Beyond the Emerald Green

Special Thanks: To 007 and RavenNat, my beta readers

Chapter One

Departure

"If you so much as leave a sock behind, don’t bother coming back for it!"

If I did, it wouldn’t matter. My socks are your old ones, anyway. You can keep them, for all I care.

Harry stood in the foyer. A large trunk and an extra small bag to the side were hastily pushed toward the door. They stared at each other heatedly, unsure of what to do. Aside from the vehement outbursts, the house at number four Privet Drive was eerily silent. The only sounds he could hear was the ticking of the clock in the hall and his own excited breathing. It had taken eighteen years, but finally, the day had come. Harry wasn’t sure who was more eager for him to leave, his uncle or himself.

"And don’t you dare come trudging back here thinking you’ll have a place to stay. Once you’re out, you’re out for good. Keep your freak business to yourself, and leave us alone." His Uncle Vernon pointed a chubby finger at him. Normally, if he were younger, Harry would tremble at his feet and nod nervously at his uncle’s words. However, now that he was eighteen and legally an adult, not to mention a full head’s height taller than his fat, gargantuan relative, the threat was a welcome one. Harry had no intention on ever returning to Privet Drive, no matter what predicament he might find himself in.

There was a loud honk and a slamming of a car door outside. Harry quickly went to the window, his uncle snorting angrily behind him. Much to his relief and joy, Ron Weasley and his father were coming up the walkway to the porch.

"Don’t you dare invite them in!" shrieked Harry’s Aunt Petunia, who had rushed into the living room from the confines of her kitchen to peer in the window as well.

Harry rolled his eyes and did not hesitate to rush to the door and open it before Mr. Weasley had a chance to raise his fist to knock.

"Ah! Harry! All-"

Harry threw his trunk and bag out the door to Ron, nearly knocking him over before he even had a chance to stop walking.

"Set?" Mr. Weasley finished, blinking.

"Hey Ron, hello Mr. Weasley. Yes, I’m ready." Harry said quickly with a large grin on his face. He stepped out the door as Mr. Weasley gave him a quick, friendly hug, then turned to look back at the Dursleys, who were scowling at him as if he were a juvenile delinquent. Then again, they always looked upon him as a juvenile delinquent.

Harry was about to mutter a goodbye, just out of politeness, before his uncle barked out:

"Don’t show your face around here ever again, boy. Keep to your ruddy kind."

Even through his fascination with Muggles, Mr. Weasley had heard and seen enough of this pair to drive him mad. His hand went to his wand, sheathed in his cloak, before Harry put a hand on his shoulder and shook his head.

"Don’t bother," he whispered. "Don’t waste energy on those pieces of trash."

Mr. Weasley blushed slightly, his face still set with anger, as the Dursleys slammed the door fearfully in their faces. He nodded and smiled sheepishly at Harry, heading back down the walkway to a car that had obviously been provided by the Ministry of Magic. Ron was already inside, having tucked Harry’s trunk and bag in the rear. As Harry walked away behind Mr. Weasley, he pulled out his wand slowly and raised it behind his back. A spell slipped out of his mouth, and inaudible clicks of door and window locks were issued all around Number Four, locking its inhabitants inside. The electricity was then cut off, and he could just hear his aunt shrieking in response.

"What’s so funny?" Ron asked as he climbed into the back seat with him.

Harry had been trying hard to stifle a laugh, but he managed to keep his composure with a smile.

"Nothing. I’m just happy to finally be able to leave. For good."

"I didn’t see your cousin, Duddy, or whoever." Mr. Weasley said as they pulled away from Privet Drive.

"He already left for college in Oxford. I don’t think I’ve ever seen my aunt cry so hard in my life when he left. If I could help it, I would have thrown a party." Harry said, not looking back at his old home.

"That’s one bash I sure wouldn’t have missed!" Ron laughed, his flaming red hair scraping the roof of the large car. While Harry was tall, Ron was even taller, as he always had been. Only now, he threatened to tower above his father.

