Chapter eighteen

Harry and his staff were sitting around his office discussing everything they could and what was needed before the students arrived. Charlie ended up laughing with a lot of his old teachers which made Harry smile knowing he was also accepted as the new history of magic teacher. Severus had been the youngest teacher at Hogwarts, now Charlie is. Harry might be the youngest member of the staff, but he wasn't a teacher, he was headmaster.

'I believe we've finished, how about all of you go do whatever you want for the rest of today. From tomorrow all of us are going to be quite busy,' Harry smiled at his staff as they left, all but Charlie who sat on the edge of his desk, 'Another long morning.'

'Yes, but it was good Harry, I always wondered what went on during staff meetings. So tomorrow evening the students arrive, there goes our solitude.'

'Yep, the only time you'll get that is in your room of a night, just like the rest of us.'

'You never told the others about us, any reason?'

'I just want to settle in first Charlie. All this is just way over my head. I need to get used to my job without the questions about my private life. I need to show everyone that I can do this job. But I also thought it would help you, if they knew, some might say you only got the job because we're together. So, this time will show everyone that you were asked because you could do the job and it has nothing to do with me. If you didn't get an O in your exams then I would not have been able to hire you.'

'I never thought of that, maybe we can keep quiet then when we're ready say we developed feelings after working together.'

'It was the same idea I had. Minerva knows the truth, but I discuss everything with her and she agreed with me. I wouldn't feel as confident without all her help.'

'She seemed fine with me, so she must know we'll behave, at least in front of the students.'

Harry chuckled, 'Yes, we will have to Charlie. Even though I love having you, we do have to act responsibly. That was my only concern when I first thought of you for the position, if you could behave and act like a teacher. I love your cheeky side, I even love your mischievous side, but that is for the privacy of our rooms.'

'Don't worry Harry, like I said, this is a dream come true, I'm not going to stuff it up. I always hoped I could teach once I was older, but I got it now so I'm not going to do anything that could ruin this. Have you got some free time now or are you busy?'

'Actually, I'm free, what did you have in mind?'

Charlie smirked then pulled Harry out of his seat and through the office until they ended up in Harry's bedroom.

The school was clean, the student's beds were made. The house elves were cooking the welcome back feast and the staff were ready for the students to return. Harry had again dressed in some very flamboyant robes, these were mauve. He grabbed the sorting hat and just for fun stuck it on his head as he walked down through the castle.

'So Mr. Potter, you certainly can surprise anyone, including me and I'm only the sorting hat.'

Harry chuckled, 'It seems to be the way with me. Now even though you thought Slytherin would help me on the way to greatness, I did well in Gryffindor. But as headmaster I am not going to be favouring my house over others including Slytherin.'

'You're heart and mind is fair headmaster, very similar to our previous headmaster.'

'I know you're not talking about Professor Snape, so you must mean Professor Dumbledore.'

'Of course I mean Professor Dumbledore. He might have been a lion but he was fair.'

'Just tell me you don't have any dire warnings like in previous years.'

'No warnings headmaster. I believe this will be the first year in many years that I have not had to give some type of warning.'

'Let's hope it stays that way. Well here we are, you will have to wait until the first years arrive,' Harry took the hat on and sat it on the stool before taking his pointed wizards hat and placing it on his head, 'I hate hats and robes, now look at me,' Harry grumbled but heard a laugh, when he turned he saw Charlie and Minerva who had just stepped into the great hall, 'Yeah, I know.'

'We all have to get used to it Harry, I'm like you, jeans and a shirt, I'm happy. I never liked robes or these hats. It's different for Minerva and a lot of the other staff; they weren't involved with the muggle world to get used to those clothes.'

'True, but I couldn't see Severus or Minerva wearing jeans.'

'I like robes, they are comfortable.'

'I admit they are cool, but they are hopeless when fighting. Thank merlin I don't have to fight anymore.'

All the staff made their way to the table, even Severus who usually waited for stray students. He took his seat on the other side of Minerva who was on Harry's left, Charlie was on Harry's right.

