Chapter Seven
"It has been Many years since these doors have been open. Far too many years have gone by with out the sound of childrens laughter and carousing in the halls of this fine castle. I am reminded of a time twelve years ago when a group of students entered this castle as mere beginners. Little did many know that it would be these beginners who would save us from a fate and person that nightmares are born from. I sincerly hope that we never have to have another group of stundents who are destenied to do the same thing. I also hope that this school see's it's share of witches and wizards who have the same spirit, heart and soul that those stundents did so many years ago." McGonagel pauses as a loud roar erupts from the crowd.
"To be honest, there were huge doubts as to if this school would ever reopen. We had a lot of repairs to do, cleaning up had to be done as well. Then we had to fight the council of governers, as well as the council of the minstry for magic. All of whom thought it unsafe to reopen it. That is were our first award comes in. I want to present this plague of apperation to Arthur Weasley. Without his help the councils would never have changed their minds and allowed us to reopen." She hands the disk to him.
"Thank you headmistress. I am honored you would think i had such a big part in all of this. My part was small compared to what every one else did. I just made some grumpy old men and women see the right of things. I hope all of you get the same experiences and fun that most of me and my family has enjoyed." With that he walks back over to his seat.
"Yes well i for one am glad you were able to convince them old coots to see the light at the end of the tunnel." This cause laughter to erupt.
"Next we have another of the Weasley clan to thank. He also happens to be one of those students that first arrived twelve years ago. At the time i wasn't so sure about him. He had a knack for getting into trouble, being late, and missing his homework. But in the end, he turned into a fine upstanding memeber or our socitey. He has gracusously donated supplies to help rebuild what this school needs to start again. Ronald Weasley."
Ron stands and takes a slight bow, his cheeks aglow with a crimson ting to them. He goes to sit back down when he notices she wants him to say a few words. He slowly walks up to the mega phone.
"Yeah, um, well it was the least i could do. This school did wonders for me. It also introduced me to my two best friends in the world. I just want some other kid to experience that." He moves back to his seat and sits down to a thunderous applause.
"Next we have another of those stundents. She has always been labeled as the britest witch of her generation. She has seen and been through a lot in the twelve years since she first walked through those doors. Never did she allow the dream of this school reopening die. She was formost in every thing trying to get this school reopened. She has donated time, money, sweat, and blood to make this day possible. I think her and our next guest were the two biggest reasons this school reopened. Please welcome Hermione Granger."
Hermione stands up and walks to the mega phone.
"Thank you headmistress. But i have to say, i didn't do all that much. This school would have reopened in the end with out me. I was just glad to be able to do the things i did. All my life i have faced adversity and riducule, that is till i came here. Even here in the begining it was a little rough going. I eventually made friends who were completely loyal to me, who stood up for me. They saved my life on more than one occasion, and set people strait about me as well.
In short,This school changed my life in so many ways it is hard to list them all. It is true some were bad, but most were wonderful changes. It was this school that allowed us to forge the bond of friendship that allowed us to do what we had to do. All of the hard times were more than worth what we got in the end. That is what i want some other students to find with in these walls. I hope they never have to go through all that we did. But for them to build that bond of friendship makes all my efforts worth it." She says and then walks away, back to her seat. The applause is so deafening that many cover their ears till it quites down.
"Next is a man who needs no introduction. It has been his soul purpose to get this school running again this last year. He has donated most of the money to rebuild the destroyed parts of the castle. To refurnish it, resuply it. He even worked out a contract with the House Elves for their services. Built them a new dorm all for themselves. Set up a schedule so none were being over worked.
His talents have suprised many in our world even me. But never once has he turned his back on this school, the wizarding or muggle worlds. Ever time he was needed he stepped up and did what was asked or needed of him. He has suffered great loss in the pursuit of making our worlds safe. He continues that work even to this day. Even with his busy work load he made time for this school. He was also the best seeker i have ever seen in my many years in this school. Ladies and Gentlemen, students alike, I give you Harry Potter!"
The crowd becomes deafening with screams and applause. Harry swoops down from the sky on his firebolt to land easily on the stage next to the headmistress. He hands her a Golden Snitch. He then bows to the crowd and then nods to the people on the stage. He rasies his wand toward the sky and fireworks go off in every direction. sending the crowd to even greater hieghts.
"Thank you Headmistress for that warm welcome. I stand before you today a changed person from what i was eight years ago. When as a wide eyed youth i first arrived at Hogwarts school. I didn't know anything about this world at the time and was given a crash course in it all that first year. Before coming here my life wasn't much of one. Most people know the story so i won't go into details. Lets just say this school, with all of it's flare and style saved my life. It showed me that it was ok to be a little diffrent. I learned what it was like to have friends and people who truely cared about you." Harry pauses and looks at the people on the stage.
"I learned what it meant to stand up for what was right and not what was easy. I learned so much in the years i spent here. About a world were all of these things was possible if you just put your mind to it. The friendships i forged here has paid huge devidends in the past. They have helped me on countless times, saved me a few more times. All of this was made possible because of this school. I have so many fond memories of this place, there was no way i could allow it to stay closed. I want many genrations of witches and wizards to enjoy all the things i did while going here. So with out futher ado!" Harry steps over and cuts the ribbons holding the doors closed.
As he does the doors swing open to reveal the hall way and stairs that lead up to the great hall. The students follow the headmistress inside for the first time in over a year. The rest of the people follow closely behind the students. Ron catches Harry's eye and nods his head at him. A confused look comes across Harry's face as he nods back and then jumps on his broom and flies away.
Harry flies to the side entrence, he gets off his broom shrinks it and puts it in his pocket. He opens the door and walks in. He is met by Hermione as they turn and walk to the headmistress' office.
