A/N: Well, since the last day of school is tomorrow (woohoo!!), I finished the new chapter. Oh, and if any of you readers watch Gossip Girl, then you'll like this video. I just thought it was funny:
search "gossip witch: hogwarts gossip girl" on youtube. its the first one on there.
So now I'm going to stop talking and let you read the chapter.
Chapter 10: There Is Someone Up Above
Harry was running through the corridors of Hogwarts. He ran up to two bodies lying on the floor. He quickly was close enough to see their faces. Ron and Hermione were lying on the floor, holding hands. No he thought Ron and Hermione can't be dead. He ran past them when he heard a girl scream. He ran into the Great Hall and saw Ginny writhing on the floor.
"You silly little girl!" screamed the cold high voice. "No Harry Potter to save you now!"
"Harry! Harry!"
"He's not going to save you this time, he doesn't love you. How could you possibly think he loved you? Crucio!"
Ginny screamed in pain.
"Ginny, Ginny! No!!" Harry yelled. He sprinted for her.
Voldemort cackled with laughter and before Harry could reach her Voldemort pointed his wand at Ginny.
"Avada Kedavra!" A flash of green light.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
"Harry!" Harry snapped his eyes open. A blurry image of Hermione was shaking him looking worried. "Are you okay? You were screaming."
"Just a bad dream I suppose," he said groggily as he ran his fingers through his hair. Hermione frowned.
"...Okay." Though she still looked concerned. The truth was, this wasn't the first time Harry had had a nightmare. He kept having horrible dreams that all ended with Ron, Hermione, Ginny and everyone else he loved, dead. He knew they were only dreams but they still bothered him.
"Well anyway, you'd better get up. You've a meeting with Kingsley today."
"Oh! Right. What time is it?"
"Eight o' clock. Wake Ron for me will you? I don't know how your screaming didn't wake him up..."
"Oi! Ron!" Harry threw his pillow at his friend.
"Whazzgoinon?"
"Oh Harry that's not what I meant. I could've done that."
Harry grinned sheepishly and climbed out of bed.
"Wake up Ron," he said as he put on his glasses.
"Hmph."
Harry put on his best clothes and put a comb through his hair. It still wouldn't lie flat. Noticing Ron was still in bed, Harry shot some water out of his wand Ron, after hastily saying,
"Auguamenti!"
"AAARGGHHH!"
"Get up!"
"Why'd you have to do that?"
"Sorry, I forgot you'd rather be woken up to Hermione snogging you," said Harry, his voice covered with sarcasm. Ron glowered at him and got out of bed. Harry left and went downstairs, where the smell of breakfast greeted him.
"'Morning dear," said Mrs.Weasley as Harry took a seat next to Ginny.
"'Morning Mrs.Weasley," he said. He grinned at Ginny and when Mrs.Weasley had her back turned he gave her a peck on the cheek.
"Ready for your meeting with Kingsley?" she asked as she turned back around to face them. Harry nodded.
"I really want to get those last few Death Eaters," he said, thinking of all the trouble they and Voldemort had caused.
"And you will," said Hermione matter-of-factly.
"I hope so."
At that moment, Ron walked in looking much more awake.
"'Morning mate," said Harry as Ron plunked himself down next to Harry. They finished their breakfast and were soon ready to leave.
"Good luck dears!" Mrs.Weasley called out after them. Ginny smiled at Harry and mouthed the words "Good luck". He smiled back at her and with one last wave, Apparated to the Ministry of Magic.
XxxxX
Pop.
Harry and Ron appeared a short way away from an old, battered, red telephone booth. After checking to see if any Muggles had spotted two young men appear out of thin air, they both got into the booth. Harry entered the code and a light, disembodied voice said,
"State your name and purpose."
"Er- Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. And we have an appointment with Kingsley."
Two badges fell into the booth. Harry picked his up and read:
HARRY POTTER
Meeting With Minister of Magic
The booth then started to descend. The doors opened and they walked into the Atrium. The Ministry of Magic had completely changed. The fountain had been changed and there was no longer the air of tension. Witches and wizards were actually stopping and having friendly conversations and waving and smiling at each other.
"Harry! Ronald!"
They turned around to see Kingsley Shacklebolt walking towards them beaming. He held out his hand. Harry shook it and then so did Ron.
"How are you Minister?" Harry asked.
"Kingsley, Harry, Kingsley please. And I'm doing very well. Follow me, I've been given a new office."
They followed him into a golden lift.
"And how are you both?" he asked as the lift started to make its ascent.
"Er, as good as we can be," said Harry.
"Well, of course, these last week has to have been hard. So many great people lost."
Harry and Ron nodded solemnly. They followed Kingsley off the lift shortly after that and he led them down a long hallway. At the end was a large door. He opened it and stood aside to let Harry and Ron in. It was a very large office. It had many portraits lining the walls and a large mahogany desk sat by the window, which Magical Maintenance had chosen to show a slightly rainy day. The desk was covered in papers and picture frames and many memos were hovering around it. There were two comfy looking chairs across from Kingsley's desk, which he offered Harry and Ron to sit in.
