Disclaimer: As always I own nothing but the original characters presented in this fic and the plots that I have and will present. Thanks to all those who have read and reviewed, it means a lot to know that your reading it. Thanks.
The Return of a Gryffindor
The Daily Prophets front page boasted eye catching headlines as well as a close up picture of Lyon Brethern, a known Deatheater who had been captured after the fall of Voldemort and who, after being charged and convicted was sent to Azkaban then released nine years later once he'd completed his sentence. The man had been found, along with an individual identified as Christope Ricker in a house after an anonymous owl delivery arrived at the Ministry. The note, requesting for Aurors to be dispatched to the house in question proved to lead Aurors Heather Featherbee and Trent Drinkwater to discovering the two individuals in some sort of trance or coma with the letters DE burned into their foreheads. Both were dressed all in black and upon examination were found to bear the Dark mark. So far all attempts to revive the men were met with failure and sources hinted that there might possibly have been a note left behind announcing the beginning of a hunt upon all those who have chosen to follow the lure of the Dark Arts and Voldemort. More was to follow as soon as it was available.
The Judgment had begun.
I
At Hogwarts
It was a windy day at Hogwarts and the heads of the various houses, Lupin and the head master were awaiting the presence of the possible newest teacher to their school to come fill the position that was considered by most to be jinxed. As Snape had suggested Dumbledore had reviewed and sought out all available information on Aurora Raven and everything he'd found indicated that she would fit the role perfectly. It had been a surprise to find that she was a former student at the school and thinking hard he could still picture a girl with pale, basically white hair and rather strange golden brown eyes that had been rather unnerving as he recalled. She'd been a Gryffindor and one of Minerva's prized pupils. Needless to say she'd been shocked when he'd informed her that Snape's selection was a former Gryffindor and one she'd been particularly fond of for that matter. Minerva had remembered the girl, Aurora Nightshade as being quiet and extreme intelligent with a never the less sharp tongue and an almost otherworldly quality to her. Hagrid also knew her from her time at the school and both remembered her basically the way that Minerva did though their memories were blurrier The girl had excelled in all her classes and had spent most of her time at the school with her nose in a book ignoring everyone else. It was rather interesting that someone who seemed to dislike the company of others would chose a profession in which communicating with others was key. It would be most interesting to see how she had or had not changed. Everyone sitting at a long table with a single chair in front of them for the new teacher they were all ready when Hagrid arrived to inform them that their teaching candidate had arrived. Normally Dumbledore would have simply interviewed her himself but he thought it best to be cautious and get other opinions given the times they were currently in. When the doors opened again to admit Professor Raven all the other professors watched her walk towards them with interest.
I
Her pale hair drawn back from her face in a bun and her golden eyes looking only ahead she walked straight and tall, a striking figure in her black robes though she wore black slacks under them as oppose to the usual skirt. She wasn't really beautiful or even pretty but there was just something about her that drew your attention and kept it. She walked without hesitation to stand beside the chair reserved for her. Bowing her head slightly she spoke with a hint of a European accent. "Headmaster, Professors." Aurora said with a faint smile, her eyes connecting for a moment with her former Head of House, the women sharing a look of remembrance and better times.
"Professor Raven, welcome back to Hogwarts, please take a seat. I hope your trip here was pleasant, a trip down memory lane I would imagine." Dumbledore said with a smile, motioning for her to take the seat and continuing when she did so. "As you know why we've invited you here I'll tell you that I am very impressed with what I've heard about you. Everyone I've talked to seems to think that I would be a fool if I didn't take you onto my staff and frankly I would have to agree with them. Actually, I was rather wondering about that, my dear. Why you chose to offer to take the position in question. As you apparently know it would mean working with a werewolf and a half giant, not to mention that the role of teacher of the Defense Against the Dark Arts seems to be just a bit jinxed in this school I'm afraid."
"I'm familiar with both Professor Lupin and Professor Hagrid and I have no problem with working with either of them." Aurora said with a calm look as her eyes strayed to Lupin's for a moment before returning back to Dumbledore. Lupin looked ten years older then he should, the years had not been kind to her former head boy. "And even if I didn't know them personally I have, through the course of my life, come into contact with and made friends with vampires, werewolves, giants and countless other individuals that most wizards and witches are taught to fear and mistrust. I prefer to judge an individual by their character alone. Otherwise I would be a very narrow minded individual with no business teaching something like the Defense Against the Dark Arts. As for the position being jinxed I've always loved a challenge and though it will be difficult to undo the damage Lockhart and Fudge's pet caused I feel that there's still a chance that the students can be brought up to standards with the proper tutorlage. Something both Professor Lupin and I are capable of providing."
