'The Wedding'

*******************************************************************
A/N: HELLO PEOPLES!! I have added this authors note in here after I have posted this chapter as a review I have gotten indicates I have missed a few edits. I ask that you PLEASE point out in your review or in an email (My details are in my author profile) where the said mistakes are.

Violist03: I know there's nothing in the seventh book that says who is married to who except for Harry/Ginny, Ron/Hermione but the information I have gotten is from Wikipedia who have several sections about what happens to everyone post Deathly Hallows in a direct quote from JKR section. According to JKR Malfoy marries Astoria Greengrass (I changed his marital status in this fic because I'd rather he married a Gryffindor....let's see how his blind date with Katie goes eh?....lol) Georrge marries Angelina Johnson and Neville marries Hannah Abbott who eventually becomes the new landlady of the Leaky Cauldron but in my first fic I have her as a Jeweller because at the time I wrote the fic (Before the Deathly Hallows, well I started writing it before the release of the DH) no one knew what she or anyone else in the HP realm did after Hogwarts. Plus I think being a jeweller is an entirely more sexy occupation than a pub landlady. Apparently Luna marries Rolf Scamander the grandson of Newt Scamander the author of 'Fantastic Beasts: And Where To Find Them' . I know there was no huge reason to make the changes I did but I do like to include any changes that come up. And it does seem JKR who inspire us all to write what we do likes to release tidbits of information(I think) to keep people like me ravenous for more info
until this Lexicon/Encyclopedia she is writing comes out. I hope that clarifies everything for you. Of course if you would like to ask me any further questions please email me and I will provide you with direct links to the information I used for the names, places and pairings I've included in this fic....That goes for anyone else too!

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

The next day Harry along with Ginny, Teddy, Ron, Hermione, Neville, Hannah, Katie and George and Angelina spent the day apparating and flooing around Corsica undertaking a self guided tour of the small island. Swimming costumes were the apparel of choice and toward the end of the afternoon Harry had managed to convince Neville to leap off the rocky outcrop overlooking the water of the cove behind their hotel. Now it was quarter to six in the evening and Brad Oliver’s brother was once again playing cheauffer taking them back to the Portkey Depot where they were to return directly to London.

‘I’m coming back here the minute I have time off from work and quidditch’ Angelina declared as the van climbed the last steep hill before arriving at the Portkey depot ‘Corsica is so beautiful. I might stay in a tent next time I come; I have a magical one back home’

‘Bugger a tent I’d go back to that hotel’ Ron said ‘Very swish the room ‘Mione and I shared looked right over the cove. One could easily have apparated directly onto the beach’

‘I come here for a few weeks every time there’s a break in the quidditch and Laoise and I have time off at the same time’ Brad said ‘The kids aren’t old enough for school yet so that allows us more flexibility’

‘What does your wife do?’ Hermione asked in interest ‘I didn’t get around to meeting her at the reception last night I was either dancing or being introduced to someone all night’

Brad laughed.
‘I know how you feel’ She said ‘Laoise works in the Accidental Magical Reversal Office, but when we were back in England she worked in the Ludicrous Patents Office, but she longed for a job that had more of an outdoorsy feel to it’

‘Interesting’

A moment later the van went over the crest of the hill and down a short path til the Portkey Depot a simple clearing in a mountainside forest came into view. Upon the dead tree stump in the centre of the clearing was a long soft multicoloured plush toy snake.

‘My portkey back to Rome doesn’t leave til ten so I can stay to see you off’ Brad said cutting the engne and getting out of the driver’s seat.

‘You’re not apparating?’ Harry said in surprise as everyone got out of the van.

‘Nah I don’t much like international apparating, well between Corica and Rome anyway. Once I’m back in Italy apparating is a bit better. Plus with the kids and Laoise it’s easier to go by portkey’

‘Makes sense, I don’t like apparating much period’

‘Whiner’ Ron said with a grin.

‘Git’

‘I know what you mean’ Brad said ‘It took a long time for me to get used to apparating but after a while you tend to get used to it’

‘I’m finding that’

At one minute to six everyone made contact in some way with the snake portkey in preparation to leave for London. With ten seconds to go, it glowed bright gold.

‘Nice meeting you all’ Brad said ‘I hope to see you all again, Harry no flying into the pitch next match eh?’

‘Oh ha ha thanks Brad catch you later’

‘Bye’

Right on 6PM the portkey activated asd the tug behind the navel pulled the group from the mountains of Corsica and on toward London. The group spun through nothingness till their feet hit solid ground and they arrived back in the Ministry Atrium. A wizard Harry knew from the Wizarding Tourism and Immigration Department was standing by.

‘Well that was a tider arrival than in Corsica’ Neville said to no one in particular.

‘And I didn’t spew!’ Teddy declared loudly.

‘Geez you’re loud’ Harry said dryly ‘Is your volume button broken?’

‘No he’s been hanging around George too much’ Ginny said with a laugh.

‘And since when has that been a bad thing?’ George exclaimed ‘I don’t have horns you know’

‘Yeah leave Uncle George alone!’ Teddy said making such a fierce face Harry could not help but laugh.

The group made their way down to the Wizarding Tourism and Immigration office where they had their passports stamped then they made their way back up to the Atrium. Harry. Ginny, Ron, Hermione and Neville and Hannah lined up at the same grate in order to floo home.

‘See you at Hogwarts tomorrow night mate’ Neville said to Harry shaking his hand ‘From now on we’ll have to be responsible citizens of the Wizarding world’

‘Oh and like that’s going to kill you’ Hannah said.

Ron sniggered.

‘Right back at ya Neville I’ll see you in the staff room about five’ Harry said ‘I’ve got a busy week ahead of me I have to go to Rochester to get those puppies tomorrow then see Kingsley about lighting a fire underneath those slow bastards painting Remus an Tonk’s portrait’

‘Sure thing’

Neville stepped into the grate thre down a handful of floo powder and said…

‘Longbottom Manor!’

He disappeared and Harry and Teddy stepped into the grate next. He arrived back at the Manor to find another huge pile of mail on the table. There were several scorch marks on the kitchen bench where several people (Harry suspected riled Harpies fans) had sent him howlers.

‘Well aren’t you Mr Popular’ Hermione said stepping out of the grate to find Harry going through the pile of mail ‘Want some help?’

‘Thanks’

Ron and Ginny arrived back at the Manor moments later, joined Harry, and Hermione going through the mail that had accumulated during their time away.

‘Awwww isn’t this cute Ginny said holding up a sheet of parchment upon which ‘Craig Bailey aged six from Wiltshire’ had drawn a picture of Harry racing Ginny to catch the snitch.

‘I’ll send him a thank you card’ Harry said opening a letter from the Daily Prophet Subscription Office asking him if he wished to subscribe for another year. ‘Ah a bill’

‘The Daily Prophet?’ Hermione asked holding up her own copy of the letter from the magical paper.

‘Yeah, I’ll go to the offices tomorrow and pay for my subscription’ Harry said ‘I need to go to London to see Kingsley anyway it won’t be an issue to nip into Diagon Alley’

‘Maybe you’ll run into Rita’ Ron said with a grin.

‘Yeah and won’t I just drop to my knees present her with a bunch of flowers and declare my undying love for her’ Harry said sarcastically.

Ginny and Hermione laughed.

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

The following morning after Andromeda arrived to look after Teddy Harry flooed to the Ministry. He walked through the now empty Atrium and got into the lift to go down to Kingsley’s office. His trip down the floors was uneventful save for a small flock of interdepartmental that flew around Harry’s head like vultures circling a stricken zebra one evry now and then flying in and cuffing his head.

‘Keep on doing that and I’ll hex you to invisibility’ He growled at them.

The memos left Harry alone for the rest of his trip to the seventh floor and as the disembodied lift voice announced the ‘Minister of Magic and Support Staff and the Department for Wizarding Tourism and Immigration’ on the seventh floor he got out and made his way down to Kingsleys office. Along with several interdepartmental memos that huddled together in a small group keeping a respectful distance from Harry’s personal space.

‘Hey Harry’ Came the usual reply.

‘Hi everyone’ Harry said ‘Is Kingsley free?’

