Disclaimer: I do not own or in any way take credit for the wonderful world
of Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling is much more creative than I ^_^. So before
you decide to have a heart attack about the names I use in this and suing
me for all I'm worth, I'll remember that I wrote a disclaimer to save my
ass, dammit.
While I'm on a roll, I'd like to express my thanks to Athena who helped me
out when I got stuck with some ingenius ideas and to Anne for helping me
post this piece of.... well... whatever it is. Thank you and enjoy.
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Ticking Clocks
It was raining fairly hard that day on Platform 9 3/4. All of the wizarding children were buzzing with excitment as their families helped them with their luggage for another year at the renouned Hogwarts Wizarding School. A lot had happened there within the past five years... since a very famous boy arrived. The boy that lived. It was no longer such big news that the one who defeated He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named at such a young age was attending Hogwarts, but he was still letting himself be known by his heroism and bravery. Aislynn Stellar had heard about much of his accomplishments through a few friends she had in high places and looking back on it, she smiled a little sadly. He had to go through so much... all because of who he was. However, she had also heard that he had very supporting and kind friends behind him 110 percent of the way.
The bright red Hogwarts Express was soon steaming and rocketing quickly to it's destination. Not many students had noticed Aislynn which, she supposed, was a good thing. Some were whispering about a strange young woman that wore a cloak that faded from white to emerald green. Aislynn was a healthy 5' 6 with long wavy dark brown hair and curves on her slender body in all the right places. She thought about what people were whispering and merely let it slide off her shoulders as she sat in an empty compartment, watching the colorful trees whizz by. They seemed distorted slightly by the rain bands on the windows. Her thoughts ran through her head just as quickly as the scenery. It had been a long summer, she recalled lazily. Her memories consumed her of the few months that had passed by so slowly,
"What am I supposed to do about it, exactly?"
"Just humor me, Ais... It's considered to be a red warning at the moment. As soon as it calms down then you can go back to your normal life," a young lined face stared at her pleadingly. She remembered him not looking quite so old.
"It's not my style to lurk around every corner, watching adolecents every moves. It's very medieval, Remus... it really is. Why not just explain things to the whole student body? They aren't stupid and, well, they aren't going to be too shocked by the fact that Voldermort is back. It's old news now. Besides, the school is protected. Dumbledore has made sure of that." Aislynn tossed her dark, long hair back and turned on her toes to walk to the large window and stare outside, contemplating her options quietly.
"That's not what we're saying. It would be a lot safer if we had more protection inside the building. Parents are getting quite antsy at the thought that the Dark Lord is back and they want to make sure that it will be safe for them. A few students have all ready been kept back at their homes just to be safe. We want to be sure that the parents and children feel safe. Please, Aislynn... I'll be in back and forth throughout the year, so you won't be totally alone." He sat down in an overstuffed blue armchair and rubbed the bridge of his nose with his index and thumb.
"All right, all right..." She tilted her head back with a groan and placed her hands on the small of her back. "I'll do it. I can't stand it when you look like that. I'll get a few breaks at Hogsmeade, right? And I'll be getting paid out of this deal...?"
He nodded slowly.
She glanced over him. He looked as though he had walked in from seven years on the hard streets of New York. His robes were tattered and somewhat dirty, his eyes looked tired and weary, his face was lined long before it's time and his hair was somewhat messy.
"You'll stay with me tonight, Remus. You look so...." She grinned a little, "hungry and malnourished."
He tried to smile but it turned out to be more of a grimace, "thanks. I didn't know that we were holding a beauty contest tonight."
"Look, I didn't mean to offend you. But I think I'll get you some new robes for Christmas this year, so you'll have to come with me to Diagon Alley to get fitted for one."
Aislynn watched his face go red and he turned his eyes to the carpeted floor.
"Remus... If you needed someplace to stay, why didn't you just come to me?"
"I had a place to stay for a while. In any case, I didn't know you were still around England. Thought perhaps that you had gone back to Ireland." He sighed. She could tell that he was remenising about the past. About his lost friend. She looked down too and heaved a great sigh.
