The Headmaster's Office

The Headmaster's Office.

Chapter 1: "And A Garden Gnome in a Pear Tree"

-----Flashback

"I don't know what to do anymore."

"What are you on about, mate?"

Harry sighed, looking up at his best friend. "I feel like a terrible husband."

Ron laughed, giving Harry a disbelieving look. "What do you mean? You and Ginny are great. I don't see what's got you bothered."

Harry stood up, running a hand through his hair, as began pacing the room. "I know it seems that way but sometimes I just don't know." Ron gave him an inquisitive look. "She's just been acting really distant lately. We'll be home for hours at a time and just don't talk." Ron frowned. "I mean, I try to say something, but it's like talking to a wall. I don't know what to do."

"Harry, c'mon mate, Hermione and I do that all the time," Ron said, trying to sound reassuring.
Harry paused in his walking. "That's because Hermione's got her nose in her books, grading papers, or changing diapers." Ron rolled his eyes. "I'm talking about me getting home and us just doing nothing. Sure, we'll take care of James and Albus, but it's not the same anymore."

Ron was looking at him concerned. "Have you tried talking to Gin?"

Harry threw up his hands and resumed his pacing. "That's just it! I can't seem to talk to her!" He threw himself down on the couch. "It's like every time I try to get something out, she finds something else to do! It's like she can't stand me around anymore!"

Ron scowled at him. "Harry, I'm sure you're overreacting. She's probably just tired from taking care of the boys."

"But she doesn't!" Harry half yelled, feeling frustrated. "Mottle takes care of the boys most of the time and when I get home I'm usually the one changing diapers and getting them into bed! I'm worn from Hogwarts all day and barely have a moment to rest with the boys. It's not like we take care of the boys together, it's like we take these weird shifts in our sons lives!"

Ron was frowning deeply at him. "So you're saying my sister's a bad mother?"

Harry ran a hand over his face. If there was one time he needed Ron to not be the big brother, it was now. "No, I'm just saying there's something wrong with us." He paused. "And I don't know how to fix it."
-----------

"Master isn't listening! Master needs to properly finish his breakfast!"

"Mottle, I swear, I'm fine. Please, I just need to get to the Burrow."

"Will Master finish his toast?"

Harry sighed exasperatedly. It seemed that he never got anywhere in arguments these days. It had been Ginny's idea to get a house elf when they had been married, to help with the housework of keeping up Grimmauld Place while the two of them worked. Of course, Mottle hadn't left since and had developed a somewhat Mrs. Weasley attitude since the divorce and Harry often found himself being told to add an extra layer of clothing or finish his supper properly. Like now, where Mottle was refusing to let him go to the Burrow unless he ate more breakfast.

"Mottle, I'm a fully grown man." Mottle blinked her almond shaped eyes at him. "I can take care of myself."

"I is just doing my best to be taking care of Master," Mottle said, holding up Harry's bag and coat. "Mottle worries that Master is getting too thin again. Like when Miss Ginerva had to leave."

Harry gave up, knowing he had lost as soon as Mottle had brought up Ginny. The topic always made Harry give up. Giving Mottle a pointed look, he took his last piece of toast and shoving it in his mouth. The house elf nodded happily, grinning widely, her long ears flapping. "Now may I go to the Burrow?" Mottle held up his coat and his bag.

"Give the Weasleys and kids Mottle's regards," Mottle said, smiling gently as Harry took the items.
He grinned down at the elf kindly. "I will." Throwing on his coat hastily and picking up the heavily packed bag, Harry walked to the front door, opened it and waved a last goodbye to Mottle, before striding out into the crisp December air. As soon as he reached the gate of Number 12, he checked up and down the street, and apparated to the Burrow.

Since his first apparition with Dumbledore all those years ago, he had improved immensely. Though today he didn't do quite as well as usual, seeing as he had apparated right into a rather substantial snow drift. Frowning and shaking his legs to rid them of snow, he strode up the pathway to the Burrow, a few stray snowflakes drifting around him. Grinning at the warm glow through the windows and festive evergreen wreath on the door, Harry knocked. He could hear a jumble of voices inside and immediately recognized Mrs. Weasley's among them.