‘Nah he and Percy are meeting with Fergus from the Ludicrous Patents Office’ Colin the Australian said ‘But they should only be another few minutes they’ve been an hour already, you’re more than welcome to wait’

‘Yeah I’ll do that’ Harry said sitting on the edge of Colin’s desk.

‘I haven’t seen you for a week’ Colin said putting his quill back in it’s holder ‘Nice catch at the quidditch’

‘Oh not you too’ Harry said in exasperation ‘It feels that I’ve had shit hung on me by every member of the wizarding world ever since the final, you know one person actually sent me a whole sheet of parchment with ‘Ha ha ha’ on it over and over again?’

Everyone in the office laughed.

‘Well it was funny’ Colin said ‘The family and I were sitting right in front of where you landed; my eldest son thought you’d killed yourself’

‘And you found that funny?’ Harry said with a raised eyebrow.

Colin’s workmates sniggered.

‘Not at the time, I don’t think anyone did it was afterward when everyone knew you would be okay that it was funny’ Colin said with a grin ‘How’s you shoulder? You’re still strapped up then?’

‘Yeah I should really have the sling still on but I went to St Mungos on Friday during my lunch hour and made them strap it up and take the sling off. I had Olver Wood and Alicia Spinnetts wedding to do to I didn’t want to turn up to that with my arm taped to my body. They did it only after I promised to go back today for another assessment. I suspect I will have to keep on wearing the strapping for another week at least I hit my shoulder pretty hard on the floo trip from London to Rome on Friday and it’s been throbbing ever since. Even with the Painkilling Draught Ginny is making me take. I’m taking so many bloody potions my piss has turned purple’

‘Really?’

‘No of course not’ Harry said with a snort as Kingsley’s office door opened and Kingsley, Percy and Fergus from the Ludicrous Patents Office emerged. They chatted briefly before Fergus left and Kingsley spied Harry across the room.

‘Harry! Come in come in’

Harry slid off Colin’s desk and made his way across the office to Kingsley who waved him into his office.

‘What are you doing here on your first day at Hogwarts?’ Kingsley asked him in surprise leaving the door ajar.

‘Well I have to be in London to go to St Mungos for that appointment with the Orthepedic Healer and I thought I’d drop in and see if you have heard anything about Tonks and Lupin’s portrait from the National Gallery of Wizarding Arts? I haven’t heard a thing since you approved funding for it’

‘You haven’t?' Kingsley exclaimed in surprise ‘It’s been three weeks I know one wouldn’t expect a portrait to be completed in that time but you haven’t even gotten an update on how things are going?’

‘Not one’

‘Hmmm that’s odd very odd....Percy!’

Percy stuck his head around the door.
‘Yes Minister?’

‘Can you compose an urgent owl to the director of the National Gallery of Wizarding Arts and ask him for an A.S.A.P reply to Harry and I in particular Harry about what is taking so long with Tonks and Lupin’s portrait? It’s been three weeks since Harry got approved funding for the job and he hasn’t even gotten an update’

‘Not one? Percy said in surprise.

‘No I don’t even know at what stage the portrait is at if they’ve started it at all’ Harry said ‘I don’t mind if they have other projects in front of me but I want to know what’s going on’

‘I’ll get onto it’ Percy said.

‘Thanks How are Molly and Lucy going?’

‘Oh they're doing great' Percy said lighting up at the mention of his daughters 'Molly started walking by herself on Friday. Audrey went mental with the camera'

Harry laughed.

Harry stayed and chatted with Kingsley for a few more minutes then got up out of his chair.

‘Well I better go’ He said ‘I have to be at St Mungos in fifteen minutes’

‘Okay Harry good luck for the start of your tenure a Hogwarts everyone here wishes you the best’

Thanks Kingsley’

Harry left the office and made his way up to the Atrium where he apparated to St Mungos. The waiting room was filled with it’s usual array of people who suffered from various conditions ranging from extra appendages sprouting from the back of their heads to broken limbs. Harry made his way along the ground floor (OOTP page 429 Bloomsbury pulications Ground floor ‘Artefact Accidents’ Cauldron Explosions, Wand backfiring, Broom Crashes etc...Harry did have a broom accident didn't he?) til he came to the desk of the Artefact Accidents department.

Can I help you?’ The witch at the counter said in a disinterested tone.

‘Yeah I’m here to see Healer Fischer’ Harry said ‘I’m the ten AM’

The woman ran her finger down a page in an appointment book and her eyes widened when she saw ‘Harry Potter’ under the ‘10AM’ section.

‘Okay I’ll let him know you’re here she said the tone of her voice changing markedly ‘Just take a seat’

‘Thanks’ Harry waited ten minutes before the one of the healers who had attended to Harry at the game the week before strode out of a nearby examination room with a patient.

‘Now remember take the potion on a full stomach’ He said to the man who Harry estimated was no older than thirty ‘It’s too strong a soloution otherwise and you’ll poison yourself without at least a piece of toast inside you’

‘Of course see you next week’

‘Same time’

The patient left the floor and the healer grabbed a folder from a rack on the counter.

‘Ah Harry you’re here great just come through....Eddie Fischer we weren’t properly introduced the other night’

Harry grasped the healer’s hand.
‘Nice to meet you’ He said with a grin following Eddie through to the room the previous patient had just exited.

Eddie shut the door behind him and sat down at his desk opening Harry’s file. He briefly read a page then motioned for Harry to sit on a nearby stretcher.

‘Okay if you could take off your shirt’ He said.

With some difficulty due to the tight strapping on his shoulder, Harry removed his shirt. Eddie carefully removed the strapping and gawped at the enourmous black and blue bruise on Harry’s shoulder.

‘What the hell did you do there?’ He said in amazement gently poking and prodding Harry’s shoulder ‘The bruise wasn’t that big on Saturday night’

‘I went on a Floo trip from London to Rome on Friday afternoon and I banged my shoulder pretty hard enroute’ Harry said wincing as Eddie poked his shoulder ‘Ahhhhow!’

‘Sorry mate, geez it must’ve been one hell of a hit to make the bruise that big’

‘Even through that strapping?’

‘Yeah even with that strapping, you must’ve aggravated it somehow, what did you get up to over the weekend?’

‘Well I went to Corsica for a pretty loud and long wedding reception’ Harry said ‘I danced my arse off and spent most of my time swimming’

‘Hmm I think you’ve over extended yourself how’s your arm?’

‘Oh the arm’s fine’ Harry said ‘No pain there at all, it’s the shoulder, collarbone area that hurts’

Have you taken any pain relief today?’

‘No not since last night’ Harry said ‘Ginny wouldn’t let me take any til after I’d seen you, and I’ve hardly slept a wink because of it’

‘I’m not surprised’ Eddie said going over to a nearby take filled with an assortment of the strangest looking items Harry had ever seen and picking up a long thin chrome rod with several vertical ridges down one end ‘I suspect you did quite a bit of damage to your shoulder on that floo ride’

Harry groaned loudly.

‘What do you think I’ve done?’ He said.

‘I’m not a hundred percent sure yet this is a Prognosi-Wand if I mutter the right incantations I’ll be able to be a bit more specific’ Eddie said

Eddie ran the Prognosi-Wand up and down Harry’s arm concentrating on his collarbone area muttering various spells and incantations words which Harry could not quite make out. All the time feeling a curious vibrating sensation in the muscles around his shoulder and upper arm.

‘You’re not going to like what I’ve got to tell you’ Eddie said after a few minutes laying down the Prognosi-Wand.

Harry made a face.

‘What’s the verdict?’ He said steeling himself for the worst.

‘You’ve broken your collarbone’

‘Fucking hell!’ Harry cussed ‘You’re right I don’t like what you’ve got to tell me’

‘I suspect you did it when you banged your shoulder in the Floo Ride’ Eddie said going to a cabinet and retrieving a tub ‘It’s not uncommon for people to suffer injuries mid-floo’

‘Yeah but a fractured collarbone?’

