Author's Notes: Thanks to all of you who read my story in the past week. And a special thanks to all those who submitted a review.

thebladeofchaos: Thanks for the compliments. Please stay with me.

Okay, the Monty Python reference in the previous chapter was George remarking that the twins didn't have a "lovely bunch of coconuts" to sell to Geoff, obviously meant to be a joke. Supposedly, Monty Python recorded the song "I've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts." However, Monty Python has actually never recorded this song themselves (surprising, I know). It is commonly miscredited to them, though, so that's how it works this time around.

In addition to a Monty Python reference, this chapter has a number of other ones as well, at least one of which is magic related, so watch out for that.

And finally, thanks to all of you readers for pushing this story over 500 hits already. It took my Zelda story at least a month before it hit that mark.

Chapter 3: Back to Where It All Began

Geoffrey Gryffindor, dressed in his red and gold robes, walked along the seventh floor corridor of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on August 4, looking around and remembering all the fond memories he had of his days in school. To Geoff, it was as if he could see his former schoolmates walking around the recently rebuilt school. There in the library was Severus Snape, writing notes in his potions textbook. Geoff had seen all the tips and spells his best friend had come up with and knew them all by heart. He knew half of them before he was ten anyway, but the spells that he had discovered himself showed Snape's absolute mastery of potion making and understanding of dark magic.

Geoffrey arrived at the gargoyle guarding the spiral staircase up to the Headmaster's (or Headmistress's) office. Suddenly, he saw Tom Riddle standing there, holding his pendant with that red glare from his eyes. Geoff closed his eyes, shook his head, and then walked right through as he said, "Cosmic Creepers."

As the gargoyle moved aside, Geoffrey walked up the spiral staircase and prepared to meet a former mentor that he had not seen in a couple years. As he walked up the stairs, he could not help but think of the late Albus Dumbledore, his favorite professor at Hogwarts. Those twinkling eyes and that smile that seemed to shine through all darkness. All of it, gone from this world. Geoff had to stop on the staircase for a moment to get his thought together again. He had met with Severus shortly after the Battle of the Tower had occurred and Snape explained much of the present situation to him. It was then and there that Geoff had decided that he should get more involved with the struggle against Voldemort because he felt that Dumbledore's original plan was far too risky for his liking. To leave the fate of the wizarding world in the hands of two young wizards and one young, albeit brilliant, witch was complete folly to him, a plan doomed to failure from the start.

Geoff left that thought behind as he started walking back up the staircase again and to the door with "Interim Headmistress Minerva McGonagall" in enchanted golden letters on it. He knocked on the door three times.

"Come in, Mr. Gryffindor," a familiar, old female voice called to Geoff.

Geoffrey opened the door and stepped into the office, bowing to his former Transfiguration teacher as he said, "Professor McGonagall, it is good to see you again."

"It is comforting to see you, Mr. Gryffindor," McGonagall replied, "And you need not call me 'Professor' anymore." She gestured for Geoff to take a seat.

"My apologies, but it is a habit," Geoffrey explained as he sat down across the desk from Headmistress McGonagall, "One I'm sure I can break with time."

"I assume you know why I have called you here today," Minerva said.

"My application for the Defense Against the Dark Arts teaching position, yes," Geoffrey replied.

"Under normal circumstances, Geoffrey, I would have to say, 'We appreciate your interest in this position, Mr. Gryffindor, but because of your lack of teaching experience and your questionable qualifications, you will not be hired by Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as the professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts.' Of course, these are not normal circumstances," Minerva explained.

"Are you saying I am the only applicant for the position?" Geoffrey asked. He was not going to probe McGonagall's mind for the answer himself. In fact, he was planning on turning away from his telepathic abilities for a while.

Minerva nodded. "That is exactly right," she replied, "It is very obvious that this job is cursed and that no one wants to have it except for you."

"So, I will be hired?" Geoffrey inquired, "I also have a unanimous vote of confidence from the Governors, if you'd like to see that."

"Geoffrey, I know that vote of confidence is only in your hands because all of the Governors owe you or your family a favor of some kind," McGonagall replied in a matter-of-fact way, "So that would not help you much with me, I'm afraid."

Geoff nodded in response. "Still, to know that the Governors are behind me can't hurt my chances," he stated, "So, do I get the position?"

