"How many NEWTs are you guys thinking of taking?" Hermione asked Harry and Ron, as the four of them made their way from the castle down to Hagrid's hut.

"I didn't want to take any, but Dad and Percy say if I want to work at the Ministry I should take at least a few. Percy says it will be 'better for my career'. So I guess I'll have to take a couple. Not sure which ones. What about you, Harry?"

"Well, now that we're back at Hogwarts, it looks like I still have a chance to become an auror. But to become one, I'm going need to take five NEWTs, and get at least an "E" on all of them. "

"Which ones are you going to take," asked Ginny.

"Well, I definitely have to take Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Charms and Herbology. And then I have to choose one more. I think I'll choose Potions. I was particularly good at Potions. I was actually the best in the class at Potions," he said smiling at Hermione.

Hermione just glared.

"How about you, Hermione?" asked Ginny.

"Well, I was thinking… I'm planning to…I thought I would…"

"What she's trying to say," said Ron, "is that she's going to take every single NEWT."

"All of them?" said Harry. "You're sure? There's less than three months of school left. That's a lot to learn. Do you really want to work that hard?"

"It'll be fun," said Hermione. "Besides, I won't have THAT much to learn. I finished reading all of the seventh year books months ago."

"You finished reading all of them?" said Harry. "Months ago? When? How could you have? Months ago we were…"

"Remember all the nights we camped out while we were on the run?" said Ron. "What do you think Hermione was doing when it was her turn to keep watch?"

"Reading school books?

"She carried all of them in her little beaded handbag."

"As long as I wasn't sleeping, I didn't see any reason to waste all that time doing nothing," said Hermione . "How did you guys spend your time when you were keeping watch?".

"Mostly I practiced spells," said Harry. "I exploded pine cones, snapped dead branches off of trees, you know, stuff like that. I wanted to keep up with my magic in case we ran into Death Eaters."

They both turned to Ron.

"Well, err…." Ron looked sheepish. "I… well…mostly I played Wizard Brickbreaker.

They all laughed as they arrived at the door of the hut.

Harry knocked on the door.

"Wha… who… wait…hold on a sec…" The four of them heard the thumping sound of Hagrid scurrying inside the hut.

"It's us, Hagrid," called Hermione.

"Oh…wait…" They heard more scurrying.

"Er… come on in then… What are you waiting for?" said Hagrid.

Hermione opened the door, and they all walked in to find Hagrid sitting in his enormous chair at his table holding a cup of tea.

"What's going on?" asked Ron.

"Goin on? Why would anything be going on? There's nothing goin on," said Hagrid, looking nervously at the far corner of the room, where the four of them could see a bunch of old blankets in a pile as if they had been quickly thrown there. They pretended they didn't notice.

"I'm jus havin myself a nice cup a' tea. Yup. Jus havin some tea. Would the lot a ya like to join me for a spot of tea?"

"Sure," said Ginny.

Pretty soon, the table was covered with five steaming mugs of tea, and a platter of treacle fudge. Everyone's teeth kept sticking together as they tried to talk.

"Guess what," said Hermione.

"Yer all goin to stay at Hogwarts to finish your seventh year?"

"How did you know?" asked Hermione.

"I hear things, ya know," said Hagrid with a twinkle in his eyes. "I'm glad. I was'n ready to lose you guys. Not yet, anyway. Sure missed you around here all year. Grawpy and Fang missed you too."

"Where are they?" asked Hermione.

"Oh, they're playing in the forest. Grawpy throws sticks and Fang chases them. Problem is, Grawpy can throw a stick about a mile and one-half. It takes Fang a long time to bring them back. After a few games with Grawpy, Fang usually comes back to the hut panting and falls asleep by the fire."

Everyone laughed.

"Ya know," said Hagrid. "I actually was'n around much this year myself. Me and Fang and Grawpy hid up in the woods mos' of the year. Hidin' out from those bloody Death Eaters. They weren't too happy about the "Support Harry Potter" party I threw at Hogwarts. You should have seen the look on the Carrows' faces when they came into the Great Hall and saw everyone eating cake and holding "Support Harry Potter" posters with your smiling face looking at them. The 'poster Harry Potter' actually waved to the Carrows when they walked into the hall. It was worth it just to see the look on their faces. But me and Fang and Grawpy had to get out of there real quick after that. The Death Eaters were definitely not happy about the whole thing."

"You know you didn't have to throw a party for me," said Harry, smiling.

