Ch 6:- Teacher and Tell Tale

Hermione and all the Weasleys had gone to bed before Alastor Moody arrived. Remus Lupin had already left and Harry had been reading an ancient book about Quidditch whilst the two professors were examining the library.

'Most impressive, Harry, most impressive.' murmured the Headmaster. 'You have some very rare books in this library. It is only regrettable that so many have such a dark subject, although that is only to be expected considering their provenance. Still, even those can be useful for learning about the forces to guard against. The greatest danger is that those forces can have such a corrosive effect on the person trying to learn – Ah, Alastor, good of you to come back at so late an hour.'

Moody stumped slowly into the room and sat heavily down. He looked tired, but his voice was as brisk as usual.

'Well, Headmaster? Have you told him?'

'No, Alastor, we were waiting for you.'

Moody rolled his real eye upward whilst his magic eye was looking behind him.

'Lets get to it then, I want to see his face when you tell him.'

Harry was becoming more and more impatient at this seemingly needless exchange, but managed to hold his tongue. The Headmaster looked at him closely before speaking.

'Harry. To begin with I must ask you which NEWTs you were considering taking this year?'

'Well Professor, I was thinking of taking those which I achieved an E or above.'

'Not Tranfiguration then Harry?' observed Professor McGonagall.

'No, not Transfiguration – and definitely not Potions.'

'You should take those if you want to become an auror, Harry.'

Harry smiled mirthlessly. 'Professor, you yourself said I needed and E for transfiguration and an O for potions. I didn't get them, so it seems auror is not an option.'

Moody stirred. 'They're not vital Harry. The only vital subject is Defence Against the Dark Arts!'

Harry was not convinced.

'I doubt Care of Magical Creatures and Herbology are going to be of much use to an auror.' he said bitterly. 'I might as well play to my strengths, Professor; take what I seem to be good at and work out a career after I leave school. Come to think of it, my strengths would probably suit Charlie Weasley's job looking after dragons in Romania! I hear it's a dangerous place at the moment.'

Professor McGonagall looked sharply at Harry. 'I would be interested to know where you heard that Harry, but not right now. I think I can safely say that your grade did not reflect your true ability in Transfiguration. I believe you could gain the necessary NEWT in my subject.'

'And I feel you could attain the necessary standard in Potions, Harry.' added Professor Dumbledore.

'I doubt Professor Snape would deign to teach me, Professor.'

'Professor Snape is my problem, Harry.'

Harry remembered the huge injustices he had suffered over the past 5 years. 'Professor Snape is my problem, Professor, if he persists in his persecution of me and my friends! I'm sorry, now I have a choice, I don't see why I should put myself through all that again! Snape has hated me since I began at Hogwarts. For five years he's used me as an outlet for his hate for my Father, for Sirius Black, and for Remus Lupin! The first time he looked at me, at the welcome feast on my first day, my scar hurt - and it's hurt on and off when he's looked at me ever since!'

Harry didn't notice the looks which passed between the professors.

'Give me one logical reason why I should suffer any more! I think he hates me more than he hates Voldemort! – if he really does hate him.'

Harry finally ran out of vitriol and there was silence.

Professor Dumbledore finally stirred. 'Very well Harry, I see you are resolute in this matter. If Professor McGonagall will continue with Transfiguration, which other subjects do you wish to take?'

Harry thought hard. Magical Creatures or Herbs? 'Magical Creatures, Professor.' suddenly a job in Romania sounded appealing.

The three professors exchanged looks and nodded.

'Very well Harry.' confirmed the Headmaster 'Five subjects then?' Harry nodded. 'Good. You should have time for a little extra work.'

Harry looked suspiciously at the three, but the Headmaster continued as if he had not noticed.

'Harry, with the onset of what is in effect a war against Lord Voldemort, the Ministry and I agree that the teaching of Defence Against the Dark Arts should be stepped up. Given your excellent record of teaching your friends last year, I and Professor Moody would like you to help teach the practical side of defensive spells.'

'YOU WANT WHAT???'

All three professors smiled, but it was Moody who answered. 'I'd have thought that was perfectly clear Harry, which part of "teach" and "spells" didn't you understand?'

Harry closed his open mouth with a snap. 'Me?? Teach?? I can't teach! My friends could have done it themselves!'

