Harry was pretty quiet after returning from Hogwarts and being asked by Severus if he would consider taking a job as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Harry did tell Draco about it and during dinner; they talked about the matter. Draco said that it was a pretty nice offer for Harry to teach there, but not have to reside within the building when classes ended. It was a good offer between the accommodations and the pay. Harry did need a job and to think about his future, but there'd been time for all that. Severus likely wouldn't have even asked him if it wasn't so close to the start of the year, but who knew? Harry got complimented throughout his time as Dumbledore's Army teachers that he was a good one. It was now Friday, the 28th of August. Harry had promised to give Severus an answer and Harry believed he had one.
"So, love…Are you going to take the offer?" Draco asked.
"I think I will. I still don't think I'm the right person but maybe that's because I never saw myself as a teacher to students. Not until DA, at least." Harry replied. "And hey, it's a job. If Severus and you believe I can do it successfully, then I believe I can."
"You should probably get in contact with Sev and let him know, then." Draco smiled. "I'm proud of you, babe!"
Harry smiled and nodded; he could do this. Teaching kids how to defend themselves? He had done it with Dumbledore's Army, after all and that went pretty good. It was enough that Draco, Ginny, and Neville got the group back together after Albus died and were working themselves to be able to take part in the final battle. Well, those who were of age to do so. That had been made a rule, all students seventeen or older could partake in the battle. The youngers had been sent home or were in hiding at the time. None of the Slytherin's took part except Theodore and Gregory. Vincent had died in the Fiendfyre attack inside the room of requirement; he lost control of the attack and fell off something he'd been climbing to escape it.
"I'll contact him after lunch." Harry told his boyfriend. "Did you decide officially on your chosen path?"
"Yes. I don't want to go into healing, but I love the idea of selling potions. I love brewing and coming up with new things, it was a hobby of mine and Severus's…So I want to go with that. I want to make potions and sell them in Diagon Hogsmead. I want to be able to sell ingredients too. There's a space available to buy there and I think I might buy it and turn it into my shop. " Draco stated.
"That's great, babe. Thought of what you'd name it?" Harry questioned.
"Not really," Draco smiled. "Any ideas?"
"The Dragon's Brews? Draco's Potion's? No, wait…" Harry paused. "Malfoy's Potions Emporium."
"Oh, Merlin…I love that, Harry. It's perfect." Draco exclaimed.
"Well, you've got your location and your name…Time to make it a reality, Dray," Harry winked.
Draco nodded to him as they continued eating. After lunch, Harry did contact Severus via floo call and told him he would accept. Severus told Harry to come to the school on the 31st to get set up and sign his contract. There was the very grateful thank you before the call ended and Harry was ready to start his life. His life with Voldemort gone. It could finally be what Harry wanted and that made him happy.
. . .
It was now the 31st of August, Harry had gone earlier that morning to sign his contract and get some things set up in his office and learn when he had classes. Everything got all worked out between Harry and Severus, the of course he was reintroduced to all the teachers and gone over all the rules. It was nothing too new for Harry except that now he was a teacher and not a student. Harry took an easy and comfortable approach to teaching attire; dress pants, button down shirt and vest or light sweater; it was a Remus Lupin look accompanied by a pocket watch with a chain, that was a Sirius Black thing. Harry got everything ready and soon it was the welcoming feast as students filed in. Though, Harry didn't attend that as he had to help Draco with something. Harry made it back in time as the sorting ceremony finished and Severus was taking his place at the podium.
The man went on about the moving stairwells, and forbidden areas along with curfews and times for meals. Severus introduced the heads of each house and was going through what teachers taught what. Harry finally poked his head through doors and started his way forward down the center aisle as Severus gave a small smile to him. "There you are, Potter. Was beginning to think you'd miss this." Severus greeted.
"You know me, Professor. Oops, I mean, Headmaster. I'm never on time for anything." Harry replied.
"Better change that by tomorrow," Severus chuckled. "Come, my boy. Right here beside me if you would." Harry nodded as he walked up next to Severus. "And last…" Severus began and put a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Harry James Potter." The room erupted into applause as Harry gave a small smile before Severus let him head up to his seat at the head table. It was a new perspective as he spent six years down at the Gryffindor table and looked up at all his teachers. And now…He was a teacher himself. "Let the feast begin!" Severus called out.
This was a good thing. Harry was glad he took the job; he felt amazing. His life was great and he couldn't wait to see where else it went.
. . .
