Authors Note:
I cannot tell you how excited I am for this story! This is going to be a ton of fun! I think I shall take up posting one chapter a week (even though i have written the first 3 chapter and have started working on the 4th chapter) so hopefully i shall stick to that routine. It'll probably be Fridays that i post a new chapter but that isn't set in stone yet. (Writers block can happen). But i do have to say thank you to those who submitted their characters! I shall have loads of fun incorporating them into this story. Also always feel free to leave reviews (Positive or negative, you can't hurt me Just don't be a troll, be constructive) i do greatly appreciate them. Lets me know i'm not just writing to an empty room yah know.
There will be bits of stuff from the previous books placed into this. But it is NOT set while Harry is in school. It is set waaaay after them, not too far after his kids have graduated though but just far enough. I'd say there would be spoilers but everyone and their mother has read these books that we all continue to obsess over. (And if not the books the movies) So just be aware. Umm welp i think that's about it. We shall slowly but surely meet all of the characters through out the story so be patient if you're character isn't in the first few chapters, WE WILL GET THERE! And i have changed a few details, like in the chapter you are about to read. Apart from that we are all good to go!
Enjoy!
-Hades
I SOLEMNLY SWEAR I DO NOT OWN THE HARRY POTTER UNIVERSE. COPYRIGHT NOT INTENDED!
Chapter 1: A Most Interesting Name
The hard and aged stairs seemed to cause more ache than usual to Headmistress Minerva McGonagall. She slowly moved her white stained staff up each stair cautiously, her legs had grown weaker through the years. She had managed to leave a small imprint of her hand on the aged white wood though she couldn't recall when she had become so dependent on had taken its toll on the staff, just as time had taken its toll on the old woman.
"Evening Headmistress," a voice murmured. Minerva didn't bother turning to look, for that quiet voice was as familiar as these walls.
"Mr. Baron, i hope you are well." She replied. A white and silver apparition appeared in front of the Headmistress, floating a few inches above the ground. Most people didn't know that her and the 'Bloody Baron' had conversations pretty regularly; and in the late nights when Minerva couldn't sleep, he would stay up with her and keep her company.
"Well as most of the deceased are. I suppose the rumors are true, then?" He questioned, floating in front of her as she ascended up the stairs. She eyed the chains that were wrapped about his legs, a smidge of pity crossing her heart
"As quiet as you are, I am surprised you even hear of rumors." she said with a chuckle. The ghost remained quiet.
"No one is capable of continuing a steady conversation within these walls without being heard. Now if they could continue an intellectual conversation, maybe i'd involve myself in a little small talk once in awhile." He said. He managed to float in front of a window, and the moon shown through him in a magical way, but then the moon revealed the conclusion of his demise. Blood stains could be made out between the different shades of silver and black.
"We seem to be doing a fine job of socializing." She smiled. The Baron still remained silent, ignoring her attempts at being humorous.
"This establishment will miss you dearly madame." He finally spoke. His eyes seemed blacker than usual, although this did not frighten her, she had grown to old to be scared by the Ghosts of Hogwarts,
"Thank you, Baron." She replied.
The pair then traveled in silence up the remainder of the stairs, the air seeming to become colder and colder as they neared the top. Very soon they arrived at the large oak door, which had beautiful carvings of small flowers and owls along the base of the door. The Baron simply disappearing through the door. Minerva couldn't imagine being tied to one place for all of eternity. Hogwarts was a fantastic place, and word of her retirement had gotten out to all of the staff and residence that this would be her last year as Headmistress. There had been conversation of who would take over as Deputy headmaster or mistress was up for discussion. She knew Pomona Sprout would take over for her, but the two hadn't quite discussed who would take over for Pomona, although that wasn't entirely Minerva's responsibility.
She pulled out her wand and with just a slight twitch of her wrist the door creaked open, allowing her passage into an open room, that resembled a sort of flat plained plateau. There were no windows, just large rectangular gaps in the walls which seemed to span higher than the ceiling in the Great Hall. In the center of the room stood a skinny wooden stand with a book and a quill placed upon it. The quill stood erect and moved about in a hurried manner, occasionally rising to allow a page to turn.
Baron stood across the room, near a large desk which had two piles of paper stacked neatly next to each other.
"The last batch of letter I assume you'll be sending?" He whispered. She didn't respond but simply walked up and observed the stacks of letter.
The last letters. She thought.
"I'll leave you to it then, goodbye Minerva." he spoke.
"No, stay, I enjoy your company." She spoke.
