Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and am making no money from this.

Ginny

I'm reading the paper at breakfast. It's something I do every morning. Well, that's only sort of true. I used to just read someone else's copy when they were done with it, and even then I didn't so much read it as glance at it, see if anything caught my interest, which it usually didn't and that was it. That changed since that old guy entered the race for Minister. Ok, that's technically not true, technically it was when we all discussed his announcement.

"She's at it again," Fleur comments to Cho. They're the only two others down at breakfast already.

"She reads almost as much as I do," Cho agrees.

"Not quite that much,"

"All right, perhaps not."

"You two are way too happy a couple," I look up at Cho and Fleur from my paper.

"Maybe," Cho comments. "But Ginny Weasley reading like a Ravenclaw is worth taking note of I think."

"More specifically her political obsession." Fleur adds.

"Ever going to share the reason for your new found fixation?"

"What?" I demand. "I'm just curious. There's nothing wrong with that, is there?"

"Nothing, but there is more to it than just that, no?" Fleur presses.

I think about if I should answer. Yeah, Fleur's right, there is more than just curiosity here. Sure, I'm a curious girl, but not about stuff like this, politics and all that. It's pretty boring stuff usually, and boring stuff I can't do a thing about, so not my thing really. But what Hermione said ticked me off, her reading of what that Pennington guy really meant in his campaign announcement.

It was what Hermione said about my mom, when she was going on about all that women's rights stuff; the whole be able to choose if you work or stay a housewife thing. I don't know, something about it just rubbed me the wrong way. I know Hermione didn't mean anything, and obviously she has an interest in it (and gay rights, but she just doesn't get that no way is that happening in the wizarding world), but it just ticked me off. Like somehow my mom was a victim to be pitied or something.

"I guess. The whole thing about my mom, the stuff Hermione said. It just sort of stuck with me."

"Rather it upset you, I think," Cho guesses my thinking. "It was quite obvious at the time. A poor poker face, as Muggles would put it. You didn't care for what she had to say about your mother."

"Would you like someone talking about your mom like that?"

"Hmm, interesting question. My relations with my parents are rather strained. Still, I can't claim to have any great animus for them. So I suppose I might be mildly curious about such comments and consider their validity. Given that, I think the odds of my taking offense are rather low."

"Talk about asking the wrong person," I mutter. Figures she'd treat it like some math problem instead of just realizing you shouldn't talk trash about someone's mom.

"You're hoping to prove Hermione wrong," Fleur cuts in.

"That's right. I know she's usually right about things, and obviously she's got a knack for politics, but she can't be right all the time."

"And have you found anything to prove her wrong?"

"No," I groan.

Now I know politics is a lot of fluff, nice sounding words that don't really mean much, but there's knowing it and then there's seeing it every day for what feels like forever now. Everything that guy says is this empty nonsense, vague words about how stuff was better back in his time and how people were safer and happier and all that. It's like that saying, all things to all people. Well when you don't say anything specific at all I guess that isn't hard.

I keep looking for any real details from the guy, anything saying how he'll do all these wonderful sentimental things, anything to prove Hermione right or wrong, absolutely anything, but it just isn't there. Just more of this same empty nonsense.

"Hardly a surprise," Cho comments. "The man seems allergic to offering specifics of any sort. Not simply the usual lack of specific solutions to problems, he refuses to even define problems. Vague sentimentality and appeals to a better, bygone era and nothing of any actual substance"

"The people of this country seem to like it." Fleur's tone makes it clear she doesn't think much of the voters of wizarding Britain. I can't say I blame her, the stupid public is eating it up.

The Daily Prophet absolutely loves the dumb empty stuff coming out of that guy's mouth; there's these glowing pieces on every page of the stupid thing every day. And the letters to the editor? They all seem to think he's some messiah come to save us from everything that's wrong. And yeah, there's a lot wrong with the government and all that. They spent a year saying Voldermort was still dead. A year while Voldermort was living in their basement trying to be immortal. They sent that miserable woman to turn Hogwarts into a prison. They let horrible rich pure bloods do anything they want messing the country up left and right while regular people just have to try and deal with it. Not that I get the sense this guy plans to fix any of that stuff. If he does, he sure hasn't said so.

"The whole thing gives me a headache," I comment. It's true too.

"Aren't there exams at the end of the year that are supposed to do that?"

