Lilly's POV
The summer went by quickly. Harry and I talked about Teddy, we agreed Andromeda would care for him since we are getting our lives started. Every week Harry and I did take Teddy each a day to care for him as Remus and Tonks wanted. Poor Andromeda, she lost her whole family except Teddy. Harry has him Wednesday and I have him Sunday.
Harry and I also went to a Wizard shop and had portraits made of all who died in the Battle, we would add it to a corridor in Hogwarts. I had an extra made of Remus and Tonks for Andromeda, but I also has 2 made of Sirius, and one of Lily and James Potter.

Word had not spread of me leaving the Ministry. I made sure of it. I did send an article for Luna to publish in the Quibbler. It explained why I was going to Hogwarts. Basically, I want to create a better world through my students and pass on the wisdom Albus Dumbledore taught me before.
All the teachers returned and we were in the final preparations for the welcoming feast. We had a staff meeting and Professor McGonagall would no longer handle sorting, I would. All the teachers agreed that I would be the next Headmistress when Professor McGonagall retires, but she does not want to yet.
Hagrid was still handling the first years, but I have been in contact with Kingsley, we would try to reverse the decision made years ago to try to let Hagrid attend Hogwarts again, but the Ministry was busy with other things. Finishing the last trials, tracking down traitors who did horrible things during Voldemort's reign. They were busy, but Kingsley promised to try.
All the returning students thought it was weird I was back at Hogwarts helping, but Professor McGonagall made a speech clearing their confusion.
She spoke, "To our new students, welcome, to our old students, welcome. Today is the official reopening of Hogwarts-" Everyone cheered, "Today is a representation of so much. This school is a representation of the warriors that have fought here and gave their lives in service to the school and today we honor their memory. Today is a representation that love and bravery prevails over trickery, cowards, and evil. Today we start a new." Everyone cheered and she continued, "A few notices, the Forbidden Forrest is out of bounds to all of you, so do well to remember, furthermore, none of you should be out of bed after hours, that is imperative. Lastly, I welcome a new staff member, Lilly Black. She has retired from the Ministry and is now teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts full time and she is now Head of Gryffindor House. Let us all give her a warm welcome!"
Everyone cheered and clapped and she continued, "Now, a tune before bed."
We all sang the Hogwarts school song and everyone left to bed.
I smiled watching the beaming 1st years scramble after the prefects.
I noticed Draco and Hermione returned for their final year here. I knew Hermione would, but I guess the healers at St. Mungos needs N.E.W.T.S.

The next morning was my first day teaching. I had seventh years today.
The classroom looked relatively normal, the office looked like my office at the Ministry.
I heard students rustling, coming in early, and I walked out as the bell rang for the lesson to begin. I glanced around to find a fair amount of people return from Ginny's year. I'm happy to say some Slytherin returned other than Draco.
I smiled saying, "Well, this is certainly new, isn't it?"
Everyone chuckled and I said, "No formalities are needed, please do not call me professor, only the first years need to."
They murmured in agreement. I smiled saying, "Anyway, this class will be fantastic, all of you will do great and I doubt any of you will have a hard time here. Anyways, today is going to be a test day."
Everyone groaned except Hermione. I replied, "Oh hush, it's not for a grade but rather what I need to teach you. Majority of you were here for the Battle of Hogwarts and I highly doubt any of you need to understand how to nonverbally cast a shield charm, but this test will reflect the N.E.W.T. test so I just need to make sure we're ready."
They nodded and I passed out the tests. Within 45 minutes, everyone was done and I said, "Right then, given this, we need to work on just being nonverbal. I want everyone to pack their things and partner up, we'll practice a bit of nonverbal shield charms before we leave." Many mastered a powerful shield within the first few tries, those who were here for the Battle mastered it quickly. Slytherins were having trouble, Draco especially.
Before the end of the period I said, "If you were unable to do the shield, do practice, I expect you all to have mastered it by next Monday."
I said, "Alright, off you pop."
Draco stayed back and I said, "Looks like you've figured out your life."
He chuckled saying, "Healer Smith said I needed to complete my last year. He said he almost was not going to let me in, but your letter helped, thank you."
I smiled and said, "You're welcome. Good luck, Draco"
He replied, "Thank you, see you around, Lilly."
I chuckled at his words.

Everything was finally falling into place.