Chapter fifty three
Harry, Charlie and Harllie left the minister's office and went to the auror offices. Harry had decided to talk to Ron first, so as they walked in everyone all crowded around Harllie.
'Alastor, would you look after Harllie for a few minutes, I need to speak with Ron and Charlie.'
'No problem Harry, she's fine with us, aren't you darling?'
'Yes Alastor, I'm fine daddy. You do your grown up talk.' Harllie smiled at him, then sat on Alastors lap.
Harry shook his head, and waited for Ron and Charlie to go into his office and he closed the door.
'What's up boss?' Ron asked as he sat down.
'It's official, I'll be the new headmaster of Hogwarts from next year.'
'Next year, but what about Harllie?' Ron asked looking shocked.
'She's going to start next year as well. The governors, the head of the Wizengamot, Kingsley and Minerva just tested her and said she should start. So Minerva worked it for me and Charlie to start as well. Now I need to work out who takes over here next year. But I don't want you saying anything yet Ron, until I make up my mind.'
'No problem Harry, but I wasn't expecting this for a few years yet.'
'Neither we're we Ron.' Charlie said leaning against Harry's desk.
'So, who are you thinking about taking over Harry?' Ron asked.
'Well, the natural successor would be Alastor. He's the most senior, but I'd need a backup just in case. You have any suggestions?'
'Well, if Alastor didn't want it, then I think Steven maybe. He's been here almost as long as Alastor.'
'Yeah, makes sense. I might hint around with both of them see what their thoughts would be on it.'
'It's going to seem strange without you here though Harry.'
'I know Ron, it will for me as well. Imagine me, headmaster of Hogwarts at only twenty five.'
'That's going to be a shock right there. First it's you, second you're age and third Harllie as well. What about you Charlie?'
'The transfiguration teacher is leaving next year, so you're looking at the new one.' Charlie grinned at his brother.
'So the prophecy is coming true, just sooner than what we thought.' Ron said a little stunned.
'Yeah, you can't stop a prophecy coming true, just the time is always a big dodgy if it's not actually written down.'
'Like the first one on you, born at the end of July. But not anything about when you were going to take out Voldemort.'
'No, Harllie asked about that. I forgot to mention it to you and Hermione. After she petrified Ginny that day, she started to ask questions, so I told her.'
'Did it frighten her Harry?' Ron asked looking worried.
'No, she was just curious that all, like she is with everything. Well, I think we should get back to work. If you have any ideas about who will take over for me, let me know.'
'No problem, I'll give you two a few minutes before brother here heads home.' Ron hugged Charlie and walked out of the office, closing the door behind him.
'My brother knows me well.' Charlie said pulling Harry into his arms and kissing him passionately until they heard clapping and a few "get a room from people." Harry and Charlie turned and saw Harllie and every auror standing just outside his office door.
'That might just mean you're all working back tonight and maybe tomorrow night.' Harry said trying to scowl but the look on Harllie's face made him smile. 'Alright, back to work. I don't need you all watching me snog my husband.' Harry said as Harllie ran over to him and Harry picked her up. 'I have to get back to work princess.'
'I know daddy, I'll see you tonight.' Harllie kissed his cheek and hugged him tight, then Harry put her down and kissed Charlie again.
'See you at home love.' Charlie grinned.
'Yeah, see you babe,' Harry smiled and walked out the door with them and watched as they left the office and saw everyone watching him. 'Alright, back to work or I really will make you work back.' Harry said shaking his head as he went back into his office. He pulled files of all the aurors that were here before him and started going through them to see who might replace him next year. He sat there most of the day and had three candidates to choose from, at least he had time he thought. He packed up the files, then left his office, waved to everyone and headed home.
Over the next few months Harry had been observing his three candidates very closely, during normal everyday duties, to surveillance and duelling. They stood out in everything that an auror needed, now he just had to figure out which one.
Harry stuck his head out of the door. 'Alastor, can you come in here for a minute.'
'Sure boss.' Alastor said and walked over to the office and closed the door behind him.
'Have a seat mate.' Harry said and waited till he sat down. 'Now, I need you opinion on something. I'm thinking of appointing a deputy head, someone that can take over for me when I can't come in or hurt, or whatever reasons. You know how many times I've ended up in St Mungo's or had to stay home because of Harllie.'
'I think it's a good idea boss, just don't pick me okay. I've been meaning to tell you that, I'm thinking of retiring in another year or two max.'
'Oh okay then, because I was thinking of you, you've been here the longest.'
'Yeah, but I've done and see a lot in my years, it's time for me to start considering just having fun now the wizarding world is safe.'
'Any suggestions on who I might look at since I can't have you?' Harry asked.
'Well, Steven would be next in line if it went on how long they were here for. With knowledge and experience though, I'd say Ron. He's better at duelling than everyone here, even the others from your old DA class are close to him but not quite as good. Steven is close to my age as well, so he might be only looking at the couple of years himself.'
