A/N: Here we are, with what looks like one more chapter to go after this one. An idea was raised about maybe continuing this story, I've been thinking about a sequal. One that will have to be actually planned somewhat properly compared to this one which flew by the seat of its pants. If you'd like to see one, PM me. I have a few ideas.
Kalipendragon: I'm happy too. XD
CoolBlack: Hopefully in the next one, well it should be at least if I'm not forgetful.
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September 1st 1998
After months of planning, interspersed with house hunting with Tonks, working with Wilber and visits to St. Mungos to track Teddy's unnatural growth, they stood on Platform Nine and Three Quarters breathing in the rowdy atmosphere.
The Deatheaters that attacked Tonks Cottage were found to be French in origin, led by Theodore Nott who had escaped the Battle of Hogwarts. Who upon returning to his ancestral home, soon learned of the Ministry's sweeping fines brought upon the family by his father who had been killed and identified. The mainly unidentifiable French wizards he led, when unmasked, caused a rift between the involved Ministries. Despite their continental counterparts claiming they had no method of detecting those Voldemort had recruited in the Second Blood War. The British protested to the ICW, which was well publicised by the Prophet.
Their motive had been summed up perfectly by Wilber who had seen similarities between them and those who he had fought in the past, telling him: 'When you have nothing else to lose, you fight like it, it goes double if what you believe in was lost.' Grindelwald, decades earlier had created an ideal which many could relate to. As a result, his supporters had fought tooth and nail to bring about his vision because it related to their own wants and dreams. 'Humanity yearns to be free, now they are.' Remarked a philosophical Wilber when Harry approached him over the guilt of killing and enjoying it.
Oddly enough, his reflection struck a chord in Harry. It brought back the memory of his time in the 'Halfway Place' where he had talked to Dumbledore. The pull towards his parents and freedom, had been almost irresistible. He'd almost cursed his inability to be selfish, his what-seemed-like addiction to suffering and doing the right thing. Each time his thoughts wandered into this territory, he focussed on Tonks and Teddy. He would be selfish and indulge in his desire for a family. His 'family matters.' The term always made him chuckle a bit.
When his bloodlust had abated, Harry had felt concern initially for his conduct at the Cottage. Even if Wilber had covered up his use of an Unforgivable, there had still been a Deatheater with less than the usual amount of limbs, and a head that was no long attached to their body after his assault. In the end, the Ministry's sluggish return to normal had been his saving grace. Even if he conceitedly understood that as 'The Vanquisher', he would be given some slack on those who attacked those dear to him. The Ministry was technically still on a war footing at the time, with Auror's being granted extended powers apart from the usual subdue and capture. What he had done, wasn't much different. Thus, he was safe.
The pair of them (plus Teddy) may be standing amongst the students and parents, but he wasn't dressed in Muggle attire like years previous. He currently wore what had become his favourite attire, which was loosely based upon his 'Duelling Robes'. The closest description would be to call them a medium grey tweed, albeit far lighter than the muggle fabric. The ensemble was finished by a brown Chelsea Boot, the whole effect was one of age that belied his years. He couldn't really say what drew him to wearing these colours and fabrics, he stood as an intense opposite to Tonks in her jeans, faded T-shirt and combat boots.
The fact that he'd decided upon taking the Express was also an oddity in itself. He suspected that, like Remus, he sought the comfortable familiarity of the carriages and the journey before starting a new year. Although he'd never claim to know the late Marauder's mind, it made sense, considering how he felt. It would have been his last year as a student. But there wasn't much space in his life for mourning the loss of what was left of his childhood. For he was in the future, a future that he got to shape into one of his liking. And he did like Tonks, very much. So much so in fact that he resolved to be home as often as possible, wherever home was at that time.
Their house-hunting in London had taken a while, they had only recently moved what belongings had survived the attack into the new place. Tonks loved the bustle of the city; he loved the anonymity of the busy Muggle world. The fact that the lack of a fireplace did force him to apparate into the Ministry when he was needed, was perhaps the only downside of such an arrangement.
A familiar whistle sounded, there wasn't long left. Teddy wiggled in his arms at the sudden sound.
"At first I thought you were daft, but now I kinda see what you mean." Said Tonks wistfully as they watched the activity on the platform from one of the pillars.