"I sure did," said Hagrid. "Ye should have heard those Carrows. Telling everyone that Harry Potter was afraid. Harry Potter ran away. Harry Potter is scared of 'he who must not be named'. Harry Potter left all his friends and escaped. I knew you were planning somethin. I couldn't let them get away with talking about ye that way."

"Well, I'm honored," said Harry.

Hagrid looked at Harry, Hermione and Ron. "So, are all of ye signing up to take Care of Magical Creatures this term?"

Harry, Hermione and Ron looked at each other nervously.

"Er…", said Harry. "We…"

"I'm jus' kiddin," said Hagrid. "Seventh years never take Care of Magical Creatures. Jus' pullin' your legs a little."

They all breathed a sigh of relief.

"You kids are goin to have a lot of studying to do real fast if you plan on taking any N.E.W.T.s. I never took any personally, ya know, but I hear they can be pretty brutal."

"Actually, one of us doesn't have that much studying to do," said Ron. "Guess who finished reading all of the seventh year textbooks at the same time she was battling Death Eaters and searching for Horcruxes."

Hagrid beamed. "Our Hermione," he said. "I always say they ain't never invented a spell our Hermione can't do."

Hermione blushed.

"By the way, Hermione," asked Harry. "Last fall when we were camping in the woods, you had no way of knowing that we would make it back to Hogwarts to finish our seventh years. Why were you reading the textbooks?"

"That's easy. I wanted to have the information."

"Knowledge for its own sake," said Ron. "You are a real intellectual."

"Well, not exactly," said Hermione. "I actually used some of the information I learned."

"Really?" asked Harry. "In the battle for Hogwarts?"

"Not exactly."

"How did you use it?"

"Well there was one particular charm I read about in the advanced charms textbook."

"What charm?" asked Harry.

"Uhm…it's called the… 'Incredible Itching Irritant.'"

Harry and Ginny laughed. "What did you use it for?" asked Ginny.

"Well…er…"

Ron wasn't laughing. He was staring at Hermione, his eyes on fire, as she continued.

"I kind of…well…you see… I was pretty mad at….at…"

"Me," said Ron. "She was mad at me. I can't believe you did that!" yelled Ron. "I thought there were lice or something in my cot in the tent when I first came back and found you guys in the woods. It lasted for three days or so. I never scratched so much in my life."

"Yeah. You looked pretty miserable," said Hermione. "I felt pretty bad, so after three days I did the counter-charm. I was still pretty angry at you, but you looked like you were going to scratch all your skin off. So I decided to be nice to you."

"Nice to me?!" Ron yelled.

"You forgive me, sweetie? Don't you?" asked Hermione.

"I guess I better," said Ron. "If I don't, you'll probably turn me into a toad or something."

"You'd make a cute toad," said Hermione, and she gave him a quick snog. Ron always seemed happier after Hermione snogged him.

Hagrid kept looking at the pile in the corner of the room. He seemed impatient. Finally, he said: "Well, the Hogwarts Express will be coming with the rest of the students soon." I guess you guys need to run along and get ready. There'll be a big banquet when they get here. Thanks for coming by."

"Soon? We just had lunch," said Ginny. "The train won't get here for hours."

"Well… er… I need to get ready to meet the train," said Hagrid. "You know, I have to take the first years across the lake in the boat."

"How long could it take you to get ready?" asked Harry. "What's the rush?"

Well…ye know…I need to take a bath and everything."

The kids all looked at each other thinking the same thing: "Take a bath?" They couldn't picture Hagrid taking a bath. They weren't sure he ever took a bath. It didn't seem likely that he was going to spend the entire afternoon taking a bath. But it was clear that he wanted them to leave, so Harry got up and said: "Well, then, I guess we should move on and get ready for the banquet. Come on, guys."

Hermione, Ron and Ginny got up. "See ya at the banquet," they said to Hagrid, and they left the hut.

In front of the hut, they all looked at each other. "What do you think that was all about?" asked Ron.

"I don't know," said Hermione, "but there was definitely something under those blankets that Hagrid didn't want us to see."

"What do you think it was?" asked Ron.

"Knowing Hagrid, it's probably some kind of dangerous animal."

"Who did he think he was fooling with that bath thing?" said Ginny.

"Let's sneak around back and peak through his window," said Harry.

"That wouldn't be right," said Hermione, but Harry, Ron and Ginny were already tiptoeing around the hut. Hermione was just as curious, so she followed them.

