Ever After

by Thousandson

Picking up right after Harry and Voldemort's final battle. Harry must now deal with everything that has happened and settle into a more normal life that turns out to be much harder than he thought. A story of Friendship Drama and Romance.

3. Chapter 3: Responsibility Sets In

Author's Notes:

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Questions/Reviews:

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Last Chapter:

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There was an Auror on each side of Harry leading him down the hall with everyone else.

Mr. Kingsley was right behind him and said. "Well that went well."

Harry was being shuffled and jostled about between Rom and Hermione and said. "They didn't take my death too well…"

Hermione managed to grab on to his upper arm as they reached a small open room at the end of the hall with a six foot yellow circle painted on the ground.

He, Ron and Hermione were pushed into its center first and a Auror with black hair and cold green eyes said.

"You can Apparate from here and you best be quick about it."

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Mrs. Weasley waved her hand at them and said. "Dinner should be ready in an hour."

Ron Apparated with a dull pop and Hermione gave her a regretfully look and said.

"I'm sorry Mrs. Weasley, but I don't think we will make it tonight or else the post will take over Harry's home…"

Mrs. Weasley gave them a confused look as Hermione gripped Harry forearm tightly and they disappeared.

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Chapter Three: Responsibility Sets In

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Harry wanted to keep sleeping, but his growling stomach kept protesting against his will.

He groaned as he rolled over in his small singles bed in the ancient looking room and sat up.

There was a tall dark wooden dresser with a dusty mirror on top of it in one corner of the room.

The two small beds were pushed up to the walls on either side of the room and a window with faded green drapes was in between it.

The morning light poured through the crack in the drapes and lit the room up with its warm rays.

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Harry looked over at Ron sprawled out in the bed that could barely hold his large frame as he slept soundly.

He felt a bit jealous of Ron because he could always sleep late into the afternoon.

Every time the morning light came into the room Harry had to get up because he could never get back to sleep when the sun was up.

Harry stood up and yawned while stretching and then went over to the dresser.

There were two neatly stacked sets of clothes on it that Hermione had laid out for them the night before.

He sleepily grabbed one of them and unfolded a pair of slacks in front of him.

The slacks came up to the middle of his chest and skirted the floor. Harry realized he had grabbed Ron's stack by mistake and put them back.

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He took the other stack of clothes and put on a plain red shirt and a pair of faded blue jeans with holes in the knees.

They were a little large on him and he had to wear a belt so they didn't fall down.

His stomach growled impatiently at him and he tried to muffle the sound with his arms.

It apparently wasn't happy with its dinner from last night of two slices of plain bread, but it was all that was left in the house.

He made a mental note on his way out of the room to go shopping once Hermione and Ron were up.

He was halfway down to the kitchen when he remembered he was flat broke and didn't have any money to go shopping with.

Sighing loudly he went into the kitchen and got a glass of water.

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Harry hoped he would find Kreacher there, but the house elf was nowhere to be seen.

He could summon him, but felt that if Kreacher wanted to sleep in that he had more than earned it with all the worked he had be doing over the past two days.

The fireplace roared to life and Harry jumped back with a start fearful of being buried in post again.

To his relief only a single parcel came through with a letter taped to its front.

Harry had his hand over his racing heart before he remembered that Hermione adjusted the charm over the fireplace so it would only accept post from people he knew closely.

The parcel was square and flat and wrapped in brown paper.

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He went over and picked it up off the floor and examined it. From the weight of it Harry was pretty sure it was a book of some kind.

He recognized the hand writing on the letter instantly as Professor McGonagall's.

Harry pulled the letter off and opened it.

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"Dear Mr. Potter.

I have sent you some course study work that you will need to know to get your teaching license.

It will also be helpful to you as a student teacher.

Inside, the study material is the basic etiquette of how teachers are to treat students that I expect you to follow.

There is also a standard outline of how to set about the class work assignments.

I know you have taught before, but teaching a class formally is much different then teaching students how to duel.

This is already in the study material and you might already know this from your time spent teaching, but I will remind you anyway as it is the first mistake nearly all teachers make.

Always plan ahead more work than the students could possibly finish in a day.

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Your new title at the school will be Assistant Professor and to those you teach they are to call you that.

They are not to call you by your first name even if they are friends while you are in the class as a teacher or walking the halls.

You will now be receiving the schools faculty newsletter. In it will be new teaching methods as well as things going on in the inner workings of the school.

It is not to be shown to students under any circumstances, even Hermione or Ron.

It is for teachers alone, even the copy you get of the newsletter will likely be edited as you will still be a student.

You are to present to me an outline for your first four classes at the start of term on the subjects in the course material.

If all is agreeable then you will have your first class to teach being a mixed group of Gryffindor and Slytherin second year students the second week of term.

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As an Assistant Professor you will be given the same privileges of a prefect and beyond that.

You will be given limited access to the restricted section of the library for your study material for teaching and only teaching.

If you need to check out one of the restricted books just ask the library clerk on duty.

They will make a determination whether or not it is acceptable for you to check out the book.

If they find it agreeable they will unchain the book and give it to you, but you must return it within twenty-four hours.

You will also be required to fill out a form as to exactly where you are keeping the book when it is not in use.

Also know that all the restricted books have a trace on them. If you try to leave the grounds with one the punishment is very severe.

Should the clerk be unsure as to whether they should give you access to certain books they will consult me.

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This will likely happen quite often because of the position you are aspiring to fill will require you to learn of some of the darkest magic known to us at least in theory.

You will be given your pass to the faculty bathroom and teaching library once you officially accept your job as Assistant Professor.

It is exceedingly rare for Hogwarts to accept Assistant Professors, but you are in luck should you wish to speak to someone going through the same thing as you.

Neville Longbottom is also planning to take an Assistant Professor position under Madam Sprout.

I wish you luck on your endeavors Mr. Potter.

I will write you again when we have found a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher so that you can meet before hand.

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Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

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It was starting to sink in that being a teacher at Hogwarts was no simple matter.

He thought that he could get the job easily because they were always struggling to fill it, but now he was beginning to understand just how lofty his goal was.

He thought of all the teachers in the school he had studied under. He never had anyone else to compare them to.

He remembered that Lupin said that only Professor Snape could make his potion to ward off the effect of the full moon for him.

Handling deadly plants was common in Madam Sprout's class and she managed to handle it with ease.

Harry didn't get to take McGonagall's advanced N.E.W.T. class, but it was well known in the school that the final Transfiguration she tried to teach them was how to turn into a dragon.

She did it as a final lesson just to show her students how far Transfiguration could be taken, not in the hopes that they could master it.

Harry remembered his in third year Dirk Preston, a known class clown, took her advanced N.E.W.T. class and came out of her final lesson white as a sheet.

Another coming out of the class was also scared witless asking his nearby friend if he knew that Professor McGonagall could turn into a fifteen foot tall fire breathing dragon before the lesson started.

Everyone that had taken her final lesson always spoke to her in revered respect afterwards.

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Hagrid's ability to handle dangerous magical creatures and bring them safely into a class setting suddenly seemed unparalleled.

Harry could think of a single other person that could come close to doing it.

Even the last teacher for Care of Magical Creatures focused more on studying them and less on interacting with them.

Hagrid was also the only teacher that was allowed to freely roam the Dark Forest impervious to its dangers.

Harry had thought that Divination class was somewhat a joke, but was forced to rethink is opinion of Professor Trelawney.

She had, after all, made the Prophecy that had defined his life.

Harry was suddenly humbled by their abilities and just how great of teachers they were.

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Harry realized that Headmaster McGonagall was very serious when she said that Hogwarts only accepts the very best to teach at their school.

He felt very foolish for even asking for the job. It left a bad taste in his mouth when he remembered how he asked her for the job so carelessly.

The way he remembered it it was like he was throwing his 'Hero Status' around like a child.

Harry sighed as he looked down in depression feeling that there was no way he could match up to the other teachers at the school.

He couldn't even back down from the job as he had asked for it in front of an entire army of press members.

In his lamented thoughts the study material in his hands felt like it weighed over one hundred kilos even though it barely weighed two.

It was like the weight of the responsibilities he had asked for was showing him just how heavy a burden they were.

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They weren't the least of his responsibilities he thought of as he felt the piece of parchment in his pocket that Mr. Kingsley had slipped him after the interview.

Harry had asked him for it in his reply. He set the letter and the heavy parcel down on the table before pulling it out and unfolding it slowly.

He read it over carefully.

'Ministry Form 342-17-14B, Request of Parental Guardianship Adoption'.

Near the bottom of the mostly filled out form was a list of things required for any adoption to even be considered.

