Here it is (finally):
For the sake of not paralyzing my hand and for saving you the trouble of reading the next eight boring years, the story picks up on the first day of the term of Devon's first year. Anne and Tom, having birthdays right after school started, had to wait another year to go, despite them being only a month younger than Devon.
Devon was now as much of his father as possible: quite arrogant, though not nearly as bad as Draco was during his first year, very cute, and extremely smart, though he wasn't bookwormish like Hermione. Once he heard something, he wouldn't forget it. Over the years, he'd come to find that he didn't have to study much.
"Bye, mum! Bye, dad!" he called as he got onto the train.
"Don't get into any trouble!" warned Hermione. "And send word as to which house you're in!"
"Enough, Hermione. You're embarrassing him," said Draco.
"You're right." Hermione wiped a tear from her face. "And it's not like I won't see him during the year. I am a substitute at Hogwarts now."
"Yeah, so let's go," urged Draco, turning to leave.
"Coming."
* * * *
Devon found the last empty compartment and sat down. He wasn't really scared, just a bit anxious and worried. Would he ever make friends? Would people like him? He pulled out a book from his bag, The Standard Book of Spells: Grade 1, while waiting for the train to move.
A dark-brown wavy-haired boy with chocolate brown eyes looked into the compartment. Any girl would have said he was cute, but not a real hottie. Tall, nice features. Overall good profile.
"Mind if I sit?" he asked.
Devon put down his book and studied him for a few seconds before saying, "Sure. Sit down. What's your name?"
"Tyler Thomas," the boys said as he took a seat.
"Is Thomas your middle or last name?"
"Last. My middle name's Kent. What's your name?"
"Devon Shane Malfoy."
"That has a ring to it," smiled the boy. "What house do you want to be in?"
"Slytherin, I guess," replied Devon. "My dad was in Slytherin. But my mum was in Gryffindor, so that's okay, too. I don't care much for Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw."
"My parents were both in Gryffindor," said Tyler. "That's probably where I'll be."
"Not necessarily," shrugged Devon.
"Isn't it kind of weird that you're the Slytherin type, but you think it's okay to be in Gryffindor? Usually they hate each other."
"Lots of my family was in Gryffindor," said Devon. "Or our close friends, like my parents' best friend, Harry Potter. I just call him Uncle Harry. And his best friend Uncle Ron." Devon had purposely brought up Harry and Ron to get attention.
"You know Harry Potter and Ron Weasley?" asked Tyler incredulously. "My parents were in their year in Gryffindor!"
"Cool! I'll ask my parents if they know your parents. What're their names?"
"My dad's Dean Thomas and my mum's maiden name is Lavender Brown."
"I'll remember," assured Devon. "Do you like Quidditch?"
And the two new-found friends talked about everything in the six-hour train ride, for family to Hogwarts to girls....
They were finally in the Entrance Hall. Professor McGonagall, now in her 80's, but still strong and healthy, met them with her strict welcome speech.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses.
"While you are here, your house will be something like your family. You will have classes with them, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room.
"The four houses are Slytherin, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw. Each has its own noble history and has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn you house points. Any rule- breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house which has accumulated the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor.
"I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours. Let the Sorting begin."
Devon and Tyler exchanged nervous yet anticipating grins as they walked to the Great Hall and lined up.
The Sorting started. Devon knew none of his classmates except, of course, Tyler. When the list got the M's and "Malfoy, Devon" was called, he walked cautiously to the stool. He sat down and McGonagall smiled warmly at him.
"Say hello to your parents for me," she whispered before placing the hat on his head and plunging him into total darkness.
The hat was silent for a few seconds. "I think you have the honor of being the most difficult choice since the legendary Harry Potter," it said finally. "Let's see. Smart, yes, but not the Ravenclaw type." Devon sighed in relief. "No, not Hufflepuff, either. Slytherin or Gryffindor... You seem brave, ready to take risks. But you will use every resource you have to get to your goals, including your friends. See, I find myself wishing many times that there exists a Gryfferin or Slythindor house. That's where you and Mr. Potter belong. But, since I have to make a choice, I'd say..."
Devon closed his eyes tightly as if waiting for someone to slap him.
"Slytherin!" shouted the hat. He opened his eyes and glanced at McGonagall.
"Your father will be happy," she smiled. "Hopefully, you'll be a better advantage to Slytherin than he was for his six years here."
