Fan Fiction is used as entertainment for this author. It is thus understood that said author gains no monetary compensation for this work. It should be further understood that any and all characters in this fiction who have the same name as any other characters in any other published works belong to the author of said published works. Any other characters belong to me.
Ch 7 Interview with the Headmaster
"Come up to my office and we will talk" Dumbledore said as they walked into the school.
Dumbledore's office was now a lurid shade of pink. The past headmasters made vomiting faces and some had flat out refused to be in a frame in a pink room.
"I thought I might try a change of scenery for a while" Dumbledore said airily.
"I like it" said Hermione.
"Well you certainly are sure secure with your masculinity there" said Harry.
"After being alive as long as I have you get to realize that the shade of your chambers has nothing to do with your plumbing, if you know what I mean Harry." Dumbledore's eyes glinted with merriment as he shot one low across Harry's bow.
"Speaking of changes, Harry, I would like to say that you have made a remarkable recovery this summer. I hear you have turned into a rare wit. Laughter is the best medicine, it is true. I admire your ability to joke about life. I would warn you to watch yourself so your joking keeps you merry and not cynical. I trust you have made some other decisions? You might be interested in knowing that we are erecting a statue of Cedric. It will be completed shortly before school starts. Speaking of time, it has only been a month since you left us and you look like a changed man. I am truly happy to see your recovery. Have the dreams stopped?"
"Yes, Professor" Harry said.
"And what, may I ask, have they been replaced with?" Dumbledore asked.
"Ginny Weasley sir, and err well, you know" Harry said apparently lost for words.
"That I do. Sirius told me about that as well. I wish the best to both of you, and you Miss Granger as well, as I hear you have taken up with young Mr. Weasley." At that Hermione's face went as red as Ron's hair.
"Now we must move on to more pressing matters. Voldermort surely knows by now that you two are here rather than at your home. You are safe here for now. We have blocked the tunnels into the castle (at this Dumbledore gave a sidelong glance at Harry) and have added to the wards keeping the castle safe from apperation, dark magic, and, of course, Voldermort. Should he try to set foot on this school his body will be unmade. Wonderful thing, muggle science is! We cast a spell that will detect his very DNA and unravel it should he step onto the grounds; quite ingenious, if I do say so myself."
"It has also come to my attention that you are attempting to become an animagus" Dumbledore said gravely.
"Yes professor, I have. I thought about it and realized that between Wormtail and Sirius, being an animagus can be quite the defensive weapon. I want to follow in my father's footsteps and at the same time be prepared to face Voldermort."
"And what should happen if you find that your animagus form is a sloth? You may not know but the animal chooses you, not the other way around. Is that something you are prepared for?"
"Well," said Harry "it is something I have considered. If my animagus form does not offer any immediate aid it is still not without loss. I will have improved my magic skills and gained another tool."
Dumbledore's eyes opened wide in surprise. "I had not expected this level of maturity and thought from you. I was not underestimating you Harry, its just that your current perspective is something I would expect from a much older wizard. And you Miss Granger, are you wishing to try this? I offer you the opportunity for two reasons. You are the top of your class, and probably the top of the 6th year class as well, I think you can handle the magic involved with this. Secondly, Harry will need a partner to practice with and it would help if the two of you could work together."
"Yes, I would very much like to become an animagus" Hermione's eyes gleamed with the opportunity for learning and proving herself to the faculty.
"Well then, I am offering you two something which has not been offered to a Hogwarts student since 1433 when, but I'm sure you know the details Miss Granger." Dumbledore smiled at her.
"What will we be taking?" asked Hermione with relish.
"For now, you will have an independent study with Professor McGonagall. There is time for two studies. You will work with Professor McGonagall for a month and then with me personally for the other study. I will be teaching you some advanced magic which you two will need if you are to survive."
"Thank you professor" they both said in unison.
"One other thing" Harry asked. "Can we put the common room floo on the network so Ron and Ginny can come and visit?"
"I think we could work that out" the old wizard smiled as he thought of young love and the summer before two of his favorite students.