"Now, boys, you know not to use magic inappropriately, right?" Mr. Weasley looked at them both in the rear view mirror.

They merely chuckled.

"Right?" Mr. Weasley pressed.

"Er, sure dad, yeah." Ron grinned.

Mr. Weasley sighed and ran a hand through his graying hair. Harry and Ron couldn’t help but to laugh finally.

"And to think that you two are going to be in the Royal Auror’s Society. Heaven help us all." Mr. Weasley narrowed his eyes at them through the mirror.

"Don’t worry, Mr. Weasley, we’ll be good boys. Honest!" Harry smiled his best smile.

"That’s what I’m afraid of." He chuckled. "I almost set a bad example for the two of you back there. At least you had more sense than I did then, Harry, to stop me. Would have been embarrassing for the head of Muggle Artifacts to have hexed a pair of Muggles."

"As much as I wanted you to turn them into roaches, I figured as much." Harry grinned.

"I would have done it, anyway." Ron whispered.

"I know." Both Harry and Mr. Weasley said.

They all laughed for a good five minutes afterward, imagining the numerous things they could have turned the Dursleys into, before they finally settled and the busy streets of London came into view.

"Tom has everything set for you at the Leaky Cauldron. Your mother, Ron, wants you to owl home as soon as you can. You too, Harry; She already sent Hedwig ahead to your room so that you could owl her back. I still don’t know why you two refuse to stay at the Burrow until you ship off to the Society." Mr. Weasley said.

"We’ve been through this, dad, a million times." Ron crossed his arms, exasperated. "If we’re to be on our own we have to start out on our own from the get-go. Besides, you still got Ginny… and Percy is there, too. Consider this a blessing that the house will be tolerable now, what with the twins off in America with their growing joke store business."

"I just got a postcard from them, by the way." Harry said. "It had a picture of a wizard trying desperately hard to free himself from getting stuck in a bale of hay. They just struck a deal and bought out a smaller business based in Idaho."

"Yeah, we got a postcard, too." Ron said. "Only, there was a potato stuck to ours."

"It was very good." Mr. Weasley grinned in the rear view.

"You ate it?!" Ron looked indignant.

"Well, what else do you do with potatoes?" Mr. Weasley laughed.

"Muggles sometimes make batteries with them. They are supposed to be able to conduct electricity." Harry said, laughing at Ron’s response.

"Oh! Really? How fascinating! Let’s hope we get more potatoes from them, then. I’d like to see how that’s done!" Mr. Weasley was ecstatic.

Ron groaned and rolled his eyes, Harry laughing until his stomach hurt. He had never before felt more free, not even when he had stepped onto the Hogwarts Express for the first time his first year. Harry was full of happiness, and he felt like he could accomplish anything. The troubled memories of his lonely childhood seemed to be left behind at Privet Drive, where he would never set foot again.

It wasn’t long until Mr. Weasley pulled over to the curve in front of the Leaky Cauldron. Ron ducked out of the car and Harry helped pull their luggage from the trunk. Mr. Weasley went inside and notified Tom that they were there. By the time both boys had their luggage on the sidewalk, Tom and Mr. Weasley were outside to help them into the pub.

"Seems like only yesterday I met the young hero, so small and wide-eyed. Now look at you!" Tom shook Harry’s hand as they walked inside.

"Hello, Tom. How’s business?" He looked around at the pub, noticing at once the low light level and smell of mead. However, as Tom sighed and continued to drag Harry’s trunk to the foot of the stairs leading to the upper floor where the rooms were, he noticed that there was only one other person in the whole pub. And this wizard was slouched over and snoring in a drunken sleep.

Ron sidled up beside Harry and shook his head.

"Poor Tom, not much business anymore." He whispered.

"I thought it was just because it was morning." Harry nearly lied. Ever since Voldemort’s return four years prior, the magical community had been in a steady decline. Fear was in everyone’s eyes, and every time Harry looked at someone he couldn’t help but to feel a pang of slight guilt. Had it not been for him when he was fourteen, Voldemort would still be a powerless shadow in some remote forest of the country. He never voiced this emotion to anyone, but his closest friends could see it in his own eyes.

