Hallowed
Chapter Eighteen: Starting Over
After the usual spinning, Harry, Ron, and Hermione arrived in the kitchen of Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place; the smell of a very inviting meal meeting them as they bushed off soot from their robes. Hemione was the first to finish, and she began emptying out her pockets right from the off: books, ink, and the like remained, but she did manage to do a bit of grocery shopping while they had been out. Harry and Ron moved to assist in putting everything away although Kreacher had told them countless times that he would gladly do it like he was now.
"Nonsense, Kreacher." Harry countered. "Figure we can do more than just sit back while tea is being made." After putting away the sugar and milk, he fished in his robe pocket for something. Finding it, he withdrew his hand and held it out to Kreacher. "Found this a while back and forgot that I had put it in my school trunk. I thought you might want it." It was a glinting silver gauntlet-like armband that bore the Black family crest. "It was among the things Dung was trying to nick from this place a while back. Got you a new tea towel and all as well."
The elf's large eyes landed on the armband, and with shaking hands he accepted it. The band fit well around his wrist, due to Harry shrinking it accordingly, and Kreacher bowed low in gratitude. "It belonged to Master Regulus. Thank you."
"No need to thank me." Harry said simply as he passed on the new tea towel and went back to clearing away the day's shopping. "Figure it was the least I could do. You respect this family and Regulus, so when I found it it only made sense to return it." Kreacher took a moment to hear what his master was saying before he bowed again and returned to putting the finishing touches on the evening's tea.
"Speaking of family and all," Ron turned toward them after he hung up his traveling cloak on a rack near the kitchen entrance. "Mum wrote earlier and asked that we all come 'round before we head off to King's Cross."
"Good." Hermione placed plates and silver onto the table. "Was planning on it, actually."
"Oh, now that you mention parents, how's your family, Hermione?" Harry asked. Hermione had been aiming to go and find her parents in Australia after they had sorted out some of the castle's repairs. Ron had gone with her a few weeks ago. "I assume you found them."
"I did." Hermione nodded. "They were near the east coast. I found them in a little inn. Turns out they had been there the whole time."
"Hope they enjoyed their vacation, because it wasn't so much a holiday, eh?" Ron said as he sat down by Hermione, who was across from Harry. "Charming little place; nothing like London or anything."
"They did. I lifted the memory charm and told them that I'd been away at school." Hermione averted her eyes for a moment. "You know, I'm not all that fond of lying to my parents."
"It wasn't really lying." Ron countered gently. "You were away at school toward the end." He began serving up the chicken and potatoes, while Harry poured the tea. "Did they ask about the war and all?"
"They asked about it, and I wasn't sure what to tell them." Hermione said as she ladeled gravy from the boat onto her potatoes. "I gave them a slightly abridged version of what happened: the wedding, your birthday, and all that. Then I told them about the ministry and Hogwarts."
"Left out the fact that we went off and were fugitives in the forest of Dean, eh?" Harry did the same with his own potatoes as he asked this. "No need to worry them after the fact."
"That was exactly what I was thinking." Hermione nodded. "They know the war is over and all that, but they don't know how we went out and were captured and all. They got back a few days ago and I restored the photos at home so that I was in them again."
"Glad everything turned out alright, then." Harry said while spearing another piece of chicken with his fork. "Still don't know what to do about my parents' house in Godric's Hollow, though. I thought of going back there and straightening it out, but I'm still not sure."
"Your call, mate." Ron said quietly.
"I know. That's the problem." Harry chewed carefully. "I don't think it should be a war monument anymore, but I'm not sure I should do it."
"Do you think they would want you to?" Hermione asked.
"I'm sure they would, or at least they would want me to move on."
"Then I think you've got your answer." Hermione smiled as she continued eating. "Doesn't have to be done overnight, but it can be done over time."
"I think I'll work on it after N.E.W.T.s, then."
It was a tentative decision, but it was there. Harry wasn't in a hurry to move on, but he wasn't exactly hoping to stay where he was, either. There were still times when he would wake and feel as if he had just left that train station where he had spoken with Dumbledore. When that happened, he would go and get a mug of hot chocolate or tea and just mull everything over. That would usually leave him asleep by a fireplace or up when Ron and Hermione got up the following morning; at which point he would say he had just gotten up and come downstairs. Nights like that he could do without, but he wasn't sure if he wanted to just shove off what all had happened and start anew. Regardless of the future, he had now, and he was with two people that he probably coulldn't have survived without. Putting all of his thoughts aside, Harry took comfort in that and spent the remainder of the night talking about the funnier parts of their Hogwarts years and what was to come with their last one.