She is sitting behind her desk when they walk in. She smile at them and motions toward the chairs in front of her desk. The nod and sit down.
"It is nice to have you two here for this great day. I was wondering what you were doing in your lives? The reason i ask is because, i want to know if you would give some thought to maybe becoming teachers here." She asks them.
"I am flattered you would ask, but we have some important things we have to do. In fact we will be leaving once we are done here. Sorry but we won't be staying for the dinner." Hermione says.
"Yeah Hermione has something for us to do. Not sure what yet. Besides are you sure the parents of the kids would want me teaching their kids?" Harry asks.
"I can not think of any one more qualified to teach deffence against the dark arts than you, nor can they." She tells them.
"I will think about it. But first i have to help Hermione with her project." Harry says.
"Very well, i shouldn't keep you two any longer. Please let me know if you become avialable to teach, either of you." She tells them.
"We will. You are right we need to get going. Do you think you could lower the charm so we aparate to where we are going?" Hermione asks.
"Of course dear. Be careful, bye." She tells them.
"Can you follow me or do i need to take you on a side by side?" Hermione asks.
"You lead i will follow." Harry tells her.
They both nod to the headmistress and then first Hermione then Harry disappers. they land in the dusty yard of a run down house with what appers to open feilds all around them. Harry instantly pulls his wand and starts looking around for any sign of trouble. Hermione looks at him and shakes her head no.
"What is this place Hermione and why are we here?" Harry asks her.
"This farm belonged to my grand parents. They moved away from England and came here to America a long time ago. My dad was just a kid when they bought this place. When my dad turned 18 he moved back to England to go to school, he meet my mother and the rest is history." She pauses for a moment, then continues. "My dad was only 21 when his parents died in a car crash, killed by a drunk driver. In their will they left everything to him. The sad part is that this farm setting in this buetiful country side has set empty and decaying since then. This is what i need your help with Harry. I want you to help me put this farm back in to working order and get it to making money. I want it to be a real working farm."
"Ok but why do you need my help?" Harry asks.
"Didn't you promise to help me with out any questions?" She looks at him.
"Yes, but."
"No buts! Either you are going to keep your promise to me or you are going to break it! Which is it Harry?" Hermione asks.
"Slow down Hermione!" Harry raises his hands and then continues. "I remember what i said, i will help you. What i was thinking is that neither of us know how to work on a farm. Wouldn't it make more sense for you to hire some one who does? Couldn't they do it faster and better?"
"No, Harry i want to do this ourselves. We can go to the libary and read how to do it. I know we can do this." She tells him.
"Hermione, there are some things you can't learn from a book. I know that is hard for you to understand, but it is true." Harry smiles at her.
"What we can't learn from the books, we can ask our neighbors. I have already talk to a couple of them, they said any time we have a question to just ask." She tells him.
Harry reaches inside of his jacket and takes out his wand. He starts looking around trying to figure out where to begin. He is about to swing his wand and fix up the barn, when Hermione smacks his arm.
"No magic! We do this the old fashioned way. We do it the way my grand parents did it, With our hands." Hermione tells him.
"Hermione with out nagic this will take forever." Harry pleads.
"Some say only about a year, some say two. I think we can do it in a year though. No magic! We do it with a lot of hard work and manual labor." She tells him.
"Two years! Hermione we can't be away that long! I can't be away that long! I do have a life back in London, duties to see to. People back there need my help!" Harry almost yells.
"We can Harry. Everything back in England is running smoothly enough that they can do with out us. I need your help, are you going to break your promise to me and the ministry as well? Tell me Harry are you going to turn your back on me yet again? Will spending that much time with me be that bad?" She inquires as she turns away from him.
"This is not fair! that is not fair!" Harry almost yells.
"ANSWER THE DAMN QUESTION HARRY!" She does yell.
"No!"
"Good." She says to his back.
Harry turns and walk to the fence by the house, he looks out over the feilds. He knows that he has to keep his word. It is the only thing ha has left that is still intact. He also knows he can't turn his back on Hermione again. 'why does she want to do this, and why does she need my help?' Harry thinks.
"Harry, I know this is not what you want to be doing. I just want you to know, i really do need your help." Hermione says as she walks up and places her hand on his arm.
"I know Hermione. I want walk out on you this time. I guess i am going to be farmer Harry." He smiles at her.
"That has a nice ring to it, Farmer Harry! Yep i can see you in that role!" Hermione laughs at him.
"I wouldn't go that far." Harry says with a strait face.
"Oh come on Harry it was a joke. Loosen up some and laugh would you." Hermione asks.
"Where do we start?" Is all he asks.
"Well i did use magic a little. I fixed up two bedrooms, a bathroom, the kitchen and the sitting room upstairs. That way we have at least some place that is in good shape to spend our nights. I also paid a neighbors son to chop some wood. He said they did 2 cords, see it there next to the house. We will have to use the wood burning stoves to keep warm. At least till we get the rest of the house done. Plus we have to have a new propane tank put in. The old one is rusted through and the lines are in just as bad shape." Hermoine says.
"Good i was worried about where we were going to sleep and spend our down time." Harry says.
"That is taken care of. I think we should take the rest of the day to settle in to our rooms and get use to being here. We can start on the rest tomorrow." Hermione says.
"I think that is the best idea i have heard yet." Harry mocks her.
"Oh you better be nice to me i am cooking dinner!" Hermione says to him.
"Ok i will be nice. Want to show me where my room is?" Harry asks.
"Sure follow me."
She turns and walks to the door of the house. Harry looks one more time out over the feilds toward England, then sighs and turns and follows her inside.
