Story [Harry Potter] Year 8: Whispers of the Yet to Come

Year 8: Whispers of the Yet to Come
Summary: Starts out immediately after the end of Book 7 and tells the story of life after Voldemort, leaving everyone to deal with the remaining threats in their attempt to move on in life.
Characters: Mostly Harry and Ginny. Others occur often as well.
Pairing: Harry/Ginny. Ron/Hermione
Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Harry Potter series. This is purely a work of fiction based on the novels and movies.
This story is also posted at fanfiction.net under the name damonkeygirl (my account on FF.N).

Enjoy!

~*~

As consciousness began poking at him Harry Potter became aware of several things. As he lay with his eyes closed he realized he was in a comfortable bed beneath soft warm blankets. This was unusual as he?d normally slept in a sleeping bag on some hard surface for the past several months. Harry forced his eyes open and saw he was in a large four-poster bed, the bed hangings pulled closed around him. With a start he recognized the dormitory furnishings and realized he was at Hogwarts.

This realization brought forth the memory of how he came to be there and Harry sat up abruptly.

Images of the past couple days flooded his mind. Horcruxes, hallows; riding a dragon out of Gringott?s; escaping the fiend fyre in the Room of Requirement. With a heavy heart, Harry remembered Fred, Lupin and Tonks, and rows of bodies lying in the Great Hall. Raising a hand to his forehead, Harry unconsciously traced his scar as he remembered walking onto the forest, fully believing he was walking to his death. Then he remembered his conversation with Dumbledore and walking beside his parents.

The final confrontation with Voldemort was crystal clear in his mind and yet felt unreal. Harry knew it had happened but the events seemed like it had happened to someone else or had occurred a long time ago and he was remembering a story.

Shaking his head and rubbing his eyes did little to block the memories but served to wake Harry up completely. Not knowing what time it was, he quietly opened the bed curtains beside him and reached for his glasses sitting on the bedside table. Once he could see properly, Harry immediately saw the two wands laying innocently side by side on the table. As he swung his legs over the side of the bed he picked up his old wand, feeling again the warmth as he ran the wand through his fingers. He sighed contentedly as he recalled using the ElderWand to repair his own. Harry knew he was fortunate. As badly damaged as it had been, his wand shouldn?t have been mendable. He lifted the ElderWand in his other hand and looked at them side by side.

The ElderWand had a long bloody history. Many wizards would kill to own it; actually many had. That was the wand?s legacy. The unbeatable wand, the wand of destiny. Harry knew that many who had witnessed the final battle between Voldemort and himself would deem it fitting that he now possessed the legendary wand. These same people would never understand or believe that he didn?t want it. Harry was far happier with the wand he held in his other hand, the wand he?d had since he was eleven and discovered he was a wizard was the wand that felt right in his grasp.

Even Ron, his best friend, had found it hard to accept Harry?s decision to give up the ElderWand. Ron and Hermione, however, would support Harry in this decision. The friends who had been with him in everything would be with him when he returned the ElderWand to its previous owner.

With a tremendous yawn, Harry returned both wands to the table and stood up stretching tight muscles. Glancing around the dormitory, Harry saw it was dark outside. The room itself was lit softly by a few guttering candles. Noticing a mound on the bed across the room, Harry moved a couple steps but stopped abruptly as soon as he realized what he was seeing. Sound asleep on the bed was Ron, but what startled Harry was the fact that Hermione also was there. While both were fully dressed lying atop the blankets, the intimacy of their positions spoke volumes. Ron was flat on his back bu

 

Very well done! I always wondered what would have happened after the events of the final book.

 

This is very good.

I always wanted to know what happened after Book 7 so I'm looking forward to reading more.

 

Sara_Kenobi and Hazel Thank you!


Chapter 2


On the way down to morning meal the following morning, Harry told the others about the planned funeral. ?I am going.? He told them.

?Harry, I understand you wanting to pay your respects but isn?t going to his funeral a trifle overboard?? Ron asked. ?I say you did enough last night. I mean, the man did make your life miserable here at Hogwarts.? Hermione looked like she agreed with Ron. She looked at Harry speculatively.

Harry decided to share a bit of his reasoning. ?I haven?t been entirely forthcoming with anyone about Professor Snape?s memories. I did not give all of them to McGonagall.?

