Chapter Six: Harry's Answer
"Due to success of the D.A., I am making it a school sanctioned club and would not only like you to continue it next year but since you did so well in your role as instructor, I entreat you to accept a position as assistant to the defense teacher. You will be assisting him and will take over the classes if he is called away and you will be teaching one or more of the lower years. The position gives many of the same privileges as a regular teacher. What do you say, Harry? Will you accept?"
Harry looked Dumbledore straight in the eye and said coldly "Yes, but no more secrets from you on anything. I've had enough of that. We'll discuss this later back at the house. One question though. Who is going to be the new professor? Even Lockhart would be better than Umbridge was." Harry's eyes flicker down to the scar on his hand. The words I will not tell lies were still faintly visible.
Remus snorted. "I hope that you consider me a cut above him, Harry. This is the first I've been told of an assistant but I'm glad it's you." A gleam came to his eyes, reminding Harry he was still a Marauder at heart. "Severus is going to have an apoplectic fit when he finds out." Glancing at Dumbledore, Moony said, "We'll discuss the Stash later Harry." Dumbledore's eyes just twinkled more at that.
The Solicitator while this discussion was going on silently set out in front of Harry and Remus their copies of a large stack of documents pertaining to the rest of the Black Fortune for them to read over later. After the werewolf finished speaking, the goblin inquired, "Are there any further questions in regards to the will, people?" Everyone shook his or her heads in dissent. "Then this meeting is concluded. Good day to you all." With this, he gathered up his material and left the group to their devices.
"Well Harry, I think you said you wanted to do some shopping in Diagon Alley and then out in London? Let's get to it then, Tonks is waiting outside for us," said Remus. "Why is she here?" asked Harry. "'Cause neither of us has much fashion sense and we can use the extra guard now that Fudge has admitted Voldemort is back." The three of them gathered up their stuff and left to gather some Galleons from the vaults and meet Tonks, whom Dumbledore had arranged to help with security. After changing some of the galleons into pounds, about 500 quid worth, they headed for the main lobby where they met up with Nymphadora.
"Wotcher Harry! You are still such a waif although such a cute one, Molly's gonna have to fill you out if you still want to be an Auror!" Tonks exclaimed.
Harry eyed Tonk's appearance this time since her hair departed from her normal unusual colors. It was a simple mousy brown worn shoulder length and piercing blue eyes. She was wearing an orange Black Flag t-shirt with very tight fitting jeans and a pair of black Doc Martins. The spiked dog collar around her neck was pure Tonks. Harry looked closer at the collar and noticed that it had a tag on it saying MOONY and resolved to ask them later about it where he could run if they decided to hex him about it. "Where do you want to go first, Harry?" asked Remus. "I think school supplies first would be a good idea then a stop at the twin's shop before we head out into London. How does that sound to you Harry?" Harry replied "That sounded a very good plan but I also wanted to visit Ollivander's as well and I plan on spending a good deal on some new books which I might have to have Tonks purchase for me since she is an active Auror. I need to know more if I'm going to deal with Tom."
"What do you want at Ollivander's? Your wand looks fine to me," asked Remus. Looking around to make sure nobody else was nearby, Harry whispered, "Because I want a backup wand. I don't want to get stuck in the same situation going head to head with his wand like what happened back at the cemetery." "I think that we can accommodate all those requests easily", the werewolf replied with a grin. "Although I think the hard part will be the clothes shopping. Tonks is going to be in seventh heaven dressing up 'The Boy Who Lived'. Lucky for us, she likes us and has good taste usually." Remus grunted at this point having gotten an elbow shoved hard into his gut by Tonks for that comment. Tonks leered at Harry, eyeing him up and down like a piece of meat and said, "I'm gonna have fun with that part Harry! Let's go get your other piece of wood first and make sure to polish your wands regularly!" Harry turned bright red at this, hardly believing that he was hearing this from Tonks of all people.
Ollivander was a little surprised at Harry's request but after he explained why he wanted it, agreed after a moment's contemplation. It ended up being a 12-inch ebony stained holly wand with both a griffin and dragon heartstrings intertwined. "Don't let the ministry know that you've acquired that since Fudge is still not happy with you" Said Tonks. "I'm working on a way to neutralize him but I'll tell you more about that later back at the house" replied Harry. "The less overheard, the better. Although I think another interview might be good."
At Flourish and Blotts, Harry picked up several books on dueling, advanced curses and hexes, and various Auror manuals that Tonks recommended, as well as all his schoolbooks. Harry gives the stack of books and other supplies to Tonks to pay for. He wanders down a seldom-used isle and idly picks up a book at random. It is covered with dust and he sneezes after blowing enough off to read the title. To his surprise it's a book titled "The Marauder's Guide to Fun and Mayhem by Remus Lupin and Associates". Harry quickly decides to purchase the three copies that are sitting on the table.
Harry takes all three books up to the counter and pays for them. Lupin catches sight of them and gasps, "I didn't even realize any of those still existed. I did not think Sirius was serious when he said he was going to send it to be published for future students to enjoy."
"Well I for one am very glad that S-Sirius did and that was a bad Sirius/Serious pun Uncle Remus, although I think that this time it was unintended," said Harry. "I intend to put it to good use. I'm not sure who will get pranked first though. The list is fairly short at the moment of specifics. Malfoy, Snape, Dudley, and Professor Dumbledore are all that are on the list so far."
Remus and Tonks were amused and then shocked by the names on the list as Dumbledore's name came up.
Tonks said, "But Harry, why would you want to prank the Headmaster?"
Harry's reply was, "Because of what he has not said yet and if I can get away with it, it still is a prank on the Hogwarts Headmaster. All teachers are fair game since it has always been the students against the establishment."
Harry grinned evilly at Remus.
"That means you as well, my dear Moony! Will it end up being a prank war between Marauder and the next generation? Which reminds me, we'll have to think up a name for us new kids."