Nuriko: Well, here it is, Part Three.

Duo: You started this one right after finishing Part Two. I wonder how long this one will take.

Nuriko: Well, seeing as most of this chapter is set in my mind, I’m certain this will be finished a bit sooner.

Duo: We can only hope so.

Draco: :snorts: No we can’t. She’s certain to take the whole week she gives herself.

Nuriko: Shut it, Draco. I’ll deal with you later. For now, onto Part Three!

-----

Harry was packing the last of his clothes that would be needed while he was away. After the defeat of Voldemort and the large scale clean-up of Dark Wizards that had been conducted, Harry had become a teacher at Hogwarts. While they had really wanted him as an Auror, Harry had become tired of fighting. He just didn’t want to fight any more. It was a lot more enjoyable at work, as a professor, than he would have ever had as an Auror. Of course, it was even more of a plus when his boyfriend was a professor along side him, enjoying the closeness that had brought to them.

Draco Malfoy had found Hogwarts to be the one place that had become home to him. So when he had graduated from the school after his seventh year, he had set in to study abroad for a year before returning as the next potions teacher. Snape had gracefully stepped down when he heard Draco had applied as a professor. Apparently, after the fight with Voldemort, Snape had wished for nothing more but to relax get away from the stress.

Coming up the small stairway from his room that led up to Harry’s, the blond smiled softly at the thought of helping Hogwarts become grand once more, with Harry at his side and Duo leading the way. Draco had found a kindred spirit in the American. Duo seemed to be the embodiment of everything that Hogwarts stood for and there was no one else he would rather see as Headmaster in the future but him. After all, the boy was almost like another Dumbledore. Sometimes just as daft as the old man as well.

Walking into the doorway of Harry’s room, he smirked, watching the way Harry’s body seemed to shift with his actions. While the two still seemed to act up and fight from time to time, they more than found themselves enjoying their make-up sessions. With a soft whistle, Draco caught Harry’s attention. “Perhaps I should have asked you to pack sooner. The view is really spectacular from here,” he murmured.

Harry flushed a bright red, even as he looked back at his boyfriend. “Stuff it, Malfoy. It’s not like I’m doing this for fun.”

“Oh, but I thought helping Maxwell out during his first year as Hogwarts Headmaster was supposed to be enjoyable, seeing as our classes will be rather small.”

Harry snorted, going back to his packing. “We will also have students of all ages in our classes, and we’ll have to separate them by how well their magic skills are. It will be total chaos until Duo’s gotten a sufficient gasp of things.”

“Oh, don’t worry so much you two,” Hermione Granger, also a Professor at Hogwarts, said as she came up behind Harry. “Would you rather we let Duo struggle all on his own and leave students to continue to try learning on their own?”

Draco sighed while Harry nodded. “You’re right, Hermione. It’s our job to teach, so that they don’t do something dangerous like Duo once did.”

Hermione laughed at those words. “Harry, I seem to recall us doing something just as stupid, and we were being well taught in our magic,” Hermione admonished. Harry’s cheeks seemed to become a deep pink, even as Draco couldn’t help but chuckle at those words.

“Very nice, Granger. I didn’t think you’d decide to get back at him like that.”

“Well, there really isn’t anything else I could have told him. Duo didn’t ask for us, Dumbledore called for volunteers, remember, Harry? If you didn’t like the idea, you shouldn’t have offered to help.”

“But Draco…” he trailed off, becoming even redder, even as Draco laughed a bit more.

“I suppose I did twist Potter’s arm. After all, he would have hated to be away from me for a year,” Draco finished for his love. Harry nodded even as Hermione sighed.

“I can’t argue that. It was the same with Ron. He didn’t want to be away from me for a year either.”

“I dare say it was mutual for the both of you, Granger,” Draco remarked coolly. This time it was Hermione who seemed to become red. Harry laughed softly, having calmed down now that he wasn’t the only one going because someone dear to him was going.

“Well, why did you offer to go, Draco? You were the first one to offer to help.” Hermione had always wondered why he had offered his help so quickly and she was fairly certain she wasn’t the only one who wondered.

“We’re going to help Maxwell, aren’t we? I would have expected that Harry and you would have been the first two to offer to help. For all he put himself through in order to help us in the end. It’s the least we could do.”

Hermione nodded, even while Harry felt a little silly that he hadn’t thought of that as well. Duo had almost been seduced by the Dark Arts when he had gone undercover to get close to Voldemort. He had saved Dumbledore and accomplished much that other wizards would have failed at. The biggest kick of it was that he hadn’t wanted any credit for any of his hard work. In fact, even Dumbledore had referred to the one who had helped him as a ‘wizard who wished to remain un-named’.

