Home Again

Summary: Someone from Hermione's past returns. R/Hr.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, fun right? To Ily, who's helped bunches with this entire story. To all the little people who kept reviewing…I love you guys!

A/N: Last chapter. Don't yell yet. Just read.

Chapter 11: Back To Where They Belong

It was a few days after Christmas.

Everyone was still all smiles.

Hermione still needed to work out her feelings. But she figured that they could wait for now. Neither Ron nor she was in any rush to get married. In fact, they both wanted to wait a few years.

Ginny and Harry were a separate story. Harry wanted to wait while Ginny was already making the guest list. They were still in negotiations.

Now, bags were packed. Arrangements had been made and the quartet was heading back to a place they never thought possible.

School.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to be exact.

Yup, they were going back to regroup and gather everyone back together again. Kids were going too long without Hogwarts, and other wizarding schools were full to the brim.

Hogwarts was long overdue for a comeback.

Ron managed to wrestle Harry into teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. The girls were bound to love that.

"It would be like having Lockhart back." George had joked.

Hermione was teaching Charms, since she had excelled in that class when she was still at Hogwarts.

Ginny was just along for the ride. Harry had tried to get her to teach Divination, but a simple glare from her ended the conversation quickly.

And Ron was headmaster. Who would have thought?

They contacted Oliver Wood, and he grabbed at the chance to teach Flying.

Lee Jordan wanted to be commentator for the Quidditch games. Somehow, Ron got him to teach History of Magic. Although he had to make a deal that Lee could teach it however her wanted. And Ron had a feeling that he didn't want to know.

Of course, some of the regulars were back.

Hermione reached Minerva McGonagall and explained the situation. She agreed to teaching Transfiguration and offered to teach someone else how to as well. After all, she wasn't going to live forever.

Ron reached Severus Snape. He told him that the DADA position was taken, but that it would be excellent if he could teach Potions. Snape declined. The only way to get him to say yes was to tell him he only had to teach for a year. During that time, he would teach someone else how to be a great Potions teacher. Reluctantly, Snape agreed to the deal.

Harry spoke to Rubeus Hagrid and asked him to come back and teach Care of Magical Creatures again. Hagrid was so excited that he nearly choked Harry to death because he was hugging him so tightly.

Everything was in place and set for Hogwarts' re-opening. Of course, that probably wouldn't happen until September, but by the time it did, everything would be just as it was. Except without a few crucial people.

Hermione had come up with the idea.

Ginny was planning it all.

They were going to build a memorial for all the people that had lost their lives in the war.

Hermione said that the Americans did that. They had this huge monument in their capital that read all the names of the people that died in Vietnam.

Of course, this one wasn't going to be so large. Or elaborate.

Ginny thought about setting it up in the Great Hall, along the ceiling. The only times it would be removed was for any activity, such as the Yule Ball, and when the House and Quidditch Cup were awarded.

Ron was thrilled by the idea and let Ginny handle the rest of it.

It was amazing how much he trusted her with something like that.

"Hermione." Hermione felt someone shaking her gently. She woke up and looked around groggily.

"What?"

"We're almost there."

Hermione rubbed her eyes and looked out the Ford Anglia's windshield. The Hogwarts castle loomed into view. The sight brought a smile to Hermione's lips. They were back.

She looked over at her boyfr—fiancée. She reached over and took his free hand in hers. They were back. Anticipation butterflies fluttered in her stomach. She was kind of nervous and excited. This was a new chapter in her life. God only know what life might throw her way. She couldn't wait to find out.

-Fin…for now-

A/N: Stay tuned for Back Again, the sequel to Home Again

-Here's a semi-summary to Back Again:

Old friends and old enemies pop up to help with the re-opening of Hogwarts. One certain enemy changes someone's mind, causing them to second-guess a proposal.