Chapter 26
"No, NO, NO!" screamed Voldemort at Draco Malfoy.
"CRUCIO" Voldemort screamed at Malfoy. Malfoy dropped to the ground in agony.
"We will do it again! We will do it a hundred times until you succeed!" Voldemort screamed at his young apprentice. "Now get on your feet and assume the proper stance!"
Draco hurriedly stood up and resumed the defensive posture needed for casting the shield spell he was being taught. Voldemort aimed his wand and sent a strong stunning spell at the young man before him. Draco this time however managed to get a shield up in time and the curse was deflected away.
Voldemort's red eyes lit up at his success and said, "Again" Draco was getting ready when Voldemort let a cutting curse. This time Draco was not ready and was hit full on, receiving deep cuts across his face and chest.
Voldemort growled," Enough Boy! You have done well today. Go to you're my laboratory and get some healing potions and study for the rest of the evening."
Voldemort grinned evilly at Draco and said, "A few more weeks and you will be ready to lead some smaller attacks. You WILL be the better of Potter and his Mud Blood loving gang. Or you will die trying."
Draco just bowed low before his Master not saying a word. Voldemort just waved the boy away in dismissal as members of his inner circle began to arrive for the meeting that evening.
Draco sat in his rooms reading over a Necromancy text that he was supposed to memorize and grinned to himself thinking,' Bloody Dumbledore, teaching silly magic tricks to Potter and the rest of those idiots in the school. I am learning TRUE powerful magic. They will be sorry soon enough.'
Draco had wanted to slip down to listen in on the meeting-taking place tonight, but he had tried that before and the Master had been most.......displeased. Shaking his head, Draco went back to his reading and plotting.
Monday came around all to quickly for Harry and he awoke and went to the Great Hall for breakfast. Harry was going to make his way to sit among his friends as usual but Dumbledore stopped him and waved him to a seat at the head table.
Harry sat down as Dumbledore stood up and announced, "Good morning students. I am proud to announce to you today that Mr. Harry Potter will be undertaking his N.E.W.T. exams starting today. I am sure that we all wish him well. Therefore for the remainder of this week his evening classes are going to be cancelled."
Many faces in the crowd looked sad but Dumbledore continued, "Rest assured they will continue but will be set in the day. Additionally Mr. Potter will become a full Professor here at Hogwarts. Quite an achievement for one so young, therefore show him all the respect he is due. He has earned this posting and the school is fortunate enough to gain his talents as an instructor."
All four houses, with the exception of some of the Slytherins, stood up and applauded Harry. He really was a loved professor to them already. Harry just blushed and looked down at his plate waiting for it all to stop.
Professor McGonagall just piled some food onto his plate smiling at him, " Your going to need all your strength for the next few days Harry, eat up then."
Harry just groaned and even Professor Snape gave a slight grin at this. Harry looked over at Snape and asked, "Do you know whom the testing official for the Potions N.E.W.T. is?"
Snape just shook his head and replied, "The testing officials are drawn at random to help cut down on cheating."
Harry just nodded and sighed finishing his meal Harry made his way to the room of requirement for his first test, DADA. Everyone wished him luck and Harry left. Arriving in front of the room, Harry was surprised to see Alastor Moody limping impatiently back and fourth waiting for him.
"About time you showed up here Potter" Moody commented
Harry looked at Moody and asked, "Are you the testing official?"
Moody just nodded and said, "I personally don't think anything I could come up with will be a real challenge to YOU, but it's procedure."
Harry looked at Moody and asked, "What do I have to do?"
Moody just pointed to the Room of Requirement and replied, "Enter and then come back out alive"
Harry didn't' know what to expect but just nodded and opened the door when it appeared. Harry barely had time to shield himself as a flight of dragons, riders appeared overhead, and lightning and fire began to strike him simultaneously. Harry summoned the air and used it to buffet the dragons around as the riders tried to control their mounts in hurricane force winds.