‘Oh yeah you’re injury is a minor one in the scheme of things, two months ago I had one guy come in after suffering from a skull fracture. And he was only flooing from Doncaster to Blackpool. And when I was training I studied a case file of a wizard who accidentally killed himself while flooing’

‘Bloody hell’

‘Hmm but international flooing is known to be a bit rough. You might want to cast a cushioning charm or even apparate next time you go overseas’

‘I might do that, a friend of mine broke his nose the first time he flooed from London to Rome’

‘Oh yeah broken noses are common as muck, okay this is just bruise vanisher it’ll get rid of the bruise. Then I’m going to strap your shoulder up again and put the sling back on’

Harry groaned again.

‘Sorry but you’ll heal quicker with the sling on’ Eddie said rubbing the bruise vanisher on Harry’s bruise ‘I know it’s inconvenient with you starting at Hogwarts today, but if you just wear the strapping it’ll effect the way you play quidditch’

‘That’s what got me into theis mess in the first place’ Harry said dryly as the pain from the bruise vanished ‘Ah I feel grating’

That’s your collarbone’ Eddie said screwing the cap back on the bruise vanisher ‘I suspect you broke your collarbone in that crash at the a quidditch but it was just a small almost insignificant stress fracture and it made it worse from that bump you copped during the floo ride. You haven’t felt it because you’ve been on strong pain relief since’

‘Oh just lovely’ Harry said sarcastically.

‘Yup Adrian!’

A healer no older than Harry poked his head around a door at the end of the room.

‘Yes?’ He said.

‘Can you bring me a dose through of Bone Knitting draught? Fifty mil ought to do it’

‘Right away’

‘I still have to wear strapping and a sling even after taking the Knitting Draught?’ Harry said making a face as Eddie commenced re-strapping Harry’s shoulder.

‘Unfortunately yes, sorry mate’ Eddie said ‘You still have some residual damage from the quidditch accident. Mainly muscular but it’s the bone I’m concerned about muscles are easier to deal with ‘But you can take the sling off to sleep and to shower’

‘Oh great that’s some consolation’ Harry said dryly ‘How long for?’

‘Three weeks at least’

‘Three weeks?’ Harry yelped ‘Training resumes then then the season starts in four. I’m not going to have any chance to get into condition for the major round’

‘I’m really sorry Harry but if you don’t leave it on for that long I’m not going to authorize you to play’ Eddie said ‘If you re-injure yourself again it could be a permanent injury’

‘Fuck’

‘You quidditch players are all the same you know’ Eddie said with a grin as Adrian came into the room carrying a small bottle of lilac coloured potion ‘I treated on player once who said he’d have to be comatoase before he stopped paying quidditch and damn the consequences’

‘I’m not that bad’ Harry said ‘I mean I’ve had broken bones before and this feels nothing like that’

‘Each injuries different’ Eddie said taking the draught from Adrian ‘Thanks Ade, the fact you have kept on the strapping has helped your case the fractured bones have been kept in place and have started to heal. Your collarbone isn’t snapped in two but it’s not far off’

‘You’re depressing me’

Eddie laughed.
You’ll be alright’ He said giving Harry the Bone Knitting Potion ‘Here take this’

Harry uncorked the bottle and steeled himself for another foul tasting potion but he was surprised to see it tasted like bananas. He drained the bottle and set it down on the table just as a curious feeling of tapping ran up and down his collarbone.

‘That tastes better than the Anti-Concussion Draught’ He said.

‘It wouldn’t without the banana extract’ Eddie said with a chuckle. ‘Do you feel it working?’

‘Yeah and it’s he most peculiar feeling’

‘It feels even more peculiar on a broken leg‘ Eddie said going to another cupboard and retrieving a sling ‘I broke my leg when I fell off the roof of my shed about six months ago and I had to drink half a litre of that stuff and I had twitchy legs for two weeks’

‘So now the sling?’

‘Yup this’ll make you feel even better’

‘I hope so’

Eddie fitted the sling adjusting it to prevent chafing and to make Harry comfortable with several taps from his wand.

‘How’s that feel?’ He said standing back and casting an eye over the sling that almost strapped Harry’s arm to his chest’

‘Better’ Harry said ‘I still have a throbbing pain in my shoulder though, can I take some pain relief?’

‘Sure I’ll send you to the hospital apothecary with a script with a special course. I want you to take one containing a mild sedative at nighttime to allow for more rest. And during the day don’t only take a mild one like Ginny would make for you at home. Try to take it so you still have some feeling because if you feel pain you’ll limit your movement and that’ll help your muscles and bone knit. One to repair the muscles and two to repair the bone’

‘Sure I can manage that, you said I can take the sling off to shower and sleep but what about the other ‘S’?’

‘The other ‘S’?’

‘Shag!’

Eddie grinned.
‘Yeah you can take it off for that’ He said ‘But try not to shag in a position that’ll stress your shoulder okay?’

‘I can be creative’

‘Ha ha’

Harry re-dressed and Eddie went to his desk where he proceeded to write out a script for Harry’s painkillers.

‘Couldn’t Ginny brew these potions at home?’ Harry asked looking at the script.

‘No you have to have to be a fully qualified Potions Healer to brew this particular Potion’ Eddie said ‘Even I couldn’t brew it. You have to be very careful when combining an analgesic and sedative. Too high a dose and you can kill yourself’

‘Ah I see, so do I have to some back for a follow up?’

‘Yes now I know with you starting at Hogwarts your time is restricted so when would be the best time for you?’

‘Well lessons finish at quarter past three and dinner starts at six so anytime in between or on the weekends would be good’ Harry said.

‘Okay then how about next Monday about four thirty?’

‘That’ll do me, now how about apparating?’

‘No no apparating in the meantime. You can floo but I would cast quite a good cushioning charm before you step into a grate or go on the Knight Bus’

‘Okay then that's it?’

‘Until next week anyway if you have any problems come back I’ll alert the department reception you are to be allowed straight through’

‘Well thanks very much’ Harry said shaking Eddies hand ‘See you next week’

‘Bye Harry’

Harry left the examination office and made his way up to the fifth floor where the hospital’s wizarding equivalent of a Pharmacy was. He waited in line then slid his script across the counter.

‘I need to get this filled’ He said to the wizard behind the counter.

The man who Harry estimated to be in his mid forties fit a monocle to this right eye and read the script.

‘Ah this is a a simple enough potion to mix up, it’ll be about half an hour yeah?’

‘Okay then I’ll go for a wander in the meantime’

‘Rightio’

Harry left the apothecary then made his way up to the seventh floor of the maternity department. He immediately saw Ginny at the desk looking exhausted her usually carefully styled hair in a mess and her face sweaty from some sort of effort.

‘Hey sweet thing’ He said kissing her sweaty brow.

Ginny lit up.
‘Hey gorgeous’ She said ‘How’d your appointment go?’

‘Well not so great apparently I’ve broken my collarbone and have to wear strapping for the next three weeks’

'You’re kidding? What about quidditch?’

‘I don’t know about that yet I have to wear the sling and strapping til training resumes, after that I’m not sure, but I can’t apparate in any form period until the healer gives me authority and I’ve been told it would be a good idea if I cast a cushioning charm on myself before I floo. Otherwise I have to catch the Knight Bus’

‘I’m not sure taking the Knight Bus would be a smoother ride than the floo’ Ginny said with a grin ‘Hey I’m due for a break how about I clean up and we’ll go to the canteen for a coffee?’

‘Okay then’

Harry found a nearby seat and sat down and amused himself with a ten year old copy of ‘Quidditch Today’ while waiting for Ginny, she arrived back in the waiting area ten minutes later looking refreshed and her hair re-brushed.

‘Let’s go!’ She had brightly taking his hand.

‘So how’s your shift gone so far?’ Harry asked slipping an arm around Ginny’s small waist.

‘It’s been busy as hell’ Ginny said ‘The minute I got here at six AM it’s been rush rush rush, I’ve been rushing between three women in labor all morning. One’s still a fair way off delivering so I can go on my break but the other two have delivered. When you had arrived I’d only just delivered twins straight after a great ten pounder. I’m hoping the rest of my shift is quiet I’m knackered’

‘Got any sore spots I can rub?’ Harry said with a laugh as they got into the lift.

‘Oh ha ha’ Ginny said dryly ‘Do you only ever think about your cock?’

