So it's good bye for now, this is the last chapter in this story. I have part 3 in the works. Many thanks to all my readers and reviewers! Love you guys. See you soon. -Neminiwrites
The morning of the tournament was clear and temperate. The house elves had outdone themselves and food lined the tables set up in the great hall. Families were milling about the school making comments and reliving memories. The good kind as far as Hermione could tell. She had given a press conference to a few deserving members of the media telling them how the school would be ready on time and she had every faith in the new faculty.
Minister Shaklebolt made a very short speech introducing the new headmaster and his staff. A booth had been set up for student applications. There was much hope that they would have a full roster by the end of the day. Headmaster Bloom had sent the usual letters out to the first years and the response had been modest, as of yet, but there was still time.
The newly rebuilt quidditch pitch looked as it always had. The smell of new wood and paint was in the air and the Durmstrang team was flying overhead in close order drills. They would be releasing Weasley fireworks come sunset for the crowd. The mood was that of a carnival with multi colored ribbons and streamers on every tower blowing gently in the wind. Banners with the house names waited for the participants to come, and come they did. Hermione was delighted with the turnout.
The competitors, under their house banner, each had a task of equal worth.
Hufflepuff, the greenhouses and owlery.
Ravenclaw, the clocktower.
Slytherin, the bell tower.
Gryffindor, the covered bridge.
The house need not complete their task, but whoever did the most in six hours would be declared the winner. It was generally understood between the players, though never said explicitly, that everyone would complete their task or face ridicule and embarrassment.
There were also games of skill for the children and a pub for the other adults. Chairs had been set up for them to watch the construction and cheer their house team on. Even a muggle invention that took everyone by storm, an exceptionally large bounce house. Slightly modified so that the children floated in zero gravity once inside. A real thrill for those who hadn't been able to ride a broom yet.
Victor Krum and his team were busy signing autographs and putting on an aerial performance that wowed the crowd. Kingsley was impressed with Hermione being able to pull it all off. "How did you get Durmstrang involved Hermione? I know you and Krum were an item at the tri-wizard cup, but rebuilding the quidditch pitch and entertaining everyone like this is beyond a few kisses all those years ago."
Hermione expressed her contempt for such an assumption, that she would trade her favors for their support. "I had nothing to do with it actually. It's true Victor was a part of my plan, but he ended up contacting me first. After the articles ran the faculty and students of Durmstrang were just as furious that the French were being so arrogant and condescending, they volunteered, no insisted, that they be allowed to help us and show their support."
Hermione had secretly spoken with Madam Malkin and expressed her gratitude for allowing such license with her school. Hermione made it clear that Hogwarts would have been doomed without it and she would be in her debt. Madam Malkin had brushed aside the debt and said she was happy to help with such a small thing that would pass, for the woman who had defeated Voldemort.
oopOqoo
Headmaster Bloom, dressed again in elegant robes with muggle clothing underneath, stood in front of the hundred or so contestants and reminded them that the children would be benefitting from their repairs for years to come, so no shortcuts please. He fired off red sparks from his wand and the competition began. The whole crowd cheered and the elected house leaders raced to the table to get their blueprints. The headmaster had asked a few of his construction friends to be with each team to answer questions and guide the work.
Severus stood beside Hermione as the workers began. She had tears in her eyes. This would do it. After today the castle would be completely restored. She had checked with the aurors manning the recruitment tables. The sign up had gone well. Not as many as previous years, but still a healthy total. The school would be self sufficient again in time.
She turned to look at the memorial across the lake. Today was not the day for sorrow or remembrance. Today was for the future. She couldn't help feeling as if Harry and Ron were with her right then. Offering her hugs and words of love and friendship. And Minerva looking kindly at her, once again granting her own special type of approval. Dumbledore. After he had asked for her forgiveness that night, she gladly gave it to him and they'd had many conversations since. He was a crafty strategist after all.
The day was a smashing success. None of the teams had stopped to eat or rest. All the work had been done well, as Headmaster Bloom and Kingsley had inspected everything. The winning house was Slytherin, with a time of five hours twelve minutes. The others finished within the remaining time. Some house members even helping the others to finish on time. When presented with the winners cup, Pansy Parkinson, once a petulant child, now a mature woman due to her experiences here, turned to the crowd in humility. "Because of the battle of Hogwarts, all our lives will never be the same. But because of the efforts of every house here today, Hogwarts will be. May she be a haven of learning and friendship forever."