A adequate home, stable income, proof of parenting skills(by taking two eight hour classes) and three other people willing to be caregivers (one active, two inactive.)

His home was in shambles, his income was zero, his parenting skills was that he didn't have any, but at least he was fairly certain that Mr. and Mrs. Weasley would agree to be caregivers.

He felt slightly guilty at the thought of asking them, but getting a job, cleaning his house up and going back to school, it was all for his Godson.

The one thing he did know was that he wouldn't let anyone give Teddy the kind of home he had to endure. It just wasn't an option for him.

Lupin trusted him to be his Godfather encase they both died so that their child would have someone to look after him and disappointing them never crossed his mind.

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He signed the bottom of the paper and looked to the three blank lines above his signature.

Mr. and Mrs. Weasley could fill in the two inactive caregivers.

The ministry's requirements for an inactive caregiver was little more than someone willing to babysit or pick a child up from school.

The other active one was what worried him above all else. If he was blood related to Teddy then one active caregiver would be enough.

The form even specifically noted an example of a Godfather or Godmother needing two.

An active caregiver had to live in the same residence and take an active role in the child's life and development.

It became quickly clear to Harry that they had a spouse in mind for an active caregiver from the requirements.

It was clearly noted that house elves were not eligible.

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Harry's mind wandered to the only person he could imagine himself marrying, but he knew he wasn't ready for that step especially when she wouldn't even talk to him at the moment.

He looked over the requirements again and worried that Ginny didn't fill a single one of them and from her temper he wondered if she ever would.

He tried thinking of the simplest way to solve his problems. He indulged the idea of dating middle aged single house mothers with kids of their own for a moment.

He laughed at the lunacy of his own thoughts and quickly discounted that option.

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"Was something funny?" Hermione asked from the stairs. Harry turned around and quickly put the form back into his pocket.

"Oh…it was nothing Hermione." He said slightly embarrassed and thankful that Hermione was trained in Occlumency, at least that he was aware of.

She gave him a reserved questioning look and said. "I hope you haven't gone a bit knackered on us..."

Harry flashed his brows and he nodded slightly sarcastically. "With everything I have to deal with I'll be surprised if I don't go a bit knackered."

She rolled her eyes at him like he was being overly dramatic and said. "Oh come now. We only have the study left to clean out."

Her eyes suddenly caught sight of the parcel and the open letter on the table.

She smiled knowingly and asked. "Who sent you post? It had to be someone we know…"

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Harry went to grab the letter, but Hermione was faster and snatched it up.

"Hey Hermione! Please, that's mine and it's private!" Harry said while chasing her around the island table as she read it.

She suddenly stopped with a disappointed look on her face.

"And here I was hoping it was from Ginny saying she had come to her senses." She said regretfully.

Harry stopped in front of her, but did not try to take back the letter she was reading.

"I don't see why you would want to keep this from me Harry. I thought you didn't keep secrets from me anymore…Oh I see, the faculty newsletter."

She said and then thumbed through the parchment pages and handed him the last one.

She kept smiling at him knowingly and said. "You didn't honestly think I was going to read it if Headmaster McGonagall didn't want me to did you?"

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Harry took a quick look at the newsletter, most of the first part was a detailed description of what areas of the school was still damaged and what enchantments needed to be replaced.

It was trivial knowledge to him, but he understood it could be devastating knowledge in the hands of someone wanting to attack the school when its defenses were low.

Hermione continued reading his letter and her smile only grew bigger.

Harry shyly said. "Hey Hermione…"

"Hmm." She replied and her brows went up, but she didn't stop reading.

"Hav-Have you ever thought of just how good the teachers at Hogwarts are?" He stuttered to collect his thoughts as he spoke to her.

She looked seriously up from the letter while still smiling at him and said.

"Yes, I have actually. They are the best of the best. That is why I was so happy for you when you said you wanted to be the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.

Even I would never attempt to become a Hogwarts teacher. It's on par with trying to become an Auror, maybe even a bit harder as there is only one teacher for each subject."

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She went back to smiling at the letter and Harry nervously and worriedly asked. "How did you know that?"

She never stopped reading the letter and said.

"Humph! The same way you did.

I read 'Hogwarts A History'. The four founders wanted to create the best school for Witchcraft and Wizardry in the world and they did.

That is why only the very best are allowed to teach at Hogwarts.

That is why I'm so proud of you that you want to become one and not just any teacher you're trying to become the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.

I know it's been a shaky position while we went to school, but history tells us that it is the most revered and coveted teaching position in the school.

I'm sure you already knew that though."

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Harry shrank back from her only feeling worst than when the conversation started. She had been quoting that book since he met her and he still hadn't read it.

"Ewww." She flirty teased him and a joking manner. "Assistant Professor Potter… Ginny better get a grip on you soon before all the girls at the school gobble you up."

She said and then laughed, but Harry only gave her a tired flat look.

Ron walked down the kitchen steps in his white and blue striped pajamas and yawned at the bottom.

He looked into the kitchen and sleepily said. "Hermione what are you on about? You look as happy as a cat playing with a ball of string."

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Harry had a sour exasperated look on his face as he raised his hand. "Ball of string right here..."

Ron's narrowed eyes went from Harry to Hermione's giddy face and he tiredly said.

"Really Hermione? I'm this worn out from yesterday and you have to pick today of all days to be 'little miss morning ray of sunshine'?"

She rushed up next to him and held out Harry's letter. "You got to read this!" She said like it was the story on the century.

Ron's eyes narrowed further and he stepped past her with his stomach growling into the kitchen.

"The only thing I've got to do is get some breakfast. I'm starved!" He said as he plopped down on one of the stools around the island table.

Hermione gave him a scowling annoyed look for ignoring her and said.

"Well you will have to wait for Kreacher to get back with the shopping for your troth of slop Ronald."

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Ron's head hit the table in misery and said. "Really? There's no food? Please tell me you're joking…"

"It's not a joke Ronald so what don't you read this in the mean time!" She said as she slapped the letter on the table in front of him.

He picked his head up and gave her an exasperated and defeated look and said.

"Alright already…I'll read the bloody letter…"

He wore a tired look as he pick up the letter and read it. His eyed slid back and forth in boredom for a few minutes as Harry took a seat next to him.

Hermione took a seat on the other side of Ron and watched in expectantly.

Ron finished the letter and looked over at Hermione with near offense as he tossed the letter down in front of him.

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"What was the rush in me reading that? Couldn't you have just said 'oh by the way Harry's going to start his Assistant Professor job next term'?

I mean really, I was at the interview yesterday and I didn't sleep through it did I?" He said miserably and let his head fall on the table again.

She looked at him in shock that he didn't understand the gravity of what was happening.

"Ronald don't you realize how big a deal this is-" She started to scold him, but Ron picked up his head and said in hungry announce.

"It would be if it was anyone else besides Harry!" Hermione backed away with a start at his near shouting at her.

"Oh come on Hermione. You know Harry has always had lofty goals. He took down Voldemort for crying out loud!

Is it really that surprising that he's as sick of camping out in the woods chasing Death Eaters as much as you and me?

It's no wonder he wants to take a step up from the average Auror and teach at Hogwarts.

Blimey Hermione, he probably could have asked for the job of head Auror from Kingsley and gotten it…" He rolled his eyes in exasperation and said.

"McGonagall said it herself that Harry had already proven he was capable of the job so what's the big deal?"

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Hermione thought that he didn't understand how high the goals Harry was working towards were only to be proven wrong.

He not only understood them he wasn't surprised that Harry had tried to obtain them.

Harry was in shock and said. "Wait you knew…"

Ron gave him a utterly confused look and said. "Knew what? That you wanted to teach at Hogwarts?

It's hardly surprising when you blatantly told everyone yesterday. You've got the D.A. under your belt mate.

It is no wonder McGonagall took you on."

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Harry didn't move off his stool, but backed away as far as he could without getting up.

Hermione's face went slack with realization from his reaction. "You-You didn't know did you…?"

Ron gave her a sideways discounting look as she said again. "What are you talking about? Of course Harry knew…"

Ron noticed his timid look as well and looked at him in shock. He said.

"Harry you couldn't have really asked for the position and not realized what you where asking…could you?"

Harry only looked down at the table regretfully.

"Wait…You couldn't have thought to take up that post… as a simple job to make money did you?" He said hoping his intuition was wrong.

"I mean I know you're broke and all, but every wizard knows that getting a teaching job at Hogwarts is nearly has hard as getting an upper level Ministry job…"

Hermione saw his thoughts written on his face as he looked down unsure of himself.

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"Harry… you really didn't know did you?" Hermione asked worriedly already knowing the answer.

