'The Wedding'

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Monday morning rolled around and in doing so began Harry’s first official week of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft And Wizardry.

‘Morning Harry’ Hermione greeted him brightly ‘First week of the new job hey excited?’

‘Yeah I am’ Harry said picking up the copy of the Daily Prophet ‘What I’m really looking forward to is the actual teaching but I have to wait another week for that. This week is all about rules and regulations and getting to know the whole curriculum not just my own subject’

‘You’ll get through it fine’ Hermione said ‘Coffee?’

‘White with two thanks’

‘The exclusive you gave Cho and Dennis about your job at Hogwarts is on the front page’ Hermione continues going to the coffee pot ‘I can’t imagine Rita will be happy about not getting that story’

‘She can go to hell’ Harry said casting his eyes over the front page of the Prophet and the headline ‘HARRY POTTER TO TEACH AT HOGWARTS’

A moment later Ginny and Ron came downstairs.

‘Morning Professor!’ Ron said with a cheesy grin.

‘Fuck off’

‘Tch tch ten points from Gryffindor and detention every night for a week Potter’ Ginny said putting her arms around his neck and kissing him on the cheek.

‘Bugger off Weasley a week’s detention for cracking on to a teacher’ Harry said trying then failing miserably to be stern.

‘Oh you two are nauseating’ Ron said investigating the pan of scrambled eggs Hermione was making.

‘We’re nauseating? We’re nauseating?’ Ginny said ‘You wouldn’t be saying that if you knew what we saw you two get up to at Oliver and Alicia’s’

‘What did we get up to?’ Ron said not totally disguising the tremor in his voice.

‘Well I’m not going into details but Krakatoa didn’t blow as hard as you did’ Ginny said.

‘Omigodyousawusshagging?’ Hermione shrilled he hands flying to her scarlet face.

‘Yeah but we didn’t stick about to watch’ Ginny said in a casual manner ‘Harry and I were looking for our own private sanctuary. We heard all these grunts and groans and found you had left the door open. I thought you two were careful? What happened to the locking and silencing charm? We could hear you from the top of the main staircase’

‘Oh fuck’

‘Don’t worry Gordon and Larissa and Oliver and Alicia forgot to lock their doors too’ Harry said ‘Alicia had Oliver tied up and was bouncing on him like the world was going to end and they were never going to shag again’


Ron burst into laughter.
‘You’re kidding?’ He said ‘Ha ha! What did Gordon and Larissa get up to?’

‘And that would be none of your business’ Hermione said returning her attention to the eggs.

‘He had her up against the wall and they were shagging standing up’ Ginny said with a grin ‘How they managed that is beyond me, Gordon was the most pissed of all of us and had issues putting one foot in front of the other when we first got to Oliver and Alicia’s’

‘Someone spiked all the booze we drank with a libido draught’ Ron suggested.

‘Nah I doubt it everybody was just horny’ Hermione suggested with a grin ‘If it were a Libido Draught whoever spiked it was willing to take it themselves. Plus Libido Draughts are really volatile a bit like that love potion Romilda Vane put in those chocolates you ate in our sixth year. It doesn’t discriminate you get the hots for whoever you see directly after taking it not necessarily your partner’

‘Really? What if you laid eyes on someone of the same sex after taking it?’

‘I’d imagine you’d want to jump them’ Hermione said thoughtfully ‘That’s why they’re a classified potion because the results are unpredictable’

‘Interesting’

At quarter to nine Harry grabbed a handful of floo powder and stepped into the fireplace wearing his Hogwarts robes.

‘Good Luck Harry’ Hermione said as she and Ron lined up behind him(Ginny had already left for St Mungos) ‘We’ll be thinking of you’

‘Thanks ‘Mione see you tonight’ Harry said.

Harry threw down the floo powder and called ‘Hogwarts!’

Feirce green flames erupted around Harry and he disappeared from the Manor almost instantly, then after a rough but surprisingly fast trip he arrived at Hogwarts. Once he’d stepped out of the grate and brushed his cloak free of magical ash he looked about.

Harry had flooed directly into his quarters at Hogwarts. A large two bedroomed apartment style dwelling. The loungeroom was sparsely decorated to allow for his own taste but in the centre of the room was an elegant chesterfield lounge that was so old Harry thought Godric Gryffindor himself may have used it, in front was a matching coffee table. The first bedroom he inspected was set up as a mini potions lab but did have a bed in the corner to allow for a guest. The main bedroom had an enormous old king sized four-poster bed with an elegant moroom lace edged duvet on it. The large rectangular windows either side of the bed were opened and a pleasant breeze was wafting through the room gently ruffling the hangings on the bed.

The kitchen was sparse but Harry thought that was more because it was habit for teachers to have house elves bring them meals. Satisfied everything was in order he left his quarters walking through the classroom and making his way through the old halls til he came to the staff room right on 9AM.

‘Morning Harry!’ Came the call.

‘Morning’ Harry replied putting down his bag and hanging up his cloak.

‘Okay now that everyone is here let’s get everything started’ McGonagall said levitating a huge box over to a table ‘First the Teachers Code of Conduct’

Everyone but Harry groaned loudly. Harry didn’t think it was such a big deal til a copy of an enormous foot thick book floated to each person in the room.

‘What the hell is that?’ He said in amazement.

‘The most recent edition of the Magical Education Board’s Teacher’s code of conduct’ McGonagall said in an apologetic tone ‘It’s regulations that each teacher is issued with one’

‘And we have to read it?’ Harry said incredulously ‘But Minerva if I drop this it’ll make a hole in the floor, I’d be surprised if I could even lift this’

‘I know and I’m really sorry Harry but it is regulations that you read it’

‘How long do I have to read it?’

‘Before term starts’

‘I have five days to read this monstrosity?’ Harry exclaimed ‘Minerva even Hermione would struggle with this'

Neville, Malfoy and Hagrid sniggered.

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At midday McGonagall called for a break. House elves brought lunch, the teaching staff gathered around the room and ate while going through various notes they had gathered during the morning. Harry sat in a group with Neville, Hagrid, Malfoy and a man Harry didn’t recognize.

‘I’m going to have no social life this week’ Harry bitched to no one in particular ‘Teachers code of conduct my magical arse, I am not going to finish that book this week I’m stuffed if I’m taking it to Corsica for Oliver and Alicia’s wedding’

Neville laughed.

‘Feel sorry for me’ Draco said ‘I filled in for Minerva a lot last year and I had to read the old one only six months ago, now I have to read a whole new one’

‘Oh diddy dums’ Came the collective response.

‘Harry I‘d like to introduce you to John Springs’ Neville said to Harry a moment later gesturing to the man Harry didn’t know ‘He’s on exchange from the Salem Institute of Magic in America, he’ll be teaching Muggle Studies this year. John this is Harry Potter’

‘Of course I know who you are’ John said in a sharp Central American accent shaking Harry’s hand, ‘Neville, Hannah and Minerva are always going on about what you've done'

‘Lovely I'm just going to hex them' Harry said dryly (Draco and Hagrid snorted) ‘Nice to meet you welcome to Hogwarts’

‘Thanks, I should say the same to you, coming back as a teacher’ John said.

