Harry Potter and the Protectors of Hogwarts

iii. of presents and parties

During his last week at the Dursleys, Harry continued writing to the Order about his wellbeing, with the same monotony all his letters contained.

Dear Moody,

Everything's fine at the Dursleys. Nothing new.

Bye for now,

Harry.

Short, yes. But he really didn't feel like writing anything more, all summer. Which was why all his letters were written in more or less in the same manner. He saw most of them whilst they were on Patrol, even though technically he shouldn't be aware they were there. But Dora particularly made a point of calling for Harry from across the street, even if she didn't approach Number 4 directly.

Finally the day to leave had arrived. Harry had packed the night before, so his room was tidy. Except... Harry didn't know what time the Order was coming. He didn't know whether they were going to come at night like last time, or during the day. So, Harry was stuck in the house all day, just in case. The Dursleys had already made themselves scarce for the day when they found out that Harry was being picked up that day.

It turned out to be during lunchtime when the order arrived. He heard the knock, and asked Remus a question.

"What flavour was the chocolate bar that you fed me when I first encountered the Dementor in Fourth year?"

"It was your Third year and it was plain," Came Remus' amused answer.

Moody looked approvingly at Harry.

Most of the people who came to pick him up last year came this year. Remus, Tonks, Kingsley, Moody and a fifth man Harry didn't recognise. He thought he recognised his from somewhere, but he couldn't place where. He was a tall handsome man, with blue eyes, and dark hair.

"Wotcher, Harry." Came the greetings from Tonks.

"Hiya Tonks, guys..." Harry looked at the last man questioningly

"Kevin Gallagher," the newcomer said, with a strong Mancunian accent striding forward with a smile on his face, his right hand outstretched to shake Harry's hand.

"Have we met?" asked Harry. There was something familiar about the man.

"Can't have done, Harry. Gallagher is new. Moved here from overseas. He's been a traveller in the past." Answered Moody.

Gallagher and Remus grabbed Harry's trunk, which was at the foot of the stairs and went outside to stow in the car.

"Kingsley's driving," said Remus, closing the boot. They all go into the car, which was expanded from the inside magically to seat more people than it should have.

"How's business?" asked Harry.

"We've been surprisingly busy this summer. Preparing for everything." Said Tonks.

"Preparing for what?" asked Harry

"I might actually get to teach you this year, Harry. Tonks, Kingsley and I are going to be your teachers for DADA, along with Professor Killian." Moody said from the front.

"Isn't the position cursed?" Gesturing towards Remus and Moody, he said "Is it really safe for you to return?"

"The plan is to have multiple instructors and to slightly rename the class and confuse the curse," Dora grinned. "Dumbledore thinks that might work."

"And Fudge is bending over backwards to accommodate Dumbledore after last year," Remus added with a grimace.

"You'll have four DADA teachers this year. We were originally going to be just us three. But there were other applicants. Dumbledore picked Killian, on DADA, and there are others who will be teaching something else."