He signed long and hard at the table and Ron said. "Wait…you really didn't know did you Harry?"

"You know…I don't have any money and the job…has always been so hard to fill. I thought since I taught D.A. meetings that it be the only other thing I might be good at it…"

He said worried from just their looks.

Ron stared at him in shock and said. "Blimey Harry. Every wizard knows that getting a teaching position in Hogwarts is like a one in a million chance."

Harry looked at him in reserved shock and said. "You knew this and you still scoffed off homework with me…even encouraged it at times?"

Ron pulled away from him and looked away before saying. "I never said the lessons were always entertaining…"

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"Umm Harry…" Hermione asked apprehensively. "Do you really want to be a Hogwarts teacher?"

Harry sighed deeply and said. "I thought I did before it felt like it was out of my reach."

"Harry don't say that-" Hermione said before Harry cut her off.

"Don't say what? That I'm a total imbecile that didn't realize what I was asking in front of the whole wizarding world?

That I didn't know I was asking for a position that wasn't unwanted, but that anyone that applied to it simply feared they couldn't come close to getting the job?

He sighed."I'm sorry I didn't realize what I was asking and now everyone expects so much from me. I can't even back down from it now…

I wish you two would have stopped me from making a fool out of myself." Harry said and hung his head in shame.

"Harry...I mean… We didn't want to dissuade from your chosen profession, we only wanted to support you."

Hermione said regretfully.

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He shook his head in disbelief at himself before Ron said.

"What are you getting down for Harry? You'll be a great teacher; besides if you aren't McGonagall will just sack you."

Hermione's jaw fell open in offended shock at his statement.

"Ronald Weasley! How could you say something like that! Do you have any idea what Harry is going through?"

Ron put his arms up to protect his face as a recently learned reflex. He unknowingly said.

"What?...I only meant that if he really didn't want the job he could do lousy and get fired, that's all…"

"Oh right! That would look so great on his Auror application, 'Was fired due to poor work ethics'.

Honestly Ron did you rent that space between your ears out to a family of moths?"She snapped at him.

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"Alright fine. I'll just sit here and not say anything…" Ron said in defeat as he looked off to the far wall with his stomach growling.

Hermione looked him up and down sharply and said. "That would be a drastic improvement."

She had hardly finished speaking when they heard a dull pop and they turned towards the fire place to see Kreacher's sour look staring back at him.

Ron eyed him carefully and noticed he wasn't carrying any shopping bags.

Kreacher bowed slightly and as Hermione asked with concern in her voice. "Kreacher is there something wrong?"

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"I'm regretfully sorry, but I was unable to get any money from Gringotts out of your account. It seems they have frozen your account as well as Harry's"

He said and slowly lifted his head.

"Ergh! Now what are we gonna do?" Ron said in frustration.

Hermione sighed, she had a feeling her account might also be frozen.

"Don't be dramatic Ron. I've still got a bit of pocket money left.

We should be able to get a few days worth of food at the market down the street so there is no need to run to your mother's apron strings yet."

She said.

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Ron gave her a hurtful look and quietly said. "I didn't go running to my mum…"

Hermione rolled her eyes at him and said. "Come on let's go get the shopping done before Ron wastes away."

Harry gave her a strained look and said. "Why don't you two do the shopping? I've got something I need to take care of."

Hermione looked over at Ron's tired miserable face and then gave Harry a flat look. "Harry the study can wait until after the shopping is done."

Harry gave her a troubled look and walked up beside her. He whispered to her.

"It's not the study. I need to talk to Mrs. Weasley…privately."

Hermione pulled back slightly in mild shock and then gave him a questioning look.

"Please Hermione, I'll tell you both about it later, I swear." He begged her while gripping the form in his pocket.

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She just shook her head at him as she stood up. She clearly didn't like the prospects of doing the shopping with Ron alone in the state he was in.

She reached out and grabbed his forearm.

"Wait…I don't really care that you two are talking all hushed like keeping things from me, but why is it that Hermione is always the one Apparating you around.

I know she's the best at it between us, but still."

Hermione gave him a flat annoyed look and said. "Harry will tell us what he is doing later and did you forget that Harry doesn't have his Apparation license."

Ron drew back slightly and said. "Oh…That's right…Sorry I forgot with all that's been going on that he didn't get a chance to take the test yet."

Hermione shook her head in disappointment at Ron and then disappeared with a pop taking Harry with her.

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They reappeared in The Burrow living room and Hermione slowly let go of his arm and turned to him.

She gave him a timid worried look and quietly said.

"Harry…If Ginny isn't ready to talk don't try to force her. I mean, you remember what she did to Ron when he tried to force her to talk."

Harry gave her a strained forced smile. "Yes, I don't want to make a habit out of getting beat up by witches." He said knowingly.

Hermione looked at the ground in embarrassment and she said. "Well then…Good luck."

"Thanks." He said and she Disapparated with a dull pop.

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Harry could hear talking coming from the kitchen. He recognized Mrs. Weasley's voice, but wasn't sure who the other voice belonged to.

The other voice seemed familiar, but it was much more muted like they were facing away from the living room.

Harry went over doorway to the kitchen and saw Mrs. Weasley sitting at the table talking to someone.

The other person's back was facing him, but she wore her red hair pulled up into a tight bun on top of her head and wore bight crimson robes.

Mrs. Weasley caught sight of Harry and smiled at him. "Harry! When did you get here and where is Hermione and Ron?"

"Umm, I just arrived Mrs. Weasley, Ron and Hermione are out doing some shopping for me." He said shyly.

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"Oh, well then how about a spot of breakfast? You're looking a bit peaky if I do say so myself." She said cheerfully.

Harry was starving, but didn't want to come home smelling like Mrs. Weasley's home cooking.

He could already see the argument he would have with Ron and he didn't want him knowing where he had gone just yet.

He wondered if the spell 'Accio breakfast smell' would work, but he quickly discounted it.

"Umm, no thank you Mrs. Weasley. I just ate." He lied and hoped his stomach wouldn't give him away.

Mrs. Weasley said. "Are you sure Harry dear?" He nodded his head.

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"Well you have impeccable timing Mr. Potter." Professor McGonagall said as she turned around and looked at him.

Harry was momentarily surprised to see her at The Burrow. "Professor…I mean Headmaster McGonagall. What brings you here?"

"We will get to that in a moment. Did you get the package I sent to you?" She asked him stiffly.

"Yes, I did. I just read your letter before coming here." He admitted.

She gestured for him to take a seat beside her and he stepped over the bench and sat down.

Harry felt a bit awkward around her. She had always been a strict teacher, but Harry was having trouble with the idea that she was now his boss too.

He didn't know how to act around her anymore like he was blindingly feeling his way around the situation.

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"Did you start in on the study material I sent you?" She asked like she already knew the answer was no.

"Umm, not exactly, it just arrived twenty minutes ago. After Hermione, Ron and I finish cleaning out my study I was going to have a look at it." He said nervously under her sharp gaze.

"I would think that you would put your studying before cleaning out some old junk in one of your spare rooms." She said slightly critical of him.

He gave her a strained look then sighed at the table top. "I didn't have much of a choice. The post from well wishers was taking over my house.

All the bedrooms were filled floor to ceiling by the time I got home. It took us until midnight just to clear out enough of it out to have a bed to sleep on."

He said with a hint of bitterness in his voice.

Mrs. Weasley gave him a worried look and said. "Didn't Ron use the post repelling charm I taught him yesterday?"

Harry gave her a surprised look and said. "Ron came to you for help?"

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She nodded her head and said.

"Yes, he came late in the afternoon asking me how it was that your house wasn't on the Floo Network yet mail kept coming out of the fireplace.

I let him know that only people couldn't use the Floo Network, but the post still had access to it as I'm sure you found out."

"Oh, I was wondering how he managed to stop it." He said in realization and then turned back to Headmaster McGonagall with a questioning look.

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"As I have stated you have excellent timing Mr. Potter. I have taken a number of applications to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.

But I didn't feel a one of them would live up to our high standards. I have, however, just filled the post.

It is good that you are here as it saves me the time in writing you another letter. You are not to tell anyone about this until the start of term." She said sternly.

Harry's mind was racing with thoughts when he very curiously asked her. "But who did you get to fill the post?"

"Molly Weasley has agreed to come teach at Hogwarts next year. You will be her Assistant Professor." The Headmaster stated.

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Harry was reeling for a moment before he caught himself.

"I take it you approve of my decision Mr. Potter?

After all if the two highest ranking members of The Order of the Phoenix aren't good enough to teach at Hogwarts then I feel I'll never find someone to fill the post."

