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Harry Potter sat in a compartment on the Hogwarts Express. He sat leaning against the window looking out to the dark sky. In the distance he could barely make out the lights of Hogwarts. He was returning for his seventh year. He had thought about it all summer especially with Mr. Weasley. Mr. Arthur Weasley had helped him see a few choices he had. One was to attend Hogwarts and finish his schooling. The second to start auror training at the end of the summer. Or the third take a year off of everything and to take a vacation away from everything.
Harry wasn’t alone with the decision to come back. Ron and Hermione sat across from him. Ron was snoring, his face on the window which was fogging up with his breath; his mouth wide open. Next to his was Hermione with a book in front of her. Next to her was Luna Lovegood; reading the Quibbler upside down. Across from Luna was Neville Longbottom, rereading a book on underwater plants. Last but not least was Ginny Weasley. She lay down in a ball, her head resting in Harry’s lap. She had fallen asleep an hour ago. Harry turned his attention to the red head and slowly shook her awake.
“Wwhaaattt?” She whined refusing to open her eyes.
“We’re almost there.” Harry said quietly, leaning towards her.
“But we’re not there yet.” Ginny rolled over so her back faced Hermione and Ron.
“Fine enter Hogwarts without your uniform but at least let me change.” Harry said stroking Ginny’s hair.
“No.” Ginny wrapped her arm around Harry’s waist as Ron’s face slid off the window waking him up with a jolt.
“What the- what goin’ on?” He asked in a stammer.
“We are almost to Hogwarts Ron.” Hermione stated as she put her book down. After a few moments the group silently decided they need to get dressed into their uniforms.
As the train slowed to a stop everyone but Luna had finished getting dressed; Luna was already dressed when she entered Platform 9 ¾. As the brakes squeaked the compartment doors slid open allowing students to enter the hallway. Luna and Neville were the first to leave followed quickly by Hermione dragging Ron out. A few students passed before Ginny and Harry left the compartment. They left the compartment hand in hand with Ginny leading Harry down the compartment. Harry kept his eyes low to avoid everyone glance. He kept his eyes fixed on his and Ginny’s hands together. Once off the train Harry and Ginny joined their friends in a carriage. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny sat at their usual spots in the Great Hall. Along with every other student at Hogwarts they starred at a fifth table. Student continued to talk until Headmistress McGonagall stood behind the podium in front of the teacher’s table.
“Welcome and welcome back. I am quite pleased that Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has reopened after the many repairs done during the summer. Now you might have seen a difference on your way in tonight. We thought it would be an excellent idea to donate a piece of our beautiful gardens here to those who died in the Battle of Hogwarts.” Professor McGonagall paused a moment, the Hall remained silent as McGonagall looked through the crowd of students.
“The majority of our rules from last year will continue this year but with a few exceptions. Curfew from before Death Eaters controlled Hogwarts will be reinstalled starting tonight. Curfew will be 10:30 but all students will have to be in the school by eight. Just because the war against Voldemort is done it does not mean his supporters have died with him. All students, first years to seventh years will be in the school at eight, no exceptions. Students are not allowed in or near The Forbidden Forest. It is called The Forbidden Forest for a reason.” McGonagall paused to make sure her point sunk into the students heads before she continued.
“Now before we begin our feast tonight I have an announcement to make about a certain change in this school year. As many of you know the muggle community have become aware of our existence. Our Minister has made a proposal to the muggle Prime Minister to show that most wizards are not going to harm any muggles. To prove that Lord Voldemort and his followers were to be feared, not all witches and wizards. The Minister of Magic thinks the best way is to have muggle and magic students interact with one another. So this year and this year only we will be having muggle students join us. This year is our chance to create peace between magic and muggle. I think I can speak for everyone when I say we do not want another witch hunt.”The Great Hall remained dead silent. The blank expressions on the student’s faces showed confusion. Was McGonagall serious?
“I want every student here to treat them equally.” McGonagall looked at the first table, the Slytherins.
“How wizards and muggles relate to each other could depend on what happens here in Hogwarts. Everyone will be on their very best behavior. – And on that note I would like you to join me in welcoming our muggle visitors from Surrey High School.” Professor McGonagall raised her hand towards the oak doors which stood open revealing a large group of muggles. Harry’s eyes grew wide and his jaw dropped.
A group of about forty muggle students walked into the Great Hall along with a few muggle teachers. Harry watched awestruck as he saw who was in the group. The students consisted of people he knew and people he would be in classes with now if he had not attended Hogwarts. The muggle students included his cousin Dudley Dursley and his friends.
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