Padder and Shanks

Padder and Shanks

Chapter 1

He dismounted and almost instinctively looked at the crowd even though he knew that she wasn't there. To disguise all the sadness that he felt he smiled and waved to the stands. "Little do they know that I'm resigning and that this was my second-to-last quidditch match...at least with the Chudley Cannons," the tall, muscular man that was obviously a star muttered to himself through clenched teeth and a forced smile. Running a hand through his messy, black hair would undoubtedly draw attention to his scar so he refrained and headed towards the press, willing his smile to reach his striking green eyes.

"Mr. Potter, what do you have to say about the rumors that you are engaged?" an enthusiastic witch asked him as he continued to walk towards a podium that had been erected for him.

There was a large assembly of reporters watching him as he stepped up to the podium and muttered, "Sonorus." Potter cleared his throat and said, "I shall begin by welcoming you all to my monthly press conference. Make note that it will be one of my shorter press conferences as I have a...uh...prior engagement that I must get to. Questions?"

The same reporting witch that had already asked her question repeated, "Is it true that you're engaged?" This was obviously a question that was on everyone's minds as many Quick Quote Quills had been erected and their owners looked intently at the star athlete.

Chuckling, he said, "I must say that I'm rather disappointed at how considerably out of date your information must be as I was indeed engaged in January, but it is now August and I'm not longer engaged...I got married in June. I'm happy to say that a married a wonderful witch who has stood beside me through it all. She has also been one of my biggest fans as I've played for the Cannons these last five years, and today was the first Quidditch match that she hasn't watched me play since she started at Hogwarts eleven years ago." He continued to chuckle as he watched all the reporters checking that their quills had accurately recorded what he had said.

"What would the name of your wife be, Harry?" an Indian reporter asked. She worked for Witch Weekly with her twin sister and was dying to get some meat for her new story about the Boy-Who-Lived, and this was what she had been waiting for. This story was prime rib for whoever got the name of Harry Potter's new wife.

There was a twinkle in Harry's eye that was worthy of Dumbledore as he replied, "Now that would be telling, wouldn't it Parvati. My wife would simply murder me if I let her name slip. Actually," Harry chuckled at his thought, "She'd probably send one of her formidable Bat Bogey hexes at me which I happen to fear more than death. Her name will come out in a couple of weeks after we settle down a bit. Now, are there any other questions?"

"Have you thought about what you'll be doing after Quidditch, Harry?" another young witch that Harry recognized from his Hogwarts day asked.

Harry sighed and settled in and prepared for the inevitable responses that he knew would come from all of the reporters. "Well Lavender, the truth is that I'll be resigning-whether it's temporarily or permanently isn't clear at the moment-after our match against Puddlemore United next week. I've got to wave it in Oliver Wood's face one more time that he should have taken the offer to join the Cannons three years ago. The fact that he got me started on Quidditch will only make our victory next week that much sweeter. After my resignation I will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts for a year or two on a trial basis before I decide whether I will take a permanent place at Hogwarts or return to the Quidditch pitch." When it was apparent that there were no other questions Harry muttered, "Quietus," and went into the changing room.

That could have been a lot worse than it was, Harry thought to himself as he changed into clean robes that were plain black, his preferred style of robes, and had a small lion sewed on the collar. Harry touched the lion and all the memories of his days at Hogwarts came rushing back, yet again, with a wave of happiness that would have produced a marvelous Patronus charm. Smiling at his happiest memory of Hogwarts, a more recent one, Harry remembered the rose-scented air and the bouquets of white roses and lilies. He had insisted on the lilies as it made him feel more like his mother was there and he needed that as he waited at the end of the aisle for a certain someone to walk towards him. The happiest memories that the young man possessed all had something-or more precisely someone-in common. In a much better mood, Harry closed his locker and tied his trainers.

When Harry emerged from the changing room he was glad to find that all but the most persistent of the reporters had left and he found it relatively easy to convince them that he had no choice but to be going and that it was for the best. Harry had never had a very hard time convincing people to do what was for the best, because of course, he was the Boy-Who-Lived and the Boy-Who-Vanquished and all those other wonderful titles that he was so fond of. Once everyone was gone Harry quickly concentrated and in a matter of seconds found himself outside the gate of Hogwarts.

"Why good evening, Mr. Potter," Professor McGonagall said as she changed from her cat form where she had been sitting just inside the gate with another cat, this one marmalade and sleek.