"I want to ask you a few questions first," Minerva began, "First, why would you want this obviously cursed position?"

"Well, someone has to teach the students of this school how to defend themselves from the dangers that are out there," Geoffrey explained, "And I believe I can do that very well. I am not afraid of some curse put on that job."

"That job has killed people," Minerva pointed out.

"Minerva, I think I ought to tell you something," Geoffrey began, "After I left Hogwarts, I started to finish my training to find Lord Voldemort and destroy him. Of course, Harry Potter beat me to the punch, but I knew that he wasn't gone. I could almost feel it throughout my entire being. And so, for almost sixteen years, I have been preparing for his eventual return. I'm not afraid to die now. Death is not something I fear. Death is an inescapable fact of life, one that you must accept at some point. The only death I fear is one in which Voldemort continues to live."

"Then what do you fear?" Minerva asked, "We all fear something."

"The one thing I fear most of all is that I will be unimportant and not remembered by future generations," Geoff answered, "My greatest desire, besides seeing the Gryffindor family line continued beyond my children, is to be remembered for something. That is what I fear most, that I will die in obscurity."

"So you would be willing to, as the Americans say, go down in a blaze of glory?" Minerva inquired.

Geoff smiled. "If that flames are what it takes to remember my name, absolutely," he replied.

"You say you have changed, Geoffrey," Minerva said after a short pause, "But in one way, you are still the same Geoffrey Gryffindor I taught years ago. You still seem to be a stuck-up snob."

Geoff laughed. "I have heard that before," he replied.

"So, what do you intend to teach the students?" Minerva asked.

"Well, because of the enemies we have to face, I believe in giving the seventh year students all the tools they can get to defend themselves, including Avada Kedavra and a few others . . . " Geoffrey began.

"No," Minerva replied instantly, "You cannot teach them that."

"Minerva, you know what we are up against," Geoffrey said as he stood up, "These Death Eaters aren't going to play fair with us. They will use all that they know against us. I'd like us to have at least a level playing field. Is that so much to ask for?"

"Mr. Gryffindor," Minerva replied as she stood up, "This is not a school where we teach our students how to kill others. There are other ways to defend yourself."

"Self-defense is a justified exception to the laws surrounding the use of the Unforgivable Curses, and you know that," Geoffrey responded, "You know the kind of danger we are all in."

Minerva paused for a moment, and then said, "It's just not right to teach them that."

"I'd rather not teach them it, but it's for their own good and their own safety," Geoffrey replied calmly, "I will be sure to tell them not to ever use the spell except in a case of self-defense when you can't get out in any other way and you will be killed unless you kill first. If I see anyone even fooling around with the spell, they will get a huge penalty."

Minerva sighed. "Well, if it must be done, it must be done," she said as she sat down again, "What else?"

"Well," Geoffrey began as he sat down as well, "Other than that slight modification, I don't think I will change anything in the Defense Against the Dark Arts curriculum, except maybe to bring a larger focus on defending against dark spells, but that is not a major change."

Minerva nodded, even though hearing Geoffrey call teaching the killing curse a "slight modification" made her extremely uneasy. "How long have you been studying the Defense Against the Dark Arts?" she asked.

"In the past sixteen years, I have encountered many different forms of the Dark Arts," Geoffrey began, "Werewolves, vampires, spells that were brand new and designed to torture in ways unimaginable. I have seen much of what the Dark Arts have to offer and I have found ways to counter them. I would be more than happy to pass those defenses onto the students. I consider it my responsibility and my duty to do so."

Minerva nodded and said as she stood up, "Well, Geoffrey Gryffindor, I would like to congratulate you on your employment as the professor of the Defense Against the Dark Arts classes at Hogwarts." She extended her right hand toward Geoff.

Geoffrey stood up as well and shook her hand. "The pleasure is all mine," he replied.

"I would also request that you take up the responsibility of being the Head of Gryffindor House," Minerva added, "Since it would obviously be a gross violation of ethics for the Headmistress to be a Head of House."

"It would be an honor to take on that duty," Geoffrey replied as the handshake ended, "Now, I must be off to collect my things for September 1."

"Before you go," Minerva said as he turned to leave, "I have heard credible reports that you saw Severus Snape in person recently."

