Author: Drusilla Dax ()

Rating and notes: U, post-DH and fairly AU. This bunny is a challenge that Mikee gave me.

Summary: Harry discovers something about the portraits of the Hogwarts headmasters.

Disclaimer: I'm just playing with other people's toys and nothing you think you know is mine. May I be forgiven in my next incarnation! Flamers and thieves will be adopted by my blood relatives (if you don't believe it's a threat... too bad for you!).

Editor: Mikee. The remaining mistakes are all mine, and I apologize for those.

IMPORTANT NOTE: this story *is* finished, but I need to format scenes to post them here. Stay tuned.

Portraits of Hogwarts Headmasters

'We need your help, Harry!' Hermione almost hissed.

They were in the Leaky Cauldron, in a booth in the darkest corner. Hermione had cast a Silencing spell around them.

Ron was sitting next to his fiancée; he looked sorry for Harry, but he knew better than to try to help his best friend.

Harry sighed for the umpteenth time, leant over the table closer to Hermione, and hissed, in response, 'I get it, but I don't think I can do it!'

'Oh, for God's sake, Harry! It's just a desk job for a year. Minerva agreed to become headmistress after the end of the war, but now she needs us to help her,' Hermione said. She paused, took a deep breath and added, 'If we don't give her time to take care of herself, she'll keep the position and not get the healing she badly needs.'

Harry looked torn. 'I want to help her,' he said. 'But you've got to admit it's much more than the desk job we do for the Ministry.'

'No, it's not!' she objected.

Harry snorted. 'Maybe for you,' he growled.

Hermione blinked at that, and Ron chuckled.

His fiancée glared at him, but Ron said, 'He's right, you know. You could probably do the job in your sleep, but I'm happy I'm not the one you're asking to do it!'

Hermione blinked again, looked at Harry, and said, 'You're making a mountain out of a mole-hill. You won't have to teach, just to make sure that the school gets everything it needs to run... and the teachers will help you if need be.'

'Yea, and you need Harry Potter to do it, otherwise the Board is going to blow a fuse,' Harry said with a sigh. 'I'll do it because Minerva needs time off, but if it becomes hell for me, I'll call Kingsley, and I'll have him order you to come help me!' he declared.

Hermione squeaked. She knew that Harry would do it, and she hoped that he wouldn't need her; she loved her new job at the Ministry of Magic, and she didn't want to leave her Department. Hopefully, Harry would make a great headmaster - even if it was only temporary.

Hermione knew when to keep her mouth shut, and she kept it to herself that Minerva's condition might force their old friend to retire and lead a quiet life. Harry didn't need to know that right now.

'I'm sure you can do it,' Hermione said.

Harry snorted again. He looked at his friend and added, 'You'd better be with me when I tell Ginny the good news.'

Ron and Hermione traded looks.

'What?' Harry asked.

'I'll go order more drinks,' Ron declared as he fled their booth.

Harry looked at Hermione, who looked deeply embarrassed. 'What?' he repeated.

'Didn't she contact you yesternight?' Hermione inquired.

'Obviously not! What's going on?' Harry said.

'Well, we had dinner at the Burrow to cheer Molly up a bit, but I'm sure Ginny's just busy filling in bumph and files and contracts,' Hermione said.

'She's found a job?!' Harry exclaimed joyfully.

'Er... yes,' she said.

Hermione became too quiet.

'What's her future job?' Harry inquired.

Hermione mumbled something.

'What?' he said.

'She should be the one to tell you,' Hermione protested.

'And she forgot!' Harry shouted.

Hermione caved. 'She's joining a professional Quidditch team,' she said.

Harry stood up and left the pub.

Ron came back to the booth and sat next to Hermione again. 'Do you think they're going to be all right?' he asked.

'You know them. They're going to yell a bit, but they're in love,' she said.

Ron nodded. His little sister was a lot like their mum - and that could be scary.

As soon as he was on the street, Harry checked that there was no one around, and he Apparated to the gate of the Burrow.

The house hadn't changed one bit, but since the end of the war, there was something sad at the Weasleys' home. It wasn't clearly visible, but there was something missing. The atmosphere was changing slowly, but it was transforming into something new. The Weasleys had lost too much in the war, and they'd never be the way they'd been before the last battle. Harry walked into the garden, and he went to knock on the door.

