When Harry arrived in Hogsmeade, he couldn't help but smile a bit. The small village hadn't changed much, one or two houses didn't look as old as in his time, and some houses hadn't been even built yet. He slowly walked up to the castle's gates; in not even two weeks the students would arrive here, under them his parents and their friends. Harry had to admit he was pretty nervous about meeting them, with them not knowing he was their son.
"I have an appointment with Albus Dumbledore," Harry said to the gate. As he had no bad intentions, the iron gate swung open and let him pass. Thoughts about his own school years started to play around in his head, all the times he, Ron and Hermione had visited Hagrid, the hours spent under the big beech tree by the lake, or all the small and big adventures they had mastered together. It was also nice to be back in the castle without seeing the portraits of the students and Order Members who had died. Finally, he arrived in front of the Gargoyle that guarded the Headmasters office.
"I have to talk with the Headmaster, can I pass please?" he asked, and the stone figure moved and revealed the staircase that leads up to the Headmaster Office, Harry raised his hand to knock, but the door swung open before he could do so.
"Welcome, Harry." the very much alive headmaster said, and Harry walked inside, finally seeing his old mentor again in person. Besides the fact that there were fewer wrinkles on his face and his beard and hair were shorter than when he first saw the headmaster.
"Hello, Alb- Professor Dumbledore," Harry said, but the old wizard raised his hand.
"Please, I haven't been your headmaster in years, Albus is fine. Besides, we are going to be colleagues." Harry smiled. It was good to talk to his mentor again face to face, it simply wasn't the same talking to a portrait. "Please take a seat Harry." he gestured towards one of the chairs in front of his desk, and Harry sat down while Dumbledore did the same behind his desk.
"How are you?"
"No offence, it's kinda great to see so many who haven't survived both wars, but I feel miserable because I was, and I have no other way to describe it, abducted from my time, my home, by two mad Unspeakables. I didn't volunteer for this; they lied to you. In my time, I was finally free, no Dark Lord that wanted to kill me, and now I'll have to do it again and watch how good people die." Harry said, while he spoke, the smile on Dumbledore's face fell.
"I'm so sorry to hear that. Nothing really justified what they did, but I assure you, you have my help in this."
"Thank you, Albus. It's good to know that I have your support in this. Knowing my life, this is going to be anything but simple."
"I really don't want to rush things, Harry, but as you certainly know, the war with Voldemort is at its peak. And while I believe we have a chance to defeat him, I- well, from what Chronos told me, you would not only make an excellent DADA Professor but would also be an important fighter in our ranks." Dumbledore said seriously.
"You want me to join the Order?"
"It is your free choice. I won't hold it against you if you don't-"
"I will join," Harry answered with no doubt in his voice. He was trained now, he knew his way around in battle, and he certainly wouldn't sit around while his parents and everyone else were fighting against Voldemort.
"I can't say I'm not glad you joined us, Harry. I have no doubt you will be a great addition to the Order as well as to Hogwarts. I know it's a little short-termed, but given the circumstances, I will give you the curriculum for each year so you can prepare a bit for the lessons."
"Thank you, I appreciate-" at that moment, the door opened, and a witch looking to be in her late twenties to early thirties with black chest-length hair, green eyes and dark red, flowing dress that went a little past her knees. She was a little shorter than him, and the dress hugged her figure nicely, and it was an outstanding figure.
"Albus, do you-" the witch froze when she saw Harry, and he couldn't believe his eyes when he realised it was Professor McGonagall. Though significantly older in his original time, she hadn't been ugly, quite the opposite, not looking a day over sixty, but he had never dreamed she was this pretty. Her big, teal green eyes, full of intelligence and kindness, still held a twinkle of mischief in them. She wore no glasses and had a straight and pointy nose, as well as perfectly curved lips. His eyes wandered over the sharp features of her chin and jawline to her long and slender neck.
She had an athletic but still feminine figure, which Harry found very enticing. With her black hair and flawless skin, Harry couldn't believe McGonagall hadn't been married in his past life. He was far from ashamed to admit that she was simply gorgeous. The faint blush that appeared on her cheeks only added to her beauty in Harry's eyes.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't know you had another candidate for the DADA post." Minerva said and turned to leave.
"No, no, we have just finished, Minerva. But I'd like to introduce you to your new colleague, Harrison Potter." Albus said, and Harry stood up and bowed a little before he held out his hand with a small grin, which widened when his ex Professor blushed even harder.
"A pleasure to meet you, and please call me Harry." he said, and Minerva shook his hand.
"Minerva McGonagall Transfiguration Professor." Harry nodded.