‘No but my cock always thinks about you’ Harry said huskily kissing Ginny on the neck.

‘Oh aren’t you just starving for a shag?’ Ginny said with a grin pressing the button for the fifth floor and returning the kiss.

‘Nah I’m just being corny’ Harry said with a grin ‘So what time do you think you’ll be back home? Your shift ends at two’

‘Not long after that I would think’ Ginny said ‘But ‘If someone goes into labor just before the end of the shift I have to stay so quite possibly until the baby’s born’

‘Fair enough but when you’re finished you can come throught to my quarters with Ted if you like I have to spend the first week of term at the castle and I don’t want to sleep on my own’

‘Aww aren’t you romantic’ Ginny said with a grin ‘I’d like to come through to your quarters at the castle what time do you reckon everything will be finished?’

‘By nine o’clock I would think, the sorting takes forty five minutes then Neville and I will have to hav a brief meeting with the Gryffindor Prefects and the head boy and girl if either of them are in Gryffindor. You can floo through earlier than that if you like and just wait for me’

Sure I can manage that’

Harry and Ginny reached the fifth floor and made theor way over to the canteen. They each got a coffee and a snack then made their way to the back of the canteen where they were afforded some degree of privacy.

‘So how are you getting to Rochester to pick up those puppies?’ Ginny asked pouring sugar into her coffee ‘Sirius’s bike?’

‘Nah I’ll take the Knight Bus’ Harry said ‘That’ll be quicker than the bike, Ron and Hermione said this morning at breakfast they’ll mind the pups while I’m at Hogwarts, I’ll come home on the weekend and see how they’re going’

‘You know Ted wants to call the one we’re keeping Jellybean?’ Ginny said with a grin ‘Cute eh?’

‘Yeah? He told me Peppermint Toad’ Harry said ‘He’s got a thing for Honeydukes products that kid’

That’s because Ron always has a bag of Ice Mice or Toothflossing Stringmints handy’ Ginny said with a chuckle ‘His blood sugar levels must be sky high’

‘Hmm how are your vows writing going?’ Harry asked ‘I’ve had loads of ideas since Hermione helped me’

‘Yeah things are going fine for me too’ Ginny said ‘I’m having lunch with Mum at the Burrow tomorrow and we’re going to sit down and go through all these books and notes she’s got to refine what I’ve written so far. Then I’ll put it all together to when it comes to the rehersal everything’ll make sense and sound romantic’

‘You could recite the mating rituals of Hippogriffs and to me it would sound romantic’ Harry said with a grin.

Ginny rolled her eyes.
‘Oh it would not’ She said ‘Gawd you’re full of shit and sometimes I can’t believe I’m marrying you’

‘You’re marrying me because I’m a star quidditch player have a vault fit to burst and I have the body of a ripped Greek god’ Harry said with a great snorting laugh.

Ginny laughed.
‘Well one reason is your great but seriously warped sense of humor’ Ginny said ‘And your money is irrelevant you could be so poor you didn’t have two knuts to rub together and I wouldn’t care. We could go about finding Perkins’s old tent that you Ron and Hermione lost during the last battle and live in that. It was quite roomy from what I can remember’

‘You want to leave the Manor and live in a tent?’ Harry said with a raised eyebrow ‘That’s a bit rustic for you isn’t it? And I know Ted likes camping but I think you’d be pushing it with him to live in a tent permanently’

Ginny snorted.
‘I love you Harry but gee you can be a knob sometimes’ She said with a roll of her eyes as Harry laughed at his own joke ‘It’s bad form to laugh at your own jokes’

That just made Harry laugh harder.

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

Harry left St Mungo’s half an hour later and made his way to a nearby side street a common place in Muggle London that Wizarding folk could catch the Knight Bus without detection. He stood on the curb next to an old lamppost and held out his wand. With a deafening bang and a rumble of an engine, the Knight Bus arrived in a rattling scrape of metal. The doors opened and Stan Shunpike appeared on the top step.

‘Good afternoon and welcome to the Knight Bus emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard. My name is Stan Shunpike and I w….’

‘Yeah yeah Stan I’ve heard it all before’ Harry said climbing aboard the bus.

‘Aye Harry! Oy Ern it’s ‘Arry ‘Potter! How are ya ‘Arry?’ Stan rushed enthusiastically his face flushed with excitement ‘You’re the last person I expected to see’

‘Hey Stan I’m fine’ Harry said pulling his money bag out of his pocket ‘How much to Rochester?’

‘Ah noiyne Sickles but for fir’teen you get a sandwich’

‘I’ve eaten’ Harry said putting nine sickles in Stan’s outstretched hand ‘I need to get as close to Reid Street as possible’

‘Right y’are take it away Ern!’

Harry managed to take a seat before with another bang the Knight Bus took off. It dropped off four passengers before the Harry and eventually it came to a very sudden stop in a quiet street in Rochester.

‘Ere we go ‘Arry we’re in Rochester’ Stan said brightly coming up the aisle of the bus ‘Reid street is two blocks away to the left’

‘Thanks Stan I’ll need a ride back to Godric’s Hollow in about forty five minutes’ Harry said getting up out of his seat.

‘Roight y’are ‘Arry just come back here and stick your wand out’ Stan said as Harry disembarked the bus ‘See you then’

‘Sure thing Stan’

Has soon as Harry’s foot left contact with the Knight Bus the doors snapped shut and it disappeared with another snap. Harry pocketed his wand and set off for the short walk to the vet clinic.
He arrived ten minutes later to a packed solid waiting room. He went to the counter and waited for the nurse who was at the clinic to finish typing furiously on the computer.

‘Harry!’ She exclaimed once finished her work her face lighting up in recognition ‘You here to pick up those pups?’

‘Yep can you let Dud know I’m here?’

‘Sure just take a seat if you can find one and he’ll be right out’

‘Okay’

Harry found a spare seat and sat down. He waited about fifteen minutes before Dudley emerged from the examining room looking rushed.

‘Harry?’ He called from the counter ‘Come through’

Harry left his seat and followed Harry through to the back of the clonic where the piercing sounds of yelps and barks were muffled by closed doors.

‘Busy eh?’ Harry said.

‘You’re not kidding’ Dudley said rolling his eyes ‘I’ve been here since seven thirty this morning and I literally haven’t sat down once ‘I’ve administered thirty seven vaccinations and expressed four anal glands since I got here and I have six surgeries scheduled for afternoon surgery I am going home tonight and dying’

Harry snorted.
‘So how are the pups?’ He asked.

‘Oh great’Dudley said ‘The surgery was straightforward and so has the recovery for the skinny one he isn’t dehydrated any more and is eating like a pig. They’ve both put weight on and I anticipate no more problems for either of them. Are you going to keep them both?’

No just the one with the busted leg’ Harry said ‘The other one I’m giving to a friend of mine up in Scotland at this boarding school I’m going to teach at’

‘You’re a teacher?’ Dudley said I surprise.

‘Yeah I can’t say much here but I start tonight’ Harry said.

‘What subject?

They went into a small room and Harry shut the door behind them pulling down the blind on it.

‘It’s called Defence Against The Dark Arts’ He said ‘The magic equivalent of self defence of you will’

‘Erm Harry why the secrecy?’ Dudley asked in confusion.

‘Because I’m not supposed to advertise the fact I’m a wizard’ Harry said as they continued through to another room ‘I can get into trouble for breaking the statute of secrecy’

‘Magic people have a statute of secrecy?’ Dudley exclaimed in surprise.

‘Yeah and it basically means we can’t talk about magic to non magic people unless those non magic people already know about a person being magic’

‘Sounds like you live like an undercover C.I.A agent’

‘It’s not too much different’ Harry said as they went down a row of cages holding all sorts of animals from rabbits to cats and dogs and in one cage an enourmous snake.

Dudley brought Harry to a stop in front of two cages. One held the injured puppy who was up on three legs sporting a fluorescent pink cast and the other pup which was on his hind legs yapping shrilly and scraping at the door to eager be let out.

‘They’ve put on weight’ Harry commented as Dudley opened one cage and retrieved the uninjured puppy which was wearing a stylish metallic blue collar. He put it on the floor and attatched a matching lead.

