CHAPTER II

Harry, Ron and Hermione, along with Mr. and Mrs. Weasley stood in Kings Cross Station on Platform nine and three-quarters. True to his word, Dumbledore had reopened Hogwarts in time for the new school year, and as usual, the Hogwarts Express sat next to the platform billowing steam on September first. Harry helped Ginny with her trunk, heaving it onto the train for her. The whistle blew, and Ginny looked at him rather teary-eyed, head girl badge glinting on her sweater.

"I'll miss you," she told him.

Harry pulled her close and kissed her.

"Don't worry, you'll see me sooner than you think," Harry whispered to her.

Ginny opened her mouth in confusion, but before she could speak the whistle blew again, a little more urgently. She sniffled, kissed him again, and ran to the door of the train, where she stopped and waved. Harry blew her a kiss and smiled as the train began to move. Seeing this, Ginny gave him a last look, and retreated inside the train, shutting the door behind her.

Hermione and Ron came up behind him as he pulled a piece of parchment out of the pocket of his coat. They watched the train leave.

"Are you going to do it?" Hermione asked him

"Well, seems as though I'd be putting Dumbledore in a bit of a tight spot if I didn't," Harry said.

He felt Hermione's gaze of approval.

"You'd have been better suited for the job if you ask me," Harry told her, eyes still following the train.

"Yes well I'm in auror training, can't just drop out of that now can I?" Hermione asked.

Harry turned and nodded, unfolding the parchment in his hand and rereading the note addressed in green ink with loopy handwriting.

Dear Harry,

I have recently been confronted with a rather impossible dilemma. The Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who was scheduled to teach this year has unexpectedly fallen ill, leaving me with an unfilled position. I have been unable to find a willing replacement, and it seems that the only available and proficient possibility is you. I realize this may be putting you in a rather impractical position, but please do not hesitate to refuse. Would you consider signing a one-year contract for the position as the DADA professor here at Hogwarts? I am convinced that you are properly qualified for the job if this is one of your concerns, you would be doing me a great favor by accepting. Many thanks for the trouble,

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

Taking a muggle ball-point pen out of his pocket Harry braced the letter against a column and scribbled:

I must be insane, see you at the feast,

Harry

He gave it to Hedwig, who was resting on his shoulder where she had brought him the letter only thirty minutes beforehand and turned to Ron and Hermione.

"Better get home and pack," he told his friends.

Ginny sighed morosely and listened the end of the Sorting. As the clapping died, Dumbledore rose from the staff table for the customary pre-banquet speech.

"Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to another year at Hogwarts, we are very happy indeed to see the school up and running!"

There was scattered enthusiastic applause. Ginny smiled appreciatively, despite her dour mood.

"I know that you are all very anxious to eat so I will make this short. Mr. Filch, our…gracious caretaker," there were snickers, "wishes me to remind you that the Forbidden Forest is…forbidden. Also extendable ears and several other Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes products have been banned from school campus, you may consult the list posted outside Mr. Filch's office for more details."

Ginny grinned, knowing Fred and George would be pleased, and shared a knowing look with Colin Creevey.

"Also I am sorry to say that the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who was supposed so teach this year has fallen ill, but luckily," he raised his voice over the concerned murmurs, "I have been able to find a replacement, although he isn't here at the moment…" but just as Dumbledore said that, someone burst through the doors of the great hall, looking disheveled and slightly out of breath.

"Ah and here he is!" exclaimed Dumbledore

"Hey isn't that…" Colin began.

"Ladies and Gentlemen please welcome Profesor Harry Potter!"

Everyone went completely silent, staring, including the teachers at the front of the room. Ginny squealed and clapped her hands over her mouth. Then suddenly, as though it had dawned on everyone, particularly the girls, who their Defense teacher was going to be, there was an ear-splitting applause. Harry flushed and waved at everyone, making his way up to the staff table and shaking Dumbledore's hand. When Dumbledore gave the signal for everyone to begin, the students ate and gossiped, murmurs of Harry Potter popping up around the room for the entire dinner.

