Chapter Thirty-Seven.
Harry's Responsibility.

"You're kidding me." Harry cried reaching over and snatching the parchment out of Hermione's hands and taking a look at it for himself. He gripped it tightly and his heart began to race as he read the words that were written in big bold letters.

After a while of debating, the order has agreed to accompany you with what we discussed a few hours ago. I will be back at Hogwarts after we have settled a few more things and then I shall see you in the common sure it is empty so make sure it is empty so we can talk in private. Keep in mind that a few more things need to be settled before this plan is certain to go ahead.
Miss M. Mcgonagall.

Harry didn't know if he was more nervous or excited about this news. What other things would need to be settled? And how long would it take them to prepare? Would lessons be cancelled? How would they keep this covered up from Voldemort and still manage to get enough people on their side to be able to fight? He gave his head a shake and tried to ignore all the un-answered questions he had running endlessly through his mind. As he passed the letter to Ron he struggled to think of something to say.

"I didn't expect them to agree." Hermione broke the silence. All four of them were in shock, scared of what they had let themselves in for. Would this be the worst decision the order had ever made?

"Me either." Ron said shaking his head and opening a chocolate frog and then setting it down on the arm of his chair. He seemed as if he'd lost his appetite. "I spose we have to wait for Mcgonagall. It'll be early hours of the morning before she gets here!" he groaned looking at his watch. Harry felt Ginny's hand suddenly grab his own and he turned his head to face her.

"Harry, I know you don't want me going, but you have to understand that this is my decision and I want to help you finish this." Ginny whispered softly so Ron and Hermione couldn't hear, who were now lost in there own conversation.

"No." Harry said bluntly. Ginny let go of his hand looking annoyed and he sighed. "I'm sorry. But you can't. You know why, I don't think I need to explain it to you."

"I think you do. Your letting Ron and Hermione fight!" Ginny protested angrily.

"That's not my choice. If it was they wouldn't be doing this either." Harry said now letting the irritation show in his voice. "Anyway, how am I supposed to concentrate on destroying Voldemort if I'm worrying about you?"

"Fine. Then I won't fight." Ginny said in a final tone. Harry took a few seconds to register her words. Had Ginny just backed down? This was very unlike the Ginny he knew, but it was what he'd wanted all along so he settled to leave the conversation there, still feeling suspicious of Ginny's unusual lack of determination.

"Er…ok thanks." Harry mumbled now avoiding eye contact with Ginny.

"So what are you two being so secretive about?" Ginny asked looking over at Ron and Hermione curiously who were talking in low voices with their heads down. "Worrying about the spiders again Ron?" Ginny said maliciously. Hermione looked up in surprise at Ginny's tone and gave Harry a questioning look, which he ignored.

"Actually Ginny, he was more worried about whether you were going to insist on helping us." Hermione replied straightforwardly.

"Well, you'll be happy to know I've already agreed not to. Not that it's anything to do with you Ron and as this obviously has nothing to do with me. I'll just go to bed." Ginny glared at Harry and stormed quickly up the girl's dormitory stairs making a lot of noise as she went up.

"I knew she wouldn't take that well." Hermione said tensely.

"Took it better than I imagined. At least Harry still has both his…"

"Ronald!" Hermione scolded Ron before he could finish his sentence and he smiled weakly back at her. Which Harry could have sworn she half returned. The common room was now empty apart from Ron and Hermione who were sat opposite Harry. It was now nearly dark inside and they sat talking about what things could possibly need to be settled until Mcgonagall arrived. When she finally did, Hermione started up the fire once again to add light to the room. Mcgonagall sat down next to Harry and no one spoke for a moment.

"Now, as I said in my letter, the order agreed. But, there are certain other matters, which need to be settled. We are very aware that you three seem to know the most about all of this, and Potter, as you're the one who has to finish this whole thing. We decided to trust you, and treat you as an adult, one of the order. Everyone agreed you are the one who should be in charge of this whole thing." Mcgonagall looked at Harry waiting for his response. He felt three pairs of eyes on him and the back of his neck began to feel suddenly warm.

"You can't really expect me to…how am I supposed to…" Harry stammered. He had expected Mcgonagall to ask him many things, but not to lead the whole thing.

"Yes. That's exactly what we expect you to do; obviously Molly wasn't too thrilled with this decision. But you are no longer a boy, and Dumbledore must have thought only you capable to trust you with getting rid of Voldemort. However, you will have all of the order's full support and advice." Mcgonagall told him with a serious expression.