‘I got a lead and collar for each of the pups’ He said ‘You don’t have to pay me back’

‘Let me’ Harry said taking the lead from Dudley ‘I don’t want to have to owe you anything’

‘You don’t Dudley said unlocking the cage holding the injured pup ‘Now this one has to be kept in a crate or pen for at least six weeks while it’s recouperating, now I know it’s going to be hard to do that because pups are naturally active but try and get it to stay as quiet as possible’

‘Okay what about a check up?’ Harry asked as Dudley put the injured pup in his arms.

‘In about three weeks just to see how things are going’ Dudley said ‘Then another three weeks after that is things are going well the cast can come off’

‘Great, hey thanks Dud what you’ve done means a lot to me’

‘No worries I kind of feel I owe it to you?’

‘Yeah? Howso?’

‘Well I was such a shit to you when we were growing up and to be honest I have to say I’m ashamed of myself because of it’

‘Oh don’t worry about that Dud hell I don’t dwell on it’ Harry said ‘But we do need to chat, I want to know what’s happened to you as well as Vernon and Petunia since I saw you al those years ago I think it’s all about the healing process’

‘Yeah I agree’ Dudley said ‘I got your letter I’ve just been so busy I’ve not had the time to get back to you’

‘I figured that’ Harry said ‘Have you got anything on Friday night? From about six PM onward?’

‘No I haven’t actually I finish early that day and have the weekend off’

‘Well how would you like to come to my place for dinner? You can meet my fiancée and all the people I live with’

You’re getting married?’ Dudley said in surprise.

‘Yeah on October sixteenth I proposed on my birthday and it’s been mad planning since’

‘Well congratulations’

‘Thanks so would you like to come for dinner?’ Harry asked.

‘Yeah I would’

‘I’ll leave instruction on how to get to my place at the front desk’ Harry said as they made their way back through the clinic ‘It’s hidden magically so you as a non magical person can’t see it so I have to do a few things so you can get in’

‘No worries I’ll see you Friday at six o’clock then?’

‘Look forward to it’

Harry way to the front desk where he paid the bill and made an appointment for three weeks time. He then left a slip of paper with directions to the manor for Dudley and left the clinic with the two puppies in tow.

Harry made his way back to where the Knight Bus dropped him off. He looked around furtively then held out his wand. The Knight Bus appeared almost instantly scaring the daylights out of the puppy on the lead and causing it to yelp in alarm. Harry picked it up and waited for the doors to open.

‘Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergency transport for the staranded wit…’

‘Yeah yeah Stan heard it all before’ Harry said impatiently boarding the bus a puppy under each arm ‘Straight to Godric’s Hollow’

'Just five Sickles then ‘Arry’

Harry paid Stan his fare then sat down. No sooner had he gotten comfortable then the huge vehicle came to a stop.

‘Godric’s ‘Ollow ‘Arry’ Stan said ‘Have a good time at ‘Ogwarts eh?’

‘Thanks Stan’ Harry said ‘Catch you round’

‘Bye then….Take ‘er away Ern!’

With a metallic crunch the doors shut then with a bang the bus disappeard. Harry then with difficulty took out his wand and muttered the spells that would allow him acess to the Manor. He crossed over the boundaries, re-warded the grounds then set off down the long drive to the Manor. The ininjured puppy skipping along at the end of it’s lead sniffing at everything it could stick it’s nose into and occasionally cocking his leg on a bush.

‘You bladder is the size of a peanut mate’ Harry said to the puppy as it cocked it’s leg for the fifth time, this time on a statue of an owl Hermione had bought to decorate the front yard ‘Hermione won’t like you pissing on her owl’

The puppy bounded ahead along the path eager to continue exploring it’s new surrounds. Harry took the two pups up the steps of the front porch and flicked his wand at the door so it opened on it’s own.

‘Drom, Ted you home?’ He called ‘Hellooooooo?’

‘In the loungeroom Harry!’ Came Andromeda’s voice.

Harry entered the loungeroom to see Teddy watching one of the DVD’s Hermione had bought him and Andromeda sitting in one of the squishy lounge chairs knitting what appeared a Teddy sized jumper.

‘Hey Ted look what I’ve got’ Harry said.

Teddy paused the movie with magic and turned around. His little face lit up when he saw the puppies.

‘PUPPIES!’ He squealed.

‘Ted not so loud!’ Andromeda admonished laying down her knitting.

‘Which one’s our’s Hawwy?’ Teddy asked as the puppy on the lead bounded up to him and began licking his face furiously.

‘The one with the pink leg’ Harry said setting the puppy with the cast down on the floor ‘But before you can play with them I have to set up the pen for them Okay?’

‘Yup’

Harry dragged the puppy pen he’d bought for the puppies earlier in the week to thr front of the room where the cold fireplace was and laid it out in pieces. He then pointed his wand at it and muttered ‘Erecto!’

With a clink of metal the pen contructed itself. It was about five feet long and three feet wide. Harry then summoned a two blankets and two pillows from upstairs he put them in the pen and stood back to admire his handiwork.

‘What do you reckon?’ He said to Teddy ‘If you were a puppy would you like to sleep in that?’

‘Uh huh’ Teddy said ‘Are the puppies going to have to stay in there all the time?’

‘No just at night’ Harry said ‘Now have you thought about a name for out pup? You wanted to give it a sweets name for it didn’t you?’

‘Yeah I like Jellybean’ Teddy said as the puppy with the cast hobbled over to him and began sniffing him furiously ‘Ha ha she thinks I smell funny!’

‘She likes you’ Andromeda said setting down her knitting and patting the puppy on the lead as it bounded over to her.

‘So shall we call her Jellybean?’ Harry said to Teddy ‘You don’t think Peppermint Toad or Fizzing Whizzbee would suit her better?’

‘Nawwwwww Jellybean!’ Tedy exclaimed as the puppy stepped into Teddy’s lap and settled down ‘She likes Jellybean!’

‘Okay Jellybean it is’ Harry said joining Teddy on the floor ‘You know it’s going to be part of your responsibility to feed Jellybean don’t you? She has to be fed four times a day’

‘Really? That’s more times than I eat!’

‘I know but Jellybean is only a baby she needs lots of food to grow’

‘Wow’ Teddy said in awe.

‘What about this one?’ Andromeda said to Harry rubbing the belly of the other puppy.

‘I plan on giving it to Hagrid’ Harry said ‘I’m going to talk to him over the next few days and see how he feels about taking on another dog. Then when he says yes, as I’m sure he will I’ll take it to Hogwarts with me and give it to him, when I saw him at the castle a few weeks ago he did seem lost witout a four-legged friend. And I know he would look after it well. I figured if he’s going to be Hagrid’s dog it ought to be up to him to name it’

‘That’s fair enough’

‘Hey Tedmeister I have some news’ Harry said to Teddy a few minutes later.

‘Yeah what’s that?’

‘I have to spend this week at Hogwarts and Professor McGonagall said to me you and Ginny can come and stay as whenever you like. Would you like to come to the castle tonight after I’m finished at the welcoming feast?’ That should be about nine o’clock. You can floo to my quarters with Ginny’

Teddy lit up like a Christmas tree.

‘Oh wow really? He said ‘Really truly?’

‘Uh huh you even have your own room to sleep in’

‘I do?’

‘Yup, and you can even have breakfast at the castle if you wake up in time but you’ll have to come back here in the morning so Nanna can mind you while Ginny goes to work’

‘But could I come back after?’

‘Of course every night when I have to be at the castle if you like’

‘Oh wooow’ Teddy said looking like all his Christmases had come at once.

‘So would you like to come and stay at Hogwarts?’

‘Uh huh and can I see Professor McGonagall?’

‘Sure I’ll introduce you to all the teachers and we can visit Uncle Hagrid too’

‘You’ve made his day’ Andromeda said with a laugh as Teddy clapped excitedly ‘Nothing you tell him from now on will be as exciting’

‘Hmmm I’m ever so greatful to Minerva for allowing me to have Ginny and Teddy stay with me at Hogwarts. It’ll make settling in easier for me’ Harry said ‘I know it sounds corny but both of them are my life and it’d be hard to be apart from them’

Andromeda grinned.
‘Oh Harry I know how you feel’ She said ‘It’s so nice to see you and Ginny so in love. It reminds me of when Ted and I were courting’

‘Courting?’ Harry said with a snort.

