A/N: So because this is slightly AU and I wanted my ending to go a specific way, I am making some adjustments to post Hogwarts. Although since it's never specified anywhere I guess this could be considered a headcanon not AU. Anways.

Anyone over the age of 17, whether they were 6th or 7th years during the final year (Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley's years…), were given the option to take their NEWTS if they were confident in them. This serves two purposes. The number of "8th" years would increase the student population by a significant amount causing problems for the returning staff. By decreasing the number of 7th and 8th years returning, it helps keep numbers slightly more manageable. Also, many students could find that returning to Hogwarts caused extreme emotional distress and they deserved a chance to have to avoid that if at all possible.

For my story, I have Luna turning 17 at the end of her 6th year and thus qualifies to take her NEWTS (and does so).

Also, this is the end. I am almost ready to start posting another story so stay on the lookout! Read and please enjoy!

3 Casper

Kat looked around Hogwarts with a happy smile.

"It's nice to finally see that."

Kat turned to see Minerva walking across the grounds.

"Minerva! Are you sure you should be out and about? Madame Pomfrey told you to take it easy!"

The older woman scoffed.

"Please, I know my limits. Besides, you graduated and I couldn't miss that could I?"

Kat transfigured a nearby rock into a chair and Minerva sank gratefully into it.

"That was well done."

"Transfiguration was always my best subject, you know that."

"As much as I hated to admit that for many years. You could still come back this fall."

Kat smiled but didn't look at the Professor.

"You'll never give up will you? I already took my NEWTs, and scored pretty well if I do say so myself."

"Will you tell me what you actually got? You've kept it pretty quiet."

"Does it matter? No matter my scores, no one will hire me. I knew that before I took them; but I needed to. Those scores were for me."

Minerva arched an eyebrow at Kat who rolled her eyes.

"You can be so annoying in your persistence. Thank Merlin you didn't like me for years; I don't know how I would have handled your pushiness."

Kat looked back at the stern woman and sighed when she saw a resolute look on her face.

"Fine. I got E's in Astronomy, Charms, Ancient Runes, and Arithmancy. I got an A in Herbology and O's in DADA, Potions and Transfiguration."

"I knew you would get an O in Transfiguration."

Minerva stated proudly.

"But an A in Herbology? That surprises me."

Kat bit her lip.

"It was my last exam and I wasn't paying nearly enough attention and I let the Venomous Tentacula bite me. That's grounds for failure but I stopped the poison and finished the exam. They were impressed with that knowledge and persistence. Since I was supposed to fail, they couldn't give me anything higher than an A."

"What had you so distracted?"

"There were a couple of places that I thought might hire me; I heard back from them before the exam and they all said the same thing. No matter what my scores were, they would lose business if they hired me. I don't have to work; the Herondale vault has enough that I can live comfortably if I invest well."

"So you don't have a job? What about Mr. Zabini? You two are still together? It was all over the papers when it became apparent that he was no longer on the 'market' and I haven't seen anything since then but..."

"Blaise and I are still together; in fact, he recently bought a ring and I know he's planning on proposing."

"You haven't told him that you know?"

Kat smiled softly, thinking of the boy that she had fallen in love with.

"No. I know that this is a big deal for him; he never thought that he'd marry, let alone so young. So I'll let him do it his way, I might tell him eventually. He doesn't have to work either; but he's been talking to Madame Rosmerta about buying The Three Broomsticks. I know that he'll be happy with whatever I decide to do."

"Mr. Zabini, The Three Broomsticks?"

Kat let out a light laugh.

"I know, at first thought it sounds ludicrous. But if you think about it, Blaise does have a talent for entertainment. He wants to buy it and possibly start other businesses around Britain."

"He's much smarter than he used to portray in school, I just didn't think that he'd want to stay around Hogwarts. You all seemed so eager to get away."

"When Rosmerta sells me the bar, that'll show some people a confidence in my character. And, the students won't abandon the Three Broomsticks, they need a place to hang out at while in Hogsmeade. Then in a few years when I open up other businesses, people will already have seen how I run one. They'll be less likely to boycott it because I was once a Death Eater."

A voice spoke behind Katherine and then arms wrapped around her waist.

"McGonagall. You know sweetheart, I'm upset that you told her your NEWT scores before you told me."

"I know you stole my letter last week Blaise, stop trying to guilt trip me."

Kat felt Blaise shrug his shoulders and watched Minerva try to hold back a smile.

"Actually I wanted to ask you this earlier this summer; but I knew that I needed to wait until you received your NEWT results."

