The Proposal

At 6PM everyone started arriving.

Professors Slughorn and Flitwick were the first ones to arrive. Slughorn spied Harry from the door and strode over.

‘Harry m'boy!’ He exclaimed holding his arms out and shaking Harry’s hand enthusiastically ‘Good to see you it’s been too long! Sorry to hear about the Florish And Blotts incident’

‘Thanks Horace’ Harry said ‘Great to see you too hey Professor Flitwick’

‘Good to see you too Harry ‘Have you been up to much?’

‘Not much really’ Harry said ‘After the incident in Flourish and Blotts I have been reluctant to go out even with my invisibility cloak. I’ve spent my time hanging around the Burrow helping Mrs Weasley around the house. But George may have solved that problem’

‘He's invented something new I suppose?’ Slughorn asked in interest

‘Have a look’

Harry pulled the hat out of Ginny’s bag and put it on. He immediately turned into a middle aged olive skinned man with snow white shoulder length hair, bushy eyebrows and mutton chop sideburns.

Slughorn clapped enthusiastically
‘That’s brilliant!’ He exclaimed ‘The Auror department could do with those’

‘I think that’s the audience George are marketing them at’ Harry said ‘I'll definitely get some for the Auror department when they're ready. They’re only prototypes at this stage but they said this morning they’ll be ready for sale a week before the school term starts’

‘I’ll keep an eye out for middle aged students with mutton chop sideburns then’ Horace said with a chuckle.

‘Every hat has a different appearance’ Ron chimed in holding out his hand ‘Hi Horace, Filius’

‘Evening Ron’ Flitwick said shaking Ron’s hand ‘How are things at the Ministry? Minerva tells me good’

‘Yeah we’re still dealing with bad guys’

Hagrid arrived a few minutes later.

‘Hagrid!’ Harry called pulling himself away from the conversation with Professor Flitwick and Professor Slughorn ‘Excuse me Professors’

‘`Ello Harry!’ Hagrid boomed sweeping Harry into his usual rib cracking hug ‘How have yeh been? It’s been too long. How come yeh haven’t been visitin’?’

‘I haven’t wanted another situation like what happened in Flourish and Blotts’ Harry said apologetically ‘I really am sorry Hagrid’.

‘Ah tha’s s’okay’ Hagrid said ‘I understand. I blame that Skeeter woman’

‘Yeah everyone does’

‘So how’d you manage to get her then?’ Hagrid asked pouring himself a generous measure of Firewhiskey.

‘Ron, Hermione, Gin and I flooed to George’s shop then bought some of his new as yet unreleased products’ Harry said pointing to Ron who was demonstrating the effects of his hat to Professors Flitwick and Slughorn ‘Now I can go out and not be hassled. I told George they’ll sell out in a minute’

‘Less than that I reckon’ Hagrid said with a chuckle as Ron swept the hat from his head and resumed is normal appearance ‘The Ministry will be wanting a lot of those’

‘That’s what Horace said ‘I'm going to order some when they're ready' Harry said grabbing a handful of corn ships that went floating by on a silver tray.

Ron and Hermione saw Hagrid and came over with Ginny.
‘Hagrid!’ Hermione exclaimed ‘So good to see you!’

'Good to see yeh too Her'miny' Hagrid said 'Good to see yeh'

‘Minerva told us you also hadn’t got yourself another dog yet Hagrid’ Hermione said softly ‘Have you thought about it?’

‘Yeah I have a bit but Fang was a special dog ‘e’s to difficult to replace. I’d like another dog but I’m not looking’

At those words Harry mad a silent resolve to help Hagrid find another dog.

The last people to arrive were Neville and Hannah. Hannah was wearing robes of the softest pink silver hems and Neville was wearing a more subtle blue befitting his conservative nature.

‘Hello’ Everyone in the room chorused.

‘Hiya Neville great to see ya mate’ Harry said shaking Neville’s hand.

‘Hiya Harry’.

‘What’s doing Hannah?’ Harry said.

‘Nothing much’ Hannah said in her usual bright manner taking off her cloak ‘Just the usual mad running around sorting out last minute wedding details ‘You and Ginny still coming?’

