CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR

Over the next six months the rest of Hogwarts was finished. Green, red, blue and yellow banners and pictures hung through out the castle. House elves from every big family volunteered and were re-hired to work in the kitchens. Uniforms had been made for them, simple white sacks with the Hogwarts crest embroidered on.

Even the ghosts had returned and were floating around greeting people like nothing had changed.

Paintings both old and new lined the hallways talking to each other and greeting the people working around them.

Zoe and Lilly had poured their hearts into the sorting hat. Every inch was embroidered with the story of Hogwarts, from the first founders to the rebuilding that had been going on around them.

It was the first of May when everyone gathered in the great hall. Harry, Ron and Hermione stood on the platform at the end of the hall as the room fell silent.

Hermione took a step forward and cleared her throat, "As of about five minutes ago, when Alice Longbottom put the finishing touches to the Herbology classroom's paint work, Hogwarts is officially completed."

A huge cheer echoed around the room.

"It's been a long and difficult journey for everyone in this room. Everyone has lost something but I would like to think that in the end, everyone has gained something as well. But after eighteen months of solid work, five common rooms, nearly two hundred class rooms, 6 green houses, 4 sets of dorms, a million and one corridors and one Great Hall, it's all done."

Another cheer went round the hall. Harry and Ron beaconed Lilly and Zoe forward. They walked up onto the stage holding the new sorting hat between them.

"Thanks to the work of these two amazing people we also have a new sorting hat." Hermione said clapping to start another cheer.

Zoe and Lilly placed the hat on the stool where all future students would be sorted. Harry and Hermione got out their wands ready to do the spell when a warm breeze swept around the room.

The sorting hat shifted slightly on it's stool and woke up.

"To bring great joy is what I do, what stories shall I seek, for I'm the Hogwarts sorting hat and truth is what I speak!" It sang happily.

April looked questioningly at Lilly, who shook her head,

"It wasn't me." She mouthed to her sister.

No one else noticed Lilly and April's conversation and they all began cheering and the sorting hat took a little bow.

Hermione shook her head and moved on, "Hogwarts will reopen on the 1st of September, as is tradition, to not only the new year of students but all the other years currently in the other school. Additionally any students who were...not brilliantly sorted by the old hat can put their name down to be resorted or they can stick in their current house, it is entirely up to them."

Hermione stepped back and Ron took a step forward, "Now there are two more points to cover. Number one, teachers, Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick have both agreed to return, to teach transfiguration and Charms receptively."

A cheer when round the room yet again, followed by a louder cheer when Ron also informed them that Professor Binns had finally stepped down from Magical History.

"There are clearly some spots that need filling, I'm sure all of you will remember being asked for your opinions as well as long long long talks with the ministry"

"Which we mostly ignored," Lilly put in, causing the room to laugh.

Ron smirked, "And long talks with the current staff and administrates of the temporary school and we have come up with a list, could they please step up onto the stage when I call their names. Bill Weasley will be Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher,"

Bill stepped forward and received a cheer.

"Professor Sally Echos will continue to teach both Potions and Alchemy, Victor Krum will teach Flying as well as coaching the Quiddich teams which we hope to get set up soon in the brilliant new field. Divination and Astronomy has been taken over by Firenze on the condition that Jake can keep him company."

Jake gave a little bark and ran up on to the stage at the sound of his name. Ron ruffled his fur and gave him a treat.

"Arithmancy is going to be taught by Susan Bones, who has been the teaching assistant for it for many years, History of Magic has been taken over by Damien Flint. And Muggle Studies has been taken over by Lilly Parker, on the understanding that hoovers will not come up at all."

Lilly and Damien walked up onto the stage and took a little bow at the cheers.

"Study of Ancient Runes has been taken over by Vanessa Nightshade and Herbology will be taught by Neville Longbottom and Care of Magical Creatures will be taken by Rubius Hagrid. There is also a new position of school councillor which will be filled by April Parker. Six substitute teaches have also been appointed to help fill in when and where needed, these are Hermione Granger, Simon Mossshard, Jesse Cliffgem, Tracy Travers, Ryan Wyvernshine and Marcy Flametail. We are delighted to welcome all of these new teachers to Hogwarts where we hope they will enjoy their stay."

