Hey :) So I don't own anything and you know the drill. This MC is written, A) because I felt like it and B) for the Long Haul Competition on the HPFC. Therefore, you can expect a regular update schedule, one chapter, every Friday.

The Pairing, as with most of my work, will be Harry/Severus, so for anyone not liking that pairing, feel free to exit now :)

I'm not planning any smut, but we'll see how it goes. Either way, I'll warn for it in the A/N. Any questions, feel free to ask, either by review or Pm.

Also, I am terrible at remembering to reply to reviews. I thank you now for any review you leave, and if I don't reply, please don't take it personally. I really do have a terrible memory.

No beta for this one, so any and all mistakes are my own.

I'll end my waffling here, and just say, I hope you enjoy :)

Word Count Minus A/N - 2166


Going Home

Chapter 1

Harry stared up at Hogwarts, a warm feeling in his stomach. It was like the castle was welcoming him home after a long time away. It was strange to think he hadn't been here for almost ten years, when it felt like only yesterday he was shaking Dumbledore's hand as he graduated.

Since killing Voldemort in his last year here, Harry had done his best to forget about the war, to forget about everything it had cost him, everyone who had died in the fight. The resulting struggles he had faced were nothing compared to the memory of staring down the self proclaimed Lord Voldemort as green light shot from his wand. Harry had expected to die. Everyone else had expected him to die though of course they all said differently.

Harry made his way to the stone steps, smiling when the doors opened to show the aging Headmaster awaiting him. He watched as shock crossed the old mans features, quickly covered though the worry still shone in his eyes as he greeted Harry.

"Harry, my boy! It's wonderful to see you, though I must say, I wasn't expecting... ah... you said you were healed when we spoke?"

"I am healed, Headmaster, or rather, as healed as I will ever hope to be. No need to worry, I can get around just perfectly," Harry replied, smiling. It was a reaction he was used to, though of course, none of the people who knew him in school had any idea of Harry's condition. Undoubtedly, that would soon change.

"May I see?"

"Of course," Harry replied, showing the Headmaster how his wheelchair floated, seemingly without any spell or activation whatsoever. He moved it up and down the stair, finishing with a fast spin at the bottom.

"That is an incredible invention, dear boy, where on earth did you find it?"

"Perhaps, we could go to your office, Headmaster? It's rather chilly out here," Harry replied, again having his chair levitate up the stone stairs. Dumbledore nodded in agreement, and followed Harry through the corridors and up the stairs to his office.

Once settled, both with a cup of tea, Harry explained himself.

"When I left, we all knew I was going to have mobility problems. My legs deteriorated faster than anyone expected, and I woke up one day unable to feel anything from my thighs down. I was in China at the time, and the healers there are far more advanced than they are here in England. They tried everything they could think of, there was even talk of transplants at one time though that was quickly dismissed, and eventually, it was settled that they would 'design' a wheelchair for me. It's tapped to my mind, I can direct it with barely a thought. It levitates, as I showed you, it can reach speeds of 50 miles an hour, I can apparate in it, and floo, if the floo is big enough. It's changed my life, Headmaster, it's almost as good as having full mobility."

"That is quite incredible, Harry, though I do wish you had told me of your troubles in our correspondence over the years. Care to tell me why you chose not to?"

The twinkling eyes of the Headmaster surveyed Harry over half moon spectacles and for a moment, Harry felt like a student again. Shaking it off, he chuckled.

"If I had told anyone, you all would have been worried. You, particularly, would have felt guilty. I know you, Headmaster. I didn't want anyone to worry about me."

"Hmm. You always have had a trait of protecting others, Harry, sometimes from themselves. You are, however, correct, we would have worried. Now I can see you are perfectly able, perhaps it is good you showed me instead of told me."

"Exactly," Harry replied, pleased that Dumbledore grasped his point quickly. He was quite sure some of the others wouldn't.

"So, as you know, and as I seem to say far too many times, I'm in need, once again, of a Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor. It seems Professor Bramble has decided to write a book," Dumbledore said, frowning slightly. Even across the world, Harry knew the previous Defence Professor was a Lockhart wannabe.

"Since you seemed more than ready to come home in your last letter, I thought you might consider doing an old man a favor?"

"I'd be honored Professor."

"Do call me Albus, Harry, as I have reminded you time and time again."

"Albus. I do try, it just seems... disrespectful."

" I understand, but really, it has been a long time since I was your Headmaster, and I would like to think we are now friends."

"We are, of course we are. I'll try my best... Albus."

"Good. Now, there are... three weeks until term begins, will you be able to have yourself organised by then?"

"Sure."

"There is a staff meeting, this evening, though if you would prefer to get settled in before facing them, I completely understand. I must say, Harry, it is exceedingly good to have you home again."

"It's good to be back. I thought it would be hard, but it feels, I'm not sure. It feel's right to be back here. What time is the staff meeting, I would like to attend."

"I'm glad. The meeting is at five thirty, so in, three hours or so. You know where the staff room is?"

Harry nodded his confirmation with a small smile.

"Then all that's left is to show you your new living quarters. If you'd like to follow me, Harry, and I'll take you to them."

Harry levitated once more, this time following the headmaster to the third floor, to a painting of, from what Harry could tell, a healer.

"The password is sanatio at the moment, though you can change it if you please. Do you require any help unpacking?"

"No, thank you Albus. Though, you did say in your last letter you were curious about the control I have on my magic. Would you care for a demonstration?"

