Sorry I didn't upload yesterday as I promised...I got burnt really bad so I spent the day with people rubbing soft creams, my face feels great now lol

Yes...the chapter before the final...='( I've enjoyed doing this story and thank you all for your patience with me.

Thank you for your reviews!! The title for the next one is called: It Ended with. Keep a look out for it ^^

So I don't own a thing!

P.s: This one has a bit more comedy than the last chapters lol

It Started With...

Chapter 27

A Fresh Start.

Harry and the others were heading to the Great Hall when they heard someone call out his name. They turned. Only to find out that it was Rufus Scrimgeour besides him was McGonagall and another member of the Ministry. "Potter. Will you follow me please?" Harry turned to his friends. "They are needed as well."

"Ok." Harry replied. They followed McGonagall into a small room. Hermione realised it was where she last saw Draco. She tried to ignore the churning movements in her stomach. The teenagers sat down on the leather couch.

"It's Dumbledore's will." McGonagall explained. Rufus took out a long piece of parchment. He stared at each teenager with a look that gave them the impression he didn't want to do this.

"I shall ask each of you questions." He stated. Hermione glanced quickly at Harry. "But before I do that, I suppose you all know that Albus Dumbledore has left you something."

"What?" Ron exclaimed. "All of us?"

"Yes Mr Weasley. Didn't you know?" Rufus replied coldly. Hermione frowned at Rufus. "Obviously not." Dislike radiated from the teenagers. "I have in my right mind to examine this will before I do this."

"Well you can't. He gave his will to me." McGonagall jumped in. "Minister." She added. Ron snorted earning him a hard nudge from Ginny.

"Hn." Rufus grunted. "I have a right. The Decree of Justifiable Confiscation gives the Ministry-"

"That law was to stop dead witches and wizards from passing on Dark artefacts." Hermione cut in. "Are you suggesting that Dumbledore was trying to pass us such items?" Harry could've cheered. Hermione had turned Rufus's pathetic excuse into a ridiculous notion.

"These are Dark Times." Rufus replied irritably.

"No kidding." Harry replied sarcastically.

"Mr Potter." He warned.

"I suggest we get on with reading the will." McGonagall said wisely. She gave the group facing them a warning look. Rufus nodded quickly.

"Would you say that you were close to Dumbledore Mr Weasley?" Rufus demanded. Ron swallowed hard.

"I dunno...I-I mean it was really H-Harry." Ron stuttered. Rufus smirked like a bird of prey about to attack it's dinner.

"Then why are you in his will? Why were you singled out?"

"I-I dunno..."

"Don't be modest Ron! Professor Dumbledore was very fond of you!" Hermione jumped in. "Minister you came here about Dumbledore's will. Not if we were his favourites."

"Miss Granger. I'm just curious as to why out of the students here at Hogwarts you six are in his will."

"And why would we know?" She replied. The old Hermione was re-surfacing now. Harry smirked. "As you have just reminded us: we are just students."

"Hn." He clicked his fingers and the other member of the Ministry stepped forwards in his arms was a huge black sack. Rufus reached inside it and pulled out an object that looked like a silver cigarette lighter. He stared at the parchment. "The Last Will and Testament of Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore...to Ronald Bilius Weasley...I leave my Deluminator, in the hope that he will remember it." He stared at Ron. "Do you know what this is? It's rather unique. One of a kind." He handed it to Ron.

"Thanks." Ron mumbled.

"Why do you think he have you this?"

"To help him go to sleep? I hear that pixies keep you awake at night." Luna suddenly said making them jump slightly. Rufus stared at her curiously.

"To Miss Hermione Jean Granger, I leave my copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard. I hope she will find this interesting." Rufus took out a book that was so battered it was slowly falling apart. "Why this?" He handed the book to her.

"I like to read." She replied.

"But why this book?"

"Because it might hold a clue to finding out the Holy Grail?" Hermione replied staring at him. Harry and Ron snorted out with laughter. "Other than the fact that I like to read...I have no idea."

