Paperback Writing

Richard slammed his fist against the count hard, “Damnit, Anita, I don’t like to see you hurt. But you’re always hurt. You’re always bloody when I see you.”

Anger flashed in his eyes as he stalked around the kitchen, totally disregarding the presence of anyone else in the room. He finally stopped, taking her by the shoulders, shaking her slightly. “Why do you continue this? You are only hurting yourself and those that care about you. You aren’t gaining anything from it.”

Anita shrugged, which was her typical reaction to anything that was said to her lately. She didn’t care any more. She wasn’t interested in what others had to say. She didn’t care who she hurt, she didn’t care if she was hurt for that matter. She just wanted to forget everything.

“Anita, damnit, who did this to you? Was it that bastard Micah?” Anita shook her head furiously, hoping that Richard would understand that it wasn’t Micah. She wouldn’t let Richard hurt Micah, she loved him too much.

With that thought, she wrenched herself away from Richard, not wanting him close enough to touch her. She knew that they were linked metaphysically, along with Jean-Claude, Master Vampire of the City, but today she was shielding so hard that she couldn’t feel either of them. She didn’t want to. If she could feel them, then they would be able to feel her. She couldn’t let that happen.

“Anita, talk to me, tell me what is going on.” Anita turned and looked at Nathaniel, hearing the softness in his voice. He was just the opposite of Richard. Richard was rough, gruff and demanding, all masculine and muscle. He was a wolf, like it or not. Nathaniel was softer, inviting, sensual, seductive, submissive. He had the lithe and grace of the cat that lived inside of him.

Anita shook her head again, giving Nathaniel a look as if to tell him not to push. He sighed, resigned to the fact that she wasn’t going to open up to him. He turned and went back to cleaning up the bloody mess that was the bedroom that he normally shared with Anita and Micah.

Anita sat down at the small kitchen table and picked up her mug of coffee blindly. She took a sip, sighing with relief that Nathaniel had left without pushing. She had even momentarily forgotten about Richard skulking about. She simply lost herself in the coffee.

“Okay, Anita, now that we’re alone, tell me what happened. I want to know. No, I need to know.” Richard’s voice softened as he sat down at the table next to her.

Anita sighed, a long, deep sigh that told Richard that she didn’t want to talk. “Richard, I don’t want to tell you, or anyone. Please don’t make me.”

“Anita, someone hurt you, left you bloody and if you weren’t connected to Jean-Claude and myself, you would be dead. I need to know what happened.” Richard put his hand on hers, trying to comfort her as best he could.

“Fine, it was Micah. Well not really Micah, but his beast. He lost control and shifted while we were having sex. The ardeur rose and it called to his beast. He fought it, but lost.” Anita paused to look at Richard in time to catch the anger that flashed behind his eyes. “Now do you see why I didn’t want to tell you?”

“Where is he now?” Richard ignored the question and asked one of his own.

“I’m not sure, Jason got him out of here just in the nick of time. I think he probably was taken to the Circus.” Richard nodded, having figured that as well. “You’re not going to hurt him, Richard.”

“Why not? He deserves it. He hurt you.” Anita blinked at him some as he stood up and stalked towards the door. He turned back just long enough to give her one more look. “I will make sure you never get hurt again, Anita. I love you too much to let that happen.

“But, I love him…” Anita trailed off as Richard left the house. She knew that he was going to dole out his own type of justice, and she was too weak to try to stop him. For the first time, she just let him go…

Feedback is always welcome but keep it polite.

Harry stood there, staring dumbfounded at the figure on the bed. “You’re…”

“Dead, Harry?” Harry nodded, unable to say anything else. “Yes, I am dead. My spirit will forever live here at Hogwart’s though. Just like Nearly-Headless Nick and the others.”

“Why not? Why not last term?” Harry moved into the room, closing the door behind him. He sat at his desk, still staring at the ghost sitting primly on his bed.

“Because, Harry, I had other things to take care of first.” Harry gave him a strange look. He wasn’t sure what to say yet. He was still far too stunned. “Harry, just because I haven’t been here, doesn’t mean I don’t know what has gone on.”

Harry looked confused again, “But, how?”

“Ghosts have their own means of passing messages, just like the living do with owls.” Harry nodded. He should have known that. He had been invited to a death day party by a ghost when he was first at Hogwart’s.