"Wow." He said trying to sift through his jumbled thoughts and mixed feelings. He turned to Mrs. Weasley and said.

"I mean, congratulations. I didn't even know you had your license."

"I'm going to get it renewed next week." She said with a smile.

"I will tell you again Potter, you are to tell no one about this, even Ron." She said to him sternly and then stood up.

"Molly my time is very strained these days and I am sorry I couldn't stay for tea.

Thank you again for accepting the post, it is a great load off of my mind." She said thankfully.

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"Of course Minerva, I will see you next week." She said with a respectful nod.

McGonagall stood up and then looked down at Harry for a long moment before saying. "Well Potter, are you going to sit here all day or are you coming?"

He gave her a confused look as he got up and asked. "Did you need me to come with you some where Headmaster?"

"I am well aware that you do not have your Apparation license.

I thought I would drop you off on my way back to Hogwarts, that is if you don't dally too long."

She said like it was obvious that she was waiting on him.

Harry's face went wide with realization and he quickly grabbed onto her forearm.

Harry's idea of getting Mrs. Weasley to sign on as a caregiver to Teddy had been dashed if she was going to teach next year.

He was a bit sad that he didn't at least get to talk to her about it.

"Umm sorry, I mean thank you Headmaster." He said nervously.

She was reminding him more and more of Dumbledore with the way she read the situation around her and came to the best possible solution.

She gave Molly a polite nod and Apparated.

.

They landed lightly on the front step of Number Twelve Grimmauld Place.

"Well then Mr. Potter I hope you will be more diligent in your studies and bid you farewell." She said as Harry released her arm.

"Please could you wait for a moment Headmaster?" He said feeling guilty that he was even asking as she eyed him carefully.

"If you have but a moment I was hoping you could take a look at something and give me some advice." He said worriedly.

"Harry I don't really have any time to spare. I'm sure Miss Granger could give you the advice you need." She told him quickly.

Harry looked down in disappointment and said. "I already asked her. She doesn't know what most of the stuff is either."

.

McGonagall watched him for a moment and then looked up and took in a slow breath.

"Alright Harry, but please be quick about this. I need to be back at Hogwarts in ten minutes." She said in a softer voice.

"Thank you Professor." Harry said in relief as he opened the door and led her down the hall.

Harry felt kind of foolish asking for help with this matter when he was trying to become the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.

He stopped at the downstairs broom closet just before the kitchen. The closet was rattling like something was moving around in it.

.

McGonagall gave him a sharp accusing look and said. "Please Harry, tell me you didn't drag me inside to help you deal with a boggart?"

Harry rolled his eyes at the ground and said. "If only it was a boggart then I wouldn't have a problem…"

"Harry please speed this up." She said and it was not lost on him that she was calling him by his first name.

He picked his head up and said. "Some wizards and witches had the bright idea to send me dark wizard spell books and items hoping I would be able to destroy them.

There are at least six books in there and I've got a whole pile of magical items in one of the upstairs bedrooms.

Even Hermione doesn't know what most of them are. I'm worried that it is illegal to have these things in my house.

I don't want to get carted off to Azkaban because people sent me these things."

.

The Headmaster sighed slowly and realized that she couldn't just leave Harry to deal with this problem on his own.

"I see your dilemma. The spell books do not worry me as much as these items. Please show me, I wouldn't want you handling something dangerous."

She said gesturing him lead her to the items.

"Right…" He said a bit embarrassed and took her up stairs.

She coughed a few times when they reached the ash covered third floor hallway.

She covered her mouth and nose as she looked around with a disapproving expression on her face.

"I would have thought you kept your home in a better state than this…" She stated.

He gave her an apologetic look and said. "I know, I've got a lot of cleaning up to do."

.

He opened the second bedroom and held the door for her. She looked around in controlled disgust at how dirty the small room was.

There was a bed and a old dresser in the back of the room and a five foot tall pile of items in the center of the floor.

Her eyes went wide with worry as she looked carefully at a few of the items from the doorway.

"I hope you haven't touched any of this Harry." She said hollowly and gravely.

"No, Kreacher Apparated most of it up here and Hermione used the levitation charm to move the rest.

I kind of feel a bit foolish and all. You know I'm trying to become the teacher at Hogwarts that would handle this type of thing and here I am asking for your help with it."

He said slightly worried his fears were well founded.

.

It took her a moment to speak she seemed gravely nervous just being near the pile.

"There is no shame in asking for help when you don't know what to do Harry. Only a fool would make that mistake.

I must in form you that you are very lucky you didn't touch a number of these items.

I've never seen so many dark and powerful magical items in one place in my life Harry…" She said slowly and Harry took a step back away from the pile.

"If you weren't studying to be a teacher that deals with this type of thing I wouldn't even tell you this.

I want you to take note of that small cauldron on the left side of the pile. Tell me, do you know what that is?" She asked him gravely.

Harry's eyes drifted around the pile until he saw the item she was speaking about.

.

It was only about five inches tall and dark black in color.

There was something dark and purple dried on its rim like someone had made a potion in it and never cleaned it out.

Harry gave her a slightly confused look and said. "A potion cauldron?"

"No Harry, that is no mere potion cauldron. It is a Valextic Soul Trapper. It is on par with a Horcrux as far as dark magic is concern.

If it is empty it is little more than a very strong vessel, but if it already contains a soul and from the looks of it I would say that is the case,

Had you touched it the trapped soul would have taken over your body. That is only one of the dangerous items I see.

You did right in showing me this Harry. I will send a letter to Minister Kingsley and let him decide what to do about this situation.

This is even over my head." She said and then closed the door and cast a sealing charm on the room.

"I shouldn't have to tell you this, but don't even attempt to enter that room until the Disposal of Magical Items squad removes them."

She said and Harry with wide eyes agreed with her.

.

He led her back to the front door and opened it to see her out.

"Oh, hello Headmaster, I didn't know you were coming for a visit." Hermione said while holding several shopping bags and had nearly bumped into her.

Ron was just behind her holding even more shopping bags straining under their weight.

"Oh, hello Professor-" Hermione stomped on his foot and gave him a scolding look.

Ron Winced in pain and raspily said. "Sorry, I mean, hello Headmaster. Come to see Harry I take it?"

She looked Ron critically up and down and then over to Hermione's forced smile.

"I was only seeing Harry home. I will inform you all now that you all are not to open anymore of the post in the house.

Good day to you all and I must get back to Hogwarts." She said with a polite nod and Disapparated.

.

Hermione dropped her faked smile and headed down the hall. Ron slowly limped after her.

"What was all that about Harry?" She asked as she set the bags down on the kitchen table.

Ron strained to heave all the shopping bags he was carrying onto the table and then collapsed breathlessly on to one of the stools.

"Yeah really, we were almost done too." He said miserably as he tried to catch his breath.

"Hermione, you were right. Some of those items are cursed and highly dangerous.

I asked Headmaster McGonagall to take a look at them for me.

She has sealed the second room on the third floor until the proper authorities come and take it away." He said.

.

She gave him a strained 'I told you so' look as she took out a carton of eggs and dug in the cabinet for a frying pan.

She started cooking a late breakfast for them and kept giving Harry curious glances.

She clearly wanted to know how things went with Ginny and how the Headmaster ended up escorting him home.

Harry and Ron put away the rest of the shopping before Harry asked.

"How did you get so much food? I didn't think you had that much left over."

.

She gave the frying pan of scrambled eggs an unknowing look and said. "Do you remember Steven Rickerson from House Ravenclaw?"

He gave her a curious look and said. "I don't know him too well, but I know who he is."

"His mother runs the supermarket down the street and she wouldn't even let us pay for the food we got.

She insisted that we take all sorts of things as a thank you." She said with a twinge of guilt.

Harry smiled and said. "Well so far that is the best gift anyone's given lately."

Hermione laughed slightly and said. "You're just hungry like Ron."

.

He gave her an agreeing shrug. When she finished cooking she took off the apron she was wearing and set the food out in front of them.

Ron ate as quickly as he could without getting the evil eye from Hermione.

Harry ate more slowly like Hermione, but could tell she was waiting for an opening to talk to him.

If Harry was right Hermione would let him get exactly three bites into his food before she started questioning him.

Just as he swallowed his third fork full of eggs she casually asked.

"How did it go?"

.

Harry laughed when everything went just how he thought it was going to go.

Hermione gave him a reserved curious look and asked. "What is so amusing?"

He coughed slightly to give him the time he needed to compose himself again.

"Sorry, it was nothing. It didn't go as planned at all.

As you might have guessed I met up with Headmaster McGonagall and got a bit side tracked."

He said and then picked up a piece of bacon.

