A/N: Here is chapter 7, enjoy. By the way, despite my e-mails to JKR, she won't let me buy Harry Potter from her for 10 dollars. So everything you recognize is hers.

Chapter Seven

Owls

A few days had passed since Harry's birthday. Harry and Ginny walked into the kitchen, holding hands, to find four owls sitting on the kitchen table. Mrs. Weasley was busy making breakfast, and had just called out to announce the arrival of letters from Hogwarts. Harry and Ginny walked over to the owls, each taking their letter.

A few seconds later, Hermione entered and walked straight over to the remaining two owls. She took the letters off both. She threw the one addressed to Ron at the table but missed, instead floating to the floor. As she opened her letter a silver badge fell out, marked with the letters 'HG'.

"Hermione, you have been named Head Girl! Your parents are going to be so proud of you," Mrs. Weasley said, giving her a hug.

"Great, there goes all of our fun this year," Ron moaned, having entered the room in time to hear his mother's enthusiastic response to the news. For his contribution, he received a well deserved punch in the arm. "Hey, that hurt."

"I'm glad you got the point. Don't say any more things like that, or you really won't like the consequences," Hermione said, her eyes narrowing.

"Hermione, I'm glad you got the badge," Harry said.

"Congrats from me, too," Ginny said, hugging her after Mrs. Weasley let go..

"Well, I guess going out with the head girl will have its perks," Ron said, smiling at the idea.

"Who says we are going out anymore? I don't want the badge to be a burden on you, plus I think that Harry can handle two girls," she said. Turning to Ginny she continued, "If that is alright with you?"

"I don't think that it would be a problem, if Harry thinks he can manage it," she said.

"I can manage if that is what you two want," Harry said, putting an arm around each girl as he tried to stifle a grin.

"Very funny. I'm sorry I said anything," Ron finally got out, rolling his eyes.

"You better be," Hermione stated plainly.

"This is going to be our best year yet, I can feel it," Harry said, thinking about what he and friends would do. This was truly going to be fun, because for once he didn't have to worry about events outside of school. The one thing he was most certainly going to hate, though, was dealing with the reactions of other students – he was still going to be the unwilling center of too much attention.

Hermione noticed the frown that had followed the upbeat statement. Guessing its reason, she tried to reassure him. "Don't worry Harry. If anyone starts to mess with you about Voldemort - Ron stop that," Hermione said, looking at Ron who had hissed at the mentioning of the deceased Dark Lord. "Like I was saying, if anyone starts to mess with you, they will have to worry about me."

"And me," Ginny said, sitting down at the table where Mrs. Weasley was placing breakfast.

"Eat up everyone, before it gets cold," Mrs. Weasley said. The four of them ate breakfast, and decided to go for a little swim, returning right before lunch. They spent the rest of the day lounging around the house, until Mr. Weasley got home for work.

"Dad, have they found out anything else about that attack?" Ginny asked.

"I'm afraid there are no leads as to who these people were. They are trying to bring Mr. Thompson's memory back. It turns out that the attack was more serious than it first appeared. The strength of the spell was such that he lost almost all his memory. The people at St. Mungo's are doing their best, but unfortunately are having little success," Mr. Weasley answered, sitting in his favorite chair in the living room.

"So there is nothing that can be done? What will happen if they are never found?" Ginny asked, sitting down on the couch.

"I think that something will come up and we will find them. People like that leave things behind usually, and if they were looking for something, they will, unfortunately, attack again," Mr. Weasley said, accepting a glass of water from his wife.

"Ginny, that is enough for the time being. I think that your father needs a little rest, he has been working a little too much lately," Mrs. Weasley chimed in.

"Okay," Ginny said.

"When are we going to get our things for school?" Hermione asked, looking up from the book of jinx's Harry had received from Lupin for his birthday.

"I was going to suggest that we go tomorrow, since Arthur can come," Mrs. Weasley said, turning back towards the kitchen. She continued, "You can come tomorrow, right? It is Saturday - you don't have to work?"

"That's fine by me. I told the others at work not to bother me unless it was an emergency," Mr. Weasley said

"Good."

They made their way to Diagon Alley the next morning, hoping to get all the supplies they needed, and maybe catch up with a friend or two. After they bought all their books and robes, quills and parchment, it was time to visit Fred and George's shop. As they entered, they saw a fellow 7th year, Justin Finch-Fletchley.

