A/N: Okay, Chapter-3 is here. I'm pretty sure now that the story isn't going to be abandoned. This chapter is a bit longer although still not as long as would like it to be. Don't worry; they will get longer as the story progresses. As always, reviews are appreciated as long as there are no flames. I didn't get my 20 reviews last chapter but I got far more than Ch-1 but I would still love it if you do review.

DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and other characters belong solely to JK Rowling.

“What about me Harry?”

Harry and Hermione watched in shock as a tall figure came out of the shadows. His long white beard and the signature twinkle in his deep blue eyes were unmistakable.

“Professor Dumbledore?” Hermione asked awe-struck. Dumbledore's expression grew more amused and he nodded.

“Sorry to be rude or anything sir…but didn't you… How? How did you come back?” Harry asked equally awe-struck. Dumbledore moved from the shadows into the light

“There is no way to return from the dead Harry. There is a much easier solution to this problem. I simply never died.” Dumbledore replied still beaming widely.

“But I saw you got thrown off the astronomy tower when Snape… How do I know you're not an impostor?” Harry asked.

“Ah, I thought you would say that, as did Minerva here. Well, if I wasn't the real Albus, why would Fawkes still be alive and more so, why would he be with me?” Dumbledore said beaming at the window where all of a sudden phoenix appeared. Harry immediately recognised it as Fawkes the phoenix. After a moment or two thinking, he looked up and nodded, confirming that he believed him.

“Thank you Harry. I'm actually glad that you were a bit suspicious. It shows that you cannot easily be fooled even in the most exciting and surprising of all situations.” Dumbledore replied beaming widely with a twinkle in his eye. Then he continued, “Professor Snape never used the killing curse on me. Sit down both of you and let me tell you what really happened that night a few weeks ago.” he conjured two chairs out of nowhere. Harry noticed that his hand was still charred black.

When the two teenagers took their seats, Dumbledore continued, “Harry, the curse that you saw hitting me was not the Avada Kedavra. It was actually a clever piece of magic that, and forgive me for not being humble, was invented by me. Severus hit me with a simple blasting hex, disguised as the killing curse. When I was about to hit the ground, I levitated the last few feet and lay in the position everyone found me in.”

Hermione looked at Dumbledore wondrously while Harry was a bit confused, ”Why did you fake your own death sir?”

Dumbledore beamed widely and continued, “Ah, a good question. I believe that I have told you that Voldemort does not see you as a threat by yourself.” Harry nodded, “Not that he's right, but I believed that if I die, Voldemort would not be scared of anything and, I'm quite sure of this, let his guard a bit down.”

Realisation dawned on Harry. If Voldemort did not consider Dumbledore a threat anymore, he would surely be much more arrogant and over-confident, which could be used against him.

“But what about Snape?” Harry asked.

“Severus Harry, although he might not be your professor anymore, treat him with some respect, please.” Dumbledore repeated, “Severus was given that order by me. This would also do one more thing- it would allow him to remain a spy as he has now gained Voldemort's trust completely. I assure you again, Harry, Severus Snape is no longer a death-eater.”

“But how will he communicate with the Order now? He has no reason to have any contact with the members now?” Hermione asked immediately. Dumbledore simply beamed and replied, “That is a good question Ms. Granger. But don't worry, the Order has a foolproof method of communicating.”

Hermione nodded and Harry decided to ask the question he had been itching to put forward, “What about Malfoy?”

“Ah yes, young Draco has been hidden safely. He will not continue Hogwarts this year. He is repentant for his mistakes and has pledged loyalty towards the order after being tested under Veritaserum. To the dark side, he died while escaping Voldemort, when actually Severus brought him to safety. I never believed that he could truly kill someone. He is a good person at heart, just forced to be what he is by his family and surroundings.” Dumbledore finished seriously.

“Sir, how many people know you're still alive?” Harry asked.

“Well, including you and Ms Granger, seven. Me, Severus, Draco and Minerva of course, Hagrid and the two of you. You are allowed to tell young Mr Weasley but he is to be sworn to secrecy.”

Both Harry and Hermione nodded and McGonagall spoke up while Dumbledore went to look at his portrait, “You must be wondering why only the two of you have been called. Well, once again, we are short of a Defence against the Dark arts teacher.” She took a deep breath and continued, “And you two are being offered the post.”

Hermione squealed, which resulted in Dumbledore chuckling good-naturally and even McGonagall letting out a small smile. Harry on the other hand was stunned. His jaw dropped and he stuttered, “Us…teach?”

McGonagall smiled at her student and nodded, “If the two of you accept that is. Ms Granger, you would be covering years one to four, while Mr Potter, you will be teaching the rest. Nobody else is going to accept the job and you two, I'm sure can handle it.”

Hermione looked over at Harry questioningly. Surely, this would put a slight damper on the horcrux hunt, but the circumstances were different then. Dumbledore wasn't `alive' when they made those plans.

“I don't know professor, I wasn't planning on coming back at all…” Harry said. Dumbledore returned to the table and looked at Harry, “Well Harry, I must say that the situation has changed somewhat. I urge you to attend and accept the position. And of course, your lessons with me will resume as usual, and `teaching business' would be a perfect disguise for those lessons. Consider it as if you are restarting the D.A. Besides, I'm sure many more students will come back if you teach. Like it or not, you are the Chosen-One to everyone Harry.” McGonagall scoffed at this while the other three smiled inwardly, knowing just how accurate that title was for Harry.