‘Of course’.

‘We wouldn’t miss it for the world’ Ginny added joining them ‘How’s the dress looking?’

‘Terrific I had the final fitting today’ Hannah said hanging up her cloak on a nearby ‘The hen’s party is on Friday we’re meeting at the Ministry foyer at Nine AM as a bridesmaid you have to come’.

‘I’ll be there with bells on!’ Ginny said eagerly.

‘The Ministry foyer?’ Harry said raising an eyebrow at Neville ‘Gee that’s romantic’

‘Mate it’s all girls stuff I’m staying out of it’ Neville said with a laugh ‘I’m just turning up on the day’

‘Aren’t you having a Bucks night Nev?’ Ginny asked in surprise.

‘Apparently I am but Seamus, Dean, Harry and Ron are organizing it!’ Neville said nervously.

‘Neville I’m not entirely sure that was a smart idea letting that lot organize something like that’ Hermione joked kissing Neville on each cheek ‘Nice to see you again. Professor Mc..’

‘Minerva!’ Professor McGonagall called from the fireplace where she was talking with Ginny.

‘Minerva’ Hermione continued ‘Said you and Luna are opening up another shop in your herbology supplies chain in Hogsmeade! Congratulations!’

Neville went pink.
‘Thanks H’mione’ He mumbled.

‘And congratulations on being appointed the new Herbology professor mate!’ We always thought you’d get the job one day’ Ron said pumping Neville’s hand vigourously.

‘Thanks I suppose Minerva told you who’s the Transfiguration professor with her? Neville said helping himself to a Redcurrant Rum.

‘Yeah we all nearly had a fit when she told us it was Malfoy’ Harry said.

‘But she also said and I agree with her now not that I did at the time that it’s time to let sleeping dogs lie and forget about old school rivalries. I know Malfoy was a total shit at school but Minerva reckons he’s changed and I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt’

‘He’s still a prize git though’ Ron announced ‘What’s he really like now Neville?’

‘Like Minerva said he has changed’ Neville said ‘The war changed a lot of people none moreso than Malfoy. We actually get on rather well now and have gone for regular drinks at the Leaky Cauldron and occasions at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade. He’s coming to the wedding next week’

‘You and Malfoy are piss up pals?’ Ron said snorting with laughter
‘Sorry I beleive you that he’s changed but it’s just funny you two are drinking buddies. I mean apart from rare times during the second war, Hermione's graduation from Hogwarts when he was dating Astoria Greengrass and we’ve hardly seen him. Is he still dating Greengrass?'

‘No Draco and Astoria broke up three years ago' Neville said 'I had a pint with him last week at the Three Broomsticks and as of then he was still single'

‘Since when do you give a rats about Malfoy’s love life?’ Harry asked Ron in amazement.

‘I don’t but I am intrested in what’s been happening with the people we used to go to school with since the final battle and that’s part of it’ Ron said ‘Did you get an invitation to Oliver Wood and Alicia Spinnet’s wedding at the end of August Neville?’

‘Yeah got the invitation yesterday morning’ Neville replied ‘Intresting having the ceremony on a beach in Corsica’.

‘It’ll be romantic’ Hannah said sighing ‘My cousin Allegra got married on a beach in Hussonet in the south of France last year and because her husband were muggle born they hired surfing instructors to teach all the guests how to surf at the reception’

‘Did you have a go?’ Harry asked with a laugh imagining Hannah in her pink cloak, hanging ten.

‘Yes but I prefer flying’ Hannah replied ‘Shall we all sit down? I’m quite hungry’

‘Yeah let’s’

All eleven people present sat down and like during a feast in the Great Hall food suddenly appeared. Despite not having caught up with each other for several months all conversation ceased while they ate. Ron as usual attacked his food like a starving lion pouncing on a wildebeest and within seconds his cheeks were bulging.

Under the table as he ate a chicken leg Harry felt a hand creep up the inside of his leg. On the pretence or getting the gravy he looked over at Ginny and saw her give him a fleeting look of pure lust. She slowly snaked her hand up his thigh while continuing to eat her soup one handed. Everyone was so preoccupied with eating their meal that they didn’t notice Ginny fluff up the table cloth and undo Harry’s fly.

