Chapter One: The Second Scar
In the busy halls of The Ministry of Magic, where networks upon networks of Floo Chimneys lined the slick stone walls, wizards and witches alike were popping in and out of sight. Many hurrying with packed briefcases and swearing under aggravated breaths, while others were carrying large parcels or even pushing carts filled with broomsticks. However, one particular spot in the crowded hallway was curiously empty, with a small rope to keep hurrying folk and reporters alike away from it. One man stood beyond the rope, shoulders back and head up straight; every 10 minutes now he had been glancing at his watch to be absolutely certain of the time.
"Mr. Weasley, we just received word from the MACUSA office that their end of the spell is set and ready to go." said a man in an authoritative uniform, as a few reporters from behind the line had their quills twitching away in hurried scrawling on their note pads.
"Excellent, tell them that we're ready at this end as well. She may step through at any time." Percy Weasley nodded to the guard and adjusted his tie and patted the top of his slightly balding head.
As the guard relayed the message back to the USA office through a phone, reporters began whispering behind Percy about this experimental Floo Network between London and the US; and about rumors that had been circling around for the past 3 years.
"Hard to believe them, right?"
"No way, it's impossible hogwash!" another retorted back in a fierce whisper.
"Hogwash or not, she's the second survivor of a Curse now..." a different reporter pointed out, getting agreed whispers from even the doubtful ones.
Just as another accusation was about to be debated, the Floo Chimney before them flashed to life in a dark wave of emerald/gold colors and a petite witch stepped through with two others just behind towing two large, black wooden trunks; both with cages for animals on top as well.
The petite figure was mostly covered by a large, black hooded pea coat, though just as she was about to lift her head to greet her correspondent, flashes of light from hovering cameras went off and blinded the poor thing. Percy stepped to her, amidst the sudden din of noise from the reporters, and now as well from curious witches and wizards passing by, and directed her and the other two men down a nearby corridor. The guards left behind did their utmost to be certain no one followed in after them, as a sign pointed down the hallway said IMMIGRATION OFFICES AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY.
"Terribly sorry about that, nosy buggers..." Percy huffed, catching his breath as they passed through the first door of the corridor, the men in tow being directed down a much larger section now branching off to the right of the door for inspection.
The petite woman chuckled and waved it all off, taking it in good stride. "I completely understand, Mr. Weasley. It's not every day an American comes through the Ministry's Floo Network."
Percy looked down at the still cloaked woman with a slight shock to his eyes; as she was rapidly trying to see clear again from the specks surely dotting her vision. They certainly skimped on her personality in the reports; complete modesty wasn't even mentioned. Funny little soul... he mused to himself.
As the woman was escorted into a smaller office to begin a brief interview and background check, the famous train platform, 9 3/4, was bustling with scores of children eagerly boarding the train to begin their magical studies. It was indeed very big days for the local celebrities' younger children as well, as it was their first year to be attending the prestigious school. 2017 was certain to be an interesting year; though the younger children of course were concerned with living up to the names they carried. But, pushing the butterflies aside, the children were given the utmost affection and encouragement from their loved ones and were soon hurried onto the train to begin their magical lives.
As the train sped through the land, the adults were reminded of the work ahead of them yet again, and began to head back towards the Ministry to resume their hectic lives. After a time, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley had just stepped back into the crowds of various folk when a cell phone in Harry's pocket buzzed. Through a quick jolt as if stirred violently from a nap, he grabbed for his pocket and finally yanked it out and answered quickly.
"Yes Percy?" followed by confirmations on the other line and Harry nodding his head to no one's vision. "Excellent, job well done on that spell, on both ends. Ron and I are on the way, but the train for Hogwarts left already, so let's look into getting her another mode of transportation. No, not the Floo again, will take too long to setup. We'll meet up and discuss how. Right, see you in a few." and with that, Harry tapped Ron's arm to hurry to a lift to take them to the right floor.
"Slytherin!" the Sorting Hat called out, much to the amazement of everyone watching; as it had been Albus Potter who just received that House placement.
While there were many quips and giggles being thrown about, one particular boy was beaming with a pleasant smile and has just scooted down the bench to make way for his new friend. Albus walked over hesitantly, though once he sat with Scorpius Malfoy, he felt his anxieties calm a little more, especially so once other Slytherins passed along polite welcomes as well.
As more children were sorted, until the very last child was placed in Hufflepuff, Headmistress Minerva McGonagall stepped forward to the podium and raised a glass in a toast to the newest students. "Regardless of the House you may find yourself in, let's all make this year as peaceful as possible. Welcome to Hogwarts, young witches and wizards; and now, let the feast begin!" and with a joyful little smile, brandished her arms forward and watched as the newest children's faces lit up as the feast was brought before them.
