All too soon it was September the 1st, and it was time for Ginny to go back to school and Harry to start his new job. Everybody else was too busy to come, so Harry got to take Ginny to the train station all by himself. At platform 9 ¾ there were a lot of people whom Harry recognized and said hello to, and when he and Ginny saw Cho Chang sending off her little sister, they pointedly drew very close together, but because it was so crowded they couldn't kiss. Suddenly Romilda Vane came charging up.
"Hi Harry!" She said. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh, hi, Romilda," Harry said. "I'm here seeing my fiancé off. And by the way, it's Professor Potter now." Romilda goggled at Ginny, who had Harry's arm around her waist, before registering the last piece of information, and turning back to stare at Harry. But it was only for an instant; a second later and she had her cool back.
"So you're going to be married now, are you?" She asked, throwing blistering looks Ginny's way. "Congratulations." She didn't sound very enthusiastic, but then she brightened up. "So you're going to teach here? Defense Against the Dark Arts? Well I did the program that the ministry set up last year, where fifth year students could go to the ministry and do their OWL's even though Hogwarts wasn't open, and I got an E in DADA. So I guess I'll be seeing you in class, professor!" And with one last hateful look at Ginny, Romilda stalked off.
"One more thing before we get to the school, Gin," Harry said, pulling her over to a quiet corner. "I just wanted to give you this, because I aught to, and I don't want you to forget about me when I can't do much with you, being a teacher, and there are so many other guys around." And he pulled a small box out of his pocket, which had an engagement ring inside it. The ring was gold, with sapphires, emeralds and diamonds making a wavy pattern across it. It took Ginny's breath away. Wrapping her arms around Harry's neck and kissing him she said, "I love you so much, Harry." Harry just said, "I love you too, Ginny."
Harry got Ginny a compartment with Luna, then apparated to his house in Hogsmede to make sure everything was alright there and walked to the school. There the headmistress, Professor McGonagall, greeted him.
"Ah, Harry, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," she said, "welcome back, though this time not as a student. I hope you and Miss Weasley are well?"
"Yes, thank you, we're both fine, Professor."
"That's good, and by the way, you're a member of staff now, so you don't have to address me using 'professor.'" McGonagall seemed a little preoccupied.
"It's okay, Professor, it would seem weird to call you anything else," Harry said. "Are you alright? You seem a little bemused."
"I'm sorry, Potter." Professor McGonagall turned to him, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "I just can't help wondering if we get to keep you for more than a year." Her eyes seemed fixed on something in the distance, but then they snapped back to Harry. "I wish to warn you that although you are engaged to Miss Weasley, you are still her head of house, so any inappropriate behaviour will be punished accordingly. And," a brief smile flitted across McGonagall's face, "I know you have a history of loosing your temper with rude people, so be cautious. Someone you may have hit in the face without a second thought as a student will react differently now you are a teacher. Give them a detention instead. Now, is there anything you wish to ask me?"
"Timetables?" Harry asked.
"Teachers' timetables are hung up in the staffroom. It is up to you to work out you students' timetables to hand out tomorrow off those, and then organize the sixth and seventh year timetables tomorrow at breakfast. Considering there are only seventy students to do, and all the first and second years' are the same, it shouldn't be too hard. Anything else?"
"Can I start the DA again, Professor? Just for all the remaining members, who can invite some eager new ones who would benefit from the experience." Harry hesitated. "I know the last time the DA didn't work out too well, but now that we've got Umbridge off our backs, it would be great for those who want some extra practice. Because evil will never really be gone, you know." McGonagall, seeing the bright spark of determination in Harry's eye, relented with a sigh.
"Yes, Potter. I shall put an announcement out with all the others this evening, summoning all the old DA members to the usual room after the feast. I assume you will be using the Room of Requirement?"
"Yes, that's probably the best place," Harry decided. "Well, thanks Professor for the briefing. I guess I'll go and set up my office and classroom so it resembles something like order, then do those timetables. I have a foreboding feeling that things are going to be pandemonium for the next few days." The irresistible grin which Harry had on his face so often lately flashed up, and McGonagall's cold severity seemed to soften slightly.
"Don't forget, Potter, lunch is in the staffroom in an hour, at one o'clock, the password is 'united!'" she called to Harry's retreating back, and Harry raised a hand to show that he had heard.