I
Watching her during her explanation Remus wondered about the glance they'd shared when she'd said his name. She'd looked right at him with those eyes and he'd had the strangest feeling, like she could see right through him and into his soul. He only remembered her slightly, enough to know her name and say hello but not much else though he recalled getting her help once in potions. The subject had never been one of his strong points and he could remember studying for his potions exam and being utterly stumped on some of them. She'd been there reading and had come over and started explaining without even asking if he'd wanted the help or not. He'd done excellent on the exam as a result too and had bought her some chocolate frogs as a thanks. As he recalled she'd been shocked at the present and had actually blushed, a rarity for her since he'd noticed she preferred to wear a mask of indifference at all times. After that he'd made an effort to always say hello but gradually they'd fallen back into the occasional hello and nod of recognition. She'd changed a great deal, he remembered her as being rather like ghost with her pale hair and skin, on the skinny side and with eyes too big for her face. She'd grown into her features more and wasn't so skinny though she still reminded him of a spirit, not quite what she seemed impression. He knew that if her help with his potions exam was any indication she was an excellent teacher though he couldn't see her as particularly forgiving or kind teacher, though not likely in Snape's league. And wasn't that interesting because he couldn't recall ever seeing her near Snape.
"I have no doubt." Professor Dumbledore said with a smile, pleased with her answer. There was something about her that made him think that hiring her for the position would be either a very good idea or a very bad idea. He had no idea why but he had the strangest feeling that she would have a large effect on this school year should she take the position. "I understand from Severus that you have several children and that you would wish to transfer them to Hogwarts as well as having a daughter not yet old enough to attend classes."
"That's correct, Headmaster. I have five children and though my oldest has already graduated from her old school I would like to enroll her here if it's possible. She was skipped ahead a year due to her advanced skills but I feel that there is still much that she could still learn and as she's technically the same age as your last year students I don't imagine it would prove too much a problem. My twins are fifteen but they were both skipped a year as well, you can test them if you feel it's necessary before school starts should you want to determine whether you think that decision should hold. I have a twelve year old and then a six year old which is one of the reasons why I prefer to take part time work as oppose to teaching full time. I have a house elf who can watch over her when it is necessary and between Wisk, myself, the children and Severus she'll be no problem."
I
Everyone looking over at Severus with varying shows of surprise the Potions Master simply gave them a dark look. Obviously they were shocked at the idea of him taking care of Missy when it was necessary but he was her godfather and he was more then capable of taking care of her, he wasn't a monster after all. "It won't be a problem." Snape said as he leaned back in his chair and wondered when Dumbledore would announce that Aurora had the position because not only did Dumbledore not really have any other choice Aurora was perfect for the position. In other words there was no way their plans wouldn't go through the way they wanted.
"I don't see as there would be any problem, Hogwarts can always use a new perspective as well as new blood. I have no doubt your children will be an asset to the school. You should also be aware that as of late the Ministry has been showing a great interest in Hogwarts and will most likely interview you when word reaches them should you become a teacher here, especially given who you would be working with." Dumbledore said, curious at the idea of Severus taking care of a small child. He knew how many of the students viewed the Potion Master and he was intrigued by the idea.
"I have no doubt that once it reaches Fudge's ears he'll try to convince me to help him with his..the changes he wishes to make to the school but I can assure you that there is no love loss between myself and the Ministry and should he attempt to gain information from me he'll find the information not to his liking." Aurora said with the faintest of grins. "The Ministry and I have an interesting relationship, Professor Dumbledore. I can assure you that Fudge is in no hurry to get any more on my bad side then he already is. My late husband's family influence will see to it."
I
Sitting behind her desk with a thoughtful look Ivy Ryerson contemplated the way things were going. Aurora would likely be still at the job interview, being as charming as she ever was as she tried to get a job that was crucial to things proceeding as planned. Even if Aurora didn't get the job the Raven children would still be going to Hogwarts which was something but not enough protection. Ivy had failed in protecting Harry once before and she would not fail again. She would have applied for the position herself but she knew that she just didn't have the knowledge and background for it, she'd turn it into a bird course and now more then ever the Defense Against the Dark Arts needed to be as tough and educational class. Though now that the D.A. Club of Harry's had grown so much perhaps the students wouldn't be need as much help as they would have otherwise. She'd always kept an eye on the old school since Harry had enrolled but now she kept as tight an eye on it as was humanly possible in order to anticipate any threats towards the school and Harry. She'd been delighted to find out about the secret club he'd created when that idiot of Fudge's had tried to take over the school in Harry's fifth year. That was definitely something James would have done and that the members of the club had proven to be so skilled was a testament to Harry inheriting his mother's patience and focus since you needed a lot of both to teach she was told. A mixture of his parents, Ivy would imagine and wished that she could go see him or at least send an owl message to him. Unfortunately, Harry was in enough trouble with the Ministry as it was without getting connected with her. She and the Ministry hated each other with an unrivaled passion and since the Ministry were still monitoring her as a possible Deatheater she had no doubt they'd try to use that against Harry who had enough on his plate as it is.