Hermione looked scandalized. ?Harry! Why would you do such a thing??

?Some of the memories were highly personal in nature. They had nothing to do with Voldemort.? Harry answered.

?Still doesn?t explain why you?d go to his funeral.? Ron pointed out.

Harry wasn?t sure quite how to explain. Finally he said ?I guess I?m doing it for my Mum.? His friends were even more confused by this but Harry refused to say any more except ?I?ll understand if you don?t want to come but this is something I am going to do. Don?t feel like you have to join me. I?ll be fine, really.?

Following the meal, Harry made his solitary way to the little room where Professor Snape?s body lay. Professor McGonagall was already there waiting for him. ?Harry,? she began, surprising him by her use of his given name. ?These were found in his pockets. I thought you might like to keep them.? She handed him two pieces of paper.

Somehow not surprised, Harry saw the second page of the letter he?d found at Grimmauld Place with his mother?s signature and the other half of the photo displaying his mum. ?Thank you.? He murmured. Tucking them into his pocket he turned to face Professor McGonagall. ?May I be the one to transport him to the cemetery??

McGonagall seemed to expect this. ?Of course. We?ll begin as soon as the others arrive.?

?Then may I have a few minutes alone with him, please?? Harry didn?t explain his request. Without a word McGonagall stepped out of the room. Harry stood looking down on the shrouded form. Moments passed. Removing the papers from his pocket, he looked at them again. Gently pulling aside the shroud, Harry put the papers under Professor Snape?s folded hands. Noticing that no wand reposed in his grasp, Harry made an instant decision and pulled out a certain stick of wood. He tucked it also under Snape?s hands before respectfully looking into the man?s peaceful face. Harry replaced the shroud as he?d found it and left the room to check if all was ready.

When he returned to the castle he found Hermione waiting for him in the entrance hall. Neither spoke of where Harry had been as they began climbing the stairs. It wasn?t until they approached their tower that Hermione spoke. ?Ron and the others are preparing to go home.? She looked at him and answered his unspoken question. ?Fred?s funeral is scheduled for tomorrow morning at ten.?

Entering the common room they found only the Weasley family members. Harry?s eyes were drawn to Ginny but Ron addressed him so he turned his attention there. ?We plan to leave at one o?clock, Harry. Mum sent an owl and asks you and Hermione accompany us to the Burrow.?

?But surely, at this time, it should only be family.? Harry protested. ?We can come for the funeral tomorrow.?

?You guys are family. After all these years, you know that.? Ron stated firmly. Charlie, Percy and Ginny all nodded agreement. ?No arguments. You are coming with us.? Ron finished.

That settled, Charlie continued what was an ongoing discussion. ?Now Ginny can?t apparate yet so I?ll take her side-along. You three have your licenses haven?t you??

?I do,? Hermione piped in but shared a look with Ron and Harry. ?But,?

?Harry and I don?t.? Ron answered. ?I didn?t pass the first time and, well . . .?

Harry picked up the tale. ?You know I?d only just become of age before Bill?s wedding. I never got a cha

 

Awesome story!! I love seeing what happened after the battle - the aftermath is really difficult for them all to deal with

 

Great job!!

 

NYCitygurl and Miana Kenobi Thanks for reading!

*Please Note: I recently realized I goobered in posting the second chapter of this story and posted Chapter 1 again. The millions of files for this story confused me I think. I have edited that post and it is up to date, and this next one flows through as well.

Chapter 3


Over the next several days, life at the Burrow began to get back to normal. Mr. Weasley went back to work. Percy did also but, since he had his own flat, they only saw him when he stopped by which was frequently. Apparently he had really missed his family and wanted to get to know everyone again. Charlie went back to Romania to his job working with dragons.

Harry took a day trip away from the Burrow on his own. He had had to insist to Mrs. Weasley that he could handle visiting the Dursleys by himself. He spoke to her gently as he reminded her that he was of age now and had been taking care of himself all year.

His errand went well; the Dursleys had actually been polite to him. Apparently, they enjoyed their new life where they had been resettled. They had told him they would stay, knowing full well it meant no more magical protection. He had taken his leave of them, probably for the last time.

