Chapter seven.
Returning Home

"Well...it's simple isn't it. We can apparate back." Hermione said. Harry thought this was the best idea. Just standing outside, wherever they were could be dangerous. Especially if the death eaters knew where they were. But then how could they know?

"You can apparate back Hermione, but we need the car and we wont be able to get back here because we don't know where it is." Harry said looking at Hermione's disappointed face as he said the words that crushed her idea.

"Then we can fly the car back the direction we came until it appears on the map again." Hermione tried again looking at Harry and Ron hopefully.

"That could take hours, and I think were all tired why don't we sleep in the car for now with the invisibility booster on and drive in the morning." Harry said looking at Ron who looked less shaken up now but looked exhausted. Ron looked at him gratefully.

"Do you really think that's safe Harry?" Hermione said anxiously.

"Hermione, we would be invisible. How much safer do you want it?" Ron said yawning. Hermione nodded to say she wasn't going to protest if the others thought it was safe enough. Hermione and Ron climbed in the back. Harry looked around to check the field was actually empty. It looked safe enough so he got in the front. It's going to be an uncomfortable night Harry thought to himself. He couldn't sleep, he sat there thinking about how close Ron had came to getting the dementors kiss. He knew Ron and Hermione wouldn't say anything about what had just happened, incase he said he would go alone again.
He eventually felt himself drift off and when he woke up he opened his eyes slightly to see that it was light outside. He heard Ron and Hermione whispering in the back and quickly closed his eyes again so he could hear what they were saying.

"What are you saying Hermione?" He heard Ron whisper fiercely.

"I'm saying Ron, that we need to persuade him to tell someone about the horcruxes. We can't do this alone. We only went to Godric's hollow and look what happened. When we find a horcrux it's highly likely one of us will die. Even Dumbledore a highly experienced wizard died on trying to get one." Hermione whispered back worriedly.

"Yeah but Snape helped out with that one didn't he?" Ron raised his voice slightly.

"You know I'm right Ron. Maybe...maybe we'd be better off at Hogwarts."

"We promised Harry we would go anywhere with him Hermione!"

"Think about it, we would have access to the restricted section and the order would be around us. It would be safer and it would help us to find the horcruxes. Because if you haven't noticed, so far we've gotten nowhere." Hermione muttered sounding slightly annoyed. Harry knew she had a point. But the only way he was returning to Hogwarts was if they could leave the school anytime they wanted to get the horcruxes, and there was no way he was telling anyone in the order about it like Hermione wanted him to so much. Harry knew he would have to make that clear with her. Hermione and Ron had stopped whispering and Harry pretended to wake up slowly looking around at them. He saw Hermione lying next to Ron, her head on his chest. Ron had his arm around her.

"Mornin Harry, are we going then?" Ron said looking at Harry suspiciously. Harry thought Ron was trying to work out if he had heard him and Hermione talking.

"Yeah, no point sticking around here is there?" Harry replied. "Who's driving?"

"I'll take over the driving for now if you want." Ron offered. Taking his arm away from Hermione. Hermione sat up. Ron got into the drivers seat and off they went. Ron drove for at least an hour, Harry checking every five seconds if they reappeared on the map. Hermione kept telling Ron he was going the wrong way and to turn around. Ron was getting annoyed with her. "Why don't you drive then Hermione if you know so much about it." Ron said angrily.

"I was just saying..." Hermione said quietly looking moody. Harry checked the map again he saw the dot that was the car appear on the map and grinned.

"Ron! The cars back on! Now turn left and keep going straight, I'll keep watch on the map for you" Harry said feeling relieved.

"I knew I was going the right way." He said glancing at Hermione who sighed loudly. They drove for hours until they got near the Burrow. Harry felt disappointed as they got nearer the Burrow. They had made that long journey just to come back to the Burrow with nothing. The three of them had decided not to tell Mrs Weasley about the dementors and death eaters waiting for them when they got to Godric's Hollow as it would only make her angrier. Hermione however had insisted on telling Lupin about it and after a while Harry agreed. When they got there they found the Burrow empty with just Mrs Weasley and the woman Harry recognised as Isabella Takard in the kitchen. Mrs Weasley as Harry had predicted was furious.

"Irresponsible, that's the word that comes to mind!" She shouted her face red with anger dropping the plate she was holding as it fell with a crash on the floor.

"Reparo." Hermione pointed her wand and watched the plate repair itself.

"You could have told the order where you were going, what would have been the harm in letting us know? And then Remus tells me you've flown that car off on your own." Mrs Weasley shouted at them. Harry, Ron and Hermione were looking very guilty as she said these words. They knew they had acted irresponsibly but Harry felt it was his fault as they felt they had no choice but to go with him.

"Oh,come on Molly. They are all of age, they shouldn't have to notify us of everything they do." Isabella said smiling at Harry. Harry thought this was unusual for an order member to say something like this, the only other order member he knew would have stuck up for them was Sirius. He pictured Sirius's amused face if he had found out the three of them had flown a car to Godric's Hollow. Mrs Weasley gave Isabella a stern look that told Harry she now didn't like her very much. Harry, Ron and Hermione quickly walked out of the room while Mrs Weasley was distracted arguing with Isabella and went upstairs. Ginny walked out of her room and looked at Harry. He thought he saw relief somewhere in her expression but she then gave him a disgusted look and walked back inside her room and slammed the door.

"You really should talk to her Harry." Hermione said giving him a knowing look. Harry looked back at her but didn't reply.

"So what now?" Ron asked.

"Well. The Hogwarts train leaves tomorrow. I thought it would be easier for us to find…" Harry interrupted Hermione.

"Ok, I think that's a good idea." Hermione stared at Harry surprised. He knew her and Ron thought they would have to persuade him to go. Harry smirked to himself.

"But we won't be able to go on the train. You can't apparate inside Hogwarts grounds." Harry started talking.

"At last you remember what i tell you." Hermione laughed. Harry continued.

"And we will need the car to get out of there when we find a horcrux." Harry finished.

"It won't be a problem, it's not like we haven't done it before. We just wont crash into the whomping willow this time." Ron said. The next day they all awoke early, with their stuff packed. Mrs Weasley was less angry when she found out they were returning to Hogwarts. Harry had been told Lupin was the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher so the order could keep a closer watch on the few people that were returning. Harry was happy that they now were returning to Hogwarts for their last year. Even though it would seem empty without Dumbledore. Harry walked into Ginny's room where she was packing the last of her stuff.

"You need any help?" Harry asked nervously. He didn't want her to go off on one at him again.

"No I think I can handle it on my own." Ginny said bitterly without looking at him.

"I'm sorry I left without telling you. I wasn't thinking. Change of plan, we are returning to Hogwarts after all…you want a ride in the Ford Anglia with us?" Harry asked her hoping that she would let it go. Ginny looked up, she seemed less angry.

"Sure, as long as your not driving, and next time you leave make sure you tell me or you won't get off so easily." Ginny's face broke into a smile. Harry laughed and walked over to her where he kissed her for what felt like hours.

"Let's go then." Harry said feeling happier than he had in days taking Ginny's hand. The four of them got into the Ford Anglia and set off for Hogwarts where Harry knew his friends might at least be a bit safer.