Devon smiled in return, though he had no idea what she was talking about. What was his father like during his first six years? Did he change after that? His parents needed to do some explaining....
Devon joined the clapping Slytherin table. He caught Dumbledore's eye and received a wink.
Tyler also turned out to be in Slytherin. There were also Victoria, Pete, Brad, Ella, Sue, and Steven.
After the great feast, Devon quickly wrote to his parents and sent the letter with his owl GB, for Green Bay. He loved football.
* * * *
As Hermione was brushing her teeth for bed, a familiar owl flew in through the master bedroom's open window.
She spit out toothpaste and called excitedly, "Draco! Devon's owl!"
Draco walked out of his walk-in closet and opened the letter.
"Read it aloud!" ordered Hermione, jumping up and down like a giddy two-year-old.
"Calm down!" he said. "'Dear Mum and Dad, Hogwarts is awesome! I'm in Slytherin!'" Draco paused to laugh. "'Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore say hello. I made a friend- Tyler Kent Thomas.'"
"You don't think?" asked Hermione.
"'Do you know his parents?'" Draco continued. "'Because he says his parents know Uncle Harry and Ron. His dad is Dean Thomas and his mum is Lavender Brown.'"
"It is them!" cried Hermione.
"Wait, I'm almost done," said Draco. "'McGonagall said hopefully I won't be like you were during your first six years, dad. What is that supposed to mean? And thanks for the surprise broom, dad. Can you ask Uncle Harry if he'll give me his Invisibility Cloak? I can see why he used it so much. There's a lot to explore! I can't wait for classes to start. I'll probably write tomorrow. Bye! Love, Devon. P.S. The Sorting Hat said it wished there was a house called Gryfferin or Slythindor so it could have put Harry Potter and me in it. I was almost in Gryffindor!'"
"Oh, that's so cute!" squealed Hermione.
"I always knew there was a Slytherin streak in Harry," grinned Draco. "Not to mention Devon. There's a bit of Slytherin in everyone."
* * * *
Harry sighed loudly again for the umpteenth time that night and sank onto the sofa as Ginny came back from making sure their kids were asleep. Lily was nine, James seven.
"If it annoys you so much, why did you quit?" she asked.
"It's not like I don't like Quidditch," replied Harry angrily, "but people don't want to watch thirty-year-olds play. You don't understand. I had to."
"Maybe I don't understand, but- Oh, there's an owl!" She pulled the letter out of the owl's beak. "Hogwarts seal; it's for you."
Harry took the envelope and slit it open.
Harry:
I haven't spoken to you in months! I just witnessed Devon being sorted into Slytherin. Yes, predictable. But my Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher just suddenly resigned. I would have asked Hermione to be the teacher, but she doesn't teach as well as you, at least not Defense. She'll still be a substitute, but if you refuse, I'll request her assistance. I'm only asking you because I know you just resigned your Quidditch job. Reply quickly. The post needs to be filled immediately.
Albus Dumbledore
"What is it?" asked Ginny.
"Devon's in Slytherin and Dumbledore wants me to be Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," said Harry.
"Oh, that's great!"
"Yeah, except for you'd be alone with Lily and James because I'd live at Hogwarts," Harry reminded her.
"Oh, yeah..." she said. "But I think you still should. You can visit every weekend. And during weeknights if you don't have work."
"Do you think I should?"
"Yeah," said Ginny. "Really."
"Fine."
Harry scribbled a not back and set off to the pack.
* * * *
The next morning, Devon woke up at 7:30, quickly shook Tyler up, and the two of them sprinted down to the Great Hall, eager for the day to start.
While they were eating breakfast, Professor Snape stopped by.
"For you first years, I'm your head of house, Professor Snape. Here are your course schedules. Don't be late for any classes, least of all mine." He turned away.
"Devon, we have Potions first!" exclaimed Tyler.
Snape whipped around. "Devon Malfoy?" he asked. "Really? I wasn't here during the Sorting yesterday. I forgot you'd be here this year."
"You know me?" asked Devon. "How?"
"I taught your parents and fought to protect your life during the war," grinned Severus. "So I'd say I know you. All the teachers will. See you at Potions." He left.
"Huh? What about you and the war?" asked Tyler.
"Oh, you don't know," sighed Devon. And he shared his part of the war, from what his parents told him.
"Wow!" gasped Tyler. "Can I tell people?"
