AN: 4/16/13. I am reading my own story for the first time a year after I wrote it. I am also now editing it as I find mistakes that I missed during the writing process. This story especially is a favorite of mine because it was my first. Plus it has a message I believe strongly in personally. Even though the story is finished, and I've decided not to write a sequel, I hope readers will still find the story worth reading and reviewing, I still enjoy reading all the lovely reviews and applying critiques towards stories I am currently writing. Also, if you have seen this story on other sites under a different name that is because I have now had two different people that I know of try to steal it. It saddens me, but there isn't much I can do to stop it either.
AN: There are a lot of Dramione 7th year stories out there, I know. However, I have not come across this story, or this plotline. If it is out there in fandom land I apologize, but I really believe this story is going to be one you've not read anything like before. I hope you enjoy and please read and review, because I will post faster for your rewards of reviews since I'm not posting chapter one until I'm half way done with the story. Now for the disclaimer: I am not J.K. Rowling, and do not own any Harry Potter characters except for in my wildest dreams! Love you all, clumsy!
Hermione was nervous as she approached the Three Broomsticks. It wasn't often that she received a letter like the one Professor McGonagall had sent her. She requested her presence at a meeting today, and also asked that she come without Mr. Potter or Mr. Weasley. Curious as to the reason for their absence, Hermione had answered immediately confirming her attendance, not knowing that two others had received letters similar to hers for attendance to said meeting. Had she known at the time, she may not have attended at all.
After entering, she gave her eyes enough time to adjust before looking around for Professor McGonagall. Once she spotted her she headed over to her table a little surprised to see Michael Corner there as well, although it was a happy surprise. Michael was a friend from Ravenclaw House, and a fellow member of Dumbledore's Army. The DA had formed back in her 5th year as a way to learn Defense Against the Dark Arts when that class was being taught by the toad aka Dolores Umbridge.
"Hello Professor, Michael! It's so wonderful to see you both!" she said hugging Michael and shaking McGonagall's hand.
"Hermione, it's so great to see you as well, you're looking well." Said Michael.
"Miss Granger thank you for coming. We will begin shortly, I have one more student attending," from McGonagall. "Oh good, here he is."
Hermione and Michael both turned around and her stomach clenched and hit the floor. Walking towards their table was none other than Draco Malfoy, who was wearing the expression he seemed to always reserve just for her. An odd mixture of disgust mingled with fury and condescension. Refusing to acknowledge her or Michael, he greeted Professor McGonagall and they all took their seats, the three young peers looking questioningly at their Professor from their school days.
"I'm sure you are all wondering why I asked you here, but I want to thank all three of you for showing up. Now this school year is going to be very different, as we are inviting back all the students who missed last year due to the climate of the war. That includes the three of you. The reason I asked you for a meeting rather than just sending you letters is that I have designed a new class with the input of Minister Shacklebolt. You three were handpicked to teach this class while still attending your other classes. The reason you were chosen is twofold. The three of you have the highest grades for all years of attendance in your respective 'blood status' categories. Hermione you are the brightest witch of the age along with the best grades since Dumbledore himself, and your Muggleborn. Michael you have the highest grades of Half-bloods, and that of course leaves Mr. Malfoy with the highest of grades for the purebloods. There is also the fact that the three of you represent different houses, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin." She began.
Hermione was having mixed emotions, thrilled and happy to be able to return to finish school while at the same time anxious and afraid of the thought of having to spend time with "the ferret" Malfoy. Michael Corner was looking like he was thinking along similar lines, while Malfoy was wearing no readable expression at all.
"Now, this new class will be called Cultural Diversity. It will always be taught by three current students, of different houses and different 'blood status'. The benefits for the students teaching will be, your tuition and books for the year will be paid for by the school, and you will have free weekends to leave school grounds as any other teacher instead of restricted leave of students, since you are students and can't be paid," she continued.
Michael and Hermione looked at each other excitedly, and pointedly ignored Malfoy's presence altogether at this point.