Merlin, she's right. There's OWLs at the end of this year for me. Miserable things that exist to ruin your fifth year at Hogwarts. It's hard to believe I forgot about them, even for a moment; they're all that my teachers can seem to talk about. Every class, every day, it's prep for them, how this or that will be on the test, how this sort of question will be used, or that sort of strategy will help us if we aren't sure or an answer. It's bloody endless.

"I get enough about those stupid OWLs in class, I don't need it here too," I grumble. I can just imagine if Hermione were already here what she'd have to add. Thank Merlin she's running a few minutes late today.

"Fair enough," Fleur agrees.

"You're getting ready for the Last Hurrah? Your big first date with Harry?" Cho asks, changing the subject.

"Sure; got my dress all picked out, just waiting on the alterations now. What about you, you and Fleur going all out?"

"Of course."

"It wouldn't be fun otherwise," Fleur agrees.

I can only imagine what those two are planning, Cho especially. It's her last year, and this dance will be the last big impression she has to make on people, so if she wants to go out with a bang, who knows what she'll come up with. With all her new Quidditch money she can afford almost anything; flashy, super low cut, super high hemline, wizard, Muggle, silk, transparent, heck she might show up with some weird flexible metal or something else insane like that. Who knows.

"Yeah, not surprised to hear you two say that," I comment.

"Every girl is like that," Cho counters.

"I guess, but I'm trying to not go nuts this year."

"Finances?"

"It's not that. I mean yeah, saving money is good, but it's not like I can't find a way to afford something flashy. It's more that I think it's not good for a date with Harry."

"Why wouldn't it be good for a date with Harry?"

"Um, no offense, but I think you were kind of a bit much for Harry. Like, too much girl for him, too extreme. You know, big career, the flashy outfits and all that. I think he wasn't sure how to deal with it all. Guys can get intimidated by a girl; I'm sure you've seen it. And Harry wants to be a normal guy, so I think a little more normal outfit, not over the top or too low cut or whatever would be better," I try to be as diplomatic as possible. Cho and I are talking, but we're not exactly close friends, and certainly not the sort of friends that can just be totally blunt with each other, especially about her ex and now my current boyfriend.

Cho thinks about it for a while before responding. "I suppose that makes a certain amount of sense. I do recall the issue of if my appearance was a factor in my Quidditch contract was a point of contention between Harry and I."

"You like that about him, his desire to be totally normal?" Fleur asks.

"What's wrong with being normal?" I ask back. Seriously, who doesn't want to be normal? I'm normal. Normal teenage girl, with normal teenage dreams, normal family, normal grades, all that stuff. I'm not some leading voice of my generation like Hermione, some super genius sports star like Cho, not a mega rich girl like Parkinson, not a super sexy Veela like Fleur, I'm none of that. I'm just regular, normal me. And I'm fine with that.

"Nothing. But if someone wants to be normal, doesn't mean that they really aren't? And with friends like Cho and I, are you that normal either?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Just a theory," Fleur shrugs.

"Whatever." Seriously, Fleur thinks I'm not normal? What, fellow weirdo like her or something? There's nothing weird about me. Ok, I've been around a lot of weird stuff, everything with Harry and Voldermort, but that wasn't me. And I guess it's kind of odd that ever girl I hang out with is a lesbian. Being the only straight girl makes me the weirdo. Ok, so I guess that is kind of odd. I still don't think much of her theory though.

"And what about Harry," Cho interrupts my thinking. "Do you really want him to be totally normal, just another face in the crowd?"

"I don't know. Maybe? I mean, mostly. A little standing out isn't a bad thing, right? And yeah, I wish he would think about using his fame now and then. Not like, for big stuff, but just to make people listen to him sometimes. He has some good ideas about stuff. Like, take the Aurors, they're basically a mess, right? They somehow missed Voldermort operating out of their base for a year, and then when Voldermort was found nothing changed, no one fired, no policy changes, nothing. So yeah, it'd be nice if someone did something about stuff like that, and I think Harry could be the guy to do it."

"But you don't think he'll actually do it, for fear of someone thinking he's using his fame rather than by virtue of respect he's earned." Cho doesn't ask it like it's a question.

"No. And before you ask, no I don't think that's a big problem or anything. Yeah, I wish he'd help clean up the Aurors, I wish he'd help fix a lot of stuff in the government, there's a lot that's pretty bad there, but so what. Even if he did all that, there'd be more; there's always going to be more. So really none of that stuff matters to me. What matters is being happy, and if living a normal life, being a normal guy and putting all the weird stuff behind him is what makes Harry happy, then great. I'm not going to be so selfish as to try and get him into politics or whatever just because I don't like how things are."