They snuck, crawling on all fours, to just under Hagrid's back window, and then they slowly rose so they could just peek over the bottom of the window and see what was inside. As their eyes rose over the edge of the bottom, instead of seeing the inside of the hut, all they could see was brown. Something was blocking their view. Together, they stood up a little higher until they were standing face to face with…Hagrid, who was standing in front of the window staring out at all four of them.

Hagrid wagged his finger at them, as if to say, "Naughty, naughty. You shouldn't be sneaking around looking into people's windows," and he closed the curtains.

The four of them were sitting by the lake again. It was such a nice day, too cold to swim, but the perfect day to be outdoors and enjoy the last afternoon before Hogwarts became a school again, with classes, homework, N.E.W.T.s to prepare for, and the castle and grounds teeming with students. Now it was just peaceful.

They were all lying on the grass with their hands folded behind their heads looking up at the clouds.

Ron broke the silence. "So we've got to figure out what Hagrid's got hidden under that pile of blankets, right?"

"If Hagrid wanted us to know, he would have shown us," said Hermione.

"Right," said Ron. "So, Harry, what do you think? Invisibility cloak?"

"Yup. After everyone goes to sleep tonight. Ginny, you coming with us?"

"Sure," said Ginny, happy to finally be invited on one of their rule-breaking adventures.

Hermione was looking exasperated.

"What's wrong?" said Harry.

"Let me remind you of the exact words you said to George just a couple of hours ago," said Hermione. "'Things are going to be different now. The crazy times are over. We're just going to be regular Hogwarts students.'"

"Oh that."

"Yeah, that."

"Well, this is no big deal," said Harry. "It's not like we're going to break into Gringotts or the Ministry of Magic or anything."

"And do you remember what you told George about Ginny?" asked Hermione.

"Er…I forget," said Harry.

"It was just a couple of hours ago," said Hermione.

"Er…"

"Let me remind you," said Hermione. "It was something like this. 'I'll make sure she doesn't get into any trouble.' Actually, it wasn't SOMEthing like that. Those were your exact words."

"Oh, that," said Harry, laughing. "Well, then I better hope the invisibility cloak still works."

"Harry!" said Hermione, even more exasperated.

"Come on, Hermione," said Ginny. "I can take care of myself."

"I still don't think its right to spy on Hagrid," said Hermione. "If he wanted us to know, he would have told us."

"You know you're right," said Harry. "Okay, so here's the plan, Ginny. You meet Ron and me in the Gryffindor common room at 11 o'clock tonight. Tiptoe, so you don't wake anyone up."

"What?!" said Hermione.

"Well, it looks like you would feel pretty bad spying on Hagrid, and I don't want you to feel bad, so we'll go without you," said Harry.

"You will do nothing of the kind!" said Hermione. "If you guys are going, I'm going too."

Harry and Ron grinned at each other. "Okay," said Harry, "if you're sure you really want to."

"Let's just be careful," she said. "Tomorrow is our first day of our seventh year at Hogwarts. Let's not get expelled before we make it to our first class."

"Come on, Hermione," said Ron. "Be serious. We're all kind of like heroes. I don't think McGonagall is going to be doing any expelling any time soon."

"Wait," said Harry. "We've got a problem. How are all four of us going to fit under the invisibility cloak? We've gotten a little bigger since we were 11. Even three of us can barely fit under it. There's no way we can all get under it without our legs showing."

"No problem," said Hermione. "I've been practicing the invisibility spell. You know the one Fred and George used to make the Headless Hats? I'm pretty sure I can turn all of our legs invisible."

"That's our Hermione," said Ron. "I always say, they ain't never invented a spell our Hermione can't do."

Hermione punched Ron in the arm.

"Ow," said Ron.

"You should say thank you," said Hermione.

"Why?"

"At least I didn't turn you into a toad. Now, let me practice the invisibility spell. Stand up, Ron."

Ron looked scared.

"Don't be scared," said Hermione. "I'm pretty sure I can do it."

"Pretty sure?"

"Yeah, I think there's a good chance it will probably work."

"Good chance? Probably work?" said Ron. "What if it doesn't?"

"No big deal," said Hermione. "Worst thing that will happen is that your legs will turn into rubber hoses. Or maybe the bones will just disappear like when Lockhart tried to help Harry. Or, I suppose, in the worst case scenario, your legs could turn into spider legs."

