(Part seven - the conclusion)
He tried to have fun at Rons house, and he did, to a point. Ron had agreed he did the right thing, but he still wasn't sure that he did. Ron's family was glad to see him, and his son was adorable, and his wife was nice, but as he spent time there, and time with the rest of Ron's large family it kept on reminding him of what he didn't have. Ron had done amazing well with his life. He found that he was actually jealous. He was glad to finally go when the week was over. He made it back to France in time to go to work on Monday morning. His life was back to normal. John Malculm had left for Azkaban the week before to serve his treason sentence, and after a while it seemed like none of this ever happened, expect for the empty feeling he had, and it kept on getting larger as time went one.
That Monday he started work was the same day that all the students arrived for their first day at Hogwarts. Hermione sat at the teachers table, and got a different view of the whole operation. Not much was different, but she could sense all the students looked at her in confusion. Headmaster Dumbledore introduced her at Ms. Chatier, and then the feast started. She looked around at all the other Professors at the table, and wondered how many of them there knew the truth. Most of them were the same as when she went there, but there were one or two that were different. Dumbledore had told her earlier in the week what he obligations would be during the school year. She would be helping out in the library, which she didn't mind at all, and teach some of the class's when the other Professors were busy. It was confusing at first being called Ms. Chatier, but after a while, just like everything else, she got used to it.
A month passed, and another and another. Halloween came and went, and then christmas. Soon it was spring. Life in Marseilles wasn't as great as he had expected it to be. It was still as depressing as before that summer. He still wasn't happy. Confronting his problems, he realized how much he missed everything. However much he tried, this place could never really be his home again. And so, he did something irrational, something he prayed he would never regret. One day, late in February, he was in a bored mood, so he decided to clean out his Hogwarts trunk. Everything was there, exactly how he had left it, except for one thing. On top on his letters from Ron was a yellow folder. He opened in suspiciously and inside was all the writing of John Malculm that Hermione had taken from the hotel room. He didn't want to go through it, but he couldn't help himself. He got about halfway through it when he found a piece of paper that looked like it didn't fit. He unfolded it and noticed it was written in Hermione's curvy handwriting, which he knew well.
Harry
I assume that if you are reading this you found the papers, and I pray you do something safe with them. Right now you are at work, and I didn't know where else to put them. I doubted they would be found in your trunk, except by you. I knew I couldn't take the papers with me, if they fell into the wrong hands it would be disastrous for our cause. At the moment I don't know how we are getting out of France, but I am sure you will think up something marvelous. I would trust my life to you. I owe everything to you. I was surprised when you came back today. I thought I would never see you again. I wouldn't have been surprised if you had gone and turned me in right then and there. If I was in the situation you were in, I know I would have. You are certainly a better person then I, but then you always were, that's what drew me to you in the first place, but I shouldn't go there, because I know now it will never work out, how much I do love you. There, I said it. You probably will never read this letter, so it doesn't matter if you know or not. See now I am just rambling. Oh well, I better stop now, I think I hear you at the door.....He couldn't read the last sentence because it was blurred out by what looked like tears. He quickly stuffed it back in the trunk. He didn't want to think about what the letter said. He sat there, staring at the wall for how long, he had no idea. He suddenly realized what he had to do. He realized that he didn't belong in France anymore, and he was just fighting himself by staying here. He quickly threw some clothes in his trunk, and then sat down on his desk to write a letter of resignation. He gave it Hegwig Jr. who quickly flew off to his supervisor. Grabbing his wand, he apperated to Diagon Alley. He made his way to Rons apartment. Ron opened the door, and was shocked when he saw who it was.
"Harry...Hello...what a surprise to see you here. What brings to you this part of the world?"
"Don't have a clue. Mind if I come in ?"
"Sure, I just got home. Victoria and William are away, so I am alone at the moment." He opened the door, looking at Harry with a confused look. They walked into the living room and sat down.
"I couldn't stay in France anymore, I just couldn't do it" Harry said suddenly. "Before I thought that if I lost contact with England, I would lose contact with all my problems as well, but you know, they will always catch up with you sooner or later."
"Are you planning on going back to Hogwarts?" Ron asked, looking over at his friend.
"I don't know." He put his head in his hands. "Should I?" He paused. "I can't stop thinking about her, Ron. It's worse then before. I've come this far, why not go all the way. I can't go back to France, I already quit my job. I just can't get over her." He sighed.
"If that's the way you truly feel, then go back." Harry looked up.
"I suppose I will. Do you mind if I leave my trunk here?"
"Not at all, I'll put in the spare room."
"Thanks Ron, I owe you one."
"You owe me more then one" Ron replied, smiling. Harry got up and went to the door. "Good luck." He closed the door behind him, and way gone.
Harry arived at Hogwarts sometime in the mid afternoon. He could see some students wandering around the grounds, and a group of first years still learning how to fly on the brooms. He smiled, remembered how it had been, so very long ago. Knocking on the Great door, he waited for an answer. The door was opened by the same small witch as when he came there the summer before.
"Yes?"
"I'd like to speak to Ms. Chatier please?"
"She is teaching the charms class right now, if you would like me to show you to her rooms. I don't think she is expecting any visitors."
"No, that's ok" he replied, pushing his way past her, "I'll find it on my own."
"But Sir?" she cried out, but he was gone. "Oh no" she mumbled, as he rushed off towards the Headmasters office. Harry hurried to the charms classroom, and he found it in no time. He could feel the students stop and stare at him, it wasn't a usual occurrence for a strange man to walk through the halls of the school. Something must be up. Some of them actually followed him, wondering where he was going. He stopped in front of the Charms classroom and stood at the doorway, and watching Hermione teach.
"What do you think he wants with Ms. Chatier? I hope she's not in trouble?" He heard a student behind him whisper. He smiled, obviously she was well received in the school. Finally one of the students noticed him standing there. She raised her hand.
"Yes Cathy, what do you want? Can it wait?"
"Ms. Chatier, there is a man at the door." the girl replied.
"There is?" She turned towards the door, and dropped the book when she saw him. "OHMYGOD...Harry!"
"Hello" He replied, smiling.
"Harry, I can't believe it's you." then forgetting there was a class in the room, rushed over to him, and threw her arms around his neck. They just stood there, oblivious to everyone around them. "I didn't think you would come back." she said, placing her head on his shoulder.
"I figured I was done running from my past. There is nothing for me in France anyway."
"But your job?"
" I quit it yesterday night. I can always get another in America."
"America?"
"We're going to America, right? You're not planning to stay at Hogwarts forever."
"We?"
"Of course We, unless you don't want to come?"
"Of course I want to come. Take the chance of losing you again, never." She smiled up at him, and he knew he had done the right thing, he was finally happy.
OK...it's over..done, finished. They are back together, I couldn't keep them apart, it just wasn't happening. Sorry to all you people who wanted John and Hermione to get back together. Oh..thanks to J.K Rowlings for the Characters and part of the scene, thanks to France the other part of the scene, thanks to the writers of Casablanca for the plot. Thanks to my sister for giving me the idea for the end, even though she didn't give much constructive criticism, and thanks you to the reader...who I know are dying to rush off and review my story *L*>
Epilogue -
Harry + Hermione - Goes off to America with Hermione where they work with John's group to help get Malfoy out of the Ministry power. They live happily ever after, as was expected
Ron - Lives happily with his wife Victoria where he has one more child. Both his sons go to Hogwarts, and grow up to be successful Ministry officers just like the rest of their family.
John Malculm - Goes crazy in Azkaban (what did you expect, it's Azkaban after all)
