A/N: Thank you for all of your kind reviews, especially those who read the story at ff.net. I would like to especially thank L.B. Domingo for beta reading the chapter and preventing me from looking like a fool ;)
The next two days passed quickly for Harry as he explored Valahost Hall and arranged rooms, contents, and other possessions to his liking. Meanwhile, Lupin labored to set up the Order's headquarters as well as worked to ensure that the wards and spells that protected the castle were in excellent working order.
Two hours before the arrival of the Weasleys and Hermione, Harry was paid a surprise visit from Professor Dumbledore. Harry was sitting in his study examining one of the many Anti-Dark Art books that could be found in the library when there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Harry called setting down the book on the desktop.
The door opened to admit Dumbledore. "Hello Harry," he said in greeting.
"Professor Dumbledore," Harry said as he rose to shake Dumbledore's hand, "how did you get into the castle? I had the impression that the security was rather. . . stubborn about letting things in once I placed the ring on my finger."
Dumbledore smiled as they both sat down, "Ah yes, well Harry, the ring can be trained to always let certain people into the castle unless otherwise instructed by a new or the same owner."
"I see," Harry replied. "Is there anyone else that the ring will recognize?"
Dumbledore shook his head. "No Harry, just me. It is always wise to have one that the castle will always recognize in case of an emergency."
"What brings you here?" Harry inquired. "Are you going to tell me some more secrets? Perhaps induct me into the Order?"
"Neither Harry. I've told you all that you need to know for the moment and you'll have to wait until you are older before you may become a member of the Order. It's the safest way." Dumbledore explained.
Harry leaned back into his chair and suppressed a small surge of anger. The prophecy had stated that Harry was the only one who could kill Voldemort. Why shouldn't he be in on the fight against him? He had fought Voldemort directly more times than almost all the people in the Order, combined. "I see," Harry replied stiffly.
"I understand your irritation Harry," Dumbledore said in a comforting voice. "Joining the Order would not be the best thing for you to do right now. I must admit though, you did find a way to contribute to the fight last year."
Harry scowled softly. "The Ministry? A big blunder. All I did was cause injury to my fellow students and death to Sirius."
Dumbledore sighed. "We've already discussed that Harry. It is not your fault. I was referring to your private Defense class that you called Dumbledore's Army."
"That?" Harry said. "Yes, I did train students. However, in the end all that it accomplished was to drive you away from Hogwarts so I would not get in trouble for it."
"Things turned out didn't they Harry? The end result was about two dozen students who were extremely capable when it came to Defense Against the Dark Arts." Dumbledore pointed out. "In fact," he further ventured, "I wouldn't be surprised if those same students were able to pass their N.E.W.T.'s without further training."
Harry was about to point out that it hadn't turned out well. . . that Sirius had died. However, he decided that now wasn't the time to bring up painful memories. Sirius's death was too painful and recent to come to terms with. Besides, there was no point in arguing. What was done was done and what would come would come. "What's your point?" Harry replied tiredly.
"As you probably already know, Harry," Dumbledore continued, "Remus has agreed to take the job of the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
Harry nodded impatiently and sat up from his laid back position in the chair behind the desk.
"There are some students at Hogwarts who are capable of going much farther past what Professor Lupin will teach them. Unfortunately what with his recurring illness he barely has enough time to teach normal classes. I was hoping Harry, that you would be willing to become a part-time Hogwarts professor and teach Highly Advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts, as well as step in for Professor Lupin when the moon is full." Dumbledore said.
Harry gaped at Professor Dumbledore. "You're nuts." he said in a shocked voice.
"I am quite mentally balanced Harry," Dumbledore replied in an amused voice.
"What does 'part-time professor' mean?" Harry asked.
"Basically you are a full professor except for the fact that you attend classes and only teach two or three classes yourself." Dumbledore explained.
"Does that mean I'm basically a prefect?"
"You're much more than that Harry. You will be a professor, not just a prefect. No curfew, no set dates for Hogsmeade visits, authority to give students permission to be out of bed or go to Hogsmeade, access to the Restricted Section in the library, give or take points, and of course, give out detentions. I think your father and his friends would have loved that kind of authority." Dumbledore answered with a twinkle in his blue eyes.
"Oh," Harry replied, still a bit shocked. "How many students and how many classes? What about a classroom?"
"We're not sure about how many students and classes yet Harry. When we send out our Hogwarts letter for this year we'll offer everyone the choice to join the HADADA class. We won't mention who's teaching it of course, just to keep it a surprise and all of that. We'll send you the applications and allow you to choose how many classes and who is in them. Then you'll issue a 'pending' list so that you may give them a pre-test before you make it final. As for your classroom, I think something can be arranged, as well as an office too."
Harry nodded decisively, "I'll do it, so long as I don't have to have Malfoy or his friends in my class!"
