Author's Note: Hello everyone, I'm Emma! I originally posted this story back in 2011 (4 years ago, wow!) but I lost the motive to write it so I put it on hiatus. Since I've become a whole different writer since then (a better one) I decided to edit my old chapters and finish the story. So hopefully you'll like it!

Disclaimer: I do not own anything, everything belongs to JKR.

Chapter One

Fresh Start, New Year

Harry was sitting in the Burrows kitchen with Ginny, just talking about the year to come. While Ginny was going back to Hogwarts with Hermione, Harry was going to have a year off to relax after what happened the previous year. Then once Ginny was out of Hogwarts Harry would try to become an auror for the Ministry, like he had wanted to do before the war. Their conversation continued on that subject until they saw three tiny dots in the distance; one for Hermione, one for Ginny, but who the third one was for was a mystery. Ginny got up to open the window for the owls, while Harry called up the stairs, "Hermione! Your letter is here". Hermione came rushing down the stairs, excited about the list of school supplies tha she would receive. Ron followed at a much slower speed, he loved how excited Hermione was over her letter but hated how it met that they were that Mach closer to being separated for a year. The owls landed on the table and stuck out their legs for their respective recipients. The three letters were for Ginny, Hermione, and, to everyone's surprise Harry.

"What do you reckon that's for?" Ron asked Harry as the owl stuck out its leg for Harry. He shrugged his shoulders in confusion. Harry carefully untied the scroll from the owl's leg as Hermione and Ginny did the same. The owls all flew away once their duty was done. Harry read his:

Dear Mr. Potter,

I would be very grateful if you would accept a teaching job for the subject Defense Against the Dark Arts. I have not been able to find enough replacements for all of the jobs that are available from the losses in the war. Think about it and please let me know as soon as you can it would be greatly appreciated. If you would like I will meet you in person, send an owl to tell me when.

Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

P.s. I hope that you are doing well as well as the whole Weasley family.

Harry looked up from his letter everyone was staring at him wondering what his letter said. Harry had a blank expression on his face, me? teaching? at Hogwarts? Harry thought puzzled.

"Well mate, what does it say?" Ron asked finally breaking the silence.

"Um... Well... McGonagall wants me to teach… Defense Against the Dark Arts... At Hogwarts," Harry replied astonished, handing Ron the letter so the other three could read it. Harry watched their eyes scan the page; Hermione was the first to look up.

"Are you going take it Harry?" Hermione asked as the other two finished reading and looked up too.

"I don't know what do you guys think?" Harry asked them, but looked at Ginny. Her opinion was the one that Harry needed the most. As Harry waited for them to answer he went through the pros and cons of taking the job. His main pro was that he could see Ginny every day. But he also was afraid of being a bad teacher. No one answered him so Harry decided to change the subject to Ginny and Hermione's letters, "what about your letters?"

"Oh," Hermione said placing Harry's letter down. "I've been made head-girl," Hermione squealed as Mrs. Weasley entered the room, hearing that the letters had arrived.

"That's wonderful dear," Mrs. Weasley said before everyone hugged her. Except for Ron, who not only hugged her but kissed her too.

"Ginny what about your letter," Harry asked once the excitement had died down.

"Well, I've been made Quidditch Captain," she said casually, not being able to hide her smile. Harry couldn't help but smile too.

"That's great Gin," Harry told her as he hugged before everyone else.

"Well, it looks like we'll have to be making a trip to Diagon Alley. Though not tomorrow, no tomorrow's no good, how about the next day? Yes, Friday, that will be good," Mrs. Weasley told herself as she made her way up the stairs to owl her husband.

That night, Harry and Ginny were lying under the stars, hand in hand, pointing out the constellations they had surprisingly, actually learned in Astronomy class. That was one of their favorite things to do at night just lay under the stars together. By then, Harry still hadn't decided whether to take up the teaching job or not. The one thing he knew about that was he needed to ask Ginny what she thought; he valued her opinion over everyone else's. All he needed was the opening to bring it up, because he didn't want to interrupt Ginny when she was talking. Once they had been sitting in silence for a few minutes Harry spoke up, "Hey Gin?"

