I apologize for the wait, work and vacation and college preparation has been distracting me lately. I'm just glad to post this chapter up today :)
I hope this will interests you all.
Since Harry allowed him to leave his quarter, he knew too well of his best friends and their way of welcoming him. He strolled down to the Gryffindor tower – thankfully knowing the password and that is expected of him as a professor to know all passwords in case of anything. He announced the password, the door swung open, and walked in a few feet into the common room.
"Come on, Ron! I doubt Harry wants to be late to teach his class and I want to be there early so we have time to catch up." The bright witch commented to the ginger friend of hers.
He groaned, "Maybe so, but I want to sleep in! Who wakes up at five in the morning?"
"You'd be surprise when he used to live at his aunt's house. He would be up at four-thirty to stay out of trouble with his family and get the chores out of the way since they constantly give him endless list of things to do. And besides, you knew how difficult it was to adjust sleeping in longer until you influenced onto him. It took him three years, but at home, it's a habit of survival." She declared.
Ron shook his head, "He never took comfort of sleeping in, honestly! It's not normal for him!"
"He did not live for a normal childhood, Ron."
Harry hummed, "I agree, I did not live a normal childhood…but some part is alright, I suppose. I suspected you'd wake up early, Hermione."
They gasped and spun around to see him in person, more of within the room. Harry could see how surprised they were to expect him to be 'up' already. He knew that no one will know much of his 'no sleeping' is permanent. Hermione ran up to him and hugged him. She was a few inches shorter, but that did not matter. Ron was an inch taller than Hermione, however, Harry won the height between them. He has always been short, but he doesn't care about that.
"I can't believe you are back, Harry, but where the heck have you been?" She scowled at him, motherly like almost.
Ron joined in the same for hugging, "Yeah, mate! You abandoned us! Why didn't you take us with you?" He frowned.
Harry could see the typical best friends and he could not believe it with his eyes and ears on them. It felt like forever he had seen them, but the time was happening for him.
"I left to protect everyone here. Voldemort was getting stronger and had to get stronger faster. I left on my own term, alright? He's stopped for good and I did not want to come back home with lectures about my selfish act of leaving everyone." He shrugged, but hugged them back.
He hadn't hugged anyone in such a long time. He almost forgot what it was like with human's affection touch for such isolation in almost four years. His best friends barely have a clue what had happened over the years.
"Still! We could have assist you or speed up the process or-" Hermione rambled on, but Harry wanted none of that.
"-I'm alive, aren't I? I did my destiny, didn't I? Now, stop hugging me. I'm not going to disappear ever again." He stated, to make this comfortable as possible for him.
Harry wasn't too sure about the affectionate touch would be comfortable for him this long. He barely knew how to handle it well, but he supposed he did leave on his part. No one was supposed to know anyway and it would keep everyone safe.
"But why did you leave, Harry?" Ron had to ask.
The emerald eyes glanced up and stared at the Weasely, "I lost my only family member and broke down to the point of leaving. I wasn't about to leave with both of you because that will drag down more risk and lives at hand. All I knew is everyone's risk of death. I could not allow it any more than necessary. Alright? Voldemort could have used either of you and he did try to repeat it on me. Instead, I was able to tell he was faking a memory into my head. I was keeping all of you lots safe." He told them half-truth, but mostly half-lies.
Hermione finally stopped hugging him and headed over the couch. Ron followed the same and Harry was glad. He joined them by sitting down on the couch's arms – which he is comfortable doing – and gained their attention for short while.
"I apologize for walking out unexpectedly, but it was for the best." He smiled kindly.
Granger pouted at him, "Still! You could have given us a goodbye and say it was for the best!"
Harry knew she would still fight her point in almost anything, "Hermione, you would have done the same. Isn't it better I did not erase anyone's memory for that matters? While I hunt you-know-who and having to become nobody? And that once I return everyone's memories, would any of you lots be okay with my action? Because if anyone has done that to me, I'd be damning them to hell and telling them that they have betrayed me." He stated his purpose.
