Harry walked back up to the castle and went back through the ruined oak doors. The last of breakfast was being cleared away and Harry didn't see the Weasleys anywhere. Harry decided he would talk to McGonagall and then go find the Weasleys. Harry paused, not exactly sure where to find her, then headed off to the Headmaster's office. Harry figured that was where he would most likely find her. Harry reached the revolving staircase and realised he didn't know the password. He looked down though, and realised that the password wasn't necessary, given the stone gargoyle that usually guarded it had been knocked aside. Harry stepped onto the revolving staircase and waited as it brought him up into the head's office. Harry stepped inside and looked about cautiously. He saw McGonagall sitting at the desk, sorting through some papers. Clearing his throat, he stepped further into the office. McGonagall looked up at the sudden noise.
"Oh, Potter, it's you. I've been waiting for you to come. We have several things to discuss. Sit down, please. You look very tired and worn. Would you like a biscuit?"
"Yes, thank you," Harry said, knowing it was better to accept and let McGonagall win than refuse. "What do you want to talk about?"
"Well, first I'd like to remind you that none of this is your fault. I know you are blaming yourself, but don't waste your time. No one believes it. They had a choice to fight. Now, for the business. Number one, we are going to hold a ceremony for the dead next week on the seventh of May. Now, I would like it very much if you would take part in this in some way. Whether it be talking to them, or reading names, I think it is very important. What would you like to do?"
"I don't know. I'd like to talk to them, but I don't know if I can handle that. Maybe I would be better off reading the names off and maybe saying a bit about thanking them for their service and acknowledging them."
"Of course, Potter."
"Oh, and please call me Harry, not Potter. I'd feel much better that way. And professor?"
"Yes, Po- Harry?"
"I'd like to read Professor Snape's name. I know you don't understand, but I don't have time to explain fully. Let it suffice to say that he was on our side and stayed as a death eater only on Dumbledore's orders. Dumbledore also ordered that Snape kill him personally. So Snape is really a hero, not a death eater as we believed."
Harry looked and saw that McGonagall had tears in her eyes. She gave an odd sort of cough before speaking again.
"I'm sure that can be arranged. As for our other matters of business. Given all your efforts in this battle, as well as Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger, we have offered you an order of Merlin, First Class. Do you accept this award?"
"But, I'm not the only one who did things. Many others deserve this honor too. I can't possibly accept."
"Harry, I think that the whole of the wizarding world needs you to accept this award. Let us thank you one way."
"Alright, but I don't want a big deal made out of this. Now I have something to ask of you."
"Go on, Harry."
"Will the school be reopened in time for classes to continue this fall? And will we, Ron Hermione and I, be allowed to redo our seventh year? I haven't asked the others if they want to, but I'm sure they will."
"Well, so far we are planning to reopen the school, because we wouldn't want the students to be behind a year. Our best interest is for the students. Of course you would be allowed to continue, in fact we'd welcome it. Which brings up another thing. We are, yet again, in need of a solid Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and we were wondering if you would like to take on the position. Of course, we don't want to rush you, you have plenty of time to make your choice, but we think that you really would be the best candidate. You do, after all, have some of the most experience with dark wizards, and you defeated Voldemort himself."
"But what about my classes? I certainly couldn't have time, could I?"
"Actually, that too is something the minister and I have been discussing. We considered the fact that maybe you could opt out of some classes, seeing the extra experience you had with that. You of course could opt out of DADA, and there are most likely other subjects that you can test out of as well. The minister and I have decided that we can have you test out of the subjects in a practical demonstration that will be organised later; Ms. Granger and Mr. Weasley would have that opportunity as well. As for teaching, if you were to accept, we would only be asking you to teach 3 classes a day, all in the afternoon. You see, we would be combining all the students from each house into one class as we lost so many students in the battle." McGonagall paused in that moment and Harry knew she was feeling the same pain he was at the reminder of loss.
"Ok, I'll think about it, thank you. Is there anything more you wanted to talk about?"
"No that's enough for you to think about for now, I should think." She said kindly. "You may go."
Harry turned to leave, but was interrupted again.
"Oh, and Harry?"
"Yes?" Harry said, turning around.
"Thank you. We all owe you one."
"Thank you," Harry lied, and left for real this time.
Once he was out the door, he cursed under his breath. Why would anyone want to thank him? Nobody owed him anything. He'd been the cause of all this death and pain and suffering. Harry suddenly ran, not knowing where he was going, just that he needed to get away. He couldn't handle the pain anymore. He had to do something about it.
AN: Hey, everyone, how did you like it? What did you think about his teaching offer? Do you think he'll take it? Thanks all for reading my story, and please check out my other ones.