"The last time." He agreed with her unspoken observation. "'Mione will be there, and Neville. Luna... I have no idea."
She gave a snort. "You've seen what those two are like, she won't give him up for a whole year. 'specially with his Grandmother not around."
He let loose a snort. "If I see them anywhere near the Room of Requirement, I'll be suspicious."
"As long as you don't catch them at it." She said slyly.
He shivered. "I hope not. Don't want to have to dock the Head Boy points."
"Like you even would." She smirked in reply.
He deftly avoided answering in favour of roaming his eyes over the crowd to spot his friend. He didn't have to wait long before the Grangers arrived and made their way over. The elder couple greeted them both warmly and gave Teddy his due before Hermione could greet him.
"Professor." She nodded with mock solemnity at him.
"Miss Granger." He nodded in reply, before she hugged him as her wont. Though the act was one-handed as he was still holding Teddy. "I hear you have a complaint about the coursework?" He asked with a grin. She'd made it plain once he'd finished his planning that she was disappointed in the lack of a textbook for his subject. It was an argument that had become routine in the lead up to September the first, and it amused him to no end.
"Not that you'd listen." She grumbled to the joint amusement of all present.
Meanwhile another group had joined them. Neville and Luna (who were holding hands) accompanied by Augusta Longbottom.
Harry spied them first. "Madam." He nodded warmly at Augusta. "Mr. Longbottom."
Neville grinned and shook the extended hand. "Professor."
Luna meanwhile, considered him dreamily. "Professor Potter sounds nice; it will be odd not calling you Harry though."
He smiled fondly at the ever-surprising blonde. "I'll be having the same trouble Luna."
The same whistle blew a warning tone. Sending the group before him into a frenzy of goodbyes and intentions of grabbing an empty compartment. Harry merely watched until the students were hopping into the carriage, closing doors behind them.
"I suppose this is it then." He said somewhat awkwardly to Tonks.
"Only until you can come home for a visit in the evening." She replied sternly.
"Of course, as often as I can." He soothed. He certainty would visit home as often as he could, this would be the longest time they'd spend apart in months and he wasn't looking forward to it. They were only separated by the Floo if she was at the Manor, but he was well aware the commitments would stymie attempts at returning home consistently.
Steam filled the air on the Platform as the Train started to move. They took their chance and entwined in the swirling fog, with Teddy held between the two. It might have looked odd to the few people who could see them as the pair's attention was not on the train, but each other. Finally, he broke off reluctantly and looked into her eyes. "Bye." His face was inches from hers.
Her reply undercut the amorous look in her eye. "Get going."
In looking over his shoulder, and seeing the Train gathering speed. He dashed towards the nearest carriage door, leapt upon the step, and unlocked it with a flick from his wand. Wrenching his way inside and after locking the door behind him, he looked up and saw a sea of confused faces. Of all the compartments to pick, he'd inadvertently found one packed with first years.
"Sorry about the intrusion." After brushing his robes, he started towards the interior door, intent upon finding his friends.
A voice burst out from behind him. "You're Harry Potter."
The similarity of those words to those heard when he rode the train years ago made him chuckle. "Professor Potter to you." He was about to close to door when he looked back at the sea of incredibly young faces behind him. "You're going to love Hogwarts." He said with a grin before closing the door and started upon his search, with the London scenery flashing by the windows.
...
After weeks of days and nights agonising over lesson plans and approaches, today was the day. Or maybe 'this hour is the hour' would be more exact, though both were fully accurate.
And the first class is bloody first years. Was his internal grumble as he sat at the desk at the front of the Defence Against the Dark Arts room. At least he'd managed to wake up properly as his first class was after lunch, but the fact that he was limited with what he could do with first years did rankle him slightly. Not that he had anything against them per-se, it was just more dull than anything he'd done in his life to do with dangerous situations. In HIS first year, the trio had escaped an early death a frightening amount of times. Nevertheless here he was, attempting to reform the curriculum and how it was taught.
