A/N I really do want to say thank you to every one who has taken the time to read and review this story. I really want to mention Karatekid-Ninja and alix33 for their constant support. You two have been there since I started this and have been nothing but supportive, even when you're suggesting things. I love it. Thanks a lot.
Ch. 27
30 August 1998
The next day, Hermione and Luna decided to wash all the clothes the four of them had. It would have taken quite a while to do, except they had the Grangers machine as well. Luckily, they were done by noon. They then separated out each couples' clothes and started packing their respective trunks. Each had bought a seven-trunks-in-one; therefore, they had plenty of room.
If you happened to be on their floor, you could hear the girls yelling things like: "I found Nev's brown shirt!" or "I have another pair of Harry's socks" coming from the two rooms.
Around ten o'clock, the rest of the family was up in the game room, away from the monsters known as Hermione and Luna. Harry had gone into his room to get a toy for Teddy and Mione had nearly ripped his throat out. Needless to say, they stayed out afterwards.
Finally, around one, family started arriving for their last family meal for the time being. It was definitely a more subdued dinner than usual.
HP
Monday morning Harry did the usual wake up with his godson and went down to make breakfast. When others began arriving for breakfast, it was very quiet.
"So Sirius, can you do me a favour while I'm at school?" Harry asked as he ate.
"Sure kid. What do you need?"
"I was wondering if you could check on Penny, Kyle and the others for us."
Sirius smiled. "You mean Penny specifically, don't you?"
Harry sighed. "I'm worried. I can't help it."
"Of course, kiddo. I'll go read her a story every now and then." The look of relief and happiness on his godson's face was enough to ensure it got done.
After breakfast, Hermione, Harry, Nev, Luna, Dora and Teddy all floo'd to Minerva's office.
"Well, hello everyone." Minerva greeted as she got up and came around her desk.
"Hello Professor" everyone but Teddy answered.
"Well, Dora, I think we should head to your quarters." She began as they went down the stairs. "We have arranged Dora's quarters to be attached to the DADA classroom. However, due to your peculiar housing arrangements, we have decided to put the Heads' Suite next to it with a door between them."
"Yes!" Harry jumped up. "Teddy. You and I can still do our morning thing." He said to his godson, who was in Dora's arms.
The group started laughing. "I think that's the first time I've heard of a Head Boy wanting to be woken up by someone." Minerva chuckled.
"These two are weird, Minerva. They're in a bad mood for the rest of the day if you interrupt their bonding time." Hermione giggled as her fiancé glared at her. "It's why it is best to either leave them to it or watch from the door."
"So here we are Dora. You'll set the password." Minerva opened the door. Inside, there was a flat with two bedrooms, sitting room and kitchen. "If you go to the bedroom on the right, there is a door that leads to a bedroom in the Heads' Suite." She walked through it.
"This is my room." Harry claimed. "Unless you want to be woken up every morning." He looked at the other couple who shook their heads. They continued to walk through and found two en suites with a sitting room, kitchen and an extra bedroom.
"This is great." Luna sighed. "Our own first place." She wrapped her arm around Nev's.
"So, here is the list of Prefects. I am going to want you to introduce them at the Welcome Feast tomorrow." They headed back to her office as she handed them each a folder. "In the folder are the lists of Prefects and any other information I thought you'd need. Something that we added but didn't have time to get in the folders was that we want you to plan a Yule Ball for the night you leave for break. The teachers and I will be here to help if you need it." She smiled at their befuddled faces. "You know, I told Harry's parents and Neville's dad both when they came into their positions that they were going to have to plan a Ball-they all gave me that exact look." She sighed as they went up the stairs to her office. "Don't look so scared. They each managed it just fine-even if Lily and Alice had to push those boys to actually make plans.
You will also be expected to do the scheduling for the Prefects' rounds. I would suggest you have that ready for tomorrow. I've given each Prefect a mobile to make it easier for them to report disturbances, so their numbers are with the list of names I gave you. You are required to have a Prefect meeting once a month to inform them about changes teachers may make and to find out if they need help. You can have more if you would like but once a month is imperative. It is also important that at least two Prefects are in the common room at all hours that classes are not in session or students are not at dinner. It is also required that one of you is available in your own suite at that time. This is a new policy so that all students have access to a Prefect or Head at any given time. I know this sounds like lots of responsibility but you four have proven yourself to the staff and we know that you can handle it. If you have any questions, you can come to Filius or myself any time. Do you have any questions that I can answer now?" She looked over at the gobsmacked expressions on the boys' faces and the thoughtful expressions on the girls' faces.