'There you are wrong, Harry.' said the Headmaster flatly. ' No - please listen before you say anything else. I have studied the results for all those you taught. Every one achieved at least one grade higher than expected in the various practical defence examinations they took! Neville Longbottom and several others gained two grades. Your OWL results for the subject were remarkable, the practical result being far and away the best in your class.' Professor McGonagall nodded agreement in the background. 'I am not expecting you to handle OWL level students, I had in mind the second years, and refresher courses for the third years. They are sufficiently your junior to accept you as a teacher. It may not even be necessary to continue into the final term, it would depend on their progress'

'First years would be better still, Professor, surely?'

'They're too young, Harry.' growled Moody. 'Some of 'em can't even hold a wand'

'Which spells though, and where?' mused Harry. 'The Room of Requirement came up with a wonderful classroom, you'd need to duplicate it, and -'

Professor Dumbledore held up a hand. 'We must go Harry. I wanted to put this to you now, so you can think it over before tomorrow night. Please consider seriously, what has been suggested. I believe it would be to your benefit as much as to the school's.'

The three professors stood and made their way quietly to the front door.

'I'll lock it from the outside, Harry.' whispered the Headmaster. 'I'll be back tomorrow evening for the meeting.' He turned to go, then stopped and turned back. 'Dear oh dear, I forgot to tell you, Harry, anyone carrying out teaching duties at Hogwarts, whatever their age, is conferred with at least some of the responsibilities - and most of the privileges - of the permanent teaching staff…Good night.'

When they had left, Harry checked the locking spells to be certain and started up stairs with his mind racing. Him?? Teach?? Well, he had helped the DA members, he supposed, Cho and Hermione had even learned to produce a Patronus.

He undressed and crept into bed.

How could he do it though? Could he really teach a class of stroppy students? He'd need to be able to awe them first, which meant a bit of trickery, hmmm. And the room? Cushions? No, couldn't be cushions to start with, need desks - and a spell to change them – hmm...

Harry's last thought before sleep was disgust with himself. He'd been set up - again – and he was hooked.

- o -

'THEY WANT YOU TO WHAT???'

'Alright Ron! calm down. calm down.' Hermione was smiling as she said it, a real contrast to a week ago. She'd have torn him to bits back then.

Harry had told the others after breakfast, though their reactions hadn't been quite all he'd hoped for. Ginny had cheered up a bit and given him a big smile, which was something, but Hermione had immediately started asking questions which Harry couldn't answer, whilst Ron seemed to have thrown a fit. Once she'd calmed Ron down, Hermione's questions came thick and fast. It had been a shame he'd not been able to answer most of them.

'No, I don't know which classroom,'

'Or precisely which spells,'

'Or how many lessons a week,'

'Or whether it includes the Slytherins!'

The last one had been a shock. Harry hadn't considered this at all. Snape wasn't going to like him teaching his house students one little bit. Harry wondered whether Snape would try to sabotage his lessons by setting the students against him. Definitely a question for Professor Moody.

Further speculation was ended by the arrival of both Alastor Moody and Remus Lupin, bearing letters; Hogwarts letters.

'Professor Dumbledore forgot to leave these last night.' explained Lupin. 'We're both here in case you want to go over to Diagon Alley.

Harry opened his letter slowly. He knew his results, so there wasn't a panic. Yep. As he thought, they'd included the book lists for all his OWL subjects. Even Hogwarts couldn't read his mind at this distance. He wondered what Ron would be taking at NEWT level, obviously Hermione would take all her OWL subjects, some of them to ENEWT standard but –

A small shriek derailed his train of thought. He looked round, startled.

Ginny was standing with an open envelope in her hands and a look of shock on her face. A badge was poking out of the envelope; it had a P on it.

'GINNY!!' screamed Hermione. 'Oh well done, well done!'

'Brilliant, little sis, bloody brilliant!' yelled Ron.

Harry was about to add his congratulations when Mrs. Weasley arrived in a hurry, wondering what was going on. She took one look at the envelope and badge and burst into tears. Completely unable to speak, she enfolded her daughter in an enormous hug and sobbed uncontrollably into her hair.

Harry stood watching thoughtfully, he was really glad all the escapades of last year hadn't damaged Ginny's chances. He realised Ginny was watching him over her mother's shoulder. She rolled her eyes up in mock despair and pointed at Harry, then at her mother. Harry shook his head and mimed having his throat cut. Ginny's face fell. Harry gave her a big smile and thumbs up and went up to the study. He sat down and started to make a list of things he needed.