Harry shot Ginny a look of alarm. She just grinned and with one hand she pulled out his half erect cock and began massaging it enjoying the fact he couldn’t utter a word.

Harry gritted his teeth and tried to keep his facial expression neutral as he struggled to eat his dinner. He tried to think of the least sexual things to keep him off his arousal, Hagrid naked, McGonagall covered in dragon shit. Even Voldemort himself but it was no good and as he was biting into a marinated pork chop he climaxed and dropped his load on the underside of the table. Then with a wide grin Ginny let him go and furtively grabbed her wand. She pointed it under the table and muttered quietly ‘Evanesco’ and the cum immediately vanished.

Harry hurridley re-arranged himself and shot Ginny a mock murderous look.

‘Wait til later’ He muttered ‘I will get you back for that!’

After the main meal there was a break before dessert. Everyone refilled their goblet with their drink of choice and relaxed at the table. Neville gave McGonagall a significant look and raised his eyebrows slightly. McGonagall took a deep rattling breath and cleared her throat. Harry looked up swallowing a sip of Redcurrant Rum.

‘Ah Harry I have an uhm proposition for you’

Harry who was slightly tipsy looked up.
‘Hmm?’ He said ‘And what’s that?’

‘Well…uhm’

There was a long pause.

‘At the end of the war Hogwarts finally managed to secure a permanent teacher for the D.A.D.A job but Morris retired at the end of term and we need a replacement' McGonagall said 'And recently your name was suggested at a staff meeting as that replacement. I've thought about at and I would like to offer you the post of Defence Against The Dark Arts professor'

Harry snorted his Redcurrant Rum up his nose.
‘EXCUSE ME?’ He bellowed wiping his nose of the rum that was now dripping from his nostrils.

Harry coughed hard for several moments then his face red from the effort he stared at McGonagall.

‘You ARE kidding aren’t you?’ He said taking a great gulp of water ‘Me a teacher? You’ve got to be kidding!’

‘Why not?’ Professor McGonagall inquired raising an eyebrow ‘I can’t think of anyone else who would be more suited to the job. You’ve fought against more dark magic than the entire Auror department. You are the HEAD of the Auror department, Your dueling skills are second to none and you do have teaching experience’

‘At what?’ Harry exclaimed ‘Gobstones?’

Ron sniggered.

‘Dumbledores Army’

Harry snorted derisively.
‘Minerva that was a rebellious fifth year fun group’ Harry started ‘I only did it because of that bitch Fudge forced on us do defence. That’s hardly teaching’

‘Harry that is a load of bullshit and you know it!’ Hermione burst out.

Everyone stared at Hermione incredulously amazed at her burst of uncharacteristic bad language, but she stared them all down defiantly. Ron still gawped at her his mouth hanging open.

‘Harry you were brilliant in the DA!’ She continued ‘I don’t think I would have been capable of producing a corpreal patronus ever but now I can create one! That’s advanced magic even for a mature graduated witch or wizard! And I did that when I was fifteen!…’

‘Yeah but..’

‘I am not finished!’ Hermione cut across him ‘And think about it. Everyone who was in the DA survived the war and especially the final battle! Seamus dropped three Death Eaters with that one bodybind curse! Ginny did the same to the the Carrows Dean produced a redactor curse so powerful it destroyed half the Entrance Hall and killed three Death Eaters in the process and there’s you! You vanquished Voldemort! There’s no better Defence teacher out there!’

‘But I’m only twenty three!’

‘Wha’s tha’ got to do with dragon eggs?’ Hagrid said gruffly.

‘Age is just a number’ Ginny said sipping at her Firewhiskey in a ladylike manner.

‘You sound like Dumbledore’ Harry said to her in amusement.