Ginny made her way slowly from the great hall towards the Gryffindor dormitory, glancing behind her occasionally in hopes of catching sight of her boyfriend. When she decided he wasn't coming she sighed and turned, speeding up to catch up with Colin. Just as she had rounded the corner to where the fat ladies' portrait was there was a shout.

"Ginny!"

Ginny whirled to see Harry trotting up the stairs towards her. She squealed and ran to him, meeting him half way on the flight of stairs to the fat lady. He laughed as she flung herself on him and whirled her around.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she exclaimed, face buried in his shoulder.

Harry set her down grinning.

"Well I only found out at King's Cross and then I decided to make it a surprise," he said, eyes twinkling.

Ginny punched him playfully in the ribs.

"Does this mean you're not an auror anymore?" she asked as he began walking her to her House.
Harry shook his head.

"No I'm still an auror, I'm just on leave, which means I don't have to be called in to serve or be put on duty."

"Yes well you'd do it anyway knowing you," she said affectionately.

They stopped in front of the portrait.

"Can't go in there," Harry said apologetically.

Ginny nodded.

"I suppose you've got some nice set of rooms," she said leaning against the wall.

Harry shrugged,

"Haven't seen them yet but I suppose."

He leaned down and kissed her deeply, just as the portrait swung open.

"Gin…oh, sorry!" Colin exclaimed head poking out from the portrait hole, taking in Harry and Ginny.

The two broke apart. Harry grinned.

"Hello Colin," he said good-naturedly.

Colin blushed heavily.

"I'll just ah…leave you to it then," and sucked his head back inside the portrait hole before they could reply.

Harry kissed Ginny again and pulled away, resting his forehead on hers.

"Dumbledore hinted at some arrangements," he whispered to her.

"I think we can just be a regular couple on weekends, you might even be able to come stay the night in my rooms a few nights as long as it doesn't cause too much of a stir," he told her mischievously.
Ginny chuckled and pecked him on the nose.

"Hermione would be scandalized," she whispered back.

"Yes well so would McGonagall," Harry replied, tickling her in the ribs.

Ginny squealed and stepped back. She gave the fat lady the password and stepped inside the portrait hole.

"Well lets just not get caught then," she told him and blew a kiss.

Harry winked and left her there.

Harry made his way tiredly down to the great hall the next morning for breakfast, dressed in proper wizarding robes. He still wore his boots, and had attempted to organize his hair a little bit, but it was having none of it and lay in its usual disarray all over his head, just brushing the tops of his ears and swept to one side across his forehead. Consumed in his own thoughts about his lessons for the day, he ran head-on into another person who had just rounded a corner and was also heading for the great hall. He stumbled slightly, and righted himself, stammering an apology. When he looked up, he was met with cold black eyes, a hooked nose and greasy black hair.

"Professor Snape," Harry stated in surprise.

He quickly recovered.

"How nice to see you," he said politely.

Snape raised one eyebrow. It practically disappeared into his hairline.

"Oh come now Potter I sure you are no less happy to see me than I am to see you," he said matter-of-factly. "And of course, please call me Severus," he said, tone unnaturally sweet, "We are…colleagues now," he said, left nostril twitching slightly.

Harry gave his fakest smile.

"Well in that case please call me Harry," he said, falsely amiable.

They stood in an awkward silence for a few moments. Snape cleared his throat.

"Shall we go to breakfast then?" he asked Harry.

"Of course," Harry murmured, not incredibly happy with his company but complying all the same. Although the conversation was strained, and less that good-humored, Harry knew that his relationship with Severus Snape had changed considerably. It was no longer downright hate fueled by false accusations and unjustified assumptions, but a sort of mutual respect for each other's position and occupation and a mutual dislike of each other's personality. Harry thought Snape was an out-dated, pessimistic, overly educated idiot, and Snape thought Harry was an underage, overly optimistic, cocky twerp. When they reached the great hall they sat in their usual positions, unfortunately right next to each other, at which point Harry decided that ignoring his former potions teacher would be best. Moments later Dumbledore appeared, rather suddenly from behind, and took his place at the center, right next to Harry. Many students were already in the hall, and more were filing in, eager for the post to arrive and the term to begin. Dumbledore leaned over and spoke to Harry.

