Thanks Connie I am glad you weren't disappointed with it!

I had been sitting there, staring at the wall for so long that I had lost track of time. The cool cement against my back had a calming affect but it also brought to my attention just how tired I was. I had brought my knees up to my chest, the desire to blend in with the wall strong.

Harry was inside Dumbledore's office, talking to him about things which was great. I was glad that they were finally going to start communicating about what had happened this whole year and hopefully clear up some confusion. I was more concerned about the visit from Fudge and the pit in my stomach that kept growing larger and larger every time I thought the word Sirius in my head. I was still numb, not sure how to respond to the whole situation. It just seemed crazy to me that in such a brief moment he was gone from our lives forever.

Naturally the press had been all over Harry and I at the Ministry, Dumbledore doing the best that he could to keep us shielded from them. Fudge had spotted me, his mouth opening and closing several times as reporters asked him if I was still going to be taken to Azkaban after what I had done at the Ministry that evening. Dumbledore had gently encouraged Fudge to say that we would discuss the issue later as well as his return to Headmaster of Hogwarts.

Well...the latter had been accomplished, just not the first one...yet.

I could hear footsteps down at the end of the hallway, causing me to pull myself out of my zoning. I sat up a little bit, not that it would make too much of a difference because I was sure that Fudge would have his decision made before he even got here.

Fudge came around the corner, looking at a piece of paper, and had nearly reached the statue in front of Dumbledore's office by the time he noticed my presence. He looked down at me, jumping slightly, before taking a couple of steps back. He cleared his throat nervously before attempting a smile at me.

"Oh, sorry Miss Carson, I barely even noticed you there."

"It's alright Minister," I said with my own, tired smile.

I had expected Fudge to merely proceed on his way to talk to Dumbledore, but even telepaths are capable of being surprised. He took a couple of steps towards me before sitting down on the ground next to me. I shifted myself slightly so that he had room.

"Miss Carson I do believe that I owe you an apology."

I raised my eyebrows at him. "Really?" I said, the words slipping out by accident.

Fudge gave a tiny little smile although it was quite strained.

"Yes, really. I believe I have made a terrible mistake expelling you."

I was quiet for a moment, letting his thoughts swim around in my head before responding. I finally found the one that I had been looking for.

"Well, I am glad that you think it is a mistake. Does that mean I will be able to return to Hogwarts?" I said.

"Yes, yes, and I have asked that you be allowed to take your O.W.L.s before you leave for the summer."

I nodded my head. "Thank you."

Fudge was about to respond but the statue had started to shift, before Harry and Dumbledore walked through the open space. They turned to look at me, Harry still furious with the minister for everything, and Dumbledore merely stared, his expression relatively blank.

"Hello Albus," said Fudge, bracing himself on the wall so that he could stand up. I got up in one fowl swoop, before taking a couple of steps so that I was next to Harry. He reached out his right hand and took mine into it, before giving it a little squeeze.

"Hello Minister," said Dumbledore.

"I was just discussing with Miss Carson here her return to Hogwarts next term and the arrangement we need to make so that she can take her O.W.L.s."

"Ah...yes. Why don't you two go and get some rest while the Minister and I discuss the specifics," said Dumbledore, giving us both a little nod. Dumbledore gently nudged the minister through the open space, turning back to give us both a little wink, before the statue closed behind him.

Harry and I stood there for a moment just staring at the statue.

"How did it go?" I asked.

"Really really well," said Harry with a little smile.

"I'm so glad," I said, returning the smile before starting to lead us down the hallway. Harry released my hand so that he could wrap his arm around my shoulder. I tucked myself into him, wrapping my own arm around his waist.

"Do you think he could come back as a ghost?" asked Harry.

I felt the familiar gut feeling in my stomach grow a little bigger. "I think he'd want to move on. Experience what comes next to the fullest, you know?"

Harry nodded, his eyes starting to well slightly with tears. I stopped and leaded him over to a little stone bench in front of a huge window. He sat down willing and as soon as I was situated laid his head in the crook of my neck. I wrapped my arm around his shoulder, rubbing his back absentmindedly, while rocking back and forth slowly.

"I'm sorry," Harry mumbled.

"Don't be sorry to be human," I said quietly.

He released himself so that he could look into my eyes. "I don't know what I would do without you Abby."

I smiled. "And you'll never have to."

"But..." Harry started, but stopped as soon as my finger tips made contact with his lips.

"We have enough on our plates at the moment. Let's not discuss that."

Harry gave a little chuckle. "Fair enough. I'm glad that Fudge is letting you back into the school."

I rolled my eyes. "It's only because he feels that my magic and abnormal qualities will be useful against Voldemort. I believe he wants me to join the ministry and protect him." I ended with a little scoff.

"The nerve," said Harry.

"I agree, but let him think what he wants. As long as I get to come back to Hogwarts, that is good enough for me."

Harry leaned in to my cheek a little kiss. Instinctively, and perhaps strangely given the situation, I felt my cheeks start to flush. Harry moved back a little, a smile on his face.

"Am I making you blush?" he asked, trying to hide his pride.

"Oh, shush!" I said, giving him a little push as my cheeks become even redder.

Harry pulled me closer to him before giving my cheek another kiss, before slowly moving to my lips, which he kissed for a good while. Kissing Harry was near to perfection for me. Our lips moved in perfect sync, almost as if each knew what the other wanted to do and was able to act accordingly. I could have gone on all day, but my stomach made a soft grumbling sound. How romantic.

Harry pulled his lips away to look at me. "Are you hungry?" Harry asked with a little laugh.

"Yeah, just a bit," I said, giving my stomach a little rub with my hand.

"Well let's fix that," said Harry, removing the hand from my stomach to take into his own. I was about to stand up when he stopped me.

"What?" I said, instantly concerned that something was wrong.

"Your eyes," said Harry, leading his hand up to my cheek so that he could hold my face still.

"What about them?" I instantly said, concerned and self conscious.

"They've got little specks of green in them...the same color green as my eyes," said Harry, staring at my eyes closely.

"Is that a bad thing?" I said, the nervousness creeping into my stomach.

Harry let out a little chuckle. "No, not at all. It's just another reason as to why I find you beautiful."