While Harry was busily engaged with the dragons, a number of Death Eaters appeared from behind him and began firing off curse after curse at him. One curse actually hit him and he was thrown across the way. Harry lost control of the air elemental at that moment and the dragons and riders were freed up and continued to press the attack. Harry stood up in time to see a contingent of vampires appear to his left. 'DAMNED' Harry thought 'Moody is trying to KILL me!'
Harry just thought to himself ' ok, enough is enough! He wants to make me mad? Fine then.'
Harry raise his arms as if in surrender and the Death Eaters approached as the Dragons and their riders held their positions and watched. Suddenly without warning, Harry electrified all the air around himself and a wave of charged electricity flew from him in a circle incinerating the death eaters. Harry pointed his hands at the vampires and fire poured fourth immolating the Blood drinkers. The Dragons seeing what was happening made to attack enmasse but Harry mere raised a shield made of solidified air and surrounded them with it. After trapping them all Harry forced the shield to shrink on itself crushing all things within its sphere.
Harry nodded in satisfaction and waited for the next attack to come. The room suddenly changed back to its normal state and the door opened revealing moody. He nodded at Harry and winked saying, "Congratulations. It took you long enough. I figured you would be done in five minutes not fifteen."
Harry just shrugged saying, "A DE got lucky, and a stray curse hit me."
Moody just laughed, which sounded like a snarl, and said, "Well I have to go Potter. I have recruits that REALLY need training."
Harry just laughed back saying, "Thanks Mad-Eye. I would say don't be too hard on your trainees but I don't think you know any other way."
Moody just nodded and limped off to go file the N.E.W.T. and head back to the Auror Academy. Harry left as well and went to see Dumbledore in his office.
Harry found Albus sifting through some essays and he looked up as Harry approached his desk. "Ahhh, Harry I thought you would finish that one quite early."
Harry just nodded and Dumbledore said, "Well why don't we get your history of magic N.W.E.T. out of the way then. I know you did not take History this term but you have read enough that I believe you will do quite well." Harry just sighed, "Very well"
Dumbledore conjured another desk for Harry to work at and retrieved a sheave of papers from his filing cabinet. "There you are Harry, you have until lunch time to finish."
Harry began the test, nearly falling asleep from boredom in the process and finally finished just before lunchtime. Dumbledore collected his papers and said, "I will grade these later. Why don't you relax for the rest of the day and prepare for tomorrow."
Harry replied, "Actually I was going to see if I could help rebuild the burrow. I know molly has everything well in hand with the builders but I wanted to set new wards and protections."
Albus nodded and said, "An excellent idea Harry. Perhaps you would like to take Ms. Weasley with you as well. I'm sure she would love to assist. Besides, with her new mental abilities she is very far ahead in her studies. So there is no danger in her falling behind."
Harry thought for a moment and asked, "Albus, will I still be able to see Ginny while I am a professor here? I'm not sure about the rules governing student teacher relations."
Dumbledore nodded at Harry and responded, "Normally Harry such a relationship would be frowned upon, however as you were already in a relationship with her before this started, plus given your ages it will not be a problem. Given your status as my apprentice and soon to be graduated from Hogwarts you are legally an adult. It is after all the only way I could legally offer you a professorship."
Harry just nodded and said, "Thanks Albus."
Harry left the office and made his way to lunch to collect Ginny. Harry found his friends and sat down with a groan. "N.E.W.T.'s that bad Harry?" Ron said fearfully.
Harry just shook his head, "Worse"
Hermione just grinned. "See Ron? We've got to study even harder!"
Ron just groaned and began to slam his head into the table. Harry smiled and took Ginny's hand "Want to come to the Burrow to help me set new wards?"
Ginny nodded emphatically and said, "Yes I would love to, but I don't think much will be built yet."
Harry nodded saying, "I know, but I can set the wards and maybe help construction along."
Harry took Ginny's hand and the two made their way out of the school.
Hermione watched the two depart, a small smile gracing her lips. Ron seeing this asked, "What are you smiling about?"
