Chapter 7 – Its Professor…

"How about Scarlet?"

"No"

"Why not?"

"Sounds too girly"

"Hmm…you've got a point" Albus put a finger to his chin and made a pondering face. Alex walked beside him as they made their way to the greenhouse for their first Herbology class. Albus had been suggesting nicknames for Alex since 'Dragon Boy' struck out. 'Red', 'Fire-starter', 'Flame' had been a few suggestions that had been made just yesterday. Alex had said none of them really fit. Alex had also tried to think of a nickname for Albus, but had yet to say any of his suggestions; was waiting until he knew he had a good one.

They arrived at the greenhouse that their class was in. Rose was already there standing close to the entrance. When she noticed the two boys walk in she waved them over.

"Hey Rose. Where's Neville?" Albus asked

"Professor Longbottom went to go get some fertilizer. Looks like today's class we'll be tending to the plants"

Professor Longbottom came out from behind some tall plants carrying a large sack. He put it down and clapped his hands together to dust them off. He greeted everyone with a large smile and began instructing the class.

"Alright everyone. In order for you to get acquainted with this greenhouse and everything inside of it today we will be fertilizing. Which is a key part of taking care of plant-life. Now who can tell me what's the best fertilizer to use?"

Everyone was silent. Rose looked around at everyone before raising her hand. Alex bent his head so his hair covered his eyes in anticipation for the answer which he knew.

"Isn't it a matter of opinion?" Rose said after Longbottom pointed to her.

"You're absolutely right Rose. A point for Gryffindor" Rose beamed and Valerie gave her a thumbs up and a wink, "Today we will be using Mooncalf dung although we usually use Dragon dung but I seem to have forgotten to restock"

"Think you can spare some Alex?" One of the Slytherin kids spoke up causing the rest of them to laugh. Alex saw that joke coming but it still made him cringe and sink his head even lower.

"Well aren't you quite the ballsy little one Kain," Longbottom spoke up, "Considering what Alex did to your fellow Slytherin the other day. One point from Slytherin"

The Slytherin stopped laughing; Alex wasn't sure if it was because of him or because they were afraid to lose more points. Longbottom continued with his lesson and gave each student a bucket of dung and pointed them to a spot they could fertilize. For the rest of the class the students continued to fertilize the greenhouse and Longbottom would walk around and instruct them how to properly do so.

"No Liam don't dump it all on the plant, dump it around the base"

"No need to wear gloves today Jacqueline; its just dung. You can wash your hands afterwards"

When Longbottom walked by Albus he patted him on the back, approving of the way he spread the fertilizer around. Longbottom also gave considerable praise to Alex who was showing extreme care for every plant he fertilized. Alex didn't know if it was just to boost his spirits or if it was actually a good job.

When Longbottom dismissed the class, most of the girls ran to the lavatories to wash their hands with Jacqueline leading them. Most of the boys were putting their hands in each others faces to show how gross they smelled. Albus, Rose and Alex just used the hose in the greenhouse to wash their hands then went off to D.A.T.D.A. class.

"We've been here for two days! Does the Minister not know how to send an owl?" Ron yelled. Harry and Ron had been staying in Hogsmeade since they arrived with Alex the night of Sorting ceremony. Their charge had even made headlines yesterday, alarming the parents of Hogwarts' students and making his presence know to virtually everyone in the wizarding world. Harry was reminded of his childhood; how he was always addressed as The Boy Who Lived and now Alex will always be addressed as The Dragon Boy.

Harry and Ron were sitting out at the Quidditch stands staring out at the empty field. Harry was lost in nostalgia while Ron went on complaining about how the Minister hadn't sent any new orders concerning Alex. Harry assumed the Minister was overwhelmed by people telling him how to deal with the situation. Harry didn't mind being back here although he did miss Ginny and Lily. Ron was still going on about something when Harry noticed someone walking on the field.

"Uh Ron…" He didn't seem to hear Harry, "Ron!" That got his attention.

"Wha?" Harry pointed to the figure on the field, "Who is…Hermione?"

