Chapter Six – Results leads to Results

The next day, Hermione woke with a stiff back and a numb arm. She moved her hand to try to get the circulation back into her fingers, and looked around the room. Ginny was still asleep her back facing Hermione with shallow breaths Hermione knew it would probably be a while longer before Ginny woke up.

Unlike Ginny, Hermione was an early bird and was rarely up after 8. Hermione removed the thin cotton sheet she had been sleeping with and dropped her legs over the side of the bed. Wriggling her toes she put them into her fuzzy slippers and ran her hand through her hair.

Hermione picked some clothes out of her trunk and put them on. She was able to see quite well, as the morning sun had already risen and was peeping through the cotton curtains that couldn't quite reach together.

Once she was dressed and had ran a brush through her hair, she padded cross the creaky floor, hoping not to wake Ginny. She reached the door and slowly opened it. Carefully manuring around it and then pulling it shut quietly. She nearly yelped when she felt someone grab her sides.

Hermione jumped and wheeled around to come face to face with Harry. She placed her hand on her chest and she took deep breaths. Once she had calmed down, her face, hardened and she playfully slapped Harry on the chest,

'Never do that again, you scared me.' Hermione hissed trying to be quiet. She grabbed Harry's hand and dragged him away from Ginny's door.

As they were walking down the stairs she said, 'I was trying to not wake Ginny, why did you surprise me like that anyway?'

But instead of getting an answer, Harry who had been letting Hermione drag him downstairs stopped her and took her in his arms. He looked in her eyes before softly kissing her. Hermione sighed against his lips and manovered her arms around his neck. Her fingers entered his hair, pulling him closer to her.

Hermione still had butterflies in her stomach, and she felt just as overwhelmed by this kiss as their first. She felt her back hit the wall behind her and slowly felt Harry's body touch hers.

They heard people downstairs rushing about and regretfully pulled apart. Saliva still joined them until Harry licked his lips.

'Good morning gorgeous.' Harry said into her ear, and pecked her there. Hermione smiled and turned to look Harry in the eye.

'Morning, how did you sleep?' She asked, as they started to make their way down the stairs again.

'Good, what about you?'

'Yeah, I slept well. Is Ron awake?'

'Yeah, he's in the kitchen. What'd you wanna do today?'

'I dunno, we could go to Diagon Alley. I need some more stuff.'

'Good plan, we'll see if any of the others want to go.' When they walked into the kitchen, they noticed Ron had already started breakfast. They all sat down and had just started helping themselves, when Hedwig sailed through the window.

'Hello girl,' Harry said and fed her a piece of toast while he got the newspaper that she had in her grasp. He looked at the front cover to see quite a recent picture of Cornelius Fudge.

He scanned the front to see that the news of Fudge's death was now in the paper. 'About time' Harry thought, as he through the paper into the middle of the table. Also on the table were four letters addressed to the youngest four currently living at The Burrow.

'Apparently Dumbledore came and gave these to Mum, this morning' Ron said, 'He's not trusting owls to send them. Delivered them personally.' Ron said while handing them out.

Hermione slowly lifted the flap open and pulled out a piece of parchment.

Dear Miss Granger

Congratulations on entering sixth year. You have been chosen to become a prefect again, this year. There will be more prefects this year, due to rise in death eater activities, we will be assigning double the amounts of prefects.

Following last year, you took your O.W.L.S, here as follows your results:

Defence against Dark Arts – O

Potions – O

Care of magical creatures – O

History of magic – O

Arithmancy – O

Transfiguration – O

Charms – O

Herbology – O

Ancient Runes – O

Astrology – O

Well done on achieving the highest possible marks. Please write back with the subjects you wish to carry on with for your N.E.W.T.S. Maximum 5 subjects, please choose wisely, as these will affect your career options

Yours sincerely

Professor Dumbledore

Headmaster of Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry

Hermione looked at the expressions of Ron and Harry,

'What did you two get?' she asked.

'I got 2 O's in Defence, and Care of Magical Creatures. Transfiguration, Herbology and Charms I got Exceeds Expectations, and an acceptable in History of Magic, Astrology and Divination. And…. My God' he said looking up, 'I got an O in Potions, how did that happen?' Harry looked around trying to understand that one of his worse subjects; he got the highest possible mark.

'It was probably because Snape wasn't there. Well done Harry, I'm so proud of you,' Hermione said and leaned in and kissed him,

'Hey guys I am here you know?' Ron said trying not to look at his friends. They broke apart, and Hermione asked how Ron had done.

'Well I got an O in Defence, and E.E in Charms, Transfiguration, Care of Magical Creatures and Potions, and A in Herbology, Astrology, Divination and History of Magic. God I'm pleased with that. I don't know whether I'll be able to become an auror though. You did hear that Snape only accepts O's, and I need Potions to become an auror.'

'You never know, Tonks said that they're desperate for aurors, so I bet that the requirements will go down. You'll be fine.' Harry said.

'God look at me, actually wanting to get into Snape's class.'

Hermione smiled, and told them what she got.

'Well we were kinda expecting you to pass with Outstanding.' Ron said.

'Hey guys, I'm also a prefect.' Harry said while reading his letter again. 'Probably want more prefects to patrol the halls.'

'What, that's brilliant. What subjects do you think you're going to choose?' Ron said.

'I don't know, Defence, Potions, Charms, Transfiguration, and something else. I don't know which though. What about you two?' Harry said while glancing over at his two friends.

'Well, I'm definetly going to do Defence, Potions, Transfiguration, Charms and Arithmancy. I would love to take more, but after third year, I don't' want to wear myself away.' Hermione said.

A loud whooshing sound came from the grate in the fireplace. An elderly man stepped out and casually brushed off the soot. He noticed three teenagers sitting round the table in the kitchen. They looked up when he had come, wondering why their headmaster was visiting them.

'Hello Sir, how can we help you?' Hermione asked Professor Dumbledore.

'Well I wanted to know your options of subjects. I thought coming to get them would be safer than sending them to us through post.'

It turned out that Ron was able to take potions, apparently much to Snape displeasure. It became apparent that they all had chosen the four main subjects, with Hermione doing Arithmancy, Harry doing Astrology and Ron doing Herbology.

'I believe there is a congratulations in order, for all of you doing tremendous in your O.W.L.S, and also for all becoming prefects.' Dumbledore said.

They all looked up when they saw Molly rush into the kitchen, her apron slightly, twisted. Her red hair showed signs of grey and frizzy areas had abandoned her bun. She smiled at all of them and sat down at the table nursing a cup of tea.

'Please sit down Albus,' she then turned to the three teenagers, and eagerly waited for something.

'Well?' She said, 'How did you do.' And the rest of the morning was spent talking about how they had all done.