'Well, I'll take that into consideration, don't mention any of this to anyone. It's just an idea I'm thinking about.'
'No problem boss. Is that it then?'
'Yeah, and thanks.' Harry said and watched as he left the office. He decided he'd talk to Steven later and see what he had to say. So he went out and decided to do some duelling for a while since there wasn't much going on. He called everyone into the training rooms and had their pair up, but Harry deliberately took Steven as his duelling partner.
They all duelled for an hour before he called a break and told everyone to go have lunch, but asked Steven to stay. Steven basically said the same thing as Alastor, he was thinking of retiring in the next couple of years, so Harry had one person left he'd been looking. But he wasn't going to mention anything just yet, he'd wait until it got a little closer to the time and just kept watching. But he did want to talk to Alastor and Steven together and thought he'd do that at a later date as well.
Harry, and Charlie had been visiting Minerva a lot, going over everything they would both need to teach at Hogwarts and run Hogwarts. Harry felt a lot better after the first couple of meetings and he knew that he was going to change some things when he did take over. Charlie was now confident about teaching as well and he mentioned to Minerva what he wanted him and Harry to do on the first of September. At first she wasn't sure, but then thought, it wasn't going to be her decision anymore anyway. So she told them if that's what they wanted, then they could.
When there was on month to go before Harry had to leave the aurors to give himself time to settle in at Hogwarts and for Charlie and Harllie to settle in as well. He called Steven and Alastor into his office.
'Have a seat,' Harry said and he sat down behind his desk. 'Now I'm sure you both remember me telling you I was thinking of appointing a deputy in case I couldn't come in. Both of you said you didn't want it as you were both going to retire in the next year or two. Do you both still feel that way?'
'I definitely do, I give myself a year, max.' Alastor said, then looked at Steven.
'Yeah, me too boss. We've been around since Voldemort, so it's almost time to take my leave from fighting dark wizards or even any wizard.' Steven smiled.
'Thanks for your honesty, but I actually lied. I'm going to be leaving the aurors in a months time. So I need someone to replace me, not as deputy.'
'What, but why Harry?' Alastor said looking shocked.
'If I tell you, you can't say anything because it's not being announced until I start.'
'No problem, now why are you leaving a job you love?' Steven asked.
'I'm the new headmaster of Hogwarts, starting September first.' Harry said and he saw the shocked looks on his colleague's faces. 'That's pretty much how I looked when I found out.'
'But you're only twenty five Harry, isn't that a big young?'
'Minerva, Kingsley and the governors don't think so. So that's why I need someone to replace me. So I've got an idea of who since you are both out, but I'd like you're opinions on who you think should take over.'
Alastor and Steven looked at each other then back to Harry. 'Ron.' they both said together.
Harry nodded, 'That's who I thought. You both were my first choices, Ron was my next. So it looks like he'll be your new boss until you both retire anyway, are you both fine with that?'
'Yeah, he'll do a great job Harry, you've trained him really well. He's a good thinker and strategist and he gets on with everyone as well and of course the best dueller apart from you.' Alastor said smiled at him.
'I agree Harry, he'll do the job really well. So when are you planning on telling him?' Steven grinned.
'Probably later today, so no giving hints, or smiling a lot at him or anything, alright guys?' Harry said smirking at them.
'You know us too well Harry, we'll behave. But can you tell him out in the other offices so we can see his face?' Alastor said smiling hugely.
'I just might do that. Okay, you do what you were doing before I called you in here.' Harry said snickering at the pair, they both shook hands with Harry, plus gave him a hug and left the office. Harry sat back down and got the official documents ready to show Ron later. He needed Kingsley to sign off on it and thought he'd go see him now. He left his office, 'I'll be with Kingsley, if anything happens let me know.' Harry said and got nods from all but smiles from Alastor and Steven.
Harry walked the corridors until he came to Kingsley outer office. 'Hi Karen, is he free?'
'Yes sir, go straight in.' Karen said and watched as Harry Potter walked into the minister's office.
'Kingsley, got a minute?' Harry said stepping inside the office.
'Sure Harry, what's up?' Kingsley asked. Harry handed him the documents and waited. 'Ron, that's a surprise Harry, I thought Alastor or Steven would take over for you.'
'They both want to retire in the next year, so Ron was my third choice. Alastor and Steven both picked him as well to take over.'
'Now it makes sense Harry, he is the next best.' Kingsley said and signed off on the documents and handed them back to Harry, 'So are you getting nervous Harry?'
'A little, I just hope I can do a good job and not hurt the school in any way.'
'You won't Harry, remember what the prophecy said. You'll stay there until you die after you reach one hundred and fifty years old.'