A few minutes later Ginny stuck her head round the door and entered cautiously.

'Are you alright, Harry?'

'Yeah, I'm OK!' He looked up and smiled at her. 'Congratulations on the badge, I'm really pleased for you!'

Ginny looked thoroughly relieved. 'I thought you might be upset.' She sat down on the arm of the sofa.

'No. I'm just pleased the trouble I got you in last year didn't spoil your chances.'

'It wasn't your fault, Harry!'

Harry remained silent. He didn't want to discuss this. Time for evasive action.

'Anyway, Dumbledore says I get some teacher's privileges if I take lessons.' He smiled evilly, 'I wonder if I can give detentions to a stroppy red haired girl prefect.'

Ginny's chin came up as she took the bait. 'And just which stroppy red haired girl prefect would this be? Hmmm?' she smiled evilly back at him. 'The one who has a tale to tell Tonks?' She stood up and swung her hair back over her shoulder then stepped up to Harry and gently patted his cheek.

'Thanks for reminding me.' she said sweetly, 'There's a car coming to take us to Diagon alley in ten minutes. Dad swings a bit of weight at the Ministry now. Are you coming too?'

- o -

The slightly battered black cab that turned up was, as usual for a ministry vehicle, rather larger inside than out. The driver appeared to be a normal London Cabbie but without the chat, though by their rate of progress through the traffic, he was using some pretty advanced magic.

The Leaky Cauldron was no different from the last time Harry had been there; he could even see Doris Crockford nursing a small green smoking drink in one corner. Harry wondered if she was a Ministry agent; he couldn't think of any other reason for sitting in the Leaky Cauldron all day, every day.

Once in Diagon Alley, Lupin had gone off down Knockturn Alley searching for flea powder whilst Moody muttered about seeing if Tonks was in. As he stumped away, Ginny smiled at Harry and called after him.

'If she's in, tell her we'll be round in a couple of hours.'

Moody waved a hand vaguely and kept going.

'Right, all of you,' instructed Mrs. Weasley. There's no hurry, we don't have to get everything today but we might as well get what we can. First stop Flourish and Blotts.'

Having got their envelopes early, there wasn't the usual scrum in the bookshop. They were able to browse at leisure, Hermione and Ron hand in hand, Mrs. Weasley with Ginny in tow and Harry on his own. After half an hour, Harry had most of his books, together with a couple on Quidditch and one on teaching, so he went to find the others.

Mrs. Weasley and Ginny were trying to find good second hand copies of fifth year books. Harry belatedly realised that he was abandoning some subjects so didn't need the old books for reference anymore.

'Ginny! Wait! Have you bought your herbology, astrology, potions, and history books yet?'

'We've found some of them Harry.' his face fell.

'But we haven't paid for anything yet' he smiled again.

'Don't buy them! I'm giving those subjects up, you can have all my old books!'

Ginny grinned at him. 'Thanks Harry. That doesn't get you off the hook though'

Damn he thought, so much for bribery. Glumly he went to pay for his books.

Laden with books they decided that perhaps a detour to Weasleys Wizard Wheezes might be in order; if nothing else they could park the bags of books. Ron warned them that Fred and George might sabotage the books but Hermione grinned nastily, saying she had a couple of protection spells she could apply which would make their hair stand on end, literally.

- o -

Fred and George were stunned to see them troop into the shop. They were even more stunned when they realised Ron and Hermione weren't arguing - and more to the point, what that meant.

Fred looked at George.

George looked at Fred.

Huge grins spread across their faces and they promptly began to wind Ron up like an elastic band. Hermione was beginning to get angry, Mrs. Weasley was remonstrating with them both and Harry was preparing to bail out, when Ginny lit the starter tab on a box of indoor fireworks with her wand.

Sheer pandemonium ensued immediately. Rockets and Roman Candles flew everywhere; crackers exploded on the floor and in the sweets section; catherine wheels rolled up and down the counter and raced round the central display stand. Two customers started taking bets on which catherine wheel would make the most laps, in between dodging the rockets and coloured balls of fire.

Fred and George were tearing their hair out and pleading before Ginny pulled out her wand and said FINITE. Having started the fireworks, she was the only one who could stop them; one of Fred and Georges' neat little twists which had turned around and bitten them. Peace returned slowly.