While the Headmistress had managed to avoid giving him a lecture on relationships with students, due to his relationship with Tonks. She did ask him to keep things in the classroom professional with the older years, apart from that he had free reign to teach as he saw fit. Thank god. I'd hate to be looking at essays all year. While he knew that there would be some exemplary essays of course, his own efforts, amusingly led to his own deterrence in setting lots of written work.
He'd planned assignments that would get the students to come up with their own answers to discuss in class. That at least, would make things interesting with the younger years.
The door opened and shy first-years slowly trickled into the room, giving his nerves a jolt. With an effort he forced them down and put on a smile. At least I'll try make this fun. he stood and rounded the desk, plopping himself down on it's edge facing the class. (who was by now, all finding their seats.)
"How is your first day going?" He asked the class at large over the rustling of people getting ready for learning.
There was no reply, most of them looked intimidated by the factor of ten to be sitting in a room with Harry Potter. The situation, and the odd facial expression actually made him chuckle. "Hopefully someone could answer the question for me. If you have trouble answering a question like that, this class will be sure hard to teach." He quipped.
A voice piped up, the same one he'd met after he'd invaded their compartment on the train. "Good."
"Good?" He replied in mock surprise. "It should be scary! I know I was. I was even late to my very first class, WHO was being taught by our current Headmistress! Now that was scary."
A series of giggled fell over the quite enormous class before him, being the entirety of the first year contingent. Something he'd requested, to ease his workload. Teaching two classed to each year level just didn't make sense to him.
"Now." He began when the chuckles died down. "You'll notice that there is no textbook for this class. Any idea why?" Silence was his only reply. He pressed on. "Because your other subjects can all be used to defend against the Dark Arts, well... The core ones anyway." He smirked thinking of Divination. "Anyway, your textbooks for Care of Magical Creatures, Transfiguration, Herbology, the Standard Book of Spells and a bit of Potions will all be used in this class. The rest, will come from yours truly." He pointed at himself, drawing a few smirks from a couple of the students.
"You will need to take notes of important things I do say, as most things will be in your exams. And are also just useful in general." He added just as a rustle of students reaching for quills and parchment filled the room.
...
He dismissed the group an hour and a half later, hiding a sigh. The nerves had taken a toll and the coursework was rather pedestrian for him after months with Wilber. As they were not powerful enough to learn 'Protego', he'd had to instruct them to find their magic, much like Wilber had told him. His goal was to teach them to be able to deflect whatever came their way with 'Vis'. Though he'd resigned himself to the fact that it would take weeks for them to get the hang of it, if at all. Despite the spell's ease of use, it took focus that first-years would need to develop quickly. But all in all, he felt his first lesson had been successful. And for that, he was mixed parts happy and relieved. His Seventh year class, who was up next, would be far more interesting to teach. Even without the addition of his friends.
When they did arrive, the difference in class size threw him for a loop. Even if he did plan for it, seeing it was something different. He smiled and nodded at the few he knew as they took their places, which would have been a quarter of their number. Both Hermione and Neville sat in the front row and he couldn't help but remember parts of Neville's defiant speech to Voldemort. He was truly coming into his own, even wielding a new wand. I'll have to ask him about that after class.
"Afternoon." He greeted jauntily from his chair. "I hope none of you skipped lunch."
Some odd looks were shared between the students at his words. Even Hermione looked clueless at his meaning, something he found ever amusing.
"In my short time at the Ministry, I've learnt a thing or two. Much of being just how little I knew about Defence." He paused allowing his words to sink in, watching a surprised look or two. If the bloke who had defeated Voldemort didn't know much about Defence, surely they would be next to useless?
Restless, he hopped to his feet and started pacing. "This lesson, you will only need your wands. Because this class, you will learn more about yourself than you knew beforehand. Why? Because how can you fight effectively without knowing yourself? To know yourself, you must know how much power you possess, and what you can do with it."
He drew his wand quickly. "Vis." A whitish-blue bolt of magic splashed against the wall. "Anyone recognise it?"
Hermione's hand was quickest to reach the intricate ceiling. "Miss Granger."
"The Deatheater's used it to breech the shield over Hogwarts."
"Caused quite the lightshow yes. The spell in essence, flings a piece of your own magic where desired. It's not dark, just because dark people use it. It's quite simple to cast non-verbally and we are going to make use of it today. Can anyone guess how?"