"Ah, Harry, I thought you would never ask! Lead the way," Dumbledore replied, a large smile on his face.

Harry spoke the password, allowing them both entry into the quarters that Harry would be calling home. They were spacious, a living room and kitchen, a bedroom, a bathroom and a study. A large window with a seat was the feature of the living room, something Harry was very happy with. He knew he would spend hours there, especially in winter. Ever since he could remember, he had enjoyed watching snow fall.

Harry waved a hand carelessly and his luggage appeared in the middle of the room. Waving his hands around, items left his suitcases and boxes, settling themselves on shelves, or hanging in his wardrobe in the case of his robes. Harry watched the astonishment on Dumbledore's face with amusement, and smiled when he was finished as Albus walked carefully through the rooms, checking where things were, and checking for latent spells charmed into the items.

"Harry, I've never seen anything like it. You are truly a gifted individual. Perhaps, when you are more settled in, we can enjoy tea and a chat about this extraordinary amount of control?"

"If you like," Harry replied, still amused. He had learned his control while travelling, and he had also learned much from the people he met whilst hopping country to country.

"I'll leave you now, Harry, perhaps you could set up your office. I'll see you in the staff room in a few hours?"

"I'll be there," Harry replied, as he followed Dumbledore from the rooms, intent on doing as suggested and setting up his office. Once done, he would settle at his desk and begin reading over the previous Professors notes, and maybe, if he had time, make a start on his lesson plans. Professor Potter. The name sounded strange to Harry, though it wasn't a bad thing. In fact, he realised, it was exactly as he said in Dumbledore's office. It felt right.


Harry pushed the door with his magic, floating into the staff room silently. He was second to arrive, only Albus was awaiting him. Floating over to an empty space between chairs, he settled his own chair down.

"The notes Professor Bramble left aren't worth the parchment they're written on. Is there any chance I can have the files from last year, Albus?"

"Of course, Harry. I'll have an elf fetch them to your office after the meeting."

"Thank you," Harry replied with a soft smile. "So, I didn't get around to asking before, how was your holiday?"

"It was wonderful, thank you for suggesting the cabins. You were right, it is a very relaxing place, and the locals were simply delightful."

"They are. Did you happen across the old tea shop while you were there?"

"I did. The cakes were mouthwatering."

"I know. Anita gave me the recipe for her loaf cake, if you would like some. I plan to make some tonight if I have the time."

"I knew I hired you for a reason, Harry," Albus chuckled as the other teachers began to drift in. Harry laughed inwardly as each one stopped short when they saw him, or rather, when they saw his chair.

"Harry, dear, it's so good to see you," Minerva cried when she saw him, rushing to pull him into a gentle hug. "What on earth happened?"

"Ah, I... Would you mind waiting a little for an explanation? I'll come and see you later if you have no plans?"

"Of course, dear, we'll enjoy some of that lovely wine you sent me from France."

"Oh, I'm glad you liked it. I'll stop be around eight?"

She nodded, sitting in the chair between Harry and Dumbledore.

Harry had similar questions from others, though he shielded well from them. There was only a few people he felt needed an explanation of why he was in a chair, the others simply didn't need to know. He had long since grown out of the trusting nature he had enjoyed as a teenager, and saw no reason to give anyone ammunition for the press.

When the last person, Professor Snape, was in the room, Dumbledore started the meeting.

"I'm sure most of you remember, Harry, and for those who don't know him, this is Harry Potter, our new Defence Professor."

Harry nodded to the few people he didn't recognise.

"Let's get on then shall we, after all, it is our vacation as well. Harry, for future reference, we go around the room, each telling the status of lesson plans and preparation, or in the case of term time, of any problems and any students having problems. Obviously, you'll sit this one out."

Harry nodded his understanding.

"Filius, if you'd like to begin?"

"I'll be keeping the usual lesson plans, though I've added the new household charms for the seventh years."

Most of the Professors said something along the same lines, and Harry envied them having lesson plans already done. It didn't take long until all of the Professors had said their piece.

"Good good," Albus said when they were finished. "Does anyone have any questions, problems they would like addressing?"

"I have a question," said, Professor Smalling, who was apparently the new History Professor. "How is Professor Potter going to teach our students to protect themselves if he's in a wheelchair?"

The teachers who remembered Harry all looked astonished at the rudeness of Smalling, even Snape was glaring at him. Before Albus could field the question, Harry tilted his head slightly to the side.

"Would you like to set me a test, to prove I am able?" he asked, his tone cool but polite.

"Harry, that really isn't necessary. I know you can do it, and on this matter, it is my opinion that counts," Albus said, glaring slightly at Smalling.

"I would hate for the Professor to doubt me," Harry replied evenly. "Really, Albus, it's fine."

"How about a duel?" Smalling suggested, his eyes narrowed.

"Certainly. Against you?"

When Smalling nodded, Harry shrugged with a small smile.

"When?"

"Now?" Smalling suggested, raising his eyebrow in a challenge.

"Headmaster?" Harry questioned, and Dumbledore smiled.

"Certainly, Harry. We'll take it onto the grounds, shall we?"

Smalling nodded tightly, leaving the room with a swish of his robes. Harry snorted.

"You'll have to teach him to do that properly, sometime, Professor Snape," Harry muttered with a smirk, floating out of the door. He didn't miss the muffled laughter as the other teachers followed him out. Of course they were going to watch. This would keep them entertained for the rest of the summer.