Severus Snape: Dumbledore's man.
The service wasn't as sad as the others had been. Many couldn't grasp what Snape had done as truly good. Children who had attended Hogwarts during Snape's reign as potions master and head master still deemed him as a wicked man. But many paid homage to the good he had done. Hermione even got weepy. Harry made sure Snape was respected during the ceremony, just as Dumbledore wished. He was to meet with professor McGonagall and Kingsley Shacklebolt in Dumbledore's office after the ceremony. He bid good bye to Hermione and wished her well, as she was to return to her parents yet again. Walking to Dumebledore's office he noticed Cho Chang waving avidly at him. She caught up to him with a smile.
"I never got a chance to congratulate you harry" she said giving him a huge hug. "it is an honor knowing you"
Harry was indeed touched.
"Well you did your part. Are you returning to school next year?" he asked.
"oh god no. I'm actually taking the year to travel with my mother. She wants to get as far away from here as possible." Laughed Cho.
"Well good bye then. Enjoy" harry said.
Without warning she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "See ya when I get back!" and she was off.
Harry glanced around to see if Ginny was anywhere to be found. He certainly didn't need any confusion right now. He had absolutely no feelings for Cho, and hoped Ginny knew that.
The decision to place Snape's tomb next to Dumbledore's had a lot to do with Harry. Although Kingsley didn't agree at first, Professor McGonagall helped win him over in the end. He was buried like a true head master. Harry also was a strong supporter that Minerva McGonagall should be the new headmaster. Shacklebolt was to be named the official Minister of magic instead of temporary so his say would be final. He agreed, but she did not.
"I am very old. I know I don't seem it. I've still got some kick in me. But the position of headmistress is too much. For the time being perhaps, but I've ven been seeking to retire from my transfiguration job." She said politely.
"I understand. I just thought well, that you'd always be at Hogwarts" replied harry. Kingsley nodded in agreement.
"you were after all, my teacher too" said Kingsley.
"Now harry, there is the matter of you, Mr. Weasley, and Miss. Grangers education to attend to." Reminded the professor.
"well Ron, Hermione and I have discussed this and we'd like to return for a half a year. And we'd like closer study with the professors. If that's at all possible. And…well then we plan on applying for internships within the ministry."
"interesting" commented Shacklebolt.
"And Neville and Luna want the same. They said the last year here was a joke. Except Neville wants to study herbology, well, here. And Luna wants to work with ollivander. She's grown quite fond of him." Explained Harry.
"Any special departments for you all then?" asked Kingsley.
"I'd like to be an auror…although I realize there isn't much use for them in the days to come. I just fancy the job a lot." Said Harry thoughtfully.
'I'm not a bit surprised." Chuckled Kingsley.
"Ron wants to do something with wizard- creature relations. A social betterment between races. And Hermione doesn't know exactly. She's very smart as you know. Perhaps she'll discover her passion throughout her half a year in Hogwarts" stated Harry.
"all reasonable requests. An Auror potter, a fine choice for such talent." glistened the Professor.
"and there is Ginny Weasley, but I told her I couldn't promise anything" finished Harry.
"Well I don't see why not, she got quite a brain. Just don't go passing it around to other students. This is a special offer for you all." Agreed the professor.
"We still have to appoint a defense against the dark arts and muggle studies professor" reminded Kingsley.
"Percy Weasley applied for the Muggle Studies job. As for defense against the dark arts, it's still viewed as cursed" chuckled McGonagall.
"fancy a Weasley teaching!" smiled Harry.
"well Charlie has also applied for a job here. He's spent so much time with Hagrid, you see, and has renewed his fondness for the place. Hagrid intends on training him to be keeper of keys and grounds, and eventually he'll take over Hagrid's teaching job. But that won't be for a while" explained McGonegall.
"Bear in mind though, Percy wants it temporarily. He plans on joining his father in muggle relations. He's trying to help out is all." Reminded Kingsley.
They decided to hire Percy and Charlie, and made the arrangements for Luna, Neville, Ginny, Ron, Hermione and Harry to go to school in the fall.
"ya know" commented Ron. "the last time I left here I thought I'd never come back. We're lucky, mate"
"I know" replied Harry, as they wandered around the empty school.