"I guess," said Devon calmly. Inside, he was thrilled. More attention. "Let's get to class."
* * * *
Harry arrived at Dumbledore's office that morning.
"Good morning, Harry," said Dumbledore, shaking his hand. "It's so good of you to do this."
"No problem, Professor," said Harry.
"Call me Albus," grinned the old man. "I'd love to talk, but class starts soon. Here's your schedule. Have fun."
"It feels weird to be back," sighed Harry. "So many memories."
"Like your record number of detentions?" laughed Albus. "Or do you mean the days filled with red stones, giant poisonous snakes, great black dogs, accidentally entering tournaments, organizing illegal defense groups, and your adventurous romances?"
They laughed.
"All of it," grinned Harry. "I remember every day, bad or good."
"So do I, Harry, so do I," sighed Dumbledore. "Every time you were in this office, every one of your problems. Well," he started briskly. "You'd better get going."
"Yeah, see you at lunch," said Harry.
He wandered aimlessly through the halls to familiarize himself again; the last time he'd seen this place was eleven years ago. But he found that he remembered every nook and cranny perfectly. Memories flooded his mind. His whole life, really, had taken place here, in this amazing castle.
He was checking to see whether the secret entrance to Hogsmeade worked when an all-too-familiar voice said, "Haven't changed, have we?"
Harry slowly turned around to face--- Severus Snape.
"I really haven't," said Harry. Did he still hate Snape? He didn't think so; they'd had this secret understanding since the war, when Snape had given Harry a hand up and fought with him. They locked eyes for a few seconds, then burst out laughing.
"Long time, no see," said Snape. "Good luck with classes. See you at lunch."
They turned and walked away.
"Oh, and by the way," called Snape, "I don't want the Defense job anymore. Devon's quite a character, don't you think?"
"He's a Slytherin; that speaks for itself," shrugged Harry.
"Must I remind you that I was once a Slytherin?" grinned Snape. "Through your experience, you've learned they're not all bad."
"Key words: not all bad," smirked Harry. "Bye."
* * * *
Devon entered his Potions classroom and sat down with Tyler at the very front.
Snape said his usual start-of-term first year lecture and took roll call. Then the class took notes for the rest of the hour.
As they were filing out of the room, Tyler whispered, "That wasn't fun at all for our first class."
"But we've got Defense Against the Dark Arts next!" said Devon. "That ought to be good!"
"Oh, it will be," assured Professor Snape, overhearing them. "Wait until you see who your teacher is."
"Come on, then!" urged Devon.
He and Tyler pushed open the DADA classroom door a few minutes later.
"Uncle Harry?" asked Devon in disbelief.
"That's Professor Potter to you," smiled Harry. "Have a seat."
As the rest of the class entered, whispering and pointing at Harry, he decided to change his plans for the day.
"Well!" said Harry loudly. The class fell silent. "I was going to start off the year with a fun Defense-related activity, but we'll do that tomorrow. I see that we won't get anywhere in this class this year if we don't spend a day talking about me. Yeah, I'm Harry Potter. Because I know you won't give me your full attention until you've asked me all your questions.
"But first, a few tips to getting along with me:
I'll give you a chance to talk about my scar today. But don't ever again. I hate it. Gryffindors are awesome. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. You, as Slytherins, will have pressure placed upon you from today to be their enemies. Don't, for me. I have a Slytherin best friend, Devon here's dad. One day, you'll learn how great Gryffindors are. Take me as an example. Always listen to Dumbledore, the headmaster. Great guy. He made me what I am today. Go to all Quidditch games at Hogwarts. It's a great sport. I can't say enough good things about it. This one, I have firsthand experience in. Have fun. Make the best out of your seven years here. But please don't get too many docked house points or detentions. Although I would like to see someone break my all-time Hogwarts record for most house point lost and most detentions."
The class broke out in applause.
"Thank you. Yes, well, if I remember anything else, I'll tell you. Today, you all get to ask me questions. So I'll pick on you. Let's see... Steven?"
"What was your most embarrassing moment during school?"
"This wasn't really bad," answered Harry, "but once, in my second year, there was this Valentine's Day celebration, right? And this huge leprechaun ambushed me between classes and said he had a Valentine to sing to me. It was this horrible rhyming thing, and all I remember was that one of the verses said, 'his eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad.' But see, I rarely got embarrassed. I mean, I had my share of ridicule, but I didn't get embarrassed by it. Mad, yes. Embarrassed, no. Victoria?"