There was a loud clap as Ron stepped back and Harry slowly stepped forward,

He cleared her throat and looked for Louise's face smiling him on, "Now there is just a few more bits to cover and I promise not to take to long. Firstly there is the appointment of a new head teacher, this was something that was thought long and hard over, we even talked it over with the paintings which now, once again hang in the head teachers office. After much discussion and some disagreement we came to the unanimous decision that Narcissa Malfoy should be appointed as Head Mistress to Hogwarts."

A cheer went round the room as Narcissa nervously walked up onto the platform.

"Not only has Narcissa shown great courage and bravery to help the wizarding world, including saving my own life, she has shown the greatest strength in the years that followed. She held her family together and above all that's what we need now, someone to hold the family that is Hogwarts together no matter what comes our way."

Narcissa wiped her eyes, as subtlety as she could on a stage in front of everyone, as the hall cheered loudly.

"What really sold it for all of us though," Harry continued, "Was the fact that when we asked Narcissa, she only agreed to take the job if you all wanted her to, if the announcement wasn't met with this reaction she wouldn't take the position. I truly believe that there is nothing that our new head mistress wouldn't do for the school and it's students. And lastly there is the issue of the new heads of house, or in this case the new house founders, although it has been agreed that the old names and crests will stay, we only feel it is right that these four new heads of house will also count as the house founders. Now we haven't actually asked them yet but we really hope they will agree to it."

The hall fell very quiet, no one wanting to miss the names that were said,

Harry cleared his throat again and unrolled a simmering piece of parchment, "The new founder for Hufflepuff house will be, Susan Bones."

Susan blushed and stepped forward nodding, "I would be delighted. Thank you so much."

Harry smiled, "Susan has never been anything but loyal and giving, she is and always has been everything a true Hufflepuff should be."

A round of applause when through the hall.

"Next is Gryffindor, and we would like to ask Bill Weasley." Harry said motioning to Bill to step forward. Bill stepped forward and shook Harry's hand.

"I don't think there is anyone here who could say Bill was anything but brave, he will have to take a few days off a month but I don't think it will be an issue." Harry smiled, "Plus he has the red hair."

The crowd cheered and clapped loudly.

"Next is Ravenclaw, Jesse Cliffgem."

Jesse, a young blonde, long haired man with ice blue eyes stepped forward and waved,

"Thank you. I'm really pleased you'd even consider me."

Harry shook his hand, "Jesse, although a lesser known student of Hogwarts, has made huge steps in many areas of wizarding research including finding a soil type that dramatically reduces the pain involved when a werewolf turns. We feel there is no one more suited to strive for wisdom than Jesse."

There was another round of applause.

"And lastly Slytherin, this was a difficult one. There is still a lot of bias against Slytherin house, they seem to forget that many of the greatest sacrifices were made by it's members. After a lot of talking and asking many many different people we have gone with a radical choice and have chosen Lilly Parker."

Lilly looked at him in shock before Damien pushed her forward and Harry took her hand.

"Although Lilly was never a student at Hogwarts, no one can deny that she has had a huge impact and presence here. She cares deeply about just about everyone she meets and is fiercely protective. I can think of no one more suited or fitting for the new Slytherin founder to start a new Slytherin house that people will once again be proud to be a part of."

The hall clapped a cheered.

"I am truly honoured. Thank you." Lilly said, giving Harry a hug and stepping forward next to the other founders.

"Oh and Lilly," Harry said smiling, "We will be checking the dungeons for giant snakes before you get any ideas."

Lilly laughed and pulled her tongue at him.

"So ladies and gentlemen, I give you your new teachers, head mistress and founders of house."

The hall exploded in cheering that took several minutes to die down.

Hermione stepped forward again with Ron so the three of them were standing in a line, "I want to thank you all once again for all the hard work you have put in, it's not been easy. Some of you will be staying to help with final preparations before the start of term and we hope to see you all at the grand opening which will be on the 1st September. If you wish to be resorted feel free to put your names on this parchment or send in an owl and someone will do it for you." She said holding up a rolled parchment, "Now you are all free to go. I believe that a wonderful picnic has been prepared for us out on the grounds by our new house elves."

There was a final round of applause before everyone filtered out into the school grounds where as Hermione had said there were huge blankets covered in every type of food with a team of beaming house elves, proud to be back at the work they loved.