Professor Ginevra Weasley
Disclaimer: Get this pesky thing out of the way. I am in no way related nor do I own Harry Potter characters. I am however the proud owner of the plot :)
Ok so yet another Ginny/ Harry fic from me... this one more ambitious and with a much larger scope.
Things you should know:
This takes place 11 years after the end of the Second Wizarding War
Harry and Ginny did not date in sixth year or after the war but the "crush" days of course still exist :P
Enjoy :)
Of course To Héla – the bestest fellow fandomer in the world :P
HPHP
"Minerva, I love you, I really do. You're like a second mother to me but I think you talking to dead portraits for so long has finally taken a toll on your sanity!" Ginny exclaimed.
"Nonsense, Ginevra. I'm perfectly well within the limits of sanity. And I've thought this through. You'd be excellent for the job." Professor Minerva Mc Gonagall calmly retorted sipping a cup of tea while sitting in her large Headmistress' chair at Hogwarts.
"Quite right. I agree." A voice could be heard from behind Professor Mc Gonagall's chair. Ginny leaned to her right and quirked an eyebrow at the unmistakable and, by now, predictable voice of Albus Dumbledore's portrait issuing his advice.
"I still have my doubts." Equally predictable was the sound of Professor Severus Snape, casting cynical illuminations being his general hobby.
"Yes, well, you always do." Ginny didn't miss a beat, quickly averting her eyes back down, contemplating what Minerva was proposing. Over the years, she had come to ignore Snape's constant belligerent comments, realising that deep... VERY deep down he meant well.
But still what Minerva was suggesting was preposterous.
"Incidentally, if you accept, this would make you the youngest Headmistress," and Minerva emphasised 'mistress', "in Hogwarts history."
"Yes well that's just another reason why I shouldn't take the position, isn't it?" Ginny argued, clearly panicked, "What do I know about controlling the houses, running a school... keeping Hagrid from bringing another dragon in here?"
Minerva shared a knowing look with both Albus and Severus, a small smile on her aged face, recalling an old joke between the Headmasters and Headmistresses of Hogwarts.
"Yes Ginevra," Mc Gonagall looked straight at Ginny, "I think you'd be quite perfect for the job."
HPHP
Ginny hurried out of the Headmaster's office, a worried frown set in her older but still pretty face. Her deep red robes billowed behind her as she hastily made her way to her quarters to prepare for another lesson.
Yes, Defence Against the Dark Arts with the Ravenclaws is just what she needed to clear her head from the mind-boggling conversation she just had with the current Headmistress, Professor Minerva McGonagall, and approximately a hundred deceased Headmasters/mistresses of Hogwarts.
'The Weasleys are going to have a riot over this one', she thought to herself as she quickly gathered 'Revised Defence Against the Dark Arts' by Hermione Granger-Weasley and made her way to the airy fourth floor classroom she had called her main workplace for the last ten odd years.
She was never late to her lessons so this was a first. It was enough to tip off her fifth year Ravenclaws that something was amiss. For a second she cursed her students knowing her so well and furthermore the Ravenclaws for being so bright. All eyes were on her, studying her surreptitiously.
Professor Ginevra Weasley was one of the most well-loved Professors Hogwarts had ever had. Unprejudiced, despite her staunch Gryffindor background, she was clear and concise in her explanations... allowing room for the Ravenclaws to do what they do best, learn basics and explore them to the fullest on their own; she was practical in her knowledge, applicable to the loyal Hufflepuffs who sometimes struggled with the glory of the other houses; she was crafty and cunning in elaborations and examples making her a favourite even amongst the Slytherins who could count on her on being appreciative to the inner conflicting workings of the Slytherin minds; and above all she was firm and a beacon of pride to the age-old Gryffindor camaraderie.
Furthermore, Ginny knew balance. She knew when it was acceptable to be less lenient, offering advice but always knew when to hold back, especially when it came to simple inner-house rivalry that was occasionally best left to be dealt with by the students themselves.
She had spent years observing her co-workers. Hagrid's love of the subject which many students quickly responded to; Professor Flitwck's elaborate explanations which kept the students mesmerised, and Neville's (Professor of Herbology and Head of Gryffindor) patience and clarity. She used all these characteristics as guidelines when, eleven years ago, she had been begun teaching at Hogwarts.