"Are you married?" she sighed.
Harry laughed. "Bad luck for you. Yes, I am. Actually to the girl who sent me that Valentine. I have two kids, Lily and James. Lily'll be here in two years, James in four. You'll get to meet them soon."
And he answered the most random questions (what his shoe size was) but some normal ones, too (at least normal for 11-year-olds, like the most serious injury he was in the hospital wing for).
"Remember, guys, I'm not always this fun. Tomorrow, we start Defense!" he announced at the end of class to lots of boos. "Don't worry, though. It'll be interesting. See you tomorrow!"
They all called goodbye as they left.
"Oh my god, he's so awesome!" squealed Victoria to Devon.
Devon rolled his eyes. "He's taken and way too old for you."
Victoria, in turn, rolled her eyes and turned to talk to her friend Claire.
"Are you going to be nice to Gryffindors?" asked Peter, another first-year Slytherin.
"I always liked them," replied Devon.
"But you're in Slytherin!" exclaimed Peter.
"Your point?" shrugged Devon. "The Sorting Hat described each house's qualities. It never said anything about being enemies."
In the staffroom off the corridor that these first-years were walking down, McGonagall and Dumbledore had paused their conversation to listen to the students.
"The Sorting Hat described each house's qualities. It never said anything about being enemies," Devon had just finished saying.
"He may be eleven, and a mere first-year, but I believe he has the idea of this whole house thing better than any other student here," commented Dumbledore.
"His parents did a great job with him."
Guys, sorry for the delay. I know you want to kill me. My computer had this virus thing. And I had to look up McGonagall's speech from the first book and type it up. One more chapter, and then you get to start.
One question, though. How do you make bold and italic writing? Is it something like b and I? I'm not sure. But I need it. So review and tell me, please.
Dramaqueen72- In the previous story, I know James was born, and then in this story, I know he's not when it starts. I just put a summary of the rest of their lives at the end of the first story, for someone who wouldn't be reading the sequel. So that's why James wasn't born yet. I wanted to portray that in this story.
And my Lily and James story will be up this week, I think. Thanx!!
For the sake of not paralyzing my hand and for saving you the trouble of reading the next eight boring years, the story picks up on the first day of the term of Devon's first year. Anne and Tom, having birthdays right after school started, had to wait another year to go, despite them being only a month younger than Devon.
Devon was now as much of his father as possible: quite arrogant, though not nearly as bad as Draco was during his first year, very cute, and extremely smart, though he wasn't bookwormish like Hermione. Once he heard something, he wouldn't forget it. Over the years, he'd come to find that he didn't have to study much.
"Bye, mum! Bye, dad!" he called as he got onto the train.
"Don't get into any trouble!" warned Hermione. "And send word as to which house you're in!"
"Enough, Hermione. You're embarrassing him," said Draco.
"You're right." Hermione wiped a tear from her face. "And it's not like I won't see him during the year. I am a substitute at Hogwarts now."
"Yeah, so let's go," urged Draco, turning to leave.
"Coming."
* * * *
Devon found the last empty compartment and sat down. He wasn't really scared, just a bit anxious and worried. Would he ever make friends? Would people like him? He pulled out a book from his bag, The Standard Book of Spells: Grade 1, while waiting for the train to move.
A dark-brown wavy-haired boy with chocolate brown eyes looked into the compartment. Any girl would have said he was cute, but not a real hottie. Tall, nice features. Overall good profile.
"Mind if I sit?" he asked.
Devon put down his book and studied him for a few seconds before saying, "Sure. Sit down. What's your name?"
"Tyler Thomas," the boys said as he took a seat.
"Is Thomas your middle or last name?"
"Last. My middle name's Kent. What's your name?"
"Devon Shane Malfoy."
"That has a ring to it," smiled the boy. "What house do you want to be in?"
"Slytherin, I guess," replied Devon. "My dad was in Slytherin. But my mum was in Gryffindor, so that's okay, too. I don't care much for Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw."
"My parents were both in Gryffindor," said Tyler. "That's probably where I'll be."
"Not necessarily," shrugged Devon.
"Isn't it kind of weird that you're the Slytherin type, but you think it's okay to be in Gryffindor? Usually they hate each other."