Ron shyly agreed, "Mione, I think he's right. At least he's back alive and not with killed by you-know-who."
Harry grinned, "See? I'm alive because of what I did. We're free from war. Now, I'm shocked to see both of you are still in school…why?" He looked at between them.
Hermione's shoulders slumped, "I supposed you have a point." Her head shook and pulled back her behind her ears, "So what did we miss out on with you? We had quite a normal education and absolutely nothing happens. Plus, we kept the Dumbledore's army club going and kept ourselves in training. We gained so many people last year and it was amazing to see teamwork, even Draco joined."
Hermione rambled on about how help Draco was for the club and Harry hummed in his delightful mood, knowing he has done a good deed for the young Malfoy. They had no clue yet, so he decided to wait on a proper time. He nodded along to what he heard and found out that another six more Slytherin chose to join the club because of their fear of Voldemort. Harry found this quite amusing, but refrained himself from showing any sort of unusual behavior. It would have broken their heart if they had known he's not the same Harry they once knew. The only thing they have noticed is his style, speaking of…
"You know, Harry, what's with the black and grey look?" The red head tilted his head.
Harry nodded, "Yeah, I needed dark clothes to blend in the dark and metals for reflections." He had practiced that in his head a million times before anyone could have asked, "It helps to blend in the dark," Lies…it was to feel dark and become darker, mainly to gain more access to survival. Harry knew that too well of himself.
The brunette nodded, "That is common, if you're going after the enemies or wishes to disappear from sight. Look at Professor Snape, he disappears all the time, and no one had seems to know when or how he does it. I believe it's his effective style. Is that who you picked it up from, Harry?"
When Hermione spoke of the professor, Harry lit up at the name and recalled the night he chose those colors. She was correct and noticed too well.
"Yeah, but he's not the only one who may influenced the way I wear today. I was studying so much, I had to figure out what to do with myself." He grinned goofy about it.
Ron shrugged, "I don't know, but bloody hell, Harry! Do you still need to wear those?"
Hermione slapped his arm and received his 'ow', "Ronald! He can wear whatever he wants and he's comfortable."
He muttered miserably, "If this is how you're going to be with the kids when I complain about their clothes, warn me before you slap me!" Hermione slapped his arm again, "OW! Hermione!" He whined.
She glared at him viciously and he held up his guards. Harry observed between the two and took the words into consideration. Then it had dawned onto him as he grinned.
"You guys are dating each other?" He asked.
The witch rolled her eyes, "I don't know, asks Ronald here. He drives me mad!" She huffed, "We've been dating for about a year now, but we aren't ready to go that far yet!"
His eyebrow rose, "To what? Engagement level?"
Ron nodded, "Yeah, but we only been together for a year now, so we can't qualified to that yet. I believe I cannot propose to her for another two years from now, but I think we've got time now." He smiled, "Sorry about the robe fashion comments, mate."
The savior shook his head, "None at all, besides, I feel I'm more taken seriously in this robe anyway. By the way, I noticed both of you are in my first class of the day. I thought you guys weren't staying here for another year and probably in training for your careers."
The couples exchanged glanced at each other and thought about what to tell him.
"Harry," Hermione almost sounded guilty, "We stayed because of you. We wanted to get all kinds of information about anything relates to our world and where you could have been or who could have kidnapped you. We wanted to be ready for the war as well," Her head shook as she sighed miserably.
Ron took that as a sign to take over, "We wanted to be ready to help, so we don't look like a complete fool."
The witch nodded, "I guess it's pointless, but we decided to have one last meeting with the club at six to thank everyone for their staying alive club and kept themselves in training."
The man-who-lived agreed, "I believe that is best, but the class will be much useful now. I got more lessons prepared for the past four days and Hermione, I believe you will be excited to learn new things. I can promise you that and Ron, please, I don't want to look like a bad guy here, so put in your efforts at a hundred percent. I don't want to display any favors over anyone."
The golden couples were pleased to see Harry as a professor and this time, trust worthy as well. The war was lifted off their shoulders and has set them free permanently.
