A/N: Back again, plot movement here...
It was on Thursday that Harry finally decided to entertain McGonagall's cryptic meeting request, at Hogwarts by mid morning.
"Repairs are going well." Said Harry filling the silence walking through castle with Ginny, Ron, and Hermione as they took in the progress.
"Yeah, most of the inside damage has already been fully restored." Said Ron optimistically.
"The giants wrecked a lot of the towers though, they still need quite a bit of work, Trelawney almost got sealed in the North Tower during the battle because of falling debris." Ginny said quietly.
"At least she will be around to waste more people time with divination. Every school should have a professor who wings it." Chuckled Ron.
"I still can't believe she predicted all things Voldemort and Harry said Hermione stiffly.
"She is animated but she is no fraud and cares about what she teaches." Said Ginny bluntly.
Harry stopped an argument before it began. "We're here for McGonagall." Said Harry pointedly.
Ron looked at his sister curiously. "Why are you in on this?"
"Harry wants me around, best get used to it Ron." Said Ginny bluntly. "I reckon he always wanted me around but it was never cool for you to be hanging out with your sister was it?"
"What are you implying?" Asked Ron irritated.
"She's saying it's your fault she was so shy back then." Said Hermione with a smirk.
"Oh no I'm not actually I was just meaning that Harry would have fancied me two or three years earlier if not for your aversion to having me around Ron." Said Ginny in clarification. "It will be so nice to feel like I can freely seek you out when we go back in two months Harry." She said brightly squeezing his hand.
"So you are going back then?" Asked Ron subdued looking at Harry.
"I am, you should be thrilled you get to head into Auror training without my shadow around it will be great for you." Said Harry brightly "I just want to take my last shot at being a normal teenager."
"Yeah okay but school work? Why do it that way." Asked Ron dumbfounded.
"I have things to prove to myself Ron and Hogwarts, I'm not ready to let go of this place yet." Said Harry emotionally. It's the first place that felt like I had a home."
"I get it." Said Ginny softly.
Me too." Said Hermione empathically.
Ron shrugged. "So much family before me I just can't understand it I guess."
"I wouldn't expect you to want to go back Ron, this is school for most people but it's more than that for some of us." Said Harry bluntly. "Show the rest of your recruiting class Weasley is king okay?" He said with an encouraging grin.
"Uh sure, but we both know you can be an Auror with both hands tied behind your back." Said Ron coolly. Harry grinned back.
"We're here." Said Hermione formally. "Invictus." She said to the stone gargoyle concealing entrance is what was now McGonagall's office as headmistress of Hogwarts.
They shuffled inside the secret passage and rose to the top, hearing McGonagall beckon them in as the door opened automatically.
The office was largely and maybe unsurprisingly the same as when Dumbledore was headmaster. Harry instinctively looked around to spot any difference and found that McGonagall had simply added some of her personal touch to the place, with various antiques including a tea set, several magical trinkets Harry had never seen before, as well as several transfiguration textbooks pilled on a nearby shelf, but there was something in the room that caught everyone, especially Harry by complete surprise.
"Fawkes!" Harry gasped. The Phoenix settled on Harry's shoulders.
"That bird suddenly reappeared on its perch the day after the battle was won." Came McGonagall's voice from her chair having just looked up from reading several pamphlets and letters on her desk. "When I questioned Dumbledore— she glanced at the frame of her predecessor— "he said that he had finally processed Albus's death and was waiting patiently for his next owner."
"Indeed true Minerva, tradition dictates he should have gone to Aberforth but I get the sense Fawkes is choosing to break tradition." Dumbledore appeared to have been faking sleep unlike the rest of the portraits.
"Congratulations." They all said looking at McGonagall.
McGonagall chuckled dismissively. "Not me, that bird hasn't so much as looked at me since it showed up again, just stared intently at the door waiting for someone else, I believe that someone is you Potter.
"What me?" Said Harry shocked.
"Yes you. came Dumbledore's voice again. "You show great loyalty Harry and Fawkes would not choose just temperament no matter what tradition may have been."
"Alright then Fawkes, I'll have you." Said Harry quietly. "You'll have a nice resting spot I'll make sure of it."'