Today marked two things; the start of December and also Draco and Harry's two-year anniversary of dating. Draco had something big planned for Harry, but it wasn't happening until later when classes were over. Draco had run everything by Severus, who was fine with it. Draco invited Harry's closest friends to come to the school and everything was kept from Harry, of course. Draco's new shop was bought and set up as Draco spent most of his free time brewing like crazy to get full stocks up. He had ingredients and a bunch of cauldrons, stirrers, and other potions things. So far, it was set to open just after the new year began. Harry, now, was in his first-year's defense class and as he always did; the last fifteen minutes of class were set up for the kids to ask him questions about his life. First years, this year at least, hadn't gone to school with him or been through the battle of Hogwarts. Though the second through current seventh years all knew him as they were there for it.
"Professor Potter," A student raised their hand.
"Yes?" Harry replied. Three months into this thing and he still wasn't used to being called professor potter.
"Is it true you learned the patronus charm at only the age of thirteen?" The girl asked.
Harry chuckled, hands in pockets and leaning against his desk as he looked out to them. Obviously the older students had been spreading stories about their former classmate. "That is very much true," Harry nodded.
"And is it true you once fought over a hundred dementors to save your godfather?" A boy questioned.
"That is true as well." Harry replied gently.
"What was it like when you were a student?" Another inquired.
"He was always getting into trouble with his young and curious nature," Came Draco's voice as Harry looked to the door to see his boyfriend of two years. "But somehow; it always worked out that whatever he was getting into saved the school and all the people in it."
Harry smiled and shrugged. "Please don't fill my student's heads with the image that I'm some kind of hero, Draco,"
"But you are!" A girl exclaimed. "You defeated the dark lord just last May!"
"Told you, Potter," Draco grinned.
"Shut it, Malfoy," Harry told him.
"We heard about the legendary rivalry between Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy too!" One claimed.
"I wouldn't say legendary," Harry told them. "But eventually, we outgrew the childishness of it all and became friends and more." Harry said. "Now…As we're just about out of time; I'll leave you all with this about my defeating Voldemort…" He paused. "It wasn't just me. I had help from my two best friends, Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley. I had had help from other friends too like Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom, Ginny Weasley. I had help from our very own Headmaster, Severus Snape. And I had help from Draco Malfoy. I didn't do any of the things over the years of attending this school as a student by myself. I always had help from those around me. We did things together. It wasn't my victory, it was a Hogwarts victory. As for delivering the final blow, I did not do that on my own. It was Draco and I both. It was love that defeated Voldemort."
"But you're still the boy, now man, that lived the killing curse twice," Draco chuckled.
"Okay yes, that is still true." Harry nodded. "Now, off with you until next class. I expect your homework done! Make sure you've written it down."
"Yes, Professor!" The students replied and filed out of the room as Draco walked through them and waited until they'd all gone before he pressed his lips to Harry's.
Harry returned the action before they broke it. "What brings you by?" Harry asked.
"Do I need a reason to come see you?" Draco smiled.
"You do when I'm in the middle of class," Harry replied.
"It was the end," Draco argued.
"But not over," Harry responded. "So what's up? Everything okay at home?"
"It's all fine, love," Draco stated. "I just wanted to see you before tonight. It is our anniversary."
"I know. As soon as I got things organized here, I was on my way back to you. Severus knows I wasn't going to be here for dinner tonight." Harry informed.
"Well, that's why I came. Severus invited us to dinner in the hall before we go home and enjoy our anniversary privately. But first…I wanted to see if you wanted to walk with me through the halls?" Draco asked.
"Just…Walk the halls?" Harry arched a brow.
"Yeah, old times sake?" Draco hoped.
"I suppose we could do that. Whatever you want to do," Harry smiled. "Gimme five minutes?"
"I'll wait here for you," Draco gave him another kiss.
Harry collected his things off the desk on the main classroom level and then took them up the stairs into his office. Harry came out a few moments later, closing and locked the door with a wave of his hand and then coming down the stairs to meet Draco. The two linked hands as left the classroom; Harry repeated the hand action to close the classroom door and lock it easily. Harry and Draco just walked the halls aimlessly, not caring where they went but just wanting to spend time together or relive some memories. It was fun, while they went past certain places, Draco would ask Harry if he remembered what that place was to them. Of course, Harry would remember. They'd gone to the spot where Harry and Draco first kissed after Slughorn's party, and then went onto Severus's office where they confessed to liking one another and started dating. There were so many memories in the castle for them. All the while they walked and reminisced; the hours ticked away until dinner time and they headed for the hall, hand in hand to the head table where Severus had places set for both of them.
"Harry!" The voice shouted to make Harry look up to see Hermione, then next to her was Ron and behind them were the rest of the Weasley's. Neville, Luna, Dean, and Seamus were there. Blaise was with Gregory and Theodore, and Pansy was hiding somewhere among the group.
