Hermione's POV
The gang was laughing and having a good time. The dinner had been superb, with each picking what they wanted to eat. They had danced with each other and some of the others from all schools. The twins had taken Hermione and put their practice to the test. The whole school had stopped to watch them tango. It was a sight that many would remember for coming years. A platter of dessert was served, for each table, between the changing of the bands. They were sitting to eat when a voice made them all groan.
"Miss Granger, I believe I made it quite clear that two dates were not allowed at this function," McGonagall said stiffly. She peered at the group with a disdain.
"I read the rules, few that they are, and nowhere in there does it say that I cannot have two escorts," Hermione replied, glaring at her once loved teacher. She had no idea why McGonagall's attitude changed, she was sure that it had something to do with Harry, but she could not quite put her finger on what. However, it was this woman's treatment of her friend that shattered her image of authority. She now knew that respect was earn, whereas before she gave it blindly.
"I made the ruling as the Deputy Headmistress," was the scathing comeback.
"Yes, but I went over your head and asked the Headmaster," Hermione returned, nodding to the man who was headed their way. "He said as long as we behaved, he had no problem with us coming together. He thought it was funny for the twins to have one date. After all, they do everything together."
Murphy joined them at that moment. "What is going on here, Minerva?" he said softly. "We have guests and I don't think you are making a good example."
"I was merely telling the children that they violated, one of my decrees. I did not know they had talked to you," the older woman said defensively. She hated the fact that this man seemed to stop her reinforcing control over the students. He had told her she was too strict with them and that it was damaging to the young minds to have someone constantly demanding obedience. Why, in her day, no student would have sassed her as Miss Granger had just done.
"Yes, well, now you know that I gave my blessing, so move along and do try and enjoy your evening," the Headmaster stated firmly.
McGonagall sniffed and left the Hall. She was going to go and see Albus this evening in hopes that he had somehow cleared his name. perhaps she might not return. It would serve them right to not have a Transfiguration Teacher in the coming quarter. She would offer her friend shelter, and hopefully get him back to the former glory he once had. Little did she know, that Dumbledore had fallen into a deep depression. He felt he had spent his entire life on a fool's quest. She would never get him out of it, and they would live miserably for quite some time.
"Oh dear, the nargles have gotten her. Goodbye, Professor McGonagall," Luna stated dreamily, giving a small wave to the retreating woman.
"Whatever do you mean?" Murphy asked, at a lose as to why this flighty student would say such a thing.
"You might want to look for a new teacher," was all she would reply.
"I'll put out some feelers," the man said, the smiled at the gang. "Enjoy the rest of your evening." He then turned and went to his seat.
"Do you really think she going to leave? I mean, she's been here for decades," Hermione asked, part of her hoping it was true, the other part groaning at the lose of a wonderful instructor. One thing that could always be said about Minerva McGonagall, she was an excellent teacher.
"Yes," was the succinct answer.
"Oh bother, now we can only hope that someone just a brilliant will take her place," the bushy-haired girl sighed.
"Oh, I think you'll like him," Luna predicted.
"Let's stop talking school and eat our afters," Fred stated, not really caring who taught what.
"Yeah, then more dancing. We look good, if I do say so myself," George said, buffing his nails against his shirt.
"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.," Neville joined in, actually happy to see McGonagall leave. She never impressed him, not catching on that his wand didn't work for him, and she always made him fell like a squib for not getting spells done. No, he was glad to see her go.
They ate their pudding and then tore up the floor when The Weird Sisters started to play.
Neville's POV
It was three in the morning when a shadow escaped the castle. He poofed himself to a deserted street in London. He knew this street quite well, he spent every Christmas here. Quietly he snuck into the building and went up the stairs. There were few people about, it being so early in the morning, but he was invisible, so it didn't matter. He went in to a very familiar room and looked at the two people on the beds.
Memory after memory of all the Christmases he had spent talking to these two people. Never once did they answer. This time he was determined that they would. He pushed the beds together and placed his hands, one on each head, and said in a clear voice, "Heal." He pushed his magic into his parents and envisioned them whole again.
It took several minutes, but eyelids started to flutter, and mouths twitched. The two people started to move, slowly at first then a bit faster, until they both sat up at the same time.
"Neville," they shouted, looking frantically around the room for their baby.
"I'm here," he said, tears running down his face, "I'm here, Mum, Dad."
Amelia's POV
It was early Christmas morning and Amelia was missing her niece. Susan decided to stay at Hogwarts this year, so Amelia was at a loss as to what to do. She was going through some files, when she ran across the one on Voldemort, or Tom Riddle. She played with the idea for a few minutes then, went to a cabinet and pulled out an ancient typewriter. She was going to tell the world about him. So, perhaps in the future another Dark Lord would not be as feared. The humble starts of this man, to the twisted mind he had become, would warn people not to let fear control them, as they had in the past. Well, that's what she was hoping for anyway.
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