‘Thanks it’s weird to be back here in a professional capacity’ Harry said piling his plate with a bowl of salad that had floated over to him ‘Apart from a social visit with Minerva six weeks ago I haven’t been back to Hogwarts since the final battle’

‘That must’ve been weird’

‘You could say that, but it’s good to be back though Hogwarts is my second home’

‘Nice to hear’

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After another four hours of work, the teachers took a much-needed break. The weather was nice so they gathered outside on a large balcony one of the new additions added to Hogwarts during the post battle rebuild.

‘I take it you know about me so how about you telling me about you? Harry said to John ‘I didn’t even meet you til today’

‘Well there’s not much to tell really’ John said ‘My full name is John Michael Springs though my parents and grandparents insist on calling me Johnny which annoys the shit outta me. I’m forty years old and have been a teacher of first Transfiguration then Muggle Studies for twelve years. Before teaching I was a lawyer in the Improper Use of Magic Office within the American Ministry of Magic for ten years. I have two kids Mystic who is thirteen but don’t dare call her that she prefers Missy or Myst. And a son Orion who’s eleven who for some weird reason prefers to be addressed as Frankie. He’ll be starting his first year of magical education here. My wife Cidney is a lawyer in the Improper Use of Magic Office in the American Ministry now but will be transferring to the same office in the British Ministry once we’re settled. We’re getting our own house in Somerset that’s being fixed up for us now but until then we’re staying with Neville and Hannah in Yorkshire’

‘How about you before magic?’ Harry asked.

‘Well I’m muggleborn I grew up in California as a typical surfie dude in the seventies then the day of my eleventh birthday the muggleborn relations officer from the Salem Institute of Magic turned up on the doorstep and explained all about the magical world to my parents and I. I then started that term at the Institute and went from there’

‘Do you have any brothers or sisters?’

‘Yup a sister five years younger than me’ John said ‘She’s a witch too she’s currently the director of the Experimental Charms Department in the American Ministry’

‘I’d bet she’d have fun in that job’ Harry said ‘One of my old school mates works in the Experimental Charms Department here and I know he has loads of fun in his job’

‘Well since I’ve been in Britain I’ve gotten an owl or two from her, we’re pretty close Belle and I’

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‘Okay Teachers that’s it for the day thank you for all your patience’ McGonagall said at five thirty ‘I know it was quite a shock to get that new code of conduct book’

‘That’s the understatemet of the millenium’ Neville muttered.

Harry let out a great snort of laughter.
‘Minerva if another war breaks out we could use these books as weapons of mass destruction’ He said ‘Hell I wish they were around for the last one a teachers code of conduct book would have been no match for a bunch of homicidal death eaters’

Neville and Draco let out great snorts of laughter and that got the rest of the teachers laughing.

‘Oh ha ha Harry very funny’ McGonagall said rolling his eyes as Draco and Neville struggled to control themselves ‘I can’t believe I’m employing the three of you’

‘We can’t either’ Draco said suppressing with difficulty his snorts ‘Were you drunk when you decided to employ us?’

Even Flitwick laughed at that joke.

‘Go home Draco’ McGonagall said dryly.

‘Come to the Three Broomsticks for a pint’ Harry suggested with a grin ‘We’ll see you in the morning Minerva’

‘Of course Harry’

Harry gathered up his things shrunk them placed him in his dragon hide satchel the put on his cloak.
‘Coming to the Three Broomsticks Neville?’

‘Yeah for a short while’ Neville said ‘Coming John? The Three Broomsticks is the local pub popular with he local residents’

‘Of course show me the way’

Harry, Neville, Draco and John left the castle and made their way from the Hogwarts grounds and up the High Street to the Three Broomsticks. Because it was early in the week the pub wasn’t busy and the quartet got a private booth in the back of the pub.

‘That fucking Teachers Code of Conduct book is going to do my head in’ Harry said to no one in particular drawing his Firewhiskey toward him ‘I hope every member of the board of governors had to read it because it would be the biggest injustice in the History of Magic if they didn’t. I’m going to have to take a memory draught to remember all of it two hundred freaking chapters that’s inhuman on a Voldemort scale. What could there possibly be to learn about the teaching profession that takes two hundred chapters to get across? I mean I read a clause that said a teacher must not bring their dragon to school. What teacher ever had a dragon? Their breeding was outlawed in 1709!’

‘Someone at one point must’ve had one’ Draco said swirling his pint of beer.

‘I don’t get the clause where it says teachers must not conduct a practical examination in the nude’ Neville said ‘That couldn’t have possibly have ever happened’

‘I haven’t read that clause yet’ Hary said ‘Dammit that puts pay to me turning up to breakfast on the first morning in my birthday suit’

John laughed.
‘I wouldn’t worry too much’ He said ‘You’ll all take it in. We have a similar code of conduct book back home. At the start of a teachers tenure they are issued with a copy of a code of conduct similar to what we got today then we’re issued with a booklet every time a new rule or regulation is brought into being’

‘I reckon that should be the case with the British Teachers Code of Conduct’ Draco said ‘I now have two of those bastards. I reckon they could hold open the cast iron gates at Malfoy Manor’

‘I’m going to cover mine with velvet and make it into an ottoman’ Neville said with a grin ‘Nan’s old footrest has had it’

‘I’m going to read it remember what really is necessary then set fire to it’ Harry said ‘Bombarda Maxima ought to fix it right and proper’

Neville snorted.

‘Now that quidditch match you played on Saturday’ He said ‘Spectacular a photo of you flying into the turf is on the back page of the Prophet today’

‘Yeah I know’ Harry said making a face, ‘I’ve been copping flack about that catch every minute since the game. The way the Prophet photo looks you’d think I purposely flew into the turf’

‘Did you?’ Draco asked with a grin.

‘No I did not!’ Harry exclaimed ‘I was just so bent on catching the snitch I didn’t notice I was flying into the turf. I’m really wishing I hadn’t now I have to wear this fucking sling and brace til Monday. I’m not going to Oliver and Alicia’s wedding with it on I’ll look a right prat’

‘Even more than you do with your picture in the paper?’ John asked with a grin lifting his Firewhiskey to his lips.

‘Ha ha’

‘So when do you come back into training after the off season?’ Neville asked.

‘September twentieth’ Harry said ‘A week before the first game against the Wasps. Normally the team would stay in some sort of light training in that time but Oliver and Alicia are getting married next weekend as you know and will be away the bulk of our time off. Oliver has convinced us to keep some sort of fitness in the meantime so we’ll be fit for the Wasps game on the twenty seventh’

‘You know with you playing for the best rated team in the league and being a teacher at Hogwarts Minerva might let your team train on the Hogwarts pitch during the school year’ Draco said thoughtfully ‘You could ask her’

‘I had thought of that but I want to be in the job a bit longer than five seconds before asking favours’ Harry said.