"Is this reunion at Hogwarts Day? Did I miss the memo?" Harry looked at Severus.
"No, they just wanted to come see you." Severus replied.
Harry let go of Draco's hand to hug Ron and Hermione tightly, then he got a hug from Molly and shook the hands to Bill, Percy, and George. Harry hugged Luna and Fleur, and shook hands with the rest.
"So I hear you're working here, Harry," Ron asked.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," Harry replied. "How's Auror training?"
"Hard, but amazing," Ron chuckled.
"There's someone else here to see you," Molly said as Andromeda Tonks came in holding a baby.
"I thought you might like to see your godson," Andromeda said lightly as she handed the child to Harry, who cradled him.
"Thank you," Harry said to Andromeda.
"Are you doing it now?" Severus asked Draco.
"Do you mind if I do, Uncle Sev?" Draco inquired.
"No, go ahead." Severus nodded.
"What's going on, Draco? It's looking a little too strange for just a random get together." Harry looked at his boyfriend curiously.
"Sharp as ever, Potter," Draco drawled.
"You know it, Malfoy. So out with it, what are you up to?" Harry questioned.
"Alright, you caught me," Draco smiled. "It was all part of one elaborate plan to have everyone together for something."
"And what's the something?" Harry asked.
"Let me take Teddy from you first, Harry dear," Molly took the baby from Harry and then they stepped back as Draco took Harry's hands in his and looked into his eyes.
"This is where it all started, Harry." Draco told him. "This school is where we met for the first time back in first year. This is where our four-year rivalry began. This is where it ended and we called a truce and became friends. This is where we had our second kiss and admitted our feelings before starting to date…Two years ago today. This is where we stood together and defeated Voldemort. It all happened here at Hogwarts, so it's only right that I keep to our unofficial tradition for this…" Draco told him.
"Draco, I didn't take you for sentimental…" Harry admitted.
"Shut it. I have my moments!" Draco scolded.
"I know, and I love them. One of the many things I love about you." Harry stated.
"And there are so many that I love about you, Harry Potter. I'm afraid, though, I'm going to need a lifetime to tell you them all and even then some." Draco smiled. "So I think it only makes sense that we spend the rest of this lifetime together. Our wands told us all I needed, Harry…I've been planning this since then. We're meant to be together." Draco let go of Harry's right hand and pulled something from his pocket and knelt down on one knee.
"Draco…" Harry whispered, eyes widening.
Draco opened the box to reveal a beautiful male engagement ring. Nothing large or crazy, but it sent the message this was a ring you asked someone to spend the rest of their life with you. "Harry James Potter, I love you with all that I have and all that I am. Would you do me the greatest honor of becoming my husband? Will you marry me?" Draco asked.
Harry could have cried, but he held back from doing so. "Well, you know…I think, in your words, our wands made it pretty clear…But just for the confirmation, yes. Yes, I'll marry you, Draco Malfoy." Harry replied.
The room burst into applause as Draco stood up and plucked the ring from the box to slide on Harry's left-hand ring finger, then kissed the back of his hand. "Can I, Sev?"
"Once, and keep it quick." Severus nodded.
Draco put a hand around the back of Harry's neck and pulled him forward until their lips met in a passionate kiss. More cheering and clapping at the sight. It was official, Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy were engaged to be married! The kiss finally broke as Harry and Draco hugged one another.
"Now, you two will join us for dinner…And then you're free to go home and enjoy your engagement and anniversary." Severus told them.
"Alright," Harry and Draco agreed.
Molly gave Teddy back Harry as Draco and Harry moved to the head table to sit down for dinner. Their friends all sat down at another provided table near the head one. The feast began as Harry just watched everything and Draco looked at him lightly.
"What are you looking at, love?" Draco asked.
"Everything…You're right. It all started here at Hogwarts." Harry stated. "I can't get over the fact it's only been a couple years since we called the truce and became friends, then lovers."
"I should be the one who got over it," Draco told his betrothed. "Me and my pure-blood ideals are what kept me from seeing the truth that was always there. Pure, half, or muggle blood doesn't matter. We're all wizards and witches and in the face of the darkest wizard this world had ever seen…We came together to stop it. Maybe all we ever needed to see was that we're not so different from one another. Maybe I needed to see it sooner and I could have been happier, probably still end up with you if I had realized that we're not so different after all."
"We are indeed not so different after all," Harry smiled.
The two leaned closer and shared another short kiss before Severus yelled at them. This was the start of the next chapter in their lives and both were looking forward to getting married one day soon and continuing to live their lives together.
