Two goblins held open the doors to Gringotts as Harry and the Weasleys walked up the marble steps outside. Many people were in front and behind them all going to the same place: the largest hall in the Gringotts Bank.

"Gertrude! Sweetheart, look it's Harry Potter!" a wizard behind Harry said loudly. Harry looked down at his feet and kept walking. Knowing he felt embarrassed, Ginny hurried to walk beside him and took his hand in hers. He squeezed it gratefully.

"First door on your left," grunted one of the goblins. "Just follow the crowd."

As Harry entered the Hall, the noise and number of witches and wizards that had turned up, blew him backwards.

"Magical reversal Squad!" yelled a portly, red-faced man sitting behind one table.

"Healers and helpers! Over here, all Hospital helpers over here!"

"Improper Use of Magic Squad here if you want to sign up!"

Harry exchanged a wordless glance with Ron and Hermione. What did he want to join? He just wanted to help, but he wasn't trained in anything. He hadn't even taken the NEWTs.

"Aurors! Dark wizard catchers sign up here!" Harry made his way over to the witch handing out pamphlets on being an auror.

"Do you want to sign up, dear?" she asked, barely glancing at him. Harry looked at Ginny, who looked worried.

"Yes!" Ron said, striding forward and taking a pamphlet. The witch peered up at him.

"Wait a moment, aren't you…" She trailed off, her eyes flicking onto his red hair and freckles, then behind him onto Harry. "Well bless my soul…" Quick as a flash, she'd shoved pamphlets into all of their hands. "Please join. Give our community hope."

Hermione looked around at her three friends. "We haven't had the training."

"You three defeated the Dark Lord! And you," she pointed at Ginny, "You wiped out about seven Deatheaters didn't you?"

Ginny blushed. "I didn't wipe them out. I just handed them over to the Aurors."

"Well we want you. All four of you!"

"What do you guys think?" Harry asked. In reply, Ron stepped forward and wrote his name down on the sign up sheet. Following suit, Harry and Ginny signed their names up too, but Hermione didn't.

"I'm not sure yet," Hermione said awkwardly. "Maybe I'll just have a quick look around first."

"What's going on Hermione?" Harry asked after handing the quill back to the witch.

"Well, it's just…I'm not sure this is what I want to do. That's all."

Harry didn't say anything but he knew there was something Hermione wasn't telling them. Being best friends for seven years meant he knew her better than anyone, except maybe Ron. When Ginny and Ron went off to get some coffee and cakes, Harry took Hermione by the arm and led her out of the hall. He walked quickly due to the many staring people, shouts of recognition, and even applause.

"You should have brought your dad's cloak, Harry," Hermione said quietly as they left.

"I didn't realise there would be so many people," Harry explained, checking to make sure they were alone. "Now," he began in a stern voice, quite unlike his own, "do you want to tell me what's going on?"

"I don't know what you –"

"Oh come on Hermione! You said this morning you wanted to help fight this war!"

Hermione sighed and pulled an envelope out of her robes. "That was until I received this," she said handing him the letter.

Harry took it from her and opened it. Quickly scanning the first few lines he felt his stomach drop:

Dear Ms. Granger,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Salem's Afterschool of Magical Studies. As you know, our school has turned out some of the greatest wizards of all time, and we are sure you will make an excellent contribution to the well-known status of our school. Term will begin September 8th. All necessary forms are included in the envelope; please send an owl no later than August 1st. We are delighted to have you on board!

Yours sincerely,

Professors H. Kneane and J. Culliton.

Without saying a word, Harry handed the letter back to Hermione, who refolded and tucked it back into her robes.

"Well, what do you think?" Hermione asked nervously. "It's one of the best Afterschools in the world. If I go there, I could become Minister for Magic in three years."

"I didn't know you wanted to be Minister for Magic," Harry said softly, running his fingers though his messy hair.

"Well…I don't, but that's not the point. This is a huge opportunity for me."

"It's in America," Harry pointed out.

Hermione nodded her head sympathetically.

Harry sighed then smiled at her. "Well, congratulations. That's got to be a first, huh. Getting in without taking the NEWTs?"

Hermione beamed excitedly. "It is the first time! Oh Harry, I'm so glad you're not angry I didn't tell you I applied." She gave him an excited, bone-crushing hug, which, unfortunately, Ginny happened to see. Giving a pretend disapproving look she told Hermione to get off her man.

"The speech is about to start. What fun, we get to listen to the old toad again," Ginny said, as they made their way back to the conference hall.

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