Chapter 2

Two days later as Harry and Ginny were strolling along the lake near the burrow chatting but talking about nothing; Ginny came to a halt and turn to Harry, "What are you planning to do if you aren't going to be an Auror?"

"I am planning on spending my life with the most beautiful witch in the world." Harry replied.

"And just who might that be?" Ginny asked with a smile on her lips.

"Well, that cousin of yours at the wedding last year…" Harry started playfully.

"Hey!!" Ginny snapped.

"Just kidding my love." Harry turned and looked into her eyes, those beautiful brown eyes "Ginevra Molly Weasley, you are the most beautiful woman in the world to me; you are the sunshine that lights my soul, the anchor to my life and I do plan on spending the rest of my life with you." he leaned over and kissed Ginny tenderly.

After the kiss she looked at him and said "Harry Potter, you're not so bad yourself," and smiled, "but you haven't answered my question, what do you want to do?"

"I really do not know, but I've told Professor McGonagall I'm coming back for my final year; that will give me time to figure it out, presuming I can study while you are around."

"I was wondering if you were coming back to Hogwarts. I hadn't wanted to ask you since I didn't want you to think I was being selfish to want you with me," Ginny replied. "I am glad you will be with me, after last year, I need you close to me for a while yet."

"Ginny, I am always with you." Harry said, "wait..come with me, I want to show you something."

They walked back to The Burrow and went up to Ron's room where Harry's bed was. Ginny's eyebrows went up "Your bedroom? And what exactly are you wanting to show me, Mr. Potter?" she said slyly.

Harry went a little pink on the ears, and said "um…" and started digging in his trunk for a yellowed parchment. "Actually, this. Your brothers gave it to me in my third year." Ginny knew which 'brothers' Harry was referring to and knew he didn't want to mention Fred's name.

"A blank parchment? Does it explode, or what?" Ginny asked, not trusting anything Fred and George would have given away.

"No actually they were up to no good" he said with a sad grin and spread the parchment on his bed. He tapped the parchment with his wand and said "I solemnly swear I am up to no good." Llines and words started forming on the parchment, drawing the floors of Hogwarts, and little moving dots began to move. At the top the following appeared;

"Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs
Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief Makers
Are proud to present
THE MARAUDER'S MAP
"

A moment of panic flew through Ginny as she remembered a diary "Harry, what is this?"

Harry sees the look in her eyes and realizes what she was thinking, "It's not like that Ginny; it's not dark Magic."

"How do you know?" Ginny asked.

With a little laugh, Harry replied, "Well, not even Fred and George knew this, but see up at the top, the creators' names? Prongs is my father's nickname, Padfoot was Sirius…"

"Mooney was Lupin?" Ginny asked.

"Yeah" Harry replied "and Wormtail was Peter Pettigrew."

"Anyway, they made this map when they were at Hogwarts to aide them in the escapades."

"Escapades?" Ginny asked.

"Think Fred and George multiplied several times." Harry replied.

"Oh."

"Lupin told me about a lot of them." Harry said, "I can tell you about those another time, right now I brought you up here so you would know that while Ron, Hermione and I were gone all last year, I would bring out this map and watch your dot for hours on end. Without that little dot that said Ginny Weasley under it, I doubt I could have kept going. I might have left you but you never left my heart."

"Oh Harry!" A tears came into her eyes and once again they found themselves kissing.

The door opened and Ron walked in "Oi, mate come on at least not in my bedroom" and glowered at Harry.

Ginny looked at Ron and snapped back "As if it is any of your business, but all we are doing is looking at his map."

"The Marauder's map? Cool, what's going on over there?" Ron asked.

"Well you can see all the working crews there, hey the map even shows where parts of the castle were damaged, see here, the wall that was here is missing on the map. McGonagall is in her office with Kingsley? Wonder what he is there for? Wished you could hear people on this map as well." Harry replied.

"No you don't." whispered Ginny "Would you have been able to continue last year had you heard mine and Neville's screams? Or heard what the Carrow's were doing to the students at Hogwarts?"

Harry looked at Ginny, "I'm so sorry my love." they had talked about what it had been like at Hogwarts, how Neville, Luna, Ginny and the rest of the DA had fought against the Carrows, about how the Carrows had allowed students to use the Cruciatus Curse on other students. Harry knew Ginny still had nightmares about it and when he heard her cry out in the night, he would go downstairs knowing she would be there waiting for him. She would curl up in his arms and fall asleep. Mrs. Weasley had tried to comfort her daughter on those occasions but finally realized it was only in Harry's arms her daughter found her peace.