"Oh goodness gracious!" Harry heard the muffled voice of Mrs. Weasley say from just inside. "That must be Harry! Ron! Get the door would you!"

There was a great deal of thumping and more jumbled voices before the door was suddenly wrenched open to reveal Harry's long time best friend Ron Weasley in all his red haired glory. "What are you doing standing out there for!" Ron yelled, happily grabbing Harry by the shoulder and dragging him inside. "Come in and join the festivities!"

Almost immediately Harry found himself surrounded by people. He had barely had time to put down his bag before he was swept up into a huge hug from Hermione and Fleur. Ron next officially clapped him on the back and gave him the typical 'man hug' as he had named it. Arthur hugged him jovially while Bill and Charlie clapped hands happily. George shook his hand jovially afterwards which Harry inspected for abnormalities. Finally Mrs. Weasley, her hands covered in flour and a bit of what looked like chocolate smeared across her nose grabbed him in an extremely enthusiastic hug, all the while telling him he was too thin and telling him to take third helpings. Harry grinned happily the whole time, feeling that this Christmas might be the best he had encountered so far.

When everyone had seemed to finish their initial greetings and he had caught his breath, Harry turned to Hermione and Ron. "Where are the kids?"

Hermione smiled softly, Ron's arm around her waist comfortably. "In the living room with Ginny."

"Probably asking if they can open presents yet," Bill said, grinning from next to Fleur, who was arguing with Mrs. Weasley about how much sugar she had put into the Christmas pies. They seemed to have the same argument every year. It had developed into a strange sort of tradition.

Harry laughed. "Well, I suppose they wont mind a few more to the pile then," he said, picking up the bag he had brought with him. "I couldn't get them here ahead of time, so I hope bringing them now is alright."

"Oh Harry, don't worry about that," Mrs. Weasley chided warmly, breaking from her argument with Fleur. "Just go on in. They've all been wondering when you'll show up."

Harry grinned at her and followed Ron and Hermione into the living room. he had barely caught a glimpse of a tall and handsome christmas tree, decorated with tinsel, floating candles, and red baubles before several small objects barreled into his stomach, knocking him to the ground, all yelled excitedly.

"Dad! Dad!"

"Uncle Harry!"

"Daddy!"

Grinning and looking down at his stomach through skewed glasses, Harry saw five small faces beaming up at him, all with arms clasped firmly about his middle. Laughing, Harry tried to push himself up, the children piled on top of him sliding down slightly. "Don't know you ought to warm people before jumping on them?" he said, looking down at the excited faces around him. "That almost broke the presents."

The excited faces seemed to kick up a notch as the kids all scrambled off of him.

"Dad! Dad! Guess what!"

Harry looked up at his oldest son. James was wearing one of Mrs. Weasley's custom sweaters, bright green with a large 'J' on it. Albus was standing next to him in a hat that practically flopped over his eyes it was so large. He was grinning up at Harry happily while Lily jumped around the two of them, still in her little nightie. Rose and Hugo had run over to Ron and Hermione.

"Do you really want me to guess James, or are you going to tell me?"

"Guess what Albus and I did, Dad!" James said excitedly. Harry waited for a moment before his son plowed on. "See the tree? See anything different?"

Harry drew his attention from his children for a moment to look up at the glimmering tree, looking for anything abnormal. His eyes traveled over it, the whole thing looking mostly like a normal christmas tree. He got to the top of the tree and-

James and Albus both fell over laughing as Harry's mouth dropped. Lily continued to jump about, though she was laughing as well.

"Did you boys do that?" Harry asked, staring up at the gnome. It was wrapped in red and gold ribbons with a little crown on it. It seemed to be struggling slightly and Harry could hear what was probably a muffled "gerrofme!" faintly coming from it.

"Albus and I caught it last night lurking by the front door!" James said in between laughs. "He found some old ribbon and tied it up!" Albus nodded proudly while James laughed.

"I made the crown!" Lily piped up, shining with pride, her little hands on her hips as she stood triumphantly in front of her father.