"So, what will you do after school's done, then?" Ron grinned as he took a smaller fork-full of treacle tart and pointed it at Harry. ""Mione's already said she's probably going for Flourish and Blott's. Still looking at the Auror office?"
"I don't think so anymore." Harry had to suppress a laugh at Hermione rolling her eyes. She had just made the comment that Ron was going to turn into treacle tart if he kept on. "Remember that night that you two waited up and I was in the great hall?" At their nod, he continued. "That was another thing I discussed with McGonagall. I did consider being an auror, but after all of this, I don't think I want it anymore."
"Going to teach defense then?" Hermione questioned. "You know you were excellent at it in fifth year."
"I think so, yeah."
"Good then." Hermione nodded in satisfaction. "I thought of going for the charms position after I've done a little work in bookshops."
"Really?" Ron asked. "Didn't figure you for charms, 'Mione."
"Well, I've been considering it." Hermione stated again. "I always liked charms and I've been told I'm good at it."
"Yeah, all of those essays you proofread or completed." Harry joked. "Still, I think you'd do well, Hermione."
"So, I assume that the idea is to go to the Burrow tomorrow?" Hermione decided on changing the subject just then.
"Yes." Ron nodded. "Head there tomorrow morning and spend what's left of it there; then head off to King's Cross."
"Good." Harry took a sip of tea before speaking again. "Got to pack everything tonight, then. I'd rather not spend any time at the Burrow throwing things into my trunk."
"Think I'll do the same." Hermione agreed. "We can start after dinner."
"Yeah." Ron nodded.
After tea was cleared away and the kitchen was spotless, the three headed upstairs and began organizing their school things. Ron and Hermione were in their room on the second floor, and Harry had retreated to his, which used to be Sirius' on the third. He had his robes laid out on the pristine bed and was folding his socks. Hedwig was sitting on the bed nearby; clicking her beak at him.
"You know I prefer to do it by hand." Harry managed to finish with a pair of black socks. He tossed them into the small square of space he had allotted for them. "No sense in using a wand for everything." He finished up with his socks and moved on to the robes. He had a few sets of black Hogwarts ones, his emerald green dress robes, and a few sets of work robes that he tended to use for herbology. Once those, his shirts, ties, and the like were folded and placed neatly over his socks and other underclothes, Harry took the books, ink, and parchment he hed bought earlier in the day and sorted them into place. He had a wooden box to store his parchment, especially after ink had been spilt in years previous. The inkwells were secure and sealed, and his quills were stored in a tin. Books went on top of all of that, and all that was left was for him to fold up the bag he carried books around in and place it on top of the lot. Finally, he closed the trunk and locked it before putting it by the door.
"You know Hedwig, this year might actually go by well." He crossed the room again after opening his door to signal that he was done packing. "I'll have to get used to a quiet year at Hogwarts without the thought that someone might try to kill me." Getting another click of the beak as a response, Harry grinned. "That and you can come and go as you please again; no being shut up in a cage, an office, or anything." Hedwig hooted softly and raised her head in a most dignified manner, before spreading her wings and moving to the large night table, where a window stood open. "Oh go on then." Harry motioned for her to head out the window. "Good hunting, and if we're gone when you return, we'll be at the Burrow."
Harry spent the rest of the evening playing chess, gobstones, and exploding snap with Ron and Hermione down in the drawing room. He had planned to read a few chapters of each course's book before bed, but that didn't happen. After winning and losing a few games, laughing about the next year's probable events, and enjoying the last of dinner's dessert, they all headed up to bed. The morning was technically already here, and they would be leaving in a few hours to get to the Burrow. The three had already promised Mrs. Weasley that they would be there for a late breakfast with the family.
Dawning bright and clear, the morning of September 1st was cool but pleasant. It was seven o'clock when Harry's alarm went off. Upon remembering just what all they had planned, he stood, showered, and joined the others by the front door within fifteen minutes. Hermione was cheery in her greeting, but Ron still looked to be half asleep as he waved and yawned. Harry greeted them with a good wave and a "Good morning" before doing the same to Kreacher. The house elf had come to see them off; having plans to return to Hogwarts later in the day. Harry had made the suggestion to the elf the previous night before heading to bed. The house would be fine with no one here, but Kreacher could always come home when he wanted.
