Title: Chapter 1-- Professor Figg
Author: Lysa K.
Feedback: Love it! Kwhateverr2001@cs.com
Archive: If you want! Just let me know!
Rating: G (this chapter)
Pairings: None yet...be patient!
Summary: Harry begins his 5th year at Hogwarts and makes a mysterious new friend who has a very interesting past.
Notes: Hope you like it!
Disclaimer: These characters belong to JK Rowling and I am not profiting at all from them. Dang it!
Chapter 1--- Professor Figg
Harry watched the countryside fly past the window of the Hogwarts Express as he made his way to his fifth year of school. He was withdrawn and quiet this trip, his mind reliving the events if the year before for the millionth time. Ron and Hermione noticed right away that Harry wasn't himself and the did their best to cheer him up. H joked and visited with them, but he seemed different--older and more cautious. he had spent the last month at The Burrows with the Weasley's, and that had helped a bit, but there were just too many things in his head that he hadn't worked through yet.
George and Fred had been outdoing themselves in an attempt to cheer Harry up. Had given Percy a quill that was bewitched to sign his name as "Percy the Pinhead" and he had written three office memos before he noticed. Harry had laughed, but it wasn't long before he had settled back into depression.
His spirits lifted at the thought of returning to school. He was anxious to get back to Quidditch practice and compete for the House Cup. There hadn't been any matches at all last year due to the Tri-Wizard Tournament and he had missed it tremendously.
Hermione was perusing her new class schedule. Transformation, Care of Magical Creatures, and Defense Against the Dark Arts were a few of the classes the three friends had in common. Hermione was studying the parchment in her hand. "Oh, good!" she said. "Hagrid is still teaching Care of Magical Creatures!"
"I wonder what he'll have for us this year," said Ron, a bit worried. He was remembering the Blast-Ended Skrewts from last year.
"I wonder who the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher will be ," mused Harry. "He'll really have his work cut out for him this year."
"You mean SHE!" answered Hermione. "The new Darks Arts teacher is a witch."
"Yeah, I saw that," said Ron. "That will be different."
"Hmm," said Harry. "Who is it?" He hadn't spent much time reviewing his schedule. he was too preoccupied.
Hermione checked her parchment. "It says her name is Arabella Figg."
Something jostled in Harry's memory. "Figg?" he repeated. "That name sounds familiar. How do I know her?" He racked his brain but the memory eluded him. they discussed other classes and all the things they looked forward to for the year, but it was driving Harry crazy that he couldn't remember who she was. It nagged at him. Just when he thought he had it, the memory disappeared. he wrestled with his memory almost all the way to Hogwarts.
"Mrs. Figg!" he suddenly exclaimed.
Ron and Hermione looked at him expectantly. "You know her?" Asked Ron.
"Yes! I just remembered. She used to watch me sometimes when I was little. Whenever the Dursley's went somewhere they left me with her. I didn't know she was a witch!"
"What's she like?" asked Hermione anxiously.
"Horrid!" Harry answered. "She was old and crabby and her house smelled awful! All she ever wanted to talk about was her cats. I think she had about 20!"
"Cats! Got it!" said Hermione, making a mental note.
"Honestly, Hermione," said Ron, shaking his head.
"Great!" Harry said bitterly, settling farther down in his seat. Defense Against the Dark Arts was one of his favorite classes, but this year was going to be dismal if he had to endure Old Lady Figg.
"Maybe it won't be so bad," suggested Hermione. "We'll just have to wait and see."
Ron and Harry exchanged pained expressions. They didn't feel like looking on the bright side this time. They continued to grouse about the horrible new teacher, and were still complaining when Fred and George came in and sat down. Fred joined in, "I bet she's really out of touch. Maybe she doesn't even know about You-Know-Who coming back."
"Yeah," agreed George. "Even Gilderoy Lockhardt would be better than that!"
Harry didn't quite agree with that, but he nodded anyway. They changed the subject to more pleasant things in an effort to raise Harry's spirits. He joined in on the animated conversation, feeling better. His friends had a way of making him feel better and they laughed freely the rest of the way to Hogwarts.
--------------------------------
By the time the banquet started, Harry felt a lot better. Hagrid had welcomed him warmly and Gryffindor had gained 6 new first years. Of course, when he looked toward the Slytherin table, Malfoy and his usual henchmen sneered at him and laughed, but it didn't really bother Harry. He had faced much worse than Malfoy. Still, it wasn't pleasant to be snickered at from across the room. Harry turned his attention to Professor Dumbledore, the headmaster. He had stood up and was preparing to welcome the students.
