The next day they decided that they ought to head back to the cottage. They said their goodbyes to Hagrid and then went to see professor McGonagall. Harry felt sick to his stomach when entering the headmistress's office. It still didn't seem right that someone else should be in here. This was Dumbledore's office, not McGonagall's. He tried to reason with himself but found himself angry upon seeing the office changed. He kept his mouth shut and tried to look out of the window.
"I trust everything went as you had hoped?" McGonagall inquired.They noddedtheir heads in response. She raised an eyebrow and continued "I suppose you're adamant on your decision to not tell me what it is you're doing? I also gather that you came here to say goodbye, so you shall not be continuing your studies?" Again all three could think of nothing to do but nod their heads.
"Very well then. I wish to speak to you alone Harry…" Harry looked at Ron and Hermione, and with a another nod of his head they left the room.
"Please sit down," she invited. Harry decided that it would probably be the polite thing to do, though he still felt very awkward being back in the office. It was a reminder of Dumbledore's death all over again, and he couldn't wait to get out of there. She poured them both a cup of tea and offered him some ginger biscuits.
"There will be a meeting on Monday at 7pm. Your three are of age now, and I assumed you would wish to be involved. Am I correct?" Harry nodded his head and McGonagall smiled. "If you think that anyone else is worthy enough to join the Order, then I shall leave that in your hands…but be wise in your choices Harry."
"You know about Luna coming to stay with us, don't you?" Harry asked.
"Yes Harry, I can't say that I'm pleased about her abandoning her studies on something I know absolutely nothing about. But I trust your judgment." Harry was smiling at her kind words when a voice spoke.
"As you should Minerva, I trusted Harry with my life and the world is unknowingly trusting their lives with him also. He knows who he needs to fight with him, even if he cannot find a rational explanation for it."
Harry's hands gripped the chair he was sitting on and he stared in horror at the voice coming from the portrait of Dumbledore. He felt tears begin to prick at the back of his eyes and he tried to blink furiously to get them away.
"Harry, there is no need to be upset." Dumbledore said softly. Harry was amazed that his eyes could twinkle that way in a painting "I am not upset. This portrait really is quite comfortable, and the conversation is rather interesting." Harry stood up quickly and nodded to professor McGonagall. She seemed to understand his sadness and let him leave with a simple -
"Until Monday then Harry,"
Harry walked very quickly out of the office and tried to get control of himself. He emerged from the gargoyle and walked straight into Susan Bones.
"Goodness Harry!" she exclaimed and began to smile at him "We thought that you three might not come back this year but here you all are! I haven't seen any of you in lessons though…" Harry was caught off guard by this question and responded in an off-handed manner.
"No, we're just here to get rid of something then we're off again…" said Harry, before realising what he had said.
"Well that sounds intriguing!" she said grinning "What are you all doing if you're not at school? Having some great fun I bet!" Harry tried to smile but Dumbledore's voice kept resonating through his mind. He looked at Susan and she could see tears threatening to fall.
"Harry?" asked Susan, putting a hand on his shoulders "What on earth is wrong? Did I say something to upset you?"
"No no," said Harry hurriedly "It's just, I saw Dumbledore's portrait and… It's just weird to hear his voice when he's gone." Susan made a sympathetic noise and urged him to walk down the hallways with her. Harry's thoughts were flying frantically around in his mind. 'What am I doing talking to Susan Bones about this? I don't know her very well and I'm talking to her like she's Ron or Hermione!' But try as he might to stop himself from talking to her, the words kept spilling from his mouth and they walked around the castle for hours before Harry realised how much time had passed.
Harry rushed back to their rooms and found a very worried Hermione, a hungry Ron and a predictable Luna.
"Where have you been?" Hermione asked, her anxiety written all over her face. Harry was relieved that she was facing away from Ron because her emotions were written all over her face.
"Well, I was actually taking a walk…" He began, but was interrupted by a very angry Hermione.
"A walk!" she said, her voice raising dangerously "A walk! We've all been sitting here worried to death and you've been on a walk?"
"Correction," said Ron "Hermione's been worried to death. I kept trying to go grab some dinner but she said we all had to stay together."
"It's perfectly true," said Luna serenely. Hermione turned around and glared at both of them. They sat back down on the couches swiftly.
"Ron, why don't you get Dobby to bring us up some food before we all leave? Hermione, I'm sorry but I was upset after my meeting with McGonagall and I didn't realise how much time had passed. Now we really ought to eat and leave as soon as possible. I'll be back in a few minutes, I have to speak to Neville." and with that, Harry left the room.
"Well," said Luna, "He certainly seems to be able to sum everything up quite nicely doesn't he?" Hermione smiled weakly.
Ron, Hermione, Harry and Luna sat on the floor eating. Dobby had brought them up so much food that even Ron was having difficulty eating it all. There was a knock on the door and everyone but Harry looked surprised.
"Come in!" he called. The door opened to admit Susan Bones complete with luggage. Hermione's mouth dropped and she looked at Harry disbelievingly.
"Oh yeah…" said Harry, smiling sheepishly. "Susan is coming to stay with us too." Hermione looked from Harry to Susan a few times before finally speaking.
"When were you planning on telling us this?"she said shrilly "Do you really think this is a good idea Harry?"
"Where's everyone going to stay Harry? There's only three bedrooms in that place mate," said Ron in a confused tone.
"This sounds like it's going to be an awful lot of fun!" Luna said dreamily.
Harry smiled at Luna and stood up.
"Susan, there's a pile of bags in the bedroom at the end of hallway in the far bedroom. Go and put you bag in there, it'll find its way to where we're staying. Luna, would you mind helping her?" Harry said. Luna smiled and accompanied Susan, happily showing off her radish earrings.
"Listen I can't explain everything to you right now," Harry said quickly to Hermione and Ron "But just trust me. Something Dumbledore said in the office made sense to me, I don't know why these people have to be involved…I just know that they do." Hermione's eyes softened and Harry smiled at her.
"Dumbledore! Bloody hell…" Ron said, shaking his head with wide eyes. Hermione laughed a little and Ron looked away, his animosity towards her returned. Harry wondered how they were all going to live together if Ron kept acting this way towards Hermione. Then the thought of him and Hermione kissing strayed into his mind, and he realised that the fighting could be a lot worse. Susan and Luna emerged from the bedroom and Harry noticed that Susan was now sporting a radish necklace. They got their things together and finally began their long trip back to Cambridge, all the more amusing to Harry now that Luna and Susan had to travel as muggles.