staying at Hogwarts, with the rest of the Weasley family. We need time to strengthen the defences of the Weasley household, but I assure you that you will be there in no longer than a week."
Harry was ecstatic. Dumbledore continued.
"Tonight I would like it if you could stay next door with Mrs Figg. Ron will be staying with you. Tomorrow morning, at probably around eight o'clock, you will be transported by the Floo network to my office. After your test, you will be free to do as you wish, provided you stay upon the grounds of Hogwarts. Understood?"
Harry nodded his agreement, secretly elated that he wouldn't have to stay with the Dursley's. The balloon inside him had been popped for a while there, but it was now replaced and as inflated as ever. Dumbledore looked around.
"So…do you have any of your belongings ready?" He rubbed his hands together as he spotted the packed trunk. Raising his wand, he commanded the last of the books to fly inside the trunk, which was already heavily loaded with supplies. Harry walked over to the trunk and placed the plane in on top of the belongings, which got a curious look from the three adults, secured the lid of the trunk, and then attached the broomstick to it.
"What were you doing with that plane at this kind of hour?" asked Remus curiously. Harry looked cautiously at Dumbledore before speaking.
"Ah…I was scaring my cousin and my friends."
Remus laughed appreciatively.
"I see I didn't need to teach you of that particular use of the plane then."
Harry laughed and shook his head.
"I figured it out."
Walking over to Hedwig, he convinced her to climb into the cage. As he did so, he wondered whether Clarissa had received his letter and if he would be getting a reply anytime soon. He guessed that maybe she hadn't believed him, but he hoped that perhaps she just hadn't had the time to reply. He fastened the cage door, and placed Hedwig beside his trunk.
"Right, well I will head off then Harry," spoke Dumbledore, seeing that Harry was prepared to leave the house. "Remus and Nymphadora will accompany you to Mrs Figg's immediately. I'll see you tomorrow morning. Good night."
"Night sir!" Dumbledore nodded at Remus and Tonks, and than disappeared. Harry jumped, wondering where he had disappeared to. He hadn't thought it was possible to apparate inside the house. He then realised that there was a bumble bee hovering in front of him. He laughed merrily, and watched as the bee glided through the open window and disappeared down the street.
---
"That was really irresponsible of you Remus!" scolded Tonks. "We're supposed to be adults, and set a good example to Harry, but what do you do?"
"I give the Dursley's a beautiful gift of flowers and they explode all over the kitchen and wreak absolute havoc."
"You give the Dursley's a beautiful gift of flowers and they explode all over the kitchen and wreak absolute havoc," continued Tonks who obviously hadn't been paying any attention to Remus's words. Harry and Ron sniggered. Harry had just told him about how they had been walking down the stairs towards the front door, when Aunt Petunia had screamed from the kitchen and come running out with a cascade of petals chasing in close pursuit. They had been petals with a mission, wreaking havoc upon her shining tea cups and long prepared dinner. Ron had been especially fond of the part where Harry's Uncle had tried to swat at the petals with the kitchen broom, only to have them smother him and try to fly up his nose.
"Just you wait until Dumbledore hears about this!"
"Oh come on Tonks, I'm terribly sorry."
Harry and Ron sniggered again, not believing it for a second.
"Don't you try and wiggle out of this!"
"Do you know a better way to teach them a few lessons? That Uncle of his wasn't setting a very good example. You heard what he was yelling at me when we left. Terrible language."
"Yeah, well you deserved that, and if you hadn't given them those flowers in the first place, he wouldn't have said that. Now are you going to go and tell Dumbledore, or am I?"
Remus sighed. "I'll do it. Though I really don't understand why you're so upset about this. I thought you would have found it amusing."
"Because although we may not know the reason, Dumbledore wants Harry to stay there until Voldemort is gone. He warned you that if we put too much pressure on them, then it is very likely that they won't allow Harry to stay there at all. That's why! Do you want to make your charge unsafe?"
"No Tonks," said Remus, and Harry knew that this time he was serious. He even thought that his guardian was a little upset.
The two emerged from the kitchen, Harry and Ron trying desperately to keep a straight face. Tonks glared at them, their laughing at Remus' antics only enraging her farther. She knew she'd be just as much to blame as Remus, and she has absolutely no wishes to be yelled at by one of the greatest wizards of that day and age. Remus just grinned wickedly at the two boys, and shot them both a thumb, though Harry knew when Remus looked at him that he was trying to apologise.
"It's ok," mouthed Harry, returning the gesture along with Ron. They quickly whipped their hands out of sight as Tonks spun around to continue the argument with Remus.