"Should you agree to this, the three of you will have to find time to plan the course together. You will need to come up with your aims, lesson plans and timeline through the school year. The curriculum will be overseen by me and we will have weekly meetings to discuss how things are going. I will sit in one lesson this year, and Minister Shacklebolt will sit in one. With the exception of those two lessons, the course is intended to be run by students not by Professors so it will not be held in the company of the teachers. Now, do you have any questions?" she asked.
Looking to Malfoy and back to McGonagall, Hermione asked, "Do we have time to think about your offer before we respond? While tempted, there are mitigating factors I need to think about?"
McGonagall nodded answering, "I can give you up to one week, but I need an answer by then. At that time I will either need to try to find someone else, or we need to start planning your course."
Malfoy who up to this point had said nothing, cleared his throat and asked, "Where will these meetings be held, here at the pub?" He was quite uncomfortable with the idea. He really just wanted to leave and not give this anymore thought at all, but he knew his mother would be intrigued and disappointed in him if he did.
"The meetings will be once a week throughout the summer, to be held each week at each of your homes, or places of personal importance to each of the three of you while growing up, thus ensuring that each of you gains knowledge of each other's culture and personality. This will help you bond to each other and therefore improve your chances of teaching the class to respect the differences we each bring with us." She answered.
When no other questions were brought forth she ended the meeting. She again asked for their answers by this time next week. Before ending the meeting however, she asked Malfoy to stay behind for some reason.
Once the other two were gone McGonagall began, "Mr. Malfoy, you were the first person we wanted to teach this course, especially with Miss Granger. However, the two of us are very concerned about the fact that you are well known to have taken the Dark Mark and becoming a known Death Eater. While that concerns us, your acceptance to 7th year is dependent on you teaching this course, and remaining open-minded to Hermione and Michael. Should you refuse, then you won't be welcomed back for the school year. We are certain that you are more than your reputation and have every confidence you will gain as much as the students you will teach."
Seeming to need no reply to that statement she said her goodbyes and the two of them left, Malfoy's face was one of furious indignation. His first instinct was to tell McGonagall and Minister Shacklebolt to shove their offer up their arses.
A few hours later found Hermione at the Burrow in the kitchen having dinner with the Weasley's and Harry Potter. She was telling everyone about her meeting with the Professor and the two boys selected to teach the course along with her. Not surprisingly Ron was furious with Malfoy being chosen as the pureblood instead of him.
"Like that ferret should be teaching about culture! It's gonna be all about why somebody will have a jolly old time becoming a Death Eater!" he blathered.
That attitude was part of the reason their relationship never really worked out. They had given it a good try during the last month, but had mutually decided it wasn't meant to be. They were better off as best friends and Ron was currently going out with Susan Bones. They were so cute together, both redheads, and upon looking at them you could almost see Ron's parents dating when they were younger. Susan was a much better fit for Ron than Hermione knew she would be herself, she and Ron both had very strong personalities and fought quite often.
Harry Potter was looking calmly at Hermione. He was really her very best friend, better than even Ron. He was also exactly what she would have wanted if she had a brother. He knew her better than anyone, better even than her own parents, which is probably why he could see her confusion and indecision about the whole idea.
"Hey 'Mione, how about we go for a walk?" he asked her after dinner.
The two of them headed out of the Burrow and walked past the garden and all the little gnomes out playing in that garden. Once they passed through the fence they began to talk to each other.
"Harry, part of me really wants this. I'm feeling very content and relaxed now that I get to finish school, and I really want to be a teacher after school, so this is a wonderful opportunity, not to mention a foot in the door so to speak. That part knows it would be foolish to decline the offer. The other part of me is terrified because Draco Malfoy and all the time I would have to spend in his company. I have been so happy knowing I would never have to speak with him again, never have to hear his verbal diarrhea and see his face screwed up into a look of hate. How am I gonna be able to accept having to spend even more time with him than ever before?" she waffled.