“I hear from Professor McGonagall that you will be taking the coveted and feared Defense Against the Dark Arts position.” Harry looked a bit stunned, he had just told her a few minutes ago. How could it already have been told.

“Yes I did, but I just told her. How did you know?” Dumbledore’s ghost laughed and shook his head.

“You’re having a hard time grasping this aren’t you, Harry?” Harry nodded, realizing how stupid the question really was.

“Yes, Professor. I’m used to you as a living person. Not as a ghost.” Dumbledore chuckled softly.

Before either of them could say another word, there was a knock on Harry’s door. He went over and opened the door, not quite surprised when he saw Hermione standing on the other side. “Harry, I heard you talking to yourself over here, are you alright?”

Harry nodded, opening the door so she could see Dumbledore sitting on the bed. Hermione gasped and immediately crumpled into a heap at Harry’s feet. Dumbledore shook his head and laughed softly. “You know, Harry, you’re the only one who hasn’t fainted. Even Mr. Filch did.”

Harry laughed while he conjured a bit of water to bring Hermione around. She sat up slowly and looked at Harry, “I thought I saw Professor Dumbledore sitting on your bed.”

Harry and Dumbledore both laughed this time, “You did, Miss Granger. My ghost has come back home to Hogwart’s. You of all people should have expected that.”

Hermione gasped and stared. “I do know, Professor, but I didn’t think that a new ghost could come here yet. It’s only been a bit over a year.”

Dumbledore nodded, “Some ghosts can get through on special circumstances, like mine. I have a purpose here this coming term.”

“Purpose? What’s that, Professor? Scaring people?” Hermione kidded a bit as she sat there on the floor with Harry.

“No, I’m here to help Harry with his first term as a professor. Just think, soon you’ll be Professor Potter.” Harry and Hermione looked at each other, more confused than they had ever been before.

“Help me?” Harry asked, “In what way, Professor?”

“Please, call me Albus. That’s my name. You’re no longer students of Hogwart’s. In fact, Harry, we’re equals now.” Harry and Hermione nodded, not sure that they would get used to not calling him Professor, but they would certainly try.

“So, what did you mean by help, Prof..Albus?” Hermione tried to get an answer out of him this time.

“Well, simply put, Harry has never had any experience as a teach other than the DA, which he did wonderfully at. But that doesn’t make a Professor. Defense is one course that encompasses all seven years. Classes for each year are two houses, with there being four houses total. That’s fourteen classes. Think about how much Harry will have to prepare for each year.”

Hermione nodded, neither of them had thought about that aspect of it. “So you’re going to help him prepare lessons and teach him how to teach a class the size of two houses?”

Dumbledore nodded, “Yes, Hermione, that is precisely what I will be doing. Harry will be quite busy from now until start of term. Are you staying long?”

Hermione shook her head, “I have to be to work at the Ministry Monday morning. I couldn’t stay at the flat tonight, so Harry let me come back with him.”

“You have all of your things here now, Harry?” Dumbledore looked towards the trunk that was still standing just inside the door.

“Yes, I brought them with me tonight. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to go get them before start of term. Especially since there’s only two weeks left.”

Dumbledore nodded, “Alright, we’ll get started tomorrow then. For now, I shall go see who else I can scare. Maybe the Fat Lady. That should be fun.”

Dumbledore chuckled and walked through the door, leaving Harry and Hermione alone on the floor, staring at the bed where he had been sitting. Harry stood up first, then helped Hermione to her feet. He sat at his desk and motioned for her to sit on the bed. She smiled, sitting in the spot Dumbledore’s ghost had just occupied.

“People are going to be shocked to see his ghost.” Harry spoke first, not quite sure of what to say. He knew that he had a lot to do and he was afraid that if he left many openings, Hermione would want to talk about what had happened before they left London.

“Yes they will. I’d like to see the faces when the ghosts come in after sorting. Imagine Dumbledore doing the start of term announcements. Wouldn’t that be a trip?” Hermione giggled some at the idea, wondering how many students would faint the way she did.

“I wonder if he can resume his position as HeadMaster now that he’s back. I like Professor McGonagall, but it’s not the same as Professor Dumbledore.”

Hermione hadn’t thought about that, but she realized that Harry had a good point. Could a ghost be the HeadMaster? She would have to research that later. “I don’t know, but that’d be great if he could and wanted to. Professor McGonagall is great, though. How would she feel?”

