A/N: I do not own any of the original characters, or settings. That's all thanks to J,K Rowling!
"And you're quite positive about this Minerva?" The two severe women looked at one another. All of the teachers had gathered in the Headmistress' office, standing close to the portrait of Albus Dumbledore, they also wanted to hear his opinion on what their newest addition was proposing. The woman before them all was young, in her late twenties, with impossibly wild curls a color so gold Minerva was sure it was a charm. Her vivid green eyes danced, smiling at them all, she knew what they were thinking. She'd lost her marbles to her studies long ago. She was quite sound though, really.
Rubbing one aged hand, small liver spots beginning to blemish the once smooth skin, across a lined forehead Minerva pinched her nose. Was she sure about what Professor Langdon was proposing? No. Her eyes drifted to the humming painting, who smiled at her nodding once.
"Her methods I'm not sure about Poppy, but Professor Langdon is correct. After everything we've been through in the last year and a half, we need a little bit more unity. Nothing brings people together like love." A smile began to spread across the young woman's face as she looked at her brother, Allistar, who'd joined her in the pursuit of a Hogwarts teaching career. Even after everything, the two still believed that Hogwarts was the best place to teach young minds. After being shut down for almost a year, the school had reopened, tentatively, but it was indeed open.
"But Minerva!" Poppy's eyes nearly burst from her skull, thin lips quivering, spittle forming around the edges. After everything, the Healer felt a stronger connection, a stronger drive to protect the students, if that was possible. "The students!" She all but shouted. "You think it's in their best interest to subject them to this?" She shot Carry an evil look, who immediately bristled up.
"Now just a second Poppy, I don't think you understand." Carry said standing up, she'd been leaning casually before, to show she meant no harm. Though she would not be insulted. Behind her, her twin moved, closing in the ranks.
"No, I quite understand, you want to subject our students to some concoction you've invented! Test it out."
"Ma'am, that's not what Carrie said, we've already explained how it worked over in the States." Allistar spoke up, taking up for his sister, the southern drawl on his voice much more apparent. The fact that the two of them weren't English didn't help either.
"I like the idea personally." The soft voice that popped up between the two women and the man, surprised them all. Everyone looked down at Flitwik, his happy face, a long scar down the left side of it from the Final Battle, beamed at them all. "She's right though Poppy, I don't think you listened carefully. They already know what their potion does, more importantly, they already know it works. They just want to bring a little unity to our school." Feeling as though she'd lost, Poppy turned her eyes to the Headmistress, who had the ultimate say.
"Minerva?" Her voice was soft, defeated.
"It can't hurt Poppy dear, besides we'll have Slughorn who can monitor the potion's progress, also Carry did say that if anything seemed to be going wrong, they simply have to stop taking their potions. It's only for 7th years, most of which are well over the proper age." She hated to admit it, not many of her becoming 7th years, as well as returning ones, agreed to come back, only around 40 or so. "Until further notice, we will proceed with the plan. After all," Minerva smiled a little looking up at the portrait in which Dumbledore had been moments ago. "I'm very tired of all this fighting."
Small hands clapped furiously, along with hundreds of others, including that of her extended family, most of which had flaming red hair. The smiles on their faces were huge, unmistakable. The family, which had always been so poor, nothing but a notch or two above muggles, felt their hearts bursting with joy after hearing the words Kingsley's deep voice uttered.
"After the Wizarding Community of England came to me with the proposition of becoming Minister of Magic, I told them, I knew someone better for the job." The pregnant pause left them all on the edge of their seats. Behind him, four figures sat each looking as nervous as the rest, save for one. He looked overjoyed. Never, not once, in his life did he think he'd be up for something such as Minister of Magic. Behind each of them, their second's stood, the person they would depend on to help them rebuild the magic community of England, though Kingsley had been doing a wonderful job.
"We all know that our great Ministry fell, as it was corrupt to the core. Four people came to mind. These four people I know for a fact, were of the few who remained pure to the core." His voice resounded among the halls, Hermione squeezed Ginny's hand from beside her, looking at the redhead anticipation filling her. Ginny squeezed back, slightly more rough than Hermione had. All of them sat, waiting. Hermione, Ginny, Harry, Ron, George, Bill, Fleur, Charlie, Molly, Neville, Luna, even Seamus and Dean. They all sat together looking up at where Arthur sat with Percy standing behind him.
"Now I know some of you might dispute the decision that I have come to." Kingsley's voice took on a rougher, firmer tone. Daring another to actually, openly dispute the decision he'd come to. "Now, I took care of our problem with those of you disputed me giving amnesty to the Malfoy's, I would just like to remind you all, that if not for Narcissa we would not have won the war." The murmuring that broke out among the crowd at the mention of the Malfoy's, who sat in the back of the room watching carefully, stopped immediately. Kingsley was right of course. "This person, while widely overlooked, will lead us into our new beginning."
Hermione didn't have to hear his next words to know what he was about to say. Her heart began to beat erratically against her breast. Her other hand squeezing Molly's, giving Hermione a particularly teary eyed giving Hermione a small smile. Yes, Molly also knew what was coming.
"I am proud to present to you, effective immediately, your new Minister of Magic! Arthur Weasely!" And the clapping began, loudly, with whoops and hollers from the boys of their section deafening Hermione's ears. She could barely hear Arthur thanking Kingsley as well as everyone else. He'd never had such a big responsibility before, considering all the children he'd managed to raise, all of which turned out to be wonderful wizards and a witch, Hermione knew he'd be able to handle this too.