"Looking forward to work with you," he then said, and she smiled a little at him. Harry realised that she looked even prettier when she smiled. Even after the war, there hadn't been many occasions he had seen her smile.
"Me too." the witch replied.
"Harry, I have given myself the freedom to have some of the house-elves bring your stuff to your new Chambers. Do you want Minerva or me to accomplice you?" the headmaster asked.
"I wouldn't say no to some company, Minerva?" Harry said, facing the witch.
"Oh! Yes...why not," she answered, then turned towards the headmaster. "I'll come by later to talk about the new NEWT level Transfiguration books."
"Of course, my dear."
When Harry turned to look at the headmaster, while he waved him goodbye, he swore the old wizard winked at him.
"So, how long are you already teaching here?" Harry asked when they walked to his new chambers.
"Since nine years, I worked for the Ministry for two years before I got the offer from Headmaster Dippet." she explained.
"And why did you decide to teach?" she asked back.
"Well I needed a break from the Auror office, and how could I do better than teach young minds how to defend themselves, especially in times like these." he thought for a moment "And I think my body will thank me if I don't collect more scars." he added and managed to put another smile on Minervas face.
"Now I remember you," McGonagall said suddenly, after a few moments of silence had passed, surprising Harry a little.
"Oh? I hope positively." the witch smiled.
"Yes, positively, we were on the Quidditch team together," Minerva told him, "You were an excellent Seeker." she added, and Harry looked at her and was again surprised by what she said. McGonagall had also played Quidditch in her Hogwarts years? Well, that would at least explain her determination to beat Slytherin. Then Harry realised another mistake from Chronos and Severin, Minerva and the others might remember him, but he didn't know anything about them, except for what he knew from the future.
"Yeah, you were also an exceptionally good Chaser," he answered, making a guess and hoping dearly that he was right. Judging Minerva reaction, he was, as she smiled again.
"Thank you." They walked around a corner and were now in the corridor leading to the DADA Classroom, his office and his quarters. "Well, if you should need help with anything, just ask day or night."
"I highly doubt your husband or any of that sorts would appreciate it if I demand your help in the middle of the night." Harry said before he could stop himself, what an idiotic thing to say! Why had he done that? They barely talked for five minutes, and he already managed to get them into an awkward situation. And surely she was taken, someone who was that beautiful and intelligent- wait, where did that thought come from? Harry shook his head to get rid of the thought and then notice the woman beside him was still tensed up and hadn't said anything. He had half expected one of the famous McGonagall lectures, but there was none.
"I'm sorry, that was highly inappropriate-"
"Yes it was, but as there is no such someone, there won't be any trouble if you request my help," she said as they came to a halt in front of his classroom. She wasn't in a relationship? Harry couldn't help but be surprised. He had at least expected some boyfriend, but even if she wasn't in a relationship, then surely a dozen men were trying to court her.
"I can't see why someone like you isn't being courted, but it seems like this might save us trouble should I take your offer. Well, thank you that you accompanied me here, it was great talking to you, and I'm sorry for whatever nonsense I said." Harry said and sent her a smile, and Minerva nodded.
"Yes it was nice, we'll see each other during dinner," she said and turned around to leave while Harry opened the door. "Oh, and Harry?" Minerva had stopped mid corridor, and the addressed wizard turned his head to look at her.
"Welcome back to Hogwarts."
"Thank you." he winked at her, and to his surprise, she only smiled in response before she turned and left. He watched her until Minerva disappeared around the corner, noticing that her backside wasn't bad either. What was going on with him? He was not even one day in the past and already trying to flirt with his former teacher. What in Merlin's beard was wrong with him?
Harry walked up to the office and found a note on the desk.
Hello Harry,
The door to your quarter is behind the right shelf, just pull the book Hogwarts A History and say: Harrison Potter. To change your password, hold the book in your right hand and say your new password out loud.
Dumbledore.
Harry walked over to the bookshelf and pulled the book partly out. "Harrison Potter." the shelf swung aside and revealed a door that he opened. He then found himself in a modest but nice living room; there were a sofa and an armchair in front of a fireplace. He then walked through a door on the left, which turned out to be the bedroom. Inside was a big bed, a nightstand and a big wardrobe. The bathroom was also big enough for two people, and all in all, it was pretty nice, and he was sure he could feel at home here.
When he arrived at dinner that evening in the Great Hall, Dumbledore stood from the round table the teachers were sitting at.
"My dear colleagues and friends, please welcome our new colleague, one or two in here should remember him, Harrison Potter" there was a round of applause, and Harry noticed that next to Minerva was a free seat. Had she saved him a seat? No, it was probably just a coincides.