"Yeah," Ginny replied turning her head to look him in the eye.

"Well, I was wondering if you think I should take this teaching job or not? I know you're going to say that it's up to me but I really want your honest opinion."

"Well, you're right, in the end, it really is up to you, but if you want my opinion, I'll give you it. I think you should take the job, because that would mean you would get to see me a lot," Ginny joked with a smile. "But, honestly, I think you would love it, you are a great teacher Harry, look at all you taught the D.A. when Umbridge was at Hogwarts. You should take it. And I know you wanted to take the year off, but it would have been no more than a week after I left and you be at the ministry, signing up to be an auror."

Harry laughed at her response. "Well then, I'll write to McGonagall in the morning to meet with her. Looks like I'm going to be seeing a lot of you this year, Miss Weasley," Harry joked, leaning in for a kiss, which Ginny then deepen. Harry was grateful to have Ginny as his girlfriend and he was looking forward to spending more time with her instead of a year apart.

The next morning Harry got out of bed more tired than usually, he and Ginny had stayed up unusually late looking at the stars. Harry got dressed and made his way downstairs where he was sure that Mrs. Weasley was making breakfast. His assumption was correct; Mrs. Weasley was cooking away, making a delicious smelling breakfast. "Morning dear," she cooed to Harry as he walked into the kitchen. George, Mr. Weasley, and Charlie- who was home until the summer ended- were sitting at the table eating their breakfasts. It looked like they were the only ones awake.

"Morning Mrs. Weasley, um could I use Errol?" Harry asked because he needed to owl his reply to McGonagall so he could get the supplies he needed, and talk to her.

"What for dear?" Mrs. Weasley asked making a plate of food for Harry to eat.

"I need to send a letter to McGonagall. Yesterday she asked me to teac at Hogwarts next year, for Defense Against the Dark Arts," Harry answered. He sat down at the table to eat his breakfast that Mrs. Wealsey had set down for him.

"Oh, that's wonderful Harry. But, I'd use Pig, if it's something that important, Errol best not do it, he's a bit slow now a days," Mrs. Weasley informed him. Harry nodded and started to dig into his food, he just realized how hungry he really was. As Harry finished his food, Ron had finally waked up, probably smelling the food. Harry laughed; nothing could stop Ron from eating. Harry, who was already finished with his breakfast, went to Ginny's room to send an owl to McGonagall. He walked upstairs and knocked on Ginny's door.

"Come in," Ginny called from inside her room.

Harry opened the door. "Hey Gin what are you doing?" Harry sat down on the end of Ginny's bed as Ginny riffled through her closet, trying to find something to wear.

"Just picking out my outfit for the day. Have you sent the letter to McGonagall yet?" Ginny asked, finding a shirt she liked.

"No, actually I came up here to write to the letter and use Pig. Do you have any parchment? And a quill?"

"Yeah, on my desk I think," Ginny pointed to the stack of parchment as she changed into her shirt. "Harry, I was thinking, isn't it against the rules to have a student-teacher relationship? And I know that we're only a year apart, but people could say things and you know-" Ginny trailed off. She was once again digging through her closet for pants.

"Gin, it'll be alright. If you want, instead of sending an owl, I'll send a patronus to her so we can go talk to McGonagall about it today, whatever you want."

"Yeah, that'll be good, do that instead," Harry nodded, he put the parchment and quill away and instead sent a patronus. "It will be okay won't it?" She whispered as she wrapped her arms around Harry.

"Yes, it will," Harry gave her a gentle kiss to ease her worries.

Harry and Ginny stepped into the Hogwarts Headmistress's office. McGonagall was waiting for them, sitting in her chair behind the desk. Besides for a few of McGonagall's personal items that were added, the room looked the same as it had when Dumbledore was Headmaster. All of his trinkets and other devices were still in place.

"Good day," McGonagall greeted.

"Hello Professor," Harry said, "It's good to se you again."