"Can we just leave our door open while we're inside to let people know they can come in?" Hermione asked.
"Of course. If you're going to do that, you might want to let the younger students know that you can tutor them if they need help." She smiled.
"That's a good idea Professor." Luna smiled.
"That's why I'm Headmistress, Luna dear." She sniggered as the everyone laughed.
"You and Venus are so alike." Nev muttered.
"Thank you, Mr. Longbottom." She grinned. "Now go enjoy the rest of your day." She motioned to the fire.
"Mione, could you take Teddy home? I want to get our flat ready." Dora asked taking him out of the sling and handing everything over. When Harry went to take his godson, Dora smacked his hand. "You do not floo well. You will never floo with Teddy, get used to it." she growled playfully while Mione took over and everyone else laughed.
"You can have him when we get home." Mione kissed her sulking fiancé.
HP
The rest of the day was spent talking about their roles as Head students. The girls were in the library arranging schedules for rounds and Common Room Rotations.
While their lovers were doing all the scheduling, Harry and Nev were upstairs playing pool.
Sirius came home a while after Dora as Harry was taking Teddy to bed. When he came to the game room, Harry asked. "So, what have you been up to these last few weeks Sirius? I know you haven't been at the ministry a lot. I've talked to some of the heirs and they haven't seen you as much."
"Well, I got a job but I can't talk about it until next week. Why don't you mirror me on Sunday and I can tell you about it then?"
"Is it dangerous?"
"A little but nothing I can't handle."
"Sunday?" Harry asked. "I want full details. Don't go off doing something stupid, please. We need you here." He got up and hugged his godfather, very worried about this new job.
"I know kiddo." He smirked. "So, no running off to save my godson from the ministry you mean?"
Harry groaned as the others laughed. "I'm never going to live that down, am I?"
"Sorry. That would be a no." Sirius laughed. "It's a damn good thing Nev was there to make me duck!" At that Nev just blushed.
"Yeah, mate. Did I ever tell you thanks for that?" Harry inquired.
"Yes." Nev shook his head.
"Well, thanks again." He slapped Nev's back.
"No problem, mate."
Dinner actually included The Family, The Grangers, Augusta and Xeno that night. It was a very subdued affair because it was the last meal they'd have as a family.
"You know, you can all come to the Quidditch games this year." Hermione suggested. "Augusta and Xeno, you could bring my parents with you to see any quidditch game and if any of you think Sirius isn't coming, you're crazy."
"Yeah. Then we could have dinner at that pub you always talk about Hermione." Dan agreed.
"Yeah. We can go to The Three Broomsticks." Xeno confirmed. That got them on a more upbeat note.
Tuesday 1 September 1998
Something that rarely happened occurred—Hermione got up with Harry and Teddy. "Do you realise that this is the last time we'll be in our bed for several months?" she asked.
"Yeah. But at least Teddy will be there, even if Sirius won't be." He replied pensively. Mione stood behind Harry and put her arms around him.
"He'll be okay luv. He survived Azkaban for you, he'll survive this new job." She comforted.
"But what if he doesn't?"
"No what ifs. He will. I didn't ride on the back of a bloody hippogriff to have Sirius not die of old age." They both laughed. That was the most terrifying thing in her life until then. For her, it still ranked in the top 10 or so.
She turned him around. "I love you. Sirius will be fine, luv."
"I know but every time I leave him it worries me." He hugged her really tight. "Thanks love."
He picked up Teddy and got up for the day. He made breakfast with Teddy in the new saucer that he played in. "So, you'll be moving to Hogwarts today with us little man. I'm just glad we will have a kitchen so you and I can still do this. The only person we'll be missing is Sirius."
"I heard my name. What are you saying about me? How awesome and sexy and amazing I am?"
Harry laughed as Sirius came in followed by everyone including all the parents as they started eating.