"That won't be a problem," Dumbledore chuckled. "All you have to do is declare him unsuitable, if he applies of course."
Harry grinned broadly. "That sounds great Professor. There's only one thing, I don't know if I have the necessary knowledge to teach a whole class! Let alone two or three."
"I'm sure you can learn new ones rather quickly Harry. Just a quick note before I leave. This castle has very thick magical wards. I doubt that the Ministry could ever detect any magic done here, under-age or otherwise. . ." Dumbledore said. "Also, please don't mention to anyone that I've taken you on the staff until I announce it on September first. That includes Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger."
Harry smiled, he was excited at the prospect of doing magic outside of school. "I won't mention it to anyone Professor."
Dumbledore waved and left, closing the door behind him. Harry, who was very excited at the prospect of teaching pulled out a couple of sheets of parchment, a quill, and some ink from one of the desk drawers and began to write out lesson plans.
* * * * * * *
After what seemed like a short time to Harry, one of the house elves appeared in front of his desk. "There are people at the gates sir, your expected guests I believe." Twinkle the house elf informed Harry. Twinkle was the first among the elves at Valahost Hall and the most friendly and caring of them. She had been able to assist Harry more than once.
Harry looked up from his plans startled. "Already?" he glanced at his watch. "Thank you Twinkle, I'll let them in. Would you please go down and greet them for me? Tell them that I'll be down shortly to show them to their rooms."
Twinkle nodded. "As you wish sir." She then vanished with a pop.
Harry absently turned his attention to the ring and used it to visualize those at the gate to confirm that it was the Weasleys and Hermione. He was surprised to see that Percy was with them as well as Fred and George. Finding that his assumption was correct he had the drawbridge lowered to allow them to come in.
He then added the final touches to one of the plans and put everything away. Harry then exited the room and nearly ran all the way to the front hall just in time to hear Twinkle usher the Weasleys and Hermione in. "Be welcome to Valahost Hall," came Twinkle's merry voice. "Master will be down shortly to show you to your rooms."
Harry quietly came down the staircase out of the view of his guests as one of the Weasley twins replied to Twinkle. "Whoever he is he'd better hurry. Time is money you know. We have an important meeting with the Hogsmeade Village Council."
Harry arrived behind the group. "Your time isn't worth a forged knut!" he called out.
They all spun around. Harry noted that Ron, Hermione, and Ginny's mouths all fell open. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley didn't seem surprised at all. The twins rushed over to Harry. "Harry old man! How corking to see you!" They slapped him on the back and shook his hand.
"You too." Harry replied with grin.
Ron, Hermione and Ginny stepped forward. "Hey mate," Ron said shaking Harry's hand also. "They didn't tell me you owned this!"
Harry shrugged. "I only just barely found out. Welcome to my home."
Hermione hugged Harry. "We're glad that we can be together this summer."
Ginny smiled, "I'm glad too."
Something about Ginny's smile gave Harry a funny feeling in his stomach. He was prevented from thinking about it further when Mrs. Weasley stepped up and gave Harry a bone-crushing hug. "You're looking much better since we last saw you Harry. Those house elves must be taking proper care of you." She didn't mention what she thought of the Dursleys, but Harry could tell that she was thinking about it.
"Thank you," Harry got out. He decided not to mention that it had only been slightly over two weeks.
Percy then stepped up and stiffly shook Harry's hand. "I'm sorry about what I've been saying and supporting Harry. I was wrong and too proud to see it." Percy said to Harry in a stiff sort of embarrassed voice.
"Everyone makes mistakes Percy," Harry replied neutrally. He didn't know Ron's feelings about the matter yet and didn't want to make him mad. Mr. Weasley also shook Harry's hand not making as much fuss as Mrs. Weasley. There was an awkward moment of silence until Harry broke it. "I suppose I'll show you all to your rooms. Follow me please."
Harry led the Weasleys and Hermione up the staircase to the third floor. He motioned to several rooms. "Those are yours', Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, that's Percy's, and those two are the twin's rooms."
The named guests entered their respective rooms. Harry could hear muffled exclamations of surprise. He had assigned them some of the biggest rooms in the castle. "Dinner is at six!" Harry called. "Or whenever the elves decide to serve it."
Harry proceeded to lead Ron, Hermione and Ginny up to the fourth floor. "Wow Harry, this is some castle." Ron commented as he looked around.
"I suppose it is," Harry said uncomfortably. He had always been embarrassed when anyone saw his wealth or knew about it. He changed the subject. "So how are things with Percy?"
"I still don't like him!" Ron replied.
Ginny explained a little further for Harry. "He's admitted that he was wrong about. . . Vol. . . You-Know-Who, but he still acts like he was right and Mum and Dad were wrong. He will get over it. He's a bit sore because after Fudge didn't need to spy on Dad anymore, Fudge kind of demoted him."