"Now that we've settled that, I have matters to discuss with, the err four of you it would seem." Said McGonagall bluntly.
"What kind of matters?" Asked Harry bluntly.
She conjured chairs which they all sat in, looking uncertainly at Ginny. "Miss Weasley, admittedly nothing I have to discuss concerns you in any great measure."
"Anything that concerns me concerns her too." Said Harry automatically.
"Together then? That's not something I anticipated when I decided to offer you a teaching job Defense Against the Dark Arts." Said McGonagall plainly.
"You want me to be a teacher?" Said Harry blankly.
"You taught a rather sizable group of students in your fifth year when that toad was making all our lives a living hell that ind some ways was worse then having the Carrows around and Severus as headmaster.
"I beg to differ." Said Ginny darkly.
"Where is his portrait?" Said Harry now realizing that Snape wasn't amongst his colleagues on the back wall.
"It's in his office, many expressed err heavy protest to his being included up here. I myself find Severus the greyest of areas." Said McGonagall uncomfortably.
"Look Snape is never going to be someone that I like in the slightest, but without him we wouldn't have won because I would still be trying hunt for a way to destroy Voldemort and he showed his true loyalty was to Hogwarts all along." Said Harry factually.
Defending Snape was new, but Harry found he didn't want to hold on to his hatred for the man like Snape had for his father and Harry himself. It was energy he didn't need to waste.
"What's come over you? Liking Snape." Said Ron as though he might vomit.
"I don't like Snape, but I refuse to hate a dead man the way he hated my father, he hated him so much he hated me too, I won't become that pathetic." Said Harry adamantly. "I'll attach his portrait to this wall myself if I have to."
"The sentiments of a grown man." Said Dumbledore proudly.
"Very well Potter, I leave that in your hands then." Said McGonagall indifferently. "Now back to my offer."
"Well, I was going to return for seventh year." Said Harry awkwardly.
"There is such a thing as student teachers, never here but there's a first time for everything. I would exempt you from the Defense Against the Dark Arts NEWT and give you your own living quarters as I think it would be intimidating for current Gryffindor students to have their teacher as a roommate." Said McGonagall businesses-like. She looked at Ron and Hermione. "What of you both?"
"No way, I'm taking Kingsley up on his offer." Said Ron adamantly.
"I'm coming back." Said Hermione brightly.
"In that case I offer you the same for Transfiguration Miss Granger, third best all time marks more than qualifies you."
"You and Dumbledore are top two right." She said with a small grin.
"Precisely." There was a small smile on her face.
"Thank you, but you should know um I wouldn't want, can't sleep alone." Said Hermione timidly.
"You can stay with me we've been sleeping in the same place together for a year already anyway." Said Harry automatically.
"I don't want to keep depending on other people— " She protested.
"But you will because torture is not something you just get over, especially from Bellatrix." Said Ron bluntly.
"They are right, in fact I need to stay with Harry too. I don't like the idea of being alone and even though I still have my year here, it's not enough." Said Ginny flatly.
"I haven't permitted anything." Said McGonagall plainly.
"All of this is conditional, on whatever request you have from us three, and all four of us want to know how to become Animagus." Said Harry adamantly.
"There are several unorthodox, not to mention dangerous steps… Here's a list." Said McGonagall flicking her wand.
Hermione read the list silently, frowning more by the minute. "These steps, they're…" She trailed off without finishing.
"Not for the faint of heart or impatient." Said McGonagall seriously. "I can give you the two physical ingredients I made sure to stock them for students interested in the transformation. I should warn you nobody who has come to me with intention of registering has been successful in becoming Animagus." Finished McGonagall firmly.
Hermione read out the list in no particular order still flummoxed. "A month with a Mandrake leaf in our mouth, dew untouched by sunlight or human feet for seven days, the incantation has to be said during a lightning storm… After exposing the mandrake leaf to moonlight during a full moon night." Said Hermione dizzily. "Plus you have to hide the potion in darkness while you wait for the storm because sunlight is very bad for it… The incantation must be said at sunrise at sunset every day while you wait for the lightning storm and then repeating it after you drink the potion."
