Harry's New Life
Chapter Fifteen
The Last Days before Term
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"Ok, so explain this to me one more time, what happened?" Harry asked.
The four of them were gathered around the kitchen table. Harry and Ginny were staring intently at Ron and Hermione, who were completely beside themselves with joy. Harry was still amazed at the fact that just a few hours before they were fighting and now it seemed that everything was grand and Ron was no longer upset that Hermione was going back to school. In fact, it seemed as if he was positively delighted that she was leaving.
Ron took a deep breath, preparing himself to explain in more detail as to exactly what happened. "Okay, Hermione came and found me, which wasn't hard because I was at the Burrow." He gave a small wink in Hermione's direction. "And she explained to me that being that she is of age and will be eighteen soon, she is allowed to come and go as she pleases from Hogwarts."
"Well, as long as I'm not late for classes and I'm in by the ten o'clock curfew during the week." Hermione added.
"So anyway, with me working in Hogsmead at Fred and George's new shop, I can see Hermione almost everyday. And with her finishing school, she will be able to get a better job so at least one of us can make something of ourselves." Ron finished.
"I tried to talk him into coming back to school with me but he said he couldn't leave you, Harry." Hermione said.
Ron blushed slightly, "Well, that and I don't want to leave, I like it here."
Harry couldn't help but feel grateful towards Ron, hours ago he wanted to choke Harry, and now he was showing loyalty by wanting to stay with him in the apartment. "Ron, you don't have to stay here on my account, if you want to go you can. It's only a year; I can take care of myself."
"I know mate, but I don't want to go back to school. If I did go back it would be for the wrong reasons, I wouldn't be happy cause that's not where I want to be." Ron said.
"Well, I think it's great that you came to your senses and are supporting Hermione, and like Harry said, it's only a year, and it will be over fast." Ginny said as she squeezed Harry's knee under the table. "Just think, this time next year it will all be over and we can all be together!"
Harry, Ron and Hermione all gave a small cheer. But in that moment, they all seemed to be reading each other's thoughts. A whole year apart, the famous group split up. It suddenly seemed a lot harder to deal with. They sat in silence for what felt like hours, and it wasn't until Hermione started yawning did they finally give up on the day and they all headed to their own bedrooms.
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The next several days seemed to pass by in a blur. Harry had Quidditch practice in the mornings. Ron was spending long hours at work due to students loading up on various tricks before going back to school. Hermione and Ginny were working on different homework assignments that had been sent to them. None of them seemed to see each other very much.
Two days before Hermione and Ginny were due to return to school, the four of them found themselves at home, together, for the first time in days. Harry wanted to seize this moment before one of them left for whatever reason. "Hey guys I have an idea!"
Ginny, who was sitting on the floor brushing Crookshanks, looked up, "Oh yeah? What's up Harry?"
Well, tomorrow is the last time we are all going to be together for awhile, let's say we plan to spend the day together." Harry replied.
Hermione was sitting by Ron in the kitchen showing him her homework but she looked up at Harry as he finished talking. "That sounds great Harry, what did you have in mind?"
"Oh, I know, I saw a poster the other day that there is a street party in Hogsmead to celebrate the opening of some new store, we could go check it out." Ron said excitedly.
"Oh, that sounds like fun Ron!" Ginny said.
"Great, then it's settled then. I'll get home from practice tomorrow as soon as I can and then we can go!"
"Well, I got to go back to work before Fred finds out I'm gone." Ron said he gave Hermione a quick kiss then vanished with a pop.
"I'm going to my room to finish my homework." Hermione said while grabbing her books and walking to her room.
"I need to go to Diagon Alley, I forgot to buy a new potions kit." Ginny said. "Are you busy Harry, you can come with me."
Harry didn't need asked twice; he walked over to the door, picked up Ginny's jacket from the coat rack and held it open for her to wiggle into it.