"It sounds good, and being happy is important, but do you think you can live with it if he never uses the value of his name?"

"Sure, why wouldn't I?"

"Because even you see the unutilized potential."

"Yeah, I just said all that. So what?"

"So I think over time you'll see that potential, you'll see what could be, for him and assuming you're married for what you could both have, the life you could be leading and then look at what actually is and the gulf between them will eat at you, annoy you and that attitude of happiness being all that matters will wear thin."

What's her problem? Seriously. She can't just take me being happy, take Harry being happy and leave well enough alone, she has to poke and find flaws. Even if she's right, she couldn't just stay quiet about it? She might be, but come on, I haven't even gone out on one date yet. She couldn't wait even that long?

"I don't think she liked what you had to say," Fleur comments to Cho.

"Hmm? I picked my words poorly perhaps. I had meant to speculate about people settling. Harry seems content to, or at least claims as much. In his case I believe him. In Ginny's case I'm not sure she's as willing. Of course, one can consider a certain degree of settling, of seeing reality as opposed to simply raw potential to be a sign of growing up, but that does vary from person to person."

I don't know how long Cho can keep going on this, and I don't really want to find out. "Merlin, we haven't even gone out yet and you're talking about what married life will be like? Come on, can't you give the big brain a rest?" I look over to Fleur. "Is she always like this?"

"Sometimes," she answers.

"How do you put up with it?"

"It's therapeutic for her. At times it's fun to push her buttons and break her train of thought though too."

That I can believe.

Fleur

It's getting close to the end of the year, and in a lot of ways I don't like that. Life at the castle has been easy, predictable, a regular sort of normal I got used to quickly. I was in school for years, so this was like that, but without needing to bother with classes or school work. Time to do what I wanted, and time to avoid all of the things that it seems like I can't run from for much longer.

Things like what do I do with my life; how will I pay my bills, where will I work, even what country I'll be in. After I graduated from school I had my choice of jobs in France. I was the top student in my year, Triwizard champion, beautiful, liked by everyone, I could have done anything I wanted.. The only problem was, I had no real idea of what I wanted to do. So I did nothing in particular. Eventually I wound up in England, more or less recruited by Dumbledore for the fight against Voldermort. And why not? It sounded exciting. The truth was hardly exciting, however.

After I rejected working in a bank (I passed on far more interesting jobs in France, after all) eventually Dumbledore convinced me to look after Harry. There was talk of danger and needing to save people, but none of that has materialized. What's actually happened is that I've collected a salary and used my time to date Cho. Hardly a bad arrangement, but sadly one that's going to come to an end. Cho graduates at the end of this year, after all. I'm sure Dumbledore will want me back at the castle babysitting again next year, but I have no interest in that. Without Cho I think I would have been bored out of my mind this year. I don't plan to find out for sure next year. There are some interesting people here yes, but Cho's who I really care about, and when she isn't here anymore I can't see any reason I would care to be either.

I suppose now that I've been in this country for a while the whole thing has started to lose its luster; the fight against Voldermort just isn't what I thought it would be. No fighting or excitement, no danger or anything even remotely close. It's more like a large family dinner, with out of town guests, so many there's not enough room at the dining room table. So the children are sent to sit at a small, rickety table off on their own. That's what life in Britain is, this fight against Voldermort is: the kids' table. To Dumbledore and the people running this whole thing I'm still just a child, and only good for dealing with other children, and I'm tired of it. Not that realizing that does me any good. I still have no idea what I'd rather do.

I do want to stay in this country. Not because of Dumbledore or the fight against Voldermort or a job at Hogwarts. No, it's the people. Chief among them is my girlfriend. I won't go so far as to say I love her or want to spend my life with her, but I do want to see where things with her go. And if it does lead to more, well, then good. Of course I have no idea how to actually do any of the details to make that possible; things like a job and a place to live. I suppose I could live at Parkinson Manor, Pansy and I get along well enough. It isn't any sort of a real life, living off of another's generosity, but it's all I can think of for now.

I suppose I'm starting to pick up Cho's habit of getting lost in my head. I wonder if that's a good thing. Oh well.

"So, going to tell me finally?" Cho asks. The two us us are walking through the castle, hand in hand. The last class of the day ended a few minutes ago, and like always I was there to meet Cho.

"Tell you what?"

"Whatever it is you've been thinking about so much of late."

"What do you mean?"