“She didn’t want the job, remember? Kind of like, I didn’t want this job, but I’m taking it.” Hermione nodded. Knowing that Harry was right. Professor McGonagall would be ecstatic to have Dumbledore back as HeadMaster. Then she could go back to being Head of Gryffindor house and teaching. Instead of all the nonsense that she was putting up with.

“Well I’m getting kind of tired, Harry. I’m going to go get some rest.” Harry nodded, he was tired too.

“Sleep well, Hermione. See you at breakfast?” Hermione nodded, standing up to walk to the bed. She paused briefly, as if trying to figure out whether she could keep going or not.

“See you at breakfast, Harry.” She slipped out the door and closed it with a soft click behind her.

Feedback is always welcome but keep it polite.

Fandom: Harry Potter
Word Count: 1175

Harry knocked on Hermione’s door, “Let me in, Hermione.”

“No,” was the muffled, sobbing response that Harry was rewarded with. “I don’t want to talk.”

“Come on Hermione, I saw it too. Let me in.” Harry heard something hit the door, hard. He sighed and turned to walk away. He was going to get his stuff together and go back to Hogwart’s. He didn’t want to be here to see the aftermath of this explosion. Just as he got to his door, Ron came out of his room and stopped him.

“Harry…” Ron started, but stopped when he heard Hermione’s door open. “Look you guys, you don’t understand.”

“Don’t understand, Ron?” Hermione shouted from her doorway. “How can I understand when you’re shut up in there from the time you get home from work until it’s time to go to work?”

Harry opened his bedroom door, thinking it was best to let the two of them fight this out amongst themselves. He didn’t get the door shut before he was called back out by Hermione.

“Harry, can I go back to Hogwart’s with you? I can’t stay here tonight.” Hermione gave him a pleading look. Harry closed his eyes and sighed softly, He didn’t want to think about this kind of drama.

“Sure, I don’t mind.” Harry hurried into his room, but paused to tell her, “be ready in thirty minutes or I’m going alone.”

Harry shut the door and let Ron and Hermione bicker about what they had stumbled across. Harry didn’t know what the big deal was really. He was just a bit stunned. He hadn’t expected to see what he had seen in Ron’s room. He pulled out his school trunk and started packing up his belongings. He guessed he wouldn’t be coming back again until end of term. He would likely spend his break at the Burrow with Ron and his family, just as he had from second year on.

Once he was done packing, he stuck his head out of his room, surprised to see that Ron and Hermione weren’t still fighting. He figured this would be the fight of the century for the two of them. He pulled his trunk out and sat down on the couch to wait for Hermione to come out. He flipped through a bit of Muggle newspapers while he waited. He had just gotten into reading an article when Ron came back out. Harry looked up when Ron sat down.

“I guess you’re taking the job then, mate?” Harry just nodded, not really wanting to speak at that point in time. “Well I’m gonna miss you being around. Maybe I can get Dad to put me up at Hogwart’s after I’m done with this job.”

“Maybe.” Harry answered simply, trying not to have a lengthy conversation with Ron. He knew that if he did, it would be that much harder for him to leave for the entire school year.

“You coming to the Burrow for holiday’s?” Ron asked, his voice hopeful.

“If you want me to. I’d love to. I don’t really have anywhere else to go.” Ron nodded, knowing just how true that was. Plus he knew that Ginny would want him there. Ginny was going to be excited when she found out that Harry was going to be teaching her Defense Against the Dark Arts this coming year. Ginny and Harry had started a relationship during sixth year, but with everything that happened that summer and during seventh year, they hadn’t stayed together. They were good friends, though and Ron knew that Ginny still loved him.

“Well of course I want you there. So does everyone else in the family. You know, Ginny’s going to be happy to hear that you’ll still be at Hogwart’s. She still hasn’t gotten over the short relationship you two had.” Harry nodded, he hadn’t thought about Ginny until Ron mentioned her. He had a lot to do over the next few days.

Hermione finally came out carrying a small bag that Harry assumed had clothing in it and an arm full of files. She must have planned on staying until she went to work on Monday. Harry shrugged some and stood up, “Ready to go, Hermione?”

“Go? She’s going with you?” Hermione rolled her eyes.

“Yes, she asked if she could come for the weekend.” Ron sighed and stood up, a sour look on his face.

“Well bye then, I guess.” Ron sulked back towards room, mumbling just loud enough to be heard, “and she wonders why I hide in my room.”

The door slammed hard and Harry looked at Hermione. “You sure you don’t want to stay and work this out with him, Hermione? He seems upset.”