"Someone’s waiting for you in your room, Mr. Potter." Tom smiled a toothy grin, bowing slightly as Harry and Ron went upstairs, closely followed by Mr. Weasley.

"No funny business now, Harry." Mr. Weasley teased.

"Yeah, right." Harry rolled his eyes, chuckling as he opened the door to his room. A comfortable bed, dresser, wardrobe, and nightstand were the only furnishings. The window was slightly open, and sitting on the sill was his snowy owl, Hedwig.

"Hey, girl." He called softly to her, putting out an arm for her to perch on. She obliged the offer happily, and nibbled gently on his fingers as he used his other hand to untie a letter attached to her leg. Sure enough, it was a note from Mrs. Weasley.

"Bet Pig’s on his way to my room with mine." Ron sighed dispassionately, going next door with Mr. Weasley.

Harry smiled and read the letter, feeling a tug at his heart for Mrs. Weasley, who had been very supportive for as long as he’d known her. She was the closest thing to a mother he had ever had, the Weasleys, his family. Ron was already considered his brother, and Harry was immensely grateful that his best friend was going to be an auror with him. If he had chosen a different career, to follow Hermione, perhaps, Harry’s homesickness for the Burrow would be immense. They would get leave time, but with the growing empire that belonged to Voldemort, their newly acquired career was going to keep them away from home. For how long… until they destroyed the evil lord.

Hedwig nicked Harry’s chin, shaking him from his reverie. Another owl had silently flown through the open window and was now perched atop the bed. The smaller brown tawny hooted impatiently, and Harry let Hedwig fly to the dresser to allow him to open the letter this owl had brought. As soon as its burden was free, the owl made a hasty exit, Hedwig piqued at it as it flew away.

Harry made no notice, and opened the newly delivered letter as he sat down on the bed. The handwriting he recognized immediately.

Dear Harry & Ron,

I hope this letter finds you well at the Leaky Cauldron. It’s hard to believe that we won’t be climbing onto the Hogwarts Express together this year, and I miss it already. Do try to be careful as you and Ron learn to be aurors, please? You will get Ron to make sure to write me everyday, won’t you? I would have written Ron a letter right now, also, but this owl I am borrowing has a grudge against Pig, and refuses to deliver to Ron anymore. Tell him I’ll be finally getting my own owl very soon, in time for a letter once you reach the Society. Ron will ask why I didn’t write a separate letter for him to send with this one, but tell him that I have arranged to meet both of you tonight at the Leaky Caldron… so I will speak to him in person! Both of you, in fact. You didn’t think I’d let you both go away for who knows how long without a final goodbye, did you? Well, whether you did or not, I’ll be at the Leaky Cauldron at 7:00 tonight. I’ve also convinced someone to join us… there’s no escaping it anymore, Harry. I’ll see you tonight, then.

Love,

Hermione

Harry smiled and turned to go show Ron the letter, thinking at once on who it was Hermione would be bringing with her that night. He was both excited and scared, for this was yet another reason why he turned down the offer to stay at the Burrow until they left for the Society. However, there wasn’t much time to worry, for Ron bumped into him in the doorway.

"Oh, oops. Did mum lecture you much the same way as she did me?" He scratched his head, peering closely at the other letter Harry was holding. "Is that from…? Why didn’t she write me too?"

Before Harry could even open his mouth, Ron snatched up Hermione’s letter and read it through.

"Stupid Pig…" he muttered. "Oh, wait! She’s coming tonight! And she’s bringing…-"

"We better be ready, then." Harry cut him off before Ron could say any more. He took the letter from him and made his way downstairs, where Mr. Weasley and Tom were talking.

"All settled, then?" Mr. Weasley put his hands together.

"Yeah, dad. Thanks for taking us out here, I know how hard it is to get a car from the Ministry." Ron said, coming up from behind Harry.

"Yeah, Mr. Weasley, thanks." Harry smiled.

"No problem. I didn’t want a repeat of four years ago, anyway. Besides, I love driving cars!"

