Harry and Draco flooed to Hogwarts the night before classes locking up the London flat with secure wards and charms. Draco had spent the last week getting his own apartment ready in the potions dungeon but he wondered a bit about the sleeping arrangements. He was head of Slytherin house so it seemed appropriate that he should be close at hand at night, but he didn't think it would look good for Harry to be wandering around in the dungeons in the dark. By the same token, Draco couldn't very well be skulking around in the towers. They hadn't really discussed it and to Draco it was a fairly important topic.

The first day dawned and Draco had spent the night alone. He glanced over at the empty pillow beside him missing Harry terribly. They'd only actually been 'together' for a week, but already it seemed perfectly natural. But they had both been nervous the night before and so it seemed the right thing to spend the night in their own rooms.

Draco dressed carefully. This morning was his first meeting with all the teachers. Many of them were not yet aware of his appointment though he couldn't see how. Even the Daily Prophet made hints about it and certainly everyone on Diagon Alley he approached he had told. He felt a little foolish about it now, but he supposed some preening was in order.

Draco had purchased some wizard's clothes and realized after he'd bought them how much they reminded him of something Professor Snape would have worn. He chuckled as he looked in the mirror. All black, of course, though the trousers were dragon leather. Snape had gone for scary while Draco was going for sexy. He tied his long hair back with a black leather strap and he turned his head from side to side to study the effect. He felt a little nervous at the classes tomorrow, but tonight was the welcoming feast and the Sorting Ceremony, and he had extra duties being head of Slytherin.

The morning meeting was in Dumbledore's tower and so he waved his wand at the torches to put them out, tucked the wand away, and strode quickly to the tower.

* * *

Harry was dressed in dark trousers, a white shirt with a Gryffindor tie, and a dark knitted waistcaot. His dark robes were open at the neck and he buttoned them closed. He tried to flatten his hair, gave up, and left for Dumbledore's office. He didn't know why he was so nervous. He supposed most of it was really for Draco. He had wanted to spend the night with him, but he thought it would be better if they didn't for the first few weeks of school, though he didn't know if he could hold to that noble idea.

He saw Draco coming toward him in the opposite direction and his eyes widened. If Draco was going to dress like that, Harry would have to throw out his resolve here and now! Draco was dripping with confidence. It reminded Harry of Draco the student sauntering about the corridors. The tight trousers, the black silk shirt, his hair. Even that familiar sneer pulling up one side of his mouth suddenly drove Harry into a frenzy. He leaned toward Draco and gasped, "You have no right looking that good."

"Why thank you, Potter. You aren't bad yourself. I'd like to shag you right against the wall right now, but we haven't the time."

"Sure glad for the robes," muttered Harry, and he dragged his closed over himself.

"Sugar Quills!" said Draco, and the gargoyle statue jumped aside. "After you," he said to Harry, allowing him on the stair first.

They were the last to enter Dumbledore's office, and someone gasped upon recognizing Draco. Harry noticed Draco didn't quite look as confident as he had done.

"Well, that is the last of you lot," said Dumbledore. "I think everyone knows everyone else," he continued. "You all know that Harry Potter is here to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts," and they all smiled appreciatively. "And Draco Malfoy has kindly consented to teach Potions. We are fortunate to have him." No one seemed to share his opinion. "Hogwarts has never been closed before. We must build confidence in the school again-"

"Then if that is so," Sprout interrupted, "why do we have Draco Malfoy on staff? That will surely not instill confidence, Headmaster. It might indeed prove to have the very opposite effect."

Hagrid seconded that notion and others nodded their heads. Harry looked at Draco. He said nothing but looked paler than usual.

"I see," said Dumbledore. "It is unavoidable that we must discuss this. As you well know, Professor Malfoy was censured by the Ministry for the part he played in Voldemort's schemes."

"He tried to kill you, Albus!" cried Hagrid.