Hermione huffed a bit, “he’s upset? How do you think I feel, Harry? I feel so…”

Harry stopped her, not really wanting to get in the middle of their problems. “Okay, let’s just go, Hermione. I don’t really need to be in the middle of this. I have enough that I need to do to get ready for term. I only have a week and I have no lessons planned, book lists, nothing.”

Hermione nodded, “I can help you, Harry. I had thought about taking the position after exams and had planned out some stuff. But I’m happy with my job at the Ministry.”

“Thanks.” Harry pulled the medallion out of his pocket, his hand tight on his trunk with his other hand. “Ready?”

Hermione nodded and Harry grabbed her hand, both of them clasping the medallion and they disapparated with a loud POP. They appeared in the foyer of Hogwart’s moments later. Professor McGonagall had just come around the corner, stopping short when she saw Harry and Hermione appear.

“Oh my, you two startled me. I wasn’t expecting you back until tomorrow, Mr. Potter.” She looked at Hermione a bit oddly. “I wasn’t expecting you at all, Miss Granger.”

“Sorry, Professor. I decided to come back early and Hermione wanted to come with me. Is that alright?” Professor McGonagall nodded.

“I’ll have Mr. Filch fix up another room for her.” Professor McGonagall looked at Harry’s trunk, “does the trunk mean you’re going to teach?”

“Yes Professor. I decided this afternoon.” Professor McGonagall beamed from ear to ear for a moment, then composed herself.

“Very good, Mr. Potter. I’ll see to it that you have everything you need by Monday morning. Miss Granger, your room is next to Mr. Potter’s. See you both tomorrow for breakfast.”

Professor McGonagall left them to head off to their rooms. Neither of them said another word to each other until just outside the door to their rooms. “Goodnight, Harry.”

Harry heard a twinge of sadness in Hermione’s voice, but let it go for the night. “Goodnight, Hermione.”

They slipped into their rooms and went about what they needed to do that evening. Luckily for Harry, he didn’t have anything pressing to do, because when he turned on his light, he found the shock of his life waiting for him on his bed.
Feedback is always welcome but keep it polite.

Fandom: Harry Potter
Word Count: 1053

After the three woke up in the morning, they headed back to London for the rest of the weekend. Harry wanted some time to think about whether he should take the teaching position that was offered to him before he went back to Hogwart’s Sunday night. He wasn’t sure that he was ready to teach, but he sure didn’t want Draco to teach. Especially a subject like Defense Against the Dark Arts. His father was a death eater.

Once they were out of earshot of the Burrow, Harry filled Ron in about the offer and about Draco wanting the position. They decided that Professor McGonagall made the offer to Harry and Hermione because she didn’t want Draco to have it either. She was hoping that one of the two would take the position so that she had a reason to tell Draco no. She wasn’t one to play favorites, at least not visibly, but she wasn’t afraid to try to manipulate a situation subtly so that she got what she wanted.

Once they got to the apartment, they went about their separate activities. Hermione had brought some work home from the ministry that she needed to do. Ron had some things he needed to do for his father as well. Harry was left to gather up some things from his room that he wanted to take back with him. He spent a lot of time sitting at his desk, thinking. He finally pulled out a parchment and started to write a list of reasons that he didn’t want to take the job. He looked at the list once he was done and wrote next to it reasons why those reasons were foolish. He then got out another parchment and wrote a list of reasons that he should take the position.

He sat the two completed lists side by side and shook his head. The reasons why he should take the position was three times longer than the reasons that he shouldn’t. He didn’t want to take the position though. He didn’t want to teach. He was happy in the quiet role that he had right now. He was happy helping Professor McGonagall. Maybe he could convince Hermione to take it. That way Draco wouldn’t get it. Besides, Hermione was smarter than Harry and was the reason that he and Ron had made it through school.

He sighed, knowing that he wasn’t going to convince her. She was happy working at the Ministry. She was doing the job that she had wanted to do. Ron was happy with his job too. In the two months that they had been out of school, they had all settled contentedly into their separate lives. Harry hadn’t even thought about Voldemort once. He used to think about getting revenge at least once a day. Maybe he should take it, it would give him something to do once term started. He wondered what he would do once term started if he didn’t take the position.

A while later, Hermione knocked on the door, “Can I come in, Harry?”

Harry looked up from the parchment he was reading, “Sure Hermione, you didn’t have to knock.”

