Disclaimer: I own no part of Harry Potter or its associated canon nor, any other already copyrighted material.

(A/N): Fifteen years is a long time. Wonder what he's been up to...


Chapter 1

The Two Professors

Harry thought it amazing how much stuff it was possible to acquire in such a relatively small office in a mere two years. His second trunk was nearly full and he still had a few thinks to pack. Taking a moment out from sorting through it all he dropped into the chair and glanced around the office. Six different people had occupied this office and seven this position in his tenure as a student at Hogwarts. There was something poetic about the fact he was now the Defense Against Dark Arts professor. For a couple hours more at least. When he had originally been offered the post by Headmistress McGonagall two years ago he had been dumbfounded. He had no lack of confidence in his own abilities but why did she want him to teach?

That had been the sticky point it seemed. The curse on the Defense job had managed to persist despite Voldemort's death. Through accident or choice it seemed no one had managed to stay at the job for more than one year. Though the parade of professors over the intervening time had been much more adequate than some during Harry's days, it still made for a badly disjointed learning experience among the students. So after what the Headmistress had determined was the absolutely minimum amount of time had passed since his stellar graduation, she had approached him about taking a crack at breaking the curse. As he now closed the book on his second year it seemed he had finally done away with the last little bit of Tom's touch on the school.

Rising from the chair he headed over to the wall and took down a few pictures. The first two were of the two classes that had graduated under his watch. He could see amongst them familiar faces, the children of people he had known in his own student days. Next came the photograph of the last Dumbledore's Army meeting that had helped to inspire him during his run as professor. If he could teach his friends, why not the students in the classroom? The last he pulled down was a picture of the Order of the Phoenix on the day they had at last been retired. Little more than a year after his graduation they had captured the last of Tom's followers meaning it was no longer needed.

Piling them into the trunk he again searched around the office for anything that might still be his. Double checking the bookshelf again for a book he might have missed his eyes just caught the movement at his door. Whipping around he had wand drawn and pointed at the entry in a heartbeat.

"Whoa! I didn't do it!" Harry's wand fell as his face broke into a wide grin.

"Hey Neville." Neville, now Professor Longbottom had braced himself in the doorway and was looking around with a grin on his face. It was strange thinking of the clumsy, shy and pudgy boy Harry had first known over twenty years ago, a boy who even then had the courage to stand up to him, compared with the trim, confident man before him. Neville had taken the lessons learned in Professor Keystone's class and kept them. He hadn't, what was the term…, 'gone to seed.' Between working in the greenhouses and his own routine Neville was even fitter than when he had graduated.

"Professor Potter." Harry knew he was in better shape too. He hadn't gained as much muscle mass as Neville, but he made it up in reaction time. He could still play seeker professionally if he wanted to. But that was something he had chosen to leave behind to spend time with his family. He now really was the spitting image of his father. Harry glanced at the clock, its battery operated hands serving as something of a reminded of the muggle world he saw so rarely now.

"For a couple hours anyway. Have a seat." Harry motioned to the chair in front of the desk. Neville sat a moment later as Harry fell into his chair, convinced no more of his books were on the shelf. "So what brings you by?" Neville shrugged in that way that clearly said there was a purpose but no need to rush it.

"Oh, you know. Professional courtesy and all that. Came to see a favorite colleague off."

"Well thanks for coming. You can help me with the trunks." Neville cracked a grin at that before glancing around the room.

"So…what's left to pack?" Harry followed his gaze and shook his head slightly.

"Nothing really. Next person can always send me whatever I miss."

"True." Neville's eyes finally came to rest on the desk where a lone white envelope was sitting. "What's that?" Harry picked it up and showed off the address. 'Headmistress McGonagall' was scrawled on the front.

"This…is my official resignation from Hogwarts as a professor."

"You haven't delivered it yet?"

"I'm going to on my way out."

"As long as it's not being chased off by Peeves and a heard of centaurs." Harry chuckled at the memories that brought up.

"No, I think I can manage something a little more dignified than that." Silence fell for a moment and they glanced around the room. For two years it was suppose to have been his main residents but between spending nearly every weekend at Grimmauld and quite a few dinner hours there this place felt more foreign than anything else. Apparently Neville misread the long look he was giving their surroundings.

"Sure you want to go?" Harry paused for only a moment before nodding firmly.

"Yeah. Teaching Rose was weird enough, I can't imagine how it would be having my own kids in class. Besides, would you really want your father teaching while you were here?" Harry paused for a moment before realizing what he had said. "Oh, Neville I'm sorry." Both of Neville's parents had finally succumbed to the damage done to them in the last few years. The man however waved it off.

"Don't worry about it. I had plenty of time to come to grips." He paused in way painfully familiar to Harry before his face lit back up. "So…James will be coming next year right?" Harry nodded thoughtfully, visions of his eldest son passing before his eyes.

