Disclaimer: I make no claim to Harry Potter or it's related properties

Spear Of Christ

Introductions

Harry arrived at the gates of Hogwarts early the next day, his bags on one arm and James on the other. After enjoying a rather slow paced lifestyle for the last four years, in which he'd had only minimal contact with the wizarding world, things were suddenly happening very quickly. Not even two weeks after reading of the teaching position in the prophet, he was back before the majestic castle. The place he'd called home for six of the best years of his life. He was actually a little surprised he'd gotten the job, knowing he hadn't given them much to go on. Deciding not to worry about this, he made his way across the grounds and into the castle. Gazing around the entrance hall, he noticed that It didn't seem to have changed at all in his absence, and Harry guessed it hadn't changed much in the thousand years since it was built. Leaving his bags by the door, he made his way through the stone walls of the castle, fond memories of times spent here with Ron and Hermione flashing through his mind. He soon found himself outside the Gargoyles that guarded the headmasters office. Harry knew McGonagall had taken over as headmistress during what would have been his seventh year, if he had returned, however she had soon left, feeling uncomfortable in the position. He had been surprised to hear that Remus had taken over, remembering how he'd left his teaching position at the end of Harry's third year after everyone had found out exactly why he got sick whenever the full moon arose.

"I'll be honest with you Mr. Baxter, we're out of options. The Defence position has always been a difficult one to fill, and this year was no different. Another couple of days and the Ministry would've appointed one of their own, which would've been no good for anyone. The Ministry weren't keen on allowing you, but I argued on your side and as a result you sit before me today. I only hope that you can prove to them that my trust in you was not misplaced."

Harry was sitting in the office that he'd visited many times during his days at Hogwarts. The walls were still covered in ancient books and odd looking instruments that he recognized as once belonging to Albus Dumbledore, but now in fact belonged to himself. They'd been left to him in Dumbledore's will, and some had proven invaluable in the defeat of Lord Voldemort. The rest he'd left, and it seemed Remus had nothing better to do with them so here they remained.

"Yes sir, I hope so to."

"Good. Your office and classroom are on the first floor, I'll show you exactly where later. I've left the years curriculum on your desk, and ask that you do your best to stick to it. I've also provided the notes of previous teachers, so you can get an idea as to what the students have covered. Unfortunately we tend to go through a lot of Defence teachers at this school, which has disrupted the students learning and you'll find many of them aren't at the level they should be."

Harry was reminded of his own Defence teachers, of which he'd had six in as many years.

Remus continued, "Now, as I said in my letter, we have quarters available here for you, which is what most teachers prefer. Though if you prefer, you may find a place of your own as long as you are able to make it to all of your classes on time, and you let me know where it is you're staying."

"I'm sure the quarters here will be fine, thank you sir."

"Right, will your wife be staying with us also?"

"Uh, no sir, just me and the kid."

"Ah yes" Remus directed his attention to the small child, "and what's your name?"

"James"

Harry was glad to see no recognition of the name in the headmasters eyes.

"It's a pleasure to meet you James." Turning back to Harry he said, "I'll make sure the elves take good care of him while you have classes, they'll be happy for the extra responsibility."

"Thank you sir." He hadn't actually given much thought as to who would look after James, and was more than happy when Remus offered the elves as a solution, this way he would always be in the castle - something a private daycare couldn't offer.

"And what about your luggage?"
"I left it in the entrance hall."

"Right then, I'll have the elves collect your bags and ready your quarters."

At this there was a loud crack and an elf appeared, though Harry had not seen any signal given.

"Hello Tendra, please gather Mr. Baxter's belongings from the entrance hall, and organize permanent accommodation for him and his son in the staff wing. Then return here and show him to his quarters"

The elf gave a deep bow and disappeared with another crack.

"Unfortunately I must apologize as I have other matters to attend to. I plan to enjoy my dinner at seven o'clock in the Great Hall, I hope you will join me. Some of the other professors are already here, and it would be a good time for introductions"

"Yes sir, and thank you, for the position."
"That's quite alright, and Mr. Baxter? Feel free to address me as Remus"

At this Harry gave a laugh, reminded of the conversation he'd had only yesterday with Mike.

"In that case you'll have to call me Evan."

Harry surveyed his new surroundings, he didn't recall ever being in the staff wing before. The living space they'd provided him with was more than he expected, almost as large as the house he'd rented in America. His return to the wizarding world had so far gone incredibly smoothly. For years he had kept away, scared of what coming back would mean, but now that he was here, it was hard to see what he'd been worried about. He knew that this was of course just the beginning, Remus was only one of many old friends he would encounter at the castle. One day he would tell them who he was, tell them why he left, but for now he was content for them to know he was Professor Baxter, Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher.

Harry was awoken by a small finger prodding his side.

"Professor Baxter sir?"

"What? Who's that?"

"It is Tendra sir, I is being sorry for waking you sir, Tendra is coming to tell you it is dinner time sir."

Fully awake now, Harry recognized the small elf.

"Thank you Tendra." Swinging his legs over the side of the bed he suddenly gave a start and looked around urgently. "Where's James? Have you seen James?"

"I is taking young Professor Baxter to the kitchens, Tendra hopes she has not done wrong sir?"

