Chapter 25

Harry's first week back at Hogwarts was very busy. He quickly settled into a routine. He got up early, and took breakfast in his office. He usually kept breakfast pretty light; not more than an egg, some toast, and fruit. The first part of his day he devoted to preparing for his upcoming classes. He had his lesson plans all figured out, but still had to assign a boy and girl as house prefects. He knew he was late in doing so, but didn't feel there was much he could do about that.

Harry made Colin Creevy's younger brother Dennis, now in his fourth year, the male prefect. He chose Hannah Abbot's youngest sister, Robin, as the female prefect. He sent owls off to them at once along with their Prefect badges.

On his second morning, his own owl Tyto was sent to Harry with a note and a small package tied to his leg. Curious Harry opened the note. It was from Mrs. Weasley asking Harry about his first week at school. He knew she would worry, so he quickly wrote a response reassuring her that things were going well. The package was from Ginny. She had tried her hand at making some tarts, and sent them to Harry. He tried one and found it to be delicious. He took some of his precious time to enjoy them over his lunch. Then he had to begin the second half of his day.

While the first half of Harry's days that first week were devoted to Harry the teacher, the second half was devoted to Harry the student. They were every bit as grueling and difficult as Harry knew they would be, especially in light of his recent request to Professor McGonagall.

His afternoon and early evening hours were filled with lessons about Transfiguration, Herbology, Charms, Potions, and everything he could absorb about Defense Against the Dark Arts. Care of Magical Creatures, Divination, and Astronomy, while classes that Harry enjoyed, were not given as much priority and so were left out of his schedule.

Professor McGonagall was quite impressed by how quickly and totally Harry devoted himself to his studies. He never complained. Nor did he ever turn in a homework assignment late. Those teachers he was taking classes from reported that while he seemed tired in their classes, they had rarely seen a more devoted student. She alone remained the only person other than Harry who knew exactly why Harry applied himself as he did.

Then, before he knew it, that first week was over. It was Sunday, September the first and it was the day that students would be returning to Hogwarts. Harry found he could hardly concentrate for his excitement at seeing his friends again.

He kept looking down at the ring he wore, and while it almost never stopped glowing, today it seemed to only get brighter and brighter. He knew that Ginny's ring would be doing the same.

The day seemed to drag on as the time for the students to arrive got closer and closer. He checked and rechecked his lesson schedule. He made sure he had the course lists to hand out to his house tomorrow morning. He even spent some time talking to his parents, Sirius, Remus, and for a short while, Professor Dumbledore.

He took a quiet minute several times over the day to read again his letter from Ginny. It was quickly becoming one of his most prized possessions, and meant more to him than almost anything else.

Finally, it was time. As much as Harry wanted to be there to greet everyone when they got off the train, and even more when they entered into the castle again, he was under instructions from McGonagall to sit waiting with the rest of the teachers in the Great Hall. Sitting down at the seat assigned to him, Harry sighed deeply. He was seated in Professor Snape's old seat at the end of the table. All in all not a bad seat. Professor McGonagall seemed to know that Harry would be in a rush to leave the table when he was finished so that he could see his friends. He was grateful for that. It meant that he could see Ginny, Ron, and Hermione all the sooner.

Professor Sprout would be taking over the duties of seeing the First Years into the school and assisting them through the ceremony of the Sorting Hat deciding which of the new students would go into the four Hogwarts Houses. Professor McGonagall sat in the center seat; the one reserved for the Headmaster. Harry noticed all of the other teachers were sitting in their assigned seats as well. Except of course for Hagrid who would accompany the first years across the lake in the enchanted boats.

Harry looked down at his ring and noticed that it was glowing now brightly. Brighter than it ever had before. He heard the doors to the castle open and knew that his friends would be right outside. He couldn't wait to see them. Then the doors to the Great Hall opened and the students came bustling in.

It was a few minutes before Harry caught sight of two heads of bright fiery red hair, and one of bushy brown. His friends had arrived. They entered into the hall and quickly found Harry sitting up at the staff table. They all waived excitedly, and Ginny mouthed the words "I love you" to Harry before sitting down. She was followed by Ron and Hermione who sat next to her.