"As you wish." He began to float around in silence, and although Minerva didn't know the 'Bloody' Baron well, him being the ghost of Slytherin house and all, but she enjoyed the silence she that lingered between the two. It comforted her; and since this would be the last time she would send out the new first years letters, a respectable silence seemed suited.
She walked around the room taking in the age of the halls, and how accustomed she had gotten to it. Feeling the smooth breeze come through the openings in the walls, revealing the black sky that was littered with white dots. It was a long career here at Hogwarts, and the Headmistress had enjoyed every minute of it, even the sad parts.
"You know, Baron. I think you will be one of the few ghosts to actually witness this amazing phenomenon." She smiled. She turned and was soon facing the vast room, eagerly awaiting the grand spectacle that was to happen before her. The Baron then joined at her side, his eyes fixed on the letters, as one by one they began to rise in a sort of rhythmic dance into the air. They bounced and jabbed through the air, a few whizzing through the Baron himself.
"Isn't it beautiful, Baron." She said. Although the Baron wouldn't admit it, he felt a bit warm inside at the sight of it all. The sight of letters encasing themselves within the envelopes that now joined the dance.
And just as soon as it began, it stopped. All the letters stopped in their tracks, suspended in the air.
"That was wonderful madame," The Baron spoke. Minerva chuckled slightly, her eyes now on him. She lowered herself to the ground as quickly as her old bones could.
"Who send that was the end?" She spoke.
The Baron raised a ghostly eyebrow, the obvious confusion beginning to form.
But his confusion didn't last when the sound of fluttering began. Growing from a mere whisper, the sound of wings grew louder and louder.
The Baron managed to turn around, just in time to see thousands of Owls flying in the rooms a couple dozen managed to fly straight through the Baron causing Minerva to laugh.
The area was soon filled with loud screeches and chirps, as letters were being snatched out of mid air, and then being taken out into the unknown.
Here and there a letter would disappear into the talons of an oncoming owl to be delivered to an awaiting future student. Minerva could feel her heart beating with excitement, with every passing minute, the sound of wings began to fade, and soon the room was silent with nothing but fallen feathers along the ground.
The Headmistress then rose to her feet once more, happy to have atleast been witnessed to the wonderful event. There were quite a few left over, a dozen or so that would be hand delivered to the muggle born students. Minerva twitched her wand at them and they soon landed back among the table where an official from the Ministry of Magic would come to deliver them to each of these students the following morning.
"I thought the Owl Postal Service was suppose to do that." The Baron snorted.
"Albus…" she whispered. It hurt her deeply to mention his name, she missed him more than she would miss this school, and that was a difficult truth to admit.
"Albus, some time ago, erected a deal with the OPS to let us be in charge of delivering first year acceptance letters. He never said why, and I never questioned it. It's been like that for many years now." She spoke. It saddened her to know that that was the last time she would be able to see the departure of the letters, This will be a very difficult year for her She thought.
"Well, I enjoyed that, madame." Baron spoke. She nodded in acknowledgement.
"Well, I'm off back to my chambers, must prepare all the house elves for the arrival of students." She bowed, respectfully, and the Baron did so in return. She then made her way towards the door, prepared to make her exit, but the sound of the Baron's voice stopped her in her tracks.
"Madame…" He pondered. She turned and saw that he had floated towards the corner of the room.
"Yes, Baron?" She said.
"One remains." He said. As quickly as her skinny legs could, she walked over to the Baron, looking at the letter that lingered in the air.
Mr. A. Grindelwald
Bedroom at the top of the stairs
The Lamb Inn,
Thirsk, North Yorkshire
"How interesting." Spoke the Baron. Minerva was struck into silence, the shock seemed to hold her voice tightly.
"The Grindelwald line lives on. A young student whose bloodline is related to that of one of the world's most powerful wizards in wizarding history. At least...before he died." Baron spoke. Stricken with silence, Minerva could feel her hands tremble, but she could not tell if it was fear that had taken hold of them.
"Well Minerva, this will be an interesting year. I wonder which house, will have the fortune of taking the great grandson of Gellert Grindelwald into the arms. I must say, i don't think i have been this excited in many years Minerva. Not in many years." The Baron spoke. And soon he was gone leaving the Minerva to ponder at the letter.
Eventually an owl did come for the letter, but it had left a lot sooner than the headmistress did. For it was not till dawn had come and went that she finally excused herself from the room to go make preparations. The last thing she saw before, she left was the scribbling of the enchanted quill as it continued to write the names of all the newborn wizards and witches.
Just a little note: As you have just read McGonagall is still teaching even though she is retiring this year. I think J.K. said she retired a few years after Harry graduated but like i said i will be changing some things so be ware. Hope you liked it!