"No no, that's fine."

"Professor Lupin sir is sending me when you are not at the great hall."

Harry checked his watch to find it was in fact ten past seven, and that he had somehow managed to spend the last six hours asleep.

"Ah, Evan, so good of you to join us, we thought perhaps you'd decided to skip dinner."

"I lay down for a quick rest and had my longest sleep in recent memory, probably my longest since James arrived on the scene." Harry approached the staff table where he saw Remus sitting with a handful of other adults.

"Good to hear Evan, a good sleep is a very important thing to have. I trust Tendra told you that the elves were looking after the young lad in the kitchens?"

Harry nodded in the affirmative.

"Good, good. Now come, it's time the introductions were made. Everyone, this is Professor Evan Baxter, the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher."

Hands were shook as Harry was introduced to Pomona Sprout - Herbology, Wilhelmina Grubby-Plank – Care of Magical Creatures, Septima Vector – Arithmancy, Terrance Higgs – Ancient Runes, Cuthbert Binns - History of Magic (due to his being a ghost, they had to forgo the handshake), and finally...

"Neville Longbottom, Herbology aid."

"Oh don't be so modest Neville, you're much more than just a teachers aid." Professor Sprout cut in before Harry had time to properly digest the fact that the man standing before him was the same boy he'd once gone to school with.

"Neville here's been helping me since he left Hogwarts, he's now taken over the first year classes and some of the second, allowing me to spend more time with the older students."

Harry was glad to see Neville had stuck with Herbology, it was really the only subject he'd excelled at.

"So Evan, you got your lesson plans ready? Classes start in two weeks." Professor Sprout was sitting next to him, chewing on a piece of lamb as she spoke.

"Uh, well, not ready as such."

"Don't sweat it, myself I prefer to write a brief outline and fill it in as I go. I find the more strict your lesson plan, the less likely you are to stick with it. I've always thought that it helps to be flexible when teaching, you need to be constantly adjusting your plans to make sure no one's falling behind, and that the brighter students have something more advanced to do, so they don't get bored. Do you agree?"

"Uh, well yeah. I mean, it does make sense. To be honest I don't actually have that much formal teaching experience." Harry was worried now, what on Earth had made him think he could be a teacher? The closest he'd come was the DA, and that was years ago.

"No need to look so nervous, from what Remus tells us you've got the practical experience, and I can tell you've got the right sort of personality for it. And being young will be an advantage as well, the students will relate to you. Just make sure you stamp your authority straight away, or they'll walk all over you for the rest of the year."

At that moment Tendra appeared with James, who climbed onto his fathers knee, and immediately started in on Harry's food.

"Jeez buddy, you've just come from the kitchens, didn't the elves feed you?"
James replied between mouthfuls of pumpkin soup, "Still Hungry".

Harry laughed as the two year old continued to shovel everything within reach into (and sometimes, onto) his face.

Later that evening Harry retired to his quarters holding a barely awake James to his shoulder. The toddler had tired himself out chasing a snitch that Professor Higgs had given him to play with. He tucked James into bed, then lay back on his own and contemplated all that had happened. Harry was surprised that no one had inquired after Jame's mother, but then maybe Remus had told them not to. Thinking about this reminded him of what Sprout had said about him having 'practical experience'. What exactly had Remus told them? When he thought about it, his cover story didn't make much sense. He'd told Remus that he'd attended Hogwarts, but Sprout had been here for years, surely she would remember if she'd had an Evan Baxter in her classes? And what about Neville? They obviously weren't far apart in age, you'd think Neville would wonder why he didn't remember him if they'd been at the school together. But then Neville hadn't exactly been the social sort, he probably didn't know a lot of students outside his own year, Harry himself hadn't known everyone, but then why didn't Neville ask? Surely it would've been normal to ask Harry what year he'd attended, what house he'd been in? Harry knew he'd picked up a bit of an accent living in America, so maybe everyone assumed he'd grown up and attended school there? But then why hadn't Remus told them otherwise? If he'd told everyone about him, wouldn't he also tell them that he'd been to Hogwarts? Unless Remus knew who he was? He hadn't changed his facial features, figuring he'd grown enough in the last five years, surely Remus hadn't recognized him? And if he had, why didn't he say anything? He let out a deep sigh, it seemed he'd been kidding himself when he thought coming back would be easy.

Author's Notes

The Spear of Christ will play an important role in the story, but don't expect it to appear soon. The beginning chapters are about Harry returning to the wizarding world.

James is Harry's biological son, his mother will not play an important role in the story.

I'd like to say I'm happy for anyone to point out something which isn't consistent with cannon (or in fact, earlier chapters), but it would be a little more helpful
if you told me exactly what facts were wrong, that way I could change them :)

I'm aware there's not much going on in these first chapters, but I feel they're necessary to establish the base of the story.
And in case anyone's mislead by the summary, Harry will be doing a lot more than teaching this year, I see this as being an eighth book of sorts, and as such you
should expect a lot of mystery/action/adventure. The summary really should've been longer, but fanfiction imposes a character limit so it was cut short.

A final note, this is my first real attempt at writing fiction, so feel free to critique the writing, formatting, and anything else you feel needs critiquing.