I
Just then, one of the few people that had ever worked for the Ministry and remained in Ivy's good books knocked on the door. A tall, young man, he cut a fine figure in a black suit and tie in the Gryffindor colors. Calling for him to enter Ivy smiled at her personal assistant and wondered for the zillionth time what she'd ever done before she'd nabbed Percy Weasley away from the evils of Ministry work. Of course he'd been more then willing to be nabbed having come to realize exactly what kind of people he was working for and the fact that it was power that mattered to them, the people had lost their importance with Fudge's reign. The near death of his two youngest siblings had really shaken the boy up and made him question what he was doing and helping others do. Eventually he'd been recruited by her to help out an organization similar to the Order of the Phoenix with the exception that this new organization was willing to go the extra step of actually going head to head with the Deatheaters instead of waiting for the Deatheaters to strike. Eventually though, it was no longer necessary for him to remain there and so instead she'd introduced him to the business world and not just the one he lived in but the Muggle one as well. Now he was her personal assistant and was proving to be a harder worker then any house elf with a sense of loyalty and morals brought on by the shock of realizing how close he'd been to becoming someone he couldn't respect much less want to be.
"Sorry to interrupt, Ivy." Percy said with a smile as he brought the small pile of paperwork he carried over and placed it on her desk. "These just need your signature and then I'll fax them to the appropriate people."
"I think I can manage that without too much difficulty." Ivy said with a wink as she picked up the first paper, scanning it to make sure that it was what she thought it was before signing her name with a flourish before grabbing the next paper. "Any word yet from my lawyers?"
"The Dursleys aren't cooperating. My guess is that they're being paid a sizable amount to keep Harry and even though we can afford to pay them more I think their of fear Dumbledore is stronger than their greed. That's saying something." Percy said with a sorry looking, wishing that he could give her better news. He owed a great deal to Harry Potter and Ivy Ryerson. There wasn't anything he wouldn't do to see to it that they were happy. True he was jealous of Harry sometimes but Harry hadn't taken his place in his family, Percy had stupidly given it up and had deserved to be replaced. Besides, in comparison, Harry deserved Percy's parents more than he did. "We can offer them more but even if you mange to get them to turn guardianship of Harry over to you in the Muggle World that changes nothing in the Wizarding World. The Ministry will never let you have him. At least not while Fudge is in charge. He'll legally be an adult shortly though and then it won't matter, Ivy. It will be up to him who he lives and associates with."
I
"I know that but I'd feel better knowing that everything is legally taken care of. The odds of me dying before I reach old age is quite high and I want to see to it that Harry and Lupin are well taken care of. I know that James and Lilly provided well for Harry but it can't last forever and who knows how he'll fair in the world outside of school. He's a celebrity and if the prophesy is true, if Harry really is the only one that can kill Voldemort..and if he succeeds at what price? Voldemort must be destroyed soon or he'll simply become too powerful to destroy with what little defense the wizarding world has. If that fool Fudge had bothered to prepare, if measures had been taken...but he only makes us weaker every day the man's in office." Ivy spat out with a disgusted look on her face. "It would be so simple to take him out of the equation but right now we need his stupidity to let those of us willing to fight continue to do so. He's so busy concentrating on looking good and showing up Dumbledore that he cripples the Ministry which means that the Ministry can't make things worse which is what they usually excel at. So we leave him in there for Voldemort to play with while we come at Voldemort from behind."
"Straight for the jugular." Percy said with a calm look on his face as he watched his boss go through her paperwork as though they weren't talking about anything important when it was truly the most important thing there was in either of their lives. Percy would fight and give his life to see Voldemort taken down. He would protect his family in the only way he could and hope that someday he could earn their forgiveness. "And don't worry, I'm sure with all the guards we're putting in Hogwarts the school has never been safer."