"I must thank you again for your help Harry," Dumbledore said.

Harry put down his fork and swallowed.

"It was nothing Albus…may I call you Albus?" Harry asked uncertainly.

"But of course, we are, after all, colleagues now," Dumbledore said.

Harry nodded.

"As Severus reminded me only a few moments ago," Harry said with a forced smile.

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.

"And tell me Harry, how go the lesson plans?" he asked.

Harry felt a wave of nervousness flow over them.
"Al…Alright. I'm still not sure I'll teach anyone the proper spells and such but I suppose it will have to do," he said hoarsely.

"You will be quite brilliant of course," Dumbledore stated confidently.

Harry didn't feel quite so sure.

Ginny sat at the table eating breakfast, occasionally throwing a look over her shoulder at Harry, trying to catch his gaze. He was in the middle of a conversation with Dumbledore. Just then there was a commotion.

"Look! Post is here," Colin said rather excitedly.

They all reached up to grab schedules from the air and opened them rather hastily.

"Oh damn! We have potions first thing!" Ginny exclaimed.

"But defense second!" Colin said.

Ginny looked down the list on her schedule. Indeed they had double Defense with Ravenclaw right after potions, which they had with the Slytherins.

"Potions with Slytherin though," said Colin, echoing her previous thought.

Ginny nodded, but it didn't deter her excitement about watching Harry teach. She knew he'd be brilliant; he was a natural born leader. She looked up at the staff table to find him watching her. She gave him a thumbs up and mouthed 'you'll be brilliant." Harry flushed and shrugged. Ginny thought he looked a little peaky, so she gave him an extra bright smile for confidence, and turned back to her breakfast.

While Hogwarts was buzzing with news of the famous Harry Potter taking the new position as Defense teacher, Ron and Hermione were encountering their first real taste of fame…by association. They were sticking together as much as possible during auror training, and luckily, having just started out, they had all the same classes. Later on, Ron would continue the fieldwork track, while Hermione would separate into a specialty field that was more practical spells and good for scholarly types, but at the moment, they were learning the fundamentals. The two young women they were speaking to stared at them wide-eyed. One eyed Ron with interest, while the other spoke to Hermione.

"You're Hermione Granger?" she asked in amazement. "Didn't you and Harry Potter date for a while when you were both in school?" she asked eagerly.

Hermione and Ron shared covertly amused looks, while Ron tried not to act too uncomfortable under the gaze of the other girl who wasn't speaking. Hermione resisted rolling her eyes at both of them.

"Ah, no," she said. "That was a silly rumor started by Rita Skeeter."

The girl looked mildly disappointed at not being able to get the inside scoop on Harry Potter's love life.

"But you are his best friend right?" she asked.

Hermione nodded somewhat reluctantly. She took Ron's hand, deciding to save him from being slobbered on too much.

"Yes, Ron and I are his good friends," she said, making a point of kissing his cheek.

The talkative trainee's friend went wide-eyed. Then she frowned, grabbed her friend by the arm and dragged her off to sulk.

Hermione collapsed on Ron, laughing

"Merlin I thought she was going to burn a hole through your skull with all that staring!" she chuckled.

Ron grinned and kissed her forehead.

"It's my dashing good looks," he said airily, smoothing his hair down theatrically.

Hermione smiled up at him.

"Quite so," she said.

Just then, their instructor walked in, so they stopped talking and found their seats. They were in there first class of the day: Theory of Magical Combat, where they were taught what was supposed to happen in magical combat with a human or non-human being. After that would follow Combat Curses, Martial Arts and Hand fighting, and lastly Magical Creature Combat. They would be advancing through these classes until December, and after Christmas they would move on to their separate areas, Ron continuing with the regular track, Hermione going into Ward building and Curse Breaking. At the moment however, they sat back to listen to the lecture.

