I would like to take a minute to thank everyone who is following my story. I also want to thank Harmenrocket for adding my story to her C2 of favourite stories. Thanks to all of you who reviewed. And finally, thanks to my beta, ZephyrDragon.

I do not own HP and I thank JKR with all my heart for giving us a wonderful world to play in!

CHAPTER 8 – The assignment

The next morning, Harry presented himself at the Ministry shortly before ten o'clock. He was waiting to be called in when Hermione walked into the waiting room, her nose in a book. She took a seat, not noticing him at all.

"Hermione," said Harry with a chuckle, gaining her attention.

"Harry! What are you doing here?" she asked, surprised to see him.

"I've got an appointment with the Minister at ten. You?"

Hermione frowned and was opening her mouth to answer when Percy walked in.

"The Minister will see you now," he said, holding the door open.

Harry walked towards the door and realised Hermione was following him.

"You, too?" he asked her.

"Yes," she answered, as nervous as if she had been called to the Headmaster's office.

Wondering what this was about, Harry followed Percy through a long corridor with open doors on both sides. Through those openings, Harry could see witches and wizards busily working behind wood desks. Compared to the Auror office, this place was very quiet and orderly.

Percy knocked on the door at the end of the corridor, and entered before receiving an answer. He waved Harry and Hermione inside and closed the door behind them, leaving them alone in a sumptuously decorated office. The opposite wall consisted of a floor to ceiling window which afforded them an incredible view of the atrium. The office was furnished, at one end, with six luxurious leather chairs placed around a low coffee table, and, at the other end, with a massive mahogany desk behind which could be seen a wall to wall bookshelf with an impressive collection of books.

A few moments after leaving them, Percy reappeared, carrying a teapot and four cups on a tray, which he placed on the coffee table. As he left them, another door opened on the wall next to the bookshelf and Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt entered followed by Professor McGonagall.

"Sorry to make you wait," said Kingsley, extracting his wand from his robe pocket, and casting a privacy charm on the doors and the windows, which darkened as a result. "We've got some privacy now," he said, sitting in a chair at one end of the coffee table. "Please, sit down," he invited, waving his wand to pour tea for everyone.

He offered cups to his silent and intrigued guests, and took his own. He took a sip and said: "Ah! Perfect!" He set down the cup on his armrest, and looked at Hermione and Harry who were sitting on his right, next to each other. By then, not only was Hermione looking nervous but Harry also felt like he had been caught doing something he wasn't supposed to do.

"By now, you are probably wondering why you have been asked to call on me," he said to them. "Headmistress McGonagall has requested the help of the Ministry," he continued, making a gesture towards the headmistress who was sitting on his left. "Headmistress," he said, turning to her. "Would you care to explain to Miss Granger and Mr Potter?"

"Certainly, Minister," answered Professor McGonagall in her usual crisp and businesslike tone. "At the end of the school year, I discovered something very alarming."

She took a deep breath as if to build up her courage and steady herself.

"I do not know if you remember Sage Livingly?"

Harry and Hermione shook their heads.

"Mr Potter, I'm not surprised you don't; he was in his second year when you were last with us," said Professor McGonagall. "Miss Granger, you may recall the one they nicknamed the 'Trouble Maker'?"

"Yes!" exclaimed Hermione, suddenly remembering. "He's a Ravenclaw, isn't he? I always thought it was odd for a Ravenclaw to get in so much trouble."

"Exactly!" said Professor McGonagall. "I kept wondering why a student we had no problems with for over three years had suddenly become such a problem. And a Ravenclaw, no less! Well, at the end of the year, after he played his permanent glue prank on the Hufflepuff Quidditch team, I had had enough."

Harry remembered Hermione telling him how a student had smothered permanent glue over the Hufflepuff broomsticks, sticking the players to their broom just before the last game of the season. The match had to be rescheduled for the following weekend, and Madam Pomfrey had had to peel the skin off the hands of some of the players to separate them from their brooms. Of course, the skin had to be re-grown and the brooms and uniforms replaced.

"While I was telling him my decision to expel him, the strangest thing happened. It seemed as if two people were fighting inside of him; the arrogant one who was telling me I couldn't possibly expel him, and another one who was quiet, sad, and in tears. This latest personality told me - with great difficulty, I may add - one word: 'help'."

