Chapter 8
Harry`s Surprise
The carriages came to a halt at the entrance of the castle, Harry didn't even realise they were there because a Slytherin boy shouted "blood traitor" to Neville when they where all getting on the carriage but what they didn't realise was that Luna was standing
behind him when he shouted it. Luna pulled out her wand and pointed it at the Slytherin boys back and shouted so all could hear and see who done it "Avis" all of a sudden a dozen birds came flying out of Luna`s wand and started attacking the Slytherin boy, everyone
who was close by including Harry,Ginny,Ron and Hermione where screaming with laughter. Neville just smiled at Luna in away that looked like he was saying thanks, she smiled back and ran towards them and jumped into the carriage with them the whole way up
to the castle Ron and Harry where in tears with laughter. "Luna that was the best thing I have seen in along time" said Ron threw breaths "I have to agree" said Harry while wiping his face of tears. They were all stepping out of the carriage when Harry stopped laughing.
once again it didn't matter how many times he seen it, the castle always looked remarkable there was no sign of a war at this school except the lovely War monument that Neville had made for the school which lightened up the names on it in the dark. Harry looked
round at Neville and smiled. Harry walked right past it without looking at the names he was in a good mood tonight and he didn't want to ruin it as Ginny seemed to be more relaxed than she was when they got on the train. Harry entered the entrance hall hand in hand with
Ginny she looked at Harry and said "you ready for your last year Potter" Harry smiled at her and said "I don't care about it or where I am as long as I'm with you" Ginny`s throat closed up a bit and her eyes were watering up slightly and she smiled at him and cuddled him "I love you Harry" she said through a crackling voice "I love you to Gin" he whispered into her ear before pulling her in for a kiss. "There is a time and place for that use two" said a strict voice that made Harry and Ginny smile "hello Professor" said Harry turning to look at Professor McGonagle, she smiled at them both and said "Hello Potter…. Weasley" said McGonagle "Hello Professor said Ginny" as she walked up and hugged McGonagle Harry looked taking a back but McGonagle smiled at her and hugged her back as they pulled away.
McGonagle turned on Harry "Harry I was wondering if I could have a word with you before the feast" Harry looked to Ginny who looked at the ground. Harry knew how she felt and to be honest he wanted to be with her, he didn't want to keep secrets from her or have
her think that she couldn't be trusted "That's not a problem Professor as long as Ginny can come as well" said Harry "Of course Harry" said McGonagle Ginny looked up in shock as she looked at Harry then McGonagle like she was watching them throw a Quaflle at each
other. Harry smiled at her McGonagle looked at them and said "Albus will want to say hi" and she winked at Harry "I will be up in a moment I just have to speak to Professor Slughorn quickly" "Yes Professor said Harry with a smile and they left to walk up the grand staircase. T+hey finally got to the large gargoyle guarding the entry to the headmistress office on the sixth floor "we forgot to ask for the password" said Ginny turning to Harry Harry smiled at her "no we didn't" he said and turned back to the gargoyle "Albus" Harry said to the gargoyle and without hesitation it moved aside to reveal the upwards spiral staircase. Harry got to the office door and froze. Ginny looked at him and just grabbed his hand, he looked at her and she smiled at him Harry took a deep breath and then pushed the office door open to Harrys surprise nothing had changed from when Dumbledore was in charge, it was still his office Harry heard a small singing voice and looked round "Fawkes" said Harry, the phoenix was back on its stand "He came back the day you went to stay at the burrow Harry" said a voice that always made Harry feel so much better "Hello Professor"said Harry turning round to face the portrait of Dumbledore "Harry my boy how are you, it is so nice to see you and ah Miss Ginerva Weasley how do you do" asked Dumbledore smiling from his portrait.