Hermione just said, "I'm just happy for the two of them, Seeing Harry happy for a change and Ginny too. You know how hard it was for her after the Chamber of Secrets ordeal."
Ron nodded his understanding and said, "Funny. In a way it's like they belong together."
Hermione just smiled saying, "Just like we belong together"
Ron blushed and took her hand and the two made their way out of the Great Hall.
Harry and Ginny stepped from a portal right into the middle of molly screaming at a bunch of house elves and pointing at what looked like blueprints in her hand. Harry smiled because just yesterday after Dumbledore made a transfer of funds to the Weasley vault Molly had had a fit and at first Harry didn't' think he could get her to take the money to rebuild with. Ironically, it was Ron who stepped in and explained what Harry had said to him about family. Molly's rants had turned to joy and finally acceptance. She and Arthur had spent the evening magically redesigning the burrow on paper and all the house Elves from the school were busy rebuilding it to be better than before.
Molly seeing the two appear squealed in delight and ran over to embrace the two while pointing happily at her blueprints and pointing out all the changes and improvements. Arthur had come home for lunch to check on the progress and pulled Harry over to the side saying, "Harry no matter what you se on the blueprints, DO NOT suggest any change. I did and I got her lecturing me for an hour about decorating."
Harry just grinned saying, "Thanks for the heads up Arthur. I just came to set new wards around the property. I want to make sure nothing like this EVER happens again."
Arthur just nodded saying, "We appreciate it Harry, but this wasn't your fault."
Harry just sighed, "I know Arthur, my head believes it but my heart does not."
Harry turned and went to work on the wards. Arthur watched the departing figure thought 'sometimes that boys heart is too big for his own good.'
Harry finished a new set of wards that we comparable to the ones surrounding Hogwarts and nodded in satisfaction. Turning to Ginny he said, "It is time to be heading back Gin."
Harry hugged molly goodbye saying, "If you need any help with the construction call me, I'll be glad to help."
Molly just shooed him off saying, "Get along with you two."
Harry opened a portal and he and Ginny went home. Harry spent the rest of the week finishing off his N.E.W.T.'s. When Thursday afternoon finally hit Harry was exhausted. He was sure he had done well but would not get the results until tomorrow.
That night at dinner Dumbledore said to Harry, "I am sure you have done magnificently during your testing. Take the next few days off and rest and relax. You are going to be busy enough shortly."
Harry nodded thanks saying, "I appreciate that. I hope I don't have too much trouble from the Slytherins in my classes."
Snape overhearing this part of the conversation said, "I wouldn't worry too much Harry. Malfoy was their ringleader and with him gone, no one has risen to take his place. Besides many of the Slytherin students are quite impressed with your teaching abilities."
Harry looked over at Severus and said, "Well to be honest it's just a few from my year and the seventh year that will be the problems."
Snape nodded saying, "I am sure you will do fine."
Harry received his N.E.W.T. results the next day and got an outstanding in all subjects as well as congratulations on being named the youngest professor in the History of Hogwarts. Harry spent the next few days alternating working on lesson plans and helping molly rebuild the Burrow. Harry took Arthur's advice and followed her directions not questioning anything.
Harry awoke Monday morning and made ready for the first class of the day. As he was getting ready Godric admonished him, "Harry I really think you should wear your family robes. Think of the impression it will make on your classes."
Harry thought for a moment and nodded his assent. Donning all his regalia, Harry made his way to the Great Hall. Upon entering Harry was shocked to see hundreds of extra people there. Without warning camera, flashbulbs were going off like a lightning storm around him. Suddenly seeing spots, Harry was suddenly guided by Dumbledore to the Head table.
Harry asked Dumbledore in confusion, "Albus what's going on?"
Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling at Harry replied, "Harry it is not every day that a guardian of the wizarding world graduates from school. The people want to celebrate with you. I also believe the minister has something else planned."
Harry just groaned wishing he had never gotten out of bed that day. Remus Lupin came up to him and hugged him close saying, "Harry your parents, and Sirius would be SO proud. I know I am."