Harry sat at his desk nervously, watching the first year Ravenclaw's answering questions he had written on the board. They mostly questions about themselves, how confident they felt in the class and what sorts of backgrounds they had. Harry had decided this would be good to do with the first years because he didn't know any of them and wasn't great with young-adolescents. He thought this might help him judge what approach to take with all of the first years. He didn't need to worry about that with his next class, because it would be the seventh year Gryffindors and Ravenclaws, and although he didn't know much about the Ravenclaws, he knew all the Griffindors in the year below him quite well, and knew what they had been learning and what types of personalities they had. Just then, the bell rang, signaling the end of class. Harry stood up.

"All right, everyone please bring your papers up here and put them on my desk, don't worry if they're not finished."

The first years filed obediently to the desk and then out the door, all smiling happily or at least, not looking unhappy.

Harry took the stack of papers and filed them away in the first year inbox he had placed among others on his desk. Then he stood up and began erasing the board. He then sat back down on his desk and waited for the students to arrive. Soon enough they trickled in through the door, some nodding to Harry some coming up to say hello and exchange a few words before heading to their seats, others merely nodding to him. Harry nodded to Ginny and Colin as they walked in, and when it seemed that everyone had arrived who should have, he stood up.

"Well I'm pretty sure you all know me, and I know most of you, so I'll just get on with it then," Harry said with a smile.

Everyone watched him with interest.

"Now seventh year is where we get into some pretty dark stuff, and some pretty tricky stuff. We will, of course, be covering a range of spells, but this year as well, we get into magical artifacts. You've all already seen the curses and the magical dark creatures, but I don't believe many have you have dealt with a truly evil magical object," he looked around the room, seeing confusion in some faces. "We'll get into that a little later on, however," he said.

He sat back down on his desk and looked around the room.

"I'd like a show of hands, I know many of you already know how to conjure a patronus because you were in the D.A. last year, but how many of you do not know how to conjure a patronus?" he asked.

Roughly half of the class raised their hands, as Harry expected.

"All right then here's what we'll do…"

He divided the class into two groups, those who knew the patronus charm and those who didn't. He then paired people together, one person from each group, and told the partners to teach each other how to conjure a patronus. He planned to watch them and see who taught and commanded better the others and use those people as group leaders for later on in the year, when he would divide the class into teams, and set challenges for them. There was one person left without a partner who didn't know how to create a patronus, so Harry paired up with him and watched over the class at the same time, occasionally stopping people or correcting their stance or giving them advice. All in all, Harry thought, the day went fairly well. At the end of class, everyone had grasped at least a basic concept of what it took to create a patronus. When the bell rung, Harry told them to practice their patronuses outside of class, warning them that he would know if they hadn't. After that he dismissed them, winking at Ginny as she walked by. She rolled her eyes at him and left with her friends.

That evening in his rooms, he heard a nock on the door. Harry looked up from the disorderly state of his desk.

"Come in," he called, pushing his glasses up his nose and putting down his quill.

The door opened to reveal Dumbledore.

"I hope I'm not interrupting," the headmaster said.

Harry shook his head and got up from his chair, gesturing to one of the chairs in front of his fireplace.

"Not at all Albus, come in," he said, hiding his mild confusion.

Generally, the headmaster would summon him to his office when he needed a word, and Harry wondered what sort of news would merit a personal visit, not that Dumbledore was at all stuck up, merely old, with sore joints. The headmaster gazed at him through half-moon spectacles.

"Do not look at me that way Harry, I may be old but my joints will survive the occasional trip up and down the stairs from my office."

Harry grinned and took the second seat in front of the hearth.

"As I have said before, you are a tricky man," Harry told his visitor.

Dumbledore smiled slightly and leaned back in his armchair, propping and elbow on the armrest and removing a pipe and pouch of tobacco from his pocket with the other hand. Harry watched in silence as the headmaster emptied and scraped the bowl into the fire, and then added some tobacco, carefully pressing it down. He returned the pouch to his pocket and sparked the packed leaves with the tip of his finger. He stared at the fire for a few moments, not speaking. Harry wondered if he should ask the nature of the visit. Then the headmaster spoke.

"I'm afraid I have a rather uncomfortable proposition for you Harry," he said, glancing at his former pupil, then looking back into the fire.

Harry did not respond, merely sat back and listened.

