Chapter four

Over the next few weeks, Harry still helped repair the castle, but the idea of becoming a teacher was always in his thoughts but now though, he started to see it, see himself standing in front of a class, teaching, sitting at his desk marking papers, giving out detentions to those Slytherin's, well any student really, but Harry always saw Slytherin's.

He saw himself patrolling the corridors of a night, sitting at the staff table with the other teachers. All these thoughts and images were very appealing to Harry, he just wished he could talk this over with Hermione and Ron before he made his decision, but he had no idea when they might return.

It was strange at first not to see them, they had been constantly together for seven years, now for the last couple of months, they hadn't seen each other at all. One thing that surprised Harry about being separated from his two best friends, it was easier than he thought even if he did miss them, he did get used to it very easily. Of course Hermione wrote all the time, she wrote for both her and Ron, Harry knew Ron hated writing letters, so he was leaving that for his girlfriend to do.

Harry realised he couldn't wait for his friends anymore, but he also realised this was his decision to make, he needed to do this alone and again thinking of being alone, doing things alone and living alone seemed right to Harry.

So after taking everything into consideration he finally made his decision. He knocked on the office door and heard Minerva McGonagall call to come in. Harry took a deep breath then opened the door and stepped in, closing the door behind him.

'I've made my decision.'

'Then please don't leave me in suspense Harry.'

'I know it's taken me a long time, but I really had a lot to think about, as I'm sure you know. No staff is married, I knew I would never marry, not something I ever wanted. No staff have kids, again, something I don't want. Of course I am only eighteen, so maybe that could change when I'm older, I don't know. I have always loved Hogwarts and I have always called it my home and I've thought of it as my home as well. Even though I usually talk things over with Hermione and Ron, this time I couldn't, I think that's why it has taken me so long. I didn't have Hermione's logical opinions or Ron's thoughts. But in the end this was my decision to make,' Harry put the document on the desk, 'I'm going to take the job.'

'Harry that's wonderful, and you will be an excellent teacher,' Minerva moved around her desk and shook his hand, 'So welcome to the staff of Hogwarts…Professor Potter.'

Harry chuckled, 'Thanks and that is going to take some getting used to.'

'Yes, like calling me Minerva and not Professor McGonagall, calling all the staff by their name, like Severus,' she raised her eyebrows, 'Did you take him into your considerations?'

'Yes, I knew if I did this, then yes, we'd be working closely together, so no more animosity between us. I can put all that in the past, I'm just not sure he can.'

'I will be speaking with him about your appointment Harry, but sit for a minute.'

Harry sat down as Minerva took her seat, 'I always knew you would end up a teacher one day Harry, you are so much like I was when I was young,' Albus Dumbledore smiled down from his portrait.

Harry smiled, 'This is one thing that never crossed my mind. But what you said about being like you, that is a great compliment, so thank you sir,' Harry smiled up at the portrait.

'Now Harry, as I'm sure you read, your friends and what that entails.'

'Yeah, that took me a long time to think about, knowing we can't be friends while they are here. I know we can be friendly, but not like we used to be. I took it all into consideration Minerva,' Harry grinned, 'That is strange saying that. But I have thought very carefully about everything.'

'I'm glad you did and I'm glad you took your time. Now though, until the minister releases this information, you can't tell anyone and I know that will be hard on you Harry, but it must be announced officially. If you told your friends, someone might overhear or they might slip in front of someone.'

'I understand, Ginny's not going to be happy about it though. Now I did want to speak with you about her, well us. I knew we would never work, but Ginny insisted that we get back together. I think that's why I only see her twice a week, but I also spend time with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley while I'm there. Ginny wants the whole marriage and kids thing, I don't, but she just won't listen. So at the moment, yes, we are still seeing each other. When she hears about this, she might cause problems when she is a student, I don't know if she will, but she happens to have her mother's temper, so I wouldn't put it passed her and if I did tell her about this, she couldn't resist letting that news out, just out of anger.'

'I could ask Kingsley to speak with her, he could explain what is about to happen and that she can't tell anyone, I'm not sure it would work though because you are right, she does have Molly's temper. The only thing we can do is keep an eye on her when school starts, if she happens to do anything she shouldn't or try to give you a hard time, then you will have to learn to deduct points or give her a detention. She might even try things on you deliberately, to see how you will react.'

'Yeah, I have a feeling she will test me, a lot. But I know what I have to do, not something I'm looking forward to, but it's part of the job.'

'Yes it is and you are taking all this better than I thought, especially knowing you might have to give detentions to some friends. But now, we have forms to fill out so Kingsley can get the announcement ready for the Daily Prophet. You will also have to get settle into your new rooms, the ones behind the defence against the dark arts classroom. Have you ever been in there Harry?'

'Once, when I went to see Remus, so it's an office, but I never really took a lot of notice of what else was there.'

'Yes, your private office is there, but behind the door is your private chambers which you can change to your liking. They have their own bathroom and a small equipped kitchen apart from a living area and bedroom, which is separate.'

'Oh well, I never knew all that was there, but I suppose it makes sense. The teachers spend time working of an evening, being able to make a cup of tea or coffee right there will help.'

'Yes it does,' Minerva pulled a folder out of her desk and placed it in front of Harry then handed him a quill, 'You need to fill that out, I will send a copy to Kingsley, the other gets filed in here. When the castle is a bit more repaired then a new staff photo will be taken, one gets put up in the castle, one to be released to the Daily Prophet. You will need to go get fitted for robes, buy clothes that look neat, but you don't have to buy older or as some of you younger people call it, stuffy clothes,' she smiled as Harry chuckled, 'Then stock up on everything that your office will need.'

Harry smiled, then blew out a huge breath and started to fill out the form that will officially make him the defence against the dark arts teacher at Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry. It was a dream come true.