AN: Thank you to all who have followed this story. This will be a snarry but it will be slow going. I have several chapters written already and I know this will be a long story. I will post a chapter weekly until I finish it then I'll post more frequently….but please review! I love to here what you think.

I don't own Harry Potter or any of the characters and I certainly don't make any money off my stories. Enjoy.

Chapter 2

Harry steps into the Headmistress' office and looks around. Most of Dumbledore's gadgets are gone and replaced with an array of knickknacks and pictures; mostly of a large family. He knew of her family but he wasn't aware of its size. As the Headmistress walks behind her desk, Harry walks over to the mantle crowded with picture frames and studies each picture.

"I wasn't aware that you have such a large family. They're beautiful." He kept browsing as she answers with a hum and a thank you, until he saw something totally unexpected.

"Is this a picture of me flying on my broom?" He asks with a little shock and honor to be placed among her family pictures.

"Yes." She says smiling, she hopes he will understand what he means to her. Talking about her feelings are something she's not overly comfortable with.

He chokes up with emotions at her display of love towards him. He always felt a sort of kinship towards McGonagall as his Head of House, but to see how she feels about him so openly displayed makes his heart warm with comfort and pride. Before he knew what he was doing, he rounds the desk and engulfs her in a tight bear hug. Mindful of his strength, he squeezes her lovingly and he feels her return the embrace. They smile at each other as they part and he walks back to the front and sat down.

"Thank you for that, Mister Potter. Would you like some tea?"

"Yes please. It's been a while since I've had a decent cup of tea."

"Oh? And why is that Mister Potter. Didn't they have tea where you were?" She asks as she pours them both a cup. Harry raises a brow but chooses not to answer.

Harry chuckles and just hums his response while the Headmistress smirks. Looking behind her to the former Headmasters portrait, he notices the empty canvas and wonders where he is.

"He knows you're here but I asked him for privacy for our first meeting. Rest assured he will be injecting himself into our next meeting and being his old twinkley self." She says when she notices where he's looking. They both laugh knowing she's absolutely right.

"How have you been, ma'am? Are you enjoying your tenure as Headmaster?" He finally asks her.

"Yes. Albus made this job look easy but I'm finding it's quite a bit of paperwork. So, I see you're not going to be forthcoming in regards to where you've been these past five years." She gave him her best 'I'm the Headmaster so I want the truth' glare but she could tell it had no effect on the man.

"No ma'am. If it's all the same to you, I would rather not discuss the last five years right now." He says with a smile and she nods her head in understanding. Harry isn't ready to discuss the last five years; not now and probably not ever.

"That's acceptable, Mister Potter, but know that I'm here for you if you ever want to talk about anything. We've missed you around here these past years. Your friends must be excited that you've returned or have you not told them yet?" Watching for any reaction from the young man but his face shows nothing. He used to be so easy to read when he was younger.

"Thank you, Headmistress, that means a lot to me, and no I haven't told them yet." Wanting to change the subject, he asks "So, History? You couldn't come up with a better job to get me back?" He chuckles when he sees her reaction.

Minerva stiffens a little, if that's even possible, then relaxes and smiles at Harry. "That obvious, huh? I'm losing my touch." She laughs out loud.

Harry sits back in his chair and crosses one leg over the other. He knows he wouldn't get the Defense Against the Dark Arts position but maybe he could've been the flying instructor. He is still good at flying even after all these years. The same cannot be said for History though, but he's not really here to stay long enough to care. He's here to get acquainted with his Other.

"It makes no difference what I teach, really. I'm just glad to be home. I can't tell you how happy I am that you've made room for me here, especially since I just left without saying goodbye and I've returned without any explanation." He states matter of factly. He doesn't feel bad for leaving and he will never say that he does. He's here on a mission. One he hopes he can accomplish.

"Nonsense, Mister Potter. I've already told you this is your home. You're welcome here anytime without any explanations."

Harry tilts his head forward in acknowledgment. "Again, thank you."

"Ok let's get this contract signed so you can get to your rooms and unpack." She says as she takes the contract from the top drawer and hands it to Harry. "It's the standard teaching contract. Please read it through and I'll answer any questions you may have."

Harry accepts the document and reads through it quickly. He doesn't really care what it says; he's only staying the one year. Having no questions, he conjures a quill from thin air and signs his name at the bottom.

"Impressive. Wandless and wordless. That's advanced magic. I suppose that's one of the things you studied while you were away." Harry just smiles knowingly and she doesn't wait for an answer as she takes back the contract and signs it herself. Once she's done, it folded itself up and vanishes with a 'pop'. "A copy will be waiting for you in your rooms." Standing from her chair she motions for Harry to follow her out of the office. "Your rooms are located just off the infirmary as you requested. I'll take you there."

"Thank you, Headmistress and please, do call me Harry."

"Then I insist you call me Minerva or Minnie. Most of the staff use Minerva but I answer to both."

They start walking down the hall towards the stairs and she takes this time to study her former student. Harry's different from when he left. He holds himself with great confidence and raidates strength. He's definitely more mature, a man, not a boy anymore but something is...off. She can't quite put her finger on it. She just knows the girls are going to go ape over him, maybe even some boys too. Even though Minerva is old enough to be his grandmother, she can recognize a sexy man when she sees one. Yes, Harry Potter is walking sex on a stick.