‘Harry Hermione’s right’ Neville said ‘You are the best candidate for the job. Minerva has talked to me about it and we think there’s no one else in the Auror department that would be better suited to the defence job than you’

‘Harry I think Neville and Minerva and Hermione are right’ Ron said ‘You are brilliant at defence. If I were a student now I’d want you to teach me you have a wealth of experience no one in the magical community can hope to compete with. And it may sound like something Dumbledore would say but Ginny’s right age is a number. That’s the least relevant factor in this conversation’

Harry stared around the table at McGonagall, Flitwick, Slughorn, Neville and Hagrid.

‘You really want me to take the job?’ He said skeptically.

‘YES!’ They all chorused.

‘This is a huge decision’ Harry started his head buzzing from the effects of the alcohol he had consumed ‘I can’t say yes right here and now. I’m pissed as an it. Let’s wait til at least I’m sober again’

‘We don’t expect you to make a decision right here and now’ Professor McGonagall said ‘Term is six weeks away’

‘Please consider it Harry’ Neville said ‘It’d be great to have you back in the castle again’

Okay I will consider it but please no one rush me’ Harry said taking a deep breath and thinking ‘Me? A teacher NO WAY!’

After dessert (Harry had his usual treacle tart) everyone settled into a squashy arm chair for a night cap and some more good conversation. Despite his earlier resolve to limit his alcohol intake Harry was now well and truly pissed. His head swam slightly as he and Ginny settled down into a squashy patched lounge chair.

‘You’re going to need some hangover potion in the morning’ Ginny said with an amused giggle.

‘Well I’m ‘ere at ‘Ogwarts and P’fessr Slu’horn is tha poshuns marshter I’cin git sum from ‘im’ Harry slurred.

‘Minerva I think it best if we all stay here at the Castle tonight may we take you up on your offer?’ Ginny called over to Professor McGonagall who Ginny noticed in amusement was also tipsy.

‘Of course’ McGonagall said steadying herself on the ledge above the fireplace ‘You may all stay in Gryffindor Tower the passwords ‘Muggle Studies’ I’ll get the house elves to prepare everything for you’

The older woman tottered off and returned a few minutes later carrying a small box.

‘Hangover Potion’ She explained ‘Everyone take a generous measure now and a bottle for tomorrow when you wake up’.

Everyone downed some of the potion, Harry immediately felt his head clear. He drank some more and the fuzziness disappeared.

‘Hmm peppermint nice touch Horace’ He said pocketing a small bottle of the potion for the following morning.

‘Thankyou I find the potion is more effective with peppermint oil than vanilla pods' Slughorn said ‘Maybe you ought to be the Potions master instead of the Defence Master you picked that niceley’

‘I haven’t decided wether to be the defence master yet!’ Harry exclaimed ‘And no offence Horace but Potions really ain’t my thing’

Slughorn chuckled.
‘I understand totally’ He said standing up ‘Well I think it’s time I turned in. Good night everyone. See you in the morning Minerva, Hagrid, Neville, Hannah’

‘Night’ Came the scattered replies.

Soon after Slughorn left Neville and Hannah go to their feet.
‘We better be going too’ Neville said putting on his cloak ‘See you all again at the wedding’

‘See ya Nev’ Ron said shaking Neville’s hand.

One by one the guests left til only Ron, Hermione, Harry and Ginny were left in the staff room. Harry yawed widely then got up.

‘I’m stuffed’ He announced stretching ‘I’m off to bed you coming Gin?’

Ginny got up.
‘Of course’ She said ‘Night Ron, ‘Mione’

‘Night guys’

Harry and Ginny left the staff room and started making their way to Gryffindor tower. It was totally silent except Harry and Ginny’s footsteps on the stone floor.

'You know even after all the stuff that went on here I love being back’ Harry said as they made their way past a portrait of a Hippogriff that looked like Buckbeak ‘Hogwarts is the only place I ever considered home and it’ll be a peice of me til my dying day’

‘You’re really considering what Minerva asked you aren’t you? Ginny said softly.

‘Aww Gin I dunno’ Harry said ajusting his glasses and running a hand through his tousled hair ‘Me a teacher? That sounds so peculiar’

‘Well you’ve got a while to decide yet’ Ginny said pinching his bum ‘Professor’

Harry jumped at her pinch and lunged after her. With a gleeful snort Ginny skipped ahead and ran off.