"Yeah. Turns eleven in June. He's so anxious he could burst. Makes me wonder if not finding out there's a magical world until the last minute like I did might not be easier." Harry contemplated this thought but immediately dismissed it. The cost of that way for a magical child was far too high. "Ginny's going a little crazy between him and the twins reeking havoc so much of the time. Thank Merlin Lily's more like…" Harry faltered for a moment. Who was their second child more like? Ginny was just as prone as he was to screw around. "Molly I guess." After a pained heartbeat he quickly amended, "Or my mother from what I've heard."

"How is Ginny these days? I haven't seen her in oh so long." Harry cocked an eyebrow at that.

"Yeah…what's it been, a couple months since you saw her at the memorial?" Neville's eyes drifted noncommittally to the side.

"Maybe…" Harry shook he head at his friend's actions but decided to play it a little further.

"You know, you ask about her a lot. Is there something going on between you two I should know about Longbottom?" Near the end Harry had slipped into the same voice he often used to question suspects as an Auror. Either Neville was caught completely off guard or was playing his part rather well. It became readily apparent it was the latter as he threw his hand dramatically against his forehead and affected a horribly put upon voice.

"Oh no! Caught by my own words! You've found us out Potter. The torrid, passionate affair your wife and I have been engaged in for years." Harry bit his own tongue to lock his face in a serious stare. It did nothing to deflect Neville's performance. "Well, best a full confession! It began at the Yule Ball in fourth year. After that night we knew there would never be another for either of us. I stole her heart, a secret we kept hidden from the world." Neville had now risen and was flailing around dramatically as he continued. "The poor girl knew what was expected of her, did her terrible duty and married you. Even went so far as to bear your three sons."

He turned flamboyantly at this point. "Yes! Just the sons! You see, the reason Lily is so different is…I am her father!" Harry had a hand clamped over his mouth physically holding the laughter in. "And now that you know, you must die!" Neville summoned a toy plastic dagger from mid air and charged toward Harry. On the second step he tripped on the chair, fell forward and with great fanfare fell on his own dagger. Leaning on the edge of the desk he began gasping. "Alas! Speared by my own weapon!" Neville began sliding out of sight down the front of the desk. "I should have known better than to attack the Boy-Who-Lived! Forget me not my only love! Potter's…money…" With a last gasp he flopped to the floor, stone dead.

Harry couldn't take it anymore and exploded in a fit of laughter that quickly reduced him to tears and beating on the desk to keep his head from exploding. Minutes late when he managed to raise his head enough to glance, he found Neville sitting lazily in the chair, fake dagger still embedded in his armpit. The man noticed his glance and bounced his eyebrows a couple times in response. This only sent Harry into further hysterics and it was fully ten minutes before he could bring himself under any sort of control. Pulling a handkerchief out of thin air he removed his glasses and began wiping his eyes and face. It was still a couple more minutes before he could compose himself enough to be able to speak. Neville had also been laughing rather heartily after once again demonstrating why he was so sought after at parties. None would think it watching him tear up whole sections of the gardens in a terrible vigor but he was quite the showman. As if to point out the dichotomy Harry just now noticed a few patches of dirt on the other man's robes.

Finally again with the power of speech Harry spoke. "I needed that. But you see, even without your performance, I knew there was nothing going on."

"Really? You think?"

"I do indeed. You see a little read headed bird told me something rather interesting about you." He now had Neville's attention. There could be no doubt who the bird had been. "Apparently you've been spending rather a lot of your free time with a certain blond haired reporter. She works for the Quibbler I believe?" Harry stumbled for just a moment as the eleven year old boy appeared before him for a heartbeat, red faced and embarrassed. "So…what of it?" A moment late the man returned as Neville pulled himself up straighter in his chair.

"And how did your little bird happen to hear this?" Harry shrugged.

"Got me. I'm not going to ask. A guy could go mad trying to figure out that web. So…is it true?" Neville tried to stay passive but a reluctant smile gave him away.

"It's not like I've been spending all my free time with Luna, but we have gone out a couple times. She does have rather more interesting things to talk about than my students so it's a nice reprieve." Harry waited a moment but no more information was offered.

"And?" He gestured for Neville to continue, which just received a shrug. "Come on man! If I go back to Ginny with just 'they've gone on a couple of dates and she interesting to talk to' she's going to kill me! You got to give me something! Anything!" Harry's hands were almost in a begging position. Neville seemed to think about it for a moment.

"What do you want me to say? She's the best shag I've ever had?" Harry's hands slapped to his ears.

"Ah! Ah! No! Don't say things like that! Don't even think it! Scarred, I'm scarred for the rest of my life! Mentally this time!" Risking dropping his hands he looked back up to find the man silently laughing. Harry could only shake his head. "Seriously…" Neville calmed down after a minute.