“I know, but you’re used to having a whole castle to yourself practically. What’s it like being there without the rest of us?” Hermione sat on the end of Harry’s bed, facing him.

“It’s weird. It’s too quiet. I’m usually so busy during the day that I don’t notice it much, but after dinner, when it’s just me on my own in my rooms, it’s eerily quiet.” Harry turned and leaned his back against his desk so that he could face Hermione.

“Are you going to take the position?” Hermione certainly didn’t beat around the bush with her questions. She always did get straight to the point.

“I don’t know, Hermione. I should. I can do it, and I don’t know what I’ll be doing once term starts. I like being at Hogwart’s, it’s always felt like home to me. I think I lost sight of that when Dumbledore was killed.” Hermione reached over and touched Harry’s hand lightly, knowing how much Dumbledore’s death had affected him. He wanted badly to seek revenge that it had nearly destroyed him the summer after sixth term.

“Harry, whether you realize it or not, you were meant to teach Defense. Dumbledore told you that when we had the DA. He told you how great you did with everyone. Look at how many of us did better on our exams because of you. You know this is your destiny Harry. You just have to accept it.” Harry sighed, not wanting to admit that Hermione was right, but he knew that she was.

“I know. I’m just..” Harry paused, trying to find the right words to describe how he felt. “I’m just afraid that it’s going to turn out to be like it was when Lupine was teaching. Or any of the others who were in the position. Remember? We haven’t had a Professor that has lasted more than one term teaching Defense.”

Hermione couldn’t deny that they hadn’t kept a Professor, but she thought that she could explain it. “That’s because the position wasn’t meant for them. The one who is truly meant to be in it, will survive more than one term. What do you have to lose? If you can’t do it, they can bring someone in who can. Plus, McGonagall doesn’t want Draco to have it.”

Harry nodded, “Alright, I guess I’ll give it a shot. I’ll tell Professor McGonagall tomorrow when I go back. Now, where is Ron? He vanished off to his room and I haven’t seen him.”

Hermione shrugged, that was typical for Ron. “No idea, he does that every night when we get home. He claims he’s working.”

Harry nodded and stood up. He walked over to Ron’s room and knocked on the door before opening it and walking in. Harry stopped dead in his tracks just inside the door causing Hermione to crash into him as she followed him in. Hermione peeked over Harry’s shoulder then turned around and ran from the room, locking herself in her room. Harry just stood there for a moment longer before turning around and shutting the door just as quickly as he had opened it.

Feedback is always welcome but keep it polite.

Title: Who am I, really?
Challenge: AF Daily Prompt 05/04/06
Rating: G
Fandom: Music – Tiffany
Word Count: 535

Tiffany stared at herself in the mirror, trying to figure out what she was going to say when she stepped out onto the stage. She wasn’t accustomed to speaking in public, yet she knew that she had to. She was being honored for her accomplishments. She normally went out, sang her songs, did her thing and headed back to the dressing room. She didn’t even appear at the Grammy’s when she won her award.

She looked at her reflection again, sighing. This was about who she was without the music, but who was she really? She couldn’t be sure any more. She had been singing since she could talk. She was performing from the time she could walk. She was writing songs from the time she could hold a pen. She was music. She knew that. But who was she outside of that?

Tiffany was now a thirty five year old former pop star. She was still writing music, she was still touring and singing every day. She hadn’t really done anything else outside of these things. She was the only child of her parents marriage. They had split when she was a year old and hadn’t really ever knew her father. She didn’t know what else there was to talk about.

She never went to school, she had been taught by tutors. She didn’t go to college, she was too busy touring. She never had a job outside of the music industry. She honestly didn’t know who she was any more. She sighed, heading out to the stage to wait to be announced.

As she walked towards the stage, she was approached by a couple of fans. They proceeded to tell her how much they enjoyed her music. They told her that they had all of her CD’s, including the first ones that had been cut from cassette. She smiled, signing the autographs, handing them back to the girls. She was reminded in that moment who she was. She was Tiffany.

She stood at the side of the stage and waited for the man introducing her to finish. She stepped out onto the stage, hearing the cheering of the crowd as she stepped behind the podium. She smiled, looking out to the crowd, “Thank you so much for the great honor.”

She proceeded to give a speech, telling the crowd about how long she had been in the music industry. She told them of the first time that she got up on stage in front of a group. She told of all the times that she toured. She finally knew who she was and she was proud of who she was. She was Tiffany.

