Chapter thirty six

The following morning Harry was in his office finishing up everything he needed to. He stepped out and looked around. 'Ron, Draco, you both got a minute?' Harry saw them walked towards him and went back to his office.

'What's up boss?' Ron said as they sat down.

'A couple of changes,' Harry picked up a piece of parchment and handed it to Ron, 'Starting from tomorrow.'

'Tomorrow, why now Harry?' Ron asked.

'Minerva isn't going to last that long. So I've got to be at Hogwarts in two weeks. I'm going to be the headmaster straight away and Charlie's staying as the defence teacher. I need to be there again over the next couple of days organising things. So from the moment I go home Ron, this will be your office.'

'This has happened so fast Harry.' Ron said standing up next to his friend.

'Yeah, when I went to see her yesterday, I was so shocked at how bad she had gotten just in the last month. I meant to ask, did you tell Hermione?'

'I told her about the promotion, but not Minerva.'

'Would you mind if I told her now?'

'Course not Harry.' Ron said looking at his friend.

'Thanks Ron, I know she's your wife, but I know how much she cared for Minerva as well. So this is going to be quite a shock for her. I'll get her up here now, that way if she starts crying, her husband can comfort her.' Harry said and Ron nodded. Harry waved his hand and a memo flew through the door. The three of them sat talking quietly until there was a knock on the door. 'Come in.' Harry said looking over.

'Mrs. Weasley is here to see you Sir.'

'Send her in Vicky.' Harry gave her a small smile and saw Hermione walked in. 'Hi Hermione.

'Harry, Ron, Draco. You wanted to see me Harry?'

'Yes, I have a something I need to tell you.'

'Is it about why Ron is taking over your job, I know there must be a very good reason for that. You love running the Auror office.'

'I do and yes there is a good reason.' Harry nodded for her to sit next to Ron and he took her hand. 'I'm going to be the new headmaster of Hogwarts.'

'Headmaster, but you were never a professor.'

'I know, but the Governors and Kingsley decided I didn't need to be. I was going to do defence for a year but I haven't got the time now.'

'Why, what's wrong Harry, why the hurry?' Hermione asked looking and sounding a little scared.

'This is going to be hard to hear,' Harry said taking a deep breath, then knelt in front of his friend. 'Minerva's dying Hermione, she hasn't got long left,' Harry could see the tears coming to his friends eyes and felt his own eyes tear up again, then Hermione through her arms around him. Harry looked at Ron and saw a small smile on his lips. Harry held her until he heard her sniffing, the pulled back and looked at her.

'Is there a chance I could go see her before…' Hermione said and her voice was choked.

'Of course you can Hermione. She's got a special room in the hospital wing. Poppy's looking after her, just don't be too shocked with the way she looks. You have to remember, she is over a hundred years old.'

'Yes I know. I just remember the way she always looked when we were there.'

'I know. So I think you should go tomorrow and see her. She really hasn't got long. Ron if you want to go with Hermione, Draco could run things tomorrow.'

Ron looked at Draco and he nodded. 'Alright, I'd like that. Hermione, why don't you go home? I know this has been a shock for you.'

'Yes, I might do that Ron,' she stood up and hugged her husband, then Harry again. 'You will make a great Headmaster Harry. You have loved Hogwarts for so long, so I can see you taking good care of it.'

'Thanks Hermione.' Harry gave her a small smile and watched as she left the office. 'Okay, I've still got a few things to do. Oh both your new robes will be here in the morning. I'm just getting the last few things sorted so everything is ready for you to take over.

Ron hugged his friend, then Draco did as well. 'Thanks boss, if it wasn't for you, I might never have become an Auror.'

'You're welcome Draco.' Harry smiled and watched his two friends leave. 'Vicky, can you come in for a minute.' Harry said and waited. 'Okay, I know I should have told you before, but I couldn't and I needed to sort some things through. From tomorrow, Ron will be Head Auror and Draco Deputy Head.'

'Why are you leaving Sir?' she asked looking shocked.

'I'm taking over as Headmaster of Hogwarts.' Harry said and saw understanding come to her face. 'So just do the great job for Ron just like you've been doing for me all these years.' Harry gave her a hug and nodded. As she left his office and he saw a few tears in her eyes as well.

Harry, Ron and Hermione walked along the corridors of Hogwarts and went straight into the hospital wing. 'Poppy, how is she?'

'She's going fast Harry. If you all want to go and see her, it's the door at the end over there.' Poppy said sadly. They walked off and went through the door.

Harry, Ron and Hermione walked quietly over to the bed and none of them could believe how old and sick she looked. Harry sat very gently on the bed beside her and took her hand.

'Harry.' Minerva said weakly giving him a small smile.

'Hello Minerva, I brought a couple of visitors for you.' Harry looked at Hermione and Ron.

