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Hogwarts was empty, for all Harry and Hermione knew, as they made their way past the vacant Great Hall on their way to meet McGonagall.
Hermione had invited Harry along with her to meet their former professor, and Harry had obliged. Hermione, not wanting to purposefully leave him out of something again, had asked Ron as well, but, with George and Angelina still away on their honeymoon, he was busy re-opening the joke shop after the holiday.
Responsible for Teddy that day, Harry brought his godson along.
"I think it's Teddy's first time at Hogwarts," Harry said as they made their way up a moving staircase.
Hermione was carrying Teddy in a harness of sorts on the front of her body. She looked down at the baby and smiled.
"The first of many, I'm sure."
Just then, a small group of students hurried noisily by, bundled in winter gear, carrying brooms, and wearing rosy cheeks. They looked no older than thirteen.
Even though they were not yet ten years older than the students, Harry and Hermione were struck by how young the group looked, and how much older they felt.
Now about five feet ahead of Harry, Hermione, and Teddy, the students abruptly slowed their pace. Two of them turned their heads to glance back at Harry and Hermione. Seeing their glances had not gone unnoticed by Harry and Hermione, the students quickly turned back to their friends and began whispering frantically.
Their reaction was not lost on Harry and Hermione as they remembered the article that had been in the Daily Prophet on Christmas. They were also aware the articles seemed to keep on coming. Although, after Harry had sent his letter, the articles were now found on more interior pages of the publication.
Andromeda, Molly, Harry, and Hermione continued to receive gifts from well-wishers for Teddy, and even some "newlywed" gifts for Harry and Hermione themselves, although the owls certainly were beginning to arrive less frequently.
"Maybe we shouldn't have brought Teddy," Harry said, grimacing as the students picked up their pace again and hurried away, still whispering.
McGonagall considered a similar sentiment as she welcomed Harry, Hermione, and Teddy into her office. She was well aware of the articles in the Prophet regarding her former students and Remus and Nymphadora's child, and nearly voiced her concern with Harry and Hermione then.
But, realizing that her former students needed her support, perhaps now more than ever, especially where Hermione was concerned, she refrained.
"It is a happy New Year for Hogwarts, indeed," McGonagall announced with a small smile, "I'm pleased you have accepted my offer,"
The headmistress occupied a chair on one side of her desk, while Harry and Hermione were seated together, opposite. Teddy crawled merrily about in his magical playpen on the floor beside them.
Harry turned in his chair to face Hermione, "That's brilliant, Hermione! I-"
"But she has a few conditions," McGonagall interrupted before Harry could continue.
Harry's expression transformed as he looked to Hermione quizzically.
What does this have to do with me? Harry wondered.
Hermione only smiled shyly in response.
"Conditions?" Harry asked, turning his gaze to McGonagall.
"Yes, Mr. Potter, conditions. While I'm not usually one to entertain conditions," she looked pointedly to Hermione, who blushed, "Ms. Granger has informed me that she will not accept the Charms position unless her conditions are met, or entertained at the very least."
Harry glanced at Hermione with surprise. What's gotten into her?
"Unexpectedly, she has provided me with a perfect solution to an ongoing problem. You see, Hogwarts has gone without Defense Against the Dark Arts for an entire semester. In fact, I'd say most would argue we've really gone without the class since your third year."
Harry nodded blankly.
"At any rate, the position has certainly been… unstable. Our students need stability, now more than ever. Ms. Granger informs me of how well you led Dumbledore's Army. Her review of your performance was glowing," McGonagall's smirk widened.
Harry saw Hermione's blush deepen.
Harry suddenly knew where this was going, but before he could interrupt, McGonagall continued, "I dare say your intervention saved many lives this past year."
"But- but…" Harry started, ready to explain the D.A. hadn't even been his idea, that it was Hermione's, and that he hadn't done it alone.
"Ms. Granger, why don't you explain, since this is your idea."
Harry and Hermione both gaped for a moment.
Harry realized this was probably not the way Hermione had imagined the conversation going, but her surprise quickly transformed into resolve as she spoke, "Oh, Harry, don't be mad at me, but I think you should teach Defense."
Harry's surprise remained.
Me? Teach?
He imagined what Ron would say if he were here.
Probably something about my really studious nature and love of following rules. Harry couldn't hold back his laughter.
"Hermione…" he started, his laugh continuing, as if it were just the two of them in the room, "you're mad."
Hermione did not let his words or laughter deter her, "You'd be brilliant Harry. It'd be nearly just like the D.A."
Hermione had convinced him once, convinced him to start and lead the D.A., but he didn't think there was any possibility she could convince him to be a professor…
Professor Potter. He cringed, and chuckled again, at the absurdity of it.