Ron looked horrified. He didn't move.

"Ron, I'm just kidding. I know how to do it. I'm really good at it. Have you ever known me to screw up a spell?"

"Well…er…"

"Come on, Ron. Have I ever once blown a spell since you met me?"

"No."

"So stand up and let me zap you," she said, smiling.

"Can't you try it on Ginny?"

"What do you mean, Ron!" cried Ginny. "I'm your little sister. You're supposed to protect me, not throw me to a dark wizard."

Hermione laughed. "I can't believe you guys are such chickens. It's not that hard a spell. Would one of you please stand up and let me practice on you?"

Harry stood up.

"Thanks, Harry. At least one of you trusts me."

"It's not a matter of trust," said Harry. "Remember, I died a few days ago. I figure how much worse can this be."

Everyone laughed.

"Okay, now stand real still," said Hermione, standing up, pulling her wand out of her gown, and raising it in the spell-casting position. "Now let me see… How does that spell go again?"

Harry looked worried.

She pointed her wand at Harry's legs. "Cruris Elongato!" she cried.

Immediately, Harry's legs stretched until they were ten feet long. The rest of his body stayed the same, just his legs were long. It looked like he was standing on ten foot stilts.

"Hermione!" Harry yelled. "I thought you said you knew what you were doing."

"I do," said Hermione. "I was just fooling around. How do you like my leg elongating spell?"

"It's pretty cool," said Harry. "Let me try to walk."

Harry took a few steps. "Hey, this is pretty cool. I thought I would have trouble balancing, like if I was walking on stilts. But I can walk just fine."

Hermione lifted her wand.

"Wait," said Harry. "One second. Before you bring me down..."

Harry walked over to the apple tree next to the lake, reached to one of the highest branches, and pulled off four, juicy red apples. "Okay, now."

Hermione raised her wand, pointed it at Harry's legs, and cried "Cruris Curto!"

Harry was standing there, his legs back to normal. He tossed an apple to Ron, one to Ginny, one to Hermione, and took a bite out of the last one.

"Mmm…That's good. Now, would you quit fooling around and show us your stuff?"

"Okay," said Hermione. "Cruris Occaeco."

Harry was standing there looking totally normal, except, from mid-thigh to the ground, his legs had totally disappeared. Everyone looked through the spot where his legs had been and had a perfect view of the lake.

"Nice work, Hermione," said Ron.

"Why do you always sound so surprised?" asked Hermione, smiling.

"Good job, Hermione," said Ginny.

"Do you think you can do all four of us at once?" asked Harry.

"Sure. Would the two of you please stand up now, or do you still not trust me?"

Ginny and Ron stood up and walked over to where Harry was standing. Hermione quickly made their legs disappear, then turned her wand on her own legs. They were all standing by the lake without any legs.

"I guess we're set for tonight, then," said Harry. "Okay, we'll take our legs back now."

"Wait," said Hermione, "I want to see something first. Ginny, stand in front of Harry."

Ginny did what Hermione asked.

"Now, I want to see both of you do a waltz. It will look hysterical for you to dance without any legs."

"I can't waltz," said Harry.

"Yes you can," said Ron laughing. "Professor McGonagall and I taught you how to waltz our fourth year before the Yule Ball. Come on, bloke. Let's see you do it."

Harry and Ginny tried to waltz next to the lake. Fortunately for them, no one could see their feet all twisted up. All Hermione and Ron could see was Harry and Ginny continually bumping into each other and almost falling over.

"Ow!" yelled Ginny. "That was my foot."

"Sorry," said Harry. "I'll try a spin move."

Hermione and Ron saw the tops of Harry and Ginny's body start to spin. Then they saw Harry's body up against Ginny's and both of them start to tip over with Harry's body landing on top of Ginny's.

"Oof!" yelled Ginny.

"Sorry," said Harry, rolling off of her. "Okay, Hermione, you had your fun. May we please have our legs back now?"

"Cruris Exsto."

Harry and Ginny's legs, twisted around each other, re- appeared. They untwisted themselves, brushed off the grass and dirt, and stood up.

"You forgot us," said Ron. Hermione and Ron's legs were still invisible. She waved her wand again and their legs re-appeared.

"Nonverbal! That was very cool," said Ginny.

Hermione smiled, blushing a little. "Come on, guys. Let's get ready for the banquet."

And the four of them headed back up the hill.

A/N: more chapters coming