"Well, breakfast is at seven-ish. I'll expect you down around then, hmm?" She looked up and offered a comforting smile and headed towards the stairs.
"Certainly. And Aislynn... Thank you."
She smiled and nodded, then went up to bed only to toss and turn that night......
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door to the compartment opening suddenly and she glanced up, surprised.
"Er... sorry, we thought this one was empty." A girl with wild curly hair, dressed in her robes all ready looked just as surprised as Aislynn.
She offered a smile and lifted her hand to welcome them in. "Please, there's plenty of room... I'm not too greedy." The five sat down. She recognized Harry Potter right away but refused to stare at him, she was sure he got to that all too often.
"My name is Aislynn... It's a pleasure to meet you all." She went across, shaking their hands firmly with a kind smile.
"Ah. I thought you two were Weasley's. The handsome red hair gives you away," she winked and laughed. "Hermoine Granger, pleasure. I've heard much about your academic achievements, you've made a few Professors make a run for their money."
"Neville Longbottom, how do you do? Lovely toad... you must take good care of him." She smiled. "And Harry Potter... yes indeed. I'm honored to meet you." They all seemed a little taken aback by her friendliness. She guessed that maybe she talked too quickly, it happened when she was with people in an tightly enclosed space. A few tense moments passed by before the plump woman with the food trolly came by and opened the compartment door with a warm smile.
"Ah, perfect... Oh, no, don't worry about it. I'll get it. We'll take everything, big lot we have, you know." Aislynn dug around in her money pouch and gave her quite a few Galleons. "Cheers," she said happily as the cart went off. They all sort of stared at her for a while, she blinked and reached for a chocolate frog.
"Well, dig in... I can't eat all of this by myself. I'd lose my girlish figure." She grinned and bit off the leg of the chocolate frog happily. After that, the time passed by smoothly and with a very friendly atmosphere. They chatted about their summers and what was to be expected this year. Hermoine was once again a Prefect, Harry was welcome back to the Quidditch matches with Ron as the Keeper. Ginny, too, was on the Gryffindor team. Neville was hoping to grow a few magical plants this year.
"Are you supposed to be an exchange student, Aislynn?" Ginny watched her and helped herself to Pumpkin cookie.
"Oh, no," she laughed heartily. "I wish I were back at Hogwarts as a student. I'm a little old for that now, however. No, I'm going to be a Professor of sorts. I'll also be hanging around Gryffindor Tower."
"Of sorts," Hermoine asked with a hint of suspision in her voice.
"Well, I won't be teaching full-time. Maybe two classes per week, if that." She removed her flowing cloak and folded it up nicely. She got into her briefcase and pulled out white robes with dark purple trimmings and slipped it on. "Ah, that's better."
"Those are interesting robes. Almost as interesting as your cloak." Harry spoke with a grin.
"Yeah... I can't stick with just one color and black doesn't suit me one bit," she laughed a little and put her cloak into her briefcase. The others besides Hermoine followed Aislynns lead and put on their black robes and soon after the train came to a slow and comfortable stop. When the crowd that was in the compartment piled out, the heavy rains had been reduced to a light drizzle though the clouds still looked threating to pour the rain down in sheets again.
Rubeus Hagrid held up a huge lantern, letting his voice thunder out to all of the first years. Harry and the rest smiled and waved excitedly to him, while other students gave him a glare. Aislynn was sure that he wouldn't remember her but she waved to him with a bright smile.
"All righ', there, Harry?" He waved the great lantern in greeting.
They all made a mad dash to the carriages pulled by Thesrals, strange but oddly beautiful beasts with large wings, and bodys of a black horse. Settling back, Aislynn leaned to the side to take a peek at the beautiful castle scaling the horizon. It comforted her in a way, to see it coming closer and closer with the warmly lit windows. They piled out once more and Aislynn said her farewells for now then headed up to the Staff's Table for the Welcoming Feast while the rest of the students milled in through the large doors, leading to the Great Hall where candles floated in mid-air.