Harry was silent for a moment and then realised that what Dumbledore was saying made perfect sense. Slowly he nodded and said, “I accept.”

“Perfect” McGonagall said and she waived her wand and two pieces of parchment appeared out of nowhere. “If you could just sign these two contracts.” Hermione picked up the quill and signed hers immediately and Harry followed her.

“All the letters to students will be sent today. You two can have yours now.” McGonagall handed each of them a sealed envelope. Harry looked at his and he opened it. Something heavy fell out of the envelope. It was a crimson badge with the words, “Head Boy” written on top in gold. By his side Hermione was holding a similar badge with “Head Girl” on it.

“Congratulations the both of you on becoming Head Boy and Girl. Harry, I believe you are also the Quidditch captain again.” McGonagall said. “Harry, I advise you to get the DADA textbook as well as the teacher's handbook as you might need it to read ahead.” Harry nodded and asked, “Are you still teaching Transfiguration Professor?”

McGonagall nodded and said, “There is a shortage of teachers at the moment and I will continue my old post as well. So, is there anything else?”

Harry thought for a moment and then spoke up, “Professor, you know with all the teaching and head boy duties this year, I don't think I will be able to attend to my Quidditch duties this year. So, I think you can give it to someone else. I'll still play but just not captain. I think Ron would make an excellent captain. He improved a lot last year.” He had been thinking about what Ron would say after he finds out that both of his friends have been chosen as head boy and girl as well as teachers. Harry had always felt guilty with all the limelight and he didn't want another fight with Ron because Ron felt `left out'.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Hermione throw him a dazzling smile bursting with pride and McGonagall and Dumbledore smiled as well. “Of course Harry.” McGonagall said and Harry handed in the other badge that had come out of his envelope.

“And now that everything is done, you can go. I think we have wasted enough of your morning.” McGonagall said. Harry and Hermione got up and then Harry remembered something. He turned around and said, “Professor Dumbledore, can I speak to you for a moment, in private please.”

Dumbledore nodded and said, “Of course, Minerva and Hermione, if you could stay here for a moment.” Then he led Harry out of the office. Once they were outside the Gargoyle, he asked, “What is it that you wanted to ask me Harry?”

Harry took out a locket from his pocket and gave it to Dumbledore, “Sir, this is the locket we found. It's not the locket of Slytherin. Dumbledore studied the letter inside the locket and then looked up. “Yes, this is a setback for us.”

“But…but doesn't it say that the Horcrux has been destroyed, so wouldn't that mean less work for us?” Harry asked.

“Yes, but we can't rely on it. I will find out something more and we will talk about it in our lessons. Is there anything else Harry?”

Harry sighed and said, “Yes, sir, no matter what you say, I don't think I can still trust Sn…I mean Severus.” He looked at Dumbledore directly in the eye.

“Ah Harry, once again the bitter old rivalry surfaces. I know it isn't easy for you to accept Severus but I implore on you to trust me. In due time, I will reveal to you just why I trust Severus even with the blemishes in his past. Until then, I urge you to at least be civil to him, although I very much doubt you will see him much more.”

Harry thought about it for a while and then nodded his head, a bit disappointed. Then he said, “There's one more thing, I think you know about my potions book from last year?”

Dumbledore nodded and said, “Yes, of course. I think it would be wise to leave it where it is hidden.”

Harry nodded and said, “That's all sir.” Dumbledore smiled and they went back into the office where Hermione and Professor McGonagall were talking about something. They looked up when Dumbledore entered with Harry. Dumbledore then turned to Harry and Hermione, “You can go now. I think the Weasleys are waiting for you two.”

Nodding Harry and Hermione walked out of the office. As they made their way down, they talked about the surprises their seventh year held. As they arrived on their mutual best friend, Hermione said, “That was a really nice thing you did for Ron.”

Harry looked at the floor and answered, “I don't him to be jealous or anything. You know how he is sometimes. I don't want to lose him, he's as close to me as a brother.”

Hermione kept her hand on Harry's shoulder, which sent goose bumps down his spine. “I'm sure he feels the same way about you.” Harry smiled warmly at her and nodded; then all of a sudden Hermione shrieked, “Oh my god! I forgot! Happy Birthday Harry!” the announcement was followed by a crushing hug, although Harry discovered he didn't mind that much and happily hugged her back.

“Thanks, I can't blame you, you sent me a great present and I suppose, because of the excitement, even I forgot it!”

As they reached the gates, Harry looked at Hermione, “So you're coming to the Burrow now?”

Hermione shook her head, “I was planning to, but I have to tell mum and dad about what happened. Why don't you come along as well? They'd like to meet you.”

“Nah, I think I'll leave you guys alone.” Harry said.

“Don't be silly Harry. You're coming with me. Now come on, hold my hand and I'll apparate us there. You don't know where my house is” She took Harry's hand in hers.

`Wow, her hand feels great in mine' Harry thought before he felt as though he was being sucked through a vacuum. And with a soft `pop' they disappeared.