‘Oh no you don’t!’ Harry called lunging after her.

Harry chased after Ginny who managed to stay slightly out of his reach til just before the fat lady’s portrait when she allowed him to catch her. Harry pinned her up against a bare wall hoisted up her shirt and started tickling her. Ginny shrieked and tried to push him away. But Harry kept on tickling her til tears streamed down her red face.

‘HARRY YOU ARE A BASTARD!’ She bellowed giving him a dead arm ‘I nearly pissed my pants!’ You do that again and I will hex your cock off so you’ll have to piss through your nose!’

Harry laughed heartily something he hadn’t done properly for many months.
‘Gotcha!’ he said cheekily rubbing his arm ‘By the way ow that hurt’

Ginny collapsed in peals of raucous laughter.

‘By-the-way-that-hurt?’ She giggled bending over and clutching her stomach ‘You only just remembered it hurt?’

Harry rolled his eyes.
‘Okay that sounded stupid’ He said making a face reddening slightly.

Ginny stood up.
‘Yeah it did but sexy stupid’ She said wrapping her arms around his waist and kissing him on the neck ‘You can be as stupid as you like as often as you like’

Harry picked Ginny and pressed her up against the wall he then returned the kiss.

‘What about Ron and Hermione?’ Ginny breathed between kisses.

‘What about them?’ Harry said totally consumed by kissing the valley between her breasts.

‘They could catch us’

‘Fuck them’ Harry said trailing kisses from her breasts up her neck and to her lips.

‘Nah I’m not into group sex’ Ginny said with a giggle ‘C’mon lets go into the tower. I want to sleep in your old bed’.

Harry slowly put Ginny down.
‘Sleep? He said raising an eyebrow ‘Methinks we’re not going to get much sleeping done’

‘Oh and what do you plan to do?’ Ginny said following Harry up a small flight of stairs and to the portrait of the fat lady.

‘You’ll see’

The Fat Lady was astounded to see them.
‘Mr Potter Miss Weasley! She exclaimed incredulously ‘What are you doing here?’

‘We came for dinner and got too drunk to apparate home’ Ginny said with a giggle ‘Minerva said we that being Harry, Ron, Hermione and I could spend the night in Gryffindor Tower’.

‘Well very nice to see you again…password?’.

'Muggle Studies’ Harry and Ginny chorused.

The fat lady swung forward and Harry and Ginny clambered through. The familiar smell of centuries old paintings a long burnt out fire, parchment and ink filled Harry’s nostrils.

'I'm home He thought a smile slowly spreading across his face.

‘You’re home aren’t you? Ginny said softly.

‘Yeah I am’ Harry said walking away from her and running a hand over a patched and worn high backed chair ‘It’s nice being back isn’t it?’

‘Yeah it is’ Ginny said taking off her cloak.

‘You know if I take this job Gin I’ll be apart from you’ Harry said leaning against the high backed chair ‘And I’m not sure I want that. I was apart from you so long during the war and now that it’s all over I want to be with you all the time’.

‘Who says?’ Ginny said ‘You can still live at the Burrow and apparate here every morning or I’ll live with you here in the castle in the staff quarters’ Ginny said ‘The D.A.D.A quarters are quite large enough for two people. And I’m sure Minerva wouldn’t mind of we made some ajustments’

‘But what about your job at St Mungo’s? Harry stated also removing his cloak ‘Hogwarts and St Mungo’s are hundreds of miles apart then there's Ted don't forget him’

‘I can't forget Ted and I can floo backwards and forth’ Ginny said firmly.

‘I’ll think about it’.

Ginny followed Harry up the steps of what was the boys dormitories in the school term and though an old wooden door. Five old wooden four poster beds stood around the walls of the round room but Harry’s old bed had been magically widened to fit him and Ginny. A pair of white, blue pinstriped pyjamas and a thin white cotton nightdress were folded at the end of the bed and the maroon and gold covers had been folded down.

‘How’d Minerva know we’d sleep in the same bed?’ Ginny said in surprise as she kicked her shoes off’.