Tom nodded his head and went back to his counter as the three of them looked at each other uncertainly.

"Well, this is it, then." Mr. Weasley averted his eyes, trying to be cheerful.

"Oh, come off it, dad. We’ll write, and I’m sure we’ll get time off for the holidays!" Ron sighed, although Harry could sense that he was trying very hard to keep his voice level.

"It’s not that different from going off to Hogwarts… we just won’t be home as often." Harry tried to console them.

"Alright, well… just behave yourselves then. And, be careful." Mr. Weasley pulled them both into a tight hug.

"We will." Harry whispered.

Mr. Weasley pulled them apart and smiled briefly, before ruffling both their heads and walking out with a slight wave to Tom. Harry and Ron watched him leave, stuffing their hands in their pockets.

"We will be back… home, I mean." Ron said hoarsely.

"Of course," Harry put a hand on his shoulder. "What we’re doing is making sure that we’ll always have a home to come back to… and everyone else."

"Right," Ron slipped away and began climbing the stairs. "Well, I want to out to Diagon Alley one last time and look around. How ‘bout you?"

Harry smiled. "Sure."

Diagon Alley was considerably less crowded than it had been when Harry first had walked down its cobblestone street. Less and less people came here over the past four years, and those who did spent less time than they usually would. More than that, it was the fear that radiated from the people’s eyes now, and Harry couldn’t bring himself to look at them. Instead, he looked at the shops, reminiscing about the days when he, Ron, and Hermione would spend a summer’s day getting their school supplies for the following year at Hogwarts. Yet, this was the first year when they wouldn’t be doing that, and Harry couldn’t help but sense that this could be the last time he ever walked down this way.

"Sure is quiet." Ron muttered, trying to sound cheerful, but his expression failed him.

"Eh, it’s early afternoon. Everyone’s having lunch." Harry tried to put him off.

"Yeah, I guess." He shrugged. "Hey, want to look in Quality Quidditch Supplies?"

"Okay." Harry picked up his pace, smiling slightly. Ron easily out-walked him, being taller… and before they knew it, they were both running giddily toward the familiar shop. The few scattered people up and down the street had to duck out of way from the two young adults, shaking their heads, but not helping but to smile. It didn’t take long before Harry and Ron skidded to a halt outside the shop, but as they doubled over, panting, Harry looked up and frowned.

"It’s closed."

"What?" Ron gasped, looking up himself. Sure enough, the large display window was dark and spotted with cobwebs. A yellowed piece of parchment was spell-o-taped to the window, reading CLOSED. Harry could just make out the shapes on the walls and tables inside where brooms and supplies where once shelved.

"Oh, this really sucks." Ron gritted his teeth.

Harry nodded.

"No one wants to play, anymore." He whispered, bringing his hand up to lay on the window.

"This is so stupid. People are so terrified that they won’t even have fun, now." Ron crossed his arms and spun around to face the street, as if looking to blame someone. Harry simply stared in the window, feeling even more determined to get to the Society and become an auror… so that he just maybe could return the world back to it’s original order- so that they might have fun again. He let his hand slide from the window, blurring his fingerprints next to a handprint much smaller than his. Whoever that child was who made that print, must of felt the same way… only without hope of doing anything about it. But Harry could.

"Come on, let’s go." Ron bumped his arm. "I want to do something else, anyway."

"What?" Harry asked, bringing himself to following Ron back down the street.

"I want to get Hermione something." He answered simply.

"But you already did, before we left Hogwarts." Harry smiled slowly.

"Well," Ron blushed slightly. "There’s no law against me getting her something else."

"True." Harry said.

It wasn’t long before Ron stopped in front of the shop that sold owls and other magical pets. Harry blinked as Ron went to go inside.

"What are you going to get her? A nice rat to go with her new sweater?" he teased.

"Don’t be stupid." Ron growled. "I’m getting her an owl. She was going to get one anyway, I’m saving her the trouble. Besides, I’ll pick one out that’ll be sure to be compatible with Pig."