Harry couldn't take his eyes off Ginny. She looked so beautiful sitting there looking up at him in her Hogwarts robes. She wore a scarf in Gryffindor colors of red and gold. Her eyes were bright and shining. Her hair reflected the highlights of the thousands of candles that flickered overhead. For several minutes, though they were across the room from each other, the two were lost in each other's eyes.

Finally Professor McGonagall stood up, and the noise of the room quieted almost at once. The Headmaster smiled at the students before her as she said; "Professor Sprout, would you please let in the first years?"

Professor Sprout smiled and nodded, then stepped out of the Great Hall. A couple moments later she came back in, carrying a stool and the Sorting Hat, and leading a long group of small eleven year old students who were just now starting their first year of Hogwarts.

Setting the stool down, Professor Sprout carefully set the Sorting Hat upon it. Harry, who looked away from Ginny briefly at this point, noted that it looked much the worse for wear since last he'd seen the hat. He remembered vividly when Voldemort had set the hat on Neville's head and set it on fire. That both survived that event was nothing short of miraculous. A fact that the hat itself reviewed when it began its traditional song.

"The time has come, we're here at last

since last I was here, I've had a blast.

Dark times behind us, some also lay ahead

But here I still stand, The Dark Lord is dead.

Hogwarts our home, we hold it dear,

Time now for learning, put away your fears.

Before you begin, on your great quest,

Let me bestow now upon you, to know where your head rests.

Of the great houses, there stands only four

Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor.

Each house has history, but don't you fret

If you stand with honor, we'll stand in your debt.

The houses are named, each bound by founder's fate

Your homes now they'll be, so let's not debate.

Brave of heart, are Gryffindors,

Standing true together, many we adore.

For being clever, are Ravenclaws known best.

They will most always, ever pass the test.

Stout of mind, bold of heart,

The Hufflepuffs will ever play their part.

This leaves now the Slytherins, cunning and ambitious

But here they stay their part to play; some of history's most vicious.

'Twas once the day, long ago they decided where you slept

That job's now mine, and you will find I've not been wrong yet.

So take me now, and let me see,

From inside your mind, your house home to be."

The song of the sorting hat was shorter than Harry remembered it. He could remember longer tomes, but he clapped along with the rest. Then Professor Sprout took her roll of parchment and unrolled it carefully. She looked down at it and then said, "When I call your name, please come forward and put the hat on your head. When your house is called, you will go and sit with the rest of the students from your house. Now, first we have: Aaron Abernathy!"

A young first year came forward looking scared and like he wanted to run away. He looked up at the teacher's table and his eyes widened when they looked upon Harry. Harry couldn't help but smile at the young boy, and watched as he seemed to gain some confidence and then went and sat down upon the stool. A second later the hat called out; "Hufflepuff!" And so the sorting began.

Harry had a hard time following the sorting as his eyes kept drifting back over to Ginny. She seemed to be watching Harry the entire time and held his eyes every time he looked at her. When he was able to look away long enough to see Ron and Hermione, Ron smirked at Harry and winked at him. Hermione gave a friendly wave which Harry returned.

When the sorting was finished, Professor McGonagall stood up as Professor Sprout carried the sorting hat and the stool out of the great hall. She remained quiet for a few minutes as the students settled down to look at her, and then for a couple more as Hagrid came in from a side door off the Great Hall and took his seat.

"Welcome students. Welcome to another year here at Hogwarts. Before we begin our annual start of term feast, I have some introductions to make. We have two new teachers joining us this year. First, replacing me as teacher of Transfiguration, we have Professor Merriman Davies." Professor McGonagall paused while the students and staff applauded politely. Professor Davies stood up and waved in a friendly manner back to the student body. Then Professor McGonagall went on, "We also have a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, one who I am sure will need no introduction, Professor Harry Potter!"

The room erupted in thunderous applause. Harry felt himself turning crimson as he stood up and smiled and waved at the students crowded before him. It was some time before Professor McGonagall was able to get them quiet again.

"Yes, Yes, Welcome Harry. I'm pleased to announce that Harry has also agreed to replace me as Head of Gryffindor House," again there was loud applause. "Now, before I give out the start of term notices, let us enjoy our first meal together." McGonagall finished with a smile.