"Likewise Potter," she replied with a smile and gestured for them to sit. "Shall we get right down to business?"

"Okay, I've decided to accept the job. But I may need a little help wits the lesson plans, if that's alright," McGonagall nodded, happy that Harry accepted the job. "And there's one more thing. Um, Ginny and I are, um, we're-"

"In a relationship," Ginny cut in, knowing Harry would be shy about this, "and we thought it was against the rules for a teacher and a student to have relationship like ours."

"Ah, yes, well..." McGonagall stopped to think. "I think, given everything that has happened and the circumstances that you two will be able to stay you were together before Harry had taken the job, but also because you deserve it. With everything that happened last year, why should I say no?"

"Thank you Professor, I really appreciate it," Harry said happily. McGonagall smiled back at Harry. She had always been like an aunt to Harry, and she felt so proud to see him grown up and happy.

Harry and Ginny stood to leave, "Well, we should go, mum's probably got dinner ready. It was really nice to see you again Professor," Ginny said as McGonagall handed Harry a starting list of course plan, that she had aleast created for whoever ended up receiving the job.

"And same to you Miss Weasley, and please tell your mother I say hello."

"I will, see you in a month," Ginny answered before the two left the Headmistress's office.

The next morning Harry woke up early to go to Diagon Alley. He got dressed and went downstairs where Mrs. Weasley was setting plates of food down in front of Ginny, George, Hermione, and Mr. Weasley. Everyone at the table was going to Diagon Alley plus Ron who was still sleeping. George was going to re-open Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Though, since George didn't have Fred anymore, Ron was going to help him and be his new partner for the time being. Everyone was really happy that George had started to move on. After they had got home from Hogwarts the last spring, George had locked himself in his room, not even coming down to eat. Ginny was the only one he'd let in his room, and that was only so she could bring him food. There was one occasion where he let someone other than Ginny in his room, when Angelina came to visit him. She was the one who got George to leave his room for the first time in weeks.

"Good morning, Harry dear," Mrs. Weasley cooed as she set a plate down for Harry which was next to Ginny.

"Thank you Mrs. Weasley," Harry replied.

"You're welcome dear... Now where is Ronald?" Mrs. Weasley asked the table.

"I'll go wake him Mrs. Weasley," Hermione offered.

"Thank you dear," Mrs. Weasley said as she turned back to the stove to make another plate of food. Once Ron finally came down everyone else was practically done eating, and they were starting to get ready to leave. Harry had followed Ginny up into her room to get her things. They would've just gone up and came back down but they got a little bit preoccupied which caused Mrs. Weasley call them down when it was time to leave. Harry and Ginny walked down the stairs hand in hand out to the yard where everyone was gathered getting ready to apparate. Ginny, who had just turned seventeen a few days ago, threw her arms around Harry so he could take her in side-along apparition. Ron was completely against her doing so but one look from Hermione he shut up, then apparated to the shop, followed by everyone else. The shop looked nearly the same as it did when Harry last saw it the only exception were some new products added and something's switched around.

"Is it ready to open dear?" Mrs. Weasley questioned George.

"Yeah, it is mum," George replied. "All that we're waiting on is our staff, who should be here any moment."

"Well then we're going to go, good luck dears," Mrs. Weasley called to her two sons as they started out the door followed by Harry and Ginny, with Hermione bringing up the tail.

"Mum, Harry, Hermione, and I are going to go down there first," Ginny pointed down Knockturn Alley. "Harry needs some supplies from there."

"Alright be safe, meet us back here in an hour and a half," Mrs. Weasley said as she and Mr. Weasley turned to go the opposite way of the three.

Harry meanwhile was putting his hood up hoping to not get recognized by the people in the Alley's. They started down towards Knockturn Alley. "Stay close, we don't need to loose anybody here. Trust me, even now it'll be creepy," Harry said more to Hermione than Ginny who was already very close to him.

"What exactly do you need Harry?" Hermione questioned after nodding.