.

Hermione was studying his every move deciding carefully what to ask him next.

Harry knew what she was doing and it always felt like he was playing a game of mental chess with her.

He thought about how he normally lost at these games as she asked.

"What did you talk about?" She grabbed a slice of toast and leaned back slightly on her stool.

.

Harry continued to focus on his plate and said.

"She scolded me a bit for not starting with my teacher study material yet.

We also spoke more about my Assistant Professor job and some things that will be happening in the coming term."

She smiled like she had just found her 'check mate' move.

"And what kind of things might those be?" She asked overly casual.

Harry chuckled slightly and then turned from his plate to look at her.

"Well unless you are going to try out for an Assistant Professor post as well then you know I can't tell you."

He said knowing that he was teasing her in to frustration and that she didn't care in the least.

She only wanted to know about Ginny and he was barely keeping his face straight.

.

She was giving an annoyed calculating glare deciding her next move.

She suddenly smiled knowingly and said.

"Is that Mrs. Weasley's perfume I smell on you? Did you and the Headmaster visit The Burrow by chance?"

He nearly choked on his eggs in surprise that she already managed to 'check mate' him.

He kept his cool and said. "Yes, we did visit The Burrow."

Ron looked over from the toast he was gnawing on and causally asked. "Don't suppose you patched things up with Ginny while you were there?"

Harry tossed her a quick flat look that she understood that it mean 'you got that one too easily'. She only smiled innocently back.

.

Harry glanced around with a wishful look in his eyes and said.

"No, unfortunately I didn't get to see Ginny while I was there.

Headmaster McGonagall was kind of in a hurry so if I wanted her to drop me off I didn't have time to linger about and chat."

Hermione bit her lips together and gave him a regretful look. That clearly wasn't the answer she had hoped for.

"So who won?" Ron asked while sopping up his egg yolks with his last bit of toast.

.

Harry sighed and looked down. "Who do you think won?" He said in clear defeat.

Ron looked over and him and laughed soft in amusement before saying.

"Oh well, I hoped that look from her meant you had finally won a round.

Why don't you give it up mate? Girls are naturally more manipulative when it comes to prying information out of people.

You're never going to beat her. I gave up long ago."

.

Harry had a good laugh at himself to before saying. "I'll never win if I don't keep trying."

Ron tilted his head to the side quickly and knowingly said. "Hermione is going to beat you every time. I hope you two never do that in front of the press.

They would swear you were making eyes at each other."

Hermione and Harry both had a good laugh in agreement. Everyone seemed in higher spirits, they couldn't remember the last time they all laughed together.

"Alright, all games aside Harry. Can you tell us why McGonagall went to see Mrs. Weasley?" She asked him directly.

Ron put on a rare sly smile and teasingly said. "Don't you mean Headmaster McGonagall?"

Hermione tried to look annoyed at being given some of her own medicine, but couldn't stop her giggling.

.

Harry flashed brows and knowingly said. "It looks like Ron wins in the end."

"Ergh!" She growled through her smile as she threw her head on her arms that rested on the table.

She quickly flung he head back and her bushy brown hair flew over her shoulders in an arch.

"Quit picking on me!" She said in smiling frustration to them which only made it harder for them to stop laughing.

"Oh come now. You don't think that we are going to let it go that easily. The queen of Conversation has fallen to Ron the opportunist!" Harry said dramatically.

"Alright fine, have your guy moment, bump fists or high five or whatever it is that you two do to celebrate." She said pretending to be exasperated.

.

After they had all calmed down Hermione asked Harry again why the Headmaster went to see Mrs. Weasley.

"A bit early for round three isn't it?" Ron said. "Come on Hermione; let me be king for a bit. You'll get your title back soon enough."

She sighed and said. "No more games Ron. Don't you want to know why?"

Harry gave her a slightly regretful look and said. "Well I hate to inform you, but I'm not allowed to tell you."

"I saw that one coming." Ron said knowingly and rolled his eyes.

She crossed her arms and her pouting eyes darted back and forth between them for a moment.

"I'm starting to not like this new situation where you two seem to be in the know and I'm left scratching my head.

I like it better when our roles were reversed." She admitted begrudgingly.

Ron rolled his eyes and said. "Oh come on Hermione, it's not that hard to guess why Headmaster McGonagall would go see mum."

.

"Oh really…How about you enlighten me then?" She said smartly.

Harry eyed Ron carefully almost hoping he would get it, but seriously doubted that he would guess that his mother would be the new Defense Against the Dark Art's teacher.

"Hermione I hope you know my mum is no slouch with protection charms. She's the one that kept the Death Eaters out from The Burrow for so long.

I bet she only got asked to help fix up Hogwarts, that's all."

Hermione watched Harry's reaction carefully be he remained impassive.

"I thought you said no more games Hermione." Harry said.

She gave him a playful bitter grin and picked up her plate. She took it to the sink and started the tap.

.

"What do think of his answer?" She asked carefully.

"Oh boy, Ron's not going to be king for long if she keeps this up." He said under his breath as he took his plate and Ron's over to her.

He handed them to her and said. "I think it was a highly logical guess that could be right considering she is the Head of The Order, but I'm not answering anymore questions on the matter.

I don't want to get sacked before I even make it to term."

Ron looked around in thought for a moment as Hermione washed the dishes.

"What are we going to do now? I mean we can't sort the mail or anything.

It's kind of strange that I've gotten used to never having a moment of free time that I don't know what to with it."

He said as Harry took a seat across from him and pulled over his unopened package from the edge of the table.

"Well I have plenty to do. I need to get started on this teaching course." He said as he ripped off the brown wrappings.

.

Hermione dried her hands and turned around before say. "There is still plenty of cleaning left to do on the third floor. It's covered in ashes."

"And in cursed magical items that we need to stay away from. I can take care of the ashes with the summoning charm later.

Ron's right, it's so rare that you two get any free time together. I suggest you two go on a long overdue date."

He said while cracking open his shiny new cope of 'A Introductory Guide to Teaching'.

Ron gave her a casual shrug with looking at Hermione.

"Ergh! That does sound like a wonderful idea." She said in frustration as she stomped her foot and then looked at the floor sadly.

"But it wouldn't be much of a date with just over two pounds in pocket money. Also we hardly made it up the street without getting recognized.

I don't think we should risk a coffee date just yet." She said in disappointment.

.

"It was a nice idea while it lasted." Ron said and then sighed.

"You could have a date here you know?" Harry suggested while reading.

Hermione laughed sarcastically and said. "A date…here? Really, what would we do?'

Harry shrugged and said. "Use your imagination." Hermione blushed deeply before he continued.

"The Television in the living room works. We don't get reception, but Kreacher found some old tapes you could watch.

I didn't get a good look at them, but they looked pretty old. They might even be in black and white.

They're in a cardboard box next to the set."

.

"I guess it's the best we've got." Hermione said trying to hide her misunderstanding cheeks.

Ron gave them a confused look and asked. "You mean that weird looking glass front box thing on the floor?"

Hermione looked at him in surprise and said. "Oh, that's right. You've never watched television have you?"

"No, I haven't. I think dad's got several broken ones though in his shop. What is it?"

Hermione thought about it for a moment and said. "It's like a magic picture on the front of a newspaper, but with sound."

"And that is supposed to be entertaining…" He said clearly not seeing the appeal.

.

Harry turned to them and put on grumpy look and said in his best Filch voice.

"I want you students to know that the third step up broom cupboard on the left hand side is out of bounds to everyone not wishing to die a most painful death!

Anyone hanging about the hall will be hung by their toes from a lamp shade…God I miss the screaming."

Ron laughed slightly at him and said. "You barking mate…Dumbledore said most of that, not Filch."

Hermione was giggling too as he honestly said. "Go on you two, I really need some quiet time to concentrate on my studies." He said waving them off.

"Make the most of your time together."

.

Hermione smiled at him and said. "Alright Harry. Don't study too much."

Ron gave her a reproaching look and said. "Who are you and what have you done with Hermione?"

She gave him a playful poke in the side and pointed up the stairs.

.

Harry quietly read over his book for a long while before Kreacher Apparated into the kitchen.

"Sorry to disturb you master. I only needed to get a brush from the drawer." He said respectfully.

Harry stretched and then rubbed his eyes.

"It's no trouble Kreacher. I wanted to talk to you anyway." He said to him.

"Yes Master. What did you need?" He said as Harry eyed the tattered rags he was wearing.

.

Harry tried to collect his thoughts and prepare himself.

Talking with Kreacher made his Conversational battles with Hermione look like afternoon tea.

He was very sly and even more set in his ways.

"What do you know about Werewolves?" He asked.