Harry thought of his parents and Sirius for a moment missing them worse than ever for a moment. Harry made his ay over to the seat that Dumbledore gestured him to and sat down. Dumbledore made his way over to the podium and called for attention. Finally, after everything had quieted down Dumbledore began, "Ladies and Gentleman it is with great pleasure that I am called on to preside over the graduating ceremonies on Harry James Potter Gryffindor today. I have known Harry since he first set foot in this school 6 years ago. Ever since that time he has never ceased to amaze and astound all those around him with his bravery and sacrifice. Always putting the greater good above his own desires. Truly the living epitome of a Gryffindor in action as well as by blood."
Dumbledore wiped something from his eyes and continued, "It is with great pleasure that I present this certificate of graduation from The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. However it is with great joy that as I present this to him I know I am not losing a student but gaining a thoroughly knowledgeable professor."
Dumbledore bade Harry rise and Harry came forward to take the parchment Dumbledore handed him. Instead of the customary handshake, the two embraced in a hug for a moment. The entire hall erupted in cheers and clapping that seemed to go on forever. Harry suddenly saw that Godric's portrait had been moved to the hall for the occasion and he was clapping as well as wiping his eyes with a hanky. Harry was getting ready to sit back down when Dumbledore stopped him. Looking at the audience Dumbledore called for silence again, "Ladies and Gentlemen Professor Potter would like to say a few words."
Harry stepped up to the podium nervously and began, "Well considering this was a complete surprise to me, I have no speech prepared. I can only say that I will do my very best to see that young witches and wizards leave these hallowed halls ready to face the new challenges that await them in this new and uncertain world. You have my promise that I will do everything in my power to protect all I can and do what needs to be done."
The hall once again erupted in applause and Harry left the stage and spent the rest of the day receiving congratulations and best wishes from both students and the wizarding world.
A/N sorry it took me so long to update, I took the weekend off. Please read and review. Thanks Ben.
"No, NO, NO!" screamed Voldemort at Draco Malfoy.
"CRUCIO" Voldemort screamed at Malfoy. Malfoy dropped to the ground in agony.
"We will do it again! We will do it a hundred times until you succeed!" Voldemort screamed at his young apprentice. "Now get on your feet and assume the proper stance!"
Draco hurriedly stood up and resumed the defensive posture needed for casting the shield spell he was being taught. Voldemort aimed his wand and sent a strong stunning spell at the young man before him. Draco this time however managed to get a shield up in time and the curse was deflected away.
Voldemort's red eyes lit up at his success and said, "Again" Draco was getting ready when Voldemort let a cutting curse. This time Draco was not ready and was hit full on, receiving deep cuts across his face and chest.
Voldemort growled," Enough Boy! You have done well today. Go to you're my laboratory and get some healing potions and study for the rest of the evening."
Voldemort grinned evilly at Draco and said, "A few more weeks and you will be ready to lead some smaller attacks. You WILL be the better of Potter and his Mud Blood loving gang. Or you will die trying."
Draco just bowed low before his Master not saying a word. Voldemort just waved the boy away in dismissal as members of his inner circle began to arrive for the meeting that evening.
Draco sat in his rooms reading over a Necromancy text that he was supposed to memorize and grinned to himself thinking,' Bloody Dumbledore, teaching silly magic tricks to Potter and the rest of those idiots in the school. I am learning TRUE powerful magic. They will be sorry soon enough.'
Draco had wanted to slip down to listen in on the meeting-taking place tonight, but he had tried that before and the Master had been most.......displeased. Shaking his head, Draco went back to his reading and plotting.
Monday came around all to quickly for Harry and he awoke and went to the Great Hall for breakfast. Harry was going to make his way to sit among his friends as usual but Dumbledore stopped him and waved him to a seat at the head table.