Kat frowned at McGonagall.

"Kingsley has made me the official Headmistress of Hogwarts. And despite what I've told everybody else; I'm still recovering from the battle. I can't handle both being Headmistress and teaching Transfiguration."

Kat's mouth dropped open as she stared at McGonagall in shock. Blaise's arms tightened around her but she barely registered the pressure.

"I want you to come and teach Transfiguration."

"Minerva, I'm 18 years old. I'll barely be older than the upcoming 7th years."

"I'm not worried about your knowledge of the material. You're way beyond the 7th year skill set. But I'd be there to help if you needed and I know you're mature enough to handle it. Despite the small age gap."

"That's why you kept asking me to come back! You wanted to see if I held any desire to return to Hogwarts!"

Minerva smirked and Kat stared at her incredulously.

"You aren't afraid of any backlash that that this could cause the school?"

Minerva shrugged her shoulders and looked at Blaise imperiously.

"If people have an issue with it, then they're questioning my judgement. Besides, where are they going to send their children? Homeschooling them just isn't an option for most parents and sending them out of Britain is extremely expensive. So, what do you say?"

"I.."

Kat glanced up at Blaise and when she saw the support written all over his face she turned to face Minerva and nodded.

"I'd love to."

A smile crossed the older woman's face.

"Wonderful. I know that you'll be brilliant at it. I have complete and utter faith in you."

Kat pulled herself out of Blaise's arms and wrapped her arms around Minerva.

"Thank you."

After a moment, Kat felt Minerva's arms wrap around her.

"You're welcome, I know I've apologized for my behavior in the past. But I'm so incredibly proud of you and everything that you've done. I'm proud to be able to say that I know you."

"You've been an incredible mentor and rock to me over the past year."

Kat pulled away and glanced around the grounds nervously.

"No one's around Kat."

Kat glared at the amused smirk that Blaise sent her way and stood a body length away from him.

"Well now that that's settled, I'm also making you the Head of Slytherin House."

"Excuse me?"

Kat gaped at the older woman.

"Even if Severus, damn that traitor, had lived. He would not be welcome in this school. That leaves me down a Head of House and you'd fit wonderfully."

"You want someone as young as me to take over as the Head of House?"

"You won't be the only one. I've hired a few other students from your year and some of them will take over as Heads of House."

"What?"

"You'll see. Meet at the gates 8 AM this Friday and we'll finalize all the details. I'm getting tired. I must go."

Then without showing a single sign of strain, the woman bounded to her feet, turned the chair back into a rock and strode up to the school.

The couple stared in awe as the older woman strode up to the castle. Finally Kat glanced at Blaise.

"Don't think I didn't notice you said when, not if earlier."

"I thought you'd catch that."

"So you convinced her?"

"Didn't take much convincing; after last year she's wanted to get away. She's going on an extended vacation and when she comes back I've already told her she has a job there if she wants it. It'll eventually need a manager if I'm going to open up other businesses."

Kat turned around and pecked Blaise on the lips.

"I'm so proud of you. You'll do brilliantly, I know it."

"We'll do brilliantly. Both of us… I know that you know, but I don't think that you know that I know that you know."

"Blaise, what the hell are you rambling about?"

Kat stared at her boyfriend in confusion but trailed off when he pulled a box from his pocket.

"I know that you know that I've bought this. But I've been trying to come up with a perfect plan and nothing keeps coming to mind. But this right here, us. This is what I want; the two of us together. So what do you say? Fancy become Mrs. Zabini?"

Kat choked out a laugh.

"You are so lucky that I love you. Fancy becoming Mrs. Zabini? Who the hell proposes like that?"

"So is that a yes?"

"Of course that's a yes."

Kat watched as he slid the ring onto her finger before pulling him up, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her lips against his. Arms wrapped around her waist before pulling her closer to his body. Every inch of the front of her body was pressed against his and he expertly deepened the kiss until Kat's body felt like mush. With regret she pulled away and was pleased to see that he was gasping for air as well.

"If we don't stop now we're going to give the entirety of Hogwarts a show."

"Let them see, I don't mind."

He responded with a cheeky smile to which Kat smirked.

"Oh I see, you don't mind other guys seeing me naked? Well then."

Kat began to pull off her outer robe and grinned when Blaise's hands stopped her. She glanced up and looked at him in amusement.

"Ah so that's a no?"

"That's a definite no."

He growled before dragging her to the apparation point and apparating them straight to their bedroom.

Kat stood off to the side, anxiously waiting for 8 o'clock to come around.