"Alright, mate…wait, does that mean I got to call you professor?"
Harry smirked, "I'm afraid so. Teacher student relationship during class hours, but outside of class hours is free to call me Harry, Potter, or both. Nicknames…depend on whom. I'll be known as Professor Potter." He explained.
Ron was not pleased, but he accepted that for now. At least he already approved the teacher and less troublesome for everyone this time. No more professor who were weak, fame-addicted, imposture, minister, collector, passionate of DADA, and the headmaster has all came through and did not last long.
Now, they have a professor who will take stride for others' education, put the purpose and benefits of the class into it, and strive to keep the job permanently. Harry knew too well what could be happening, if it had gone his way well. The only person who seems to know was the headmaster, but some things weren't spoken on some levels.
"Got it, mate." Ron stood up, "Now, I need to get my books-"
"-You already have your bag on you, Ron," Hermione reminded him, "Why do you think I was prepared to leave the tower so early? I knew this would take up so much of our time. Oh, Harry, do you mind joining us for the last club meeting?"
Harry smiled, "Actually, I was thinking to keep the club going. After all, we still got to deal with dementors and among of other things. It will turn into a serious DADA club instead of Dumbledore's Army. Do you still have the list of everyone's name on it?"
She was practically glowing and instantly accio'ed the paper in a matter of seconds. Harry could tell she managed that spell quickly for herself and Ron was proud of her. She handed it over to him and Harry gracefully accepted it.
"I will sort out the club this week and announce it today as well." Knowing how serious everyone seemed to drag themselves into, Harry knew that too well.
The witch nodded, "Excellent. Come on, Ron, we need to get breakfast for the starting day!" She gleefully cheered.
Ron chuckled, "See you soon, Professor Potter," He winked.
He saw them dashing out the common room to leave the gryffindor's tower. Some things hasn't changed and something was picked up from his ears. The sound was gentle, but this was not for the average ears to be capable of.
"Hello Professor McGonagall, do not mind me." He smiled at her welcoming visit.
She joined into the room, "Ah, Harry, call me Minerva. I am curious, why you and Severus disappeared in the middle of desserts session?"
The emerald bored at her pale green eyes, "Gathering some private answers." He noted her posture, "Which I doubt that's what you're looking for." He hummed.
She chuckled, "For a Gryffindor you are, that has not changed. I have noticed the way you look at Severus," Her eyes checked her surroundings.
Harry's brow rose, "And…?" He wanted to find out what use of this conversation was for.
"And do you fancy him, Harry?"
He suspected the time where Severus had accused him during his fourth year with stealing the ingredients, where they had gave each other looks to understand what happened with the ingredients. Severus has realized it was the imposture, who stole them, and not Harry. However, Harry was rather glad to have an unspoken communication with an unsaid apology. Minerva was there to witness them in their connection and she was not a foolish Gryffindor there.
"Minerva, nothing has passed you by. You are a true Gryffindor in this tower," He smiled, "Of course I do, but I hope that does not cause confliction on our parts."
Her head shook, "Not at all, you may get Severus to loosen up for once. I felt terrible for the way he had to suffer since he was young and a lover is what he needs. Or at least a human consort."
Harry chuckled lightly, "He does deserve someone to care for him. I think last night was quite…an impact for him."
Her brow rose, "What did you do? I doubt it'd be the kiss."
He was impressed with the house of Gryffindor woman here, "Let's say I removed the dark mark on his arm."
Her eyes widened and she was taken by surprised to the news. She did not expect this to be happening at all in her lifetime and Harry has done this so soon.
"How? A potion, a spell, a charm?" She wanted to know.
His head shook, "Sorry, it's not…recommended for anyone's knowledge." He sighed, "Right now, I hope some things will work out for Severus. After all, a man, who thirsts for knowledge, will do anything to find out what I have been through." He smiled.
Minerva had to agree with him. She nodded and walked away to prepare her first day with her students. Harry has done the same and recalling all moments had happened within twenty-four hours. It had seemed like the school will be much different over the past four years almost.
A knut for thoughts?