Harry sat down as Dumbledore stood up and announced, "Good morning students. I am proud to announce to you today that Mr. Harry Potter will be undertaking his N.E.W.T. exams starting today. I am sure that we all wish him well. Therefore for the remainder of this week his evening classes are going to be cancelled."
Many faces in the crowd looked sad but Dumbledore continued, "Rest assured they will continue but will be set in the day. Additionally Mr. Potter will become a full Professor here at Hogwarts. Quite an achievement for one so young, therefore show him all the respect he is due. He has earned this posting and the school is fortunate enough to gain his talents as an instructor."
All four houses, with the exception of some of the Slytherins, stood up and applauded Harry. He really was a loved professor to them already. Harry just blushed and looked down at his plate waiting for it all to stop.
Professor McGonagall just piled some food onto his plate smiling at him, " Your going to need all your strength for the next few days Harry, eat up then."
Harry just groaned and even Professor Snape gave a slight grin at this. Harry looked over at Snape and asked, "Do you know whom the testing official for the Potions N.E.W.T. is?"
Snape just shook his head and replied, "The testing officials are drawn at random to help cut down on cheating."
Harry just nodded and sighed finishing his meal Harry made his way to the room of requirement for his first test, DADA. Everyone wished him luck and Harry left. Arriving in front of the room, Harry was surprised to see Alastor Moody limping impatiently back and fourth waiting for him.
"About time you showed up here Potter" Moody commented
Harry looked at Moody and asked, "Are you the testing official?"
Moody just nodded and said, "I personally don't think anything I could come up with will be a real challenge to YOU, but it's procedure."
Harry looked at Moody and asked, "What do I have to do?"
Moody just pointed to the Room of Requirement and replied, "Enter and then come back out alive"
Harry didn't' know what to expect but just nodded and opened the door when it appeared. Harry barely had time to shield himself as a flight of dragons, riders appeared overhead, and lightning and fire began to strike him simultaneously. Harry summoned the air and used it to buffet the dragons around as the riders tried to control their mounts in hurricane force winds.
While Harry was busily engaged with the dragons, a number of Death Eaters appeared from behind him and began firing off curse after curse at him. One curse actually hit him and he was thrown across the way. Harry lost control of the air elemental at that moment and the dragons and riders were freed up and continued to press the attack. Harry stood up in time to see a contingent of vampires appear to his left. 'DAMNED' Harry thought 'Moody is trying to KILL me!'
Harry just thought to himself ' ok, enough is enough! He wants to make me mad? Fine then.'
Harry raise his arms as if in surrender and the Death Eaters approached as the Dragons and their riders held their positions and watched. Suddenly without warning, Harry electrified all the air around himself and a wave of charged electricity flew from him in a circle incinerating the death eaters. Harry pointed his hands at the vampires and fire poured fourth immolating the Blood drinkers. The Dragons seeing what was happening made to attack enmasse but Harry mere raised a shield made of solidified air and surrounded them with it. After trapping them all Harry forced the shield to shrink on itself crushing all things within its sphere.
Harry nodded in satisfaction and waited for the next attack to come. The room suddenly changed back to its normal state and the door opened revealing moody. He nodded at Harry and winked saying, "Congratulations. It took you long enough. I figured you would be done in five minutes not fifteen."
Harry just shrugged saying, "A DE got lucky, and a stray curse hit me."
Moody just laughed, which sounded like a snarl, and said, "Well I have to go Potter. I have recruits that REALLY need training."
Harry just laughed back saying, "Thanks Mad-Eye. I would say don't be too hard on your trainees but I don't think you know any other way."
Moody just nodded and limped off to go file the N.E.W.T. and head back to the Auror Academy. Harry left as well and went to see Dumbledore in his office.
Harry found Albus sifting through some essays and he looked up as Harry approached his desk. "Ahhh, Harry I thought you would finish that one quite early."
Harry just nodded and Dumbledore said, "Well why don't we get your history of magic N.W.E.T. out of the way then. I know you did not take History this term but you have read enough that I believe you will do quite well." Harry just sighed, "Very well"
Dumbledore conjured another desk for Harry to work at and retrieved a sheave of papers from his filing cabinet. "There you are Harry, you have until lunch time to finish."
