And All Over Again - PART 1
Story Details: Post Deathly Hallows, epilogue compliant, WIP, eventual Harry/Draco slash
Comments and concrit welcome and appreciated!
Harry looked from his daughter to his youngest son's face and then back again. Both were frowning deeply and Harry fought the urge to take a step back, knowing he'd likely trip over his trunk if he did.
"Why can't you go with us?" Lily asked, for what felt like the hundredth time that day.
"Because the professors are always there when we get there," James said, entering the living room and shoving Albus aside so he could sprawl himself on the sofa. "They need to settle in, probably have a few drinks before you snotty nosed lot arrive."
"James," Harry admonished.
"But it's my first year, you saw James and Al off," Lily pouted.
"You'll see him everyday Lily, what are you complaining about?" James said.
"James be quiet," Harry said sternly before turning back to Lily. "He's right though, you'll see me everyday."
"It won't be the same though," Albus murmured.
"No, but you can come and talk to me whenever you want. I'll send you the password to my rooms as soon as I get it," he told them.
"Okay," Lily nodded.
"Good girl," Harry smiled and kissed her on the forehead. "Right then, I'd better be off," Harry said.
"Mum!" James hollered, Harry winced as he shrunk his luggage so it could fit in his pocket as he travelled.
"I was only in the kitchen James," Ginny said as she came in, swatting her son over the head as she passed.
Harry hugged both Lily and Al, who dragged their brother over to do the same.
"Good luck," Ginny said with a half smile, barely hesitating before leaning in and kissing him on the cheek.
"You too," Harry responded as he took a handful of floo powder from the pot on the mantle. "Bye then," he said.
"See you tomorrow," Albus said with a smile.
"Good luck Lil," Harry said before throwing the powder into the fire place and taking a step in. "Headmistress McGonagal's office, Hogwarts," he announced, and his family disappeared in front of him in a swirl of green flame.
Harry was glad that when he fell through the floo into McGonagal's office that she was not there to witness it. He had never been able to stop feeling like a misbehaving schoolboy when in her presence, and he was sure that making a fool of himself on his arrival at her school to take up a teaching position wouldn't have helped rid himself of that feeling in the slightest.
He had of course not counted on the portraits of the former head-teachers of the school. He glanced up when he heard a snigger which had sounded suspiciously like Phineas Nigelus, however said portrait was seemingly fast asleep.
Dumbledore's portrait winked at him and grinned.
"Mr.Potter," a voice spoke from the doorway and Harry span round. "You're early," McGonagal commented.
"Good evening Headmistress," Harry said. "Sorry if my early arrival has inconvenienced you," he added.
"Not at all, I merely thought you would spend a little longer saying farewell to your family," she said, walking past him and taking a seat behind her desk.
Harry shrugged and sat down in the chair opposite when she indicated for him to do so. "I'll see the kids tomorrow," he responded. If she noted that he hadn't mentioned his wife it didn't show.
"That you will," she nodded. "Well, down to business. I assume you received the lessons plans for last year?" she asked.
"Yes, I've made a few changes here and there, mixed some things around a bit, nothing too drastic though," he answered, pulling out a several scrolls of parchment bound together with string from his robes. "Here's your copy," he said, passing them over.
"Thank you, I'll look over them this evening," she said. "There will be a staff meeting directly after breakfast tomorrow which for convenience takes place in the Great Hall itself," she explained. "You're rooms are located in the eastern tower along with several other of our professors. The current password is dandelions, which you can change at your discretion. The password for you floo is the same, if you wish to change that however, you'll have to come to me," she said.
"No need to change that," he responded.
"Good, good. I believe Professor Longbottom said he would show you to your rooms, he should be here-"
She was interrupted by a knock on the door, and at her call of 'enter' Neville Longbottom walked through the door and smiled at Harry.
"Here we are then," she said as she stood. "Well, I look forward to working with you Harry," she said, offering him a smile. "See you both in the morning," she nodded.
"Come on Harry," Neville smiled and led Harry down the stone staircase, which had not carried its passengers to the bottom itself for twenty one years, and into the corridor below. "So, looking forward to teaching?" Neville asked with a grin.
"I guess so yeah," Harry responded.
"Harry do try to control your enthusiasm," he answered in amusement.
"I am, really. It's just a bit of a change from what I'm used to," he answered with a shrug.
"Harry what you're used to is being an occasional liaison for the ministry, but most of the time a house-husband, taking care of your children," Neville said. "I think you're overestimating how much of a change this is going to be."
"I never had to teach them anything though. Or set them homework," he added. "Oh my God, I'm going to be completely out of my depth here aren't I?" Harry asked with dull realisation.
Neville laughed and patted him on the arm.
"Definitely."