The last month at Grimmuald Place was probably the best time Harry had had in a long time. Ginny made sure that he was never alone and was always trying to make sure that he had a smile. Finally, three days before the end of summer, came the letters from Hogwarts.
Harry sat staring at his as though it were a Howler and was going to burst into flames if he didn't open it right away. He was afraid he had failed, gotten a 'T' for Troll on every last one, and that he was going to be expelled. Was that even possible?
Hermione came running in, waving her letter. "Did you get yours? Oh, Harry, how did you do?"
"I haven't even opened it. I'm afraid I failed everything."
"Well, you don't know unless you've opened it." She said, taking it away from him. Ron came in.
"Did you get your letter?"
"Yes, I guess we all did." Harry answered through gritted teeth.
"Should we open them, or just wait until school starts?" Ron asked, laughing at the way Hermione's eyes bulged at the thought. "I'm kidding! Hermione, why don't you go first?"
Hermione nervously opened her envelope, looked it over quickly, then squealed with delight. "I passed ! I passed everything!" Ron took the letter away from her.
"Passed? Hermione, you must be a missing link or something, you've got all 'O's! How do you do that? And your career choice is archeologist? For wizard artifacts?"
Harry looked at Hermione. "Archeology? Like Muggle archeology?"
Hermione shrugged. "I think it's quicker than the Muggle way, and I've always been fascinated with history."
"Oh, because we didn't already know that from the thousands of times you've quoted 'Hogwarts: A History' at us." Ron said, but only loud enough so that Harry could hear.
"Harry, open yours next!" Hermione said excitedly, all glittery now that she knew she had passed.
Harry opened his letter. Well, he knew he wasn't expelled, because the normal letter telling him to be at King's Cross Station at 11:00, etc. was included, along with the list of things he would need for the new year. Harry looked at his grades:
Astronomy: Acceptable
A History of Magic: Dreadful
Transfiguration: Exceeds Expectations
Care of Magical Creatures: Acceptable
Divination: Dreadful
Charms: Exceeds Expectations
Herbology: Acceptable
Harry paused. He knew that the last two were what really counted if he was going to make it as an Auror. He took a deep breath . . .
Defense Against the Dark Arts: Outstanding
Potions: Outstanding.
Harry was speechless. He had done it. Now he could begin the studying that would effect him for the rest of his life. He looked at the paper in his hands, amazed at himself, yet unbelievably pleased as well.
"Well?" Hermione asked tentatively. "How did you do?"
Harry handed her the paper without a word.
"Harry! This great!" She exclaimed, giving him a hug. "And you're studying to be an Auror that's amazing. You're going to have your work cut out for you, that's for sure. Harry, this is brilliant! Open yours now, Ron."
Ron had passed everything as well, and had gotten an 'Outstanding' in Herbology, Charms, and Care of Magical Creatures. Harry was a little surprised that Ron had chosen to be a Dragon Tamer like his brother, Charlie.
"An Auror would have been cool, but I already know quite a bit about dragons from Charlie. Even though it's dangerous, they are fascinating creatures, and it's fun to study them."
"Why would you have to pass Herbology that much, though?" Harry asked.
"Certain plants can be used to weaken a dragon, just slip it in it's food. It also helps because you are always having to study more land to see where you can put the dragons. Because Muggles are always expanding their land, we continuously have to keep moving the dragons. It'll be hard, but I already have a pretty good understanding of all of this thanks to Charlie."
Hermione led the way downstairs. Mrs. Weasley looked up at each of them expectantly. "Ginny told me the letters from Hogwarts have arrived. So, how did you do?"
They gave her their letters. She read each of them, squealed with delight, and gave each of them a hug and a kiss on the forehead.
"Harry," Hermione said, her eyes shining as Mrs. Weasley scurried off to tell the rest of the house the news, "could I borrow Hedwig? I want mom and dad to know how I did."
"Yes, yes, of course." Hermione smiled at him, then ran out of the room.
"I better write to Charlie. I think he'll be pleased to hear about this." Ron said, and then he, too, left.
Harry sat alone in the kitchen, lost in his own and many thoughts.
This was it. Whether they liked it or not, they only had two years left. After these two years, they would go their separate ways, Ron to Romania, Hermione would probably be sent to somewhere like Egypt, and he, Harry, would be studying with Kingsley, Tonks, or some other Auror in the Ministry of Magic.
Come to think of it, the prophecy that Dumbledore had shared with him last year now kind of made sense. If he became an Auror he could battle Voldemort. He would have the training and the power to do so. The prophecy didn't have to be fulfilled right away. Well, there's a cheerful thought. Prolong the inevitable . . .
"Harry?" Hermione was standing in the doorway. Harry looked at her, slowly returning to reality. "Are you coming with us? We're going to Diagon Alley to get our school things."
"Sure."
They all arrived at Flourish and Blotts half an hour later. The booklist for Harry was very long this year:
The Standard Book of Spells: Grade Six By Miranda Goshawk
Advanced Charming and How to Use it By Linda Marsh
Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts and Where It's Applied By Megan Noland
Transfiguration Against Dark or Annoying Forces By Stephen Bryant
Everything You Want to Know About Being an Auror and Everything You Don't Want To By Justin Isner
And last but certainly not least.
Advanced Potions: Antidotes and Poisons By Kirsten Welling
Harry bought his books (all of which seemed very thick and heavy) He waved at Ernie McMillan and the Creevy brothers as he walked outside waiting for Ron and Hermione. As he stood there leaning on the wal outside of the shop, he saw Luna Lovegood walking up the street. He waved her over to him, and she smiled and came up to him.
"Hello Harry." She said in her floaty, faraway voice. "How has your summer been?"
"I've been okay. It's been pretty busy and I've been dealing with a lot of things. How was your summer?"
"Oh, it was wonderful! Sweden was a lot of fun, and dad and I caught a Crumple-Horned Snorkack!"
"Oh That's-interesting." Harry said, not sure if he knew what a Crumple-Horned Snorkack actually was. He thought it was some mythological creature. "Congratulations."
"I was going to bring it to Hogwarts, but they wreck almost everything they can, it has to sleep outside at our house."
"Well, I'm very happy that you found it."
"Harry, Ginny told me that your birthday was July 31st, so I got you something." She said, starting to rummage through her bag.
"You didn't have to-" She put a 'Quibbler' magazine in his hand. "Oh . . . You got me your fathers magazine."
"Actually, I paid to get you a years subscription." She corrected. "Do you like it?"
Harry knew that it would be rude to say no, and he knew that Luna loved he father's magazine. He put on a smile.
"I do like it, Luna. Thank you."
Luna smiled, obviously pleased with herself for getting such a great gift. "I knew you would Harry. I have to go now. I have things to buy, start of the year you know. I'll see you at school."
"See you Luna."
He watched her go, and wondered what strange things the new year would bring.
(A/N: The chapters that I have sent in are already written.Thats why i was able to get so many out in one day.this is the last completely typed chapter that i have, the rest are written somewhere, so i probably won't post for another week after this. thank you to everyone who has already reviewed, and i hope that you will keep reading! to all you new comers, welcome! enjoy the story, and i'll see you next time!)