"Welcome! Welcome, everyone!" His bright blue eyes beamed and his smile shone throughout the room. "Another year at Hogwarts. I am so pleased that you are all here! We are going to have an outstanding year, I can just tell! Before we begin the banquet, I have a few announcements. first, as always, the Forest at the edge of the grounds is strictly off limits to all students. Second, Hufflepuff House has received a special plaque in honor of Cedric Diggory. It is placed just outside the Great Hall, and I hope you will all take a moment to look at it." He paused and there was a moment of silence for Cedric.
Harry felt a lump in his chest, but luckily Dumbledore continued, "And last....in these uncertain time, we at Hogwarts are especially lucky to have as our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher...Professor Arabella Figg."
George leaned over to Harry and whispered, "Old and awful? Man, you need to have your glasses checked!"
Harry looked up at the teachers table to see what George was talking about. Standing at the end of the table next to Professor Snape was the new teacher. This was definitely NOT the Mrs. Figg that Harry remembered. She was dressed in royal purple robes with silver trim, looked to be in her early to mid thirties, and was tall and slender with long dark hair framing a lovely face with the lightest blue eyes Harry had ever seen. Her eyes were so pale they almost looked white, giving her an intense, ethereal quality. She also had a look of sadness about her, as if she had been in mourning for a long time. From the faint lines around her eyes, Harry had the impression that she had seen a lot of pain in her life. She was a paradox--a tower of strength on the outside, and pain and vulnerability in the eyes, and the combination was very appealing. She smiled at the students as Dunbledore introduced her, and she was lovely.
Ron nudged Harry, " Maybe Defense Against the Dark Arts won't be so bad after all, huh, Harry?"
Hermione leaned over. "So does this mean she doesn't like cats?" she asked.
Harry smiled. Professor Figg was searching the student body, looking for someone. When her eyes met Harry's her smile widened and she bowed slightly with her head, almost imperceptibly. He felt a jolt of energy and he knew he had seen her somewhere before, but as like on the train, he couldn't place where.
Dumbledore began the feast and food and laughter filled the Great Hall. Harry enjoyed the feast, as he did every year. He finally felt like he was home, and he felt freer than he had in months, but he felt like he was being watched. he turned towards the teachers table and saw that Professor Figg was staring at him, an odd expression on her face. She smile when she saw him looking at her, and he smiled back. His attention went back to his friends, but he couldn't help looking back at her frequently. The longer she watched him, the more he had the unsettling feeling that he knew her., but he still couldn't place how.
Hermione noticed Professor Figg studying Harry. "Doesn't it make you feel strange?" she asked. "I would feel weird if someone was watching me that close."
"No," answered Harry. "I guess it should, but it doesn't." It was true. He felt strangely comforted by her attention.
Professor Snape was seated next to Professor Figg. For once, he didn't seem to dislike the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Quite the contrary, he was leaning toward and there was almost a smile on his face. They were chatting amiably, but it was clear that her attention was on Harry, not Snape. She couldn't take her eyes off him. Finally she turned her attention back to Snape, watching Harry out of the corner of her eye. Snape had been filling her in on the various students, and who to watch out for.
"I don't suppose I need to tell you anything about Potter?" he asked, his dark eyes flashing.
"No, thank you , Severus," she answered coldly. "And unless you want this conversation to end abruptly, I suggest we not discuss Mr. Potter."
He changed the subject, as he did not want to push her too far on her first night. "Figg?" he asked. "Why Figg?"
"Well, " she said, relaxing, "I decide I'd better use my maiden name. My married name is a bit...controversial for teaching."
"Yes, " he sneered." I can only imagine. Wise decision." He leaned back in toward her, studying her face. "You look a bit different, Ara. Still lovely, of course, but I don't know. There's a quality about you know that I can't quite put my finger on."
She studied him warily for a moment before answering. "It's grief, Severus. Something we are both all too familiar with."
He nodded. "I hope we have a chance to talk soon. Relive happier times, perhaps?"
She nodded and gave him a small smile. "Yes, I think I'd like that." Her attention went back to Harry as he, Ron and Hermione got up and made their way out of the Great Hall.
Professor Figg's eyes followed him all the through the room and to the door. He turned and looked back at her again before he stepped out. They exchanged a smile. As he stepped through the door and disappeared from view, the light in her eyes flickered and went out and she just looked empty once again.
