Hello to all my readers out there. I'm back with Chapter 9.
This chapter will be the return to Hogwarts chapter, and everyone will finally learn about Harry being a one-year DADA teacher.
Enough chit-chat. Let's get going with the chapter.
Chapter 9- Back to Hogwarts
Ginny allowed her mother to hug her, even though she felt the air being squeezed out of her lungs. "I can't believe it. My little baby is going to her last year at Hogwarts. The Weasley family's Hogwarts days are almost done. I can't believe how grown up all my children are."
"Okay, mother. I love you, but you are suffocating me. Would you mind letting me go now?" Ginny asked her mother. Mrs. Weasley let go and looked Ginny right in the face. "Sorry, dear. I just can't believe how old you've gotten. I still remember when you were a baby. It still feels like yesterday."
"Okay, stop," said Ginny, feeling like a tear was budding in the corner of her eye, but also feeling a little embarrassed.
"I've got to get on the train. Goodbye, mother," Ginny said. Mrs. Weasley let a few tears flow, but nodded. "Of course. But I'll miss you. I will see you at Christmas. Don't forget, we're going shopping for your wedding dress over Christmas break."
"Shhhhhh," GInny said quickly, "Remember, the only people who know are the people who went to Harry's birthday party." Mrs. Weasley looked a little embarrassed she had almost let the secret slip. Luckily, nobody else had heard her.
Ginny grabbed her trunk. "Well, it's time for me to go. Goodbye, everybody." There was another round of quick hugs, and Ginny turned around, pulling her trunk towards the scarlet Hogwarts Express.
It was September 1st. She and Hermione were returning to Hogwarts. Most of their friends were returning. However, Ron wasn't, as he was working at George's shop.
Then, there was Harry. He had left the Burrow 9 days ago, and Ginny hadn't seen him since. He had said it had to do with his Auror training, but hadn't said anything more than that. She was wondering if something had gone wrong, or if he had gone missing. But, she hadn't gotten any notice from Kingsley, so she had to follow the old phrase "No news is good news."
Ginny dragged her trunk to an empty compartment. She was just stowing her trunk in position when Luna walked into the compartment.. "Hello, Ginny," she said brightly. Ginny smiled back. "Hello, Luna. It's so good to see you."
The two of them sat down beside each other. "How was your summer?" Ginny asked. "Very well. I had to help Daddy rebuild our house, which was kind of fun, actually." Ginny nodded. She had heard the story of the fiasco at Lovegood's house.
"How was yours?" Luna asked. "Very good," said Ginny. "Are you excited to be engaged?" Luna said, wisely lowering her voice. Ginny smiled and nodded vigorously. "Can I see the ring again?" Luna asked. Ginny held out her left hand so that Luna could see the ring.
Luna stared at the ring for a few moments, admiring it. Then, she asked, "This was originally Harry's mum's engagement ring, right?" "Yes it is," Ginny responded. "That is amazing," Luna said, "It's so sweet. When is the wedding?" "Next summer," Ginny responded.
"By the way," Ginny said, "Where's Neville?" Luna smiled. "He's in the prefect compartment with Hermione," she said. "Oh, yeah. I remember. That's so amazing Neville got chosen." Neville and Hermione had been chosen as Head Boy and Girl for the year. Apparently, Neville had fainted when he found out he had chosen as Head Boy. His grandmother had been incredibly pleased to learn about it.
"He seems pretty nervous," said Luna. "Oh, he'll do fine," said Ginny.
The noise of people getting onto the train and moving through the corridors grew as 11:00 drew nearer. Ginny was starting to think that she would end up riding alone with Luna the whole trip, which wasn't a bad thing, though it wouldn't be quite as fun. Then, just a minute before departure, Dean, Seamus, and Parvarti Patil appeared at the door.
"Hey, fellow DA members. Mind if we join you?" asked Seamus. "Of course, Seamus," Ginny said. The three walked into the compartment. Ginny and Luna gave each of them a hug.