Molly Weasley opened the door. When she saw Harry, she immediately engulfed him in a warm hug.

'Hello, Harry! I'm so happy to see you!' she exclaimed.

'Evening, Mum!' he said.

Harry wasn't officially engaged to Ginny, but Molly was his mum nonetheless. She was far from being perfect, but she was the closest thing to a real parent Harry had ever had.

'Come in!' she said.

'Is Ginny here?' he asked.

'She's packing. Have you come to congratulate her?' she said.

'I've come to ask her why she didn't tell me,' Harry said quietly.

'Oh, my! Did we forget to owl you?' Molly said.

'Yes,' Harry said sadly. 'You know what? You must be busy. Hermione convinced me to help Professor McGonagall, and I'd better start working on that. I'll be at Hogwarts,' he added.

Molly was too stunned to react, and Harry Disapparated to his house. He'd finished packing his trunk, with Kreacher's help, when Ginny Floo'ed in the parlour.

She ran to his room and launched herself into Harry's arms.

'I got such a good offer, and I start training in three days. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you, Harry!' Ginny said.

He took a deep breath, hugged her tight, and said, 'And I'm sorry, too. It's just that I'd hoped we could spend a bit of time together now that you've passed your NEWTs.'

'Hey! I can Apparate!' she said.

He chuckled and said, 'You're right, and I hope Hermione didn't find me a job that's going to be worse than my worst nightmare about bumph. I guess our first weeks at our new jobs are going to be hectic.'

'Are you really going to cover for Professor McGonagall?' she asked.

'Yes, and I must say I'm really not sure I can do it,' he admitted.

Ginny threw her arms around his neck and pecked his cheek several times. 'I know you won't like dealing with the files, but Professor McGonagall didn't look too good the last time I saw her. She needs Healers and rest, and you know what, Harry?' she said.

'What?'

'I'm sure you can do a lot of good at Hogwarts,' she said.

Harry blinked at that, but that gave him a few ideas.

'So, what team should I start cheering?' Harry asked after giving his girlfriend another hug.

They talked for hours about their future, planning the best way to get to spend time together.

The next day, Harry went to see Minister Shacklebolt.

Harry was showed in almost as soon as he arrived. Kingsley invited Harry to sit down.

Harry was grinning when he asked, 'Where you expecting me?'

The recently elected Minister for Magic gave Harry a grin of his own. 'I thought I'd see you last night,' he admitted.

'Ah, sorry, Minister, I went to see Hermione very early this morning. She was delighted to tell me what she knew about the responsibilities of the Hogwarts headmasters,' Harry said. 'Ron wasn't too happy that I woke them up, but he didn't warn me that the future Mrs Weasley wanted to trap me, so it was only fair to have him suffer through the explanation,' he added.

Kingsley laughed heartily. 'All right, Harry, what can I do for you?' he asked when he stopped laughing.

'I think Hermione told me the basics, but what's my power, and is there a handbook to help me?' Harry asked.

Kingsley opened his drawer and took a folder from it. 'There's no handbook, but I'll lend you my file. Besides, if you need help, keep in mind that the portraits of the former headmasters and headmistresses can help you. You'll have Dumbledore and McGonagall by your side... and you're forbidden to contact Minerva for real, or she'd toss you out of your headmaster's chair to take her job back from you,' he said.

'Hermione and Ginny would have my hide if I were to contact Professor McGonagall,' Harry said as he accepted the file from his boss.

Harry realized something and asked, 'What about Snape's portrait?'

Kingsley sighed and said, 'He doesn't have one.'

'But Professor McGonagall knows that he was Dumbledore's man through and through!' Harry protested.

'We all know it,' Kingsley said softly.

'Then, why doesn't he have a portrait?' Harry asked.

'A few members of the Board are still pissed off at him. It's petty, but you know how a few people still react,' Kingsley explained.

'That's unfair!' Harry exclaimed.

Kingsley nodded.

Harry growled and said, 'I could do with a bit of Slytherin help.'

'I'm sure you'll find ways, Harry, and I'm convinced you'll be a splendid headmaster. I'll nominate you officially next week, but you can move in to your quarters immediately,' Kingsley said.

'I'll do that, and I have a few pages to read,' Harry said, showing the folder.

Kingsley and Harry got up, and the Minister escorted Harry to the door.

'If you need anything, don't hesitate to contact me,' Kingsley said.