Geoffrey stopped in his tracks. "I have recently met with Severus," he replied, knowing what was coming by common sense and wondering how Minerva knew about that.

"I would like to know why you made no attempt to apprehend and turn over Snape to the authorities," Minerva asked with an edge to her voice.

Geoff sighed as he turned around and replied, "Minerva, I know Severus. He has been my best friend ever since I was in my first year here at Hogwarts. He did not murder Dumbledore in cold blood. He wouldn't do that. He's on our side."

"That's what Albus said, and look at what happened to him," Minerva replied, "Can you pierce into his mind?"

"I wish I could," Geoff responded, "But he is on our side. Snape's word is as good as gold to me. He wouldn't betray us unless he absolutely had to."

"Whether you like it or not, Snape killed Albus Dumbledore," Minerva informed, "Harry Potter saw it with his own eyes. As far as I am concerned, Severus Snape is a Death Eater, plain and simple, and he is to be treated as such. And as I am Headmistress, my judgement is final on this matter. If you ever see him again and you don't turn him over to the authorities, you will be considered in collusion with the Death Eaters and with You-Know-Who and you will be sent to Azkaban. Is that clear?"

"Very clear, Minerva," Geoff replied, having no intentions of doing what she just told him to.

"And as for your staying at Number 12, Gimmauld Place, I hope you have gotten Mr. Potter's consent for that," Minerva said.

"I did, and speaking of Harry Potter," he began, "It is highly unlikely that he will attend Hogwarts this year. I would request that his seventh year courses be rescheduled for the school year beginning September 1, 1998."

"Granted," Minerva answered immediately, "I understand what Mr. Potter must do. You believe he will accomplish his task in a year's time?"

"He has the ability to do it, but I am not sure he will," he replied, "Now, I believe I will be on my way now."

"Before you go, I have one last thing to ask of you, Geoffrey," Minerva said, "I heard you applied for this position two years ago, but then withdrew your name from consideration. Albus's inability to hire a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor allowed the Ministry of Magic to cause all kinds of chaos at this school, chaos which even I wasn't exempt from."

"I came to St. Mungo's to visit you the moment I heard you were there," Geoff replied defensively.

"What would have been better for me was if I never had to go to St. Mungo's in the first place," McGonagall pointed out, "Which probably could have been avoided if you had been hired instead of us having to accept the completely incompetent and disgraceful Dolores Umbridge from the Ministry. Geoffrey, why did you withdraw your name from consideration two years ago?"

This was a subject Geoffrey Gryffindor didn't want to touch on, but he decided he did owe his former teacher an explanation of why she had to go to St. Mungo's. "Minerva," Geoffrey began, looking McGonagall right in the eyes, "I saw that the Ministry was trying to do whatever it took to enforce their will. Bloody hell, I was present at the show trial they put on for Harry. Of course, Dumbledore made that blow up in Fudge's face right from the start, but I was disgusted with Fudge's attitude and utter lack of professionalism. And I, too, saw the paranoia he was suffering from. When I first heard about 'Educational Decree 22,' I knew that he was going to spy on Dumbledore. Even though I felt that I wasn't ready for the job yet, I submitted my application to Albus and presented myself to the Ministry of Magic for official approval, as necessary by Educational Decree 15."

"So what happened?" Minerva asked, "Your past came back to haunt you?"

"In a manner of speaking, yes," Geoff affirmed, "You see, before my Wizengamot proceedings began seven years ago, I had a confidential conversation with Amelia Bones. I was willing to confess to those ten murders in return for three conditions. She told me that one of my conditions could not be given to me, and so I entered a plea of not guilty."

"Of course, I knew immediately that you were guilty of all ten killings," McGonagall interrupted.

"As you know, then," Gryffindor continued, not disturbed at all by what Minerva had just said, "The Wizengamot could not convict me of any of the killings, and so I was a free wizard. But the fact that I basically told Amelia I was willing to confess to them told her everything she needed to know. And somehow, Fudge knew that she knew. So when I went before Fudge for my approval, he told me he had reason to suspect that I was a serial killer, and therefore disqualify me from Ministry approval. He ordered Amelia into his office with me and threatened her job unless she told him what she knew about my crimes. I knew it was no idle threat, and I just couldn't put Amelia into that kind of situation. I told Fudge then and there that I would withdraw my name from consideration. When I told Albus about my decision, he told me that I had done the right thing, but I could hear the disappointment in his voice. I'm sorry, Minerva, but after all Amelia had done for my family and me, I couldn't be the cause of her being blackballed by Fudge, although I could tell she was willing to accept that fate." Geoffrey then lowered his head in respect to the late Amelia Bones.

