07-17-07: ALRIGHT, LISTEN UP! I've realized that NPNA could do with a lot of revisions, so… well, here they are! I'm pretty much rewriting the story – not the plot, just tweaking that and taking out some very nonsensical stuff I've written – so please reread it! Or at least, skim through it, so you're not confused when I mention a changed plot point in the sequels! (Oh, and if Dumbly's a bit cynical in this chapter… sorry. It's 11 at night, I'm in a cynical sort of mood.)

Summary: All around him there is Death, and he can't seem to stop it… even when there comes a new set of allies to help the cause. But these allies are radically different… they posses a power no longer remembered by man. For he was forsaken and forgotten long ago, as he has powers the Dark Lord knows not… so now, he must join up with him, and in the end, they must find the true Ruler of Darkness…

In the beginning, Hogwarts was a school of learning and peace, built to promote the value of education. But as the years went on, and headmasters changed, the situation around Hogwarts grew dire. When Lord Voldemort returned, professors abandoned their posts and fled to find safer grounds… so Headmaster Albus Dumbledore needs to find some more suitable replacements. Who will win, who will die, and who will survive in this epic struggle of good and evil? After all… the end is near. And without the Chosen few, the world may crumble into chaos…

Disclaimer: Hikari Daeron does not own Yu-Gi-Oh! (Kazuki Takahashi) or Harry Potter (J.K. Rowling). The characters Hikari Daeron, Altáriël Daeron and Ceribi Motou are all original characters by Hikari Daeron.

Prologue: The New Professors
New Professors, New Adventures

Headmaster's Office, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Scotland

There are days where the world fits neatly into your palm. Everything goes perfectly. People listen and care, strangers help, even your mother won't complain about the way you dress, or that dreadful couch you've had since college. Ah yes, those days are simply the best…

Unfortunately for Albus Dumbledore, today was not one of those days.

Four professors. I need to find four. New. Professors. Wonderful. Exactly what I was hoping for on this lovely summer morning. Exactly what I needed, especially with Lord Voldemort on the move. Y'know, I simply love when my responsibilities as Headmaster clash with my duties to the Order.

Dumbledore sighed. This internal banter was getting him nowhere. He sighed and leaned forwards, bringing together his hands meditatively. He clicked his fingernails before standing up and walking towards his fireplace. He took a pinch of powder from a flowerpot on the mantle, threw it in the fire, and called for several people. He turned around and returned to his desk.

A few moments later, Minerva McGonagall, Severus Snape, and Remus Lupin, a current visitor to the school, all came into his office. "You wanted to see us, Albus?" spoke the woman amongst them.

Dumbledore looked up, momentarily distracted. "What? Ah, yes." He stood and started to pace in front of them. "I am placed with a very serious problem this year," he said, not bothering to stop moving. "I am missing no less than four professors this year."

"… Four?" said McGonagall, aghast. "Good Lord Albus, who?"

Dumbledore ticked them off. "History of Magic – I finally convinced Professor Binns to retire, when not enough students passed their O.W.L.s in the subject. Arithmancy – Professor Vector's wife is going to have a baby, and he wants to spend as much time with her as possible. Ancient Ruins – well, need I explain what happened to him? And, of course, the Defense Against the Dark Arts post is yet again, open."

"You know, Headmaster…" said Snape slowly. "You could always give the post to me…"

"Thank you for the offer, Severus, but then I would have to find a new Potions master as well. No, I rather like you in your post, you do it justice. Now, what I need from you three is suggestions." The aged headmaster finally stopped pacing and turned to face his three companions. "Where should I look for four wizards who will be willing to work at Hogwarts? We all know that, nowadays, not even Hogwarts can provide the protection and security it once did, no indeed…"

Lupin spoke up. "Forgive me, Dumbledore, but perhaps we've been looking in the wrong place all these years."

Dumbledore looked at him curiously. "Oh?"

"Maybe we should be looking in other countries, where magic is somewhat different… Charlie Weasley works in Romania, and Bill Weasley in Egypt; that's a start. I'm sure some contacts in America or some others outside of England can certainly give us a heads-up on where to look. Who knows? I'm sure there's at least a few wizards willing to work at Hogwarts, if only to see the school itself."

Dumbledore stroked his beard thoughtfully, twirling it between his fingers. "An excellent suggestion, Remus. Do you know if the Weasley brothers are in the country?"

"Bill is, I just saw him three days ago."

"Then that is, as you said, a start." Dumbledore swiftly walked to his desk and checked something he had written. "Hm… yes, truly an excellent suggestion. Minerva, you will remain here whilst I'm gone?" She nodded. "Wonderful. Then I shall keep in touch, be back within a few days." Dumbledore walked over to his fireplace, threw in some Floo Powder, and disappeared.

The Burrow, Outskirts of Ottery St. Catchpole, England

"Goodness me, Dumbledore, you could have at least given notice, I would have saved some supper for you!"

"Very good of you Molly, but honestly I didn't mean to stay for very long."

Mrs. Weasley bustled and clucked over the old man, taking his cloak, setting him down and handing him a mug of hot cocoa. Meanwhile, life at the Weasley residence was to be as expected. Loud voices came up from the Twins' room, where Bill and his fiancée Fleur Delacour were occupying while they visited. Overhead there was a "thump-thump-thump"ing as Ginny chased her brother Ron around, having taken her jumper and proceeded to run off with it. The Twins were at their shop; Charlie was still in Romania, and Percy… well, he was still at the Ministry, denying any involvement with his family.

There were no signs at the Burrow that life was troubled; no signs that Lord Voldemort had returned and had them on the top of the list as blood traitors. Yet… there was something in the air that told visitors that everything was not alright. Perhaps the jumpiness every time a door opened, or maybe the strange procedures Arthur Weasley went through every time he came home – or, in fact, the hours he kept. Whatever it was, there was a subtlety that rang of a certain… illness.

"Professor!" said Bill, coming downstairs. His dragon-fang earring caught the light as his long hair – kept in its usual ponytail – swiveled in and out of view. "When did you arrive? Safe trip?" He tore off a chunk of bread and bit into it.

"Just now, and yes, thank you, Bill. I actually came to talk to you."

Bill swallowed his bite. "Oh? Then how can I help you?" He sat down.

Dumbledore leaned forwards. "Bill, I need four new professors." He listed off the subjects. "It was Remus's suggestion that I look for wizards outside of the British community, and he suggested I talk to you. Was there anyone in Egypt that could fill any of these positions?"

Bill sat back and thought for a moment. "No, I don't think…" He paused. "Wait. Wait a minute, yes, yes there was. I think there is someone who can fill at least one position, and if not him, I'm sure he has friends that could help."

"Splendid!" said Dumbledore, smiling for the first time that day. "Now, pray tell, who?"

Me: Ta-da! I love this so much more than the original. This re-writing thing's going to be fun! I'll try to get in at least a chapter a week so I can get it out of the way, but we'll see. And if you're wondering about the four professors instead of the five – well, we'll see.

Oh, and I am so excited for the last book!!!! SATURDAY!!!!!!!! THAT'S – oh look, it's midnight, haha, it's Wednesday now! – IN LIKE THREE DAYS!!!!!!!! Well, four, if you count today… AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!