The Sign of Changes to Come -- Harry

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Hermione’s reign as Minister of Magic was off to a rocky start. It was no fault of her own, as Ron had told her multiple times, but she still couldn’t help but feel responsible for all the bad things happening in the wizarding world. It had started with Day One when it had been discovered that Adeline Shacklebolt had been kidnapped, then just a few days later she had returned in a catatonic state; Blaise Zabini had delved into her mind and discovered that her twin sister Abigail and Theodorus Nott had been murdered right in front of her. Her heart broke for the poor girl; she had been an only child growing up and could not exactly relate to Adeline, but she remembered what it was like for the brief few moments she thought her best friend Harry was dead and how horrible that felt. She had gone to visit her in the hospital as well, but Adeline was refusing to speak to anyone. Refusing, or simply could not, Hermione didn’t know. She would give her the space she needed though, and made sure with Blaise that the girls’ job would be secure for however long she needed to recover. The loss of Theo as well had been hard, as he had been her informant on certain Purifier movements. With this, it was a clear message from Elaine that double agents would be found and killed, which would not be good if the Ministry was to keep on trying to find her.

Then, there came the illness that brought Hermione to Hogwarts today. Neville Longbottom was seriously ill that even his poor wife Hannah hadn’t been able to figure out a cure for him. So off to Saint Mungos he’d gone, and the school was left without a headmaster. Astoria of course was Deputy Headmistress, but those duties along with being the head of Slytherin house were enough for the woman to handle for now. After some intense searching and convincing, Hermione had found a replacement that made her think she had finally done something right. And so she waited in the Headmasters office, with Harry by her side. She was pacing the room anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new Head of Hogwarts. “What d’you think the students reaction will be?” she asked Harry, a slight tremor in her voice.

@jill12

ooc: the new head of Hogwarts will be revealed in this thread, but until then Jill and I will be incredibly discreet as to their identity

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@hermionejean
<3

If there wasn't enough stress in the world, Hermione was making it even worse. Her pacing, something that seemed to be a hobby for her, was making Harry antsy. He was currently sitting, his legs bouncing at a mile a minute. After the two deaths of prior Hogwarts students, there had been a lot of work on their hands at the Ministry. Everyone who was currently employed there had been running around, doing this and doing that, trying to figure out where this Elaine Dupree might be, and who she might go to next. And unfortunately, this was all halted with something that was completely unexpected, which led Hermione and Harry himself to Hogwarts once more, and in the Headmaster's office.

Neville was sick. Incredibly sick, to the point where he was not able to be cured at the castle. And this left them without a Headmaster. Hermione had spoken with him about it somewhat, and they both decided Astoria Malfoy needed help. She couldn't run the school, especially on her own. So Hermione had done the best thing she could, and now they were waiting the arrival of the new Headmaster. But this damn woman and her pacing! "Hermione, sit. Please." Harry held up his hands, his eyes wide. He grabbed his glasses and took them off, rubbing his face and placing them back on his face. "I think that they will most likely be shocked, Hermione. As would you, if you were still a student here."

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Hermione abruptly stopped pacing and turned towards Harry, eyebrows raised.  "Careful Harry, you are speaking to the Minister of Magic," she reminded him, then sank down in the chair with a sigh.  "It just...so much is needing to change and rapidly.  Since I became Minister we've had two deaths, one Auror in Training and one Ministry informant, and now Neville getting so ill..."  She placed a hand over her eyes and drew in another deep breath.  "I want to be a strong leader, Harry, I really do.  That's why I appointed the new Head of this school as I did.  I really believe they are our only hope in establishing a sense of normalcy, guiding the fifth and seventh years through to their OWLs and NEWTs, always there to listen to student worries..."  Hermione trailed off again as she sank into her own thoughts.  It had taken a few days for her to figure out who to appoint as Head of Hogwarts, but when it finally came to her she felt as she should have realized it much earlier on.  The choice was simple, so obvious. at least in Hermiones eyes.  She hoped the other professors and students would see it as well.

"I worry about them all the time Harry, Rose and Hugo especially.  Rosie's Head Girl which means shes patrolling the corridors semi-regularly at night in case something goes wrong.  And then Hugo with his visions of death..." she shook her head again, removing her hand from her eyes to look at her best friend.  "I just hope they're as ready as we think they are," she finished.  Her attention was then diverted from her friends emerald green eyes to the door just beyond him; the knob turned and the door pushed open.  The new Head of Hogwarts was here.

@jill12

Admin Sora you know who to put in here  

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"Of course they aren't ready, they are children." Came a stern, scottish voice from the door as a tall lanky witch in emerald green robes entered the office. "That is why they are at Hogwarts." that scottish voice continued. Despite the two in the room already being adults it was almost as if the owner of this distinct voice was chastising the pair like students. She had taught them both as students after all. Minerva McGonagall strode into the office with the same confidence she'd had when Harry and Hermione were students. Despite her age she'd proven her resilience time and time again, and even now she seemed as if she were just as agile as a young woman.

That harsh gaze of hers first turned to focus on Hermione Granger. A witch who, during her school years, had felt so much like herself. Then, to Harry, a wizard who'd had a particular knack for attacting trouble. "But, neither were you three, yet you managed to survive each challenge you faced, much to most of our surprise. Where is Weasley?" It had only come to her realization right then that Ronald Weasley, the third member of this trio and Hermione's husband was absent.

It'd been eight years since Minerva had stepped down as Headmistress to enjoy her retirement. Alas times had called for her to take up that mantle once more. To protect the school from a girl not even out of her teens. Well, age could be quite deceiving. To the young and old. If Elaine Dupree thought attacking the school once more would be easy she'd learn very quickly just who Minerva McGonagall was, and why you did not threaten her school.