As they watched the map, they saw Professor McGonagall go over to her fireplace, then a couple of seconds later they heard a yell from downstairs;

"Ron, Hermione, Harry, Professor McGonagall would like to speak to you in the fireplace" Mrs. Weasley yelled.

Ron, Harry and Ginny all looked at each other with a grin, and Harry said "Well I guess we get to find out what they were talking about." He tapped his wand on the map and said "Mischief managed" and the lines faded off the map.

By the time they made it down the steps Hermione was already there.

"Potter, Granger, Weasley can you make time soon to come to Hogwarts? I would like to discuss the memorial services and other matters with you" McGonagall said as they gathered around the fireplace.

"Of course Professor" said Hermione before Harry could say anything. She knew that Harry really did not want to discuss the memorial because it would only mean more focus on him. "Do you have a time in mind? If not I am sure we can be there tomorrow morning" She looked over at Harry whose smile had left his face.

"Tomorrow morning would be perfect Miss Granger" Professor McGonagall replied "I will see you at 9 am" and with a pop she was gone.

"Hermione" Ron exclaimed, "couldn't you at least say tomorrow AFTERNOON so we could sleep later?"

"Ron my dear, I happen to know that your mother is planning a shopping trip to Diagon Alley tomorrow morning and she was going to make all of us go to get us out of the house." Hermione said with a smile at Ron "Now instead of going store to store waiting for your mother to finish her shopping you can be off doing something else."

"Oh.., Hermione have I mentioned you are one clever witch and that I love you?" Ron replied.

"Why, I do remember you having mentioned it once or twice….a day." Hermione smile and leaned over and kissed him, "And I hope you never stop saying it."

"What about me?" Ginny exclaimed "I still have to go to Diagon Alley."

"Oh, in that case can you do me a huge favor tomorrow?" Harry asked "Can you go to Gringotts for me? I know Kingsley negotiated a settlement to our break in there, but I still do not want to go back there just yet but I need more money."

"Well of course Harry, but mum could do that for you." Ginny replied.

"Let's say I would prefer you to do it for me and it will give you a reason not to stay with your mother." Harry said. "Here let me write a note for you and give you my key."

As Harry ran upstairs to write the note, Ginny turned to Ron and Hermione and said, "And it looks like I got a pretty clever Wizard"

Harry wrote out the instructions to Gringotts and as he was finished he thought about something and wrote additional instructions. He then wrote out another note and sealed both in an envelope. He tapped it with his wand and muttered the spell of authenticity to ensure the Goblins knew he had written the authority to withdraw funds. He then ran back down the steps and handed his key and the envelope to Ginny. "Thanks love." he said with a smile and a kiss. "I wish you could come with us but your mother knows Professor McGonagall only asked for us."

"I know, but I hate being away from you." Ginny said.

The next morning Harry, Ron and Hermione said good bye to Mrs. Weasley and Ginny and flooed to Headmistress's office. Mrs. Weasley had offered to postpone the shopping trip until they returned, but they said since they didn't know all Professor McGonagall wanted to talk about they didn't know when they would be back, so they encouraged Mrs. Weasley to go on and have a good time. Harry made sure Mrs. Weasley knew that Ginny was going to Gringotts for him. She was unsure that sending her by herself was a good idea. Harry assured her that everything would be fine and if she did have trouble, she could always ask for Bill or Fleur.

As Harry stumbled out of the fireplace, after Hermione and Ron he said "that's it, I am headed to the apparition office when we leave here and get my license. I really hate soot up my nose."

"That won't be necessary Harry, as that was one of the issues I wished to discuss with you." Professor McGonagall said. She took two parchments from her desk and handed them to Harry and Ron. "These are your licenses. The Minister knew you were coming today and he left these for me to give to you. He knew you didn't want to come into the public to get them, and actually were afraid the apparitions instructors might splinch themselves while being distracted at grading your tests, being who you are. It is well known that you apparated all over the country last year with only one splinch" She looked at Ron "and even that was under a most trying circumstance."

Harry looked around the office. He had been here many times, there is where Fawkes the phoenix use to be, those tables were filled with all kinds of things that Harry had no clue about except they made this office uniquely Albus Dumbledores'. But they were no more. Sadness overtook him. He looked up at the painting behind the desk and could see blue eyes staring at him. "Don't be sad for me Harry, I'm on the next great adventure." The painting of Professor Dumbledore said with a smile.

Harry continued to look around the office and he next saw the last painting on the wall, and walked over to it. A greasy haired sallowed face looked back at him. "Hello Snape!"