As they all sat down, the train started to move. They all waved at family and friends standing on the platform until the train pulled out of sight.
"Well, how your summer?" Ginny asked the three new arrivals. "Pretty good," said Seamus. "Same here. It was great," said Dean. Parvarti said the same.
"So, can I see your ring again?" asked Parvarti, with excitement twinkling in her eyes. Ginny smiled, but consented, holding up the ring. Parvarti, Dean, and Seamus all looked carefully at the ring. "It's so beautiful," said Parvarti, "I hope I get a ring like this." Ginny smiled at Parvarti.
"I'm so happy for you and Harry," said Dean. It sounded a little weird coming from Dean, but Ginny still smiled and said "Thank you."
"When's the wedding?" Seamus asked. "Next summer," Ginny said. "Will we be invited?" asked Parvarti. "Yes," Ginny responded.
For a few moments, everything was quiet. Then, as Luna opened her mouth to speak, the five friends suddenly heard voices from the other side of the closed compartment door.
"Don't worry about it, Romilda," said a girl's voice. Ginny and and the others kept their mouths shut as soon as they heard Romilda's name. Ginny was tempted to walk out and yell at Romilda or hex her, but managed to keep herself quiet and in her seat.
"I've sent him so many chocolates. I don't get it. Either he hasn't eaten any of them, or they've given him an antidote," said Romilda.
"Don't worry. It'll all work out," said her friend. "Of course. He'll be mine eventually. But I have to get him soon, or he might go back to that Weasley girl," said Romilda.
Dean and Seamus quickly grabbed Ginny's hands to make sure she didn't run out and hex Romilda, which she might've done if they hadn't done that. She had just about had enough of Romilda's obsession with Harry.
Romilda and her friend moved off, and Dean and Seamus dared to release Ginny. Luckily, she chose not to chase after Romilda.
"It's okay, Ginny," said Luna calmly, "Romilda will never be able to take Harry away from you. But, if I were you, I'd keep some love potion antidote on hand just in case." "I will," she said, "I'll get Professor Slughorn's help to make me some after our first Potions class."
The rest of the train ride was very enjoyable. Hermione and Neville joined them at about the halfway point in the journey. They had an enjoyable time with Ginny's group.
As they neared Hogsmeade Station, Hermione and Neville left to help shepherd students to where they needed to go. Ginny and the others changed into their robes.
Finally, after darkness had settled over the landscape, the Express pulled into Hogsmeade Station. Ginny climbed off the train with her group.
Parvarti left to find Lavender and her sister, but Dean and Seamus came Ginny and Luna.
When the four of them reached the place where the carriages sat waiting, Ginny stopped short when she saw the thestrals. Looking around, she saw Dean and Seamus looking at them in amazement. It was kinda cool they could see the thestrals now, but it also made it clear just how many people had died that night if so many people could now see thestrals.
Ginny, Luna, Dean, and Seamus all got into one of the carriages. It quickly began making its way up to the school. They talked about the coming year, what classes they would be taking, and other trivial things.
When the carriage reached the school, they disembarked and headed for the front doors. They walked through the entrance hall and headed into the Great Hall, taking their seats at the Gryffindor table with Hermione and Neville.
After they sat down, Ginny looked up at the staff table. They were a couple of changes. There was a new Muggle Studies teacher. Professor McGonagall was now sitting in the chair that had once been Dumbledore's, and a middle-aged man was sitting in her old seat. Then on one side of McGongagall's seat was a young, dark-haired man that Ginny assumed was the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. He had his head turned, and was talking with Professor Sprout. His face was hidden, but he looked incredibly familiar.
Ginny kept watching him, waiting for him to turn his head. Then, right as the first years started to come in, led by Professor Flitwick, he turned his head to face the first years, and Ginny's mouth fell open. It was Harry.
