1. HARRY POTTER & THE MISSING POTIONS TEACHER
By: Maria Wood
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Harry Potter awoke on a dismal and grey week in September. It was the usual racket of Mrs. Dursley or "Aunt Petunia" whichever you prefer that woke him from his hero's slumber. Hailed by the wizarding world as a hero, Harry was subjected to such torture that could last him his lifetime. "Wake up you good for nothing brute! It's time for us to take you to the damn crack-pot wizarding school!" Petunia called - banging the door of his room.
In the early morning light, Harry Potter could see his trunk packed and ready for another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - his fifth year to be exact. Dressing in his usual attire, a red and white striped shirt and jeans, Harry opened the door and made his way through the crowded hallway that led to the stairs. "God. That boy is lazy," Petunia complained.
Harry heard a grunt of approval from Vernon. As he passed Dudley's room, he heard a loud snoring. 'Obviously Dudley wouldn't be able to see Harry off to Hogwarts," Harry thought happily as he paddled down the stairs. "Here," Petunia handed Harry his breakfast of one piece of toast, and Harry sat down at the table and began to nibble it quietly. Harry noted that everytime he scarfed down his morning meal, it became smaller and smaller - if he continued.
At the beginning of the week, it would become the regular size of toast. Harry shook his head and then went to get his trunk, which Hermione managed to charm to make it magically light for Harry to carry, with permission of Professor Flitwick. "Come on," Vernon Dursley snarled. "I haven't got all day!"
After stuffing his trunk into the trunk of Vernon Dursley's automobile, Harry situated himself in the back-seat. Grateful that he had taken the time to send Harry to Hogwarts by way of Kings Cross Station, Harry was silent for the train-ride. He didn't want to provoke trouble that would last over the school year - only to be waiting for the wizard at home. He was greeted at the curb by Hermione Granger and Ronald "Ron" Weasley, his two best friends in the world.
An awkward wave to his uncle was all he needed before Vernon Durlsey fled for his life. 'Obviously he's scared of wizard folk," Harry noted to himself as he approached his friends.
"Good morning Harry," Hermione said brightly after giving him a hug. "I have so much to tell you about-" She glanced at the retreating car, then glanced over at Ron. "Your uncle took you to Kings Cross?" She was rather amazed that the Dursley family might actually do anything to support Harry's education at Hogwarts.
Harry nodded weakly. "Yeah. He wasn't very happy about it."
The re-united trio made their way to the barrier between Platform Nine and Platform Ten, and each continued the tradition of running at the barrier. Inside Platform Nine and Three-fourths, they were able to load their trunks onto the train and stand outside to catch up on each other's summers.
"Hey Ron.." Harry glanced around. "Where's Ginny?"
"She came down sick," Ron said. "She'll be coming when she's well. Dumbledore approved seeing that he didn't want the whole entire school to be sick like in 1892." Harry grinned as he remembered Professor Binns going over the Hogwarts Plague of 1892.
"So Harry," Harry glanced up at Hermione. He noted the rather awkward, but beautifully straight hair framing his friend's face. "Did you have an alright summer? I trust you got the owl I sent for your birthday."
"I got it alright," Harry said nodding. There was a moment's silence as the conductor waved and called every Hogwarts student to board the train before its departure from Kings Cross Station.
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Aboard the train, Harry was greeted by several students - one of which was Draco Malfoy, which didn't exactly qualify as a greeting. The other was Cho Chang, and the Gryffindors - Lavender Brown and Pavarti Patil, who had suddenly recognized Harry as one of the 'most handsome single guys' in their year.
"So Harry, how was your summer?" Ron asked as he glanced at Harry, who cocked an eyebrow as he stared at Hermione's hair.
"It was alright. I got my hands on several mystery books, and they kept me sane for the entire time. I wonder if they have any at Hogwarts." Harry pursed his lips - pondering whether he dared ask her or not. 'Absolutely,' he decided. "Hermione, is it me or did you straighten your hair?"
Hermione's hand flew to her hair as she twisted a strand around her finger. "Yes, actually I did straighten it. Why.. does it look that bad?"
"No. I was just wondering because it looked different," Harry noticed she turned scarlet. "I mean that in an attractive way." Ron rolled his eyes. "Uh." Harry noticed a faint shimmer on Hermione's eye lids, but he dared not to ask her about the eye shadow. 'Enough beauty questions for one day,' he thought.
"Harry, as soon as we get to the castle, want to have a chess match? It'd be for fun, and perhaps reading those mysteries improved your logic." Hermione snorted, and Harry looked at her offensively.