Draco snorted.
‘Oh please you’re Harry Potter The Boy Who Lived, The Man Who Won if you wanted to conduct your classes on a Hippogriff Minerva would let you, and infact I think she might even overlook the dragon clause in chapter fourteen for you. You know Charlie Weasley I’m sure you could borrow a dragon or two for a while’

Neville and John sniggered.

‘I’ll have a word to Charlie and see if he can spare a Norwegian Ridgeback or two’

‘Would he lend you one when your bag is made out of one?’ Neville said.

‘He’d be more likely to do it than Hagrid’ Harry said ‘Did you see his reaction when he saw my bag?’

‘Yeah he looked like he wanted to strangle you’ Neville said.

‘I think that’s only because it’s made of Norwegian Ridgeback skin the same breed as Norbert’ Harry said ‘He’d shit a brick if he went into Madam Malkins. I was in there two weeks ago for a robes fitting for the wedding and she has two great rolls of dragon skin, Chinese Fireball and Norwegian Ridgeback for a new range of clothes she’s bringing out’

‘Going for dragon skin for your robes eh?’ John said with a grin.

‘Ha ha no, the whole groom’s party will be wearing a black three piece suit with a white shirt and maroon and gold cravats’ Harry said ‘That includes my godson Teddy who’s going to be the main ring bearer. Dunno what the girls are wearing that’s Ginny’s domain and I daren’t venture into that territory’

‘Well pal I can tell ya right now the minute you say I do and the celebrant says ‘I pronounce you husband and wife’ will be the best moment of your life’ John said to Harry reclining in his chair slightly ‘It was for me when I married Cid’

‘Every married man I’ve talked to since I proposed to Ginny has said that’ Harry said ‘I tell ya I’m lookimg forward to finding out. I just hope it’s the start to a more peaceful life. My life since I’ve entered the magical realm has been less than peaceful’

‘Awwwwww’ John, Neville and Draco chorused.

‘Oh bite me lads’

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After finishing his Firewhiskey Harry stood up ad slung his bag over his shoulder.

‘Well lads I’m off’ He said ‘I’m going to at least try and get through that shit of a book see you tomorrow morning eh?’

‘Yeah right-o Harry’ Neville said.

‘Nice meeting you John see you tomorrow too’ Harry said doing up the clasp of his cloak.

‘Yeah great meeting you too Harry see you tomorrow’

Harry turned and went to Rosmerta who was busy cleaning glasses behind the bar.

‘Rosmerta can I use your floo?’ He asked her pointing to his strapped shoulder ‘I can’t apparate under my own power for a little while longer’

‘Sure thing Harry dear, just up the stairs and down the end of the hall. Do you have your own floo powder?’

‘Yeah just enough to get home thanks’

‘No worries dear’

Harry ducked up the stairs and made his way down the hall to where the floo for guests was. He took the floo powder out of his pocket poured it into his hand then stepped into the grate threw it down and said ‘The Manor!’ Green flames erupted around him and with a swish of his cloak; he disappeared from the Three Broomsticks. He arrived back at the Manor having managed to prevent bumping his shoulder on a particularly rough ride.

‘Hey Harry’ Hermione said adding sugar to a mug of steaming coffee ‘How was your day?’

‘Bloody tedious’ Harry said dropping his bag on the table ‘Have a look at what I have to read by the start of term’

Harry opened his bad pulled out the shrunk Teacher’s Code of Conduct and resized it.

Hermione’s eyes widened in surprise.

‘What’s that book about?’ She asked.

‘It’s the latest edition of the Magical Education Board’s Teacher’s Code of Conduct’ He said ‘I’ve read six chapters already and there’s another hundred and ninety four to go’

'You’re kidding you have to read this in six days?’ Hermione asked in surprise abandoning her coffee and going over to the book.

‘By Friday because there’s no way in hell I’m taking this to Corsica for Oliver and Alicia’s wedding’ Harry said making a face ‘So I have to read thirty eight chapters a day’

Do the teachers get one of these every year?’ Hermione asked flicking open the book and casually going through the first chapter.

‘Apparently only when there’s a new rule, regulation or clause added to it or they leave then re-enter the teaching profession’ Harry said ‘So hopefully I won’t get a new one for a few years yet. The new clauses are clearly labelled but because I’m a first time teacher I have to read the entire thing. Draco only has to read the new additions seeing as he filled in a lot for Minerva last term and read the entire book for that period. Same with Neville he would’ve read the book during his apprenticeship with Sprout’

‘I have to say Harry I don’t envy you, I’d have issues reading all of this’ Hermione said as one particular page caught her attention ‘Who would bring a dragon to Hogwarts?’

‘Hagrid!’ Ron said coming into the room ‘Hey Harry busy day?’

‘You could say that’ Harry said ‘I have to read that book by the start of term’

Ron’s eyes widened at the size of the book.

‘Better you than me mate’ He said ‘You could use that thing as a footrest’

‘That’s what Neville’s going to do with his, where’s Gin?’

‘In the potions lab, we didn’t know when you were going to be home so your dinner is in he oven’

‘Thanks’

Harry went upstairs and changed then returned to the kitchen where he collected his dinner and went to the potions lab where Ginny was busy brewing a potion that at the current stage of brewing smelt of menthol.

‘Evening gorgeous girl’ Harry said kissing Ginny on the neck.

‘Hey you gorgeous hunk of spunk’ Ginny replied with a giggle ‘How’d your day go?’

‘Oh it was okay it was mainly reading this foot thick teachers code of conduct book Minerva gave us to read by the start of term, we also went through the password system for each house and the day’s schedule. Tomorrow we’re doing a tour of the castle and grounds, apparently there are parts of Hogwarts I’ve not seen, mind you I think that’s more for Neville Draco and I than the others. Wednesday we have to give a talk and outline what we want to do in our respective subjects for each year level, I’ve just about finished my outline it just needs some tinkering with. Thursday we’ve got all day to collect what we need for our subject and to organize our quarters and classrooms then Friday we have to give a mock class, I’m not really looking forward to that’

‘Why’s that?’ Ginny asked in surprise as she began cutting up what looked like a piece of snot to Harry.

‘Awww I dunno I suppose it’s where my foibles and weaknesses will show and I don’t like to look like a prat’ Harry said starting on his dinner ‘The game on the weekend showed that’

‘Well it’ll be better for you to make mistakes in the practice class than in the real thing when term starts’ Ginny said ‘That’s probably what Minerva is getting you to teach one. Do all the teachers have to do one?’

‘No just the new ones Draco, Neville, John and I’

‘John?’

‘Yeah John Springs he’s the new Muggle Studies teacher, he’s at Hogwarts on the Teacher Exchange Program’

‘What school has he come from?’

