Harry Potter and The Last DADA Teacher

Chapter 1: Percy's Homecoming

Seventeen year-old Harry Potter had no idea what he was in for as he began his seventh and final year at Hogwarts. He was 'the boy who lived'; a legend in the wizarding world. She was the newly appointed Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.

Seventeen year-old Harry Potter had no idea what he was in for as he began his seventh and final year at Hogwarts. Up until a week ago, he wasn't even sure he would return, given what had transpired at the end of the previous school year, a mere two months ago. After the attack on the school and Dumbledore's death, it was questionable whether Hogwarts would even remain open. But when he received an owl from Professor McGonagall advising him that the school would definitely remain in operation, and that Dumbledore would be extremely disappointed if Harry did not return to complete his education; guilt got the better of him.

He returned to the Dursley's for only one week; he knew it would be the last time he would ever return to that house. He stayed in his room, leaving only to use the bathroom, or to nip bits of food from the refrigerator after his aunt and uncle had gone to bed. During that week, he played that last day over and over again in his mind. If he hadn't put that binding spelling on me, I could have helped him. I could have stunned Malfoy and killed Snape. We shouldn't have left the school. The locket we found wasn't even a Horcrux. Harry came to the conclusion that what was done could not be undone. He had to finish his training if he was ever going to find the remaining Horcruxes and defeat Voldemort.

On his last day at the Dursley's, Harry loaded all of his belongings into his trunk. Then, as he opened Hedwig's cage, he told her, "I'll be at the Burrow." She nipped his finger softly and flew out the window. He gave the room one last look to make sure he hadn't forgotten anything and then he Disapparated.

The remainder of the summer was spent at the Burrow, the home of Harry's best friend, Ron Weasley and his family. Everyone was in mourning. Molly and Arthur tried to put up a good front, but with Dumbledore gone and Percy still not speaking to them, they were hard pressed to find much to be happy about. The one thing that did bring them happiness was their son Bill's upcoming wedding. By August, the wounds on his face had healed well enough. Although he would have some permanent scars, he looked a considerable sight better then the night he was attacked by the werewolf. Two full-moon cycles had passed and Bill seemed unaffected; other than the fact that he had a hard time falling asleep on those nights when the moon was full.

As the wedding day approached, Molly was busying herself out in the garden; creating a beautiful pathway filled with exotic flowers. Fleur, Bill's fiancé, was running along beside her. "Zeez is enough, really," she said in her thick French accent.

"Oh, come now," said Molly. "You can't have too many flowers on your wedding day! I remember our wedding day," she began to lament. "Arthur and I were so young and poor." She rattled on about how she wanted to give her son and his bride the best wedding ever.

Harry and Ron were upstairs in Ron's attic bedroom. Harry was sitting on the windowsill staring off into the distance. Ron was reading a letter he'd received from Hermione, who was vacationing in Greece with her parents. "I really wish she were here," Ron said, looking solemnly down at her letter. A moment later, Hermione apparated into Ron's room. "Blimey!" Ron shouted. "Are you psychic?"

"What?" "I can only stay for a short while," she said. "I told my parents I wanted to take a shower before dinner. I wanted to see how you two were getting on."

"Better now that you're here," Ron said as he jumped off the bed to give her a big hug. Hermione blushed and hugged him back.

"And you Harry?" she looked over at him concernedly.

"I received a letter from Professor McGonagall," he said. "Said Dumbledore would be disappointed if I didn't finish."

"So they've decided to keep the school open then?" she asked.

"Guess so," he shrugged.

"You don't seem too happy about it."

"I should be out there looking for him," Harry said angrily, motioning out the window.

"But Harry, it's important that you finish your education," implored Hermione.

"He'll get his Harry; don't worry," said Ron. Just then, they heard a woman scream from outside. Ron and Hermione ran to the window to join Harry. They looked down to see Molly hugging someone. It was Percy!

"I don't believe it," remarked Ron.

"Wow," said Harry.

"I can hardly believe my eyes," beamed Hermione. "Your mother looks so happy Ron."

"Well this definitely requires further inspection," announced Ron as he marched downstairs.

"Should we go with him?" Hermione asked Harry.

"Nah, looks like a family moment," he replied.