Back at the Weasley?s, Hermione was making preparations to go to her muggle parents. Hermione had erased their memories of her and worried constantly over being able to reverse the spell. Since they were currently living in Australia, she couldn?t simply apparate as Harry had done. It was much too great a distance. She planned to take an airplane and this prospect totally enthralled Ron?s dad. Mr. Weasley had always had a fascination for muggle machines. Hermione had procured a muggle children?s book on airplanes and sat with him for one entire evening trying to explain how planes stayed in the air.

Ron grew moody as the time grew closer for her departure. Hermione wasn?t unaware of this and one evening she invited him to take a walk in the garden. They were gone over an hour and when they returned Ron was much happier. He was smiling while Hermione appeared flushed, her hair disheveled.

Harry was happy for his friends but couldn?t help feel jealous. He and Ginny had not had many opportunities to be alone. Her mum seemed to want to keep her children close. It was a natural desire, she had lost one child, she was afraid to lose another. And since they had told no one of their renewed relationship, Harry?s friends assumed he needed their companionship. But their attention began to have an adverse reaction. It wasn?t just that he wanted to spend time with Ginny, he wanted time for himself.

Harry started to spend time outside the Burrow. He took long walks and thought about the past year. He remembered the almost constant fear they?d been under. He began to feel stressed as he kept going through events over and over. He didn?t realize it but he grew distant and became somewhat irritable. His friends watched him withdraw from them and grew concerned.

Hermione thought Harry was suffering from post-traumatic stress. She had left for Australia the day before. It was very late one night when Ron asked his brothers Charlie, who was home visiting, and Percy for advice. They sat outside under the stars where they could be private. The boys tossed around ideas on how to help Harry.

?You know, Ron,? Charlie drawled, ?You and Harry are adults now. You can have relationships if you want. I can see how you and Hermione feel about each other, bro. Maybe what Harry needs is a little slap and tickle.?

Percy chuckled at Charlie?s suggestion but Ron choked on his drink and exploded. ?Are you mad? Don?t you realize??

?What are you getting het up for? Maybe you need some too.? Charlie commented.

Ron sputtered a moment before he found his voice. ?First of all, when have Harry or I had time this past year to see anyone? Second, my love life is none of your concern. And lastly, god for you to even suggest, don?t you realize that the onl

 

I'm really enjoying this.

Makes want to go back and reread Deathly Hallows, it's been a while and I don't remember some of the details.

 

Hazel Glad you're enjoying!

Chapter 4


The next morning, plans to visit Grimmauld Place got rearranged a bit. Arthur Weasley explained. ?I would like to consult with Kingsley, Harry, about the house. He might have some insights into what we might find. Plus, while we are in the ministry, we can swing by the Apparition office and get you and Ron your licenses. Best to be official.? He glanced over to his daughter. ?You can come with us Ginny. I found out yesterday they are holding summer apparition classes. Since nothing was done at Hogwarts this year they?re trying to catch up.?

Ginny was excited. ?Really?! Can I? That would be wonderful.?

?Course you can.? Mrs. Weasley answered. She looked at her husband. ?How are you getting there??

?I thought floo powder this morning.? He replied, getting to his feet. Ron, Harry and Ginny joined him at the fireplace. ?It?s past morning rush but, all the same, clear out promptly in case there?s traffic, okay? Let?s go.? He took a pinch of ash and threw it in the fireplace and the fire turned emerald green. Stepping into the flames he said, ?Ministry of Magic.? and vanished. Ginny followed her father then Harry and Ron.

They came out into the atrium at the ministry. Harry hadn?t been there since he, Ron and Hermione had infiltrated the place in September. He immediately noticed the horrific statue was gone. Nothing had replaced it as yet. They strolled past the spot, remembering. ?Hey, Dad, did we ever tell you we were here last year? Remember meeting Cattermole in the lift? That actually was me. You told me how to make it stop raining in some bloke?s office.?

Mr. Weasley spun to face them. ?That was you? Incredible! We often speculated who was brash enough to break into the ministry. It was a topic of conversation for weeks. Absolutely incredible.? He repeated as they reached the lifts.

When it opened they got a surprise. Percy stood within along with several flying memos. ?Hello there. Didn?t think you were in today, Dad.?

?I?m not really.? Arthur Weasley answered as the lift went into motion. ?This lot needs their apparators? license. Ginny?s going to the class. Then we?re up to the Minister?s office. Need some advice from Kingsley.?

