Altair's first lesson was not going well.

His first class had been the seventh year Hufflepuffs ("An easy lesson," McGonagall had reassured him, "they don't make trouble"), and he had tripped over his robes, getting a round of laughter from the class and thoroughly embarrassing himself, lost his register, forgotten just about everyone's names and much more embarrassing things he did not even want to think about. Luckily, he had managed to salvage the lesson by impressing them with his knowledge of the Muggle history of medicine, it being gory enough for their tastes, and comparing it to Magical medicine's history, actually teaching them something.

His second class had been much more of a success. Fourth years were important to get on his side, he thought, and fourth year Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs were good ones to get. They held sway over the younger years and would (if he stayed here that long) tell next year's kids he was an okay teacher. He'd asked them to write what they were interested in that would be taught this term down on a scrap of parchment, and then he'd fished out what they'd learn about at that time. Grindelwald and his spies had been the winning nugget of information. He'd begun by glossing over the whole war, and then delving into the middle of it, when spies had been most common. He'd taught them why, and about the prisons and the torture, and just about everything about the spies.

The third class of the day had been Gryffindor and Slytherin fifth years. He'd taught them about the differences and similarities between famous people in both houses, hopefully earning both houses respect. He did not want to get a reputation of favouring one house above the other.

After that, he'd had two free periods to sort out more of a lesson plan and homework. After this, he had worked out his methods of punishment in his classes- luckily, he hadn't had to give any out today, but he knew it was only a matter of time. Finally, tired and hungry, he went down to the Great Hall to eat. He'd taken his place between Snape and McGonagall when Snape spoke. "Albus said you would be learning magic," Snape said.

"His plan for me was that, but I disagreed," he replied. "I am not going to fight someone who doesn't bother me."

"He will soon, if he finds out what you are," Snape said, glaring. "And I might tell him. My tongue might slip..."

"Threaten me all you like," he shrugged. "I honestly don't care. He can come and kill me for all I care. At least then I won't be stuck in this stupid place."

"Fine," Snape said, "I'll tell him."

"Severus," McGonagall said firmly, "you will not tell You-Know-Who about Altair's being here! Or his being a star! Albus will not allow it!"

Snape sulked, while Altair smiled and finished his large dinner and hurried up to his rooms. Today had been exhausting.

A dark figure ghosted across the castle grounds, and when it reached Hogsmeade, it disappeared with a crack. Landing in front of an old but fancy mansion, it hurried up to the door. Passing by the two other shadowy figures quickly, it hurried down the hall into a large room. Bowing down in front of the snake like man in front of it, the figure spoke. "My Lord, I bring news. A new teacher, Professor Altair, has revealed himself as a star..." As he listened, the Dark Lord Voldemort's grotesque smile grew and grew as his most loyal follower outlined their plan...