A dubious reunion

[dragons_can_learn]

Draco was a Malfoy, and one of the lessons he'd learned was to never tell anyone anything. Not even Hermione although he told her more than he told most people, and although Hermione knew his basic goals and plans she didn't know all the plans he had in store. And McGonnagal was unaware that Hermione was even involved.

"You ready, Hermione?" It was amazing how good she looked in his robes and he glanced appreciatively at her as he took the handful of flue powder. "Hogwarts Reception Room." One squeeze of her ass before he stepped into the flames.

Comments

[dragons_can_learn]

Draco nodded. "We should see." He looked at Hermione. "And both of us try together as the first attempt?" He sounded nervous. "That would certainly be my first choice." He was still a little wild about the eyes; he hadn't even thought of jumping straight to Headmaster of Hogwarts.

[mudblood_andproud]

"There is nothing to be nervous about Draco." Hermione moved her hand, so it rested on top of his. "If it works, then we know that Hogwarts wants us to move forward and help it heal. And if it doesn't work, then we start looking for the person or people who Hogwarts wants in that position."

[dragons_can_learn]

"Of course there isn't." Draco's tone was sardonic as he turned his hand over to lace his fingers with ehrs. "I thought I'd prepared for most possibilities. But that wasn't even something I'd considered, and I'm not sure whether I want to test it right now or run screaming."

If he was even talking about running screaming, of course, he wasn't going to.

[mudblood_andproud]

"We could take some time to truly consider if this is what we want." Hermione leaned in closer to him. "But I think our heart is in the right place. We just want Hogwarts to be the best school possible for all future generations."

[dragons_can_learn]

Draco stole a quick kiss. "We could, but I think we both know what the answer will be. I'm also sure that I don't want to be head forever; vision has limits and the more changes you make the sooner you get into feedback loops where you can't see your own mistakes."

[mudblood_andproud]

"Definitely not forever. But I am sure we could figure out a training plan, to ensure that there is always someone who the school will accept, in case of emergencies."

[dragons_can_learn]

Draco smiled as he finished his tea. "Training would be useful for a lot of things - not least to avoid people being thrown in at the deep end. Should we go and see if Hogwarts will accept us?"

[mudblood_andproud]

"One advantage to this working... is we can share a room at Hogwarts." Hermione snuggled close to him, as she too finished her tea.

[dragons_can_learn]

"Always a bonus." Draco kissed her lightly, watching the acting headmistress. This was after all her castle if any human could claim it right now.

[mudblood_andproud]

Minerva nodded slightly. "Start with the stairs. If they lead you to the door, then at least you know you have the right start."

"I never could get the stairs to lead me to the door." And she was fine with that. Minerva would rather go back to just teaching. And being head of her house.

[dragons_can_learn]

"The question is whether the stairs are a test." Draco shrugged. "Seeing whether people are sufficiently determined. Shall we give it a go?" Draco stood, waiting for Hermione.

[mudblood_andproud]

Hermione finished her tea, before standing to take Draco's hand in hers. "It has been too long since I had the opportunity to just walk through the school. Let's just take our time?"

[dragons_can_learn]

"Sure." Draco smiled. "And possibly we can show each other a few things." He frowned briefly, his tone turning sombre. "I hope the Room of Requirement recovered?"

[mudblood_andproud]

"I don't know. Perhaps we could look for it, and find out?"

[dragons_can_learn]

"Of course. Lead on." Draco smiled; unless Hogwarts was messing with them there probably weren't two people with a better grasp of where it was currently alive.

[mudblood_andproud]

Hermione took her time walking through the hallways, memories of her time here flooding back to her. It was nice to see students chatting together as they headed to class. But there was a little bit of fear still in the air. As many of the students remembered the great battle that had been held here.

They finally got to the hallway where the Room of Requirement should be located.

"What do we want for the room to open as?"

[dragons_can_learn]

Draco was probably more attuned to the slight fear in the air, and seeing the scars on the castle he'd helped make. And apparently the Weasley Twins' Swamp had either been moved or removed, but it was easy to get lost in memories. "I think what I want to find is old and lost books." It was an answer that served multiple purposes from the obvious (he wanted them) to something Hermione would like to something Hogwarts would like. And he doubted Hogwarts would disapprove of the scheming element.

[mudblood_andproud]

"What a lovely idea." And it is easy for Hermione to picture in her mind.

[dragons_can_learn]

"Ready?" They paced back and front in front of the door three times and Draco opened it to reveal a scorched room - with two small bookcases that were untouched full of books, some scorched, some water damaged; it took Draco a couple of seconds to notice that the entire left hand wall, floor to ceiling, was covered in old textbooks lost by students as well as there being useful books in the cases. "And sorry." That last was addressed to the room.

[mudblood_andproud]

Hermione took a deep breath, taking Draco's hand in his. The scorched room seemed to be healing, at least. She carefully headed towards the left hand wall, her eyes scanning the textbooks carefully.

"I am sure the school knows that."

[dragons_can_learn]

"Which doesn't mean you shouldn't say it." Malfoys were brought up both with good manners and training to not use them for the wrong people, which Draco was slowly getting rid of. "But if this is what the room wants to show, I wonder what's here." He stepped in, looking first at the book case.

[mudblood_andproud]

"Maybe it wants us to find a certain book?" Hermione chuckled a little.

[dragons_can_learn]

"The oldest editions of Hogwarts: A History?" Draco was mostly teasing there. But only mostly. "Because there are some secrets that won't be forgotten."

[mudblood_andproud]

"I am not sure. Perhaps there is a book here from a previous Headmaster, that actually had the best intentions in mind for Hogwarts."

[dragons_can_learn]

"I think most headmasters had the best intentions.​ Even Dumbledore. He just got old, distracted, and was trying to be both Chief Warlock and Supreme Mugwump at the same time." Draco shrugged. "You take the book case I'll take the wall?"