Chapter Seven: The Return to Hogwarts
Platform 9¾ was packed with back to school travelers on the first of September. At ten forty, Harry, Ginny and Ron stepped through the barrier, closely followed by Molly, Arthur and Bill. Harry looked around, absently fingering his wand as he took in the scene around him.
"Harry?" Ginny looked up at him, concerned.
"I wish you could floo, Ginny," he glanced around nervously.
"Harry, I'll be fine, really," he could tell she was trying hard not to laugh.
"Eight hours on a train. Anything could..." He felt a little indignant. Things had happened. Things had happened on the train. Look at his third year... dementors, for Merlin's sake!
"Harry, she'll be fine," Bill said from behind, a smirk on his face. "I'll be along for the ride, remember?"
Harry felt an urge to tell Bill to glue himself to her side and not let anything happen to her, but he knew that Bill would probably be doing that anyhow, and he'd just look like an idiot. Instead, he swallowed, and nodded.
Bill had taken Ginny's safety very seriously since the attack on the Burrow. Perhaps even more so than Harry. It was Bill's wards that had seemingly failed, allowing the attackers in, and he wasn't taking it well. Bill's wards never failed, and he was driving himself hard trying to figure out how it had happened. The odd part was, they didn't appear to have been brought down, at all, yet the attack had taken place.
Dumbledore and Harry had exchanged concerned looks when they realized that. The only other way that an attack could have happened on the Burrow would be if someone who knew what the wards were comprised of had given that information to the attackers. Neither Harry nor Dumbledore could believe that anyone in the Weasley family or the Order would have done this.
It was all very confusing.
Harry had beefed up the security around Potter Manor himself, with the help of Hermione. There was no one person, other than himself, who knew of all of the protections. Hermione and the Weasleys would now be the only residents, and Harry wanted them safe. He'd also asked Dobby to do what he could to protect them. Harry knew, from his second year, that the house elf had the ability to set wards of his own, to keep people out of where he didn't want them to be. Hopefully, the mysteriously powerful magic of the house elves would help to keep any possible attackers out.
"Harry, I'll be fine, I promise. I'll talk to you tonight, after the feast, okay?"
"Okay," he nodded.
"Harry! Hey, Harry!" Neville jogged up to them, dragging Luna along behind him. "Fancy seeing you lot here!"
"Nev, Luna..." Ron greeted them.
"You off today, as well?" Neville asked, looking at the two of them.
"No... we'll be... going separately," Harry said in a low voice. "You?"
"I've been told I can ride the train. I'm an apprentice, so..." Neville hated traveling by magical means, and only apparated when it was absolutely necessary. Harry wished for a moment that he had the same excuse.
"Ah..." Harry put a hand on Neville's shoulder and turned him away, speaking to him in an undertone. "Keep an eye on things, okay?"
"Is there a problem?" Neville suddenly looked worried.
"Just..."
"He's just being overprotective, Neville," Ginny said in a firm voice. "You'd think I was helpless."
"Just..." Harry looked at him again, then glanced around the crowd.
"I will, Harry. You know that," Neville nodded, turning back to the group as the first warning whistle blew.
"I have to get on, Harry," Ginny called out.
"Your trunk?"
"Bill's already put it on. Mum, Dad..." Ginny hugged them both, then turned to Harry, moving into his arms.
He kissed her long and hard, and Ginny responded as Ginny always responded, with everything that was in her. It was a moment later that Harry surfaced to the sound of a throat being cleared. He flushed to the roots of his hair, and pulled away, turning to see the members of the Weasley family all looking at them with varying degrees of discomfort.
"Be careful," he whispered to Ginny. "Wand out."
"I'm not sitting with my wand in my lap for the entire trip, Harry," she looked at him with laughter in her eyes.
"You have money for the cart?"
"I'm fine," she kissed his cheek and then grabbed Luna's hand and pulled her towards the train, towards where Neville stood on the steps to help them aboard. "Bye!"
Harry stood silent as the second warning blew, and then as the train pulled away. He didn't move until it was a red blur in the distance.
"Oi, Potter..."
He turned to see Ron standing shaking his head at him, a slight smirk playing about the corners of his mouth. "Are you coming, or are you going to stand there like an idiot watching her go?"
"She's..." Harry gestured helplessly at the train in the distance.