"And you." Harry poked him.

"Careful, we’re no longer underage. I’d watch yourself, or you’ll find your jet black hair to be sunshine yellow soon enough."

"Oh, dear! Am I ever scared!" Harry laughed.

"You know… you’re a git, you realize that?" Ron cracked a smile and went to punch him.

"Gentlemen! Please, no rough housing in my store!" Ordered the shopkeeper, sitting behind the counter stroking a particularly large black cat.

"Sorry, ma’am." They both chimed, grinning at each other.

Not more than twenty minutes later, they walked out with Ron holding a cage containing a small barn owl. The feathers around its eyes were white, with brown swirling around the rest of its full body. Harry looked at it and smiled.

"Are you going to name it, or are you going to let Hermione do it?"

"Well, I figure since I bought her, that I get to name her." Ron said tersely.

"Okay, so what are you going to name her." Harry crossed his arms with a grin.

"How about, Farore?" Ron suggested.

"Sounds great." Harry nodded. "Let’s hope Hermione agrees."

"She will." Ron smiled. He looked at Harry closely as they began to walk off. "Aren’t you going to get…-?"

"I have something in mind." Harry said quickly, not meeting his gaze.

"Well?" Ron stopped.

"Well, what?" Harry paused and looked back at him.

"What are you going to get her?" Ron put one hand on his hip, looking impatiently at him.

"I’ll get her something! Ugh, just… look, I’ll meet you back at the Cauldron, alright? I’ll be there in a bit." Harry started walking back, passing Ron who caught him by the arm.

"It’s okay, you know. I’m sorry…" he whispered, shaking his head.

"I’m fine, no really. I’ll be back before seven." Harry tried to smile, but it just merely flattened his expression and he walked off, leaving Ron looking after him with an uncertain frown.

This won’t be as easy as I thought it would be. Not now. Harry thought to himself as he rounded a corner. Why can’t I already be at the Society and be done with this?

He slowed down his pace and stuffed his hands in his pockets, staring at the street as he walked on. It didn’t occur to him that his fingers were curled into fists, or that he was trembling slightly. His apprehension about heading off to the Royal Aurors Society slipped into apprehension about that night- and whom he would meet… perhaps for the last time for a long, long while. With Death Eater activity at an all time high, it was doubtful that any auror- rookie or senior- would have any time off at all. It was hard enough parting with her on the last day at Hogwarts… now, to do it all over again, it would be even harder.

"What troubles you, young man?"

Harry blinked, realizing that he had stopped and was standing in front of a cart laden with various objects and an old witch was sitting on a stool behind it. She wore a crooked witch’s hat and dusty looking robes, but her smile was warm and comforting, and Harry couldn’t help but to let a corner of his mouth turn upward.

"So many things, and yet one thing in particular that shouldn’t really bother me at all." He said.

The witch cocked her head and studied him closely, Harry swallowing hard under her scrutinizing gaze.

"Oh, my dear boy… but you wouldn’t worry about it if it weren’t very important to you."

Harry looked up and into the darkening sky as afternoon began to slip away.

"Yes, everything I worry about is important to me."

"And yet you must have faith." The witch said slowly.

Harry looked back at her.

"Faith in what? That everything will be fine?"

"Faith that she’ll still be waiting for you when it’s all over, when you return." She looked him straight in the eye.

Harry blinked, trying hard not to let his jaw drop, but failed anyway. He took his hands out of his pockets and fingered his wand unconsciously, wondering if this desolate looking witch was some sort of seer.

"How did you-?"

"Why, it’s clearly written all over your face, young man!" the witch laughed. "Love does not announce itself subtly."

"Well, I don’t…-" Harry stuttered, running a hand through his hair.

"Of course you do, don’t be daft. Now, what can you possibly give this woman that would signify your feelings?" the witch bent over her cart, picking through the various objects laid out upon it. Harry followed her fingers, seeing her toss aside rings and mirrors, books, and strangely- a piece of sausage. Then her hand fell upon a place on the cart covered in shadow, where Harry couldn’t clearly see, and she gasped.

