Disclaimer: See chapter one
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Falling Forward: Ch. 2 - Back to Hogwarts
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Dear Meegan,
I suppose you and Allison will be heading to school soon. I wish that I had the chance to see you before, but I know that it's impossible. In fact, after this letter, I don't think you'll even want me to write to you anymore.
The thing is, there is something that I haven't told you. I've debated on even telling you at all, but I know if I want this relationship to continue, that you need to know. Meegan, I am a wizard. Not in a magic tricks sense, but as in an actual wizard. I come from an entire family of wizards, as far back as my lineage goes. My mom and sister are both witches as well.
I do attend boarding school like I told you, but its not as normal as you'd think. It's a school for people like me to train and learn their skills to become fully licensed witches and wizards.
If you don't believe this, I understand. If you don't want to write to me again, I'll understand and I won't bother you. But I want you to know that I truly care about you. This is why I felt that I could trust you with this information.
I miss you.
-Ron
P.S. -> I leave for school in two days, if you want to write me, write my mum and she will send it to my
school.
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"You didn't get a letter today? Hermione asked with a furrowed brow and a look of concern. She was sitting next to Harry, his arm around her shoulder, across from Ron on the Hogwarts Express.
"No. . ." Ron mumbled and continued staring out the window at the landscape rolling by.
Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but Harry placed a hand on her shoulder and shook his head. Hermione's mouth formed a small "o" before closing and turning into a remorseful smile.
The three were sitting alone in the Head Boy and Head Girl's compartment on the train. They'd snuck Ron in not wanting him to be alone. Since he'd written Meegan to tell her he was a wizard, the daily letters from her had stopped. Ron was left with a broken heart.
Rather than say anything that might upset Ron, the trio remained silent for the rest of the ride to Hogwarts.
"Fir' years this way," Hagrid called out as everyone stepped off the train.
Hermione and Harry had reluctantly separated as they got off the train, they hadn't gotten very far before a voice stopped them.
"Hullo you two. Heard from Dumbledore myself that you both made Head Boy and Head Girl this year."
They turned to see Hagrid looming over them with a big grin on his face.
"Well congratulations! I'm sure proud fer Gryffindor!" he pulled them into a hug.
"Thanks Hagrid, it's good to see you," smiled Harry.
"Yes, thanks!" beamed Hermione now shining her badge with glistening admiration in her eyes.
"Where's Ron, now?" asked Hagrid looking around. "I never see you three apart."
"He was just with us on the train": Harry said now realizing that Ron wasn't behind them any longer. He glanced around with Hagrid trying to locate him.
Before they could find him, Professor McGonagall walked up.
"Hello Professor," greeted Hagrid.
"Hello Hagrid," she replied her a curt smile. "I need you two to follow me," she gave Harry and Hermione a no nonsense look and began heading off toward the castle.
"See you later, Hagrid!" they called dashing off to follow her.
"Come down to me hut when you all get the chance," replied Hagrid as he returned to rounding up the first year students.
Knocking past the crowd, Harry and Hermione struggled to keep up with McGonagall. When they were finally free, she led them right into the castle and straight to the Great Hall. From what it seemed, they were the first students to even come inside. The hallways were still eerily quiet, but seemed ready for the burst of life they were about to receive.
As they entered the Great Hall, they noticed the teacher's table upfront was already occupied. McGonagall lead them right up to it then left to go get the first years. Snape sat sneering at them from Dumbledore's other side. They recognized all the professors except for one that both could easily assume was the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher (since they got a new one every year). They also noticed two empty chairs on the other side of where Professor McGonagall would sit next to Dumbledore when she returned.
"Mister Potter, Miss Granger, welcome back to Hogwarts," smiled Professor Dumbledore.
"Thank you, Professor," they said quietly and politely back.
"I'd like to invite you to sit at the staff table this year. We'd like all students to know the importance of the positions you will be holding this year," he gestured to the empty seats next to McGonagall.
