Aftermath – Chapter 2 – School Plans
It had only been about eighteen hours since the Battle of Hogwarts had ended and Harry had just woken from a deep sleep to face the reality of all that had happened. He was in the hospital wing of Hogwarts, with Hermione, Ron, and Ginny, with most of the rest of beds full of the injured, surrounded by their families. Harry and Hermione were comforting Ginny and Ron as they grieved over their dead brother. Harry had an arm around Ginny, her tears finally subsiding as she wiped her eyes with a tissue. Hermione had an arm around Ron's waist and she had her head on his shoulder. They were sitting on the bed opposite Harry and Ginny, and they were all silent, just taking in all that had happened.
"Potter?" It was Professor McGonagall walking toward them between the rows of beds. She was in her black robes and looked like she hadn't slept since the night before.
"Hello, Professor," Harry said, and Ron and Hermione pulled back from each other, not having seen McGonagall come in as the door was behind them.
"Oh, Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley relax," she said casually, not betraying her tiredness that was etched in every line of her worn face. Then she looked at Ron closely, even a little sternly. "It's about time you two started dating, you know? I suspect it is entirely his fault why it took so long." This last was directed at Hermione.
"What?" Ron said, his eyes bulging. Hermione also stared at her in shock, speechless for once.
"You don't think I know what goes on in my own house?" McGonagall said more like a statement than a question. "You'd be surprised how many Gryffindor wizards and witches have gone on from being classmates to being…well, mates. Just look at Potter's parents."
"Yeah, but…but…" Ron started to say, almost like a protest and Harry could see Hermione recovering from her shock and even a hint of anger in the corner of her eyes. If Ron said what he seemed about to say things would be very frosty indeed.
"Professor, you wanted to see me?' Harry jumped in as Ron still sat there, eyes unfocused, now thankfully speechless.
"Well rested are we?" McGonagall said to Harry.
"Yes, quite. Bit hungry, though."
"That'll have to wait. There are things to discuss," she said sternly. "The Minister wishes to see you."
"Just Harry?" asked Hermione in surprise. "Earlier we thought he wanted to see all three of us."
"No, just Mr. Potter will do for now," Professor McGonagall said.
"My clothes…" Harry started to say as he stood up, still wearing the hospital pajamas, looking around for his clothing. Then there was a loud crack that caused a few screams and an angry shout from Madam Pomfrey. Kreacher the house–elf appeared out of thin air holding the clothes Harry had been wearing and which were now cleaned and pressed.
"Master Harry, Kreacher has brought your clothes," said the old house-elf as he bowed, the locket from Regulus Black still there around his neck, hanging on its thin golden chain.
"Thank you, Kreacher," said Harry as he took the clothes. "And thank you for your help…in the fight."
"Not at all, Master Harry," he said as he bowed low again. "Is Master in need of old Kreacher for anything else?"
"A plate of chicken sandwiches," said Ron, thinking of food since Harry had just mentioned he was hungry and Ron found that he was as well. "And a jug of pumpkin juice."
Hermione was about to scold Ron, but then Kreacher bowed low. "For Master's friends, of course, Kreacher will do anything." And then with another loud crack he was gone.
"He's starting to grow on me," said Ron. "Loads better when he's not insulting you under his breathe, isn't he?"
"Then perhaps you won't treat him like a slave who is only here to do your bidding," Hermione said in a huff and Ron had a quick retort but held it back, not wanting to start bickering with her about spew again.
Ginny grinned shyly as Harry looked at her with his clothes in his arms and hesitated to ask her to get off the bed and give him some privacy. She understood and then she stood and took her chair around to where Ron and Hermione were sitting. Harry pulled the screens around his bed and he started to change.
"Professor," Hermione started to ask McGonagall after Harry had disappeared behind the screens. "Since the house-elves took part in the battle, do you think the Ministry will start treating them better?"
McGonagall paused before answering. "I know your passion for this subject Miss Granger, and perhaps it will make a difference, but you are fighting against centuries of tradition."
"It's just so unfair," she said with a burning intensity.
"Maybe you can do something about it…like…I dunno…join the Ministry, get the laws changed," said Ron to Hermione, a hopeful look on his face, making an honest effort to get back on her side about house-elves. She looked at him and her eyes went wide.
"That's brilliant, Ron! I can work at the Ministry, get them to see reason and… But...but… I haven't finished my seventh year!"
"What's that got to do with it?" Ron asked with a puzzled expression. For someone who had grown up in a wizard family, Ron sometimes showed a complete lack of knowledge of the wizarding world.
"Everything," said Ginny glumly, seeing Hermione's face fall.
"She's quite right," McGonagall stated. "You cannot work in the Ministry of Magic without graduating from an approved school of magic or a course of home instruction given by magical parents."
"It's not fair," said Ron angrily. "Hermione would have finished her seventh year, we all would have. We were out there fighting….Voldemort…and she did so much…would've been lost without Hermione sometimes, ain't that right, Harry?"
"Reckon so," Harry's voice came from behind the screen. "Why can't she just go next year?"