@jill12
@hermionejean

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@hermionejean , @headmistress
<3

That oh so familiar voice appeared, almost immediately after the door to the Headmaster's office opened. Harry looked away from Hermione, tilting his head with a bright grin to see Minerva McGonagall stroll through the door quickly. His smirk got brighter as she spoke, and he finally turned to face her. "You never know, Professor. Some may surprise yo." Harry finally chuckled, his smile never faltering.

She didn't look all that excited to be here, but when did she? Harry could only recall a few times where he had seen his old Professor and mentor smile or laugh, and it wasn't very often, considering he had been around her for six years every single day. She spoke again, this time staring at Hermione, so Harry decided to stay back and let his friend answer. He bit his lip and glanced back and forth between the two women silently.

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That voice. Hermione turned as Minerva McGonagall entered the room. Even nearing triple digits the former Head of Gryffindor was as imposing as ever. Hermione didn’t know whether to give her mentor a hug or a sort of bow, or handshake. All options seemed odd in her brain, so she settled for a smile. “Professor McGonagall,” she said, her voice sounding immensely relieved at her arrival. “Thank you, for agreeing to take on this position after Neville’s incident. I just...I didn’t know who else could even begin to handle the job, with Elaine Dupree still out there and the Triwizard Tournament happening. I feel that I will be able to sleep better at night, for my childrens’ sake, knowing you’re here,” she spoke quickly but with a firm voice, a mix between the student she once was and the Minister she had now become.

“Ron is at his shop; he had wanted to get the day off to come and properly greet you, but George has been ill with a bad stomach flu,” Hermione explained as a means of absence for her husband. Truthfully, Ron had looked a bit fearful at the prospect of seeing Professor McGonagall again; he hadn’t had Hermiones’ brains or Harry’s courage, so he’d always felt like the third choice for the Headmistress, no matter how many times Hermione told him that wasn’t true. “So, do you have any questions or anything you’d like to address before we leave you to your new study?” she asked, curious if Professor McGonagall ever had any questions in regards to anything.

@headmistress
@jill12

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"That, Potter." Minerva started to state as she frowned at his wide smirk that made him look like he was up to something. "Is why I don't like surprises." she finished calmly. "I can only pray now that none of your children inherited your ability to find trouble but I will sadly be proven very wrong." No Potter could keep their nose out of trouble. James hadn't. Harry hadn't. Of course his children would be the exact same.

Despite her quite serious and stern expression she was happy. To be back at Hogwarts. Her face just seemed to be permanently stern from so many years of teaching teenagers. Though Hermione's own words brought a small smile. Hermione had always been good at getting Minerva's rare smiles. "Miss Granger, I would never turn my back on Hogwarts. Especially in a time of dire need." It helped that Minerva had plenty of experience with the Triwizard tournament, dark wizards trying to take over the Wizarding world, and protecting Hogwarts during those times.

Minerva let out a huff at the mention of Ronald being at the shop. She knew exactly what shop the Minister meant. "Please lecture him thoroughly for me then about sending inappropriate products to my students and he'll receive a personal visit from myself if i find him trying to sneak any in." She didn't say which products would be deemed inappropriate. It's be almost all of them.

It was down to business though. Moving to one of the free arm chairs she lowered herself into it and waved her hand towards the fire. It's been beginning to die but the wave brought it roaring back to life. "First I'd like to know how many Aurors you have stationed here, and then decide how many to remove. Hogwarts has many defenses that have yet to be utilized and having your Aurors babysit teenagers is hardly the best use of their highly specialized ability to track down and capture the exact people they are protecting Hogwarts from. I have plenty of teachers who are much better suited to babysitting." Minerva explained seriously, all business. The more Aurors stationed here only meant there were even less in the field trying to resolve all of this.

@hermionejean
@jill12

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@headmistress && @hermionejean
<3

Hermione as always was strong voiced and intelligent. Harry had to act somewhat out of place to make up for the lack of Ron. But he was sure Professor McGonagall could do without, just as she continued to state. Her frown at him brought back some old memories, none of which were the best, and his smirk turned into a slightly apologetic smile. Harry stifled a laugh at her comment about his children. "I think if you have the chance to speak to them each privately, you'll be proven wrong in the best ways." He smiled. Each of his children were so different, but all in good ways. While each of them had their own issues and trouble, they were delightful at the same time.

They spoke of Ron, and Harry kept a straight face. This wasn't the time to laugh or make jokes, he was finally mature enough to know that now. Hermione thankfully had always known that, and got the two boys to calm down when needed. But Professor McGonagall's voice was enough for him to sit and pay attention. She brought the fire back up, and he stared into it as she began speaking of the Aurors they had currently at Hogwarts. Harry knew the answer wasn't going to be appreciated, but they had been doing what they thought was best for the school.

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Hermione tried to keep a straight face as McGonagall said she hoped Harry’s children didn’t inherit the ability to attract trouble but was failing miserably. Lily was a werewolf, Albus blew up towers, and James was...well, James. They had not only inherited Harrys ability to attract trouble as but proceeded to escalate it to an insane degree as well. The most out there thing either of Hermione and Rons’ children had done was dating a Malfoy, though Hermione was still not pleased of Rosie’s ongoing feud with the eldest Krum daughter. She did blame her husband for that one; perhaps one day they’d get over it, but for some reason Hermione doubted it.

Relieved to sense that Minerva was back at school and in command as she belonged, Hermione smiled. “Well, Headmistress McGonagall,” she said, her smile growing wider as she said the words. “I will leave you to get settled now. I have a few things to take care of at the Ministry before turning in for the night,” she told her, then chuckled. “You’ll have to let us know what the students reactions are tomorrow morning at breakfast,” she said. She turned to Harry. “Coming?” she asked him.


@jill12
@headmistress

MINISTER GRANGER OUT