So I've actually started to write this the same night I'm writing the fifth chapter. I might make this chapter a little serious, but if I change my mind I may not. So, on to chapter 6!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything of Harry Potter, that is all J.K. Rowling's.
Chapter 6:
"Has everyone got their bags packed?"
"Yes dad, we have everything."
"Are you sure? We may have some time to double check before we head out."
"Mr. Weasley we're fine. And we should start going before we miss the train."
"Yes yes Harry, you're right." As Harry, Ginny, Hermione, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley headed out onto the front yard of the Burrow, 3 ministry cars pulled up. Ginny raised her eyebrows.
"You got the cars again dad?" She asked, the trunks and back doors opening.
"Yes. Now, we must hurry, you can't be late." As they arrived and Kings Cross station, Harry could see all of the Hogwarts students through the crowd. They arrived on the platform and passed through the barrier with five minutes to spare.
"Are you sure you have everything?" Mrs. Weasley asked, tears welling in her eyes.
"Yes mum, now we really must go. I'll write to you and we'll be home at Christmas." Harry smiled and went to go find an empty place for their bags. He remembered the first time he got on this train, and now this would be one of his last times on it. As he found an empty carriage, he put his trunk and Snowstorm in and went outside to get Ginny's things.
"Harry dear, keep Ginny safe, and be good this year." Mrs. Weasley pulled him into a hug and said a final goodbye to the trio before they boarded the train the last time. He led Hermione and Ginny to the carriage, where he helped them put their things away. They had just finished when the train started moving.
"What's wrong Hermione?" Ginny asked, looking over at her friend.
"He didn't even come to say good bye." She pulled a sleeping Crookshanks closer to her. Harry looked at Ginny and she looked at him.
"Well, my brother's a git. And you know that. I'm sure he'll write though." Hermione glanced up and huffed. They talked for a little while before the door opened a crack for someone's head to stick through.
"Is it open Neville?"
"Neville!" Ginny exclaimed jumping up and opening the door.
"Ginny, Harry, Hermione! I haven't seen you guys for a while! Could we come in?" Ginny beckoned in her friends. Neville, Luna, Seamus, and Dean entered and said hello to everyone.
"It's so good to see you guys. How have you been?" Harry asked.
"I've been good. But how about you? I heard about the story Rita Skeeter published." Seamus asked. Ginny smirked and looked away.
"She's writing a book about Harry also." She said glancing at Harry.
"Eh, she's vile, and everything she writes is also." Dean said. Harry grinned, knowing his friends didn't listen to anything she had to say.
"Where's Ron?" Luna asked, looking around the room curiously. Hermione looked out the window, still downcast.
"My git of a brother has decided he doesn't need an education." Ginny said, looking over at Hermione.
"Well, I have to go the the Prefect's cabin, I'll be back soon." Hermione said, standing up abruptly. The rest of the train ride consisted of laughter and catching up, and some jealous glances at Harry from Dean. As they neared the castle, everyone changed into their robes, and Hermione came back.
"We'll be there in no time." She said, giving a sad smile to her friends. As the train stopped and everyone got off, the group of friends walked together to the thestral-drawn carriages.
"Is that Harry Potter?"
"Wow I didn't know he went to school!"
"He saved the world ya'know."
Harry and his friends walked through the younger years of children and got many glances and whispers.
"You'd think we're famous or something." Seamus joked, trying to lighten the mood. As they got a carriage, Harry thought, it was sad how his friends could see the thestrals now.
"Beautiful aren't they?" Luna asked the rest of the group as they boarded the carriage.
"It's sad that so many of us can see them now, though." Harry said, looking at the creatures drawing the cart. They got off of the carriages and headed into the school where they sat down at the Gryffindor table, saying good bye to Luna as she sat at the Ravenclaw table.
"Welcome back students to another year at Hogwarts!" Professor McGonagall stood making her speech.
"I welcome the new first year students who we will be sorting before I make my speech." She beckoned in Hagrid who led in all of the first year students waiting to join there houses. Professor McGonagall stood with a new teacher with the sorting hat in hands.
"I would also like to welcome one of our newest teachers, Professor Tonks!" Harry looked at Hermione and turned back.
"Is that...?"
"Andromeda Tonks? Yes." Harry answered her. The sorting hat had livened up and had been getting ready to sing it's yearly song.
We've done it
We've vanquished
The dark is gone!
All because the Four
House became together
as one!
We fought and we prospered
Bad times are gone
so let's have some fun!
Everyone clapped at the end of the song, and the sorting began. Student after student, each kid was sorted until there was no one to sort.
"Lot more first years this year, huh?" Hermione said, her head leaning on her hand, looking at the table.
"You sure you're okay?" Ginny asked, looking over at her friend. Hermione waved her off and they turned their attention back to Professor McGonagall.