"Why is this year any different from the previous years? Shouldn't we just sit with our house?" inquired Hermione immediately. She always had a thirst for answers. Dumbledore smiled a bi, knowing this quality of hers.
"The reason I would like you to sit at the staff table is because this year, you aren't just Head Boy and Head Girl. If you accept, I would like to extend your duties to Assistant Defense Against the Dark Arts Professors." His eyes glimmered a bit. He was obviously excited about the prospective of the news he just offered.
"Professors?" said Harry a bit loudly and in an alarmed voice, trying not to choke on his words.
"This will be the third year of Dumbledore's Army, will it not?" chuckled Professor Dumbledore, "Both of you have proven remarkable talent. In fact, you've both tested beyond what Hogwarts has to offer. I see you both more than qualified to give instruction in the subject."
"Might I ask, Professor, why do you need us? Can't the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher handle it?" replied Hermione politely. She was in fact every excited about the prospect of teaching, but liked to remain somewhat modest.
"Which bring me to my next point, I'd like to introduce you to this year's Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor White," Dumbledore pointed to the tall, blond haired middle-aged wizard that Harry and Hermione hadn't recognized when they'd walked in.
The man smiled and looked to Dumbledore for approval to speak. Dumbledore nodded and Professor White began, "For the past fifteen years, I've been an Auror in America. This past summer, I was hit by a curse in a raid that before that night was unknown to the wizarding world. It's rendered me unable to hold a wand. If I might demonstrate," he turned to Professor Sprout next to him who was planned to hand over her wand. Harry and Hermione watched as the wand repelled itself from his hand and fell across the room. Professor Sprout winced as it thudded against the wall.
"You see, I am physically unable to hold the wand. No one has been able to figure out what the curse was, but we think Voldemort created it and that one of his death eaters accidentally used it before it was supposed to be released. I came here to Hogwarts where I can be kept safe from another death eater attack to cover up the mistake, and so that someone can hopefully cure me." Professor White gave a weak smile as he finished.
"Professor White, being an Auror, has plenty of training in order to teach the practicum of the classes," began Dumbledore again, "but as you can see, teaching the actual spells proves to be a problem, which is where you two would come in."
"So we'd split the teaching time," said Hermione showing more interest than before. The idea of being a professor was really growing on her.
"We've adjusted your and Mr. Potter's schedules so that you will still have time for your studies while each teaching half of the skills. You'll each have nine hours a week of teaching. You'd both be instructing separately. For years one through five, you'll each instruct one hour a week per year. For years six and seven, while they are reduced classes, the work is more intense so you'll be teaching together for two hours each grade. You schedules are adjusted to only contain the classes that are necessary for your chosen career paths."
"So if I accept, then I can't take the extra classes?" Hermione frowned.
"That is the consequence of accepting," replied Dumbledore.
"I'm in," Harry jumped on the opportunity. He'd found over the past two years that he really liked instructing the DA and hoped this would be just as fun.
"Me too," Hermione quickly answered after Harry not wanting to be left out.
"Wonderful! I will fill you both in on the details and desired course material later tonight. Please take your seats before the students come in," Dumbledore gestured to the empty chairs. He seemed rather proud that they'd both decided to accept his offer to teach.
Harry and Hermione exchanged somewhat nervous glances as they sat down next to each other.
Soon, the Great Hall was bustling with students. All of the house tables were full except for the seats left empty for the incoming first years.
The crowd instantly hushed as the doors flew open and McGonagall walked in followed by a group of nervous looking students. She led them to the front of the room before and placed the stool with the sorting hat on it in front of them.
Harry and Hermione sat patiently through the sorting trying not to catch the yes of their classmates who wondered why they were sitting at the teacher's table.
They watched as William Creevey and Juliet Brown (their campers they'd met over the summer) both get sorted into Gryffindor like their older siblings.
Soon, McGonagall was down to her last student. As she read the name, small gasps came from Ron, Harry, Hermione, and the two new Gryffindors who recognized it.
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end of chapter two, three written and to be typed soon! Please reply! Sorry it isn't very long! I love you guys for reading!