Harry Potter Breaking The Chains

Harry and Hedwig flew together the entire way back to Privet Drive. They spoke to each other throughout their flight. Harry asked her about her ability to always find the recipients of the letters he sent out, and she explained that she didn't really know how she knew where to go, she could just tell which way to go instinctually. This just confirmed what he had thought when he was delivering the cat supplies to Ginny. As they approached his neighborhood, Harry split off from Hedwig and reverted to human form before apparating into his bedroom. He didn't want any of the Order members who were keeping tabs on him to see the black owl entering his room. Moments later Hedwig arrived bearing the letter he had just watched Ginny write. He took the proffered letter and tore it open to read its contents.

Dear Harry,

Thank you so much. I love her. Her name is Emerald because of her beautiful green eyes. I'm calling her Em for short. Did you get her from the Magical Menagerie in Diagon Alley? That's where I was when we were attacked, and I had fallen in love with this kitten with brilliant green eyes as soon as I walked in. How did you know? And for that matter, how did you manage to get her, considering you're in lockdown with your relatives? Well regardless of how you managed it, thank you so much. She is quite possibly the best present I have ever been given.

I was advised not to write much about what happened at Diagon Alley, so you'll have to wait until I see you for all the details. But I guarantee you that it's quite the story. I'll tell you all about it on the train ride. Since I'm not a prefect I'll be able to sit with you while Ron and Hermione are off in their little meeting; that is of course assuming you'd like to sit with me on the train.

You really didn't have to buy me all of that stuff to go along with Em, but I appreciate it. I know you have a lot of money and like to spend it on others. And I won't let you spend all of your money on me all the time, but I might just let you get away with it every once in awhile. I know that your money has always been a sore spot between you and Ron, but I could care less either way. I know you've got it, and I don't. And I know that you're not averse to spending it on others, and I promise not to get offended by it. I know you're not trying to buy friendships or anything silly like that. That doesn't mean I'll always accept it, but I won't ever throw it back in your face.

Hedwig's friend was quite striking. I don't think I've ever seen a black owl before. But then again, I think Hedwig is the only white owl I've ever seen, so maybe they make a good match. Do you think maybe they're a little more than friendly? Might we be finding some black and white owls flying around the Potter household soon? You never know. It's proper to save yourself for marriage, of course, but Hedwig has always seemed a bit promiscuous if you ask me. You'll have to watch out for her. Sure he may seem nice and honorable, but they all do at first glance. Then once they get what they want, their true colors show, and you realize that it was all just an act. Men!

Thanks again for Em, Harry. And I think I just might take your advice. Today's a day for me to enjoy, and I might as well take advantage while I still can. I've got a new kitten to play with, and my family is all here to share the day with me. Today will be a good day. Write again soon.

With love,

Ginny

Harry burst out laughing while reading the letter. Just imagining what must be going through her head. Just thinking of him and Hedwig together… like that… was downright disturbing, but also absolutely hilarious. She had no idea what she was saying, of course, but that didn't lessen the amusement Harry got from her comments.

The rest of his summer vacation was pretty normal for Harry. His scar acted up on him a couple times. It only twinged with pain and gave him some vague flashes of Voldemort's emotions. He didn't have another vision. He wrote to both Ron and Hermione about his OWLs and what classes he would be taking and everything. They both wrote to him about the same. Ron mentioned the attack in Diagon Alley and how stupid he felt for including when they'd be going in his letter. Harry was inclined to agree but chose not to vocalize that thought. He and Ginny also wrote back and forth to each other talking about various things.

About a week after Ginny's birthday, Harry received a letter from Dumbledore with the Hogwarts seal emblazoned upon the envelope. He tore it open and read the contents.

Dear Harry,

I have recently met with the staff of Hogwarts and, as promised, am now informing you of our decision on your status in regards to the DA. Given the success of your club last year and the remarkable scores your students received on their exams in comparison to other students, in addition to evidence Professor McGonagall presented at the level of commitment you seem to be putting into the club, we have decided to offer you the post of Assistant Professor.

The post has several privileges and responsibilities attached. If you so desire, you would be given your own quarters and your own office. You would be welcome to continue using the Room of Requirement for your classes, or, if you would prefer, we could arrange for a classroom to be setup for you. You would have authority over your peers, including the Head Boy and Girl, but all of the staff would still have complete authority over you except during your DA meetings where you would be equals. There are other privileges included like the ability to access the Restricted Section of the library and an extended curfew as well.

As I mentioned, as an Assistant Professor you would have authority over the other students. You will be expected to treat this authority responsibly and not abuse it in any way. You will have the ability to take and award house points and give out detentions, but if it is found that you are abusing this power, it will be stripped from you. We expect you to treat all students equally regardless of any personal feuds or of which house they are from.

You also may be asked for assistance by our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. He may ask for help in some of his classes, in evaluating the students, or in offering additional tutoring to students who are struggling. He is not used to the demands of professorship and has expressed interest in having an assistant, which is a large part of the reason we are offering such a position to you. I will ensure that none of his demands conflict with your own studies, of course.

As you might have imagined, this decision was not unanimous among the staff. I will warn you, you will be watched closely, both by the staff and the students. If you reach out to people of all houses, I think it could go a long way to creating inter-house unity which the school has not enjoyed in hundreds of years. There will always be some who refuse to cooperate, but you must not let the few ruin it for the many. I will await your decision on whether or not you would like to accept the post and what accommodations we should make for you. I feel I should mention that while there have been many assistant professors in the past, only once has the position ever been held by a student. You are the second person in the history of the school to receive that honor. I trust you will not let us down.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

...

Harry didn't know what he was expecting from Dumbledore, but this was definitely not it. He had briefly thought he might be made an honorary prefect or something, but he had put it out of his mind deciding that he really had no idea what the old man would come up with. Never in a million years would he have predicted this. He had no doubt who the headmaster was speaking of when he mentioned that the decision was not unanimous. Snape would have fought this to the bitter end, but to have it go through must have meant that he had the support of the rest of the staff.

He guessed that Professor McGonagall had showed them all the letter he had sent her turning down the Quidditch captaincy. He couldn't think of anything else that she could present as evidence to the level of commitment he was putting forth. Harry hated the fact that this would further alienate him from his classmates. He wanted nothing more than to be normal, but he had realized long ago that he was anything but normal. And continuing to deny the fact would only make things harder. So he was left with only one choice really: he had to take it.

He didn't want to be separated from his friends though, so he decided to turn down the separate quarters, but accepted the office. He told the Headmaster that he would like to continue using the Room of Requirement as it would provide him with everything he would ever need throughout the semester, making life easier for him. Harry sent a reply back informing him of his decision and thanking him for the opportunity. He told him that he was almost finished writing up the magical contract he would use for the club and that it should be ready for him to look over by the time he arrived on September the 1st.

With that out of the way, Harry turned his attention to more immediate concerns. He had been debating with himself for the past couple days over the card that Jessica had given him when he had been shopping in muggle London. She had said to call if he ever needed help shopping again but not to be afraid to call even if it wasn't about shopping. He didn't imagine himself to be an expert when it came to girls, but he thought for sure that this was a hint that she wanted him to call, maybe to ask her out. He wasn't really sure.

....

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