They hugged each other.

'I might Fire-call you or ask a school owl to drop by,' Harry said.

Just before Kingsley closed his door, Harry asked, 'Can I move in with my house-elf?'

'Of course, Harry,' was the answer.

Harry went back to the Grimmauld Place mansion. He went to see his elf.

'Kreacher?'

'Yes, Master?' the old house-elf answered obediently as he appeared next to Harry.

'Would you come to Hogwarts with me? I need help,' Harry said.

'Master Harry wants Kreacher to come take care of him?!' Kreacher asked excitedly.

'Yes, please,' Harry said.

Kreacher's old ear flapped with happiness; he was ready to leave two minutes later.

Harry decided to take the Hogwarts Express with Kreacher; the future headmaster would use the time to read the folder Shacklebolt had given him. Also, taking the train would give Harry time to quiet his nerves; he'd never gone back to Hogwarts for his last year of school because he'd had to fight Voldemort. Harry - and Hermione and Ron, who had followed him - had been given ministerial diplomas that took into account their sixth-year grades and the skills they had acquired during the war and demonstrated during the final battle against the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters.

Harry felt incredibly guilty about being named headmaster. Maybe he could make sure that supplies were delivered on time, but he didn't feel gifted enough for the task of being a role-model for the students.

'Merlin!' Harry wailed.

'Master?' Kreacher said worriedly.

'I'm going to have to make a speech at the Sorting feast, and I know most of the students!' Harry said.

Kreacher told his master that the goal of the speech was to motivate the students, and he was convinced that his master would find the best words for the students. Besides, the students who knew him wouldn't hesitate to come and see him if there was a problem.

Harry reflected that Kreacher was right - and he was happy to have decided to ask him to accompany him. He thought that he'd have to show the youngest students that he wasn't the war hero that the Daily Prophet had created.

Harry was focussed on reading the file, and he skipped lunch, which was a very bad thing according to Kreacher. The elf bought chocolate frogs that reminded Harry of his very first trip on the Hogwarts Express, and that memory cheered him up.

The train arrived in Hogsmeade around dinner-time. Harry considered going to the pub, but there would probably be too many people he knew there, and he didn't feel ready to face even old friends.

He meant to walk to Hogwarts, but a carriage came to fetch him. Harry petted the two thestrals that were harnessed to the carriage; he was sorry to be able to see them. One had to have witnessed a death to be able to see a thestral - since the end of the war, a lot more people could see those magical creatures.

When they entered the grounds, Harry was almost relieved to see that Hagrid's hut was closed. He didn't want to meet anyone tonight.

The last time he'd been here, he was fighting against Voldemort, and he'd lost many friends - too many friends.

It was the first week of August, and most of the staff wasn't at school.

Harry felt something echo in his magic when he walked through the door.

'The castle knows,' Kreacher said.

As Harry climbed the stairs, the portraits greeted him. The arrival of the new headmaster spread from frame to frame, and even the ghosts came to welcome Harry.

'I don't even know where my quarters are,' Harry said.

'Wherever you want in the castle,' Nearly-headless Nick declared.

'Headmistress McGonagall kept her quarters in Gryffindor tower,' one of the portraits said.

'I'll go check the office, and I'll give it a thought. Maybe I'll take pillows and bedcovers there,' Harry said.

He finally found himself with Kreacher and Nick in front of the gargoyle guarding the entrance of the headmaster's office. Every scar from the last battle had been repaired by the magic within the walls of the school, and the faithful gargoyle looked as if it had never been hit by any Dark spell.

'Password?' it asked.

'I don't know it,' Harry whispered.

'No, Harry, you've got to choose the password to your office,' Nick explained.

Harry paled; he remembered the times he'd come to see Albus in his office.

'Password?' the gargoyle asked again.

Harry didn't want to use the kind of passwords Albus had used, and he didn't want to use a name that journalists could comment on if anyone gave them the information.

Harry remembered that Severus Snape wasn't acknowledged, and that gave Harry an idea.

'Password?'

'Prince,' Harry answered.

The gargoyle jumped aside.

Minerva's portrait welcomed Harry.

Apparently, neither Severus nor Minerva had changed anything in Albus's office, and Harry paled again.

'You can do it, Harry,' Minerva's portrait said with her lovely Scottish accent.

Harry shrugged.

