Background Hogwarts

Chapter Eleven - Post Battle

The door to the Room of Requirements opened. William, Max, Melanie, Tom and Hannah were stood at the front. Elizabeth smiled. "Lizzie!" Tom exclaimed. She hugged her friends, glad for some happiness. "He's dead and gone for good." She said, elated. "We're expected in the Great Hall." She announces to the room, the students filed out. 

*****

"Hogwarts is safe. The world is safe. On Saturday, ere is a victory ball. Then you shall all go home on Sunday!" McGonagall announced. Everyone cheered. This ball signified freedom and fearlessness. Free from judgement and opinions. "Moony, will you be my date to the ball." Sirius asked. "You're being so casual." Remus remarked. "Is that a no?" Sirius asked, beginning to panic. "No, no no. Yes. I'd love to." Remus gushed. "Be my date baby?" Harry asked. Draco answered with a kiss. "Mione, would you like to be my date?" Ron asked, shyly. "I'd love to." Hermione smiled. "You will be expected to dress appropriately for the event." McGonagall continued. "Any congratulations for the war effort, or death tributes will be done at the ball. Now please, eat." Everyone piled the much needed food onto their plates. It was delicious, however everybody agreed that Mrs Weasly's was better. After dinner the students returned to their common rooms and McGonagall kept back the adults and seventh years. "Now I understand that many of out teachers would like to leave us. I suggest a whole new staff next year. I will also be stepping down as headmistresses, however I would like to invite Miss Granger to take my place. Hermione gasped. "It would be an honour professor." McGonagall smiled at her. "Mr Lupin, I would like you to teach Care of Magical Creatures and be the first co-head of Gryffindor house, alongside Mr Black. Who, if he wants to, shall be our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher." Remus took one look at the man he loved and said "We'd love to." Sirius smiled at him. "Mr Malthoy, I would like for you to teach Potions and be the head of Slytherin house. Mr Potter, I would like you to teach Muggle Studies." Both boys gladly accepted. "Mr Weasly, I would like you to teach Flying and Astronomy." Ron just smiled, "Finally, Mr Longbottom, I would like you to teach Herbology." Neville grinned. "Wonderful, then it's all settled. These changes will start next year, feel free to make any other staffing changes that you see fit." Everyone smiled then left to go to their rooms. 

*****

"I haven't seen you in months. I was so scared." Draco admitted when they got to Harry's room. "Baby, I'm here and I'm safe, you're safe. We're all safe." He assured. "Do you know what happened to your dad?" He asked, cautiously. "Yeah, we faced off and I threw him off the bridge. He's dead." Harry hugged the boy close, "Your mum's OK though." Draco started to sob. "I don't know, I didn't see her after the second battle." Harry laid the boy down, kissed his nose and held him close, comforting him until they both fell asleep.

*****

"Moony, I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I just left, I'm sorry that you blamed me all those years. I'm sorry that I left you alone, I'm sorry that you had to change alone every full moon. I'm sorry that I shut you out. I'm sorry that I wasn't a better friend." Sirius was rambling, Remus hushed him. "Pads, you were the best friend that I could've had, even when I was a threat to you, you came and stood beside me. You were just there, I wasn't alone anymore. And I was stupid to think that you sold Lily and James out. It was nice to have friends who actually cared and you did that. You invited me to sit with you when I was sorted. I love you so damn much." Sirius was welling up, Remus walked over to him and bent down to kiss him. 

*****

"I want to find my parents." Hermione said. "We can go looking after everyone leaves on Sunday. Unless you want to go earlier." Ron answered. "Really?" She said, her eyes lit up. "Of course we can Mione. Don't think for a second that I don't mean it. When do you want to leave?" Ron assured. "Sunday's fine. I love you." She blushed. "Love you too, the locket was wrong, you're so beautiful." He said, and bent down to kiss her, he lifted her off the ground and she wrapped her legs around his waist, not breaking the kiss. They laid down and just kissed.