AN: I know I'm submitting a lot, but like I said this monster has grown and I want to catch up a bit. Enjoy! Review!

Hagrid's New Hut

"POTTER, stay right there!"

Harry was running across the main hall, hoping to make it out the door before any one caught him. He just wanted to get to Hagrid's hut and forget about the morning's unpleasant surprise. Coming to a halt he sighed and dropped his head in resignation. Moody half limped, half ran up to him with Professor McGonagall scurrying behind.

"Let me apologize for letting that monstrosity get by me. No, wait, let me finish. I was looking for jinxes, hexes, and booby traps. Because it contained none of those, I wasn't suspicious.

"This was obviously planted to cause fear and emotional pain, to demoralize you or cause you to act rashly. It was not intended to cause physical harm. SO...ah," Moody toned down his usually booming voice to a gentler growl and gripped Harry's shoulder, "So don't let it, alright. Just don't you let it!"

"I won't, Sir. Thanks." Harry replied grateful not to hear another 'constant vigilance' speech.

"Are you sure you're quite alright, Mr. Potter?" McGonagall said in a worried matronly way. "That must have been a terrible blow!"

"Yeah, it was, Professor, but I'm okay now. Thank heaven that I wasn't alone when I opened it. I had a roomful of friends and that made all the difference." Harry was surprised to hear the truth of what he was saying. All those times he wanted to be left to himself were really the very times he needed friends the most.

"I'm relieved to hear it." McGonagall patted his shoulder. "Remember if you ever need anything..."

"I will, Professor. Thank you." Harry was starting to feel uncomfortable under his older compatriots worried scrutiny. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to see Hagrid's new home. Oh, and Sir?"

"You may call me Alistor when there are no students around."

"Alistor, thank you for the foe-glass and sneak-a-scope. They meant a lot."

Moody coughed and sputtered and managed to get out, "Quite all right. Well, then, off you go."

Harry didn't wait for a second urging, he was out the door and sprinting before they could blink an eye.

Hagrid's hut looked very much the same on the outside. Same plastered white walls, same thatched roof and same kitchen garden growing off to the side. When he stepped inside, it was a completely different story.

The place was set up much like his own apartment only at least three times bigger. Hagrid actually had room to move around. It smelled of fresh cut wood, paint and plaster. Sitting around the gargantuan table were Hermione, Ron, Neville and the Lupins drinking tea from brand new giant sized china.

"What do ya think of me new digs, eh Harry?" Hagrid beamed.

"Brilliant, Hagrid, really brilliant." Harry said in awe and accepted the cup Hagrid offered.

"I waited on purpose t' show the rest of the place 'til you got 'ere." Hagrid grinned bouncing on his heels with excitement.

Sensing Hagrid couldn't stand waiting much longer, they hurried through their tea and let him know they too couldn't wait another second. Like a child on Christmas day, Hagrid ushered them through what would have been his back door in the old hut.

There was genuine oohs and ahs as his guests gazed around the new stables. There were six stall's of various sizes. The chickens' laying boxes were lined up near the rear exit. To the left of the entrance, was a first aid station for injured animals.

Hermione hugged Hagrid around his great middle. "This place is fantastic! I'm so happy for you!"

"I can't believe it meself. Meaning no disrespect to the memory of Dumbledore, but I've needed a place like this for a long, long time. That Professor McGonagall is a grand lady, a grand lady."

"I suppose this means you'll be bringing in a lot of new 'interesting creatures'" Ron said a little fearfully.

"Nah, Professor McGonagall wants me to stick to the critters on the OWL an NEWT tests until things settle down. Can't say I blame her. She's got more than enough on her plate t' deal with. She don't need no nervous parents breathing down her neck about what type of animals her kids are exposed to. I might pick up a pet or two for meself though.

"Speakin' o' nervous parents, I've got somethin' t' show ya, Perfesser Lupin."

Hagrid led the group toward one of the largest stalls. He opened the gate with a "TA DA!" and everyone peered in. In the far corner of the stall was a very large dog kennel. Inside the kennel was a bowl for food and water, a thick patchwork quilt, and assorted rubber toys.

Lupin stared at the kennel, one eyebrow raised very high, and in a controlled slow drawl, said, "I take it that this is not for Fang."