"As you know, you are descendant from the arch-mage Merlin through your mother's side."

Harry nodded, watching the old man's face.

"And, as you may have guessed, you are descendant from Godric Gryffindor through your father's side," Dumbledore told him.

Harry, although he had guessed as much after having receiving the Gryffindor family seal in his inheritance, was still mildly surprised.

"Yes I had guessed. I do, after all, live in Godric's Hollow," he said to Dumbledore, leaning his elbow on the armrest of his chair.

The fire crackled. Dumbledore nodded pensively.

"Indeed. They are both noble lineages, one's that I would think it a great pity if they were to die out," Dumbledore said slowly.

Harry looked at him oddly. Dumbledore glanced at him, and then continued.

"Under normal circumstances Harry, I would not be concerned. But considering your situation, that is, considering the prophecy, it would not do to have the only descendent of two such noble lineages, not to mention the only person so far to have the power to defeat Voldemort, die of anything."

Harry frowned.

"You're worried that I might not defeat him?" he asked, feeling his confidence waver.

Dumbledore shook his head firmly.

"I do not question your ability to defeat Voldemort Harry," he stated, raising his voice slightly.

"Then what…" Harry began.

"My reason for concern is that Voldemort is showing an alarming and surprising amount of foresight. He is at this moment, in the process of creating an heir," Dumbledore said gravely, his voice quiet.

Harry felt as though all of his blood was draining through his feet. He went very cold, leaning to face his headmaster.

"Albus, please tell me this is some sick joke," he whispered, eyes wide.

Dumbledore shook his head.

"Why would I joke about a matter such as this?" he asked sadly.

Harry flopped back in his chair.

"Continue," he said weakly.

There was a moment of silence.

"As I said," Dumbledore continued quietly, "I do not question your ability to defeat Voldemort, but I do believe there is a possibility of serious injury. What if the defeat of Voldemort maims you for life Harry? What happens then when his heir rises out of his ashes? Will you be fit to fight?"

Harry's throat was very dry, and his abdomen clenched in fear, not for himself, but for his friends and loved ones, and for innocent people.

"What if?" Harry murmured in agreement, staring in to the fire with disturbed eyes.

There was another moment of silence. After several minutes, Dumbledore spoke again.

"You too, must have an heir Harry," he said very solemnly. "It is vital for that exact reason. In case you are unfit, there must be someone with the same power."

Harry shook his head. It seemed so terribly horrifying, the thought of creating a child for the purpose of defeating an enemy. It was not how Harry had envisioned having a family.

"I do not pretend to be a God Harry," Dumbledore told him. "And I know what you are thinking, because I thought the same thing. It is not right to create a living, breathing thing, solely for the purpose of having a weapon against evil. But do not think of the child as only that. If you love and cherish it as any parent would, it will be much more. The power within you depends on love, and so will the case be for your heir."

Harry nodded and brought his hand to his face and rubbed his eyes before resting his chin in his palm and staring at the flames in the hearth again.

"Please think about it Harry," Dumbledore told him.

He made to get up, but Harry raised a hand to stop him. He looked at his colleague and friend and shook his head.

"There is no need to think about it," he said quietly. He nodded again and looked away. "It is necessary, time is of the essence," he said.

Dumbledore sat back down, a small amount of relief taking its place among the troubles in his heart.

"You are truly to noblest man I have ever met," he said. "And the world will thank you for it."

Harry snorted derisively. He knew he should be having a fit, or panicking or jumping around yelling and screaming, but a strange calm had taken over him. Besides, he thought, leave the jumping and screaming to whatever poor girl has to carry the child. That brought up another question in his mind.

"Ginny?" he asked, looking at his hands in his lap.

"Yes, I had thought Ms. Weasley the most likely candidate," Dumbledore.

"You make her sound like a tool," Harry said resentfully. He knew he was being rude, but somehow he didn't think he should have to trouble with politeness.

"That was not my intention Harry. You know that. Do not deliberately misinterpret me," Dumbledore told him. The words were slightly harsh, but the voice was gentle. Harry knew not to take offense.