"So, we all know why we are here?" said Kingsley.
Harry and Ron nodded.
"Well, first off Harry, I was hoping you could tell me what you, Ronald, and Hermione were doing while you were on the run this past year."
Harry glanced at Ron. Just because the war was over, did that really mean he could tell Kingsley what they had been doing? Was it still important to keep it a secret? Did the defeat of Voldemort really change the need for secrecy?
"I think it'll be okay to tell him Harry," said Ron seriously.
Harry nodded.
"Well, you see, Dumbledore found out a huge weakness of Voldemort's."
And Harry proceeded to tell Kingsley all obout the Horcruxes, and how that was the only way to really kill Voldemort. He explained how they had found and destroyed two Horcruxes before coming to the school where the battle was fought so Harry, Ron, and Hermione could find the last Horcrux. He told him how Neville killing Nagini, had destroyed yet another Horcrux, how Harry had destroyed one in his second year without knowing that's what it was, and how Dumbledore had destroyed one. How Voldemort was seeking the Elder Wand, and Harry briefly explained the whole story behind that. He made sure to tell Kingsley how Snape had always been on their side one-hundred percent. He was really a spy pretending, very well, to be in league with Lord Voldemort. Kingsley was shocked.
"But, there's more..." said Harry, sighing. "It turns out, I was a Horcrux. So I had to go into the Forbidden Forest to let him kill me, that way someone else could finish him off. But it didn't work. Obviously."
Harry then proceeded to finish telling his story and Kingsley was even more shocked, if that was possible.
"Thank you for telling me this Harry."
"You're welcome. But please, let's keep all this between us. We really don't need the whole wizarding world to know about Horcruxes and all this Dark magic, except it'd be really good for everyone to know Snape was really on our side. And his portait should go up in the Headmaster's office."
Kingsley grinned.
"Of course Harry, of course. I'll make sure of it. Now, the second reason I brought you here, as you know, is to offer you both positions in our Auror office. You would still be going through some training, but you would mainly be helping the already qualified Aurors rounding up the last few Death Eaters who managed to escape. How does that sound?"
"Amazing!" said Harry and Ron simultaneously.
"Excellent. Can you start Monday?"
"Definately," said Harry. Ron looked at Kingsley and said tentatively,
"Is it all right if I start when I get back from Australia with Hermione? She needs to find her parents and I promised I'd come along."
Kingsley considered Ron's proposition for a moment and then said,
"Of course. I think that'll work out all right... Excellent. You are to report to Auror headquarters at eight o' clock, Harry. And Ron, Monday at eight o' clock when you choose to start. And be sure to pick up your Ministry employee robes in Diagon Alley. I believe Madam Malkins has a large amount of them for sale. Give these to her."
He handed Harry and Ron each a slip of parchment with the Ministry seal on it, asking for work robes. It was signed by Kingsley.
"Thank you," said Harry. "This is a really great thing you're doing for us."
"Yes, thank you," agreed Ron.
"It's not problem boys," he said standing up and shaking their hands again. "I will see you on Monday."
"You will?" asked Ron.
"Oh yes, I have to give our Aurors some information and orders so they can start their search for the Death Eaters," he said as they walked towards the door. He opened it for Harry and Ron.
"Have a good day," he said as they passed him.
"You too Kingsley," they said at the same time. Ron started down the hallway.
"Er, Ron, I'll catch up with you in just a minute. Ron nodded. Harry turned to Kingsley and asked him the question he had been very anxious to ask, but was dreading and anticipating the answer.
"Lupin and Tonks... Do you know if they were together when they were killed?"
Kingsley seemed to consider Harry for a moment before answering slowly,
"Yes, they were Harry. They were fighting along side each other."
Harry nodded.
"Thank you."
And with that, Harry went down the hallway to join Ron.
XxxxX
"That's brilliant!" cried Ginny as she gave Harry a hug. Harry couldn't help notice that Ginny didn't seem genuinly thrilled though. He decided to put it from his mind at the moment.
"Congratulations!" said Hermione, pulling both Harry and Ron into a hug. "When do you start?"
"Harry starts Monday," answered Ron, beaming. "And Kingsley said I can start as soon as we get back from Australia."
Harry hoped this good news would drive away a bit of the grim mood that had recently settled at the Burrow. George was only coming out of his room for meals and Percy was spending more and more time at the Ministry. Charlie's return to Romania had been a grim affair also. Ron was trying to keep his head up but Harry could tell he was still hurting. Ginny was still being her impassive self. He hadn't seen her look upset (more than she usually was now adays). Mrs.Weasley was keeping herself busy, no doubt trying to put everything from her mind. Just as Hermione released Harry and Ron, Mrs.Weasley came bobbing into the kitchen.
