Chapter Twenty one
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The students sat in stunned silence for a moment, not believing what they were seeing.
Draco closed his mouth, which had been hanging open, and looked at Hermione and Harry. They were grinning like mad men at Remus, who winked at them in return. "You two were in on this somehow, weren't you?" He didn't bother to keep his voice down, because at that same moment the room erupted into cheers and loud voices.
"How?"
"We thought you were dead!"
"Are you still a werewolf."
"I love you professor Lupin!"
Remus chuckled and raised his hands. "Settle down. Settle down." He waited for the students to get quiet and continued. "I know this may be a bit of a shock to you, but there is an explanation." He held his hands a little higher and shook his head. "And I'm painfully sorry that I cannot tell you how. Madam Pomphrey has sworn me under secrecy not to give that information. Just know that we have the very best, and most fantastic healer at this school."
Most of the students seemed puzzled by his response but didn't voice it. Remus walked around his desk and summoned a board to his side.
"Oh Merlin's beard, I'm so late. Please, please, please don't let me get detention." Ginny muttered to herself as she ran to the defense classroom. The door slammed against the wall as she ran into the room. "Sorry I'm late professor. I -" She stopped and stared when Remus turned to look at her. Ginny dropped her bag and let out her best fan-girl scream. "Remus!" A red blur shot through the room as she ran to the werewolf and tackled him to the ground.
Harry and Hermione jumped to their feet and ran and pulled Ginny off of Remus, who sat up chuckling. "Ginny! What were you thinking? You could've hurt him!" Hermione scolded the younger girl.
"Yeah, Gin. He just got out of the hospital wing this morning." Harry tried to act mad but he couldn't help but smile.
Remus chuckled again as he stood up and straightened his clothes. "Oh don't worry. It's quite alright. But Miss Weasley, do try to be a little more gentle next time." He smiled when she nodded vigorously. The students took they seats and he continued writing on his board. "As I was saying. This year you will be learning about the creatures I've mentioned here," He pointed to the board. "You will also be learning about the best defenses to some of the darkest arts." His smiled faded. "I know many of you here witnessed or experienced first hand most of these things last school year."
Some students slumped in their seats and others sniffled and he gave them a moment of silence.
That evening at dinner, the Great Hall was filled with laughter, singing and other merry-making. A large banner hung behind the teachers table reading "Welcome back!" The letters waved and flashed various colors.
Everything went quiet as the doors were opened and in walked Minister Shacklebolt, Percy Weasley, Arthur Weasley and an important looking healer with the St. Mungo's logo on her cloak. They stopped in front of the teachers table and smiled at the students.
"Salazar's shaggy tit! That's the head healer of St. Mungo's! Madam Spuckle!" Draco exclaimed. He had chosen to sit next to Hermione and Harry, who were at the Ravenclaw table with Luna and Ginny.
Kingsley cleared his throat. "Good evening, everyone." He nodded happily when the students and teachers returned the greetings. "Seems we've come at just the right time. I love parties." A few people chuckled with him. "But first I have a very important announcement to make. It is my great honor to present a very special woman with a very special gift. She has been dedicated to this school and her students for many years. She has created a few potions and healing treatments of the highest quality. Now she has successfully created a potion and series of charms to save lives that would appear gone." Everyone in the hall was on the edge of their seats. "Madam Poppy Pomphrey, please join me." The old witch blushed a deep shade of red and tears welled in her eyes as stood next to Kingsley and everyone stood and cheered. "Madam Pomphrey, with the support of Head healer Spuckle, I am awarding you a Merlin of First class, and appointing you as Chief Healer to the Ministry. And no need to worry Poppy you can stay here as long and me and Mr. Weasley can come to seek your counsel whenever we may need it."
The hall quieted down and Poppy dried her tears. "I.. I don't know what to say. Well I do." She smiled at Remus and Severus and then the students. "Thank you." She shared a hug with Head Healer Spuckle.
It wasn't until the early hours of the morning when the party had died down and everyone went to bed. As Hermione entered her room, she was too tired to notice a sneaky Slytherin slipping in behind her.
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A/N: Sorry it's taken me so long to get this up. My computer crashed and I finally got it working. I have more chapters up as soon as I'm done editing them. :)