Finally, the Hogwarts Express came to a full stop. Harry, Hermione, and Ron heard the familiar voice of Hagrid calling the first years to show them the way to the boats:
"Firs' years, firs' years, this way ter the boats, come on now,"
When they stepped out of the train, they caught a glimpse of Hagrid blinking of them. In seconds, he was gone with the first years. Of course, students were usually put into carriages that were pulled by invisible horse-like creatures to some people called Thestrals. Harry, Hermione, and Ron took the first one. Several minutes passed, and they've at last reached the entrance door. The friends were now heading to the Great Hall, like the rest of the students from Ravenclaw, Huffelpuff, and Slytherin. The three found an empty space on the Gryffindor table, and they sat next to the Creevey brothers and their fellow sixth year, Neville Longbottom. Several minutes passed, when at last every second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh year settled down quietly. The first years arrived finally with Professor McGonagall leading the way to the Sorting Hat.
"When I call your name, you will come to me, sit on the chair, and I shall place the Sorting hat on your head. You shall then be sorted into your houses. After that, kindly join your friends on the four house tables you see," explained McGonagall to the first years.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron noticed something on the front teachers' table. There was one chair empty. It couldn't have been Hagrid--thought Harry, because he saw him when he first arrived here. It just hit him---there was no present Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. Could it possibly be? Dumbledore always found a teacher who would kindly take the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts. Harry, Hermione, and Ron where discussing their thoughts about this with Neville, Ginny, and Lavender Brown when the Sorting Hat shouted "Slytherin", and Bella Karlton was sorted into Slytherin. Then, "Gryffindor", and Derrik Shackbol was sorted into his house. "Slytherin", and Tom Vendaruloo was sorted. It took the Sorting Hat at least twenty minutes to sort the first year students. Everybody now was sitting on their table, ready to hear Dumbledore's usual welcome-feast speech.
"Welcome first years, and welcome back, to our old friends who've we known," began Professor Dumbledore, "First years will please notice that the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds to all students, so as a number of things that Mr. Filch, our care taker, has reminded me of for about the five hundredth time. You can check the list of things that aren't allowed on Mr. Filch's office's door."
Everybody from the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh year were already used to this boring speech. Then, Dumbledore spoke again.
"I would be most pleased to welcome back our staff from previous years, of course all students from second year and above would recognize them. Yes, I know, you wonder why one chair here is empty, which is the Defense Against the Dark Arts seat. This might be very surprising and strange to you all. But the staff and I have agreed to give the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts to none other than one of you students,"
Harry was beginning to hear more carefully.
"The Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this year, will be our young Mr. Harry Potter,"
Every single face in the Great Hall turned to stare at Harry. He didn't believe it himself at first, he was bewildered by the fact of him becoming a teacher. Impossible---thought Harry. He was still sixteen, and a student at Hogwarts. Was Dumbledore out of his mind? Hermione had her jaw falling. Ron was itching to scream out something, but he remained lost for words.
"Of course, everything we decide to make has a reason. The reason why Mr. Potter has been selected as a teacher this year is because he is superb and excellent in the Dark Arts, even though his is not a complete expert on it yet. As few of you might have known, last year, Potter and his friends from all houses have been practicing the dark arts illegally in a hidden room. However, this was a great success. All who have been having low grades in this subject have improved surprisingly. Mr. Potter, kindly come to my office after the feast, there are something we must arrange. And now, no further comments please, tuck in, and enjoy the feast,"
Harry headed back to Gryffindor table, to sit with Hermione and Ron. They were speechless for moments, until at last, Hermione spoke:
"Harry… you've been made a teacher, I don't believe it! What's Dumbledore playing at?"
"Bloody hell, Harry! This is stunning," said Ron, with his face beaming at Harry's.
Harry was completely lost and confused in the time. Of all people, why had he selected me as a teacher? Harry thought to himself.
Harry should've been at his chair beside the other teachers, but he preferred joining his friends. Of course, Dumbledore didn't mind that. At last, the feast ended, and everyone was getting out of their seats. Prefects were told their passwords from the Head Boy and Head Girl, and now were leading the first years to the staircases and dormitories. For a short minute, Harry forgot about going to Dumbledore's office, and went to join his friends, when Hermione reminded him to go. He was now heading to the headmaster's office. When he arrived, he stood in front of the gargoyle, quiet. He didn't know the password. What was he going to do? Sit there all night and wait for Dumbledore to come out? Of course not. Suddenly, Harry heard footsteps behind him coming closer. It was Professor McGonagall.
"Hello Potter, congratulations for being the Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher, and now, yes the password," said Professor McGonagall quickly," Chocolate Frog!"
At once, the gargoyle cam to life, and spun, McGonagall and Harry were stepping on the stairs to reach the headmaster's office.
"Hello Harry, please sit down," said Dumbledore. Harry was still confused.
"Harry, I presume that you may have heard me explain the reasons that caused me to select you as a teacher?"
"Yes sir, "replied Harry, with sweat covering his face.
"And now, we have a few things to discuss. Have you ever wondered why Professor McGonagall didn't include Force Your Way Through Dark Paths? Of course you did. It was because we were to give you the book when you arrived here, in order to start teaching,"
"But, I got it, Hermione told me to buy it, just in case I needed it," said Harry at once.
"Ah, I see your friend Ms. Granger, cares for you," said Dumbledore with his half moon spectacles falling to his nose.
"Harry, you can use that book if you want, but we will provide you with the other books you will teach the other students," said Dumbledore.
"Even seventh years?" asked Harry.
"Oh yes, " replied Dumbledore, " it's not going to be hard for you Harry. As I understand, you've always got high marks in Defence Against the Dark Arts, you are a very competent student. I know, some topics in the sixth year curriculum will be new to you, and so in the curriculum of the seventh years. But don't worry, you'll be fine. You've always been,"
Harry now smiled, not intentionally of course.
"Another few things Harry," began Dumbledore, "now that you are a teacher, you have every right to give students detentions, and to take off points from houses. Also, I will make sure that no teacher takes off points from houses because of you, or even give you detentions," Dumbledore was now turning his head to Professor McGonagall, she smiled.
"And last, this is your times table Harry," Dumbledore gave the times table to Harry. Harry took it and saw that he had no Divination on it.
"Sir, I think you've made a mistake, you didn't----"
"No I did not Harry. As you see, sometimes when you will be teaching, your friends from Gryffindor sixth year will be having Divination. So, as a treat, I decided to drop this subject for you." said Dumbledore, smiling. Harry was relieved to hear this; Divination was the most boring subject he ever took. Even though the centaur Firenze was now teaching it, not Trelawney.
"Thanks sir!" said Harry, with a beam on his face.
"Any more questions Harry?" asked Professor Dumbledore.
"No sir, " replied Harry.
"Very well then, goodnight Harry, and Harry, don't forget, your password to enter the Gryffindor common room is Seftus Prifictous,"
Harry immediately got out of his seat, and grabbed the door.
"Goodnight Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall," that was the last thing Harry said in the office. He was now running to the Fat Lady's Portrait, Harry was thrilled, amazed, happy, confused, bewildered, and excited at the same time. He didn't know what to say to his friends, he didn't know how he will be teaching, he wasn't used to it, he just wanted to sleep and rest.