As Harry watched, the other cat transform into Ginny Potter, his wife of two months, before he pulled his wife into a hug and kissed her deeply. "I missed not having you there today, Gin...I felt really exposed without my personal manager to help me with all the questions about my wife," he whispered into her hair that was done up neatly in pigtails. He couldn't stand to not be touching her in some way whenever he was close to her; even just having his little finger touching her little finger was enough.

"Do you think it was easy for me casting all sorts of spells and wondering if this was the one game where they'd carry you off of the field on a stretcher? Harry James Potter, shame on you for being so selfish," she growled playfully and Harry was tempted to carry her up to their new living quarters, which had been prepared while he was playing Quidditch, and have his way with her.

Harry shook his head to rid his mind of his train of thought and returned his attention to the headmistress. "For this wonderfully convenient meeting that pulled me away from the press, you would like us to go..." Harry began letting his words trail off so that McGonagall could finish the train of thought. Ginny stood in Harry's arms as they both faced McGonagall, waiting to receive further instruction on what they should do next. All through this Harry kept his arms wrapped around Ginny with his chin resting on her shoulder.

"My office if you please...Professors Potter and Potter...I assume that you will find some way to differentiate your names," the headmistress said as she began to make her way back up to the school.

Harry and Ginny were quickly replaced by a black wolf with a white lightning bolt on his head and the marmalade cat. Padder the wolf was large, even large enough to be mistaken for a dog of the same nature as Padfoot, but more muscular than the dead dog could have ever hoped to become. Shanks, marmalade in color was the same color as a lightly-colored red fox, but slightly smaller. The cat climbed onto the back of the wolf and curled herself on his neck and allowed him to carry her up to the castle. When they reached Professor McGonagall's office they transformed back and made eyes at each other for a moment before remembering that the headmistress was there.

"I'll be going by Professor Padder...which should generate a few rumors that I would be interested to hear should you happen to hear them," Harry said smiling at the names that he and Ginny had come up with for their animagi form. "And Ginny will use the name Professor Shanks, which will be sure to generate a myriad of rumors...ones that I will be extremely disappointed to not hear about," he finished. Very appropriate that we got our names from the animagus and the animal that we look so similar to, he thought to himself, but he realized that Ginny must have been thinking the same thing from the look on her face.

If only every human being had as much enthusiasm and happiness as they do at where they are, there would never have been a person like Voldemort to endanger the world, she thought as she realized that without the terrors that Voldemort had put the couple through, they wouldn't have turned out the same. Minerva looked at the two new professors and it took all of her will power to conceal her smile as she thought about how much all of the students would benefit from them teaching at Hogwarts. "Very well then, off you go. Just please try to stay out of trouble and I beg that Professor Padder will not encourage any mischief while he is head of Gryffindor," she said sternly, ridding herself of the newly married couple that she could tell wanted nothing more than to be left to themselves.

Harry laughed openly at Professor McGonagall's attempt to be stern and earned himself a burning glare from his employer. "I promise that I'll be good...or try at least," Harry said, muttering the last part under his breath so that only Ginny could hear it. Ginny and Harry left, laughing together as they walked through the halls that led to their rooms hand in hand. "She won't be able to keep a straight face when she sees the prank that I pull on the first day of term...I really hope that I get to see her face," Harry said to his wife as they headed towards their destination.

When they reached the DADA classroom Ginny sat at one of the desks and raised her hand while Harry sat on the edge of his new desk. When Harry called on Ginny she said with a perfectly seductive smile, "Professor Padder, I had a question about the assignment that you gave me in June." It was then that Harry picked Ginny up and carried her to their new bedroom and locked the door behind them.

"Well look what the cat dragged in," came the snide remark from the staff table when Harry and Ginny walked into the Great Hall for dinner that night. Harry quickly looked at the table, half expecting to see Snape there, but in his place sat none other than Draco Malfoy.

Harry sneered, "It looks like it dragged in a pile of dung and spelled a picture of Draco Malfoy on it for effect. Not very charming if you know what I mean, Draco."

It was all Ginny could do to keep Harry from attacking Draco while she kept a tight hold of his hand and whispered soothingly into his ear, "He's not worth it Harry. Don't sink to his level and fight him, that's what he wants you to do." Relief flooded Ginny when Harry's shoulders relaxed and they walked to their seats at the staff table. Just what we needed, another little git who thinks that the world revolves around him, Ginny thought as she looked at the forceful relaxation in Harry's shoulders.

