Ok Guys! This is my first ever time writing something like this and would really appreciate it if you all could be brutally honest and give me lots of constructive criticism that I can hopefully improve on in later chapters. Also you have some power in how this story turns out, I have a basic story line and a few sub plots that I would like to keep in it but if there is something that you would like to see! Please tell me and I shall try and fit it in as best I can! I am writing this story for you guys after all!
All Harry Potter Characters, Places, Spells, Potions and other Magical Stuff are all property of the imagination of one J.K. Rowling of whom I am both eternally grateful and jealous.
Ok Guys, So I have had this story brewing in my head for the past two years or so now but have never had the guts to actually write it, never mind post it on a public website. It was only due to my cousin finally persuading me to post this that I am sitting writing this today. Before I show you my chapter one, I need to explain a few things about the background of this story. That bit in Deathly Hallows? The 19 Years Later bit? Didn't happen. All those little children that were the result of our favourite characters getting married and having a serious lack of family planning knowledge, do not exist, Harry and Draco are still single, not for long once I have had my way, but Ron and Hermione are indeed married. I am playing God here and bringing back a character from the grave. Doddy is not dead, Dobby is alive and well! One death too far Jo... I am implementing my own Hogwarts Faculty as mine is brilliant and I have everyone where they are for a specific reason. You will see. The title of this piece is incredibly important. Enough Spoilers, on with the show as they say!
Familiar Faces In The Strangest Of Places
Dedicated to Miss Laura Graham, For making me realise that Dreams can become Reality!
Chapter One
The smoke from the cigarette held between two of his fingers spiralled slowly upwards, wrapping itself around the black, oak rafters of the ancient pub. His tea was getting ever colder as it sat there on the table untouched, swirling from the movement of the spoon slowly carving a rough line around the inside of the mug, keeping the dregs from settling at the bottom of its stony cold depths. His feet, clad in shiny, black shoes tapped rhythm less tunes on the floorboards beneath him, earning him annoyed looks from a few fellow customers. It was a warm August afternoon and a 24 year old Harry Potter had come to the Leaky Cauldron, London's most renowned wizarding pub, for a bite of lunch. He had ordered his usual, a large mug of Earl Grey and a sandwich containing bacon, cheese and lettuce, which was now lying forgotten to one side, and settled, in his usual seat, at the end of one of the long benches in the centre of the room. The sunlight was spilling through the large windows, illuminating the bright, white pieces of paper in front of him. It was these pieces of paper that had Harry Potter transfixed on nothing else but the black ink on white paper in front of him. One was a snippet from a few weeks ago, taken from the Daily Prophet. It read;
HOGWARTS TO REOPEN
Yes! You read correctly! After six long years, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is due to re-open this September to educate the next generation of young witches and wizards in the fine arts that many of our readers were most likely taught all those years ago. After the rightly named "Battle of Hogwarts", the school closed for repairs, in which they have most definitely succeeded. The Grounds of the school are now wide and vast, covered in expansive, lush lawns, covered here and there with large, exotic trees coming from all over the world, to enhance the learning potential of any budding herbologists. The lake is much the same except that it has been enlarged by a couple of hundred of yards, giving the legendary giant squid some much deserved room to stretch his... tentacles. The forbidden forest has been untouched, as has the area surrounding the school, with the exception of certain parts of Hogsmeade which have had a much needed facelift. The castle itself looks identical to the one that we remember from when we would have attended, apart from one valuable addition to the interior. The fifth floor has been extended to incorporate a new wing, housing the portraits of those who gave up their lives in the "Battle of Hogwarts" so that generations to come can commend their bravery and show their thanks. It has been rightly named the Albus Dumbledore Memorial Wing and was officially opened last month by the last remaining member of the Dumbledore line, Albus' brother, Aberforth. Apart from those major changes, the castle and grounds have each been given a much needed refurbishment and look as good as new!