"I know what she is to you, Harry, but you're standing on an empty train platform, gazing into the distance, and she's not coming back that way until June. The quickest route to her is to get your skates on and go that way," Ron pointed back towards the barrier. "So, can we go?"
Harry sighed and followed his friend through the barrier and out.
Back at the Manor, Harry was packing his trunk when there was a soft knock on the door.
"Come in," he called, glancing over his shoulder as the door opened to admit Mrs Weasley. She quietly closed it behind her and looked over at him.
"Have you everything you need, Harry?"
"I think so. I can always pop back if I've forgotten anything."
"Harry?" She came and sat on the bed next to his folded robes and looked up at him. Harry felt a shiver along his spine. This was going to be an uncomfortable conversation, he just knew it. "Harry, I..."
"What is it, Mrs Weasley?" he finished putting the last robe into the trunk, closed the lid, and sat down on it, facing her.
"Harry, I'm concerned."
"About?"
"About you and... and our Ginny."
"Ah," Harry nodded, taking a breath.
"Harry... this morning... at Kings Cross..."
"I'm sorry if I embarrassed you, Mrs Weasley."
"No... no... just..." she looked around the room, obviously uncomfortable, her eyes darted about until they landed on a hair clip sitting on the dresser. Ginny's. She flushed. "Harry, Ginny is my daughter..."
"Mrs Weasley, I love her."
"I think... I think we all know that, Harry, but... well, there are things that are appropriate and things that aren't... and..."
Harry nodded, looking down at his hands.
"Until... until you're sure..."
"Sure?"
"Oh, Harry, this is so difficult! It would be easier if you weren't... you... or if it was some other girl we were talking about, but it's not. It is you, and it is our Ginny, and..."
"You're saying that the more..." Harry swallowed, felt his cheeks pinken, and then took a deep breath. If he couldn't have this conversation with Mrs Weasley, then he shouldn't be with Ginny. "That the more... serious... aspects of our relationship should wait until we're... certain of each other."
"Yes. I know it's difficult. I was eighteen once, too, but..."
"Mrs Weasley," he looked up and into her face. "I asked Ginny to marry me in June."
Her brown eyes rounded as she stared at him, her hand came up to her mouth and she seemed... speechless. Which, for Molly Weasley, was saying something.
"You..."
"I asked her to marry me before we left school in June. The day I left the hospital wing. She accepted."
"But..."
"We wanted to wait to announce it after she's graduated. I want her to finish school... and..."
"Oh, Harry!" Molly cried. "Why didn't she tell me?"
"Because it's just... ours... for now. We agreed to not say anything to anyone until after. There didn't seem much point in getting everyone worked up about her finishing school when..."
"Oh..."
Harry was stunned to see tears in her eyes.
"I... I spoke to Mr Weasley. I don't want you to think I didn't do this properly. I spoke to him last year, and told him that as soon as Voldemort was... well, I told him what I planned to do."
"We knew what you had planned, love, but you didn't... we didn't know..."
"That I'd already done it?"
"Yes."
"Ginny is in no doubt of how I feel about her, or what I want with her."
"I see that now," Molly nodded. "Just..."
"You have nothing to worry about," he said softly, seeing the relief in the eyes of the witch who'd been more a mother to him than any other. "She's precious to me, as well."
Harry and Ron flooed into Dumbledore's office at three o'clock that afternoon. They were greeted by Dumbledore, Madame Hooch, and Professor McGonagall.
"Harry, Ron... You've arrived. wonderful, wonderful."
"Professor..."
"Harry, in private, it's Albus. You, too, Ron. We're colleagues now. In front of the students, I should be addressed in a more formal manner, but otherwise..."
"Yes, sir," Ron nodded, earning a smile from the headmaster, and a pinkening of his own cheeks.
"I am very pleased to be working with you, Harry," Professor McGonagall stepped forward, a welcoming smile on her face. Harry was stunned at how it transformed her usual dour expression.
"Professor McGonagall."
"Minerva," she corrected, her blue eyes drilling into him.
"Yes... Min... Minerva," Harry swallowed. This was going to be harder than he had thought.
"Rolanda," Madame Hooch stepped forward, shaking Ron's hand first, then Harry's. "I'm so glad that you've been able to come and relieve me, Professor Weasley."