"So, are you ready, then?" Hermione asked as she withdrew her wand and shrank her trunk and Crookshanks' basket to travel size and pocketed them. "Mrs. Weasley said to be by at half seven for breakfast."
"Ready when you two are." Harry nodded. He did the same with his trunk, firebolt, and Hedwig's cage.
"Right then." Ron shrank his possessions as well; Harry and Hermione assuming that he had been working at it since yesterday. "You know how Mum is when we're not prompt."
Taking one last look at the entrance hall to Grimmauld Place, Harry opened the front door and headed outside into the crisp air. There were people in the square going out to get their morning papers and coffee as they had all summer, but they paid the three newcomers no mind as Ron and Hermione joined him; closing the door behind them. They had decided to disapparate rather than use the floo. Taking both Hermione and Ron's shoulders, Harry turned and disapparated; reappearing after a moment's compacted feeling at the edge of the orchards near the Burrow. Making their way through the trees and toward the house, Harry thought of when they had been here just over a year ago. It had been his birthday, Bill and Fleur had been married, and it was a good day until the news came about Scrimgeour and the ministry falling to Voldemort's supporters. He had of course been here since that day, but that was a more…. Memorable experience; tending to stay fresh on his mind.
"Oh there you three are!" It was nearly ten minutes later that they had emerged from the orchards and into the yard. Ginny had been out straightening up the yard, and had spotted them. "Mum is getting breakfast started now."
"Morning, Ginny." Harry grinned as he closed the gate that lead back toward the orchards. "Ready for the new term?"
"S'pose I am." Ginny nodded. "Not sure how a quiet year will go, but we'll see, won't we?"
"We will."
"Come on, you lot!" It was Fred who called them now. "Not going to hang around here all morning, are you?"
"As if it's any business of yours." Ginny shot back. "Clear off, you."
When they arrived at the house, they entered through the back door and into the kitchen. Hermione and Molly were pulling things off the frying pans and putting them onto plates. Arthur and Percy were transferring them to the table. Ginny went to work on the tea while Harry sent the toast from the stack to the open basket on the table. Shortly after, the extended family sat down to breakfast and chattered on about the upcoming year. Arthur had gotten his job back at the ministry and had been given additional responsibilities that would allow for a good pay rise. Fred and George had managed to keep their shop open, and Bill had kept his post with Gringotts.
"So, how did things go when you lot went to Gringotts?" George questioned. "Heard from Bill that you went in with Griphook and broke into the bank."
"Well, it was nice to not have to dress as death eaters to enter this time." Hermione admitted. "I rather liked going and getting into my own vault without having to deal with the Thief's Downfall."
"Good to see my vault again, rather than the staggering amount in Bellatrix'." Harry added. "Goblins looked at us a bit oddly at first, though."
"Bet they did." Arthur said as he passed the sausage platter to Ginny, who speared a few for herself and Harry. "They weren't the most pleased to see us enter the bank when they were getting the repairs underway."
"Well, it will get sorted in the end." Molly came and sat down again with the platter of different jams floating behind her. It made its way onto the center of the table and the lids stacked neatly by the four jars with a flick of her wand. "Gringotts is starting to look like its old self; much like Diagon Alley in general."
"Reckon Knockturn Alley will get much business?" Ron asked as he spread strawberry jam on a piece of toast. "People don't want to be seen down there, do they?"
"There will still be some who go off and poke around down there." Percy shook his head. "Far too tempting rubbish down there for them to pass up."
"Right you are, Percy." Arthur nodded. "Seems here have been a few confiscations from down there." He turned to Harry with his next bit of information. "They did destroy that vanishing cabinet, although I heard the one at Hogwarts was destroyed already."
"When Crabbe went off and produced fiend fire in the room of requirement, yeah." Harry nodded.
"Idiot." Hermione muttered. "Not like anyone could control it. He should have known better than to do that."
"This is Vincent Crabbe we're talking about." Ron reminded her. "He and Goyle just took the pastries we laced with a sleeping draft in second year. All we had to do was dangle them in front of those two gorillas' faces."
"Speaking of Hogwarts," Molly looked from Harry to Ginny, Hermione, and finally Ron. "Do you all have your things ready; books, quills, parchment robes, and all?"
"Got ours together last night." Ron volunteered. "Even double and triple checked this morning to make sure we had everything."
"Mine's upstairs." Ginny added. "Got everything secured and Pig's cage is all set too."
"Well then, that gives us a bit more time." Arthur said cheerfully. "Don't plan to drive to the station this time. We'll just apparate."
