Whatever It Takes

Disclaimer: I own Harry Potter? Well that's news to me!

A/N: Aww…not very many reviews for chapter 5. I think I'll go cry…

Chapter 6

At first, Harry hadn't been sure how he would feel if Ron and Hermione started going out. He knew it was going to happen, but they'd been putting it off for so long…

But things really weren't all that different. They obviously didn't want Harry to be around while they snogged, and Harry certainly did not want to witness it either. So, things seemed to continue as normal. Although, sometimes, Harry had to admit he was lonely.

It wasn't that he wasn't happy for them, he just wished that he knew what they were thinking when they sneaked each other those glances while he was talking about Voldemort. Harry felt like they understood each other, and he would never be able to, at least not on the same level.

September had brought much luck. Not only had his friends finally gone for it, they all had received some good news the following day.

"Harry? You've gotten one too, mate. I can't imagine what they would be wanting," Ron said as he turned a letter over in his hands. Ron carefully tore the seal open and scanned the letter. Harry was too busy reading the Daily Prophet to notice.

"Harry, I can't believe it! Look!" Ron shoved the letter under Harry's nose.

Dear Mr. Weasley,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to you and several other students to inform you that Hogwarts welcomes you back with open arms. I have received many letters concerning students not taking N.E.W.T.s and not being able to succeed without further education. As you very well know, there is a war going on, but all of the teachers have agreed to help complete your education. I leave it up to you to return, so please send word as soon as you have made your decision.

Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagal

Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

"I'm not going back," Harry replied, simply.

"What? Harry…," Ron looked confused.

"Ron, I told you already. I've got to find the horcruxes and destroy them. Then, well, you know…I have to go after him. I haven't got time for school. Plus, I've already learned everything I needed to."

"But Harry, N.E.W.T.s…"

"I don't want to waste my time with them. Especially, if I-I don't make it," Harry said weakly.

"Harry, don't say that."

"You're going, aren't you?"

"Not if you aren't. I said I'd stay with you, so I'll keep my word…"

"Ron, your mum is going to make you."

"I'm of age, so I can do whatever I like."

"I want you to go. Please, say you'll go."

"Harry…"

"Ron, look. You don't have a choice! You've got a life ahead of you! You can't put it to waste!" Harry said, raising his voice.

"I'll go, but only because you want me to."

"Good. I wonder who else got a letter…"

"I hope Malfoy didn't. If he's going to be there, I'm definitely not going!" Ron protested.

"He's probably hiding with all the Death Eaters," Harry said.

"Yeah. That's right. Hey, I forgot! My dad wanted me to drop by his office today, so I said I'd meet Hermione at the Ministry. You want to come?"

"Sure."

Once they got to the Ministry and had been through security, they went to find Mr. Weasley, who was sitting in his tiny office.

"Oh, good. You came. I was beginning to worry," Mr. Weasley said looking up at Ron who had simply stuck his head into the office room.

"Don't turn into mum!" Ron said and Mr. Weasley laughed.

"Hello Harry! I didn't see you there," Mr. Weasley said to Harry and then turned to Ron. "Oh, and speaking of your mother…that's what this is about. She wanted me to talk you into going back. You have gotten the letter by now, I imagine?"

"Yeah, but I've already decided I'm going back," Ron replied.

"Oh. Well, then I guess we don't need to talk." Ron nodded.

"I told Hermione I'd meet her here, though. Harry…?"

"I'd like to have a word with Harry," Mr. Weasley said and Ron left. "You aren't going back, are you?"

"I hadn't planned on it." Mr. Weasley nodded.

"Well, I won't try to convince you into going, although Molly wanted me to and I very well can't force you because you're of age now. But…Minerva wanted me to tell you that Hogwarts is ready for you anytime, if you change your mind." Mr. Weasley explained and this time it was Harry's turn to nod. "I wonder what's taking those two so long. It's only one floor up!" Mr. Weasley said.

"I'm not sure I want to know," Harry replied and Mr. Weasley chuckled.

"Those two…sometimes they remind me of Molly and myself when we were their age," Mr. Weasley shook his head.

"Did you get lost?" Harry said when Ron and Hermione appeared in the doorway. They both appeared to be quite flushed.

"The elevator got stuck," Ron explained, his ears turning red.

"Yes, that does seem to happen quite a lot," Mr. Weasley said, the corners of his mouth twitching.

After they left the Ministry, they went over to Hermione's flat to discuss the letters from Hogwarts.

"I just can't believe it!" Hermione said.

"I know. It was such a surprise!" Ron said cheerfully.

"So, you're not going back?" Hermione asked Harry.

"No. I'm not," Harry said.

Hermione looked up at Harry, tears forming in her eyes. Harry looked back at her and they seem to come to an understanding. Hermione quickly wiped her eyes.

"Is Ginny going?" He asked, trying to change the subject.

"Yes. I don't think she wanted to, but she is. A lot of people are returning, which surprises me. I didn't expect there to be too many, but it looks like everyone from Gryffindor is returning, except you. Professor McGonagal said they are going to take in some first years. She thought that if everything continued the way it was, we'd all be able to get our minds off the war."

"That's good news. Means we have a good chance of winning Quidditch this year," Ron said.

"Actually, quite a few Slytherins are coming back too, I heard," Hermione replied.

"They're probably trying to get inside information on Hogwarts," Harry said.

"Yes, that's what I thought too," Hermione said sadly.

"But at least Malfoy's not going! Harry said he thought he'd be too busy hiding with the Death Eaters. I can't wait until they catch him, maybe I can convince someone to let me come along!" Ron joked.

"You shouldn't say things like that! I feel sorry for him. He's our age, and just think what he's had to go through already!"

"Hermione, are you crazy? Think what he's put us through! I say he bloody well deserves it!" Ron stared at her.

"He almost killed Dumbledore," Harry said quietly.

"Yeah!" Ron cried angrily.

"But he didn't. He wasn't able to and that says something," Hermione replied.

"Yeah, it says he's a bloody coward," Ron said and Hermione shook her head.

A/N: Thanks to those people who did review. Thank you very much! Now I'd like to address two things.

1. Hogwarts: I decided to have it re-open because what would a Harry Potter story be without it? Jo did say that there would be a new DADA teacher, which means that Hogwarts must be open. I don't think she'd write a story telling kids to drop out of school. Really, what kind of an example would she be setting?

2. Draco: Okay…yes! Hermione feels sorry for him and I do too! He didn't exactly have a choice in how he was brought up. It's really very sad, at least I think so. Some of you will be like Ron and Harry and say he deserves it, but I disagree. He's young and foolish, so I'm not sure he's aware what he's getting himself into. War pushes kids to grow up too quickly, I think.

Okay…review please!