AN: Thanks for all the love! Maybe, just maybe I can get two chapters posted this week. Thanks for the review again! And thanks for following and favoriting all of you that have done that! It really means a ton to see the emails in my inbox! Same warnings as chapter one! Here's chapter 5!
Chapter 5
McGonagall stood in front of the students in the spot where Albus and Severus had previously stood. She could not believe she had the position now, but the war had changed many things. Her stoic posture never faltered, but the sad smile on her face clearly showed her bitter sweet feelings towards the new school year. So many students old and new had been killed less than six months prior, but it was Hogwarts job to educate all young witches and wizards so here she was, bringing in the new school year, welcoming all of the students back for another year. She did wonder if she were getting too old for this, but knew the students needed her this year more than ever., especially for these new Slytherin first years that looked terrified to be placed in the house that has brought about many bad wizards, but Professor McGonagall knew that it wasn't just Slytherins that went bad and it wasn't all Gryffindors that were brave and good.
"Welcome students! Quiet down. Now, I would like to welcome you back to Hogwarts for another year of learning. I know this year will be challenging, but we will all work together to help each other. This year will be a year of change. We still have separate houses, but we are promoting house unity. Just because you are in one house does not mean you can not talk or be friends with someone from another house. Our new Head students will be shining examples. Students, your new Head Boy is Blaise Zabini and the Head Girl is Hermione Granger. Now there are a few announcements before we begin our feast. Madam Pomfrey would like me to introduce you to her new assistant that specializes in mind healing. Please welcome Healer Hope. She is here to help with anyone who needs help, especially after the war and last school year."
She paused and looked at the students' faces. The older ones looked haunted, unless you counted Mr. Weasley, but something seemed wrong with his demeanor. The younger ones lookegd relieved, but that was probably due to the absence of the Carrow twins. They had done a number on some of them.
"Now we have new faces on our staff that I need to introduce. Professor William Weasley will be taking over Defense Against the Dark Arts as well as being the Head of House for Gryffindor. Professor Fluer Weasley will be teaching Transfiguration. Professor Wood will be taking over for Muggle Studies. Professor Warrington will be the new potions teacher and the new Head of House for Slytherin. The Forbidden Forest is off limits, as usual. Also, the room for those that need something is still repairing itself, so I would recommend avoiding it. Welcome all and let the feast begin."
They all dug in. Hermione didn't really want much, especially with Ron shoveling food into his mouth as fast as he could. Ginny smacked him on the back of the head and told him to slow down so the rest of them would have food to eat. You would think he had not eaten in days.
"Oi! Chit! Leave me alone!"
Ginny rolled her eyes and turned to talk to Harry and Hermione. Hermione didn't pay too much attention to Ginny and looked around the room. There were not many of them that came back to repeat their seventh year.
"I can't believe Bill and Fluer are teaching here and they didn't say anything to us," Ron said with a full mouth.
"Well, they did tell us after they accepted the positions... I guess you just didn't hear them, mate."
Ron grumbled something under his breath at Harry. Hermione knew they were coming. The couple had shared their news with the family weeks ago, but she knew that was one of Ron's really bad nights so she wasn't surprised that Ron didn't remember.
McGonagall arose again and reminded the students that schedules would be passed out in the morning. She then dismissed the prefects and the first years. After a little time had passed, the Headmistress dismissed the rest of the students. Hermione and Blaise hung back to meet with her to find their new Head Dorms.
"Ah. Mister Zabini and Ms. Granger. I hope you've had a good supper. Now follow me to your courters."
They followed her to the seventh floor not far from the Room of Requirement. Hermione couldn't believe they would have their own tower. Professor McGonagal told them the password and left then to explore.