The house nestled in the foothills of the Scottish Highlands was not normal. It had had a large family, a father, a mother, children, pets, friends and family, but the house was still not normal. It wasn't its huge size or simple façade that marked the house for being strange. Neighbors were all good friends (what few there were) and they loved to visit the house. The house was different because of who it housed. A man celebrating his 100th Birthday with his wife, kids and grandkids earmarked this house to be special. His name was Harry Potter.
Harry Potter had lead the most unusual life. He had played hero and victim, famous and forgotten and wealthy and poor. He lived in this polar world because he was a wizard. A wizard who was forced to live with his muggle family who hated him and despised him from the moment he was left on their doorstop following the murder of his parents. Harry settled into this new house after graduating from Hogwarts and Defeating the Dark Lord, Voldemort who had orphaned him and tried several times to kill him. In the end, Harry had been forced to kill Voldemort to save himself and indeed all of the world.
Since that day that he defeated Voldemort, Harry spent his life in the limelight, whether it was as a Quidditch Star, Auror or Ministry Official. Harry finally settled, or rather he tried , for the quiet life of a Hogwarts Professor. He became the first Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor to last more than a year. Harry loved the job. It gave him a lot of time with his wife, who was the transfiguration Professor, Hermione Granger.
Hermione and Harry shared their life together. Brought together by school, their loved was forged in the war and was made to survive all time. Harry had had to use magic to hide their love so that Hermione and her muggle family would remain safe from the murderous Death eaters. This was how Harry first came to know the Scottish Highlands. He bought the house, fairly well hidden, and used more magic to protect his loved ones there, even forcing his wizard friends to spend the holidays there at times.
Harry's friends thought him overprotective during the war. But this would be considered nothing if you saw the way he defended and guarded his children, fraternal Twins, Lily and James, and Michelle were under the watchful eye of their father and the forgiving eye of their mother. At this celebration, all of Harry's Children and even grandchildren were there.
The celebration was at home, where Harry spent most of his time. While Hermione was teaching at the school, Harry spent the day at home. Harry spent of lot of his time reading and writing. He was amidst writing his memoirs and he had already penned several Dark Arts books. He also made appearances at his old Quidditch Team (Puddlemore United) grounds and visiting old friends and keeping up his business contacts, he owned part of Florish and Blotts, Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, the Quidditch teams Puddlemore United and the Tornadoes, and he was on the board of several charities, St. Mungo's among the most prominent. Harry was also the manager of the English National Quidditch Team and lead them to another World Cup victory, he did it once as a Seeker. Harry had lived a memorable life and was no longer the Boy-Who-Lived but was known world wide as Harry Potter a strong and silent force in the Magical community. He turned down several offers to be Minister of Magic and chief Warlock. Harry enjoyed his quiet life. He was still famous and well recognized but he had managed a difficult negotiation with the public so that they would respect his privacy. The House in the Scottish Highlands was part of this difficult negotiation.
"Can't you at least have a London flat, Harry?" whined his old friend Ron,
"He's got a point Harry, I mean, why stay all the way out here" Fred added
Harry smiled at his friends comments and as he sat down at the head of the table, he held Hermione's hand and said joking "You know, its because I like to see you suffer."
"Well you are doing a good job." George said before stuffing his face.
"Its hard to believe that you live out here Harry" Dean add, Dean was appointed Minister of Magic with Harry's help last year. "I mean with all the things you do in London and around the UK, I thought you would have picked a more central location."
"Well, this is close to Hermione's work, and the kid's school and I've never minded a bit of broom travel" Harry said with a laugh.
"Grandpa!!" ringed out from the hall. Harry stood up and ran to greet his several Great-grandchildren. James, Lily and Michelle all walked in behind their children and with their spouses. "Sorry about the mess dad!" James shouted, the kids had muddy shoes as they ran through the garden on their way into the house.
"Don't worry about it" Hermione said as she got up to greet her grandchildren and children. "Squeaky will be out in a second." Squeaky the House-Elf, a child of Winky and Dobby, worked for the Potters since she was could and, under Hermione's insistence she was paid. The kids all had great careers in the magical world and even James worked as an Avocateur, a Wizard-lawyer, of his family's estate, and enjoyed the quiet life like his father despite a similar career as a Hogwarts student. Lily was a well known Healer who was head of several wards at St. Mungo's. Michelle on the other hand took a different route. She became a reporter for the Daily Prophet and Harry ad to change his opinions on reporters that he had held since his runs in with Rita Skeeter and Hermione had the same problem.