Wonderful.

Realizing she was staring too long, she begins her speech she gives to all her new professors.

Harry can feel Minerva watching him and he tries to act normal. Whatever normal is for him. He's used to people gaping at him. He might be inexperienced when it comes to relationships, but he knows he's a good looking man.

Since his inheritance, he's had to come to terms with what it has done to his features, which is making him look like a god. He chuckles at his own thoughts. It's been a long time since he thought of his old self. He's definitely come along way since then.

They finally reach the first set of stairs and Harry takes a deep breath to see if he can smell Snape this far away. Surprisingly enough, he can. Just a little less then when he stepped into the castle the first time. He notices the hairs on his skin didn't tingle as much as they did before, but he can feel something under his skin. He faintly wonders what it would feel like when they are in the same room together.

He can also smell another creature off to the side of them. By the smell he can infer that it's Professor Flitwick but when he looks around to find him he's nowhere to be seen.

Minerva finally pulled herself out of her thoughts and begins what Harry presumes is her 'new professor speech' he turns to face her and gives her all his attention.

"We have our first staff meeting in two days at 9am. I know it's early but I like to get things rolling fast and the start of term is fastly approaching. Please don't be late. Also, you will be required to attend the Welcoming Feast and all dinners and breakfast in the Great Hall. Lunch is not mandatory but I would like it if you did it at least three times a week. Keeps the students on their toes." Harry nods for her to continue.

"Also, except for the Welcoming Feast, there are no more house tables in the Great Hall. The students can sit wherever and with whoever they want. We encourage them to interact with all houses. We still use house points as discipline and have House Quidditch teams, but we stress school unity as our number one priority. It seems to be working and there are study groups consisting of all Houses. Last year some of the students even tried to start a fifth Quidditch team called United. It consisted of students from all Houses that didn't make their own House team. Unfortunately, they didn't make it through the year but who knows, maybe this year they will."

Harry acknowledges her. He's finding all this new information intriguing. This place used to be his home and it has changed tremendously since the war. That thought making him remember his time here as a student and all the prejudice and anger he felt back then. If he learned anything during his time away it's that he's not perfect. He has flaws like everyone else. It's how you handle yourself that's the key.

It was very humbling to learn that about himself, but he wouldn't be where he is today if he didn't go through hell first. He learned to forgive himself, to let go of hate and anger and to love the person he has become. It makes him appreciate the journey it took him to get here all the more.

Minerva continues her speech, unaware of Harry's journey to past memories. "Not much else has changed since you were last here. The Heads of House are still the same." She glances at Harry before she asks, "Are you going to have any issues with Severus that I need to worry about? He's a changed man since the war, Harry. Please try to get along. At least in front of the students."

"I have no problems with Professor Snape." Deciding it would be in his best interest to use respect in mentioning Snape. "I can assure you there will be no problems between the two of us. I'm actually hoping to make amends with the man and maybe strike up a friendship with him." Harry replies and Minerva beams her approval at him.

He's my Other, I will be doing everything I can to have some sort of relationship with him. He thought to himself. One day at a time and patience, Merlin willing.

"Good. I expect you to be true to your word on that. Like I said before, Severus is not the same man since the end of the war, but when it comes to you I don't know what to expect."

"I will do my best to keep my word, ma'am." Harry says and he means it. Getting to know his Mate is all that matters, not keeping old grudges.

Minerva stops in front of a wall and taps it with her wand mumbling "home". A door appears and she opens it, moving aside to allow Harry to enter first.

"The students will be so excited to have you as a professor. Are you nervous about teaching? Even if it is History?" She adds sarcastically as she follows him into the rooms.

Harry looks around the spacious room. There's a large fireplace along one wall with a couch and two chairs in front of it. The kitchenette is off to the right. Nothing big but enough to make something simple if needed with a small table and two chairs. There's a door off to the side of the kitchen and then another off the left side of the fireplace.

He puts his backpack on the couch and turns to the Headmistress. "I'm not nervous about teaching. Just weary about being back. But I'll be fine, I promise."

"You will do just fine, Harry. I have faith in your abilities. Be patient, but for the most part be prepared and you'll be just fine. Now, your room is off the fireplace and you have a small office off the kitchen. It's not much. We mostly use these quarters for parents who stay at Hogwarts when their child is in the infirmary long term. Needless to say they haven't been used in some time."

"Oh the rooms are fine! Perfect even." He assures her. Harry requested these rooms to have easier access to the infirmary. "I think I'll unpack and then go for a quick run before dinner." Picking up his pack and starting for his room.

"I'll just leave you to it then. See you at dinner." Minerva then turns and heads for the door. "Don't forget to set your password, Harry." She calls out over her shoulder before she leaves the room.

"Thanks and I will, see you at dinner!" He yells back from across the room.

Harry enters his bedroom and drops his bag on the bed. He pulls out his running clothes and heads for the bathroom. This run will be the perfect time to work out what he wants to do as for as Snape is concerned. It's not going to be easy convincing someone who hates you that they're your mate. Maybe just for now he will just concentrate on being a friend to him.

Bugger.

That is going to be difficult.

XxxX

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