"Thank you for meeting me here today, Potter. And thank you as well, Hagrid." Professor McGonagall had just walked out from behind her desk and was now standing in front of it. "There are a few matters of which I need to discuss." The two were standing side by side, and looked rather nervous. "First of all, Potter." She started, "I am in need of a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, and considering your background in teaching and your remarkable skills in the subject, I was hoping you would be willing to take up the position." Harry's face perked immediately.

"Yes, Professor- Headmistress. I would be delighted."

"Excellent, we will talk more about that later. Now," She turned to Hagrid, the large half-giant who was fiddling with his hands nervously. "Hagrid." Her face and voice were both stern, which under most circumstances wasn't odd for her, but when it came to Hagrid she rarely had any reason to be stern. "It is quite well known that in your third year you were expelled from Hogwarts." Harry's face fell, why would she bring that up? "But were permitted to stay on the grounds as Gamekeeper."

"Yes, Headmistress."

"Well, I found this to be unacceptable for any longer, so I went to the Ministry of Magic and spoke to the Minister of Magic himself." As each sentence past she could see Hagrid's face breaking down, Harry's as well. "Now, it took some arguing, but eventually I made my case and won."

"Headmistress, please don't..." Hagrid's quiet voice begged.

"Rubeus Hagrid, as of September first you will be reinstated into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, you will start at your third year where you left off and complete your schooling. If you still desire to do so, that is." There was a brief moment of silence between the three before Hagrid grabbed Harry.

"H-Harry, did you hear her!"

"I did, Hagrid, I did!" Harry responded, now with a wide smile.

"I-I-I get to go back to school!" Tears were welling up now in the half-giant's eyes as he hugged Harry fairly tightly, but he didn't mind. "Wait, Professor McGonagall, ma'am. Does-does this mean I get to get a new wand?"

The witch had a sly smile on her face as she answered, "Well, unless you somehow learned how to do wandless magic over the years, then I believe it does mean you get to get a new wand." The large man stumbled toward her, arms out wide, and hugged her when he got close. And for the first time in a long time, the witch was content with a very tight, suffocating hug. After Hagrid broke away and thanked the Professor one last time, the Headmistress adjusted her glasses and her posture and spoke once more.

"Now, I must ask that you leave me to attend to my work. I have quite a lot to prepare for the upcoming school year. Potter, I will send you a date and time for a meeting to discuss your new position. It will be fairly soon, so keep your schedule clear." Harry agreed and turned with Hagrid who was still exclaiming quietly that he was going to be able to become a full wizard now, and congratulating Harry on his new job. The man was the happiest Harry or McGonagall had seen him in a long time.

"Oh, and Hagrid!" The witch called, now sitting behind her desk. The two stopped and turned once more, just before the exit out of her office. "When the time comes that you finish your years at Hogwarts, I believe I just may have a position open for a Care of Magical Creatures professor. I suggest you give it a thought or two." Hagrid couldn't speak a word because his eyes were welling with tears once more, he simply stuttered another thank you and goodbye, as did Harry, before they left. Leaving the headmistress with a proud smile and lots of work. Things were finally looking up at Hogwarts and McGonagall was glad that she was able to see it.