She clapped her hands twice and the plates and goblets were filled with food of every kind and description. It was truly a meal worth waiting for, but Harry found with all the nerves he had at starting this term as a teacher, he wasn't able to eat as much as usual. He ate what he could. His eyes though were ravenous for the sight of Ginny. He constantly sought her out and watched her as she ate her meal, engaged others in conversation, and showed off the ring she wore to her girlfriends around her.

That was when Harry noticed some familiar faces in the crowd at the Gryffindor table. Seamus Finnegan was there, along with Dean Thomas. Looking around the room, Harry noticed some other faces he recognized too. Luna Lovegood was there, so was Justin Finch-Fletchley. He was startled to see Millicent Bulstrode and Pansy Parkinson at the Slytherin table along with Blaise Zabini and Gregory Goyle. It was with relief that Harry noticed that Draco Malfoy, who had been his arch enemy all through school, was absent. As was Neville Longbottom! Harry looked around the room twice before he was sure of it. He would have to ask Professor McGonagall about it later.

Then the meal was finished. The last bites were taken, and the plates cleared away. With students and staff with full bellies, Professor McGonagall stood up and moved forward to the podium at the end of the raised platform where the teacher's table stood. She held up her hands and the room went silent.

"Well students, we're here again for another year's education at Hogwarts. To those of you, who were here before, welcome back. I daresay you'll find things this year will be quite different from those events that transpired here last year. As you can see the school has been rebuilt and we are working tirelessly to restore it as close as we are able to the school that you knew before.

To those of you that are attending here new for the first time, please look to your prefects and your house Head Boy and Head Girl if you need assistance finding classes.

There are a few start of term notices that I have to give out. First, you will notice this year that we are once again playing host to Aurors from the Ministry of Magic. Though the Dark Lord is dead and gone, there are some of his followers still out there and until they have been rounded up and brought to justice, the Ministry has assigned us some people to help protect us..."

"Who needs protection when we have Harry Potter?" a voice called out from the crowd, interrupting the Headmaster.

Professor McGonagall looked around the room. She looked over at Harry who looked back at her. He only wished that whoever had spoken could have seen him over the summer holidays lying in the hospital, not once but twice. What would they think of their great protector then? "It is true that we have Harry Potter with us this year, as you can clearly and plainly see. However before you put all of your faith in Harry, remember this. He is only one man. There was another man who stood here in this very spot before me only two years ago. You might have heard of him. His name was Professor Dumbledore. It was widely said that Professor Dumbledore was the only person You-know-who ever feared. As powerful as he was, as powerful as Harry is, they both were and are only one man. It is folly to think that any one man is invincible. Such an assumption is not only foolish, but as the Dark Lord himself found out only too recently, it is entirely wrong."

Professor McGonagall looked sadly at the podium. When no one else seemed inclined to speak out, she went on with the notices. "Now, besides our additional protection, we look to you students to be ever vigilant when it comes to your own safety. For now, Hogsmeade weekends will be permitted and will run on schedule. See your house bulletin boards for that schedule. Hogsmeade weekends are open to all students who have reached third year or above. You must have a signed permission slip to be allowed off the castle grounds.

Now, our caretaker Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you that magic is not permitted in corridors. Also, he has asked me to advise you that products known as Weasley Wizard Wheezes are not allowed in school, nor are such staples that we seem to see every year such as dung bombs, filibuster's fireworks, and other such novelties. For a complete list, see Mr. Filch's office door.

Also, it must be said again that the Forbidden Forest that borders our castle grounds is forbidden to all students. You would do well to heed this warning as there are any number of creatures in there that could be very dangerous.

Now, some new business to attend to. In light of the number of new students who have enrolled in Hogwarts this year, the Ministry has authorized me to offer those of you who attended school here last year an opportunity to test on those subjects you have taken. If you pass this test with a sufficiently high enough score, then you will be allowed to move ahead in your studies by one year. If you do not pass the test, should you choose to take it, then you will simply remain in the year you are attending now. If this is something of interest to you, please speak to your Head of House tomorrow morning when your course schedules are handed out."

Professor McGonagall looked around at the buzz this latest news had created. Harry, surprised himself by the news, looked over at Ginny and saw her face light up. This would speed things up tremendously! He was quite happy to get this news, and could hardly wait to discuss this development in things with her. He barely heard Professor McGonagall call an end to the feast, and dismiss the students off to bed.

