Disclaimer: I do not own these characters or the places/events mentioned in this story. They all belong to J.K Rowling, although there are numerous occasions where I wish I did. I only own the plot…sort of.

Author's notes: okay so here is a quick rundown- the events of this story occur after the Battle of Hogwarts but I have chosen to ignore the majority of the last two books (hehe). In this story Harry and Ginny never fell in love(nothing against them, I just needed to do this to make it a H/Hr story- can't go around destroying two canons…or am I still doing that?). Anyways Ron and Hermione did get together but something does happen to keep them apart. Harry leaves after he defeats Voldemort. Lupin and Tonks did not die in the battle nor did Fred.

The wind licked at Harry's blotched skin, something that felt familiar to him but more like a distant memory pushed away in the back of his mind. The chattering of the children running through the streets of Chicago reminded him of his childhood spent in the warmth of the three broomsticks, sipping at his butterbeer with his best friends. He was only out to pick up a couple of supplies but he couldn't avoid the constant triggers, the constant hauntings of the life he had left behind 4 years ago today.

He had become so used to the simple life, a life without magic, a life without fear but something always felt like it was missing. The walk home from the supermarket to his apartment was short but in the chilly breeze it felt like it took twice as long. Harry opened his door to find a brown smudge on his windowsill, it wasn't until he got closer that he realised it was an owl holding a letter. He quickly grabbed the letter from the bird's beak and he went to place it in his drawer with his other unopened letters. The letters came every now and then, ones from Hermione and Ron, Ginny, and occasionally Lupin. He used to write back to every single letter for 2 years but it become too hard. He began to find it too painful to explain to the people he loved why he had left them behind, why he chose himself over them. He tried explaining the constant regret he felt for putting them all endanger and how he needed to leave them to keep them safe from the few death eaters still searching for him. He was about to close the drawer when he noticed the red seal on the back of the letter. It was from Hogwarts, how unusual.

He never gets letters from Hogwarts, not since he left. His shaky fingers ran across the familiar paper. He eyes quickly scanned the letter, it read…

Dear Mr Potter,

He would kindly and formally like to invite your back to Hogwarts to take up a full-time teaching position in Defence Against the Dark Arts. Our previous professor is set to retire next week and we can think of no one better to fulfil the role of his position than you. After all you have seen it all. Please consider this offer carefully. I will be awaiting your owl in the next couple of days.

Regards,

Minerva McGonagall

Headmaster of Hogwarts

P.S Harry, please write to Hermione, she needs you.

Hermione? Why would Hermione want to speak to him? What could it possibly be about? The truth is Harry didn't stop writing to Hermione because he wanted to protect her, it was to protect him. Sure he was happy she found love with Ron, that's all he wanted for her- for her to be happy but he wanted it to be him. He wanted to be the one to buy a house with her, raise her children, and grow old with her. With every letter that he sent, that dream began to fade with every letter that she wrote back. She was happy with Ron and it hurt him every day, knowing what he gave away when he told her that she needed to stay away from him.

Harry pulled out a pen…yes a pen; after all he is a muggle now. He chewed on his pen as he considered the request. After all this time he was ready to go back home to the life he left behind. He could no longer fool himself into believing that this façade that he built was ever going to feel right. He wrote what he felt quite an informal response to McGonagall.

Dear Professor McGonagall,

I would like to take up the opportunity to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts. I look forward to seeing you again after all these years. Just send me all the details of what I will need and when I should start.

Yours sincerely,

Harry Potter.

P.S does Hermione still teach at Hogwarts?

TO BE CONTINUED

Notes: so what do you all think? Should I continue? Please review, send me your thoughts.