The crowd cheered long and loud and handshakes and hugs were plentiful for everyone. The exhibition game started an hour later. Slytherin didn't stand a chance against Victor and a near professional team, but they made it look close and everyone had a great time. There was plenty of food and drink left and the party lasted well into the night.
Hermione couldn't stay up and was in bed asleep before midnight. Severus, Kingsley and some of the aurors sat around the last lit firepit with glasses of firewhiskey in their hands. The bottle tucked neatly next to him, Severus held his aloft in tribute. "To a job well done by all." The men all answered back with "Here! Here!" and the sound of clinking glass. The comradery was so thick it was hard to be the first to leave. They had all been through so much together starting with Voldemort's death, burying the dead, rebuilding the school, rebuilding the ministry. It was all over now. Severus and Hermione would retire to their new home and raise a family.
Kingsley took a sip of his drink. "When are you leaving here Snape?"
Severus grunted. "As soon as I can get her to go! Most likely in the next day or two. She needs time to say goodbye to the place. How about you minister? Now that all the fun is over, what's next for you and our band of brothers?"
The others laughed lightly at the name. "We are going to do what we always do, right boys? Keep evil at bay if we can. The Death Eater trials will be coming up soon. Would it be possible for you to help us with 'our' task?" Kingsley looked at Severus like a tiger ready to pounce. "The job pays very well from what I understand. A big office with a secretary to giggle at your every desire. Brass name plate on the wall. 'Office of Severus Snape- Consultant Extraordinaire.'
Severus rubbed his eyes and sighed. "I don't know Shaklebolt. I've been fighting them all my life, I need a break. It would depend on just how much of my time you're looking for. My first priority is going to be my family." He finished his drink and broke the glass in the fire, feeling his obligation to them rising. "Come and see me in a month or so. Hermione should be sick of me by then."
Kingsley laughed and slapped him on the back. "It's a deal."
He stood and apparated away, as did the others, one by one. Each leaving with a salute to Severus and breaking the glass in the fire. In the end he was left alone looking at the stars. Despite the fire in front of him he was cold. A kind of cold that goes to your bones. The kind that comes from an injured soul and two decades of guilt. The kind that comes from an uncertain future and too many worries. The kind, that for him, needs only one answer to warm him. Hermione.
oopOqoo
Hermione had said all her goodbyes to the faculty and staff at Hogwarts. She wished them good fortune in the coming year and reminded them that she could be called upon to help. She had roamed the halls and sat in the library and talked to the portraits. Now she stood at the entrance to the great hall and looked at the stairs. The echoes of the past all around her. It was another time and a different girl that had entered this place in the hope of finding friends and exploring this new world. She could almost see Harry and Ron as she did that first day. Standing on the stairs and telling Draco what he could do with his opinions of who was the right sort. Or Seamus burning his eyebrows off, or Nevil, sweet Nevil falling on the floor from her Petrificus spell. The seats of the headmasters table would always have Hagrid, Flitwick, Trelawny, Sprout, Minerva, Dumbledore and the rest in them. They were all gone, but living still in her heart. She promised them there, that she would never forget any of them.
The house point total hourglasses were clean and empty. Ready for another year of mischief to be managed. Soon the place would be crawling with children again. The large door to the courtyard was open. Hermione knew Severus was waiting. All of their things had been transferred to their new home. It was time to go.
Hermione's tears blinded her as she met the bright sunlight of September. But before they could go she felt a tug at her skirt. Looking down she saw Pinkel. She smiled and bent down to say goodbye. The emotion was too strong and she could only hug her dear friend and confidant.
"Missus Hermione wasn't going to leave without Pinkel was she?"
The elf had managed to make her smile. "Do you want to come with us Pinkel? What about your children? You don't want to leave them behind at Hogwarts."
Pinkel rolled her hands together in nervousness. "Missus Hermione needs Pinkel. Especially with the baby coming. Who will take care of you? Pavel and Paige are grown and have mates of their own and will have families soon. Don't you want Pinkel to come?" The elf's eyes began to water.
Hermione was touched by Pinkel's desire to be with her. "Pinkel. Oh Pinkel of course I want you to come. Thank you for the offer my friend. You may come back here any time you like to visit your family. It will be like having a piece of Hogwarts with me."
She stood and took Pinkel's hand and went out the door without looking back. In front of her stood her husband and their future. A brilliant future full of love and happiness. Severus kissed her forehead. She looked up at him and nodded. They were going home. The sound of their apparition echoed through the valley.
The End
