Thanks for enduring my misspelling of names and some faulty grammar. I'm doing this story more for fun than anything else.
Chapter Three-The Year of Change
Eight Weeks Later…
It was as though everything changed, but yet nothing changed at all.
The first years were wide-eyed and nervously glancing around every corridor, while the second year and upwards were chatting excitedly to each other about their holiday events, the changes at their new yet very old second home, and what this year may have in store for them.
Hogwats hardly varied from what it was like before "all the evil" that took place there. All damage seemed a distant memory and afar from the outside construction still being dealt with, not a brick was out of place.
Most of the change was in the students that decided to return back here and the remaining professors…or lack of professors.
There was a shift in spirit at Hogwats. Yes, everyone seemed chipper than usual, relived that the only worry this year would be the fifth year O.W.L. exams. Students and faculty were both relived to gain some normalcy and feel safe at home, once again, at Hogwats. However, everyone seemed directionless. A great leader was gone from the school and since then numerous leaders had used and abuse Hogwats.
The students all making their way into the great hall now, talked in low murmurs to what this meant to the future of their school. As each professor began to take their places at the head table, the students only stopped talking lowly to survey each professor, some even going as far as to point and mutter something to their peer besides them. When Severus took to the main table, he got the loudest chatter of all amongst the students. His lipped curled as he took this in, but the unpleasant moment was shortly lived as Hermione Granger took the seat at the head table.
Severus was surprised to see this, but noted that Minerva nodded towards her in a friendly notion as Hermione took her seat. Unlike Severus, one could read the uncomfortable feeling upon that young woman's face. She was like an open book.
A quietness took over the great banquet hall as Minerva Mcgonagall stood.
"Hello and may I welcome all of you to Hogwats. A school built upon the good, fairness, and the strong ethics of our world. It is known to you all that this world has been shaken of these ethics for the past few years. It is to no surprise to all of you, that a lot of this good and fairness has been destroyed in the process of recent events. And though much has happened, many betrayed, many lost, and many hurt by these events, I know we all feel a strong hope for a better future. We can all see the light ahead, just starting to come out of the end of the tunnel. We can all start to trust again… On the foundation that this school was built on and still exist here at Hogwats: good, fairness, and ethics."
She paused, her eyes going to each sides of the abundant hall.
"I am honored to be here with you, standing on this foundation. I am your headmistress, Professor Mcgonagall…"
Before she could continue a roar of applause and cheers came over the students. Her grimacing face, turned pink while blushing. She managed to reveal and then quickly stifle a small smile. She held up her hand to end the applause.
"To my left are some familiar faces to many of you."
Minerva introduced each professor and their subject. Coming upon Severus, chatter once again boomed over Minerva's announcements. She held up her hand a second time, this time stern and commanding the students' attention.
"To my right are some new professors that I equally welcome to Hogwats. Hermione Granger who will be teaching potions…"
The hairs on Severus's neck prickled. Perhaps it was just through his scrutiny that Severus noticed there were missing seats from the head table, but this was…More than a little unsettling that a just recent student would be teaching such a mature skill as potion making. And if Severus wasn't mistaken, Hermione had just been "average" in his class years prior.
Sure she could recall detailed facts that she memorized out of a book somewhere, but she didn't have a seasoned hand. This was a mistake.
The inner thoughts of Severus delayed his attention to Minerva's announcement. He tuned in again to hear:
"And though she has not arrived yet, when she does, Madam Abbot is available for student and faculty use. Though the battle seems to be won, most of us, if not all of us, did not get out of this struggle unscathed. Knowing when to ask for guidance or help is not a weakness, but can be one's biggest strength."
As the information settled amongst the students and staff, Minerva allowed the ceremony of sorting to begin. After every student was sorted accordingly, dinner was served and food rained down to the hungry students to their delight. Severus too absorbed the new information and began pushing food around his plate as he stared at the new professors, Granger, and the empty seat.
"Professor." He called to Minerva next to him, that had turn her attention to cutting up a piece of ham. "How do you expect a newly graduated student to teach potions?"
Without looking up and without missing a beat, she replied, "I think Granger is more than capable to become a professor. She exhibits great leadership, seems to always hold great responsibility and morals dear…" She took a bit of her ham, swallowed and dabbed her thin lips.
"She also asked for the position. Who am I to refuse such a request from a responsible, upstanding, and respectable student?"
"Yes I remember her being a good student…" He cringed at this response and then thought "and an arrogant one at that."
Severus quickly added, "But a professor… a master at a craft is a far different role than being a student."
He looked at Granger, who was now at the other end of the table, starred eyed and laughing at something Hagrid said.
"I am sure if you are that concerned Severus," Finally Minerva turned to face him, "Ms. Granger would be happy to take your suggestions on how she should go about teaching potions this year."
Before he could respond, Severus's eyes followed down the rows of tables, where every student seemed to face the large, open door. A figure was starting to walk closer into view now, as most of the chattering and chewing had seized. The ringing of her shoes on the marbled almost echoed in the great hall, as the figure grew nearer.
She was a young woman. Her age was questionable, since she seemed fairly young with the way she was dressed. Her petite, yet quite womanly figure was clothed in a fitted black dress. Its pencil length hem reached just above her knees. Her white-beige hair, wrapped tightly up in high a long tail, extending to the middle of her back.
Her face also gave dispute about her age. It was like fair porcelain, yet not dull, but glowing. No winkle below her big pale eyes, yet there was a jadedness about her stare. There was an acute, abrasiveness about her walk towards the head table.
The woman seemed unaware of the students gawking. As she drew near to the front table, some male students were elbowing each other, obvious in their innuendoes, while some female students narrowed their eyes while peering at her.
She still remained focused, as her eyes were fixed on Minerva. Upon seeing the professor, her face was no longer hardened, but revealed a genuine smile. Her entire face had changed with one smile.
"Minerva!" She grasped the professor's hands as Mcgonagall stood. Mcgonagall held both of the young woman's hands, graciously.
"Thena, I am so glad you could join us."
Severus took in the sight of this young lady, standing right in front of him now. She seemed far different than anyone else here, anyone he'd ever seen before. She reminded him of a Beauxbatons woman, with her fair skin and delicateness, yet she was dressed of a muggle fashion, but not a modern muggle he had observed before. She was conscious of her attire. Her figure exhibited a corset pull underneath and her face was painted slightly.
"I'm so sorry I couldn't make it here any soon. I have such a terrible time with traveling magic."
Minerva released her hands, and ushered her around the table to her right side. Severus refused to stare, and just fixed his eyes ahead of him, still listening.
"Yes we will have to get you assisted with your magic, soon. Are you hungry dear?"
"Not particularly, I had something on the train. I'm more exhausted then anything."
"Yes appearing to five different train stations would have that effect on anyone." Minerva smiled.
The young woman looked embarrassed, but laughed lightly. "Yes, sorry again."
"Nevermind that. We'll have to show you to your new quarters, which is right above where you should have sessions. Where is Finch… Severus?"
He flinched when he heard his name. It took him quite a bit of time to turn his stare to Minerva.
"Would you show Madam Abbott to her room?" His eyes shifted quickly to the young woman's face, that was now looking at him. He averted his glance. "Its right on the left wing, on the way to your quarters."
"Yes."
Without another word, he stood up and they began walking.