She didn’t need to go to the best schools, she didn’t need to have a high profile job. She was happy doing what she loved to do. She was a performer, she was a songwriter, she was happy with her life. She was thirty five and for the first time, she realized that she was glad to be. She was finally sure that she knew who she was. She finished her speech and walked off the stage to the sound of the entire crowd cheering for her one more time.

Feedback is always welcome but keep it polite.

Fandom: Potter/Malfoy
Word Count: 1747

Harry had worked diligently throughout the summer for Professor McGonagall and was quite glad when the start of term preparations were over. He was constantly tired and hadn’t seen Ron or Hermione much the entire summer. When he was off work, they were working and vice versa. The last owl he had gotten from either of them said that they hadn’t even seen each other for more than a few minutes in the morning when Hermione kicked Ron to get him out of bed for work.

He had signed the last letter and sent it off by owl when he heard a knocking on his office door. He wasn’t expecting anyone, he wasn’t sure anyone other than Ron and Hermione knew he was there. He put his quill down and told the person to just come in, assuming that it was one of the professors. He looked up as the door opened, shocked when he saw Draco Malfoy cross the threshold and into his office.

“What do you want, Malfoy?” Harry tried hard to keep the loathing out of his voice when he spoke.

Draco sneered and looked down his nose at Harry, a trait that he had learned from his father, “Nothing from you, Potter. I’m here to meet with Professor McGonagall about the Defense against the Dark Arts position that seems to be open again.”

“Then why are you in my office, Malfoy?” Harry couldn’t help but wonder why he would be interested in teaching at a school that he seemed to hate and one that supported Professor Dumbledore before he was killed.

“My owl told me to meet her here in this office. What are you doing in this office, Potter? Shouldn’t you be out trying to keep Weasley out of trouble at the Ministry?”

Harry opened his mouth to speak, but never got the chance when Professor McGonagall came sweeping into the office. “Ah, good you got my owl, Malfoy.”

“Harry, Mr. Malfoy is interested in giving the Defense Against the Dark Arts position a shot, he expressed interest last term, has the marks for it as well, but there are two others with better marks. You and Miss Granger. She should be arriving any moment now.” As if on cue, Hermione came rushing through the door, her wild red hair flying around her.

“I’m so sorry, Professor, I just got your owl minutes ago. I had to run from Hogsmeade to get here in time since we can’t apparate onto the grounds.”

Professor McGonagall motioned for them all to take a seat and she conjured up a chair for herself as well and took a seat, “Don’t worry, Miss Granger, I knew you’d be here. Now, as I was telling Mr. Potter, Yourself, Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Potter have the qualifications for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position. Mr. Malfoy is the only one who has expressed direct interest, but I suspect that neither of you had gotten word yet that you were qualified.”

Harry and Hermione both nodded, neither had gotten their marks, or if they had, hadn’t had time to look at them or their qualification listings. “I’m not interested, Professor. I like my position in the Ministry. But I do appreciate your inviting me and letting me know.”

“Very well, Miss Granger, I thought it was only fair since you had top marks and were the most qualified.” Hermione blushed bright red. “What about you, Mr. Potter? Your time here is nearly up, unless you were to express interest in the position. You had second marks behind Miss Granger.”

“Professor, I would need to think about it some. I’m not sure what I want to do yet.” Draco sneered, looking aggravated with the whole process.

“Mr. Malfoy, you were fifth marks in qualifications for Defense. Why do you wish to teach?”

Draco sneered at Professor McGonagall, as if she had no right to ask him anything, “My father thinks that I’m the perfect person to teach. He told me that I should apply for the position. Since Professor Snape is not teaching it, as he should be, I am the logical choice.”

Hermione nearly choked on her pumpkin juice when Draco suggested that he was entitled to the position. Harry just sat there, not saying a work, keeping his mind on his work and the thought of taking the position himself. He had nearly tuned out Draco completely. “Well Mr. Malfoy, Once Mr. Potter decides if he is interested or not, we will get back to you. Thank you for coming in.”

“Thank you, Professor.” He shook Professor McGonagall’s hand, then stood, nearly knocking the chair over in his haste to get out. Professor McGonagall shook her head as the door closed behind him.

Professor smiled to Hermione and Harry, “Good to see you, Miss Granger. I’ll leave you to chat with Mr. Potter. Come to my office when you’re ready to leave and I’ll give you a quicker means back to London than going through Hogsmeade.”