"Don't worry about your luggage Masters and Mistresses. Dobby will deliver it to your rooms and make your flat as comfortable as home." Dobby said. "Mitzy will help."
"Thank you, Dobby." All four said.
"We better be going soon." Sirius said looking at the clock. "It's 9.45. Aren't you supposed to be there by ten?"
"Yes." Hermione began to get up when Nev had an idea.
"Dobby, could you and Mitzy bring us lunch on the train? Can you do that?"
"Of course, Master Neville." He grinned at the idea of bringing lunch.
"Well, let's go." Sirius said as he grabbed Emma and disapparated.
Everyone met there a few minutes later. They went through the barrier in twos except for Sirius, Emma and Dan—they went through together.
"This is amazing." Emma whispered as she looked up to the train.
"Come on Mum and Daddy." Mione grabbed their hands as everyone headed to the Heads' carriage. It was much roomier than most carriages and had padded seats.
"This is nice." Sirius whistled.
"Hasn't changed a bit since I was Prefect." Augusta and Xeno said simultaneously as everyone laughed.
"Never been in here before Sirius?" Dan asked.
"Too much of a trouble maker. Remus was the Prefect and James Head Boy-not me thank Merlin!" he laughed. He looked at his watch. "Well, we ought to go home so you kids can get settled." He began herding people off the train. As everyone separated into their own groups, Hermione went with her parents.
"Love, have a good term at school and don't get into trouble okay?" Emma warned.
"Yes Mum. I love you. You'll have to come to Hogsmeade on a Saturday so we can do some wedding planning yeah?" Hermione hugged her mum.
"Princess, have a good trip and take care of Harry, yeah?" Dan gave his girl a hug.
"Yes Daddy. I'll take good care of your son." She grinned as Dan blushed because, well, that was how Dan felt. He loved Harry as though he were a family member already.
Over with Sirius and Harry, they were just teasing each other. Eventually, Harry gave his godfather a hug and whispered, "I'm going to miss you Sirius."
"I'm going to miss you too kiddo."
After all the goodbyes were said, the quartet went back to their carriage. As eleven o'clock arrived, Prefects started coming in. Hermione had her polaroid camera out and took a picture of each Prefect and put their name on it.
"These are so everyone in your house knows who the Prefects are. We will come through this evening or tomorrow and post them on your boards." Harry said as he handed out schedules.
"You aren't going to introduce yourselves?" a Ravenclaw asked. The quartet looked startled.
"He's Harry Potter. He's famous and just assumes you know him." Ron said petulantly. Harry decided to ignore him.
"I'm Harry Potter, Head Boy, Gryffindor." And they introduced themselves. They were so shocked at introducing themselves that they went off the girls' script and never got back on it. About an hour and a half later, they were done explaining all the new rules and schedules.
Harry and Nev went on their first round of the train then. After saying hi to all their friends, they ran into Gin. "Harry, I heard from Demzela that Ron tried to start something in the carriage?" she asked.
"Yeah. But we just ignored it and went on." He smiled at her.
"Good. Just wanted to make sure everything was okay." She smiled at her friends.
At one, Dobby came in with food for the four and a few of the Prefects. It was a very uneventful trip-especially with no Malfoy on the train. Everyone just relaxed as Prefects came in to talk with them. Blaize Zabini and Daphne Greengrass, the Slytherin 7th year Prefects, came in and stayed a while as did several others.
When they finally got in the Thestral Carriages, Harry pondered, "I wonder if it's normal for the Prefects to gather together like we all did?"
"No. It's not. They usually have the meeting and you never see the Heads again really." Hermione answered.
"I think it's the fact that we weren't closed off. The door was always open so they were comfortable." Nev considered.
HP
When they got to the castle, they followed everyone else to the Great Hall. Like usual, Harry was a bit daunted by the grandness of it as he sat down. However, it was how familiar it felt that drove home that this was where he belonged.
"Nice being back, isn't it?" Mione asked.
"Yup." He grinned and kissed her. "I love it here."
He then began looking at the teachers. There was Sinistra, Babbling, Sprout, McGonagall, Sirius, Dora, Andromeda, someone he didn't know and Hagrid. Then his eyes went back: McGonagall, Sirius, Dora.
"Do you see Sirius up there?" Harry asked his lover.