"Oh! You're home! How did it go?"
"Brilliant!" answered Ron enthusiastically. "Harry and I both got jobs! We start at the Auror Department on Monday!"
"Oh, that's wonderful! You'll have to go to Diagon Alley to get your robes I excpect?"
"Yeah, Kingsley gave us some parchment to give to Madam Malkins so we can get them."
"Lovely. We can go later this afternoon. Now how about a spot of lunch. You need to make up for that year without any full meals!"
"Tell me about it," said Ron, sitting down at the table. This earned him a punch on the arm from Hermione as she sat down next to him.
"What?" he asked incredulously.
"I'd quit while you're behind Ron," said Ginny as she and Harry took their seats across from Ron and Hermione.
"But I mean, come on! There were nights when we had fungus! Or didn't eat at all!"
"Let's not have this same argument please," said Harry wearily.
"You're lucky Harry made me swear not to hex you for being such a prat that whole time," said Ginny warningly.
"Here you are dears," said Mrs.Weasley as she flicked her wand. Four plates of hot onion soup flew onto the table. A loaf of bread and a pitcher of pumpkin juice followed shortly after. They ate until they could eat no more. Mrs.Weasley flicked her wand and the dishes flew into the sink and began to wash themselves.
"So, we'll head off to Diagon Alley in just a bit. I've got to send an owl to Arthur so he doesn't come home not knowing where we are."
"Alright mum," said Ron.
Mrs.Weasley left the kitchen to find Errol. After a few moments silence a thought struck Harry.
"Do you think we should invite George along? He hasn't been to the shop since... erm..."
"No, I don't think he has," Hermione said, knowing fully well what Harry was talking about.
"Let's talk to him," said Ginny earnestly. They all got up and Ron led the way to George's room. Harry knocked on the door.
"Come in if you must," said George's annoyed voice from beyond the treshhold. Ron opened the door and the group entered the room. George was sitting on the windowsill staring out into the sky. Harry looked around the room. It was messy and covered in junk. There were dirty clothes spread across the floor, charm books strewn over the bed, and empty bottles carelessly piled in a corner. The whole room smelled of firewhiskey and burnt plastic.
"Hey George..." said Ginny tentatively, though Harry could tell she was really eager to talk to him. George did not turn and face them. "Me... erm... me, Harry, and Ron and Hermione are going to Diagon Alley with mum."
"So?" said George sharply, still not looking at Ginny, or anyone for that matter.
"So," said Ginny quietly, as though hoping he wouldn't yell at her, "You could come with us! You know, get out in the fresh air... you could go to the shop and start running it ag-"
"I am not going to run the shop!" yelled George, finally turning to face them.
"But..." started Ginny, her eyes wide.
"NO! It was our shop. Mine and his! But he's gone so there's no point!"
"No point? So why are all these charm books lying around? Don't tell me you havn't been trying to invent knew things!" she yelled.
"So what if I have! He's the one who was good with that! I came up with most of the ideas and he made most of them! But I can't invent new products without him so it's stupid!" he cried.
"So you're just going to spend your life up here with your precious firewhiskey? This the master plan? You're not the only one who misses him!" Ginny looked as if she were on the verge of tears.
"Well the way you prats act it seems like I'm the only one! You-" he pointed at Ginny, "Just forgiving Harry after he broke your heart and you're just acting as though things are just fine 'cause you got the 'man of your dreams'-" he said these last four words with a disgust on his face. "And you two-!" He pointed at Ron and Harry. "Acting as if everything's fine and going and getting jobs and being all happy!"
"STOP! Stop! STOP!" screamed Ginny. "That's not fair!"
"IT'S THE TRUTH!!" George yelled. Ginny finally burst into tears and ran from the room. Harry sent a look at George he usually preserved for Snape and Umbridge back at school and left the room to find Ginny. (Now it's sort of Ron's POV): George mumbled something that sounded a lot like "...baby... she knows it's true... and him... acting as if telling her the truth is the worst thing in the-"
"SHUT YOUR MOUTH!" yelled Ron. George glared at him.
"It's tr-"
"SHUT IT YOU PRAT!" Both Ron and George whipped their heads around to see Hermione actually shaking with rage. "You are the most- foul- heartless- git- I've ever had the misfortune to have to deal with! You should be comforting your family not insulting them and screaming! War changes people, but not into HEARTLESS TOERAGS!"
Her last two words came out almost as shrieks.
"Out," said George through clenched teeth.
"Wha-?"
"GET OUT!" he sreamed.
"Gladly!" yelled Ron, and grabbing Hermione's hand, walked out of the room. He slammed the door with a deafening bang! behind him.
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Oooh gotta have some drama. Well, please REVIEW! I'm going to wait until I have at least 8 before I post the new chapter when I finish it. If I have 8 or more by the time I finish, then the new chapter will be up as soon as I finish. Well, carry on, I just know you were about to click that purple button(: