Harry sat at the table in the backyard at Grimmauld Place drinking a butterbeer, wishing he could leave the protection of the house. Ginny walked out the back door and smiled at Harry.
"What are you doing out here?" She asked him.
"Just thinking." Harry replied quietly.
"What about, Harry?"
"I wish that we could just leave here and have fun without worrying about Tom. I really want to transform into the fox and go have fun."
"We all do, Harry. Believe me. But, it just isn't safe."
"I know, Gin, I just get so tired being trapped inside…"
Before Harry could finish his sentence he heard two loud pops behind him. Instinctively, Harry pulled his wand out of his pants as he spun around. Just before he cast his first spell he saw that it was Ron and Hermione.
"What do you think you are doing?" Harry scolded his friends. "Do you want to get yourselves expelled? You aren't allowed to Apparate until you are seventeen and have your licenses."
"Harry." Hermione spoke. "We are seventeen, and we just got our licenses."
"Why didn't you tell me you were going to get them?" Harry asked.
"We didn't want you to be upset that we were getting them." Ron answered quietly.
"Why would I be upset? I get mine in less than a month."
The four friends sat and talked for a good part of the afternoon. Eventually they made their way into the house for supper and for a game of Harry's table Quidditch. Members of the Order would occasionally pop in to say hello and check with Arthur, Molly and Remus to see if any news had developed. Despite all of the Marauders attempts at hearing what was said they heard nothing. Even their animal ears were useless to hear through the wards that had been put up.
"I can't stand this!" Ron complained. "Not being able to know what is going on down there. They treat us like a bunch of kids, well we aren't, I am seventeen." Ron paused for a minute when he said this. "Hey! Yeah I am seventeen I am of legal age, I can join the Order. So can you 'Mione."
"You finally figured that out, Ron?" Hermione said shaking her head.
"Well no, I just never thought about it before I guess." Ron answered blushing.
"You guys should go talk to them about it," Harry spoke for the first time. "I know on my birthday I am joining the Order and there is no way they can stop me."
After a lengthy debate between Ron and Hermione it was finally decided that they would go downstairs and discuss joining the Order. Ron led the way down the stairs while Harry and Ginny stayed in the sitting room.
"I thought they would never leave," Ginny said shaking her head. Ginny who had been resting her head on Harry's shoulder looked up and kissed him.
"I can't believe this is going to be my finally year at Hogwarts." Harry spoke quietly. "It seems like just yesterday I received my first letter. And now in less than a year I will be done with Hogwarts."
"What are you really thinking, Harry?" Ginny asked as she sat up and looked to her boyfriend. "I know you, there is something else going on in your head."
Harry grinned while Ginny spoke, she was right of course but Harry didn't want her to know that. Harry began to shake his head to avoid saying anything.
"Oh no you don't, Harry Potter, I know there is something on your mind, now tell me what it is." Ginny protested and was about to continue when Harry put his hands up in surrender.
"Ok, Ok." Harry said laughing. "Ok, Gin, you win. I am just thinking about what is going to happen after this year. Will I make it into Auror training, what about the war with Tom, what about you and…"
"That was easier than I thought." Ron interrupted as he entered the room with Hermione. "Remus sent a message to Dumbledore who replied back saying that yes we can join, but he wants us to wait for you Harry."
"Really?" Harry asked blushing slightly.
"Yeah well Mum didn't agree to easily but Dad convinced her that it was my decision." Ron replied.
"Did we interrupt something?" Hermione asked laughing as she saw Harry's face redden.
"No, nothing." Was Harry's only reply.
The rest of the night was spent discussing what it would be like in the Order and how much more they would be able to do. They all went to their bedrooms and went to sleep. Harry lay there in bed and waited to hear the familiar sound of Ron mumbling in his sleep. Harry sat up and quietly left the room and headed to the sitting room. He slowly pushed open the door and saw that Remus was sitting on the couch looking into a small fire in the fireplace.