Harry burst out laughing. "Well," he said, looking down at his three children, face shining. "I don't think I've seen a better tree topper." The three of them beamed at him before grabbing his hands and dragging him over to the mess of wrappings on the floor evidently where the stockings had been.

"Looks like they certainly take after their father," a voice said from behind him. Turning, Harry saw Ginny sit down beside him as the kids tore through their already opened stockings, clammering happily. She was wearing a bulky white sweater, her now short hair swinging about her face gently.

"I dunno," Harry said, grinning as he watched his kids fuss over candies. "It seems like more of something Fred and George would have done as kids."

Ginny smiled softly. "I think they tried to turn Scabbers into an ornament once," she commented. "But Percy found out before they managed it."

Harry laughed. It was still strange to talk about the twins with one of them gone, but it was a shame to Fred to not remember his and George's antics. Albus turned to Harry and Ginny, his hat slipping down even more. "Can we open presents now?" He pushed his hat up as James and Lily turned to them expectantly.

"Yeah, can we?" Harry heard Rose ask her own mother from where Ron, Hermione, and their kids were seated on the sofa. Hugo had begun to wrap Ron in a garland while Hermione placed a new barrette in Rose's hair.

"Not until Andromeda and Teddy arrive," Hermione told them all calmly. A collective groan was heard from all the kids at the news. Fleur walked in, Victorie trailing behind her.

"Harry!" the young girl exclaimed, rushing up and hugging him excitedly. Fleur's daughter had inherited her slim figure and long sweeping blond hair, just as beautiful as her mother. "We've been waiting for you to get here all morning!" She hadn't however, inherited her mother's accent.

"All morning?" Harry said, glancing at his watch. "It's just nine in the morning." He looked at the kids surrounding him. "When did you all get up?"

"Five thirty," James said as he pulled Albus' hat down over his eyes and giggling. Albus tried to hit his brother as James pulled away, laughing. "We were quiet until Mom came down." Harry glanced at Ginny, who smiled and nodded slightly. "Victorie didn't get up until six thirty though." Victorie stuck her tongue out at James, who in turn blew a raspberry at her.

"Wow, you sure got up early," Harry said, grinning as Albus wrestled the hat off his head and threw himself on top of James.

"Of course we did!" yelled Rose from Hermione's lap, her hair pulled back beautifully. "It's Christmas! You have to get up early!"

"Just like every other holiday," said a voice from the doorway and all the occupants of the room whipped around to see the new arrival. Andromeda Tonks stood in the door way, wrapped in a shall and looking worn, but happy. She smiled gently down at everyone as Teddy peeked into the room from behind her. "Happy Christmas everyone."

"Teddy!" yelled James excitedly, launching himself from hit tickle fight with Albus.

"James!" Teddy shouted from behind his grandmother, his hair a bright turquoise. "Gran! Let me through."

Andromeda smiled mischievously, looking around her in mock confusion. "Teddy? I don't think he's here. Sorry Jamie dear."

"I'm right here!" yelled Teddy, trying to squeeze past his grandmother. James ran up to her and tried to pull Teddy through.

"Who? Oh! Teddy when did you get here!"

Harry tried to hide his smile as Andromeda, Teddy and James all began to play a sort of strange ring-around-the-rosie. Ginny laughed softly beside him. Standing up, he walked over to the elderly woman and gave her a warm hug. "Happy Christmas, Andromeda," he said, drawing back.

"Good lord boy, don't you ever gain weight?" the woman chided playfully as she gave Harry a once over. Harry laughed before drawing away slightly and looking down at his godson.

"Hey there, short stuff," Harry grinned as Teddy leapt up to hug him, the ten year old happily giggling.

"I'm not that short!" Teddy protested as he leaned back, staring at Harry. "I'm taller then you were when you were my age!"

Harry laughed and set Teddy down. James immediately began telling Teddy about his gnome tree topper while Harry turned to Andromeda. "How have you been?"