"Did you discuss codes with him?"

"No...why?"

"What if you wanted to send something to a certain someone?" Hermione glared at him. Rufus met her glare. "You did go out with him for some time didn't you?"

"How dare you!" Hermione had leapt off the couch. "You have no right to interrogate us like this! Asking us impertinent questions!"

"Miss Granger you forget your place!" Rufus replied back.

"And you forgot yours! Are you the Minister of Magic or some man who has to learn everything in our lives? Yes we knew Dumbledore! Everyone did! We don't know why he gave us these things! We weren't with him when he wrote his bloody will!" Hermione yelled back. The room went quiet as Hermione stared at Rufus.

"Miss Granger...would you like to lie down?" McGonagall said after a pregnant pause. Hermione nodded and left the room, the book under her arm.

"Hn." Rufus turned his attention to the others. "So...after Miss Granger's performance shall we continue? So...Mr Neville Jeremy Longbottom I leave him the largest book of Herbology: Roots and Herbs: All the knowladge you need to know. So he may continue learning about herbs." Neville gingerly got up and took the heavy filled book. He glanced towards the others wondering what question Rufus would ask him.

"Thank you." He said.

"Hn. To Miss Luna Harriet Lovegood I leave her my money from my bank in Gringott's so she can live her life." Luna lifted her head and stared at Rufus. "The money is in your vault in Gringott's." She nodded and snuggled up to Neville.

"To Miss Ginerva Agatha Weasley...I leave you my fine bottles of butterbeer in hopes that you will use them well and my beloved bird Fawkes." Ginny glanced at Harry.

"Excuse me? I am to have a phoenix?"

"You should've. The bird has gone missing." Rufus said staring at Harry. "And now we reach the end of the group. To Harry James Potter. I leave you the golden snitch to remind you of your prosperity's." He stared at Harry. "You have also been left the sword of Gryffindor."

"Where is it then?" Harry asked as he took the snitch.

"It's Hogwarts property. You can't have it." Rufus replied. Harry frowned at him.

"Dumbledore left it to him!" Ron yelled jumping up. "It chose him! When he was fighting a basilisk it came out of the sorting hat! I saw it with my own pair of eyes!"

"Yes, yes." Rufus said waving his hand at him. "The sword of Godric Gryffindor may present itself to any worthy Gryffindor student. It does not say it belonged to Dumbledore or to you Mr Potter." Harry rolled his eyes.

"Not necessarily." Luna said after a moment's pause. "I heard that it was originally given to a Goblin." Everyone turned to her. "Oh yes. And then Godric stole it from the Goblin over...I can't really remember what happened exactly but Godric stole it. Therefore it doesn't belong to the school as its original owner has probably died." She gave a small smile. "Dad told me."

"What utter nonsense." Rufus declared, he turned to Harry. "Why do you think-"

"Dumbledore left me a sword? I haven't the foggiest. Maybe to look good on my wall." Harry replied. His temper was slowly coming loose. Ginny held his hand as she saw his knuckles turning white as Harry clenched them to suppress his urge to hit Rufus.

"This is not a joke!" Rufus barked. "Do you know why? Was it to help you against the heir of Slytherin, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named? Did he believe that you could destroy him?"

"Interesting theory. Has anyone gone up to him and tried to stab him?" Harry turned to his friends. "Anyone?" He turned to Rufus. "Sorry. The theory hasn't been done yet. You should send people from your office to try that out instead of asking us pointless questions or covering up these deaths."

"How dare you."

"Is that what you've been doing Minister? Trying to examine all these heirlooms? What message could Dumbledore have left us? Maybe try to stay alive for one!" Ron jumped in.

"People are dying Minister! You should be helping them!" Neville shouted leaping up next to Ron. "You stand there and ask us these questions about our connection to Dumbledore and expect us to cooperate with you?"

"Calm down love." Luna said tugging on the sleeve of Neville's dress robe.