"Katherine. I'm glad to see you here."

"I said yes didn't I Minerva? I wouldn't have done that if I hadn't wanted this job."

The older woman let out a relieved sigh.

"Good, I'd hate to have to find a replacement in a few months."

"Are we waiting for others?"

"Yes, I have all of you arriving today. Getting to know each other before the term starts will be important. But I don't think that you all will have an issue..."

Minerva was cut off by an enthusiastic shout.

"Katherine? Are you going to be teaching too?"

Kat spun and saw blonde hair before she was pulled into a tight hug. When she was released she found herself extremely close to the face of Luna Lovegood.

"Luna! You're teaching too?"

Kat smiled at her friend; Luna had become a close friend after her trial. The girl had stood steadfastly beside her, no matter what anybody else had said.

"Hagrid decided that he wanted to just be the groundskeeper again; I'm taking over as the Care of Magical Creatures professor!"

"With one major rule isn't that right?"

Minerva interrupted and Luna sighed.

"Yes I know; no teaching about animals that haven't been proven to exist."

When McGonagall nodded her head in satisfaction Luna grinned.

"I guess I just have to prove they exist."

Kat grinned, after getting to know the quirky Ravenclaw a bit more, she realized that the girl was much saner than most people realized.

"Merlin Luna, why'd you rush off? Herondale?"

"Hello Longbottom."

Kat greeted the former Gryffindor with a small head nod. He nodded back before slinging an arm around Luna's shoulders.

"Are we waiting for anyone else professor?"

"Two more."

As soon as the words had left Minerva's mouth, two more figures walked into view. When they arrived McGonagall led them through the gates and up into Hogwarts. She led them down a hallway and into a comfortable sitting room.

"This is the staff room. We transfigure the furniture into a table for meetings; but otherwise, we like to keep it as comfortable as possible. Please everyone take a seat."

They all fell into an uncomfortable silence as Minerva called for drinks and pastries to be brought to the room.

"I'm going to start by saying that how you all interact is going to be extremely important. After the previous few years, tensions will be high at school and seeing you all interact comfortably will be extremely beneficial. I wouldn't have hired you if I didn't think that you all could handle it. Does anyone here have any issues with anyone else in the room?"

Kat licked her lips as she prepared for someone to say something, but when the room stayed silent she sighed.

"Good. I expect it to stay that way. I honestly do believe that you all will get along just fine, so please try. Now for basic introductions."

"Padma Patil will be taking over as the Charms Professor for Filius Flitwick. He will stay on staff as the chorus professor but he wanted something much less demanding. She will also be taking over as the Ravenclaw Head of House."

The studious Ravenclaw smiled at everyone, including Kat, who replied with a hesitant smile of her own.

"Michael Corner will be taking over as the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. Neville Longbottom will be taking over as the Herbology Professor for Pomona Sprout. She's been grooming Neville to take over for years and planned to retire the moment that she could. He will be taking over as the Gryffindor Head of House. Luna Lovegood will be taking over as the Care of Magical Creatures Professor."

Luna sent an excited smile towards the entire group and her energy made everyone smile.

"Finally Katherine Herondale will be taking over as the Transfiguration Professor from me. She will also be the Slytherin Head of House from Horace Slughorn, who has decided to remain on staff for a year while I find another Potions Master. I've already had this conversation with the rest of the staff, I want you all to feel prepared when we all meet for the first staff meeting. Right now I will teach Muggle Studies, but I have plans to make that class a combined Muggle Studies and Wizarding Customs Class that is required by all up to their 5th year. That won't happen for a few years, but if you have ideas for the class or teacher, please let me know."

"Minerva?"

Katherine spoke up quietly.

"Katherine?"

"I actually have an idea."

"Already?"

Kat flushed slightly and ignored the rest of the room.

"Why don't you have two teachers for that class? Not only will it be easier to find one person for the wizarding customs and one for the muggle studies, but if you find say a Gryffindor muggleborn and say a Slytherin pureblood, you can show that we adults aren't just asking them to get along, we're doing it ourselves."

"Gryffindor Muggleborn, you're thinking of Hermione Granger."

"Everyone knows that she has plans for reform within the Ministry, working as a part-time Professor wouldn't stop her from doing that."

"And the Slytherin pureblood?"

"Daphne Greengrass. Trust me, she knows the Pureblood rules better than anyone."

Kat watched Minerva think it over before nodding.

"I like it. We can talk it over with the rest of the staff at the beginning of the year. Do you think you could quietly broach the topic with both of them and see what they think?"

