Chapter ten

Harry was so nervous on the first of September that he could hardly settle. He knew he would get better, but now the day has arrived it was worse than he thought. Minerva knew he would be and had a calming draft ready for him but Harry didn't want to take it unless he had to, so he decided to wait and see how he was when the students arrived.

After a last minute talk from Minerva, the staff made their way down through the castle and to the great hall. Harry and Severus glance at each other before they each went to their assigned areas ready to stop any stragglers. Filius stood just inside the entry to the castle ready to greet the first years and the rest of the staff all head into the great hall to take their seats.

Harry had been a little embarrassed that he needed to take his potion when he knew the train had arrived but Minerva explained that a lot of the staff used a calming potion their first few days as a teacher, which made him feel a little better. Now he was waiting just outside the castle.

He saw the carriages making their way up the long drive, he put his game face on, that's what Harry called it. He had been practicing different looks so he could make the students, some friends as well, see him as a completely different person to the one they knew. One thing Harry had decided was to grow a beard. He wasn't that keen on them, but he thought it might just make him look different. So even though it wasn't a full beard yet, there was a lot there and he believed it did make him look different.

'Hurry up now,' Harry called and as expected he got a lot of looks, but he also got smiles from friends.

'Professor,' Hermione smiled as she climbed the steps with Ron.

'Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley,' Harry smiled then just kept watching the students, Ginny gave Harry a very calculating look and all Harry did was nod then turn back to watch the students.

'Professor,' Draco Malfoy nodded as he passed with a couple of his friends.

'Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Zabini, Miss Greengrass, nice to see you have returned,' Harry gave them a very small smile but his face remained a little hard.

'Thank you sir,' Astoria Greengrass nodded.

Harry thought that went well, he wasn't sure how it would go with the Slytherin's. Once all the students were inside, Harry followed making a few straggling second and third years hurry into the great hall then he kept his game face on as he walked casually down between the Slytherin and Ravenclaw table before taking his seat, right beside Severus.

Both Harry and Snape knew that Minerva had did this deliberately, to get them used to being in close proximity all the time and acting as work colleagues. Another thing Harry had worked on was his walk especially with robes. He would never tell Severus this but he used to watch him a lot and the way his robes billowed out and swirled around him. So as Harry walked between the tables his back was straight, he slowed his walk and he took longer strides which made his robes billow out behind him.

Minerva tapped her glass to call for quiet as Filius brought in the first years, more than anyone had seen before. The first years that would normally start this year and the muggleborns that weren't allowed to attend last year. Harry heard a few last names he recognised, younger sisters or brothers of people he knew. He glanced over all the students then to his friends, Ron looked impatient and even though normally Harry would laugh because he knew Ron just wanted to eat, Harry's face never changed. He had been practicing keeping his face impassive even when something amusing happened.

Minerva stood up and glanced around at the students, "To all our older students, welcome back, to all our new students, welcome. As you can all see, we have more students at Hogwarts than ever before, I'm sure all of you will adjust to this just like the staff of Hogwarts have to adjust. But now, let's enjoy a wonderful feast prepared by the Hogwarts house elves," Minerva moved her wand over the four house tables and the food like normal magically appeared. She sat down and leant forward, "Considering everyone knows now Harry, most seemed to accept it by the looks you have received."

"Yes, they have, naturally a few haven't, but I was pleasantly surprised when I was greeted by three Slytherin's. I think we will see a big change in some students that we never expected."

"I believe you are right Harry, now let's eat, we're going to need our strength."

Harry smiled, a proper smile before making his face back impassive as he started eating. Even though Harry wasn't sure how it would go, he turned slightly to the person beside him.

"What is your impression on how certain students will behave this year Severus?"

Severus slowly turned and even though he still wasn't sure about Potter being a teacher, he could see a man and not the boy he had seen for years.

"I believe that some students have realised just how lucky they are to be alive. So yes, I think we will see a great change in some."

Harry nodded because he realised Severus was trying, "Yes, a lot of them will realise they could have died or even locked up. The older ones naturally would see this as their last chance as well. Our world has changed dramatically in such a short space of time, some have accepted that change easily, some naturally will take longer. I think it's going to be a very interesting year at Hogwarts."

"I believe you are right…Harry,' Severus gave a nod, but his face wasn't sneering, he wasn't scowling, he wasn't smiling, but everyone knew that Severus Snape never smiled.

Minerva made the traditional welcome back speech about rules and regulations, all about quidditch and that certain parts of Hogwarts was still being repaired so naturally those areas were out of bounds.

"We welcome two new staff members this years, so I would like you all to give a warm welcome to our new transfiguration teacher, Professor Turner," there was a polite smattering of applause from staff and students as Elizabeth Turner stood acknowledging her welcome.

"Please give a warm welcome to our new defence against the dark arts teacher is Professor Potter," the hall broke into loud and thunderous applause and Harry noticed it started from his friends which made him smile even though he tried not to as he stood to acknowledge the welcome and over the top applause.

"As I am now Headmistress I will not be head of Gryffindor house any longer, that position has been assigned to Professor Potter, so with all students, if you have any problems please speak with your head of house. One last thing before you can all get some rest. A lot of you older students have been friends with Professor Potter for years, we the staff know that there will be times you might slip by saying his name. I have given Professor Potter permission to allow this to happen only three times for each student, after that will be detention or points taken. So please try to remember that to all of you he is no longer Harry Potter, but Professor Potter. If for any reason a student's keeps calling him by his name even after detentions and weeks of classes, that student will find themselves suspended which could lead to the student being expelled, this is your only warning. Anyone deliberately trying to cause a problem for any staff member not just Professor Potter again will find themselves expelled.'

Minerva glanced at all the students by her eyes lingered longer on Ginny Weasley and Minerva knew she was going to cause problems, she could see it on the red heads face. So Minerva knew the first few weeks was going to be very interesting, but she was very confident that Harry would handle the situation just as he has handle any situation he came across.