HP8 (On Hold)

Returning

Hermione and Ron returned from Australia with Hermione’s parents towards the end of August. 

Their trip had taken them four weeks, they had spent a great deal of time travelling through Australia following every lead that appeared, the time spent together had allowed the relationship to grow into something serious and permanent. 

As usual at the Burrow, the occasion was cause for a party, Mr and Mrs Granger were delighted to be home, but had enjoyed their enforced holiday in Australia and were happy to chat about all that they had done, and how impressed they were with Hermione’s ability to modify their memories which had kept them safe. 

During the party everyone could see how much closer Ron and Hermione now were, they had no need to continually touch each other or stay by each others side, but it was very obvious to all who attended the party, that they were now a lot closer to each other, and the lack of bickering proved that things had progressed well while they were away.  Harry thought he had never seen Ron looking so sure of himself, and Hermione looked a lot softer and content than Harry remembered of her before the trip. 

Hermione was delighted with the news that she could still do her NEWT exams, and had immediately sent a note to Professor McGonagall expressing her intention to return to Hogwarts when the new term started, Ron hadn’t been so enthusiastic about returning to school, he felt he had grown so much in the last year, he wouldn’t be able to return to the strict regime of school, but he caved in to the inevitable when both Hermione and Mrs Weasley immediately raised loads of reasons to return, when he had mentioned the possibility of maybe not bothering with NEWT’s. 

The last week of August was the usual hectic period, their letters from Hogwart’s had arrived, this had entailed the usual trip to Diagon Alley to buy all the new text books and other items they would need at Hogwart’s.  There had also been an interesting note in there letters, it asked that all returning seventh years still use the train and not apparate to Hogsmead. 

There were a couple of notable changes this year though, with his promotion, Mr Weasley was earning a considerable amount more than he had ever previously, and as there was only Ron and Ginny still not earning a wage themselves, the family for the first time ever were able to provide first hand equipment and books.  Harry had also embarrassed Mrs Weasley by giving her a huge bundle of Galleons, saying it was for his keep at the burrow that summer, she had tried to return them to him, saying she couldn’t take money from him, but he was adamant, saying that he could have stayed at his own house at his own expense, she tried to argue this, but in the end she relented once Arthur had told her to “let the lad pay his own way if he wants to Molly.” 

Another difference of Arthurs promotion, was his ability to obtain a couple of Ministry cars to get them all to Diagon Alley for their shopping, Harry got the impression this was also due to his presence, and his continuing need for protection, or so the Ministry thought.  Diagon Alley was almost as busy as it had ever been before the recent trouble times, Harry as usual got a lot of stares, and he asked Mrs Weasley to buy his books for him at the same time as she got Ron’s so he didn’t have to deal with the squeeze in Blorish and Blots.  Harry, Ron and Hermione all got new school robes as there’s were now two years old and far to short.

They met up with several other returning seventh years, they met most of them while obtaining new robes, most of the students had thought that their previous robes would last them, but a lot had either now outgrown them completely, or they were so tattered and torn from the battle that they needed new ones. 

All those students from Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff houses came over to say hello and remark on them having the chance to finish their schooling.   Even a couple of Sytherin returning seventh years said hello, though they were very withdrawn and quiet.