Chapter 3
"Harry, I've been meaning to talk to you" McGonagall said as she opened the door to the office. Harry stepped into the room from the spiral staircase and looked around. It was the first time Harry had been in the room since the days after Dumbledore's death. When McGonagall became the headmistress immediately, Harry had sat in the room and been interrogated as to what had happened, but a few days later, McGonagall decided she would keep her office, so that Dumbledore's possessions could be cleared out and adjustments could be made. However it had taken the whole year previously to do so, as the various belongings had given up a good fight, and didn't wish to be touched, moved or taken. It had ached for Harry to watch all the items get eventually taken away as it was the last part of Dumbledore that there was.
McGonagall walked over to the desk and sat down, Harry followed suit but took his time as he noticed how more feminine the office had become, and how many exciting looking objects that whirled, smoked and purred had been replaced by thousands of books and foreign looking objects.
"Well now Harry. First of all, I am assured you had a good nights sleep?" McGonagall asked.
"Yeah! I've missed my Hogwarts bed! Thanks for letting me stay in the dorm Minerva" Harry silently laughed at how unusual it seemed to be calling his old teach by her first name.
"Oh its my pleasure dear boy! Now I've brought you to my office to go through some business things, before I let you go and explore the castle once more. Firstly, we need to discuss your position as Student Relations & Welfare teacher." McGonagall explained, as she picked up a large stack of parchment.
"It was procedure to get this document written up, Harry, which explains your position and what it requires. However, I Wish to be completely honest with you so I need to inform you that…"
"That my job isn't necessary and you just need some support?" Harry interrupted.
"Oh Harry, you know me to well. You're absolutely right. It's just been so hard without Albus. I apologise for using you simply to help me with my job." McGonagall said, with a look of deepest regret.
"No please! Don't be sorry. I'm so unbelievably grateful to be here! I would take any job to stay here!" Harry urged. And it was true. Harry wanted to spend the rest of his life at Hogwarts, his favourite place, other than the Burrow, Ron Weasley's house.
"Oh Harry, well I suppose we can both be satisfied then! You can stay here, and would you mind if I got your assistance once in awhile?"
"Not at all Professor!" Harry replied
"Minerva, not Professor Harry, you're not a student any more!" McGonagall answered with a strange cross between a snort and a giggle.
The late autumn sun was beginning to fade as Harry started to make his way up to the castle. He had spent most of the day wandering around Hogwarts and talking to Hagrid, the old Care of Magical Creatures Teacher, who had retired but still lived in his hut on the edge of the forest. McGonagall had allowed him to stay there to help keep in contact with the creatures of the forest, and various other jobs where his big frame could come in handy.
As Harry reached the big oak doors leading into the entrance hall, he turned back and looked out over the grounds. The next evening all the students would arrive. An image of an attractive young girl with flowing auburn hair floated into Harry's mind as he anticipated seeing the girl he had missed so much. After breaking up with Ginny Weasley at the end of his 6th year at Hogwarts, Harry had regretted it. He knew it had been the right thing to do, as he was away almost all of his 7th year, but that didn't mean it had been incredibly difficult to just walk away from one of his best friends. Harry sighed. It had been hard, but he was going to see her tomorrow. He then opened the doors and slipped inside.