“Thank you, Professor.” Hermione smiled, glad she wasn’t going to have to trek to Hogsmeade in the now dark night. Professor McGonagall nodded and swept out of the office, leaving them alone together.

Harry was the first to speak after the door was closed, “What do you think? Should I take the position?”

“I don’t know Harry, it is a dangerous position, especially if Professor Snape couldn’t hold it for long.” Harry nodded, he had thought the same thing as well. But he had also thought about his time leading the DA and how he had taught everyone defense then.

“But I did well with the DA, and everyone seemed to enjoy learning from me.” Hermione had forgotten about the DA, but now that Harry had brought it up, she realized that he was right. He had done a fabulous job. Most of their fellow classmates wouldn’t have made it through exams if it hadn’t been for the DA and Harry being able to be patient enough to teach true defense.

“You’re right, Harry. I had forgotten about the DA. Neville did well on his exams because of your teaching defense to the DA.” Harry smiled to himself, knowing just how close Neville had come to not passing to be able to move on.

“I don’t know if I want to be stuck here all term, though. I kind of thought that I would end up doing something in the ministry. I did enjoy teaching the DA, though. And back then I had thought about being the Defense professor when I was out of school. I really don’t know what to do, Hermione. I’m really torn.”

Hermione nodded, “I know you are Harry. Do you think you can come spend the weekend with us? It is Friday night and Ron is off this weekend, so am I. Do you need to be here?”

“I don’t think I do. And it’s getting late, maybe we should go talk to Professor McGonagall about it. I would like to spend time with you guys.” Harry stood up and pushed his glasses up his nose again before they headed out of the office. He locked the door behind him before turning towards Professor McGonagall’s office that was hidden behind the phoenix statue.

The statue moved aside without a password now, Professor McGonagall had done away with that when she took over as HeadMistress of Hogwart’s. The climbed the stairs quickly and knocked on her door. They were greeted with a slightly short sounding “come in.”

Harry pushed the door opened and held it for Hermione to enter. She looked up from the parchment she was reading over, “Oh, Miss Granger, Mr. Potter, I’d forgotten about you coming to see me.”

“Professor, am I needed this weekend? I’d like to go with Hermione to spend time with her and Ron.” Professor McGonagall thought about this for a moment before she answered. Both Harry and Hermione held their breath, hoping that she would let him leave.

“Go ahead, Mr. Potter. I do need an answer when you return Sunday eve. Also, take this so you can apparate back onto grounds.” She handed him a small coin-like medallion on a gold chain.

“Thank you, Professor.” Harry took the medallion from her and looked at it carefully.

“You’re welcome, Potter.” She handed another smaller medallion to Hermione, “yours is a one time use only coin, Miss Granger. It will disappear once you’re off grounds.”

“Yes, Professor. Thank you.” Professor McGonagall smiled at them and ushered them out of her office.

They quickly wished her well and headed back down the stairs into the large foyer. Both disapparating at the same time and landing where they wanted to be, in the Ministry lobby. Hermione looked down and saw her hand was empty. “She wasn’t kidding about it disappearing.”

Harry laughed and showed her the medallion still in his hand before sliding it into his pocket. “Let’s go find Ron. Where would he be right now?”

Hermione shrugged, “Depends on where he was working. Let me check the roll.”

They headed to the main desk and Hermione checked, finding that Ron was working in his father’s office. They waved to the witch at the desk on their way to the elevator’s, pushing the button for the Minister’s office. The trip only took a moment, and they were soon standing at the door to the office of the Minister of Magic, who just happened to be Arthur Weasley now.

They knocked on the door, waiting for it to be opened. They stepped back as the door cracked open and they saw the red of Ron’s hair as he looked out. He threw the door open when he spotted Harry standing there and grabbed him for a hug, nearly knocking him to the ground.

Hermione stood there laughing as Harry shook Ron off of him. “Ron, relax, I’m here for the weekend. You don’t need to kill me!”

They all laughed and went into the Minister’s office to see Mr. Weasley. They chatted briefly while Ron finished his day’s work. Arthur invited them all to the Hollow for dinner that evening and they accepted happily. Harry hadn’t seen Mrs. Weasley since right before he moved to Hogwart’s for the summer.

Once Arthur and Ron had finished up for the day, the four of them disapparated to the Hollow for a wonderful dinner and the three of them ended up spending the night there.

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