When he had heard the previous Defense Against the Dark Arts professor had retired, Harry Potter decided it was time for a career change. So, there he was, standing outside the office, waiting for his interview to begin.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Potter," said a familiar voice behind him.
"Good afternoon, Professor McGonagall."
"Follow me," she called as she opened the door to the Headmaster's office. "Sit," she said, gesturing to the chair before the large desk, as she walked around to sit in the high backed chair behind the desk.
Harry did as he was ordered, taking in the sight of the office around him. Not much had changed since the previous headmasters had long gone. The most noticeable difference was the vase of freshly cut flowers sitting plainly on the desk.
Harry let his eyes wander a bit more around the room that held so many memories, until finally resting on the woman before him.
Minerva McGonagall hadn't changed much in the years since he left Hogwarts. She was still severe-looking, but her dark hair was now partly grey, yet still in its trademark bun.
"What can I do for you, Mr. Potter?"
"I've come to apply for the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
"I see," she intoned, glancing at Harry over her squared spectacles. "What makes you qualified to teach the defensive arts here at Hogwarts?"
Harry was dumbfounded, of course he was qualified. This has to be a test, he thought to himself.
"Well, Professor, I have worked for several decades at the Ministry of Magic as an Auror. I am currently the department head. While here at Hogwarts, I helped found the DA in order to help train fellow students skills they would need to defend themselves and others. For example, I taught Neville, I mean, Professor Longbottom how to cast a proper Expeliarmus charm. Finally, I killed Voldemort."
Professor McGonagall sat and stared at Harry for a few minutes before turning to face the portraits around them. All were nodding in approval, except two. The first portrait, a wizened old man with half moon spectacles and a long white beard, merely gave Harry a crooked smile, eyes twinkling. The other, a greasy black-haired man with a long crooked nose, did nothing more than glance at Harry.
"Dumbledore, your opinions?" asked Professor McGonagall.
"You know very well my opinions about Harry and his request. I say let him teach," Dumbledore said, giving Harry a wink.
McGonagall nodded and turned to the other portrait, "Snape?"
"Allowing Potter teach would only inflate his ego. A whole new generation of witches and wizards to learn about the Boy Who Lived, the Chosen One, the one who, I quote, 'killed Voldemort,'" Snape sneered. "That being said, Potter has shown he is a skilled wizard when it comes to the defensive arts."
Harry nodded with appreciation, "Thank you, professors."
"Yes, thank you," McGonagall said. "Very well, Mr. Potter, application approved. We'll see you the first of September."