A Slytherin girl raised her hand. Surprised Hermione didn't beat her to it, he gestured to the girl in question. "Go ahead Miss...?"
"Greengrass, to find out how Powerful we are?"
"I like it. Ten points to Slytherin." He basked in the looks on the Gryffindor's faces for a bit before he continued. "Now, 'Vis' is dead handy, but we will be using its sister spell: 'Vispiritus', when chanted or focussed upon non-verbally, it creates a beam of continuous magic that can overwhelm a shield or anything intrinsically magical. It shouldn't take you long to master it. When you have, wait for everyone else to finish before we move on."
He gestured to them to get on with it, to which they did. All picked it up in around five minutes, giving him time to prepare. Namely, taking his robe off, leaving him in his shirt and trousers, anticipating the exertion in his immediate future.
"Now, one at a time, you will hold a beam of magic at my shield until you cannot any longer. Understand?" The class nodded their assent, though some seemed surprised that, in the very first class, they would be attacking their own teacher. "Alright, lets start with the order you were sorted in. Miss Bones." He said, gesturing that she join him up the front, reducing the likely hood of taking a student's head off with an errant spell.
What followed was thirty minutes that he was thankful he would not have to repeat. While he knew he was powerful enough to hold against all that directed their wand at him, it didn't mean he would be fresh as a daisy afterwards. In fact he was fully ready to take a kip, but begrudgingly he would have to finish the lesson first.
Neville in fact, was at the root of most of his exhaustion. With a new wand and confidence won over time, he held the beam for a solid five minutes before faltering. This show highlighted the next part of his lesson.
"Anyone else really need a nap?" The class collectively murmured their assent. "Before I let you go, and before you fall asleep. Think of how you did, how long you lasted, how much power you could initially put forth. It will give you an idea of your strengths and weakness's when under attack, when you should escape that sort of thing. Before our next class, I'd like you to jot down some idea's about your own strengths and weakness's, highlighted by what we just did. Half a foot maximum."
He sighed, rubbing his eyes. "Alright, dismissed. If you have any questions, remain behind. Mr. Longbottom, I'd like a word." While the class shuffled out tiredly, he himself collapsed into his chair while he waited for Neville.
The boy in question moved towards him, a haggard smirk upon his face. "Professor."
"Neville. When did you get the new wand?"
Neville beamed with pride. "Noticed did you? I picked it up after the Battle, Luna reckoned it would help me."
Trust it to Luna to be familiar with obscure branches of magic. "Why am I not surprised?"
"Aye." The fond look on his friends face all but revealed how he felt about the blonde.
"Nice class Harry." Hermione piped up. Instantly he jumped, not having seen her approach.
Instantly he knew what she was going to ask; the seeming disparity between doling out house points. "Mione, I'm trying to get you all to think flexibly and creatively. Dishing points for reciting answers read somewhere is not really productive, I'd prefer you invent your own answers, or so Wilber always grumbled at me. It's nothing against you, trust me." He added hurriedly.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
He glanced at Neville. "You can go if you want."
Neville waved him away. "Nah I'm fine here, its interesting."
Harry took a breath. "Well, Wilber wouldn't stop complaining for ages when the Auror's started retraining. Said he was sick of teaching them how to use their own imagination. They always looked to him when faced with a decision. And you're brilliant and all 'Mione, but sometimes you have trouble thinking outside the box. You can fight fine, but you don't have all day to trade spells back and forth like Neville or I could."
He could see the gears whirring in her head, while Neville looked thoughtful.
"Are you ordering me to relax a little?" Hermione finally asked after a while.
He smirked. "In a word. Yes. I look forward to seeing what you can come up with before next class."
Her smile told him all he needed to know. Maybe this teaching lark isn't as stressful as I thought.
...
What followed was a stern debrief with the Headmistress about his first day. He sat in the office, feeling much like a student with most of the portraits either feigning or actually asleep.
"I see you've taken my suggestion to heart Harry." Was her observation when he'd completed his recounting of the lessons.
"She highlighted the point I was trying to make. Hermione was a bit put out, but I explained it all to her. Miss. Greengrass seems to be the right sort anyway."
Minerva peered at him. "You didn't recognise the name?"