"Hi Professor nice to see you too" replied Ginny. "I see we have all said hi to one another" called McGonagle who was entering the room smiling at all the faces "Professor Dumbledore, Fawkes left the night you fell from the tower why is it he is back now" asked Harry refusing
to say when you died "well Harry, Fawkes came back here to wait for his new owner to arrive as he has chosen a new owner" said Dumbledore Harry looked confused and McGonagle picked up on this "you see Harry Phoenix don't get chosen by some one a phoenix will only take orders from the person they choose to be their owner. Usually they choose a smart loving wizard or witch that thinks about everyone else before themselves who would sacrifice themselves before anyone else even if they did not like that person and from what we know, we believe that Fawkes has chosen you Harry" said McGonagle Harry looked startled " He's chosen me but why?" asked Harry. Ginny couldn't hold it back she burst into laughter " Do you listen Potter every little thing they have just explained to you is you thats why he picked you, sometimes I worry about you Harry" she said smiling at him. Dumbledore and McGonagle looked at each other and gave a small chuckle as well Harry blushed a bit but also smiled "how do we know if he is Harry's though Professor" asked Ginny " Ah well all you have to do Harry is ask him to do something" said McGonagle. Harry thought for a second then said "Fawkes come here please" Harry asked the Phoenix as he stretched out his arm, Fawkes swooshed down and landed on Harry's arm. Harry smiled at the remarkable creature on his arm,Fawkes gave a small song and flew out a open window "Well that settles that Harry he is yours all you have to do is call his name and he will appear" smiled McGonagle "now one more thing before I let you go Harry, now I know you are here to finish your school work but I must ask for your help again Potter, well in fairness Dumbledore told me to ask you and I always trust his judgement" said McGonagle "Anything Professor" said Harry feeling a little worried though. "Well as I am sure your aware we are once again short of a Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher and because of last year I have not had time to look for a new one Harry. I would like you to take the spot as Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher, you will still have classes of your own with me and you will still be a Gryffindor student you will teach during the day and then between me and Miss Granger we will help you with your studies. So Potter what do you say" asked McGonagle " really?….but why me?" asked Harry "are you for real or are you pulling my leg Harry" laughed Ginny "What" asked Harry Ginny shook her head and said "wow, what I see in you I really don't know" she said jokingly. Harry smirked at this comment " Harry you defeated Voldemort on more than one occasion, you spent a whole year teaching myself and others spells that I never thought I would manage. You taught Neville to be brave you, gave Luna friends, you saved my life, my dads, Ron's countless times. Harry you are one of the bravest, most powerful wizards I know and if you can't see it, your an idiot" Finished Ginny with a big smile on her face "And I agree" said McGonagle " so Potter what do you say" asked
Ginny "Yes" said Harry.
Harry and Ginny entered the Great hall where everyone was all sitting talking to each other they finally found Ron and Hermione and sat across from them "Where have use two been" demanded Ron "snogging in the dungeons mate" said Harry Hermione and Ron both looked shocked. Ginny just smiled and nodded in agreement "what" said Ron "well you said not to do it in front of you so we went to the dungeon to snog the face off each other" Harry said with a straight face, Hermione started laughing Ron was fuming "Oh Ron shut up he's pulling your wand" Harry and Ginny burst into laughter. "Very funny Harry" said Ron looking half relieved but annoyed at his friends joke "well where were you then" asked Hermione "you will see" smiled Ginny. Hermione and Ron looked at each other they weren't sure if they should be worried or if they should be happy. Harry smiled at his friends and winked at them, the great hall fell silent as McGonagle stood up in front of the school and raised her hand "witches and wizards welcome back to Hogwarts I know it has been tough on everyone who is in this room tonight, some more than others, last year we shall never forget so many hurt so many lost but something a brave young man told me" she looked at Harry when she said this next part "Do not pity the dead no Pity the living and I do pity the living I pity the people who have lost friends and family I
pity those who have nothing I pity those who think they are better than others. All I ask of use this year is to try and have fun, work hard, yes but have fun because if we all walk around these halls in silence and in sorrow the witches and wizards we lost last year died for nothing
because they died to have peace in this world so we can have a safe world and a happy world I pity the ones that forget that" there was a roar of cheers and claps from the great hall as they stood up to applaud their headmistress. McGonagle was stunned this is not what she expected at all but she simply smiled and raised her arms again and waited until everyone was in their seats again. she spoke loud and clear once again "now students join me in welcoming the new first years lets make them feel at home" as she finished this sentence the great hall doors flew open and the whole great hall looked round to see lots of small bodies peering at all the amazing things some looked scared others where chatting and pointing at people they knew. Harry kept his head down until they all past they all walked towards the front of the hall led by Professor Flitwick. once they reached the front everyone watched as the sorting hat sung its song and sorted each of the first years into there houses, McGonagle called out the last of the first years "Christina Henderson" the girl reminded Harry of his first night and when
he sat on that stool with the hat on his head she looked so excited but petrified at the same time, she caught Harry's eye and gapped at him, she couldn't believe she was seeing him with her own eyes then all of a sudden she jumped nearly right out her skin as the hat shouted "Gryffindor" the whole Gryffindor table erupted with cheers and applauses. Christina ran towards the table and was welcomed with open arms at that moment Harry turned to Ginny and said "I don't know why I never wanted to come back to this place this is my home" Ginny smiled at him and gave him a kiss on the cheek she felt relieved.
