Chapter thirty four

Many years after the last of the Potter children were born, Harry was sitting in his office working out who would be taking over as his Deputy Head now that Martin had decided to retire from the Aurors for good.

There was a knock on the door. 'Come in,' Harry called and his secretary stuck her head in.

'Excuse me Mr. Potter, Miss Minerva McGonagall would like to see you.'

'Send her in Vicky,' Harry said standing up and saw his old professor walk in. 'Minerva, this is a nice surprise. I'm sorry I haven't seen you in a while.'

'It's fine Harry,' Minerva said quietly, 'Could we sit, I need to speak with you about something rather important.'

'Of course,' Harry said and he sat next to her and saw that she didn't look well. 'Are you alright Minerva?'

'To be honest Harry, no I'm not. That's one of the things I wish to talk to you about.'

Harry looked at his old friend and felt himself choke up. 'What's wrong Minerva?'

'I'm dying Harry, it's my time.' Minerva saw the tears fall from Harry's eyes and hugged him. 'It's fine Harry, I've had a long and happy life, doing what I've always loved to do.'

'How long?' Harry said as he's voice cracked.

'A year, maybe a little longer.'

'Oh Minerva, what am I going to do when you're gone.' Harry said taking her hand.

'You will miss me, but you will survive, just like you have always survived.'

'Yes, I will miss you, a lot. Now, what did you want to talk to me about?'

'I need to ask a favour from you Harry. Now it's a big favour, but it's the only way that I will be able to pass on in peace.'

'You know I'll do anything for you Minerva, all you have to do is ask.'

'Yes, I know Harry, but what I want to ask will be a big adjustment for you.' Minerva saw the questioning look on Harry's face. 'Okay, first, I wish you to become the Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor for one year, so you can take over as Headmaster of Hogwarts.'

'Headmaster,' Harry said looking wide-eyed at her. 'You want me to be headmaster?'

'Yes Harry, Albus and I spoke about this before your children were born. But for you to be able to take the position, you need to be a professor first. I know this is a lot to take in Harry, but I wouldn't feel right with anyone else looking after my school.'

'Minerva,' Harry said feeling himself choke up again. 'I'm going to need to speak with Tonks about this and what about the kids if they find out I'm going to be one of their teachers.'

'Yes, I know you need to speak with Tonks and I think your children will adapt. Over the last few years since Teddy, Lily and James have started, they have gotten a better look at their father and what your life was like as a child. You never told them a lot, did you Harry?'

'No, I never wanted to frighten them and I knew they would learn about it all once they went to Hogwarts. All they knew was that I killed a dark wizard, but since I'm Head Auror that didn't seem to faze them. How have they taken to hearing things about me?'

'Lily was upset at first, but Teddy and James helped her through. They never mentioned it to you on holidays?'

'No they didn't, I wish they did. I might have been able to explain things to them. I don't want my children upset if I could help it.'

'I know you don't Harry,' Minerva said, then started coughing. 'Sorry.'

Harry saw how old Minerva McGonagall looked and knew what she said was true. She didn't have long. He conjured a class of water then handed it to her.

'I suppose you will need to know when the new term begins?'

'Yes and I was hoping that Tonks may want to join the staff as well. I will need a new charms teacher. Professor Flitwick has decided to retire as well. So I thought if you were to take the defence, then headmaster, Tonks will be with you as the charms professor.'

'I know I'm going to get in trouble with my wife for this, but of course I will Minerva do it. I can't speak for Tonks of course, but she can let you know.'

'Oh Harry, thank you, so much. You don't know how much I am relieved knowing the school will be in your hands. You have always loved Hogwarts and I know you will look after the historic school.'

'I do love Hogwarts and I have to say, I can't wait to get back there. Do you realise how long it's been since I've seen it?'

'Yes, five years Harry, the last time you were there, was when you decided Aurors didn't need to stay at the school and you were right. It's safe now and everyone knows that and that's all down to you Harry.'

'I know I could have visited, but there was no real reason for me to. I didn't want Teddy to feel uncomfortable if he saw me at the school.'