"I don't really care about the Wizengamot, that's why I have a proxy."
The pursed lips indicated that she was disappointed in his lack of attention to important governmental functions. "They are one of the few neutral Pureblood families left in Britain."
"Sounds dangerous." He commented.
"It was." Said a familiar voice from behind McGonagall. Dumbledore had finally spoken to him since the Battle. "The act of awarding her House Points in your very first class will be noted. Such a benign act could very well help Wizarding Britain move into an age of prosperity."
This all sounded a bit too much for him. "Over ten lousy House Points?"
Dumbledore chuckled. "As modest and unassuming as ever Minevra." The familiar twinkling in his eyes was then directed at him. "If I were to be completely immodest, I would say that you will inevitably become a far greater version of myself than I ever could be."
As disarmed by his former mentor's words as he currently was. Living with Tonks had taught him to be able to reply to disarming comments, while not the innuendo she was known for, he was prepared nevertheless. "Thank you, sir."
The Headmistress brought the conversation back to earth. "I assume you will be leaving the school tonight?"
He nodded. Dissecting the day with her had become such a familiarity that was loath to give it up anytime soon.
...
He'd just about managed to stumble through the Floo later that night, much to Tonks's amusement when he staggered out at the Manor.
There was something to be said for keeping to the routine they'd developed. But he was inordinately glad she remained at the Manor, with it being closer to Hogwarts than their place in London. Not to mention far easier to get to as the new place had no Floo connection, AND he was in not in ANY state to apparate at the current time.
"I told you it'd wear you out." Was her greeting when he found her in the library.
He collapsed on the couch next to her. "Yeah, yeah. I still say it was a good in theory."
"Your notion of 'good in theory', is different to the rest of us."
He raised an eyebrow at her. "Is that a insult Dora?"
She jumped over from her side and kissed him. "With you not at home, the insults will inevitably built up you know."
That of course, was part of her charm to him. Not that he would ever tell her that. In response, he drew her close and kissed her on the cheek. "Hi."
"Hi. Are you staying the night?" she asked.
"After all the effort I went through to get here? I'm not leaving for a while."
Her response was to summon an Elf for some tea, to which Mipsy responded eagerly. It put a smile on his face to see her integrating so easily into his life, becoming accustomed to ways he wasn't even familiar with himself. Although he didn't like the thought of her living alone, she at least forged closer ties to both Bill and Fleur and Jane and Dan Granger. Both have provided babysitting services when needed. Molly Weasley had originally helped Tonks out, but with her relationship to Harry becoming known, the disapproving air had driven both away from The Burrow.
Something, Arthur explained stemmed from her heritage. While both were Purebloods, the Weasley's had become more progressive due to their lack of resources. The Prewett's were an old house, now extinct with the death's of her brothers. While firmly in the light, it was still old and traditional. Molly would always be a fiercely protective mother with both good and bad traits, and would likely not fully accept their relationship until they were married.
This idea, while exciting, was something he wasn't ready to push on with yet. With himself being clueless about customs in both Magical and Muggle worlds, he'd resolved upon leaving it to her to drop what would no doubt be an anvil sized hint or two on his head. And he was in no hurry, the first series of his life had played itself out and he was still here. At least with the older I get, Tonks can make herself look younger. Even if just for the look on Molly's face. The thought brought out a snort, drawing Tonks's attention.
"Do you have anything to moan about this time?" Was her question, which was filled with mirth.
"Not really, it's odd sitting at the Staff Table and teaching first-years is boring as hell. Apart from that, its been fun. And..." he wiggled an eyebrow at her. "There's a Quidditch Pitch you know."
"Oh great, surely you haven't."
"Not yet, I'm still coming up with a pretence for showing the student's a thing or two."
She poked him in the shoulder. "I think you overestimate yourself mister."
"I have endorsement from one Viktor Krum." That got a raised eyebrow.
"Hmm, I may have to see this for myself, when are the international matches starting up again?"
Ok, not what I was intending. "No clue."
"I shall have to look into it for you." She replied with a smirk.
Now realising he'd dug himself a deep hole with his own mock bravado, he tried a distraction. One that left their tea forgotten, and himself wishing he had a Pepper-Up Potion nearby.
...