Chapter 1

"…Happy birthday dear Harry; happy birthday to you." Everyone applauded as Harry blew out the eighteen candles atop his marble cake and Ginny pecked him on the cheek.

"Here," Hermione said, handing Harry a box in blue wrapping paper, "It's from Ron and me."

"Thanks!" Harry grinned and ripped off the wrapping paper and held up a picture of himself with Ron and Hermione on either side of him. It was their fifth year, and even though it was only three years ago, it felt like a lifetime. Unbelievable he wouldn't ever return to the first place that truly felt like home.

A sudden rap at the door made everyone's head turned as Ginny popped out of her seat and approached the door with a pleasant smile on her face. "Good evening," Ginny greeted.

Harry, slightly puzzled, glanced past Ginny to see the taut Professor McGonagall standing in the threshold. "Please come in and have a piece of Harry's birthday cake." Ginny finished.

"Oh, I am so sorry I interrupted. I can come back at a different time." Professor McGonagall apologized, turning abruptly.

"No, it's okay Professor, stay and have some food." Harry offered.

Molly cut in, "Really Minerva dear, there's plenty to eat," she said, ushering McGonagall into an empty chair.

"Well if you insist, I really won't impose long." She promised.

Swallowing her last bit of cake, and taking the last sip of her butter beer, Hermione said "Well Ron and I must be going now. We have some last minute packing to do before we head off to Australia to visit my parents." She stood up and gave a Harry a quick peck on the cheek. "Happy birthday again."

Harry walked Hermione and Ron to the door. As Hermione descended down the stairs Ron lingered for a moment. "I was going to give you the sequel to Twelve Fail-Safe Ways to Charm Witches, but then I remembered that you would be using it on my sister, so instead I got you theses socks. Enjoy, mate." Ron turned to follow Hermione but then stopped, realizing he'd forgotten something. "Oh, uh, by the way, while we are there, I was thinking of asking 'Mione's father if I can marry her."

"Ron that's excellent," Harry congratulated, giving him a brotherly hug.

"RON! We have to go! We have an 8:30 AM flight to catch, Mister I-wanna-ride-on-an-airplane!" She yelled up the steps. "Taking after your father," she muttered, turning on the spot and disappearing out of view.

"Uh-oh. She only Apparates ahead of me when she's mad. I've gotta go mate." He said, rushing and turning just as Hermione had done several seconds previously.

"Uh, goodbye? Harry said, confused, waving to the spot Ron had just stood on. He then walked back to the table to see Mrs. Weasley picking up her purse.

"Sorry to be going so soon, but Ginny and Arthur and I are heading to Diagon Alley tomorrow to pick up Ginny's school things and we want to get an early start." She said smiling. Arthur and Ginny had already stood up and were ready to go, but George remained comfortably reclined in his chair. Mrs. Weasley gave him an are-you-coming? look.

"Oh!" George exclaimed, jumping out of his chair, "I've got to, er, go think of some, um, new…ear jokes!" he said, proud of his excuse.

As they all left and Harry began to clear the table Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and addressed Harry, "Well as you know, the spot for the Defense Against the Dark Arts job is once again open. I've had copious amounts of applications, but I know of one person in particular who would be perfect for the job."

"Oh really? Well who is it?" Harry asked before a sudden realization, "Well, Professor, I would be absolutely honored to fill the spot!"

"Excellent! And Gryffindor will be in need of a Head of House, and I can't recall a more famous Gryffindor since the wonderful Godric himself." She hinted once again.

"That would be delightful, Professor, thank you for the opportunity." Harry said, getting up and shaking her hand.

"Well since I am no longer your instructor, you could address me as Minerva."

"Or not."

"Not is fine as well. And I really must be going now. So much work, so little time." And with she smiled and showed herself to the door.

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"Ginny! I've got great news!" Harry burst through the door of the Burrow to find her in the kitchen baking. She hurriedly wiped the flour from her forehead.

"What is it?" She answered excitedly, kissing him on the cheek.

"After you all left the other night, McGonagall offered me a job!"

Ginny stopped stirring the batter and looked at him puzzledly. "Doing what?!"

"Er, teaching, of course…" Harry wondered why this wasn't obvious.

"Um… teaching what, Harry? Will you be filling her post in Transfiguration?"

"Gin, I just defeated the most powerful dark wizard, like, ever. I'm teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts!" Harry confirmed.

"I know," said Ginny laughing. "I was just kidding. And I'm really proud of you," She rose to her tippy toes and left a lingering kiss on Harry's lips. "I love you." She whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her head in his chest.