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Prelude to a Hug by Starlight623
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Prelude to a Hug

Starlight623

A/N: I had a request for McGonagall, so I thought, why not? I think she's an H/Hr shipper as well. So, despite the fact that I said this story was finished, it's probably not. I might try to do other teachers, maybe even Harry and Hermione's thoughts years later. Who knows? Anyway, enjoy this chapter!

****McGonagall****

I knew all of the students had been cured, I personally saw to that. I'm a bit of a softy really and seeing Miss Granger and Mr. Creevy in that hospital wing … well, it certainly made this witch distressed.

Regardless, I looked down upon the Great Hall and saw all of the petrified students eating and chatting away with their housemates. All but one. Hermione (yes, I'm dropping the formalities. They're just an act anyway) was still missing. I glanced to Harry and saw how sad he looked. He seemed to be trying to pay attention to what the others were saying, but I knew better. I've known Harry since the day after he was born. I loved his parents dearly and of course I visited our esteemed former Head Girl and Boy when their son was born. Beautiful baby he was.

Now as I looked at him, I saw such pain. He had suffered so much loss and I knew that he was hoping to not have lost Hermione. She was his soulmate, anyone could see that. Well, anyone except Harry and Hermione. Perhaps Ron could see it as well. I never made assumptions when it came to Weasleys. Still, Harry's eyes would occasionally sneak a glance to the doors of the Great Hall, hoping to see her standing there. Even his pumpkin pie couldn't cheer him up. (And Harry loved his pumpkin pie … as do I)

I wished that I could have told him that she was fine, but I didn't have to. Neville Longbottom did that for me.

Harry's head snapped towards the entrance, catching her eye in the process. Hermione's smile said it all and I knew Harry must have been beaming as well.

He quickly stood and flung his arms out. She ran towards him as quickly as her legs would carry her. They met in an embrace that made every teacher stop and grin. Maybe even Severus had a moment of joy when the two young people hugged.

I was so happy that everyone was saved, but I was even more overjoyed at this sight. Perhaps I'm biased, but between my love for my Gryffindors and my memories of Lily and James, I almost teared up. These two could have been the copies of Lily and James Potter. Smart, bossy girl teams up with handsome, trouble-finding boy (I won't call him trouble making, because the trouble usually finds him). Lily and James' romance was just as much an adventure, but it brought this wonderful young man into the world. And I just knew that he was destined to not only defeat Voldemort, but also find the woman of his dreams in Hermione. Take that, Sibyll! I can make predictions, too! (Sorry, ahem)

After I noticed a tense moment between Hermione and Ron, I clinked my glass signaling that it was time to turn attentions elsewhere. (Ahh, the pains of loving someone who'll never love you. I began to hope that Ron would find someone that would return his feelings. Hermione's heart so obviously belonged to Harry.) The trio sat down and Albus began his end of the year speech.

I knew it wasn't goodbye, though. I knew it was only the beginning. And especially the beginning for Mr. Potter and Miss Granger.