THC Round 7: Feel it now
Title: What feels right
House: Slytherin
Class: Muggle Studies
Entry: Standard
Prompt: [Profession] Professor
Word count: 1,092
Harry took a deep breath to calm himself as he walked through the doors of Hogwarts. His eyes scanned the high ceilings, the familiar paintings, and stone floor which echoed his footsteps as he walked. His left hand was clasped around his trunk and his other hand held his wand with a letter. The letter that brought him here.
It was weird to see Hogwarts empty. He was so used to seeing the hallways bustling with students running to get to class before they were late, or chatting as they walked. Today, however, it was silent, only his footsteps could be heard.
He had always loved Hogwarts and he had been devastated when he finished his school year there. It felt like he was leaving a part of himself behind. This was the place he called his first home.
There were so many memories within these walls: Being sorted into Gryffindor, going up against Fluffy, discovering the Chamber of Secrets and saving Ginny, sleeping in the Great Hall when everybody thought Sirius was trying to kill him, being chosen as the fourth champion, and ending the war. His favourite, though, had been starting Dumbledore's Army, or D.A. as it had been shortened to. The thought of teaching fellow students had been a daunting task, however, if he was honest with himself, he had loved it. Teaching—well, helping—others to learn Defence Against the Dark Arts when it wasn't being taught at Hogwarts had been incredible.
It felt great helping others become better, plus weirdly, he got a good feeling after someone got a spell correct and they improved on their wandwork. It made him feel better than having a duel.
Harry wondered if that was how McGonagall felt. Maybe that was why she became a professor. Whether it was her reason or not, it was his reason for becoming one now.
He had tried his hand at being an Auror but he felt like something was missing from his life. It didn't give him the same feeling as teaching did. The thought of spending the rest of his life catching Dark wizards was not appealing. The first one he dealt with was already more than enough.
Eventually, it just got boring catching people and doing endless paperwork. It was sucking away his energy. He knew he wouldn't last much longer as an Auror but hadn't thought about what to do instead.
But that was when he had received a letter from McGonagall…
Dear Harry,
I know that you may be haggard by Auror work, I hope that you'll not be bothered by this letter. Keep in mind that you do not have to agree, only agree if you wish. I'm sure you enjoy your job and I do not want to draw you away from it, by you feeling as if you are obliged to accept this.
We have not yet found someone to take the place of Defence Against the Dark Arts professor and we were wondering if you would be interested in taking up the position.
I remember 5th year when you taught a couple of your fellow students spells, seeing as the situation temporarily halted that. Yet through it all, by your teaching they got marvellous scores.
This is just an offer on hand and you are free to refuse, but we hope you will at least consider it.
Yours faithfully,
Minvera McGonagall
Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
He accepted instantly. That was what he had been missing. Something he actually enjoyed. He exchanged a couple more letters with McGonagall to sort out the details and then everything was ready.
Of course, Ron had put up a bit of a fuss when he told him that he was leaving the Auror force, but he soon came around. The idea that his daughter would have someone to rely on in school may have helped him accept the idea a bit.
Hermione had been very supportive and had all but physically forced Harry into agreeing that he would give her information on the school's education system, and whether it needed to be improved.
Now here Harry was standing in front of the gargoyle that blocked the way to the headmistress' office. It was customary that a new teacher should report to the headteacher before the beginning of the school year. And in a couple of hours these empty hallways would be filled with students excited for a new school year.
"Lemon drops." He laughed at the name of the sweets that he always used to get offered.
The gargoyle moved and Harry walked up the steps. He stepped through the open door to find Professor McGonagall sorting through stacks of paper at her desktop.
"Professor?"
She looked up and smiled. "Ah, Harry! You're here. No need to call me professor, Minnie will do. We're colleagues now," she said, her words laced with her familiar, heavy, Scottish accent.
"Of course, Minnie." He hesitated before calling her Minnie. Almost as if he was testing out the name first.
"Do you have your teaching plan ready for the different year groups?"
"Yep, all of them."
McGonagall quickly ransacked through the stacks of paper upon her desk before picking one and holding it out to him.
"Here's your teaching schedule, Harry. You're starting with the first years just to ease you into this."
Harry nodded as he looked through his schedule.
Monday:
Period 1: First years, Ravenclaws and Gryffindors
Period 2: Fifth years, Slytherins and Ravenclaws
{Break}
Period 3: Third years, Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors
Period 4: Sixth years, Slytherins and Hufflepufs
{Lunch}
And then it repeated, only changing certain things. He was glad to see much more diversity and the classes and a little bit glad that he had so much remaining free time for his first day.
"Are you ready, Harry?"
"Yeah, think so."
"Then let's go. The welcoming feast is about to start."
Harry sat nervously at the teachers' table as the students swarmed in. He was so nervous that he barely registered the sorting of the first years. It wasn't until McGonagall started their customary welcoming speech that he actually started paying attention again.
"And now students, I'd like to introduce you to our new Defence professor, Mr. Harry Potter."
Harry smiled awkwardly and gave a little wave as the children clapped for him. The rest of the evening passed by quickly.
The night had passed quickly and Harry now stood in in front of his classroom.
The only thought left in his mind was:
Here we go.