‘Yes courting’ Andromeda said blushing furiously ‘That’s what it was called when two young people dated way back when dinosaurs still roamed the earth. Ted’s mother said the very same thing to me’

‘Thanks ‘Drom it fels great to be young and in love’ Harry said ‘How’s things going with you and Ed Wilkinson?’

‘Yeah things are going well’ Andromeda said ‘We’re going to Paris the weekend after next’

‘Oooh a weekend away’ Harry teased ‘To ze city of leeeerve ‘ow romanteeeeek!’

‘Oh sod off you daft nong’ Andromeda said blushing furiously.

‘He’ll be asking you to marry him next’ Harry said with a grin teasing Andromeda further.

‘Oh don’t say that’ Andromeda said dryly.

‘How long have you two been dating anyway?’ Harry asked ‘I mean Gin, Hermione Ron ad I only found out you two were an iten a month ago’

‘On and off for two years’ Andromeda said ‘Certainly on for the last eighteen months’

‘You’ve been dating that long?’ Harry exclaimed in surprise as with a flick from his hand Teddy re-started the movie ‘Hell you’re good at hiding that’

‘Well I wasn’t sure I was ready to tell everyonje Harry you have to understand that’ Andromeda said ‘I’ve dealt with a lot since the final battle and I wasn’t ready to parade the details of my love life’

‘I can uderstand that ‘Drom I really can’ Harry said ‘I am really happy for you that you’ve managed to find someone. It can’t have been easy opening your heart to someone else’

‘Thanks Harry’

‘Incidentally would you say yes if Ed asked you to marry him?’ Harry asked.

There was a long pause while Andromeda pondered Harry’s question.

‘Yes’ She said eventually 'I would say yes. Ed had made me feel like my old self again. As in before the last battle. He’s helped me deal with losing Nymphadora and Ted and I haven’t been this happy in a long time’

‘Well I wish you the best of luck’ Harry said as the puppy he intended giving to Hagrid bounded over to him ‘And I know Gin, Ron and ‘Mione would too’

‘Thanks Harry’

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

At four thirty Harry stood beside the kitchen fireplace with his old schook trunk he had shrunk to the size of a brief suitcase dressed In in his Hogwarts teacher’s robes. He had just cast a cushioning charm on himself and was now standing in the the grate floo powder in hand.

‘Good luck Harry have a good first week’ Andromeda said.

‘Thanks ‘Drom, see you later tonight Ted okay?’

‘Right Hawwy!’

Harry threw down the floo powder and called….

‘Hogwarts!’

Due to the cushioning charm on his body Harry felt like he was traveling through a tunnel lined with pillows and for the first time after a floo ride had ended he wished he could’ve continued it. Harry stepped out of the grate and into this quarters. He took his trunk into his bedroom and re-sized it. He then quickly unpacked it then left his quarters and set off toward to the staff room. He arrived right on five o’clock to a staff room that only had Draco in it.

‘Hi’ Harry said hanging up his cloak ‘Where is everyone?’

‘All over the castle’ Draco said ‘Minerva is in her office, John is still is on his way. Apparently his house in Somerset was finished quicker than her though it would and he’s been moving in with the family all weekend. Neville’s down in the green houses making last minute adjustments for the start of term tomorrow. Horace is busy brewing something in the dungeons. Flitwick, Jax, Mignon, Hooch and Margaret are in the great Hall setting up things for the feast Hagrid is down at his hut Binns is off doing whatever Binns does and we’re here. You up for a game of chess?’

‘Yeah okay’

Harry and Draco began a game of chess and played in silence for a good twenty minutes before Harry spoke.

‘You still single?’ He said suddenly.

‘What? Yeah why?’

‘So you didn’t hook up any girls from Neville and Hannah’s wedding then’

‘Nah nothing came of it’ Draco said moving a bishop ‘Why do you ask?’

‘Oh no reason’

‘Oh come off it Potter since when have you given a shit about my love life?’ Draco said in a suspicious tone ‘What are you up to?’

Harry grinned as he moved a piece across the board.
‘Who said I’m up to anything’ He said his grin becoming wider.

‘I’m not stupid you’re up to something. If you were any more obvious you’d be scary’

Harry snorted.
‘Well I met someone who attended Oliver Wood and Alicia Spinnett’s wedding over the weekend and they’re interested in meeting you’

‘Really?’ Draco said his interest piqued ‘It is a woman isn’t it?’

Harry laughed.
‘Yeah it’s a woman’ He said ‘You don’t honestly think I’d set you up with a bloke do you?’

‘No not really who is this girl?’

‘Ahhhh I don’t think I’ll tell you that’ Harry said ‘Just yet anyway’

‘Well then can you tell me more about this person? Like what she does for a living her family wether she went to Hogwarts or not’

‘Yeah she went to Hogwarts and she works in the Quidditch industry’ Harry said studying the chessboard on front of him ’I don’t know anything about her family apart from the fact she has at least one sister. And she’s older than you’

‘How much older?’ Draco said in a cynical tone, ‘I mean this woman hasn’t gone through menopause has she?’

Harry laughed loudly.
‘As far as I know this woman hasn’t gone through menopause’ He said ‘She’s a bit young for that, nah she’s only a year older than you’

‘Oh lovely nice and ripe’ Draco said dryly.

Harry snorted.
‘You don’t believe me, do you?’ He said with a grin ‘Trust me’

‘No offence Harry but I’ve had so many people try to set me up with other women since Astoria Greengrass and I broke up I’ve lost count. One of my superiors at the Ministry set me up with his daughter because he didn’t like the fact she was gay. Of course I didn’t find that out til we went out’

Harry snorted so hard he hurt his sinuses.
‘You’re kidding? He exclaimed in amazement ‘Really?’

‘Yeah and it was quite possibly the most embarrassing thing I have ever experienced’ Draco said his pale features colouring slightly ‘I went to work the next day and had a go at the girl’s father, it was humiliating. So it’s nothing against you personally but I’m a bit wary about people setting me up with mystery women’

‘I would be after going through an experience like that’ Harry said but trust me ‘This girl I know is a really nice, kind hearted person with a wicked sense of humour. And she has legs right up to her armpits’

‘So she’s a bit of alright then’ Draco said frowning slightly as he contemplated his next move.

‘Mate she’s a fox’

‘Don’t let Ginny hear you say that’

‘She wouldn’t mind if I said that anyway. Gin knows my heart belongs to her. Have you got anything on on Saturday night?’

‘No’

‘Keep it free and get out your best dress robes’

‘What are you organizing that would require me to wear my best robes?’

‘Nothing fully formed, but it will be black tie. Just keep Saturday night free. I’ll let you know more details when I’ve organized things a bit more’

‘Okay then’

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

At quarter to six all the teachers filed into the room led by McGonagall.

‘Alright teachers the Hogwarts Express has arrived and the students will soon come into the great Hall it is now time for us all to take out place at the high table. Please follow me’

‘Here goes nothing’ Neville said under his breath so only Harry heard him.

‘You’ll be fine Neville chin up old son’ Harry said with a grin.

‘Old son? Old son?’ Geez Harry you sound like my late Uncle Angie he called every bloke in my family old son’ Neville said.

‘You’ll be okay we’ve just got to get through the sorting and not doze off and we’ll be fine. You know your stuff Neville you’ll kick botannical arse’

The teachers reached the Great Hall minutes later and took their seats. Hagrid taking up the most space had the seat at the end of the high table to the right of McGonagall’s chair Next was John, next to him was Draco then Neville and next to McGongall was Harry. On the other side from the far end was Sinistra, Vector, Hooch, Slughorn and Jax Freegard the new Ancient Runes professor.