"Excuse me," Harry said - obviously offended. "I'd accept that challenge knowing fully well that you could whip my arse any day at chess. However, the mysteries I could beat you both easily."
"You?" Hermione choked. Ron doubled over in laughter.
"Yes. Me." Harry looked annoyed as he noted his friends obviously disbelief. "I read those famous mysteries by Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie."
"Wasn't it Harry who said that he hated those Magic Mysteries that Binns gave us last year?" Ron croaked, as he nudged Hermione.
"Yes," Hermione managed to gasp. "Yes, it was."
'This is going to be a long year,' Harry thought to himself as he allowed his friends to subdue their laughter.
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At the end of their trip, the continuous laughter of Ron and Hermione every time the words 'beat' and 'mystery' came up still remained. As they exited the train, Harry noticed an air of tension. Hagrid was there, but he seemed distressed. "Hello Hagrid," Harry said.
Hagrid glanced down at Harry and faked a faint smile. "Hullo Harry." Hagrid continued in directing the first years to the castle by the lake. They followed the older years, and eventually reached the castle - with the laughter continuing every four or five steps.
"You guys," Harry started seriously. "I think something's up. Hagrid wasn't himself when he greeted us at the train stop."
"Are you being paranoid because of your mysteries?" They doubled over in laughter.
"I'm serious! I think something's wrong!"
"I seriously doubt that Harry. What could go wrong at Hogwarts?" Hermione asked as she clutched her stomach. They took their seats at the Gryffindor table, still laughing. Harry glanced up at the staff table, and there was one empty seat.
Undoubtedly, it belonged to Severus Snape, Head of Slytherin and Potions Teacher. 'Yes,' Harry thought grimly to himself. 'Something definately was up.'
"Harry! Snape's not here!"
"Of course he's not!" Harry reported confidently. "I've already analyzed the situation."
"Harry, you don't have to talk like you're a detective. This is school, not some bizarre murder mystery that you have to investigate. Relax," Hermione glanced at him worriedly. "I think those mysteries went to your head."
Harry rolled his eyes and scanned the Defense Against the Dark Arts position. It was filled by a young woman with blond hair who was sitting next to Professor McGonagall's right. The two were talking. Harry wished that he could have learned how to read lips.
Watching Harry closely, Hermione and Ron shook their heads. "This is going to be a long year," Hermione noted. Ron nodded his head vigorously, completely agreeing with Hermione - for a change.
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"I'm afraid that I have some terrible news for you," Harry's ears perked up at Dumbledore's words. "Severus Snape, also known as Professor Snape of Potions, has been reported missing. We haven't seen him in approximately two days. Argus Filch, our caretaker, has been working on the discovery. We believe that he hasn't gotten very far seeing that the whole of Hogwarts is heavily guarded by magic and charms. I'm very sorry to report that to you - especially on our sorting ceremony, but circumstances suggest that perhaps it's best to tell you now. If you know anything, please stop by at my office or leave a message." Professor Dumbledore looked grim as he stepped off the podium.
Harry snuck a look at Hermione and Ron. "I told you so," he mouthed. They narrowed their eyebrows and shook their heads.
"Furthermore, I would like to present Professor Minerva McGonagall, Head of Gryffindor and Transfiguration teacher. She is also the deputy headmistress to Hogwarts. Again, welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Albus took his seat next to the stern looking looking Defense Against the Dark Arts position.
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The Sorting Ceremony proceeded with the occasional applause as an important wizarding family's offspring was sorted into their family's "traditional" house. By the time the sorting had finished, Harry was very intrigued by the mysteries that could befold upon Hogwarts.
"Let me introduce to you the latest Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher, Professor Glenda Fortwright. I'm sure you'd like to hear a bit about her, but seeing that she is here in person, she might as well tell you all a bit about herself," Albus Dumbledore concluded modestly.
"Uh yes. Thank you Headmaster Dumbledore for the introduction," Glenda glanced at Dumbledore. "My name is Glenda Fortwright. I previously attended Beauxbatons School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where I graduated top in my class. I specialize in Defense Against the Dark Arts," she paused as she saw Argus Filch, Hogwarts Caretaker, dash into the Great Hall gasping.
"Dumbledore, you'll never guess what I've found!"
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Disclaimer: I don't own any of the original Harry Potter characters. Anyone who is new, I own. Please review for the next chapter. Mysteries have always intrigued me, and I hope that I'm doing a good enough job for the readers of ffn.net. --Hpclue@yahoo.com