Chapter Thirty-Five~ Old friends and offers
"Mudblood Hermione Granger captured by Ministry!
"In recent days, Hermione Granger, the only Muggle-Born to ever escape the Muggle-Born Registration Co-mission was put in Azkaban prison today for many crimes that she had committed on the Ministry of Magic. We know that Granger was on the top of the list of Muggle-Borns to capture, so this day came with great satisfaction for all involved.
"She was a tricky one, but we managed to nab her eventually," Adolf Xavier explains to Daily Prophet reported Rita Skeeter. "She'll rot in Azkaban and pay for what she did to the Wizarding world."
"But, just yesterday, a huge mass of people from the Ministry of Magic went on strike because of the imprisonment of Hermione Granger. The Ministry of Magic is looking at closing down due to the strike and today, the Wizengmot is holding another trial to discuss new election possibilities.
"Could this be a new beginning for the Ministry of Magic? Could Adolf Xavier be elected out of office? Could the Muggle-Born Registration Co-mission be put to rest? Well, the whole Wizarding world will have to wait and see."
Hermione set down that day's addition of the Daily Prophet and felt a smile creep up her face. It had been a couple days since the incident outside the Burrow. Hermione was glad it was finally over. The Ministry would never come looking for her ever again, her family wasn't in danger, she could live life without worry and finally move on.
When the others had asked what happened with her and Adalie, Hermione simply said that she was never coming back again. Everyone was satisfied with that answer and when they saw the paper that morning, every one of them figured out what had happened and were thrilled with Hermione's cleverness once again. Everything seemed to be going absolutely swimmingly now; everything except Ron. Hermione hadn't seen Ron in days. Now that Adalie was gone, she could finally let go of what happened and she just wanted to talk with him. But she knew that she was still prideful so she'd never go to him. He'd have to come to her.
There was a knock on Hermione's bedroom door. Hermione turned around.
"Come in." she called. The door opened and Ginny stood there with a smile on her face. Everyone was still incredibly happy from the realization of the fate of Adalie and it showed on everyone's faces.
"An owl just came for you," Ginny said. "Professor McGonagall wanted to talk to you about something but she can't leave Hogwarts. She says someone will let you in through the gates." She said. Hermione nodded.
"Okay, thanks." Hermione smiled and grabbed her coat. "How are you feeling?" she asked. Last night, Hermione was up with Ginny, who seemed to have caught some sort of bug and had been throwing up all into the night. Harry had tried to stay up with her but he got queasy himself when he saw how sick she was getting and Hermione just ended up staying with her.
"I feel fine now. Perfectly normal." Ginny told her truthfully. Hermione's eyebrows pulled together thoughtfully.
"Hmm. Maybe it was one of those one-day bugs." She pondered. Ginny shrugged.
"Maybe. We'll never know, I guess. Anyway, you'd better get going. McGonagall's on a tight schedule and you know how bitter she gets when people are tardy." Ginny said. Hermione nodded quickly and went with Ginny downstairs and out of the Burrow where she Disapperated to the gates of Hogwarts. She was met by a woman who looked vaguely familiar but she couldn't figure out why. She was a pretty witch in her early twenties that wore beautiful emerald green robes and she had long blonde hair that she kept up in a bun. She had lovely kind blue eyes that sparkled brightly. The lady smiled at Hermione as she opened the gates with a flick of her wand.
"Hello Miss Granger," the lady said. She stowed her wand away and held out her hand to her. Hermione took and shook her hand. "My name is Pearl Thompson. I'm the new Muggle Studies teacher. I was told to come and get you and bring you to Professor McGonagall." Pearl told her with a smile. Hermione smiled back at her.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Thompson." Hermione said as she and Pearl started walking into Hogwarts. "I'm sorry, but I feel like I've seen you before. Do I know you?" Hermione asked. Pearl gave her a smile as they walked.
"Well, you did, yes. I went to school with you." Pearl told her. Hermione's eyebrows pulled together.