Ron grinned self-consciously at the title, glancing at Harry, then at Dumbledore before composing himself and giving another sheepish grin. "That's something I wouldn't be able to get used to. It's Ron."
"Nonetheless, you and Harry both will be addressed as professors by the students," Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "All of the students."
"Even my sister?" Ron snorted. "Hope you'll be the one to tell her that."
"It will take some getting used to in the beginning," Dumbledore's eyes sparkled with humor. "Most of the students, besides the first years, of course, remember you as students. I would suggest being... lenient... in the beginning, but firm. We do have to maintain a certain level of decorum about the place."
"Perhaps, Albus, we should see our new professors to their quarters?" Minerva McGonagall suggested, not waiting for Dumbledore to agree before leading the way to the door.
"Certainly, Minnie, certainly," the old headmaster came around his desk and followed.
Ron and Harry traded amazed looks. Minnie?
After taking their leave of Madame Hooch at the head of the main staircase, Harry and Ron followed the other two along the halls until they were in the third floor east corridor.
"We rather thought the two of you... and Mr Longbottom, of course... should be nearby each other," Minerva smiled. "Mr Weasley... if you'll follow me... you're just along here."
Ron, raising his eyebrows, nodded at Harry and followed his old head of house. Harry turned to Dumbledore.
"This is your door, Harry. The password is 'Quidditch'..."
"Same as the Tower," Harry smiled.
"Last year, yes. This year it has been changed, of course," Dumbledore led the way into the small apartment. Harry noticed a well-furnished lounge and a study area. Two doors led out of the room on either side of the large fireplace. "Harry, I must impress upon you that you are not a member of any house, and only the heads of each house have the privilege of entering the student dormitories for any reason other than emergency. Should you feel the need to enter Gryffindor Tower, you will require the permission of Minerva..."
"Professor..."
"Albus," the headmaster corrected automatically.
"Albus..."
"I am aware of the unique situation, and I would appreciate it if you and Miss Weasley were... circumspect about your relationship in front of others."
"I understand, Professor."
"Now, having said that, I do understand what it is to be young, but should Miss Weasley be caught," he placed direct emphasis on this word. "In your quarters, it would necessitate her leaving Hogwarts. You do... understand?"
"I do."
"We must, as much as I detest the hypocrisy of it, endeavor to keep up appearances, for appearances sake, Harry."
"I understand, Professor."
"Excellent," Albus nodded. "Well, then... the Welcoming Feast convenes at seven o'clock. I do like the professors to be seated when the students arrive. You will be introduced as the new DADA professor, at which time you should stand, recognize the student body, and sit back down. It's all that will be required of you this evening..."
"Albus?"
"Yes?"
"I have one concern..."
"What is it, Harry?"
"Well, it's common knowledge that Professor Snape has wanted this position for... some time. I am concerned that..."
"That he'll attempt to hex you into next week?" Albus' beard moved as he smiled.
"In one form or another," Harry agreed dryly.
"Harry, Severus is fully aware of the necessity of having you here. He is still a member of the Order, and a devoted one, at that."
"So he understands..."
"Yes," Dumbledore nodded and moved towards the doorway. "Which isn't to say, Harry, that he has undergone a... personality change... since last year. You understand?"
"Indeed I do, Headmaster," Harry nodded, a slight smile on his face.
"Good. Then all should go swimmingly. I shall see you at the Feast."
And with that, he was gone.
The Welcoming Feast felt odd. Harry and Ron went down together, Ron talking endlessly about the comfort and size of his quarters.
"I mean it, Harry... it's bigger than... well, the entire third floor of the Burrow. I've got more room than the twins, Percy and I had all together!"
They were met by Poppy Pomfrey, smiling happily at them as they entered the Great Hall.
"It's wonderful to have new staff!" she smiled. "Do come... the two of you can sit with Professor Vector and myself...come, come!"
Harry and Ron, trading odd looks, followed her to the head table and sat where they were told to. Ron looked down at the house tables and smiled. "Looks different from up here."
"That it does!" Madam Pomfrey smiled. "I remember my first year up here... well, I'd gone and trained as a mediwitch in between, of course, but..."
