This is my first attempt at a Fan Fic. I have been reading pretty much for the last year and a half and figured I would try and see what I could do. This is a little bit AU after the Battle of Hogwarts. I'm not sure exactly where I'm going with this but I figured I would see where it takes me. Feel free to review and let me know what you think. Just be gentle. This is my first time after all. On a side note, I would love to beta for someone if there is a need out there. Thanks again.

31 August 1998, London

Harry Potter opened his eyes when the ray of sunlight came through the window. He had no idea what time it was but he knew this would be his last day to sleep in like this for a while. Today was August the 31st and it was his last day at home before he started his 7th/8th year at Hogwarts. Headmistress McGonagall had informed him soon after the final battle that he, Ron and Hermione, along with anyone else that wanted, could redo or attend their final year. With all the families that fled the U.K. last year during the war there were quite a few that needed to finish their education. Even the 7th year students that were at Hogwarts last year had such a rough time it was decided they could come back to make sure they had a chance for a good NEWT grade.

As Harry rolled out of bed Kreacher pops into the room.

"Will master Harry be wanting a late breakfast or an early lunch, sir?"

"Just some coffee for now Kreacher. I'll have lunch at the normal time. What time is it any way?"

"11 in the morning sir. Mistress Hermione has been up for quite some time and I was just on my way to see if master Weasley was up yet. Shall I wake him if he isn't sir?"

"That's ok Kreacher, let him sleep a bit longer. I'm sure Hermione will wake him up soon herself if he doesn't get up soon."

"Very good sir." With a 'pop' he's gone.

Harry never thought he could get used to having a house elf but after last summer when Hermione, Ron, and himself were hiding in 12 Grimmauld Place, but, well the idea had rubbed off on him. He still smiles at the change that came over Kreacher after he was given Regulas's locket. He's not sure they could have made it through their time holed up here without the 'happy' Kreacher. Harry also is glad he decided to live here after the battle. He was sure he would be able to but after the 3 of them were forced to leave suddenly Kreacher did quite an amazing job getting the place looking, well, lighter. It was no longer a dreary, dark place. Kreacher kept himself busy with changing the house to more reflect his new 'master'. Gone were the old house elf heads. At least gone from the main floor. They were now up in the attic where Kreacher now sleeps. He also some how managed to remove the picture of the late Lady Black and that was up there as well. It too was in the attic. Kreacher had cleaned all the old curtains, washed all the old windows so sunlight now streams through. The only thing that Harry had put back in its place was the troll umbrella stand. He liked to see it everyday. It always brings a smile to his face remembering Tonks tripping over it.

As Harry walks into the kitchen he sees a steaming mug of coffee sitting on the table next to a copy of The Daily Prophet. He also sees Hermione sitting across the table with her head in her Arithmancy text book.

"You can't help yourself can you?" Harry asks. "We'll be there tomorrow you know?"

Hermione raises her eyes with a slightly worried look. "I usually read all of my text books before the school year begins. You know that. With how busy we have been this summer I didn't have time to get my reading in."

Harry just smiles. He cant' help ribbing his best friend. It's just too easy. She is right though, they have been busy.

2 May 1998, Hogwarts

After the final battle things were kind of a whirlwind. They had to go through all the bodies to find out who had died on both sides. Most of those for the light were already laid out in a magically expanded room off of the great hall but it had slowly been emptying as the day went on as families collected their dead. Harry insisted on helping collect the bodies of the Death Eaters and their supporters. Even though they had fought for the wrong side he wanted to do everything he could to make sure they were treated with respect, at least for the families.

After the names of the dead had been recorded the families where notified and they started to come. Quite a few of the families didn't look very comfortable when they arrived. They all looked like they were afraid they would be hexed, arrested, or worse. That was when Harry realized that while the most dangerous part of 'mission' was over he may still have a tough time ahead. Trying to heal the wizarding world would take a long time.

Soon after the different families start arriving the head mistress calls him up to her office. On the trip up to office he notices for the first time that the Hogwarts house elves are all over the place cleaning up. They are being helped by a not insignificant number of wizards. There is still a massive amount of work to go but the piles of rubble are already starting to get smaller.

As Harry walks up the spiral staircase to the head's office he can't believe all that has happened since last night when he ran up them with Snape's memories. He is slightly surprised when he gets to the top of the steps and the door isn't closed. He looks in and sees the head mistress reading over papers. She seems to be deep in thought but there is no furrow in her brow so at least it can't be anything too serious.

Harry knocks on the door jam. "You wanted to see me head mistress?"

"Please Harry, just 'professor' is fine, or if you think you could handle it I may even allow 'Minerva'." Professor McGonagall says with a little Dumbledore-ian twinkle in her eye. "If anyone of my students has earned that right it is you Harry."

"I'll stick with 'professor' if you don't mind. I've just gotten used to calling Mr. and Mrs. Weasley Arthur and Molly. I think it'll take a while before I'll be able to use your given name." Harry chuckles.