Dumbledore held up his hand. "He didn't try very hard, I assure you. And truly, his heart certainly wasn't in it. You will recall that Voldemort threatened the lives of his parents-and whatever we may think of Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy, you must remember, that to Draco, they were only his loving mother and father. Who among us would not have done anything to save the lives of our parents?" The others suddenly stilled. "And though it was true that Draco became a Death Eater willingly at first, even before he came of age, he can be excused for an appalling lack of judgment due to the extreme circumstances of his life at the time. I think if we cast our minds back, we can consider the appointment of another former Death Eater under similar circumstances, a man who was also our potions master. I think it only mete that we give Professor Malfoy the same consideration and allow all future actions to characterize the man, rather than past mistakes. Compassion is the currency of a life well-lived, and I do hope we would all chose to live good lives."

No one spoke. Harry gave Draco an encouraging gaze and Draco lifted his eyes and caught Harry's glance gratefully.

"Now," Dumbledore continued. "We are expecting the Hogwarts Express as usual at nine o'clock. You all know what to do. Before I excuse you all to your duties, I would like one final word with the heads of houses. Unless there are anymore questions or comments?" No one spoke but many looked as if they wanted to.

Harry gave Draco a thumbs up and left him. He walked out with Flitwick who stopped him in the corridor before he could escape. "Harry, what is it with Malfoy? What in the world is he doing here? Rumor has it that you brought him."

"Well, I did. I ran into him accidentally, you see, and he needed a job."

"But Harry. You of all people!"

"But isn't that exactly what Dumbledore wanted us to do? Look beyond people's faults? When I did, I discovered a scared and repentant young man. He isn't the same person he was when he ran from Hogwarts that terrible night."

Flitwick heaved a hearty sigh. "Well! If you can say that, Harry Potter, then there is no cause for the rest of us to argue. Good luck!" And he scurried down the corridor. But McGonagall was standing off to the side staring at Harry. What is this? The Inquisition? He moved toward her and nodded. "Professor."

"You can call me Minerva in private, Harry."

"I don't think so, Ma'am."

She humpfed. "I understand you will be keeping an eye on Malfoy."

"Professor Malfoy. And no. I haven't been charged with doing any such thing."

"No? I was given to understand this by Albus-"

"You must have heard him wrong. There's nothing to watch. He's fine."

She eyed him a bit longer and then shrugged. "I do hope so, Potter. For all our sakes, I do hope so." He watched her return to the headmaster's office and he shook his head. Have they forgotten Snape so soon? Here was history repeating itself right in front of them and none of them could see it but him. Maybe it was a wizard thing. Maybe all witches and wizards should first be raised as Muggles. It seemed to give them the proper good sense they needed.

Harry was anxious to get to his classroom, even though everything had been ready for days. But he wanted to wait for Draco.

Soon Draco appeared with the other heads of houses. He looked subdued. Harry supposed it would take a while for the others to adjust to him. He and Draco were also quite a bit younger than the other teachers and that was bound to be a source of tension too.

"Well?" Harry asked as they started walking.

Draco shrugged. "The sort of thing you'd expect. Keep the little darlings in line; don't let them wander about at night-right, Potter?"

"Of course not. One could get into all sorts of trouble that way."

"Keep them out of the Forbidden Forest-right, Potter?"

"Did he just run off a list of things I have done?"

"It certainly sounded that way."

Draco suddenly grabbed Harry, pulled him into a side corridor, and shoved him up against the wall. "Malfoy! What mpf-" Draco's lips locked on his and he ran his hands over Harry's neck, shoulders, and torso.

When he finally pulled away he whispered huskily against Harry's lips, "I missed you last night. Really missed you."

"Then come to my room tonight," Harry whispered, all resolve thrown out the window. "The password is 'Gryffindors Rule.'"

Draco glared at him askance. "Do you want me there or not?"

"Yes-but I also wanted to hear you say it."

Draco chuckled and shook his head. "If I didn't want you so much-"

"Look. We can't be doing this in the corridors."

"There are no kiddies here yet."

"I know. But the temptation-"

"Of course you're right." He released Harry but stayed close enough to stroke his face. "It's going to be a long day."

"Yup. Are you ready for tomorrow?"