As she rambled on, with the odd comment made by Professor Vector, Harry watched the doors. Finally, after what seemed ages, they opened, and students began filing in. Harry watched for the red head he knew would be there. He was still looking when he felt someone tap him on the shoulder.
"Hey, Harry."
"Nev, you made it," Ron called.
"Yes. It felt odd being on the train again."
"Everything go... okay?" Harry asked.
"Great. Not a hitch," Neville sat down in the chair next to Ron.
"Bill got off okay?"
"Last I saw him, he was talking to the stationmaster at Hogsmeade as the carriages pulled away."
"Good," Harry let out the breath he felt he'd been holding since leaving Ginny at King's Cross that morning. "Where's Ginny?"
"Umm..." Neville flushed.
"Nev?" Harry felt anxiety rising once more.
"She and Luna were going to..." Neville dropped his voice to a whisper," ...the loo."
"Ah," Harry nodded, turning back to the doors.
Which was when he became aware of the whispers and quiet around the Great Hall. Normally, the crowd was difficult to silence prior to the Welcoming Feast. Dumbledore always had a difficult time settling everyone so he could address them. He wouldn't have that problem this year. Harry flushed as he realized what they were talking about.
Neville Longbottom, Ron Weasley and Harry Potter sitting at the Professor's table at Hogwarts.
What on earth were you thinking? He heard the voice very clearly in his head. He must have been insane when he agreed to teach DADA here.
"We all feel that way the first year, Potter," Harry looked to his right to see Professor Snape seated there.
"Professor Snape..."
"It is always difficult the first year. You will cope."
"I'm sure that I will, sir. Thank you."
"Despite our... difficulties... in past, Potter, the nature of our subjects of authority demand that we work together at times. I hope that we can... move beyond our personal history?"
"I would wish that, as well, Professor. I am here to do a job."
"I recognize that. If there is anything you require... for your classes, I will assist in whatever way I can."
"Thank you, I shall keep that in mind," Harry said, rather surprised at Snape's demeanor. This was going to take some getting used to.
At that moment, he caught a glimpse of red and his eyes turned automatically. There was Ginny, laughing with her housemates and smiling up at him, a knowing twinkle in her eye as she glanced at Snape seated next to him and back, shaking her head.
He winked, then turned back to Poppy Pomfrey and asked her if a bed was still reserved for him in the hospital wing. She laughed, about to respond, but at that moment Professor Dumbledore stood and the room became quiet.
"Students... it is wonderful to see you all back. Shall we get on with things, so that we can get on with the feast?"
A cheer resounded through the huge hall, and Harry felt something settle in him. He was back at Hogwarts, and it was where he was meant to be. At least, for now.
BrittSchrick: Glad it made sense!
LadyIlana: That's so nice of you! What will you be doing on the 18th of July? Reading what I'll be posting after having read HBP, of course! Can you imagine all the juices that will be flowing with us fanfic writers after JKR gives us new material to work with? I, for one, can't wait!
CharminglyHolly: That has to be one of the longest, nicest reviews I've gotten. Rather surreal at the end (llamas, pickles and squash?), but long, and nice!
Shotgunn: Molly's getting boring and predictable. I think I need to shake things up a bit with her.
Nightgames: See? That's what I was trying for. Not everyone is "in character" all the time. That wouldn't be any fun at all.
Manatheron: LOL! I wouldn't do that. The only ones I block are the real nasties. But I do tend to read with tongue-in-cheek at times...
Wolf'sScream: Ahhh! You've caught me out again – you are entirely correct – it is indeed 'Imperius' – blame it on the continued lack of caffiene in my diet.
Kazziedal: You adore your mother in law? Lucky you. Some of us aren't quite so fortunate!
Kordolin: Yes, she did. But what sixteen year old girl doesn't have "emo" times? I was reading another HG fic recently (not for long), and Ginny, at sixteen, was portrayed as some sort of super-natural, all-powerful woman. I certainly don't remember sixteen being that way – few do, I think, although it's a nice little dream!
JapaneseJew: You've read a thousand of these fics, and you remember details? Holy cowgirl! I'm not surprised, actually – because many of the same themes reoccur. Kind of makes me wonder what all the Harry/Hermione shippers are going to do when JKR blows that little ship right out of the water (I'm ducking!).
And to the rest, thank you: Volleypickle16, GinnyRoseWeasley, FroBoy, AlliBaby