"Hey Justin, what brings you to Diagon Alley?" Harry asked, before the obvious answer came to him. But before Justin could answer, he asked another question. "Does this mean you're going back to Hogwarts as well?"

"Yeah, I am. I was just wondering who the Head Girl is going to be this year," Justin replied.

"That would be me," Hermione said. "Does this mean what I think it does?"

"You would be correct in your assumption. I'm the Head Boy, first Hufflepuff to have that title in fifteen years or something like that," Justin said. "But I really must be going; I'll see you on September first." He finished, as he started for the door.

Harry felt a great deal of relief at this news. Having members of the DA as Head Boy and Girl would minimize any problems for him, at least from other students. As he was thinking, he turned, coming face to face with a box of wriggling artificial worms.

"We are seeing how big of a market there is for unusual candy," George said, appearing beside Harry. "These are gummy worms that wiggle all the way down, literally."

"Where did you get them?" Harry asked.

"Same place that Honeydukes gets all their stuff, Germany," Fred replied, appearing on Harry's other side. "We also have a little surprise for you. We finished the watch, and made a few more. Here you go," he continued, handing him a new watch. "That is one of three others that we made separately. That one, and the ones we have, are the only ones that don't have the puking charm on them. You can do whatever you want with it on and no one will know."

"I don't think that I really need it. I do have my cloak," Harry said, trying to hand his watch back.

"Nonsense, you can't always carry that thing around, plus now it will be even easier to disappear for some alone time," George said, refusing to take the watch back.

"If Harry doesn't want it, I'll be more then glad to take it," Ron said.

"If we had planned to give one to you, it would be in your hand, not Harry's," Fred said.

"Thanks a lot," Ron replied snidely.

"And Harry," George whispered, leaning in close to Harry. "Don't give that away. It's not something we want to get lost."

"Don't worry about it," Harry said, a smile appearing on his face.

"Kids, if that's all we need then I think we should be going," Mrs. Weasley's voice rang out. "Fred, are you and your brother coming for dinner tomorrow?"

Harry didn't hear the reply. He was making his way over to Mr. Weasley. "I want to get something, but I would rather do it alone. So, if it's all right, I'll just meet you back at home in a little while."

"I don't see how that would be a problem," Mr. Weasley said, smiling.

The Weasley's and Hermione were on their way back as Harry moved down the lane towards a shop who's slogan was, They want it, we've got it.

Harry arrived back at the Burrow just as an owl was swooping through the kitchen window. It flew straight for Hermione, who was sitting on the couch. Landing on the back, it held out its leg. Hermione took the letter off, and saw it was from Professor McGonagall:

Dear Ms. Granger,

I am sure that you are aware there will be an increase in the number of first years attending Hogwarts this year. Because of this increase, it has become apparent that we my need more prefects to help control, and be an example to the younger students. I have also informed the Head Boy and I ask both of you to name one person to be made a perfect. I ask only that this person be a leader, and one worthy of the position. Please respond as soon as a decision has been made.

Thanks,

Professor Minerva McGonagall

Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

"That explains a lot," Hermione said, handing the letter to Harry. Ginny and Ron read it over his shoulder.

"Who are you going to pick?" Ginny asked when she finished the letter.

"I don't know yet, but I'll tell you when I figure it out," Hermione replied.

The next morning Ginny was awoken by a tapping noise coming from somewhere in the room. "Mione, will you see what that is, I'm trying to sleep." When there was no reply, she pulled her pillow over her head, trying to drown out the sound. The tapping grew louder when she did this, and finally looking up, she saw an owl at the window.

"What are you tapping for?" She asked as she rose and walked to the window. When she opened it, the owl flew in, and Ginny noticed that a small package was attached to its leg. As soon as it was relieved it of its duty, the owl flew back out the window. Ginny opened the package and squealed with delight. There was a silver badge marked with aP lying at the bottom. With it also came a letter:

Dear Ms. Weasley,

Your name was selected by Ms. Granger to be named a school Prefect. I hope that you accept this responsibility, but remember, it will be a big commitment on your part. Please send an owl with your answer, as soon as possible.

Thanks,

Professor Minerva McGonagall

Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

A/N: I ask you now that if you have read my story that you please review it. I would like to know what you like and what you dislike. Be honest with your review, I just ask you to not be rude. So if you would please, hit the button and tell me what's on your mind about the story.