"As I'll ever be. A little nervous."

"Not as much as they will be of you. Big Bad Malfoy."

"As scary as Snape?"

"I don't think anyone was as scary as Snape…but you are definitely a close second. At least by reputation."

"Do you think I should give the old 'stopper on death' speech?"

"Naw. No one could say it like him."

"Well, I must go rehearse to look dangerous. I'll see you tonight at the sorting."

"See you, Draco." Harry watched him walk away and sighed. It was going to be a long day.

* * *

The sun set over the mountains and Harry was getting nervous. It wouldn't be long now till the Hogwarts Express arrived. It would be a mixed bag of students. New ones, of course, but also those who missed the last three years of schooling. There were a lot who were tutored at home, some who went to Beaubaxtons and some to Durmstrang, even a few who were sent off to Wizarding schools in America until Voldemort could be put down.

"Nervous, Harry?" came the voice of Dumbledore behind him. Harry turned and gave the old wizard a smile.

"I've faced dragons, a basilisk, Death Eaters, and Voldemort himself, but I think this is far scarier."

Dumbledore laughed and put his arm around Harry's shoulders. "Well, at least you can put it in the proper perspective."

"Are they ready for us?"

"Very nearly. Would you like to go to the Great Hall now?"

"Yes, I think so."

They walked together, Dumbledore still with his arm around Harry's shoulder. "Have I told you how proud I am of you, Harry?"

"For what, sir?"

"Albus, Harry. Albus."

"Yes, sir."

"Well, for Malfoy, of course. You showed great compassion for him. I've no doubt when you met him again he was an angry young man."

"You could say that."

"Look how far he's come in so short a time."

"He had it in him, sir. He just needed the right people to care about him."

They entered through the doors and Dumbledore released Harry. The large house hourglasses with the colored gems stood at the ready, for points to be added or taken away. The long tables were set and waiting with candles floating above them. A simple wooden stool sat at the very front before the head tables and the Sorting Hat sat atop it, frowning from the seat. The other teachers had arrived. Flitwick was next to Hagrid's place but Hagrid was at the train station ushering in the first years and McGonagall's place was also empty as she was collecting all the rest of the students. Draco was already seated on the other side of Flitwick and he smiled at Harry. Harry took his place on the other side of Dumbledore who sat in the center.

Looking out over the Great Hall from his chair, Harry got an entirely different perspective. The long tables stretched out before him and the hall would soon be filled with hundreds of students. Who would they turn out to be? Long ago one student had turned out to be Voldemort, while another indistinct boy had turned out to be his slayer. Was there a Dark Wizard brewing among them already? 'Constant Vigilance!' he heard in his head, but didn't really want to think that any of these dewy-eyed children might grow up to be the next Dark Lord. Draco had to be especially vigilant though he might resent the implication. But wasn't Slytherin house where all the trouble came from?

Harry straightened when the doors opened and former students and second through seventh years marched through. Some waved at Harry, having known him from school and he waved back until he caught McGonagall's stern eye.

They took their places at their respective tables. There were a lot of empty seats. Many parents weren't willing to let their children go off to school these days, even with the false sense of security put out by the Ministry. Was it ever completely safe?

The doors closed again and the hall was alive with students chattering. Many of them were looking at Harry and pointing. Harry tried not to blush at the attention (wasn't he used to it by now?) but it was a bit overwhelming. Dumbledore leaned toward him. "Holding up all right over there, Harry?"

"Yes, sir." But he wished Draco was sitting beside him. He wondered how he would hold up today.

The doors opened again and the first years entered. Harry sat on the edge of his chair. They looked so small! Was that really him once upon a time? Looking for the Philosopher's Stone, going into the Forbidden Forest, seeing Voldemort for the first time since he was a baby? Harry had known Voldemort was a monster, had faced him enough to know, but looking at these wide-eyed eleven-year-olds he realized that Voldemort had no compunction over killing an innocent child--him, at that age. Of course, ripping up one's soul into seven pieces could do that to a person.

