Four Heads Are Better Than One
Year One: The End of the Year
Two updates in one day, aren't we good? As I said before, we're going away tomorrow so we won't be starting the next book until next week. We would love to come back to some reviews though :) Thank you for all your support, it's really inspired me, and now Andrew, to keep going. We hope you enjoy this chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
It was the last day of term. The students were asleep, ready to return home in the morning. The staff members had stayed up a little longer, but most had now sought their beds too. Only the house Heads were still awake.
Minerva let her head fall back with a groan of exhaustion. "What a year."
Pomona nodded. "Harry Potter's first year was always going to be interesting, but I don't think anyone anticipated this."
"I still can't believe that he managed to get the Stone," Severus grumbled.
Filius shook his head. "Quite an incredible achievement really."
Minerva smiled ruefully. "And we thought that it was perfectly safe." Her smile faded slightly. "Those three were in terrible danger."
Pomona sighed. "We certainly underestimated what they were capable of."
Filius coughed. "In our defence, how many first years could have accomplished what they did?"
Severus grimaced. "Good point." He shot a sly glance at Minerva. "So how does it feel to know that the youngest Weasley managed to get past your chessmen?"
The Gryffindor glared at him. "Probably not as bad as knowing that Miss Granger figured out your riddle."
Severus scowled, but there was a glint of amusement in his dark eyes that matched the grin dancing on his opponent's lips. Pomona shook her head fondly as she watched them.
Filius smiled. "And it seems that Harry has inherited the courage and loyalty of both his parents."
Minerva nodded. "To stand up to You-Know-Who aged eleven…" She broke off, shaking her head in disbelief.
Severus shrugged. "It was impressive I suppose." The others looked at him in astonishment and his scowl deepened. "It doesn't alter the fact that he's lazy and arrogant." Minerva just sighed.
Pomona summed up their feelings. "Lily and James would be very proud of him." Not even Severus could argue with that.
After a respectful silence, Filius sighed. "I do feel sorry for Quirinius though."
Severus stared at him. "He tried to restore the Dark Lord to power, nearly killing one of our students in the process!"
Filius shook his head sadly. "I'm not excusing what he's done, Severus. But despite his intelligence, Quirinius was always easily manipulated. He would never be able to stand up to You-Know-Who."
"He didn't deserve to die for being weak-willed," Pomona said quietly.
Minerva frowned. "No one forced him to betray us. He alone was responsible for his actions."
Filius sighed. "I know."
Severus snorted. "Don't waste your pity, Filius. If nothing else, he was an atrocious DADA teacher.
Filius shrugged. "Yes, but still I think it's a shame."
Pomona glanced at Severus. "Are you going to apply for his job?"
Minerva groaned. "Again?"
Severus glared at her. "I'd do a damn sight better job than half the idiots Albus has hired over the years."
Minerva looked at him sternly. "You know perfectly well why he won't allow it.
Severus shrugged. "That doesn't mean I have to like it."
Filius glanced at him. "If you have to apply, at least wait until the curse has been lifted."
Pomona gave a disbelieving snort. "There is no curse."
Filius shook his head. "In the past forty years, not a single DADA teacher has lasted longer than a year. Believe me Pomona, the job is cursed."
Pomona frowned. "I still think there has to be a logical explanation." She sighed. "I just hope that next year's professor does a better job."
Minerva nodded. "At least he can't be any more annoying than Quirrell was with that fake stutter."
Severus winced. "Knowing Albus, he'll probably find someone worse."
"At least they won't be possessed by You-Know-Who."
Filius shook his head in disgust. "I sincerely hope not."
"And hopefully Hagrid will have learnt his lesson about dragons."
Pomona shuddered. "I think we've had quite enough dangerous creatures in the castle already."
Severus frowned. "And maybe next year we'll have an unbiased House Cup."
Minerva smirked at him. "Severus, don't tell me you're still sore about the end of Slytherin's winning streak?"
Severus scowled at her. ""It was completely unfair of the Headmaster to award all those points right at the last minute."
"They deserved those points!"
"I think Severus is more upset about the fact that his Slytherins were humiliated in front of the whole school," Pomona pointed out. "The first years would have been delighted at winning, but then it was snatched away from them."
Minerva frowned. "Maybe Albus should have awarded those points earlier in the day." Severus grunted in agreement.
Filius decided it was time to change the subject. "At least Ravenclaw flattened both your teams in the Quidditch Cup." The effort worked, as both Heads immediately turned to glare at him.
Minerva looked particularly irritated. "They only won because Harry was unconscious in the hospital wing."
Filius grinned at her. "If you say so. Still, it looks like we'll have to wait until next year to test Harry against Cho."
Minerva returned the smile. "That will be an interesting match."
Pomona shook her head. "I have a feeling the whole of next year will be interesting."
Severus snorted. "Somehow, I don't think it can be worse than this one."
The first year is done! Our next update will probably be some time next Monday, but please let us know what you think so far.
