1Chapter 12: NEWTS

'Calm down Gin. You'll do fine', said Harry as they approached the gates leading into Hogwarts. Ginny was nervously pulling on the hem of her jumper. For the past week, she and Harry had been going over the review material that McGonagall had sent and today she would finally be taking the exam. If she passed, she could go on and play quidditch without completing her seventh year. If she failed, she agreed with her mum that she would return to school.

'I can't help it', said Ginny. 'I'm just so nervous.'

When they reached the gates to the school, Professor Slughorn was waiting for them. 'Harry, my boy. So good to see you', said Slughorn, shaking Harry's hand. 'And Miss. Weasley.'

'Good to see you to, Professor', said Harry.

'Shall we?', asked Slughorn, indicating for them to follow.

The three of them walked up the path leading into the entrance hall. 'Professor McGonagall is waiting for you in her office, Miss. Weasley. You to, Harry', said Slughorn when they entered the castle.

'Thanks Professor', said Harry. He and Ginny made their way through the quiet castle.

'Feels weird being back here, doesn't it', asked Ginny.

'Yea, it does', said Harry looking around the castle. It appeared that most of the repairs it required from the extensive damage it sustained during the battle in May were complete. The bits of wall that were blasted away were patched and all of the staircases were repaired.

'It almost looks too clean', said Ginny. She was right. Hogwarts always had a weathered look, seeing as how it had stood for centuries. The repaired sections stood out in stark contrast to the rest of the castle. The house elves appeared to have been busy scouring every surface. Harry supposed it was the only way to ensure all traces there was a battle were gone.

When they reached the stone gargoyles that flanked the entrance into the Head Mistress' office, they stopped. It was then that they realized they didn't have the password.

'Albus', came a voice from behind them. They both turned and saw Professor McGonagall standing a few feet behind them just as the gargoyles sprung to life.

'Professor', said Harry in surprise.

'Good morning, you two', said McGonagall. 'Right this way', she added, motioning for them to follow her up the spiral staircase. When the entered the office, Harry noticed that nothing appeared to have changed since his last time there. His eyes automatically flickered to Dumbledore's portrait which hung on the wall behind the desk. He appeared to be sleeping. There was one thing, however, that Harry did notice.

'Professor?', he asked, turning to face McGonagall. 'Where's Snape's portrait?'

'Snape?', asked McGonagall.

'Yes Professor. He was Headmaster', said Harry.

'The school governors won't allow it', said McGonagall. 'Albus has told me of his innocence but it appears they will not take the word of a portrait.'

It wasn't right, he thought to himself. Snape had given his life to protect him. Before he could dwell on it any further, McGonagall turned to Ginny and said, 'You'll be taking the exam down in the Great Hall. Everything has already been set up. We can head down now if you're ready.'

Ginny nodded and she and Harry followed McGonagall out of the office and back down the spiral staircase. When they reached the doors to the Great Hall, McGonagall stopped and turned to face Harry.

'I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to wait in the hall, Potter', she said.

'Sure, Professor', said Harry, glancing over at Ginny who was once again pulling at the hem of her jumper.

'See you in a bit, Gin. You'll do fine', he said just before she walked into the Great Hall. When the doors banged shut, Harry slumped against the wall. He knew it would be difficult to return to Hogwarts, but he hadn't realized just how much.

Since the school year had not yet commenced, the halls were deserted. Harry was reminded eerily of how quiet the castle was when he made his way up to Gryffindor Tower after defeating Voldemort.

He slid down into a sitting position, leaning his back against the wall. He knew Ginny would be a while, but he had no desire to see more of the castle at the moment. Just sitting in the entrance hall was bringing back all the memories from the last battle. As he sat there, his thoughts drifted back to Snape. He had to figure out a way to get through to the school governors. Snape deserved to have his portrait hanging in that office just as much as any of the others. And he deserved to have his name cleared.

A few hours later, Ginny emerged from the Great Hall looking exhausted. Harry stood up walked over to greet her.