They lined up obediently under McGonagall's watchful eye where she explained about the Sorting Hat who then launched into a song. The song was about the unity of Hogwarts and how the hat regretted splitting the students into the separate houses but how it was necessary to allow each of them to shine. Harry glanced sidelong at Dumbledore. He wondered if the old wizard had anything to do with the Sorting Hat's song and philosophy.

Solemnly, McGonagall read off each name and that child nervously approached the Sorting Hat. Each house cheered when they received their students, and soon the sorting was complete. Harry noticed a conspicuous decline in Slytherin students. Were their parents keeping them away from Hogwarts or were their families simply going through a substantial change in philosophy A.V.?

Dumbledore stood and stepped forward toward the student tables. He raised his arms and the room quieted. "Welcome! Welcome everyone to Hogwarts!" The room erupted in spontaneous cheers and applause. Dumbledore waited for it to quiet again. "Yes, I see you are appreciative of such a momentous occasion. As you well know, Hogwarts was closed for the last three years. There were repairs to be done and a war to fight." Harry saw many heads turn towards him again. "Those of us fortunate enough to remain owe a great debt to those who sacrificed themselves to preserve this way of life we cherish so much. I think it only mete to recognize those who have fallen in the service of good, namely, one of our own teachers here at Hogwarts. For many years, he was our potions master, and as you also know, he was a former Death Eater. I am speaking, of course, of Severus Snape. I know of the rumors, the whisperings, but I assure you even through the darkest of times, Professor Snape was ever loyal to me. He allowed the world to think he was still in the service of Lord Voldemort in order to infiltrate his gatherings. In fact, it looked to all the world that he did the most despicable of deeds to gain their trust, even to slaying…myself." Dumbledore smiled. "But as you see, I am quite alive, even with a lovely white tomb across the lake as evidence to the contrary. I must say, I quite enjoyed my funeral. There are not many alive who have the opportunity to express that sentiment- But Professor Snape followed my orders, no matter how unpleasant he found them, and successfully performed his duties-even though he was well aware that he probably would not survive them. Which, of course, turned out to be the case. So we will lift our glasses, I think, to one of the true heroes of the war." Everyone lifted their glasses and stood. Harry chanced a look at Draco. His eyes were red. "To Severus Snape!"

"To Severus Snape," the room rumbled, and everyone drank. They sat again, rapt by Dumbledore's words.

"We have again made every effort to ensure the safety of Hogwarts and its students," Dumbledore went on. "But to that end, it is important that you follow the rules as laid down by me and my staff. No one is to enter the Forbidden Forest. There are dark and dangerous things inhabiting it and it would be most unwise to venture there." Harry thought Dumbledore turned his head slightly toward him. "Also, periodically, certain corridors may become off limits. Please follow the instructions of the head boy and girl and your heads of houses. And as an extra precaution, I urge you all to report immediately any unusual activity you might see in the castle and on the grounds." A murmur erupted amongst the students and Dumbledore again waited for it to die down. "It is simply a precautionary measure. In the past, certain students failed to tell the staff of such unusual events, thinking to handle it on their own." This time, he did turn to Harry and several students tittered. "But I do not advise it. It is best for a teacher to evaluate the circumstances and decide on what action to take.

"Some further announcements: I am sure you will be pleased to hear that Quidditch will resume this year." More cheers. "I regret that we have missed three years of house champions. Most regrettable but unavoidable. I look forward to the games continuing. Those of you assigned as captains will have to establish all new teams. Very exciting for all of you. I am sure you are all anxious to get to the feast, but at this time I would like to introduce you to some new staff members. We are all very grateful, I am sure, to our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, who has consented to give us the benefit of his great skills and experience. May I present Professor Harry Potter."

The hall exploded with thunderous cheers and applause. The students jumped to their feet, stomped, and whistled. Harry blushed deeply and stood up when Dumbledore urged him to. He acknowledged the cheers by a nod of his head and sat as quickly as he could.

Dumbledore waited a long time for the cheering to subside. He seemed to enjoy it as much as Harry hated it. "We have another appointment as well. Our new Potions Master. A wizard of uncommon qualities and skills. Please welcome Professor Draco Malfoy."