She was greeted by several familiar faces. Dumbledore's was most welcoming, it looked as though his beard had grown whiter and longer over the years, she hugged him despite all who were watching. Severus Snape shot a venomous glare, she laughed a little, gave a cute four-fingered wave and winked. He sneered slightly and sat down. She turned to Sibyll Trelawney and gave her an air-kiss on each cheek then sat down at her designated seat next to Snape. She could almost feel the hatred eminating off him. She noticed that a new teacher was there who resembled a centaur... Rubeus Hagrid had just sat down and Minerva McGonagall stood next to the hat with a scroll in her hands. Dumbledore stood and made an opening speech,
"This year, we have made a few changes in your schedules which you should have recieved over the summer holiday. Welcome, everyone, to another year at Hogwarts School. As always, Mr. Filch has warned students that the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds to everyone as are a number of new items posted on his office door. The ritual of the Sorting Hat can please begin with Professor McGonagall," he presented the school to McGonagall and she began to read off the parchment after the Sorting Hat sung it's tale of Hogwarts beginnings and to be weary this year. After the students had settled down Dumbledore spoke again.
"I welcome everyone again. Oh! And one more thing: Fluffy clouds. Ointment. Yellow Dingberries and tapestries. Without further ado, let us eat." He waved a hand after speaking sagely and as he did so, dishes of all assortments of foods appeared.
Aislynn could have sworn she heard Hagrid mumble, "great man, Dumbledore..."
"Hear, hear!" A few students shouted and the chattering of students as they began to stuff themselves silly. Aislynn helped herself to a thigh and breast of chicken, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob and yorkshire pudding.
"What are you doing here?" Snape almost spat acidly.
"That's hardly your concern at the moment... look, your food is getting cold." She shoveled a spoonful of mashed potatoes in her mouth and drank her pumpkin juice happily.
"I thought I had gotten rid of you all those years ago," he eyed her wearily.
"Oh come now. You make me sound as if I'm older than... well, Dumbledore."
"I won't allow you to teach here, Stellar! You are not qualified!"
"That is not your decision to make, Severus," she glanced at him with peircing hazel-green eyes. "You can't tell me that you're still sour about school years... That was a while ago. Besides, I hear that you've done really well for yourself as of late." She bit off some meat from the thigh bone.
He grit his teeth and after a moment of steaming, he began to eat. She noticed that Harry and his gang were glancing up at the table, she smiled and waved. After dessert, the students milled back out of the Great Hall to their houses. Aislynn stayed in her seat, staring up at the bewitched ceiling fondly. She sighed and pulled back her hair with an elastic that was around her wrist. Albus Dumbledore approached her with a small smile.
"Aislynn Ingrid Stellar... How nice it is to see you."
She stood up and gave him a brief hug, "as it is you, Albus.."
"You do know why you are here and your duties that you have brought with you?" He looked at her from above his half moon spectecals gravely.
She nodded, a few strands of hair falling into her face.
"Wonderful. I am trusting you with my students, Aislynn... please take good care of them. Severus will show you to your quarters and classroom." He put a soft hand to her back to guide her to Snapes ridgid figure.
"Thank you, Dumbledore. I'll do my very best," she smiled to him and turned to Snape. "Lead the way, you handsome fox, you." She laughed a little and walked beside him, slipping her hand around his arm.
"Please remove your hand from my arm," he growled a little and looked down at her hand.
"It's proper manners to escort a lady to her house after dinner. Besides... I don't think you mind the attention." She smiled lightly and looked up at him, slipping her hand away. "You really need to lighten up, Severus... you'll get an ulcer if you keep up this dreary mood."
"You'll forgive me for not bending over backwards and kissing your hand with glee," he shot back icily.
She stiffened and kept quiet after that. She nodded in her silent thanks that he lead her to her quarters and shut the door behind her. Peeves was bringing the chalk down her board in a most irritating way that made her shiver.
"Peeves... How good to hear you again. Would you mind creating havoc someone else's room?"