‘Salem institute of Magic in America’ Harry said ‘He’s been a teacher for twelve years first in Transfiguration then Muggle Studies. Both his kids are coming to Hogwarts his son will be a first year and his daughter will be a third year and his wife will be going into the Improper Use of Magic Office at the Ministry, Hermione would know about her. Apparently they are staying with Neville and Luna until their house in Somerset is fixed up’

‘We’ll have to have them over for dinner one night’ Ginny said dumping the snot like substance into a cauldron with a salmon pink substance in it ‘Maybe once you’re settled in at Hogwarts’

‘I was thinking the same thing, what are you brewing?’

‘Revitalising Draught I thought it might be prudent you take some til you go to St Mungos for your check up’

‘I’ll take it if it doesn’t taste like the Anti-Concussion shit the healers at the quidditch the other night made me drink’

‘Trust me it won’t’ Ginny said ‘Flavourings can be added to this draught to make it more palatable. I dropped in on George and Katie on the way home from work and George suggested I add cocoa and aniseed to it’

‘So why does it smell like Menthol?’

‘That’s not the revitalizing draught that’s the Menthol draught I added to the spa that time’ Ginny said ‘That’ll be ready in about half an hour you can rub some of that on your sore bits, but make sure you don’t get it in your eyes or on your cock or it’ll burn like Hades’

‘I can think of other things that would make my cock burn like Hades’ Harry said with a cheeky grin.

‘You talk like you never get laid’ Ginny said dryly moving to the third cauldron on the workbench that contained a pale blue mixture ‘Should I remind you, you had be bent over the edge of the bed at Oliver and Alicia’s for half the night the other night?’

‘I need to do that again’ Harry said with a grin wiggling his eyebrows ‘Fancy having another crack tonight?’

‘Oh you are so crass’ Ginny said with a giggle.

‘Ginevra my dear you are like a drug to me!’ Harry said theatrically as if reciting a Shakespeare play ‘When I have a hit I just need another, you consume my life, my thinking my every being’

‘Oh aren’t you just romantic to the point of being nauseating?’ Ginny said with a shrill giggle.

‘That’s me Mr Nauseating’ Harry said with a grin.

‘Oh vomit’

‘You know during lunch today I was thinking about the actual wedding ceremony’ Harry said a few minutes later after finishing his meal.

‘Yeah what about it?’ Ginny said as she tested the temperature of the Revitalizing Draught.

‘I was thinking it would be a good thing to write our own vows, just like Neville and Hannah did’ Harry said ‘What do you reckon?’

‘I reckon that would be great’ Ginny said pausing from her potion making and sitting across the bench from him ‘Got any ideas?’

‘Not one’

Ginny laughed.
‘Well Mum and Dad wrote their own vows when they got married maybe I can have a word to them’ She said thoughtfully.

‘Actually that’s something we ought to get onto pretty quickly we’re going to have to say them off by heart and we’ll need time to write then memorise them’ Ginny said ‘Do you like the idea of poerty? Neville wrote that piece he read to Hannah at their ceremony all by himself, I thought that was the most romantic thing’

‘Gin I’m not the poetry type’ Harry said ‘I haven’t even read a piece of poetry since I was in that muggle primary school before Hogwarts and that was twelve years ago’ Harry said ‘You know me I had issues writing essays for school, I would have totally flunked out if it weren’t for Hermione’s help’

‘Ask Hermione for help then’ Ginny said ‘She’s a girl and knows what girls like to hear she may be able to help you out, I’ll go and see Mum about writing my side of the vows and you can chat to Hermione, she might be able to give you some ideas’

‘I might do that’ Harry said getting to his feet with his empty dinner plate ‘I’ll go and ask her now, do you need any help with the potions?’

‘Nah I’m right I’ll bring the menthol stuff upstairs at bedtime maybe I can put it on you’

Harry grinned and spanked Ginny lightly on the bum.
‘I look forward to that gorgeous’ He said rubbing his nose against hers and kissing her lightly on the lips.

Harry left the potions lab and returned to the kitchen where he cleaned his plate with a quick spell. He then made his way upstairs and collected some parchment a quill and some ink before going in search of Hermione, he found her in the library poring over a book called ‘Improper Use of Magic-Procedural Law’

‘Hermione you’re a girl’ He started plopping down next to her.

‘Oh well spotted’ Hermione replied rolling her eyes ‘Pass that information onto your students and we’ll be able to start up a Wizarding version of Mensa’

‘Oh ha ha’ Harry said putting his parchment, quill and ink on the table ‘I need your help’

‘With what?’ Hermione said book marking the page she was on and putting it aside.

‘I need you to help me find or at least write my vows to Ginny for our wedding’ Harry said ‘We both want to write our own vows maybe something similar to what Neville and Hannah did. A bit of poetry a bit of prose, something that means a lot to us but isn’t romantic to the point of being nauseating’

‘And you think I’m the best person to help you?’

‘Yeah I do as I said you’re a girl you know what girls like to hear’

‘Harry I can only really tell you what I’d like to hear in wedding vows’ Hermione said but then seeing Harry’s expression ‘But if you tell me what you want to say to Ginny I might be able to put your words together so it makes sense and not like a bunch of babble’

‘Mione you’re the best!’ Harry exclaimed

‘Okay let’s start at the beginning tell me in your own words what Ginny means to you…’

*******************************************************************

‘There that ought to be enough to help you finish off’ Hermione said to Harry two hours later handing him a role of parchment scrobbled with many notes ‘I reckon a trip to the muggle library in town would be a good idea then you can check out the Shakespeare section and find a piece to read there. He wrote many romance based pieces and something there ought to be appropriate for wedding vows. My parents wrote their own vows for their wedding ad Dad read a piece to Mum it was ever so romantic’

‘How do you know that were you there?’

Hermione rolled her eyes.
‘Of course not dummy’ She said ‘They had a professional video done and when Mum and I are feeling romantic we get it out and get all teary’

‘Typical girl’ Harry joked ‘At the first sign of romance you go all gooey’

‘Oh sod off’ Hermione said dryly ‘In the right situation you blokes can be quite gooey too. That night you proposed to Ginny was quite possibly the most romantic thing I have ever witnessed’

‘It was?’ Harry said blushing slightly.

‘Yeah it was you put quite a lot of thought into it, you didn’t just come out and ask her to marry you as if you were asking her to go down the shop and get a pint of milk. It was thoughtful romantic and kinda cute. I think the most romantic bit was when you asked Molly and Arthur’s permission to take Ginny’s hand in marriage’

Harry blushed a warm shade of pink.

‘Thanks ‘Mione you kind of helped in the whole proposing process you know’

‘How?’

‘You got me thinking about how to go about proposing. You know I’d been wanting to ask Gin to marry me since the final battle but something was holding me back’

‘You were scared’ Hermione said perceptively.

‘How’d you know?’