Harry sat down with Ginny, who was taking the Transfigurations job from Hermione after Hermione had decided that it was time settle down with Ron and opt for a position in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement this year. Professor Flitwick, who was still teaching Charms, was sitting on his other side and began trying to pull the new teachers into a conversation as soon as they had taken their sears. Once everyone had been absorbed in their dinner Harry ventured to ask, "Professor McGonagall, do you think that it would be possible for my house to get this Saturday off to go to the Chudley versus Puddlemore match? I think that it would be a great way to get the younger students excited about Quidditch and encourage the older students that are on the team to take it a bit more seriously."

"I do believe that that can be arranged Professor Padder, but I'll have to notify the parents of the students beforehand. Other than that, I don't see why not," the headmistress said with a shimmer in her eye as she was forced to remind herself that Harry was only twenty-two, no matter how old he actually acted. Which is far older than even yourself, she heard her mind nagging.

Harry nodded. "Thank you, Professor."

"Of all of the wizards that could have taught potions here they hire Malfoy, only four years after he tried to kill me," Harry ranted to Ginny after dinner when they were back in their private rooms. "What were they thinking when they made that arrangement?"

Ginny looked her husband firmly in the eye and stated, "Maybe, Harry, they thought that four years is an awfully long time and it is about bloody time that you and Draco overcame your long-lived rivalry." She looked the most powerful wizard in the world in the eye and dared him to challenge her.

Sighing, Harry sat down and leaned back. "I know that it's childish, Gin, but old habits die hard, you know? It just comes naturally that I insult him every time I see him, and it's been like that since I was eleven years old." He stopped and looked at the red head more closely and noticed the lines of worry that existed on her forehead. "Accio Ginny," he muttered, and when she had sat down next to him and put her head in his lap he began to stroke her hair and said tenderly, "I know that you worry about my safety, but I promise that I will always come back, hopefully some day it will be more than just you that I have to come home to."

Does he know that I might be pregnant? He can't know because I haven't told anyone and I'm not even sure yet! Ginny panicked slightly and looked at Harry suspiciously. "Do you know something that you would like to share with the class Mr. Potter?" Ginny asked in a rather good imitation of Professor Snape.

"Are you saying what I think that you're saying? Because if you are then I'm going to be happy, but I'm not sure how happy your mother will be if you, who have been married to me for two months, get pregnant before Hermione, who has been married to Ron for the better part of two years," he said and watched Ginny's face for a sign of emotion that would tell him what he was looking for.

"Maybe, but I can't be sure yet," was all that Ginny would say before she headed off to bed without Harry.

When Harry was left alone, there were two options for him to choose from: read a book or write a letter. This particular night, Harry chose to write a letter to Ron so that he could let go of some of his emotions with the other reason being that Ginny's news had him so wound up that he wasn't sure that he would be able to concentrate on a book that night.

He wrote:

Ron,

How've you been mate? Haven't heard much from you since you bought the new house and that was almost two weeks ago. Hope that you and Hermione are getting settled in at the house. Let me know if you want me to come and help one day and I would be more than happy to.

I might have news, but it's not for certain yet and Ginny would probably send a Bat Bogey Hex my way if she knew that I was telling you this, but she went to bed early and will never need to know that this letter was sent. Please don't even tell Hermione because she would feel obliged to tell your mother and then Ginny wouldn't hesitate to hex me into next week. Anyway, with that said, I think that my wife-your sister-is pregnant. She won't tell me for certain so I don't think that she knows for sure yet, but I know that it's a possibility as she wouldn't deny it or confirm it either for that matter. Once again I beg that you tell no one about this letter as it would cause a bit of contention in the Potter family.

Brilliant news! McGonagall gave my permission to invite the whole of Gryffindor to the last match of my Chudley Cannon career. Hope that you'll be there too to help me rub it in Oliver's face when we beat Puddlemore.

Best,

Harry

Harry surveyed the letter one last time before he gave it to Hedwig to deliver. As his snowy owl flew away, Harry was forced to admit that Hedwig was getting old and would soon need to retire from the life of a delivery owl. Sighing and shaking his head, the thought, There's always tomorrow to go and get another owl, entered his mind and he immediately banished it. He knew that to find another owl as wonderful as Hedwig, he would have to take his time and be patient. With a final yawn, Harry headed to bed after Ginny.