"That was amusing," murmured Ron as they heard Tonks and Remus use the fireplace.
"Dumbledore won't think so," murmured Mrs Figg who had been watching the spectacle from the stairs. "Why don't we all go sit outside for a while? It is terribly warm inside this house." The two boys agreed, and the three wandered outside with cool glasses of milk. Mrs Figg sat herself down upon one of her cushioned chairs, while Harry and Ron propped themselves up on the lawn and looked up at the star filled sky high above.
"How have you been Harry?" asked Ron quietly, enjoying the feel of the soft grass beneath his back.
"Not bad," returned Harry evasively.
"Well…I was actually talking about how you are coping with the Department of Mysteries thing, with Sirius, and with Cho."
"Cho?" asked Harry; taken aback that Ron had been thinking about that.
"Well yeah. You two didn't seem to part on the best of terms."
Harry sighed, starring up at the stars, admiring the twinkle that they would give out every now and again.
"Harry?" ventured Ron again.
"I don't really know. I do like Cho, Ron, but I don't think we're supposed to be together. I just don't think it would have worked."
"I don't either," agreed Ron quietly. "I think it was too soon for her. Maybe if the whole thing with Cedric hadn't been so bad, you two could have made a proper go of it… But surely you still want her as a friend? You two seemed quite close."
"I don't know if that is possible anymore…"
"Why not? You might as well give it a go. Heck, she's a nice enough girl. It's a shame that nothing ever seems to go your way."
Harry nodded his agreement, flicking a bug away from his eye.
"Tell me about it," he muttered. Ron laughed at that, turning to look at Harry.
"It's terrible what you go through, but what about…Sirius? Are you…coping with that?"
Harry nodded slowly, keeping his eyes fixed upon a particularly bright star, his eyes scanning the skies for the dog constellation.
"I am handling it. It did take a while, but with Remus helping, I think I realised that I wasn't the only one grieving, and that there were others to support me. Like you." He nudged Ron gently in the shoulder.
"Me? Help you? I wouldn't dream of it. You don't need help. Never have."
"Ok, ok," laughed Harry. "I do tend to turn help down, but I don't want others hurt. If you fight with me, I might lose you."
"There is a lesser chance of that if we work together to defeat our foes. If it is just you, you might die. Do you think we want to lose you? I know I don't. It means I'd have to hang around Dean and Seamus…"
Harry laughed, but only half-heartedly. His mind was churning over what Ron had just said. The star he was squinting at twinkled and woke him from his stupor.
"So…when I go off to fight a battle alone…it scares you?"
Ron moved around on the grass, whether because he was uncomfortable with the question or the ground, Harry couldn't tell.
"Well…yeah. Like, when we were back in our second year. I know that it couldn't be helped that time, but I was left there all alone, moving rocks, and you went to rescue Ginny all alone. You know how upset I was when I thought Ginny may be dead. When you went…I thought I might lose you too, my best friend. I was praying, praying that all those noises were just in my imagination, hoping that you weren't fighting some huge big Basilisk. I was really scared."
Harry's heart had seemed to start beating at an amazingly fast pace. He turned his head to look at Ron, who was looking up at the stars once more.
"You really feel that?"
"Yeah," replied Ron turning to look into Harry's green eyes. "I bet you would probably feel the same, like you would've felt terrible when we found that Hermione had been paralysed by the Basilisk." Harry saw Ron shudder, obviously not enjoying the image of a paralysed Hermione. Harry had to admit that it was quite…unnatural.
"How about we talk about something else though? A joke?"
Harry eagerly accepted the offer. He didn't want to dwell on the terrible things that had occurred in his life, no more than Ron did. And so Ron told his first joke. ("How do you make a dog drink? Put it in a blender.") And they laughed and laughed, sharing jokes and stories about the things they had done, but had never told one another. The bugs flew and the wind blew. The stars twinkled overhead, the leaves from the backyard tree falling around them. And their laughter rang out into the night, the lights twinkling out around them until they were left in the darkness, the merriness in their voices never wavering and never tiring.
---
Harry awoke the next morning knowing that something was wrong. He moved his head and sighed in relief. Nothing was wrong. He had just fallen asleep on the lawn outside with Ron by his side. He got up, feeling better than he had in weeks. A sleep on the back lawn could do miracles for your brain he thought, but it didn't agree with your back. He stretched it out and noticed that Mrs Figg was sipping tea upon the porch. He looked down at his watch. It was seven in the morning. Mrs Figg saw Harry was awake and she beckoned for him to come over.