"No" Hagrid said as if he were handing Lupin a big bouquet of flowers. "This is in case o' emergency. You said last time was that one reason you left your position here was that you were scared that you might not be able to get your potion on time to keep you gentle-like. If that's the case, ye can come here!"

"It's perfect, Hagrid. Really it is!" Tonks recovered first. Her new husband was still speechless. "It's a real load off our minds. At least mine anyway. Remus almost didn't take the position this year because of that same fear for the safety of the students. If it weren't necessary for the cause, he would have turned it down flat. You are just the best." She punctuated her remarks with a bear hug around Hagrid's lower arm.

"Are, are...those...chew toys?" Lupin asked, still trying to take in the view. The others were having fits trying to keep straight faces.

"Yup" Hagrid blithely went on, as yet unaware of the lack of enthusiasm from his werewolf friend. "I want you to feel at home and have a good time if you ever need ter stay the night."

"Right, and a squeaky toy, will make me feel at home in a dog kennel."

"Well, not now o' 'course. But when you change, ye might try biting them instead o' yerself."

Lupin slapped his hand to his forehead and left it there a moment. "Rubeus, listen, I'm sorry. What you did was probably the kindest, most thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for me. It's just my stupid pride living with my usually very human ego that didn't allow me to admit it. Thank you, very much. It's a wonderful surprise, really it is."

Hagrid was all smiles again and bent over, picked up a box that sat next to the kennel which he handed to Tonks. "It was explained to me that even with the potion yer better half still turns into a wolf, he's just all tame and don't bite. Find out which one of these here toys and chews are his favorites and you can bring 'em with him if he ever has to visit during that time o' the month."

Tonks' head hung low over the box, her shoulders shaking violently. When she looked up into Hagrid's hopeful face, she was chewing furiously on her lip and tears of mirth were streaming down her face. After several gulps of air, she choked out a thank you to Hagrid, made her farewells and ran out the door.

Hagrid, thinking the tears were of gratitude instead of suppressed laughter, wiped his own big black eyes with a handkerchief the size of a tablecloth and sighed. "She needn't of gone on so. I was just lookin out for me friends."

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"Now, here are my teaching notes for first and second years." Slughorn handed Harry a stack of rolled parchments. "I don't have a teacher's manual since this is just old hat to me. Remus found all of, well, all of Severus' manuals in the D. A. office. I think he moved those and everything else into ah, Severus' quarters since you unlocked the door. I know you'd rather not use them, but you'll really need those."

Harry shuddered. The last thing he wanted to do was paw through Snape's smarmy things just now. But if he was going to teach, he knew he needed to know how to do it right.

"First years are a bit twitchy," Slughorn went on. "Half of them are sure they won't ever need to know any of this potion stuff. They think all they have to do is visit the apothecary and pick up what they need.

"The other students, I divide into two groups, the first have seen or heard of accidents with potion making and are dead scared of it and the other are just itching to learn how to brew poisons or love potions they can slip to their friends and enemies."

"I think I was in the first group, but I really didn't have a clue about anything." Harry admitted.

"It's too bad your mother didn't raise you. With your natural talents you've inherited, I wish she could have been your first teacher." Slughorn loved to reminisce about his star pupil. He reached for another piece of crystallized pineapple Harry had remembered to bring him to butter him up. "By now you would have known more than any teacher could have taught you."

"Yeah," Harry was tired of the way Slughorn would talk of his mother as if she were a pet hen that consistently won blue ribbons at the county fair. Flattery always worked with the old man. "I just wish I knew how to make it fun. I never thought of Potions class as fun until I took the class from you last year."

"Well, thank you, my boy, you were a delight to have in class, I must say. The trick is to start out with something fun and easy the very first class. Slog through a couple of required potions and then throw in something fun again. I always find that even the first years get excited if you have a contest. Throw in a potion from NEWT level that has to brew most of the year, like the Felix Felicis. Closely supervise their making it with the promise that if at the end of the year, it turns out right, they can all share the finished product and earn extra points for their house."

"That is a good idea, Professor, but what do you think I should start out with?" Harry asked. Snape never let them make fun potions.

"Oh, there are all kinds. My notes, and of course the teaching manuals will help." Slughorn waved at him dismissively. "Now off, young teacher in training! I really must get to unpacking myself. We'll meet again before the term starts when I've plenty of time to devote to you. I believe Remus is still in Severus' quarters. He'll be more than willing to help you find what you need."