"Whatever it is that's been captivating your thoughts. I'd be flattered to think it's me, but somehow I doubt it. You seem more pensive than enjoying flights of lustful fancy."

"Ah, I do?"

"Yes. Not that you're obvious about it; I suppose I'm better than most at seeing someone having an internal monologue. If you don't care to discuss it or simply aren't ready, that's fine too, of course; I won't press. But if you would care to talk I'm interested in listening."

Leave it to Cho to recognize someone partaking in her favorite pastime of thinking to themselves. "I'm just thinking about what happens next year."

"Next year? Are you considering returning to France? Or do you expect matters with Voldermort to necessitate your continued presence here at the castle?"

"To be honest I don't particularly care about Voldermort."

"Ah? Why is that?"

"Because I have no stake in that fight, and it feels like I'm not particularly wanted either."

"What do you mean? Are people trying to send you home or some such?" Cho looks at me with a mix of concern and discontent.

"No, nothing like that. Actually I expect Dumbledore will want me back at the castle next year, with some cover or another. But that's hardly what I came to Britain to do. I'm a skilled witch, the best in my school, likely one of the most talented in all of France. My skills put most of the Order to shame. And rather than put me on the front lines or any sort of position of importance I'm put here. And why? Simply because I'm young."

"Ah yes, that does sound like it would grate, you must feel wasted, a witch of your talents essentially doing nothing for a year. Come to think of it even the term witch sounds demeaning in a way. A commentary on a girl's personality as much as a statement of her magical nature. You'd think it would have been changed to sorceress at some point."

"Um, I suppose?" I think Cho's missing my point somehow.

"Oh sorry, off on a tangent again. But yes, I suppose this year has been a rather boring one for you. Nothing to do and simply being told to mind children and protect us from a threat that has yet to come. I am sorry for how this year has gone for you, and I completely understand why you wouldn't want to repeat it."

"No, don't apologize, please. You're the best thing that's happened to me here. I think I'd have gone insane without you. You really are something special, Cho. So please, you don't have anything to be sorry for."

Cho takes me in her arms and kisses me. She's such a wonderful kisser too.

"You see? This place has its benefits, no?" I point out after the kiss ends. "Some of the people here are the only thing that's made my stay here tolerable. But next year you won't be here, so I don't particularly care to be either."

"So where will you go? What will you do?"

"Pansy has Parkinson Manor, which sounds like it has room to spare."

"Ah yes, I believe I'd heard of Pansy's desire to have French maids," Cho comments with a smirk. I give her a dirty look in response, which she meets with a giggle.

"I was thinking guest, not employee."

"Pity. From what I've heard the outfit would be quite something to see you wear."

"Then maybe I'll try one for you. For… fun." Cho and I haven't had sex as of yet, but I'm hopeful that it won't be a long wait.

"Then I might have another reason to spend time at Parkinson Manor this summer."

"Another?"

"Yes. I don't imagine my parents will take to my career choice well. I can afford to find a home of my own, but while I'm searching and going through the process of actually closing the same I think I would prefer not to have to deal with my parents and their… comments continually."

"So that's your plan. I know you hadn't talked about it before."

"Yes, and before you state the obvious follow-up, perhaps I am being paranoid and they will be more understanding and accepting than I anticipate. I doubt it, but it is possible. So I suppose the optimist would call an extended summer holiday at Parkinson Manor my plan B. I'm not so optimistic myself, however. So I expect we'll be spending the summer together."

There is good news then. It's not much, a few months only, not any sort of plan for the future, but at least it spares me from reality for a few more months.

"Come on," Cho interrupts my thoughts. "Let's get to dinner; the election results should be in."

The local paper is releasing a special edition as soon as the votes are all counted which they should be around now. "Why? Everyone knows who will win, no?"

"True. But there's still his victory speech to read, it could be interesting."

"You expect a politician to be interesting?" It's not often I hear Cho say something that comes across as so obviously wrong.

"Perhaps entertaining would be a more apt word? I expect he'll lay out his plans for what he'll be doing. Real ones, not simply campaign promises. Plans to hunt down the Order, for instance."

They might wish they had my wand assisting them yet. I suppose in a way it's good I'm far removed from the Order; even at the castle I don't get asked to join any meetings (most of the faculty are members). So even if the new Minister comes here I probably won't be arrested. Or asked to so much as cast a single spell in anyone's defense. Can't ask the au pair to actually use her wand, after all.