'Minerva.' Hermione said sitting down on the other side and also taking her hand.

'Oh Hermione, Ron, it's good to see you both,' she saw Hermione with tears falling down her face and Ron had tears as well, but was trying to blink them away. 'It's alright. I've had a long and fulfilling life,' she gestured for Hermione to come closer. 'Be here for Harry on the day, it's going to be hard on him.'

Harry smiled as he heard what she had asked Hermione. Hermione nodded to her and the three of them saw her eyes close again as she fell back to sleep.

'She doesn't stay awake for too long at a time.' Poppy said from behind them as she stepped closer and waved her wand over Minerva. 'Her heart is still going strong, it's just the rest of her body is shutting down.'

'How long do you think Poppy?' Harry asked as he gently put Minerva's hand down and stood up.

'I don't think it will be more than two weeks. I think she's been holding on to see you as the official Headmaster Harry.'

'So with term beginning in two weeks, she might just make it.' Harry looked down at Minerva.

'Yes, I'm doing everything I can to give her that, but I can't see her going any longer.'

'She's not in pain is she Poppy?' Hermione asked as the tears still flowed down her face.

'No, I'm giving her enough potions to keep her comfortable, but it also makes her sleep a lot.'

'Thanks Poppy, I need to get home and start organising my personal things to bring here, along with the kids things.'

'She did tell me that you're rooms are all ready for you, all you need to do is style it to your tastes.' Poppy gave Harry a small smile.

'Alright, I better get up there and see what needs to be done. Ron, Hermione are you going to head out, or you want to come up for a while?'

'We'll come with you for now Harry.' Ron said seeing his friend was having a hard time.

'Okay, tell Minerva I will see her in a couple of days.'

'I will Harry.'

Harry, Ron and Hermione left the hospital wing and went to the headmistress' office. Harry walked straight in and stood there looking around. He lowered his head, then walked over to the desk. He picked up a parchment, reading it. He handed it to Hermione.

'It's the official release announcing your appointment. It will be in the Daily Prophet tomorrow.'

'Yeah,' Harry said and he walked to the back of the office and looked around the rooms. Then came straight back down. 'It's going to seem strange not seeing her in here anymore. I felt the same when I first walked in after Albus died, now Minerva.'

'Harry, there is one thing I wanted to ask you about all this?' Ron said looking at his friend.

'What's that Ron?' Harry said still looking at the chair.

'Well, we all know how protective you are with the people you care about and especially your kids. Are you going to use the map to keep an eye on them?' Ron smiled at Harry hoping to cheer him up a bit.

Harry laughed softly and turned around. 'You know, I haven't even taken that out since the battle. It's still in the pouch I used when we were looking for the horcruxes. But you've just given me a great way to keep an eye on my daughters without them seeing me.'

'Do they know about the map Harry?' Hermione asked.

'No, I just never thought about it. I haven't even told Tonks. When I first moved in with her, I just put that pouch away and never took it out again. I wonder what she will say when I show her, if she will like being able to keep an eye on the kids, like me, or if she won't want me to use it?'

'Knowing she used to be an Auror, I think she'll like the idea of being able to keep an eye on them.' Ron said.

'Yeah, I think you're right. Well, let's go. I need to get home and start packing.'

Harry, Ron and Hermione left the office and walked down the stairs and out into the ground when Hagrid walked over to them.

'arry, Ron, 'ermione.' Hagrid said giving them all a hug.

'Hi Hagrid,' all three said rubbing their arms from the tight hold Hagrid had given them.

'Ya seen Minerva?'

'Yeah we have.' Harry said seeing the devastated look on his big friends face and tears coming to his eyes, so Harry gave him another hug. 'She's had a long life Hagrid.'

Hagrid nodded and wiped his face. 'I know, anyway, ya goin' ta be the new 'ead. I always though' there migh' be a chance you'd end up in tha' office one day 'arry.'

'I never thought it would be a possibility, but I can't deny that I'm not looking forward to coming back here. I really need to go Hagrid, but you'll be seeing me a lot very soon.' Harry said, giving him another hug and the three of them walked down to the gates.

Harry stepped into his home and saw his wife sitting on the couch talking to her mother. 'How is she Harry?' Andromeda asked.

'Going fast, Poppy thinks she's trying to hold on until I officially take over, meaning the first day of term, and she doesn't think Minerva will last long after that.' Harry said as he sat down, putting his arm around his wife, 'Where are the kids love?'

'Around somewhere Harry, there never too far away. I had a thought about the first day,' Tonks said to her husband.

'What's that love?'

'Well, why don't I apparate all the kids to Kings Cross on the first of September. That way they can still arrive with all the other kids. As soon as their on the train, I can apparate straight back.'

'That's a great idea and I should I have thought of it myself. Do you want to ask the kids, see what they say?'