?Ah, well, best of luck to you. You?ll have a good time, Ginny. I enjoyed learning.? Percy told them. ?Here?s where I?m off. Give Mum my love, will you?? He called as he left at his floor.

The lift climbed another floor where they all piled out. A line of witches and wizards, with their children, trailed from the office they headed for. ?Seems a lot of kids will be taking the class.? Mr. Weasley called greetings to people he knew. Once inside the office, an entire crew of workers processed those there to take the course.

?Morning Arthur. All these taking the class?? He was asked.

?Heavens, no! Just Ginny here. I brought Ron and Harry in to get their licenses. They took the course quite a bit ago.?

?Ah then, why don?t you go into the room over there?? The wizard indicated a door on the left. ?And, Ginny is it? You can follow everyone else.?

Ginny kissed her father?s cheek, Harry?s lips and left them. ?See you later.?

When a wizard joined them in the office, he puttered around getting paperwork ready. ?And when did you gentlemen turn seventeen?? Their answers brought him to attention. ?Why have you waited to long to come get your licenses??

?Gerald, look at who you?re talking to. Get your nose out of your papers.? Arthur scoffed. ?This is Harry Potter. He was on the run from You-Know-Who all last year. You think he was going to step into the lion?s den?? He gave reference to the death eater occupation of the ministry.

?Oh, sorry. Well they?re here now. I?ll give you the test so you can be on your way.? The wizard was quickly satisfied that Ron and Harry knew what they were doing. He signed and stamped two small cards and handed them to the boys. They left the office but paused because Ron?s Dad had stopped to ask when to come back for Ginny.

 

Grimmauld Place has always given me shivers.

 

Great job! Aww, poor Grimmauld Place.

 

Hazel and Miana Kenobi Oh Grimmauld Place, it gives me shivers too.

Chapter 5

The following morning after Ginny and her dad left for the ministry, Harry sat down and wrote a note to Ron?s brother Bill. As Ron held his owl ?Pig? so Harry could attach the letter to its leg, he asked what was in the note.

?I asked Bill if he could get some gold out of my vault for me.? Harry explained as they took Pig to the window and sent him off. ?I need new clothes and stuff. I figured it would not be the best idea to show my face at Gringott?s just yet.?

?Too right! It?s a might soon to walk into the place which we destroyed escaping after breaking into a vault.? Ron wholeheartedly agreed. ?The goblins probably would feed you to a dragon. That is, if they?ve replaced the one we freed.? Both of them stood recalling that adventure.

?Well,? Harry broke out of his reveries, ?I must have a talk with Kreacher. That?s not going to be a happy time. I?ll use the bedroom, all right??

?Sure thing, mate. Good luck. Tell Kreacher he has my sympathies.? Ron said as Harry headed upstairs.

In the bedroom, Harry sat on his cot and called his house elf. ?Kreacher.?

With a crack the elf appeared in front of him, bowing in respect to his master.

?Good morning, Kreacher. Are you feeling alright?? Harry greeted him.

?Greetings, Master Harry! I am fine. Is Master doing well??

?I?m good. I?ve called you today because I have some information for you. About Grimmauld Place.? Harry explained.

Kreacher looked at Harry expectantly. ?You have been there, Master? You?ve been home??

?I went there yesterday with Ron and his father.? Harry began. ?I hadn?t been there since last September as you probably know. Not since we left to infiltrate the ministry.?

?Kreacher remembers, sir. That was the day bad men came.?

?Yes. One of the death eaters grabbed hold of us as we were returning and that broke the magical protection on the house. Ron, Hermione and I had to run so they couldn?t catch us.? Harry described. ?I?m sorry I couldn?t contact you to tell you we were okay. We felt it might be dangerous.?

?Master does not need to explain. I understand.? Kreacher answered. ?The bad men were pleased to get in my family?s house. Kreacher watched them as they searched every room. I do not know what they were looking for.?

?Probably anything to do with the Order.? Harry surmised. ?You stayed out of sight, then? I?m glad. They would have thought nothing of torturing you.?

?Kreacher remained hidden until they began blasting things. When the bad men began shooting at the heads of my family I confronted them.? The elf told Harry.

?Kreacher! You could have been killed!?

?They tried, Master Harry. Instead of blasting at my family?s heads, they pointed their wands at me. But I was too fast for them. I ran away and hid.?

?Then what happened?? Harry asked.