Andromeda sighed, a twinkle in her wrinkled eyes as she looked over the kids swarming the floor. "Just about as good as always," she replied. "Getting old and ignoring the fact."

"Can we open presents now?" Albus asked, eyes shining as he pulled his hat on again, the article flopping over his head comically.

Hermione stood up, lifting Rose off her lap as she looked at the children around her. "Well," eager faces all turned towards her. "We need everyone here to do that." She looked over at Ron expectantly, smiling.

"Round 'em up!" Ron yelled as every child scampered from the room to pull and drag every person in the house to the living room. Harry laughed, leaning down to pick up his bag and hastily put the gifts he had brought where he could find space under the tree.

Two hours, a few cups of egg nog, and a whole lot of wrapping paper later found everyone sitting together, chatting happily as the children all compared gifts. They had taken the gnome down and it was presently trying to sneak it's way to the window. James and Teddy had built a sort of fort with all the wrapping paper, naming it the 'festive fort' and telling Victorie and Rose, much to their disappointment, that there were no girls allowed. Lily was told she was an exception and was presently putting stickers all over it. Mrs. Weasley had returned to the kitchen with Ginny and Fleur to finish he cooking and Mr. Weasley was regaling them all with stories from his childhood.

"Thanks again for the book, Harry," Hermione said from beside him. Ron had his arm draped over her shoulder as the three of them were seated on the sofa. She was holding a thick volume in her lap and was sporting a large navy scarf. "I've been trying to find a copy for a while, but it was out of print."

Harry grinned at her, watching as Rose and Victorie cooed over Victorie's new pet puffskein they had christened Ichabod. "I figured you might enjoy it. Especially since it might give some interesting viewpoints on Transfigurations."

"I can't believe you gave her a book," Teddy called up from the floor where he and James were examining his new broom. "She's a teacher, shouldn't you get her non-teacher stuff?"

Harry and Hermione laughed. Teddy had set the school books Hermione had got him next to James' pile of socks. "I thought you'd be excited about learning, what with getting to go to Hogwarts in the fall."

Teddy rolled his eyes, though Harry could see he was trying to mask his excitement. His hair had begun to twinge of orange, his excited color. "Am I really going to have to call you and Aunt Hermione Professor?"

Harry laughed as Hermione nodded. Teddy huffed and turned back to James, who began animatedly asking him about what he was going to do when he got to Hogwarts. Andromeda had sunk into the arm chair beside Harry. He turned to her when he felt her wizened hand alight gently on his arm, turning away from Ron and Hermione, who were chatting quietly as Hugo played with his new bear.

"It's been a while since we've seen you around," Andromeda said, eyes twinkling as she looked at Harry.

Harry smiled apologetically. Typically, he would visit Andromeda and Teddy for dinner once a week. Lately, however, he had been only able to make it every other week or so. "I'm sorry," he said, sincerely. "Things just got somewhat frantic, what with the holidays coming up." He gently took her hand in his. "I'll be visiting regularly once things get back into swing. I promise."

She smiled pleased. "I hope you keep to that," she told him. "Teddy's missed you greatly. He enjoys your company so much. It's usually just me and my old bones." She shifted. "You've been a great model for him."

Harry, though touched, looked at Andromeda intently. "Andromeda," he said, seriously. "Is everything all right?"

She patted his hand gently. "Just the usual aging," she replied, looking over to where Teddy and James had opened up Harry's old broom servicing kit. "Nothing for you to worry about." She smiled before hoisting herself slowly from her chair. "Now, to see if I can't cause some trouble in the kitchen." Harry watched her shuffle off fondly.

Lily crawled into his lap, her flashing stickers clutched in her tiny hand. "Ah!" Harry said, throwing his hands up. "The princess graces me with her presence!" Lily was wearing a crown she had made from wrapping paper and tinsel and a new silver necklace. She giggled at Harry's words.

"Stay still and close your eyes!" the five year old demanded, peeling a flashing red and green Christmas tree from the paper, her tongue sticking out slightly in concentration. Harry did as he was told, waiting patiently as Lily firmly pressed the sticker to Harry's forehead. "Okay!"

