"But Professor-," a boy with a tangle of black hair and glasses shouted loudly.
"—you will be returning to Hogwarts, Harry. That is the end of the conversation," said the old headmaster firmly.
Harry pursed his lips and stormed away fuming. Dumbledore had no right to tell him what to do. He would be of age at the end of July. He wasn't required to finish his education.
"Harry he's right, you know," said his friend Hermione touching his shoulder. He shrugged her off. "Hermione, I don't want your input right now," he said crossly.
"It is very important that you complete your education. You can't just go traipsing off to kill V-voldemort. It is too dangerous. Please, Harry, listen to me."
"She's right, mate." His other best friend Ron Weasley joined the conversation.
He turned and rounded on Ron. "Taken her side now, have you? I have done everything Dumbledore has asked of me. I even went back to the Dursley's because he asked me to!"
Ron's ears went pink and he muttered, "I haven't taken anyone's side."
"Haven't taken sides? I suppose you've been snogging with me too, have you? You two are so caught up with each other that you don't have time for me anymore, so neither of you has the right to boss me around!"
Hermione's eyes began to fill with tears. "Harry, we only—!"
"Want to help? Well, you're doing a lousy job of showing it. Do either of you know what it's like? Do you know what it's like to have the fate of the entire world on your shoulders? Voldemort is back and he's getting stronger every second and the only one who can destroy him is me."
"Harry," Hermione said gingery, touching his shoulder.
"We know," said Ron, "and we'll be there right beside you, mate. We always have been."
Harry, whose chest had been rising and falling rapidly, began to calm down. "I'm sorry," he said after a short pause.
"Harry, it's okay. Nothing is going to change between us, I promise. Please, you have to come back to Hogwarts. We need you—Ginny needs you."
"Yeah, well, I suppose I don't have a choice."
The doorknob twisted and the head of a very attractive young girl with long red hair popped in. "Did I hear my name?"
"Hello, Ginny," Hermione said in a friendly tone.
She entered and looked around at Harry. "Harry! I thought you weren't coming until August. When did you arrive?" She ran up to hug him.
"He just came in a few hours ago," Ron answered.
"I-er needed to get out."
"I can only imagine," Ginny said taking a seat next to Harry. "We've all missed you so much. Mum was in a fuss over you. She's been worried sick, you know? -Couldn't settle until you were here with us."
"Speaking of it, Hermione, why are you here so soon?" Harry inquired.
"Harry, you know how much is going on right now. I couldn't stay there; I was too worried about everything."
"Hear, Hear," Harry and Ron chorused.
"Welcome back, Harry," said Ginny.
"Welcome back, mate," said Ron.