Harry began the test, nearly falling asleep from boredom in the process and finally finished just before lunchtime. Dumbledore collected his papers and said, "I will grade these later. Why don't you relax for the rest of the day and prepare for tomorrow."
Harry replied, "Actually I was going to see if I could help rebuild the burrow. I know molly has everything well in hand with the builders but I wanted to set new wards and protections."
Albus nodded and said, "An excellent idea Harry. Perhaps you would like to take Ms. Weasley with you as well. I'm sure she would love to assist. Besides, with her new mental abilities she is very far ahead in her studies. So there is no danger in her falling behind."
Harry thought for a moment and asked, "Albus, will I still be able to see Ginny while I am a professor here? I'm not sure about the rules governing student teacher relations."
Dumbledore nodded at Harry and responded, "Normally Harry such a relationship would be frowned upon, however as you were already in a relationship with her before this started, plus given your ages it will not be a problem. Given your status as my apprentice and soon to be graduated from Hogwarts you are legally an adult. It is after all the only way I could legally offer you a professorship."
Harry just nodded and said, "Thanks Albus."
Harry left the office and made his way to lunch to collect Ginny. Harry found his friends and sat down with a groan. "N.E.W.T.'s that bad Harry?" Ron said fearfully.
Harry just shook his head, "Worse"
Hermione just grinned. "See Ron? We've got to study even harder!"
Ron just groaned and began to slam his head into the table. Harry smiled and took Ginny's hand "Want to come to the Burrow to help me set new wards?"
Ginny nodded emphatically and said, "Yes I would love to, but I don't think much will be built yet."
Harry nodded saying, "I know, but I can set the wards and maybe help construction along."
Harry took Ginny's hand and the two made their way out of the school.
Hermione watched the two depart, a small smile gracing her lips. Ron seeing this asked, "What are you smiling about?"
Hermione just said, "I'm just happy for the two of them, Seeing Harry happy for a change and Ginny too. You know how hard it was for her after the Chamber of Secrets ordeal."
Ron nodded his understanding and said, "Funny. In a way it's like they belong together."
Hermione just smiled saying, "Just like we belong together"
Ron blushed and took her hand and the two made their way out of the Great Hall.
Harry and Ginny stepped from a portal right into the middle of molly screaming at a bunch of house elves and pointing at what looked like blueprints in her hand. Harry smiled because just yesterday after Dumbledore made a transfer of funds to the Weasley vault Molly had had a fit and at first Harry didn't' think he could get her to take the money to rebuild with. Ironically, it was Ron who stepped in and explained what Harry had said to him about family. Molly's rants had turned to joy and finally acceptance. She and Arthur had spent the evening magically redesigning the burrow on paper and all the house Elves from the school were busy rebuilding it to be better than before.
Molly seeing the two appear squealed in delight and ran over to embrace the two while pointing happily at her blueprints and pointing out all the changes and improvements. Arthur had come home for lunch to check on the progress and pulled Harry over to the side saying, "Harry no matter what you se on the blueprints, DO NOT suggest any change. I did and I got her lecturing me for an hour about decorating."
Harry just grinned saying, "Thanks for the heads up Arthur. I just came to set new wards around the property. I want to make sure nothing like this EVER happens again."
Arthur just nodded saying, "We appreciate it Harry, but this wasn't your fault."
Harry just sighed, "I know Arthur, my head believes it but my heart does not."
Harry turned and went to work on the wards. Arthur watched the departing figure thought 'sometimes that boys heart is too big for his own good.'
Harry finished a new set of wards that we comparable to the ones surrounding Hogwarts and nodded in satisfaction. Turning to Ginny he said, "It is time to be heading back Gin."
Harry hugged molly goodbye saying, "If you need any help with the construction call me, I'll be glad to help."
Molly just shooed him off saying, "Get along with you two."