Harry cracked open his eyes to see his daughter grinning happily at him. He reached a hand up and felt his forehead for the sticker. His fingers brushed over it, the spot all too familiar. It was placed directly over his scar. Looking at his daughter, he grinned. "Why thank you Lily," he said, and began to bounce her on his knees. She giggled delightedly, settling into his chest a moment later and examining her new necklace.

"Dad!" James called from the floor, where he had pulled on his new pair of mittens and was wrestling with Albus over the floppy hat. Harry nodded towards him to show he was listening. "Can we go outside and play?"

Harry looked over to Ron, Hermione, and Bill, the children all looking pleadingly at their parents. "I dunno," Ron said, pulling a serious face and giving the shining faces a stern look. "What to you think Bill?" He looked over at his brother.

"Please!" chorused five different voices.

"Oh," Bill said, shrugging as he looked at them all. "All right."

"Yes!" shouted James, thrusting a fist into the air as he jumped to his feet, dragging Teddy up with him. He, Teddy, Rose, Hugo, and Victorie were just about halfway across the floor when Hermione called out to them.

"Make sure to dress warmly!"

"OK!" Rose yelled over her shoulder as she scrambled out of the room, pulling Hugo by the hand as he stumbled over his new too big socks.

Lily looked pleadingly up at Harry. "Can I go too?" she asked, her small voice hopeful.

Harry grinned. "Only if I can come too," he said, to which she nodded and leapt from his lap, dragging him to the mass of children at the front door all wrestling into coats, boots, hats, glove, and scarves. Harry pulled on his coat as James wrenched the door open. Ron, and George were putting their things on as well, Ron sporting a maroon scarf and hat. Smiling, they followed the shouting mass of children out into the cool winter air, grinning as sides were almost immediately decided and they began a rather intense snowball fight. Lily was told she was referee and she stood importantly on the drift Harry had apparated into.

"Wish we were that age again," Ron said wistfully as he watched Hugo try to lob a snowball and fall over backwards with the force of his swing. James and Teddy had take opposite sides, shouting commands to their teammates. George nodded at Ron's comment, scooping up a hand full of snow and absently molding it into a ball. "I said wish not 'let's be that age again'," Ron said, watching his brother apprehensively. George grinned at him.

"Whose team is Lily on?" Ginny asked, coming up to stand beside Harry, her hands in her coat pockets.

"She's being referee," Harry said, smiling as he watched the little girl shout at her brothers and Teddy over a stray snowball which had hit Victorie in the side of the head. "Doing a mighty fine job too, I'd say." Ginny smiled, and Harry absently noticed Ron and George moving away from them slightly, chatting softly about the joke shop.

"How've you been?" Ginny asked quietly, her eyes still on their children.

Harry sighed, knowing this conversation was bound to happen sooner or later and thankful the children were occupied enough not to notice. "I've been doing fine. Mottle stuff fusses something dreadful over the state of my socks." Ginny smiled again, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear. "Hogwarts is the same, students just as into trouble as when we were there, though without Voldemort haunting them."

Ginny stiffened slightly at the mention of the name but relaxed moments later. "That's good," she commented. "The boys have been great. Lily's been an absolute sweet heart, though of course you know that." She finally turned to Harry, grinning. He smiled gently back. "I've been fine, the Prophet doesn't call for too much time and Christopher helps where he can." Harry nodded at the news. Last time he'd gone to pick the children up for the weekend, he had met Ginny's newest boyfriend, Christopher. He was tall and handsome and apparently worked in the local apothecary. He'd been very polite when Harry had met him and seemed nice enough.

Harry smiled, looking over the intensifying snowball fight. Hugo had taken to hiding behind a large flowerpot and was randomly throwing snowballs. Rose and Victorie had begun to build some sort of barricade or fort while Albus rolled a stack of snowballs. "Has he been treating you well?" Harry asked, not looking at Ginny.

"Yes, he has," Ginny answered simply. "Albus and Lily get along with him alright, though James is still a little stand offish." She sighed and pushed her shoulders up slightly. "Doesn't seem to like the idea that he's replacing something." Harry swallowed. "Sorry," Ginny muttered, looking away and over to the drive.