'So. How do you think you did?', he asked, giving her a hug.

'I don't know', she said, shaking her head. 'McGonagall said she would owl my results to me tomorrow.'

Harry reached down and took her hand, leading her back outside and toward the gates. 'You hungry?', he asked.

'Starved', said Ginny.

Together they made their way down High Street toward Hogsmeade Village.

'I'll have to tell Ron and George that Zonko's is still vacant', said Harry as they passed the boarded up joke shop.

'It would be really great if they could open another shop out here', said Ginny.

When they reached the Three Broomsticks, they ducked inside and found an empty table near the back. They both ordered a butterbeer and took their seats. The pub was exactly as Harry remembered it the last time he was there with Ron and Hermione. When the waiter returned with their drinks, they placed their orders and sat in companionable silence, each absorbed in their own thoughts.

'What's wrong, Harry?', asked Ginny

'Huh?', said Harry, looking up at Ginny.

'I asked you what's wrong. You've been acting weird ever since we left Hogwarts', she said.

'I was just thinking about Snape', said Harry, picking up a potato with his fork and popping into his mouth.

'What about him?', ask Ginny.

'He deserves to have his portrait hanging in that office', said Harry. 'He deserves to have his name cleared.'

'I know, Harry, But how are you going to convince the school governors of this. Not to mention the Wizengamot', said Ginny.

'I don't know', he said. 'But I've got to try.'

Later on that evening, Harry was in the sitting room with Ron and Hermione. It was late when he and Ginny got back to the Burrow as they spent the day exploring Hogsmeade. When they returned, Ginny was exhausted, so she decided to go to bed early. Harry turned to look at his two best friends who were snuggled up together on the sofa. He smiled to himself. It's about time, he thought.

'How was Hogwarts?', asked Hermione.

'Different', said Harry.

'What do you mean?', asked Ron.

'I don't know exactly. It just felt different. They've got most of the repairs completed, but you could still tell where the castle was damaged', he said. 'I guess it was just weird going back there after what happened a few months ago.'

Both Ron and Hermione nodded, showing Harry they understood exactly what he meant. Part of the reason Hermione had decided to take Kingsley's job offer without NEWTS was the fact that she had no desire to return to the castle so soon after losing so many friends there mere months ago.

'They won't let them hang Snape's portrait', said Harry.

'Harry, I know he saved your life and all, but he was a git', said Ron, earning a smack on the arm from Hermione.

'Git or not, he deserves it', said Harry. 'Oh, and before I forget I wanted to let you know that Zonko's is still vacant. I know George and Fred were looking into it at one point. Ginny and I were thinking that it would be great if he opened another shop there.'

'I'll have to talk to George about it. He still seems a little down', said Ron. 'It is a great idea though. All those kids going to Hogsmeade on the weekends. We'd be raking in the galleons.'

'I think I'm going to go to bed', said Harry through a yawn. He stood up but had to stand gripping the back of the armchair for a moment before his dizzy spell passed.

'You all right Harry?', came Hermione's concerned voice.

'Yea, just stood up to fast', said Harry.

'You're still getting dizzy, aren't you?', she said as she stood up and placed a hand on his shoulder. 'You should go back to St. Mungo's.'

'They told me it would pass in a few days Hermione', said Harry.

'Yes and it's been almost a week and it's still happening. You heard what the healer said. If you didn't feel any better, you were to go back', said Hermione.

'I'm fine. Really', insisted Harry.

'Hermione's right mate', said Ron. 'You should go back and get it checked out.'

Harry let out an exasperated breath. 'Fine, I'll go back in tomorrow if I still don't feel any better', he said. 'Just don't tell Ginny or Mrs. Weasley. I don't want them to worry.'

'Only if you promise to go', said Hermione, crossing her arms over her chest.

'I promise', said Harry. 'Now, I'm going to bed.'

'Good night, Harry', said Hermione.

'G' Night, mate', said Ron.

'Night.'