"Guess he won't make Minister of Magic after all eh?" Ron said grumpily.
"You never know Ron," Hermione said.
They arrived at the hall in which the bedrooms were located on the fourth floor. Harry pointed towards the room near the corner, "That room is mine, feel free to choose any other room on the floor to stay in."
Ron and Hermione chose rooms that were opposite each other and near to Harry's room. Ginny chose a smaller, but more elegant room that overlooked one of the gardens which happened to be across the hall from Harry's. Harry waited for them to place their trunks and belongings in the rooms. After about ten minutes they were all back out in the hall with Harry.
"What should we do until dinner?" Ron asked.
"I suppose I could give you all the grand tour," Harry said.
"That sounds great!" Hermione said. "I bet this castle has loads of old magic stuff lying around."
Ron rolled his eyes. "Yeah right. That's what you look for when visiting a friend's house. Artifacts!"
Ginny only smiled and Harry led the way.
* * * * * * *
Two weeks following his guests' arrival, Harry sat at the desk in his study. It was early in the morning, long before anyone else got up. Of late he had taken to getting up early so he could work on his lesson plans and studies in private. He rather regretted hiding the fact that he had been made a professor from Ron and Hermione. As well as Ginny, come to think of it. He had promised Dumbledore and he would keep his word.
There had been one close call. During the tour two weeks previously, Hermione had almost opened the drawer with all his lesson plans in search for some interesting antiques. She had tried, but the drawer had not budged. Somehow the ring must have sensed that Harry didn't want the drawer opened. When he had come back later the drawer opened without any problem.
During the days, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny had explored the castle and played games. Over the summer the twins had joined the Order. Their membership had become official the day after they had arrived. Professor Lupin, the twins, and the their parents were often away on business for the Order. Harry still wondered how they got in and out without him have to let them out or in. He reckoned that the ring could sense his basic attitude of trust and confidence towards them and therefore let them in and out at their will.
Percy spent most of his time in the library or reading the Daily Prophet. It seemed that he had not been invited to join the Order yet. Harry could hardly blame Dumbledore and everyone else for not trusting Percy, he had after all basically betrayed the family. That and the fact that he was power hungry.
Harry made a few finishing touches to one of his lesson plans and leaned back in his chair. He had already prepared lessons all the way through March. Not only that, lessons on three different levels as well that went through March.
Just then an owl came swooping through the open window to the right of Harry desk. The owl laid a rather thick letter from Hogwarts on the desk and flew away. Harry eagerly grabbed the letter and ripped it open-
The first letter was the usual letter from Professor McGonagall notifying him when the term started and such. The next letter was also from her. Harry quickly scanned it and restrained himself from leaping for joy. His lifetime ban from Quidditch had been lifted and he had been named the captain of the Gryffindor House team. She also went on to explain that he would need to replace several team mates and her best wishes that he would be able to get them in shape so that they would win the Quidditch Final.
The next letter was Harry's results from the O.W.L. exams. Not bad, he mused. He had even gotten O's in potions. He wondered what Snape would think. Probably won't be very happy, Harry guessed. Harry reckoned that those results set him well on his way towards becoming an auror.
Hermione had probably gotten a lot better though. Harry was happy for her. He then turned his attention to the last piece of paper. It seemed to be an official application, the only thing that disputed the observation was that it had Dumbledore's handwriting on the bottom-
Harry- This is just an example of what you can expect to be receiving as soon as students start returning these. The applications are all due by the week before term begins so that you may sort everything out and have a pending list to post by September first. Good luck! Prof Dumbledore.
Harry scanned the form quickly. It was standard stuff, name, birth date, house, grades, why you want to join HADADA, etc. Just then the ring gave a slight pulse to warn him that someone was approaching. He quickly took the form and his lesson plans and shoved them into the usual drawer just as Hermione burst in.
"Harry! Look, I got O.W.L.'s in all of my classes!"
"Was there ever any doubt?" came Ron's tired voice from behind her as he entered Harry's study.
Harry grinned. "Yeah Hermione, was there every any doubt?"
"Oh be quiet you two," Ginny yawned as she followed them into the study. She noted that Harry had also received his letter. "Let me guess Harry, they made you Quidditch captain."
"How did you know?" Harry replied.
Ginny smiled proudly. "Who else would they make captain?"
Harry shrugged. "I don't know. . . me I guess."
"Did you get the application for HADADA?" Hermione inquired.
Harry nodded. "Yes I did, I'm already signed up for the class."
"Wow," Hermione said, "that was fast."
"Let's get some breakfast. I'm starving!" Ron cut in.
Harry smiled gratefully. Hermione had not caught his quick evasion. They all left to go and eat breakfast.