This story is dedicated to two dear friends Padfoot and basil, with out who I would have never written it. All J.K. Rowling's characters are hers I am make no claim over them.
The Blackwing Chronicles
The Story of the later days of Ravencroft Tarvers
Chapter 1 A Raven's Tale.
Ravencroft or Raven as he preferred to be called is a Wizard; He was the same year at Hogwarts as the famed Harry Potter but in Ravenclaw house. He did well in all classes but wasn't exactly a model student and had his share of detentions gained and house points lost. He wasn't bothered that he wasn't well known as fame was never something that attracted him, so he was glad to let Potter have the lime light.
He was present at the battle of Hogwarts but like many of the students present his efforts are by in large over looked and that doesn't bother him, for that night he had other concerns but that remains a closely guarded secret between him and one other and will not be spoken of here.
In the years after Voldemort's final defeat Raven had been selected to the Auror's office at the Ministry and had helped Harry Potter hunt down and capture the Death eaters who had fled after their leader's death. It was about five years later when most of the death eaters were safely in Azkaban that he was called in Harry Potter's office as he had just been named head of the Auror department and he was informed that he was being reassigned to Magical Law Enforcement Squad as an Investigator as there just wasn't the need for so many Aurors at present.
Raven had always wanted to be an Auror and while he had accomplished his dream it was rather shorter than he had hoped. He accepted the reassignment without dissent and excelled at the task even if it was rather mundane and boring. He kept in close touch with his best friend Rae, who he had known since Hogwarts. They had begun to live somewhat separate lives dictated in part of what they had gone through while writing often and visiting each other when possible, but that is another tale.
It was nearing twenty years since Raven had finished at Hogwarts and Raven now lived in a flat he had purchased in Diagon alley. It was a Friday evening and he was relaxing in front of the fire place writing a letter to his mum when he heard the pecking of the owl post with the Evening prophet so he got up and opened the window and gave the owl the required Knuts and took the paper and closed the window.
"Now is there anything of interest in tonight's paper or do you get it for cage lining Shadow" Raven said as he reached over and petted his pet owl.
He slowly worked his way through the paper finding little of interest as he was in the know of any major news out of the ministry or criminal investigations. It was while he was flipping through the classified ads he spotted something that caught his interest.
" Hogwarts is looking for A new Defense against the dark arts teacher, hmm well working at the Ministry is getting rather boring and teaching would be an excellent challenge, I might just apply " Raven mused as he wondered if Rae would think him mad for even considering the job.
Raven finished up the letter to him mum and sent it off then busied himself with dinner all the while thinking about the ad in the Prophet. After a while he settled down for a simple dinner of fish and chips that he came to a decision. "I am going to apply for the post! " He exclaimed as he mentally wrote out his application as he ate.
It was the next morning when Raven took out his best quill and wrote out his application and sent it out with Shadow and as he watched his owl fly out of sight he smiled and said "I wonder how much Professor McGonagall will remember about me and how much she will hold against me…good thing she has no clue it was me and Rae who did the Slytherin common room."
Raven smiled as the memories of that day over 21 years ago now flooded back to him. The rest of that Saturday he was out doing some shopping for potion ingredients and other magical supplies. It was nearly 4pm that he returned to his flat to find a letter with the Hogwarts seal upon it laying on his table and his owl looking very proud of himself. Raven sat aside his shopping and opened the letter and read it and was surprised to find out he had an interview at Hogwarts in a week's time.
Raven considered what do to then wrote out two letters one to confirm he would be there for the interview and another to the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade to reserve a room.
The week passed fairly uneventfully and when Friday evening came Raven packed an overnight bag and Apparated to Hogsmeade, and took a bit of time to walk around as it had been years since he had been here and it brought back a lot of memories. After about a half hour he went to The Three Broomsticks and checked in and went up to his room and then down for a bite of dinner and a drink.
An immense man walked up to him and said "Raven Tarvers innit?"
"Hagrid! Or I should say Professor Hagrid, I'm honored you remember me after all these years, please join me for a drink" Raven replied overjoyed to see his old Care of magical creatures teacher.
"I always remember me best students, so what brings ye to Hogsmeade? Last I heard you were working for the ministry" Hagrid replied ordering a large tankard of ale from Rosemerta the owner of the inn.
"I am but I applied for the job opening at Hogwarts and have an interview tomorrow, could be we end up as fellow teachers" Raven replied and took a sip of mulled mead.
"Well I'll be! That will make two of your year teaching if you get the job, Neville Longbottom took over for Professor Sprout as the Herbology professor, after she decided to retire a couple o' years back ."Hagrid replied.