Hermione squeaked with glee and looked at McGonagall. "Can I?"
She nodded. "I don't see why not. Exceptions are made for students who are ill and for other personal reasons. Yes, Miss Granger, working to bring down an evil wizard does seem to be a justifiable reason for missing school. Hogwarts will welcome you back with open arms."
Hermione gave another squeak of delight that brought yet another glared from Madam Pomfrey.
"Sorry," Hermione said.
"What about the rest of term?" Ginny asked Professor McGonagall.
"In light of what has happened, the rest of term has been cancelled. The school is in no shape to hold classes. We've decided that fifth and seventh years will take their O.W.L and N.E.W.T exams at the end of July, not June, but perhaps at another location. Hopefully, we will be ready to reopen Hogwarts in September."
Hermione wanted to start talking to Ginny about their seventh year courses and what she wanted to take, but one look at Ginny's red-rimmed eyes told her Ginny was in no mood for it right now.
"And you Mr. Weasley?' asked the professor. "Do you and Mr. Potter plan on finishing?"
Ron cringed, knowing this question was coming. "Dunno. Harry, what do you say?"
Harry came out from behind the screens dressed now. "Need time to think about the future," he said carefully.
"Well, you have all summer,'" said McGonagall. "I am sure a place will be held for you both."
With another crack and more screams and dirty looks from Madam Pomfrey, Kreacher reappeared with the sandwiches and juice. After many thanks from all, especially Ron, he disappeared again and Madam Pomfrey turned on Harry and warned him that it didn't matter how many dark wizard's he had vanquished, all house-elves were hereby banned from the hospital wing.
Harry gulped some juice and grabbed half a sandwich and then with a quick goodbye to his friends, he started walking after Professor McGonagall. A lot of patients and parents gave him looks of awe and wonder and cheers and few parents came up to shake his hand and hug him. McGonagall beckoned him on and soon Harry was walking toward what he knew was the direction of Dumbledore's office, gulping his chicken sandwich as he walked.
The lamps were lit in the corridors, but it was very quiet. Most of the students were gone and those remaining we mostly in the hospital or sleeping in their dormitories. Harry would have really liked to seen Neville and Luna and Dean and Seamus again. Damage could be seen here and there, and a cool spring breeze was blowing in the castle from lots of broken windows. Harry guessed that more important things had to be done before they could get to repairing the castle. Out one window he spied large dark shapes that could only be Hagrid and his brother Grawp as they dragged other dark, rounded shapes to a central point. Harry figured the bodies must the spiders Hagrid had talked about earlier.
Harry suddenly had a million questions. "Professor," he asked as he quickly swallowed the last bit of sandwich. "What's going to happen…about the dead…people?"
She stopped and looked at him, and all the wear and worry of the last 24-hours revealed themselves.
"Most of the parents have come while you've slept and taken their children's…bodies," she said and her voice faltered. "Some of the…Death Eaters'…family have been here also."
"Where's Fred?" Harry asked in a quiet voice. "And Lupin and Tonks?"
"Bill, George, and Percy took Fred home. Molly…well, she's taking it hard, as can be expected. She's home now with her older sons and Charlie is supposed to be coming soon. I suspect Fred will be laid to rest nearby the Burrow. Ginny refused to leave while you three were in the hospital and her father is waiting for us with Kingsley. Lupin and Tonks were taken by their families also." She sighed and Harry wanted to stop her from reliving these painful memories but she pressed on. "It was a difficult day. Anyway, Kingsley and I spoke to most of the parents of the students. They knew their children were of age and most were proud they had fought. Some, however, were not so…forgiving. I'm sorry to say Potter, but…you will hear this soon I am sure…but some are blaming you."
Harry felt a sudden chill and his heart almost stopped. "Blaming me? For what?"
"For this battle," she said finally. "For Voldemort's coming to Hogwarts, for their children getting involved in all of this, and …for everything bad that has happened."
"But…I killed him! I…I…." Harry was too stunned to speak.
She patted him on the shoulder. "I know, and most of the wizarding world knows. But…it's too soon, the wounds are too fresh. Time will see things right. They will see that things could have been and would have been much worse if Voldemort had succeeded."
But Harry was barely listening to her. Behind her he could see Arthur Weasley walking toward them. Harry's heart gave a lurch and he wondered if Ron's parents also blamed him for Fred's death.
Mr. Weasley also looked worn out and still in shock, but he forced a smile. "Ah, there you are, Harry. Kingsley is waiting for you in the headmaster's…sorry, headmistress' office."
"Headmistress?" Harry said and then realized that McGonagall was now in charge of Hogwarts. "Oh, congratulations, Professor."
"Thank you, Potter."
Harry felt like saying something to Mr. Weasley about Fred but he just turned started walking and Professor McGonagall followed and they were soon at the broken gargoyle and moving up the circular stone stairway to the office Harry had visited so many times before. He had more many questions, but he didn't have a chance to ask. They were soon at the top of the stairs and through the door Harry knew so well.