"So, let me get this straight, you had students being petrified left and right, which very few magical creatures can do, and you did nothing!" To say James Potter was seething, would be an understatement. "Mandrakes would cure that, but instead of buying some, you decide to wait and grow your own!" Dumbledore sat at his desk, fingers steepled in front of him.
"I'm not sure what you expected me to do James. Things have been very busy with the Harpy uprising in Norway this year."
"Then maybe you're doing too much, old friend. Either way, Harry's leaving." James turned to walk out of the headmaster's office.
"I'm sorry," Dumbledore spluttered. "What do you mean he's leaving. He can't leave the school."
James rounded on the headmaster; eyes almost glowing with fury. "Listen, we have been told *for years* that Hogwarts is one of the safest places in Britain. Lily and I leave for a year to study some random bug in the Amazon and when we return, we learn that a *frickin' Basilisk* has been roaming the school and that *my son* had to kill it! We've decided that we will home school Harry from now on. I'm sure he will love to travel the world with us."
"But,"
"Not buts Albus. I am collecting Harry as I leave and you have no say in it."
James walked out of the office, knowing that he had probably just ruined his relationship with one of his oldest mentors. But Harry's safety was worth it. He walked through the twisting halls of the Hogwarts Castle, floods of memories coming to his mind. Memories of him and his fellow Marauders, of pranks and fun, of love and lost. He took one of the secret passages that led into the Gryffindor boy's dormitory. They never did find one that led into the girls domitory, not for lack of trying.
He walked into Harry's room, knowing his son would see him on the map. Sure enough, a few minutes later Harry came walking in. James pulled him into a hug. "Dad, what's wrong? Did you meeting with Dumbledore not go well?"
James sighed; Harry could hear the weariness in him. "No son, not really. Your mother and I are not very happy with the headmaster right now. Don't worry about it too much though." James let go of his son and knelt down to eye level with him.
"Son, your mother and I have decided that it would be best to pull you out of Hogwarts and home school you from now on." He waited to see what Harry's reaction would be. It was better than he had feared. Harry simply nodded.
"Is this because of the Basilisk?"
"Yes Son. You are more important to us than anything in the world. What you went through this year, it horrifies me. No adult, let alone a twelve-year-old, should have to go through that. So, we've decided that for your safety, it would be best. Are you okay with it?"
Harry thought for a moment, then nodded. "It was really scary dad. I don't think I could be here without being reminded of it."
James pulled Harry back into a long hug. They simply held each other, knowing how close they had come to losing each other. "Pack your things Son, I'll meet you in the entrance hall." James ducked back into the secret passage and the wall closed behind him. Harry sat on his bed for a moment, thinking about how his life would change. He would miss Quidditch, but he sill had his broom and could fly at home. He enjoyed learning, but his mother was as smart, if not smarter, than most of the professors. Going to school in a castle was cool, but the memories would haunt him forever.
The only thing he could not imagine himself without, was Hermione. They had become fast friends during their second month at Hogwarts, when he stood up for her against some random pureblood bigot. After that, they had a fairly normal first year. They learned basic magic, Potions was horrible, and Hufflepuff won the house cup. This year though, things went wrong. Harry shuddered and pushed the memories from his mind.
He looked up at a knock at the dormitory door. Hermione poked her head in and when she saw him came in and sat beside him. They simple sat there in silence for a few minutes. Neither not quite knowing how to start. Harry looked at his friend, she looked haunted. She hadn't slept much since she was petrified. Dark circles hung from her eyes. He saw tear stains on her cheeks and a letter sticking out of her pocket.
"Hermione, what wrong?" Hermione looked up, trying to hold back tears.
"Oh Harry," she said throwing herself around his neck, sobs lightly racking her body. "My parents. They, they want me to leave Hogwarts." Tears were openly streaming down her face now, she clung to Harry like he was the only thing keeping her upright. "You're my best friend Harry, I don't want to leave you."
Harry stroked her and made comforting sounds to her. "Shh. Shh. It'll be okay Hermione. Hey, listen to me." He pulled her back to look into her eyes. "My parents are pulling me out too. They are going to home school me from now on. I'm sure they wouldn't mind having you as well." Hermione wiped her eyes on her sleeve.
"Are you sure? They won't mind?"
"Mind? Of course not! They love you Hermione, they always wanted a daughter, and I know mum will love having someone who loves learning as much as she does around."
Hermione's face broke into a humongous smile. She launched herself at Harry again, wrapping in another of her Hermione hugs. This one though, was pure joy.
When they broke apart, both still had huge grins of their face. "Well, let me get packed and we can head down..." Harry trailed off as Hermione just waved her wand and all his things flew into his chest.
"Show off," Harry said playfully.
"Come on, let's go," she said as she grabbed his hand and pulled. And so, they walked out of the dormitory for the last time, ready to face their new future together, hand in hand.