Note: Starts out in October of the trio's 5th year and Voldemort is on the rise.
I also need a Beta is anyone is interested…lemme know!
Chapter One
It was nearly dark when she apparated outside the gate of the giant castle. The cool fall breeze rustled her cloak as she watched a large figure approach.
"You must be the American. Dumbledore's been expecting you." Hagrid smiled as he unlocked the gate. Alex couldn't help but smile back as she stepped inside the gate.
"Well this way then." Hagrid said and they started down the path towards the school. Hagrid chatted happily about the great man the Headmaster was and how amazing the school was. Alex could only find herself half-listening as the butterflies started up in her stomach as the neared the towering school. At night, it almost looked threatening except for the warm flicker of candles coming from many of the windows. They entered the school and she couldn't help but be impressed as they mad their way through the vast hallways. Suddenly, Hagrid stopped almost causing Alex to crash into him. He grinned down at her but then turned to the large gargoyle in the archway.
"Lemon drop." He said. Alex shot him a quizzical look but then understood as a large staircase formed.
"Go on now. He's expecting you." Hagrid encouraged.
"Thank you." Alex said and stepped onto the stairs, riding it up like a muggle escalator. At the top was a large wooden door. She paused for a moment, taking a deep breath to calm the butterflies that were doing an old-fashioned waltz through her insides.
'Okay Alex, you can do this. It's no biggie. Just be your bright and charming self.' Alex thought in encouragement to herself. Just as she was about to knock she heard a warm voice yell out
"Come in!" Alex pushed open the door and entered the room, which was warmly lit with candles. Looking around, she quickly took in the giant bookcases filled with all types of books. Her gaze fell into the middle of the room where an elderly wizard sat behind a large wood desk in a worn armchair. Alex stepped forward, pushing her hood down away from her face.
"Headmaster, I am Alex Harper." She said gently. Dumbledore studied her closely for a moment.
"Well I'm an old fool." He finally said, chuckling lightly. He waved his hand in indication for her to take a seat. Alex settled down in one of the chairs as Dumbledore continued on.
"It seems that I was under the impression that you were…"
"Male?" Alex interrupted. "I get that a lot. My full name is Alexandra but I prefer Alex. This isn't a problem is it?" Alex was worried that maybe because she was female, the position as a student teacher for potions would no longer be open for her.
"No, of course not. It's just a surprise and a pleasant one at that." Dumbledore stated kindly with a twinkle in his eye. Alex let out a sigh and instantly relaxed, leaning back into the chair, her butterflies disappearing.
"Well as you know, school has already been in session for a month now." Dumbledore stated.
"Yes. I was wondering why you sent for me now and not at the beginning of the term." Alex inquired. It was odd for the position to start so late since all the other students in student teacher positions had already started a month ago back in the U.S.
"Well we needed some time to prepare for your arrival. But enough of that. You'll probably want to freshen up before dinner. Shall I escort you to your room?" Dumbledore suggested. He wished to avoid going to topics that may leads to talk of the oncoming war, since the reason her arrival was delayed was due to the increase in security at the school in preparations of what was expected to come.
"All right." Alex agreed, liking the idea of changing out of her travel clothes. She also wanted to check on her luggage to make sure everything had gotten there okay since it was sent ahead of her. She stood up from the chair and allowed Dumbledore to escort her down the stairs. They made their way through a maze of hallways and staircases. Or at least it seemed like a maze to her. Finally Dumbledore came to a halt at the end of one of the hallways.
"This is your room here." He said indicating to a large portrait of two ladies sitting in a garden. The both looked up and smiled warmly at Alex, giving a polite wave. "The staircase here leads to the dungeons where the potions classes are taught." Alex looked at the stairwell to her left and noticed how dark and foreboding it seemed.
"May I ask when I will meet the Potions Master?" Alex asked turning back to Dumbledore, somewhat excited to meet the man she would be working with.
"Most likely at dinner, which is in about an hour. The Great Hall is near the front entrance, where you came in. Should I send someone to escort you?" Dumbledore asked, tucking his arms into his sleeves as he peered at her through his half-moon spectacles.
"No, that's all right. I think I should be able to find it." Alex assured him with a slight smile.
"Well, if you get lost just ask one of the students. Preferably not the ones with the green symbol since many of them may find it humorous to give you wrong directions." He said. Alex nodded in reply, understanding how children could be. "Well, I will see you at dinner, Alex, and welcome to Hogwarts." He disappeared around a corner, leaving Alex alone with the two women in the painting. This is going to be one exciting adventure.
"What would you like the password to be, Miss?" one of them asked bringing Alex out of her thoughts.
"Umm… the password can be white roses. It's my favorite flower." Alex stated. "And please, just call me Alex." The two women nodded and the portrait swung open.
Alex walked over to the small sofa and laid her traveling cloak over the back of it. The fireplace was lit, casting a warm glow over the room. Walking over to the corner, Alex studied the oak writing desk where an inkwell and feather quill was already set out for her. Her trunks were set at the foot of the large canopy bed against the far wall. The room was small, compared to the usual living quarters of the Professors, but it was perfect for Alex. What she liked most was the colors that everything was decorated in. The bed was covered in dark shades of blues and purples while the sofa and armchair was a dark green.
Alex smiled tiredly to herself. Traveling didn't suit her well and all she wanted to do was flop down on the bed and fall asleep but she somehow had to dig up enough energy to make it through dinner. She unlocked her trunks with a quick incantation and began digging through the contents, looking for something suitable to wear to dinner. Pulling out an article of clothing, she quickly went into the bathroom and changed, resisting the temptation to try out the large porcelain bathtub that she found inside the room.
Pulling her hair out of the twist, she moved back into the bedroom and stood in front of the large mirror. Her reddish-blonde hair fell past her shoulders in soft waves. She studied her reflection carefully, smoothing her hands over the knee length black dress that she had chosen to wear. Happy with how it fit, she moved over to the bed and quickly pulled on a pair of black suede knee-high boots then continued to make some small touchups to her makeup.
"You look stunning dear, but you do realize that you're late?" the mirror said.
"Shit!" Alex swore. She threw on her black dress robe, leaving it unclasped and bolted out the door.
Next Chapter: 1st encounter with Snape. Will they get along or become instant enemies? Just remember…if you review you find out faster ;)