"At Hogwarts?" Hermione asked her. Pearl shook her head.
"No. In London. I lived across the street from you. We went to preschool together and part of grade one before you left. I got my letter at the same time that you did but I was a year behind you at Hogwarts. I was in Ravenclaw." Pearl explained. Hermione's eyes lightened with understanding as the pair of them traveled up the stairs.
"Pearl! Pearl Thompson. I remember you! You're the girl who got your hair dipped in a bottle of ink by Evan! And they'd chase you around the courtyard, calling you-…" Hermione stopped talking, remembering how horrible those boys were to Pearl.
"Pippy Piccolo Pearl," Pearl nodded, trying to mask her face with a smile. They called her Pippy Pearl because her voice was so high and squeaky; an attribute that she'd grown into quite well. She was teased about it all the time when she was little. Now it just added to her personality. "Yes. I remember that. I also remember them teasing you. That was horrible of them to do to you." Pearl said with empathy. Hermione shrugged, trying to direct attention away from her past.
"It's no big deal. I've forgotten about it." Hermione lied. The two of them rounded the corner where they saw Professor McGonagall standing there, smiling at the two of them. Hermione smiled back at her when they came close.
"Well, I do hope that we get to spend more time together, Miss. Granger." Pearl smiled. Hermione smiled back. "I'll see you later." She said before leaving McGonagall and Hermione alone together. Hermione turned to her.
"Hello Miss Granger. It's lovely to see you again." McGonagall said crisply, smiling. Hermione beamed at her.
"It's lovely to see you too," She said happily. McGonagall gestured for them to walk and they began to walk side by side slowly. "What did you need me for, Professor?"
"Well Miss Granger, I have a little bit of a problem that I was hoping you could help me fix," McGonagall began. Hermione waited, looking at her patiently. "You see, since I became Headmistress, I had to work two different jobs: being a Transfiguration teacher and running this school and as much as I love teaching Transfiguration, I'm getting to the age where I can't do both." She explained to Hermione. Hermione nodded quietly, understanding. "So, Miss Granger, I'm here to offer you my old job as Transfiguration teacher." She finished. Hermione's eyes widened. She stared at McGonagall, trying to see if there was any joke in her eyes.
"…Are…Are you serious?" Hermione asked her. McGonagall raised an eyebrow.
"Indeed I am, Miss Granger. As serious as I normally am." McGonagall said. Hermione felt a smile grow on her face. She couldn't believe it.
"But, Professor, I haven't gotten my teaching degree yet and I haven't graduated! How can you be so sure that I'll be a worthy replacement?" Hermione asked her.
"I have it all set up, Miss Granger. I will give you a packet to complete so you can be finished your schooling, like I gave Mr. Potter. Besides, I've seen the way you work, Miss Granger. I know that you'll be an amazing teacher." She said with a smile. Hermione still couldn't believe she'd do this.
"But Professor, what about an interview? Recommendations? Experience? Credentials? What about-?" McGonagall held up her hand to stop her.
"I don't need an interview. I've taught you for seven years. You'll get experience by doing this job. I don't care about credentials. I only care about whether you'll do the job with precision and care, which I have no doubt you will. As for recommendations, I have had many people recommend you for the teacher." McGonagall said to Hermione. Hermione's eyebrows raised in shock.
"…Wow, Professor… I-I don't know what to say." Hermione said softly.
"Well then, say you'll take the job!" McGonagall said sharply. Hermione looked at her and smiled brightly.
"Of course I'll take the job! Thank you so much, Professor!" Hermione squeaked exuberantly. McGonagall smiled at her.
"Very good! Now, I'll give you the work package when you're ready to leave. I have no doubt in my mind that you can finish it before you get married. You have several months. You can start the job whenever you get back from your honeymoon." McGonagall said quickly. Hermione felt a little bit of herself die inside.
"…Uh, Professor… I might not be getting married." Hermione told her. McGonagall looked at her with sharp eyes.