Most of all, Ginny loved her students. She loved that each student held such great potential. Ginny enjoyed watching each student's face as they accomplished a difficult feat. She was riveted by the fact that students appeared before her as mere children in their first year, but left as adults. She felt proud that she witnessed several significant experiences in their lives and even formed part of their fond memories.
Professor McGonagall was not, in any way, blind to the uplifting and satisfying effect the students had on Ginny, and it was for this principal reason that Minerva thought Ginny would be an excellent candidate for the post of Headmistress. Put simply, Minerva could see several similarities between herself and Ginny.
"Alright everyone let's revise Patronuses, shall we? I trust you've all had plenty of time to practise. As I said before, the wand movement and incantation are simple enough, it' the conjuring of a happy enough moment that's always the tricky bit," Ginny began her class.
The students nodded diligently and got up, wand at the hands.
"Professor?" a small brunette in the third row raised her hand.
Ah, Julie Greenland, Ginny thought, a girl who could give Hermione a run for her money.
"Yes Ms. Greenland?"
"Could we see your Patronus just one more time? It's so lovely."
The other students nodded excitedly.
Ginny felt herself blush slightly at the compliment.
"Oh, alright then." Wand at the ready, Ginny concentrated for a moment, a surprisingly recent memory coming clearly to mind. With a small proud smile, she pronounced 'Expecto Patronum' clearly and out of her wand came a brilliant silver light that illuminated the already well-lit classroom. After only a moment, the shapeless silver substance took the form of an evidently strong and youthful female wolf.
The students exclaimed. "Wow Professor, it wasn't this bright last time," Terry Jones exclaimed.
"Safe to say you flustered is a sign of good news eh, Professor?" Jim Keynes, the renowned charmer of Ravenclaw, smirked knowingly at Ginny.
Ginny glared at Keynes momentarily. Those Ravenclaws really were too bright for their own good.
HPHP
That was three months ago, right before the end of year exams and all the finer details had been smoothed out. Minerva had finally taken her much needed retirement to catch up with her sister in Wales. Ginny had been installed as the new Headmistress to the surprise of many of the students' parents. Although the students considered it as news, there were a few sceptical parents, needless to say, most of them were former Slytherins. (Just because the Second Wizarding War had done wonders for collaboration did not mean hundreds of years of house rivalry would immediately dissipate.) However, with the help of such parents as Oliver Wood, Luna Lovegood and of course Bill Weasley, Ginny was quickly given a chance to prove her worth before being labelled too 'young' or too 'inexperienced' for the job. Nevertheless, Ginny was still extremely nervous about her first year as Headmistress.
Of course it was nice to see the proud faces of the entire Weasley clan when they found out. Molly and Arthur simply radiated with pride. Ron and George quickly realised the business opportunities available now that their sister was actually regulating Customs in Hogwarts... to which they were quickly admonished by both Hermione and Molly. Ron and George redeemed themselves for their planned debauchery by the beautiful fireworks displays custom-made for Ginny's celebration.
Yes ,Ginny felt very proud of her accomplishment. Bill was Head of Goblin Liasion at Gringotts, Hermione was well on her way to becoming the new Minister for Magic, Ron and George were more and more successful with each passing day, Charlie had finally opened his dream home – a highly equipped dragon training camp and Percy was Head of Wizarding International Relations... but Ginny, Ginny was the youngest Headmistress Hogwarts had ever seen. She'd be damned if she wouldn't try her best.
All summer she had spoken to Minerva about the larger and finer details of the running of Hogwarts. She'd been greatly consoled by the fact that the Headmasters' portraits would all lend a helping hand if the need arose. Her staff was fully supportive as they had come to know and love her while she was teaching. It was the administrative aspects she was mostly worried about - finances, discipline, co-ordination but she hoped that with enough hard work and effort she would master those as well. Hard work and effort she was always willing to give to Hogwarts.
However, there was one small, minor matter that Ginny decided was the gods' way of getting a laugh out of her already stressful job - the matter of who would replace her former position as Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts.
Initially, the predicament was not all that complex. She had quickly sent out a notice and several candidates had promptly shown their interest, all with excellent qualifications. However, it was not until one fateful Sunday brunch at the Burrow, when Hermione chose to divulge the news of the return of a friend and that said friend was looking for a job in England, that Ginny's minor matter became a far more complex matter.
What was Ginny's predicament, you might ask?
Harry Potter was back.
Harry Potter was perfect for the job.
HPHP
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