Harry

It wouldn't be the end of the year at Hogwarts if there weren't drama and danger. Most years that has meant Voldermort somehow or another. This year though it isn't him that people are expecting to show up and attack the castle, this year it's the Ministry.

When that old explorer guy won the election he made a big speech about how he would finish off the threats to the country, and how the Order is the biggest one now. It only took a few days before the paper was making claims that Dumbledore was the head of the Order. I guess it wasn't that big a leap for them, the way The Prophet had gone after him. They already didn't like him and had painted him as an anti Ministry sort after all. So that and his having talked about how Voldermort was back, it wasn't that hard for the reporters to just decide he was a terrorist. Instead of heroes trying to fight Voldermort all along they've rewritten history to make the Order a Death Eater offshoot. Dumbledore wasn't warning everyone about Voldermort returning, he was making some play to take over the Death Eaters, and when that failed he just split off and founded the Order. Dumbledore's now a villain. So it's only a matter of time until they come to take him to Azkaban.

I don't know what it means for Hogwarts, or any of us. Technically a lot of the teachers here are in the Order, but they didn't actually do anything illegal or anti Ministry that I know of, so I don't know what will happen to them. They might not do bad, some questioning and stuff but let go in the end. I kind of figure that with all the smears against him that Professor Dumbledore won't do so well though.

It's close to the end of the school year too, so maybe the new Minister will wait until summer break. It'd be the nice thing to do, not disruptive or anything. Hard to have final exams if all the teachers are off being interrogated and all. Yeah, it'd be nice. Not sure I believe it, but it sure would be nice. Just one school year without drama and spells flying at the end.

I'm just starting to walk into the entrance hall after classes, just a week before final exams (and two weeks before the end of the year) when my scar starts hurting. It hasn't done that in almost a year, and it's getting worse fast. I stop in the doorway into the entrance hall when the doors to the outside burst open and the new Minister of Magic, Chadwick Pennington strides in, flanked by a bunch of people in suits (I'm guessing Ministry officials), Aurors and even a few Death Eaters. From the other side of the hall Professor Dumbledore comes in.

"Ah, Minister, how kind of you to come," Dumbledore greets the group. "I apologize, had I known of your arrival in advance I'd have prepared a more fitting reception to welcome and congratulate you."

"Yes, I imagine you would have," the new Minister replies, sounding almost like he's gloating.

I stop in my tracks and slowly back into the doorway. Nobody seems to have noticed I was here yet, and I think I'd like to keep it that way.

"You all, see to the rest. I can deal with Dumbledore," the Minister orders his people off. A few of the Aurors and Ministry official types look unhappy. "I dealt with your dark lord, didn't I? I think I can handle this. Now do as you're told."

Now they all listen, rushing into the castle, thankfully none of them come my way or even so much as glance in my direction.

"Alone at last, as they say," Dumbledore starts after Pennington's minions have left. "I take it I'm to be arrested, or is the lack of witnesses a sign of something else?" Dumbledore walks up to the Minister, looking him in the eye. He stares for a second before taking a step back. Now my scar's really hurting, to the point where it's hard to stay quiet about it. "Now I see it, around the eyes. Well played, I must say. I never would have guessed."

"Finally realize how completely you've lost?"

"I suppose I have at that," Dumbledore agrees. "So, what will it be then, Tom?"

"We both know how this will end, Dumbledore. But I suppose I can be charitable. You can accept your fate, or not. But if you don't there will be collateral damage. Who knows how many of your precious students will be caught up in it."

Dumbledore watches the Minister for a bit, trying to think of some way our I think. It doesn't look like it's working, though. Finally he speaks up, though he somehow sounds much older now. "I see. Then I suppose I have no choice. Though I would ask you do me the courtesy of dispensing with that face you're wearing. It is only polite to see the true face of one's enemy after all." I swear Dumbledore makes a little glance in my direction as he says that.

The Minister laughs, a disturbing and somehow familiar laugh that makes my skin crawl and my scar burn even worse. He takes his wand out and waves it across his face, muttering some spell I can't make out. The features of the old English explorer blur and rearrange themselves, leaving behind his real face.

Lord Voldermort then points his wand at Professor Dumbledore and casts again. " Avada Kedavra."

Author's Notes:

So finally we reach the penultimate chapter. As I said, the next one is already written, so in about a week it should be released too.

As always, thanks to everyone who reads and especially to those who take the time to review. I really appreciate the reviews. I hope everyone is enjoying the story and finds the villain's true identity satisfying. Thanks for reading.