"Have a good sleep Harry? I was going to wake you both and let you sleep on my sofas, but you looked so peaceful. If you want, you can help me get some of this breakfast out. I'd better feed you both up before your test today."
Harry nodded, feeling a little nervous. Mrs Figg smiled at him encouragingly, and led him into the kitchen. Harry found two large plates of eggs and bacon, with a side of toast, and he picked them up and treaded carefully back outside while Mrs Figg followed with glasses of juice. Harry placed the things on the table, and then moved over to nudge Ron in the stomach with his foot.
"Ron you great lump! Get up!"
He groaned. "I don't want to go to school." He tried to roll over, but getting a face full of grass made his eyes shoot open quick. He looked around alarmed, for a moment, and then realised that he must have slept on the grass. When he saw breakfast waiting for him, he managed to jump up very eagerly. The three ate in silence, and when Harry was just finishing up, they heard a knock on the door. Harry went to answer, and saw Remus and Tonks waiting for him.
"Mornin' Harry," said Tonks as she tried to stifle a yawn. "Thought we'd best not charge through your fireplace too early." She shuffled her way into the hall, leaving Harry to greet Remus.
"So…how'd it go with Dumbledore?" he asked by way of a morning greeting. Remus glared at him.
"Not good huh?"
"Understatement. He was furious. I thought I could handle him, you know; do a little bit of sweet talking. I failed. Your father and Sirius usually had me sweet talk everyone, and I usually did a real good job. But Dumbledore? Was a new experience."
"Too confident in your abilities huh?" smirked Harry. "Maybe you need more practice as a Marauder?"
"Shut up," snapped back Remus. Harry just grinned cheekily at him and jaunted back off to the porch out back, a mumbling Remus following him. Ron raised his eyebrows at Harry when he saw his cheeky grin, and Harry pointed at Remus and drew a finger across his neck. Ron grinned back at him, failing to hide it as Remus glared at them. Harry had the feeling that Mrs Figg was smiling into her tea cup.
"Is it really that funny, knowing that I got my head bitten off?" asked Remus grumpily.
"Very," said Tonks. "You've been getting a little too cocky lately. Someone had to bring you back down to Earth." Remus scowled at her, but Mrs Figg quickly interrupted any potential arguments, by rising up and saying that they should all head off, so that Harry and Ron were not failed for lateness. Remus sulkily agreed, and Harry wrapped an arm around his waist in an effort to cheer him up.
"I thought what you did was funny," he confided in his guardian. Remus smirked.
"Oh it was funny alright, but have you ever faced an angry Dumbledore. It is not fun. I am actually starting to think that is wasn't worth the trouble."
"I've seen an angry Dumbledore."
"Well let me tell you, it is three times more frightening when he is directing that anger at you."
Harry laughed, feeling sorry for his guardian.
"I can only imagine. Well if it makes you feel any better, I'm proud of what you did."
"I'd have to hope so," spluttered Remus, grinding his fist across Harry's skull in a playful manner. "I had to wear suits and yell at you, just so they'd like me enough to accept the damn flowers. I actually passed by their place this morning and there were still petals flying past the windows. I guess Dumbledore isn't as concerned for their well-being as I thought. Or maybe he doesn't suspect that the petals will be there for some time. I had best go stop it. Can't have you being kicked out now can we?"
Remus shot him a cheeky grin, knowing very well that Harry would like to be kicked out despite what Dumbledore said. Remus excused himself and hurried off next door, promising that he would get to Hogwarts as quickly as possible. Harry laughed, rubbing at his skull gently, as Remus rushed out the front door. Harry spun through the fire ahead of Ron, feeling that he was finally getting used to the whole magical travel issue. He didn't even fall out of the fires anymore, but Ron and Tonks still appeared behind him in a much more graceful fashion.
"Morning Harry," spoke Dumbledore brightly as Ron appeared in the room.
"Not too bad. A little nervous though." Dumbledore smiled at him understandingly and went to greet Ron. Harry moved over to Fawkes, and gently reached out to stroke his plumage, murmuring to him softly. Fawkes greeted him with a soft coo.
"Right," said Dumbledore, wasting no time. "Professor Snape is ready, so let's not keep him waiting. Harry, Ron, follow me please." He smiled kindly down at the two boys, and moved towards the stairs. Harry and Ron looked at each other silently, and then followed in close pursuit.
"Break a leg!" exclaimed Tonks. Harry rolled his eyes and sensed Ron wince beside him.