Harry heard the paint of Professor Dumbledore start to say "Professor Sna-".

Harry interrupted him to say "But if he and I start being nice to each other it would totally ruin the effect." but a smile did emerge on Harry's face. Turning back to Snape's portrait he continued "I am glad the information I gave the Ministry got your named cleared and you are formally recognized as headmaster."

The portrait of Snape looked at him and said "Considering it was my memories that cleared me, I don't think I have much to thank you for." But even his constant frown turned more into a forced grimace as if he was trying to suppress a smile.

"Now that old acquaintances are not forgotten can we get on with what brought you here?" Professor McGonagall asked.

"My apologies professor." Harry said turning back to the Headmistress. Though he almost burst out laughing when Professor Dumbledore's painting winked at Harry and smiled.

"No need to apologize Mr. Potter, but please all three of you, have a seat, but we waiting for one more person to arrive and at that the flames in the fireplace turned green and Kingsley emerged.

Harry looked at the minister and his perfect robes and wanted to know how is it everyone else can come out of a floo looking perfect but he was always covered in soot.

"Minister, excellent timing." McGonagall said. "We had just got seated."

"Excellent, then if I may join you." asked Kingsley took the fourth seat in front of her desk without waiting for her answer.

"Now you three, as you know we are dedicating a memorial with all of the people's names who died actively opposing Voldemort. You three will be expected to be there and to make speeches to such."

"But professor…" began Harry.

"Harry," Kingsley cut him off, "I know it is something you would never want to do for yourself. I know you don't want more attention. But this is different. You aren't doing it for yourself, you are doing it for those who died, you are doing it for the families of those people and you are doing it for the future of the wizarding world. You of all people have given more and ask for so little, that I ask for this little and let us give you more. During this ceremony we will be giving you three the Order of Merlin first class.."

"No way!" Ron said.

"Really?" ask Hermione.

"But I don't…"Harry started but was again interrupted by the Minister.

"AND we will be giving the Order of Merlin second class to all of Dumbledore's Army who active participated against Voldemort, whether in defending the castle or during the last school year. Now if you can't accept your award Harry I can't give them to all the others."

Harry looked at Shacklebolt and muttered "And I thought you weren't a politician, MINISTER." he looked up at Dumbledore's painting and saw two blue eyes twinkling in mirth. "It's not funny!"

Dumbledore said "I agree, but in this case Kingsley really has no choice but to give you the Order of Merlin, he would be run out of office if he didn't, besides, it really is a nice addition on the Chocolate frog card."

"Oh that's right, it will be on there." Ron said "That is really cool."

Professor Dumbledore continued on "When you were one, Harry, you were famous for something you had no control over, but this time, you actively took part, took the risks, made the sacrifices and now you must face the consequences of those actions or shall we say rewards."

"Like I really had a choice." Harry muttered.

"Oh you made plenty of choices that put you where you are now Harry," Dumbledore replied "Beginning with your choice of friends on the train to Hogwarts, you recognized a true friend from a false offer, you made a choice while under the sorting hat. It said you could be great and slytherin would help, but you chose being good, over that greatness. You chose to go into the Chamber of Secrets and face a horror very few grown wizards would dare challenge to save your friend's sister, you chose to protect those who you love, willing to give your life for them and I now understand you have chosen love over popularity. There is a young woman who loves you more than any other, would you deny her to opportunity to see you rewarded as she knows you deserve?"

Harry had no argument for Dumbledore's words and nodded to him and to Kingsley.

"Excellent" Said Kingsley with a wink to Dumbledore's portrait. "We will go into the details after Minerva finished her other issues."

Ron, Harry and Hermione turned back to professor McGonagall. "I do have one other matter I would like to bring up with you. I understand all of you are coming back in the fall to Hogwarts?" The three nodded and she continued "Well I am running into an issue, and am hoping you three can assist me. I am trying to fill in teaching positions and wondered if you can help. First I am going to need a new Transfiguration teacher as I will not be able to teach and fulfill the duties of Headmistress of the school. As it is the most demanding position, I have to have to someone who has a very complete knowledge of magic and extremely good in transfiguration. I also need a new Defense against the Dark Arts professor, though I was tempted to put professor Snape's painting in a classroom, I decided maybe that wasn't the best idea. No need to terrify the first years any further. Besides as was mentioned in the Minister's office he wants the Defense teacher to be the head of the Auror reserves."

"Such a pity" remarked Professor Snapes painting.

