Next morning everyone was quiet. Molly hugged Ginny and everyone said their goodbyes.

Ginny was ready. Her bags were packed and tied to the end of her broom. She took one last look at the house she grew up in and then swung her leg over the broom and took off.

Everyone waved until she became a small speck in the sky. Harry waited a little longer, the speck had disappeared and now he could only see the blue sky. She was gone.

"She said she would send us an owl when she reached." Hermione said, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"I know. I'm not sad. I'm happy for her." Harry said, turning away from the clear sky. "Ron and I are going to get our books and things from Diagon Ally. Come with us.

Harry, Ron and Hermione first went to Madam Malkins for their uniform. Ron was getting a new set of robes from the money the ministry had awarded them for saving the wizarding world.

After Madam Malkins they went to Flourish & Blotts and picked up their books. They passed Ollivanders who had reopened his shop. There were a lot of witches and wizards who needed new wands this time. When they passed the Owl Emporium, Harry started at the Owls in the window. He thought about Headwig who died and how he would never get an owl to replace her.

After their shopping they went back to the Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Molly brought food. George and Lee closed the shop early and they sat down together to eat.

This was the light in the dark tunnel. After the dark times they had been through, after all the lives lost, they were now able to move on without guilt or fear.

Harry was happy too. He was going to show Molly his new house so that she would keep herself busy in fixing the place up. Once he was back from Hogwarts he would finally have a place of his own.

*******

The next few days, everyone became very busy. The Burrow was often empty. Arthur, Charlie and Percy would be at work. George and Lee would be at the shop Harry, Ron and Molly headed down to Ottery Bay to fix up the old house Harry bought.

"The house seems solid enough. The roof would have to be checked of course, we wouldn't want it to leak during the rains." Molly said while inspecting the house.

There were 4 bedrooms in total. The reason Harry chose this one was because of the spiral staircase leading to the bedrooms. It was similar to the one in the Burrow. There was plenty of land behind the house which looked like a mini Quidditch pitch.

"You could use some more green out front but otherwise this place is great!" Molly said. She looked very excited to start decorating the place.

Ron patted him on the back. "Congratulations, mate" he said, grinning.

"Aguamenti." Molly said from outside, pointing her wand to the top of the building. A jet of water poured out and sprayed all over the building.

"RON! Check for leaks" Molly called out. Harry and Ron came out of the house, completely drenched.

"I think we have a lot to fix." Ron said, shaking water out of his red hair.

As the days moved closer to September 1st, Harry relaxed. Hermione visited every evening.

"My parents want to drop me off at King's cross tomorrow." Hermione said the night before they had to go. "I think it's progress. They remember how it felt to send me to school."

"That's good." Ron said, taking her hand. "I knew they would come around."

"I hope you two are done packing." Molly said to Harry and Ron.

Ron rolled his eyes the moment his mother's back was turned. "You think she would stop nagging after we saved the world and all." Ron grumbled, dragging his feet up the stairs to go to their room.

Harry stopped at Ginny's door. He placed a hand on it, wondering if he should open it or not. Deciding against it, he followed Ron to the room.

They were far from packed. Clothes and books were scattered around the room. Ink bottles and quilts were dumped in a corner. The cauldron with their ingredients lay sideways under the bed. Everything was a mess.

"How are we going to get all this done by tonight."Ron moaned.

"Need some help?" Came Hermione's voice from behind.

"Hermione, you are a life saver!" Ron said in relief.

"So Harry, I had been thinking. Do you want to hide your identity at Hogwarts? I could use the same spell I did when you worked at the shop." Hermione said, waving her wand to fold all the clothes and pile them up nearly at the end of his bed.

"Would it help? If anyone saw me with the two of you, they would figure out who I am anyways." Harry said.

"That's true." Hermione said, thinking hard as she started moving the neat piles into the trunk.

"I think this time everyone is busy recovering from the war, they just won't bother us." Ron said.