They reached the Great Hall and found that is was empty except for two small desks, some distance apart, both with enough room for making a potion, while also preparing ingredients. A select number of components had been prepared, Harry saw, and he couldn't help but start thinking of all the Potions that might use those supplies, suffice to say, that not one of them was particularly easy. Professor Snape was standing in front of the two desks, and was holding what Harry guessed were the tests they would be completing.
"Good morning Professor," he spoke with a nod of his head. Snape returned the nod, his lip curling.
"Potter. Weasley." Ron just swallowed. Loudly. "We will be commencing your written paper first. Please sit and begin when you are told."
The two sat at the desks, and, as Snape placed a test in front of each of them, they shot each other quick smiles.
"Good luck," Harry saw Ron mouth.
"You too," he returned quickly, watching Snape set a timer out of the corner of his eye. He seemed to be taunting them, enjoying making them sit there while their hearts throbbed with nervousness. Eventually, at last, he spoke, and placed the timer within his pocket.
"You may begin!"
Harry opened his paper, and quickly read over the first question.
What would be the product if powdered root of asphodel was added to an infusion of wormwood?
Harry grinned, thinking back to the time he had heard this question in his first year at Hogwarts. It was in his very first Potions class in fact. Dipping the supplied quill within the supplied ink bottle, he began to write. This time he would get it right.
---
By the time Harry finished he was still grinning. Harry was confident that he may have passed the first section, and he was guessing, by the massive grin upon his best friends face, that Ron was feeling pretty confident too. Snape was flicking through their tests, though Harry couldn't read the expression upon his face. He wiped the grin from his face, not wanting to look too proud, as Snape glanced up at them. Harry didn't think it was beyond Snape to change the answers secretly. Ron, however, didn't give a damn. He just stood there with a manic grin upon his face as Snape glared at him. Harry secretly wondered if there was anything that would wipe that grin of his face. They stood back as Snape placed the two tests within his robes, and began setting up their practical exam.
By the time Harry was half way through his first potion, he had to admit that he was quite enjoying the experience. Potions wasn't as bad as he had thought, and he guessed that it was just the teacher that made it so insanely difficult for him. A potion could do all forms of amazing things that Harry would never have guessed were possible.
He finished up his antidote before the recommended time, discovering that Ron had already begun cutting ingredients for his next potion. Harry started on that too. It was difficult, one of the more complicated ones. Harry lost count of his stirs, while adjusting the temperature, but he knew that the one stir he had missed or added on would not affect the Potion in any major way. Unfortunately, Snape had seen his mistake. He could not say much during an exam, but it didn't stop him from still muttering out some menacing words.
"Careful there Potter. You are running short of lives!" Harry didn't reply, even though he wanted to snap back. He couldn't afford to get into trouble, so he just met Snape's eye and nodded at him as if Snape had been giving him a wonderful tip. As it turned out, Harry's potion was completed successfully, and he was confident that he should have scraped through with a very respectable mark. He handed a sample into Snape, who swirled it around within its glass before pocketing it and dismissing Harry from the room. Harry met Ron outside the doors. He had finished some five minutes earlier.
"Wasn't too bad was it?" asked Ron. Harry shook his head, and beamed at him.
"Not too bad at all." He stopped suddenly. "Now all we have to do is put up with Snape for another two years." Ron laughed.
"But we'll manage won't we?"
"Well, with you and Hermione there, the two top potions students at Hogwarts, I think there is a good chance of that." Ron blushed, and Harry changed the subject, before he could object.
"So do you think we are on our way to becoming Aurors yet?"
Ron pushed out his chest. "Well, I don't know about you Harry, but I think I'm on a roll." Harry smiled.
"I'm feeling pretty confident myself mate."
The two walked back up the stairs, wondering just where they should go. They decided to head up to Dumbledore's office, but half way there they were caught by Remus. Harry guessed that his guardian must have successfully dealt with the Dursley's. However, he was wringing his hands together looking quite nervous, but he sighed with relief when Harry grinned proudly at him.
"You think you passed?"
"Yup," remarked Harry as Remus wrapped him in a hug.
"And Ron?" continued Remus, looking towards the tall red-head. Ron grinned at him.
"I'm very sure that I passed. I know I can't know for sure, but I really do feel as if I have."
"Good, good. Tonks will be pleased that the two of you are following in her footsteps. But, do you have a back up plan?"
"Quidditch!" answered both voices at once. The two boys laughed and looked at each other. Remus grinned.
"Well that's a good plan. You two are both very good."