Despite her dislike of the Gryffindor Princess, Kat nodded her head and Minerva smiled.

"Well I'll leave the 5 of you to mingle while I go and grab the final paperwork."

The room was silent even after McGonagall left the room. Finally Kat couldn't take the suspense anymore.

"Look, I understand why you wouldn't say anything when Minerva was in the room; but if you have an issue with me, feel free to say something now."

"Look as long as you're not planning on going all crazy Death Eater on any of us or the students I'm fine. Besides, Minerva, Neville, Luna, Harry, the Minister and countless others have vouched for you. The people who weren't in the thick of it may not understand how difficult everything was, but I do. If those people say you were a spy and didn't want to do it, then I believe you."

Michael said simply and Padma nodded.

"If anything it makes me feel bad for you, and I only know pieces of what you had to do."

"I'm not asking for your pity. I knew what I was getting into."

Kat snapped before sighing.

"Sorry, that's a. Sensitive subject. I'm not asking for forgiveness or pity. I honestly just want to be treated like you'd treat a random stranger."

"Well considering we're all Professors now, I don't see why we can't be friends."

"Oh god. We're Professors."

Neville stated in shock.

"Hey at least you had more than two days to register that fact. Minerva cornered me after graduation. We were talking and before I knew it I was saying okay. And don't give me that look, that woman is conniving."

The door opening caused everyone to turn and when Minerva walked through, the entire room took one look at each other before laughter erupted. Kat sent a thankful smile towards Minerva who let out a relived sigh at the sight of all 5 getting along. Kat wiped away a few of the tears that had appeared on her face when a shout made her jump.

"Katherine Herondale!"

Kat spun towards Luna who was glaring menacingly at her.

"Luna Lovegood?"

"What is that on your hand!"

Kat glanced down at her hand and frowned.

"I don't..."

"You're other hand!"

Luna didn't even give Kat a chance to explain as she grabbed Kat's hand and pulled it towards her.

"This is an engagement ring..."

"Umm, surprise?"

"You're engaged and you didn't tell me!"

"You weren't engaged a few days ago."

Minerva stated with a soft smile.

"He asked after you left Minerva."

"I can't believe it; Pansy and I were sure that he'd chicken out and you'd eventually have to ask him."

Luna stated in shock.

"You're going to be Katherine Zabini."

Luna pulled Kat into a hug and Kat awkwardly patted the blonde on the back.

"I'm so glad to see you happy."

"Come on Luna."

Neville pried Luna off of Kat and pulled her into his side.

Kat spun to glare at the other two in the room.

"Thanks for that. You could have saved me earlier."

"Not a chance. Luna's terrifying. Besides, I want to know about Blaise Zabini. You two are a hot topic, and your engagement hasn't even reached the press yet. I want the inside scoop."

Padma said with a grin and Kat sighed.

"You can interrogate her later; let's sign these papers and make it all official. You all have lesson plans to create."

15 minutes later and Kat smiled at the signed paperwork that made her an official Hogwarts Professor.

"Professor Herondale, that has a nice ring to it. Not as nice as Professor Zabini but we'll get there."

"I told you that we could have eloped. Still can. The option's there."

"I want you to have the happy wedding that you said you used to imagine with Isabelle."

Kat felt tears come to her eyes.

"I.. Merlin Blaise I love you."

Kat wrapped her arms around her fiancé and buried her face in his chest.

"I love that you wanted to do that for me; but without Isabelle, it would feel weird. I would have done it for her, but that's not something that I ever wanted."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

"Then let's go."

"Right now?"

Kat looked at Blaise in shock. He shrugged his shoulders.

"Why not?"

A grin appeared on Kat's face as she wrapped her arms around him.

"Benefit of knowing a member of Hogwarts's staff, I have the ability to apparate in and out."

Without giving him a chance to respond, Kat apparated the two of them into the Ministry Atrium. The two of them rushed through the Ministry until they reached the Marriage License office.

"Hello. We'd like to get married."

Kat clutched Blaise's hand as the nurse waved her wand over her body. They both watched nervously when the woman opened her mouth.

"Congratulations. The baby looks completely healthy."

A wave of relief rushed through Kat; concerns over her exposure to dark magic as a child and familial history had caused Kat a lot of stress.

"Would you like to know the sex?"

Kat shared a look with her husband before hesitantly nodding her head. The nurse smiled gently before casting another spell over Kat's belly.

"Well, you two are having a baby girl."

"Isabelle."

Blaise suddenly spoke and Kat spun to look at him.

"That's her name. Isabelle. Her name's Isabelle."