Note: This is an early update from my side because the story is just in the beginning. In the future, I am planning for weekly updates. Please read and provide feedback on this chapter so that I can improve next time if needed.
Harry reached the gargoyle guarding Headmaster's office and removed his invisibility cloak. "Dumbledore", Harry said and the gargoyle leapt aside to allow him. He moved on to the round staircase which started ascending like an elevator.
Harry suddenly felt a strange familiarity of his situation to that of Severus Snape. Both men fell in love with their muggle born best friends : Hermione and Lily respectively. And both the girls love someone else.
Harry felt even more sympathetic to Snape as Lily married Snape's enemy James Potter. Atleast Hermione is with Ron who is my best friend. My situation is far better than Snape's situation. Now I completely understand why he hated me like that. Still his love for my mother triumphed over his hate for my father and he has always protected me from Voldemort, ultimately sacrificing his life for the cause.
As Harry's heart swelled with respect for Snape, he reached the Headmaster's office. He opened the door and was greeted with a standing ovation from all the portraits in the office. Momentarily forgetting his love problems, he thanked everyone for the welcome and put his hand in the air to signal them to stop so that he can speak.
Looking at the potrait of Dumbledore, he said "The thing that was inside the snitch, I dropped it somewhere in the forest. No one knows where it is and I am not going to go for searching it. Is this the correct decision?"
"Absolutely Harry, though I had not expected anything less from you", beamed Dumbledore as other portraits looked at them confusingly.
"I am going to keep this though", said Harry while showing the invisibility cloak in his hand.
"Ofcourse Harry you can keep it. It is your property that you inherited from your ancestors, till you pass on it to your children", replied Dumbledore with a hint of amusement in his voice.
If only Dumbledore knew I would not marry. Maybe I will give it to Hermione's children before I die, thought Harry with an expression of sadness on his face.
"What happened Harry, is everything alright?", asked Dumbledore sensing his feelings.
Harry suddenly replaced his expression with a fake smile. Damn, even Dumbledore's potrait is good at legilemency. I must master occlumency as soon as possible and learn to mask my feelings just like Snape used to do, thought Harry.
He took out the elder wand from his pocket and said "I don't want this. I liked my original wand". He took two pieces of his Holly wand from his robes which were connected by a single strand of thread. Pointing the elder wand to the pieces, he mumbled Reparo. His broken wand reattached and sparks flew from it's end. He knew this has worked as he felt the familiar warmth through his fingers when he held his wand, as if the wand and hand were rejoicing on reunion.
Harry felt energized again as the sensation flew through his veins into his entire body from his wand. His resolve on the decisions he made recently became only stronger. "I am going to put this from where it came. If I die a natural death, it's powers will be destroyed with me. That will ensure it doesn't fall into wrong hands again", said Harry while showing the elder wand in his other hand.
"That is indeed the noblest decision Harry", smiled Dumbledore as he felt proud of his favourite student.
Just then the door of the office flew open and Minerva McGonagall entered. She smiled on seeing Harry "Potter! I searched for you in the entire castle and was worried when I found you nowhere. I had to talk with you regarding a few things".
"Sure professor. Infact I also had to talk with you", replied Harry.
"Then take your seat. Let's talk over a cup of tea", said McGonagall indicating towards the seat infront of the desk and Harry took the seat. She took out her wand and flicked it so that the tea pot at the small round table at a corner of the office began heating up, and took the seat facing Harry.
"So Potter, you have finally defeated Voldemort and saved the wizarding world. We all were traumatized and thought that you were dead when Hagrid stood holding your body in his arms. We were equally surprised when you suddenly reappeared in the middle of the great hall and turned the tide of battle. I want to know where were you for the entire year? Why did you come here today only and decide to end the war? And why did you go to forbidden forest and surrender yourself to Voldemort? How come you are still alive after that?" asked McGonagall and Harry could see curiosity radiating from her.
He took a deep breath and answered "Sorry professor, I can't tell you all the details. But I can give you some answers to satisfy your curiosity".
"What you need to know is that Voldemort was no ordinary wizard. He was the most evil and powerful dark wizard in entire history. He pushed limits of magic to unprecedented levels and was the person who came closest to immortality. Even Professor Dumbledore couldn't have killed him just like that. So last year I and Professor Dumbledore worked a lot for destroying Voldemort. After professor's death, I took upon the unfinished business using the knowledge given by him. My friends Ron and Hermione joined me in this quest. So even though what we were doing for the whole year is strictly between the three of us, the summary is that we worked towards making Voldemort mortal again", said Harry.