'I know Kingsley, but you know me, can't help worrying. I better get back and let Ron know.'
'You haven't told him yet?'
'No, wanted to wait until I was sure, then talk to Alastor and Steven. Now, it's time.'
'Do you mind if I come with you, I'd love to see he's face?'
Harry laughed, 'Sure Kingsley, come on.' Harry said and they both left the office.
'Karen, I'll be in the auror offices for a while.' Kingsley smiled at his secretary.
'Yes Sir.'
Harry and Kingsley talked as they walked along the corridors until they reached the auror offices.
'Can I have everyone attention please,' Harry called over the noise as he stood right near Ron's desk with Kingsley. 'Now, I have an announcement to make but I need you all to keep it to yourselves until it is announced.' Harry waited until everyone looked at him. 'From next month I will no longer be your boss, I will be taking the post of headmaster at Hogwarts and you're new boss will be.' Harry said and handed the papers to Ron and waited.
Ron looked at Harry, then at the papers he had in his hand. 'Me, Harry,' Ron said looking completely shocked, then he looked down at Alastor and Steven and saw they were smiling and nodded at him. He looked back at Harry. 'You're kidding, aren't you Harry, you set this up?'
'Nope, not kidding at all Ron, I had three choices, Alastor, Steven and you. They both going to retire soon, so it's all yours as of next month,' Harry smiled at his friend and heard Kingsley snickering beside him as they watched Ron's face. 'I don't think he believes me Kingsley.'
'Ron, you are the new head auror from next month, I just signed off on it.' Kingsley said
Ron kept staring at the papers in his hand, then got up and hugged Harry. 'I can't believe you chose me Harry.'
'Just so everyone knows, this has nothing to do with our friendship. It went on experience and I also got great advice from two aurors who had been here the longest. We all believed that Ron will do this job because he is trained to do it and not for any other reason.' Harry smiled at his friend. 'So Ron, head honcho, you need to tell Hermione.
'Um, yeah, but are you sure Harry, you really want me to take over your job?'
'Yep, you Ron, now why don't everyone have an early day and I'll see you tomorrow.' Harry said and everyone cheered, then came up to Ron congratulating him, then to Harry and congratulated him as well before leaving Harry and Ron alone in the auror offices.
'You really think I can do this job Harry?' Ron asked as he followed Harry into the office.
'Yes I do Ron, and so does Alastor and Steven. When I ask for their opinion, they both said Ron. You were my next choice after them Ron, you've got the experience and training. You'll do great.' Harry smiled at his friend.
'Thanks Harry and when I tell Hermione this with something else, I think she'll be speechless.'
'What else are you telling her Ron?' Harry asked and saw Ron's ears go red and thought he might have an idea.
'Well, I know you won't say anything, but I'm asking her to marry me.' Ron said sheepishly.
Harry hugged Ron, 'That's great, and about bloody time. I always knew you two would get married, now it's finally happening. Why don't you head out and plan a special night with her.'
'Thanks Harry, I think I will.' Ron smiled, hugged Harry again and left the office.
Harry couldn't stop smiling as he picked up his stuff and headed home. He stepped out of the fireplace into his living room and saw Charlie sitting there playing his guitar.
'Hi babe,' Harry said sitting down next to him and waited until he finished.
'Hi yourself,' Charlie said and kissed him fiercely. 'Do you realise how much I've missed you today.'
Harry put his hand down on Charlie, 'Well, that much hey.' Harry smirked at him as he saw Charlie close his eyes, 'Feel good love?' Harry asked as he kept his hand moving.
'You kept doing that, and our daughter's going to know what we're heading for our room for.' Charlie said and groaned as Harry kept moving his hand.
'I don't think she's mind love, where is she anyway?'
'In her room with Winky, Harry, for merlins sake.' Charlie groaned loudly.
'Winky,' Harry called and she instantly appeared. 'Keep Harllie occupied for a while. We'll be in our room for a while, alright?'
'Yes, Mr. Harry.' Winky said and snapped her fingers.
'Let's go love,' Harry smiled, grabbed his hand and they ran up the stairs and into their room. They stripped off and got into bed where Harry instantly moved down Charlie's body. He put his mouth over him, sucking slowly. When he was almost ready to explode, Harry got on his knee, in front of him and Charlie instantly entered him, going fast and hard. They made love for the next couple of hours before they decided they better get back downstairs and spend some time with their daughter.
They had their arms around each other as they walked downstairs and saw Harllie sitting at the table eating her dinner.
'Sorry princess.' Harry said kissing her cheek.
'It's fine daddy, you and dada needed some sex time.' Harllie smiled but kept eating.
Harry and Charlie looked at each other then sat down and Kreacher brought over their dinner.
'Yes we did princess, but you can't say things like that to other people alright?' Harry said to his daughter.
