Chapter 18
The two week break had passed quickly most had gone home to their families some had opted to stay at Hogwarts. Harry and Hermione had arrived back at Hogwarts a day before everyone returned. They had some espionage work to complete.
"Ok according to Fred and George all we have to do is activate it with the marauder charm and it should activate when they are in close proximity" Hermione said holding a small black box
"Well then let's put it somewhere that no would suspect" Harry said taking the box out of her hand and putting it underneath the biggest settee in the common room. He pointed his wand at the box and muttered
"I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good" The box glowed gold and then returned to normal.
"Ok lets go to the great hall I'm hungry" they both walked out hand in hand and went to the hall. They ran into the person they least expected to see.
"Remus?"
The werewolf turned around to great the two of them
"What are you doing here?" Harry asked
"Clearing up some business with Professor McGonagall" He said cryptically
"Care to elaborate?" Hermione asked. Remus simply smirked
"We all have our secrets"
Remus then walked off leaving a very confused Harry and Hermione.
The following evening they were a welcome back feast. Everyone appeared to be in good spirits well by everyone Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw; Slytherin still had a stick up their back side as a result of losing their safety net. McGonagall approached the podium and began to speak
"Welcome back to Hogwarts I trust you all enjoyed the short break. Now we have some staffing issues which have been resolved. Via the board of Governors I have been named full Headmistress of Hogwarts"
They were some cheers
"Severus Snape has been fired effective immediately."
Louder cheers
"As a result of this Professor Slughorn has agreed to take over the position of Head of Slytherin. Our new defence against the dark arts teacher... well not really new, may I welcome back Professor Remus Lupin who has agreed to take back his old position. In addition to this I am naming him new head of Gryffindor. Professor Lupin as you all well know was the most successful teacher for the position and I ask you to welcome him back warmly"
They hall erupted in cheers. Even some of the Slytherin students were clapping they couldn't deny just how good a teacher he was
"Professor Lupin will be unavailable for one week per month for teaching you shall be informed of a cover later. Now I ask you all to tuck into dinner. At the end of this I would like to see the following students in my office. Neville Longbottom, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Luna Lovegood"
She sat back down and the feast went into full swing everyone talking about what they had done. Harry and Hermione were speaking to Neville
"Wonder what she wants to talk to us about?" Harry said
"I know about one of the things but I'm not allowed to say anything until we see her" Neville said returning to his dinner
"Aw come on mate you can't tell us that and then not give us something else" Harry laughed
"All I can say is that it's something to do with Luna"
After the dinner Harry, Hermione, Luna and Neville made their way to McGonagall's office
They approached the gargoyle
"I don't know the password" Harry said realising their predicament
"Tabby" Neville said as the gargoyle sprang to life and granted them access
The three of them looked at Neville "What? She can transform into a cat so try a Cat as a password" he said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
The four of them knocked on the door and heard a swift "Come in" Professor McGonagall was waiting behind the desk
"Ah good you have all arrived I feel that Mr. Potter and Miss Granger should be made aware of what is happening wouldn't you agree Miss Lovegood and Mr Longbottom?"
The two of them nodded before turning to face the clearly confused Harry and Hermione.
"Well as you know Luna's time in Ravenclaw was well a nightmare for her what with everyone hiding her things all of the time and calling her that disgusting nickname so over the two week break the two of us got together and talked it all over" Neville started
"We both agreed that I couldn't keep going with what they were doing to me so I contacted professor McGonagall" Luna continued before nodding to Professor McGonagall
"I immediately asked Professor Flitwick if he was aware of any of these actions but he swore that he did not know. I then gave Miss Lovegood a choice. She could either stay in Ravenclaw or she could have the option to be resorted. I have asked the sorting hat and he agreed to do so"
Harry and Hermione both stood taking all of the information in. Harry spoke first
"What did you decide?"
"I want to be resorted"
With that Professor McGonagall got a small stool and the sorting out down from a shelf gesturing for Luna to sit down she placed the hat on her head
"Hmm interesting, it seems I may have made a mistake in your original sorting Miss Lovegood, with the courage and compassion I can sense here it seems clear to me that you should be in GRYFFINDOR!"
The three watched as Luna's robes were changed from the blue and silver to the red and gold of Gryffindor. Professor McGonagall turned to Harry and Hermione
"I am expecting that the Gryffindor's treat miss Lovegood better than what the Ravenclaw student did so I am expecting the two of you to be on the lookout for any bullying within our house"
The four were excused from Professor McGonagall's office and they headed up to Gryffindor Tower. They entered the common room and heard a large commotion
"Who did it!" They heard the unmistakeable bellow of Ron Weasley yell
"I mean it if you don't tell me who did it there will be trouble!"
They entered to see both Ron and Ginny covered in pink Slime.
"How could any of us cause that to happen Ron there isn't a curse for Pink slime. At least not one that I'm aware of" Seamus said between fits of laughter. Ron turned to see Harry and Hermione
"It was you two wasn't it!" He yelled
"How could it have possibly been us Ronald we've only just entered the common room!" Hermione replied sternly.
"What's Loony doing here?" He said noticing her appearance
"First of Ron her name is Luna and secondly she has been resorted into Gryffindor, she will be treated with respect and kindness by all here if not then we have been told that Professor McGonagall will and I quote 'make your lives a living hell'" Hermione paraphrased.
Ginny decided to add in her speculation
"I still say it was Hermione no one knows any more hexes or curses than she does it must have been her!"
Harry's face darkened
"You really are quite stupid sometimes Ginny if you know that she knows more hexes and jinxes than anyone else why would you try and intimidate her?" He said glaring
Hermione stepped forward
"and for the record it was not me who covered you in pink slime. I do however know who it was but unfortunately they wish to remain a silent benefactor"
The four of them turned and went into Harry and Hermione's private common room
"Who was it?" They both asked. Harry and Hermione smiled
"We'll tell you if you answer one question for us"
"Shoot"
"Is there any particular reason why the two of you have been holding hands since Luna was resorted?" Hermione asked
Neville and Luna looked at each other and blushed
"Well we... I mean its..." They stammered
"Were just happy you both finally realised" Harry replied
"Truthfully we've been together since the holidays, after everything that happened at the department of mysteries I guess we just sort of realised there and then what had been missing" Luna admitted
"Funny me and Harry realised that too" Hermione said laughing.
"A deals a deal so come on spill" Neville commented. The four sat down and Harry and Hermione explained
"Well as you know after we contacted you during the summer explaining everything that had happened we got in contact with Fred and George around the same time. Once we told them everything they were only too willing to help us out using the greatest arsenal they had" Harry explained
"Clever" Luna said adding her two pence into the conversation
"One thing is still confusing me though. How did Remus get his job back at Hogwarts?" Harry asked. It was Neville who had the answer for that question
"The wizengamot recently passed a new bylaw that states that magical creatures are permitted to teach. While they are still viewed as second class citizens they are allowed to have a job within the magical community"
"So for once the ministry of magic has helped someone else other than themselves?" Harry asked
"Don't worry I'm as surprised as you are" Hermione said. The four continued talking into the night.
Authors Note: Next chapter. Visiting Gringotts to destroy some horcruxes!