"I wouldn't be so sure," said Harry, gesturing to the fireplace that Professor, now Headmistress McGonagall had just stepped o

"I wouldn't be so sure," said Harry, gesturing to the fireplace that Professor, now Headmistress McGonagall had just stepped out of with a grin.

-&-

"Professor McGonagall," squealed Hermione, excited to see her favorite teacher, and went over to help her out of the fireplace. It was the smallest in the house, and no one usually flooed to there, but no one had told Professor McGonagall that of course.

"Good afternoon, Miss Granger," said Professor McGonagall in her usual regal sounding voice.

They all looked up in anticipation, wondering what Professor McGonagall was here for. She turned to Harry, Hermione and Ron, asking to speak to them privately about their schooling.

"I don't mind," said Hermione, and everyone nodded since they agreed, as far as they were concerned, Ginny was trusted enough to listen in.

"This really is something that needs to be discussed privately, Miss Weasley, if you could leave the room?" asked Professor McGonagall, and Ginny quickly walked out.

"Now," said Professor McGonagall wondering how to explain the solution she had came up with for the trio, it was a bit complicated. "You were of course not at school last year, meaning that you did not take your NEWTs, I have no doubt that you are up to scratch in all your subjects, but since you did not complete your final year of schooling, I have decided to offer you the chance to take your final year and your NEWTs in September. It is entirely your choice whether or not you would like to return to Hogwarts, but personally, I would recommend finishing your schooling. None of you have jobs yet, and our final year might give you some time to think about it."

Hermione smiled, and said "I think that's a great idea, I'm coming back, what about you, Ron?"

"Urm…" said Ron, not really sure what he wanted to do.

"I want to come back," said Harry, which settled it for Ron.

"Ok, I will as well then. I guess we're all coming back," said Ron.

"So, there'll be 8 years?" asked Hermione.

"No," said Professor McGonagall. "All 7 years will still be there as normal, and we'll have a few extra rooms put in for the students coming for the 7th year late, and you'll be joining in with the year below you for classes."

"I bet Hermione will be Head Girl," laughed Ron, which Hermione frowned at.

"Well," said Professor McGonagall, rather awkwardly.

Harry frowned.

"I decided to award the position of Head Girl to Luna Lovegood for her excellent leadership skills which she displayed last year, however, after talking with Professor Flitwick and your other professors, we have decided that this year, it will be a joint position if you wish to take it. Harry, we have decided that you will be Head Boy with Neville Longbottom, as we could not choose between the two of you, you have both displayed an immense amount of Gryffindor courage over the past year," she paused, glancing at Ron who was scowling.

"Not to worry, Mr Weasley, you will be included as well, I'm sure no one will be able to forget that you were involved in the Horcrux hunt with Hermione and Harry. I'll give you the option of being Quidditch captain, as I believe that you are the oldest member of the team, but you can pass it onto someone else if you don't wish to take it, you'll also need to hold try outs as I believe the team has been severely depleted," explained Professor McGonagall.

"Thanks, Professor," said Ron with a grin, pleased that he finally had a position of importance.

"Are we the only ones coming back?" asked Hermione.

"No, I believe that after I gave them the option, Lavender Brown, Anthony Goldstein, Neville Longbottom, Terry Boot, Susan Bones and Daphne Greengrass are also returning," replied Professor McGonagall.

"But Daphne and Susan aren't muggleborn, they would have been there last year, and Neville was definitely there last year, he was leading the DA," said Harry, sounding confused.

"Yes, well, with the dangers of war last year, Daphne and Susan's families didn't think it safe to return to Hogwarts, especially as Susan's aunt had just been killed, and Daphne's family thought she might be forced into Death Eater activity, being in Slytherin. I realize that Neville was there last year, but due to some of the staff, he didn't end up learning anything, and missed his newts, so I let him come back," she explained.

"Oh, okay," said Harry, understanding.

Professor McGonagall bent down, grabbing a package out of her bag, and handing something small to each of them, Hermione squealed out in delight when she received hers, it was a red shield shaped badge, with HG, for Head girl, or maybe for Hermione Granger engraved onto the badge in gold.