Harry had spent every day since the war in the Burrow. He was relishing the feeling of family and belonging that he had never had before. And of course, Ginny being close by wasn't exactly a negative. However, they couldn't stay put forever, the summer was winding down and soon Ginny would be back to Hogwarts, leaving Ron, Hermione, and Harry to question where exactly they were. They hadn't ever officially dropped out of Hogwarts, but they had missed their entire seventh year. Hermione especially was heartbroken about missing her NEWTS.

"I mean, clearly what we did was more important than any test," she had explained just the other day, for what was most likely the thousandth time, "all I'm saying is that any legitimate place of work requires excellent NEWTS, and we have none."

Ron had just rolled his eyes, "Come on Hermione, we defeated the Dark Lord and you're sad because you missed another opportunity to prove how brilliant you are."

Love had not dimmed their bickering and Harry had developed a habit of leaving the room when conversations of this nature cropped up. Though if he were honest, he did understand where Hermione was coming from. He wanted to be an Auror, something he would have needed outstanding NEWTS for, he knew it was a long shot, but with no NEWTS, it might as well have been an impossibility.

Now the day had finally come when they could no longer ignore the issues facing them. Ginny's Hogwarts letter had arrived. However, it was not alone; three more owls tailed Ginny's, a letter for Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

Harry read and reread his letter at least four times before trusting himself to speak.

"Dear Mr. Potter,

Aware as we are of your desires to continue on in the profession of an Auror, and even more so aware of the extraordinary circumstances preventing you to participate in your NEWT year, the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry would like to make you an offer.

In the aftermath of the battle at Hogwarts, we find ourselves once again lacking a professor in the Defense against the Dark Arts. The position of professor is often restricted to much older wizards; however, we feel your experience outweighs your youth. If you were to accept this position, you would be brought on as a full time staff member, and could choose at any time, after serving one full year as professor, to sit for your NEWTS.

Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.

Yours Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Headmistress"

After allowing the message to sink slowly into his mind, he lifted his eyes to see Hermione and Ron gaping equally as shocked at their own letters.

Hermione spoke, breaking the silence, just barely a whisper, "They want me to teach Transfiguration."

This jolted Ron out of his silence, "Transfiguration? That's the hardest class there is! Course, they'd want you to teach it. You're brilliant."

Hermione blushed and Harry suddenly felt like he was interrupting a private moment. He cleared his throat uncomfortably.

Ron diverted his gaze back at his letter, "Did either of you see Madam Hooch at the battle?"

Harry, who generally tried to repress the images from that night, made a conscious effort to recall, "Not that I remember, but I was a bit busy. Why'd you ask?"

Ron shrugged, "Apparently she's injured, nothing life threatening, they want me to teach the 1st years to fly."

Hermione grinned at him, "You'd be great at that Ron."

But he just shrugged, "Not really sure why they didn't give that one to Harry," he gestured toward where Harry stood, still grasping his letter with white knuckles, "just saying mate, you could fly circles around me."

Harry smiled half-heartedly, "They asked me to teach Defense against the Dark Arts…"

The room went silent until finally Ron spoke up, "Well you aren't going to do it are you? That position is cursed!"

"Come off it Ron!" Hermione chastised him, "Voldemort is gone, that job is no more dangerous than the ones we were offered."

Ron still balked at the mention of Voldemort's name, but handled it better than he had before, ignoring Hermione's reprimand he looked pointedly at Harry, "You aren't going to take it are you?"

Harry glanced back down at the paper, his future staring him in the face, he smiled, "Yeah, I think I am."

Just then, Ginny came bounding into the kitchen, her long red hair flying haphazardly behind her, a grin on her face, clutching her letter in her hands along with a familiar badge with a large P emblazoned upon it, "Look! I'm a prefect! I was sure with all the rules I broke last year I'd be out for sure!"

Harry raised his brow in surprise, "I can't believe you're so excited about his, figured you'd take the Fred and George outlook on being a prefect."

Ginny tossed him a disparaging glance, "I can be responsible when I like," she broke out into a mischievous grin, "Besides now I might actually get my own owl."

Harry wrapped her in a hug and kissed her forehead, "Now that's the Ginny I know, but congratulations nonetheless."

Ron smirked, "Better cut that out, I don't think Hogwarts looks fondly upon Professors and students fraternizing."

Ginny looked up confused, but Harry just shook his head, "I'll explain in a bit."