Alright, now that fanfiction is not being stupid and actually letting me update, here's another chapter… a long one too…
Yay for J.K Rowling owning Harry potter, cause if it wasn't for her, I would have to find something different to write about…
"Now, I understand that this is a big decision, but each of you were suggested by a member of the staff. Longbottem, Professor Sprout specifically asked for you. As well as you Mrs. Weasley, Professor Flitwick personally named you. Each of you has qualities that a Hogwarts teacher must have, " Professor McGonagall explained to the five former students standing before her, "I will leave you alone for a little while to let you think about it before I ask for a response." With that she began to walk briskly out of the great hall.
Before reaching the door she turned back around.
"Keep in mind, an honor such as this is not often given to people as young as yourselves. I, along with all of the school governors, would not ask you here if we thought you did not deserve, or that you would not accept, this position."
And with that she walked out of the great hall, closing the enormous doors behind her.
Ginny sat stunned. Everyone was silent; no one could say a word. Ginny walked over to a table and sat down. She felt a little ill. Soon Hermione joined her. They looked at each other, but had no words to say to one another. It was about twenty minutes before Malfoy finally spoke up.
"Man, this school must be getting desperate if they want to hire the lot of us…" he smirked.
Everyone chuckled; it had eased the tension that had built to the point of utter discomfort.
"So what everyone thinking?" questioned Harry.
"Oh I don't know." Stated Neville still unsure of himself.
"You should take it Neville!" exclaimed Ginny. "Professor Sprout named you specifically to be her successor, and you really are brilliant when it comes to Herbology."
"We are all suited for these jobs, and I think we should all take them." Stated Neville, still blushing ferventley from Ginny's previous comment.
A few moments later, Professor McGonagall reentered the room.
"Now who may we expect to return to Hogwarts next year?"
"Well I don't know about the rest of you, but I will have to accept your offer Professor." Smiled Draco.
"Excellent!" exclaimed Professor McGonagall, " Anyone else?"
"Neville and I will too." Said Harry laughing at Neville who still looked embarrassed by Ginny comment.
"And what about you two?" questioned Harry as he turned to look at the two remaining ladies sitting at the table.
Ginny and Hermione looked at each other, trying to search each other's expressions.
Hermione smirked at Ginny and as she stood up said, "I will if you will…"
Ginny stood up beside her, smiled at Professor McGonagall and said, "Alright, we'd be happy to do it."
As Ginny went back to her apartment, she suddenly became very excited. She was moving back to Hogwarts, and she would be living with her best friends, which meant she would be living with Hermione. This made her heart skip a beat. It was going to be like the sixth year again, only better. This time she wasn't going to be a silly, lovesick schoolgirl. She was older, more mature, although still lovesick. However, Ginny knew how to hold herself now. She wasn't afraid anymore, she was just happy that she was going to see her friend.
Hermione was freaking out. Since her and Harry had moved in together after her split with Percy, she always felt slightly guilty for not telling him the full reason for her break-up. What would she say? "Hey Harry, I broke up with Percy because I am deeply in love with your ex-girlfriend?" No, she couldn't tell him. However, he did not really understand why she was making such a big deal about moving back to Hogwarts.
"Honestly Hermione, I don't know why you are making such a big deal about this. Its just Ginny, you guys are friends. You guys are just; well you're best friends! I know you haven't talked in a while, but you still like each other…"
"What do you mean 'like' Harry? What are you saying?"
Harry looked at her questioningly.
"I mean.." Hermione said quickly, " well, I mean I obviously 'like' her, I mean she's a good friend of mine, I just… I just think it's going to be weird, that's all."
"Hermione, what's going on with you?" Harry asked.
"Nothing Harry.. its just.. nothing." She sighed as she continued to pack.
As they all arrived back at Hogwarts, it was actually beginning to take shape. They were going to be TEACHING at Hogwarts. Hermione, Harry and Ginny opted to take a little walk around campus before getting settled. Draco, being himself, decided to invite himself along. Then Ginny, feeling guilty, went and invited Neville as well.
As the five of them casually walked around the grounds, none really talked so much as made overtly general comments.
"You know," Draco said getting tired of the pointless chatter, " If you would have asked me in my sixth year, who I would be friends with when I was 29, I can honestly say I would never would have considered you lot, or being here for that matter."
The group turned and looked at him.
" I am glad I was wrong." He smiled.
"We are glad you were wrong too Malfoy." Harry said happily.
"So Ginny!" Hermione said suddenly catching Ginny completely off guard, "What's going to happen to the National Irish Side, now that their star Chaser, not to mention Captain, is gone?"
"Oh! Well, I named a successor, and many were sad to see me go. But being here at Hogwarts is more important. Besides, I think most people are excited that I will be teaching their kids."
"Ginny are you still dating that model girl?" Neville blurted out carelessly and in a less than tactful way.
"Um…" Ginny chuckled slightly, " No Neville, we are not seeing each other anymore…"
"Oh.." Neville paused, " Why?" he asked making the group feel increasingly uncomfortable.
"Longbottem!" Draco shouted, " We know you had a thing for Weasley in school, but she's not into you anymore… move on."
Everyone sniggered to them selves.
As Ginny was about to reply, Professor McGonagall and the newly appointed Assistant Deputy Headmaster, Remus Lupin, were approaching.
"Lupin!" Harry and Hermione stated together, " What are you doing here?"
" I am the newly appointed Assistant Headmaster, the school governor's announced it today."
"How is that possible?" Neville asked, " They wouldn't even let you teach!"
"Honestly, doesn't anyone read anymore?" Hermione stated in a huff, " The recent additive to the Wolfsbane Potion, which Draco discovered mind you, suppresses the werewolf mutation, and allows people to stay in human form the entire year, making them perfectly harmless."
They all turned and looked at Draco as he smirked, " Why do you think I am the potions master?"
"Anyways," Lupin interrupted, " we are here to show you to your rooms."
As they all walked up to the school, Ginny was walking side by side with Hermione and Harry and could do nothing else but smile.
"What are you smiling about?" Asked Hermione.
And as Ginny looked back into her beautiful Hazel eyes she said, "Nothing, I am really…just… happy."
Hermione hugged her friend and they walked back to the school, the happiest they'd been, in nine long years.
Next to come –
Rooms…
The sorting ceremony
And first day of classes.
Thanks for reviewing.. keep doing it! I love it !
You guys are great and I really appreciate it!