"Begging your pardon master?" He said in confusion.

"Werewolves Kreacher." He said again.

"Well master. I've seen several of them, but I've only spoken to Lupin. Even then he kept his words to me brief." Kreacher said.

Harry sighed. He had clearly hoped that Kreacher being as old as he is would have had some knowledge about dealing with them.

.

"I'm just going to come out and say this Kreacher." He said and the house elf swallowed hard like he might be getting presented clothes.

"I'm going to file for custody of my Godson, Lupin and Tonk's child. His name is Teddy.

He's just a baby and I need to clean this place up. I can't possibly hope to raise a child in this house in the state it's in.

It means changes for the both of us." He said empathetically.

Kreacher nervously fidgeted and asked. "What is it that master wants of me?"

.

Harry thought again and said. "I'd like you to present yourself more like a human would."

Kreacher gave him a relieved nod and snapped his fingers.

He transformed into an old looking wizard wearing a blue nightcap. He had long silver hair and a curly white beard.

He had, however, not transformed his clothes and was only wearing his tattered grayish pillow case like a shirt.

He was completely naked from the waist down. Harry shielded his eyes from a sight he thought he wouldn't have to see until he was well on in years.

"Wait! Kreacher please, quickly change back!" He said trying to erase the horrible image from his mind.

There was another snap and he changed back to his normal sour self.

Harry removed his hands from his eyes slowly and gave Kreacher a tired look.

.

He thought again, but was starting to think he wouldn't get anywhere with the stubborn old elf.

"I-I only meant that I'd like to you wear clean attire. That pillow case looks like it could be carrying the plague, we can't have that around a baby."

He said to him hoping he understood and didn't get offended.

Harry could have sworn Kreacher had meet Filch before. He looked just like him when Filch had to hold his tongue.

His lips were trembling while he pressed them together and his eyes looked watery.

His sour look had worried outrage added to it as he snapped his fingers and disappeared.

Harry hoped he didn't offend him too badly. He hardly finished the next sentence in his book before Kreacher was back.

.

His tattered grayish blue pillow case had been changed to a cream colored white one with a ketchup stain over left breast.

Kreacher looked a bit scared like he had lost a great comfort to himself.

Harry put his head in his hands and sighed before letting out a slightly exasperated laugh.

"Well it's a lot better than I had hoped for. At least we are making progress." He said making the most of a bad situation.

"Is there anything else you need master?" He asked timidly.

Harry took in a deep breath and Kreacher cringed at the thought of his next request.

"Lets me just ask you two questions, yes or no is fine for an answer. I'm not ordering you or anything, remember that.

Would you please just start calling me Harry?" He asked honestly.

.

"Alright master Harry." He said respectfully while pulling at the bottom of his pillow case like it was too short for him.

Harry shook his head and said. "Not master Harry Kreacher, just Harry."

The house elf shifted uncomfortably for a moment before he stated. "No."

"At least you're giving me a straight answer. That is a nice change.

The second question is that when I get a paying job, will you let me give you some pocket money each week?"

He asked him honestly.

.

Kreacher gave him a fearful almost outraged look and replied. "A house elf does not accept payment."

He smiled at him and said. "It's not a salary Kreacher, though I'd love to pay you that after I get a job.

Its pocket money, you know, encase you need something.

Like a new pillow case to wear or maybe you'd like to treat yourself to your favorite kind of food now and then.

It might be awhile before I find a paying job, but please think about it until then."

He said and Kreacher only seemed to become more uncomfortable and nervous.

.

"What is your favorite food by the way?" He asked him curiously.

"Umm its Gilroth berries Sir." He said while looking at the floor.

"Gilroth berries huh? I've never heard of them. What do they taste like?" Harry asked him.

Kreacher looked up and gave him a unsure look.

"They smell and taste differently between Humans and house elves.

I gave one to Master Regulus once and he told me it smelled like chalk powder and very pungent cheese, but to us it tastes like candy that warms our insides.

It is no wonder you haven't heard of it. It comes from our ancestral home land that no human is allow to step foot in." He said and went back looking at the floor.

.

It was thanks to Hermione that he knew just how upset Kreacher was.

She had studied house elves and had told him that the one thing they never spoke about was their homeland to any human.

Even hearing that they had a homeland was exceedingly rare.

Harry stood up and walked over to Kreacher with a kind look in his eyes.

The small house elf barely came up to the belt of his over sized jeans as he kneeled down in front of him.

Kreacher wasn't only shifting nervously, now that Harry was right in front of him he could see he was trembling because he was so afraid of change.

Even a minor thing like changing his pillow case to Harry was a huge step into the unknown to Kreacher.

.

Harry reached out and pulled the sour ancient looking elf into a tight hug.

"I know it's hard on you Kreacher. Thank you for trying so hard to help me." Harry said softly.

The elf rubbed his watery eyes and in confusion asked. "Why would you make such a human gesture to me?"

Harry pulled back and held him by his tiny shoulder.

"Kreacher, because you're family, that's why. I thought you would know how it works after all these years.

You become part of the family that you are employed with right?" He told him while the elf tried to look away while wiping his eyes.

"Who told you something like that? A house elf is a slave of his masters bidding." He said quietly refusing to look at Harry.

.

"Dobby told me that. You aren't a slave here Kreacher, I'm serious. I will not keep a slave in my house no matter the reason.

You are free to tell me to 'stuff it' at anytime if I ask you to do something unreasonable or something you don't want to do.

You can come and go as you please, I mean that."

He told him only trying to make him understand with a kind expression on his face.

Kreacher had to keep wiping his eyes sooner and sooner with his knobby wrist.

"It would figure that weird 'free elf' would put these strange ideas into you head."

.

Kreacher blew his nose on his new pillow case loudly and said.

"I always felt I was a very lucky house elf. The Black family mostly treated me well; I was even thanked for my services on occasion.

I've worked for the Black family for sixty-either years and never once has one of the masters hugged me.

I think Dobby was right about you."

Harry gave him a confused and curious look as he held lightly onto his knobby shoulders and asked. "What did Dobby say about me?"

Kreacher took in a deep breath and let it out slowly before looking him in the eyes for the first time since he walked over to him.

"Dobby said that 'Harry Potter is the greatest wizard in the world to both house elves and wizards'. It is only now that I am understanding what he meant."

Kreacher said with a lost look in his eyes.

.

Harry smiled at him honestly and said. "I wish I was the greatest wizard in the world Kreacher, I really do."

He let go on the house elf and went over to the cabinet above the stove. He opened it and pulled out a jar as Kreacher watched him while collecting himself.

"Sir, what are you doing?" Kreacher finally asked while Harry dug in one of the lower cabinets looking for something.

He pulled out a frying pan and said. "I am making something. I used to make it for my cousin Dudley all the time.

It's a snack muggles like to eat while watching television called popcorn."

Kreacher grabbed his wrist as he went to set the frying pan down stopping him.

He inched his face closer to the pan and sniffed it a few times before taking it over the sink.

He turned on the tap as Harry curiously but did not stop him watched him.

.

He rinsed out the pan and then wiped out the excess water with a clean towel.

"It still smelled like soap sir." He said quietly as he placed it on the stove and then gripped the counter that was just short of his eyes level with both hands.

He looked up at Harry and softly asked with a new found since of wonder. "What is this popped corn you speak of?"

Harry dropped a pat of butter into the pan and turned on the gas stove.

He took two large handfuls of corn from the jar and dropped them into the pan.

He placed a lid on the pan and told Kreacher. "Just watch Kreacher. I'll show you a bit of muggle magic." Harry said.

The house elf looked over his knuckles from the pan to Harry. "Muggles can do magic sir?" He asked as his dropping ears stood on end in wondering disbelief.

.

Harry laughed slightly and said. "Well, not like me and you, but I guess it's a bit like potion making. Anyone can do it if they know what they are doing."

He watched silently over his hands as the pan started to crackle.

Kreacher's ears dropped back down again and even though outwardly he appeared like that of an ancient house elf, he looked more like child wondering about the ways of the world to Harry.

"Sir, can I tell you something?" Kreacher said slightly hesitantly as he watched the frying pan.

Harry gave him a quick glance and said. "You don't need to ask me for permission to ask a question Kreacher, just ask me."

He tossed the pan to turn the popcorn over and then set it back down.

.

Kreacher continued to looks over his knobby knuckles at the pan. "I mean no disrespect sir, but do you remember the one I always called your Mudblood friend?"

Harry heard his soft tone and understood he meant no insult to her by his words. "Yes, her name is Hermione."

"Her-mine-ohnee …Please don't tell her I said this sir." Kreacher asked honestly.