"Um, let's see," Harry took out his list McGonagall sent to him the previous day of what she wanted him to get. "McGonagall asked me to get the other vanishing cabinet," Harry said as they walked in front of Borgan & Burkes, "In here."

"We'll let's get in and out as quickly as possible," Ginny said. "You're right Harry, this place is creepy.

They entered the shop and Harry told the girls to wait by the door. He pulled down his hood and walked up to Borgan. "I would like to buy this vanishing cabinet, how much?" Harry asked casually.

"One hundred and fifty galleons," Borgan grunted unhappily.

"Here," Harry said handing Borgan the galleons, McGonagall had enclosed the money for the cabinet.

Harry took out his wand, "do you mind?" He asked Borgan who shook his head still grumpy. Harry sent the vanishing cabinet to the flat above George's shop.

Harry left Borgan to find Ginny and Hermione standing at the door wanting to get out the shop as soon as possible. He put up his hood before they left the shop. They then quickly left the shop. The three went to a few other stores so Harry could buy some items to show the older students about the Dark Arts. Once they were out of Knockturn Alley Ginny asked, "what does McGonagall want with the vanishing cabinets?"

"I don't know, she probably wants them both in her possession so no one can get into Hogwarts," they walked back in George's shop to ask him if it was okay to keep the cabinet there until they left Diagon Alley. George had told them it was completely fine and asked them to get a spell book for him.

After they left George's shop again they went to get Ginny's and Hermione's school supplies and the rest of the things Harry needed. When they were done getting all the things they needed, Hermione went back to George's shop while Harry and Ginny went into Quality Quidditch Supplies where Harry had present waiting for Ginny.

"It better not be a broom Harry, you spoil me too much already," Ginny said as they walked in the shop and Harry pulled down his hood.

"Hey, it's not my fault my parents left me enough money for two life times, and then there's also the money Sirius left me, which probably brings the total up to four or five life times," Harry told her with a smile.

"Still," Ginny said not actually knowing what she was going to say. She and Harry were heading towards the broom section. "Harry! I told you no."

"Yeah, you did tell me no, but did I say I was going to listen?" Harry waited for an answer but Ginny just folded her arms pretending to be mad him. Harry knew she wasn't actually mad, so he continued, "Which one do you want?"

"No," Ginny said still being stubborn.

"Fine, if you don't want to tell me what you want, you're getting the Firebolt 3000," Harry said grabbing the broom heading to the counter.

"No Harry, don't spend that much money on me," Ginny said grabbing his hand trying to pull him back but she failed.

"Hello I would like to buy this broom," Harry said placing the broom on the counter so he could get out his money. The cashier looked up to see who was buying the broom. She was a girl in her mid-twenties, Harry guessed.

"Of, of course Mr. Potter," the cashier said, standing up straight and puffing out her chest. She was suddenly trying to look pretty for him.

Ginny, seeing this, got jealous, so she came up and said, "Harry you really don't have to buy this for me." Ginny also took Harry's free hand in hers while he paid the cashier the money. Harry was obviously oblivious to the girl trying to flirt with him. Much to her disappointment, but Ginny didn't mind.

"I know Gin, but I want to," Harry replied taking Ginny's other hand and added, "deal with it."

Ginny laughed while the cashier looked upset seeing that the Harry Potter had a girlfriend. Harry grabbed the broom and they headed out the door, not letting go of Ginny's hand. Once they stepped outside the shop someone recognized Harry and suddenly there were reporters swarming them. Harry cursed himself; he had forgotten to put his hood back up. Harry and Ginny could barely hear what all of them were saying while they were trying to push through to get to George's shop. But once in a while they would hear a full question instead of just their names or the beginning of questions. But even if they did hear a question, they would still ignore them. By the time they had gotten to George's crowded shop, that had opened only a half an hour before, Harry and Ginny heads of at some of the bizarre questions the repeaters had asked. Harry and Ginny said hi to George, Ron and Hermione and continued up to the flat to where they were to wait for Mr. and Mrs. Weasley. To keep them occupied Ginny gave Harry a long thank you kiss.