No sooner had the teachers taken their seats. Then the Great Hall doors opened and the students poured in. They took a while to distribute to their respective house tables. Harry noticed that several students craned their heads to have a look at him so he busied himself talking to Neville and Draco. Ten minutes later the first years to be sorted entered the great Hall with Professor Flitwick. Hagrid came in a side door and took his place at the High Table having come in from excorting the first years across the lake. As usual, the fist Sorting Hart rested upon the stoll that twelve years previously Harry had sat on to be sorted into Gryffindor.

Flitwick climed the steps to a small platform next to the stool, holding a long scroll of parchment aloft.

‘When I call your name’ He squeaked ‘You will sit upon the stool and place the Sorting Hat upon your head then you will sit at the table belonging to the house to which you are sorted. This year also we are playing host to a student who comes to us from the Salem Institute of Magic and who is about to commence her third year of magical tuition. She will be sorted last’

Harry saw the girl who clearly was John’s daughter Mystic scowl heavily and try to make her presence inconspicuous. He suppressed a giggle and turned his attention back to the sorting process.

‘Ten Galleons the first one is a Slytherin’ Draco said in an undertone as Flitwick called forward ‘Adams, William’

‘Nope he looks like a Ravenclaw’ Harry said as a tall stocky boy took his place upon the stool and allowing Flitwick to put the Sorting Hat on his head ‘But you’re on’

There was a long silence before the Sorting Hat took a deep breath ad declared…

‘RAVENCLAW

‘Dammit’ Draco cussed.

‘Appelton, Nicole’ became the first Gryffindor and Harry applauded her but after that as usual the sorting quickly became boring.

‘Gawd and I thought the sorting was boring when we were students’ Draco muttered under his breath as ‘Ewing, Trisha’ was sorted into Hufflepuff ‘We can’t even doze off here Minerva would skin us alive’

Neville sniggered.

Harry was struggling to keep his eyes open as the Sorting continues but he was shaken from his stupour as quickly as if someone had poked him with a sharp implement when Flitwick called ‘Springs, Orion’

A skinny boy with spiky black hair wearing brand new Hogwarts robes climbed the stairs to the stool and slid onto the stool. Flitwick placed the hat upon his head(Which slid dwn over his eyes) then stepped back.

‘Ah our friend from America’ The hat said in a thoughtful voice ‘I have been expecting you. Now what house to out you in? Hmmmm no not Slytherin..’

‘Dammit’ Draco muttered.

‘Hmmm Hufflepuff could be a possibility, but then so does Ravenclaw, I see a lot of Gryffindor in you, brave, loyal and a little bookish..Hmmm’

‘If that thing had a neck I’d strangle it’ Neville groaned.

After a full minute of umming and ahhhh-ing the Hat drew in its breath and shouted to the hall:

‘GRYFFINDOR!

Orion pumped his fist and hissed ‘Yesssss’ as Flitwick pulled the hat off his head and allowed him to slide off the chair and skip off to the Gryffindor table to the cheers of the other students. All the teachers applauded Orion but John clapped a little louder.

Harry managed to keep awake for the final seven students to be sorted then sat up straighter in his seat as the time to sort Mystic John’s daughter.

‘And now we sort our older student’ Flitwick announced ‘Springs, Mystic!’

The atmosphere in the hall tensed noticeably as Mystic two waist length pigtail plaits swinging as she walked made her way up to the stool. Flitwick placed the Sorting Hat upon her head and waited.

‘Ah a complicated one’ The Sorting Hat said ‘A brave fierce defender of friends and what is right, not very bookish and a practical joker….I know just the house for you. You belong in….’

‘GRYFFINDOR!’

The cheers from the Gryffindor table was deafening as Mystic slid off the stool and made her way to the Gryffindor table. Flitwick folded up the hat and disappeared out the side door. McGonagall left her seat and took her place behind the owl lectern in front of the High Table.

‘Welcome welcome to another year at Hogwarts!’ She greeted the students ‘Just the usual start of term announcements, first years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden to all pupils. No exceptions no correspondence will be entered into. I have also been asked by Mr Filch, the caretaker, to remind you that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch trials will be held in the second week of term. Anyone interested in playing for their house teams should contact Madam Hooch’

Hooch inclined her head toward McGonagall.

‘One more thing I have to announce before I allow to to partake in the magnificent feast are the new teaching appointments. If I could all ask you for your patience as I introduce you to the peole who will be teaching you this year’

‘Whoo hoo’ cheered two audible voices from the Gryffindor table.

A rumbling laugh swept through the Great Hall and everyone on the High Table snorted.

‘Yes Misters Hornby it is that exciting’ McGonagall said dryly ‘The first appointment I would like to announce is that of Ancient Runes. The person filling this role has had many years experience in the feild both in the public and private sectors and I’m sure will bring a fresh and well rounded perspective to the subject. Please Welcome Jax Freegard! Welcome Professor!’

‘Whoo hoo’ Draco muttered as Jax stood up an acknowledged the applause she was receiving.

Harry and Neville sniggered.

‘Now many of you wouldn’t be aware of this but throughout magic schools all over the world operates a teacher exchange program. Since it’s inception Hogwarts has not participated in this scheme but this year I am please to say that situation has changed. This year we have found a teacher to fill the post of Muggle Studies that is participating in that scheme. Please welcome all the way from the Salem Institute of Magic in America John Springs! Welcome Professor!’

John gave a shallow bow to the students and Harry heard Orion say proudly ‘That’s my Dad!’

‘Many of our older students will know te next person I am to introduce because he filled in for me for much of last year. This year he fills the post of Transfiguration professor on a permanent basis. Please welcome Draco Malfoy!’

There was polite applause as Draco got to his feet and inclined his head to the gathered students. Harry had to exercise all his self control not to clap wildly and cheer like a quidditch fan. Something he knew would embarrass Draco greatly.

‘Aren’t you Mr Popular?’ Harry said as the applause died away and Draco resumed his seat.

‘No as popular as you’ Draco said ‘I reckon you’ll get a standing ovation’

‘Oh fuck off’

‘Language’

McGonagall stepped up to the lectern again and drew in a breath.
‘The next person I’m about to introduce would be a name every one of you here would be aware of. Along with his predecessor, Pomona Sprout was an integral part of the final battle. To fill the post of Herbology Professor and second in command of Gryffindor House Neville Longbottom!’

Harry’s ears rang as Neville got the loudest cheer yet. His friends’s round face went as red as the setting sun as he got to his feet and acknowledged the student’s cheers. Trying to be as inconspicuous as possible Harry pursed his lips and let fly with a loud whistle’

‘Oh shut up Harry’ Neville hissed resuming his seat ‘If we weren’t here I would hex you to dust’

Harry laughed.
‘Nah you wouldn’t’ He said as the atmosphere in the Great Hall tautened in anticipation of Harry’s introduction ‘You’d hug me’

Draco and John let out great snorting laughs.

There was a short pause before McGonagall stepped up to the lectern again.

‘Now the next person I‘m going to introduce you too you would definitely know, this person brought to an end the darkest era ever known in our world. He’s one of four people to be the youngest ever bestowed with the Order of Merlin First Class for his efforts during the last battle and because of that I believe he is the best person anywhere to fill his post. This year he has also graciously agreed to step up to be head of Gryffindor House and to fill the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts. Please welcome Harry Potter!’

Harry got up to receive the loudest cheer yet. Every student got to their feet and clapped so loud the stars on the enchanted ceiling themselves seemed to quiver. The teachers also got to their feet and applauded loudly (Draco and Neville even whistled).

Harry’s reception went on for a solid five minutes before McGonagall quietened things down with a few loud bangs from the end of her wand.

‘One more thing before we finish’ She said ‘This year our Head Boy and Girl are Louise Allen and Michael Erens both of Gryffindor House. Should you need any help or directions please seek them out....alright then without further ado let the feast begin!’

There was another loud cheer as food magically appeared on the platters and the start of feast began.

‘See Harry? I told you you would get a standing ovation’ Draco said with a grin piling roast chicken onto his plate’

‘Did you pay them all?’ Harry said in a cynical tone pulling a marinated peppered pork chop onto his plate.

Neville laughed.

‘Don’t be ridiculous, I owled them instead and promised to give them top marks in their studies instead’ Draco said in such a casual manner he may as well have been discussing the weather.

