The students were sent home immediately following the wake. All except those whom Professor McGonagall had requested to stay behind. There was security on the Hogwarts Express, because even though Voldemort was dead, it didn't mean that all the Death Eaters were suddenly going to disappear with him, as nice as that was to fantasize about.
Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny walked to McGonagall's office. The hallways were crammed with students who were levitating or otherwise dragging their belongings to the Entrance Hall. Hermione said hopefully, "Oh I do hope she will say we can come back and finish our seventh year! Wouldn't that be amazing?" Ron snorted, "Amazing? You're still barking." Hermione rolled her eyes at him and Ron amended quickly, "Barkingly beautiful." Hermione smiled at him soppily and she replied, "Well of course you and Harry will come back too! And then we'll all be in the same year as Ginny! How cool will that be?!" Harry was silent throughout her musings and she said sternly, "You are coming back aren't you Harry?"
They had reached the Gargoyle now and Harry muttered, "I'm gonna see what my options are if I don't finish school." Hermione stared at him in disbelief, "Harry! Surely that's not what you want! School is school. You can't let this Chosen One status go to your head!" Ginny turned to glare at Hermione as they went up the twirling staircase, "Hermione, hasn't he earned the right to the life he wants? Haven't the three of you?" Hermione muttered something under her breath, and it made Ginny smirk in satisfaction. Harry took her hand gratefully and squeezed it as they reached the landing.
When they got there, McGonagall was waiting at her desk and talking to Kingsley. They turned upon hearing them enter and McGonagall smiled, "Hello to you. Thank you for your compassion during the wake. It was greatly appreciated by a lot of people." They nodded and sat down in the chairs that were provided.
McGonagall glanced at Kingsley who said swiftly, "Now, I know you three have a few options to consider for the following year, and it would be best to start thinking about it now." He was grim and serious as usual and Ginny wished he would just relax a little. It would make her feel more comfortable.
She edged closer to Harry and took his hand in hers. He squeezed it before Kingsley continued, "Harry, Ron and Hermione, you can choose to finish your final year of school if you wish to." Hermione practically squealed in delight and she nodded vigorously. Kingsley raised his eyebrows in amusement as Ron rolled his eyes and muttered, "Typical," under his breath. Kingsley held up his hands, "Hold on, Hermione, I'm not finished there. There is also a position in the ministry for you, if you wish to take it. A lot of the people who worked for Voldemort are being seeded out and therefore leaving a big gap in our hands. I would like to possibly offer you a place in our department of Magical Law Enforcement. I think it is a secretary position to the head of the department, who will be retiring in the next year or two." Harry raised his eyebrows and Ginny wondered what he was thinking. Surely Hermione was too smart for a secretary position!
Hermione tightened her lip in debate and nodded, "Thank you, Kingsley. I will think on it." Kingsley smiled a little and then turned to Ron, "Mr Weasley, I am not sure what your future entails, but I am sure we can find something for you, if you wish to work for us." Ron shook his head and said seriously, "I think I'll need to consider my options. Thank you." Kingsley turned slowly to Harry and Ginny knew everyone was curious about his answer. He said decisively, "I don't think I'll be coming back to school, Sir."
Ginny wasn't entirely surprised, but Hermione glared at him with the utmost disappointment in her gaze. You could tell she wanted to say something, but she knew better than that, and so she kept her mouth shut. McGonagall frowned, clearly surprised and said, "Are you sure Potter? As far as I know, you've always thought of the castle as your home." Harry nodded quickly, "It's true. But there are too many painful memories here too. Memories I'd rather…forget." McGonagall sighed and shook her head, "And there's no way I could convince you?" Harry smiled at her remorsefully, "I wish. I'm sorry." She shook her head astutely, "Not to worry. You have earned the right to your own decisions, much more than some I can tell you."
This made Harry smile in appreciation. Then McGonagall turned to Ginny, "Miss Weasley, we will be offering for you and the rest of your form to repeat your seventh year and get some proper learning done. I don't see any reason why you wouldn't want to." Ginny knew a reason, but it was one she would have to be ok with. Her mother was never not going to let her finish school and she wanted to come back anyway. Everything she'd "learnt" this year was so contrived and untrue. She wanted to get her mind out of the twisted gutter that it had become. Ginny nodded eagerly, "I am hoping to come back. There's nothing I'd love more than to be taught properly again."