"Lots of my family was in Gryffindor," said Devon. "Or our close friends, like my parents' best friend, Harry Potter. I just call him Uncle Harry. And his best friend Uncle Ron." Devon had purposely brought up Harry and Ron to get attention.
"You know Harry Potter and Ron Weasley?" asked Tyler incredulously. "My parents were in their year in Gryffindor!"
"Cool! I'll ask my parents if they know your parents. What're their names?"
"My dad's Dean Thomas and my mum's maiden name is Lavender Brown."
"I'll remember," assured Devon. "Do you like Quidditch?"
And the two new-found friends talked about everything in the six-hour train ride, for family to Hogwarts to girls....
They were finally in the Entrance Hall. Professor McGonagall, now in her 80's, but still strong and healthy, met them with her strict welcome speech.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses.
"While you are here, your house will be something like your family. You will have classes with them, sleep in your house dormitory, and spend free time in your house common room.
"The four houses are Slytherin, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw. Each has its own noble history and has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn you house points. Any rule- breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house which has accumulated the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor.
"I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever house becomes yours. Let the Sorting begin."
Devon and Tyler exchanged nervous yet anticipating grins as they walked to the Great Hall and lined up.
The Sorting started. Devon knew none of his classmates except, of course, Tyler. When the list got the M's and "Malfoy, Devon" was called, he walked cautiously to the stool. He sat down and McGonagall smiled warmly at him.
"Say hello to your parents for me," she whispered before placing the hat on his head and plunging him into total darkness.
The hat was silent for a few seconds. "I think you have the honor of being the most difficult choice since the legendary Harry Potter," it said finally. "Let's see. Smart, yes, but not the Ravenclaw type." Devon sighed in relief. "No, not Hufflepuff, either. Slytherin or Gryffindor... You seem brave, ready to take risks. But you will use every resource you have to get to your goals, including your friends. See, I find myself wishing many times that there exists a Gryfferin or Slythindor house. That's where you and Mr. Potter belong. But, since I have to make a choice, I'd say..."
Devon closed his eyes tightly as if waiting for someone to slap him.
"Slytherin!" shouted the hat. He opened his eyes and glanced at McGonagall.
"Your father will be happy," she smiled. "Hopefully, you'll be a better advantage to Slytherin than he was for his six years here."
Devon smiled in return, though he had no idea what she was talking about. What was his father like during his first six years? Did he change after that? His parents needed to do some explaining....
Devon joined the clapping Slytherin table. He caught Dumbledore's eye and received a wink.
Tyler also turned out to be in Slytherin. There were also Victoria, Pete, Brad, Ella, Sue, and Steven.
After the great feast, Devon quickly wrote to his parents and sent the letter with his owl GB, for Green Bay. He loved football.
* * * *
As Hermione was brushing her teeth for bed, a familiar owl flew in through the master bedroom's open window.
She spit out toothpaste and called excitedly, "Draco! Devon's owl!"
Draco walked out of his walk-in closet and opened the letter.
"Read it aloud!" ordered Hermione, jumping up and down like a giddy two-year-old.
"Calm down!" he said. "'Dear Mum and Dad, Hogwarts is awesome! I'm in Slytherin!'" Draco paused to laugh. "'Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore say hello. I made a friend- Tyler Kent Thomas.'"
"You don't think?" asked Hermione.
"'Do you know his parents?'" Draco continued. "'Because he says his parents know Uncle Harry and Ron. His dad is Dean Thomas and his mum is Lavender Brown.'"
"It is them!" cried Hermione.
"Wait, I'm almost done," said Draco. "'McGonagall said hopefully I won't be like you were during your first six years, dad. What is that supposed to mean? And thanks for the surprise broom, dad. Can you ask Uncle Harry if he'll give me his Invisibility Cloak? I can see why he used it so much. There's a lot to explore! I can't wait for classes to start. I'll probably write tomorrow. Bye! Love, Devon. P.S. The Sorting Hat said it wished there was a house called Gryfferin or Slythindor so it could have put Harry Potter and me in it. I was almost in Gryffindor!'"
"Oh, that's so cute!" squealed Hermione.
"I always knew there was a Slytherin streak in Harry," grinned Draco. "Not to mention Devon. There's a bit of Slytherin in everyone."
* * * *
Harry sighed loudly again for the umpteenth time that night and sank onto the sofa as Ginny came back from making sure their kids were asleep. Lily was nine, James seven.