Author: Lysa K.
Feedback: Love it! Kwhateverr2001@cs.com
Archive: If you want! Just let me know!
Rating: G (this chapter)
Pairings: None yet...be patient!
Summary: Harry begins his 5th year at Hogwarts and makes a mysterious new friend who has a very interesting past.
Notes: Hope you like it!
Disclaimer: These characters belong to JK Rowling and I am not profiting at all from them. Dang it!
Chapter 1--- Professor Figg
Harry watched the countryside fly past the window of the Hogwarts Express as he made his way to his fifth year of school. He was withdrawn and quiet this trip, his mind reliving the events if the year before for the millionth time. Ron and Hermione noticed right away that Harry wasn't himself and the did their best to cheer him up. H joked and visited with them, but he seemed different--older and more cautious. he had spent the last month at The Burrows with the Weasley's, and that had helped a bit, but there were just too many things in his head that he hadn't worked through yet.
George and Fred had been outdoing themselves in an attempt to cheer Harry up. Had given Percy a quill that was bewitched to sign his name as "Percy the Pinhead" and he had written three office memos before he noticed. Harry had laughed, but it wasn't long before he had settled back into depression.
His spirits lifted at the thought of returning to school. He was anxious to get back to Quidditch practice and compete for the House Cup. There hadn't been any matches at all last year due to the Tri-Wizard Tournament and he had missed it tremendously.
Hermione was perusing her new class schedule. Transformation, Care of Magical Creatures, and Defense Against the Dark Arts were a few of the classes the three friends had in common. Hermione was studying the parchment in her hand. "Oh, good!" she said. "Hagrid is still teaching Care of Magical Creatures!"
"I wonder what he'll have for us this year," said Ron, a bit worried. He was remembering the Blast-Ended Skrewts from last year.
"I wonder who the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher will be ," mused Harry. "He'll really have his work cut out for him this year."
"You mean SHE!" answered Hermione. "The new Darks Arts teacher is a witch."
"Yeah, I saw that," said Ron. "That will be different."
"Hmm," said Harry. "Who is it?" He hadn't spent much time reviewing his schedule. he was too preoccupied.
Hermione checked her parchment. "It says her name is Arabella Figg."
Something jostled in Harry's memory. "Figg?" he repeated. "That name sounds familiar. How do I know her?" He racked his brain but the memory eluded him. they discussed other classes and all the things they looked forward to for the year, but it was driving Harry crazy that he couldn't remember who she was. It nagged at him. Just when he thought he had it, the memory disappeared. he wrestled with his memory almost all the way to Hogwarts.
"Mrs. Figg!" he suddenly exclaimed.
Ron and Hermione looked at him expectantly. "You know her?" Asked Ron.
"Yes! I just remembered. She used to watch me sometimes when I was little. Whenever the Dursley's went somewhere they left me with her. I didn't know she was a witch!"
"What's she like?" asked Hermione anxiously.
"Horrid!" Harry answered. "She was old and crabby and her house smelled awful! All she ever wanted to talk about was her cats. I think she had about 20!"
"Cats! Got it!" said Hermione, making a mental note.
"Honestly, Hermione," said Ron, shaking his head.
"Great!" Harry said bitterly, settling farther down in his seat. Defense Against the Dark Arts was one of his favorite classes, but this year was going to be dismal if he had to endure Old Lady Figg.
"Maybe it won't be so bad," suggested Hermione. "We'll just have to wait and see."
Ron and Harry exchanged pained expressions. They didn't feel like looking on the bright side this time. They continued to grouse about the horrible new teacher, and were still complaining when Fred and George came in and sat down. Fred joined in, "I bet she's really out of touch. Maybe she doesn't even know about You-Know-Who coming back."
"Yeah," agreed George. "Even Gilderoy Lockhardt would be better than that!"
Harry didn't quite agree with that, but he nodded anyway. They changed the subject to more pleasant things in an effort to raise Harry's spirits. He joined in on the animated conversation, feeling better. His friends had a way of making him feel better and they laughed freely the rest of the way to Hogwarts.
--------------------------------
By the time the banquet started, Harry felt a lot better. Hagrid had welcomed him warmly and Gryffindor had gained 6 new first years. Of course, when he looked toward the Slytherin table, Malfoy and his usual henchmen sneered at him and laughed, but it didn't really bother Harry. He had faced much worse than Malfoy. Still, it wasn't pleasant to be snickered at from across the room. Harry turned his attention to Professor Dumbledore, the headmaster. He had stood up and was preparing to welcome the students.