‘Women’s intuition Harry. After the war a lot of people were scared about a lot of things even though Voldemort and his cronies were gone they were struggling to deal wth the reality that he was gone and he wasn’t going to hurt them any more you included. I would suggest you still harboured that feeling that if you and Ginny got close somehow your relationship would be jeopardised. The same reason you broke up with her at the end of our sixth year’

‘Hermione if I didn’t know you better I’d say you were a seer’ Harry said with a grin ‘That’s exactly how I was feeling, how you know that if beyond me’

Harry you’re one of my best friends it’s a best friend’s job to know their friends well. And to hex them to hell if they screw up’

‘I better behave myself then’ Harry said with a grin ‘Or learn to dodge your hexes’

‘I’d go for the former’ Hermione said with a grin.

‘Oh very funny ‘Mione very funny’ Harry said dryly gathering his quill, parchment and ink ‘I’m going to head off to bed see you in the morning’

‘Night Harry’

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The following morning Harry was the first to arrive downstairs. He got some toast and eggs cooking and sat down with a coffee. He was reading the Daily Prophet, which had just arrived when Ron made his appearance.

‘M-m-m-morning’ He stammered through a wide yawn.

‘Morning mate’ Harry said ‘Coffee’s on and eggs are five minutes away’

‘Ta, Prophet say anything interesting?’

‘Not really plenty of letters to the editor about me teaching at Hogwarts and another feature article about the Dark Force Defence League elections but apart from that nothing earth shattering’

‘Much about the quidditch?’

‘Yeah a bit more of an in depth analysis about the game and interviews with Oliver and Gwenog. And apparently my catch was the best and the least artistic catch in recent pre-season cup history’

‘According to who? Rita?’

‘Nah Lee Jordan but he is right it wasn’t the best catch ever and if that situation was in training I would’ve pulled out of the dive’

‘Mate I don’t think there’s such thing as a good or bad catch. A catch is a catch wether you pull out of a dive in time or not. You caught the snitch and won your team the game that’s the whole point of quidditch last time I checked. You were focused on catching the snitch that’s the whole point of a seeker’

‘I know that anyway bugger the quidditch how did your first day in the office as director go yesterday? I forgot to ask yesterday’

‘It was pretty quiet to be honest’ Ron said sitting down with a mug of coffee ‘There were a couple of call outs but Mack and Olivier handled them, I was kind of hoping for a read busy day to break the monotony but I literally spent the whole day behind the desk. Today will be busier though I have to be in court for the L’Carriere case’

‘That ought to fill a lot of your time’ Harry said ‘I can’t believe we arrested that git twelve months ago and it’s only just getting to court now’

‘He’s got a smarmy smartarse lawyer that’s good at his job’ Ron said making a face ‘I tell ya if I’m ever arrested for any crime I’m hiring McDougal I think he’s a knob but he is good at his job’

‘He didn’t get Umbridge off her Muggleborn abuse crimes’

‘No one could get that woman off those charges Harry not when Kingsley himself was a witness to what she did. No one’s going to go against the Minister of Magic’

‘Hmmm’

‘Incidentally Umbridge is due to be released in December her five years in Azkaban will be up’ Ron said

‘So?’

‘How do you feel about it?’

‘Nothing she’s served her time’ Harry said getting up and checking on the eggs on the stovetop ‘I’ve long stopped being sour at that woman as Hermione says it’s demoralizing to hate something or someone for so long’

‘I wonder what she’ll do on her release’ Ron mused pulling the Daily Prophet toward him and casting an eye over the front page ‘Apart from her year at Hogwarts her whole career has been in the Ministry with her record she won’t get back into Government now’

‘Maybe the private sector’ Harry said ‘Or maybe the head of the non human beast and beings appreciation society’

Ron snorted.
‘As if that’d happen’ He said with a laugh ‘And is there a Non Human Beast and Beings Appreciation Society?’

‘Dunno ask Hermione sounds like something she’d set up’

‘Ha ha’

*******************************************************************

‘I really think building another greenhouse would help in the long run’ Neville was saying to McGonagall as Harry, Draco, John and Neville were on the tour of Hogwarts later that day ‘Greenhouse five is just getting too crowded and I need all the plants in there for my fifth years’

‘I shall draught a letter to the board of Governors with a request of funding’ McGonagall said detangling herself from a Fanged Geranium that decided to snap at her robes as she was leaving Greenhouse Five ‘It really is getting out of hand. I know Pomona tried to get funding for another greenhouse in your sixth year but the board then refused the request, even an appeal from Dumbledore failed’

‘Well there’s been a new board since then maybe a fresh perspective is what’s needed’ Harry said as Neville locked the Greenhouse door with a tap from his wand.

‘Well if they say no I’ll pay for a new greenhouse myself’ Neville said ‘I’ll need room to move with the fifth years’

‘You won’t have to do that’ McGonagall said ‘Harry shall we see your department next?’

‘Sure if you like it’s a bit of a mess at the moment though’ Harry said as they walked up the rise and back into the castle ‘I started organizing everything during lunch, but you’ll be able to see the direction in which I want to go with it’

Ten minutes later after pulling John out of the missing step of he trick staircase Harry, John, Draco, Neville and McGonagall arrived at Harry’s classroom which was in a state of apparent disorganization. During lunch Harry had affixed several posters of various dark creatures to the walls and a large fish tank filled with what appeared to be long stringy bits of slime and water was set up to the left of his desk.

‘Did you do a Bombarda Maxima Charm in here?’ Draco said after tripping over a box containing books.

‘Oh ha ha…no’ Harry said ‘It’s just organized chaos. I plan on putting more posters up on the walls as I go I’ve got some about Hinkypunks and Grindylows on order from Flourish and Blotts which should be here on Friday and In that fish tank I plan on housing a Grindylow for my third years. And if I can find one in the meantime a boggart is going to live in that cupboard to the right of my desk’

‘I’ll keep an eye out for a boggart for you’ John said edging his way around a desk ‘You already look very organized, I’ve still got to organize all the gear I bought with me from the States and I’ve got loads’

‘Well we’ve been through all your departments now you can have a break now and get yourself organized if you like’ McGonagall said.

‘Thanks Minerva’

‘I’ll give you a hand’ Harry said.

‘I’ve got a few things to do in the Transfiguration department I better go and see to them’

‘I need you all back in the staff room at five PM’ McGonagall said ‘Nothing much just a debrief about today’s goings on’

‘See you there’

The group parted and Harry followed John through the halls to the Muggle Studies department.

‘So how do your kids feel about transferring to Hogwarts?’ Harry asked John as they entered the classroom.

‘Orion’s quite excited because this is his first foray into a magical school’ John said turning on all the lights with a sweep from his wand ‘Missy isn’t really impressed because she has a lot of friends back at the Institute. Nevertheless, she’s excited about coming to a new country she’s a shopaholic like her mother and is quite excited about the prospect of discovering Hogsmeade it being the only totally magic dwelling in Britain’

‘Are there similar places in the states?’ Harry asked in interest.