"Headmistress?" a soft and gravelly voice called behind her, where the professors feasted.
Minerva turned and saw Hagrid holding his large hand forward a little, quietly catching his breath before thudding onto his reinforced chair.
"Gracious Hagrid, you didn't have to run and leave the poor thing alone. Is she coming?" Minerva held her hands out and open, wanting an answer as Hagrid collected his thoughts.
Just as Hagrid had formed the word for Yes, the large grand hall doors opened with their signature creaks and moans. The room of students dulled from the loud roar to almost the purr of a newborn kitten; heads whipping around at the new petite figure in the hall.
"Míle pardons, Tá brón orm Tá mé déanach." the witch called out to the Headmistress, panting very softly herself and adjusting her glasses. "I do hate being late, even if I wasn't given an exact time to get here." and she finally pushed back the large hood of her coat and revealed a beaming smile to the room of gob smacked children (and one or two professors).
Minerva had an equally large smile on her face, as the sea of reactions was indeed mixed.
The young witch of 27 could very easily pass for one of the students; hair buzzed right to her scalp on both sides of her head and very short buzz line down the back of her head. The longer length of hair reached only just passed her very pierced left ear; the right to match, of course. Her natural black roots were showing with wild red, purple, and blue colors blended perfectly; the sharpness of the red reflected her brown eyes with an added ferocity, almost.
Her black, high top canvas shoes made very soft squeaks as she hurried her best towards the front, tugging down a simple dark burgundy v-neck shirt passed the top hem of her black distressed skinny jeans. As she finished unbuttoning her black coat, her red and black scarf slid from her neck to drape around her shoulders of her coat just as she stopped at the front of the podium. One last adjustment to a pentacle necklace before nodding up to Minerva appreciatively.
"Nonsense, we, of course, saved the best for last." Minerva gestured for attention. "Students, this is Lindsey McKinney; your Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. She is also Hogwarts first American Professor, from our sister school Ilvermorny, which is where our previous professor, Loretta Wulfgard, currently is for a Professors exchange program. And, because she was not taught at Hogwarts, she does not have a House to call her home away from home. So, I'm very curious to see a Professor be sorted into a House now." and once again Minerva gestured to the stool occupied by the Sorting Hat.
As Lindsey ascended the few steps to the stage, the hat was placed upon her head, and gave a loud grunt and curled its brim in confusion.
"What trick has been played on me? This is most difficult!" the hat exclaimed, grumbling to itself.
"I seem to be the problem child today, don't I?" Lindsey asked with a smirk, getting a chuckle from the Hat as well.
"Well, haha, yes! I've never sorted an adult before; though that is not the sole problem. Even the houses in Ilvermorny seemed to have difficulty placing you! Sorted into all but one House; extraordinary! Let's see... Pukwudgie is what you ultimately chose, is it? Curious, exceptionally so. A great aptitude for spells, a very fast thinker, undoubtedly strong; an Auror straight out of school, no less! None of this is helping my decision, though..." as it went back to grumbling.
Lindsey, and the students now, couldn't help but laugh with the Hat; so she decided to try to help the Hat to make a decision. "Would it be too bold of me to suggest a House then? It is unfair to sort an adult witch who has already found her place amongst her peers." and raised a brow as she thought for the Hat.
The Sorting Hat perked up and made bemused noises now, agreeing, it would seem, to itself. "Yes, yes I would have to agree. Thank you my dear. Let it be..." the students seemed more on edge than the participant was.
"RAVENCLAW!"
Thunderous applause from the Ravenclaw House as the rest acted as though they had lost a guaranteed bet. Lindsey gently pulled the Hat up and nodded a Thank You. "Glad I could be of help, then."
Chuckling some more, the Hat wrinkled its cloth in a smile to her. "Do drop by as often as you'd like. You have an enchanting mind."
"You flattering little Sun Hat, you..." Minerva quipped and jokingly waggled a finger at the Hat. Returning towards the students and looking for a last bit of silence,
"Now then, I do not want to hear of any mischief going on in Professor McKinney's classes; you'll do well to keep a fear of her, now. She will also be in charge of teaching a new style of casting for the older students, younger students will have to send home permission slips to family to be able to participate, I'm afraid." now turning back towards the new Professor.
"But, welcome to Hogwarts, Professor McKinney." and the thunderous applause echoed out again just before she took a seat beside Hagrid, finally recovered from his run.