Harry glanced over him from the stove looking over the knuckles of hands.

"Of course Kreacher, we are family now after all." Harry said while tending the frying pan.

He turned his big dark eyes from the frying pan to Harry and said quietly.

"If you go though the bonding ritual I hope it will be with her. Even when I was mean to her she was always went out of her way to be nice to me."

.

Harry gave him a confused look and said. "Bonding ritual? What are you talking about?"

Kreacher stared back and him and hopefully said. "Don't wizards still perform the act of carriage? Where two people become a family?"

Harry turned and looked down to Kreacher curiously while in thought as he slowly mouthed the word carriage several times.

Realization came to him with a start. "Oh! You mean Marriage! Yes Kreacher that is still common place." He said as the frying pan crackled louder and louder.

"Oh." He said. "Do you think you and Hermione would perform such a ritual?" He asked honestly and hopefully to him.

"I guess I'll need to educate you on humans Kreacher." Harry said and then thought for a moment as he looked up.

"Well you see Kreacher humans have two hearts." Harry said kindly.

.

"Kreacher only has one heart and it is here." He said laying his hand over the left side of his chest.

Harry nodded at him and said. "We have two. One that is just like yours and one that exists only to be stolen by another."

"A heart can be stolen… and it exists only to be stolen?" He said perplexed while looking up at him.

Harry laughed slightly and said. "I know it's hard to believe, but it is true. That marriage ritual you spoke of only happens after two of us have stolen each other's hearts.

That is just how it works with us."

Kreacher looked up at him like a wondering child and asked. "Were you able to steal her heart? I dislike most wizards, but I really wouldn't mind she joined our family."

"I'm not surprised to hear you say that Kreacher." He said knowingly and slightly sadly.

"Sir?" He asked in confusion.

.

Harry took in a deep breath and said. "Kreacher…I wasn't joking when I said I wasn't even close to the greatest wizard in the world, I'm not even the greatest wizard of my age."

"You aren't being modest sir?" Kreacher asked as he peered up to him from the counter.

"No Kreacher, to answer your question. No, I didn't steal Hermione's heart." He said.

"Did you want to sir?" Kreacher asked hopefully.

I-I…well that is hard to explain Kreacher." He said and then sighed honestly.

"Let us just say that before I realized just how beautiful a woman she was that my own heart had already been stolen from me.

I see her more like a sister, but if things turn out the way I hope then Ron and Hermione will both be family to us." He admitted quietly.

Kreacher turned slowly back the frying pan and said. "I hope that comes true then sir…"

.

Hermione had come down to the kitchen check on Harry just before he had hugged Kreacher.

She had been holding her quivering lips as tears rolled down her face at the entrance unable to move or look away.

She had never seen anyone be so kind to a house elf or seen a wizard call one a member of their family the way Harry had.

If it had been Ron he would have passed out by the time she finished kissing him.

If she hadn't been stunned by what she had seen she wasn't so sure she wouldn't have done the same thing to Harry before she regained her senses.

When she could move again she quietly went back up stairs before being noticed.

.

The pan started popping as the kernels started exploding rattling the lid.

Kreacher's eyes went wide as he watched curiously and his ears stood on end again.

The popcorn started to push the lid off of the pan. Popcorn tumbled out from under the lid and rolled out on to the stove top.

A pick rolled off the stove and Kreacher caught it with a start like it might be dangerous before eyeing it carefully like it was some wondrous artifact.

He looked up at Harry smiling down at him watching his every move.

"How did it get so big and change color? It was smaller than a pea now it's as large as a grape. Is this what you meant my muggle magic sir?"

Kreacher asked him almost childlike surprise.

Harry nodded in his direction and said. "Go on, give it a try."

.

He eyed the fluffy piece of popcorn in his hand for a long apprehensive moment. He winced both his eyes close and popped it into his mouth.

It crisped in his mouth before he opened one eye and looked at Harry. He relaxed and said.

"It doesn't really taste like anything, but salt sir. It's not very good. Are you sure humans like this kind of food?"

Kreacher looked over to the pan. "Is it supposed to smoke like that sir?"

The smile he was giving Kreacher vanished as he looked over to the pan billowing out dark plums of black smoke.

He had been paying so much attention to Kreacher the he momentarily forgot to take the popcorn off the eye.

He took the pan over to the sink and ran water over it to put out the fire as he coughed a few time.

"I had forgotten how quickly it can burn." He said while covering his face with his arm to protect it from the erupting steam coming for the sink.

.

"Master…Maybe I should handle the cooking. You and your friend Ron don't seem to be very good at it." He said slowly.

Harry laughed slightly and said. "Well then why do you give it a go?"

After they had cleaned out the pan and Harry pulled a chair over to the stove Kreacher dumped kernels into the cast iron pan.

After it started to pop Kreacher went to look for a bowl, but Hermione had rearranged the kitchen some.

Kreacher moved the popcorn off the eye and then got tired of looking for a bowl and summoned one with magic.

A large cream colored porcelain bowl flew out of one of the upper cabinets and landed on the counter.

The thick cast iron pan held onto the heat much longer than Mrs. Dursley's non-stick frying pan.

By the time Kreacher dumped it into the bowl he had burned the second batch under Harry's guidance.

.

They tried again together this time. The jar of popcorn was nearly empty after their third attempt, but they managed to make it without burning it.

"Well that was a lot harder than you made it sound sir." Kreacher said.

Harry laid his hand on Kreacher's head and he looked up at him.

"Sometimes a family needs to work together to succeed." He said with a smile while smelling like burnt popcorn.

He went over to the counter and took the bowl of popcorn and handed it to the small elf.

"Now if they are snogging just sneak it onto one of the end tables and try to leave unnoticed." He told him.

"Right sir." Kreacher slowly made his way up the stairs carrying the bowl that was a third his size.

Harry was still smiling when he went back to his course work.

.

---

.

Hermione washed her face in the bathroom sink and dried it with a towel that smelled like dust.

She only used the excuse of going to the lav to go check up on Harry; she didn't expect to need to go there afterwards.

She took a moment to calm herself down and make sure she didn't look like she had been crying.

She had left Ron trying to figure out how to work the tape player and seriously doubted he had made any progress.

She went back into the living room just into to see Ron point his wand as the tape player under the television.

"Alohomora." The player shot the tape out hitting Ron painfully in the shin.

"Ouch! Ouch!" He cried in pain while jumping on one foot for a moment.

He glared sourly at the set playing static and said to himself. "This is never going to work!"

.

Hermione sighed as she walked through the archway and said. "It might if you stop trying to use magic for everything."

Ron pointed down to the box shaped tape player with his hand and his wand and said in exasperation.

"Well let's see you get this thing to work! Go on, go on."

She rolled her eyes at him and went to have a look.

She grabbed one of the tapes out of the box near the set and slid the cover off of it before putting it in.

Hermione quickly saw the problem he was having. The ancient television wasn't on the right channel.

The knob clicked loudly as she turned it to channel three and tuned it in with the focus dial.

.

She took the case back with her and sat on the couch. Ron looked from her to the set then back to her.

"How did you do that?" He asked curiously as walked over and sat down next to her.

"My great-aunt Helen had an old television like that. They're a bit temperamental.

I used to stay up late when she babysat me and watch the show I just put in." She said as she leaned back into the old velvet couch.

Ron threw her as sideways look and said. "Is it any good?"

Hermione flipped the case over as the credits started to roll by on the television.

.

"I'm not sure. I've never seen any of the older episodes. I watched it in the late nineteen-eighties.

I don't recognize any of these actors. When I watched it the main character wore a long striped scarf." Hermione said as she read the back of the case.

She gave him a slightly regretful look and said. "Don't get your hopes on it being really entertaining: copyright nineteen-sixty four and it's in black and white.

My parents probably watched this as a kid."

"Well how's all this work then?" Ron asked her.

"Just watch the screen like you are watching a live play." She said.

.

Ron gave her an unsure look and said. "That's all there is to it?"

Hermione nodded while watching the screen.

Ron shifted his weight to get comfortable and asked. "What is the name of this play?"

"Doctor Who." She told him absentmindedly.

"Doctor what? His name is really 'Who'? I bet that was confusing in school. I wonder if his parents really liked him or anything." Ron said in confusion.

Hermione shook her head and said. "Just watch Ron. It's kind of a running part of the story.

They never give you the Doctor's name, that's why they call it Doctor Who."

.

The music of the opening of the episode popped through the old speakers with psychedelic wavy lines appearing on the screen.

Ron was utterly confused for the first few episodes making comment like 'why don't they just use a spell'.

Hermione had to remind him constantly that they were muggles and not wizards.