McGonagall smiled properly and nodded in agreement, "Thank you, Miss Weasley. I look forward to seeing you back here next year. We will make the formal announcement via post as the parents should be informed too. Now in terms of the school's rebuilding, we are going to need as much help as possible. Any prior students or friends can help rebuild. If you four showed an interest, I'm sure it will attract more people. We need as many as possible if the school is going to reopen in July."
Ginny's mouth dropped, "In July professor?" McGonagall nodded and said firmly, "Yes, in July, Ginerva. That's why we need all hands-on deck." Kingsley glanced at Harry, Ron and Hermione and said slowly, "I know it's a lot to ask, but would you three mind possibly posing for pictures for the paper? Just so that we can get enough people in to help out." Hermione was the first to protest, "Sir, I don't mean to be difficult, but I think by allowing a few people in, you will probably open up a floodgate to the entire wizarding community. I don't mean to sound prude about it, but…" Kinglsey held up his hands, "I understand, Hermione. If you have any other suggestions as to how to get more people helping, then I am all ears." Hermione said thoughtfully, "We could do the advert for a smaller magazine, couldn't we? Like the Quibbler?" Ron scoffed loudly, and folded his arms with an unamused expression, "Not bloody likely after he tried to send us off to Voldemort! I'm not doing him any more favors." Hermione sighed, "No, I suppose not. And the Quibbler isn't that small anymore. They have quite a following."
There was an uncomfortable silence in the room until McGonagall said, "Well, that will be all for no. Harry, you are more than welcome to stay here if you'd like, but I have a feeling that a long rest is due. You might find it better at the Burrow. Molly and Arthur have already told me you'll be coming to stay with the Weasleys, for now anyway. They have said you can stay as long as you'd like." Harry smiled gratefully, 'Thank you, professor. I will be taking them up on that generous offer." Ginny couldn't help but feel rather chuffed that he was going to be living at the burrow for the next little while. McGonagall turned to Hermione, "They have offered you a place to stay too, Miss Granger." Hermione smiled gratefully at the headmistress, and then at Ron.
McGonagall stood suddenly and said tiredly, "I hope you all have a relaxing weekend. We will start the rebuilding process on Monday. You may join us when you are ready, or not at all if you wish." She smiled briefly and then nodded, "Have a good rest. And thank you all again for your endurance through the last year. It means a lot to me and to the whole school." They all said their goodbyes and then headed out of the room.
Ginny muttered under her breath, "I've never seen her looking so exhausted. I feel badly for putting her under so much stress." Hermione sighed, "Well, there's a lot of work to be done, and she's probably worrying about where to start! What a nightmare of a job. I don't think I can come and help on Monday though." Ron turned to her in surprise, "Why?!" She raised her eyebrows skeptically at him, "Because I'm going to have to go and start the search for my parents. I have no clue where they are! Or even how to get their memories back!" She sounded panicked, like she had been worrying about this for a long time, but she was only remembering it now. Ginny said softly, "I'm so sorry, Hermione! I wish I could help you. If there is anyway I can help…" Harry said quickly, "Yes, Hermione! You should ask Kingsley if there is anyway he can help you track them down. I'm sure he'd be willing." Hermione smiled sadly, "I will. That's a good idea Harry. I will come to help rebuild on Monday, so I can ask him."
They stopped at the top of the stairs towards the Entrance Hall and Ginny asked suddenly, "Are we just heading home now? What now?" They all stopped and stared at each other, Harry's face being the most disbelieving of all. He whispered in an incredulous manner, "I have a future…I have a life." Even though I was still sad for my losses and the grief that I was sure to endure, I couldn't help but smile at his shocked words, "And it is going to be extraordinary."
A/N: Hi All! I'm sorry that I've been MIA the last few months. The reason being is because I moved countries, and I have a new job- my first one ever. So I am sorry that I have not been actively writing this story, but with so many new happenings going on, it has been a challenge to sit down and find the time to write anything. So I hope you understand. Anyway, here's a new chapter and I hope you enjoy it!