Hermione was not amused, "Harry!" She said indignantly.
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry," Harry abdicated. He got his laughter under control.
"In all seriousness though, Hermione, there were no real lessons with the D.A… no essays to assign, no tests. I was rubbish with my own schoolwork, how could I possibly be expected to-"
"Defense Against the Dark Arts has always had a… unique, curriculum." McGonagall interjected.
Harry raised an eyebrow.
"So that's what you'd call the debacle that was "Professor" Lockheart… unique?" Harry said sarcastically, for a moment forgetting with whom he was speaking.
"Mr. Potter…" McGonagall warned gently.
"Headmistress McGonagall is right, Harry," Hermione interrupted the apology on Harry's lips.
"Hermione, I know you had a… thing for the man, but really, still?" Harry teased, referring to Hermione's second-year infatuation with Lockheart, the humor of the situation really growing on him.
Hermione crossed her arms over her chest in refute, but Harry noticed she was unable to hold back a smile.
McGonagall put a hand to her lips, in an attempt to conceal a small smile of her own.
"It's true, Harry. Defense professors have been allowed a lot of freedom…"
Somehow, Harry's eyebrow managed to raise further, as he opened his mouth to make another snarky comment, but Hermione was quick to continue.
"…which, as you well know, worked out really well for Professor Lupin… for all of us that year."
Harry's smirk faded as the room turned somber, as the memory of Teddy's father occupied their minds.
Harry remembered Remus' Defense classes with fondness, yes, but he would never forgot how Remus taught him to find hope, to summon the will to carry on, even in the darkest of times.
He'd never forget the feeling of conjuring his patronus for the first time.
Maybe I could do that for someone else, Harry considered, thinking of all the students, now and in the future, who no doubt may need guidance to find hope, in the midst of living through post-war loss.
Harry looked meaningfully over his shoulder at his godson, a child orphaned by the war.
"You could do it," Hermione spoke softly, as if reading Harry's thoughts.
He knew he imagined it, but he could have sworn he saw the reflection of his stag, racing across a rapidly frozen lake, flash in Hermione eyes.
He didn't know it, but he wasn't imagining it, at least not completely.
Hermione too was recalling Remus as the one who'd taught Harry how to summon his patronus, how he'd brought out the best of Harry's magical ability.
But more importantly, she remembered the time turner, and the first time she'd seen Harry's full patronus, how he'd saved Sirius' life, and their lives too, how he'd learned to let himself believe in his own ability, the wondrous, powerful ability she'd always recognized he had inside, the resilience she continued to admire.
Unable to know what her former students were thinking, but being the sole observer of their silent exchange, their inextinguishable gaze, Minerva McGonagall was not reminded of Remus, but of James and Lily. Not James and Lily as they were as students, but how they came to be soon after their graduation, in their marriage, as they became parents.
In truth, Minerva McGonagall had not spent much time with James and Lily after their graduation from Hogwarts, but everyone who spent any amount of time with the pair during their all-too-brief time on this earth as a married couple, as parents, were struck by their bond, as McGonagall was struck now.
Although it was not her habit to consider such things, in fact she made a conscious effort not to become too involved in the personal lives of her students, she wondered if perhaps there may be something more between Harry and Hermione, something perhaps they did not recognize themselves.
The silence now palpable to Hogwarts' Headmistress, she explained, "You would not be teaching all the students, at least not right away."
Harry and Hermione broke their connection, the present abruptly breaking its way into their consciousness.
"You worry about lessons and tests, but from what Ms. Granger told me, it sounds as though there were lessons of a sort during your D.A. meetings. Certainly, there were no tests of parchment and ink, but the true tests, those came later." McGonagall said, referring to the previous year, when Snape had been headmaster and the Carrows had ruled the halls, and of course, the Final Battle.
"Yeah, but… I'm so young. No one's going to listen to me."
"And Ms. Granger, do you think her too young as well? If I'm not mistaken, you are the same age."
Harry floundered, "Well- maybe- no, but… Hermione's so much more clever than I am. It's different."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Thanks, Harry, but that's no excuse. You're about a thousand times better at Defense than me. Plus, don't forget about your wandless magic."
McGonagall's eyebrows disappeared beneath the brim of her hat, "Wandless magic?" She questioned.
"Er- yeah, I think so," Harry answered. "Remember what I did to your classroom?" Harry continued, referring to the mess he'd made of McGonagall's classroom, out of frustration with his research concerning Hermione's withdrawal.
"Yes, Harry's done it… uncontrolled of course, but I've seen it."
