Circumstantial Consequence
Chapter 1
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Seriously.
Isn't it interesting how governments often deem it their responsibility to meddle in the lives of those they know little about?
This, my friend, is a relatively accurate narrative of events set in motion by the hand of the ministry of magic. Allow me to take advantage of this yet untold work and disregard many of the facts of the universe in which this story is set. As you will see if you continue reading (for which I would be eternally grateful) this story would not work had certain characters died or certain relationships been founded. To cut to the chase, at the time of this story, the boy-who-lived has defeated he-who-had-no-nose-and-no-common-sense and is once again a hero of the wizarding world. He and his friends, the smartest-witch-of-her-age and the-king, have returned reluctantly (on the part of the males) and happily (for Hermione) to Hogwarts, along with the remainder of their year, to complete year 7 and sit their N.E. .
As for the other details of this story, I shall settle to tell you only that the light won the war with numerous casualties on both sides, although Professor Dumbledore lives, as does Professor Snape who, for many years, was working for the light.
I suppose that I shall commence this story now, on the day before term begins, where the golden trio are sitting at the kitchen table at Grimmauld place, amongst friends, discussing the year to come.
Molly Weasley set down the last dish of many before taking her seat next to Arthur Weasley at the head of the table. The Weasley family had not come out unscathed from the war, having lost Fred, who died protecting his twin brother, and Arthur's left leg.
Next to Arthur, who now sported a Moody esque peg, sat Remus, followed by Tonks and a blue haired bundle of infant. Next to Teddy sat the trio and Ginny, while on the opposite side of the table sat the rest of the Weasley clan, with a twinkling Professor Dumbledore and a seemingly stern Professor McGonagall gracing the end.
Ron reached for a chicken drumstick to add to the pile on his plate. "The only good thing about going back this year is Quidditch." he commented sullenly.
"Yeah." replied Harry, I don't see why we have to go back. I defeated Voldemort, didn't I? What else could the Auror office want?"
"Harry," Hermione sighed, "we've already talked about this. You know you need N.E.W.T level potions to be able to be an Auror, which you don't have!"
"At least with Slughorn we'll be able to get them, mate," put in Ron.
A cough from the end of the table caught their attention.
"Actually," interjected Dumbledore, "Professor Slughorn has entered back into retirement this year." The trio exchanged confused looks.
"Then who will be teaching us, sir?" inquired Hermione, leaning forward with a worried expression.
"Why, Professor Snape, of course!" Dumbledore smiled fondly and raised a hand to quieten the boy's oncoming complaints. "He has, however, agreed to allow those who studied under Professor Slughorn to continue, no matter how adamantly against the idea he was."
Ron dropped his head onto his hands and groaned. "Why must Kingsley do this to us?"
"Mr Weasley," McGonagall entered the conversation with a scowl, "You know as well as the rest of us that the ministry have enough on their hands without having to find employment for a year's worth of N.E. students."
Ron's mumbled comment on playing for the Chudley Cannons was, thankfully, drowned out as Ginny spoke up.
"Will the two seventh year classes be separated, sir?"
Hermione and Ron exchanged knowing smiles over an oblivious Harry's head.
"I'm afraid we have neither the staff nor the time in the day for that to be possible, Miss Weasley," Dumbledore twinkled, "though the house dorms have been temporarily expanded to accommodate the extra students."
A comment from Mrs Weasley interrupted the group's conversation.
"Eat up, Ron, Harry. You too, Hermione, Ginny. You still need to finish packing before bed if we have any hope of making the train in the morning!"
Hermione watched the boys groan and bury themselves in their food with a fond sigh of exasperation. Despite having already packed, double checked and shrunk her trunk, she obliged, finishing her meal before leading her friends up the stairs to their respective rooms.
There was a great flurry of activity on the train station the next morning as Molly rushed from child to child, simultaneously giving out hugs while hurrying them onto the Hogwarts express.
"Come on Ron, have you got pig? Good. Now remember to clean out his cage and write to us as often as you can. You too, Ginny dear. Oh, no you don't!" She snatched the latest Weasley Wizarding Wheezes product out of Harry's hand before pulling him into a crushing hug.
"You take care now, Harry dear. Study hard and have as much fun as you can."
Arthur Weasley thumped over and ruffled Harry's already messy hair.
"You're finally free, my boy. Enjoy yourself."
Harry looked at the couple who considered him a surrogate son and smiled. They were right. He, Ron and Hermione finally had the chance to live.
Hermione slid into the carriage to hear Ron once again relaying to Harry and Ginny the horrors of Professor Snape.
"Oh, do come off it Ron!" She snapped. "You've already been taught by him for six years, surely he couldn't be any worse than he's been before. Besides," she interrupted his opposing comment, "he doesn't have to play the part of the death eater spy anymore, that has to count for something. Now," Hermione admonished before any could reply, "you three need to change into your robes. We'll be at Hogwarts soon."
"Yes, 'Mione.", came the practiced reply.