"Ah, here now…"

Harry nervously fumbled with his tie, pulling his wizarding robes of dark forest green over his white shirt and black slacks as Hedwig hooted her approval from the dresser. Next to her talons was a small white box with a simple red ribbon tied around it. Harry kept looking at it every minute, wondering whether or not he should really give it to her. His hair protested to being combed and brushed, making his thin black rimmed glasses keep sliding down his nose in his frustration.

"She won’t recognize you without your hair looking like you just walked out of a tornado, Harry." Ron said, pushing open his door. He was wearing his dark red wizarding robes and it was clear from the way he was standing that he was trying to cover up his poor job at putting on his tie.

Harry rolled his eyes at him and gave up with the brush, setting it down next to Hedwig who hooted sympathetically.

"Ready?" Ron asked, pulling at his collar.

"Yeah, just one minute, I’ll meet you down there." Harry watched as Ron left, carrying Farore’s cage covered with a sheet, and went back to his dresser. Hedwig nudged the small package toward him, and, with a sigh, Harry picked it up and put it in his pocket.

"Are you sure, Hedwig? What if…? What if she…?"

Hedwig gave a loud impatient hoot and flapped her wings. Harry laughed softly and patted her head.

"You’re the expert. I’ll see you later, okay?"

In reply, Hedwig nibbled his fingers delicately and took off for the window, flying into the setting sun. He watched her disappear before nervously stretching his shoulders and heading for downstairs.

"Everything in order, Mr. Potter?" Tom greeted him as Harry came down.

"Yes, Tom, thank you."

"I set up a private table for you in the back. Mr. Weasley is already waiting." Tom pointed in the direction where Ron was waving.

"Thanks a lot, Tom." Harry smiled and went to sit by him. It was the first time that night that Ron looked particularly nervous.

"Being pale makes your hair stand out better, Ron." Harry cocked him a grin.

"Oh, aren’t you the funny one today?" Ron drummed his fingers on the table, glaring at him.

"Relax." Harry said, although more to himself than to Ron, for his foot was tapping uncontrollably under the table.

"Want anyth-"

"Ahh!" both Ron and Harry jumped in their seats.

"-to drink?" Tom jumped at their surprise.

They all looked at each other, and Harry swallowed dryly:

"Er… yeah, that’d be great, Tom. I’ll just… I’ll just have some ice water."

"Make that two." Ron added.

Tom nodded and left, leaving Harry and Ron staring at each other, before they burst out laughing.

"Look at us! Did you ever think we’d be so freaked out over girls?" Ron pounded the table.

"It’s almost embarrassing." Harry struggled to breathe between laughs.

"What is?" said a smooth, feminine voice.

Harry and Ron stopped laughing immediately, hearts stopping as they looked up at an averaged height woman with wavy brown hair and large hazel eyes. She was smiling and looking at them both with good humor.

"Well? What’s wrong? Cat got your tongues?"

Ron bolted to his feet and stumbled over his chair, nearly tossing the one next to him aside as he took her hands in his and kissed her.

"Sorry, Hermione. Nothing’s wrong." He fixed the chair next to him and assisted her as she sat down. Harry gulped as he looked around, waiting anxiously to see whom she had brought with her.

"Where’s-?" Ron began.

"She just had to step in the bathroom a moment, she’ll be right out." Hermione interrupted. "Well, Harry? Hello!"

"Hey, Hermione. You look very nice." Harry smiled at her faintly.

"Now, Harry complements me… but, what about Ron, hmm? Did I hear him say how nice I look tonight?" Hermione put her chin on her hand and rolled her eyes.

"You look more stunning than a full moon on a cloudless night." Ron batted his eyes at her.

"Did you come up with that, or did Harry?" Hermione looked at him with a sly grin.

"Why, I’m hurt!" Ron put his hand over his chest like he had just been struck a blow. "Do you not think that I am very capable of coming up with my own poetic complements?"

"My brother wouldn’t be able to compose anything more than his posture." Said a small voice from behind Harry.