"It's fine," Harry said, ignoring the small part of him that wanted to be jealous. He had stopped that a long time ago and wasn't about to let it roll in again. A soft silence fell between them, punctuated by the shouts and noise of the snowball fight. "I was thinking of taking the kids with me until New Years," Harry said, finally breaking the silence. Ginny nodded. "I'm having a small gathering at the house on New Years, if you'd like to join us."

Ginny looked over at him. "I'd like that. Do you want to come back with us to pick up their things before the go home with you tonight then?"

Harry nodded, smiling as his breath misted in front of him lazily, cut with a few lazy snowflakes still falling. Ginny was shuffling her feet when Harry caught a movement in the corner of his eye. He glanced over to the front gate and his eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Excuse me," he said to Ginny before walking brusquely over to a stiffly standing Minerva McGonegall, smiling at the Headmistress. Ginny, seeing their guest, had turned and disappeared into the house, presumably to tell the others.

"Hello Headmistress," Harry said, grinning at her when he came into hearing range. "Wonderful to see you on this holiday. Would you care to come in and warm up a bit? I'm sure Molly would love to have you join us."

McGonegall's mouth twitched in a smile but she remained standing where she was. "Actually, I came to speak with you, Mr. Potter," she said as if preparing a lecture. Harry noticed her eyes flash to the riotous snowball fight before she looked back at Harry. "As you would recall from the meeting before the holiday, we are in a tight spot for a Potions teacher." Harry nodded. "Well," she paused for a moment, her hands absently smoothing down the front of her cloak. "I finally managed to confirm a replacement just last night."

"That's excellent news, Headmistress," Harry said, smiling.

"Yes, indeed," McGonegall said, continuing. "However, I am worried that some of the staff won't be quite enthusiastic to welcome our new member. I would like, in this case, for you to be an aid for him to get acclimated to the school and help him should he ask." Harry stared at her, frowning slightly. "I am asking you this because it relates to my second matter of discussion."

"You mean about your resignation," Harry supplied to which McGonegall nodded.

"Yes, exactly," she said, looking him straight in the face. "I would like you to take up the position of the Headmaster after the end of this year."

Harry stared at her. The sounds and yells from the children's oblivious snow fight echoing around him. "You want me to-"

"To be my successor, yes," McGonegall cut him off, watching him closely.

"Have you spoken to the School Governors about this?" Harry questioned, his mind racing.

"They seemed slightly hesitant at first because of the typical age of the Headmasters, but it was, for the most part, a unanimous decision with almost no debate." McGonegall sighed. "Look Potter, I know you may not think it superb but really, of those I could think of, I would most like to see you leading the school for the future."

Harry stayed silent, his mind buzzing with contradicting statements and ideas. "Would you mind if I thought this over a bit?" he asked, looking up at McGonegall seriously.

This seemed to relieve her somewhat, as her shoulders relaxed slightly. "Not at all, Mr. Potter." She smiled faintly. "I look forward to your response."

Harry smiled back at her. "Are you sure you wouldn't like to come in for a bit?"

McGonegall smiled genuinely. "Much as I appreciate Mrs. Weasley's cooking and kindness, I really ought to go. I doubt I could keep up with such a lot as you have." She looked over to the slowly winding down snowball fight. "Please pass on my regards however and," she paused. "Feel free to share this information with Mrs. Granger, or Weasley I should say as she is now. Other than that, I'd like for this to remain as quiet as possible."

"Of course, Headmistress," Harry said, smiling, as he watched her step away from the gate and vanish with a faint pop.

"Dad!" James yelled, running up to him as he made his way back across the yard. "I beat Teddy in the snowball fight!"

"Did not!" Teddy hollered back from his position lying in the snow. "He cheated!"

"Sore loser!" James yelled back as Harry laughed.



A/N: I shall be updating this story on Fridays if at all possible. If not, then as soon after that as possible. Thank you for the reviews! I'm glad to see people want me to continue this. I'm rather enjoying writing it.