The trio sat in Professor mcGonagalls old office. It was not nearly as big as her new one, which all of the heads had used over the years, but it was warm and more welcoming as someone, presumably a house elf, had lit the fireplace in the corner. They sat on three heavily cushioned chairs which nearly swallowed up the seriously underfed teens, had it been anyone else the sight may have looked rather funny however their serious expression where not a laughing matter.
Before them sat Kingsley who was leaning against the large mahogany desk, arms crossed and a odd smile on his face. "So... I would like to say thank you to you all, what you did was incredibly brave. Especially you Harry, I don't think we would be here now if it wasn't for you." Kingsley smiled at Harry obviously thinking that his words were comforting him. In fact they where doing the complete opposite. Harry thought about who would have been alive if he had been quicker or even he hadn't have been born. Person after person had been cut down over the years trying to protect him: his parents, cedric, sirius, mad-eye, hedwig, dobby, dumbledore and everyone else.
Hermione sensed Harrys' discomfort. "We did what we had to," She said tears welled up in her eyes and Ron grasped her hand to try and reasure her, earning him a small smile.
"Well what you did was amazing however we would like to know what it was exactly you had been doing this past year."
"Who's we?" asked Harry suspiciously.
"Well... the whole of the wizarding world, obviously."
"No"
"Sorry?"
"No not everyone needs to know, somethings need to be secret, forever, from the public."
"I guess we would tell the order the full story" said Hermione looking at Harry. Harry nodded.
"And Neville and Luna" added Ron quickly."They helped lead the DA so they diserve to know.
Hermione looked stunned," What?." asked Ron confused. "Nothing" repied Hermione quickly, turning a deep red hugh.
"Well I guess that would work, we could set up a meeting, how about this evening?"
"No not just yet, we've only just got back and well, what with F... We are just not ready, right?" Harry directed his question more to Ron and Hermione than to Kingsley.
"Alright, we'll give it a few days but Harry the sooner it is done the better. For all of us."
"Yes Minister." said Hermione.
"It's Kingsley, anyway my second question, well it's not really a question, just something for you to mull over. Well as you are aware you missed your last year and well thing here weren't exactly peachy at Hogwarts so Minerva has said if you wish you may return to do your final year and your Newts," Hermiones eyes lit up,"However, the ministry is going to need alot of rebuilding and there are alot of death eaters running about and a rather large decline in Aurors, so I am offering you both a place at the training, starting the second of September. Without taking your newts. If you want. Or if you would rather Hermione not be an Auror I am sure we could find you a place somewhere else." The three of them sat amazed at his offer. Seeing that they weren't likely to make a reply anytime soon Kingsley said, "Right I'll set up a meeting for a few days, before you go home and well... thank you again."
Hermione stood up and dragged Ron out of the office with her and Harry got up and soon followed.
"Bloody hell"
"Ronald" scalded Hermione.
"Sorry," he replied sheepishly." So what are we going to do?"
"I don't know, I need to talk to Ginny bout it really, see what she says." Ron rolled his eyes."What are you going to do Mione?"
"I want to get my NEWTs so I guess I'll be coming back, but it will be weird though after all of this time without having to go to school."
Ron looked slightly sad. "What? Don't you want to come back?,"asked Hermione.
"No, not really, it would be just too weird, it wouldn't be right for me, I don't think plus all of the death eaters are still out there, I just want to... well you know. But it's not like we have to choose right now."
"No,it's not" Hermione sounded close to tears.
"We're going to go for a walk um..."
"I'll see you later I want to talk to Ginny"
Ron led Hermione down the corridor with his arm tightly around her shoulders and hers around his waist. Harry smiled again glad that they had finally got together, the whole will they wont they thing had begun to grow old.
Harry went in to the hall again, it had emptied a considerable amount since earlier but most of the weasleys were still there.
"Where are Ron and Hermione?" asked Molly worried.
"They've gone for a walk."
"But..."
"They will be fine mum, I heard Minnie telling Hagrid that nearly all of the aurors in England are guarding Hogwarts and putting up lots of wards, they'll be fine."
More shocked than anything Molly agreed, this had been the first time George had spoken since Fred had died. "Where is Arthur, Bill and Charlie?"
"They have gone to check the house." said Percy.
"The house, merlin, my house." Molly began to cry again. Fleur and percy went comfort her as George just stared at his hands.
Harry stood there awkwardly, not knowing what to do or say.
"Harry, come take a walk with me?"
Uh oh this didn't sound good. Harry gulped and grabbed Ginnys outstreched hand and followed her into the courtyard. This was not one of those good talks, Harry could just tell.