"I read about that I was happy for Neville as it sounded like the perfect job for him! By the way Hagrid how is my baby brother Tormod doing, I know he is going into his sixth year next term. "Raven replied.
" He is doing fine looking forward to having him in my NEWT classes next year, He is qualified for them, outstanding on his OWL for my Subject, does your family know you applied? " Hagrid inquired.
"They haven't a clue I wanted to surprise them if I got the job" Raven said mischievously.
" Alright then, well I only stopped in for a quick drink as I got to go take delivery of a pair of o Bugbears for next term's lessons. " Hagrid replied emptying his tankard and dropping a couple of Sickles on to the table.
"Alright Hagrid, it was nice to see you again "Raven replied and waved to him as the half giant left.
Raven went to bed s short while later and slept fitfully as he was quite nervous about the interview.
Raven woke early and readied himself dressing in his best robes and eating a light breakfast, and then he started off for Hogwarts. At the gate he was greeted by none other than Argus Filch the long time caretaker of the school.
"Good Morning Mr. Filch" Raven said politely walking across the grounds with him.
"Morning, don't think for a moment I don't remember you Tarvers, you were quite the handful back in your school days, I don't doubt we never caught you on half of what you did" Filch said in his usual tone.
Raven merely nodded and walked silently still not much liking Filch and soon they arrived at the Castle and Raven worked his way up the headmistress' office and was greeted by the headmistress.
"Good Morning Mr. Tarvers, let's go into my office and begin the interview then. " Professor McGonagall said and led him into her office.
Raven looked about the office and noted the differences since he had been here last in his sixth year, there of course where the portraits of Dumbledore and Snape added to the rest and the lack of the many magical devices Dumbledore had kept here, the thing that most stood out to Raven was the empty space where Fawkes' perch had been. The Phoenix had left soon after Dumbledore's death and none knew to where.
"Please sit and lets begin" McGonagall said as she sat behind her desk.
Raven sat down and noted to himself how different this felt to any previous time he had been here, most likely as he wasn't in trouble for something or seeking advice but trying to become a professor.
"I have reviewed your records from your time here at Hogwarts, you were in the top 3 of your year, chaser for Ravenclaw, top marks in Defense against the Dark Arts, Nine Newts all Outstanding and a penchant for pranks, I remember them well Mr. Tarvers, you and your little groups efforts were only exceeded by the Weasley twins." The headmistress said with the slightest of smiles.
"Sounds correct to me Professor, and I can assure you I have quite grown out of pulling pranks, even if I can appreciate a good one." Raven replied.
"Professor Flitwick gave you a glowing recommendation when we spoke about you yesterday, and I spoke with your current and former Department heads at the Ministry and your work there is highly satisfactory. Harry Potter recommended you highly, stating and I quote: 'He has what it takes to be a teacher, and the right temperament.' I do however have to ask you what made you decide to apply for a teaching position, seems to me it would be boring next to the work you do now" McGonagall inquired.
Raven smiled pleased that he got such glowing recommendations especially as he had not requested any such recommendations for either his old Head of house or Harry Potter. "Well professor, I have been a bit bored with my work, I love it of course but compared to my time as an auror it's rather tame, I thought becoming a teacher would be a good challenge and a way to give back to Hogwarts." Raven replied.
"I can certainly understand that, well your certainly qualified for the post, and come highly recommended , but I have two more interviews before I make my selection, I will contact you by owl post to inform you of my decision" McGonagall said.
"Very well then, before I go is Professor Flitwick here at present? " Raven inquired as he desired to see his old head of house.
"I am sorry he is on Holiday at present and not due back for a week. Good day to you then Mr. Tarvers" McGonagall said smiling as she privately felt that Tarvers would be hard to top.
"Shame but can't be helped, Good day professor" Raven replied then departed and walked around the grounds for a while stopping by Dumbledore's tomb and thinking about him and the adventures and mission he had sent himself and Rae on.
Raven departed Hogwarts and headed back to the Inn where he collected his things and paid for his stay then apparated away appearing in Diagon alley then he walked back to his flat and went sat in his favorite chair to think.
It was a week later he got the letter from Hogwarts and he opened and read it then shouted triumphantly as he had landed the teaching post.
The rest of that summer was a blur as Raven was constantly busy as he had much to do, from resigning from the Ministry to selecting the required text books for his classes to meeting with the other Professors at Hogwarts to setting up his office and quarters there. Raven's family was very happy for him and his friend Rae congratulated him and wrote teasingly that she hoped he had to deal with pranksters as bad as they had been. Raven sincerely hoped he would not have to.
Soon after the news of the new hiring had hit the daily Prophet Raven began to receive owls from friends, old school mates and from his father's friends at the ministry. His favorite of these after Rae's was from Ron Weasley who asked him if he was mental.