"Welcome again, to our new first year students, and our returning eighth years. Firstly, I would like to start off by saying welcome to our two new teachers, Professor Tonks and Professor Blake. They will be teaching transfiguration and defense against the dark arts respectively. Now secondly, I would like to point our attention to Professor Binns, who will be saying all of the names of the loved ones we lost in the Battle of Hogwarts." While Professor Binns recited the names, Harry had the chance to look around and think. He thought about the last time he was here, and all of the lives that were lost. He looked around and saw all of the people he new returning back. He saw Draco Malfoy sitting at the Slytherin table, with the small amount of returning eighth years. Name after name was called out, and when Fred's name came, Ginny held on to Harry's arm trying not to cry. After the long list was finished, Professor McGonagall stood up once again and finished her speech.
"These heroes who died did not die in vain. They gave their lives to bring down Voldemort and his death eaters once and for all. We thank them and the heroes who also survived. Now to move on to different matters. Mr. Filch has reminded me to say that, once again, all Weasley Wizarding Wheases are banned from school grounds. Also, the Forbidden Forest is restricted unless it is during care of magical creature. Now that all reminders are over with, let the feast begin!"
For the rest of the meal everyone laughed and talked, and enjoyed the meal. When it was all finished, they walked back to their familiar common room to talk a little more before heading to sleep.
"Harry Potter? The Boy Who Lived? Come to die!" Harry looked into the face of Voldemort once again.
"Harry! Harry! Don't do it Harry!" He turned to see all of the people he loved, in a pile on the floor.
"He he he he. Looks like Potter isn't that great after all!" He turned once more to see Bellatrix Lestrange running around laughing, taunting him. He turned back to Voldemort and looked into his hollow eyes.
"You killed them! You killed them!" He fell to his knees and was suddenly holding Ginny's lifeless body, tears streaming down his face.
"Don't worry Harry, I know you'll see your dear Weasley friend again where you're going!" Harry looked up once more to see Voldemort pointing his wand at him.
"AVADA KEDA-!"
Harry woke up suddenly in his four poster bed, the early morning sun streaming through the windows. He rubbed his eyes, trying to make the vision of Ginny's lifeless body in his arms go away. He decided to get up and get ready, as he wouldn't be able to go back to sleep after that dream. When he got back from the shower, all dressed and shaved, Neville had also gotten up to get ready.
"Got up early also mate, huh?" Harry said, grabbing his bag and putting the books he would need for the day in.
"Yeah. It's around breakfast time so I guess we could head down in a bit." He looked down putting his shoes on.
"Yeah I was gonna go check on Snowstorm before I head down so I'll see you there." Neville waved him goodbye as Harry left his bag on his bed and headed to the owlery. He got there and called Snowstorm down. The owl landed on his arm and chirped softly as it ruffled his feathers. Harry spent a few moments bonding with the owl, before Snowstorm opened his wings and flew up to the top of the owlery. Harry watched him for a moment before heading back up to the dorms.
"Hermione are you sure you're okay?" Ginny was still worried about her friend, and still ticked about her brother not showing up. She looked up from her toast and waved Ginny off.
"Stop worrying Ginny. I'm fine." She gave an attempted smile before waving to Harry who was walking towards them. He sat down beside Ginny and smiled at them before grabbing some breakfast.
"Oh, Professor Tonks is handing out schedules." Ginny pointed out their new head of house, who was walking down the table handing everyone parchment. As she got to them she smiled.
"Hello Mr. Potter. It's nice to see you again." Harry looked up and smiled as she handed him his schedule.
"Thanks Professor." She gave Hermione and Ginny their parchments before continuing on.
"Looks like I'm in all of you're classes Harry." Ginny pointed out, happy with the arrangement. She looked over at Hermione's paper.
"Wow. Are you taking everything again this year?" Hermione shrugged.
"I fit in as much as possible. I didn't want to go through the time turners again." Harry laughed a little at the thought and continued eating. After they all finished eating, Harry and Ginny parted ways with Hermione and headed to their classes. They both stayed together throughout the day, and met up with their friends during lunch. After their short break, they headed to their last class of the day, before going up to the common room and relaxed before dinner.
"I was expecting a lot more homework than what we got." Ginny said sitting in a chair near the fire. Harry laughed dropping his bag next to hers and sitting on the floor.
"What time does everyone else get off their classes?" Harry asked fixing his glasses.
"Eh, not for another hour I believe."
"Well in that case, want to go for a walk?" Harry got up and held out his hand, which Ginny took.
They walked side by side in the late afternoon sun, talking, and thinking. They found a spot under a tree in an area that was fairly deserted except for the occasional straggler or two. Harry put his arm around Ginny and they sat there for a few moments, quiet.
"Harry, are you going to miss this?" Ginny asked, looking up at him.
"Miss what?" He questioned looking down at her.
"This. The train rides, the castle, the classes. It's a part of us that we've had for years. And now, this is our last year." He thought for a moment before answering.
"Well, of course I'm going to miss it. This has been my home and I've met everyone I know today here. But then again, I do want to move past it. There's so much for me to do outside of Hogwarts, but I'll never forget the times I've had here." She smiled at him.
"I guess I feel the same. Some of the best times of my life happened here." He grinned.
"Like what?"
"Well, I met you. I've gone on a bunch of adventures, and I've learned so much. It's just sad that we'll have to leave." He leaned down and kissed her.
"I'm sure we're gonna have a lot of fun times outside of the castle also." She grinned up at him.
"I don't doubt that."