Chapter Two
Professor Superbus
Atticus stood motionless, as if he were in an empty desert, the whole world moving around him as he stood still.
But he was not in a desert, in fact he stood at the platform for the Hogwarts Express, preparing to board, his mind running through the plan to do so a million times before this very moment.
Never before in his life did he ever attend a School.
It was almost a dirty word in his mind.
He looked down in shame as he remembered what came up to this moment. He had searched for the "Lord" Voldemort high and low, never finding a single clue to where he was. All his contacts, wizarding and otherwise, said he was dead and flinched at his name.
One of them grew so irritated that he shouted at him to go and find Harry Potter, the person who supposedly killed Voldemort in the first place.
At that Atticus was finally able to devise a plan, no doubt Voldemort would want to kill this Harry Potter for what he did to him all those years ago. And if Voldemort was going to go after Harry Potter, then he would too, and catch the Dark Lord when he did, and force him to relinquish Julia and Clemens.
He had lost everything that night, and revenge seemed to posses his passion more than his songs, or even Julia could have ever done.
He hoped that Julia was alright, he wished that at night when he woke up in a cold sweat that she would be there for him. To tell him that it had all truly been a dream.
But it wasn't, and he was now the one thing that all ancients feared most.
Alone.
But Atticus shook his dark thoughts away, and concentrated on the task at hand, finding Harry Potter.
He climbed into the old fashion locomotive walking through the narrow, carpeted halls, taking note of the people he saw.
A raven haired Asian girl, A white haired boy with the look of a menacing rodent who was accompanied by two much larger boys.
He must have walked through have the train before he conceded that he might have to find Harry Potter another day.
Finally he knocked on a door ready to give up and just sit down for the ride, he almost jumped for joy when he noticed the skinny black haired boy he had seen at the World Cup, coincidently enough he thought the two other people in the cabin may have also been there.
The red haired one had a little bit more meat on him than Harry, his face was full of freckles. The girl had thick, bushy hair and all three must have been no older than fifteen at the most.
The cabin itself was cluttered with their baggage including one empty owl cage and one that was covered in… an intricate bath robe perhaps?
"Um, hello there, would you all mind if I joined you?" He asked glancing at the small space between the girl and the robe covered bird cage.
"Er, alright." Said Harry, wondering who this stranger was.
But after becoming uncomfortably situated he formally introduced himself.
"I'm Atticus, by the way, Atticus Superbus. Just transferred to Hogwarts this year."
He was much more muscular and much taller than the three fourth years, his brown hair grown out to just below his ears, but he tried to make himself appear smaller to make them more comfortable around him.
"Ron Weasley."
"Hermoine Granger."
"Harry Potter." They each introduced themselves.
Atticus raised his eyebrows, "Harry Potter, as in the.."
Harry nodded. But Atticus silently cursed himself for not trying to act more surprised.
" So, Superbus, Like Targuinius Superbus, The Last King Of Rome." Asked Hermione curiously.
Atticus was surprised that she would know about his ancestor but replied, "Maybe, not really big on genealogy."
He crossed his fingers behind his back, hoping she wouldn't press the matter, and fortunately for him, she did not.
"You transferred here, mate? From where, can't really trace your accent?" Asked Ron.
"Um, Wales."
"Wales?
"What kind of wizarding school do they have in Wales?"
"A very small one." Replied Atticus.
The ride continued in this fashion, Atticus making small talk with his three new friends, Harry even insisted that he pay for his snack when the cart full of sweets passed by.
Atticus debated the whole way if he should share with Harry what he was, and what he planned to do but every time he came close he told himself he shouldn't. After all, if Harry found out Voldemort might be after him he could be placed under protection, put in a place where the Dark Lord might not come, therefore ruining his plan.
No, his true identity must remain a secret, for now, and he would have to keep a watchful eye out for anyone who would try to kill The-Boy-Who-Lived.
When they arrived at Hogwarts that night in the pouring rain Atticus allowed the other three to leave first.
Stepping into his own carriage, drawn by what he made out to be some kind of winged, horse like reptile. He could barely contain his excitement at having this opportunity, an opportunity that would end in revenge no matter if he killed Voldemort or not.
He forced himself to clarify his mind for the second time that afternoon, after all he had to sound confident for Dumbledore. Atticus made his way to the Headmasters office, directed by the letter of reply he received only four days ago.
He approached the statue of the oversized bird with an outward confidence that was not mirrored by his mind telling him to shy with uncertainty.
But the door opened for him and Atticus walked up the spiral staircase. He took a deep breath before pushing open the door to the office, that was something closer to a library.
"Hello, Mr. Superbus, I must say it is a pleasure to have you with us tonight," spoke an elderly man in rich robes and a long white beard who turned to meet his quest.
"Professor Dumbledore, I presume," said Atticus enthusiastically, offering his hand to the Headmaster.
Dumbledore nodded with a small chuckle, accepting Atticus's hand and then motioning him to have a seat at his desk.
Atticus took note of the brilliantly beautiful Phoenix to the right of him, and also remembered that only the most powerful wizards could ever have such an awesome creature as a familiar.
"I admit, Mr. Superbus, that when I received your letter twelve days ago I was most surprised. An Ancient has never offered to teach so publicly before. I did look into your background, which was much more difficult than I imagined, but I suppose a man such as your self finds secrecy to be most helpful."
Atticus nodded.
"None the less, I have been convinced that you are in fact who you say you are and that leaves me with just a few questions, if you will sir."
"They are?"
"Why would you be so willing to divulge your magic?"
"Professor, it is just time for the world to know, that's all. The remaining ancients are few and far between, and while we do not wish our knowledge public, it is much more horrifying to think that our magic will disappear forever."
"Now, Mr. Superbus, it is highly unorthodox to have a professor who would also have to be a student. You are more than proficient in all areas except transfiguration. I am assuming this is due to your specialization, but it is necessary for teachers to be proficient in all these subjects. Perhaps Professor McGonagall can tutor you in the subject?"
Atticus bit his tongue, he knew it may come to this but a surge of pride kept him from outright saying that he needed a formal education while teaching a class himself. But it was necessary and that was enough for him to swallow his considerable pride and accept Dumbledores agreement.
"Well then, welcome to Hogwarts Professor Superbus." Declared Dumbledore after hearing Atticus's acceptance.
"But first," continued Dumbledore taking up a dirty, worn hat from a shell, "If you are to be a student we must sort you into the house you will be in, although you will not use the student dormitories and all the other things. Simply put this hat upon your head and we can move on."
Atticus raised an eyebrow at the method, but quickly put on the hat, not wanting to waste any time.
The Sorting Hat made a satisfied grin just before announcing the years first sort.
"GRYFFANDOR!"
Atticus jumped a little in his chair when he heard the booming voice from the hat, but regained himself quickly and handed the hat back to the Headmaster.
"That settles that, Professor." Said Dumbledore, "You may go ahead down to the main hall and their should be an extra seat waiting for you among the other teachers."
Atticus made a cheerful smile that his plan had begun to work and went to do just as Dumbledore instructed.
Once Atticus was out of the room, though, Dumbledore sent a questioning look to the hat.
"He's a proud one he is, very, very proud. Something sad in him too. But no, he doesn't work for Voldemort, I think he may have had just as many bad thoughts about Voldemort as young mister Longbottom did when he first came in." Replied the hat on its former wearer.
Dumbledore gave a thoughtful look, but then grabbed the hat as he himself went to attend the feast.
A/N: Reviews welcome.