'Alright daddy, but you needed some time. You've both been so busy lately.'
'Yes we have princess, just remember. That's just between us, a private matter.' Charlie said.
'Okay dada.' Harllie smiled, then went back to eating her dinner, before she stopped again. 'Daddy, because I'm going to be at Hogwarts soon, do you think I could just call you both dad from now on? Not in class or anything, just when we're alone?'
Harry and Charlie smiled at each other, realising their little girl was getting too old to call them her baby names.
'Of course you can princess, but I hope you don't mind us both still calling you princess, not in glass of course?'
'I don't mind daddy.' Harllie smiled at both her fathers, then went back to eating.
'So love, who ended up as your replacement, Alastor or Steven?'
'Neither, they both want to retire in another year.' Harry said smiling at his husband.
'So, who got the job love?' Charlie asked.
'Ron.' Harry said, then laughed at Charlie's shocked look. 'Alastor and Steven both said he would be the next best, and I agreed. So Kingsley signed off on it today. You should have seen Ron's face, pretty much like yours right now.'
'Wow, my younger brother head auror. Mum and dad will be so proud of little Ronikins.' Charlie grinned.
'Yeah and they should be just like they should be proud of you about to be the new transfiguration professor.' Harry kissed Charlie tenderly.
'So he's probably going to be celebrating with Hermione tonight.' Charlie said then saw the look on Harry's face. 'What love?'
'Nothing,' Harry grinned and kept eating, trying to get his face to relax.
'Come on love, I know you to well, what's going on?'
'Alright, I could never keep anything from you. Apart from celebrating being named head auror, Ron's also got something else planned for Hermione tonight.' Harry smirked at Charlie.
'He's not? He's finally getting up the nerve to ask.'
'Yep, so try and act surprised when they tell us babe.'
'You know I will, then I'll give my little brother heaps for taking so long.'
'Have you seen Rose or Dedilus lately?' Harry asked looking out the back glass doors.
'No, they haven't been up to the house in about a week now. Wonder what they do down there all the time?' Charlie said looking at the back doors as well.
'Their having sex,' Harllie said as she was eating her desert.
'Um, how do you know that princess?' Harry asked his daughter.
'Because they always are, their as bad as you and dada,' Harllie said in a matter of fact voice.
'Okay, well, that's another thing you can't talk about princess. Sex between two people is a private matter, remember.'
'Alright daddy, but I find it fascinating.'
'Yes, we know you do Harllie.' Harry said as he looked at Charlie. 'I think I need to speak with Poppy about that.'
'Yes, and the sooner the better love,' Charlie said looking just as worried as Harry.
Harry and Charlie listened and watched Harllie for the rest of the night until they put her to bed. Then they both showered and got into bed.
'She needs to understand that sex is for adults, I know she has an adult mind, and look's eleven, but she's only five.'
'I know love, talk to Poppy and she might be in a better position to explain it to her. We've got a few weeks there alone before the students arrive, it'll be the perfect time to speak with her.'
'Yeah it will, so did you organise the dinner with everyone?'
'Yeah, two weeks from Saturday, everyone will be here for the last time. Do you think we'll ever get a Christmas at the Burrow again?'
'We should be able to get the odd one babe, one or two years at Hogwarts, the next at the Burrow. I want to be able to see mum at times as well. I'll work it once I organise staff rosters. You'll have to do your share of patrolling the corridors at night.'
'Yes, I know, but we do have an advantage though love.' Charlie leaned up on his elbow looking down at Harry. 'Or did you forget again?'
'Merlin, I did forget. That map is going to come in very handy, I'm glad you remembered. I can't understand why I keep forgetting about that. I used it so often when I was a student there.'
'So you know what some students will get up too don't you love?' Charlie smirked.
'Well, me I was always trying to find information or teach the DA. It wasn't for fun really, never had a lot of time for that. One thing I'm going to miss at Hogwarts that we can't do there, that we can here.' Harry said running his finger over Charlie's lips.
'What's that love?' Charlie said feeling himself getting very turned on, so he moved his hand down, gripping Harry.
'Ah, love, that feels good,' Harry said looking up at Charlie.
'You were saying about missing something love.' Charlie gently kissed Harry lips, then ran his tongue over them.
'Yeah, missing,' Harry groaned loudly, 'Um, skinny dipping. Merlin, I can't take anymore.' Harry said and pushed Charlie back and straddled him, he leaned down and kissed him fiercely, running his hands all over him. They made love for the next couple of hours, until they were both panting heavily. 'That my love, was fabulous.'
'Yes it was, but you're right, we can't skinny dip at Hogwarts, the students might get shocked seeing their headmaster doing that.' Charlie said as he lay back and put his arms around Harry.
'Or their professor love,' Harry grinned, then lay down with his head on Charlie's shoulder, then not long after feel asleep in his husbands arms.