Neville snorted and inhaled pumpkin juice up his nose.

The start of term feast as usual went for a good solid hour and a half. Then right on eight thirty when the last of the desserts disappeared McGonagall dismissed the students to their houses.

‘Harry, Neville a word!’ She said.

Neville and Harry joined McGonagall at the end of the High Table,

‘If you could make your way to Gyffindor Tower and have a quick word with the Head Boy and Girl maybe have a quick informal chat, introduce yourselves to them, that sort of thing. Saves doing it in the morning’

‘Okay’ Neville said amiably ‘See you at breakfast Minerva’

‘Yeah evening Minerva’ Harry said.

Harry and Neville left the Great Hall and made their way through the castle til they came to Gryffindor Tower. They uttered the password (Cupcakes) and entered. The younger students had gone to bed and all that remained were Louise Allen and Michael Erens the Head Boy ad Girl and six other students that Harry figured were the prefects.

‘Evening peoples I won’t keep you long’ Harry said conjuring a chair out of thin air and sitting down in front of the students ‘Professor Longbottom and I only want to have a meet ad greet, Louise is it?’

‘Yes sir’ Said the girl with the ‘Head Girl’ Badge on her cloak collar.

‘If you could please introduce everyone starting from the fifth year prefects’

‘Yes sir well this is Ian Pelling and Samantha Cosworth their our fifth year prefects, Ian is a beater on the Gryffindor quidditch team

‘Evening Sirs’ They chorused (Ian looked awed at being able to actually speak to Harry.

‘Ah a quidditch player I can tell we’re going to have loads of good conversation’ Harry said shaking each of the fifth year’s hands.

‘This is Polly McLean and Clinton Allen our sixth year prefects’ Louise went on ‘Polly is one of Gryffindor Chasers Clinton is the other Beater my dear brother and our resident Herbology nerd’

‘Oy lay off’ Clinton exclaimed with a scowl ‘I am so going to hex you for that’

Harry and Neville snorted.
‘There’s nothing wrong with being a Herbology nerd’ Neville said ‘I was one once’

‘You still are’ Harry said with a laugh.

Neville just rolled his eyes and the students laughed.

‘And these are our seventh year prefects’ Louise said indicating to a boy and girl standing next to her ‘Maggie Robinson and Saxon Rawiller, Maggie is also Gryffindor Chaser and Sax is our Keeper’

‘Great I’m meeting the Gryffindor Quidditch team as well kill two birds with one stone’ Harry said enthusiastically.

‘And of course I’m Louise Allen I’m the third Gryffindor chaser and Head Girl of course and this is Michael Erens head boy and our seeker captain’

‘So you’re literally the Gryffindor quidditch team?’ Neville said with a raised eyebrow as Harry laughed at the situation.

‘Yessir’ Michael Erens said ‘I’ve been on the Gryffindor quidditch team since my second year’

‘Ah that would’ve been an interesting year’ Harry said thoughtfully ‘That year ending with the battle’

‘Yeah you could say that’ Michael said with a nervous laugh.

‘So what do you all want to do while you’re at school and afterward?’ Harry asked ‘What sort of interests do you have? ’

‘I want to play professional quidditch when I finish here’ Saxon said enthusiastically.

‘Yeah for what team?’

‘Well I support the Tutshill Tornados but I’d try out for any team that holds tryouts’ Saxon said ‘I’d play for any team that gives me a go’

‘Well good luck to you’

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

Harry and Neville spent another half an hour speaking with the prefects and Head Boy and Girl then left Gryffindor Tower to retire to their own quarters.

‘Well it’s nose to the grindstone from tomorrow eh?’ Neville said with a grin ‘We have to be responsible as of breakfast’

‘Damn’ Harry said with a laugh as they came to a stop outside the Defence Against The Dark Arts classroom ‘See you tomorrow at breakfast okay?’

‘Yeah night Harry’

Harry bade Neville goodnight then entered his classroom. He walked down to the front then made his way up the stairs. He entered his quarters to smell Ginny’s vanilla scent and her voice coming from the spare room talking to Teddy.

‘Harry is that you?’ Ginny called.

‘No it’s Hogwarts latest ghost the Bogey man....boo!’ Harry called taking off his cloak and throwing it over the back of the lounge.

Harry made his way to spare room where Teddy was tucked up in bed and Ginny had obviously been reading to him as a copy of ‘Tales of Beedle The Bard’ was laying on the sideboard.

‘Hello you two’ He said kissing Ginny on the lips and leaning down to hug Teddy ‘Been waiting long?’

‘About half an hour’ Ginny said ‘This one is just about asleep!’

‘Am not!’ Teddy exclaimed but then immediately yawning.

‘Okay mate I think it’s time for lights out’ Harry said sitting on the edge of the bed ‘I’ll be back in my quarters earlier tomorrow night so we’ll have more time together okay?’

‘Awww okay’ Teddy said sliding down the sheets and pulling the duvet around him.

‘I’ll read you a story tomorrow night’ Ginny said ‘Which one would you like?

‘Babbitty Rabbitty!’ Teddy exclaimed.

‘Okay then tomorrow I’ll read you that night mischeif’

‘Night Ginny’

Harry tucked Teddy in ruffled his hair then left the room with Ginny.

‘So how was the feast?’ Ginny asked.

Harry removed his robes and threw it on the back of the lounge to join his cloak.

‘Oh the feast itself was fine but from the start of the sorting to the end of announcements was just over an hour’ Harry said ‘Minerva announced all the new teaching appointments and damn her left me to last. I got a standing ovation. Draco and Neville damn them too actually cheered and whistled and led it all on!’

Ginny snorted in laughter.

‘What are you laughing at?’ Harry said in mock anger picking up his robes and cloak and hanging them on a hat stand by the door of his quarters.

‘Oh Harry your face must’ve been fit to fry an egg on!’ Ginny giggled ‘Aw sorry I don’t mean to embarrass you but the mental picture you paint is funny'

‘I suppose it must’ve been John, Neville, Draco and Hagrid had a good giggle’ Harry said heading back to the main bedroom un-doing his vest and unbuttoning his shirt as he went ‘Did you finish your shift on time?

‘No I didn’t finish til five. I flooed home had dinner and watched a movie with Ted, Ron and Hermione then flooed here’

‘Hmmm Neville said he’d stay here as Gryffindor head this weekend so I have my weekend free are you working Saturday night?’

‘No I have the weekend off’

‘Great well get your best dress robes out’

‘What for?’

‘I fancy organizing a black tie dinner to set Draco up with Katie. I dropped a few hints to him earlier today and he’s definitely interested. I’m going to owl Katie tomorrow and see if she has Saturday free if she has I reckon a black tie dinner would be just the thing. You me Ron ‘Mione and Draco and Katie’

‘Well when I get back to the manor tomorrow I’ll talk to Ron and ‘Mione and see if they’re interested, I never picked you as a matchmaker Harry Potter’

Harry laughed.
‘If things go like I think they will they’ll be shagging the shit out of each other by Christmas’ He said sitting on the edge of the bed and kicking off his shoes and socks.

‘You think so?’ Ginny said skeptically joining him on the bed ‘I mean of all the people I can imagine being together Draco and Katie aren’t the first couple I’d think of’

‘Yeah I know but you never know they might each have some endearing quality that’s an absoloute turn on and they mughtn’t be able to keep their hands off each other. It does happen you know. Ron and ‘Mione are totally different and they are one of the most in love couples I’ve ever come across. Look at them at Oliver and Alicia’s wedding on the weekend they were snogging each other every second on the dance floor, during the meal and even during Brad’s best man speech. And they disappeared half a dozen times during the reception I bet you the contents of my vault they were shagging the shit out of each other’

‘Yeah I suppose you’re right’ Ginny said ‘Speaking of shagging the shit out of one another....’

*******************************************************************
A/N: There you go peoples the latest chapter that is the epic 'The Wedding'. The next chapter tells the beginning of Harry's teaching and a couple of students that resemble a certain pair of red headed brothers....I hope you enjoy this latest installment and I hope you will leave a chapter if gratuitous praise....LOL. If you have any comments, questions or feedback please email me via the details in my profile.

Thankis for reading!