"What are your intentions for next year?" McGonagall asked them. "In regards to your marriage? Eventually the news will break, I think you know that. What I really need to know is if you want married quarters for next year?"
"Yes ma'am. I mean...I understand you need to know," Hermione answered. She looked at Harry and after a quick conversation that no one else heard she continued. "Though we are technically married and I am truly thankful and happy to be Mrs. Potter, we aren't ready to be married yet, so no, we will not be asking for married quarters for the coming year. When we are ready or forced to acknowledge the fact, we'll be honest and say it happened magically but we were not ready for all that it entails."
McGonagall's eyes seemed to brighten. "Had you request married quarters I would have had to ask for your Prefect's badge next year," She said to Hermione "But since you are not, then I'd like to discuss the possibility of you keeping that," She said nodding at the badge Harry had just pinned back on his robe.
"But Ron?"
"Miss..Mrs. Potter did you have issues with Mr. Weasley this year?" McGonagall asked. "I've had to change the Prefects patrolling roster several times as you might have noticed because several others have complained."
"I..." Hermione started but didn't finish.
"I wished you had brought it to me earlier," McGonagall replied sternly. "I know he was a friend but now I will need to explain to Molly Weasley about her son and I'm sure it will warrant a Howler for either him or me."
"It's not that important ma'am," Harry said with a shrug. "Ron can keep it."
"I disagree," Professor McGonagall replied sternly. "Being a prefect is more than just a status symbol. It's not just a badge and special bathroom privileges. A prefect is the professors' representative amongst the students," Her gaze lingered on Harry before she continued. "I heard what you said to the Headmaster, Mr. Potter. If you truly believe that students need to be held accountable, then shouldn't it start at the Prefect level? If Mr. Weasley isn't doing the job properly, shouldn't he be replaced?"
"Yes ma'am," Harry replied. He knew that Professor McGonagall had a point.
"Are you still interested in Runes?" McGonagall asked, changing subjects.
"Yes."
"Then you might want to study some this summer," She said. "It appears the two options are a Slytherin, Hufflepuff third year or a Gryffindor, Ravenclaw fourth year class. You'll be tested before the school year and if you've made enough progress we can make room for you in the fourth year class."
"Thank you."
"That's quite alright," McGonagall replied. "I'm just happy you're wishing to apply yourself now. Late is always better than never," She turned to leave. "Remember that Professor Dumbledore wishes to see you."
"We'll go now," Hermione said. She looked over at Luna and Neville. "We'll meet you at the carriages later?" She placed the mirror in Neville's hand so they could finish what they had been doing. With a nod, she turned and after taking Harry's arm followed McGonagall out of the room.
When they were in the out of the room, Harry remembered Quidditch and that he'd been captain the last time. "Professor, may I ask who will be Quidditch captain next year?"
"I don't think I can allow you to do both," McGonagall replied misinterpreting the question.
"No, I don't want it," Harry replied honestly as he remembered the headaches from the tryouts, dealing with McClaggen, and everything else. Harry didn't want to do it again. He especially didn't even want to think about Hermione cheating to help Ron. Harry mentally slapped himself. "That should have been my first clue," Harry told his wife.
"What?"
"When you jinxed McClaggen at tryouts...you didn't think anything was wrong with cheating to help Ron but then you constantly complained about me using that book," He said. "I should have realized you're not that inconsistent."
"I should have too," Hermione sighed. "I'll give it to Ginny, jealousy potions were the perfect solution to her problem. It...it all seemed so reasonable."
"That leaves Miss Bell," Professor McGonagall was saying. "Though I am quite concerned that she might be too nice to do the job and she's more dedicated to her studies.."
"What about Ron?" Harry replied without thinking, but he quickly realized it wasn't that bad of an idea. He knew that Ron would be a much better Quidditch Captain than Prefect. "He lives, eats and breathes Quidditch."
"Ron?"
"He actually would be a better Quidditch captain than I was," Harry replied. "He's also the hero of this year's final match so he'd get respect from the team," He finished to McGonagall.
"But he'd be insufferable if Gryffindor won," Hermione complained.
....
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