"And finally I need a new flying instructor." McGonagall continued, "Madam Hooch has decided to take a couple of years off to pursue other interests. She had a couple of close calls in the battle and wants to spend some time with her family. So I need someone who loves to fly, and who understands Quidditch and brooms."

Hermione looked up quickly "You aren't serious are you? But no you couldn't mean.."

"What…" Ron said a confused look in his eyes.

"Very good Miss Granger, I see you put the pieces together, would you like to explain it to them?" McGonagall said to Hermione nodding toward Ron and Harry.

Hermione turned to them and said, "I believe the headmistress is offering us those positions. She wants me to teach transfiguration, Harry to be the Defense instructor and you to be the flying instructor."

"WHAT??" Exclaimed Harry and Ron together

"But we aren't qualified, we haven't passed any NEWTs!" said Hermione turning back to Professor McGonagall.

"Let's go over your qualifications if we shall, Hermione, I've instructed you for 6 years, you transfigured everything I ever gave you in class, and if I am not mistaken, these two passed transfiguration more on what you taught them in the common room of Gryffindor than what I taught them in class." Hermione face turned a beet red, and McGonagall continued "and if you sat your NEWTs today would you think you would score less than an O in each and every course. Honestly?"

"Well no, I guess not" Hermione said.

"And outside of Professor Lupin would you say your Defense against the Dark Arts lessons were very efficient?" McGonagall asked turning to Harry.

"Eh..what was I?" asked Professor Snapes painting.

"Ok Professor Lupin AND Professor Snape's class?" ask Professor McGonagall.

"Well no.."

"Then how is it, that those young people called Dumbledore's Army matched up one for one against death eaters and held their own?" asked McGonagall.

"but that was…" Harry started.

"But what Mr. Potter, that was luck? I do not think so, I watched them duel and I guarantee you they were trained very well. As you probably heard, last year's defense class was, shall we say ..disturbing. I truly need someone to bring integrity back to that class. Someone everyone who steps in the class will instantly respect. Can you give me a single person who can do that besides yourself?"

"But what about head of the Auror reserves?" Harry turned to Shacklebolt "You can't possibly want me to be that. There is no way I am qualified to do that."

"Why not?" asked the Minister.

"I'm only 17…" Harry started.

"Harry, what I need most from that position is someone who can bring respect and integrity. Someone people will follow without question. As with the Defense position you are the one who can do that above all others." Kingsley replied. "Besides the position actually makes you a full Auror with all privileges."

"What? but I said I couldn't do that position…." Harry again started.

"Yes you did." Kingsley agreed "And I agreed for those reasons you gave, but in five or ten years, you may be able to step into an active Auror role, if not, I will know that if and when there comes a time the wizarding world needs to call upon the Auror reserves, they will be trained and ready, and I know they will be lead by the best."

McGonagall turned back to Harry "Besides, I think you mentioned that you didn't think any superior could work with you in a position because of your name, do you think I would have such a problem Mr. Potter?"

"uh…no." Harry actually gulped.

McGonagall continued "And you do not like reporters, right? No reporter can come onto Hogwarts grounds without my permission. Can you say that for any other place you might work? Here you will be able to come and go freely without the hindrances other places might have. And my final point," McGonagall voice softened " I think you mentioned in the Minister's office you thought of Hogwarts as your home ever since you came here, would it be so bad as to work in that home, coming back to the place you love?"

She then turned to Ron who had a far off look in his eyes, "Mr. Weasley do you have any objections to the position I offered you? I think you happen to love Quidditch and flying, and have a very in-depth knowledge of brooms. I should point out one other thing, the flying instructor always gets the latest broom available on the market."

"A Firebolt II?" Ron gasped.

McGonagall, checked a sheet on her desk "Yes that is what was just ordered, we expect it to be delivered next week."

"No Professor, I have no objections whatsoever." Ron whispered in a low voice, his eyes staring into nothingness as he was already mentally riding the Firebolt II.

Professor McGonagall turned back to Harry and Hermione "and you two, what are your answers?"

Hermione was already planning her first lessons in her head, and it took a couple of seconds for her to respond "um.. I would love it."

"And you Harry?"

Harry had thought of one final sticking point "What is the school policy on professors dating students?"

McGonagall actually smiled at the question and with a little mirth she replied "Normally of course it would be frowned upon most severely but since the relationship started before the positions were such I think we can tolerate it as long as you and Miss Weasley can keep it out of the hallways."

"Then I think I have no objections…"

A/N Again, this is all DriftWood1965! You should review, as reviewing makes me happy, and a happy me updates.