"Harry she has a point, you were the leader of the DA in our 5th year. A good one at that." Ron pointed out.

"And, you've probably faced him more times than anyone in the order." Hermione added nodding her head approvingly. "You won't be alone in doing this, you have our help. After all, you're the chosen one Harry. No one else."

"Weasley and Granger are quite right, the reasons they mentioned are part of why we decided on this. As well as many others." Mcgonagall said. Harry sat in silence for a moment trying to get his head round what they were asking him. After thinking about it for a while, it began to seem less ridiculous. And he suddenly, unconsciously made his decision.

"Ok. If I need to do this to get this plan to go ahead. I'll do it." Harry said drawing in a deep breath.

"Ok Potter this is the plan. We need the Ministry onside. And the order already has plans for the house elves part in it. Of course, you will have protection at all times when you're fighting, as Voldemort would. We can't afford anything to happen to you. " Mcgonagall informed him.

"House elves?" Hermione said alarmed.

"House elves Granger, yes. From wherever we meet Voldemort, We will need hospital assistance. Stationed at St Mungos, the house elves can apparate any person who needs medical attention right there or someone who has passed on, as we all know will happen. We wouldn't have chosen house elves, but we need to use everyone we have. St. Mungos will need a secret keeper which I have volunteered to be." Mcgonagall said.

"So Hogwarts will be closed then?" Harry asked.

"Lessons will be cancelled as of now. The remaining students are minimal anyway. They're going home for funerals every day or just being taken out by their parents. It won't look odd if we send the ones that aren't joining us home." Mcgonagall said.

"What about exams?" Ron said.

"We have to take the view now that after this battle, exams won't matter as Voldemort may be ruling. If in fact, we win. Everyone will have the opportunity to re do the time they've missed." Harry heard Hermione sigh with relief at these words.

"As for the Ministry, as much I hate to say this. We need them. Convince Scrimgeour to go along with this somehow. If you have to use me in bribing him, then do it. We also need Malfoy, once the school has been evacuated by students, get someone to bring him here." Harry found it strange giving orders to Mcgonagall but went along with it. "One more thing, were not sure if the snake is the actual last piece we need to destroy. It could be dangerous, if it's found I want to be told as soon as possible."

"Us too." Ron added.

"Your not sure if it's the last piece?" Mcgonagall frowned.

"No. But I'm pretty certain it's one of two things that we need to destroy. It would probably be best if you started sending people home tomorrow. Anyone in seventh year that want's to stay and help. They can. Ex DA members will be ok. Just not Ginny." Harry finished his instructions that came into his head as if he'd been subconsciously planning this all along. Mcgonagall gave an abrupt nod and stood up. To see her following his instructions seemed even more peculiar to him.

"One last thing, as long as we are treating each other as equals. I think we should all be on first name basis. I'll keep you notified Harry. I suppose you agree on Hogwarts being the new headquarters for this whole thing?"

Harry nodded as Mcgonagall walked towards the portrait and exited the common room. He sat back into his chair and sighed loudly running his fingers through his jet-black hair.

"Potion Harry." Hermione threw a container towards him, which he opened immediately and drank feeling the same tingling feeling go through his arm.

"So your in charge. Bloody lot of responsibility that is." Ron said shaking his head.

"You don't have to tell me. I'm glad this is nearly over. But there's so many things that can go wrong, Voldemort probably won't even come." Harry said sullenly.

"You'll be fine Harry. We all will." Hermione said soothingly.

"You don't know that. The three of us have been getting out of these situations for years, and it's gotten worse every time. Now this could be the end, I'm worried we've used up all our chances. Last year you two would have been dead if it wasn't for the Felix Felicus." Harry finished feeling miserable but not fully knowing why. This had been what he had wanted, wasn't it?

"We can defend ourselves you know. And if you ask us not to come one more time I swear I'll hex you." Ron told him.

"Me too." Hermione agreed. "Do you have any thoughts on the location?"

"I do actually. The place he was re born. Makes sense to kill him there too." Harry said thoughtfully, unaware he'd had this idea in his head.

"You mean the graveyard?" Ron said.

"Yeah. I mean…there's space. It's empty. The only other place I could think of was here. Let's face it Voldemort won't come here. He can't get inside for one." Harry answered.

"We can run the idea by Mcgonagall tomorrow I suppose. If there's nothing else you need to talk about, I'm off to bed. Both of you should go now too, it's late." Hermione ordered them standing up quickly kissing Ron, and bade the both of them goodnight.