Ginny smiled gently as she addressed her brothers.

'Lesson learned, brothers? It's Bat Bogey Hex next.'

'Lesson learned, kid'

'What was that?' Ginny hissed, like a banger about to exploded.

'Lesson learned, Ginny'

'That's Prefect Ginny, to you reprobates.'

'PREFECT??' Fred and George looked at each other again

'Yeah, Prefect!'

'Does ikkle Ginny think she can boss about big schoolboys then?' asked George, chuckling.

Ginny pointed her wand at George. George swallowed.

'ikkle Ginny can boss about two big headed brothers, no problem.' she scoffed 'So what do you think?'

'Merlin save the poor boys.' whispered Fred. I almost wish I was going back there to watch.'

Leaving the books, with a stern warning about Hermione's hexes, the shoppers headed off down Diagon alley looking for robes and other clothes, ingredients, and all the other odds and ends they needed. Having got most of his stuff, Harry loitered in Quality Quidditch Supplies, looking at the Firebolt in the window and the other more utilitarian brooms inside. Harry thought there was something slightly different about the Firebolt. It wasn't quite like his. Finally he spotted the difference, after the name on the handle, were the letters GTA! A new model! Immediately entranced, he started bombarding the shop keeper with questions. It was faster, by ten miles per hour, turned better, stopped better and had a higher ceiling, WOW. He looked at the price. DOUBLE WOW. He couldn't afford that! – or could he? How much money did he have? How much had Sirius bequeathed him??

Harry's train of thought hit the buffers of reality. Sirius had given him his Firebolt. How could he just abandon it for a newer model? Slightly sickened with himself, he realised he was becoming all too materialistic. He left the shop slowly, then picked up speed. The little worm of desire was burrowing through the apple of his conscience. It wouldn't hurt to go to Gringotts to find out, would it?

Half an hour later Harry staggered out of Gringotts and sat on the step. His vault had been absolutely stacked with cash! There were even deeds for three more houses, though they were rented out under bank control. The income from those alone was enough to run 12 Grimmauld Place and fund his schooling! At least he'd had the presence of mind to organise a means by which Dobby could get money to run the house whilst he was away. Gringotts were really good about that sort of thing, if you paid them! He looked at the clock across the alley, nearly time for an ice cream. He climbed to his feet and tottered off.

The rest had reached Fortescue's by the time Harry arrived. Soon they were all sitting at the tables set between the alley and the front of the shop, each eating a triple something cold sweet and sticky and feeling their teeth gently freeze. Mindful of his relative wealth, and more important, his need to atone for his attack of selfishness, Harry had managed to persuade Mrs. Weasley to allow him to pay for the ice creams. It hadn't helped much though; his thoughts kept tunnelling out of his mind in the general direction of the broom shop, muttering about turning radii and climb rate. His thoughts had reached the shop and were about to open the door, when they were halted by Ginny's sudden cry.

'There's Tonks!. I'm sure it's her. - Isn't it?'

Everyone looked round, to see her staring intently down a small alley almost opposite the ice cream parlour. The small alley, called Dye Urn Alley, according to a sign, appeared to go round the back of the Daily Prophet offices, which faced Diagon Alley beyond Dye Urn Alley. Almost hidden by the bulk of the newspaper offices, Harry could see a mass of bright purple above what could be a bright green tee shirt, looking out of a second floor window. Hermione agreed.

'That's her, all right!' confirmed Hermione and she began to wave.

An answering wave was given, after which the multicoloured apparition disappeared. A couple of minutes later, Tonks strolled out of the alley and over to the group.

'Hi all. Madeye gave me the message. Fastest bit of housework I've done for years! Are you coming over in a minute?'

Her invitation was greeted with enthusiasm, especially by Ginny, who grinned at Harry in a slightly smug manner. She grinned again as Tonks refused Harry's offer of an ice cream.

'Thanks, Harry, but no thanks. Got to keep trim, you know!'

This rather puzzled Harry. 'Why? You're a metamorphmagus! You be any shape you want!'

'Ha! As if! For one, I'd still have to carry the weight around; for two, I like to keep my trueself as fit as possible.'

Harry's consternation increased as she winked at him. He could feel his face begin to go red. 'Er - yeah - I see -' He looked at her warily as she sat down to wait for them to finish. Had Ginny got to her already?