Slughorn settled back in his chair and sighed contentedly. He folded his hands across his large belly and looked as if he was preparing for a nap rather than do unpacking.

Harry slowly climbed down the stairs to the level equal to the entrance to the dungeon entrance. The door to Snape's old quarters was open and some one was definitely in there. Harry's heart began to pound and a knot in his stomach was pulling tighter with each step he took.

"Remus?" he called out a couple of steps away from the door.

"Harry? I was hoping you'd show up. I've packed a couple of boxes with things you'll need in here." Lupin called back "You can take them with you after we've made a quick look around to see if anything sticks out."

Harry took a deep breath and chided himself for being a coward. It was just a room after all. He peered around the door and saw Remus rummaging through a box sitting on a blood red leather chair in front of the fireplace. The decor was all red and black. Even though it was brightly lit, the room seemed to absorbed light rather than reflected it. Remus looked as if he was several feet away instead of just the couple of steps Harry knew to be the true distance.

Harry stepped across the threshold and a lot of things happened at once. His heart began to beat at such an alarming rate, it felt as if it was going to pound though his chest. He felt as if the floor began shifting and spinning. He felt hot and cold at the same time. His breathing couldn't keep up with his body's demand for oxygen. He knew he would die if he stayed one moment longer in the enemy's lair. He turned and bolted for the hall.

Out in the hall, the world began to right once more. Leaning over with his hands on his knees, he sucked in great lung-fulls of fresh air. His heart began slowing down and his chest didn't hurt so much.

Lupin was suddenly standing in front of him, encouraging Harry to slow his breathing and relax.

"There's a hex on that place," Harry gasped. "I can't go in there. The room recognized me and repelled me."

"Harry, listen to me very carefully. There is no spell repelling you." Lupin said kindly. "What you experienced was purely physical. There is no hex. You're having an anxiety attack. If you don't conquer it, it could turn into a very real phobia."

"I can't...no way...I can't go back there. You don't understand, what ever is in there wants to kill me." Harry said, the symptoms returning at the thought of even trying to look through the door.

"Nothing wants to kill you," Remus said. "Stay here, I'll be right back. Just concentrate on slow, deep breaths."

Harry tried, keeping his eyes tight shut as if to block the spell that Remus was obviously immune to. He heard Lupin run in the room, fumble through some vials and run out again.

"Here, Harry, take a small swallow of this. That's right. Give it a minute to work. I can't give you much more, its highly addictive."

Harry's head cleared and he felt much better. He could straighten up and relax.

"What was that stuff? I feel great." Harry allowed the relief to wash over his entire being.

"It's Calming potion." Lupin explained. "Don't get used to it, as I said, its very addictive, but I need you clear headed now. You can go back in and not feel a bit anxious. Come on, there's a good lad."

Harry walked back into the room, it didn't look any more cheerful, but at least he was okay. Around the study were shelves and shelves of books. Adorning the walls were the usual gross samples of pickled body parts of assorted animals . Lupin eyed him with concern.

"Alright then? Good. Let's explore the inner sanctum."

Harry stepped into the bed chamber. There were gory pictures on the wall, both wizard and mundane. The one over the black wood bed caught his eye. It was obviously a portrait painted by a Muggle, as there was no motion in the painting itself, but it was captivating none the less.

He remembered seeing reproductions of the original in Muggle textbooks when he was younger and in 'normal' school. It was a horrible scene of men being thrown down in the Pit of Hell. They writhed naked, thrown into the Lake of Fire. Lucifer and his demons were ready, pitchforks in hand, waiting to torture the unfortunate damned. Snape must have really been inspired to have sweet dreams in this place, Harry thought.

Together, Harry and Lupin searched for hidden doors and storage and could find nothing of outstanding significance. They returned to the boxes Lupin had sorted. In it, Harry found the teachers manuals for first and second years. There were copious notes, in Snape's elegant cramped script, about tips and shortcuts for achieving perfect results.

It made Harry wonder if Snape shared those tips with favored Slytherins to enhance their grades. It definitely reminded him of the Half Blood Prince text book. As soon as he could, he also retrieved that text still safely hidden in the Room of Requirement hoping to glean something that could help either to find and destroy the Horcruxes or to figure out the enemy's next move.

