Chapter Nineteen

A pleasant surprise.

I awoke the next morning to find my wand replaced outside my door. I made my way t the kitchen and stretched whilst making a coffee. Once again, Malfoy was nowhere in sight so i decided to go to the Great Hall for breakfast. It was the second last day of the year so the entire seventh year had the day off as all of our exams were over. as always for the past seven years, i searched out my remaining best friend and made my way over to hug my red haired friend.

"To think we will never see this place again after tomorrow," I sighed, "well unless we have kids and they are accepted into here. Tonight is the Graduation ceremony and tomorrow the ball and then it is back to life at the burrow. Any ideas what you want to do post Hogwarts?"

"Harry bless his soul," Ron began, "and I were going to become an Auror. So that's what I'm going to do. How about you Hermoine?"

"I don't know never really thought about it, Hogwarts is the only thing I've really ever known for the last seven years, i don't know how I will'll cope without it."

"Miss Granger," the sharp voice of Mc Gonagall made me jump.

"Yes Professor?" I looked up nervously. I was scared that Malfoy had told someone i had knocked him out but when i really thought about it i erased the idea from my mind knowing fully well he would never tell anyone lest his precious pride be damaged. I started to rack my brain for things i had done. 'I didn't do it and if i did I'm sorry!" i blurted out before i could stop myself.

"What didn't you do Miss Granger? I would hate to see a bad mark so soon to graduation." Her face was still stern as she spoke but her eyes twinkled and i knew she was having a game with me.

"What ever I am in trouble for." She smiled as i said this knowing i had caught onto her game.

"Dear no pet, you're not in trouble but i have something for you," and she handed me a letter alike the day of Harry's funeral but with the Hogwarts crest upon it. Inside i found a letter addressed to me with McGonagall's signature on the bottom.

To Miss Hermoine Granger,

It is my proud honor to offer you a position here at Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry to learn to teach Transfiguration and tutor students. You will be provided accommodation on premises all year round including the summer as well as all meals and a generous salary. Please respond when you are ready.

Signed Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall.

I had almost hit Ron in my excitement and hugged him in sheer joy as i squealed with happiness.

"What is it Hermoine?" Ron asked confused. I handed him the letter and watched as his smile grew wider and wider with each line. When he was finished, it was his turn to almost hit me. He hauled me off my chair and wrapped his arms around me lifting me from the ground. For a split second, i missed the other slice of bread that used to make a sandwich like me but i was soon content with just being butter on toast. i knew in my heart Harry would have been proud of this achievement.

"Blimey Hermoine! Well done Harry would have been so proud of you!" he spoke my thoughts for me, "You always were super good at explaining things and transfiguration was always your best subject. Congratulations i believe celebrations would be in order?"

"Don't get too far ahead of yourself! Celebrating is for later tonight after we all graduate and besides i haven't replied yet!"

"What are you waiting for Christmas?" he pushed me towards the front desk and nodded his head in the direction when i looked back at him. I practically skipped to the teachers table.

"Professor I have your reply," she looked at me pride all over her giant smile.

"Well Miss Granger we haven't got all day besides i can't stand the suspense!"

"Yes Professor, thank you professor for this opportunity you have no idea how much this means to me and i promise i won't let you down."

"Miss Granger you'd be surprised, i have been looking for an heir since i was given this place in very much the same fashion you were and you are the first person i have deemed worthy of it. You are the brightest student Hogwarts has seen since my year and that student was myself. I admit your grades have slipped a fraction this year some unknown reason but you still came out on top... you'll be surprised how far on top actually. When I retire, i wish for it to be you taking my place. You may take the summer off and start next year. I look forward to see you again Miss Granger, I must go now, have a nice day." She walked past me and then turned around to remind me of one last thing.

"Oh and Hermoine the name is Minerva no longer professor McGonagall. So long professor Granger... I mean Hermoine.

We graduated that night in front of all of our parents and I had unbelievably scored out standings on all of my O.W.L.S even though Minerva had said my grades have slipped and ron not far behind me received two out standings and one extraordinary. After finally ridding ourselves of our parents, I looked at Ron who was positively glowing and mouthed "Champagne my dorm," and stuck up ten fingers indicating to meet me in ten minutes. This time i literally skipped with joy down the great hall. I had now finished my studies and had a job.

Ron was talking to Mona when i had arrived.

"Congratulations Hermoine," she hooted, "I have reason to believe you will be working here next year and even more news that you will be keeping this dorm as well!"

"Indeed I am and that is excellent news."

"Yes and isn't it great young Draco also received a position alike yours with Snape?" My stomach sunk i would be spending my life stuck with Malfoy in this castle.

"Yes in fact he and some friends are inside celebrating as we speak."

"Fantastic," I retorted sarcastically, "Asti." and with that she opened so we could enter the party zone. When she had said a few friends, she really should have said our entire grade and it wasn't hard to mingle. I pulled out three bottles of Riccadonna out from amongst the passion pop and rounded up Ron and Neville into my room where we shared the expensive, sweet and excellent quality champagne i had saved for this night though the third bottle was for Harry I happily shared it with Neville pouring three glasses for us all.

"To Professor Hermoine Granger and Professor Draco Malfoy may they never get along!" Ron lifted his glass in a toast.

"Mine's better!"

"What could be better than mine? Very simple and straight to the point," i faked a yawn and he batted me with one of the cushions form the lounge.

"To seven amazing years, filled with adventure and many more to come! To three amazing Gryffindor boys that made me and each of us complete. To Books and Gryffindor, but most of all to Neville, to Harry and to you Ron," and with that everyone outside popped their head in and called "Hear Hear!" Ron looked like he was about to cry.

"Cheers!" the entire grade raised their drinks and drank.

We talked all night about Harry and it calmed me to think of him as the kind warm figure wrapped himself around me when i felt at my lowest and not the snarling figure plundering my body of its rights. I had forgiven him of his sins and prayed that he rest in peace. We finished off the three bottles making crazy spur of the moment toasts until finally we had to go to bed. Tomorrow night was the ball and the night after that we would be going home.

I dreaded having to go with Malfoy but i would drop him as soon as I could. Tomorrow would change my life forever in every single perspective, it would never be what it once was the year I stepped into this school seven years ago eleven years old an already brighter than a fourth year. I never Imagined my life would be like this.