"I came here today because Voldemort came to know my plans and started preparing to stop me. The last strands which made him immortal were to be cut at Hogwarts, therefore we came here to accomplish it. Even my surrender to Voldemort was part of this mission, though I must admit that I intended to die but was surprised to find that I survived. So, whatever happened in the forbidden forest is not known to anyone else other than me, but the summary is that my plan worked much better than I expected it to", finished Harry.
Though McGonagall's curiosity didn't get satiated, she nonetheless was satisfied with the answer "Ok Potter. If you say so, I believe you and wouldn't ask more questions on this topic. Before we discuss other matters, let's have tea".
She flicked her wand so that the tea tray started moving through air towards them. Suddenly the tray started wobbling and was about to fall when Harry reflexively raised his hand and pointed it at the tray as if to stop it from falling. Surprisingly the tray stopped wobbling and stayed in the air.
"Wow! I didn't know you could do both wandless and non-verbal magic Potter" exclaimed McGonagall.
An equally surprised Harry replied "Even I didn't know till now professor". He gave a wave using his hand and the tray moved towards their desk and came to rest on it.
They both poured themselves tea and started sipping it when McGonagall asked the next question "What are your plans for education? You haven't attended your 7th year at Hogwarts. Although I must say that you know lot more than what would be taught here in 7th year, but still I wanted to know if you will attend the school next year. It will be optional for you, Ms Granger and Mr Weasley. Though I think Ms Granger would definitely like to attend, and Mr Weasley would definitely not. You all will be given graduation certificates irrespective of your decision to attend".
Even though Harry was clear about his decision, on hearing that Hermione is likely to complete her studies, he became more determined not to do so "No professor, I won't attend the school next year", replied Harry sipping his tea.
"Ok, then let me offer you something that you might like. Will you join Hogwarts as the new Defense Against Dark Arts professor? I am sure that everyone would like to learn from you. I am also going to offer your friend Ms Granger the post of Transfiguration professor now that I have become the Headmistress" said McGonagall with an eagerness in her voice.
If only McGonagall knew that I am distancing myself from the same person, thought Harry. He sighed and replied "Thank you so much professor for the offer. It is a dream come true for me to be offered a teaching position at this prestigious school. But I have already made decision about my future, so I can't accept your offer. I am extremely sorry for that".
McGonagall was highly disappointed but knew that Harry was confident about his decision by looking at his face which had a blazing expression on it.
Harry continued the conversation "Now I have some requests to make to you professor". He placed the elder wand on the desk and said "This is Professor Dumbledore's wand which Voldemort removed from inside his tomb. Can you ensure that it is placed back in the tomb?"
"Sure Potter", replied McGonagall and took the wand, placing it in the drawer.
"Now I wanted to request you to place Professor Snape's potrait in this office at it's rightful place", said Harry.
Though McGonagall was surprised with this demand, she remained silent and waited for Harry to elaborate more.
"Professor Snape's loyalty lied with the Order of the Phoenix always. He killed Professor Dumbledore last year on his own orders as part of the grand plan to defeat Voldemort, and has been working on orders from his potrait this whole year. He was instrumental in the defeat of Voldemort and didn't even run from his death. His body lies in the shrieking shack. Can you ensure that it is retrieved and he is accorded a proper funeral?" said Harry.
"Looks like there is so much that I don't know Potter. But I will take your word. I will ensure that your demands for Severus are fulfilled" replied McGonagall.
The door of office opened at that moment to reveal Kingsley who came to talk with McGonagall. On seeing Harry he smiled and exclaimed "Harry! It's so good to see you. What brings you here?"
"Hello minister! I was just having a little conversation with professor McGonagall. Infact I was gonna go look for you right now. I had to talk to you privately regarding an important matter. Can you tell me when would you be available for a meeting, preferably at your office?"
"Don't be so formal with me Harry. Call me Kingsley, not minister. You are always welcome to meet me anytime. But if you insist so, I can meet you at evening 6PM at my office" said Kingsley.
Harry stood up to take his leave and turned to McGonagall "Thank you professor for hosting me at your office and accepting my requests. We will meet again in future if the situation demands". He turned to Kingsley "I will be at your office at evening. Hopefully we will have a fruitful conversation".
He left the office and put on his invisibility cloak. He moved through the corridors and halted for a moment infront of the great hall to take a peek inside. All his favourite people were still inside and talking happily with each other.
He smiled genuinely at seeing everyone happy. They have endured so much due to me. I shall make sure to not trouble any of them again with my problems. With that he started walking and walked out of the entrance towards boundary of the castle.
Anti-apparition protections have been placed again within the boundaries of castle after the battle. He crossed the boundary of castle and turned to look back at it. A nostalgic smile played on his lips as he admired his favourite place in the world where he spent six long years with so many friends. He disapparated for his new home, Number 12, Grimmauld Place where he would catch a quick nap before proceeding for the Ministry of Magic at evening.