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Harry made sure Ron was the first one through the door of the Burrow after the Apparition test.

"Mum? Mum? We passed!" Ron's exuberant voice echoed through the house as he and Harry bounded through the door.

Mrs. Weasley ran to meet her youngest son with hugs and kisses.

"See, I told you if you'd quit worrying about it and just go for it, you'd be just fine. Hello, Harry, dear." Mrs. Weasley planted a matronly kiss on Harry's cheek. "I can't believe how fast time has flown, I feel like only yesterday I was seeing you two off at platform nine and three-quarters and now, apparating, teaching," she hugged both boys at the same time. "You make a body proud."

"Before you know it one of us will make you a grandmother." Ron laughed.

"Don't you dare, Ronald Weasley, Leave that to Bill. You take your time. Hear me? You too, Harry."

"Yes, Mum" both boys said in chorus.

"Ron, could you go to the kitchen and put on the kettle for tea? Harry and I need to talk alone," Mrs. Weasley said, suddenly serious.

Ron shrugged and headed for the kitchen, throwing a 'you're in for it now' look at Harry.

"What's the matter?" Harry asked. "Did I do something wrong?"

"Oh no, Dear," Mrs. Weasley dug a folded note from the pocket of her robes. "I got a letter from Minerva today. I think you know the contents."

"Yeah, she talked to me the other day." Harry said remembering the long uncomfortable conversation.

Professor McGonagall called him to her office to discuss Ginny and his relationship. Ginny was still an underage student and he was now a teacher. She didn't want them to break up but made it clear they had to be very careful at the school and in Hogsmeade. No displays of physical affection either inside the school or on the grounds. Ginny was not allowed to go to his quarters without a companion at least twenty years old. And, since gossip was usually malicious about such things, they should be very reserved at Hogsmeade as well.

"She's right, you know," Mrs. Weasley said. "Gossip spreading among teens can make the Dailey Prophet look like a facts sheet."

"I know, and Ginny would got the worst of it." Harry said, taking Mrs. Weasley's free hand and giving it a squeeze. "Do you want me to break up with her?"

"Heavens no!" she said and returned the squeeze. "Just please, listen to Minerva and follow her rules. I just told Ginny. I expected the usual explosion. Don't know where that girl gets her temper. All she did was nod and go outside with the excuse that she wanted to flush out some garden gnomes."

"She must really be upset." Harry sighed. "I'll go talk to her." He started toward the back of the house that led out to the garden and stopped. "I tried to cool things down this spring, for her safety. I was afraid that being my girl would make her a target."

"Harry, Dear, listen to me. We are all targets. Even if you weren't the Boy Who Lived, we still wouldn't bow to Vold...that vile man's demands. Ginny is in no more danger now because she cares for you. Everyone who is good and decent is in danger, remember that." Mrs. Weasley smiled ruefully. "I think she may be a bit safer with you as her champion. Now go talk to the girl; get her to come in for a spot of tea."

Harry stepped out into the sunshine and spotted Ginny on the hunt for gnomes. The bright sun glinted off her hair turning it to a fiery copper that took Harry's breath away. He vowed he would protect her from any harm whether it was Voldemort or others' gossip. Heaven help anyone who tried to hurt her.

Ginny caught a gnome and swung it violently around in circles over her head. In a blink of an eye, she threw it with such force at Harry that he barely caught it before it collided with his own forehead. Deftly, he tossed it into the road were it stumbled, lost, looking for its home. Ginny began walking toward him with angry, determined steps.

"I said, keep the hair and loose the beard." she shouted, her eyes gleaming fiercely.

"The hair comes back for the wedding. But with milady's permission, I'd like to keep the beard awhile longer, just to see what it looks like all filled in." Harry hugged her and winced as her arms wrapped around him so tight they squeezed his ribs.

"If your face gets to furry, I won't be kissing you at Hogwarts or anywhere else." she warned. "It'd be like kissing Fang."

"It'd never feel like kissing Fang...I don't drool that much." Harry chuckled softly. "McGonagall's right, you know."

Ginny looked up at him, still angry. "I know, but I don't have to like it."

"We'll find a way. It will be our own private adventure." Harry assured her. "We don't have to worry about it 'til school starts anyway. And, we're not at school now."

Ginny smiled and reached up to give him a kiss that would last them until Christmas break.

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