"If it annoys you so much, why did you quit?" she asked.
"It's not like I don't like Quidditch," replied Harry angrily, "but people don't want to watch thirty-year-olds play. You don't understand. I had to."
"Maybe I don't understand, but- Oh, there's an owl!" She pulled the letter out of the owl's beak. "Hogwarts seal; it's for you."
Harry took the envelope and slit it open.
Harry:
I haven't spoken to you in months! I just witnessed Devon being sorted into Slytherin. Yes, predictable. But my Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher just suddenly resigned. I would have asked Hermione to be the teacher, but she doesn't teach as well as you, at least not Defense. She'll still be a substitute, but if you refuse, I'll request her assistance. I'm only asking you because I know you just resigned your Quidditch job. Reply quickly. The post needs to be filled immediately.
Albus Dumbledore
"What is it?" asked Ginny.
"Devon's in Slytherin and Dumbledore wants me to be Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," said Harry.
"Oh, that's great!"
"Yeah, except for you'd be alone with Lily and James because I'd live at Hogwarts," Harry reminded her.
"Oh, yeah..." she said. "But I think you still should. You can visit every weekend. And during weeknights if you don't have work."
"Do you think I should?"
"Yeah," said Ginny. "Really."
"Fine."
Harry scribbled a not back and set off to the pack.
* * * *
The next morning, Devon woke up at 7:30, quickly shook Tyler up, and the two of them sprinted down to the Great Hall, eager for the day to start.
While they were eating breakfast, Professor Snape stopped by.
"For you first years, I'm your head of house, Professor Snape. Here are your course schedules. Don't be late for any classes, least of all mine." He turned away.
"Devon, we have Potions first!" exclaimed Tyler.
Snape whipped around. "Devon Malfoy?" he asked. "Really? I wasn't here during the Sorting yesterday. I forgot you'd be here this year."
"You know me?" asked Devon. "How?"
"I taught your parents and fought to protect your life during the war," grinned Severus. "So I'd say I know you. All the teachers will. See you at Potions." He left.
"Huh? What about you and the war?" asked Tyler.
"Oh, you don't know," sighed Devon. And he shared his part of the war, from what his parents told him.
"Wow!" gasped Tyler. "Can I tell people?"
"I guess," said Devon calmly. Inside, he was thrilled. More attention. "Let's get to class."
* * * *
Harry arrived at Dumbledore's office that morning.
"Good morning, Harry," said Dumbledore, shaking his hand. "It's so good of you to do this."
"No problem, Professor," said Harry.
"Call me Albus," grinned the old man. "I'd love to talk, but class starts soon. Here's your schedule. Have fun."
"It feels weird to be back," sighed Harry. "So many memories."
"Like your record number of detentions?" laughed Albus. "Or do you mean the days filled with red stones, giant poisonous snakes, great black dogs, accidentally entering tournaments, organizing illegal defense groups, and your adventurous romances?"
They laughed.
"All of it," grinned Harry. "I remember every day, bad or good."
"So do I, Harry, so do I," sighed Dumbledore. "Every time you were in this office, every one of your problems. Well," he started briskly. "You'd better get going."
"Yeah, see you at lunch," said Harry.
He wandered aimlessly through the halls to familiarize himself again; the last time he'd seen this place was eleven years ago. But he found that he remembered every nook and cranny perfectly. Memories flooded his mind. His whole life, really, had taken place here, in this amazing castle.
He was checking to see whether the secret entrance to Hogsmeade worked when an all-too-familiar voice said, "Haven't changed, have we?"
Harry slowly turned around to face--- Severus Snape.
"I really haven't," said Harry. Did he still hate Snape? He didn't think so; they'd had this secret understanding since the war, when Snape had given Harry a hand up and fought with him. They locked eyes for a few seconds, then burst out laughing.
"Long time, no see," said Snape. "Good luck with classes. See you at lunch."
They turned and walked away.
"Oh, and by the way," called Snape, "I don't want the Defense job anymore. Devon's quite a character, don't you think?"
"He's a Slytherin; that speaks for itself," shrugged Harry.
"Must I remind you that I was once a Slytherin?" grinned Snape. "Through your experience, you've learned they're not all bad."
"Key words: not all bad," smirked Harry. "Bye."
* * * *
Devon entered his Potions classroom and sat down with Tyler at the very front.
Snape said his usual start-of-term first year lecture and took roll call. Then the class took notes for the rest of the hour.