"Welcome! Welcome, everyone!" His bright blue eyes beamed and his smile shone throughout the room. "Another year at Hogwarts. I am so pleased that you are all here! We are going to have an outstanding year, I can just tell! Before we begin the banquet, I have a few announcements. first, as always, the Forest at the edge of the grounds is strictly off limits to all students. Second, Hufflepuff House has received a special plaque in honor of Cedric Diggory. It is placed just outside the Great Hall, and I hope you will all take a moment to look at it." He paused and there was a moment of silence for Cedric.
Harry felt a lump in his chest, but luckily Dumbledore continued, "And last....in these uncertain time, we at Hogwarts are especially lucky to have as our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher...Professor Arabella Figg."
George leaned over to Harry and whispered, "Old and awful? Man, you need to have your glasses checked!"
Harry looked up at the teachers table to see what George was talking about. Standing at the end of the table next to Professor Snape was the new teacher. This was definitely NOT the Mrs. Figg that Harry remembered. She was dressed in royal purple robes with silver trim, looked to be in her early to mid thirties, and was tall and slender with long dark hair framing a lovely face with the lightest blue eyes Harry had ever seen. Her eyes were so pale they almost looked white, giving her an intense, ethereal quality. She also had a look of sadness about her, as if she had been in mourning for a long time. From the faint lines around her eyes, Harry had the impression that she had seen a lot of pain in her life. She was a paradox--a tower of strength on the outside, and pain and vulnerability in the eyes, and the combination was very appealing. She smiled at the students as Dunbledore introduced her, and she was lovely.
Ron nudged Harry, " Maybe Defense Against the Dark Arts won't be so bad after all, huh, Harry?"
Hermione leaned over. "So does this mean she doesn't like cats?" she asked.
Harry smiled. Professor Figg was searching the student body, looking for someone. When her eyes met Harry's her smile widened and she bowed slightly with her head, almost imperceptibly. He felt a jolt of energy and he knew he had seen her somewhere before, but as like on the train, he couldn't place where.
Dumbledore began the feast and food and laughter filled the Great Hall. Harry enjoyed the feast, as he did every year. He finally felt like he was home, and he felt freer than he had in months, but he felt like he was being watched. he turned towards the teachers table and saw that Professor Figg was staring at him, an odd expression on her face. She smile when she saw him looking at her, and he smiled back. His attention went back to his friends, but he couldn't help looking back at her frequently. The longer she watched him, the more he had the unsettling feeling that he knew her., but he still couldn't place how.
Hermione noticed Professor Figg studying Harry. "Doesn't it make you feel strange?" she asked. "I would feel weird if someone was watching me that close."
"No," answered Harry. "I guess it should, but it doesn't." It was true. He felt strangely comforted by her attention.
Professor Snape was seated next to Professor Figg. For once, he didn't seem to dislike the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Quite the contrary, he was leaning toward and there was almost a smile on his face. They were chatting amiably, but it was clear that her attention was on Harry, not Snape. She couldn't take her eyes off him. Finally she turned her attention back to Snape, watching Harry out of the corner of her eye. Snape had been filling her in on the various students, and who to watch out for.
"I don't suppose I need to tell you anything about Potter?" he asked, his dark eyes flashing.
"No, thank you , Severus," she answered coldly. "And unless you want this conversation to end abruptly, I suggest we not discuss Mr. Potter."
He changed the subject, as he did not want to push her too far on her first night. "Figg?" he asked. "Why Figg?"
"Well, " she said, relaxing, "I decide I'd better use my maiden name. My married name is a bit...controversial for teaching."
"Yes, " he sneered." I can only imagine. Wise decision." He leaned back in toward her, studying her face. "You look a bit different, Ara. Still lovely, of course, but I don't know. There's a quality about you know that I can't quite put my finger on."
She studied him warily for a moment before answering. "It's grief, Severus. Something we are both all too familiar with."
He nodded. "I hope we have a chance to talk soon. Relive happier times, perhaps?"
She nodded and gave him a small smile. "Yes, I think I'd like that." Her attention went back to Harry as he, Ron and Hermione got up and made their way out of the Great Hall.
Professor Figg's eyes followed him all the through the room and to the door. He turned and looked back at her again before he stepped out. They exchanged a smile. As he stepped through the door and disappeared from view, the light in her eyes flickered and went out and she just looked empty once again.