He dropped the chalk and blew a raspberry at her, floating out of her classroom. She sighed and put her cloak up on the coat stand and went into her office, climbing the stairs to her living quarters. Everything was in it's place, the enchanted fire place was crackling warmly and the bed looked more inviting than her own at home. She flopped down in bed, not bothering to cover herself up and drifted to sleep after setting her alarm for very early. It had been a very long day indeed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, that's the first chapter. Please write to me and tell me what you think about it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ticking Clocks
It was raining fairly hard that day on Platform 9 3/4. All of the wizarding children were buzzing with excitment as their families helped them with their luggage for another year at the renouned Hogwarts Wizarding School. A lot had happened there within the past five years... since a very famous boy arrived. The boy that lived. It was no longer such big news that the one who defeated He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named at such a young age was attending Hogwarts, but he was still letting himself be known by his heroism and bravery. Aislynn Stellar had heard about much of his accomplishments through a few friends she had in high places and looking back on it, she smiled a little sadly. He had to go through so much... all because of who he was. However, she had also heard that he had very supporting and kind friends behind him 110 percent of the way.
The bright red Hogwarts Express was soon steaming and rocketing quickly to it's destination. Not many students had noticed Aislynn which, she supposed, was a good thing. Some were whispering about a strange young woman that wore a cloak that faded from white to emerald green. Aislynn was a healthy 5' 6 with long wavy dark brown hair and curves on her slender body in all the right places. She thought about what people were whispering and merely let it slide off her shoulders as she sat in an empty compartment, watching the colorful trees whizz by. They seemed distorted slightly by the rain bands on the windows. Her thoughts ran through her head just as quickly as the scenery. It had been a long summer, she recalled lazily. Her memories consumed her of the few months that had passed by so slowly,
"What am I supposed to do about it, exactly?"
"Just humor me, Ais... It's considered to be a red warning at the moment. As soon as it calms down then you can go back to your normal life," a young lined face stared at her pleadingly. She remembered him not looking quite so old.
"It's not my style to lurk around every corner, watching adolecents every moves. It's very medieval, Remus... it really is. Why not just explain things to the whole student body? They aren't stupid and, well, they aren't going to be too shocked by the fact that Voldermort is back. It's old news now. Besides, the school is protected. Dumbledore has made sure of that." Aislynn tossed her dark, long hair back and turned on her toes to walk to the large window and stare outside, contemplating her options quietly.
"That's not what we're saying. It would be a lot safer if we had more protection inside the building. Parents are getting quite antsy at the thought that the Dark Lord is back and they want to make sure that it will be safe for them. A few students have all ready been kept back at their homes just to be safe. We want to be sure that the parents and children feel safe. Please, Aislynn... I'll be in back and forth throughout the year, so you won't be totally alone." He sat down in an overstuffed blue armchair and rubbed the bridge of his nose with his index and thumb.
"All right, all right..." She tilted her head back with a groan and placed her hands on the small of her back. "I'll do it. I can't stand it when you look like that. I'll get a few breaks at Hogsmeade, right? And I'll be getting paid out of this deal...?"
He nodded slowly.
She glanced over him. He looked as though he had walked in from seven years on the hard streets of New York. His robes were tattered and somewhat dirty, his eyes looked tired and weary, his face was lined long before it's time and his hair was somewhat messy.
"You'll stay with me tonight, Remus. You look so...." She grinned a little, "hungry and malnourished."
He tried to smile but it turned out to be more of a grimace, "thanks. I didn't know that we were holding a beauty contest tonight."
"Look, I didn't mean to offend you. But I think I'll get you some new robes for Christmas this year, so you'll have to come with me to Diagon Alley to get fitted for one."
Aislynn watched his face go red and he turned his eyes to the carpeted floor.
"Remus... If you needed someplace to stay, why didn't you just come to me?"
"I had a place to stay for a while. In any case, I didn't know you were still around England. Thought perhaps that you had gone back to Ireland." He sighed. She could tell that he was remenising about the past. About his lost friend. She looked down too and heaved a great sigh.
"Well, breakfast is at seven-ish. I'll expect you down around then, hmm?" She looked up and offered a comforting smile and headed towards the stairs.
"Certainly. And Aislynn... Thank you."
She smiled and nodded, then went up to bed only to toss and turn that night......