‘Yeah several’ John said stopping in front of a side table upon which rested several boxes ‘Back in the States Cid the kids and I live in California and in Orange County there’s a town called Ridgeway. It’s population is about five thousand a lot like Hogsmeade. It has the best sweets shop there’

‘Awww don’t say that til you’ve been in Honeydukes’ Harry said with a grin reaching into a box and pulling out a copy of ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' ‘The Ice Mice and Peppermint Toads are my favourites’

‘Oh I’ve heard a lot about Honeydukes from Neville and Hannah’ John said ‘We haven’t had a chance to tour Hogsmeade since we arrived we only got into the country Sunday morning ‘We plan on doing a self guided tour this weekend while Neville and Hannah are in Corsica for the wedding of this mutual friend of yours’

‘Head straight to Honeydukes’ Harry said levitating the books he’d removed from the box to a nearby bookshelf that housed other muggle fairytale books ‘And Ginny my fiancé likes It Girl it’s a shop that sells the latest muggle ladies fashions it only opened up in March. My favourite shop is Weasley’ Wizarding Wheezes my future brother in law and his best mate run it. It’s the ultimate joke shop’

‘Ah I’ve heard of the Wheezes shop’ John said with a laugh ‘Argus Filch has warned me about the products’

‘Oh Argus Filch is a miserable old git’ Harry said dryly ‘He’s Hogwarts fun police. He wouldn’t know how to have fun if a fun manual jumped up and bit him on the bum'

John snorted.
‘I have to admit I’ve met friendlier people’ He said ‘He wasn’t outwardly rude to me but I can tell he doesn’t like me much’

‘Don’t worry it’s not personal Filch doesn’t like anyone’ Harry said flicking his wand at an empty box and watching it magically fold itself ‘I think he’s sour about being a squib. Ron my best mate reckons all his problems would be solved with a good hard shag’

John laughed loudly.
‘A good hard fuck can solve a lot of problems’ He said with a grin ‘Or at least it can make you forget your problems for a while, maybe we can make it our quest to find him a lady friend this year’

‘I reckon he fancies Irma Pince’ Harry said with a grin

‘Irma?’ John said ‘The librarian?’

‘Yeah she’s been at Hogwarts for years’ Harry said ‘Since before I came here’

‘Is there a lonely hearts column of the Daily Prophet?’ He said with a grin.

‘Yeah generally it’s between the sports section and the classifieds ‘Why?’

‘Lets put an ad in there for him’

Harry let out a great snort of laughter.
‘If we were found out he would murder us you know that don’t you?’ He said ‘He would disembowel us with his bare hands’

‘Go on I dare ya’ John said egging Harry on.

‘Okay I’ll do it but you’re in it as much as I am’ Harry said with a grin ‘Tomorrow at lunch let’s combine our smarts and put together an ad. And lets make sure it’s in next Tuesdays Prophet so coincide with the start of term’

‘You’re on’ John said with a snort ‘And not a word to anyone’

‘Aw I reckon we could let Draco and Neville in on the joke’ Harry said levitating another box’s contents over to the bookshelf ‘They could be trusted to keep the secret’

‘Okay but no one else’

‘Promise’

‘So what are you going to do with your students?’ Harry asked ‘The youngest ones you have are third years’

‘Well, with the young ones I’m going to tell them all about where I was born and how muggles lived during that time. Then open things up for questions’ John said ‘I don’t know how many of them are muggle borns but I’d like them to learn about Muggle culture in the states, I think it’ll broaden their horizons a bit. When I was in school and did Muggle Studies, we had an exchange teacher from Australia and that piqued my interest. I holidayed in Australia after it got me interested in the muggle society from a wizarding point of view’

‘So how come you went into Law Enforcement and not Muggle Relations?’ Harry asked moving the growing pile of empty boxes to a spare corner of the room.

‘Law always fascinated me’ John said waving his wand along the shelves of the bookcase and charming the books to arrange themselves in alphabetical order ‘When I was a small child I was always watching cop and crime shows on T.V and wanted to be a lawyer. Then I found out I was a wizard. After I went to the Salem Institute, I learned about Law Enforcement within the magical world and decided to do what I could to become a lawyer. I did that then got bitten by the teaching bug and I’ve been doing that ever since’

‘Ah I see, you’d be able to talk all night to my best mates girlfriend she’s big in law enforcement too’ Harry said starting on another box ‘She’s two I.C of the Improper Use of Magic Office, she’s one of the best lawyers in the department. I’ve seen her at work and it’s almost scary’

‘Is this the Hermione you’ve told me about?’

‘Yeah her boyfriend my best mate Ron succeeded me as the director of the Auror Department so the three of us have quite a background in law enforcement’

‘Yeah Minerva told me all about your mate and you, I have to admit I’ve never met anyone that’s graduated from Auror training early, it’s quite a feat’

‘I suppose so’ Harry said ‘Ron and I aren’t the only ones who graduated from the Auror training program early. Neville did too’

‘He did?’ John exclaimed in surprise ‘He never said a word’

‘Well no he wouldn’t’ Harry said ‘Neville is a very modest person and doesn’t parade about his achievements. Ron and I are the only ones who remained in the Auror Department. Pomona Sprout Neville’s predecessor offered him a Herbology apprenticeship as soon as he graduated from the Auror training program and he jumped at the chance. Herbology was always Neville’s first love and when Pomona retired at the end of last term Neville succeeded her. Now he’s in his dream job as Herbology teacher where he can spend his days elbow deep on dragon shite. I can guarantee you this week is the last time you’ll see Neville clean’

John laughed.
‘I wouldn’t let him hear that’ He said with a grin ‘But it’s probably true I‘ve never seen a clean Herbology teacher’

‘Hmm’

*******************************************************************

On Wednesday Harry gave a speech on what he wanted to achieve teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts then spent the rest of the day reading the Teachers Code of Conduct book ad listening to the other teachers speeches about their subject aims. Thursday was spent apparating around the country collecting various bits and pieces Harry needed for the start of term. He was walking though Diagon Alley his bags and good arm laden with equipment when he literally ran into his old school friend Seamus Finnigan.

‘Wakey Wakey Harry’ He said with a grin bending down to pick up some of the things Harry had dropped ‘Away with the pixies eh?’

‘Bit like that’ Harry said ‘Where are you off to?’

‘Lunch at the Leaky Cauldron, want to join me? I’m on my own today Lavender’s in Manchester visiting her parents and Dean has a meeting in the Apparition Test Centre’

‘Sure I’ve got some time to kill’ Harry said ‘I’ve got all day to get things ready for the start of term so an extended break would get me off my feet’

Harry turned around and followed Seamus up Diagon Alley past the usual crush about Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes and up to the Leaky Cauldron. It was mid-afternoon so for the most part the pub was empty save for a few regulars.