"That reminds me." Harry turned to Ginny. "Pass that apparition test, did you?"
"First go, yeah." Ginny nodded. "There are some times when I'd rather take the floo, but it's a lot easier than having to rely on Ministry drivers and all like before."
The rest of the morning was spent with the Weasleys and Harry chasing each other around on broomsticks and doing a bit of quidditch practice before time to depart for King's Cross. Harry and Ginny raced to see just who would have the shortest time catching the snitch; taking turns on Harry's firebolt. Both were averaging around the same amount of time, but Harry did find that his arm was still a bit weaker due to the injury from Bellatrix' dagger. When he fully extended it, there was still an ache that set him back from time to time. Fleur had done what she could, and Harry, after the battle at Hogwarts, had also had Madam Pomfrey take a look at it as well. She had even said that it would take time to fully heal. Once he and Ginny had completed their practice, both catching the snitch ten times, it was time to begin making their way to the train station to board the Hogwarts Express. They all took time to freshen up before heaving, and that put them getting to the station right at a quarter to eleven.
Entering the station, Harry was reminded of when he had been hit by Voldemort's curse in the forest. The station was obviously full of people, as dingy as usual, and was loud; Harry still looked for an empty bench where he and Dumbledore had sat and discussed things as they were before he had woken up in the forest again. Shaking it off, he joined the others by the barrier between platforms nine and ten. Ginny, having seen Harry's momentary hesitation, had an idea of what it was about. He had told her some of what had happened that night after he had left the castle just a few weeks ago, and it had been rather illuminating as to why he had wanted to take a step back in their relationship. Waiting until the crowds thinned out slightly, the Weasleys, Hermione, and Harry headed through the barrier in pairs. Once through, they moved toward the train; its engine only now starting to smoke as it prepared for departure within a quarter of an hour. The four loaded their trunks onto the train in a compartment that was empty at the moment, and went back to speak to the other Weasleys before leaving. Ron, Hermione, and Ginny would have to take time for their responsibilities; the former two being prefects and Ginny being Head Girl. Still, when they had time, they would spend it in the compartment they had all just claimed.
"Take care, you four." Arthur said as he heard a porter calling for people to load their things. "Should be a more quiet year, but still…"
"True, but don't let it worry you too much." Molly agreed. "You did manage to keep up with your badges, then?"
"Yeah." Ron pulled his prefect badge out. "Kept it safe."
"Still can't believe I'm Head Girl." Ginny looked at hers with an unreadable expression. "Weird…"
"Do you know who Head Boy is, then?" Ron asked as he pinned his badge to his chest.
"Saw just a moment ago." Ginny nodded. "Ernie MacMillan."
"Thought he was at Hogwarts last year." Hermione thought aloud.
"He was until he was sent off for attacking the Carrows." Ginny said simply. "He got out of the castle and then got back in through Aberforth's pub."
"Fair enough." Harry, who had waved toward Luna, said. "Ernie has always been fair; a bit wrong during second year when he thought I was after Justin, but yeah…"
"Still can't quite get over that." Ginny admitted. "The whole Riddle thing. To this day, there are still parts of it I don't remember."
"More than likely, you wouldn't want to." Harry said gently. "Come on, the train's about to start getting full."
From there, they said their final goodbyes to the Weasleys and Hermione's parents; the Grangers had met them at the barrier and were there to see their daughter off for her final year at school. They didn't quite know why she had decided to go another whole year, but with a quick explanation that the war had interrupted their last year, the confusion was replaced with the usual well-wishing. When they ll boarded the train, they had to separate; Harry, Neville, Seamus, and Dean meeting up in one car while Ginny, Ron, and Hermione met Luna, Ernie, and the others in the head car where prefects and the head boy and girl would decide on how to patrol the train and make sure things went smoothly throughout the journey. Thankfully, they weren't all separated for too long. They would take turns patrolling the corridor outside the compartments, and when Ron, Hermione, Ginny, or Luna would have a while off, they would go back to the compartment where Harry was looking through his school books.
"Looking over defense, are you?" Hermione asked as she, Luna, and Ginny sat down. "Anything we don't already know?"
"Few things, yeah." Harry grinned as he closed the book. "I've been looking over all of this year's books, and if the curriculum follows the chapters, this should be interesting; especially for charms, transfiguration, and Care of Magical Creatures."
"Taking Hagrid's class again?" Ginny asked. "I remember you didn't in sixth year."
