Chapter thirty five

Harry was sitting in his office the following morning, when there was a knock on his door. 'Come in,' Harry said still concentrating on the files in front of him.

'Hey boss, you wanted to see us?' Ron said as he walked in with Draco.

'Yes, I do, why don't you both sit,' Harry waited until they both sat, then he moved around his desk, leaning against it. 'I have a few things to talk to you about. First, Ron from August you will be promoted to Head Auror.'

'What, but what about you Harry?' Ron asked looking shocked.

'I'll get to that in a moment. Draco, you will be promoted to Deputy Head.'

Ron and Draco looked at each other then back to Harry. 'What's going on Harry?' Ron asked.

'Alright, I got a visit from Minerva a little while back. She's dying and wants me to become to new Headmaster of Hogwarts after doing a year as the defence professor.'

'Oh Harry.' Ron said looking at him and realised how upset Harry looked. 'How long does she have?'

'About a year, so I'll be going back to Hogwarts, Tonks is going to be taken over charms. Flitwick is retiring, or should I say, retired.'

'Does Charlie know?'

'I don't think so, she hasn't told anyone yet only me. So keep it to yourselves.'

'Of course we will.' Ron stood up and stepped closer to Harry, putting a hand on his shoulder. 'I'm sorry Harry, I know how close you are to her.'

'Yeah, I am. Like I said to Tonks, she's been there almost my whole life. It's going to be hard not having her around. But like she told me, she's had a long and happy life. She's just wants to know that Hogwarts will be in good hands.'

'Well it will be Harry, there's no one better. We all know how much you love Hogwarts. You said it so many times, it was your first real home.'

'Yeah, that's why I never hesitated in accepting. I love the place and I couldn't say no to Minerva, not after everything she's done for me. So, I won't be in tomorrow, I told Minerva I'd come and see her. So Ron, you'll be in charge while I'm gone. Anyway, I let you get back to work. Ron if you need to know anything before you take over, just come and ask.'

'Alright Harry, but are you sure you're okay?'

'No, but I will be.' Harry gave them both a small smile and went back behind his desk and watched as they left his office. Harry went back to work, making sure everything was going to be in order for when Ron and Draco took over the Auror office.

The following day, Harry and his family apparated to the gates of Hogwarts, Harry waved his hand and lowered the wards, they all walked through and he recast the charms, putting the wards back around the gates. They walked up towards the castle but Harry stopped before the steps.

'If you kids want to stay out here or visit Hagrid, you can, while you're mother and I go see Professor McGonagall.' He got nods from all his children and watched as they walked off. 'Let's go love,' Harry took his wife's hand and they walked in the main doors and up the staircase until they came to the headmistress off. The door was open and Harry gave a small knock and walked in. 'Minerva.' Harry said looking around.

Minerva walked slowly down from the back of the office. 'Harry, Tonks. I'm glad you're here.'

Harry was shocked at how bad Minerva looked from the last time he'd seen her, so he went over and put his arm around her and helped her to the couch.

'Minerva, I thought you said you had longer.' Harry said taking her hand.

'Yes, I thought I did as well. But I'm afraid I'm not going to last very long at all Harry. So I need to speak with you. I've spoken to Kingsley and we both want you to become Headmaster straight away. I can no longer do my job.'

'Oh Minerva,' Harry said and felt the tears coming to his eyes, 'How long?'

'A month, maybe two, so I have enough time to take you through everything you will need to know. Charlie is staying on as defence professor. He was only stepping aside so you could do the year. But once Kingsley spoke with the governors, they agreed you do not need to be an actual professor to take the headmaster position even if you will be called professor.'

'Okay Minerva, anything that will make it easier on you.'

'Thank you Harry. Now Tonks, while I talk to Harry, why don't you go to the back of the office and you will see where your home will be. Of course it will be changed to your style when you take the rooms over. I'm going to be staying in a private room in the hospital wing. Poppy has fixed up a nice space for me, away from the ward.'

'Minerva, you don't need to give up you're room. We'll stay somewhere else.' Harry said.

'No, Harry, I need care that is why I'm staying there. Poppy will look after me, because very soon, I won't be able to look after myself.' Minerva saw the devastated look on Harry's face so she put her hand to his face. 'I've had a long life Harry, very happy.'

'I know, but it's still hard. I'm going to miss you so.' Harry took a couple of deep breaths, wiped the tears away, 'Okay, are you up to showing me what my job will be?'

'Of course I am.' Minerva gave her favourite student a smile, then he helped her stand and they went over to her desk.

Tonks watched Harry and Minerva for a few minutes then walked towards the back of the office and found the hidden door. She walked in and saw a very large living area, with its own kitchen just off of it. She walked through one of the doors and saw another large room, the bedroom and a bathroom leading off of it. She went back into the living room and went through the other door and found a large private library/office. She took one more look around and went back into the office and saw Harry sitting very close to Minerva.

'I'll be down on the grounds with the kids.' Tonks said and Harry nodded to her and went back to learning everything he will need to run this very old and historic school.