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door to the compartment opening suddenly and she glanced up, surprised.
"Er... sorry, we thought this one was empty." A girl with wild curly hair, dressed in her robes all ready looked just as surprised as Aislynn.
She offered a smile and lifted her hand to welcome them in. "Please, there's plenty of room... I'm not too greedy." The five sat down. She recognized Harry Potter right away but refused to stare at him, she was sure he got to that all too often.
"My name is Aislynn... It's a pleasure to meet you all." She went across, shaking their hands firmly with a kind smile.
"Ah. I thought you two were Weasley's. The handsome red hair gives you away," she winked and laughed. "Hermoine Granger, pleasure. I've heard much about your academic achievements, you've made a few Professors make a run for their money."
"Neville Longbottom, how do you do? Lovely toad... you must take good care of him." She smiled. "And Harry Potter... yes indeed. I'm honored to meet you." They all seemed a little taken aback by her friendliness. She guessed that maybe she talked too quickly, it happened when she was with people in an tightly enclosed space. A few tense moments passed by before the plump woman with the food trolly came by and opened the compartment door with a warm smile.
"Ah, perfect... Oh, no, don't worry about it. I'll get it. We'll take everything, big lot we have, you know." Aislynn dug around in her money pouch and gave her quite a few Galleons. "Cheers," she said happily as the cart went off. They all sort of stared at her for a while, she blinked and reached for a chocolate frog.
"Well, dig in... I can't eat all of this by myself. I'd lose my girlish figure." She grinned and bit off the leg of the chocolate frog happily. After that, the time passed by smoothly and with a very friendly atmosphere. They chatted about their summers and what was to be expected this year. Hermoine was once again a Prefect, Harry was welcome back to the Quidditch matches with Ron as the Keeper. Ginny, too, was on the Gryffindor team. Neville was hoping to grow a few magical plants this year.
"Are you supposed to be an exchange student, Aislynn?" Ginny watched her and helped herself to Pumpkin cookie.
"Oh, no," she laughed heartily. "I wish I were back at Hogwarts as a student. I'm a little old for that now, however. No, I'm going to be a Professor of sorts. I'll also be hanging around Gryffindor Tower."
"Of sorts," Hermoine asked with a hint of suspision in her voice.
"Well, I won't be teaching full-time. Maybe two classes per week, if that." She removed her flowing cloak and folded it up nicely. She got into her briefcase and pulled out white robes with dark purple trimmings and slipped it on. "Ah, that's better."
"Those are interesting robes. Almost as interesting as your cloak." Harry spoke with a grin.
"Yeah... I can't stick with just one color and black doesn't suit me one bit," she laughed a little and put her cloak into her briefcase. The others besides Hermoine followed Aislynns lead and put on their black robes and soon after the train came to a slow and comfortable stop. When the crowd that was in the compartment piled out, the heavy rains had been reduced to a light drizzle though the clouds still looked threating to pour the rain down in sheets again.
Rubeus Hagrid held up a huge lantern, letting his voice thunder out to all of the first years. Harry and the rest smiled and waved excitedly to him, while other students gave him a glare. Aislynn was sure that he wouldn't remember her but she waved to him with a bright smile.
"All righ', there, Harry?" He waved the great lantern in greeting.
They all made a mad dash to the carriages pulled by Thesrals, strange but oddly beautiful beasts with large wings, and bodys of a black horse. Settling back, Aislynn leaned to the side to take a peek at the beautiful castle scaling the horizon. It comforted her in a way, to see it coming closer and closer with the warmly lit windows. They piled out once more and Aislynn said her farewells for now then headed up to the Staff's Table for the Welcoming Feast while the rest of the students milled in through the large doors, leading to the Great Hall where candles floated in mid-air.