There was a loud buzzing about the room as benches and chairs were scooted back and students began filing away to their Houses. Harry could hear the various prefects as they called; "First Years! First Year, this way please!"

He stood up from the table and had barely stepped away when he was met promptly by the three people he most wanted to see.

"Harry!" Hermione exclaimed exuberantly. She was smiling brightly, clearly excited at the prospect of returning to Hogwarts. Ron too was smiling. "I wonder if McGonagall will let me test out of seventh year." he speculated.

"You're not even going to try, so forget about it." Hermione told him.

"What about you, Ginny?" Ron asked before Harry got the chance, "Are you going to try and test out of sixth year?"

"Oh Ginny, that would be wonderful to be seventh year students together!" Hermione squealed, "You have to do it, I'll help you study!"

Ginny's eyes were only for Harry, but she answered Hermione saying, "I was thinking about it." She then came forward and hugged Harry tightly. "I missed you." she said.

"I missed you too. Thank you for the letter." Harry whispered back at her.

"Harry, you look terrible!" Hermione said observing him. "Are you alright?"

Harry was feeling the entire last week's worth of efforts he'd made catch up to him. "Yeah Hermione, I'm okay. Just tired. I've been really busy." He stated.

"You look tired," Ron said. "Old McGonagall have you working that hard already?"

"Something like that." was the only reply Harry could say. He looked meaningfully at Ron, who caught the look and changed the subject. "You should show us your office!" Ron replied.

"Sure, c'mon." Harry said.

He led the way down the corridors and up three flights of stairs. Hermione, Ginny, and Ron all following Harry.

Hermione, in her excitement to be back at Hogwarts talked all about her classes and how much she was looking forward to seeing some of her favorite teachers again. Ron rolled his eyes at Harry who smiled in return. Hermione hadn't changed much at all.

Ginny walked with Harry as they wended their way to his classroom. They held hands the entire way. She leaned her head on his shoulder, and Harry put his arm around her waist. He knew it wasn't exactly the model of decorum that McGonagall would want, but he figured they could get away with this much for one night.

They finally made it to the classroom, and Harry unlocked the door to his office and his sleeping room. Entering the office space, Hermione looked around approvingly. Harry then showed his friends the portraits he'd been given of his parents, Sirius and Remus, and Professor Dumbledore.

"Oh Harry, that's really wonderful." Hermione said softly, her eyes glistening.

Ron looked at Ginny and said, "So that's the big secret Mom and Dad were hiding. I wondered what they were up to."

"I saw Dad talking to Kingsley not long after you got back, while Harry was in the hospital. They got very quiet when I walked by them. I bet this is what they were talking about."

Harry smiled as he listened to them talking. Then he remembered something; "By the way guys, thank you for the gift. That was really very nice of you." He said.

"No worries mate." Ron said clapping Harry on the shoulder.

"You deserve it, Harry." Hermione added.

Harry invited them to sit down and poured them all some tea. They sat down and talked for awhile. Harry couldn't help but feeling both frustrated and happy. Happy that he was with his friends again, but frustrated at how little time he knew he would have to spend with them.

At last Harry yawned and Hermione took that as their cue to leave. "We really should be going. First classes come early." she said standing up. Ron followed her and Harry told them, "I'll have your class schedules for you at breakfast."

"Couldn't we get them now?" Ron asked.

"You could, but then I'd have to answer questions about why you got your schedules before anyone else." Harry replied.

Hermione smiled at this, as she took Ron by the arm and gently pulled him away from the table. "Coming Ginny?" she asked.

"I'll catch you up in a minute. Don't wait for me." She said, not even looking at Hermione. "Alright, I'll see you upstairs then. By the way Harry?"

"Hmmm...?"

"What's the password to get into the tower?" she asked.

Harry realized he'd forgotten to include that in his last owl to them. He was glad he didn't make that mistake with the prefects. "It's Hedwig." he said.

Hermione nodded and then she and Ron left the room. Then it was just Harry and Ginny alone together. The door to the classroom hadn't even shut before she was in Harry's arms, kissing him deeply. Harry was only too happy to return the kiss. He forgot for awhile how tired he was, losing himself again in the moment. It had been entirely too long.

When they finally came up for air, Harry held Ginny tightly to him and whispered in her ear, "Thank you for your letter."