"Oh. I'm sorry, Moony, I didn't know you were in here." Harry spoke as he began leaving the room.
"Its ok, Callidus. I couldn't sleep, please join me." Moony spoke with a smile.
"Thanks, I can't sleep either." Harry smiled at hearing his nickname. "Callidus, is part of the reason I can't sleep. I want to go out and be free. I think I am starting to know how Sirius felt being stuck in this house."
"I know how difficult it must be for you, Harry. That is why I asked Professor Dumbledore if it would be possible to begin giving you more freedom." Remus smiled at Harry as he told him the news. "He agreed that after the last battle that you and the other Marauders have definitely proved to be able to defend yourselves. He does wish that you wait until your birthday though, so you can use magic without any consequences."
"That's great, Moony! I can't wait." Harry tried not to yell. "I can't wait, only two more weeks!" Almost as quickly as his excitement began it faded away. "Remus, what is it going to be like for me once I am finished with Hogwarts?"
"Well, Harry." Remus began slowly. "I suppose that all depends on what happens this year at Hogwarts. If you pass your N.E.W.T.s you will be allowed to apply for Aurors Training with the Ministry. I am sure that they will accept you. Then for the next three years you will train as an Auror."
"What about the war?" Harry asked.
"Well, Harry, I don't see the war ending anytime soon. Even if you defeat Voldemort. He has enough supporters to cause problems for us for quite a long time."
"Do you think I can defeat him?" Harry asked looking into the fire. "Or do you think it will be a constant series of battles?"
"I know you can defeat him, Harry. I think you scared him in May. I think he will think twice before attacking you again."
"Thanks, Moony. I needed to talk to someone. I should go to bed though. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Callidus." Remus smiled as Harry stood up to walk out of the room.
Harry woke up the next morning to see that Ron was already out of bed. Harry put his bed robe back on and headed down the stairs to the kitchen. An owl had just left the kitchen and Ginny sat at the table staring at the envelope it had dropped in front of her.
"Open it, Gin." Harry encouraged her from the doorway. "I'm sure you did fine."
Ginny's hands shook as she picked up the envelope. She tore open the top and pulled the contents out. She sat there with no reaction for a few minutes before she began to smile.
"I received E's and O's in all my classes, that means I can take all the classes I want to this year."
"What classes are those, Ginny dear?" Molly asked her youngest child.
"Auror training, Mum. I want to be an Auror." Ginny told everyone smiling.
"Very good, dear." Molly said still beaming at her daughter. "This calls for a celebration. I will send Errol with a letter to your father."
Molly asked Dobby and Winky to begin preparing dinner for tonight while the rest began to decorate the house for the celebration. The house was finished at a quarter to four when an owl from the Ministry arrived through the window. The owl landed on the table and left its delivery in front of Molly. Molly opened the envelope and read the letter.
"Well, Arthur won't be home until late tonight. He has a lot of work to complete, he is very proud of you, Ginny." Molly informed everyone of what the letter said.
There was still a large celebration for Ginny. Everyone had moved to the sitting room at around nine that night. Smoke and Crookshanks provided some entertainment once again chasing each other through the room. Shortly after they went to the sitting room, Arthur Weasley Apparated into the room. He greeted everyone and congratulated Ginny.
"Well done, Gin. I am so proud of you. And an Auror! Wonderful." Arthur was beaming with pride. "Sorry I couldn't be here for dinner, we were finishing the preparations for the trials. The trials for Draco Malfoy and his two friends, Crabbe and Goyle begin tomorrow. Ginny, you and Harry will have to come in with me tomorrow to testify."
"What about Tooker, dad?" Ron asked. "That bloody git almost cost us everything."
"Yes, well. He is still claiming to have been under the Imperius Curse, so we are waiting to see if other trials turn anything up first. Now, Harry, Ginny. You have an early morning tomorrow, best get to bed." Arthur informed everyone. Harry and Ginny both listened to Arthur and went to bed.