“I suppose we should have thought of that first,” Harry said after a moment. Draco nodded, even as he looked at Hermione.

“By the way, Granger, what brings you here?” Draco asked.

“Oh, I was told to tell you that Dumbledore wants us all in the Great Hall as soon as we’re ready. It seems Duo sent the all clear for us to be sent over and he’s got all the means to send us back. So all that’s needed is for all of us to gather so we can leave.”

“Well, I’m all packed and ready,” Draco remarked, patting the pocket of his dark green robes. Harry rolled his eyes and waved his wand. The rest of his clothes folded themselves into the trunk. He then waved his wand once more, closing the trunk, locking it, and then shrinking it, before taking it and putting it into his own pocket.

“And I’m ready too,” Harry said once he turned to face them.

“So am I,” Hermione added. “So shall we go?”

“Malfoy, after you,” Harry said, knowing he couldn’t move without the blond moving first. Draco in turn gave Hermione a wink.

“Of course. Ladies first, Granger.” Hermione laughed, before turning and beginning down the stairs. The two followed behind her, smiles sitting on all of their faces.

-----

“I thank you all, once again, for offering your help. Headmaster Maxwell has always offered his thanks to you all and I’m certain he will do so in person once you all arrive,” Dumbledore began, a soft smile on his lips while his blue eyes seemed to twinkle more than usual.

Gathered around the hall was everyone that Dumbledore had promised Duo. Draco, Harry, Hermione, Ron, Fred, George, Neville, Luna, Lavender, Sirius, and Remus listened to Dumbledore, even as Fred and George seemed overly eager to get going.

“We’ve always wanted to help out at Hogwarts,” Fred said with a grin.

“And what better way than to stop future pranksters from being too dangerous,” George added.

“Of course. I’m certain Headmaster Maxwell will be eager for your help,” Dumbledore said in a light tone.

“So, shall we get going?” Luna asked, eager to see the time Duo came from.

“Of course,” Dumbledore replied, motioning to them. “Now, I need all of you to gather in a circle and hold hands.” The group moved to do so, Harry giving Draco’s a reassuring squeeze as they waited for everyone to do as told. “Good. Now hold on tight and don’t let go until you arrive at your destination.”

Everyone nodded in agreement, even as Dumbledore waved his wand to activate the carpet port key that rested under their feet. With a tight pull on their navels, the group vanished from the hall.

-----

“Master, are you certain the teachers will be coming today?” Lolly asked, her expression showing her nerves. Dobby was sitting beside her, rolling his eyes at her words.

“Of course they will come. If Master Duo says so then they will be here. You mustn’t doubt him,” Dobby argued. Lolly stuck her tongue out at him.

Duo laughed at their antics, shaking his head, even as his half-braid seemed to swing with the action. “Alright you two, stop it. You wouldn’t doubt Dumbledore’s words, would you?” he asked.

“Of course not,” Dobby said instantly. “Dumbledore’s word is like galleons.”

“He wouldn’t lie to anyone,” Lolly added.

Duo laughed once more, nodding. “Well, then trust that they will be here.” He then looked around the room. “Is everything done for their arrival? The rooms cleaned and prepared and the afternoon meal ready to be served?” he asked, watching both of them.

“The rooms are all done,” Dobby said with pride.

“The other house elves just put the finishing touches on lunch,” Lolly answered, glaring at Dobby.

“Good. Then just be quiet, because here they come,” Duo said, even as the group of eleven suddenly appeared where there had been nothing mere seconds before. With a bow of his head, Duo grinned at all of them. “I thank all of you for coming. I’m afraid I’ve been dearly in need of your help. With that out of the way, welcome to Hogwarts.”

----------

Nuriko: Well, thus I get this part out of the way.

Draco: Yes and as predicted, it took the whole week.

Duo: Actually, she was even as few days late on this one.

Nuriko: Hey! I have a life you two. I didn’t mean to fall behind.

Draco: Then I suppose you should get everyone together by the next chapter as a plea for forgiveness.

Duo: Or at the very least, within the week.

Nuriko: I’ll most certainly try. After all, once a week is what I’m shooting for.

Duo: Well, that’s better than not trying at all.

Draco: In her case, it’s just as bad as being late. She’s never on time for anything.

Nuriko: Oh, shush! :blushes bright red: Anyway, until next time, Ja mata ne!