Author's note: Sorry it took me so long to update. I feel this chapter is a bit more 'choppy' than my last two and for that I apologize. I hope you enjoy this chapter none the less. Read and Reviews are appreciated!
Harry was engulfed in the green flames. In a flash of dim light he felt himself land hard on his feet in the fireplace of Dumbledore's office. The sudden impact caused Harry to fall face forward. Ron and Hermione were brushing dust off their clothes. Ron walked over and grabbed Harry by his arm, helping him up. "Thanks, Ron." Harry said breathlessly and scrambled to his feet. His gazed drifted about the room. Everything was still in its place from the last time Harry had been in the office. The books were on the shelves, untouched, Fawkes golden perch still standing high, and the Pensive was glowing a misty gray-white color against the wall. All of Dumbledore's artifacts and possessions were safe and sound. No object in the room had changed, but the atmosphere had. The room had always been a place of refuge to Harry, a place of peace and thought, but now it just seemed blank and empty. It was just another room.
"It's changed," Hermione said softly, as if reading Harry's mind, "it's really changed." She walked over to Fawkes' perch and ran her forefinger on the pole in which Fawkes stood on so many times before. She jerked her finger away, as if coming out of a trance, "Let's get to the Great Hall." Harry and Ron both nodded and all three of them walked out of Dumbledore's office and down the spiral staircase. Harry was glad everything was untouched in the office, it was sacred.
"He's really gone." Ron said in a soft shocked voice. Harry tried his best to ignore him. He knew Dumbledore wasn't coming back in his heart, but a little voice in his mind wouldn't let him believe it. 'No. He'll be back, Dumbledore always comes back.' The voice would say.
The trio strode down the long halls of Hogwarts. They looked about in discomfort at the darkness and empty classrooms. Hermione felt most affected by the scene. She loved going to school, everyone who met her knew that, seeing it now before she was about to leave made her slightly upset for she knew she would not be able to walk these halls for her seventh and last year at Hogwarts. She wouldn't get to graduate from Hogwarts like she had dreamed about in her first year. Hermione knew the sacrifice; however, she had to do this. She would not let one of her best friends' die because she wanted to stay in school. She knew what she was doing and was ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead full heartedly.
Ron's thoughts drifted to his family. Seeing Ginny cry over Harry leaving made him uncomfortable, that, and a little envious as well. Did she care more about Harry than she did he? Just because they went out for a bit last year? He shook out the thoughts from his head. Ron could not help but think of his family, sitting there looking depressed. Not even Fred or George had a comment to throw at them. Percy had been gone for several weeks with Fleur. He didn't care about their family; he just cared about his soon to be wife. At least Bill and Charlie wrote to Ron, wishing him luck and such. It's as if Percy wasn't even his brother any more, like he was cut out of the family.
They soon reached the grand doors of the Great Hall. Multiple voices were chatting behind them. Sudden worries struck Harry's mind, what if the letter was a fake? What if someone had bewitched Fawkes to deliver the letter? What if it was the Death Eaters? They had already invaded the school once, could they do it again? Harry took a deep breath. Ron swallowed hard. Hermione's face went slightly pale. All three of them pushed the doors open and the entire Great Hall went into silence.
---------------------------------------------------
So many familiar faces starred at Harry, Ron, and Hermione. There was Lupin, Tonks, Moody, Mundungus, Kingsley Shaklebolt, Elphias Doge, Dedalus Diggle. There was also Viktor Krum, Madame Maxime, Hagrid, Firenze and McGonagul. Professor McGonagul was rightfully Head Mistress, thouth she was still just a teacher and Head of Griffindor house to Harry. Krum rushed over to Hermione, grinning. They had become good pen pals over the last few summers, "You'll be o'ay Hermione. I know itz." He told her and gave her a hug as gently as he could. Hermione's cheeks tinted a soft pink. McGonagul, Hagrid, Lupin, and Tonks walked up to them.
"There you lot are, we've been watin' for ye." Hagrid said in his low tone. His eyes were filled with alligator tears and his spotted handkerchief was in his massive hand. It was already stained with tears. Hagrid held it up to his nose and blew his nose, which was obnoxiously loud. McGonagul patted his large shoulder and looked down at the three, particularly Harry, "You will not be in this alone. Everyone here has volunteered to help you throughout your journey. Voldemort has gathered control over the Dementors and Giants and we will be keeping them occupied for you." She said and then looked up at Hagrid, bidding him words of comfort.
Lupin and Tonks came forth, shaking each of their hands, "You three be extremely careful, all right? Death Eaters are patrolling everything every where." Lupin said in a grave tone that made Harry mostly uncomfortable. He looked less tired then the last time Harry had seen him, Tonks must be helping him find better potions to keep the werewolf from emerging out. "Your parents would be so proud of you, Harry." Harry nodded, his parents were always proud of him, he knew that, so why do people remind him when he's about to go on a deathly journey? "We'll all be leaving to aid you a few hours after you leave so we can split up where we are going." Tonks informed them, holding Lupin's hand.
McGonagul looked at Harry, Ron, and Hermione, "Yes, we will be there to help you. You should go, Remus, will you and Nymphadora —"Tonks." She interrupted, "Tonks," McGonagul continued, "show Mr. Potter and his friends out?" Lupin nodded. Hagrid began balling hard, enormous tears dripping down his brown coat. He pulled Harry, Ron, and Hermione all into one spine breaking hug. Their heads hit each other's and Hagrid, without knowing it, lifted their feet from the ground. They winced in slight pain and he quickly put them down, "Err... Sorry, I'll be seeing ye lot soon." He sniffed.
Lupin and Tonks ushered them to the tall and beautiful crafted doors of Hogwarts. They both pushed one door each. Harry looked at Hermione who had a serious, determined look on her face and then to Ron who looked as white as a ghost. Harry could feel the thumping of his own heartbeat increase against his ribs. Sunlight from the outside shined on them, blinding their vision. "This is it." Harry said emotionlessly. Hermione looked and smiled at him, "We can do this, Harry. The three of us have faced the inevitable. We can do it again. It's just another adventure."