Disclaimer: The only character that is mine is Olympiya Blayton, all others and including, settings etc are the work of JK Rowling and publisher Bloomsbury
The summer dragged somewhat after the wedding, Bill and Fleur returned to their new flat in Hogsmeade and the rest of us remained in The Burrow. The children in the house seemed to be constantly restless and the endless supply of Quidditch games appeared to have been depleted. The remedy for this according to Molly and Arthur was a trip to Diagon Alley to collect school supplies for the coming year. September was quickly approaching and school trousers were coming up short. I was persuaded to join them to help with protection, saves calling up for an Auror I suppose. I had reserved the books for Hermione, Ron, Harry and Ginny, one to make sure they got the books as people are in a panic and trying to protect themselves. This led to many defensive instruction books to be in very short supply, so I took this step as I couldn't bear them to not have this help. We Flooed again, but before this I searched out a spell to clean myself once we got their and even though I had received my parcels from the tailors I still felt inclined to wear my Muggle clothes. I'll save the new things for school; oh I never thought that I would say that again!
As we wandered up to Flourish and Blotts, the children began discussing the next years teaching staff. I wondered what they would make of me becoming a new teacher; I hoped they would be pleasantly shocked if anything. Harry seemed quite alright with my presence in his life over the coming year and he also came around to the idea that he should spend as much time within the walls of Hogwarts as possible. I was positively ecstatic when he divulged his plan; it would be much easier to guide him when I knew where he was. I knew Molly was as well, she had been pressurising me to get him to stay since I arrived but I always argued back that he should come to his own decision. It's his life and this year was going to be the most dangerous one yet and I was going to let him have as much freedom as was feasible.
"We're going to have two new ones, one for Potions and one for Defence." Hermione stated with full concern.
"And a new head of Slytherin."
"Well that's still two teachers Ron." Hermione retorted dryly.
"I know that, but it probably means we're going to get someone as bad as Snape." Ron deplored.
Harry remained pretty quiet, surely thinking about that those who were going to replace would be stepping into the shoes of the single person who killed Albus. But he soon chipped in and sounded quite cheerful when he spoke, "No one could be as bad as Snape."
"Here we are, go in and get your books." Molly instructed to the brood, "Where are you going?"
"I'm just updating a few of my books." And as I walked into the shop Molly grabbed my arm gently.
"Thank you so much for helping Bill and Fleur out."
"Absolutely no problem, I doubt I'll be around too much longer, I'd like my ill-gotten gains to do some good." I smiled a warm grin and followed the four into the bookshop. The smell of general mustiness and old paper struck me hard in the nose, it wasn't by any means unpleasant and in fact it was altogether familiar. They huddled together slightly, I assume to figure out what books they needed and while they were comparing their lists I slipped past them to reach the counter. "I reserved some books a week ago, there should be seven."
"Under what name may I ask?"
"Blayton." He did a double take as I said my name, but my hair was shorter than it has ever been and at the height of my infamy my hair was halfway down my back. Surprising how different you look with a change of hairstyle, that's why I offered this suggestion to Harry and advised to get dreadlocks. The notion wasn't received very well at all, especially after I changed his hair to suit my fancy over the entirety of that day.
"Here they are. I've already got your payment." A pair of very frail looking hands handed them over, so frail in fact I wondered how he could work with so many heavy books. But I guess a passion in something can always give you strength.
"Here you go; these are your Defence Against the Dark Arts books." I handed one to Ginny entitled 'Defending Against All That is Dark', a suitably sinister title for sixth years and two books each to Harry, Hermione and Ron. One was titled 'Defending Yourself and Others' and 'Dark Matters'.
"How did you know about these?" Ginny asked, her voice laced with confusion.
"Well Ginny, I'm going to be teaching this year and as compensation I book you these books."
"So why have we got two?" Ron demanded incredulously.
"Because we all need to go into far more detail when talking about the Dark Arts. And before you say anything, not to inform the next generation of Death Eaters, but to give you all a heads up in what to expect."
"Thank you very much Olympiya, I'm sure these will come in very useful." Harry stated with a straight face.
"Was that sarcasm I heard Harry. If all fails just throw them at Voldemort." They all seemed taken aback by my comment; though I'm not sure if it was about the sarcasm or throwing books at Voldemort. I prefer hardbacks myself. We all gathered ourselves around Molly so we could plan the next place to go to, everyone needed to restock their potions ingredients so we went to the apothecary, then to Madame Malkin's for school clothes and finally we had to go pick up owl and cat food and treats. With us all laden down with many parcels to I sounded the option to go home and rest before packing up for Hogwarts.
"That sounds like an excellent idea Olympiya, I fancy a cup of tea and a nice sit down, let's go then children." We arrived home like a pack of weary travellers, dumping all the bags upon the kitchen table and with a hefty swish of her wand, Molly set the teapot off. The children took themselves upstairs, presumably to begin packing or something. Two teacups and two saucers floated in like heavenly messengers bring hope to those who had none left and as the hot tea touched my lips and sunk further into the sofa. Not caring one iota if it ate me up on the spot.