"Yeah." Harry nodded. He, Hermione, and Ron had all not taken up the class during that year in hopes of getting a few more free periods, but that hadn't really mattered. He had done well in his O.W.L., so he had decided to take up the class again. "It will give me some time to just relax and have an enjoyable class. It will be good to see Buckbeak again as well."
"You know, I've been doing some thinking about what you said about teaching." Hermione said after a while. "I thought about the Muggle Studies position after a while."
"I wonder if they have someone to replace Charity Burbage." Harry muttered. "It would be something you'd be good at, Hermione. You do like history and all."
"True." Hermione still looked thoughtful. "It's an option. I dunno…"
"I understand." Harry nodded. "I'm still considering my options." He replaced the book he had been reading from and closed his trunk. "Thought of transfiguration as well as defense."
"What?" Ron had just entered the compartment and was standing in the doorway after closing it. "Not sure about defense, Harry?"
"Well," Harry nodded slowly. "I know I'm good at defense, but I've been doing it more than I really wanted to for the last seven years. I just don't want to get burnt out on a subject like that."
"Well, still got a full year to decide what you're interested in." Luna volunteered. "Time can allow for great change in a person."
"You're right." Harry agreed. He had seen great change in her personally. Luna Lovegood had gone a long way from the odd girl he had met three years ago on the carrage ride to Hogwarts. She had gone from one of the students everyone loved to pick on to a powerful and wise witch. "Only time will tell."
The sun sank lower and lower as the Hogwarts Express got closer to Hogsmeade station. People who weren't in their robes aleady were rushing to change before they arrived, but Harry and the others had changed just after boarding the train. It had made things easier and a lot less rushed. As they neared the station however, there was already a pounding of feet outside. People were rushing back to their compartments to make sure all of their things were packed away and ready to be brought up to the castle. Harry had put Hedwig's cage in his trunk, having shrank it first, and had all of his books and things stowed away as well. His invisibility cloak was stored within a pocket in the inside of his robes. The marauder's Map, the snitch with the resurrection stone, and a few other things were placed in the mokeskin purse, which he kept on him at all times. He waited for Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Luna while they made sure the train was empty.
Hagrid was out on the platform beckoning first years toward him and his large lamp. It was misting rain, and the eleven-year-olds were all looking up at the half giant that they had to follow to the ever familiar boats. Watching them go, Harry reserved a carriage; patting the thestrals that would pull it while still watching the crowd heading for the lake. It had been that boat ride that had given him the first glimpse of the castle that had come to feel like his real home. Nervous and in awe, he had not known what he was in for when he would cross that threshold the first time.
"You ready, there, Harry?" It was Ron who voiced this question.
"Yeah." Harry, Ron, Ginny, Hermione, and Luna all got into the carriage and rode swiftly up to the castle's large stone steps. On their way through the grounds, they all remembered just what it had looked like some six months ago. The grounds had been in ruins, bridge destroyed, the quidditch pitch ablaze, and the castle itself had been torn apart. Now however, it looked as whole as ever, and as they all crossed the threshold into the flagged stone entrance hall, they all could feel a warmth that had not existed during the previous year.
"Seeing the first years off, were you?" Ginny asked as they stood near the great hall's tall doors' students and teachers walking past them to enter it. "What was going through your mind?"
"Just remembering how it was when I was in one of those boats." Harry said as Poppy Pomfrey and Pomona Sprout entered the hall. They were followed by Professor Vector and a few others before he and Ginny spotted the headmistress descending the grand staircase's final flight. Professor McGonagall made her way toward them but stopped short near Harry's left as a pack of energetic second years entered the hall ahead. "I went from thinking my parents died in a car crash and that I was just a "freak" to having a half giant tell me I'm a wizard and that my parents were magical too. I didn't want to believe that such luck could find me, but when I saw this castle for the first time, everything changed." Pushing open the doors that led into the hall ahead of them, he motioned for Ginny to go ahead of him. As he went to follow her however, he was stopped by a question from the woman to his left.
"Are you prepared to begin again, Potter;" He turned and rmained where he was. It was easier to hear from out here. "Knowing where you began and how far you have come over the last years?" Pausing for only a second to consider Minerva McGonagall's question, Harry nodded and proceeded into the hall with her.
"Always, Headmistress."
A/N: Well, this is it, lads. This little work has come to a close. Thanks to all who have read, reviewed, followed, and favored my first step back into the Harry Potter category in a few years. :) I will be doing more in this now that I've read the books again (for the probably tenth time now). Until then,
Mischief Managed.