Once Minerva had shown Harry everything he will need, she turned to him. 'You pick things up very easily Harry. But I'm little tired, would you help me to my room please?'

'Of course Minerva,' Harry said and he put his arm around her and walked slowly to the back rooms and helped her lie down. 'I'll let you get some rest, do you need Poppy?'

'No, I just need rest, thank you Harry.'

'You're welcome Minerva,' Harry kissed her cheek and left the room and went back into the office. He sat down on the couch and couldn't stop the tears falling and he needed to get himself under control before he saw his children.

'You will never be alone Harry. She will be in her portrait when the time comes, just like I have.'

Harry looked up at Albus Dumbledore. 'I know Albus, but it's not going to be the same, just like it's not the same with you.'

'I know Harry, but you can still speak with us if you need to. Did Minerva tell you we spoke about the day you would sit in this office?'

'She mentioned it, but I wasn't really thinking about it. I never thought I'd leave the Auror office. But I couldn't refuse her and to be honest, I don't know who I would have like to take over here if I didn't. This school has always meant so much to me and I want to make sure it's always a safe place for all children to learn.'

'And you will make sure it is safe Harry, just like you've done since you were eleven years old. Now why don't you take your children home, because, very soon, you will be here and you know how much is involved in running this great school.'

'Yes, I know. I'll talk to you later Albus.' Harry nodded to him and left the office, but he didn't go straight outside. He went to the hospital wing first. 'Poppy,' Harry said as he walked into her office.

She looked at Harry and realised where he'd come from. 'It's not going to be long Harry.'

'She's not in pain is she Poppy?'

'No, I'm giving her enough potions to help with all that. She's been trying to hold on until you came to the school, but her body is just giving up.'

'Yes, I saw that myself. She told me that she's going to be staying in a room here. Does she really need to do that Poppy?'

'Yes, I want her here straight away. She just wanted to take you through everything first. I'll get her up here later today. She'll be comfortable Harry, I'll make sure of that.'

'I know you will Poppy. If anything happens before I get back, please let me know straight away.'

'I will, but you will be here in two weeks, she'll last a little longer than that. I know she seems weak, but she's still got a strong heart there.' Harry nodded and walked out of the hospital wing, down to the ground to take his children home for the last time.

Harry walked outside and looked around, he saw his wife and children sitting near the black lake and he walked over to them and sat down with them.

'She's resting,' Harry said as he put his arm around his wife, giving her a kiss. 'Have you told them yet?'

'No, I thought I'd let you do it love.' Tonks nodded to him.

Harry nodded, 'Kids, there's been a change, I won't be taking the defence job, but I will be taking the headmaster's job. Professor McGonagall cannot continue and asked me to start straight away.'

'So, what does that mean for us Dad?' James asked.

'Well, I will need to be here a week before term begins. You're mother only has to arrive the day that term begins. That is going to be hard on your mother and me as we've never been apart before.'

'But couldn't mum come the same time as you Dad?' Teddy asked.

'She could, but what about all you. If you're mother came a week before, that would mean you would have to as well. You would miss your train ride and Albus and Minerva would miss their boat ride.'

Teddy looked at his father, then looked at his siblings. 'Dad, could you and mum let us talk for a moment?'

'Of course Teddy, come on love.' Harry said standing up and helping his wife up. 'Just call us when you want us back.' Harry put his arm around his wife and they walked away. 'What do you think Teddy wants to talk to them about love?'

'I think he's going to discuss whether they want to give up arriving on the train and just being here when everyone arrives. You're eldest son is a very caring young man and very wise Harry.'

'Yes, I know. He reminds me so much of Remus at times.'

'Yes he does to me as well. I'm glad when we told him about Remus that it never changed the way he felt about you.'

'No, I'm glad that never happened. I admit I was worried there for a while, but Teddy's loves me, I know that.'

'Yes he does Harry and he still thinks of you as his father.' Tonks said and stopped walking, she slipped her arms around her husband's waist and kissed him passionately, when they finished, she touched his face. 'Do you think we might still get a chance to do it in an empty classroom?' she smirked at him.

'You never know love.' Harry smiled at his wife and kissed her again, pulling her up against him. They were going for a while until they heard a small laugh behind them. They turned and saw four of their children looking at the ground and Lily giggling. 'What, you caught your mother and me snogging, we are allowed you know.'

'Please dad, we don't want to know.' Teddy said grimacing.

'So are you going to tell us what you were talking about?' Harry asked his kids.

'Yes, we don't want you and mum to be apart. We'll come with you the week before.'

Harry let go of his wife and knelt in front of his children. 'Are you sure this is what you want to do that because you're mother and I would survive you know?'

'We're sure dad, we talked and all decided. We want to be here with you and we want mum to be here with you as well.'

Harry could feel the tears come back to his eyes as he looked at his children. 'Do you know how much I love all of you?' Harry said looking at each of his kids, the Lily walked closer and put her arms around her father, hugging him tight.

'We love you too daddy,' she said softly, then she kissed his cheek, then let go and stepped back with her siblings.

'Let's go home.' Harry said and he stood up and took his wife's hand and the five of them walked slowly down the drive and apparated home.