Harry opened a portal and he and Ginny went home. Harry spent the rest of the week finishing off his N.E.W.T.'s. When Thursday afternoon finally hit Harry was exhausted. He was sure he had done well but would not get the results until tomorrow.
That night at dinner Dumbledore said to Harry, "I am sure you have done magnificently during your testing. Take the next few days off and rest and relax. You are going to be busy enough shortly."
Harry nodded thanks saying, "I appreciate that. I hope I don't have too much trouble from the Slytherins in my classes."
Snape overhearing this part of the conversation said, "I wouldn't worry too much Harry. Malfoy was their ringleader and with him gone, no one has risen to take his place. Besides many of the Slytherin students are quite impressed with your teaching abilities."
Harry looked over at Severus and said, "Well to be honest it's just a few from my year and the seventh year that will be the problems."
Snape nodded saying, "I am sure you will do fine."
Harry received his N.E.W.T. results the next day and got an outstanding in all subjects as well as congratulations on being named the youngest professor in the History of Hogwarts. Harry spent the next few days alternating working on lesson plans and helping molly rebuild the Burrow. Harry took Arthur's advice and followed her directions not questioning anything.
Harry awoke Monday morning and made ready for the first class of the day. As he was getting ready Godric admonished him, "Harry I really think you should wear your family robes. Think of the impression it will make on your classes."
Harry thought for a moment and nodded his assent. Donning all his regalia, Harry made his way to the Great Hall. Upon entering Harry was shocked to see hundreds of extra people there. Without warning camera, flashbulbs were going off like a lightning storm around him. Suddenly seeing spots, Harry was suddenly guided by Dumbledore to the Head table.
Harry asked Dumbledore in confusion, "Albus what's going on?"
Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling at Harry replied, "Harry it is not every day that a guardian of the wizarding world graduates from school. The people want to celebrate with you. I also believe the minister has something else planned."
Harry just groaned wishing he had never gotten out of bed that day. Remus Lupin came up to him and hugged him close saying, "Harry your parents, and Sirius would be SO proud. I know I am."
Harry thought of his parents and Sirius for a moment missing them worse than ever for a moment. Harry made his ay over to the seat that Dumbledore gestured him to and sat down. Dumbledore made his way over to the podium and called for attention. Finally, after everything had quieted down Dumbledore began, "Ladies and Gentleman it is with great pleasure that I am called on to preside over the graduating ceremonies on Harry James Potter Gryffindor today. I have known Harry since he first set foot in this school 6 years ago. Ever since that time he has never ceased to amaze and astound all those around him with his bravery and sacrifice. Always putting the greater good above his own desires. Truly the living epitome of a Gryffindor in action as well as by blood."
Dumbledore wiped something from his eyes and continued, "It is with great pleasure that I present this certificate of graduation from The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. However it is with great joy that as I present this to him I know I am not losing a student but gaining a thoroughly knowledgeable professor."
Dumbledore bade Harry rise and Harry came forward to take the parchment Dumbledore handed him. Instead of the customary handshake, the two embraced in a hug for a moment. The entire hall erupted in cheers and clapping that seemed to go on forever. Harry suddenly saw that Godric's portrait had been moved to the hall for the occasion and he was clapping as well as wiping his eyes with a hanky. Harry was getting ready to sit back down when Dumbledore stopped him. Looking at the audience Dumbledore called for silence again, "Ladies and Gentlemen Professor Potter would like to say a few words."
Harry stepped up to the podium nervously and began, "Well considering this was a complete surprise to me, I have no speech prepared. I can only say that I will do my very best to see that young witches and wizards leave these hallowed halls ready to face the new challenges that await them in this new and uncertain world. You have my promise that I will do everything in my power to protect all I can and do what needs to be done."
The hall once again erupted in applause and Harry left the stage and spent the rest of the day receiving congratulations and best wishes from both students and the wizarding world.
A/N sorry it took me so long to update, I took the weekend off. Please read and review. Thanks Ben.