‘How come you’re having lunch so late?’ Harry asked as he and Seamus settled into a booth near the kitchens ‘Busy in Experimental Charms?’

‘Yeah, we’ve had thirty nine new spell submissions this morning alone and everyone is busy processing them all’ Seamus said waving to catch the attention of a table attendant ‘Ernie McMillan accidentally hexed himself this morning and had to go to St Mungos we’ve been a person down this morning and that’s made the workload a bit heavier’

Harry snorted.
‘Ernie hexed himself?’ He said with a laugh ‘Ha ha that’s hilarious’

‘Yeah everyone in the office thought so too’ Seamus said with a laugh ‘But we didn’t laugh in his face’

‘What did he do himself?’ Harry asked in amusement picturing his former schoolmate with tentacles erupting from his nose.

‘He broke his nose’ Seamus said ‘We’re not exactly sure what happened but there was a bang and a big puff of black smoke and when the smoke cleared his nose was on the other side of his face. I reckon he might have concussed himself too. We got a message from St Mungos that they’re keeping him in overnight and he’ll probably need the rest of the week off’

‘I shouldn’t laugh but that’s hilarious’ Harry said with another snort.

‘Yeah well we all had a laugh after he went off to St Mungos’ Seamus said ‘So how’s things with you? Missing the hustle and bustle of the Ministry yet?’

‘Honestly no’ Harry said ‘I’m actually getting quite excited about the coming term, I’ve got so many ideas my head feels like it’s about to explode’

‘That sounds like something Hermione would say’

Harry laughed.
‘Doesn’t it?’ He said ‘Later in the term I’ll be increasing the levels of my practical classes and I want everyone who fought in the last battle to be a guest speaker can I count on you to drop in at some point?’

‘Sure but I’m not sure how much help I’d be’ Seamus said.

‘You’d be tremendous help’ Harry said shrinking the things he had been carrying and putting them in his bag ‘You were there when the shit hit the fan. You may not have faced Voldemort himself but you brought down half the entrance hall, which took out three Death Eaters. At the very least, you’d be a good ooh ahh story for my first years’

Seamus rolled his eyes.
‘Oh ha ha’ He said ‘Well owl me when you have a free spot, but give me at least a weeks notice we’ve been really busy in my part of the Ministry lately’

‘Will do so how are you and Lavender going? Shacked up together yet?’

‘We’re discussing it’ Seamus said turning a fint shade of pink.

Harry laughed.
‘Ooooooooohhhh ahhhhhh is our wee Seamus Finnigan considering domestication?’ Harry teased ‘Give it six months and you’ll be married’

Seamus turned brick red at Harrys teasing.
‘Oh sod off’ He said.

Harry laughed so hard his stomach hurt and his eyes ran with tears of mirth.

‘Sorry mate’ Harry said after his peals of laughter died down.

‘No worries, you know I have actually been considering asking Lavender to marry me’ Seamus said.

Harry stared at Seamus.
‘You’re kidding? He said ‘Wow you are serious’

‘Yeah I am we’re solid Lavender and I you know we helped each other recover after the final battle and it brought us really close’

‘Do you love her?’

‘Like crazy’ Seamus said.

‘So what’s stopping you?’

‘Dunno partly because I’m wanting to find the perfect moment’

‘Mate if you and Lavender love each other any time you pop the question will be the perfect time’ Harry said ‘Just get the ring and ask her, though if you want to go the traditional route ask her parents particularly her father for permission to marry her. Girls like that’

‘You did that with Ginny?’

‘Yup I asked Molly and Arthur their permission in this very booth, I’ve never seen Molly cry so much. Do you want to get a ring made or get a ready made one?’

‘I was thinking about getting one made, didn’t Hannah make Ginny’s?’

‘Yeah she did if you decide to go down that route she’ll do a good job’

‘Hmm I might chuck a sickie tomorrow and go and see Hannah’

‘Well mate I wish you all the best just let me come on your stag night I want to Levicorpus your arse when you’re in the nud’

‘Feck off you will not’

‘I’ll let you do it to me on my stag night’

Seamus lit up.
‘You’re on!’ He said.

*******************************************************************

Harry returned to Hogwarts mid afternoon and spent a solid hour finalizing the set up of his quarters and classroom then after throwing out the rubbish he had accumulated he returned to the staff room where everyone appeared to be waiting for him.

‘What’s up?’ He said.

‘Neville wishes to have a word to us before we all retire for the night’ McGonagall said.

‘Fire away mate’ Harry said flopping into the nearest squishy lounge chair.

‘Um I don’t know where to begin..’Neville said.

‘Try the beginning’ Draco said dryly. ‘That’s were most things start’

Neville rolled his eyes.
‘Uhm well I have a bit of news’ He said ‘I’m going to be a father, Hannah’s pregnant’

The group of teachers burst into a combination of cheers, applause and in Draco’s case wolf whistles.

‘Neville you stallion!’ Harry said with a grin leaping out of his chair and grasping Neville hand ‘Congratulations this is great news when’s the baby due?’

Neville grinned.
‘Not for a while yet’ He said seven months. March seventh according to the healer at St Mungos’

‘You started before the wedding?’ Draco said ‘Whoo hoo you randy bastard Longbottom’

Neville flushed and out of the corner of his eye, Harry could see the rest of the teachers stifle sniggers.

‘Congratulations Neville’ McGonagall said giving Neville a hug ‘I wish Hannah and yourself all the best’

‘Thanks Minerva’ Neville said his round face a warm shade of pink.

Half a hour later after sharing in a celebratory drink with the rest of the teachers Harry flooed back to the Manor. Ron, Hermione and Ginny were in the kitching still wearing their work robes obviously just having arrived home.

‘Evening’ He said kissing Ginny on the lips ‘Hey guess what?’

‘You’re mad and I’m not’ Hermione said with a grin.

‘Oh ha ha, Neville got all the teachers together before we broke up for the day and announced Hannah’s pregnant they’re going to be parents in March’

Ginny and Hermione squealed like stuck pigs.

‘Oh that’s just WONDERFUL! Hermione shrilled twirling in a circle her hands to her mouth. ‘Truly truly wonderful!’

‘Isn’t it?’ Harry said taking off his cloak and throwing it over the back of his regular chair.

‘We’ll have to have them over soon’ Ron said looking pleased at the news ‘It’s a good reason for a piss up’

‘Not for Hannah it can’t be she’s got to lay for that for the next few months’ Ginny said doing a little dance ‘Oh Neville must be tickled pink!’

‘Yeah he is’ Harry said.

‘I’m going to make a congratulations card tonight’ Hermione said thoughtfully ‘I have some leftover stuff from when I made your wedding invitations will you all sign it?

‘You bet’ Ron said going to the liquor cabinet and pulling out a bottle of Firewhiskey ‘Lets have a drink, and I’ll propose a toast’

Ron poured out four glasses of the amber liquid then held his tumbler aloft.