"Seriously? She a lot of fun. She's…really out there, like she always has been, but the older I get the more attractive that becomes. Almost…like a little bit of my youth right there in front of me. I…seriously don't know where we're going…but it's been a fun trip so far." Harry smiled at the revelation. He wouldn't pretend to be smart enough to see where it might lead but he could offer well wishes.

"As long as you're happy, what more do you need?"

"True. So…" After a moment he glanced around and started to rise. "That about does it?" Harry glanced around as well and nodded. Everything was packed and it was well and truly time to leave. Lifting himself out of the chair he picked up the letter addressed to the headmistress and drew his wand. A flick sealed the second trunk and a swish made them hover a few inches off the floor. Returning the wand to the well worn sheath on his arm he grabbed the traveling cloak hanging near the door and, with a flick of his wrist, settled it over his shoulders. After a gesture Neville led the way out. Harry stepped from the office and out into, for a few more minutes at least, his classroom. The trunks floated silently behind the pair as they headed out into the halls and toward the entrance.

Reaching junction in the corridor Neville slowed. "Well…I've got some things to take care of in the greenhouses before break." He held out his hand which Harry took immediately. "Take care of yourself Harry."

"You too Neville. Say hi to Luna for me."

"Will do." Turning off to the side Neville headed for a side door that would let him out near the plants he enjoyed so much. Following his movement for just a moment Harry turned and continued on his way. It was odd the way his footsteps echoed in the empty chambers. Such was Hogwarts sans students. The empty corridors were almost eerie and he wondered for a moment just how Dumbledore had managed to stay here all the time. The fat friar drifted through the wall ahead of him and gave a nod. He returned the gesture as the spirit passed through the other side.

Reaching the entrance he found Headmistress McGonagall seemingly waiting for him at the top of the stairs. In the years since taking over for Dumbledore she had gained much of his bearing and confidence. A certain mark of wisdom now rested in the corners of her eyes though it did nothing to diminish the severity of her gaze. Her personality though had softened somewhat to more closely resemble her predecessors. As Harry approached she broke into a wide smile.

"Professor Potter. Heading home?" He smiled at the title one last time.

"Yep. For good this time." He held out the letter for her. After only a second she grasped it and flipped it over in her hands.

"Your official resignation I assume?" He nodded. "I'm sorry to accept this but I can understand your misgivings about teaching your own children." He nodded again slowly.

"Yeah… Here's to them having the same teacher for all seven years."

"Indeed." She paused for a moment during which she slipped the letter into her robes. "Thank you for doing this Harry. It may be superstition but that counts for a lot around here." He smiled at that.

"No problem Minerva. I'm glad to help. I left my lesson plans and student notes in the office along with a few bits and bobs." He glanced once more back down the corridor and surprisingly noticed Peeves slinking this way and that, apparently bored without anyone to annoy. His gaze swung back around to the Headmistress. "Take care Headmistress."

"You too Mr. Potter." With a last nod Harry turned to the open doors and strode out into the daylight. The short trip across the courtyard was refreshing to his senses and he took a deep breath of the afternoon air. Passing through the main gates his eyes fell on the Quiddich pith and he had to fight the familiar urge to dig up a broom and cruise around the field. A decade as a professional player had worked it right down into his blood. He and Ron had retired at nearly the same time and were seen as a devastating loss to the Cannons who still struggled to recover. Their choice had been plain though and none could fault them for choosing their families over the game.

Fighting down the feeling he continued on. A glance the other way picked out the massive form of a man that could only be the Keeper of the Keys and his oldest magical friend Reubeus Hagrid. His hand rose a moment later in a wave that was quickly returned. After being cleared of the charges that had caused his original dismissal the man had been allowed a new wand and had taken several classes to catch up. Though he would never be a standout wizard, it at least put him on equal footing with the rest of the professors and parents he had to deal with. His confidence had also been greatly boosted at being named head of Gryffindor house after McGonagall's transition to full time Headmistress.

The trek down to the relatively quiet Hogsmeade passed rapidly and he glanced back and forth as he strode along the main street. Most of the shops were closed since no students were there to buy their goods. Passing what had once been Zonko's he glanced through the window to see someone moving inside and taking inventory. As she stood he recognized Verity staring back at him. After a moment she waved. She had been so valuable at the flagship store that she had been given this, the Hogsmeade branch of Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes to manage. The twins had built quite a little empire in the last decade and a half. Harry knew he hadn't been the only professor guilty of buying something here. He waved back and continued on.