Hermione gasped.

"Was he bewitched?" asked Harry.

"Yes, Mr Potter, he was indeed, and still is," answered Professor McGonagall.

Harry looked at the table in front of him remembering how Barty Crouch Senior had fought with himself to ask Harry to get him to Dumbledore. He had behaved out of character, pretending a tree was Percy Weasley, and giving it orders. It had taken all the efforts in the world for Mr Crouch to beg for Dumbledore.

"The Imperius curse!" said Harry, suddenly looking up at Professor McGonagall.

"Yes, Harry, that is what we suspect," confirmed Professor McGonagall. "I discussed what I found with the Heads of Houses and I have to admit, I really was tempted to close the school. But Professor Flitwick pointed out, and rightly so, that such a move would be the end of Hogwarts, and would be a terrible blow to the moral of the wizarding community who has suffered enough during the last few years. Besides, closing the school would prevent us from finding out why our student was cursed and by whom.

"To tell you the truth, I think Mr Livingly is much safer at Hogwarts where we can keep an eye on him. Of course, we understand the risks of keeping him with us, especially since his behaviour can be quite dangerous, but we figured it was still much safer to keep him. Expelling him may result in another student being cursed, and us not knowing about it."

The four of them remained silent, thinking about the severity of the information Professor McGonagall had provided them.

"You want us to return to Hogwarts, don't you?" asked Hermione, breaking the silence.

"Yes, Miss Granger. That is why I asked the Ministry's help," answered Professor McGonagall. "We usually do not involve the Ministry in Hogwarts administration since you know how catastrophic the results may be, but these are special circumstances that require special skills we simply do not have," she added. "You, Mr Potter, and Mr Weasley have shown us again and again your investigating capabilities and we would greatly appreciate your help with this matter."

Since coming back as students would draw too much attention and Harry suspected the school wanted to keep this incident as quiet as possible, he wondered for a moment how they could come back to Hogwarts without too many questions being asked. Then it hit him.

"You want me to be your Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher," he said, looking at Professor McGonagall.

"Yes, Mr Potter," answered Professor McGonagall with a rare smile. "I have heard from some of your friends that you are quite skilled."

"And you want me for Muggle Studies," said Hermione.

"Yes, Miss Granger. You have shown us all, this past year, how very good you are at it. And we have decided to implement your suggestion and make Muggle Studies a mandatory subject for all students who are not from Muggle families, unless, of course, they show a high level of knowledge on the subject," she added.

"And we expect you to teach the entire year, even if you solve this mystery sooner," said Kingsley. "Rest assured," he continued, "this assignment will not impede your career. In fact, the successful completion of this assignment will replace any further training you may need, Mr Potter. And for you, Miss Granger, it will allow you to gain the position of Advisor III which, I think, is two grades above what you are now.

"In addition, you do realize that this is an undercover assignment. Therefore, we would ask you to limit the amount of people you share your real duties with. Mr and Miss Weasley, perhaps?"

Hermione and Harry looked at one another, smiling.

"As far as the Ministry is concerned, the official statement will be that you both resigned your position following the very tempting offer Hogwarts made to you," he added. "Any questions?"

"Yes, sir," said Harry. "Professor, what curriculum do you want me to use?"

"Mr Potter, it should be obvious!" said Professor McGonagall. "Hogwarts hasn't had a Defence Against the Dark Arts curriculum in years! You may do whatever you want. We just ask that you prepare our students to pass their OWLs and NEWTs, and to survive what may still be lurking out there."

"Harry, I'll help you," offered Hermione. "I'll research what has been tested in the past for OWLs and NEWTs."

"Thanks," said Harry visibly relieved.

"Any other questions?" asked the Minister.

Hermione and Harry shook their head.

"Well, if that is all," said Kingsley. "Mr Potter, as you are already on vacation, we will officially announce your resignation. Please go and clean out your desk before you leave. I will make sure Mr Holmes is not around to ask too many questions," he added with a smile. "Miss Granger, we will announce your resignation this coming Friday, which will be considered your last day. That should give you time to prepare for school."