"YOU GO TOO FAR!" Rufus pulled out his wand.

"Minister!" McGonagall screamed returning into the room. "Put that wand down! Now!" She stared towards the three boys whose wands were raised as well as that of the Minster's.

Rufus glared at Harry. "You'll regret not excepting my offer at Christmas." Harry made a small growl.

"I don't like your methods. Remember." Harry replied coldly. Rufus's face hardened. "I think this will thing is over. I have a train to catch." He brushed past Rufus. "Professor." He said as he passed McGonagall. Harry and the others left the room to find Hermione sitting on the steps facing the Great Hall. She looked up and smiled at them.

"That seemed to go well." She said chuckling softly. Harry broke into a grin. "The train's leaving in an hour. Everything's secure."

"It's time to say goodbye then." Harry whispered.

--

They were escorted one by one to their carts, Mad Eye and Tonks came along with them in their carriage. Hermione looked towards the castle one last time. "What's wrong?" Ron asked behind her.

"Nothing." She replied. "Just admiring the view."

She was about to step inside the carriage when she thought she heard someone call out her name. She turned and saw a woman in a pinching green suit. She was rushing up to Hermione a hand on her hair while another was wrapped around a note. "Miss Granger!"

"Yes?" Hermione replied.

"I have a message!" The woman said thrusting the note towards the girl. "Please take it!"

"Who are you?" Hermione asked her hand hovering slightly.

"A-A friend! Please just take the note!" The woman insisted. Hermione caught a glance at the woman's eyes. They were grey. Hermione took the note.

"Is he ok?" The woman stared at Hermione in alarm and ran off. "Wait!" Hermione called after her. She stared at the note in her hand. "Guys!" She said hurrying inside the train.

She found them sitting down not saying much. "He's been in touch!" She exclaimed happily. They stared at her. "Draco!"

They sat up and made space for her. "How did you get it?" Ginny asked.

"Some woman gave it to me." Hermione explained. She sat down and unravelled it.

My love.

I am sorry. I have been a fool and now I am paying the price. Mother is willing to help us. She has lent me this to write to you. You are forever in my thoughts. Your friend Dean is alive. I wish I had more time to write but I can't. Just know that I love you. I will find a way back to you. I promise.
Harry...you must be prepared for the upcoming war. I don't know much all I know that he is looking for something called the Elder Wand. I must go Mother is back.

I love you Hermione. The ring you're wearing is a promise that one day we will be together.

Draco.

Hermione broke into small sobs. Ginny patted her back softly. "It'll be alright."

"I'll make sure they pay!" Hermione whispered. "Draco..."

"They will pay." Harry said. "And he's given us a head start. We have to find out about this Elder Wand. If we get to it before Voldemort..."

"Hey don't forget. We've also got a wedding to attend to. If we miss it we'll definitely be going into hiding." Ron said.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world." They replied in unison. The train gave out a loud hoot and very soon it began it pull out of Hogsmeade station. Hogwarts was fading into view.

"I'd like to go to Godric's Hallow." Harry said after a minute. "I've been thinking about it...and it just...I dunno I mean all this." He gestured around the carriage. "Happened there...and I'd like to visit mum and dad...their graves I mean."

"Sure." Ginny replied instantly. "And if we meet Snape along the way."

"He'll wish he'd never been born." Ron said pounding his fist into his hand. "Ouch." He mumbled.

"Well first I've gotta make a quick stop off at the Dursley's...say goodbye and all."

They all nodded in agreement. They knew that the journey facing them was going to be hard. They knew they might not ever see their families again, but at that moment, at that precise second. None of it all mattered. They were enjoying their final days as mere teenagers before they took on adulthood. "Who wants to play wizard's chess with me?" Ron asked, his reply was followed by moans.

"I'll play you!" Tonks said arriving in the carriage followed by Mad Eye. The group chuckled as she sat down Mad Eye couldn't sit anywhere.

"Hn." Was all he could say.

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