Hogwarts is to be Headed by none other than Minerva McGonagall, who has dedicated more than half of her life to the school and its students, a much deserved reward for such a fantastic witch. She is to be joined by a couple of old members of the faculty who were there the year of the "Battle of Hogwarts". Professor Cuthbert Binns and Professor Sybil Trelawney are returning to teach History of Magic and Divination respectively. Madam Poppy Pomfrey remains as the loveable school matron, to take care of any injuries that students may get while taking part in the rigorous Flying lessons and Quidditch practices, overseen by Madam Rolanda Hooch. Professor Aurora Sinistra left the school after many years as Professor of Astronomy at Hogwarts and is now being replaced by Firenze, a centaur from the Forbidden Forest who up until this year has taught Divination. Arithmancy shall be continued by Professor Septima Vector and Care of Magical Creatures shall be permanently taught by Professor Wilhemina Grubbly-Plank after Professor Rubeus Hagrid left due to wanting to spend some time with his wife and children in France. The Librarian, Madam Irma Pince has retired to leave the way open for none other than Hermione Granger, who will also be taking over the position of Ancient Runes Professor. The Crime Fighting duo of Filch and Norris are no more, The feared Mrs Norris have passed away two years ago and Argus Filch no longer being able to continue working, left the school for good. This position has been taken by more than one person, around a hundred to be exact, that's right, the House Elves have taken over the complete upkeep of the castle, only after Professor Granger argued for such luxuries for the obedient House Elves as extra holidays, a decent wage and sick leave. Muggle Studies has been taken over by one Professor Blaize Zabini who says he is overwhelmed at the opportunity. Herbology will once again be taught by Professor Pomona Sprout who will be resuming her duties as Hufflepuff Head of House. Joining Professor Sprout in the Head of House group is Professor Filius Flitwick who will be teaching Charms once again and heading the House of Ravenclaw. This year, Flitwick has also decided to teach Duelling to fifth years above as a Proper examinable subject. Defence Against the Dark Arts shall be taken over by Professor Draco Malfoy as well as heading his old house, Slytherin. Transfiguration will be taught by Professor Minerva McGonagall on top of her duty as Headmistress but shall not be continuing on her duty as Gryffindor Head of House, this shall instead be given to the most celebrated member of the faculty. Professor Harry Potter will be joining the Hogwarts team taking up position of Head of Gryffindor and Professor of Potions.
With the school rebuilt and the faculty in place, there will be no stopping the School returning in full force, ready to prepare seven years of pupils for life in the wizarding world.
I will strive to keep you, our readers, updated with the happenings within the school and any exciting happenings that may occur there, after all, it's impossible to go through a year at Hogwarts without something exciting happening. Especially with Harry Potter there.
Your Local Reporter,
Dennis Creevey
Harry had to grin; Dennis sure knew how to waste paper. But he had to be commended; he was certainly showing in Hogwarts with his own unique style. Harry read over the staff list again, he wasn't surprised at Hermione being mentioned, she had owled him as soon as Minerva had offered her the position. However, it wouldn't be the same without Hagrid, He might even miss Madam Pince, Filch and the incredibly annoying Mrs. Norris, or not. One name stood out for him on the list. Draco Malfoy. He had not heard of the Slytherin since he had last seen him with his parents in the Great Hall on that fearful night many years ago. He had heard of his Family of course. Dead. All of them. Draco was the only remaining Malfoy in existence, just as Harry was the only Potter. Their family had been murdered by a team of assassins from Germany when they had been there for a reunion. Draco however remained behind as he didn't feel as though he was up to it. Good thing too. Don't get the wrong idea, Harry still loathed Malfoy, but now this loathing was mixed with a feeling of compassion, finally someone knew what it was like to be the only one left. Harry stopped tapped his feet, stubbed out his now burnt out cigarette and pushed the mug of ice cold tea away from him. He put his notes back into the folder he was now holding and put the folder into his bag that he had slung casually over his shoulder. He picked up the article, folded it and slipped it into his pocket. With his thanks to Tom, he quickly left the pub via the fireplace in the corner.
He appeared moments later in the Atrium of the Ministry in a billowing cloud of emerald green flames, and immediately started walking briskly towards the lifts on the opposite side of the large room, dusting himself down as he went, trying to shift some of the dust and soot from his robes before he got to his destination. He acknowledged people he recognised as he passed them and stopped only to shake a few hands and to put the change from his lunch into the depths of the Fountain of the Magical Brethren. He slammed the grilles of the lift shut and jammed the button for Level One. He was going to see the Minister of Magic. The second piece of paper that he had been reading over during his lunch was now tucked into his bag. It read;
Harry
Please come and see me at approximately 2:30pm today.
I want to discuss with you about your transfer from the Ministry to Hogwarts.
Regards
Kingsley Shacklebolt
Minister for Magic
That's the way Kingsley did it. Short and sweet. Not so much as a how are you or how's your Aunt Marge? He had run the Ministry efficiently and successfully for the past six years and would be looking towards many more years in office if he continued the way he was. He had a lot of support from the public and was actually seen to be doing something about the threat that was sweeping the nation at the minute. The threat was one that terrified many people. mainly because they were so secretive in their doings. They killed off random wizards and witches for no apparent reason, one at a time and each death was spaced out by around a fortnight. They were known only as The Deva, and were led by one who went only by the name of "The Leader". This was what Harry and the rest of the Aurors had been working on for the past seven months. Now Harry had been sent in to protect those at Hogwarts from the more than obvious threat. But teaching Potions? That was something harry had not been expecting, Of course being an auror, his potion brewing ability was much better than what it was when he had been at school. The potion lab was no longer a strange place to him. The lift stopped at Level one and Harry opened the grilles and got out. He walked smartly up the corridor, trying to blend in with the high ranking officials of the ministry but was somehow still out of place, like a bezoar in a game of Gobstones. He walked up to the large oak doors at the end of the long corridor. When he reached the doors he raised his hand and knocked solidly and really rather loudly three times and waited.