As they were filing out of the room, Tyler whispered, "That wasn't fun at all for our first class."
"But we've got Defense Against the Dark Arts next!" said Devon. "That ought to be good!"
"Oh, it will be," assured Professor Snape, overhearing them. "Wait until you see who your teacher is."
"Come on, then!" urged Devon.
He and Tyler pushed open the DADA classroom door a few minutes later.
"Uncle Harry?" asked Devon in disbelief.
"That's Professor Potter to you," smiled Harry. "Have a seat."
As the rest of the class entered, whispering and pointing at Harry, he decided to change his plans for the day.
"Well!" said Harry loudly. The class fell silent. "I was going to start off the year with a fun Defense-related activity, but we'll do that tomorrow. I see that we won't get anywhere in this class this year if we don't spend a day talking about me. Yeah, I'm Harry Potter. Because I know you won't give me your full attention until you've asked me all your questions.
"But first, a few tips to getting along with me:
I'll give you a chance to talk about my scar today. But don't ever again. I hate it. Gryffindors are awesome. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. You, as Slytherins, will have pressure placed upon you from today to be their enemies. Don't, for me. I have a Slytherin best friend, Devon here's dad. One day, you'll learn how great Gryffindors are. Take me as an example. Always listen to Dumbledore, the headmaster. Great guy. He made me what I am today. Go to all Quidditch games at Hogwarts. It's a great sport. I can't say enough good things about it. This one, I have firsthand experience in. Have fun. Make the best out of your seven years here. But please don't get too many docked house points or detentions. Although I would like to see someone break my all-time Hogwarts record for most house point lost and most detentions."
The class broke out in applause.
"Thank you. Yes, well, if I remember anything else, I'll tell you. Today, you all get to ask me questions. So I'll pick on you. Let's see... Steven?"
"What was your most embarrassing moment during school?"
"This wasn't really bad," answered Harry, "but once, in my second year, there was this Valentine's Day celebration, right? And this huge leprechaun ambushed me between classes and said he had a Valentine to sing to me. It was this horrible rhyming thing, and all I remember was that one of the verses said, 'his eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad.' But see, I rarely got embarrassed. I mean, I had my share of ridicule, but I didn't get embarrassed by it. Mad, yes. Embarrassed, no. Victoria?"
"Are you married?" she sighed.
Harry laughed. "Bad luck for you. Yes, I am. Actually to the girl who sent me that Valentine. I have two kids, Lily and James. Lily'll be here in two years, James in four. You'll get to meet them soon."
And he answered the most random questions (what his shoe size was) but some normal ones, too (at least normal for 11-year-olds, like the most serious injury he was in the hospital wing for).
"Remember, guys, I'm not always this fun. Tomorrow, we start Defense!" he announced at the end of class to lots of boos. "Don't worry, though. It'll be interesting. See you tomorrow!"
They all called goodbye as they left.
"Oh my god, he's so awesome!" squealed Victoria to Devon.
Devon rolled his eyes. "He's taken and way too old for you."
Victoria, in turn, rolled her eyes and turned to talk to her friend Claire.
"Are you going to be nice to Gryffindors?" asked Peter, another first-year Slytherin.
"I always liked them," replied Devon.
"But you're in Slytherin!" exclaimed Peter.
"Your point?" shrugged Devon. "The Sorting Hat described each house's qualities. It never said anything about being enemies."
In the staffroom off the corridor that these first-years were walking down, McGonagall and Dumbledore had paused their conversation to listen to the students.
"The Sorting Hat described each house's qualities. It never said anything about being enemies," Devon had just finished saying.
"He may be eleven, and a mere first-year, but I believe he has the idea of this whole house thing better than any other student here," commented Dumbledore.
"His parents did a great job with him."
Guys, sorry for the delay. I know you want to kill me. My computer had this virus thing. And I had to look up McGonagall's speech from the first book and type it up. One more chapter, and then you get to start.
One question, though. How do you make bold and italic writing? Is it something like b and I? I'm not sure. But I need it. So review and tell me, please.
Dramaqueen72- In the previous story, I know James was born, and then in this story, I know he's not when it starts. I just put a summary of the rest of their lives at the end of the first story, for someone who wouldn't be reading the sequel. So that's why James wasn't born yet. I wanted to portray that in this story.
And my Lily and James story will be up this week, I think. Thanx!!