'Okay, I'll go find them now. But Harry, you've had a lot on your mind so it's understandable why you never thought of it,' Tonks kissed Harry then got up and walked into the other part of the house.

'So, how are you doing Harry?' Andromeda asked looking at him.

'I'm okay Mum, she just looks so bad at the moment. I took Ron and Hermione to see her. She told Hermione to be there on the day so she could look after me.' Harry said with a sad smile as he kids walked out with their mother. 'Hi kids.' Harry looked at all his children as they sat down.

'What's going on dad, mum said you wanted to talk to us.' Teddy said.

'It was you're mother's idea, so I'll let her tell you.' Harry said looking at his wife as she sat back down and he put his arm back around her.

'On the first of September, if you wanted to, I will apparate you all the Kings Cross station so you can take the Hogwarts Express and your boat ride.' Tonks and Harry saw the excited looks on all their children's faces. They looked at each other and nodded.

'We'd like that mum, thanks.' James said looking at her.

'You're welcome, so if you want to go again, you can.' Tonks said then laughed as they all got up and ran back into the other part of the house.

'We need to start packing some of the things we want to take. The rooms are ready for us. So I wanted to ask if you want to take our furniture or just buy some new stuff.' Harry asked his wife.

'I think new stuff Harry. That way we can still have this place furnished when we come here for the break.'

'Would you be able to do that then, I've got so much to do over the next couple of days.'

'No problem Harry. So the office is open now?'

'Yeah it's open. I won't set the gargoyle until the first, gives us time to do everything. Filch knows, so if you need help at all, he said he's available, Hagrid as well.

The three of them sat around talking about how their lives were going to change over the next week, not just for the adults but also for their children.

Harry went back to Hogwarts two days later. First thing he did was go and visit Minerva. He stepped into the room and sat on the bed beside her, taking her hand again.

'Hi, how you feeling Minerva?'

'I'm fine Harry, I was hoping to see you again soon. There's something I want to ask you. A favour I want you to do on the day of my service,' she said slowly and quietly.

Harry took a deep breath, 'You know I will do anything for you Minerva. What do you want me to do?' Harry said and Minerva beckoned for him to come closer and she whispered to him. 'How did you know about that?' Harry asked looking at first shocked then surprised.

'I know you Harry and I use to watch you a lot when you were a student here. So will you do it for me?'

Harry smiled and shook his head. 'Yes, of course I will. You know it will probably shock a lot of people and I will get more people talking about me. It had finally died off, now it will start again.'

'I know Harry, but you will handle it just like you always have. But thank you, I really was hoping you would do this for me. It's a beautiful Scottish song for an old Scottish lady,' she smiled at Harry then her eyes closed and fell asleep.

'Yes, I'll do a great send off for a wonderful Scottish lady.' Harry leaned down and kissed her cheek, then made his way back to his office to get the last of his things organised. He looked around the office seeing if he might like to rearrange it, but decided it was good the way it was. He pulled a vial from his pocket and waved his hand at Albus' portrait. It opened and placed the vial inside the hidden compartment with all the other vials, then closed it again.

'Was that Severus' memory Harry?' Albus asked when the portrait closed.

'Yes, I decided it can stay with all the others.' Harry said and looked over at Severus Snape giving him a smile, then looked back at Albus. 'Since I'm going to be here, I'm going to show all the memories to Tonks. Not straight away, I'll take my time. Let her see everything, then I might let her see some of mine as well.'

'You never told her everything that has happened to you over the years Harry?'

'No, just gave her some basic information. But I think it's time for her to know everything about me. I wanted you opinion on something though?'

'Of course Harry.'

'Well, Minerva and I are the only ones that know where the wand is. Do you think I should tell my wife? I know she's trustworthy, that's not the problem. It's the whole history of that wand. I wouldn't like something to happen just because she knows where it is or that it exists.'

'I think you should tell her Harry. You need someone you can speak to and there is no one better than your wife.'

'Yes, I know. I just hope she doesn't get upset with me knowing I've kept this all from her for so long.'

'I don't believe she will Harry. Once you tell her everything and show her you're memories she will understand why you kept certain facts to yourself.'

'I hope so, well, I better get home, I still need to pack some things I want to bring with me. I will be here full time in another couple of days.'

'Yes you will Harry and I look forward to being able to speak with you at any time.' Albus said and Harry nodded as he left the office and walked back down the stairs. He looked in a few rooms as he went past, then went into the Great Hall. He walked up to the staff table and stood next to the headmasters chair, his chair. He wasn't sure how he was going to feel the first time he sat there, but he just couldn't bring himself to sit there just yet. He looked around staring at the Gryffindor table remembering when he use to sit there as a student and knowing he will be seeing his children sitting there very soon. He slowly made his way outside, knowing that in the next few days all the other professors will be back ready for the new term and all the students.