She smiled at him, emotion playing on her face and in her eyes. "I meant every word of it." she replied.

"I know. I want to show you something." Harry said taking Ginny by the hand and leading her into his sleeping room. He noticed that the occupants of the paintings were discreetly absent. Harry took Ginny over to his bed and lifted up his pillow. There lying under it was Ginny's letter. "It's my way of being close to you, you know, when you can't be here."

Ginny smiled at Harry and stepped forward putting her arms around his neck. "I'm here now." They kissed again. It was very late when Ginny, clad in Harry's invisibility cloak, finally made her way to Gryffindor tower.

Harry awoke that next morning as tired as ever. He dressed in fresh robes and then picked up his stack of schedules for the students of the house he led and then went down to breakfast. He sat down at the staff table and looked out at the room as the students started coming in.

Ron, Hermione, and Ginny came in together and waved at Harry before taking their seats. Ginny looked as tired as Harry felt. He smiled ruefully at her and felt his heart swell as she smiled back at him. Harry then waved at his other friends as they came in. He knew that they would want to talk to him, and many of them would want to do so today.

Harry checked his clipboard. Besides his stack of class schedules, he had another list, given to him just that morning by Professor McGonagall. It was the list where he would take down the names of students who were going to try and test out of repeating the school year. He looked down at the list of names that made up Gryffindor House. He wondered idly if someday maybe his own children would have their names on a list like this one.

"Harry?" It was Hagrid. He was looking down at Harry with concern on his face. "Are yer okay?"

"I'm alright Hagrid, just very tired."

"You should be," Hagrid said gruffly, "I hard abou' the schedule yer takin' this year. Took a page righ' outta Hermione's book you did."

"I have to Hagrid. I need the classes so I can graduate and become an Auror." Harry answered.

"No one says yer have ta take all yer classes at one time." Then he added grimly, "Professor McGon'gal is righ' worrid abou' yer, I knowed her a long time. She's worried yer nawt goin ter make it through the year."

"I'll be alright Hagrid. Once I get a routine down, things will get better. You'll see."

Hagrid grumbled under his breath, but didn't seem inclined to argue with Harry any further. Harry was feeling a little guilty at giving Professor McGonagall yet another thing to worry about, but he didn't see any way out of it. He needed to do what he was doing. Maybe with so many of the students who were testing to see if they could advance in their schooling based on what they learned last year, his work load as teacher could let up a bit. That would be something anyway.

Harry finished his breakfast and then made his way down to Gryffindor table. He smiled and shook hands with those he knew, and took a second to get to know those he didn't. He handed out everyone's class schedules, taking a moment to smile at Ginny when he handed hers to her. He was just finished with handing out the schedules and was getting ready to go his first class when he heard a happy squeal he recognized behind him.

"Thank you, Harry! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" It was Ginny who was practically jumping up and down with joy.

"Er...you're welcome?" was the only response Harry could come up with.

Ron reached out and snatched Ginny's schedule from her hands. "What're you so happy about?" He grumbled. Then he groaned and rolled his eyes at Harry. "You didn't,"

"I didn't what?" Harry asked.

"You mean you didn't know?" Ginny wondered. She looked a little hurt.

"Know what?" Hermione demanded. Ron passed Ginny's schedule to her. "Ginny's been scheduled 'Harry time'. She gets it twice a week." He said.

"So have we Ron," Hermione said, "Didn't you look at your schedule?"

"What?" Ron looked down at his schedule again.

Harry was thunderstruck. 'Harry time'? He would have time assigned to spend with Ginny? And from the sounds of it with Ron and Hermione too. "What's this?" He asked.

"Ah, Harry!" Professor McGonagall said coming up to the group of friends. "I see you have all found my own little addition to your schedules."

"You did this?" Harry asked.

"I did." McGonagall said with a smile. "I thought it might make things easier on all of you if you had some time to be together. I know you all have tight schedules this year, and given all you've been through together it makes sense to me to do this. It's important to take time for your studies. It's just as important that you take time for those who are important to you." She looked like the cat that ate the canary as she observed the reactions of Harry and his friends.

"Thank you Professor!" They said, almost in unison.

"My pleasure. Now, I do hope that you'll be able to put that time to some good use. I expect great things from you all this year." She said as she turned away.

The group shared exuberant smiles as they made their way off to their first classes.