Ron looked at him as if he had gone mad, his eyebrows rising up into his hair in complete and utter disbelief.
"Well, you are improving aren't you?" Ron didn't know whether to nod, or whether to shake his head in confusion.
---
The three of them journeyed back up to Dumbledore's office, where Tonks and Dumbledore were both elated at the news. Dumbledore commented that Snape may be a tad upset that they'd both become such ample potion makers, though he would've thought Snape would be proud, as it reflects well on his teaching skills. Ron coughed loudly and Harry laughed.
"Begging your pardon Professor, but the two of us don't think very highly of Professor Snape, or his teaching skills."
Ron nodded his head firmly in agreement. Albus' eyes twinkled at them.
"Not every student is fond of ever teacher. I suspect that Tom was probably not too fond of me while I was teaching Transfiguration."
"You taught Transfiguration?" asked Ron in shock.
"Yes I did. And then I was appointed as headmaster. But enough about me. Do you two boys have plans for your stay here?"
"To have some fun," said Ron, "And to not have to worry about Hermione throwing books at me each morning."
Harry laughed. "My thoughts exactly, err, but I wasn't getting any books thrown at me." Tonks giggled, and picked up a book, before throwing it at him.
"Hey!" scolded Harry, as he snatched it from the air. Tonks just grinned wickedly back at him. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, though Harry was not sure if he was too pleased with Tonks' choice of book. 'Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Rule Book.'
"Why don't you both head on over to Gryffindor tower. The password is 'toadstool.' You'll find that Hermione and Ginny are already waiting for you, and that the rest of the Weasley's will be appearing this afternoon."
"Excellent!" exclaimed Harry. "Well, let's go then!"
The adults laughed at his eagerness, and Harry ran over to grab his trunk, owl cage, and broomstick.
"We can practice Quidditch!" he said excitedly, looking to Dumbledore for approval. His smiled merrily and nodded. Ron whooped, letting his approval in the matter well known. He raced down the stairs, challenging Harry to a race. Harry himself was trying to drag his trunk behind him, while carrying Hedwig in one hand at the same time. It was not comfortable, but he tried to catch up nonetheless. The adults winced as they heard his trunk banging down the stairs.
"It's great to see them so happy," said Remus. Dumbledore nodded in agreement.
"Just wonderful…"
---
Ron burst into the common room, skidding to a halt in front of the fireplace, and throwing himself into an empty chair. He rubbed at his face, glad that there were no flames in the fireplace. It was unbelievably warm.
"How'd you go?" asked Hermione eagerly, looking up from the book she and Ginny were poring over.
"I'd put a lot of money, which I don't have, on me having passed."
Hermione looked very pleased, and beamed at him.
"Oh Ron, that's wonderful! What about Harry? Actually, where is Harry?"
"Right behind me," spoke Ron turning around to face the portrait. There was nothing. "Oh, well he was supposed to be right behind me. Anyway, he thinks that he did well too." There was suddenly a large banging noise coming from outside the portrait, and the three jumped as it suddenly swung open and Harry fell through. Hedwig went flying from his arms, and his friends thought back to when Neville had done something similar and started laughing loudly. Hedwig was shrieking in protest, not in any way approving of what had just happened, and Harry was scowling at the three of them.
"Thanks for the help Ron," he murmured sarcastically. Ron just grinned at him.
"No problem Harry." Harry shook his head and began to pick his things up, the other three coming over to help him. Ron and Harry managed to drag his trunk into the common room, and the four of them started taking everything upstairs. Harry noticed that Ron's belongings were already in the room. Ginny was letting Hedwig nibble upon her finger, but then strolled over to the window and released her, before returning the cage to Harry.
"Ron was just telling us that you think you passed," she murmured. Harry nodded, grinning broadly.
"I think so, but let's not talk about school. Let's go play Quidditch!"
Hermione rolled their eyes, but followed a very excited Harry, Ron and Ginny from the boys' dormitory, down towards the Quidditch pitch. She knew how much Harry loved the sport, and was willing to partake in anything if it meant that Harry was able to feel free. If there was one thing that Harry deserved, it was freedom.
---
Final Authors Note: I thank everyone for their kind reviews and apologise to anyone who was interested in seeing this story end. If anyone is at all interested I have written a great deal more of the story. It is unedited, out of character, and lacks an awful lot, but it does give an idea of just where I was heading. If you'd like to have a read of this, just let me know. If anyone feels they would like to continue this story, you may do so. I hope you have enjoyed reading my story as much as I have enjoyed writing it. All the best. Vix'thra