Ron was on the sofa lying on his back and Hermione was lying on her stomach on his chest watching the black and white images flash across the television.

He had his arms draped over her back and was hardly containing his laughter.

"Oh come on! That is a dressed up rubbish bin with an egg beater attached to its side and its killing people?

This has to be the worst, most unbelievable, thing I've ever seen. It's a complete train wreck, I can't stop watching."

He said and then laughed.

.

Hermione rolled her eyes even though he was actually right.

"I mean every episode seems to be the same thing. They land on a strange world and go out to explore it.

They get lost or into trouble and race back to their weird box and barely escape only for them to do it again at the next stop."

He said and then laughed that lunacy of it all.

"Tardis." She said.

"What?" He said while looking down at the top of her head resting on his chest.

"Tardis…It's the name of their time traveling phone booth." She said in a tired tone.

.

"So you're telling me some knacker stole the back door to the Ministry and went on some outer space adventure?" Ron asked her curiously.

"Ronald, phone booths are common in the muggle world. The one outside the Ministry is only made to look like one." She told him, but doubted he would understand.

"I mean, if I was the Doctor I'd just tell everyone to stay put instead of getting lost at every new place they went to until I found the right place to drop everyone off.

I mean why even use that weird time traveling device? It only gets them into trouble.

A time turner is way safer. At least then you don't have to worry about ending up on some strange alien world."

He reasoned.

.

Hermione sighed at said. "Well it wouldn't be much of a show if you were the Doctor would it?

It would just be so entertaining to watch you play with oversized knobs and buttons for an hour while you saying. 'This isn't the place' over and over again."

Ron said. "I guess you're right… You know the Doctor's daughter kind of reminds me of you."

She crunched up her face while watching in confusion and said. "How so?"

He took in a deep breath and said. "She is cute and she is so smart that half the time I've no idea what she is talking about."

.

Hermione laughed slight and said. "Do I need to remind you how old this show is? That 'cute girl' is old enough to be your grandmother by now."

He looked down at the top of her head with a sour look as he tried to swallow the seeming bad taste in his mouth.

"You just have to go and ruin everything don't you? Did you realize how bad of a mental picture I drew up when you said that?" Ron asked her with a play full bitter expression.

He jabbed her in her ribs with his finger and said. "I thought about taking this beautiful lovely girl home and we fell asleep watching this strange play box you just showed me.

Only to wake up and Professor McGonagall was lying beside me in bed asking where my homework was…You scarred me for life Hermione!"

She busted up laughing at his weird thought and it took many moments for her to calm herself.

.

They had just started to settle back into watching the show when Hermione caught Kreacher quietly placing the bowl of popcorn on to the end table.

"Kreacher, why don't you stay awhile?" Hermione asked him. He jumped with a start as he was sure he had been silent.

"Kreacher? Hey Kreacher, come watch this. You will not believe how funny it is." Ron said as he pushed himself up onto his hands.

Kreacher sighed as he had already been seen and took the bowl of popcorn over to the coffee table in front of the couch.

"What is this, a bowl of flowers?" Ron asked in confusion as Hermione picked up and hand full and put them in to her mouth.

After crunching loudly she stated. "Ron it is popcorn. Harry must have made it for us."

.

"Actually the master and I made it together. It took us three tries, but we managed." Kreacher said shyly.

"Well don't just stand there Kreacher. Take a load off mate. This play thing is a riot." Ron said while gesturing toward the love seat.

Kreacher slowly walked across the room and pulled himself slowly onto the smaller love seat.

"You two weren't 'snogging' by chance were you, were you: whatever that is?" He asked while seemingly entranced by the flashing white images of the picture box.

Hermione barely picked her head up off of Ron's chest and shook her head. "No, Kreacher we weren't."

Ron said in confusion. "Why would you ask? It's not like we wouldn't stop it if you wanted to come spent time with us."

"Master asked that I not disturb you should you two be 'Snogging'." Kreacher said while watching the television intently.

.

"Oh, that sounds like him. Hey Kreacher have you seen this before?" Ron asked.

Kreacher nodded his head and quietly said.

"Yes, they were master Regulus's. I would sometimes watch them with him after everyone else had gone to bed."

Ron continued to laugh at how bad the program was as Hermione fell asleep on his chest.

Kreacher was hunched on the loveseat and remained silent looking though the television like he was remembering a long lost memory.

"Not bad for a house date huh Hermione." He said while curling her hair around his fingers not even realizing she wasn't awake.

.

---

.

Harry was studying is new teaching book at the kitchen table.

Beside him was a day planner that he was writing down course work on for his first day teaching.

He was halfway through planning out his first class when the fireplace roared to life beside him.

Glancing over at it he saw two men step out of the grate.

One of them was the middle aged Auror that pushed him into the circle yesterday.

He had neat combed black hair and cold green eyes. The other was an older man in his mid fifties with tan skin and white hair.

Both of wore the Ministry robes with the Auror symbol over their left breast.

.

"Oh, you are here already." Harry said as he pointed towards the stairs.

"Broom cupboard on the left hand side of the stairs and then up two fights second door on your right."

He said giving them direction to the dark magical items and went back to his work.

The man with cold green eyes raised a curious eyebrow at him and said. "Begging your pardon?"

Harry looked back up from his work and gave them both a confused.

"Aren't you here to take away all these magical items people have been mailing to me? Didn't Mr. Kingsley send you?"

.

The black haired man shook his head and said. "I'm afraid not. I am Casey Marshal Auror second class and this is my partner Doug Kepton."

He pulled out a scroll and cleared his throat. "We are here to take Miss Hermione Jean Ganger into custody."

"You what?" He said in disbelief as he stood up and snapped the elder wand out of his pocket.

"A likely story, you are probably Death Eaters out for revenge." He said to them with his wand leveled at the man's chest.

"Besides, my house's fireplace isn't connected to the Floo Network. Who do you two think you are trying to kid?"

.

The two men never drew their wands but Doug and said.

"Magical Law 51-26A states that any home thought to be harboring a criminal maybe temporarily connected to any form of non destructive travel to search for the suspect.

Also Magical Law 51-38D states that anyone trying to harbor a suspect or criminal by force can receive up to two years in prison.

I recommend you stand aside Mr. Potter. We are only trying to do our job."

.

"You're Knackered if you think I'll just stand aside and let you take her. You are obviously imposters.

You're not even from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. They don't send Aurors to do this sort of thing.

You should have gotten your facts straight before trying to pull this off. Kreacher!" He yelled back up the stairs.

There was a dull pop as Kreacher appeared next to Harry.

"What is it sir?" He asked and then saw Harry's wand was drawn.

Kreacher turned around and held his open palm out menacingly towards the two men.

.

"Imposters in our house. They are after Hermione." Harry said the thundering foot steppes behind him grew louder.

Ron and Hermione entered the room with concerned look and then surprise when they saw Harry point his wand at two unknown men.

"Harry! What is going on?" Hermione said as she came up beside him.

Casey pulled the scroll up to his face and read from it.

"Hermione Jean Granger you are being summoned to answer for two charges of willfully and knowingly using the memory charm on muggles when they posed no risk to the wizarding world.

The two victims of the crime, Harriet Martha Granger and Peter William Granger are currently being housed in St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries receiving treatment

You have missed your hearing scheduled for nine am this morning. A warrant has been put out for your arrest. We are here to fill that warrant and bring you to trial.

It is recommended that you not resist arrest as it will only worsen your situation further."

.

He pulled a sealed blue letter out from the pocket of his robes and held it out towards Hermione.

"What a load of rubbish." Harry said spitefully never lowering his wand.

Ron drew his wand and leveled it at them before saying.

"Hermione would never attack her own parents. I think it's time for you two to leave. Four heroes against two fake Aurors…I like those odds."

.

"Stop it you two!" Hermione said emotionally and threw both their wand arms down as she went in between them to seize the official letter.

She tore it open and read it as they all watched her.

The Aurors never made any move to capture her as she read.

She finished the letter and had tears playing at the rims of her eyes as her arms fell limp with the letter in her hand.

She took a long moment looking at the floor before looking at Harry and Ron.

She wiped her teary eyes sadly and said "I think I'd better go with them…"

.

---

.

After Notes:

Sorry if there are still grammar errors in this chapter.

I just got my editor( Yes, I have an editor not a beta reader) to read it and I'm too tired to go back a triple check it right now.

I hope you enjoyed it and that you write a review...A fifty thousand word story with only like fifteen reviews tends to send a warning flag to others that it isn't a very good story.

This is one of the curses you get when you write such long chapters.

Thank you for reading.

Thousandson.