He looked at her with calm comfort in his eyes. "You are the brightest, most forgiving person I know 'Mione. If anyone can handle Malfoy, you can. You have handled him, for seven years! One more probably won't kill you. Even though Ron and I won't be there, you still have Ginny with you, and even Malfoy is smart enough to know not to take on the two of you together. Plus, he's bound to be on his best behavior, given the fact he's a known Death Eater and pure blood enthusiast, since he obviously knows this is not an opportunity to be thrown away."
"I know Harry; I guess I'm just uncomfortable with the idea of spending so much time with him. Of course, I've made my pro con list, and the pros outweigh the cons by a very large degree. I really think I should accept, but I'm so nervous about it." She said.
"In your shoes, I would be nervous as well 'Mione, but I know you can do this. I want you to do this. The very idea of this class is genius. Think of the difference you can make, the lives you can change. Maybe you can help prevent our world ever falling apart again, by changing the way people look at and treat each other based on differences. Show them that there is no difference in the way muggleborn's live as opposed to the way purebloods live." He answered.
"I agree, I just am not sure I can deal with being called Mudblood all summer and school year without hexing the idiot into oblivion" she said.
Harry just laughed and said, "That's my girl! Now we both know you're going to do this, how about we head back and you write McGonagall and let her know. Then I say you, me, Gin and Ron go to Diagon Ally and visit George, and of course we have to go to Fortesques for ice cream, my treat! Plus I wanted to see if you would go with me somewhere alone while Gin and Ron visit George."
"Ok, where are we going," she said with a smile.
"Ummm, er, well see it's like this. I want your opinion on a ring for Ginny. I plan on proposing to Gin on her birthday in August."
Hermione squealed and jumped up and down, all while trying to hug Harry!
A few hours later Hermione and Harry were standing at the counter of Adalmar's Jewelers. Harry was very adamant about the jewels he wanted in her ring. Her birthstone is the Peridot. The Peridot is said to host magical powers and healing properties to protect against nightmares and to bring the wearer power, influence, and a wonderful year. So that was what he wanted her ring to be, but with three diamonds on each side of the greenish yellow stone. He wanted the band to be platinum to match the wedding band they'd already picked out. He was having the band inscribed with Love is the greater good. They were now finishing up the ordering of the princess cut Hermione says is Gin's favorite, with the Peridot jewel Harry chose.
"Do you really think she'll accept Hermione? I'm afraid she's going to wake up and realize she'd have a much easier life with someone else! I can't even come in a jewelry store without the damn paparazzi following!" he asked.
"Harry, Ginny is the toughest witch I know. Whether growing up with six brothers was the cause, or being raised by Molly, probably it's the combination of both, but no matter the cause, she's the only person I can imagine for you. She's perfect for you, and to be honest, I already talked to her about this very thing." Hermione confessed.
"You told her I was going to propose?" he asked infuriated and indignant. He was momentarily stunned she would betray his trust this way. But of course, he should have known better!
"I would never do that! No, it's just, Harry, I love you. You're my family, my brother. We are the only people in each other's lives that have never left the other. And as is a sister's duty, I told her that if she wasn't capable of dealing with the harder parts of being your life partner, then I wished she would walk away now. You deserve love more than anyone I know, and she agreed and told me she promised she loved you with everything she is, and she doesn't give a damn about all the other stuff." Hermione said, somewhat defensively.
Harry just hugged her and told her he loved her too. He thanked her for coming with him and they headed back for Weasley's Wizard Wheeze's.
When they arrived in the back room where Ginny, Ron and George were seated and talking, and happily laughing at George, who was doing as well as could be expected after losing Fred, Hermione said she had an announcement to make. When they all looked at her expectantly she announced that she had not only decided to return to Hogwarts, but she would also agree to teach the Diversity course McGonagall had requested her to.
She could only hope and pray that Malfoy either declined his offer, or would be less insulting to her since they would be working together.