But there was no cheering or even polite applause for Draco. There were in fact gasps and rumblings. Harry cast a glance at Draco. He seemed to expect it and remained in his seat, his arms clasped over his chest and his face carefully controlled. That familiar sneer curled his lip. He looked remarkably like Snape in that instant.

Dumbledore moved on quickly. "Our caretaker Mr. Filch warns that any item from Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes will be confiscated on the spot. Though they have a branch in Hogsmeade I do not advise your bringing any purchases to the grounds. As in years past, Hogsmeade weekends will be open to third years and up. Well, I think that is all for one day. Let the feast begin!"

Instantly, the tables were laden with the most magnificent feast Harry had ever seen, more food than he remembered from his days as a student. The house elves must have gone all out for the re-opening.

Harry took some roast chicken for his plate and then looked down the table at Draco again. He put a few items on his plate but didn't eat much of it. Harry was leaning toward Dumbledore and was about to say something when Dumbledore patted his hand. "Don't worry about Draco, Harry. It will all work out."

But Harry recognized that look on Draco's face and he hoped the headmaster was right.

* * *

Harry paced in his room that night. Draco hadn't shown up and he wondered if he ever would. Maybe he was too humiliated to do so. But what did he expect? Surely he understood how everyone would feel about a Malfoy teaching here-especially Draco whose part in Voldemort's invasion of Hogwarts was well known.

What should he do? Should he go looking for Draco? Should he leave him alone? Draco was prone to brooding. Of course, so was Harry, but he didn't want Draco to feel unwanted.

Harry decided and pushed open the hidden door and stopped. Draco was standing before the door and looked up at him. "How long have you been there?" Harry was afraid his voice conveyed too much of the exasperation he was feeling.

"Not long."

"Were you ever going to come in?"

"I hadn't decided. Especially with that bloody password of yours."

"What was the problem? Was it…the feast?"

"I guess so." Draco's eyes were riveted to Harry's. Slowly his shoulders slumped and he lowered his gaze. "I shouldn't have taken this job."

"Well it's a little too late for that now."

"I really think it will be easier on Dumbledore if I resign."

"Don't be ridiculous! He needs you. You'll do fine. Just let everyone get used to the idea. It may take all year, you know."

"I don't know if I can take it for a year."

"Honestly, Draco! Didn't this ever occur to you?"

"YES!" He pushed past Harry and paced across the carpet in front of his bed. "Of course it did! But-"

"Nothing is as real as reality, eh?"

"Precisely. The owls will start coming tomorrow, you just watch."

"Don't you think Dumbledore knows that?"

He heaved a great sigh and sat heavily on the edge of the bed. "I wanted too much too soon, I guess. I thought as soon as I went through a change of heart, everyone else would have one too." He fell back and groaned. "How am I going to do it, Harry? How can I face all those students tomorrow?"

Harry approached the bed and sat next to him. "You'll manage it one day at a time and, if necessary, one student at a time. No one said it was going to be easy."

"But I want it to be easy," he whined. "It'll be easy for you."

"That's because I'm the hero, not the villain. Everyone wants to hear the hero's story."

"And I'm the villain."

"Ever since first year, my lad. Isn't that what you wanted to be?"

Draco shrugged. His brows knit as he gazed up at Harry. Harry leaned over and rested his hands on either side of Draco's head. "You're no longer a villain to me, Draco Malfoy. In case you have forgotten, I happen to love you."

Draco's eyes widened and then his expression softened. "You're being very tolerant of my mood."

"You will pay for it, you know."

A slow smile spread on Draco's face. "Oh I will?"

"Indeed. Everything has a price."

Draco settled under Harry more comfortably. "And just what is that price?"

Harry drew on a wicked smile. "I haven't decided yet. But first things first. You're still dressed."

"Oh forgive me." Draco began unbuttoning his shirt and Harry drew back allowing him the room.


On to Chapter Eleven
"Potions"

Back to Chapter Nine
"Friends and Lovers"

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