All and all, the Potters were a happy family. This was one of their bright moments, where they were surrounded by friends and family (for them there was little difference) and they celebrated the good memories and good times. The war was a distant thought in Harry's mind. He was thankful that another Dark wizard hadn't arisen since the fall of Voldemort. Yet, Harry had a nagging feeling, one that could easily be ignored, that all this was about to change, that another war would brew amongst wizards.
Ron always had the same fear, having lost many cousins and his mother during the battle with Voldemort, Ron feared for the lives of his family and loved ones. As a Auror, he constantly had his ear to the ground, even in his retirement, Ron kept checking with his sources to keep the wizarding world safe. Luna, who Ron married after she graduated, was used to not knowing where her husband was and to him disappearing un-expectedly. The two of them made a good married couple, in fact, Hermione figured that little happened within Britain without either of them knowing. It was a great comfort to Hermione that Ron and Luna were so apt and willing in maintaining this underground network, Hermione feared that Harry might once more be drawn into the fray if another Dark wizard ever arose.
These thoughts vanished from her head as she watched Harry play with their grandkids. She had spent the summers worrying about Harry and the state of his health and mind during his childhood. Hermione now brought out a huge cake for everyone at the party.
Harry was so happy to be surrounded by his friends and family, as he sat at the head of the table, he couldn't help but notice that everyone had a sort of mischievous smile on their face. Harry put the thought out of his head as he began to cut the cake and pass out the slices. As Harry reached out to give Ron his piece, an owl landed on his fore arm with a letter that bore the Hogwarts seal. Since Harry'sname was on it, he opened it and read it along as the table clamored for his to do so.
Dear Mr Potter,
Congratulations on your 100th Birthday! We are so pleased to be writing to you know. As you may or may not know, Headmaster Snape retired at the end of this semester and the Board of Governors had been amidst a through search for his replacement. Upon recommendation of the staff and your high prestige, we would like you to consider becoming the next headmaster of Hogwarts. Please iask us (or your wife or Ginny for that matter) if you have any questions or anything at all. Hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Neville Longbottom, Head of Board of Governors, Hogwarts, Order or Merlin, Second Class
Harry surveyed the room. The mischievous smiles were at full bloom. Ginny was the first to speak, "That's why Neville didn't show, he didn't want to spoil the surprise."
Harry was still in shock. He was feeling about a million different things. He was happy because he had always had good times there, after all he met Hermione and Ron there along with his other great friends. He was shocked because he had expected Hermione to become the next Headmistress. He was angry that his friends and family had kept this a secret for so long and hadn't consulted him while they were reaching this decision. Mostly Harry was perplexed. He enjoyed his quiet life at home with his friends and family. He secretly had hoped that Hermione might be retiring soon so that they could spend their days at their house in Valencia, Spain. Harry thought more and the crowd could tell that he was thinking hard about this decision. Nothing seemed to help Harry as he thought about this decision.
"You don't have to answer today, Harry" Hermione said as she placed her hand on his shoulder. "In fact, it might be better that we talk this over"
"I think its brilliant" Ron stated.
"For once, Dad has a point." Harold, Ron's eldest son, joked.
Luna, still in a dreamily like state, "Harry, it's the best that can happen to Hogwarts, well, after Dumbledore of course."
"I definitely need to think on this" Harry said. While the party continued, there were few distractions from the big decision that Harry was about to make. People would whisper and wonder while Harry was entertaining other guests, Hermione took no part in these musings, except with Lily, James and Michelle.
"You do know, dad half expected you to retire" Lily said defending her father
"I know, and I know he deserves it" Hermione stated, "we both do, but I just don't feel ready to give up on the rest of the Wizarding Community."
"besides you know what Uncle Ron has been saying" James added
Michelle said forcefully, "Mom and dad have done enough for the Wizarding Community without being roped into any of Uncle Ron's crazy leads and paranoid fears."
"Now, be respectful, he is a great hero and a wonderful man, he's been a great friend to your father, and if you believe Ron and Parvati (Hogwart's Divination teacher) there is something about to happen and I would like your father caught in the middle of it, yet somehow he manages to find his own way there." Hermione said with a little resentment.
While there was a silence among the Potters, James looked across the room and said, "Romulus reckons he could be the next DADA professor, that might be a good way to block dad and you, mum from any rumors that reach the castle, and he can be our first defense if anything really happens"
"as much as your father hates being idle and the dark arts, he hates being babysat much more, if your father does decide to accept this position, then I think I'll have a little chat with Ron and Luna before anything else." Hermione stated.
Harry looked over at Hermione and his kids. He knew the conversation they were having. As much as he hated being babysat and protected, he did appreciate the effort his friends and family were making. Harry had also heard odd rumors from strange sources, strange friends he had made through Mundungus and other less than noble connections he met through the Order. Harry was worried but that wasn't his concern right now.