"And why wouldn't you?" she asked. Hermione shifted uncomfortably.
"Well, it's complicated." She said. McGonagall sighed, as though she was teaching a First Year how to hold a wand.
"Miss Granger, if I may say so, leave the complications behind. If you do indeed love Mr. Weasley than I suggest you do something about it. Love is something to be cherished." McGonagall said quietly but with a stern voice. Hermione looked at her and noticed something in the back of her old eyes.
"Professor-,"
"No more talking, now. Everything I have said will be taken into effect. Now, I do believe that someone else has been waiting to talk to you." McGonagall said. She held out her hand and Hermione looked at what she was gesturing to. Hermione hadn't noticed that they were in the Astronomy tower until now. McGonagall was pointing to the opening that led onto the Astronomy tower. Hermione looked at the door and then turned to look at McGonagall but she was gone. Hermione raised an eyebrow and turned to open the door. She pushed it open and walked inside. Hermione halted, her eyes wide at the sight in front of her.
Ron was standing in the middle of the Astronomy tower, underneath a sign that read "I'm sorry." He held a bunch of carnations in his hands, Hermione's favorite flowers and he had dressed up nicely. There were beautiful lights decorating the tower all around him and beautiful twinkling stars that hovered in the air above their heads. It was a gorgeous sight.
Hermione slowly walked forwards, looking around in awe. She looked back at Ron, who was staring at her with his soft green eyes. She met eyes with him and she suddenly couldn't speak. It was as though he stole the words from her mouth. The two of them stood in silence for a moment, staring at one another before Ron spoke.
"Wow…" he said. "…You look beautiful." Ron hadn't seen her with her new hair yet. She looked different and definitely prettier than she had before. Hermione didn't speak. She couldn't yet. Ron took a few steps forward. "Hermione… I'm sorry. You don't know how sorry I am. I never wanted to hurt you in any way. You mean the world to me. I can't imagine what I'd be without you. Well, I can. I take that back. I'd be dead without you. Hermione, you saved my life so many times in more ways than you know. I owe you everything. I'll never meet anyone else that I love as much as I love you. You're the smartest, most beautiful woman I know and I never want to be with anyone else ever. I only want you. I promise I'll treat you the way you've always deserved. You deserve everything and I hope I can give you that.
"Adalie was nothing. I never wanted her. I hope you can forgive me. I know I don't deserve you but I don't want to be without you. And I love you. I just really love you." Hermione could tell that he was running out of things to say. His eyes were getting more and more panicked because she hadn't responded yet. Finally, in mid-sentence, Hermione strode up to Ron and grabbed him, kissing him on the lips full-on, closing her eyes. She put her arms around her neck and kissed him with all the passion and love that she felt inside. Ron responded after a moment of shock and he wound his arms around her waist, pulling her close. He lifted her off her feet and kissed her back just as enthusiastically.
It seemed like hours when they pulled back to look at each other. Hermione looked into his green eyes and found the words she'd been biting back after all these months.
"I love you, Ron," she said softly. "I'm so sorry for everything. I'm sorry for doubting you, I'm sorry for being such a prideful idiot and I'm sorry for throwing your ring in the dirt." She said, trying not to think about all the pain she'd caused him as well. "I didn't mean anything I said. I love you. I haven't stopped loving you. I couldn't do that even if I tried. I guess, as corny as this sounds, you…complete me." Hermione admitted, looking at him, her cheeks going red. Ron gave her a smile, stroking her cheek. After a moment, he took out a ring box from his pocket. He opened the lid to reveal her Engagement ring. Hermione smiled at the sight of the ring she thought she'd never see again.
"Will you marry me, Hermione Granger?" Ron asked for a second time in his life. Hermione smiled brightly and nodded.
"Yes. A million times yes." Hermione said excitedly. She flung her arms around his shoulders and kissed him hard, engraining this moment in her head. Hermione knew that no matter how horrible she could feel, she'd always have this memory to bring her back.