Harry's POV

I was making my way to the hospital wing with Ron and Ginny to check on Hermione. It was Saturday and we had to leave for America on Monday. That meant Hermione had to get well enough by tomorrow so she could come with us. Madame Pomfrey had told us that her wounds were healing up perfectly and that she would be able to walk in a couple of days, but we were still worried.

Ginny had done most of the planning this time since Hermione was in hospital and we couldn't very well discuss anything in there without fear of being overheard. Nobody except Professor McGonnagal and Draco knew that we were leaving.

Ginny had talked to Professor McGonnagal about how we would be getting there. Since the deatheaters were basically monitoring everything that happened around us, there was no way we could apparate. The floo network was under observation too, so that left us with one choice. Muggle transportation.

We would be leaving for the airport early in the morning on Monday and board a flight for California. None of us, except Hermione had ever been on an airplane before so this was a cause of alarm, but Hermione had assured us she would take care of it. I just hoped we didn't attract attention. The Durslwys had never taken me with them on their holidays, leaving me with Mrs Figg instead. So I was just as clueless as Ron, Ginny, Neville and Luna.

We reached the hospital wing and opened the doors to see Hermione sitting up in her bed with her head resting against the headboard, and the curtains around her drawn apart. She looked healthier, and I felt sweet relief wash over me as we all sat down around her.

"How are you, Mione?" I asked her and she smiled weakly at us.

"I'm loads better, thanks," she replied, and it was clear that she was better. There were no bags under her eyes anymore and her skin was regaining color quickly. Her lips were no longer parched, and the bandages that used to be all over her had decreased remarkably.

Ginny placed a box of chocolates that we had gotten her from Honeydukes yesterday on the small table and Hermione's eyes lit up.

"Thanks so much, you guys," she smiled and we grinned, glad to see her recovering.

"Ron picked them out," I decided to say. Hermione's eyes narrowed and she cleared her throat uneasily.

"Oh. Er, thanks...Ron," she says without looking at him.

Well, it was worth a shot, I thought to myself. Ron sat awkwardly at the foot of the bed and mumbled. "You're welcome."

"Okay," I cleared my throat. "So we leave on Monday. Which means we need to pack everything by tomorrow." I looked at Hermione and she grinned brightly.

"I'll be out by tomorrow morning so I'll take care of that. Just pack your essentials and leave the other things to me. You'll all need to get muggle clothing of course."

Ginny's eyes went wide and she stated at Hermione incredulously. "You mean we absolutely can't wear our robes?" She looked panic-stricken and I could not help but crack a smile at her naivety.

Hermione shook her head. "Not if you don't want to look like some hippie from the old times."

I chuckled and said. "Muggle clothes aren't that bad, Gin. You'll look great in them." Ginny smiled softly at me and said.

"Okay, that means we need to get the clothes before we leave." Hermione glances over at her and grins.

"We'll go shopping tomorrow then. I'll be out of here by ten, so we can leave anytime after that."

"Okay," I sigh. "That's decided then, and I'll tell Neville and Luna too."

We sat there for a little while before deciding that it was time to go. The hallways were filled with students as they made their way to the Great Hall for dinner and the smell of a freshly cooked meal wafted toward us as we walked

The house tables were all full as uaual and the hall was bursting with chatter. I had no idea what our new school was going to be like, but I did know that I would miss Hogwarts a whole lot. The Great Hall, the Quiditch pitch and Hagrid's hut especially. I made a mental note to go down to Hagrid's tomorrow.

We ate to our hearts content, piling as much food on our plates as we could. The house elves had really outdone themselves as usual. Neville was sitting a couple of people ahead of me so I did not bother telling him about tomorrow's plan. We would have time for that later anyway.

"We need to tell the DA about the meetings being cancelled," Ginny whispered so only Ron and I could hear. She was right. Who would lead them while we were gone? Neville and Luna were coming with us so there was no way they could do it.

"But we need the students to be prepared," Ron pointed out. "If there's an attack, they need to know how to defend themselves."

He had a point. If the death-eaters came, the teachers would need all the help they could get. The castle had to be protected and every trained witch and wizard was of value.

"We need to ask someone to hold meetings while we're gone then," I said. We went through the list of everyone who had returned to Hogwarts, but could only come up with Katie Bell, Hannah Abbott, Eerie MacMillian, Lavender Brown and the Patil twins as suitable leaders.

"I'll talk to them after dinner," Ginny told us.

"Weren't we not supposed to tell anyone we're leaving?" Ron asked suddenly.

That made us all fall silent. I could not think of an answer to that. After a while Ginny suggested that maybe we could just tell Professor McGonnagal the problem, and she could start a Dueling Club like Lockhart had in our second year. That was pretty much the only chance we had.

So while Ron and Ginny went to give Hermione a plate of fried chicken that we had managed to save for her, I went to the Headmistress's office.
Stepping on the moving spiral staircase, I went over every flaw in our plan, but decided in the end that it was a good enough idea.

Professor McGonnagal was sitting behind her desk, working on some papers when I entered and she looked up once the door closed behind me. "Potter," she greeted, motioning to one of the chairs placed opposite her. I took a seat and ran a hand through my hair.

"Good evening, Professor," I began and she smiled slightly.

"Evening, Harry," she said. "Hoe are things going? I was going to call for you tomorrow morning to check how things are going. How's Miss Granger doing?"

"She's doing good. She'll be out of the hospital wing tomorrow," I told her. "Her wounds are healing pretty fast."

"That's good news," she replied. "Most people would have taken longer to recover."

"Yeah," I chuckled. "Hermione's pretty tough."

"Have you packed everything for the trip?" She was wearing a deadly serious expression.

"Er, yes, Professor. We plan on going to London tomorrow to get muggle clothing too. Other than that, everything is ready," she nodded approvingly.

"And, you are prepared for this?"

"We are," I said firmly, and then added. "Professor, we were thinking; since we'll be gone, there won't be anyone left to run Dumbledore's Army..."

"That has bern taken care of, Potter. I'm working on details, but you needn't worry," she said with a gentle smile.

"Are you sure?" I asked uncertainly. She waved her hand dismissively before saying.

"Of course, I am, Potter. And I have something to ask of you too. During the time you are in America, I want regular updates of what's going on. Please owl me once a week."

I nodded carefully. "Of course, Professor."

"However, you will have to be careful with your letters to me, and to Mr Malfoy, should the owls be intercepted."

"I will, Professor," I told her reassuringly and she smiled one of her rare smiles.

"Alright then," she said. "You should get some sleep. I will see you on Monday morning here in my office."

"Night. Professor."

"Goodnight, Potter."

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A/N

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