Following the Minister's lead, everybody stood. After shaking hands, Professor McGonagall left by the door next to the desk while Hermione made her way to the door by which she and Harry had come in.

"Minister, may I have a word?" asked Harry who had remained by the coffee table.

"Yes, Harry," answered Kingsley, walking to his desk.

Harry nodded at Hermione who left without waiting for him. He reset the Muffliato spells on the doors and went to stand in front of Kingsley's desk.

"Minister, you know we reset the Fidelius charm on my house…" began Harry.

"Yes, Harry, but do not share the information with me. The least people know, the more secure it will remain," interrupted Kingsley.

"That is the point, really," said Harry. "However, the 12 Grimmauld Place, which is now my home, has always been a safe haven for the Order of the Phoenix."

"Harry, you shouldn't have," said Kingsley seriously.

"Yes, I should! I want to make sure you have a safe place in case you ever needed it, Minister. Ginny and I will always welcome you into our home."

"Our?" asked Kingsley with an amused smile.

"Well, soon to be 'ours', I hope," said Harry with a grin.

"Let me know when it happens, Harry. I would surely like to be invited to the celebration," he said, offering his hand.

Harry shook it.

"You will, sir. You will."

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"Hogwarts? Your assignment is to go teach at Hogwarts?" asked Ron, amazed. "Bloody hell! Why can't I have an assignment like that?"

Harry had invited Ron and Hermione for dinner, and Hermione had suggested they discuss their new assignment while they were all together.

"Oh! Stop it, Ron! May I remind you that you do not work for the Ministry, therefore you would not qualify to get any Ministry assignment. Beside, you can come and work at the Wheezes in Hogsmeade. That way you'll be able to assist us."

"That's a great idea! Hermione, you're amazing!" he said affectionately.

Harry looked at Ginny sitting next to him and felt his heart was being ripped apart at the idea of being separated from her. As opposed to Ron, who could follow them to Hogsmeade, Ginny would have to remain in London since Quidditch was asking a lot from her. As much as Harry was looking forward to teaching, he was definitely not looking forward to being separated from the woman he loved. He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her towards him.

"I'll miss you," he whispered in her ear.

He doubted Hermione and Ron would hear him as they were still sparring.

"You're not gone yet!" said Ginny with a grin.

And she kissed him.

"Hey! That's my sister you're snogging!" exclaimed Ron, making them all laugh.

"In any case," said Hermione, "teaching is the fun part, but there is more. Professor McGonagall has discovered a fifth year Ravenclaw who has been bewitched."

And Hermione proceeded to tell Ron and Ginny about the rest of their assignment.

"That is why our working for the Ministry should remain between us. Officially, Harry has quit his job and cleaned his desk already, and my quitting will be announced on Friday," concluded Hermione.

"It's just like the old days!" said Ron, excitedly. "Solving mysteries…"

"Oh, Harry, I forgot to tell you," said Hermione, turning towards Harry and pointedly ignoring Ron's mumblings about how the old days were. "We need to turn in our books and other class requirements by Friday so it can be included in the Hogwarts letters which will be sent out next week."

"Already?" asked Harry. "But – but I haven't thought about what I'll teach yet."

"You've been reading Defence books all summer!" said Ginny. "You must have an idea of which ones would work best."

"And Harry, don't forget that two years ago, nobody really got Defence lessons to speak of," said Hermione, referring to when the Death Eaters were controlling the school. "The first and second years will be all right but the others are still behind, and more than a little afraid."

"I was thinking about using some of Lupin's approach," said Harry.

"I think it's a great idea," said Hermione. "He did know what he was doing."

"Yes," said Ginny. "And he made it fun instead of scary."

"So, who knows about your assignment?" asked Ron.

"You, the house-elves, the Head of Houses, and Kingsley," answered Harry.

"That's it?" asked Ron.

"Ron! That's not like it's the first time you're one of the very few in the know, you know," said Hermione.

"But what if I tell someone?"

"You had to keep bigger secrets than this and you did it without a problem. Why should it be any different this time?"

"I don't know," he answered. "Maybe somebody will hit me on the head with a cauldron."

"Don't be ridiculous!" said Hermione. "You know…"

But Harry was no longer listening. He was already lost in his thoughts of curriculum and book requirements.