"Ah! There you are!" Ron smiled, one eye resting on Harry’s face.

With a deep breath, Harry turned in his chair to look at a very beautiful red headed young woman. She was blushing deeply, hands clasped firmly in front of her, wearing a very fitting pale blue dress and white sweater. Harry stumbled to his feet, Hermione and Ron watching them with knowing smiles.

"Hello, Ginny." He almost whispered.

"Hi, Harry." She answered, hands parting so she could twist a lock of her red hair around one of her fingers.

"Er… come sit down." He blurted out, pulling the chair next to him and stepping aside for her. She softly walked beside him, pausing a moment at his side, before sitting down. Harry gently pushed her in and sat down next to her, trying hard not to blush himself.

"What can I get you, ladies?" Tom suddenly appeared, setting glasses of water down in front of Harry and Ron.

"You wouldn’t happen to have lemonade, would you, Tom?" Hermione smiled at him.

"Of course. And you, Miss Weasley?" Tom smiled at Ginny.

"That would be great for me, too, thanks." She smiled back. Harry couldn’t help but grab his glass and down half the water. Ron followed suit as both girls watched idly.

"So, you guys… you’re leaving tomorrow morning, right?" Hermione asked cheerfully, although Harry could tell that she was trying hard to do so.

"First thing." Ron answered.

"Do you know how long you’ll be training for, before you start your actual work?"

"Er… a year, I guess. I’m not so sure." Ron swallowed hard.

"I thought you two did so much research on your potential career as was instructed by Professor McGonagall last month!" Hermione snorted.

"We did," Harry said. "There just isn’t that much information on the Society, it being so elite and all… not too many people are accepted there."

"You would think these days that they would be out on the streets handing out pamphlets asking for more people to hire." Hermione shook her head. "Maybe that’s what I’ll do the first thing I start my job at the Daily Prophet. Aurors need more exposure… then maybe we’ll actually be able to really set back- well, you know."

"So, you really are going to be a reporter now, huh?" Ron inquired, desperate to change the subject.

"Uh-huh. I’m real excited. Only…"

"Only what, Hermione?" Harry asked.

"Oh, nothing. Just… it’s so weird, you know? This is all so very weird."

Everyone looked at each other, trying hard not to frown.

"You’ve got to promise to keep in touch." Hermione said abruptly, averting her eyes from the table.

"Always," Ron whispered, taking her hand. "And I have something for you that’ll make that so much easier."

Hermione looked at Ron and blinked.

"But, Ron…"

"No, look." Ron pulled the covered cage out from under the table and slid it in front of her. Hermione looked at him with wide eyes. Carefully, she lifted up the sheet and gasped.

"Oh, Ron! An owl!"

Ron watched her joyfully as Hermione removed the sheet and goggled at the barn owl inside, beaming with happiness.

"Her name’s Farore. Hope you like it." Ron said tentatively.

"Like it? Oh, Ron, it’s perfect! She’s beautiful! Thank you!" she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. He happily returned the kiss. Harry smiled and looked away respectively, unaware that he had turned to Ginny’s direction. She was silent, smiling to herself, and her eyes slid to his. He swallowed and opened his mouth to say something, when Tom showed up with the girls’ lemonade.

"What a fine looking owl you got there, Miss Granger." Tom smiled and winked at Ron.

"Ron gave her to me. Thanks for the lemonade, Tom." Hermione grinned.

"No problem, my pleasure." He left them.

For the rest of the evening, the tension was soon lost and the four of them talked animatedly about things they had did at Hogwarts and stuff they would do when next they would meet. Harry found himself looking at Ginny the entire time, memorizing how she looked… the sound of her voice, her gentle scent. It took all of his will not to look forlorn, dreading the moment when he would have to say goodbye.

But that moment was inevitable, and everyone was yawning as Tom walked over to apologize that he had to close up the bar.

"We better go, then." Hermione looked downcast. "Ginny, your mum will be worried."

"Nah, she knows she’s with us." Ron smiled at his younger sister.

Ginny smiled back, but it was brief.

