Chapter 44 – Hogwarts Letters
Hermione's muggle studies teaching had gone well and they had all enjoyed their time at the bed and breakfast, learning more about the muggle way of life.
"You taught us more than we ever learned in our muggle studies classes." Fred stated.
"Did you even listen in your muggle studies classes?" Ron questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"We did actually. We did actually listen in most of our classes." Fred answered.
"Yeah we enjoyed Transfiguration because McGonagall is a great teacher." George said.
"And Charms because we got on well with Flitwick." Fred added.
"We always listened in Care of the magical creatures when Hagrid was teaching us." George said.
"What about the others?" Ginny asked.
"Well we wouldn't have learnt all we needed to know about product making if we didn't listen in potions." Fred answered. "We didn't really like Snape though."
"Yeah and I hate the greasy git even more now that I'm an ear down." George seethed.
"The only classes we weren't overly interested in were History of magic, Divination and Astronomy." Fred said.
"We liked Defence against the dark arts too when Lupin and Mad Eye were teaching us." George added.
"I wonder what they'll do for a muggle studies teacher in September?" Ginny wondered. "Professor Burbridge was murdered."
"They'll have to employ someone else." Hermione answered.
"You could totally go for the job." Fred said.
"If I was old enough and had the correct qualifications." Hermione answered.
They had returned to the burrow the following morning after eating a yummy breakfast at the bed and breakfast they had stayed in. Mr Weasley was eager to hear all about what they had got up too and what all Hermione had taught them. Fred and George had to dash off to work in the shop. Fred had insisted that Hermione have the day off.
She was just about to head outside into the glorious sunshine when a tawny coloured owl appeared at the window with a large cream envelope in it's beak. Molly accepted the letters and put a knut into it's pouch. The owl flew off, hooting loudly. There were letters for Hermione, Ginny, Ron and Harry. Hermione accepted hers from Mrs Weasley while Ginny raced outside to get Ron and Harry who were flying around throwing a quaffle to one another.
"It's a letter from Professor McGonagall." Hermione stated.
Dear Miss Hermione Granger,
As you are very aware, the new Hogwarts school term starts on September 1st. I am just writing to all students to confirm who will be returning to the school and who won't. I will be stepping into the role as Headmistress but will continue to be Gryffindor's head of house. If you are hoping to return to Hogwarts, please send an owl back as soon as you receive this letter. I would love for you to return to complete your studies.
Professor McGonagall.Hermione read the letter twice, incase she missed anything important.
"Are you going back Hermione?" Ron asked.
"Of course I'm going back. I want to finish my NEWTS." Hermione answered.
"What about Fred?" Ron questioned.
"We'll be fine. We'll work something out." Hermione answered.
"I hope you are all returning." Mrs Weasley stated.
Ron's face went a little pink around the ears and dropped his head.
"Harry and I weren't actually planning on going back, Mum." Ron answered, sheepishly.
"I'm going back Mum." Ginny stated.
"I would like to hope you and Harry will be going back." Mrs Weasley stated, hands on hips.
"But we don't want to go back." Ron whined.
"But why not?" Mrs Weasley questioned. "What else have you got in mind?"
"Fred and George said we can both help out at Wizard Wheezes." Ron answered. "Harry has been doing really well at making potions for them."
"They won't need as much staff when the children go back to school, so they won't need you both." Mrs Weasley stated.
"I think you should both go back. It's only for one year after all." Hermione stated and Ginny nodded her head in agreement.
"The Gryffindor quidditch team will need you Harry." Ginny said.
"At least think about it boys." Molly urged. "As Hermione said, it's only for a year."
"We'll think about it." Ron said.
Hermione had already got a piece of parchment and quill and was writing her reply to Professor McGonagall. Ginny did the same. They attached their letters to Errol and sent the owl off. Ginny went outside to join the boys in flying around the yard while Hermione took to reading under her favourite tree. Ginny then got bored of Ron forgetting about her and joined Hermione.
"Do you think they'll go back?" Ginny asked her friend.
"I hope so. It would be weird going back without both of them." Hermione answered. "We'll be in the same class this time which will be good."
"Yeah and I don't have to worry about resitting my sixth year." Ginny said.
"It'll all be very different now, won't it. We won't have Dumbledore or Snape." Hermione stated.
"We still don't know what happened to Snape." Ginny answered. "Dad said some people form the Ministry had been looking for him."
"Do you think he died?" Hermione wondered.
"Well they never recovered his body so nobody knows." Ginny answered. "He's probably gone into hiding."
"He should just hand himself in to the Ministry if he's still alive." Hermione said.
"I wonder who'll all be teaching at Hogwarts in September?" Ginny then wondered.
"Well McGonagall will keep on teaching Transfiguration, Flitwick will continue with Charms, Slughorn with Potions, Hagrid and Grubblyplank will maybe split Care of magical creatures and Sprout will teach Herbology." Hermione answered.
"Then you have Professor Binns boring everyone to tears in History of Magic." Ginny laughed.
"They only really need a new defence against the dark arts professor and muggle studies one." Hermione said.
"Rumour has it, that Lupin has been asked to teach defence against the dark arts again." Ginny said.
"Oh that would be brilliant. I really enjoyed him teaching us but what will happen when he needs time off every month?" Hermione wondered.
"I'm sure they'll have someone to fill in for him." Ginny replied. "Though they don't have Snape."
"Sirius would love to do it." Harry stated, approaching the girls with glasses of cool lemonade for them both.
"He could do it, you know. I think he'd be well liked." Ginny answered. "And he is a free man now."
"Tonks was very keen too." Hermione said.
"Oh she would be amazing." Ginny chirped.
"Could she take on muggle studies?" Harry wondered.
"No she couldn't. Tonks is a pure-blood witch remember?" Hermione answered.
"I keep forgetting that she's a pure-blood for some reason." Harry admitted.
"She's Sirius' cousin." Ginny laughed.
"Well we won't have long to wait." Hermione said. "You and Ron better hurry up and make your minds up about whether or not you're going back."
"I want to go back but Ron's not overly keen." Harry said.
"Well he'll go back if you do. He's not going to stay here while you're at Hogwarts." Ginny answered.
"Molly tried to get me to talk some sense into him." Harry said.
"Neville, Dean and Seamus are all returning to Hogwarts." Ron gasped, out of breath from running outside, clutching a letter in his hand.
"I hope that's made you consider going back Ronald." Hermione stated.
"I'll go back if Harry does." Ron stated.
"I think I will. It's only for a year after all." Harry answered.
"Well you better go and write back to McGonagall." Hermione stated.
Harry and Ron left the girls and headed inside to reply to McGonagall.
"That was pretty easy." Ginny grinned.
"I think Harry would have returned because of you going back." Hermione said.