"You were the better wizard, Geoffrey," McGonagall said comfortingly, "And you know it."

Geoff turned and looked out of a window to the south, looking at the lake where he once spent many times relaxing with his friends, many of whom had been taken away from him by now. He groaned in disgust at the use of that phrase. "Minerva, Dumbledore would always tell me to be the better wizard, and for a long time I lived by that rule," Geoff began with closed eyes, "But then, in the space of less than two months, I stood idly by while everything was taken from me. First it was James and Lily being murdered. The very next day, I was with Sirius to confront Peter about what happened, but Pettigrew went and made himself a hero while killing a dozen innocent muggles. One best friend-turned traitor to put another best friend in Azkaban for the rest of his life. I had lost four of my best friends in less than 24 hours. And then in December, Frank and Alice . . . ," and at this point, tears began rolling down his cheeks, "And ever since then, I have hated that phrase, 'Be the better wizard.'" He then turned to look right at McGonagall, who remembered all the events Geoff had just referred to. "Being the better wizard caused me to lose six of my best friends in the space of less than two months," he declared, "Not to mention the guilt of knowing that I could have saved Lily if I only took some action."

Minerva had to take a few deep breaths to keep herself from breaking down as well. The Geoffrey Gryffindor she saw now was completely different from the idealistic youth she once had called the son that Dumbledore never had, a title which she now bestowed to Harry Potter. This was a hardened man, willing to do whatever it took to defend whatever he saw as good. "I was wrong, Geoffrey," she finally apologized, "You have changed."

Geoffrey nodded his head as he wiped the tears from his eyes. "I am a wizard of action now," he said, "And if someone thinks they can kill those I love now and get away with it, they're wrong."

Minerva decided to see just how disenchanted with the late headmaster Gryffindor now was. "So you are saying that Dumbledore was weak?"

"No!" Geoff half-shouted immediately, anger in his eyes at that mere thought, "Albus Dumbledore was the greatest wizard of his time and defeated Gellert Grendelwald. He was not weak. His way is just not my way anymore. That does not make him weak. He was too noble to stoop to the means that I use now. He wasn't weak, and he wasn't a coward. He was a much greater wizard than I could ever hope to be."

Minerva paused to think of anything else she wanted to ask the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, but she couldn't think of anything else at the moment. "You may go, but I will have my eye on you, Geoff," Minerva finally stated, "I won't give you or anyone else preferential treatment."

Geoffrey smiled as he said, "I wouldn't have it any other way." He then left the room, closing the door behind him. He was perfectly aware of the events that he would have to help set in motion soon. And while a number of those things could get him a sentence in Azkaban, he knew what must be done. He was on his way down to the dungeons now. He needed to make a request from another one of his former mentors. More memories of these corridors came to his mind as he finally reached the one he had been looking for. He smelled something brewing on the other side of the old wooden door. He knocked three times.

"Cross the threshold, arrive, ingress, gain admittance, infiltrate," another familiar, old, but this time male, voice called from the other side of the door.

Geoff stifled a laugh as he opened the door. "Talk about abusing a thesaurus," Geoff called cheerfully in reply.

Horace Slughorn looked up from the potion he was brewing. He recognized the voice, but he couldn't believe his ears until he saw Geoffrey Gryffindor with his own eyes. "Geoffrey!" he shouted as he jogged down the central path between the desks in the room to give his former student a hug, "I haven't seen you in years!"

Geoff returned the embrace. "Well, you'll be seeing a lot more of me now," Geoff informed, "I work here now."

Horace let go of Geoff and looked him over. "Defense Against the Dark Arts?" he asked, knowing that was the only job which was open at the moment. Minerva had made it clear she would continue to teach Transfiguration this school year.

Geoff nodded in reply. "By the way, Horace," he said, "I have a few favors to ask of you."

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Author's Notes: So there you go. Until next week, read, review, and enjoy yourselves.