Harry Potter - Best Friends Choose Career

Harry could hear Ginny cooing softly as he entered the room. His jaw dropped when he saw a redheaded baby in Ginny's arms. For a minute, he thought it was their baby, but then the baby saw him and changed his hair color to black. It was Teddy.

"Look at him!" Ginny cooed. Teddy giggled.

Harry could easily visualize Ginny as his wife and Teddy as his son. He joined them and pulled Ginny to himself. Teddy looked content and drowsy in Ginny's arm, and Ginny pressed her head against Harry's chest.

"When will they come back, Harry?" Her voice was muffled by his shirt.

Harry grinned, and offered his finger from his free hand to Teddy, who grasped it in his tiny hand. On the surface, Ginny was a strong woman who did not give in to emotions. But deep within, she was like her mother. Molly and Ginny were the most affected by the idea of their family not being together now, as Ron and Hermione, who had gone to Australia. It was nearly September, and Ginny would be leaving for Hogwarts. Hermione had promised to join her.

Ron, like Harry, was to start his Auror training in September. Harry too missed his best friends, but knew how important it was for Hermione to have her parents back. But the sound of Ginny's muffled sniffles also broke his heart.

"Very soon. Before you know it!" He rubbed her back. "Andromeda is back from her hospital visit to collect Teddy."

"Oh, right." Ginny swiped at her eyes against his shirt and looked up at Harry. "Let's go to the living room, then."

When the couple handed over Teddy to his grandmother, Andromeda sniffled, "Thank you very much for the trouble. Ever since Dora and Remus died... for everything you are doing..."

"Oh, no, please!" Ginny protested.

"It is our pleasure." Molly said, "Andromeda, you and Teddy are family."

Harry couldn't speak. Mentions of Remus these days had similar effects to Sirius, or James, and Lily being mentioned to him. His eyes would water, and he would lose his voice. This time, Ginny pulled him into her arms.

"It's okay, Harry." She comforted her boyfriend. Harry sniffled against Ginny's collarbone, and hastily swiped at his eyes and nose.

Andromeda gave a weak smile, patted Harry on the back, "Take care, dear. Do not hesitate to ask me anything," she said, and she left.

Harry and Ginny did not have to wait longer than that. During the last week of August, Ron and Hermione showed up after almost two months of staying in Australia. Hermione's parents were upset and understandably angry over their memories being altered and them being sent away, all without their knowledge or consent. At the same time, they understood why their daughter had taken such extreme steps. But they did request that they be given time to come to terms with everything. That meant they would return to the U.K. on their own terms. Hermione was crying, but was otherwise okay.

Since May, everyone Harry knew, including himself and Ginny, were far more involved in spending lone time than ever and Harry suspected a baby boom in the wizarding world shortly. While Dudley had been in George's shop, Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Hermione had attended various trials at the Ministry for accused and ex-Death Eaters, had connected with members of the Order of The Phoenix and the Dumbledore's Army to speak to survivors and the bereaved relatives of those who had given up their lives during the battle, and even attended Ministry functions where several reforms, promotions, awards, and punishments were being given.

The Malfoys were among the accused Death Eaters. They had sufficient proof against them, and enough witnesses that swore that the Malfoys hosted Lord Voldemort and practiced Dark Magic. The three Malfoys were sentenced to Azkaban - Narcissa for six months, Draco for two years, and Lucius for ten years. This was after Harry Potter intervened and told everyone how Draco had hesitated from recognizing him, Ron, and Hermione at Malfoy Manor, and how Narcissa had lied to the pathetic monster's face that Harry was dead so that she could see her son, Draco was fine. Many prominent and common people wanted nothing less than life imprisonment for the Malfoys just like the other Death Eaters.

Now, Dudley had moved to complete his schooling. Likewise, Hermione and Ginny were all set to leave to Hogwarts. Ron and Harry would be terribly missed respectively, but they promised to keep in regular contact and meet them during Hogsmeade weekends.

On the first of September, the four teenagers made their way to Kings Cross Station.

"So, your cousin has left finally. Glad he didn't cause trouble." Ron said.

"Oh, I was hoping to get him someday. After all the troubles he's given Harry." Hermione said.

"Guys, there's no need to do all that. In fact, I received an owl saying he has joined his new school and will keep in touch with us. Professor Dumbledore always believed in second chances, and so do I. I believe Dudley can be a better person. I believe Draco Malfoy too, can."

Ron and Hermione scowled, while Ginny shook her head.

Before anyone could say anything further, the teens met a familiar, blonde-haired witch who had been an integral member of the D.A.

"Luna!" Hermione and Ginny hugged Luna, who gladly returned the hug with warmth.

"Hiya, Ron! Harry!" She looked and greeted both the boys with equal enthusiasm. Harry and Ron too greeted her happily.

"I am excited for a new year." Luna said brightly.

"How, Luna? After everything that happened? I wouldn't have gone, but after F-F-Fred, George, and Ron, Mum wouldn't have me drop out of school!" Ginny said. She wiped her eyes with the mention of her brother.

"Ginny! Your future is important!" Harry chided her. He firmly believed that he ought to be an encouraging boyfriend, and the first step to do so was to discourage anything that might hinder progress. "You do want to try out for the HolyHead Harpies, right?"

"Quidditch doesn't have anything to do with my N.E.W.T.S." Ginny protested.

"But you are Quidditch captain this year, Ginny. If you try your best this year at Quidditch, you will get a good headstart!" Hermione said. "Also, I need company. Much as I'm glad to be rid of these two prats, I'd terribly miss their company."

Harry and Ron laughed, and Ginny smirked, "I always knew you were a know-it-all."

Hermione blew a raspberry at Ginny and joined her in laughing out loud.

"You won't tell anything to your sister, Ron?" An ever observant Luna asked Ron.

"It is her wish. Her career choices should be entirely her decision. Nobody has the right to force anything upon anybody. Completing her seventh year would help, but if it's not related to her field, she can still boast of an added advantage." Ron shrugged.

"And that is why Ron is the King!" Ginny hugged her brother happily. Ron returned her hug warmly, "I'll miss you, Ginny."

"Me too!" Ginny said, as Harry and Hermione shared a warm hug.

Finally saying goodbye to Luna, Harry and Ron left to the Ministry, eager to receive instructions and training from that day on.