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Harry and Ginny spent an enjoyable afternoon in Diagon Alley. Harry insisted upon spoiling her as much as he could. He treated her to a large bowl of ice cream, some new school robes and the fanciest set of brass scales he could find. They even spent some time in Weasley's Wizard Wheezes where Ginny was fascinated with the new line of accessories that Fred created for the Pygmy puffs. Harry made a mental note to buy the lot as a Christmas present for her and Arnold on his next trip to Diagon Alley.
"Harry, if you're trying to impress me by buying all this stuff you don't have to, you already have me you know." Ginny smiled when Harry handed over some coins to a street vendor who was selling rose scented ink and matching red quills.
Harry took the bag from the vendor and handed it to Ginny. "I know, but I like buying you things and I want to make sure you have only the best when you go back to school."
Ginny, with some difficultly due to her heavy load, stood on her tip toes and kissed Harry. "Your to good to me, I don't deserve you."
Harry smiled widely, "No, you don't deserve me."
"Don't be cheeky Harry."
Just then a short chubby man with a pointed black beard, wearing banana colored robes tapped Harry on the shoulder. "A photo with you and the lovely lady?" The man asked, he was in deed wearing a rather large camera around his neck with a sticker on it that read, large-12 sickles, small-8 sickles.
"Oh Harry, let's get a photo of the two of us so I can rub it in all faces of the girls at school!" Ginny asked, beaming.
"Alright, I'll get one too." Harry said pulling more coins from his pocket and handing over enough for two large photos to the man with the camera.
"Alright you two, just back up a tad, there you go…now smile!" Said the camera man.
A large puff a smoke emitted from the lens and from underneath shot out two photos, they flew into Harry's hands. Harry handed one over to Ginny and watched his own as an image slowly started to form on the paper. Harry thanked the camera man and looked down at Ginny who seemed to be on the verge of tears.
"Ginny what's wrong? Did it not turn out?" Harry asked.
"No, its wonderful…look Harry."
Ginny held up her copy and showed to Harry, there were two overly happy people kissing as hard as any two people could kiss. Harry returned to his own photo and saw himself staring at the Ginny in the photo, completely entranced by her. The Ginny in the photo was playing with her hair and acting like she wasn't noticing that anyone was looking at her.
"They really did turn out well, didn't they?" Harry asked.
"There perfect Harry, I have just the frame for this…I can't wait to sit by my bed at Hogwarts." Ginny said.
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"So Ron, what is this new shop that's opening up?" Harry asked.
"Oh, it's called Flaming Andis, It's a potions shop I think." Ron said.
Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione were now walking up the streets of Hogsmead where there was indeed a nice party happening. Several stands had been set up with free drink or food. Music was coming from somewhere and magical balloons and streamers were floating about. Kids were having there faces painted with magical paint that would move around their face and smelled like candy.
It was a beautiful day and being in this playful atmosphere made the day even more enjoyable. Several round tables had been conjured up on the street, as Ginny and Hermione found an empty one Ron and Harry went to get some food for all of them.
Their last night together was very enjoyable. The four of them sat around laughing at the various events that happened during the day, including demonstration on how to properly perform the Bat-bogey hex which Ginny found very entertaining.
Ron had assumed correctly when he said the new shop that was opening was a potion shop because halfway through the day the owner, a very young man, started handing out coupons for half off items and small samples of various potions. Ron was very happy to get his hands of a small sample of the Choco potion which made everything you ate taste like chocolate.
Hermione found her favorite part of the day when Ron bought her a new book, "1000 Ways to Pass a Test" and was able to have it signed by the author herself. Harry's favorite part of the day came when they shot off magical fireworks that night. Each firework looked like a different animal and would all danced happily in the sky for several minutes.
It was easily the best day the four of them had ever spent together. But no matter how much Harry tried he couldn't help but feel sad that tomorrow, she would be gone; he was starting to wish that he too was going back to school. It didn't help matters that the soft glow of the Hogwarts windows where now teasing him in the distance from Hogsmead.
"Well guys, I think it's all over and Ginny and I need to pack. I think it's time to go." Hermione said while standing up and brushing dirt off her pants from watching fireworks.
This day was ending far too soon for Harry; he couldn't believe the summer was over.