She was greeted by several familiar faces. Dumbledore's was most welcoming, it looked as though his beard had grown whiter and longer over the years, she hugged him despite all who were watching. Severus Snape shot a venomous glare, she laughed a little, gave a cute four-fingered wave and winked. He sneered slightly and sat down. She turned to Sibyll Trelawney and gave her an air-kiss on each cheek then sat down at her designated seat next to Snape. She could almost feel the hatred eminating off him. She noticed that a new teacher was there who resembled a centaur... Rubeus Hagrid had just sat down and Minerva McGonagall stood next to the hat with a scroll in her hands. Dumbledore stood and made an opening speech,
"This year, we have made a few changes in your schedules which you should have recieved over the summer holiday. Welcome, everyone, to another year at Hogwarts School. As always, Mr. Filch has warned students that the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds to everyone as are a number of new items posted on his office door. The ritual of the Sorting Hat can please begin with Professor McGonagall," he presented the school to McGonagall and she began to read off the parchment after the Sorting Hat sung it's tale of Hogwarts beginnings and to be weary this year. After the students had settled down Dumbledore spoke again.
"I welcome everyone again. Oh! And one more thing: Fluffy clouds. Ointment. Yellow Dingberries and tapestries. Without further ado, let us eat." He waved a hand after speaking sagely and as he did so, dishes of all assortments of foods appeared.
Aislynn could have sworn she heard Hagrid mumble, "great man, Dumbledore..."
"Hear, hear!" A few students shouted and the chattering of students as they began to stuff themselves silly. Aislynn helped herself to a thigh and breast of chicken, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob and yorkshire pudding.
"What are you doing here?" Snape almost spat acidly.
"That's hardly your concern at the moment... look, your food is getting cold." She shoveled a spoonful of mashed potatoes in her mouth and drank her pumpkin juice happily.
"I thought I had gotten rid of you all those years ago," he eyed her wearily.
"Oh come now. You make me sound as if I'm older than... well, Dumbledore."
"I won't allow you to teach here, Stellar! You are not qualified!"
"That is not your decision to make, Severus," she glanced at him with peircing hazel-green eyes. "You can't tell me that you're still sour about school years... That was a while ago. Besides, I hear that you've done really well for yourself as of late." She bit off some meat from the thigh bone.
He grit his teeth and after a moment of steaming, he began to eat. She noticed that Harry and his gang were glancing up at the table, she smiled and waved. After dessert, the students milled back out of the Great Hall to their houses. Aislynn stayed in her seat, staring up at the bewitched ceiling fondly. She sighed and pulled back her hair with an elastic that was around her wrist. Albus Dumbledore approached her with a small smile.
"Aislynn Ingrid Stellar... How nice it is to see you."
She stood up and gave him a brief hug, "as it is you, Albus.."
"You do know why you are here and your duties that you have brought with you?" He looked at her from above his half moon spectecals gravely.
She nodded, a few strands of hair falling into her face.
"Wonderful. I am trusting you with my students, Aislynn... please take good care of them. Severus will show you to your quarters and classroom." He put a soft hand to her back to guide her to Snapes ridgid figure.
"Thank you, Dumbledore. I'll do my very best," she smiled to him and turned to Snape. "Lead the way, you handsome fox, you." She laughed a little and walked beside him, slipping her hand around his arm.
"Please remove your hand from my arm," he growled a little and looked down at her hand.
"It's proper manners to escort a lady to her house after dinner. Besides... I don't think you mind the attention." She smiled lightly and looked up at him, slipping her hand away. "You really need to lighten up, Severus... you'll get an ulcer if you keep up this dreary mood."
"You'll forgive me for not bending over backwards and kissing your hand with glee," he shot back icily.
She stiffened and kept quiet after that. She nodded in her silent thanks that he lead her to her quarters and shut the door behind her. Peeves was bringing the chalk down her board in a most irritating way that made her shiver.
"Peeves... How good to hear you again. Would you mind creating havoc someone else's room?"
He dropped the chalk and blew a raspberry at her, floating out of her classroom. She sighed and put her cloak up on the coat stand and went into her office, climbing the stairs to her living quarters. Everything was in it's place, the enchanted fire place was crackling warmly and the bed looked more inviting than her own at home. She flopped down in bed, not bothering to cover herself up and drifted to sleep after setting her alarm for very early. It had been a very long day indeed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well, that's the first chapter. Please write to me and tell me what you think about it.