Chapter 23: The End of the Old and the Start of the New
"Would you relax Hermione?" Harry asked his friend in the Great Hall two months later.
"Relax? How can I relax? We get our test results today! How come we get our results for the NEWTs at school and not at home like our OWLs. What if I flunk everything? How will I teach now?"
"Think she's overreacting?" Harry asked Ron and Ginny sarcastically.
"Just a bit." Ginny answered with just as much sarcasm,
"Hermione. When you get all O's, we'll sneak out to Hogsmeade and celebrate." Ron told his girlfriend
"Besides," Harry added. "Mum said we get our NEWT results earlier than OWLs because of the importance. OWL's just determine what classes we take for the next two years. NEWTs show future employers how capable we are."
That only caused Hermione to groan.
Suddenly, a flock of owls came and started dropping Ministry letters in the seventh years hands.
Three letters dropped in the Trios.
"On the count of…ten?" Harry teased.
"How about three?" Ron asked.
"That's fine."
"One." Hermione said.
"Two." Harry said.
"Three!" the trio said as they ripped opened their letters as Neville cheered at his E in Potions thanks to Sara.
Harry James Potter received the following:
Care for Magical Creatures……….E
Charms……………………………O
Defense Against the Dark Arts…...O
Herbology…………………………E
Potions…………………………….O
Transfiguration……………………O
Total………………………………6/6
"How the bloody hell did you get O's in Potions, Charms and Transfiguration?" Ron asked looking over Harry's shoulders "DADA was obvious"
"Considering I've had James and Lily Potter at my side during the summer and Christmas holidays?" Harry challenged his friend.
"Why didn't I think of that?" Hermione asked herself.
"All O's. What did I say?" Ron said looking at her results.
"Let's see." Harry said looking at his friends' results
Hermione Jane Granger received the following:
Ancient Runes……………………..O
Astronomy…………………………O
Care for Magical Creatures………..O
Charms……………………………..O
Defense Against the Dark Arts…….O
Herbology…………………………..O
History of Magic……………………O
Potions………………………………O
Transfiguration………………………O
Total…………………………………9/9
Ronald Bilius Weasley received the following:
Care for Magical Creatures……….E
Charms……………………………A
Defense Against the Dark Arts…...E
Herbology…………………………A
Potions…………………………….A
Transfiguration……………………E
Total………………………………6/6
"You passed!" Harry said clapping his friend on the back
"Not as well as you." Ron said "Mr. Four Outstandings."
"So Harry?" Hermione asked. "Have you sent your application into the Ministry yet? I hear it's filling up fast."
Harry's smiled faded. He hadn't told his friends.
"Actually, I'm considering other options." Harry told them truthfully. "I'm not entirely sure yet."
"What are you thinking about?" Ron asked. "Pro-Qudditch like me? You'd make the team for sure."
"I have a plan, but it's my secret until I can make a decision." Harry said.
0000
"Welcome to the Graduation of the Class of 1998." Dumbledore said. "These young witches and wizards, after seven years of hard work and extensive studying, are now ready to venture forth into the world. Instead of rules, they have to follow laws. Instead of detention, they will face worse consequences. However, there are some positive aspects. We look to these students for the future. Not only ours, but future generations. Now. I would like to present, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry's Class of 1998!"
The entirety of Hogwarts cheered with the parents and families of the graduating class.
"Remember our graduation?" Sirius asked James.
"Of course. We kissed our girlfriends." James told him. "Not to mention that was the same speech he gave at ours."
0000
A couple of months later,
KNOCK KNOCK
"Enter." The voice from the Headmaster's office sounded.
Harry opened the door to see Professor Dumbledore seated at his desk with Fawkes sitting on his perch.
"Hello Professor. Hello Fawkes."
The bird sang it's greeting to the hero of the wizarding world.
"Hello Mr. Potter. I am not your Professor anymore though."
"Sorry. Old habit." Harry said. "I wanted to talk to you about something."
"Would this have anything to do with your change in occupation?"
"How did…?" Harry started to ask.
"Minerva informed me." He told the young wizard. "After all, she was your guidance
councilor."
"True." Harry said. "And as usual, you are correct. I'm interested in teaching, but I want to be sure. The thing is, I'm too famous to try teaching. The students wouldn't let me get around to the teaching, and then I'm afraid I'll hate it."
Albus Dumbledore was deep in thought.
"I have an idea." Dumbledore said a few minutes later. "There is an opening at Hogwarts…"
"I just said I'm too famous to teach" Harry interrupted.
"The catch is, nobody will know who you are." Dumbledore continued.
"How?" Harry asked.
"Two reasons. One: You will be in disguise. A change of hair color, eye color, and name.
I realized last year that you were an metamorphmagus"
"That obvious?" Harry asked shyly.
"Not that obvious." Dumbledore said. "I've noticed the subtle differences you've been trying throughout the year. I haven't said a word to anyone about it."
"Thanks. And the other reason?"
That twinkle was back. "You shall teach where your name is not as known."
"Professor. Hogwarts is in England. My name is known throughout all of England. I even heard that some districts even celebrate "Harry Potter Day". It's ridiculous. The only way how that would be possible is if I travel through time."
Dumbledore just smiled at him with that twinkle in his eye.
"Uh oh." Harry said to himself. "I know that look. What do you have up your sleeve THIS time Dumbledore?"
"I recall a young professor appearing one day when our Defense Teacher was killed over the summer. He told me he was from a different time, and throughout the two years he was there, told me a few more details. I've simply put two and two together."
"Two years? Plenty of time to decide. I'll take you up on the offer." Harry said. "What years?"
"Fall of 1975 to the Spring of 1977." Dumbledore told the wizard
"Very well." Harry accepted
The End (continues with Defense Professor)