"Even if one succeeds in these prerequisites, the transformation itself requires tremendous willpower and if it goes wrong you're forever stuck in a twisted hybrid form." Said McGonagall with a stern warning look on her face. "Are you sure you wish to do it?"
Harry was undaunted. "Yes just help us with the process however you can." The others nodded too.
"McGonagall nodded and continued seriously. "Well, most notably I would advise you to cast a sticking charm on the mandrake leaf once its in your mouth that way it won't fall out for any reason… Luckily, I have the physical ingredients necessary as I said earlier so the only thing you have to worry about is satisfying and sustaining the various conditions necessary for the transformation." Said McGonagall in a counseling tone.
She summoned containers of Mandrake leafs and untouched dew for all of them which they stowed in their pockets.
"Now back to other matters." She said briskly. "I don't know how I feel about allowing the three of you to sleep in the same living quarters…"
Harry chuckled. "Trust me you don't need to be I'm a one woman man, and Hermione and I have agreed that we have no desire to be anything romantic ever."
"I didn't always believe that, but it's true." Said Ron vouching for them both with a business like tone. "I'm more worried about Ginny and Harry."
"Yeah like we're going to be up to anything with Hermione there too." Said Ginny annoyed at her brother. "You really need to get over yourself Ron."
Harry decided to poke at Ron a bit. "I don't know maybe you're not wrong Ron, in fact I'll do you one better maybe all three of us end up dunk one night."
"Shut up, Harry." Said Ron annoyed as the other three giggled with absurd laughter.
"As much as I enjoy banter I would appreciate it if you all could get back on task." Said McGonagall impatiently.
"Sorry mam, it's just absolutely absurd." Said Ginny with frustration. "We're not rooming with Harry for any other reason than PTSD."
"You all have been through quite a lot in the last year I'm sure." She said sympathetically.
"Yes and still trying to cope so we all appreciate you're willingness to cooperate." Said Harry grateful, he then became blunt. "Now, you told us about your offer, but there's something else… I take it Kingsley spoke with you already and it's related to the war."
"Yes, the school governors want an annual remembrance ceremony at the start and end of term every year."
"Kingsley conveniently neglected to mention that." Said Harry, caught between irritation and amusement.
"I believe he thought you would take it better coming from your favorite professor." Said McGonagall suppressing a grin. "They would like to hear from you three, as well as Miss Weasley, Mr. Longbottom and Miss Lovegood since they led a rebellion against the castle take over." Finished McGonagall formally.
"People died and they expect us to talk about it." Said Harry irritably.
"Ginny took Harry's hand now. "Fulfill our requests and we will do it, otherwise we're not doing anything."
"Very well," said McGonagall subdued. "You have the necessary ingredients for the Animagus potion, those that I could provide you anyway." She stood up now. "I will ready your living quarters for the three of you two return in September… As always look out for post related to the start of term closer to that time. Oh and people will want to know about the exploits of you three so I suggest you add something about that to your remarks otherwise you will be pestered to no end during the school year which I am sure you would rather not have to deal with. Finished McGonagall bluntly. "Now if you'll excuse me I must draft an add for a new Muggle studies teacher… Mr. Malfoy was kind enough to inform of Charity Burbage, extremely kind woman such a tragedy. Mr. Malfoy was very clearly haunted by it. Fed to that vile snake after being captured and hung to be humiliated by Voldemort and his Death Eaters." She composed her breaking voice.
"Take care, Minerva." They all said gratefully.
"You all as well." She excused herself.
Ron broke the silence as though he'd been stuck in a different dimension. "Harry defending Snape, Malfoy has a heart. Hell clearly froze over." Said Ron sounding shocked.
"War changes people Ron." Said Hermione rather somberly.
Once they left, everyone walked to the entrance hall at which point Ron turned to Harry and Ginny. "We're going home to try and help Mum with, well with whatever she needs." He shrugged. "The last few days we've kinda just stayed to ourselves and I feel bad about that."
"The Burrow is the only place I have to go and I want to help Molly, earn my place in the family long before it becomes official." Said Hermione brightly leaning into Ron with her arm around his back.
"You're already a member of the family, both of you, the rest of it is just formalities down the road." Said Ginny dismissively.
"I'll study that list for the Animagus transformation and try to make sure we do this as perfectly as we can I think we should all do it at the same time." Said Hermione thoughtfully.
"Agreed, that's what the marauders did." Said Ron brightly. "It can be the last thing we do together before going our separate ways for the next year."
"Sounds fitting." Said Harry grinning. "I still have things to do, unfortunately I need you around for most of them Gin." Said Harry looking apologetically at her.
"Not a problem Harry." Said Ginny willingly.
"We will see you both later then." Said Harry. They hugged both Ron and Hermione tightly.
Once Ron and Hermione were out of sight Ginny turned to Harry curiously. "Whats first?"
Snape's portrait, which means his office." Said Harry determinedly.
"You are set on this then?" Asked Ginny quizzically.
"You disagree?" He asked uncertainty.
Ginny shrugged indifferently. "Snape kept me safe from the Carrows after trying to steal Gryffindor sword for you, that could have ended much worse than detention with Hagrid, and I haven't seen his memories, but I am bonded with Lilly so I know he did everything he did since Voldemort fell the first time for love and in remorse, which means I support your feelings and I understand them." Said Ginny quietly.
"Thank you." Said Harry gratefully.
Snape's office was the same as it was before his death. The only difference being that his portrait hung on the wall behind his desk. He was sleeping in a rather ancient looking chair in the portrait. Harry addressed Snape casually several times but he didn't stir…
"Lumos." Said Harry impatiently directing the light against the frame.
"Why in the hell am I awake in such a disrespectful manner? Oh, that says it all…" Said Snape icily, noticing the culprit. "And here I thought death would be the end of having to deal with you Potter."
"Nice to see you too." Greeted Harry sarcastically. "Unfortunately I have a lot of unfinished business with you."
"Why is she here?" He asked bluntly, noticing Ginny.
"She's a part of the unfinished business but we will get there in a bit, try to be patient it's not like you have anything pressing to do since you are dead and all." Said Harry with a measure of amusement.
"Then speak so I can sleep in peace again." Said Snape irritably.
"First I saw your memories, thank you for showing remorse and for caring about something even if it's still selfish motivation in the end." Said Harry formally.
"You're mother may have been what sparked my motivations at first but by the time Voldemort returned to power I was equally determined to see his downfall." Said Snape bluntly.
"All the same, I won't ever like you, but I am grateful and respect your bravery and dedication to bringing down Voldemort in honor of love." Said Harry quietly as though the words were easier to say at a lower volume
"I would have thought you would hate me more knowing what you now know." Said Snape in surprise.
"Maybe I'm trying to prove I'm better than both you and my father and Sirius for that matter, it would be pathetic of me to hate you for the rest of my life, you're dead, there's no point." The words were unapologetic and critical.
"How kind of you Potter." Said Snape begrudgingly. "I wonder can you do the same concerning Draco." He asked challengingly.
"I'm going to work on that." Said Harry admittedly.
"So is this the extent of your unfinished business with me." Asked Snape hopefully.
"No not yet…" Said Harry. "You should know that I saw your conversation with Voldemort and your death… I wouldn't wish that on anyone. You are definitely not a coward Snape and I am going to make sure that you're on the head office wall, and that the world knows what you did." Said Harry with as much genuineness as he could muster.
"I'm grateful Potter." Said Snape with a sudden softening of his voice. "Anything else?"
"Yes, I reckon you've earned closure so," He turned to Ginny. "You're up Gin."
Oh I see, that makes sense." She said in understanding and pulled out her wand looking at Snape. "Expecto Patronum!" The golden doe erupted from her wand and settled on Snape's desk.
After a moment's silence Lilly's voice softly filled the room. "Severus…
"Lilly… is that you? How? What is this magic?" Said Snape in shock.
"Love when it is true." Said Lilly calmly. "You must have noticed how similar and yet different Ginny is to both of us, it was difficult for you I'm sure to be around her just as it was my son, you're treatment of him disappoints me, you lost me all by yourself even before I died Sev, jealously you let destroy your kindness and make no mistake I did know a kind boy once… if only you could have realized that I loved you even if it wasn't the way you wanted. You're inability to let go made you miserable and contributed to my death, my husbands and ultimately yours."
"It was the worst mistake I made, and I admit I may have gone overboard but it wouldn't have boded well if the other side got wind I was kind to the boy who lived." Said Snape calmly, though he looked haunted.
"Just the first mistake, you're biggest was not taking time to consider who was involved in the prophecy. I know your regrets but nothing can be undone so I am glad you made the rest of your life mean something and thank you for protecting my son even grudgingly."
"You forgive me then?" Said Snape biting back emotion.
"You are dead Sev, and I am hardly much better off so of course I forgive you." Said Lilly calmly. "Still, James and you should also forgive. Harry is right carrying hate even in death is pointless."
"Expecto Patronum." Said Harry loudly. The Stag traded places with the doe and James voice filled the room.
"How's death treating you Snape?" Said James lightly.
"You ended up better off than me." Said Snape bored.
"Yeah because I'm thrilled to be nothing more than memories and magical energy in the shape of my animal self." Said James sarcastically. "I don't think there were too many winners among our generation, most of us snuffed it in the end." He finished with annoyance. "You lasted the longest though so I give you credit for that at least, I'm not giving credit to Malfoy when he was on the other side until the eleventh hour."
"Taking on Voldemort without a wand was admirable." Said Snape in an impressed tone.
"Protecting my son and owning your mistakes is just as admirable even if I'm not alive because of you and certain other people as well as my own mistakes." Said James quickly.
"I'm sorry, to all of you. My family was anything but and I didn't see that I was tearing yours apart." Said Snape regretfully.
"I forgive you too, but I'm doing it so I don't end up like you." Said Harry bluntly.
"Like I would ever let that happen." Said Ginny pointedly.
"I like you very much you know." Said James to Ginny in amusement.
"Yes, the similarity between Lilly and her is that the other aspect of this magic."
"Yes it is." Said Lilly quietly.
"Well goodbye Sniveles, just couldn't resist one last time." Said James good-naturedly. The stag devolved into pure magical energy and returned to Harry's body.
"Let's get you on the wall with your colleagues." Said Harry bluntly.
"Can you stay Lilly?" Asked Snape hopefully.
"People would demand to hear from me if I made myself known throughout the castle Sev, besides I think it's time you learn how to let go." She said quietly. "Harry soon the magic that tethers us with you both will increase I can feel it… At that point I insist we visit your Aunt."
Why?" Asked Harry with a groan.
"Because I have have unfinished business with her!" Said Lilly sharply. She too devolved and returned to Ginny's body.
Harry shrugged and flicked his wand at Snape's portrait which came off the wall and floated in midair.
"I see you understand the key to nonverbal magic now Potter." Said Snape praisingly.
"You were not a good teacher you know." Said Harry unapologetically.
"I did what was asked of me, something you and many other students never did in my classes." Said Snape snidely.
"I beg to differ." Said Harry with irritation.
"Of course you do." Said Snape annoyed.
In the end Snape was hung right next to Dumbledore among protest from every other portrait except Phineas Nigellus who regarded Harry much more fondly.
"You didn't think I forgot about you Fawkes." Asked Harry gently.
He perched himself on Harry's right shoulder as if to say no and Harry grinned.
"I daresay, he has a genuine liking for you Harry and that is quite rare because the Phoenix almost always comes to serve a family bloodline. Very few have ever shown loyalty to someone outside of a bloodline that they serve." Said Dumbledore merely.
"I'll be sure to take care of him then." Said Harry who felt better with the bird around.
"You should take his perch with you. They are quite independent, much like Hedwig was I am sure she takes comfort in knowing that you were, shall I say, a one woman pet owner." Said Dumbledore with solace.
"How did you know about that?" Said Harry surprised.
"I was Dumbledore's spy Potter I kept him aware of everything, no matter how small after his death. It is this that led him to believe Fawkes would choose you once he processed Dumbledore's death." Said Snape quietly.
"Right, that makes sense." Said Harry.
"Harry, Ginny." Said Snape quickly.
"Yes?" They responded, taken aback by use of their first names.
"For everything you've done, thank you." Said Snape softly, it was as genuinely as either of them had ever heard him speak.
"You are welcome, Severus." They said together and for the first time there was a mutual politeness between between Harry and Snape.
