Life in the Green Eyes of a Crazy Potter

Chapter Four: Scarier Than You Think

A/N: Yes, I do realize how horrible I am at this updating thing. I've just had a lot of things come up such as Summer School, family vacations, etc. that just get in the way. However, I have been slaving over this and no, it's not perfect, but this is what I have for now. Hope you enjoy it!

Btw: those waiting for the update to "Only Half Weasley," the next chapter will be coming out tomorrow. Thanks!


Twelve hours and thirty-seven changed diapers later, Harry sat in at his kitchen table with a nightmare in front of him: six toddlers under the age of three. On the table, Ginny had left a list of foods that each child ate along with every allergy known to man.

"You've got to be kidding!" Harry said in astonishment. "An allergy to cantaloupe? Who would ever think of that? Raisins? This must be Hermione's list." Harry took off his glasses and cleaned them on his shirt before repositioning them back on his face. "Now, which of you is Hermione's kid? Ah, the really smart looking one. I should have known."

Harry was about to give her a bite of applesauce when Ginny walked into the room. "Harry, no!" she cried. "That will give her an anaphylactic reaction! Didn't you read the list?"

"Well, of course I read the list! How could I not? It's so very organized right in front of me!" Harry motioned to the three pages of notes.

Ginny looked at him skeptically. "Then why are you giving Eleanor applesauce when it clearly states that it gives her atopic dermatitis!"

Harry looked back at her with a blank expression. "So? What's the problem with that?"

"Harry, do you know what atopic dermatitis is?" Ginny challenged.

"No…"

"It's a horrible skin rash!" Ginny answered. "Do you want a crying, irritable baby to deal with along with twenty-two other children?"

"Well, if it wasn't for your kindness, dear, I wouldn't be having this problem!" Harry answered impatiently. "Why don't you feed them?"

Ginny walked to the refrigerator and took out some eggs and milk. "I thought we already agreed that you would have that responsibility. If I have to take care of them all night, you can do something as simple as feeding them."

"But you do a much better job! Who knows? What if I end up killing Hermione's only girl?"

"Then there's not much to worry about, is there?" Ginny looked at him with a smirk. "Because you'll be dead, too."

Harry groaned as Ginny handed him some baby food from the pantry and he opened it up. "What is this stuff, anyway?" he asked.

"Pineapple cranberry lemon mix," Ginny answered calmly.

"Merlin, babies eat this stuff? Even I wouldn't eat this stuff!" Harry exclaimed. "This is almost as bad as that salmon casserole that your mum made last Christmas for dinner…I was throwing that up for days."

Ginny paused and her face turned green. "Salmon…casserole?" she muttered before racing out of the room and down the hall to the bathroom. Harry heard the toilet flush several times before her pale face graced the room again.

"You ok, Angel?" Harry asked good-humoredly.

"Wipe that smirk off your face or next time, I'll make sure YOU get pregnant!" Ginny threatened.

Harry's face turned white. With magic, anything is possible…


At the end of the week, Harry fell onto his bed and let out a big sigh. There were bags under his eyes, a pale face from lack of nutrition, and no energy left unless the word "sleep" was involved. The good thing was- the nightmare was over. The bad thing was, so was his house. The entire place was soiled beyond repair and the only livable place in the house was his room.

Ginny sat down next to him and laid her head on his back. "Well, we did it," she said. "We watched twenty-three kids successfully without any of them dying."

"I wouldn't say 'successful,'" Harry put in. "Eighteen trips to St. Mungo's shouldn't be a positive thing."

"It was for only minor things, Harry!"

"Minor things? You call turning your son into half-squid, half-moose minor? What kind of family did you live in?"

Ginny laughed. "One with Fred and George."

"Yeah? Well, their kids are certainly spawns of them. If I ever see them again, it will be too soon," Harry grumbled.

"Oh, but you will," Ginny said with a smile. "Peter and Jacob are starting Hogwarts this year."

Harry turned his head to look at his wife squarely. "Are you trying to torture me?"

"No! I love you, remember?" Ginny answered, kissing him on the cheek.

"Then why do you say these things? All I want for the rest of my life is peace and quiet," Harry confessed. "No kids, no diapers, no toy wands that turn people into aliens…"

"Hey," Ginny said with a hurt expression. "These are your own kids you're talking about. What do you want- to leave me to take care of them by myself?"

"No, I guess not," Harry sighed. "Let's just never baby sit other people's kids again."

"Agreed," Ginny chimed in. She looked over at their bed-side table where there was a picture of the entire family at the Burrow for Christmas. In the picture, Abby was barely two months old and sleeping soundly in Lynn's arms. Ginny was hugging Elizabeth in front of her while Harry had an arm around both of the boys and every so often, would rumple their hair that they inherited from their father. Looking at the picture, it could have been an example of the perfect family. Everyone was so happy, so tight-knit. What could ever get between them?

"I love you, Harry."

Ginny waited for a response, but the only sound she heard was a soft snore. Smiling with understanding, she passed off only to woken up again a few hours later by Abigail…


"Elizabeth, we're going to be late!" Harry called up to his daughter. It was September 1. Just like every September 1 for the Potters, Ginny and Harry were given the chore to whisk their children off to the train and send them on their way.

Elizabeth appeared at the top of the stairs with a heavy trunk in tow. "Daddy, I can't lift this."

Harry met her at the top of the stairs and attempted to pick it up. "What did you put in here, bricks?" he teased. Pulling out his wand, he cast a spell that made it almost weightless. "Come on, are you ready? Where's your cat?"

Elizabeth picked up a box and opened it to reveal an orange and white cat. "Right here," Elizabeth answered and ran down the stairs in front of her father.

The Potters all crammed into the car with two owls and two cats, a car seat, and four trunks. Needless to say, that was the least of their problems. When the family arrived at Kings Cross, Harry and Ginny's next challenge was to unpack all of it and get their kids onto the train on time.

"Harry, take this trunk," Ginny ordered when Harry approached the car with four carts.

"MUM! Tell Daniel to stop poking me!"

"Daniel, quit poking your sister! We're already late as it is!"

"MUM!"

"Take your owl, Isaac!"

"Lizzy, get your cat away from mine!"

"She's not doing anything, Lynn!"

"Harry, do we have everything?"

"It looks like it…"

"Would you quite poking me?"

"OUCH! For the last time, get your cat away! It scratched me!"

"Alright kids, through the barrier, you go!" Harry called over the bickering. "You first, Lynn."

And one by one, the Potter kids marched onto Platform 9 and ¾. Harry with Abigail in his arms was the last to go through the barrier. It was a zoo trying to get through the platform and Harry managed to lose all of his other kids. At the far end of the platform, he did find Ginny who was talking with Hermione and Ron.

"Hey, Mate!" Ron greeted, holding Eleanor in is arms. "Elly, can you say 'hi' to Uncle Harry and Cousin Abby?"

The little girl shrieked and Abby giggled in Harry's arms. Harry spotted his other children coming off the train along with Ron's two children. The group gathered for a few last hugs and kisses and a few minutes later, the children crowded back on the train for a speedy departure.

Harry stayed behind with Ginny and waved at his children, promising to see them soon. He was planning to apparate to Hogsmeade later that day where he would meet the train and take the first years across the lake.

"Another year without our kids," Hermione sighed sadly after the four adults with their two toddlers left the station and were sitting in the Leaky Cauldron eating lunch. "Pretty soon, we won't have kids to send to Hogwarts."

Ginny looked a little aggravated at the thought. "Are you kidding me? At my rate, I'll have a child in Hogwarts every year until the day I die!" Ginny shot Harry a glare and Ron snorted in his butterbeer.

"Come on, Ginny," Harry said good-naturedly. "You like kids!"

"Harry, she's not some kind of machine!" Hermione defended her sister-in-law.

"Hey, it's not all my fault!" Harry answered, holding his hands in the air and getting hit with strawberry applesauce in the head by Abigail. "It takes two to tango."

"Don't remind me," Ginny sighed, before jumping up for the fourth time during their meal.

Ron looked slightly amused. "If I didn't know what was wrong with her, I'd think she had an eating problem."

Ginny caught the comment on the way back from the bathroom. "Oh don't worry. After I get through with you, you'll be sure to having an eating problem!" Ginny threatened, pointing her wand at her brother. Ron hid underneath the table where he remained for the rest of the meal, except for small instances where he came up for air and food. Harry never saw Ron's full head until Hermione convinced Ginny not to hurt him while he paid the bill.

Harry treasured the last few hours he could spend with his wife before he took on the burden of school once more. He packed most of his things, but left a few things behind to come home to. He had planned to return to his house every weekend, but during the week he belonged to Hogwarts.

When the sun began to set in the evening, Harry kissed his wife and daughter good-bye before apparating to Hogsmeade. The weather was slightly drizzly and Harry felt his hair stick to his forehead as he approached Hogsmeade station. He glanced at his watch. The train would be approaching in less than the fifteen minutes. For once, he was on time for something.

The train came rolling into the station with a whistle and a screech from the breaks. Students began to pile out like a dam leaking water and Harry tried to be heard above the excited voices. "First years! First years over here, please!"

It was amazing that people actually heard him in all the commotion! Yet, about forty first years crowded around him ready to make the trip across the lake (one being his own daughter, Elizabeth and another four were his nieces and nephews). The rain began to pour and Harry led them across as quickly as he could without getting drowned himself. He didn't let out a real breath until he approached the Great Hall and led the students into a classroom off to the side.

"Alright, my name is Professor Potter," Harry introduced himself hastily. "Momentarily, I will lead you into the Great Hall where you will be sorted into four different houses: Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Slytherin and Gryffindor." Harry left the room and in the middle of the Entrance Hall met Professor McGonagall. She was accompanied by his replacement Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Vex and Professor Makis, the new Deputy Headmistress.

"Evening, Harry," Professor McGonagall smiled. "Are you ready?"

"Yes, ma'am," Harry said nervously. McGonagall's retirement had not been formally announced and as far as Harry was concerned, only a select few people knew about it. Professor McGonagall motioned for the other two teachers to make their way back into hall, leaving the two alone. McGonagall glanced around the hall and finally rest her eyes on the doors to the Great Hall.

"This place has been home to me for sixty years," the older woman confessed. "I never thought the day would come when I would have to say good-bye."

Harry was at loss for anything to say and just stood awkwardly. "You'll do just fine, Harry," McGonagall assured him. "You have the makings to be a great wizard and an excellent teacher. I have never doubted your integrity." Harry nodded, but his words stuck in his throat.

And then McGonagall did something that Harry had never seen her do to anyone else- she hugged him. She embraced him and when she let go, her eyes were misty. "Good luck, Potter," she laughed and walked through the doors to the Great Hall and disappeared. This was the last time Minerva McGonagall would enter the Great Hall as Headmistress of Hogwarts.

Harry went back into the room full of first years and a few minutes later, they followed him into the Great Hall which was crowded with curious and hungry students. One by one, each student was sorted into the four houses. When it came time for Elizabeth to be sorted, it came as no surprise that she was put into Gryffindor. Harry applauded proudly and when the last student went running off to their house table, Harry put away the sorting hat and stool and took his seat next to McGonagall.

Piles of food appeared at all the tables and Harry was thankful to get something down into his queasy stomach. He watched all of the other students enjoying themselves immensely and by the time dessert came, he was quite relaxed. However, the time came for new announcements and as the feast closed down, McGonagall stood up in front of the school.

"Now that you all have food in your stomachs and are less distracted by your stomachs, I feel this is the perfect time to make a few announcements. First, I would like to introduce to you Professor Vex, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher!"

Unlike usual introductions, the room buzzed in confusion. What? Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher? What about Professor Potter? McGonagall raised her hands and the room filled with silence once more. "Yes, I'm sure you are all interested to know why we need a new Defense Against the Dark Arts when we have a perfectly capable teacher sitting next to me. This leads me to my next announcement. I am sorry to tell you that, as of today, I am officially retiring from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Professor Potter will be replacing me as the new Headmaster of this school."

Harry felt his cheeks turn red as the loud applause echoed throughout the hall. The last time the school had ever been this excited about something was when the ban on Weasley Wizard Wheezes was temporarily lifted six years ago (and quickly put back in place the next year).

"I have never been more honored to teach such a group of bright and aspiring students such as yourselves and I wish all of you the best luck in the future," with this last note, McGonagall stepped down from her chair and motioned for Harry to take her place. For a moment, Harry was stunned in his chair, but with a helpful nudge from Professor Makis, he took Professor McGonagall's spot at the center of the table.

"Thank you," he said to the students and cleared his throat. "Professor Makis has kindly taken the responsibility as Deputy Headmistress and I would like to thank her for kindly accepting the position." Harry acknowledged the woman on his right and turned back to the group of students. "Now for the exciting part- school rules. All students are banned from the Forbidden Forest. Weasley Wizard Wheezes and Zonko products are banned in the corridors. There is absolutely no magic use between classes or in the corridors and please be respectful and use common sense. Do not give me any reason to expel you.

"Now that that's clear, term begins tomorrow and first years, please see your house's Prefects for the common room passwords. Good night and have a great term."

As the students before him jumped out and crowded out of the Great Hall, Harry plopped down into his chair. McGonagall had disappeared sometime during his speech and with her disappearance came a flood of responsibility. The school was his now. He could run it however he wanted (with proper boundaries, of course). This was scarier than he thought.


Thanks to siriusbrillantbrunette, Tonks of La Spezia, GiGiFanFic, whoknows87, Gin, IAMSOAPAliKitKatI Cry 4 the BumblebeePinksakurablossomhp-Lover-4-Everdauby, and 100-percent-Harry-Potter-obsessed for your reviews! You have all really made my day and it's to you that I dedicate this chapter!