'Harry!' Minerva protested. 'Legal parchments and administrative tasks aren't too bad. You may get the occasional Howler, but the position is quieter than anything you did fighting the Dark Lord - or playing Quidditch here. I'd say that being in Lockhart's classroom was worse.'

Harry looked at the portrait, blinked, and started laughing heartily.

He visited his office, and told Kreacher to find dinner for them. The house-elf went to the kitchen, but he kept growling that it wasn't proper for an elf to dine with his master. When he came back with a tray, Harry tried to make him cave by saying that he couldn't abandon him and let him eat all alone.

'Master should invite the strange teacher,' he said.

'Who?' Harry wondered.

'The one who's pacing in front of the gargoyle,' Kreacher answered.

Harry ran downstairs and found Professor Trelawney there. She looked as distraught as when Umbridge had sacked her.

'Professor!' Harry said.

To his surprise - and Trelawney's - Harry hugged her.

'What can I do for you?' he asked gently.

Trelawney looked positively spooked.

'I was wondering if... if you want me to leave,' she mumbled.

It broke Harry's heart to see her so worried. She was very strange - and not as good as Firenze when it came to predictions, but it was mostly because the Centaur had an astounding gift - however she didn't deserve to look so scared.

'Never, Professor! Professor Dumbledore knew how important you were for our school; Professor McGonagall knows it, too. I'm just a temporary headmaster... I'm not even a teacher. I give you my word that as long as I've got this position, yours will be guaranteed, and I will allow no one to pester you,' he promised.

Trelawney gasped, and tears welled in her eyes. 'This means so much to me... Headmaster,' she said.

'Just Harry, please,' he whispered.

'Harry,' she said. She nodded, which made her tears spill and roll down her cheeks.

'Come and have dinner with me and my elf. You can remind me how many Death Eaters you've sent to St Mungo's with your crystal balls,' he said.

He took her hand and led her upstairs.

'The password is "Prince",' he told her.

'For Severus,' she said softly. She felt Harry tense, and she added, 'He protected me as much as he could, too. He was torn between destinies even before he was born.'

'I wish I'd known him better,' Harry admitted for the first time to someone other than his reflection in the mirror.

'He couldn't tell you anything,' she said.

He sighed, but he knew that she was right.

In the office, Kreacher had laid the table for two, and he served dinner, insisting that it was his duty.

Harry freed his elf for the night right after dinner, and then Harry spent hours talking with Trelawney and getting to know her.

Harry escorted her back to her tower.

'It must have been difficult to replace the crystal balls after the battle,' Harry said when they'd reached her quarters.

'Well... right after the battle, the former Minister for Magic refused to pay for them. Minerva had a few replaced, but I think it's the Board who doesn't want to sign our budget,' she explained.

'Interesting. I'll see what I can do,' Harry promised. 'Come and see me anytime you want.'

'I'm fine in my tower,' she answered shyly.

'Then send me an elf or call me if you want company up here,' he said.

'Minerva came once a week for tea,' she said.

'We could do that,' Harry said. 'I'll come and see you in two days. I'll try to solve the budget mystery. Sleep tight!'

'Sweet dreams... Harry.'

As he went back to his office, Harry reflected that if the Board no longer had Albus to manipulate its members, maybe a few of them were trying to save money for other projects.

Harry had learnt to trust his gut, and he spent a good part of the night writing to the entire staff to ask each teacher what supplies were needed for class - and if they'd been provided.

The school owls were delighted to get some work.

Over the following week, Harry visited again all the corners of Hogwarts; he visited the teachers he didn't know to meet them and introduce himself, and he visited those he knew, as well, to be nice.

The amount of bumph was atrocious, but he was beginning to see why Shacklebolt wanted him to replace Minerva - one member of the Board owed Harry a Wizarding debt.

Harry sent him an owl to invite him for tea.

Kreacher showed Harry's guest into the office, where Harry was rearranging the file cabinet in a way that suited him.

'Potter,' Lucius Malfoy said.

'It's Headmaster Potter,' Minerva's portrait hissed at the visitor.

Malfoy turned to her and blinked. 'Why does she have a portrait here? She said she'd be coming back as soon as she's completely healed,' Malfoy exclaimed.

'This is my family portrait, Mr Malfoy,' Minerva hissed.

.

.

(Next scene as soon as possible. It’s typed and edited… I “just” need to format it for here)