"Well then, I better be getting back to Greece," she said. "Tell Ron I said goodbye. I'll be back next weekend for the wedding." With that, she gave Harry a quick hug and Disapparated out of the house. Harry went back to the window to observe Ron hesitantly approaching his brother. He could not hear their conversation, but he could see that Ron was looking at Percy suspiciously.

"Oh, Ron, look," his mother announced. "Percy's come for a visit!"

Percy held his hand out to Ron and said, "It's good to see you Ron." Ron shook his hand tentatively.

"So what brings you here, Percy; finally come to your senses have you?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact I have," said Percy smiling. Ron was clearly taken aback. "Well, you see," Percy began. "You remember Penelope Clearwater don't you mother?"

"Ooh, yes," Mrs. Weasley glowed.

"Well, we're to be married this winter and..." Mrs. Weasley squealed at this news. "Well, she said it simply wouldn't be right; not having my family involved."

"I knew it!" barked Ron. "Your girlfriend wants it so to make her happy you've come back pretending you give a damn when you really could care less about us!"

"Ronald Weasley, how dare you speak to your brother that way!" yelled Molly.

"It's alright mother," Percy said calmly. "I expected this kind of reaction but, truth be told, Ron's right." Molly's face went very pale.

"I knew it," Ron said in a disgusted tone and turned to walk away.

"Wait, please; give me a chance to explain," Percy pleaded. Ron stopped and turned only half-way around. "The truth is, well, it's very difficult for me to say this."

"It's alright Percy, dear" Molly rubbed his arm. "Take all the time you need."

"Well, I'm very ashamed of the way I've behaved," he said sadly, his head hung low.

"Well you should be," Ron mumbled.

"The truth is that it's always bothered me, the fact that we're..."

"Poor?" Ron answered for him.

"Yes, and I'm terribly ashamed of the way I've acted." He looked at his mother and brother and said, "And I want to make things right. Penelope has helped me realize that it's not money that makes a man rich; it's having family and friends that really count. I thought once I'd gotten the position with the ministry that I would be treated with a little more respect. But Fudge was awful to me. He didn't treat me as an equal; he couldn't even remember my name! And Scrimegour is no better. Everyone's out to make a name for himself. When I saw Scrimegour approach Harry at Dumbledore's funeral that was the last straw. I mean, how completely uncivilized! I don't want to be part of their political circle. Oh Mother, can you ever forgive me for the way I've acted?" Molly was beaming; she just shook her head and gave her son a big hug. Needless to say, judging by the expression on Ron's face, he was in complete shock, but Harry detected a bit of relief in his look as well.

"Oh, wait till your father comes home!" she exclaimed. "Bill's to be married too!"

"Really?" said Percy. "To Fleur, the French girl?"

"Oh, yes," said Molly. "This weekend!" They started walking back toward the house. "Oh I must send an owl to Fred & George and Charlie letting them know you've come home!" Harry took this as the okay for him to come down. Mr. Weasley was coming in the front door as he got to the bottom of the stairs.

"Hello Harry," Arthur greeted him. "Hello Mr. Weasley," Harry replied cheerfully.

"Oh Arthur, I've got the most wonderful news!" Molly said as she met her husband in the kitchen.

"I'm already one step ahead of you dear," said Arthur. "Percy and I spoke at work today. Welcome home son!" Arthur said as he grabbed Percy's hand and shook it vigorously.

"Oh Harry, you're here as well," Percy remarked as he looked over his father's shoulder. He approached Harry slowly. "I want to apologize for the awful things I said about you Harry, he started. I believed all the lies that Fudge was feeding me and, well, I was wrong." He put his hand out to Harry. Harry studied Percy's face for a moment, then quickly glanced at Ron. Ron still bore the same shocked expression, but shrugged his shoulders as to mean, "I don't know; he seems on the level".

Harry shook Percy's hand and said, "We've all been deceived once or twice, Percy. Apology accepted." Percy sighed in relief.

"Will you be moving back in with us then dear?" Molly inquired.

"Oh, no mum; I've still got my flat in London." "Besides, Penelope and I will be shopping for a house once we're married."

Ron and Harry took that as their cue to head upstairs.