"Harrison, you remember Horace Slughorn, Filius Flitwick, Pomona Sprout, our Divination Professor Peter Zettler, Bathsheda Babbling, Silvanus Kettleburn, and of course Minerva McGonagall. Professor Aurora Sinistra is teaching Astronomy for two years, then we have Septima Vector as Professor for Arithmancy, and finally, Leonard Cooper. It is also his first year teaching Muggle Studies. I believe he was only three years below you in Slytherin," Dumbledore ended the introduction, and Harry waved at all of them. Expect for the new ones he knew everyone, his Professors hadn't changed much from now until he had visited Hogwarts apart from looking younger.
"Do you want to say something about yourself, Harrison?" Harry suppressed the urge to roll his eyes at Albus.
"Hello, well, many of you probably remember me from my own school years here. After my graduation, I became an Auror and worked as one until I got the letter from Albus asking if I could imagine teaching. Here I am. Oh, and please, it's Harry." with that, Harry sat down next to Minerva, who grinned slightly amused, while the rest had imagined a bit more than that. When everyone ate and chatted, Harry turned his attention to the attractive witch beside him, who leaned closer to him.
"You are not one for big words, are you?" she asked in a low voice.
"That obvious? Well, to be honest, no." his female colleague chuckled lightly before reaching for her goblet.
"Good that you are going to teach."
"I can't remember you being so sarcastic." she only shrugged her shoulders.
"That be only one of the things you can't remember." Harry couldn't help but laugh. Was this really Minerva McGonagall? Despite their good relationship in the future, he would've never expected her to joke around so freely. Then he wondered what had happened that she had changed so much and the Harry felt stupid for not realising earlier. The war. The war with Voldemort had changed her, a war in which she probably had lost many people dear to her friends and family, maybe even watched them die.
Harry knew this because it had also happened to him, to Hermione and Ron, to everyone. Especially the ones fighting in the Battle of Hogwarts had somehow changed. Nobody was the same person as before, having witnessed so much horror, fear and sadness. Seeing good friends die and mourning the loss of Mothers, Fathers, Brothers, Sisters, Sons and Daughters.
"Harry?" he was pulled out of his thoughts by Minerva's gentle voice.
"Huh? Oh, I'm sorry I have been thinking."
"Yes, I noticed that. Are you alright?" there was a flicker of worry in the voice of the Transfiguration Professor.
"Yes I'm fine, I just- I never thought I would come back." he answered honestly without revealing what he really had been thinking about. He indeed had never thought of returning to Hogwarts as a teacher.
"It'll pass. After a week or so, you will get used to it, I promise," Minerva said reassuringly.
"Thank you." she smiled at him.
"You're welcome." the rest of the dinner went by pretty unspectacular. When everyone had finished their dinner, they stayed for one last drink before everyone would be retiring to their Chambers or Offices. Harry was the first to get up when he finished his Fire Whisky.
"Well, it has been a wonderful evening. I'm glad that I can be part of the Professors now, but please excuse me; it's been quite a long day. Good Night." he said, and while a chorus of 'Thank you' and 'Good Night' could be heard, he glanced down and could have sworn that Minerva had looked a little disappointed. In the next moment, though, she looked up at him with a smile on her face.
"Good Night Harry. "
"Good Night Minerva."
When Harry arrived in his chambers, he indeed was more than tired, damn time travel. He brushed his teeth and then undressed to his boxer shorts and a loose T-Shirt. When he pulled out of his shirt and stood in the bathroom only in his boxer shorts, one could see a few scars scattered over his body and a necklace. The symbol of the Deathly Hollows. Xenophilius Lovegood had worn it when he died, and Luna had given the necklace to him, saying as he had been the last Master of them, he should have it.
He had never taken it off since he got it from her. It was like a lucky charm for him and so much more. It would always remind him of his friends and family and all the brave souls who had lost their lives fighting for a future and what they believed in. Harry also liked to think that when he wore the necklace, they were with him. Every one of them being there for him when he needed them.
With that, the newly appointed Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor went back inside his bedroom to lay down on his large and comfortable bed. Thinking about his new life and about meeting his parents, Sirius and Remus, Harry fell asleep.
His dreams, though, were filled with a black-haired and green-eyed woman with a beautiful smile.
Hello again!
Well, the next chapter, I hope you liked it and will tell me in a review (or if you don't like it :D)
As you might have noticed, I decided to make it a Minerva/Harry story as the majority of the reviewers would like to see them together. Minerva is younger, at the moment 29, but she is going to be 30 in October.
In the next chapter, the students will arrive, and the Marauders will have their first lesson with their new DADA Professor.
A big thank you to everyone who reviewed or sent me a pm you're awesome!
Have a nice weekend
Patti