No one moved, nor did anyone want to. Harry finally decided to follow his fast moving heart and clambered to his feet.

"I… er, Ginny? I’ll walk with you."

She looked up at him, then at Ron and Hermione, who both nodded encouragingly. Harry took her hand and helped her up, leading her toward the back door that led to the yard where the wall leading to Diagon Alley stood.

"I never told you," Harry began, reluctantly blushing. "How nice you looked tonight."

Ginny smiled genuinely.

"Thank you, Harry."

"And I… er…" It was his turn to pull at his collar, loosing his tie. He tugged so hard in fact, that it nearly came completely undone. Ginny laughed silently, reaching up and used her delicate hands to fix it for him. He could feel a pleasant shudder go down his spine as he felt her soft skin brush against his neck, straightening his tie. Her smile continued, and Harry melted at the sight.

"You… uhm… are going to write me, too, right?" she asked quietly.

"Of course." Harry said.

Ginny nodded and folded her hands again, staring slowly into his face. It was at that moment when Harry noticed the real pain behind her eyes, and it tore at his heart.

"Ginny, I have something for you too."

She watched silently as he shakily reached into his robe pocket and pulled out the small white box with red ribbon. Harry hesitated as she looked at him, wonderingly, until he took her hands and placed it gently in her right palm. Slowly, she pulled at the ribbon and removed the lid, and gasped.

Inside was a golden heart shaped locket on a long, golden chain. Harry noticed her hands beginning to shake as well, and he promptly reached into the box and took the locket out. He took a deep breath as he opened the heart for her, and watched her eyes closely as she read the inscription inside:

Always in my heart, no matter how far apart

"Oh, Harry…"

"While I may be far away for a long time, I’ll always think of you." He whispered, unclasping the chain and slipping it around her neck. The locket fell to the center of her chest, catching the light of the moon upon it. Ginny took in a deep breath, and Harry looked in her eyes to see tears glistening at the corners. She fell into his arms, and he held her, stroking her shoulder length red hair gently.

"Come back to me, Harry." She whispered into his shoulder.

He slowly pulled her from him and bent down to look straight into her eyes.

"I promise."

She couldn’t hold it in, and began to cry, her tears washing over his fingers. He brushed them aside and put his lips up to hers, and her quiet sobs ceased. It took all his energy not to fall apart himself, and it was only the taste of her lips against his that kept him together. He wanted nothing more than to stand there with her in his arms, under the bright moon, but like all good things- it couldn’t last. They finally drew apart, Harry cupping her chin in his palm delicately. She brought up her hand to rest on his wrist, and slowly pulled it away.

Harry lay awake that night, the light from the moon streaming across his bed. His heart was so strained that he could hardly remember what happened after he and Ginny left to go back inside to Hermione and Ron. All he could remember was her face, her tear stained eyes, and her soft warmth as he held her. Hermione was just as tearful, and almost ran from Ron when they finally had to part. Both he and Ron tried to console each other with the notion of coming back for the holidays, but they both knew that it wouldn’t happen. The Royal Aurors Society was desperately training its men and women to work against Voldemort, Dumbledore himself overlooking the progress. They wouldn’t be home until Voldemort was dead… and Harry knew that he himself was the key to that. Both Dumbledore and the head of the Society met with him privately toward the end of the school year, practically telling him that he had to become an auror- for his father was a powerful auror, and Harry was proving to be very powerful as well. It was then that he found out just why his parents were killed, and why Voldemort wanted him so. For James Potter had been very close to killing Voldemort himself, before he got too powerful. Voldemort vowed to kill him and his son, but the rest, as they say, is history. Now, Harry has the power to overcome Voldemort again, and be rid of him forever. But it was going to be a long and painful journey.

He turned on his side and willed to fall asleep, dreading the dreams that were to come. But as the silence of the night threatened to deafen him, Harry could just hear Ron in the other room… quiet sobs seeping through the wall. Ron knew what they were doing as well, and Harry allowed a single tear to drop onto his pillow.

Tomorrow… tomorrow my life truly begins.