Hermione stood in the field waving up at them. Ron shot up and started to run down the stairs to the field. Harry picked up a nearby broom and used it to float down, landing in front of Hermione. Ron caught up huffing and puffing and smiled up at his wife.

"Hi honey" Hermione gave Ron a weak shove, "What was that for?"

"You said you'd be home by supper" Hermione said in annoyed tone. Ron laughed.

"I guess I did didn't I" Hermione sighed and smiled at him before greeting her husband with a kiss.

"Hermione why are you here?" Harry asked.

"And where's Hugo?"

"Your sister is taking care of him. McGonagall sent an owl for me. What's been going on here?" Hermione was referring to the article in the Daily Prophet about The Dragon Boy, "Is that who was in the train at the station? Are Rose and Albus ok?"

"They're fine dear. They've actually made friends with Alex" Ron explained.

"He's not dangerous is he? I mean I can only imagine what that Slytherin kid did but burning him?"

"It was just a stunt to get the article. He had some sort of fire protection charm on him" Harry sounded a tad annoyed as he said that, "What does McGonagall want?"

"Well…she asked me to be Headmaster"

"Hermione I'm just saying think about it!" Ron pleaded. The trio had made their way to Minerva's office and were discussing Minerva's offer.

"I have thought about it" Hermione defended herself.

"Who's going to look after Hugo if we're both working?"

"Am I supposed to just because I'm a woman?"

"That's not what I'm saying!"

Classic Ron and Hermione fight. Harry sat and watched them figure this out; Minerva watched from her side of the desk with a surprised expression.

"Hugo can live here with me!"

"Your not even Headmaster yet and you're getting our son into Hogwarts early!"

"If I may intervene, I'm sure arrangements could be made for the young Mr. Weasley to stay here. Although his admittance will have to wait until the start of next year" Minerva suggested.

"That's what I meant!" Hermione told Ron.

"Why didn't you just say that then?" Ron responded and with a sigh they both sat down. Minerva looked at both of them and waited a moment expecting more but she was met with anticipating glares.

"Well then Miss. Granger-" Ron cleared his throat, "Sorry old habit. Until the Board accepts you, Mrs. Weasley, as the new Headmistress I'd like to begin instructing you on how to do the job as soon as possible"

"Minerva, if I may ask, why now?" Harry leaned in on his seat. Minerva pointed to a sack behind her desk.

"Full of letters from concerned parents. After I finished reading the tenth one I decided I'm too old and too tired to deal with ignorant parents. Plus I was supposed to retire at the end of last year"

"Not that I don't appreciate this Headmistress –" Minerva interrupted and insisted Hermione called her by her first name, "but why me? I'm not even a professor"

"Yes you'll be doing that while we wait for the Board's decision. You have a substantial amount of O.W.L.s from what I remember so there will be no problem on that end"

"What would I be teaching?"

"History of Magic" The trio looked at each other, confused.

"Doesn't Professor Binns still teach that?" Harry asked.

"Yes, and I've been dying to see him replaced for centuries" Minerva admitted, "I've already discussed it with him and he's welcome to the idea of taking a break"

"There won't be a problem with me teaching Rose?" Hermione didn't want to jeopardise her daughter's education.

"As long as you don't favour her there shouldn't be a problem" Hermione smiled at her husband and squeezed his hand. Ron mirrored her actions. Harry was sceptical of the situation but kept it too himself for now. Maybe it was just his Auror training causing him to be paranoid.

Ron and Harry left so that Hermione and Minerva could discuss the more intricate parts of the job in private. To their surprise there was an owl waiting for on top of the gargoyle. It fluttered onto Harry's shoulder and he untied the scroll and passed the bird a Knut for its trouble. It flew off and Harry opened the scroll to read it.

"Please tell me its further instructions" Ron whined and Harry nodded.

"We're to meet him at the Ministry…an hour ago"

"Blimey! How long were we in there?"

"We'll have to get to Hogsmeade and apparate out from there as quickly as possible" Harry started walking before he started speaking. Ron followed at a quick pace behind him.

A/N: Edited and cleaned 26/10/2011. Details on my profile.