"She's going to die of a heart attack before I even finish explaining," Harry said.

Dumbledore did not answer.

"Were you going to tell her?" Harry asked.

Dumbledore looked at him.

"If it is what you wish. I thought perhaps you would want to do the honors," Dumbledore said.

Harry nodded.

"I suppose I better."

Then he remembered something.
"Why didn't I know about this?" he asked in confusion.

Dumbledore shook his head.

"Voldemort is not making any mistakes Harry, he has taken literally every precaution possible against having this information reach you, it was merely luck that I found out," Albus replied.

"I am, if I may say so, very good at legilimency, I sensed that he was planning something terrible. When I found this out, I began searching his mind night and day for any possible clues. He was very thorough; he knew not to think of the topic at all, lest someone find it in his mind. Luckily he slipped once, for the briefest of seconds. It happened to be in a time when I was searching his mind."

Harry whistled.

"Luck indeed," he said.

They sat for a long time, silent, each deep in his own thoughts. It was a while before either moved, and even then only began there came another knock on the door. Harry looked at the clock above the mantlepiece, it was eleven o'clock on a Friday night. Harry was unfortunately not looking forward to the weekend.

"Come in," he called for the second time that night.

He and Dumbledore turned in their chairs to see who it was. Someone peeked in, and then opened the door more fully. It was Ginny. Harry felt the blood drain from his face. He should have been expecting her, but the possibility of her visiting had left his mind along with every other thought upon hearing what Albus had to say. She looked curiously at Harry's expression, before noticing the headmaster.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, "I'm so sorry! I'll just go…" she began, stepping back a step.

Dumbledore rose.

"Not at all Ms. Weasley, I was just leaving," he said.

Ginny stared at him. He did not have the tint of amusement, nor the sparkle in his eye that he normally had upon catching students out of bed after hours.

"Come in, come in, I will leave you two here."

He turned to Harry. They exchanged very grim looks; Harry's was mildly panicked. Then he turned and left the room. Ginny faced him, taking in his expression, mouth opening slightly, waiting for the door to close behind the headmaster before speaking.

"What was all that about?" she gasped when she heard the door shut, worry bubbling up inside her.

Harry grimaced in what looked like pain or maybe just very acute mental stress and clenched his fists. He stood up and went to her, placing his hands on her arms and staring into her eyes. Such beautiful eyes, he thought.

"You know I love you, don't you Gin?" he asked her.

Ginny froze.

"Harry," she said slowly, beginning to get scared. "What's wrong?"

"Don't you?" he persisted.

"Yes!" Ginny exclaimed in a flustered voice. "Yes I know you love me, but what I want to know is what has happened that has prompted you to say it!" she exclaimed.

Harry looked at her with an anguished gaze. He stared at the floor between them.

"Do you love me?"

"What?" Ginny asked agitatedly.

Harry looked back up at her.

"Please Ginny," he said desperately, voice cracking, "Please I need to know truthfully. Do you love me?"

Ginny realized she wasn't going to get any other answers until she gave him one of her own. She stared directly at him very seriously, and placed her palms on his cheeks.

"Yes Harry, I love you," she said unwaveringly.

Harry sighed and half-collapsed on her, burying his head in her shoulder.

"You won't in a moment," he mumbled.

Ginny stroked his back. What the hell does that mean? She wondered in a alarm. After a few minutes Harry straightened, took her hands and led her from his study into the bedroom, where he pulled her too the large canopy bed and sat down. He gestured next to him.

"Get comfortable," he told her quietly.

Ginny arranged herself cross-legged on the bed. She stared at Harry. He made no move to say anything for a while. Suddenly he stood up, went back into the study and returned with his pensieve in hand. He placed it on a coffee table at the foot of the four-poster and pulled out his wand. He waved it, muttering something, and a silvery substance flowed from his temple to the tip of his wand as he drew the tip away from his head. He directed the threat of silver to the basin and deposited it there. He poked the substance in the pensieve with his wand until he had found the memory he had just placed in it and beckoned to Ginny. She went over to him, shaking slightly and gripped his hand as they both leaned over the basin, and disappeared.