?Well, the bad men searched for me. Kreacher heard them. They tore up the house trying to find me.? Kreacher began to cry. ?Kreacher failed his master, failed to protect his home!? He wailed and began to waver.

Knowing what was coming, Harry quickly acted. ?Kreacher, I forbid you to harm yourself!? The old elf froze. ?The damages were not your fault. Those men were death eaters. You could not have stopped them. Now, go on, did they find you??

?Nearly. I was in the attic. When I heard them coming I left, went to Hogwarts where Master has sent me before.? Kreacher concluded.

?That was a good idea, going to Hogwarts.? Harry complimented the house elf. ?I probably would have sent you there myself, had I had the chance. And I was very grateful you were there a few weeks ago. You were there to take care of me when I needed someone.? Harry referred to when he broke down sobbing over Lupin?s body.

?It is Kreacher?s responsibility to take care of his master.? Was all the elf said.

Harry patted the bed beside him. ?Please sit down, Kreacher. I have more to tell you about what I found in the house.?

Still a little leer

 

Now I'm worried about Harry!

Great chapter, though.

 

Sorry 'bout the delay, real life's not as fun as fiction. Extra helpings of story to make up for it .

~*~


The Burrow was still sleeping when Harry woke the next morning. He looked at Ginny tenderly a moment before turning to look for his glasses. Finding them, he put them on and decided he needed to get up. Pulling into a sitting position was easy. Making his leg muscles obey his direction became a different matter.

Finally lurching to his feet, Harry held on to the back of Ginny?s chair for support. He stood still for several moments to be sure he wasn?t going to fall back onto the couch. Then, by holding on to the furniture and the wall, Harry slowly made his way to the bathroom. The return trip was actually easier because, he suspected, his legs were remembering how to work.

Harry was reentering the drawing room when he heard someone coming down the stairs. Not wanting to wake Ginny, he shushed softly and Mrs. Weasley stopped abruptly at the bottom of the stairs. When she saw Harry standing in the doorway with a finger to his lips she acknowledged him with a nod. She glanced briefly at her daughter then returned her attention to Harry. Molly Weasley noticed how he held the doorframe for support and came forward to give him an assist back to the couch.

In a very motherly fashion, she felt his forehead for fever. Brushing his hair back tenderly she whispered ?Tea??

Harry smiled and nodded. Mrs. Weasley disappeared into the kitchen. As he rested from his brief foray on his feet, Harry listened to the pleasantly homey sounds of a teapot being filled and the bread wrapper rustling as Mrs. Weasley prepared toast. Soon the aroma of freshly brewed tea wafted in to where Harry sat. The smell of toast seemed to jump-start his stomach which began to growl.

The smells appeared to affect Ginny as well as she stirred from the depths of the chair. She rubbed her eyes and yawned. Stretching her arms out wide, Ginny opened her eyes and looked round at Harry who sat smiling at her. She quickly moved to sit beside him and to give him an embrace. ?How are you this morning, Harry?? She asked out of concern.

?I?m okay, I think.? He answered. ?Legs are wobbly. Not precisely sure what?s happened. Why am I on the couch??

?Do you not remember yesterday afternoon?? Ginny asked as her mother carried in a tea tray.

Harry frowned. ?Yesterday I went to Grimmauld Place with Kreacher. Did something happen there??

Mrs. Weasley poured him a cup of tea and passed a plate with toast. She wisely decided to let her daughter lead the conversation since she?d been directly involved.

?Nothing happened with Kreacher, no.? Ginny replied as Harry took a sip of tea and began to nibble on a piece of toast. ?It was in the afternoon. You?d gone to the creek.? She watched him warily for his memory to return.

?Oh, that?s right. I wanted a splash. It was so hot and dirty at Grimmauld Place.? Harry recalled. His expression faltered and the teacup rattled in his hand. Mrs. Weasley caught it before it dropped. ?There?s something about the water.? He paused then raised frightened eyes to both women. ?I went under, didn?t I??

?Yes, Harry, you did.? Ginny answered. ?But you?re okay now.?

?You gave us a right big scare, Harry.? Mrs. Weasley said, worry apparent in her eyes.

?But I obviously didn?t drown. How?d I get out of the water?? Harry could see hazy images but nothing specific came to mind.