The noise of the students became louder as they entered Hogwarts. There was a lot all talking about the repairs but the moment they stepped into the great hall, Harry's name was mentioned a lot, mainly how he is the new headmaster of Hogwarts when he was only eighteen years old. When Filius slipped out through the door behind the staff table, the last of the students made their way to their house tables Harry tapped the glass loudly then called for quiet.

Filius Flitwick brought in more first years than Hogwarts had ever seen, the muggle-borns that could not attend last year and the normal eleven year old's, along with the students who would have started last year but their parents refuse to send them to Hogwarts. Harry had to extend the first year rooms and add extra beds to each dorm room just to fit them all. Once the sorting was finished and Filius sat down Harry stood, gazing at every student.

'Welcome to a new era at Hogwarts. As all of you would have read, there will be a lot of changes to how this school is run, but also how you students can spend your free time. The main thing right now is to know that Hogwarts will always be a school to learn how to use your magic in the right way. I know usually after the wonderful feast that most of you do get a little sleepy, but some of what I have to say is important, so I will try not to keep you long. For now let's enjoy our wonderful feast,' Harry clapped his hands and the tables loaded with food.

'You seemed to get a lot of looks, which we expected,' Minerva said.

'Yes, some have given me a look saying it's a joke, some aren't sure what to think. I know being eighteen is unusual for a headmaster, so it will take them a while to adapt.'

'They will, eventually, but one person I thought would pay you more attention, didn't.'

'Who was that Charlie,' Harry gazed around the great hall.

'Ginny, she never looked up in this direction once, and now she's talking to Seamus. But I know her, she's flirting with him.'

'Maybe what I said the other night finally penetrated.'

'I know what did it. She was up on the landing listening to you. We all did it when we were kids so we could hear what the adults were talking about. You mentioned the new rules for quidditch.'

'Ah, Ginny always wanted to play professionally. If she didn't accept me as headmaster and tried to cause trouble, she would have lost her position on the team. Which would mean no scout would see her play.'

'Exactly, she might like you but her dream was always to play professionally.'

'Then I hope she does Gryffindor proud and gets picked up,' Harry started eating as he watched the students, but to him they seemed to be just catching up with friends while they ate dinner.

After the deserts were done and the noise in the hall rose, Harry stood again but before he could call for quiet the students fell silent.

'This castle, or as a lot of staff call it, Lady Hogwarts, has always been special to me. From the moment I arrived as an eleven year old, I felt like I found my place in the world. Now if any of the older students ever read the original Hogwarts: a history, the one written by the four founders than you would know that Salazar Slytherin, Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw and Helga Hufflepuff infused part of their magic into the foundations of Hogwarts. They did this because the four friends kept arguing, they could not agree on who would be head of this school. So, with the magic placed in every part of this castle, it allowed Lady Hogwarts to choose the rightful head. I am that person. I was chosen to be headmaster.

'Now on to some of our changes. You all would have read about the gardens, you all know that you can volunteer to help and a personalised point system has been set up. Now the staff and I decided that anyone wishing to volunteer can but only two evenings or afternoons a week or one day on a weekend. You can help in the gardens, you could help in the library, or you might like to help in the hospital wing, the choice is yours. At the end of the school year, the points will be tallied and the winner will receive two things. One is a plaque that you will receive and keep, the other plaque will remain here at Hogwarts. The second is a gift of money, five thousand galleons,' Harry smiled down at Minerva, Charlie then the other staff as all the students started talking loudly about the money.

Harry didn't believe he would get to the rest of the announcements which he had expected. But it was getting late and the students needed a good night sleep before beginning their classes the following day. So Harry had the prefects lead the first years out and said goodnight, but it seemed to him that every student at Hogwarts has accepted that an eighteen year old is now their headmaster.

Harry knew it might have something to do with his reputation as the man that killed Voldemort. Either way, Harry didn't mind. He was home, he had finally found a home and family, one that seemed to be exactly what he wanted. It might not be a traditional home and family, a large castle where students live and learn, and the staff was like family. But to Harry, the more unusual the more it seemed to suit him so living and working at Hogwarts is what he was meant to do. He knew in his heart that he will do good for all students, present and future.

The end: