It's My Life
It was still surreal to Harry that he had passed all his NEWT exams with mostly Outstanding as his grade. Only two were lower as Exceeds Expectations, and even that was really good. Harry thought he'd bombed Divination as he barely scraped by A during the time he took the class. Harry was happy, proud of himself and feeling very accomplished that he was not only about to be the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher for Hogwarts, but also now considered an adult with no wand trace.
Harry's only nervousness now was how his friends and boyfriend would react to the news that Harry would be there with them in Hogwarts, but not as a student. Harry didn't get much time to process his success, learning he scored a mastery in Defense was amazing in itself. Harry hadn't even been trying for that. Harry was sure that like with muggle schooling, extra years of learning were required. Like University, but only for the subject they were trying to master. Harry managed to earn it without that.
No, after the small celebrations with his father, Remus, Lucius, and Narcissa; the entire group went out for drinks. Harry's first experience in a bar and getting to drink liquor as a sixteen-year-old adult. Right after the drink, Narcissa practically dragged Harry into the robe shop, Madam Malkin's, and got to work getting Harry fitted for a teacher's wardrobe. It wasn't anything crazy, but a good mix of style between Remus, Sirius, and Severus's styles in clothing and of course, only in colors of black, silver, green, and brown.
By the time all that was finished, Severus took Harry around to get him some things he'd probably need as a teacher. Notebooks, parchment, quills with different color inks to write with. Once getting back to Potter Manor, Harry made sure his things were packed up in his trunk and finally, it was about 5:30 pm, Severus had told Harry it was time they get to Hogwarts to let Minerva know Harry passed and was taking up the job because before students arrived, Harry would need briefing on how things would work as a teacher.
"Harry, are you ready?" Severus asked.
"As ready as I can be, I suppose." Harry admitted. "Am I allowed to be nervous, or is that unprofessional as a teacher?"
"Everyone gets nervous, worried, and concerned, Harry. It's not unprofessional to have human emotions, my son. What will matter is when and where you display such. Around your students is probably not advised." Remus chuckled. "But why are you nervous?"
"Do you remember what I told you about my fourth year, Uncle Remus? How I didn't even put my name in the Goblet of Fire and ended up getting called, and had to be a second champion to represent Hogwarts? How everyone turned against me thinking I just wanted more attention, trying to up my fame?" Harry mumbled.
"Of course, you said it was the worst year of your life so far attending Hogwarts." Remus nodded.
"That's what I'm worried about with being a teacher. I'm teaching…Friends, people I've attended class with for the last five years. Sure, the first years probably won't care…But everyone 2nd to 7th year…When Headmistress McGonagall announces that I am the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. I'm fully expecting a riot, or a repeat of fourth year." Harry admitted.
"Harry, what do I always tell you about people walking out of your life? People who don't support you?" Severus asked his son.
"Bow and hold the door open for them because it's their choice to leave and I deserve people who will stand by me no matter what." Harry repeated. "And I know that, Dad…But that doesn't mean it won't hurt any less…"
"It will hurt. I never said it wouldn't…Just remember that it was nothing you did. You had a chance to succeed, and you chose to take it. Officially, breaking my record, Harry…You are the youngest professor at Hogwarts. And you are considered an adult one year earlier than everyone else. You have done something others would dream about and either don't take the chance, or don't have the skill." Severus informed.
"Don't ever let their negativity get you down or make you feel bad about what you did. They had no problem learning from you when it was just a club to upstage Umbridge. You were a teacher then, you're a legal teacher now. If anything Harry…It's jealousy. You've nothing to be guilty about. As you keep saying, it's your life. Live it your way." The potions master stated firmly with a hand on Harry's shoulder.
Harry smiled some. "Thanks, Dad."
"Any time. Just because you're an adult now doesn't mean you can't still need me to help you figure something out. I'm always right here for you, my boy." Severus promised. "Now, let's get going. Minerva will want to talk to you about everything before the students arrive. Start of the year staff meeting."
"Okay. Oh, did you ever ask Lucius about the apparition thing?" Harry wondered.
"No, I completely forgot about it." Severus realized.
"Ask me what?" Lucius questioned.
"I know I'm a teacher, but sixth year as a student would have let me take the apparition classes. I had asked dad if he knew if I might be able to take those still?" Harry asked.
"I don't believe you'd be able to take them within Hogwarts walls, as you are no longer a student there. But…You do have full allowance as an adult wizard. You could take the classes through the ministry, go for the license. You don't need to be seventeen for it." Lucius informed.
"Right, got it. Thanks." Harry nodded.
"Let me know when you would like to do that, I'll find out the next time they're holding them." Lucius mentioned.
"Okay. Alright, Dad…Let's go." Harry said as he flicked his wand at his things and shrunk them down to place in his pocket.
"We're flooing to my office," Severus informed as they walked over to the fireplace.
"I assumed, Dad." Harry chuckled. "See you next time we're here. Probably Christmas," He stepped into the fireplace with his father.
"Would you like the honors, son?" Severus motioned to the powder. "I'm sure you know where to send us."
Harry grabbed a handful of the powder as Severus grabbed hold of his son's shoulder. "Severus Snape's Office, Hogwarts." Harry threw the powder down and they were gone.
. . .
Harry and Severus arrived in the familiar room and walked out of the fireplace. "Alright, let's head to Minerva's office. You brought those documents with you, right?" Severus asked.
"Yes, Father," Harry nodded as he tapped his left pocket with a smile.
"Good boy." Severus said.
From there, the two left Severus's office and made their way through the empty castle to the Headmistress's office. Severus took them up moving stairs, and finally, to the door. Severus knocked twice and the door opened on its own, revealing Minerva at the desk, then all around were the other teachers.
"Ah, Severus. Wonderful, you're here. And Harry, so nice to see you again." Minerva greeted. "Please, come right in." Severus had Harry go in first and take a seat where available, then Severus joined him, but standing next to. "Now, I've just finished filling everyone in about the matter we discussed at last term's end. We've already had the main meeting, but you've been kept in the loop, Severus. Before we move on…Do we have an answer to the situation? Is Mr. Potter-Snape joining us as staff, or as a student? If student, I need to summon Slughorn."
"We have an answer indeed," Severus nodded. "Tell her, Harry."
"It would be my honor to join you as staff, Headmistress." Harry stated. "As of 4:00 pm today, I've passed my NEWTs and become a full adult wizard."
Minerva clapped cheerfully. "Oh, lovely! Let me see, Harry. How did you do?"
"Ten Outstanding and two Exceeds Expectations." Severus chuckled.
Harry pulled the papers out and gave them to Minerva. "Harry, these are divine scores!" She said after looking over them. "And what's this? A mastery certificate for Defense Against the Dark Arts?" The woman gushed in happiness at the news.
"You must be very proud, Severus." Pamona smiled. "Congratulations, Harry,"
"Thank you." Harry blushed a bit.
"I am very proud, as his former teacher and his father." Severus nodded.
"Hold up a moment…I think his mastery is stuck to something else," Filius remarked. "This parchment is far thicker than the others." He mentioned as he played with the corner a bit and finally, two pieces were shown. Filius pulled it apart carefully, moving the first out of the way to see what was hidden behind.
"What did you find, sir?" Harry asked.
"There's two mastery certificates here. One for Defense and the other…I'm quite surprised, but Potions." Filius informed.
"What?" Harry gasped.
"What?" Severus's eyes widened as he moved over to the Charms teacher and took the sheet from him. "Merlin…It is a Potions Mastery certificate. This was stuck to the Defense one?" Filius nodded. "But…How? These require additional schooling, and basic healing courses too. You have to brew some of the most complex potions out there to earn this. It takes a couple years." He mentioned. "Harry…What exactly did you brew during your exam? Which four potions?"
"U-Um…The four I was told to brew were Polyjuice, Veritaserum, Draught of the Living Death, and Felix Felicis." Harry stated.
"None of those would be considered complex enough. Amortentia and Wolfsbane perhaps, but those would never have been included in the NEWT exams, especially not one for a sixteen-year-old testing two years ahead of schedule." Severus was completely baffled by this. It didn't make sense.
"I brewed both of those too, Dad," Harry said.
"What? What did you say?" Severus asked quickly, staring at his son with surprise and disbelief.
"I brewed those two potions you just said, Wolfsbane and Amortentia." Harry repeated.
"You said you brewed the other four…" Poppy reminded.
"I said those were the four I was told to brew. I never said they were the only ones I brewed." Harry informed. The teachers went quiet, all staring at him. "The examiner told me the four to brew for my exam and said all the ingredients I would need were in the cabinet. When I went over, everything was laid out for use of each of the four potions on four shelves. I was in charge of preparing them for brewing, of course. But I noticed other ingredients on the shelves below and knew they didn't belong with the ones I was going to brew. I also took notice of there being six cauldrons instead of four…"
He took a breath. "I asked the man what the reason was for these two things, and he told me that the extras were a bonus brewing, chance for extra points to make up for if I messed up any of the four told to do…"
"Go on…" Minerva urged.
"The guy told me that the ingredients were purposely out of order and mixed up. He told me the challenge was separating them for what potions they belonged to, letting him know what they'd made if I was brewing them. I ignored them at first, focused on the task I was given to brew the required four, but when those were waiting their period for the next steps…I went over to the cabinet and organized the shelves to what went with what and I figured out they were for Amortentia, and Wolfsbane…I had time, so I decided, while the guy was busy doing something, to brew them. He was rather impressed at the end and admitted he didn't not think I would be able to identify, separate, much less brew both." Harry shrugged.
"Harry, I never taught you either of those potions because of how regulated, complex, and powerful they are. I knew they'd never be on your test…How on Earth did you learn those?" Severus asked.
"Well…Amortentia was easy enough, I only read about it and the ingredients in one of your journals that you said I could study from. Wolfsbane, on the other hand, I've watched you brew it for Uncle Remus." Harry said.
"You learned both of those by reading and watching, enough to brew them on a first attempt?" Pamona blinked. "That is quite impressive."
"But doesn't answer how he earned mastery, Severus. You know as well as I that there are specific requirements in becoming a potions master." Poppy stated. "Basic healing is one of them and that could only be given through St. Mungo's."
"I know basic healing. I did plenty of reading on it, and taught it in the Defense Army from last year." Harry stated calmly. "I also may have healed the examiner twice because he was a klutz." He added.
"Harry…What did you do?" Severus pushed lightly.
"He kept walking around the table where I was brewing, making notes about everything. I assumed it was part of his job to see the process, fine with me. However, he tripped and knocked into the table, almost knocking over my Polyjuice potion. I was able to save it, though. The second incident was him burning and cutting himself because he touched one of the cauldrons, and then slipped and sliced himself on the preparation knife." Harry remarked.
"He was going to call off the exam to get treated, but I may have gotten mouthy and told him to sit still. Healed his cut with Episkey, whipped up a burn salve with spare ingredients then applied that and used Ferula to wrap it. May have also duplicated a cauldron and cleaned out the copy to make a quick pain relief potion." He informed calmly. "So technically…I brewed seven potions, made a paste, and used healing magic."
"That's why he got the mastery, Severus," Filius remarked.
"Brewed two complex potions, on top of the four required. And he was able to react quickly in an emergency to help the examiner, making a pain potion, creating a burn paste, and using healing magic. The examiner must have made marks about that in the file and it was decided he earned his mastery for his actions." Minerva nodded. "Well done, Harry." She smiled. "We're all so very proud of you."
"Thank you Headmistress McGonagall." Harry bowed his head.
"Now, all that aside…Everyone else can leave, prepare for the students to come. Harry, you stay." Minerva stated.
"I'll see you at dinner, son." Severus rubbed his shoulder, and gave him back his sheets. "I am very proud of you for your success in passing NEWTs and getting two masteries." The man kissed the top of his head before leaving the room and closing the door.
"Well, let me be first to welcome you to the adult world, Harry. And joining us here at Hogwarts as staff. Also, congratulations on your accomplishments." Minerva smiled. "I won't keep you long. There's much to do before the students arrive." She added. "First off…I see you've dressed the part. I'm glad for that."
"Mrs. Malfoy insisted before dad and I came here," Harry admitted.
"It's one less thing to worry about." Minerva stated. "Next…As a teacher here, you do not have to call us by the professor title any longer. However, when students are present, we try to hold the respect to encourage the students to do the same. Alone and in private, first name basis is fine. I thought I should tell you since you still used sir with Filius, and addressed me as Headmistress."
"It's purely out of respect," Harry told her. "I've called you all my professors for five years, it will be a hard habit to break."
"I can respect that, but I thought I should let you know that it's not required." Minerva smiled. "How much has Severus told you about all this?"
"Teaching the class, having my own office and quarters…That I'm allowed to keep dating my boyfriend." Harry listed.
"Yes, to all of that." Minerva nodded. "Your office is obviously the next level up from the Defense classroom. Your quarters are located there as well. I will show you after this meeting. You are aware, Harry, that you do not have just the power of Prefect or Head Boy. You are a teacher…You can grant and revoke points. You can give detention. You can throw people out of class. You can assign homework. You have full privileges as an educator. You will have students of all ages and many classes throughout the day, and week."
"I understand, Headmistress." Harry nodded firmly.
"I am sure you have been told that you will end up having your own friends as students and I don't need to tell you that there can be no favoritism. They have to respect you as a teacher, Harry." Minerva stated.
"I have been told all this. I understand that when they are in my class, we are not friends. I am their teacher and I act professionally and unbiased towards them." Harry told her.
"Good. And you understand your limitations with Mr. Malfoy?" Minerva inquired.
"My dad grades all his work so it can't be argued that our relationship is getting him his scores. Keep the PDA light between classes. I cannot be in any of the dorms unless it's an emergency, but Draco is free to come to my quarters after classes and is not permitted to be out after curfew." Harry recited.
"That last one means that I am allowing Mr. Malfoy to be in your personal chambers, Harry. You two can do whatever you like in that privacy, but I will not have Draco out past curfew. So either you have to escort him back to his dorm, or he stays the night with you and returns in the morning to prepare for the day. Also, I'm sure you know that the relationship best not interfere with his work." Minerva remarked.
"I do know that." Harry responded. "And dad said I couldn't sit with the Slytherins during meals either?"
"For dinner and breakfast, yes. You need to be at the head table with the rest of the teachers. For lunch…I do not mind if you sit with them since it's not a school-wide ordeal and not everyone even goes to lunch. They just grab something and go about the grounds to work and eat. I only ask that if you're approached by a student who needs help, you react and go into teacher mode." Minerva said. "You and Mr. Malfoy can also eat together in your room, office, or classroom…Just mind the atmosphere."
"Yes, ma'am." Harry promised.
"Good then. Now…" Minerva pulled out several sheets. "This is a standard contract for employment. The job offered, duties, allowances and pay. Everything. All teachers here have one. I just need you to sign the bottom." She slid it towards Harry, then the quill and inkpot.
"Full legal name?" Harry asked.
"Of course," Minerva smiled. Harry signed his name as Harry James Potter-Snape-Prince-Black, he never included the Slytherin thing. That wasn't part of any adoptions he was part of, just a title he got for beating Voldemort over the years. "And this is your timetable. As you can see, it's pretty full, but you'll have your free periods throughout the week, plus the weekend. Obviously, you'll need to make time for all your grading. I'm sure you know the curriculum for each year and have some idea of how you'll go about ensuring everything required to be taught by you."
"Already have a plan," Harry nodded.
"Excellent. Then everything is set and welcome aboard the Hogwarts staff." Minerva extended her hand and Harry shook it. "Do you have any questions for me?"
"Just one…" Harry relaxed.
"Proceed?" Minerva invited.
"I know you're going to announce me as the new Defense teacher at dinner. I'm sure you know it's going to cause silence and confusion, maybe even a stir…My question is more of a request that after dinner, you let me take my boyfriend and close friends to the classroom to talk to them. None of them knew about all this, and I know no other students did either…But I feel like things could go smoother if they got the explanation from me personally. I was distant all summer, especially this past week. I think I owe it to them to explain things myself. If you're amendable to such a request?" Harry hoped.
"Request granted, Harry. Nothing past curfew, and if you have any trouble with any students…You send them right to me. I made this suggestion, and offered you the chance. If they want to be angry at someone for this, it can be me." Minerva said.
"I'll bear it in mind, but like you said…They have to respect me and I won't get that if I just pass them off to someone else. No matter who thought of what, or offered what…I made the final choice. This is on me." Harry told her.
"Couldn't have said it better myself. Now…I know you carry many last names. I don't presume you're planning to go by them all?" Minerva chuckled. "What do you want to be called?"
Harry smiled. "Professor Potter is fine, Headmistress."