‘Gin she’s not stupid she probably figured we were going to’ Harry said hanging up his cloak on a nearby hook and placing the bottle of Hangover Potion on the bedside table ‘She’s probably had the house elves do the same in the girls dormitories for Ron and Hermione’

‘Yeah’

Harry put on his pyjamas and Ginny put on the nightdress. Harry then threw the covers back and they climbed in.

‘Want the covers shut?’ Harry asked.

‘Yeah that’s be nice’.

Harry waved his wand and with a soft scraping noise the curtains drew themselves shut. The only light was the moonlight streaming in through the lead lined windows.

Ginny sighed loudly.

‘What’s up?’ Harry said.

‘Nothing really’ Ginny said ‘It was really great seeing everyone again. Everything seems to have finally settled down. My whole life the magical world lived in fear of what Voldemort might do and now that’s all over. I know it was six years ago but it’s weird and I’m not sure I’ll get used to it any time soon. George’s marrying Angelina, Neville’s marrying Hannah, Oliver’s marrying Alicia. Everyone is so happy I know it sounds weird but that’s really peculiar’

Harry propped himself up on an elbow and swept a lock of hair from Ginny’s face.

‘I know it’s weird but things’ll settle further’ He said kissing her lightly on the lips.

Ginny reached up and put her arms around Harry’s neck returning his kisses.
‘I’m not really tired are you?’ She said with a cheeky grin.

‘Nah not really why?’

‘I had a thought’

‘Did it hurt?’ Harry said with a grin.

Ginny slapped Harry hard on the arm.

‘You bloody git!’ She admonished trying and failing miserably to surpress a laugh ‘You stinking heap of Hipogriff shit!’.

Harry fell back on the bed with a great snort.

‘Ow!’ He cried as she continued to playfully slap him ‘Gerrof me! Don’t hurt me!’.

‘Apologise! Ginny straddling him and slapping his chest ‘Or I will make bat bogeys come out your arse!’.

‘Oooh kinky!’ Harry said laughing ‘Care to try that out?’

Ginny lunged for her wand.

‘Don’t think I won’t!’ She shrieked her face going red from the effort of trying not to laugh.

Suddenly Harry sat up and kissed Ginny hard on the lips a hard but passionate kiss. Her eyes flew open and she dropped her wand in surprise.

‘So much for Bat Bogeys out the arse huh?’ He said with a grin.

‘You are such and arsehole’ Ginny said kissing him back ‘A right and proper bastard’.

I know shall I get that tattooed on my back?’ I know of a good muggle tattoo parlor in Notting Hill ‘Seamus, Dean, Ron and I are taking Neville to it on his bucks night’.

‘Neville will shit himself if you do that!’ Ginny said ‘Does he actually know how one gets a tattoo?’

‘I dunno it was Seamus’s idea you’d have to ask him’ Harry said making to get off the bed ‘C’mon’

‘Where are we going?’

‘The Quidditch pitch’

‘What for?’ Ginny exclaimed ’It’s twelve thirty in the morning!’

‘I fancy a game of Quidditch’ Harry said with a grin pocketing his wand ‘C’mon’

Ginny picked up her wand and followed him giving him puzzled looks all the way down the steps and to the portrait hole.

‘Ladies first’ He said holding an arm out.

Ginny clambered out of the hole and was closely followed by Harry.

‘Harry not that I mind but why are we wandering through the castle at night in our night things?’ Ginny whispered ‘This is peculiar even for you’.

Harry grinned.
‘As I said’ He said ‘I fancied a game of Quidditch’ Harry said ‘I haven’t been on a broom for aaaages’

‘And you pick now to get on one?’ Ginny exclaimed incredulously ‘It’s half twelve in the morning! There’s no way you’ll be able to see what you’re doing! I’m not sure Madam Pomfrey is in the castle this far from start of term. And even if she is how am I going to explain how we ended up on the Quidditch pitch in the middle of the night? What if you get injured? It’d serve you right’

Harry let out a gleeful snort his emotional barriers of the past few years crumbling after being back in the one environment he truly felt comfortable in.

‘C’mon’ He said breaking into a run.