The choice of Harry Potter

The Chosen One makes his choice

POV. Harry Potter

Sometimes I wonder: what would my life have been like if Voldemort had never existed, my parents hadn't been murdered and I had lived in a paceful world? I think I would never have been an auror. Maybe I would be more gentle and carefree, like James, and even become a quidditch player when I left Hogwarts. But on the other hand, I never had learned so many great things, nor made friends like Ron, Hermione, Neville, Luna, Fred, George, Dean, Seamus and so many others, much less found a family as welcoming as the Weasleys, or discovered that I was much more than a waste of space.

Many consider me the best of current era. After all, I am The Elect, The Chosen One, The Boy Who Lived. But I never appreciated that kind of label. They may be positive from the outside, but in reality, they are a burden. After all, I was never the best, nor the greatest, even when I was in Hogwarts. I was never as clever as Mione, I wasn't prefect like Rony! I just did what was supposed to be done. I couldn't let those bad things happn to people I love, nor even see innocent people being harmed. Besides, I couldn't live if Voldemort survived, and he wasn't very interested to let me alone. 

I also had my moments of indecision. In my case, it was right after the Second Wizarding War ended. I had already rested, buried all 147 deads, made a dozen of speechs and interviews, in addition of the awards that my fellows of Dumbledore's Army and I recieved. Order of Merlin, first class, and the best of all, at least for Rony: chocolate frog cards. Of gold.

But I had to decide. September 1st was approaching, and McGonagall was waiting for an answer: would Harry Potter return to Hogwarts or not?

Mione and Rony had their minds up. Too bad it's on opposite sides.

- I don't see reasons for give up another year of study. After all, there is so many things we need to learn! Appart from the NEWTS, we didn't do them, and they are very, very important exams!

- Mione, we don't need any of this! We are already heroes, we already know more than many teachers in Hogwarts and had already done incredible things! We defeated dangerous beasts, destroyed horcruxes, dueled in equal terms with terribly dangerous dark wizards and won! I will not return, Neville isn't going either. And you, Harry?

I still was in doubt. And I barely hear the discussion that continued between Rony and Mione, who remembered that Neville would no longer return to Hogwarts because he had already graduated, and that Mrs. Weasley would hate know her son did not intend to complete his study.

Saí para caminhar um pouco. O jardim da Toca voltara a ficar infestado de gnomos, e chutá-los para bem longe estava sendo um passatempo divertido. Mas fui interrompido pela mulher da minha vida: 

I went out for a little walk. The Burrow's garden was once again infested with gnomes, and kicking them away was proving to be a fun pastime. But I was interrupted for the love of my life: Ginevra Weasley, the future Mrs. Potter.

- Harry, I finally found you! My mom said more gifts arrived! Come on!

I accompanied her, although a little distantly. Being at Hogwarts would mean I would spend more time with her. Ginny would be in her seventh year and I would be her classmate! We would spend more time together, maybe we would date in the garden, or we could use my invisibility cloak to meet in hiding...

- What happened, Harry? Are you worried about something?

- No, Gin... It's just...

- I already know. It's because of Hogwarts, right?

I shrugged. How did she guess? Was it so obvious?

- Relax. On the one hand, it will be great for the two of us to be together all year long, but on the other, it will be a little weird for you to be there among us, having to obey the rules, go to classes and be treated like everyone else...

Yeah, was really weird! And the number of fans would certainly increase fivefold. I wouldn't be able to study alone.

- But it's your decision! And know that whatever you decide, I will support you, I will forever be by your side.

Did you see why I married her? Ginny is great!

But, when we arrived to The Burrow's living room, I was surprised to find Kingsley Shacklebolt sitting drinking tea. He had always been an imposing figure for whom I had deep respect, but now, he was the Minister of Magic.

- Oh, how are you, Harry? I was waiting for you, so we could talk.

Ginny leaves with Mrs. Weasley, who insisted to stay (I don't doubt at all that they heard our conversation), and Shacklebolt and I were alone.

- So, Harry... What are you plans from now on?

I swallowed. I wasn't ready to answer, much less to the Minister of Magic.

- Well, you don't need to respond right now, I just wanted to invite you. We at the Ministry are opening vacancies for new aurors. After all, we had many casualties during the war and you know this more than anyone else – Tonks, Mad-Eye... Oh, I knew it very well. – And at first, we decided to make an exception for those who fought in the Battle of Hogwarts.

- What do you mean?

- Those who fought alongside you in the Battle and survived will have the chance to try to become an Auror, even if they didn't achieve excellent grades in their NEWTs.

At that time I didn't believe it. So I wouldn't need to go back to Hogwarts to be an Auror? On the one hand, this life of fights, duels and chasing criminals was perhaps too tiring. I wanted some peace for now. But I soon realized that it wasn't possible.

- We would love for you to try, Harry, you were phenomenal, incredible, you would be an excellent Auror, you have talent and we still haven't managed to capture all the escaped Death Eaters. The Lestrange brothers, for example. And also... – Shacklebolt was talking and talking and I was filled with the desire to get out of there right away and run after all these people.

If there's one thing I've never been able to stand, it's injustice. And there was no greater injustice than seeing murderers go unpunished. But there was one thing that still held me back.

- So, Shacklebolt... But will the Ministry maintain the same policies as before? 

- What do you mean? 

- About the Dementors... 

- Forget the Dementors, Harry! They will no longer be Azkaban guards. We haven't yet decided who or what will replace them, but I give you my word, Harry, as long as I'm at the Minister, we won't associate with dementors or anything else that could harm innocent people! 

That was all I needed to hear. I immediately accepted Shacklebolt's invitation and became one of the youngest Aurors of this century. From then on, I was the youngest to do everything: the youngest head of the Auror Office, the youngest head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement... Some of my friends, like Neville and Rony, retired to pursue their biggest dreams. Neville became a Herbology professor at Hogwarts and Rony started running Weasley's Wizard Wheezes with George, but I feel like I'm where I always should be: fighting crime and the forces of evil.