Arriving at Hogsmeade station he glanced around at the deserted platform. It hadn't really been necessary to come all this way, the apperation barrier was a good deal closer to the school. But he had developed a routine of leaving from the platform that he'd felt disinclined to change. Waiting a moment for the trunks to settle on either side of him he leaned down and gripped one in each hand. Taking a last breath of the Highland air he turned on the spot and dissapperated.

A moment later he popped into existence in the entry hall of a well appointed house. The portrait to the side stood empty for the moment with just a comfortable chair and a small table. He had only a moment to glance around though before he heard light footfalls coming from multiple directions. From down the hall a red haired blur appeared sliding into view from the direction of the library. "Daddy!" He knelt down as the blur crashed into him and wrapped its arms tightly around his neck.

"Ah…there she is. How's my favorite daughter?" He could feel the laugh against his neck as she pulled back and stared at him.

"I'm your only daughter."

"Okay, how about favorite girl under the age of twenty?" Her eyes lit up as she smiled at that. "Did you have a good day Lily?"

"Well I-" She was cut off as two boys with extremely dark red hair dove into him on either side of her and nearly bowled Harry over.

"Dad!" The yelled together while choking off the little bit of air they hadn't already knocked from his lungs. Extricating himself from the tangle of arms he glanced at the identical looks of his youngest children. "Evening Albus, Sirius." The pair glanced at each other. The one on the left spoke first.

"I'm Sirius, he's Albus." Harry stared directly at him and responded with out any hesitation.

"No, you're Albus, he's Sirius." After a moment the twins shook their heads.

"How do you always know?"

"Practice. So, what have you two been up today?" Eerily similar mischievous grins crossed their faces as they responded in a synchronized sing song voice.

"Nothing…" Harry could only shake his head in response.

"You two have been spending way too much time with your uncles."

"You mean Gred and Forge?"

"Yeah. Them." Harry's smile was rueful as he looked past his slightly miffed daughter to find his eldest son standing in the doorway to the family room, patiently waiting his turn. He nodded once. "Hi James."

"Hi dad. Good day at work?" Harry nodded in response.

"Just fine." James had moved into a strange place in the last few months where he thought he was above hugging his parents and preferred this less personal greeting. Harry let him have the small measure of independence. The boy would be going off to school in a few months and he wouldn't have his parents there all the time anyway. James's black haired head turned as he wandered back into the family room. The twins followed, doubtlessly to pester him, leaving Lily once again alone with her father. Harry focused on her brilliant green eyes. She was an eerie ghost of her namesake. "Lily, I'm sorry. Do you want to meet me up in the workshop and you tell me all about your day?" He smile returned melting away the previous annoyance.

"Yeah!" Turning, she tore up the stairs to the third floor where he knew she would wait patiently beside the correct door until he got there. She didn't really have a choice as the magical locks on the entrance kept nearly everyone out. "Hi mom!" Harry turned from hanging up his cloak on the stand near the door and lost his ability to breathe. An angel was standing half way up the flight of stairs looking quizzically after her daughter.

"What did I tell you about running in the…oh…never mind." He gaze swung back to Harry and his face melted into a wide grin as she descended the last few steps. "Welcome home." Her embrace was slow, controlled and wonderful. The kiss nearly stopped his heart as it did every time he saw her. After a moment she pulled back.

"Evening love." Ginny Weasley had lost none of her figure even after granting him four children. That fact she had alone made her even more attractive in his eyes. "Merlin, I missed you." He was met with a sharp poke in the chest.

"Ho do you think I feel? You haven't spent one night home in three weeks. I'm going a little crazy here."

"I'll make it up to you, promise."

"Damn right you will." She stepped back and glanced into the family room where the twins were hovering near James. "Better go take care of that. I believe you have an appointment with another young redhead?" Her finger rose to point up.

"Alas I do. Later?"

"Oh, you can bet on that." Giving him a wicked grin she headed for the family room. Harry followed her with his eyes before forcefully breaking the contact. Taking a deep breath he leaned down and grabbed a trunk in each hand. He could have simply recast the hovering charm, but he liked to do these things manually at home so he didn't lose his physical edge. Reaching the third floor he very nearly regretted the decision but arrived at his bedroom door just in time. Setting them off to the side he turned to find Lily obediently waiting for him. Grabbing the door knob he felt enchantments give way as the door swung smoothly open. At a gesture his daughter stepped through and quickly took her normal seat at the main table.

He pulled down a tattered and beaten copy of a sixth year potions book and set it on the table as well. Flipping randomly through it he stopped on a rather simple anti venom and stopped. Pushing the book silently across the table he watched Lily's eyes scan it. After a jerk of his head she hopped down and headed for the supplies rack to grab the ingredients she could reach. As he grabbed the rest and moved the cauldron to the table between them she lined up what she had collected in neat little rows. "So…tell me about your day."


(A/N): If you feel it is warranted feel free to review. I welcome any and all opinions.