'Yes I know Harry. So could you make a time to come during the holidays, so I can show you you're quarters?'

'Of course Minerva,' Harry smiled at her. 'I'll need to work out who is going to replace me as Head. I was already trying to work out who will be deputy now Martin has retired from the Aurors.'

'Yes, we both have a lot to do Harry, so why don't I leave you to it,' Minerva said and she slowly got up and hugged him. 'I'll see you very soon Harry and thank you again.'

'You don't have to thank me Minerva, because you know what, I can't wait to get back there but I just wished it was for a better reason.' Harry kissed her cheek and watched as she left his office. He sat down on his couch and felt the tears still in his eyes. Harry blinked them away, then walked out of his office. 'Vicky, I'm heading home for the day. If there is an emergency let me know.' Harry said softly.

She looked at her boss and knew something was wrong. 'Yes, Sir,' she gave him a smile and watched as he walked away.

Harry stepped out of the fire into his living room. 'You're home early Harry.' Tonks said as she walked into the room, then noticed he was upset. 'What's wrong love?'

'I got a visit from Minerva today. Tonks she's dying.' Harry said and wrapped his arms around his wife as he cried.

Tonks held her husband and led him over to the couch and sat down but kept her arms around him. 'Oh Harry, I'm so sorry.' Tonks kept holding him until he calmed down.

'She asked me to do something Tonks and I couldn't refuse her.'

'What did she want Harry?'

'First, for me to become the new defence professor for a year, then to become headmaster, but she also wants you to take over charms, Flitwick is retiring. I know I should have spoken to you first, but when I saw her Tonks, you can see it, she hasn't got long. She thinks a year, maybe a little longer.'

'Of course we will Harry. But we will have to explain to the kids.'

'I know and I hope they will understand. But now, I have to work out who is going to replace me and Martin and I have to let Kingsley know as well.'

'Well, the kids will be home for the holidays in a month. We can explain it to them then and we could get Kingsley and mum over for dinner tonight. Do you know who you might like to take over, especially now John, Forest and Dean have retired?'

'I was thinking of Ron for the deputy job. He's the next best with experience.' Harry said as he sat back and closed his eyes. 'She's been there my whole life Tonks.'

'I know love and I know how much she means to you. At least we can do this for her and be with her at the end.'

'Yeah, we can. She wants us to go to Hogwarts during the holidays so she can show us our quarters. I know when I take over as headmaster, the quarters are in the back of the office. I saw it once when Albus was still alive. Their pretty big,' Harry looked at his wife, 'Where are Al and Minny anyway?'

'They went to mum's for a while. They'll be home for dinner.' Tonks said looking at her husband. She stood up and put her hand out to him. 'Let's go into the bedroom love.' Harry stood and followed his wife into their room. They got into bed and made love very gently for the next few hours until two of their children came home.

Harry, Tonks, Albus and Minerva were standing on platform nine and three quarters waiting for the Hogwarts Express to arrive with Teddy, James and Lily on board. Harry was still getting a few looks, even after all these years but he hardly noticed it anymore. They saw the train coming towards them and slowed. The doors opened and Harry saw Teddy first, then saw Lily and James step down with some of their friends. The three of them walked over and greeted their parents. Harry and Tonks took their five children home to explain they were going to see their parents a lot more over the coming years.

Harry, Tonks, Teddy, Lily, James, Minerva and Albus were all sitting down to dinner, when Harry gave his wife a look.

'Kids, I need to speak to you about something very important. Now please listen to what I have to say and I hope you can understand why you're mother and I are doing what we're doing.'

'Anything Daddy,' Lily said as she kissed her father's cheek.

Harry couldn't help but smile. 'Okay, first I need to tell you something that you can't tell anyone. Everyone will find out soon enough,' he looked at his children and they all nodded. 'Okay, Professor McGonagall is very sick, she hasn't got too long and she asked me and your mother for a favour before she goes.'

'Oh Daddy, that's so sad.' Lily said looking at her father and took his hand.