‘I propose a toast’ He said ‘To Neville and Hannah. May they find every happiness in being parents and may Hannah have a trouble free pregnancy’

‘Neville and Hannah!'

*******************************************************************

The next day Harry was the first to conduct his mock class. He decided to go through a third year Boggart Banishing lesson and as it went on be became more and more relaxed. McGonagall, Draco, Neville, John, Flitwick, Sinistra, Vector, Slughorn, Hooch and Jax Freegard the new Ancient Runes professor went through the motions of banishing a Boggart (Harry hadn’t managed to find a real one)then right on lunch he called it quits.

‘Well boys and girls that was a fine effort’ He said with a grin ‘Ten points to everyone who faced the Boggart, now I want a foot and a half of parchment on the theory and wand movements of banishing a Boggart to be handed in on Monday’

Playing the part of the students perfectly Neville, John and Draco groaned loudly.

‘Aw but Professor a foot and a half?’ Draco whined.

‘No whining or I’ll make it two feet’ Harry said with a grin.

The whole group laughed.

‘Okay teachers you can go to lunch now’ McGonagall said ‘Harry Neville could I please have a word?’

The rest of the teachers filed out of the room and McGonagall shut the door after them locking it with a simple spell.

‘I was going to ask you both something earlier. But now seems the most appropriate time before you head off to Corsica for Oliver and Alicia’s wedding’ She said ‘As you know, my commitments as Headmistress and Transfiguration professor got too much for me since the last war, and that’s why I took on Draco to replace me as the Transfiguration professor to lighten my load. The other job I had that needs filling is that of head of Gryffindor House and Harry I was wondering if you’d be willing to take on the job with you Neville as his co-head’

There was a long silence.

‘Excuse me?’ Harry and Neville chorused.

‘Harry I’d like you to take over from me as Head of Gryffindor House’ McGonagall repeated ‘I simply cannot do it any more with the commitment of being headmistress’

‘Minerva I’m flattered you asked me but what makes you think I’ll have the time? Harry asked incredulously ‘I play league quidditch I’m organizing a wedding and I finally decided after talking to Hermione last night to nominate for the Presidency of the Dark Force Defence League. With all of that I barely have time to itch my arse!’

Neville sniggered.

‘Harry I thought of that. That’s why I asked you Neville to be co-head of house’ McGonagall said her gaze switching between Harry and Neville ‘Harry I’ve thought about it like this. I know you have the wedding and quidditch to deal with, but in six weeks the time and responsibility of organizing the ceremony will be over so that frees up some time for you. Then if something comes up you cannot avoid you Neville could step in.’

‘This job would require us to stay at the castle wouldn’t it?’ Neville said.

‘Yes at some point it would’ McGonagall said ‘I thought that if you both agreed to take on the job you could work out a timetable between you to see which one of you would stay at the castle. Your families are more than welcome to stay with you in your quarters at the castle’

‘Even Teddy?’ Harry said.

‘Of course that goes without saying’ McGonagall said ‘Ginny too’

There was another long silence punctured only by the occasional hoot of an owl.

‘Okay I’ll do it’ Neville said.

‘Yeah I’ll do it too’ Harry said ‘But the minute it interferes with whatever else I’ve got on its Neville’s job. Teddy is my first priority and I’m not sacrificing him for my job’

McGonagall look extraordinarily relieved.
‘Oh thankyou so much!’ She said ‘This really means a lot to me’

‘If anyone else told us to do it we’d tell them to sod off you know that don’t you?’ Harry said with a grin.

Neville laughed.

‘Yes I know that’ She said ‘I am very grateful to you both’

‘No worries Minerva at least now we can show overt favouritism to Gryffindor students’ Neville said with a grin ‘I see Gryffindor winning the House Cup this year can’t you Harry?’

‘Yeah they’ll street the opposition’ Harry said with a snort.

‘Oh ha ha you two are just so amusing’ McGonagall said dryly.

‘Go on I know you have a few things to tie up before the day ends’

Minerva left the room leaving Harry and Neville behind.

‘Gawd us as head of Gryffindor House how weird is that?’ Neville said running his fingers through his hair ‘Me?! And there was a point where I thought I’d flunk out of Hogwarts!’

‘Neville you were never going to flunk out of Hogwarts confidence was always your issue’ Harry said ‘Since you got some confidence about you you’ve kicked some major arse. You were a major player in the final battle you graduated Auror training early and with distinctions got the first herbology apprenticeship at Hogwarts in forty years started your own business then snagged, married and knocked up one of the best looking birds I’ve ever seen at Hogwarts’

‘Oh you are so crass’ Neville said dryly but at the same time blushing.

‘Yup that’s me come one lets see if we can finish that bloody code of conduct book before we meet everyone at the Ministry’

Harry and Neville got another hour in of reading the teachers code of conduct book during which time they miraculously managed to finish it. Minerva then stood up in front of the group at three PM.

Okay teachers just one more thing before I let you all go’ She said ‘Heads of houses announcements’

‘Sod it I wanted to read a bit more code of conduct crap’ Jax Freegard the new Ancient Runes professor said ‘I want to know why I can’t conduct my classes with a House Elf on my head’

‘There’s a clause saying that?’ Harry asked in surprise, as everyone else sniggered ‘I didn’t read anything like it’

‘No there isn’t but half the clauses in this house brick are as stupid as that’ The young woman said with a roll of her eyes ‘And I thought there’s was some weird Ministry regulations’

‘Back to business please!’ McGonagall said holding up her hands ‘Heads of Houses this year are as follows Slytherin of course will be Horace’

Slughorn inclined his head toward McGonagall.

‘Ravenclaw will be Margaret’

Professor Vector surreptitiously pumped her fist causing Harry to hurt his sinuses from the effort of holding in his laugh.

‘Hufflepuff after the retirement of Pomona will be Mignon’

‘Oh lets get the party started’ Sinistra said waving her hands above her head.

‘Lord what is it with you all today?’ McGonagall said in amusement.

‘We’re waiting to get the party started’ Draco said with a pig like snort.

‘Very funny and this year the head of Gryffindor House will be Harry who will be closely assisted by Neville.

There was a smattering of polite applause.

‘Okay that’s it Orentation week two thousand and four ladies and gents you can now get that party started’

‘Oh come on Minerva join in’ Harry said with a grin rising from his seat ‘You’re coming to Corsica for Oliver and Alicia’s wedding I’m sure there’s a night club with a karaoke night on we could get you involved in’

Everyone laughed hysterically at Harry’s joke the stresses of the week melting away.

McGonagall just rolled her eyes.

‘Anyway thankyou for your patience this week teachers I know most of you have known all we’ve gone through here’ She said ‘See you in Corsica Neville, Harry’

‘See you soon Minerva’ Harry said ‘Let’s do that karaoke tonight eh?’

‘NO!’

*******************************************************************