"Harry!" she said in amazement. Everyone else looked at her. Hermione said, "What?" Then, they looked up at the staff table, and their mouths dropped open. "I thought he said he was going to Auror training," Hermione said. "He did," said Ginny. "So what's he doing at the staff table?" asked Neville.
A number of other people had noticed Harry was at the staff table as well, and were pointing at him and whispering. But, their attention was diverted by the Sorting Hat being placed on its stool as the first years, (which numbered much more than usual, due to the number of Muggle-borns who had been unable to start the previous year) came to a halt.
The Sorting Hat began singing its new song, but Ginny didn't even pay attention. She just sat staring at Harry, amazed he was here, and wondering what he was doing there.
Finally, the Sorting Hat ended its song, and Professor Flitwick began calling first years up to the stool to be sorted. Ginny clapped politely for each one to be sorted into Gryffindor, but always allowing her eyes to stray back to Harry.
When all the first years had been sorted, and the Sorting Hat was taken away, Professor McGonagall stood up to address everyone. "To all of you, whether it is your first year here or your last, I welcome you to Hogwarts. I have several remarks for you, and several introductions to make, but now is not the time for it. For now, eat up." With that, the feast appeared on the tables, and students began to eat.
Ginny had an enjoyable time, chatting a lot with her friends, but allowing her eyes to keep wandering up to Harry. Every time their eyes made contact, they exchanged smiles.
Once the feast was over, Professor McGonagall stood up again. "I hope you have enjoyed yourselves. Now, before I release to go to bed, I would like to make a few introductions of new staff members. First off, I would like to introduce my replacement as Transfiguration teacher: Professor Daniel White. He has been studying alchemy in Africa for past ten years, and has only just returned to Britain. I trust you will all help him feel welcome.
"Next, our new Muggle Studies teacher: Professor Winston Tuvvey. He has served in the Muggle military for a number of years, and has only recently retired from service. I hope you will all help him to very comfortable in his return to the Wizarding World.
"Finally, I would like to introduce our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher: Professor Harry Potter. Professor Potter has agreed to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts this year before moving on to Auror training. I hope you will help make his year here an enjoyable one."
Ginny stared at her fiancee as he acknowledged the applause directed at him. He was going to be Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher? Why hadn't he told her?
McGonagall then made her announcements. The forest is forbidden. Filch's warnings. The usual. Then she dismissed everyone to go to bed. Ginny, however, ran up to the staff table.
Instead of kissing him, she just gave him a quick hug, then asked, "Why didn't you tell me? And why are you even here?"
"First off, Kingsley made me swear not tell anyone about my appointment. As for why I'm here, Kingsley said he would cut down my Auror training by a lot if I agreed to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts here for a year. He also said I needed to do a little more studying in the other subjects I need, mainly Potions. Plus, he said you'd like it." Ginny smiled a little. "Well, I'm glad you're here," she said, "I'm sure lessons with you will be great."
"Well, I've already taught you so much through the D.A., I'm guessing my lessons might be pretty boring," Harry said. "Lessons will never be boring if you're teaching them," said Ginny.
Harry smiled. "Well, Miss Weasley, I'm afraid you will have to return to your common room. I must go and prepare for my first lessons tomorrow." Ginny tried to put on a grumpy face, but failed miserably. She gave Harry a quick kiss on the cheek, then hurried off to the common room.
As she fell asleep that night, she had a big smile on her face. This year at Hogwarts was going to be very fun.
And, that is the end of this chapter.
I got the last name of the Muggle Studies teacher from the name of an important Royal Navy Admiral of World War II: Fleet Admiral John Tuvvey. Don't try and remember the other new professors. I don't plan on them being important at all in this story.
Next chapter will be Harry's first day of lessons. If you have anything you'd like to see him teach his students, tell me. I do already have an idea of what I want him to teach, but I'll go ahead and ask you guys anyway.
Please, don't forget to review.
Raptor2216 out.