As Harry walks into the office he looks around. The office is pretty bare for the moment. The portraits are on the wall of course but is now joined by one of Snape. It seems the only personal touch McGonagall has made is her tartan dish with the biscuits in it.

"That's quite alright.", the professor says. "I just want to take a few minutes to discuss some things with you before you leave. I'm sure you'll be busy for a good portion of the summer. First of all I would like to say how proud I am of you Harry. I was there the night that you were left with your aunt and uncle. I can't believe how far you have come and the challenges you have overcome. I'm sure your parents would be so very proud of you as well."

Harry lowers his head as tears threaten to leak out of his eyes as he remembers the conversation last night with his parents and their best friends. He'll be forever grateful that he got to have that talk even though it was only for a moment.

"Now I have something for you to think about Harry." Professor McGonagall says as her face takes on the more stern face that Harry knows means business.

"Last night after everyone was winding down from the celebration I had a discussion with some of the other professors. We decided that next year we will allow any student that wished to attend or redo their seventh year. I, while talking one of the portraits here, had a rather interesting idea." She says with a little nod to the portrait of Albus Dumbledore. "If you would want to return to finish you schooling I was wondering if you might be interested in teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts to our first and second year students."

Harry's mouth drops open. When he finally regains his senses he asks the professor. "What was that professor?"

The twinkle is back in the head mistresses eye as she says, "If I am not mistaken you seem to have quite the knack for teaching that particular subject. All of your fellow students that were in the DA performed more than admirably in the battle last night as well as during this last school year. Unfortunately the other students last year really didn't get much of a good education I am sorry to say with the emphasis more on the dark arts rather than the defense of them. So I am sure our second year students missed out on quite a bit."

Harry was speechless again. He did enjoy the time in the DA but to actually run a class was something he would have to think about for a while.

"What about the other years professor?" Harry asked.

"Well we really haven't gotten that far yet. I just wanted to ask you this before you left. I would love to have you back next year Harry, either just as a student, professor, or a little bit of both. Do take time to think about it. I would however like to have your answer by your birthday. If you decide not to take the position I do need time to find someone else."

Harry nodded, still not able to wrap his mind around this development.

"Was there anything else professor?"

"No Harry, that will be all." the head mistress says with a smile. "I look forward to hearing from you on this. Also if feel the need to talk I am always here Harry. I know you have a good number of people to lean on, I just want you to know that you have one more."

"Thank you professor." Harry says as he gets up from his chair. As he walks to the door he has an idea. "Professor?"

"Yes Harry."

"I was wondering about arrangements for all the people that died. Is there any way that they could be buried here?"

Professor McGonagall looks a little surprised by the question. "It was a special decree from the Ministry to let professor Dumbledore be buried here and then only because of what he did for the school. I'm not sure they would be willing to do so again."

"I know that professor, but all the people that died in the fighting last night did so for the school and for Dumbledore because it was the right thing to do. It couldn't hurt to ask at least could it?" Harry asked.

"Of course not Harry. I'll talk to Kingsley about it this morning." McGonagall says. "It really is a wonderful idea Harry." she says with what looks like a shimmer in the corner of her eyes. "Now off you go. I'll talk to you soon."

As Harry walks down to the Great Hall for some dinner he smiles. He doesn't know why the thought about letting people be buried here popped into his head but he does think it is a good idea. A good reminder of the sacrifice everyone made to make this world a better place.

Upon entering the Great Hall Harry barely has time to notice much besides a mass of red hair before he is almost tackled to the ground.

"I couldn't find you! Where did you go?" Ginny asked sounding quite worried.

"McGonagall wanted to talk to me about some things. I'm sorry I worried you." Harry says as he gives her a kiss. He grabs her hand as they start to walk over to where the rest of the Weasley family is sitting and eating.

"I told you he was fine Ginny." Ron says as they sit down.

"I knew he was ok, he just disappeared and I was worried." she says a little sheepishly.

Harry looked around and noticed that George, Molly, and Percy where missing.

Hermione noticed Harry looking around said, "They went back to the Burrow with Fred's body. They wanted to get things settled with where we are going to bury him."

That reminded Harry about one of the things he talked to McGonagall about.

"I actually had an idea about that. I asked McGonagall about letting people be buried here. They fought for the school and for Dumbledore. I thought it was appropriate that any families that would want could bury their dead here."

Everyone was a little quiet for a few moments. Arthur was the first to speak up.

"I think that's a wonderful idea Harry. Did Minerva agree to it?"

"She said she had to ask the ministry first. It was a first when Dumbledore was buried here last year. I can't see a reason why it wouldn't work though."

That got nods from everyone while they went back to their food. However no one was really eating. Harry looked around and saw that most people weren't eating much. Most of the conversation going on was subdued. That made sense. As he sat there and his thoughts had time to settle on everyone that he had lost he seemed to lose his appetite as well.