Almost immediately, Ron started cramming food into his mouth. The subject of conversation on the Gryffindor table was mainly focused on the empty seat.

"What do you think it's for?" Neville asked.

Straight away, Hermione answered, "Defensive Spells. New subject."

"How do you know that?" Dean gaped, impressed. Hermione gave a nonchalant shrug.

"I heard Ron's parents talking about it."

At this, Ron nudged Harry.

"Look - Malfoy! He's grumpy because he doesn't know!"

True enough, Malfoy was asking all around frantically for information about the mysterious chair.

"I wonder who the teacher will be?" Seamus wondered. "Maybe Dumbledore?"

"Nah." Ron dissuaded him. "Dumbledore's got other stuff going on."

Main course flew by, and then pudding, and suddenly, Dumbledore was standing up.

"I hope you're all well fed and rested. Now for the Start of Term notices." A quiet figure, much to the interest of the school, entered by a side-door. All the students could see was a head of messy, black hair. Harry felt a grin creep onto his face. "The Forbidden Forest is, as the name suggests, forbidden to all students. First years, take note of this. Maybe some of the older students, and even the teachers should as well." Harry grinned wider. There was no doubt in his mind of who it was now. Ron and Hermione looked as though they were catching on too. "Mr Filch, our esteemed caretaker, has asked me to remind students to take a look at the list of forbidden objects, which I believe has now reached a total of 394. The list is nailed onto Mr Filch's door, if anyone is interested. Please do not trip over it. Now, we have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Professor Umbridge kindly consented to fill the post. I wish her a warm welcome, and good luck!" The pink monstrosity stood up (although it was hard to tell) and there was a round of weak applause. Professor Dumbledore made to say more, but he was interrupted with a little "Hem hem."

Everyone's jaws fell open as the new teacher stepped forward. No one had interrupted Professor Dumbledore's speech before. She pressed on.

"I am so glad to come to Hogwarts. I can see all those lovely, smiling faces! I'm sure we'll become the best of friends." Her voice was sickly sweet, like she had had too many sweets at pudding. "At the ministry, we put education first. I'm sure you'll agree that everyone deserves the right education, and no one believes this more than I. I'm very excited to take up such an influential role at Hogwarts." She looked like she had a lot more to say, but Dumbledore interrupted her.

"Thank you, Professor Umbridge for those kind words of welcome. Now, my next announcement is that, for these troubled times, we need even more experience. So for the first time this year, for fourth years and above, we have opened the post of Defensive Spells." Whispered exclamations went around the hall at this. "So I have great pleasure in welcoming Professor Potter to take this prestigious post on." You could have cut the silence in the hall with a knife. Everyone was gawping at James, who had finally raised his head, with a smirk on it. He raised an eyebrow, and everyone started clapping hesitantly. As the lukewarm applause died down, Professor Dumbledore once again stood up. "Now, I think that is all. Off you pop to bed, now!" Whilst everyone made their way out of the door, unashamedly staring at the previously dead person, James dodged his way over to Harry and his friends.

"So? What do you think?" James looked nervous, so Harry gave him his biggest smile ever.

"I think it's brilliant."

James sighed in relief.

"Oh, thank Merlin. I was really worried you wouldn't like it. Anyway, so Padfoot can help me in my lessons, we need to clear his name. Can you guys come up to Dumbledore's office, please?" The Golden Trio nodded, and followed.

Once they arrived it was to see a faintly amused Dumbledore, an already slightly flustered Umbridge, an uncomfortable Fudge, a keen Percy Weasley and two Aurors Harry didn't recognise crowded into the office, standing alongside Snuffles. James winked quickly at the dog, which snorted in a doggy sort of way at him.

"Ah, James, Harry, Hermione and Ron. Come on in." Dumbledore was definitely happy about the situation. All four entered the office.

"So, um, Harry, I suppose you remember the end of your third year?" Fudge asked. Harry nodded. "Well, apparently, James Potter here can give proof that Sirius Black is innocent." He raised an eyebrow at James.

"Yes I can."

"So, you three need to be witnesses. Erm, Dumbledore, do you want to get the Veritaserum?" Dumbledore smiled, and motioned to a vial on his desk. Harry looked up at James, who winked and knocked back the potion. Fudge cleared his throat.

"What is your name?"

"James Henry Potter."

"Who was your father?"

"Fleamont Harold Potter."

"What evidence can you give us about your betrayal?"

"I changed my secret keeper from Sirius Orion Black to Peter Enid Pettigrew. Peter was a spy for Lord Voldemort and betrayed me. Sirius realised Peter had sold me out and tried to get even. Peter escaped in the form of a rat."

"And WHY could he transform into a rat?!"

Dumbledore quickly passed James the antidote secretly before he could answer, gave a quick wink at Harry and flicked his wand. Something exploded directly behind Fudge, and while Umbridge and Fudge were fussing, James quickly drank the antidote.

Fudge shook his head to clear it of confusion.

"Where were we? Ah, yes, why could Peter Pettigrew turn into a rat?"

"Peter was an illegal Animagus. We had no idea."

Fudge sighed.

"Well, rock solid evidence like that, given under Veritaserum, I supposed can't be contradicted. Now, if Weasley could just draw up a contract-" he looked at Percy, who scribbled away at some parchment, then passed it to Fudge. "-Dumbledore, you'll need to sign it, as will you, Mr Potter, and you three kids, as witnesses. But how the devil am I going to get hold of Sirius Black?"

James smiled.

"I'll send him a letter. I need to take my dog for a walk anyway - thank you for keeping a hold on him, Dumbledore. Come one, Snuffles."

James walked out the door, and silence fell upon the room. Ten minutes later he came back with Sirius, who winked cheekily at Fudge.

"Hello, Minister. So, where am I signing?"

A bewildered Fudge motioned with his quill, and a few minutes later all five of them burst out the door, grinning wildly. James and Sirius said goodnight to the kids, and they set off towards their various rooms. As soon as Harry and Ron entered the dorm room, they were accosted by the other three.

"Blimey, Harry, it's your dad! Back from the dead!" Seamus smiled at him.

"I know, it's great!" Harry replied.

"How is he? Is he nice?" Neville asked anxiously. He already was worrying about the new class.

"He's fantastic." Harry answered. "I couldn't have asked for a better dad."

'Where did you go, guys? You've been off for ages. We were wondering where you'd got to." Dean raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, we had to talk with Dumbledore." Ron answered vaguely. "Now, I'd like to get some sleep - good night."

The others murmured goodnight back, and as Harry changed and got into bed, he smiled to himself, thinking about the reactions of the Dursleys, and the fact that he probably wouldn't have to go back this summer. Life looked like it was only going to get better.

Look how long this chapter is! My longest yet. As usual, please read and review, next chapter will be about Harry's first day - in particular, his first lesson with his dad.

Fangirl0103