After they left, Ginny stopped to check in…
"How are you?" She asked gently.
"Okay I suppose, but Fawkes could have something to do with it." Said Harry brightly. "I need to take care of one other thing." He pulled the Elder Wand from his pocket. "I have had this since I repaired mine, I don't want to get rid of it because, it's the only way to repair broken wands, but Dumbledore's tomb is too obvious a place to leave it so I think I will leave it somewhere nobody would ever think to look for it. Care to come with me?" Harry asked.
"Sure I l a little mystery." Said Ginny smiling.
Once they were beyond the Hogwarts gates, Harry apparated with Ginny… Looking around he noticed Shell Cottage was unchanged from his time in refuge here months ago.
"Wait," Said Ginny in surprise. "Bill and Fleur never said that they helped you guys."
"We didn't want to draw unnecessary attention to ourselves, so we made them promise to stay quiet." Said Harry bluntly.
"Yet you robbed Gringotts and escaped on a dragon." Said Ginny with a wry smile.
"I said unnecessary attention! That was necessary." Said Harry insistently.
"Yeah, yeah, I know." Said Ginny looking lax.
"Come on you." Said Harry softly.
They arrived at Dobby's grave after several minutes of walking, it was already showing signs of erosion making Harry wish he cast an impervious charm.
"Hi Dobby, I brought a friend to meet you." Said Harry quietly. "Remember Ron, well this is his sister Ginny. That whole business with the Chamber of Secrets, you saved her by letting me know about it." Said Harry casually as he stared at the house elf's grave.
"Hi Dobby, I know we never formally met, but I know you rescued Harry earlier this year and helped save me back then by letting Harry know about the chamber so thanks a lot." Said Ginny softly.
"I'm leaving something next to you, it's very valuable, I might need it again someday." He said quietly. "I'm going to create a grave for Hedwig and leave it there, nobody would guess it's buried around and owl and a house elf grave."
Harry used his wand to make her grave. When it was finished it read.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF HEDWIG
MOST LOYAL AND SMARTEST OF ALL THE OWLS.
The grave was engraved with snow flakes around the edges and Harry found he got emotional looking at it.
"Hedwig was my first female friend, first friend ever really, she was the only thing that kept me from feeling like I wasn't alone at the Dursley's between summers waiting to go back to Hogwarts…" He sniffed audibly. "I had to blow her body to pieces to escape the Death Eaters when I was being moved last summer, I should have let her go." He finished guiltily.
Ginny shook her head. "No guilt, she wouldn't have left you, she would have come back to defend you, that's how smart and loyal she was Harry… You know I think Fawkes chose you because of how much you respect and show compassion to your fellow animals and magical creatures. The Phoenix is the most intelligent and loyal creature in the world magical or not so it makes sense… I've heard Newt Scamander was like that in his lifetime. Had a sanctuary for magical creatures of some kind." Said Ginny thoughtfully.
"That explains the title of his book." Said Harry feeling composed again.
Fawkes suddenly took flight and circled above their heads noting his approval by singing in tribute for several minutes.
"See it's just as I thought." Said Ginny serenely.
Harry nodded taking the Elder Wand from his pocket handing it to Ginny, pulling out his own wand and levitating the Elder Wand to rest inside her grave before magically sealing it. Fawkes ceased and returned to Harry's shoulder, giving off his naturally pleasant warmth.
After one lingering look at the graves. Harry turned away. "Will you be okay tomorrow?" Asked Harry with concern.
"As long as you're with me I'll be okay." Said Ginny stoically.
"You have been so strong for me, tomorrow let me do that for you, let's go." Said Harry tenderly.
Harry turned on the spot with Ginny and they left gravesite and the peace of Shell Cottage outskirts behind feeling appropriately somber.
A/N: The process of becoming Animagus written here is completely cannon information from JKR herself… Busy summer ahead for these four.
I really liked the idea of Fawkes choosing Harry, my thought was that it made more sense for him to serve Harry next. I wanted to give a little remember Hedwig too.
Harry will never like Snape but I firmly believe that he would stop hating him, even if he's only doing it to let go and not end up like him and I think that was within character for both of them and James.
Next chapter is already finished I just need to publish it.