"Yes. I wonder why?"
"He can't be teaching, can he?" Luna wondered.
"He has to be. He's sitting at their table." Nev rationalized.
That's when the first years came in. Harry was just staring at his godfather, trying to figure it out. Sirius just waved and grinned at the two couples. Before he knew it, McGonagall was in front of the table introducing people.
"Welcome student, whether you are joining us for your first year or your last. We have a few staffing changes this year and a few announcements. I will keep this brief and fill you in more after the meal. The Forbidden Forest is just that-Forbidden. We have three new teachers here. First, your new Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher is former Auror Dora Tonks Lupin." Dora stood with Teddy in her arms and waved as the students cheered. "The baby is her son Teddy. I'm sure he will be around. Your new Potions Professor is Sirius Black who is also the new Head of Gryffindor House." All the Gryffindors and the DA who knew him from the Battle cheered. "Andromeda Tonks will not actually be teaching this year. She is developing a course about Muggle and Magical Societies that will begin next year. She is also Professor Lupin's mother and Professor Black's cousin." She smiled at the rumbling from the students. "Finally, Professor Binns has moved on and Professor Jaime Richardson will now be teaching Magical and Muggle History together. Now eat up, there will be more announcements at the end of the Feast." She waved her wand and the tables were filled.
"I'll be right back." Harry said. No one questioned him because of the thunderous look on his face as he marched up to Sirius. "Sirius! How dare you scare me like that. You made me think I wasn't to see you until at least Hogsmeade. I've been worried sick with you at home and your dangerous job. And when did you get good with Potions?"
"Who do you think came up with most the potions we used in school. Sure wasn't Remus!" He laughed. He got up and came around to hug his godson. "Couldn't exactly let you go back here alone, could I? My family is here." He squeezed Harry again. "Go sit down kiddo." He sat back at his seat as Harry went back to his table.
"How do you know Harry Potter?" Professor Richardson asked curiously.
"He's my godson." He grinned proudly at the new, strawberry-blond woman in her thirties with sparkling blue eyes, that Sirius had only met the previous day at the staff meeting. He held out his hand. "I know we met yesterday but I thought I'd formally introduce myself. I am Sirius Black. You are?" He cocked an eyebrow. She put her hand in his and he brought it to his lips.
"I'm Jaime Richardson."
"An honor to meet you, Ms. Richardson." He smiled at her. "Is your accent American?"
"Yes. California to be precise."
"Wonderful. I always wanted to visit there. What brings you to Scotland?"
"I got this job, see?" she laughed. It was a musical laugh that Sirius couldn't help but laugh with. This woman was enchanting! Sirius thought.
HP
At the Gryffindor table, Harry was eating at quite a fast pace. Of course all the Heads were doing it because they knew they'd be called on after to introduce the Prefects.
After they ate, they got the polaroid's out and organised them. Again. Harry was fidgeting and Hermione knew better than to try to figure out what was wrong so she just put her hand on his arm as he went through the binder that the girls had put together. Again.
When everyone was done, McGonagall stood again. "We, as a school, have an odd situation this year. We could not decide on just one Head Boy and Girl. So we named two of each." She waved to them and the quartet came up. "Your Head Boys are Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom." The amount of cheering was mind-blowing to the boys. "And the Head Girls are Hermione Granger and Luna Lovegood. They will explain some of the changes here at Hogwarts because they instigated them. They will also introduce you to your house prefects." She strode behind the table.
Harry ceded the floor to Hermione with a grin as she glared at him. "As you all know who we are, let's start with introducing you to your Prefects. These are the people you go to if you know a person is not at the table and a teacher comes in and says there's a troll in the dungeon. Instead of going to find the girl yourself and fighting the troll to save the girl's life, you go to these people and report it. Yes that happened my first year. I was in the bathroom and Harry here and Ron Weasley came to get me when they heard about the troll. They should have gone to their prefects instead of fighting the thing alone." All the 7th year Lions laughed. She took a deep breath and held up a picture. "When I call your name stand up and remain standing please." She began calling names. When everyone stood up, she said. "We will be putting these polaroid pictures on your boards in your common room. There will always be a prefect in the common rooms during off hours if you need help. The Head's suite is next to the DADA classroom and one of us will be in there at the same times. Come if you need anything. We will do all we can to help you, include tutoring if needed."
"We will also probably have Teddy Lupin in our rooms because he and his godfather, Harry, are attached at the arm as you can see." Luna commented. That got loads of laughter. While Mione was talking, Harry had gone to get Teddy and was now back with his friends.
"We are also going to have a Yule Ball the day before break." Harry added as he held up his hands for silence. "Yes, it is open to all years."
"I think that's all for now." Nev closed as he went to sit down.
Harry turned around to see Dora and Andromeda and Sirius and Professor Richardson talking. He went to Dora first. "Dora. I'm going to take Teddy with me. Is the nursery set up?"
"Of course. You might want to put him down soon." She thought aloud.
"That's what I was planning." He leaned Teddy over for her to give him a kiss.
"Sirius?" Harry asked his godfather, noticing how he kept his hand on the professor's arm. This could be interesting. Better get her involved in the family now if Sirius is interested in her, he thought.
"Yeah Pup?"
"Breakfast tomorrow? Our place?"
"Yup. Usual time?"
"Yup."
"You're welcome to join us Professor Richardson. I cook breakfast in the mornings and since we all live together, we eat together." He gave his godfather a stern look. "That will not change, will it Padfoot?"
"Of course not, pup." Sirius grinned.
"That would be lovely. What time?" she asked.
"I'll pick you up at 6.45, yeah?" Sirius volunteered.
"Thank you, Sirius" Professor Richardson acknowledged before she left and they set on their way to the kids' flat.
"Pads, what were you doing?" Harry asked his godfather.
"Just getting to know the new Professor. Thanks for inviting her."
"Padfoot, I saw your—what's it called—yes, your charm factor go up at least five notches when you were talking to her." Mione reminded him.
"What's wrong with being charming to a beautiful, single coworker?" he asked, trying to sound innocent. As Harry went to do Teddy's bedtime routine with him, everyone else sat down. Dora came from Harry and Hermione's bedroom a few minutes later with a few binders in her hands.
By the time Harry got there, Dobby was delivering hot cocoa. "So, Dobby, are you staying here because there's no one at home?"
"Yes Harry. I closed up the house today"
"Don't blame Dobby. I asked him not to tell you I was teaching. I wanted to see the look on your face-and it was priceless!" Sirius burst out laughing as though he'd been holding it too long.
"Yeah. I thought you were going to kill him Harry." Nev gasped.
"I thought about it. Then I thought that there were too many witnesses." Harry grumbled.
"What are you doing Dora?" Sirius asked.
"I'm trying to make sure first lessons are going to be okay." She didn't look up as she flipped through one binder
"Dora, do you want to feed Teddy or should I?" Harry queried as he strode into the sitting room.
"You. I'm busy." She told him distractedly as she ran her hands through her hair.
"Okay." He sat down next to her as a bottle appeared on the table. "Do you need help Dora?"
Her head moved so fast, it looked like it would tumble off her neck. Her face brightened. "You've taught defence before. How would you start a first-year class off tomorrow?" she asked.
Harry thought for a few moments. "I suppose if it were my class, I'd start talking about why defence is so important. I'd use Riddle as an example and talk about why he became what he did. I'd talk about how he gained so much influence. I'd talk about how people could have stopped him before he got to killing people. It's important they know that defence isn't just about spell work but about watching things around you." He looked up as he put Teddy to his shoulder. Everyone was staring at him. "What'd I say? Did I say something wrong? Those are just ideas guys." He asked confused.
Dora squealed and hugged Harry, squishing her son in the process. "I have three afternoon firsties tomorrow, could you come in and speak? That's brilliant. I hadn't even thought of that aspect."
He looked at Mione and she nodded. "Sure Dora but we're going to get questions about the war, you know. You may have to talk about Remus." He warned.
She took a deep breath as though steeling herself. "I can do that." She nodded. Dora finished her cocoa and got up. "I'll see you all tomorrow morning." She walked out of the flat.
"I've got to go too." Sirius stood and stretched. "See you tomorrow." And the four were finally alone in their own flat.
"I think I'm going to go to bed." Harry got up as they all realised how tired they were and decided to follow suit.