- o -

Tonks' bedsit was surprisingly spacious, though rather dingy. A bathroom and kitchen were separate from the main room, both small and dark. Several cupboards along one wall had odd items poking out through the cracks, leading Harry to feel that one or two were full to bursting point and beyond. An almost palpable feeling of pressure suggested that magic had been employed to hold them shut. Various items of auror equipment were standing on a small table and a pile of hair styling magazines was escaping from under the bed, accompanied by two tee shirts and a pair of jeans. There was no doubt that, depressing though 12 Grimmauld Place was, at least it could hold enough people to be cheerful - sometimes. This place could really only be cheerful to a couple who only had eyes for one another. Harry had wondered about Remus and Tonks, but looking round, he just didn't believe Tonks had a significant other; he suddenly felt rather sorry for her.

Almost as soon as they arrived, Tonks, Hermione, Ginny and Mrs. Weasley began to talk in the way groups of females the world over do, when males are present and are slightly restricting conversation. It was Hermione who suggested that Ron and Harry should go back to Fred and Georges' shop to wait. Ron had jumped at the chance, almost dragging Harry bodily down the stairs.

Harry left the building with a picture in his mind of four laughing women and the uncomfortable feeling of all males in that situation - that they were laughing at him.

- o -

Back at Weasleys Wizard Wheezes, calm had been restored, although Fred and George looked as though they had been playing with lightning. Their hair stuck straight out from their heads and they occasionally twitched uncontrollably.

'You were warned,' chuckled Ron.

'Yeah, we were w-warned!' twitched George 'By Merlin, that girl has a v-vicious streak. You s-sure you're doing the right thing, little Bro?'

'I'm sure!' rejoined Ron, now laughing outright. 'She's soft as butter - when you get to know her!'

Harry decided to change the subject before one of the twins decided to throttle Ron.

'So, had any luck finding somewhere to stay up in London?'

'N-nah. Diagon Alley's too close to work, and everywhere e-else is too expensive.' replied George in a disgruntled voice.

Harry considered the problem for a while. 'Is Grimmauld Place too far away?' he asked casually.

'Bit far, but not too bad,' replied Fred thoughtfully. 'Why, Harry? Thinking of going into rental then?'

'Might be.'

'Really?!'

'Yeah, why not? I'm a bit concerned about the house elves being alone with the house for too long.'

'House elves are used to being left in charge of houses.' interjected Ron.

'Hey little bro, who's side are you on then?' muttered Fred.

'Harry's. He's got Hermione and Ginny to back him up!'

George cringed slightly. 'True. – Okay Harry? what's the deal?'

'How about you stay there Monday to Friday evenings and go home at weekends?'

'Could do, though weekends are the best time to be in town!'

'Yeah!' agreed Fred, 'You know, Harry; visit a few places, consume some substances, meet some people…'

'Take them home…' continued George, already smiling at the thought.

Harry snorted derisively. 'Dream on! Number 12's shielded, and you can bet Professor Dumbledore's not going to add any one else to the list.

George's face fell. 'Oh! Yeah – well – perhaps not then.'

'Stay in hotel type accommodation at the weekend then!' suggested Harry.

'Nah, can't afford to rent a house and stay in hotels.'

Harry smiled 'Who said anything about rent?'

'Eh?'

'I don't need the money, but there will be rules;'

'Such as?' asked Fred, suddenly interested again.

'No storing stock or materials, especially some of the dodgy stuff you keep; no making stuff, no trying stuff out. Just you two; you can give Dobby some money for the food.'

'Fred and George looked at each other and smiled'

'And who'll be checking, then?'

'Dobby, and I've seen Dobby use magic. He chucked Lucius Malfoy halfway along a corridor and down the school main staircase with a snap of his fingers! He makes Hermione look like a first year!'

Fred and George looked at each other and sighed.

'Okay, Harry, agreed. Starting when Mum and Dad get back to the Burrow?'

'Yeah. Good. We'll sort out the details tonight.

Fred and George had shown Harry and Ron the small lab they had behind the shop, demonstrated some of the new developments and introduced Ron to the art of salesmanship before Mrs. Weasley, Hermione, Ginny and Moody appeared to go back to number 12.

Ginny smiled sweetly at Harry; he wasn't reassured.