'Yes, it is, she means a great deal to me. Now what she has asked is three things, first for your mother to become the new charms professor next term and second for me to become the new defence against the dark arts professor.' Harry said the shocked looks on his children's faces.

'So, you and Mum are going to be our teachers?' Teddy asked looking between his parents.

'Yes we will. Now I understand that you might be a little uncomfortable about that at first. But you're mother and I talked and we will not give you any extra attention than any other students. That way your friends won't think you're being treated differently.'

'You said three things Dad.' James asked.

'Yes, when I have been the defence teacher for a year, I will then take over as the new Headmaster of Hogwarts,' again all his children looked shocked.

'Do you realise what my friends are going to say? First having you both as our teachers, then my father as headmaster,' Teddy said looking down at the table.

'Will we have to call you professor?' Lily asked her father.

'Yes, I'm afraid you will, but when we're alone you won't have to sweetheart.' Harry leaned over and kissed his daughter. She was the closest to Harry of all his children and he knew this would be hard on her.

Lily nodded, then looked at her mother. 'Mum, can I talk to you, alone for a minute?'

'Of course you can Lily.' Tonks said and she stood up, gave Harry a puzzled look and led her daughter into her bedroom. 'Now what did you want to talk to me about sweetheart?'

'Well, I know dad has always been overprotective of all of us, but, you see…' Lily hesitated and Tonks thought she knew what she was trying to say.

'Are you worried that if you meet a boy, your father might do or say something to him?'

'Well, yeah, I love daddy, but I don't want him to scare all the boys away. I already get asked a lot about things dad did as a kid and I know a few boys always look at all of us when they hear something new about daddy, and he's head Auror and their supposed to be the best in duelling and all that. So the boys might be a little scared if he's there.'

'I don't think you have to worry too much Lily. Your father won't interfere and if you meet a boy, you can talk to me first and I'll tell your father, so he's prepared.'

'Alright mum.' Lily kissed her mother's cheek. They two Potter girls left the room and went back to the table. Harry looked at his wife with raised eyebrows and she gave her head a small shake.

That night after all the Potter children were asleep, Harry was cuddled on the couch with his wife.

'So, are you going to tell me what Lily wanted?'

'She's worried what you will do if she meets a boy and having you there might scare all the boys away. So with what you said when you first found out I was pregnant, it looks like that's coming true. You're going to scare away all the boys from our daughters,' Tonks smiled at her husband.

'She hasn't meet one already, has she, she's only thirteen,' Harry said looking at his wife

'She never said. You're going to have to control yourself Harry, let her have a normal life at Hogwarts.'

'Do you realise what boys think about and I mean all the time.'

'Yes I can imagine, but you are still going to have to let your children have normal lives there. You can't play the big Auror or kept reminding them that you took down Voldemort,' Tonks sat up and looked at him. 'Harry, I know you, so please, let your children have normal lives and let them make their own mistakes. You can't protect them forever, so let them start looking after themselves, at least at Hogwarts.'

'All I can do is try love. But if I see a boy snogging my daughter I can't guarantee what I will do.' Harry said then smirked.

'What's that look for Harry, what are you going to do?'

'Nothing, I'm not going to do anything. Just make sure I tell my story in defence classes.'

'Harry,' Tonks said and punched him in the arm, 'you do that, you will scare all the boys away from your daughters,' Tonks kissed him fiercely and knew that no matter what, Harry would make sure all the boys know who Lily and Minerva's father is. 'Anyway, new subject, have you decided who is going to take over to you?'

'Yeah, I've been going over everything for the last month. I think it should be Ron as head and Draco as deputy, there the best two Aurors there.'

'I agree love. So when are you going to tell them, it has to be soon.'

'I'm doing it tomorrow before I break for the holidays. I sent them both messages today to meet me in my office in the morning.'

'Well, why don't we go to bed? With the kids home, we'll probably be up early,' Tonks said standing up.

Harry stood and put his arm around his wife and they both went into their bedroom. They showered and got into bed, holding each other. Knowing that very soon, they will be doing this at Hogwarts.