?I?d returned early from apparition classes and was coming to join you in the creek.? Ginny began. ?You must have just gone under. I found you thrashing around trying to get to shore.?

?So you got me out?? Harry felt confused as other images came into his mind. ?It wasn?t Ron??

Ginny?s mum appeared concerned, but her daughter knew what Harry was talking about. ?No, it wasn?t. I got you out of the creek. You?re remembering Ron from something else.? She didn?t want to say more because she wasn?t sure how much Harry wanted people to know of the last year?s adventures.

Ginny?s cryptic comment apparen

 

Great job! Awww, yay for Winky being added into the family!

 

I've said it before and I'm saying it again:

I'm really, really enjoying this story!

 

~*~


To protect her modesty, Harry apparated into his bedroom. After washing and changing he went downstairs to find something to eat. It was past lunchtime. He saw that Ron and Hermione had taken textbooks for their NEWT?s review outside and were studying under a tree. As he went out to join them he wondered what subject they were looking at. Hermione greeted him and asked how he was doing.

?I?m all right. Having that episode wasn?t nearly as hard as telling Ginny about what had caused it.? He replied as he sat across from them.

?So you told her about walking into the forest to let Voldemort kill you?? She asked.

Harry momentarily shut his eyes and shuddered then appeared embarrassed about it. He swallowed uncomfortably and said, ?Yes. I hate scaring her like that.? He looked down at his knees. ?Seems like I?ve done it quite often of late. I wish I were stronger.? This last bit he said in a desperate whisper.

Ron, who thus far hadn?t said a word for fear of lashing out at Harry, felt a large nugget of compassion blunt some of the outrage he was still experiencing over what he?d seen that morning. ?Harry, we?ve been through so much this last year. Bad memories are bound to pop up.?

?I don?t see you guys falling apart over bad memories.? Harry responded, feeling depressed.

?Surely you can?t believe we haven?t been affected?? Ron said in astonishment. ?Hermione has told me she has woken several times from nightmares. I?ll hold her a long time to comfort her.?

?It must be nice to have someone to hold onto after bad dreams.? Harry commented a little jealously.

Ron narrowed his eyes and said aggressively, ?And don?t you have someone?!?

Harry heard the anger in his friend?s voice but didn?t understand and became confused further when Hermione cried in a warning tone. ?Ron!?

Breathing heavily, Ron tried to master his suddenly renewed outrage.

?What are you getting at Ron?? Harry felt threatened somehow.

Hermione started to speak but Ron held out his arm to stop her. She held her peace and watched him warily. ?Where were you this morning, Harry?? Ron asked strongly.

Understanding dawned. They knew where he?d slept last night, Harry realized. ?I was with Ginny as apparently you already know.?

?That?s right, we know?

Hermione broke in. ?I was worried about you, Harry, after last evening. When we couldn?t find you anywhere in the house we went to ask Ginny if she knew where you were.?

Ron was opening and closing his hands, clearly agitated. ?How could you, Harry? She?s my sister!? He was truly trying to control his emotions.

It was obvious what Ron suspected had happened between he and Ginny, thought Harry. His first instinct was to assure her brother that nothing untoward had occurred. But he wasn?t sure he had any reason to defend himself. While he knew last night had been innocent, he and Ginny were of age. No one had the right to judge his or her actions. He loved Ginny and had needed her emotionally. ?You would deny me the same comfort you say you give Hermione?? He found himself asking quietly. ?You would deny me loving arms when I needed them?? It pained him that Ron would be so cruel.

Hermione looked stricken. She begged Ron with her eyes to consider his words. ?Harry, I?m trying. Really I am.? He said earnestly, his voice losing most of its aggression. ?But you have to understand how this is for me. Ginny?s my little sister. She?s the baby in the family.?

?Ginny is a young woman, Ron, not a little girl.? Harry responded. ?She?s of age.?

?Ah, Harry, I know. But my heart finds it very hard to accept.? Ron moaned in distress. ?And to see you with her like that . . . it?s hard to explain.?

Harry thought it was time for some honesty. ?Nothing happened, Ron.? He assured him. ?Nor has it happened.?

Ginny?s brother looked relieved. ?It hasn?t??

?No.? Harry said simply. ?I?m not sure I?m ready to have Ginny grow up that way.?

?What do you mean?? Ron asked, his head cocked curiously.

?We three were rather forced to come of age quickly. I feel it