Well since my computer is obviously not getting fixed any time soon, it is up to me once again to give up my Friday night to continue my writing…. (I hate my computer.)

Disclaimer: ya ya I know. I don't own Harry Potter. (too bad.)

Chapter 7

Harry apparated with Ginny along side him. He realized that it was much harder than he had hoped and it almost cost him a limb. Now, whole and ready for another year at his favorite school, he stood at platform 9 ¾ at Kings Cross station. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had apparated all of their trunks and pets. Harry moved to help load the trunks onto the train, but Mr. Weasley cut in front of him.

"Harry, could I have a word with you? In private?" he asked with a glance at Ginny.

"Yeah, sure, Mr. Weasley." Said Harry with a nervous feeling that nothing good could come from this little chat. He followed Mr. Weasley behind an old pillar that had several pieces of paint crumbling off of it.

"Now, Harry, I know that you won't do anything mad or something, but I am not so sure about Ginny. I do not want her going out and fighting dragons, or wandering the Forbidden Forest." Mr. Weasley raised his hand to stop Harry, who had opened his mouth to speak. "Harry, please do not drag her into something that she might not make it out of. Albus trusted me enough to tell me that you lot may go out to search for them, but I do not like the idea of my only daughter and my youngest son going out there, even if it is to rid the world of an evil like no other. Now like I said, please, do not put Ginny in any more danger than she might possibly be in." Even as he finished this lecture, Mr. Weasley seemed to realize that this talk was not necessary.

"Mr. Weasley, how long have you known me? When have I ever put anyone else at risk when I saw a way not to? Anyway," Harry lowered his voice. "it's not like anyone could stop Ron, Hermione and Ginny. Even I can't really stop them when they have their minds made up." Mr. Weasley smiled at him.

"Okay, now, you had better hurry. The train will leave shortly." Harry nodded and ran to the already moving train. Harry jumped onto the car and grabbed Ginny's outstretched hand.

"Thanks, Gin." Harry kissed her. When they finally broke the kiss, Ginny rested her head onto Harry's shoulder. Harry saw that a compartment to their left contained Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, and Ernie Mcmillan. Dean, a fellow Gryffindor seventh year, had been Ginny's boyfriend the year previous. He eyed Harry, jealousy raging in his eyes. Harry and Ginny walked into the empty compartment to their left. Harry sat and waited for Hermione and Ron. By the time they arrived, Ginny was asleep on Harry's lap, and Harry was also dozing off.

"Hey, sleeping Beauty's, wake up. Its nearly lunch." Ron said. Even Hermione giggled at this.

"Shut up, Mr. Prefect." Ginny said. Ron silenced his laughing at once.

"Well, Harry, you will be happy. We gave Crabbe a weeks worth of detentions for trying to stun a first year." Hermione said.

"Yeah, you should've seen the look on his face, stupid git. He swore to get us back though, not that he has the brains to." Ron said, his face alive with delight.

"No, but Pansy Parkinson is. she is going out with him now, didn't you know?" Ginny said. Ron looked disgusted.

"And there is no new Head boy or Girl this year." Hermione said. "I wonder why."

"Who knows, it probably has something to do with You-Know-Who." Ron said. They sat and pondered this as the snow fell from the sky outside the warm walls of the train.

The snow came down in big, slow flakes when they arrived in hogsmede. Harry wrapped his arms around Ginny for extra warmth. They ran toward the no longer horseless carriages. The Thestrals were now visable to Ron, Hermione, and Ginny as well as Harry. He looked for Hagrid, who was supposed to be greeting the first years, but he was no were to be seen.

"I'm sure he's fine." Ginny said as though reading harrys mind.

"Yeah." Harry muttered. He noticed the first years were looking extremely lost.

"No way, Harry." Ron said as he followed harrys gaze to the first years.

"They'll freeze to death if they stand out here too long." Hermione replied.

"And so will we!" Ron stated.

"lets go." Hermione dragged Ron behind her as she followed Harry and Ginny.

"First years! First Years this way!" Harry yelled. The flock of first years followed him as he took them, not to the boats, but through the grounds up to the castle.

As they climbed the steps to the great oak doors, they met Professor McGonagall.

"Thank you, Mr. Potter. Hagrid had his hands full. It seems his trust in you was not mistaken." She said.

"And what does he have his hands full with?" Asked Harry tentatively.

"He needed to help our new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher." She said.

"And who is that?" Hermione asked.

"Kingsley Shacklebolt." She said. Harry nodded. "He is an auror. In fact, he was in charge of the search for Sirius Black." Harry opened his mouth to say that he knew, but a nudge from Ginny made him shut up.

"Well let's get these first years inside before they freeze. You two may go to dinner." She nodded at Hermione and Ron. "I need to see you two in my office. The password is Albus Dumbledore." She said in a low voice. Harry felt his stomach shrink at these words.

Harry and Ginny walked to the stone gargoyles that led to the headmistresses' office. Harry muttered the password and they entered. they climbed the spiraling stairs and entered the office itself. the first thing that Harry noticed was that not a thing had changed from when it was under the occupation of Dumbledore. the second was Hagrid and Kingsley sitting at the desk in two wooden chairs (Though Hagrids was considerably larger and more sturdy).

"'Arry! Ginny! 'Ow Are ya?" Hagrid boomed.

"Good." They both replied. They shook Hagrids and Kingsley's hands in turn and sat in the two chairs remaining.

Professor McGonagall returned about five minutes later.

"As you two may have noticed, there is no new head boy or girl for this year." She said and slid a drawer out and took out something.

"Yes, Hermione told us." Ginny said.

"Well, not anymore." She opened her hand to reveal two badges, one saying HEADBOY and the other saying HEADGIRL. Handed them to Harry and Ginny.

"Us? but why not Ron and Hermione?" Harry asked.

"It is my belief that you two deserve the badges because of the love that you have for each other, even though you are not in your Seventh Year here, miss Weasley." She smiled at Ginny. Harry was astonished. He had very rarely seen professor McGonagall smile about anything.

"Now I suggest that you two get down to dinner, you will have already missed most of the sorting.." Harry jumped to his feet as did Ginny. They nodded at hagrid and kingsley and left.

"Wonder what they were doing there." Harry said as they headed toward the great hall.

"I Don't know, but I think defense is going to be, er, unique, this year." Ginny said. Harry silently agreed as he pushed open the door to the great hall.

a/n I know it is not as good as some of the other chapters. I just felt I needed something to keep this story alive. the first half was written in January and the second three pages were written on February 25 at 3:35 A.M. hopefully I will be able to break 3 thousand hits. 180 hits to go….

p.s. I made some changes after very good reviews from MichelleG and AznDiabloKiller.Yes, you were quite right, Harry is indeed in his Seventh Year. I meant to say what it says now. I am sorry for all of those who caught my mistake. Thanks! (And we broke 3 thousand reviews this morning!)

Hellyoukai