"Welcome to Hogwarts first years I hope as always you can call this place your home as many before you have now I have one more announcement for use" McGonagle waved at Harry to come up to her while she said this so Harry came away from the Gryffindor bench and walked quietly up towards the side of the alter "where's he going now" asked Ron looking confused "wait and you will see" said Ginny smiling at her older brother "As you are aware once again we do not have a Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher but we have found a new one. I would like you all to welcome your new Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher Professor Harry Potter". Harry walked on the alter with shock on his face as this is not what he was expecting, well maybe from some Gryffindor's yes but the
whole school where on there feet applauding Harry to his new position Harry just smiled down at them all and waved to them all then he remembered something he walked over to McGonagle and said "Professor may I say a few words" "Of course Harry" she said smiling at him.
Harry stood in front of the whole school and sloe aloud "Thank you…. thank you all so much for that warm welcome but most importantly thank you all in this room students, teachers, house elves and your families thank you so much for helping me and my friends. Last year a lot of people called me the chosen one, the boy who lived, whatever other names that Rita Skeeter likes to make up" students laughed a little but then Harry spoke again "But I couldn't have done it at all without all of your support and help over the years so do you know what I want to do? I want to give every house one hundred points for helping me and I want use all to give yourself around of applause because use deserve it" the whole place erupted again as the four different colour emeralds filled up each with one hundred Harry smiled at McGonagle and said
"Thank you" he walked down the alter back to the Gryffindor desk and took his seat beside Ginny again on the way he was getting pats on the backs and well dones here and there and one boy says "wow we are going to learn magic from the one that destroyed you know who this is awesome". Harry did laugh at that. "I'm so proud of you" whispered Ginny as she gave him a kiss "Thanks" said Harry, Ron and Hermione looked over "Nice one mate now I will pass my exams" winked Ron "Don't make me take points from you Weasley" joked Harry. Silence fell as food appeared all over the table as always there was roast,mash potatoes there was steak and kidney pie pumpkin juice , trifle and so much more after they had eaten Harry was ready for bed. Hermione and Ron managed to get Head boy this year so they were making sure everyone was getting to the common rooms. Harry reached out and stroked Ginnys hand "shall we go" He asked her "yes I am tired" replied Ginny with a slight yawn. The two of them walked hand in hand up towards the Gryffindor tower it was busy the corridors with excited first years going to their common rooms.
Harry smiled at them and pulled Ginny behind a tapestry on the left hand side of the corridor which was one of the secret short cuts he found on the mauraders map."This corridor always reminds me of you"said Harry while he wrapped his arm around Ginny's
waist as they walked through the deserted corridor "and why is that Professor" said Ginny smiling, Harry laughed at her "because it was this corridor when I realised I had to have you, no one else could have you, you belonged with me" Ginny looked at him "really? in here why here?" because right there Harry pointed beside a suite of armour is where me and Ron caught you kissing Dean Thomas two years ago" said Harry, Ginny went bright red "oh right... yeh" she replied. Harry pulled her to that spot and looked at her beautiful dark brown eyes and said "because I wanted it to be me that night not him" and he kissed her passionately for what must have been half an hour "I love it when Ron isn't around". Harry smiled at Ginny when he says this after pulling away "shut up Harry kiss me again and stop talking about my brother" Ginny replied as she wrapped her arms around Harrys neck and started kissing him again after no one knows how long they finally got back to the common room when Harry went to give Ginny a kiss good night she said "can I come up with you?" Harry looked taking a back "you know I share a room with Ron right?" Harry asked "yeah here but at home its with me" Ginny replied Harry smiled and said "ok but you can deal with Ron" smiled Harry they walked up to the boys dorms and into their room no one was here. Harry simply opened his trunk and was shocked to see everything
neat and tidy "what? have I forgot to put something in?" asked Ginny "no, I just haven't seen it this clean and tidy before" smiled Harry and he pulled out shorts and a T-shirt for himself and shorts and a T-shirt for Ginny who was already changed and in Harry's four poster bed. Harry smiled at her and remembered the last time he seen Ginny in his bed, it was the day after the war but he wasn't going to get upset, he shook his head and climbed in beside her, he lay on his back as she curled up in a ball with her hand on his chest and he smiled and fell asleep instantly. Nothing could upset him right now, he had the love of his life in his arms and all his friends around him as well. Harry woke up with people talking to each other, he knew the voices so well "yeah Ginny thats at home, not here. At home I don't need to see use" said Ron "well you wouldn't have seen us if you didn't peer through the curtains, Ron... I need him" Harry heard her say and that's when he found himself speak "And I need her" both Ron and Ginny turned round. Ron just looked at his sister then his best friend and just looked beaten "fine but no funny business"
says Ron "thanks Ron" smiled Harry "what bloody time is it anyway" asked Harry "you have only been asleep for half a hour or so before angry head came in" replied Ginny and she slipped back under the covers she turned to face the wall and felt Harry just slide his arm around her waist and pull her towards him and they fell asleep.