A/N I own none of the Harry Potter characters or storylines, they all belong to the legendary JK Rowling, I am merely borrowing them. Story contained here and all original characters are mine to manipulate. This is my first writing and a story I wrote as a personal goal so please read with an open mind. Enjoy...
The weakness of professor Snape
The general noise level in the Great Hall began to rise as professor McGonagall leaned over and picked up the sorting hat and stool and swiftly exited the hall, however it took mere seconds for a silence as loud as the grave to fall once professor Dumbledore approached the lectern. He smiled broadly at the show of students before him, his blue eyes twinkling. Serene yet powerful; his mere presence commanded silence as everything from the tip of his star encrusted wizard's hat to the soles of this polished black boots explained that this was someone worth paying attention to.
'Welcome, both old and new students', he exclaimed spreading his arms wide, 'welcome to another brand new year at Hogwarts. I trust we find you all well rested from the holidays and already to put your able minds to another action packed year of study. I have a few start of term announcements to make before we begin what is sure to be another glorious feast. Firstly', he began adopting n air of seriousness, eyeing the students before him over the top of his half moon spectacles, 'Mr Filch has asked for what he assures me is the 776th time that magic in the corridors is forbidden, and any student caught doing so will be punished most severely. Secondly I will inform you as I do every year that the forbidden forest is out of bounds to all students. Professor Grubbly-Plank is harvesting a rather large batch of doxyspider eggs which are incredibly dangerous. I therefore warn you that any student found in the close vicinity of the forest without due reason will be expelled immediately.' At these words he let his crystal blue gaze across the sea of faces before him, lingering particularly on a pair of red haired twins in their 6th year who harboured a special talent for mischief.
Dumbledore's features relaxed and he smiled once more, 'and finally on a happier note, professor McGonagall and I are proud to announce the return of our daughter, Riley to Hogwarts this year.' An audible gasp filled the hall and several bewildered faces turned towards Dumbledore. 'She will be arriving tonight to continue her studies as part of Gryffindor house. I am sure, as you do with all new comers to the school, you will all do your best to make her feel welcome'. Dumbledore removed his hands from the lectern and folded them in front of himself, radiating happiness. 'Now I will delay your hunger no longer, enjoy'.
No sooner had these words left his mouth than the tables the students were seated at instantaneously filed with food. Platters, bowls and plates of beautiful, well prepared food and the students, evidently ravenous after such a long journey took no time in tucking in.
About halfway down the Gryffindor table a ghost was hovering, glowing silver in the flickering light caused by the hundreds of floating candles in the hall, talking animatedly to a small group of students. Dressed in 15th century breaches and a stiff neck ruff, nearly headless Nick was clearly enjoying the captivated audience surrounding him.
'Oh yes', he stated, an air of superiority emanating from his opaque form, 'I've known Riley since she was a baby, lovely young girl. Grew up here in the castle, positively everyone important here knows her well.' At these words he pulled himself up tall and straightened his ruff, clearly very much aware of his own self importance.
'But then how come we havn't heard of her, or seen her about the castle in all these years?', a slight boy of around 15 asked, his ruffled jet black hair standing out in stark contrast to his jade green eyes, which at that moment were full of confusion and unanswered questions.
'Seriously Harry, have you ever even opened your copy of Hogwarts: a history?' Dumbledore and McGonagall sent Riley to a wizard school in America, the Chilton academy is one of the most progressive educational institutions in the World', Hermione finished. A bright witch, the best in her year in fact, Hermione could always be counted on to know her facts, however obscure.
'You knew Dumbledore and McGonagall had a kid?', a skinny red haired boy said incredulously, waving his fork wildly so pieces of the mashed potato it contained flew in several directions, 'how did I not know this, I come from a wizard family". He finished ignoring Harry who was sitting beside him who was now slowly wiping bits of potato from his forehead.
'Hermione shrugged, 'well it was kind of hushed up, I mean people knew but', she paused looking swiftly down to take ensuring no one was paying them much attention so she would not be overheard, 'two of the most well known of wizard kind produce a child. That child would surely not be safe from he-who-must-not-be-named, I'm sure she'd be a bulls eye target for any of his remaining followers too'. There were a few moments of silence while this new information was digested by those around her. Harry was the first to speak up, 'then why return now with Voldemort on the rise again, Hogwarts is likely to be the first place he'll look'. Hermione looked up from her half empty plate,
'Harry, think about it, it doesn't matter where he looks, wherever Dumbledore is, is surely the safest place to be'.
A mighty bang echoed through the hall as the caretaker Argus Filch appeared in the doorway, the heavy oak door slammed firmly into the wall behind him. Several students around the hall gathered themselves, returning forks to the table and picking up overturned goblets, lost in their surprise at this loud and unexpected entrance.
A place pink blush crept up the pallid face of the caretaker as he surveyed the wave of faces turned his way, 'Sorry Headmaster', he stuttered shifting embarrassedly, 'only Miss Dumbledore has arrived'. A quick and low chatter broke out among the students but Dumbledore smiled,
'Thank you Mr Filch', he said, 'please show her in'. Filch inclined the top half of his body in a twitching bob and backed out of the hall. The staff on the top table as one rose to their feet and McGonagall walked around them and took her place next to Dumbledore. Moments later Filch returned carrying a large ornate trunk which he deposited at the door with a loud thud, and stepped aside to reveal a young witch in a long black travelling cloak. She lowered the hood of the cloak and unfastened it, handing it to Filch with a 'thank you' and a smile. Riley Dumbledore then lifted her gaze to the silent hall, petite and slim she wore a feminine white shirt, its scalloped collar standing open above a fitted grey pinafore bearing the crest of her former school. Her long golden hair cascaded down her back and familiar bright blue eyes lifted to her parents faces. Riley smiled and broke into a run, closing the distance between herself and the podium upon which her mother and father were standing, oblivious to the hundreds of faces that studied her as she threw herself into the arms of them both. The chatter broke out once again. Once she had been hugged and kissed by both her parents, Riley turned her attention to the rest of the teaching staff who had made their way over to the podium to greet her warmly. Only one teacher remained seated, a portly witch in a fluffy pink cardigan and matching Alice band. Her bulging eyes shifted from the students to the scene taking place in front of her and back again like a hunter eyeing her prey. Halfway down the Gryffindor table Harry and his friends were watching the exchange with interest.
'I wonder whether she'll be joining our dormitory', Hermione said,
'Probably, I mean she's not likely to stay with Dumbledore or McGonagall, she'll want to fit in', Harry replied, closely watching the staff table as Riley continued to make her way through the teachers greeting and hugging as she went, until only one teacher remained. Professor Severus Snape, the Hogwarts potions master was hated by most of the school. Head of Slytherin house, his bias towards them was clear to everyone. Now however he looked almost nervous, standing off to the side of the large group of teachers, his long hands fiddling with the sides of his token black robes.
'What's up with Snape?', Harry asked, 'I've never seen him look so...nervous before, he's usually the one making everyone else suffer'.
'Odd', replied Hermione, 'given his blush and apparent nervous habits, if I didn't know better I'd say he likes her'.
'Come off it, Hermione', piped up Ron loudly, his face the picture of disgust evident in his voiced, 'since when has Snape ever liked anyone? I doubt he's capable, and besides that's disgusting, he's old enough to be her dad'.
'I don't know Ron', Harry said, eyeing Snape cautiously, 'I think Hermione might have a point'.