"Us? Probably... But Harry? I doubt they would leave alone. He is the one who ended the war after all." Hermione said.

"You are the one who wanted to go back." Ron snapped.

"Yes I did! But I don't Harry to do it if he is uncomfortable with this." Hermione said. Then they both turned to Harry.

"I wrote to McGonagall about this anyways. She said she has a plan." Harry said.

"Then I'm not worried." Ron said finally. Hermione still looked worried but dint say anything. She just kept moving things into the trunk quietly.

Suddenly there were footsteps outside their door. It was Molly. "Come down for dinner. Your father is on his way."

"I have to get home." Hermione said, getting up.

"You are not staying for dinner?" Molly asked.

"Thank you Mrs Weasley, but my parents want me home for dinner." Hermione said. "Things are getting better now. They are getting over the fact I wasn't with them for a whole year. The effects of a memory charm are a lot more complicated than I thought."

"I know dear." Molly said, giving her a hug. "Is that why you want to go back to Hogwarts? Because I think there are some things you can only learn from experience."

Hermione wiped away a tear and smiled at Molly. It's true, experience was a better teacher but there was something so satisfying in burying oneself in books.

Next morning there was no hustle. Since it was only Harry and Ron who was going to Hogwarts. Everyone else decided to come and see them off at the station. Arthur managed to get ministry cars to take them.

They crossed the barrier to platform 9 and three quarters, two by two. The platform was packed with people. They caught up with Hermione who was waiting for them with her parents.

Suddenly Molly pulled Harry and Ron into a big hug before they got on the train.

"We better go find a compartment, looks like there are a lot more people this year." Hermione said.

The train began to move exactly at 11.00. As they waved from the window, they saw Molly wiping her eyes on her sleeve. Arthur had one hand on her shoulder and other was waving at them.

Harry, Ron and Hermione did not get an empty compartment but they shared one with Neville, Luna, Dean and Seamus.

Neville was the one who changed the most. He was no longer the nervous little boy who fumbled around. He was now confident and happy.

Luna was the same as ever. Dreamily reading her Quibbler magazine.

Seamus and Dean were filling them in with their stories after the war. 

Dean was in St.Mungo's for weeks before he regained consciousness. He spent the rest of his time helping the healers and talking to family's who came to visit their loved ones in the hospital. He planned become a healer after hogwarts.

Seamus survived the battle with only scrapes and bruises. He however did not leave Hogwarts immediately. He stayed to help rebuild the place.

"I don't think there is a room of requirement anymore. I spent days up there desperately trying to get it to open." Seamus said.

The door slid open and a witch with the trolley came in. "Anything off the trolley dears?" She asked.

They bought a load of sweets as they were getting hungry from all the talking.

Soon it was dark and they changed into their school robes. Harry was getting nervous. Once they had reached, they gathered at the place waiting for their carriages. Hagrid waves at them before calling all the first years towards him.

Suddenly there was a loud gasp from a number of people when the carriages arrived. Most of them came from the students who had helped fight the battle at Hogwarts. Harry knew why immediately.

The creatures which pulled the carriages were called Thestrals. They were dark and had wings. But they could only be seen by wizards who have seen death.
Harry had first seen them in the beginning of his fifth year, months after he saw Cedric get killed. Luna was the only one to see it then.

"I see them now." Ron gasped, staring at them.

"I think most of us can." Hermione said looking around at the thong if students. She was right. Many were hesitant to get on because they were scared of the Thestrals.

"Come on then, no point standing here." Harry said, impatiently before getting into a carriage. Others followed suit.

When the others saw Harry get in they did the same but a loud buzz began. Nobody realized that the golden trio was back at Hogwarts. The hero who saved the wizarding world from Voldemort.

Harry ignored the sound of people talking and watched the castle come into view. How he missed being at Hogwarts!

*******

Harry, Ron and Hermione are back at Hogwarts. Everything seems normal but a lot has changed!

Ginny has gone to become famous Quidditch player, but don't worry Hinny shippers, she will be back!

Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
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