So I am definately going to try to update this more often but as I am sure many people understand college kind of sucks. Working and searching for another job is also kind of eh. I will do my best to have a new chapter up within the next week, hopefully sooner as this bit is not very...well.
Anyways- Harry Potter and related characters are not mine.
Thank you to those of you who reviewed. I may not reply to them but I DO read them.
A short while later had the children sitting eating a second last night of summer dinner together while Hedwig winged her way to the castle. The door bell ringing had Mrs. Granger rising to answer and the two children clearing their plates. Professor Snape was standing in the hall, talking with Mr. Granger when they finished. Turning his eyes on them when they walked in, he gave them a nod.
"I'm glad that both had the presence of mind to send an owl rather than try to fly a car to the school," He said, pursing his lips.
"Fly a car, sir?" Hermione asked her brow furrowing.
"Yes, it seems that Mr. Weasley was also stuck on the wrong side of the barrier and decided to fly his father's car to the school. He had not arrived yet when I left so perhaps we won't miss his grand entrance, you have all of your things?" At their nods he turned back to Hermione's parents, "Thank you both, enjoy your evening." With that he took both of their arms and they disappeared with a sharp POP.
After the trek from Hogsmeade back to Hogwarts, Professor Snape shooed them into the Great Hall to join the feast before sweeping back outside muttering under his breath about how many points to take from Gryffindor. They shared a smile as they took a seat next to Malfoy.
Dumbledore stood and the hall quieted, "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to our ranks this year. First, Professor Lockheart who has agreed to fill the Defense Against the Dark Arts post. As to the second, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Binns has decided to retire. Professor Snape has kindly agreed to fill the History of Magic position. I trust that you will all make them feel welcome. Now, there is a very good time for long speeches but this is not it. Everyone dig in!"
At the idea that Professor Snape had decided to fill the History post the hall had dissolved in complete silence as all eyes turned to the table. Whispers broke out as the food appeared. Harry blinked as Maera met his gaze her eyes shinning brightly as she studiously ignored Lockheart who had taken the seat on her left and was talking animatedly. The whispers quickly rose in volume and Harry could soon make out a conversation from the Gryffindor table.
"Who's that bloody hot woman at the head table? The headmaster didn't introduce her."
"Oi! Watch it that's Professor Snape. Won't stand for disrespect she won't, gotta temper on her to rival Professor Snape that one does." Fred answered, waving to her as he answered.
"Since when has Snape had a sister? Don't know how anyone could stand to be related to that snarky git."
"Professor Snape doesn't have a sister. That's his wife." George said looking up, "And I'd watch it. She has better ears than he does and I'm willing to bet she'll be just as quick to take points from Gryffindor, even though it was her house."
"Quite right, Mr. Weasley," A voice said from behind the boy and he turned nodding to Maera. "Now, Mr. Jordan is it? I would suggest you watch what you say in the future." He blinked and gave a slow nod, as she swept out of the hall. Once she was gone he looked back to the twins.
"That was different."
Maera hummed as she walked into her husband's office, the youngest Weasley had yet to arrive and if she knew her Severus he would delight in bringing the boy to his office. It was a rather creepy and intimidating atmosphere for students; jars full of floating dead things could do that to a room. Glancing to the fireplace she pulled her wand, starting a fire before taking a seat with the newspaper. It seemed only a moment later that Severus billowed gracefully in with a very pale Weasley. Her husband raised an eye at her, before his face went very cold.
"Sit, Weasley." The boy sat and she handed the paper to Severus who unrolled it and read aloud. "FLYING FORD ANGLIA MYSTIFIES MUGGLES. Two Muggles in London convinced they saw an old car flying over the Post Office tower. Six or seven Muggles in all. Your father works for the Misuse of Muggles Artifacts Office, does he not? Dear, dear… his own son." The Professor looked up with a nasty smile. "I also noticed a great deal of damage done to a very rare and valuable Whopping Willow." (COS 79)
"That tree did a lot more-" Ron started.
"Silence!" Snape snapped out. "Unfortunately, you are not a member of my House and the decision of your expulsion does not rest with me. I will retrieve the people who do have that power. You will wait here. Maera?"
"Mr. Weasley and I have a floo call to make while you speak with the Headmaster. I believe his mother will want a word with him immediately if her owl earlier was any indication." She answered, watching the little color that had remained drain from the boy with fascination. Half way through Mrs. Weasley's tirade the Headmaster and Professor McGonagall arrived. Molly requested that she and her husband be allowed to step through, and joined them a moment later.
"Molly, I believe we should allow Ronald to explain before we go any further." Professor Dumbledore said when the redhead opened her mouth to continue dressing down her son.
"Albus, we are already aware of what happened. Mr. Potter and Miss Granger both gave us a thorough explanation, the Platform was blocked and they could not pass through." Professor McGonagall said giving the boy a deeply disappointed look.
"Of course, I guess then that there is not much to do here other than decide upon a punishment." He sighed turning his eyes to meet Ron's, "I would not like to consider expulsion but this was a rather large offense and your record is working against you."
"Record," Molly parroted. "What record? I was aware that he had quite a few detentions last year but it in no way matches Fred or George for length."
"It is not the length Mrs. Weasley but the type of offenses. While Fred and George have caused quite a lot of trouble they have never deliberately caused harm to another student or ignored a direct order from a teacher. Their pranks do not target a specific person and tend to effect groups." Minerva answered, "Ronald's offenses demonstrate a lack of thinking about consequences and how others might be hurt."
"Perhaps a sort of probation should be considered?" Maera spoke up thoughtfully, "Mr. Weasley could continue to attend school but be grounded. No quidditch games or extra activities, just classes and meals. Any time that would have been spent with friends could be in the library."
"I find that quite agreeable Professor Snape," Minerva said after a moment. "However, I believe that some detention is in order. Working with Professor Sprout in the greenhouses should do nicely, considering the damage to the Willow. Mr. Weasley, I trust that you understand that should you step one toe out of line you will be suspended possibly expelled."
Perhaps, Maera thought as the Headmaster left with the Weasley's and Minerva to go to his office being a Professor would be much more enjoyable than she had believed. Once she was sure they were out of earshot she took one look at her husband and they both began to laugh.
"Now," Severus said once they had both calmed. "I believe we have a speech to make to our House. They should be introduced to their female Head of House." She grumbled as he pulled her into the hall.