"That's very interesting, although, now that you remind me, I can't say it's very surprising. I am not as skilled as Professor Dumbledore was, to be sure, but I can teach you how to control your outbursts of wandless magic at the very least, Mr. Potter, if you wish."
"I can try to help too, Harry, I've been reading up on it loads."
"Thanks," Harry said, unsure, but not unkindly. Control had never been his forte.
"Back to the matter at hand. It's true that you are both very young in years, especially when the average age of a Hogwarts' professor is concerned, but there is no age requirement. We want professors who are qualified, and passionate… witches and wizards who care about their students. You and Ms. Granger surpass these requirements, without a doubt."
Harry and Hermione both blushed.
"You could start after Christmas recess, with the first year students only. I would guide you, of course. Professor Slughorn and I plan on instructing years two through seven."
"I'll be here to help you too, Harry," Hermione assured again. "I'll be taking on some of Flitwick's first and second year students, and assisting the rest of his classes."
Harry admitted it would be helpful to have Hermione around, he was sure he would need help.
It'd be nice to start our jobs together, he mused.
"You said conditions, what are the other conditions?" Harry wanted full knowledge of what he might be getting himself into.
"That we get to choose where we live, while we teach."
That seemed reasonable to Harry. "I wouldn't have to live here?"
"You would each be given your own lodgings, but you and Ms. Granger would have the option to come and go as you wish, as long as your duties are fulfilled, of course."
"Then I can still help take care of Teddy," Harry said, happily, gesturing to his godson.
"And I can see my parents. I don't think they'd take it too well if I told them I was leaving again."
Harry nodded. He couldn't imagine how Hermione moving away would make Mr. and Mrs. Granger feel, after they just got their daughter back… again.
"Ms. Granger already mentioned her other condition, that you have freedom, within reason of course, with your curriculum."
This seemed reasonable to Harry.
"If- if I accept…" Harry said firmly, seeing Hermione's eyes shine with expectation, "I have some conditions of my own."
McGonagall brought the tips of her fingers together and raised an eyebrow.
"I need to complete Auror training. How am I going to help students decide if they want to be an Auror if I've never learned how to be one?"
Hermione beamed.
"That's rather wise of you, Mr. Potter. Consider it done. You may attend Auror training simultaneously, as you teach the first year classes. I know Minister Shacklebolt attempted to recruit you. I expect he will be more than pleased."
"You said conditions, what are the other conditions?" Hermione echoed Harry's earlier sentiment.
"That we can have visitors." Ron will like that for business, Harry noted, thinking of the joke shop.
Harry wondered with idle curiosity why Hermione had not mentioned this herself to McGonagall as one of her own conditions.
"Like Ron, and Teddy and Andromeda too."
This new condition gave McGonagall some pause, as she had the safety of her students to consider, but knowing both Ron and Andromeda well, she was willing to compromise.
"Mr. Weasley may visit as he pleases… as long as he abides by the rules. Andromeda and your godson may visit as well, but you must arrange the visit with me. No one will have the ability to apparate directly into or out of Hogwarts, not even you or Ms. Granger, but outside the gate leading to Hogsmeade should suffice as an access point."
Harry nodded, smiling. Hermione nodded as well.
"So, do you accept, Mr. Potter?"
"I'll need to talk to 'Dromeda about it. When I moved in with her, I promised I'd take care of Teddy, and I really haven't been living up to that promise," Harry said truthfully, looking down at Teddy.
"I'm sure she understands, Harry," Hermione tried to reassure, knowing her withdrawal had been largely responsible for his absence from Andromeda's.
"You will let me know soon then, Mr. Potter? Tomorrow, if possible. The students return in a week's time."
"Yes, as soon as I can," Harry agreed, and Hermione beamed brighter, if that was possible.
Harry laughed, "So proud of yourself, hmm?"
"Completely," Hermione laughed too. "Remember we said we'd help each other?"
Harry nodded, recalling their late night talk not so long ago.
Hermione then nearly revealed that she'd found his letter, tucked away in her desk drawer, but couldn't bring herself to do so.
"Oh, I forgot… one last thing," Harry said, suddenly very serious.
Hermione and McGonagall looked at him with curiosity.
"My room, I don't want it anywhere near the Slytherin common room," Harry shivered.
"See, now that's a problem, Harry. Actually, my last condition was for you to be Slytherin's Head of House," Hermione teased.
McGonagall merely sat back in her chair and smiled as she observed two of her former students, soon to be Hogwarts' newest professors, continue their banter. She tried not to think of it, but having such fondness for the two, she couldn't help but anticipate just how their futures may unfold.
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