Harry Potter: Year Seven
Chapter 1: The paper
The wind blew over the foot high weeds of Privet drive creating an ocean like wave on the surface. Windows had been shattered by vandals and half of the roof sunken in. But what lay inside was unseen to any muggle who passed by this once prestigious part of the neighborhood.
A lone candle lit a room filled with old torn books and school supplies. This house had been without electricity for the past year.
"Look at all of this junk from Lockheart" said a red haired boy.
"It's a wonder how he even got the job" Ronald Weasly continued.
It had now been a week.
A week since the most historical battle in the history of the magical world.
And it was a long week. But it had to be the longest for one individual. The chosen one. Harry Potter had finally ended the horror, the evil, Lord Voldemort.
"He was ever the charmer," teased Harry "isn't that right Hermione?"
"Harry, you and Ron well know it was only second year. It was just a silly crush on someone I THOUGHT he was. And if I remember correctly, Ron, your mother also had a thing for him."
At this Ron blushed scarlet and the subject quickly changed to a recent addition of the Daily Prophet, the wizarding newspaper.
One thing that made this paper different was the fact that the pictures were not stationary, but actually moved around.
The headline read just what everyone has been crying out in joy, in big black print "Voldemort is dead".
It was the first time in Harry's memory that he read Voldemort's name out of a paper. He was so feared that people wouldn't speak his name.
As the final Death Eaters were killed in battle or denounced their ways, Voldemort had no followers left.
Despite Voldemorts deafeat, Harry was being haggled for interviews more than ever. Reeta Skeeter of all people still tried to get interviews with him insisting he's a close personal friend.
But at this, Harry didn't mind. It was exchanged for the ultimate accomplishment, and relief. The threat was gone, the magical and muggle world alike were safe.
Hermione skimmed the back of the paper and let out a yelp.
"OH!" She smiled enthusiastically "Look who has been named the new headmaster of Hogwarts!"
Turning over the paper she revealed a man with a big nose, not unlike a certain previous headmaster, and a pompous toothy grin. Below the caption read:
"Michael Scott appointed new Hogwarts headmaster by Ministry of Magic"
At first Ron and Harry yelled in outrage remembering Dolores Umbridge, and Hermione, obviously realizing this let out a
"Hem Hem." She pointed at the article below and read aloud.
"Michael Scott, regional manager of Dunder Miflin Scranton Branch in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He has been working with muggles for over 12 years and is now coming to Hogwarts to take over the post of Headmaster."
Below there was also a shocking caption.
"Argus Filch has passed away at 86. Filch was the Hogwarts caretaker for 50 years, he was found in his office and is believed to have died of natural causes.
His cat was nowhere to be seen, but is believed to be living in the castle. A new caretaker has not been appointed, but Rubius Hagrid is the prime candidate for the job."
There was a short silence which passed for a religious one. Filch was a squib, which means someone from a Wizard family with no magical ability. But Dumbledore gave him the post as caretaker, and Harry suspected it had something to do with his sister Ariana.
Ron chose to break the silence "Well hey, at least we don't have to deal with this Scott character and whoever the new caretaker is. We're done with--"
"RON!" Hermione cut across "Be so dense, you can't think that we aren't going to go for 7th year!"
"Are you kidding me? Why bother, we're doing alright." He sputtered
"We're living in Harry's muggle families' house, how can you think this is alright? If we go back, we can get our Newts and we can see some old friends" she said.
Ron obviously confused asked "What friends? Everyone in our year is out of school, remember? Last year was our LAST year"
"But there's still Luna and some of the teachers..." Harry said, agreeing with Hermione. But he had other reasons that he rather not explain.
Ever since recovering the Diadem from the room of requirement he had a lot of questions to be answered. And he also wanted to see the castle. It was his first home, and it meant the world to him.
"So Harry, your scar still hasn't bothered you?" Ron asked
Hermione interjected "Ron for the thousandth time, that scar was a connection between him and Voldemort. If Voldemort is dead, then why would it bother him?"
Taken back Ron pretended to read an upside down muggle book.
"So it's agreed?" Hermione urged, persistent to get their NEWTS "Are we going back for 7th year?"
Ron grudgingly agreed.
"Excellent, train leaves tomorrow" laughed Hermione.